Whether he was a hypocrite--as all the navvies averred--or a man sincere as far as one so weak could accomplish sincerity, it is hardly necessary for us to inquire.

He was not by nature an ill-natured man, but he had become by education harsh to those below him, and timid and cringing with those above.

In the former category must by no means be included the six young men who were nominally under his guidance.

They were all but acknowledged by him as his superiors.
Ignorant as they were, they could hardly be more so than he.
Useless as they were, they did as much for the public service as he did.

He sometimes complained of them; but it was only when their misconduct had been so loud as to make it no longer possible that he should not do so.
Mr.Snape being thus by character and predilection a religious man, and having on various occasions in olden days professed much horror at having his ears wounded by conversation which was either immoral or profane, it had of course become the habitual practice of the navvies to give continual utterance to every description of ribaldry and blasphemy for his especial edification.
Doubtless it may be concluded from the habits of the men, that even without such provocation, their talk would have exceeded the yea, yea, and nay, nay, to which young men should confine themselves.