. . . I'd still rather go to Henry with my troubles than any other clergyman in Austen. The duties are discussed elsewhere in this thread, especially the way it's more of a gentleman's post than a spiritual calling, but seriously: think of going to Mr. Collins or Mr. Elton with your troubles! Yeesh. We those as just plain bad examples---on the good side we have possiblities like Edward Ferrars, for instance. And Catherine's father seems a decent enough sort (despite being named Richard). *g* But Henry is good-natured and intelligent, and as we see from his behaviour with Catherine, he knows how to administer a rebuke and still deal charitably with the fallout afterwards.