On the first day of 1851, a correspondent, signing himself R. B's. GHOST ( I don't know who is meant by R. B.) wrote an open letter to the Bishop of Exeter which was published in The Western Times:
"My Lord Bishop of Exeter,
As one of the congregation at Heavitree Church, last Sunday morning, I complain of the Pussy conduct there exhibited. Instead of one or two parsons to perform the service decently and in order, there were no less than four of them, (Canon Bartholomew, Vicar Atherly, Curate Box and sub-curate Atkinson) all dressed in dirty looking surplices, Mr. Atkindon, a half-fledged priest, playing the most histrionic part.
Immediately upon the singers commencing to sing the first psalm after the morning prayers, he quitted the reading-desk, stalked out into the Chancel, and whle the other three clergymen were standing, he there threw himself nearly upon all fours, turning his back upon the audience, bringing his olfactory proboscis within three feet of the Canon's seat of honour, and remaining in that amusing position for about two minutes by Shrewsbury clock. And during the Communion Service, in which he performed no part, he exhibited the like disgusting behaviour...."
Those clergymen who exhibited 'Pussy conduct' were the followers of Dr. Pusey, the Oxford don who was arguing the need for more ceremony and ritual in the Anglican church service. This was, rightly, seen to be 'popish' by most citizens of Exeter and as such was hated and feared. Such things really mattered!
The canon's seat of honour is, of course, his backside.
I much like the expression 'by Shrewsbury clock' which is found in Shakespeare and elsewhere meaning, but not here!, exactly.
I am surprised that R.B's GHOST was sloppy enough to use 'less than' when he meant 'fewer than'.
Source: The Western Times, 4th January, 1851.
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