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Elizabeth soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in

the commission of the peace for the county, she was a most active

magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were

carried to her by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers

were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she

sallied forth into the village to settle their differences,

silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty.