allusion-it is a con amore description; though it must be allowed that, in one passage of it, the bishop, while enhancing his own triumph over the loca senta situ, somewhat compromises the native dryads and their original dwelling.

My dear Duncan,

Nov. 22, 1825.

If everything coming from you did not excite powerful counteracting emotions, I should say that the series of unrequited kindnesses I have received since I last saw you created a feeling of self-reproach, at least for having been so long silent.

For the work on Botano-Theology I am the most indebted, not only because it is the result of your favourite thoughts and studies, but because it will instruct me how to think and feel when I meditate on a department of science, in which I grieve to say that I am almost a novice. Natural history is the food of my vacation hours, and I shall take your precious little volume with me when I next go to saunter and ramble in my Offwell woods. It would do my heart good to have you one day to join me in those rambles over the scenes of my infancy, and I should be sorry indeed to think that there was no prospect of realizing such a pleasure. My chief boast is, that I have converted a squalid, unsightly, impassable dell into an agreeable range for pedestrians of all tastes: the domestic stroller, the contemplative lover of nature, the planter, the naturalist, even the sportsman, may enjoy a little recreation in this valley, which was once an impervious morass. holds out to me the hope also of continual improvement, and I cannot but entertain a wish that my excellent poetical friend may hit off a few lines on the spot, which may be perpetuated on some rustic tablet. But let me not enlarge too much on this theme, lest you should fancy it more

It

extensive than it is. I have two other presents to acknowledge-the Bath cheeses, and the volume of Sir Walter Raleigh. The first were excellent, and are still the support of my mensæ secunda. The volume of poor Sir Walter I read with a melancholy pleasure. He was, I fear, an infidel, and a victim of ambition, but he had prodigious powers of mind and was a genuine hero. His Pilgrimage is beautiful. Do you know that there is still at Sherborne Castle, which once belonged to him, a grove planted by him, and still called by his name? When you come to Oxford you will, I trust, allow Oriel some credit for restoring the Gothic character of the hall. It has succeeded admirably.

Believe me ever, my dear friend,

Truly and affectionately yours,

E. COPLESTON.

In further illustration of this part of my subject, I am permitted by Mr. Bruce Pryce to insert the following extract from a letter of his addressed to myself, and dated Duffryn, Cardiff, 16th June, 1850.

'I have been hunting as yet in vain for a particularly interesting letter which your accomplished and benevolent uncle wrote to me from Offwell-alas! his last visit to his favourite retreat from the busy world. He was rejoicing in the agreeable change from the precincts of St. Paul, to his walks, his rhododendrons, and his old labourers, with whom he describes himself as conversing, according to his wont, and then quotes a favourite passage from Pliny, (epist. v. 6,)—

Hinc senes multi-videas avos proavosque jam juvenum : audias fabulas veteres, sermonesque majorum: quum veneris illó putes alio te sæculo natum.

The Hinc' above refers to the healthiness of the climate.'

Now it so happens that the old County Surveys

of Devon speak of the 'healthy hills of Offwell,' thus agreeably confirming the bishop's rightful appropriation of Pliny's eulogy.

The year 1826, which was a marked one in the bishop's career, opens thus cheerfully:—

'Feb. 2. Completed my fiftieth year, the college its five hundredth. Dined in hall. The society in a very flourishing state, and in excellent discipline. The fellows united, and the most cordial harmony subsisting.'

The 15th June was kept as a jubilee in Oriel College, to celebrate this five hundredth anniversary from the foundation: the notice of which festive occasion stands thus in the diary :—

Preached at the commemoration service in St. Mary's Church. Presided at the dinner in the library. One hundred and forty guests. The whole passed off extremely well.'

Almost immediately after we read thus:—

July 24. Received Lord Liverpool's letter offering me the deanery of Chester.'

Dr. Copleston's course had been so independent, and his opinions so little accommodated to those of persons in power, that his preferment seemed to be no very probable contingency; and now that it unexpectedly came, we cannot but suppose that while he accepted the offer with proper and graceful acknowledgments, he nevertheless felt as one who takes what the common voice has pronounced to be his due. Let us, at the same time, give credit to the minister who, in making this selection, may be well thought to have put aside the adverse con

sideration of party.

The following sentiments, written by a distinguished friend, were entertained by other persons of consideration, who were at that time conversant with public affairs, as well as interested in the fortunes of Dr. Copleston.

The news of your preferment gave me the more pleasure because I was beginning to fear that there was a deliberate intention on the part of Lord Liverpool to proscribe you altogether. I had some reason, too, for the suspicion beyond the mere fact of your having been hitherto passed over. I am heartily glad to find that it was groundless, or what perhaps is the fact that the Prime Minister has altered his mind. This much is certain :-That no man ever owed his promotion more entirely to his own abilities, industry, and character. There was no great disposition to advance you; but public opinion has at last carried you that point, which, if justice had been done, you ought to have attained and passed by long ago. Not that I think that you are not obliged to Lord Liverpool for this tardy and inadequate acknowledgment of your merits.

There is no doubt but that he might, with perfect impunity, have passed them over altogether. A general good character enables a man to indulge his resentment in any particular act of revenge and injustice. He has chosen some objects of favour well, and many from apparently disinterested motives. He has received his full share of credit for this honest distribution of patronage, and if in your case he had preferred gratifying his own dislike, or that of some offended colleague, your personal friends would have been indignant; but the rest of the world would have looked wise, and said, ' no doubt he has his reasons.'

Some addle-pated Tory would have heard that the provost of Oriel was a great Grecian, but a dangerous man.' As Chester is not a very good thing I do not wish

you health to enjoy it, but rather that course of preferment of which I trust it is only the first step. They cannot decently refuse to advance you in your turn.

Deans, I think, reside a little, but not much, unless they please. Pray recollect that is on your road from Oxford to Chester. Believe me,

Ever sincerely and affectionately yours,

D.

There is such a generous and touching frankness about the following communication, that it is impossible not to wish to give it a place; nor have I any fear of displeasing the representatives of the amiable writer, when I thus insert it without formally asking permission to do so.

Jan. 1, 1827.

If you ever heard, or should hear, that my name was mentioned to Lord Liverpool for the post you now so ably fill, I beg of you to bear in mind that there is no dean in his Majesty's dominions rejoices half so much in his deanery as I do in seeing you at the head of our chapter rather than myself; not only because I perceive how much more good you do than I ever could have effected, but because your being sent to us has given me an opportunity of cultivating your regard-a blessing I appreciate from my heart. But, alas! I think there is little chance of my enjoying it long.

I am by no means low spirited at the thoughts of being called hence, though I shall leave many behind me closely entwined round my heart.

Ever, my dear Mr. Dean,

Your most respectful and faithful servant, and

(I may, I hope, add)

Your affectionate friend,

T. T. TREVOR.