you have bound my brows. It is high time to consign them to the right owner.

My friend the Rev. Mr. Cunningham, vicar of Harrow, is the author of the "Velvet Cushion." I was in his confidence, and kept his secret, while it remained such. I think it a very pleasant little work. Your Lordship was not singular in ascribing it to me; an ascription, however, not very flattering to the real author. My friends in London said they suspected me the first half of the book. Why they changed their opinion I know not. While the mystery lasted, however, I got a very lively epigram, which would have been flattering had I earned it.

You have strengthened your cause as far as human authority can strengthen that which was so strong without it. With such a confederated band of Trinitarians as your Lordship has mustered in your last treatise, I think Mr. Socinian Attorney-General would not much care to fight single-handed.

I shall be happy to see the whole of this able defence and complete exposure, when finished. Your printer has fallen into the common error in spelling Lord Lyttelton's name.

I am ever

Your Lordship's very faithful
H. MORE.

Barley Wood, 5th November, 1814.

CHAP. XXIII.

THE AUTHOR'S FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE BISHOP DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTER OF BISHOP

OF ST. DAVID'S..

RYDER.

1820.

HITHERTO the writer of these Memoirs has spoken of the Bishop from authentic documents, or from the report of others; but in the spring of 1820 he became personally known to him, and their acquaintance, from a concurrence of various circumstances, quickly ripened into an intimacy, the memory of which will ever be grateful to his feelings.

We met, for the first time, in the spring of 1820, at the Palace, Gloucester, as guests of the late Dr. Ryder, then Bishop of that See, who was there quite alone, having come from the Deanery of Wells, during his residence, to entertain the Judges at dinner, according to ancient custom, in the Assize week.

I was struck, at first sight, by the fine countenance and the dignified person of the Bishop of St. David's. He was then about sixty-three years of age, tall and upright, well proportioned in his limbs, and active in his movements. His features were fine, and cast in a regular mould. Over them was diffused a

pensive, contemplative air, blended with the expression of deep thought and mild composure. When he smiled the effect was truly pleasing, like a ray of sunshine lighting up the serene beauty of an autumnal landscape. Though his manner was somewhat grave, his disposition was evidently social, and the moment that any literary topic or subject of religious interest was started, he became animated, and spoke from the stores of an acute, a learned, and pious mind, and a tenacious memory.

The two Bishops, though not altogether belonging to the same school of doctrinal theology, were substantially agreed upon the most important points, were both spiritually-minded, and were reciprocally animated by sentiments of affectionate regard and esteem. A full flow on both sides of affectionate kindness, of serene and cheerful hilarity, united to a pleasant playfulness of thought and illustration in touching on the various topics upon which conversation turned, banished every approach to the starch or the severe in this spiritual symposium.

Both of these excellent men are now gone to their rest; the subject of this Memoir full of years and honour; his brother and friend in Christ cut off by an unexpected stroke in the maturity of manhood and usefulness. The characters of eminently good men in high stations are the public property of the Church. Their bright example excites to virtuous imitation. What others have been, we ourselves may be, if not in talent and acquirement, at

least in the higher range of moral excellence. For the sake of the living, therefore, we will indulge in a brief pause from the immediate object of these pages, in order to introduce a few particulars drawn from long and intimate friendship, respecting Bishop Ryder.

Born of a noble family, familiar from his youth with the best society, naturally kind and affectionate, he united to gentlemanly ease and polish a peculiar suavity of demeanour and manners. He left the University of Cambridge, where he completed his education, an elegant scholar; and literature both classical and general never ceased to form, in subservience to higher and professional pursuits, one of the pleasures of his existence. The rectory of Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, was his first preferment: he afterwards became Dean of Wells; but the former place was his home, except when officially resident at Wells, until he was raised to the Episcopal bench. At an early period of his clerical career, he attained to such " ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ," that he gave himself wholly to the duties of his office, and proved himself worthy of filling the pulpit of Wicliffe, by faithfully preaching the great doctrines of the Gospel, and by earnestly labouring for the salvation of souls.

His piety was both elevated and practical. It was accompanied by a humility and gentleness, which shed their benignant influence over his whole

deportment and conduct, blended with a cheerfulness which banished from intercourse with him every approach to severity or gloom. Happy himself, it was his delight to see others happy also, and his presence in the friendly circle, among his clergy, or in general society, operated as a sunbeam; so diffusive was his kindness, so attractive his cordiality. His style of conversation was lively, interesting, and instructive. It abounded in anecdote and incident, and the desire to do good was always predominant. It was pleasant to behold him in the prime of his days, sustaining, in the midst of a blooming and delightful family, all the charities of domestic life, with the purity and tenderness of a human angel, and discharging the duties of his high station with the zeal of an Apostle. Prompt at every call of duty, his professional engagements, his extensive correspondence, and a frequent attendance at religious and charitable meetings, left him little time for personal recreation of any kind; but when he was able to relax, he was the life of every party of innocent pleasure, and a visit to the Rocks of Cheddar, or the ruins of Glastonbury, under his auspices, never failed to leave behind it the most delightful impressions.

Few Bishops have been more zealous, or successful in promoting the building of new churches in populous or neglected districts of their dioceses, and none according to his means contributed more

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