Amongst his memoranda of this period, appear the following notices, which are given in a facsimile of the writer's autograph: 18.4 C. died July 20 175.0 thominated G of Sling at Hanover boogtny. July Wheeled at Dorkan hiday Lopt. 7. of Remains of Mt. Talbot &c. &c. &c. are -ted. Homages Friday Nov. 9. de posi Bishop Butler left London to return to his diocese this year in July, and remained there until his final departure from it at the beginning of November. The last official act which he has recorded, in connexion with the see of Bistol, is the confirmation alluded to in the preceding facsimile. Having to attend upon his duties in London during the winter, as a peer of Parliament, he did not take actual possession of his new see, until Friday, June 28, in the next year: when, upon his arrival in his diocese, the following address was delivered by the Rev. Sir John Dolben, the sub-dean of Durham, in the name of the dean and chapter : 66 My Lord, In the absence of Mr. Dean, it devolves upon me, of course, as sub-dean, to have the honour of congratulating your lordship, upon your accession to this see, and your arrival in your diocese, in the name of the dean and chapter of Durham. "No employment, my lord, could be more agreeable to me, were I not afraid of falling short of what might be justly expected from me, upon this great occasion: and though there are none of my brethren, who would not better acquit themselves of this charge, than one so advanced in years, and loaded with infirmities, as I am, yet there can be none, who more truly rejoices at your lordship's presence amongst us. But I forget myself; and out of the abundance of the heart, my own particular satisfaction is too ready to break forth; whereas, I ought to say nothing of myself, but only to speak as the representative of our reverend body. "In their name, then, my lord, I most humbly and heartily congratulate your lordship once more; I congratulate the diocese and county palatine, upon the happy completion of all their wishes. It is with great pleasure (I speak it knowingly, my lord), that the gentlemen of the country see one, whose politeness and generosity they have already had experience of, at the head of the palatinate; it is with the utmost joy, that the clergy of the diocese find your lordship become their bishop, whose known learning and piety, make them sure of all that they can wish for from you; but, in a particular manner, the dean and chapter have reason to rejoice; most of whom have long had the honour of knowing your lordship personally: and nothing else can be wanting to assure them of every good quality, that can be desired in a diocesan. Your lordship's great erudition and abilities (talents which you have not laid up in a napkin) have already so eminently distinguished you, upon many occasions, that the church in general, will always be secure of an able and vigorous champion in your lordship, whenever her faith or doctrines, her rights and privileges, shall be attacked or broken in upon. "Your learned predecessor, my lord, like a true servant of Christ, boldly entered the lists with his master's professed enemies, and triumphed over them gloriously; and has, we trust, received the reward of his labours, from the Captain of his Salvation, in that transporting compellation, 'Well fought thou good and valiant soldier!' And though we are deprived of so great a leader and gallant defender of the faith, yet, God be praised, Non deficit alter. "As your lordship is now vested with the same honours and dignities, we doubt not but that, whenever there shall be a cry of the Philistines being upon us, you will look upon this as a fresh obligation again to arise, and exert yourself in the defence of our most holy religion. "Long may this church and county be happy under your lordship's government and protection! And may you enjoy these high honours and dignities at least as long as my ever-honoured lord and patron, my Lord Crewe, did! And as your lordship's mild and candid temper, your gracious manner, your gentlemanlike behaviour, your kind and courteous reception of persons of all ranks and denominations, and your boundless charities, (of which your diocese has already received such unexpected and bountiful earnests) recal that noble prelate to the minds of all those who knew him; so your dean and chapter cannot frame to themselves better wishes for your lordship, than that you may, like him, be loved and reverenced to an extreme old age; that you may live in the same perfect and uninterrupted course of health and prosperity; and that, whenever it shall please God to exalt your lordship to a higher throne, your loss may be as much regretted, that you may leave an odour of as sweet a name, and as little worldly treasure behind you!” To this address the bishop replied: "I am much obliged to you, gentlemen, for your congratulations. "Tis with a very real sense of my little merits and abilities, that I come to preside over a church of such distinction, as this of Durham: and the more, from the great learning and abilities of my predecessors. But I shall endeavour, by acting suitably to our profession and my station, to answer what, I am sure, was his Majesty's intention in placing me here. And from my knowledge, and particular acquaintance among you, I promise myself, that I shall have your advice and assistance upon all occasions, as the exigence of cases may require. "As for your kind manner of expressing yourselves concerning my character and behaviour, this I shall make use of to remind myself of my duty: and you must give me leave to consider it, too, as a declaration (of which, however, I had no doubt) that I shall have your concurrence, and your assistance in any good design, which may offer, for the benefit of the diocese or country." |