A NEW BONNET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 26, 28 June 1890, Page 20

A NEW BONNET.

An eccentric clergyman in a country district had been much annoyed by a way’ the members of his congregation had got into of looking round to take stock of late-comers. After enduring the annoyance for some time, he said, on entering the reading-desk one day: ‘ Brethren, I regret to see that your attention is called away from your religious duties by your very natural desire to see who comes in behind you. I propose henceforth to save you the trouble by naming each person who may enter ; and I hope that the service will then be allowed to proceed ’ without interruption. ’He then began—‘ Dearly beloved,’ but paused to interpolate, ‘Farmer Stubbins, with his wife and daughter !’ Farmer Stubbins looked rather surprised ; but the minister, with perfect gravity, resumed his exhortation. Presently he again paused. ‘ Sam Curtis and William ‘Diggle !’ The abashed congregation kept their eyes studiously fixed on their books. The service proceeded'in the most orderly manner, the parson interrupting himself every now and then to name some newcomer. At last he said, still with the same perfect gravity—‘ Mrs Symons, of the Red Lion, in a new bonnet !’ In a moment he felt his' mistake ; but it was too late. Every feminine head in the congregation had turned round !