ARCHBISHOP MOORE. [1730-1805.] OME of the present inhabitants of Gloucester can remember a quaint old house which adjoined the Fleece Inn, and stood on part of the site now occupied by Mr. Lance's drapery establishment, in Westgate Street. It had a gabled front which, with its small paned upper windows, overhung a small butcher's shop. One of its former occupants was George Moore, who, in addition to being a butcher, is sometimes described as a grazier. This latter term, then more common than now, was applied to one who, an old lexicographer says, "deals in, breeds, and fattens cattle for sale." The two callings could be easily combined: they were so in the case of Cardinal Wolsey's father, and appear to have been so in that of George Moore, who held pasture lands at Sandhurst, for the purposes of his business. Of himself we know little beyond the facts recorded on a mural tablet in the south aisle of the Cathedral. From that we learn that he married a widow named Jane Cook, who died March 15th, 1772; that he himself died May 10th, 1775; that they had a son, George, who died October 14th, 1792; and a daughter Jane, who lived till January 10th, 1825, and that they "all lie interred in the Church-yard of this Cathedral." The age is in no instance given. Another son of this old citizen has come down to us on the page of history, as "Archbishop and Primate of All England;" and the narrative of his life is not without interest and instruction. Born in 1730, John Moore, in course of time, became a scholar in the Crypt Grammar School, then Ꭻ under the mastership of the Rev. Daniel Bond, Vicar of Leigh. His progress was good, and his general conduct satisfactory. While diligently gaining acquaintance with Latin nouns and Greek verbs, he was helpful to his father in business. Saturday afternoons and other times found him shouldering the butcher's tray and delivering orders at the houses of customers; and when necessary, undertaking some of the work of the slaughter-house, and performing it well. These things were indicative of his commonsense, practical mind, which, influenced by a feeling of duty, went straight on doing what had to be done with care and diligence. His persevering ability rendered him successful at school, and obtaining an exhibition, he was entered a student at Pembroke College, Oxford. Whitefield and Wesley, who had left the University some few years before, and were at this time preaching in all parts of the land, had a following among the stud nts, some of whom, embracing their religious views, were also emulating their manner of life. On the other hand, then, as in all periods, there were others by whom all earnest study was neglected, and folly and vice were freely indulged. Moore appears to have identified himself with neither class. Marking out a plain straightforward course, he steadily pursued it, "avoiding," we are told, "the immoralities and eccentricities of College life," and working hard to profit by the priceless opportunities his position afforded him. His efforts were successful. He not only attained some distinction as a student, but secured the favour and friendship of several eminent men in the University. Careful observers have often remarked on the apparently small and trivial events which in some instances determine the current of a man's life. A mere incident, a slight mistake, a small disappointment, a casual interview, a brief word and henceforth the stream flows in a new and unexpected channel. Moore's life affords an interesting illustration. Having completed his University studies and obtained ordination, he sought employment as a private tutor, and had arranged for an interview with a gentleman who was likely to engage him in that capacity. Moore was punctually at the place appointed, but, to his great vexation, the gentleman failed to appear. Another gentleman, who had come to the same place for an interview with a clergyman on similar business, was also doomed to disappointment. Enquiries and conversation resulted, and mutual sympathy was felt. The stranger, pleased with the young student's manner and appearance, said nothing, but inwardly resolved to engage him if further inquiries were satisfactory. High testimonials as to character and abilities were furnished by the Dean of Christ Church and Mr. Bliss, Savillian Professor of Geometry, and Astronomer Royal; and Moore was astonished by the discovery that the gentleman whom he had thus accidentally met was the Duke of Marlborough, who engaged him as domestic chaplain and as tutor to his son, the Marquis of Blandford. Suddenly and unexpectedly his steps were turned in a direction which was to lead to the archiepiscopal throne. "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will." Some In his new position his conduct was exemplary. time was spent in foreign travel with his pupil, whose regard he so gained that on the death of the duke and the succession of the Marquis to the title and estates, Moore continued to reside at Blenheim. During this period circumstances. occurred in which he appears to great advantage. Dowager Duchess, a lady still in possession of many charms, had formed so strong an affection for her son's handsome tutor, that she made him proposals of marriage, which Moore, influenced by grateful regard to his young patron, felt it honourable and right to decline. His stay at Blenheim, after this disturbing episode, was out of the question, and he therefore intimated to the Duke his wish to remove, but could assign no sufficient reason for doing so. However, continuing fixed in his resolve, the Duke procured for him a golden prebendaryship in the Cathedral of Durham, in 1769. On the death of the Dowager Duchess light was thrown on Moore's proceeding. Letters then came into her son's possession revealing the facts of the case-showing the advances which his mother had made, and the honourable way in which her proposals had been declined, These circumstances raised him still higher in the esteem of the Duke, who, in gratitude, immediately took steps to procure his further preferment, personally soliciting George III. to appoint him to the vacant Deanery of Canterbury. The King not only granted this request, but also promised that the Dean should be made a Bishop when a see became vacant. A recent writer tells the story thus, when speaking of Moore as owing his elevation to a 66 curious accident." "He was the son of a butcher at Gloucester, and educated at the free school there. Displaying much talent he was sent by some friends to Oxford. He then became tutor to the Marquis of Blandford, son of the Duke of Marlborough; but the Duchess, true to the traditions which Macaulay has described for us, would not suffer the young Levite to have a seat at her dinner table. He had to go among the upper servants. But when her husband died, the same haughty dame courted the handsome chaplain, and besought him to marry her, she having a very handsome income. The tempting offer was refused, and the young Duke, her son, was so gratified by his tutor's self-denial that he settled £400 a year upon him and pressed him on the King for preferment."1 From 1771 to 1775 was but a short time for a Dean of his age to wait for a mitre. At the latter date Moore was elevated to the Bishopric of Bangor. As a diocesan his course was marked by good sense and the careful discharge of duty; the useful qualities which had served him as a chaplain, tutor, and dean, being still prominent and active. Further advancement--the highest he could obtain-yet awaited him. In 1783 Archbishop Cornwallis died, and the Primacy of the Church of England was at the disposal of the Crown. The King's thoughts turned to Dr. Lowth, Bishop of London, famous for his Hebrew scholarship and venerable for his great excellence, but the Doctor, feeling the infirmities of seventy-three years, declined the honour. Dr. Hurd, Bishop of Worcester, was next offered the high dignity, but for some reason, modest distrust of himself it is said, he also made excuse. The King now sought the opinion of both Prelates as to a fit and proper person for the office. It is said he requested them to give their opinion independently of each other, by writing some one name upon a slip of paper and handing it directly to himself. This was done, and both slips bore the name of Dr. Moore. The King was well satisfied, and John Moore was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England. The Gloucester Journal of Monday, April 7th, 1783, publishes the following official announcement from the London Gazette: : "Whitehall, April 1. The King has been pleased to order Congé d'Elire to pass the great seal empowering the Dean and Chapter of the Metropolitical Church of Canterbury to elect an Archbishop of that See, the same being now void by the death of the Most Reverend Father in God Dr. Frederick Cornwallis: also his Majesty's letter to the Dean and Chapter recommending the Right Reverend Father in God, Dr. John Moore, now Bishop of Bangor, to be by them elected Archbishop of the said See of Canterbury." The editor's comment is worth noting : "The late appointment of Bishop Moore to the Primacy has verified the following prophecy, made some years ago by an ingenious Kentish lady - A few words of comfort from Bangor to Canterbury, on the loss of her Dean : It is easy to imagine the pleasant flutter which this |