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CHAPTER IX

WESTMINSTER

1883-1890

IT will be readily understood that my father's removal from Peterborough provoked considerable indignation in the circle of his friends. Into the workings of this feeling it would be improper to enter. But it came to pass that Mr. Gladstone invited my father to an interview, and expressed his earnest wish to serve him. The sum of that conversation is contained in these few words addressed to Bishop Lightfoot:

28th July 1883.

Mr. Gladstone practically offered me in a conversation the Deanery of Exeter, and then most kindly went on to say that I might prefer (as you did-was not that good of him to add?) a canonry to hold with Cambridge work.

Shortly after this conversation a Westminster canonry became vacant through Canon Barry's acceptance of the See of Sydney. Dr. Barry, it will be remembered, was an exact contemporary of my father at Trinity College, Cambridge; so that there was a special fitness in the bishop-elect inviting his successor to preach the sermon at his consecration, which took place on Ist

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January 1884. On the 2nd of the following month my father was installed as Canon of Westminster. His first sermon as such was preached on 27th April, and was an appeal on behalf of the Church Missionary Society. In his text-book on that day he entered, as he was now beginning a new work: Πιστος ὁ καλων. Ναι ΚΡΕ ΙΗΥ.

The appointment had been made the occasion of many congratulatory letters, and had given general satisfaction; but, more important, the new Canon was most warmly received by his colleagues at the Abbey. Other fellow-workers hastened to echo the welcome thus expressed by Dean Bradley :

[11th October 1883.]

Now there seems to be no reason why I should be the last to say what unfeigned joy your appointment will give It would be almost impertinent to praise the selection: it is permitted to rejoice at it.

me.

Between my father's installation and his first official act came an interesting visit to Edinburgh; for in April 1884 he was invited to attend the Tercentenary Festival of Edinburgh University, and receive an hon. D.D. degree. He went there accordingly, and was the guest of Professor Flint. Once more was his voice heard in Edinburgh; for after the banquet which was held on the degree day he was called upon to respond, on behalf of Theology, to the toast of "Theology, Law, and Medicine," proposed by Lord Napier and Ettrick. Sir Henry Maine subsequently responded for Law, and Professor Virchow for Medicine.

His adventures in Edinburgh are described in letters to his wife, of which the following are fragments :1 Faithful is He that calleth. Yea, Lord Jesus.

EDINBURGH, 16th April 1884.

My journey was accomplished easily, with an accompaniment of two pleasant wonders-a porter who even turned away from the coin which was ready, and a cab-driver who asked for his simple fare and said it was all right. After breakfast I took a tram to the end of Princes Street, that I might hunt up Thomson and the Murrays. . . . Before dinner Professor Flint's other visitors came-three Frenchmen, all deputies, and all decorated. Later, Dr. Hatch came: an Oxford guest-the Bampton lecturer who fluttered St. Mary's. We were very late in starting for the great function, the Lord Provost's reception, and when we got there entrance was absolutely impossible. The one narrow staircase was filled by people leaving, and after vain efforts we were able to retreat without an accident. Our French friends were tired, and no one encouraged my zeal to see the torch procession. So of the official pleasures I am as yet inexperienced.

17th April. centre of the whole This was perfect.

We met
It is a

The main thing yesterday, indeed the festival, was the service at St. Giles'. Nothing could be more solemn or more eloquent. in the Parliament House, which is close by St. Giles'. very fine hall, and soon became very gay with the foreign academic dresses and uniforms. The most gorgeous figure was one of our fellow-guests, M. Mézières. He wore a robe of gold-coloured silk trimmed with white fur, and a tall beefeater sort of cap to match. I could not recognise him. Others had cerise satin gowns; others green; stars and decorations were shining everywhere. In due time-marshalled by an officer finer than the historic drum-major of Trèveswe formed into line,-I found myself with Professor Seeley,and so we went to the church through lines of University volunteers. Being close to the pulpit, I did not miss a word of the sermon. The service was all printed, and one prayer was full of echoes of our Bidding Prayer-most pleasant to hear. The sermon 1, was very fine. It would, I think, have 1 Preached by Professor Flint.

satisfied you, expressing the main thought of the unity of life which I am always trying to put into words. To my great surprise I find that Dr. Hatch is an old schoolfellow. I have had some very pleasant talks with him. I have not seen the Bishop of Durham yet. We shall, I suppose, meet to-day. The crush at what are called receptions is almost suffocating.

18th April.

The degree and banquet day is over. . . . I will only add one or two personal details. When we were arranged for the degrees I found that Mr. Browning was behind me: we were arranged alphabetically, and the D.D.'s in the front After the ceremony he reached forward and spoke most kindly and touchingly; he fairly took away my breath, yet it was a great pleasure to have a few words with him. He has promised to write out for me the few lines of the Pope and Guido's last words.1 I shall treasure nothing more.

row.

Afterwards I saw Sir J. Paget, and he asked me to drive with him to the luncheon of the College of Physicians; so I went with him and Sir A. Clark. At the luncheon I sat by Sir W. Thomson, whom I had never met at Cambridge, and just as lunch was to begin my other neighbour said, "The Chairman called your name: say Grace." So I said the few familiar words. We had pleasant talk during lunch, and then I went to sign my name in the University book, and bought a cap which will be a treasure for life.2 Afterwards I came home and prepared for the banquet. This was a wonderful scene. I sat next Sir A. Grant, not far from the Bishop of Durham. We who had to speak were in a kind of gallery, and commanded the whole hall. It was hard to speak, but I had a few words to say, and I said them. I believe that they were heard, and what I said was very well received, for which I am thankful. Probably the substance will be given.

In explanation of Browning's "touching" words to my father, it should be noted that he was a great 1 "The Pope," 2116 ff.; "Guido” (2), 2425 f.

2 He wore this cap (distinctive of Edinburgh D.D.) ever afterwards as part of his robes.

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