The barber’s shop was then the headquarters of gossip, as it took a long time to shave the whole of a man’s beard and curl a sufficient quantum of hair or wig, as worn in those old days, and so the man of suds was expected to entertain his customers or find them entertainment. Next turning his attention to the clergy, Houghton offers that body a helping hand also:—
*** I would gladly serve the clergy in all their wants.
How he understood this friendly help soon appeared:—
——If any divine or their relicts have complete sets of manuscript sermons upon the Epistles and the Gospels, the Catechism or Festivals, I can help them to a customer.
The use of second-hand sermons was not unknown in those days, and detection was of course much less imminent than now. Then—
——I have sold all the manuscript sermons I had and many more, and if any has any more to dispose of that are good and legibly writ, I believe I can help them to customers.
Possibly the “many more” was a heavy attempt at humour; but anyhow the sermon article was in great demand, and his kindly services did not rest there:—
——If any incumbent within 20 miles of London will dispose of his living, I can help him to a chapman.
——A rectory of £100 per annum in as good an air as any in England, 60 miles off, and an easy cure is to be commuted.
——A vicaridge and another cure which requires service but once a month, value £86. ’Tis in Kent about 60 miles from London.