Троє в човні крім собаки

           ThefamousMedmenhammonks,or"HellFireClub,"astheywerecommonlycalled,andofwhomthenotoriousWilkeswasamember,wereafraternitywhosemottowas "Doasyouplease,"andthatinvitationstillstandsovertheruineddoorwayoftheabbey. Manyyearsbeforethisbogusabbey,withitscongregationofirreverentjesters,wasfounded,therestooduponthissamespotamonasteryofasternerkind,whosemonkswereofasomewhatdifferenttypetotherevellersthatweretofollowthem,fivehundredyearsafterwards. 

           TheCistercianmonks,whoseabbeystoodthereinthethirteenthcentury,worenoclothesbutroughtunicsandcowls,andatenoflesh,norfish,noreggs. Theylayuponstraw,andtheyroseatmidnighttomass. Theyspentthedayinlabour,reading,andprayer;andoveralltheirlivestherefellasilenceasofdeath,fornoonespoke. 

           Agrimfraternity,passinggrimlivesinthatsweetspot,thatGodhadmadesobright! StrangethatNature’svoicesallaroundthem—thesoftsingingofthewaters,thewhisperingsoftherivergrass,themusicoftherushingwind—shouldnothavetaughtthematruermeaningoflifethanthis. Theylistenedthere,throughthelongdays,insilence,waitingforavoicefromheaven;andalldaylongandthroughthesolemnnightitspoketotheminmyriadtones,andtheyhearditnot.