The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
Oil Is to Be Thrown Upon the Waters explained
The Marquis of Trowbridge, furious over Mr.
What happens
The Marquis of Trowbridge, furious over Mr. Fenwick's letter, consults his lawyers, Messrs. Boothby, about the chapel built on what he believed was his land. Upon examining the estate documents, Mr. Boothby discovers that the land is actually glebe belonging to the vicarage, confirming Fenwick's claim. The Marquis is devastated and insists the chapel must be removed, but Lord St. George intervenes, persuading his father to let him handle the matter and 'throw oil upon the waters' by negotiating with Fenwick and the minister.
Themes in this chapter
Religious Conflict and Toleration
The dispute over the Methodist chapel built on glebe land highlights the tension between the established Church and Dissenters, with the Marquis's anger and Fenwick's legal victory underscoring the conflict.
Class and Social Power
The Marquis's assumption of authority over the parish and his humiliation when the law favors the vicar illustrate the shifting dynamics of power between aristocracy and clergy.
Hypocrisy and Moral Courage
Lord St. George's pragmatic approach to 'throw oil upon the waters' contrasts with his father's vindictive rage, suggesting a more courageous willingness to admit error and seek compromise.
Characters to notice
- Lord Trowbridge
The Marquis of Trowbridge, enraged and humiliated after learning the chapel land is glebe, weeps inwardly and insists on removing the building, but is persuaded by his son to let him manage the dispute.
- Mr. Boothby
The senior partner at Messrs. Boothby, who examines the estate documents and confirms that the land is glebe, advising that oil must be thrown upon the waters to resolve the mistake.
- Lord St. George
The Marquis's son, who reads Fenwick's letter, suggests his father may be wrong about the clergyman, and persuades the Marquis to let him handle the chapel dispute diplomatically.
- Mr. Fenwick
The Vicar of Bullhampton, whose letter to the Marquis is deemed impudent; he is accused by the Marquis of knowing the land was glebe all along and of being involved in the murder of old Trumbull.
Key passages
“Messrs. Boothby in Lincoln’s Inn had for very many years been the lawyers of the Stowte family, and probably knew as much about the property as any of the Stowtes themselves.”
The law firm Boothby had long served the Stowte family and were deeply familiar with their estate.
Establishes the long-standing relationship between the Marquis and his solicitors.
“The whole thing had been done irregularly. The land had been only promised, and not in truth as yet given, and the Puddlehamites, in their hurry, had gone to work and had built upon a promise.”
The chapel was built hastily on a mere promise of land, without proper legal transfer.
Highlights the irregularity that led to the dispute.
“I am afraid the parson is right, my lord. Right in his facts, my lord. It is glebe, and is marked so here very plainly.”
The lawyer confirms that the vicar is correct: the land is glebe, as shown in the estate survey.
The turning point where the Marquis realizes he is in the wrong.
“Lord St. George is in the right, my lord; he really is. It is a case in which we must throw a little oil upon the waters.”
The attorney advises that the situation requires a conciliatory approach to calm tensions.
Introduces the metaphor of throwing oil on troubled waters to resolve the conflict diplomatically.