The Rector of St. Bardolph's; Or, Superannuated

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1853 Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. In the course of the foregoing narrative I have quoted occasionally from the good.Curate, Bartoldus, where his mode of speaking seemed better adapted to express my own thoughts, thus sharing the responsibility, and it may be, fortifying myself with the opinions of a man so much older than myself. There is a Doric innocence and simplicity in the tongue which our fathers spoke, which has an advantage over the present method of disguising thought; and when I first began to write these memoirs, I had a mind to revert to the antique style, and attempt the whole in that way. But reflection persuaded me that it would not be judicious. The ideas of the several atres are naturally clothed upon with their own dress, which all things considered, is no doubt better suited to the constitution of the times; and although it may be well enough, now and then, for curiosity's or antiquity's sake, to draw forth as from a wardrobe the antiquated robes, the beautiful ruffles which adorned the necks of our fathers, as a general thing to be free from affectation, it is better to clothe our bodies and our ideas according to the prevailing fashion. Whatever be the style most in vogue, it is not so stiff or arbitrary that any native peculiarity of the wearer will not still be seen. To imitate any thing merely formal, such as style, if it be a governing passion, will condemn the imitator to ultimate oblivion, in an exact ratio with his apparent success. Ideas must take on a new shape. For that reason I have not taken my cue from'Bartold, but I consider his suggestions so valuable, that I am willing to let him speak for himself. I therefore append one whole chapter of his Diarie, touching upon Clericall Behaviour, Treatment, and Nolledge of ye World. I not profess to be s...