On this occasion the Misses Mynn called
into their councils the secretary of the Grumbleton
cricket club, who, being considered a good
man of business, immediately suggested the
appointment of a committee, to consist of the ladies
and gentlemen of the parish; the committee to
meet for the purpose of considering what was
to be done, and how to do it.

At the first meeting, Mr. Arthur Briare and
Miss Rose Mynn were made honorary
secretaries, and the committee was named. It
consisted of eight young ladies, and as many
gentlemen. After this the business was
adjourned to that day week, for materials, book of
minutes, and subscribers' names, which were to
be inscribed on vellum. It was also agreed to
meet at Mynn Villa. The proceedings closed;
when the chairwoman, vacating the chair, was
led to the piano, where a few songs and glees
were sung, before the table was pushed aside
for a carpet dance. The committee separated
at a late hour, having established a precedent
for committee meetings which is hereby
recommended as an antidote to their usual dulness.
Say, for a "Committee of the whole House," an
equal number of gentlemen and ladies, and a
chairman who can play the fiddle. Never was
there such a committee as this in Grumbleton
for punctual attendance, and subscribers' names
came in apace. It beat the rector's weekly
parochial, to pieces, and being held on the same
evening, furnished everybody with a reason why
they could not possibly go. The curate, of
course, was supposed to know nothing of the
proceedings, and therefore to his mitigated
pleasure, but we hope his ultimate profit, was
in attendance on the rector.

The report of the committee was voluminous,
and cost the honorary secretaries a constant
laying of their heads together. It is among the
chronicles of Grumbleton, and may, all but an
extract or two, be suffered to remain there. The
handwriting is Miss Rose Mynn's, and the
obliterations are noted down.

April 1, 1863.—On this lovely spring morning,
after breakfast, the committee and the
friends (and admirers obliterated) of Mr. Thews
met together in the assembly-room. All (with
one or two exceptions!) looked very happy,
and Mr. Thews came with the rector and the
family. Mr. Thews looked very well, and wore
a white tie on the occasion. Among the
company were Admiral and Mrs. Groggen, the Hon.
Mrs. Briare, Mr. and Mrs. Grobey, Mr. and
Mrs. Slobey, Mrs. Tittlemy, &c. &c. When the
parties were arranged, the following address,
adopted unanimously by the ladies and gentlemen
of the committee, was read by the honorary
secretary, Mr. Briare:

"Dear Sir,—We, the committee of parishioners
of Grumbleton, beg to express our regret
at the prospect of losing your services, mingled
with our earnest hope that, with the blessing of
Providence, you may be happy in your new
sphere of duty. During the two years which you
have spent among us, we can recal many traits
of a pleasing kind developed in your career.

"We beg your acceptance of the accompanying
salver and soup-ladle, as a slight but sincere
mark of our esteem and regard, and subscribe
ourselves,

          "Dear Sir,

                 "Your sincere well-wishers and

                                        "Affectionate friends."

Here follow the signatures of the eight young
ladies and six gentlemen, on behalf of all
Grumbleton, with the counter-signature of the hon.
secretaries.

This document, with the plate, Mr. Thews
received with a bow and a smile; if he did not
make a long speech or shed any tears, it was
because he was a muscular Christian, and couldn't
do either the one or the other. Everybody went
away, delighted at the proceedings, to a déjeûner
at Mrs. Briare's. On this occasion, Admiral
Groggen was persuaded to sing Lord Lovel,
which he did with high good humour. At the
verse of the briar and the rose twining together
in a true lovers' knot, the whole company
suddenly joined in the chorus—which gave considerable
colour to the rumour that a knot would in
due time be tied between the honorary
secretaries.

Possessed of such attractions, it is impossible
that clerical testimonials can ever lose their
influence on the minds of grateful parishioners.
In the hope, however, of reducing to a few
general rules a subject not sufficiently systematised,
the following will be found serviceable in
a practical way:

In the case of a parish-going curate, an ink-
stand or salver, or both, may answer the purpose.

In the case of a man whose means are not
large, gown and cassock, and bag of money;
in that of a tea-table curate, teapot; also coffee-
service, to do the thing handsomely, with suitable
inscription, not omitting the M.A.

An illuminated farewell address, written on
vellum, unless accompanied by something substantial,
has been known to occasion disappointment,
and cannot, therefore, be recommended.

In the case of a D.D., a piece of plate or a
portrait is a suitable token of respect, but such
are comparatively rare.

It must not be forgotten that testimonials are
by no means confined to the clergy. It is now
the custom to "recognise" in this way the merits
of all persons who are fairly paid for doing their
duty. It is wonderful how grateful the public
is becoming.

"Why?" asked a railway passenger the other
day of a country town tradesman—"why did you
give your station-master a testimonial?"

"Why, sir, you see," was the reply, "these
men can annoy us a good deal if they like."

THE UNCOMMERCIAL TRAVELLER,
A New Series of Occasional Papers
By CHARLES DICKENS,
WILL BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.