acceptance and residence of the future fellows of Winchester College; and thereby, it might be hoped, of preventing the parish from ever again falling into that state of wretched disorder, in which he unhappily found it. The ignorance and barbarous manners of the population at this time were such, that they opposed their worthy pastor in all his plans and improvements; and would often pull down the walls which were building, and cut down and destroy the trees recently planted; while the farmers and monied men, evinced such perverseness and ill-will, as were sufficient to drive any gentlemen out of his parish. But these were minor evils-this zealous minister had others of a still more disheartening nature to encounter, in a place over-run with dissenters of the worst kind, who were alike unmoved by the friendly advice, extensive charities, and personal exertions of their minister. In 1785, he published a friendly and affectionate address to his parishioners, with prayers for families annexed. Three years after, he printed his lectures on the Church Catechism, which were originally delivered from the desk to the children of his Sunday School. These lectures, with evening prayers, formed a third service at the Church at six o'clock, an hour which he hoped might bring some of the wandering sheep of his flock, back to their Church. His discourses on Schism, and the unity of the Church, delivered from time to time in his Parish Church, were afterwards arranged for the press and appeared under the title of "A Guide to the Church." His meritorious exertions, however, met with but partial success. Mr. D. had continually to struggle against sectarianism, and the mortification to see three meeting houses erected in different parts of his extensive parish; exemplifying the melancholy fact, that the most zealous and unremitting labours of the parish minister, cannot prevent the baneful effects of dissention, where once it has taken root. It was indeed to be expected that in undertaking the charge of such a parish, the Vicar would encounter many disagreeable circumstances. The repeated insults and injuries which he received from those who had long been accustomed to hold the Church

and its ministry in contempt, are unworthy of detail; although, at the time, they seriously affected his mind and health, and excited the apprehensions of his friends, who repeatedly urged him to effect an exchange of livings. In a diary he says, (February 1785) “Great importunities were made use of, to prevail upon me to leave this parish; I trust that God will enable me to ride out the storm, 'in much patience,' 'as chastened and not killed""-and elsewhere. "Two of my parishioners came to me to express their hope that I did not intend to leave the parish, as they had heard some such report. God be thanked there are some in the parish, to whom I seem to be 'a Saviour unto life. May God increase their number, and my patience. I trust a day will come when the eyes of this people will be opened. May I, unworthy as I am, be the instrument to bring that event about." And again, after experiencing much disrespectful behaviour from a non-attendant at his Church,

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says, "Thank God, I was perfectly collected, and said nothing that a minister of God ought not to say; but all my entreaties for reconciliation were vain; we parted as we met→→→ God alone can change the heart; may his Grace be made manithis man; give him, O Lord, a charitable disposition, and a forgiving heart; if not, grant to thy minister patience to bear with him upon all occasions." Even the Sunday School, consisting of about 80 scholars, which Mr. D. had been indefatigable in establishing, was not allowed to prosper undisturbed. On which he remarks "It is a sign (says good Bishop Hall) that both the work is holy, and the agent faithful, when we meet with strong opposition; we have reason to be comforted with nothing so much as resistance. If we were not in a way to do good, we should find no rubs; Satan hath no excuse to neglect his own, and that whilst they are about his service." Connected with these disturbances, we find the following entry in Mr. D.'s diary" O Lord, if it be thy will, prosper the undertaking I beseech thee. Incline the hearts of the parents in this parish, that they may see that the only object in view, is to train up their children in the way of holiness; that seeing this,

they may go hand in hand with their minister in furthering a plan designed for the honour of God, and the welfare of their families."

It appears by Mr. D.'s correspondence with Bishop Barrington, that an exchange of livings was actually contemplated at one time; and that the Bishop's full consent to a negociation for that purpose was given-accompanied with the expression of his "reluctance to part with so valuable a member of his diocese, whose motives for quitting a parish, where his labours had been so ill requited, he could not condemn." In a subse quent correspondence, however, Mr. D. appears to have given up the idea of leaving the parish, from those laudable motives which will be best explained by a quotation from his letter, ad dressed to Bishop Barrington in August 1786:-" My friends have been for some time incessant in their solicitations for my quitting my present residence; and my physician tells me that a more elevated situation, and greater composure of mind, is absolutely necessary for its re-establishment. I wish to follow their advice, but at the same time without sacrificing my duty. My plan therefore is, if possible, to settle my family within an easy distance of my living, that I may attend duty on Sundays, and keep a resident Curate in the Vicarage House. My reasons for not throwing up the living are many-Without meaning to pay any compliment to myself, I think, considering the state of the parish, and the person who is likely to succeed in case of my resignation, it will not be so well attended, as when I am removed to some little distance-In the next place, there are some plans set on foot for the benefit of the parish, which I fear would fall to the ground-and lastly, I do not feel my conscience discharged either as a clergyman, or father of a family, in leading an idle life, when I ought to be active. A strong attachment to the profession first brought me here, and nothing short of an incapacity for the duties of my parish, can incline me to turn my back upon it," &c. &c. And that this worthy minister was not entirely disappointed in the hopes he entertained, under Divine Providence, of a better state of feelings amongst his

parishioners, may be concluded by the following extract from the Bishop's letter of the 7th February 1787 :-" I most cor'dially rejoice with you in the change which has taken place in the dispositions and manners of your flock. Let me, however, urge you to leave them as soon as may be, to the care of the best resident Curate you can procure; you owe too much to yourself and family, to hesitate on that point after the opinion delivered by your physician."

In 1784 Mr. D. was appointed Prebendary of Minor Pars Alteris, in the Cathedral of Salisbury, by Bishop Barrington, whose offer of the Prebendary was communicated to him in the following letter:-"Dear Sir,-The recent intelligence I have received of Mr. Fowey's death, enables me to gratify a wish of offering you a stall in my Church. Were your fortune less independent, I might hesitate in proposing to you one of my least valuable prebends. Such as it is, I trust you will accept it, as an equal proof of my esteem, with one of the most lucrative. I am, dear sir, with real regard, your sincere friend and brother, S. SARUM."

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. D. lost their first child. They afterwards had to lament the lingering illness of their eldest boy, a child of great promise. On his account principally they were advised to proceed to the south of France. In consequence they left England for that purpose in the month of May, 1788, accompanied by their eldest little girl and a sister of Mrs. D.'s leaving three young ones under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Sikes, (their brother and sister) in London. It is intended to introduce but a few of those many pious effusions which are to be found in Mr. D.'s diary-but the prayer which he composed for this occasion, will best exemplify the motives which led to their foreign tour. It was afterwards added to their Sunday devotions until their return to England.†

The first destination of the travellers was Pyrmont in Germany, where they arrived on the 6th of June, having passed in their route, through French and Austrian Flanders, taking the +Vide Appendix, No. 5.

* Vide Appendix, No. 4.

towns of Lisle, Brussels, Dusseldorf, and Munster in their way. After a sojourn at Pyrmont of six weeks, they changed their quarters for the German Spa; where, together with comfortable accommodations, they found what was of greater importance to them—an able and worthy physician for their invalid. After a season spent at Spa, they directed their course southward, and took up their winter residence amongst the beautiful orange groves of Hieres in Provence. In his journal, Mr. D. remarks, "We could not but observe that notwithstanding all the absurdities and corruptions by which the religion of Popery is disgraced, there is a greater appearance of religion amongst the lower orders in a Papal, than amongst the same class in a Protestant country; a strong proof of the firm hold which the Romish Priesthood takes of the minds of the lower orders, compared with the influence which the Priests of the Church of England retain over their congregations. This is indeed easy to be accounted for, if it were our object to pursue the subject; but we stop only to notice the fact, en passant."

During his travels Mr. D. regularly performed the service of the Church in his family every Sunday, which was open to all who felt disposed to attend. This circumstance first led Mr. D. to a particular, acquaintance and friendship with a young gentleman of fortune, of the name of Atherton, which was highly gratifying to all parties. This interesting young man was residing at Hieres for his health, having unfortunately broken a blood vessel in ascending the Alps; at his own particular desire he was received, with his tutor Mr. Hooker, into Mr. D.'s family; this circumstance might be considered providential, as Mr. A. was soon after seized with a return of spitting of blood, which brought on a rapid decline; he lingered about two months; during which time he experienced all the cares and attention of a mother from Mrs. D. He expired in the arms of Mr. D. who never mentioned him in after life, but in terms of the strongest affection, Mr. D.'s sentiments relative to this regretted young man, are best expressed in the following letters addressed to a relation of Mr. A.'s:-" Permit me Sir,