frequently refers in his Journals, was one of the "working element" with whom Lord Ashley was in frequent communication at this time.

Dec. 3rd.-Every day brings fresh stories of suffering and oppression from the factory districts. My poor cripple Dodd is a jewel, his talent and skill are unequalled ; he sends me invaluable evidence. But then mine eyes do fail with tears . . . for the destruction (I should say sin) of the daughter of my people;' it takes from me all enjoyment, present and prospective; if such things reach my ears, how many lie hidden, aye, and will do so until the earth shall disclose her blood.' God give us faith and strength, and some success. Entire success no man may or can attain, it is reserved for the Great Undoer of every heavy burthen!

Dec. 21st.-Broadlands. Minny unwell; came here yesterday to comfort her. God be praised she is better. I would rather be with her at the Saint, when my children are about me;' but her dearsmiling face makes everything shine. Factory and Drainage concerns occupy my time and fill me with correspondence.

Dec. 23rd. I have no time for reading and writing, for replenishing my armoury, or exercising my guns. Dodd's letters infuse both information and terror. 'I increase knowledge, and increase sorrow.' Nevertheless, I have put my hand to the plough, and, God being my helper, I will not look back. And now I am involved in the Puseyite controversy. I did not seek it; but the occasion seemed to call for an avowal of sentiment; and, not hesitating to believe, I did not fear to speak. Letters of congratulation and gratitude without number have reached me; I rejoice in it for pur poses of future good. . . . But I have disturbed a hornet's nest; They buzz about me in furious rage. The Press, especially the Morning Post, sweats with vituperation. But no matter, In Thee have I trusted, let me 1 ever be confounded.'

Dec. 25th.-Christmas Day. St. Giles's. My sweet Minny absent. Took the sacrament; peace, hope, and spiritual joy by God's blessed grace. It is an august and holy day. Oh! that I could, for a few hours, forget the turmoil and anxieties of the world! Many communicants;

St. Giles's House.

1841.]

CHRISTMAS AT ST. GILES'S.

385

the proportion to the population, immense—clean, simple, and devout ; not only shopkeepers and farmers, but many of the working classes -really a beautiful sight, it is a true specimen of a rural vicarage, a pastoral cure, a shepherd and his flock. May God in His goodness, cherish this primitive simplicity! Yet it has not been quite the same Christmas Day without a vacancy. Minny was away, who should always share the communion with me. I left her ill at Broadlands to spend the day here in the midst of the ancient families of the House, and be with my elder boys, who must not be quite alone, especially at this festival.

N

CHAPTER X.

1842.

Tractarianism-Oxford Professorship of Poetry-Letter to Mr. Roundell Palmer -Rev. Isaac Williams and Rev. James Garbett-Letters from Hon. William Cowper, Rev. E. Bickersteth, and "Charlotte Elizabeth"-A Suggested Compromise-Correspondence with Rev. Dr. Pusey and Rev. John Keble— Letter from Archdeacon Wilberforce-Result of the Contest-A RebukeThe King of Prussia in England-Address of the Jews' Society-Correspondence with Sir Robert Peel-His Hostility to Factory Bill-Announcement to Short-time Committees-Principle in Government and Opposition -A Socialist Ally-Bishop Alexander's Entry into Jerusalem-Election Committe es-Report on Mines and Collieries-Public Indignation Aroused -Terrible Disclosures-The System Exposed-A Great Speech-Richard Cobden and the Philanthropists-Cobden Alters his Estimate of Lord Ashley's Character-Lord Palmerston's Support Letter from Prince Albert-No Peer to take Charge of Bill-Victory-Trade Depression and Riots-Tour through Manufacturing Districts-The Duchess of Beaufort and Sir Robert Peel-China and Afghanistan.

THE end of 1841 and the beginning of 1842 found Lord Ashley engaged in warm discussion with the leading members of the Tractarian party. On the 15th of March, 1841, the Vice-Chancellor and the Heads of Houses held a meeting at Oxford to pass censure on No. 90 of "Tracts for the Times," in these words, "That modes of interpretation, such as are suggested in the said tract, evading rather than explaining the sense of the Thirty-nine Articles, and reconciling subscription to them with the adoption of errors which they were designed to counteract, defeat the object, and are inconsistent with the due observance

1842.]

THE TRACTARIAN MOVEMENT.

387

of the statutes of the University." On the following day Dr. John Henry Newman declared himself to be the author of the tract.

Although the centre of the Tractarian movement was the University of Oxford, the whole country was shaken by it; every section of the Christian Church, and almost every leader of thought in the nation, felt its influence. Arrayed on either side were the great masters of argument. The principal leaders of the Oxford School were the "seraphic Keble," supported by Richard Froude who died early in the fight-Dr. Pusey, and John Henry Newman. Their claim was that Rome had not fulfilled her high mission; that the real Catholic Church was the Church of England; that the Successors of the Apostles were to be found in her ; and their efforts were directed to rouse the Church to what they considered to be her true mission. "There is something greater than the Established Church," wrote Dr. Newman, "and that is the Church Catholic and Apostolic set up from the beginning, of which she is but the local presence and the organ."

The causes which lay at the root of the movement were numerous and strong. It was a crisis in the history of religious thought. Rationalism, imported from Germany, was making rapid advances; the Church of England having been in a dull, cold, and apathetic state, was now threatened with assault from the Reform Party in respect of her rights and property; and the leading motive at the outset was to revive and invigorate her

What were some of the results of this movement are only too well known. The battle of the Reformation had to be fought over again, and Lord Ashley, for forty years, was one of the leaders in the fight.

It was at a time when the controversy was at its keenest that the Jerusalem Bishopric was created. From first to last the Oxford School were fierce in their denunciation of the whole scheme, while the Evangelicals and many leaders of the Broad Church were enthusiastic in its favour.

And it was at this time, too, that the incident now to be recorded occurred.

Among the papers of Lord Shaftesbury there was found a large bundle of letters and other documents endorsed :

March 5th, 1874.

These letters were written at the outbreak of the Tractarian movement in 1841-2. They arose out of my letter in the Standard to Roundell Palmer (Lord Selborne) refusing to vote for Mr. Williams as Professor of Poetry at Oxford. The interest may have -indeed, it has-passed away. But they are curious as showing how zealous people were then and how cold now.

The correspondence will speak for itself:

Lord Ashley to Mr. Roundell Palmer.

S.

ST. GILES'S HOUSE, Dec., 1841.

SIR,-In a letter which I have had the honour of receiving from you to solicit my vote and interest in Mr. Williams' behalf,' you desire also, on the part of the committee, a reply to their communi

cation.

I hasten to forward that reply.

The Rev. Isaac Williams has presented himself for the vacant chair of the Professor of Poetry. I have no doubt whatever that he