The Archdeacon, without a particle of evidence, assumed it at once, and beat the wretched boy severely in the presence of the approving Hurrell.

Hurrell would have made an excellent inquisitor.

His brother always spoke of him as peculiarly gifted in mind and in character; but he knew little of human nature, and he doubtless fancied that in torturing Anthony's body he was helping Anthony's soul.

To alter two words in the fierce couplet of the satirist, He said his duty, both to man and God, Required such conduct, which seemed very odd.
Anthony was threatened, in the true inquisitorial spirit, with a series of floggings, until he should confess what he had not done.
At last, however, he was set down as incorrigibly stupid, and given up as a bad job.

The Archdeacon arrived at the conclusion that his youngest son was a fool, and might as well be apprenticed to a tanner.