In this manner, did the Bishop, with a truly liberal spirit, prove himself the real friend of the Church, by encouraging, as far as in him lay, a more able and effectual performance of its sacred offices. Indeed I can hardly speak of his generosity, upon all occasions, in which it could be exerted, without risking the charge of exaggeration. Yet I know it to be true, and I have before stated the same fact, that no one ever practised the virtue of beneficence in a more exalted degree. Providence had blessed him with ample means, and he employed them freely and largely in removing to the utmost of his power the wants of the necessitous. The tale of distress never came to him unheeded. His heart and his hand were ever open; and many were

his

Essays or Dissertations should not be confined to Undergraduates, but should be open to all the Graduates, as well as Undergraduates of Christ's College.

his acts of charity, which were known only to himself and those whom he relieved. In him the poor had a kind, a constant, an unfailing friend; not that he wished to encourage a system of begging, much less that sordid, lazy wretchedness, which sometimes is allied to poverty. On the contrary, he endeavoured to select the virtuous and industrious; and, whilst he never refused to give something to those, who seemed to be in need, he always gave more readily and liberally to those, who really wanted, and who, he knew, deserved it. His principle was, in short, in all cases, if possible, to discriminate; but not to shrink from an act of charity through a general suspicion of artifice and deception. The very habit of giving was in his apprehension more than an equivalent for accidental imposition. To almost

all

all our public Charities, he more or less contributed, and often, where it was necessary, to a large amount. Wherever indeed positive good could be done, or positive evil be removed, his aid was never wanting. He was glad to distribute, willing to communicate."

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To those of his Clergy, in particular, whose situation and circumstances required assistance, his kindness was unceasing; and it was always rendered doubly acceptable by the unostentatious manner in which it was bestowed. There are many living at this moment, who can bear ample testimony to the truth of this declaration; and who must often heave a sigh of regret at the loss of so warm a friend, and so generous a benefactor. But, though he himself can now no longer dispense it, his liberality will still be felt in that splendid, and almost unexampled donation

U 3

donation of no less a sum than £. 6,700. in the 3 per Cents. Consolidated Annuities, which, during his life, he transferred into the hands of the five Archdeacons for the time being of the Diocese of London; and the Interest of which he directed to be annually distributed at their discretion, in sums not exceeding twenty pounds, to a certain number of the poorer Clergy in that See, who may be thought to stand most in need of relief. This was indeed a noble act of munificence; and it will for ages yet to come render his name illustrious, and endear his memory to the Church of England.

It was not however merely by pecuniary aid, that he displayed the spirit of real Christian benevolence. In the distress of his friends he ever deeply sympathized, losing no opportunity of encouraging, of soothing, of consoling

them.

them. To those who requested his advice, he cheerfully and freely gave it: and out of many instances I select the following; not only because the subjects to which he adverts are in themselves of all others the most interesting, but as it marks in a very striking point of view the readiness with which he endeavoured to impart instruction and counsel even to a person, of whose name and condition he had no knowledge, but who it seems, had consulted him on various religious difficulties, to which the perusal of Mr. Wilberforce's "Practical View" had given rise. The importance and excellence of the letter will compensate for its length.

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Although I sincerely wish that you had applied to a more able adviser in matters of so much importance, yet as, I trust, I can afford you some consolation, and to a great degree, if not entirely