lousness, as they are now remarkable for their poverty, and being sume of the most desolated places in the kingdom.

"In short, Sir, had the Church Members continued to have resided at Landaff, and kept up their houses, of which only one remains of the whole number, the Treasury having been suffered to fall down not many years since; it may be presumed that the Town would not have gone to such ruin; and probably the Church revenues would have been better improved, and some part of them more strictly employed annually towards the sustentation of the fabrick; that it would not have wanted any considerable expence, as it now does, for reparation; which brings me to my second head, viz. that the income is not sufficient to maintain and support the fabrick as it ought to be kept; and in treating of this I shall have some view to the benefit that is intimated might accrue to Cardiff, &c. by transplanting the See.

"I will, indeed, Sir, readily grant that the revenues of the See of Landaff are very mean; but this, as some are so forward to tell you, may be augmented by diminishing the number of Members; for what occasion is there, as they say, of above twice as many Prebendaries in this Church as there are in Norwich, Bristol, Gloucester, Chester, Rochester, Peterborough, and Carlisle Cathedrals? It is not many years since a design was formed to have sunk six of the Prebendaries, and appropriate their in-` come towards augmenting the Bishoprick? This is what I cannot say I should approve of, as being against all innovations, and for keeping strict to the antient constitution in all points. However, if I may be allowed to give my opinion, I should not disapprove of this other scheme, viz. that such a number of Prebendal stalls might be kept vacant for so many years as would answer the end of repairing the fabrick, or rather such persons collated to them as would bestow their dividends towards that good work, which, after it was well accomplished, might be applied towards re-building some houses for the Prebendaries, who if they were limited to a fixed residence, would not be unsupplied in any respect, either here or from Cardiff, it being but a mile distant; would partake of the advantages of the settlement of the Church Members at Landaff, almost as much as if they were fixed in Cardiff, which certainly can never be so commodious on divers accounts to the Church Members as Landaff, who it is not to be expected can ever have an entire interest in the place, or model their new Cathedral to the same advantage as the old one, which, as it has been so many ages appropriated to divine service, and in regard that it remains at this day the ancientest Bishoprick in the Nation, makes it as it were a piece of sacrilege to meditate a removal and alteration. Besides, was it to be complied with and effected, would care be taken in seating Cardiff Church in Cathedral fashion? Would stalls be fixed in it, and other proper ornaments? If ground could be purchased, would houses be built thereon for the church members, &c.? Several other questions of this sort might be asked, but that I fear I have already been

too tedious; which I beg, Sir, you will impute to the indignation raised in me at the very reflection of destroying so venerable a Church, whose antiquity, &c. methinks should challenge protection, and strike an awe and reverence into such who duly contemplate the length of time it has stood devoted to God's honour, and the place where he has chose to set his name.

"I say, Sir, if it was rightly pondered, it should rather raise a spirit of emulation and zeal to restore it to its ancient beauty and order; and the costly reparations laid out by the inhabitants of Cardiff, in so lately adorning their Church, casting a peal of six bells, and furnishing it with an organ, should rather excite the Members of this Church to follow their example, than create any other desire in them, except that of raising contributions to imitate them in the like practices at Landaff. For encouragement whereof, they need only look back to Bishop Urban, the raiser of the present fabrick, who when he began found it levelled almost with the ground, together with all the Prebendal houses, and stripped as it was entirely of its revenues, and of 24 Canons, all dispersed save two. This good Bishop, notwithstanding he lived at the time of the making the famous Canon, which was never put in execution, made provision for building an infinitely more magnificent Cathedral than the old one, which, as it exceeded and eclipsed it in all respects, so it rendered the exchange of the place not in the least regretted. I say, this good Bishop never made any plea or exception to this place; but, with a becoming zeal and industry, set himself about doing good to the House of God, and the offices thereof, and fixed them where the old Temple stood, as the place where God had chose to set his name. Was it not for launching out too far, I might urge the costly reparation so lately bestowed on the Cathedral of St. Asaph, and to what an elegant degree of slendour that Church is raised within these few years, and to what perfection the Choir there, and at Bangor, is brought; notwithstanding, till within less than these five years, as I am informed, St. Asaph had nothing but subscriptions to depend on for maintenance of the Choir Officers, which they all along most decently kept up by contributing a competent maintenance to an Organist, Singing-men, and Choristers.

"I need only remark, that all the advantages both these places enjoy may justly be attributed to the residence of their Bishops and Deans amongst them; who, notwithstanding they had the same difficulties to encounter and struggle with as at Landaff, by having undergone the like misfortunes, yet they found means to rebuild their Bishop's and Dean's houses within these 200 years; which that it may be accomplished at Landaff, is, Sir, most sincerely and affectionately wished by

Your most humble servant,

J. D."

Dr.

"

Dr. THOMAS WOOD* to Lord Chief Justice PARKER.

'MY LORD, Hardwick, Bucks, Feb. 19, 1715-16. "I am extremely affected with your kind expressions toward me, and am ashamed of this trouble which I have given you, that seems of no concern to me, since I have been informed of the reasons of it. I sent my Lord of Canterbury a long answer to the objections made against me, except to the last, that I was a supporter of those that would make divisions; for this is so general that it cannot be answered. I presume his Grace will shew you that Letter, for he seems by his of the 16th instant to intend it. My warmth once upon the Bench was in concert with other Justices, in defence of our Laws for the suppression of Immorality and Prophaneness, which was mocked by Captain Simner (a Justice), by drinking with a criminal in the stocks, for swearing twenty oaths, upon refusal to pay the penalty.

"The misrepresentations to my Lord Bridgewater have been contriving some months, and some persons very obnoxious have joined their forces against me, because I was a grievance to them.

"My Lord, it is my principle to defend our Church and State as established, with an indulgence to tender consciences; and especially at this time against Popery; but I think care must be taken of unreasonable Dissenters, and that men of no religion should not tyrannize over it. This persuasion has been my offence.

"Now, Sir, having made myself easy with the thoughts of my good intentions under this designed digrace (if I am not to be inserted in the new commission), I beg your Lordship would not give yourself any further trouble on my behalf, and about one that can never make you amends for what has been done, though I beseech you to believe that I have a grateful heart, and that I will be ready to shew upon all occasions that I am, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and most faithful servant, THO. WOOD."

Rev. HENRY DODWELL to Rev. FRANCIS BROKESBY†.

"REVEREND SIR,

"I presume you have had notice that the Preface, which was wanting, is since come to light; though not yet printed, for what reason I know not. However, this delay has given an opportunity for a small addition, which some others, as well as 1, think might be proper in relation to D. Blondel, whom you have had under consideration. It is of a letter concerning him, written by P. Du Moulin, and published by Dr. Durell (to whom it was written) in the Appendix to his View of the Government and Public Worship of God in the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas,' pp. 339, 340; and again by Mr. Bennet of Colchester, in his Discourse of joint Prayer,' pp. 147, 148, and is as follows: • Of New College, Oxford; B. C. L. 1687; D. C. L. 1703. + Two well-known consientious Nonjuring Divines.

'MY REVEREND BROTHER,

'To cast my mite into that rich treasury which you are now furnishing, I must inform you of a remarkable passage very pertinent to your purpose. In the year 1651, that great and good man, my Lord Primate Usher, told me that the learned Mr. David Blondel had concluded his 'Apologia pro Hieronymo,' with words to this purpose: By all we have said to assert the Rights of the Presbytery, we do not intend to invalidate the Ancient and Apostolical Constitution of Episcopal pre-eminence. But we believe, that wheresoever it is established conformably to the ancient Canons, it must be carefully preserved; and wheresoever by some heat of contention, or otherwise, it has been put down or violated, it ought to be reverently restored.' The good Primate told me, besides, that whereas the book had been written at the earnest request of the Assembly of Westminster, of the Scots especially, who had their agents and leaguers in Paris, to strengthen their party by misinforming the Protestants of France, and winning them to their side; when these agents saw this conclusion of Mr. Blondell's manuscript, they expostulated with him very loud, for marring all the good he had done in his book, disappointing the expectation of the Assembly, and shewing himself an enemy. instead of a friend, to their holy covenant. This they urged upon him with such vehemency and unwearied importunity, that they prevailed with him to put out that conclusion. Having received that information from a person of so much knowledge and integrity as that famous prelate, yet for a farther confirmation I told it to Mr. John Blondel (David's brother), then living in London, who denied that there was any truth in that report, and defended his brother, as much wronged by it. If you think, said I, that I wrong your brother, complain to him of me in your next letter, and remember my kind service to him. Mr. John Blondel did not fail to write to his brother about this; and three or four weeks after shewed me a letter from him, wherein he remembered his love to me, and acknowledged that the relation was true.

"This advice I thought myself obliged to give you, knowing that no man can make a better use of it than yourself, to whose holy labours about this point, the church is so much indebted, and none more your debtor in the Church in that regard, than, Sir, your most affectionate brother and servant,

་

PETER DU MOULIN."

"Its having been twice printed already, I take to be no objection against the re-printing it to make it yet more publick. I took the same method with the Trent Creed, in my Answer to the Essay, &c. though at the same time I observed it had not only been printed in English formerly by Sir H. Lynde, but very lately by Dr. Hickes. My paper will let me add no more, but humble service to Mr. Cherry, and respect from yours, &c."

H. D.

Part

Part of a Letter from Mr. EDWARD WALTER, Fellow of St. John's College Cambridge, to his Friend in the Country, dated Dec. 6, 1706.

"I should scarce have mentioned any thing of the matter you write about of my own accord; but, since you have given yourself the trouble of an enquiry, I am, I think, obliged in friendship to relate all that I know of the matter; and that I do the more willingly, because I can so soon produce my authority.

"Mr. Shaw, to whom the apparition appeared, was Rector of Soldern, or Souldern, in Oxfordshire, late of St. John's College aforesaid; on whom Mr. Grove, his old Fellow Collegiate, called July last in his journey to the West, where he staid a day or two; and promised to see him again in his return; which he did, and staid three days with him; in that time one night after supper, Mr. Shaw told him that there happened a passage, which he could not conceal from him, as being an intimate friend, and one to whom this transaction might have something more relation to than another man. He proceeded, therefore, and told him, that about a week before that time, viz. July the 28th, 1706, as he was smoking and reading in his study about 11 or 12 at night, there came to him the apparition of Mr. Naylor, formerly Fellow of the said College, and dead soine years ago, a friend of Mr. Shaw's, in the same garb he used to be in, with his hands clasped before him. Mr. Shaw, not being much surprised, asked him how he did, and desired him to sit down, which Mr. Naylor did. They both sat there a considerable time, and entertained one another with various discourses. Mr. Shaw then asked him after what manner they lived in the separate state; he answered, far different from what they do here; but that he was very well. He enquired farther, whether there was any of their old acquaintance in that place where he was; he answered, No, not one; and then proceeded, and told him that one of their old friends, naming Mr. Orchard, should die quickly, and he himself should not be long after. There was mention of several people's names; but who they were, or upon what occasion, Mr. Grove cannot, or will not tell. Mr. Shaw then asked him whether he would not visit him again before that time: he answered, no, he could not; he had but three days allowed him, and farther he could not go. Mr. Shaw said, Fiat voluntas Domini; and the Apparition left him. This is word for word as Mr. Shaw told Mr. Grove, and Mr. Grove told me.

"Note. What surprized Mr. Grove was, that as he had in his journey homewards occasion to ride through Clopton, or Claxton, he called upon one Mr. Clark, Fellow of our College aforesaid, and Curate there; when, enquiring after College news, Mr. Clark told him Arthur Orchard* died that week, Aug. 6, 1706, which

Arthur Orchard, of St. John's College, Cambridge, B. A. 1662; M. A. 1666; B. D. 1673.