Then with a crash, a squeak, a rush, a roar, a rumble, and an expiring groan, the overture concluded and service began.
First, a prayer; then a response; prayer; response; by the priest and people alternately, like the layers of bread and butter, and ham and mustard in a sandwich; then a little sing, then a little preach, then more petitions and more responses.
Damphool read the entire service, Minister's cues included, and sung all the hymns. I noticed that Bull Dogge gave all the responses with a great deal of energy and vigor. He said he always liked to come to this kind of Church, because when they jawed religion at him, he could jaw back.
Kept as cool as I could, but could not help looking round now and then to see the show.
Elderly lady on my right, very devout, gilt edged prayer-book, gold-covered fan, feathers in her bonnet, rings on her fingers, and for all I know, "bells on her toes."
Antiquated gentleman in same slip, well preserved but somewhat wrinkled, smells of Wall street, gold spectacles, gold-headed cane, put three cents in the plate.
Fashionable little girl on the left--two flounces on her pantalettes, and a diamond ring _over_ her glove.
Young America looking boy, four years old, patent leather boots, standing collar, gloves, cane, and cigar case in his pocket.
Foppish young man with adolescent moustache, pumps, legs _à la_ spermaceti candles, shirt front embroidered _à la_ 2.40 race horse, cravat _à la_ Julien, vest _à la_ pumpkin pie, hair _à la_ soft soap, coat-tails _à la_ boot-jack, which when parted discovered a view of the Crystal Palace by gas-light on the rear of his pantaloons, wristbands _à la_ stove pipe, hat _à la_ wild Irishman, cane to correspond; total effect _à la_ Shanghae.
Artificial young lady, extreme of fashion; can't properly describe her, but here goes: whalebone, cotton, paint and whitewash; slippers _à la_ Ellsler, feet _à la_ Japanese, dress _à la_ Paris, shawl _à la_ eleven hundred dollars, parasol _à la_ mushroom, ringlets _à la_ corkscrew, arms _à la_ broomstick, bonnet _à la_ Bowery gal (Bull Dogge says the boy with buttons on him, brought it in, in a teaspoon, fifteen minutes after she entered the house), neck _à la_ scrag of mutton, complexion _à la_ mother of pearl, appearance generally _à la_ humbug. (Bull Dogge offers to bet his hat, she don't know a cabbage from a new cheese, and can't tell whether a sirloin steak is beef, chicken, or fresh fish.)