Sermons on several occasions, and charges. To which is prefixed a memoir of the author by C. Ives

"with the Test laws. That union existed long "before. The Sacramental Test, no doubt, was in

tended, among other enactments, for its better "preservation. But if this has by lapse of time, "and untoward circumstances, become inexpedient, "or even impracticable, I do not see that the sub"stitution of something else in its stead implies any "real change of principle. In short, the question "is, not whether the fortress shall be surrendered, "but whether the outworks shall remain as they were, or be reconstructed on a somewhat different plan. On this question there may be room for diversity of opinion, without any intentional aban"donment of the main object. My own simple view "of the matter is this; that the ancient safeguard, whether, or not, it was, from the first, the best that might have been devised, has now become altogether ineffective, and almost nothing worth; and "therefore it is, that I am inclined to accept another security, less exceptionable in its kind, and, I trust, "not less calculated to produce the intended effect. Yet, after all, my Lords, I confess I have not so "much confidence in the result as some of its sup

porters seem to entertain; nor am I entirely free "from misgivings and apprehensions in this respect. "Could I be assured that it would be regarded as a "final and conclusive measure, by those for whose "benefit it is intended, my satisfaction would be "much greater. But I see too much reason to ap"prehend that it may be viewed by many of them as an incipient measure only, opening a way for some ulterior objects."-The Bill was at length

passed, with an amendment, inserting the words, "On "the true faith of a Christian," into the Dissenters' declaration on taking office. All the hope, however, which was probably conceived by many, (though hardly by the Subject of this Memoir,) that the Dissenters, on being so relieved, would adopt a more friendly disposition towards their Protestant brethren of the Church, has long since been utterly disappointed. It is a fact no less true than strange, that they, whom it was imagined the concession might tend to reconcile, are now generally fallen into taking counsel, and forming unholy leagues, with Papists and Infidels for our destruction.

During the same session with the above transaction, a Roman Catholic Emancipation Bill was also brought up from the House of Commons, where it had been passed by a small majority. By the Lords this was decidedly rejected. The Bishop spoke against the measure, as he had done on former occasions, and his speech was published in the Mirror of Parliament. But on this subject the proceedings of the present year were comparatively unimportant; and previously to entering upon the next, the following letter may conveniently be inserted :-

"Auckland Castle, Dec. 12, 1828.

"MY DEAR SIR, "I fear that not only you will begin to think I "have forgotten you, but that others, who have "been accustomed to taste a little of my good-will "to them at this season of the year, through your "hands, will begin to feel similar misgivings. To certify you and them that this is not actually the

"case, I enclose a draft for 1007., made payable to you as my High Almoner, and to be distributed,

as usual, according to your wisdom and discretion, "of which I have long had sufficient proof to as"sure me that it cannot be disposed of more to my "satisfaction. So much by way of peace offering, "in case I should have incurred your censure as a "defaulter. I would that I had leisure to make "farther amends, by disserting a little on times and "circumstances past, present, and to come; affording, as they do, abundant topics of somewhat fever"ish interest. Suffice it to say, that, though not "without hopes, my fears preponderate as to what may be expected on the approaching session of "Parliament. Not that I can, as yet, form even a conjecture as to what is to be done, or what is "intended; but seeing the strange things which "have come to pass, and the strange notions which "are afloat, I feel it impossible to be at ease. Soon, "however, we shall probably be enlightened a little, "and know at least our position. Meanwhile, it "tends to give some confidence, that a good national

feeling has been so distinctly manifested; whence "I am willing to augur a good effect on both the "Government, and the Legislature. We had in"tended passing our Christmas here, but circum"stances have occurred which induce us to start immediately for London. There, I shall hope to "hear from you, and shall be thankful for any thing

you can tell me of Llandaff, and its many con

cerns, which impress me with frequent agreeable "recollections. I have been comfortably well dur

ing my sojourn here, though it has been a busy summer and autumn, and but few days have been entirely free from public engagements, excursions, "or company at home. Accept our united best regards to yourself and Mrs. Bruce Knight, and "believe me always, my dear Sir, truly and affectionately yours.

"W. D."

One of the Bishop's public engagements alluded to in this letter, appears to have been the consecration of St. Paul's Chapel, in the parish of Ryton, Durham, on the 9th of the preceding September; when, at the request of the incumbent, Dr. Thorp, an early friend of his in the Diocese, and now Archdeacon of Durham, and Warden of the University, he preached a sermon, which was afterwards printed for private circulation. The contents of it cannot better be described than by entitling it, "A Sermon "on the reverence due to God's House, or Sanctu

ary, as His dwelling-place; on the benefits to be "obtained by frequenting it; and on the proper

dispositions for that purpose." The text is Psalm xxvi. 8; and the whole (it will be seen) affords a fine specimen of the power of an elegant and learned mind to instruct, exhort, and persuade, in a manner interesting to all classes of believers.

We now come to the period, when it was determined by those at the helm of affairs, that the claims of the Roman Catholics should be conceded. Of these claims-especially of their claim to be admitted into the Legislature-Bishop Van Mildert had always been an uncompromising opponent; and on

the Relief Bill of 1825, he had delivered a speech against them, full of arguments the most apposite and convincing, set forth in the clearest light. Scarcely ever has a speech in Parliament been more justly commended by friends, or felt more irrefragable by adversaries, than this. In compliance with a wish very generally expressed, it was soon after published, and may be supposed, by the number of copies which were sold, to have had a considerable effect. Having begun with a notice of the urgency of the occasion, as involving deeply the interests of both our religious and civil establishments, the Bishop here likewise carefully took his ground on the preamble, which declared that the Protestant succession, and the Protestant Episcopal Church of England and Ireland, are established permanently and inviolably. Proceeding thence to the main question, which he stated to be, "On what grounds are Roman Catholics excluded from certain privileges and favours granted to other members of "the community?" he at once answered, freely and boldly, (though distinctly denying the slightest intention to give offence,) not for their religious errors or corruptions, but because they are "Papists;" advocates, i. e., of the Pope's arrogated supremacy, and authority over the whole Christian Church. This supreme authority, anciently claimed and exercised without any limit or exception, may (the Bishop admitted) have become apparently obsolete, as to temporal matters, since the Reformation; nevertheless, it is maintained by the decrees of the Council of Trent, and so is ready again to be put in

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Sermons on several occasions, and charges. To which is prefixed a memoir of ...