abolition of all religious qualification for civil office. This argument was not ill received by Lords Brougham and Radnor and if it had been the second reading (which I could not attend) instead of the third, I believe the majority would have been greater. Your approval is always cheering to me. The Bishop of London (qui nil molitur ineptè) was great on this occasion, as he always is, but no report can do him justice. It is always below the truth.. Yours most truly, E. LLANDAFF. 'August 16. Returned through Abergavenny, where I stopt to see Miss Herbert's church and almshouses. The whole was finished inside and out, and in the nicest order; the clergyman's house very comfortable, the eight almshouses occupied, and fifty girls attending the school.' The singularly beautiful yet simple dedication of the sermon preached by the bishop at the consecration of this church will be in the recollection of many. At the suggestion of a friend I insert it. The sermon was published the same year that it was preached (1840), and is entitled, Separation either a duty or a sin. Dedication to MISS RACHEL HERBERT, Founder of Trinity Church, Abergavenny. Madam, The following discourse, occasioned by your munificence, is dedicated to you, not so much in the expectation of gratifying your feelings, as for the sake of giving utterance to my own: for it is impossible to contemplate deeds of benevolence and piety so truly evangelical without strong emotions. By founding at the same time a church, a school, and an almshouse, and placing them in close connexion with each other, you have embodied, as it were, in one act the three Christian graces-Faith, Hope, and Charity. That you may long enjoy the fruits of this labour of love, in beholding the aged fed and comforted, the young well instructed, and the poor having the Gospel preached to them through your means, is the sincere prayer of Your faithful friend and fellow servant in Christ, E. LLANDAFF. Deanery, St. Paul's, December 21, 1840. The letter below, while it speaks of the infirmities of age stealing on, gives at the same time lively proof of unabated vigour and activity of mind. My dear Chancellor, Offwell, July 12, 1841. I will not lose a moment in thanking you for your prompt attention to my wishes, and for the excellent scheme of operations you have drawn out for me. It is, I believe, the best in all respects that can be devised. I have at times a little misgiving as to my own physical powers, which are certainly failing, and the only change I should like would be a holiday once or twice in the course of the tour, and that in your company; both of us idle, ‘et ad omnem remissionem animi nos demittentes.' But let me anticipate this recreation at Hardwick, which I hope you will again enliven with your company this year, and every year while it is called mine. physical powers, it is not that I repine, or am distressed by it, only it has come rather more suddenly upon me than I expected. Two or three years ago, after recovery from illness, I could ride at a good trot or canter for many miles and walk some hours in a day, not only without fatigue, but exhilarated by it. Now I feel my limbs stiff and aching after an hour's exercise, however gentle, and I can no When I speak of decay of longer look to a walk as a ready and sure recreation after any weariness of reading or business, or any cares and molestations. But I will drop this strain, and encourage myself by the example you set of cheerful perseverance under many domestic anxieties, for which you have my sincere sympathy, although I do not often advert to them in my letters. What do you think of my going last Monday evening, by railway, seventy-seven miles in three hours, to Southampton, merely to witness Colonel Pasley's operation on the Royal George, an explosion of seven hundred pounds' weight of gunpowder? I went to the lump, as they call Pasley's shapeless raft, in the portadmiral's yacht; had a very pleasant day, and returned the next morning to London in three hours, reading the whole way, except when conversation with intelligent fellowtravellers intervened. Above all, there was not the slightest sensation of fatigue; and it is no trifle that this expedition is obtained without any animal suffering, as it is in posting, or coach travelling, at one third of the speed; for the most tender-hearted sentimentalist need not sympathize with the puffing and groaning engine. Ever yours sincerely, E. LLANDAFF. The two next letters are of melancholy interest to myself, as the son of him to whom they relate; but I do not insert them merely to gratify my own feeling. They exhibit the bishop in the relation of a bereaved brother, and in the character of a Christian mourner. The Rev. John Gaius Copleston, rector of Offwell, Devon, the only surviving brother of the bishop, was seized with apoplexy 19th July, 1841, while on his way to church, and died on the 20th, æt. 61. From a very detailed notice of this event in the diary I give the subjoined extract:— ..... Upon having notice of his approaching end, I repaired to his bedside, and pressed his hand, still warm, and watched his countenance, placid and motionless. Life had just departed, but so gradually, that the precise moment when he ceased to breathe could not be discovered. I could not help declaring to his anxious and faithful servants, who surrounded his bed, that such an end was to be desired, and that I hoped mine might be like his.'' It was in the event far otherwise, many weeks of painful and lingering exhaustion preceding his own departure to rest. Eveniunt. My dear Tyler, . non hæc sine numine divôm Æn. ii. Offwell, July 24, 1841. You have hit the right chord in touching upon the mournful event which has overwhelmed this family with sorrow; but it is not the sorrow of those who have no hope, for never was there a case which better justified the confident hope, that our dear departed brother is in our Saviour's kingdom. On Monday he will be 'gathered to his people' in a vault where his father and mother and wife and sister and two children already lie. Soon after that I shall repair to Hardwick-perhaps at the end of the week. Your quotations are both eminently beautiful. Believe me ever, my dear friend, Sincerely and affectionately yours, Offwell, July 27, 1841. My dear Traherne, brother to the Yesterday we attended the remains of my dear grave. All the parishioners, without excep tion, I believe, attended also, and testified by their tears, and by most unequivocal evidence of heartfelt sorrow, how sensible they were of their loss, and how sincerely they loved and esteemed him. Nine of his children (one being in India) were present. Two or three of my nieces will, I hope, be domiciliated with me when I am in the country. In the course of a week from this time I mean to be at Hardwick, and to continue in my diocese till November. During that time, I may surely expect the pleasure of a visit from you and Mrs. Traherne. I have thought you would not be displeased with the little tract that accompanies this letter, both as a memorial of my departed brother, and as a token of friendship from me. Believe me; Ever yours sincerely, E. LLANDAFF. Writing to the Archbishop of Dublin a few months after he thus expresses himself: My dear brother's loss I feel severely. The society of a coëval cannot, I find, be compensated by any affection of younger persons, The Homeric ὁμηλικη ἐρατείνη is a most expressive phrase, denoting an instinct of our nature, from which the most constant enjoyment of life arises, and which, of course, is rapidly diminished as old age advances.' Finding nothing of particular interest to record for some space, I may at once present the reader with the following letters, addressed to Mr. P. B. Duncan and the Provost of Oriel: My dear Duncan, Deanery, St. Paul's, April 10, 1843. I will not lose a post in answering inquiries, which prove that neither distance, nor domestic anxiety on account of your brother, have driven me from your thoughts. Thank God he is set up for another year, |