Nor are we destitute
of power to chastise the licentious, who refuse to comply with the
regulations of the place, and disturb the peace of the community
with riot and disorder. justice is here impartially administered
by a court of equity, consisting of a select number of the
most respectable inhabitants, who punish all offenders with equal
judgment and resolution, after they have been fairly convicted of
the crimes laid to their charge."
The clergyman having thus explained the economy of the place, as
well as the cause of his own confinement, began to discover signs
of curiosity touching our hero's situation; and Pickle, thinking
he could do no less for the satisfaction of a man who had treated
him in such a hospitable manner, favoured him with a detail of the
circumstances which produced his imprisonment; at the same time
gratifying his resentment against the minister, which delighted in
recapitulating the injuries he had received. The parson, who had been
prepossessed in favour of our youth at first sight, understanding
what a considerable part he had acted on the stage of life, felt
his veneration increase; and, pleased with the opportunity of
introducing a stranger of his consequence to the club, left him to
his repose, or rather to ruminate on an event which he had not as
yet seriously considered.
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