endeavour to live together in amity and

in peace.

In Parliament, the Bishop never spoke, except on points strictly ecclesiastical, connected either with the discipline and good order of the Church, or the general welfare of religion. But when he did deliver his sentiments, he expressed himself with ease, propriety and firmness, and was always heard with attention. His political opinions were those of Mr. Pitt; and he entertained them, not blindly and submissively on a mere party principle, but from a conscientious deliberate conviction, that they were intrinsically right. What his sentiments were of that truly great and ever to be lamented man, will be seen in the following passage:

"The death," he says, " of this illus

trious Statesman, has, with very few exceptions, caused inexpressible concern throughout the kingdom. He was unquestionably one of the most extraordinary men that this or any other country ever produced. For near twenty years, he directed the affairs of the British Empire with unbounded confidence from his Sovereign and the people, with unrivalled eloquence and ability, and with unspotted, unimpeached integrity; and we may justly apply to him Mark Antony's splendid encomium upon

Cæsar;

He was the foremost man of all the world.

"For a long period he maintained a noble struggle for our liberty and independence, against the gigantic power of France; preserved us, under Providence, from the anarchy and desolation, which

overwhelmed a large portion of the rest of Europe, and died at last a martyr to his unwearied labours in the service of his country.

"It is a singular circumstance," adds the Bishop, "and a most unfortunate one for this kingdom, that two such men as Lord Nelson and Mr. Pitt (each in his respective station without a parallel in the history of the world) should be prematurely taken away from us, within a few months of each other; in the very meridian of their course; at the same period of life; in the full possession of all their faculties and powers; and at a time too, when we stood most in need of the mighty mind of the one, and the invincible arm of the other!- How unsearchable are God's judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

As

As a Preacher, the Bishop's reputation hás ever stood deservedly high in the public estimation. Few men indeed were ever so remarkably endowed with all the qualities, which give pre-eminence in the pulpit. His voice, without unusual loudness or strength, was yet uncommonly clear; and it was combined with such a liquid, distinct enunciation, as rendered him completely audible even in the largest churches and to the most crowded congregations. It also possessed great sweetness and flexibility; and he had the talent of modulating it so correctly as always to please and satisfy the ear, and yet so easily and naturally, as never, even in the slightest degree, to incur the charge of affectation. His delivery was very impressive. It was chaste, earnest, spirited, devout. He had no studied action, no vehement and forced

T 4

forced emotion. He spoke evidently as he felt. His whole soul was in his subject. He seemed to forget himself in the deep interest, which he took in the edification of his hearers; and this circumstance gave, as it manifestly would, such a power and charm to his preaching, as never failed to extort attention even from the coldest and the most insensible. His style was admirably adapted to the pulpit. It was plain, without being too familiar classical, without being pedantic. His great aim was, to express himself so clearly, that the meanest and the least informed might always comprehend him*; and yet with such correctness and purity, as to be heard with satisfaction

*The fact contained in the following extract of a letter to me, from a very sensible and judicious man, is a most striking proof of the clearness and perspicuity of the Bishop's writing, and of its being

calculated