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lingering regret the last glimpse of the sails which bore him hence. During the first few months they waited for news from him with eager impatience; and through the whole course of his journey and protracted absence, according to the varying accounts of his health, they were by turns both cheered and depressed. But when he came back renovated in constitution, buoyant in spirits, and overflowing with kindness towards all whom he met, he was hailed with universal joy. A more deep and heartfelt welcome was never given to any one on his return to his native land.

The annual convention of the diocese was held shortly after his return. The feelings of the clergy and laity from all parts of the state were in unison with those which prevailed in the city, and there was therefore a general desire to make a public demonstration of them on this interesting occasion. But though there were none who did not wish to unite in this testimony of gratitude for the happy return of the Bishop, yet there were a few who, not agreeing with him in some of his opinions, and in the main points of his policy, were anxious that the resolutions should be so framed as merely to express their sentiments of personal attachment and respect, and their high sense of his usefulness, piety, and worth. With a view, therefore, to render it an unanimous act, some of his friends, who agreed with him in all points, unhappily yielded to this consideration, and in a spirit of accommodation, as unusual as it was unwise, drew them up in such a vague and general form as deprived them of all the force, character, and value which could make them worVOL. I. 46

thy of his acceptance. The Bishop had met hist clergy and people with a generous warmth, which was most cordially reciprocated. He knew that, with very few exceptions, they were of one heart and one soul. He knew on what accounts he was particularly distinguished and esteemed. Any good and amiable prelate, however weak, irresolute, and wavering, might have received this praise, and therefore, on the day after the resolutions were adopted, he rose in his place, and in the bitterness of a jealous and wounded affection rejected it with scorn. Never did I hear any person, in voice, manner, or expression, so eloquent. It was all nature, feeling, and passion, wrought up to the highest pitch. He represented this proceeding as a crafty device of his opposers, and an act of weak compliance on the part of his friends. Under the appearance of congratulation and praise, it left out all those notices of the characteristic and prominent points in his principles and policy which it had been the labour of his life to extend, through good and evil report, and in which he placed his glory and pride. It neither exhibited him as he was known at home, nor as he was valued abroad. It was not agreeable to the just and affectionate tribute which had been presented to him on his departure, nor was it the kind of commendation which he coveted on his return. It was a diluted and weakened praise, which was in no way applicable to one who had always stemmed the current of popular opinion, and he therefore requested that the resolutions should be expunged from the minutes.

This is the mere faint and imperfect recollection

of a speech which was so bold and powerful, as to bow the hearts of the whole assembly as of one man. The justness and force of it were in the main universally felt. The particular friends of the Bishop were grieved at the pain which they had given him, and mortified by the error into which they had fallen. The resolutions were modified in such a way as to give them an appropriate character; and this fearless vindication of his fame, so far from being regarded as a display of arrogance and pride, was only considered as a proof of that elevation of mind which glories in an honourable course, rather than in undistinguishing and popular applause.

From the Rev. Alexander Goode to Bishop Hobart.

"RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR,

"London, Jan. 6, 1826.

"Amidst the universal joy which awaited your arrival at New-York, I trust the humble congratulations of the companion of your sojourn in the Savoy cottage may not be unacceptable. Permit me then most truly to sympathise in those feelings which I know must have glowed in your bosom at the affectionate expressions of delight on the part of

your countrymen at your safe return to them. Such must indeed be the highest reward that can await the faithful steward in this life. May it be but the prelude to that joy unfading which awaits the righteous in a better world! While reading the account of your reception and of your address to the convention, I could well imagine what were your feelings at the moment. The chill climate of

St. Bernard, the pelting storm of the Bonhommie, and the inhospitable reception of the Savoy cottage, might well be forgotten in the rapturous enthusiasm of your countrymen. May it please the Almighty long to continue to them the life of their good Bishop, and to bless him with health and strength to fulfill the duties of his office! Your kind letter to Mr. Norris I presented two days since. He received me in a most friendly manner, desired to see me as soon as my present duties with Lord St. Vincent would allow me leisure, and assured me that it would give him pleasure to be able to

serve me.

"Accept, my dear Sir, the grateful assurances of regard from

"Yours faithfully and affectionately,

"ALEXANDER GOODE.

"Lord St. Vincent begs his kindest remembrance."

From Bishop Ravenscroft to Bishop Hobart.

"RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Raleigh, March 18, 1826.

"It was my anxiety not to appear indifferent to the happy event of your restoration to health, to your family, and to the Church, through the miscarriage of a letter (which is a very common thing) that prompted me to write the second time. I well knew that you could have time for nothing but to meet and answer the congratulations of your numerous friends.

"I thank you very gratefully for the favourable

opinion you are pleased to entertain and express of my principles and conduct. It is refreshing to the spirits in an arduous contest, to find that one is not alone; and it is strengthening to the resolution, to meet the approval of the wise and good on those points of duty to which the many are opposed, and those who are not so are doubtful, timid, or indifferent.

"The situation of this southern country, surrendered for the last forty or fifty years to the exclusive influence of the Dissenters, left me no alternative, but to increase that influence by adoptiug half-way measures, or, by a decided course, to call into action what was left of predilection for the Church, to rally her real friends around her standard, and to strike fear into her enemies by the unqualified assertion of her distinctive character; and I have cause of thankfulness beyond expression, that it has pleased God to give success so far to the little I have been enabled to do. The predictions of the lukewarm and the timid, that I was premature-that the minds of the people were not prepared for itthat even those who were called Episcopalians would revolt at the consequences drawn from the principles I inculcated-have all been falsified; and the cause of the Church has been strengthened from day to day, as consideration of her truly divine character and purpose in the plan of salvation has been forced upon public attention. Multitudes have owned to me, that but for the imperious call upon their most serious consideration, occasioned by the announcement of the doctrines of the Church, they might have gone dreaming through life, without