His patron one day so far forgot his habitual courtesy, as to reprove his chaplain in somewhat unmeasured terms with respect to a trivial occurrence at which Mrs. Barrington had taken needless umbrage. Mr. Burgess received the reproof in perfect silence, but almost immediately quitted the room, and ordering out his horse, proceeded to Oxford, leaving the Bishop to interpret, by what had passed, the cause of his departure. His Lordship quickly drew the inference, and feeling that he had been betrayed into an act of injustice towards a most amiable and excellent man, addressed an apologetic letter to the offended party, expressed in such terms of candour and kindness, as at once repaired this momentary breach of a harmony, which appears never after to have been, in the slightest degree, interrupted. The Bishop was in the habit of removing to the palace at Salisbury in the course of the summer months; and Mr. Burgess, freed by the close of the term from his official duties at Oxford, became then an inmate of the family, and daily discharged the functions of domestic chaplain. When ordinations took place during term time, candidates for orders came to him at Corpus for examination. He acquired, at this time, a partiality for Salisbury, which made his return to it, towards the close of his life, a recurrence to early and cherished associations. The retired walks of the palace gardens, and the fine views which they command of the superb cathedral, were in perfect unison with the contem plative turn of his mind, and the tastes which he had contracted in the lettered shades of Oxford. Bishop Barrington was fond of society, and being himself an elegant scholar, and of a highly intellectual cast, he delighted to gather men of learning and science around him, and to elicit their various stores of information and amusement. Without effort and without artifice, he had recourse to such topics as interested all, and yet drew forth, in turn, the peculiar talents of each. To playful humour and to constant cheerfulness, he united a Christian benignity and a winning politeness, attempered with the dignity which became his station and chaWith such qualities, he made every one around him feel at perfect ease; and the feelings which he manifested towards Mr. Burgess were more than kind, they were almost paternal. Under such a roof he found himself truly happy; and with some of the numerous guests who visited the palace he formed friendships which added much to the future happiness of his life. Among these he often recurred, with peculiar pleasure, to the commencement of an intimate acquaintance, in the summer of 1785, with one of the first female writers of her age, the celebrated Hannah More. racter. The following note, addressed to the writer in the year 1833, refers to its commencement. TO J. S. HARFORD, ESQ. DEAR SIR, Palace, Salisbury, Sept. 9. 1833. I RETURN you many thanks for giving me such early information of an event which has terminated the very protracted sufferings of our dear and excellent friend, Mrs. Hannah More. My acquaintance with her commenced in this house in 1785, when she passed a week here with Mrs. Garrick; Mr. Gilpin, of Boldre; Dr. Henington, of Christ Church; Mr. Batt, of New Hall; and, I think, Miss Hulse (Lady Bernard). It was a very interesting week, of which our dear friend sometimes reminded me in her latter days. I am much pleased with your sketch of her character for the London papers, which I shall send to the Salisbury Journal. Yours, most sincerely, T. SARUM. My readers will be amused by Hannah More's own recollections of the above week, which the writer has often heard her narrate nearly as follows "In the year 1785, during a music meeting at Salisbury, in what they call St. Cecilia's week, I formed one of a large party who were staying at the Palace with my old friend, Bishop Barrington. We were all to have gone on one of the evenings to a concert, but I was prevented from being of the party by a furious tooth-ache. The Bishop's chaplain, Mr. Burgess, a tall, grave, and sensible young man, rather reserved, and silent, begged to be allowed to bear me company. His reserve, when we were left alone, gradually wore away; our conversation became various and animated; I was struck by his learning and good sense; and out of this interview sprung an intimate friendship, and a correspondence which has been carried on for upwards of forty years." Some specimens of their correspondence will be found in various parts of this volume, though we regret to say that the greater part of the letters on both sides have perished. There were many points in common between these excellent persons. Both were devoted to literature, and anxious to consecrate their acquirements to the highest and noblest ends. Both were occupied by objects of practical utility and Christian benevolence. The refinement and vivacity of female society always had peculiar charms for Mr. Burgess; and in the present instance he was delighted by the union of elevated and heartfelt piety, in combination with brilliant wit, extensive knowledge, and admirable good sense. AT the time of which we are now writing, Mr. Burgess appears to have been the person who did the honours of Oxford to learned foreigners; and the following letter from Mr. Spalden, a Prussian gentleman already referred to in that character (page 16.), will prove what a pleasing impression he made upon such occasions. TO THE REV. MR. BURGESS. DEAR SIR, Amsterdam, October 11. 1786. I ALMOST despair of being still present to your memory when this letter reaches you. It is not long since I finally quitted England, a country which before I had been in it I preferred to all others, and now having seen it, I still more prefer to them all. As your friendly reception at Oxford inspired me with gratitude, and with esteem for I |