But the oratory of the Rev.Amos resembled rather a Belgian railway-horn, which shows praiseworthy intentions inadequately fulfilled.

He often missed the right note both in public and private exhortation, and got a little angry in consequence.

For though Amos thought himself strong, he did not _feel_ himself strong.

Nature had given him the opinion, but not the sensation.

Without that opinion he would probably never have worn cambric bands, but would have been an excellent cabinetmaker and deacon of an Independent church, as his father was before him (he was not a shoemaker, as Mr.Pilgrim had reported).