DR. COPLESTON'S REPLY. 93 Dr. Copleston's answer must not be omitted, nor the rejoinder made by Professor Sandford. Dear Sir, Oriel College, December 28, 1823. It was far from a feeling of indifference with which I read your letter. A testimony so frank, and so powerful to the usefulness of a treatise, must naturally give its author sincere pleasure. But besides this, I should be sorry and ashamed to be thought insensible to the kindness of your communication. Whatever pain may have been caused by any former exercise of your pen, be assured that this letter has had all the healing influence you could have intended or desired. In common with your academical friends, I had always admired your talents, and this proof you have given of a generous heart, makes me hope that I may hereafter be included in that number, and that some time or other I may have an opportunity of testifying my esteem in person. Believe me, dear Sir, Yours faithfully and sincerely, Reply by Professor Sandford. Dear Sir, E. COPLESTON. College of Glasgow, January 3rd, 1824. I have no words to express the heartfelt pleasure with which your letter has affected me. Unless you could know the pain and sorrow inflicted on me by a long estrangement from all that is eminent and dignified at Oxford, you cannot appreciate the joy of a reconciliation, now sanctioned by the person whom I had most wantonly, causelessly, and, I had feared, unpardonably offended. A nature generous as yours requires, I am well aware, no further acknowledgment of error and of penitence. I will add only the expression of my confident hope, that, though I may never do anything to merit much praise, I shall for the future avoid giving reason for the censure of the virtuous and the wise. . It is quite uncertain when I may again visit Oxford, but it delights me to know that, whenever I may have that happiness, I shall be permitted to number you with my reconciled and only too indulgent friends. Ever, with much respect, Gratefully and sincerely yours, The latter part of the following letter relates to the same subject. My dear Berens, Oriel College, December 28, 1823. I have never yet thanked you for your Lectures on the Church Catechism. I shall pack them up in my portmanteau, and take them with me to-morrow into Devonshire. My journey must be rapid, and my stay short, for I have promised to spend two or three days at Dropmore before the term begins. Lord Grenville, whom I saw lately, is altered in appearance by his illness; he is certainly thinner, and from this symptom I hear that his relations augur ill. However, he says himself that he is uniformly, though slowly, improving, and in conversation he was as cheerful as I ever knew him. Last night I returned from Althorp, a house I always visit with pleasure, as one of the best specimens of domestic life, on a grand scale, that can be imagined. George Spencer, the youngest son, has been curate of the parish for a year, and is to have the living when it becomes vacant. He would, I think, satisfy you. I never heard the service better performed, or a more simple, earnest, and affectionate style of preaching than his. Lyttelton, in talking over his character to me, was affected even to tears, having, as he observed, feelings rather paternal than fraternal towards him. What an interesting ITS EXEMPLARY FAMILY. 95 picture of life it is, to see a family of that rank and splendour connected with their neighbourhood by all the most sacred and endearing ties, as well as by those which wealth and power naturally create. Lyttelton begged me over and over to present his kindest regards to you. He still talks of Mrs. Berens' parting words, 'that it is the second visit that tells,' and he hopes ere long to give himself that pleasure. Among the letters that I found here last night, was one which surprised and gratified me more than any I ever remember to have received. It was a frank and very respectful apology from Sandford, of Glasgow, for the virulent attack made on me in the Edinburgh Review about two years ago. He has, I find, written a similar letter to Longley, of Christ Church. He also expresses much gratitude for the satisfaction he has derived from the perusal of my sermons, and which, he says, has relieved his mind from doubts and distractions which had long harassed him. Such occurrences as these are, I confess, to my feelings the most cheering and delightful. Ever yours affectionately, E. COPLESTON. As I have found it convenient to insert letters not always with an eye to their date, but rather to their subject; so also in regard to the diary, the extracts which are given may not always appear in their exact chronological order, yet sufficiently so, I trust, in every instance, to prevent any material misconception. The one which I now give refers to a former entry, which the reader will perhaps remember as already noticed in its proper year, and accompanied with some remark. Jan. 1. On the 1st January, in the year 1800, I found myself possessed, after all demands, of 217. Upon making a similar estimate this day, after an interval of twenty-one years, I reckon my whole property (including furniture, plate, books, wine, pictures, &c.) at not less than 20,000l. Yet I trust that there has been no sordid saving; and I am sure there has been a great deal of useless and injudicious expenditure. So greatly have I prospered, according to this measure of worldly success. What pleases me most in the advantages I have enjoyed is, that my time and thoughts have been as much at my own disposal, and as much directed towards objects of a liberal and interesting nature, as if I had never given a thought to the acquisition of wealth. It has flowed in upon me without any sacrifice on my part: and even the intellectual labour out of which it arose has been, I am conscious, much less than is ordinarily undergone by men situated as I have been. Three-fourths of my reading has been such as I should choose on its own account.' A few more extracts from this and the following years will not be unacceptable. 'Jan. 1, 1821. To Althorp. First visit; having been unable to accept the invitation a year ago. A most hearty and kind reception both from Lord and Lady Spencer. A large party in the house. Lord Besborough and family, Lord Elcho, Lyttelton, Mr. Grenville, Heber, Rogers,' &c. &c. 'Jan. 2. Lord Spencer showed me his whole library in detail, and afterwards walked to the church. Series of monuments from Henry VII. Planting of the several woods in the park dated; original inscriptions in stone perfect, e. g., 1567, 1589, 1603, 1624.' Sunday, March 25. Preached in the college chapel, the sacrament being administered. This was the first time of preaching in the chapel during term instead of repairing EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 97 to the university sermon; and it will be desirable to continue the practice whenever the sacrament is administered. The effect is evidently beneficial.' 'Wednesday, May 2. Interview with Mr. Peel and Mr. A. Baring on finance. Returned to Oxford.' 'Sept. 2, 1822. Set out on an excursion with Captain Bond* for the north of Devon. Went this day with my aunt C. and sister Caroline to Tedbourn. Saw the church and parsonage house, which had been the residence of my grandfather and great grandfather eighty years; proceeded by way of Copleston's Stone to Chulmleigh. Part of the old tower at Copleston still remains, being the middle of the front of the house.' September 6. Walked before breakfast with Captain Bond to the Hubble-stone, where tradition says Hubba the Dane landed. To Clovelly and Hartland, where we slept.' After a few other similar entries, the account of this little excursion ends thus: 'A tour which was fuller of interest and pleasure than any I have ever made in this country. The fineness of the weather, the intelligent, lively, active, and accommodating character of my companion, and the variety of objects included within the compass of nine days' excursion, all contributed to render it a delightful episode in the long vacation.' Towards the end of October in the next year, I find an entry perhaps still more characteristic. 'The whole of this summer has been one of the happiest, perhaps the happiest, of my life. Good health and spirits— my friends and relations all well-frequent visits to almost * Afterwards Admiral Bond, of Exeter. H |