year:" what would be called in England a stabit pro forma
business. His conclusion, grounded upon general observation,
was, that although the Greek Church does not appear to be in
a state of equal degradation with the Latin, inasmuch as neither
the worship of Images, or other corruptions of the Church of
Rome, are found in it; still it is to be feared, that as respects
the vital spirit of true religion, both Churches may be con-
sidered as standing too much upon the same level.

Mr. D. was not one of those travellers, who pass through à
country merely to gratify curiosity; he carried his mind and
thoughts with him wherever he went, being desirous of em-
ploying them beneficially. His mornings were occupied in
collecting and arranging his remarks, and the result of his
enquiries upon the state of the Russian Empire, with the view
of their being brought into form for publication on his return
to England. The Revolution which had recently taken place
in that country, could not fail to excite his particular interest ;
and having the advantage of acquiring much circumstantial in-
formation respecting that important event, from an individual
who had been a distinguished actor in it, he availed himself of
the opportunity which accidental circumstances had placed
within his reach. But whatever degree of authenticity may be
considered as justly appertaining to the observations which he
made on Russian affairs, yet when they are considered as
emanating from so young a man, they will at least be allowed
to bear testimony to his possession of an active and dis-
criminating mind. There is every reason to suppose, from
the contents of the manuscript alluded to, and from the
Author's remarks whenever it was mentioned in his family
circle, that he was eventually induced to depart from his
intention of publishing, from prudential motives; being appre-
hensive of injuring some of the actors in the scene, who were
connected with the Russian Court, and had been principally
concerned in bringing about those important events.-Impressed
therefore with the idea that the publication at that time would

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prove unseasonable, it was postponed; and does not appear to have been contemplated at any subsequent period.*

During Mr. D.'s stay at Petersburgh, Sir Charles Knowles, who was then at the head of the Russian Admiralty, being on the point of setting out upon an embassy to the frontiers of Turkey, for the purpose of concluding the long wished for peace between the Russians and Turks; obligingly proposed to Mr. D. to take him in his suite, as his companion de voyage The proposal was too tempting to be refused, as the expedition could not fail to prove an interesting one; but the Empress, to whom it was necessarily communicated, put her veto upon it, for reasons, doubtless, of a political nature.

From the English Ambassador, Lord Cathcart, Mr. Daubeny received a cordial and general invitation; and had the honour of spending many agreeable evenings at his residence. He also received much attention from the French Ambassador, from Sir Charles Knowles, and from several of the gentlemen of the English Factory; while at the Princess. Dashkow's, he had opportunities of meeting the best Russian society,parties were frequent and sometimes numerous.

-as her

Towards the approach of summer, Mr. D. having madė arrangements for his return to England, took leave of the Empress, who favoured him with a Courier's passport ; which furnished him with relays of post horses, free of expence, through the Russian territories. Being provided with a travelling vehicle and the necessary accompaniments, Mr. D., after fourteen days successive posting, arrived again at the German Spa, where he spent a few weeks. Thence he proceeded to Calais and embarked for England in the autumn of 1772, after an absence abroad of two years and a half.

Mr. Daubeny's constitution had been strengthened by his foreign travels, particularly by the bracing air of Russia. Returning to Oxford, his mind was diverted from its immediate

• Mr. Daubeny's letters to his family and friends during his absence from England on this occasion, are exceedingly interesting, but too voluminous for insertion in this memoir. Vide Appendix, No. 1.

object, (the publication which has been alluded to) to the more important consideration of preparing himself for holy orders, as a necessary qualification for his admission to a fellowship at Winchester College. He was ordained Deacon in 1773, by Dr. Law, Bishop of Oxford, and the week following admitted into Priest's orders, by Dr. Ferrick, Bishop of London.* In the course of the following year, Mr. D. succeeded to a fellowship of Winchester College. He had not resided above 2 years at Winchester, when the vicarage of North-Bradley was offered to him. The living having never been occupied by a fellow of the College, had fallen into a state of general dilapidation and disorder. Service was performed only once on Sunday, and was thinly attended. The parish abounded in Sectarians, and the population was wild and uncivilized. The income of the incumbent was reduced to about £50 per annum. Nothing could be more discouraging than the aspect of the place, and its inhabitants; nor could any minister have undertaken such a charge, but one possessed of some fortune. With that spirit, which always accompanies a vigorous mind, intent upon doing good, the newly inducted Vicar entered upon this unpromising work. Some time previous to this, a matrimonial attachment had been formed between Mr. D. and Lady Frances Strangeways, a daughter of the Earl of Ilchester, which subsisted two years and was then broken off. He was afterwards introduced to Miss Barnston, daughter of William Greg Barnston, esq; a lady of independent fortune, accomplished manners, and most amiable character, who proved the source of his greatest happiness for 47 years.

During the first year of their marriage, they occupied Sir William Draper's house at Clifton; the vicarage at NorthBradley not being habitable. At Clifton he renewed an old intimacy with the Rev. Mr. Catcott, the vicar of Temple Church, Bristol; a man of primitive manners, great piety, and a divine of the old school, to whom the Archdeacon always expressed himself much indebted for the correct notions, which, in the * Vide Appendix, No. 2.

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early days of his ministry, he had imbibed on the fundamental principles of his sacred office. Among the professional subjects, which were discussed between the two friends, to the great advantage of Mr. D., was that of Bishop Hurd's ingenious dissertation on our Saviour's driving the buyers and sellers out of 'the Temple. Having analyzed this discourse between them, 'Mr. C. addressed Mr. D. to the following effect :--“ You are 'now entered into the Church, and you ought to do something for her; what can you do better, as you appear to see it in a right light, than put your thoughts together upon this strange production; you will find no difficulty in it; I will lend you Lamy de Templô which will help you. The undertaking will be profitable exercise for a young Divine." Mr. D. acted upon the suggestion of one whom he was proud to consider as his tutor. His work, when completed, was brought to Mr. Calcott, who expressed his desire that it might be printed immediately, as being calculated to do its Author credit. This however was firmly declined by Mr. D., who reminded Mr. C. of his declared motives for suggesting such an undertaking to him. Not satisfied with Mr. D.'s answer, and attributing it to diffidence, Mr. C. resolved to obtain the judgment of some friends upon it; trusting thereby to remove Mr. D.'s objections 'to its publication. It was accordingly sent to Dr. Horne, and also Mr. Jones, of Nayland, and one or two other Divines; and having been returned with their decided approbation, and 'recommendation of its being published, Mr. C. renewed his solicitations, but in vain. At length a compromise was effected between them. The manuscript was sent to Bishop Hurd, accompanied with a letter, the purport of which was, that if the Bishop considered the ground which the Author had taken to be firm, he would leave it to his Lordship to get upon it in his own way, and at his own time, as the Author was disinclined to appear in public. The manuscript however was returned, with a note, stating, that the Bishop was too much engaged at Court (being tutor to the young Prince) to pay attention to the subject. In consequence, Mr. D. was told that in justice to

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himself, he was now called upon to publish; but the same disinelination to appear in opposition to a Bishop, determined him to commit his manuscript to his drawer, where it has remained ever since. The death of Mr. Catcott, soon afterwards, was productive of some correspondence between the excellent Diviné and Scholar, whose name has just been introduced, and Mr. Daubeny, relative to an inscription which was designed to commemorate their friend's benefaction of an invaluable collection of Fossils to the Bristol Library. Extracts from two of Mr. Jones's letters upon this subject, are placed in the Ap pendix. They can scarcely prove uninteresting to any one who has read Mr. Jones's works.*

It was most fortunate that Mr. D. had married a lady, whose religious feelings and taste for retirement were in unison with his professional duties. They therefore quitted an elegant residence in a fashionable place, without regret, to bury themselves in a remote country parish, totally devoid of society or local advantages for the sole purpose of devoting themselves to the important charge which he had undertaken.

The Vicar's first attention was of course directed to his Church, and vicarial premises; the former of which was in a state of shameful dilapidation; and the latter a miserable hovel, carcely habitable. The Church was newly paved throughout, the chancel new roofed and completely repaired, and the neat Gothic east window rebuilt the duty increased from half to full service, and the Sacrament administered every month. The Vicarage House was chiefly rebuilt, with walls for the most part enclosing the gardens and premises. Several cottages, with gardens appendent, were purchased and pulled down to enlarge the premises. The accomplishment of all these objects cost the vicar in the first instance upwards of £3000, while he could not possibly expect compensation for such expenditure ; not having at any time raised the vicarial tythes so high as £180 per annum; but the object which he had at heart was obtained ~that of rendering the vicarage of North-Bradley worthy the * Vide Appendix, No. 3.