believe, be pretty troublesome to me; but it will end in more trouble to himself, for the affront is not fo much to me as to her Majefty, and will be refented accordingly. This is, I fuppofe, intended alfo as a return to the demur which the University of Oxford made, on my account, to the giving the Bishop his degree*. But they could demur in this cafe with somewhat more fafety than the Bishop can. I will give your Lordship a farther account of this matter when I come to Carlisle, I am your Lordship's most dutiful humble fervant, FR. ATTERBURY. *Bishop Nicolson, who was of Queen's College, Oxford, took the degree of M. A. July 3, 1679; and obtained that of D. D. by diploma, June 23, 1702, nine days after his confecration as Bishop of Carlifle. See above, p. 74. LET LETTER LXXXIX. To Bp. TRELAWNY. Carlifle, Sept. 21, 1704. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, WHE HEN I came to the Bishop at Rofe Caftle for inftitution, he withdrew the three propofitions I fent you, and would not infift upon them; but, instead of them, offered me another fort of retractation to fign; a copy of which I have inclofed *. It was a furprize to me. I defired a little time, to withdraw and confider it: and pen, ink, and paper, to fet down my thoughts upon it; which were granted me; and in his house I foon drew up the answer, which I have alfo tranfmitted to your Lordship +. Upon hear ing which, the Bishop grew very much out of humour, and discovered a great deal of dif order, both in his looks and difcourfe; he * See it in vol. II. p. 201. in in paffion demanded my orders, and letters testimonial of my good life and behaviour; and faid, he would examine me as to my learning; and foon afterwards went back from all this, and produced a paper, ready written by his Register, commanding me to ap pear again at Rofe Caftle on the 12th of October, and then and there receive his anfwer *. un Nothing could be more barbarous and fair than the whole fcene of this conduct; for, in the first place, he contrived things fo, that I fhould know nothing of his intentions to refufe me institution till I came to York; then he stopped me eight days at York, under a fham pretence of defiring the Archbishop to inftitute me in his ftead; but, when I applied for a request of that kind to the Archbishop under his epifcopal feal, he would not grant it, but would have me come to Rofe Caftle and receive inftitution from him; and yet, when I came thither, took advantage of the twenty-eight days allowed him by the canon, without reckoning in thofe in which he himself had detained me at Bishops-thorp. * See this paper in vol. II. p. 207. We We parted however pretty civilly; and, I thank GoD, I had that command of myself, that, notwithstanding his rudeness to me, I was not moved to do or fay any thing indecent. That night I went to Carlisle, where I have been ever fince at the Deanery, expecting what they will do above in this matter, where I have lodged a full account of it. The Bishop had taken as much care as he could to have all manner of flights put upon me. The bells were not to ring, the choir not to attend upon me, nor the corporation to take any notice of me. All which I bore, and took no notice of; but in two days time broke through all his measures. It is a little uncomfortable living here in a country where I have nobody that I can advise with, or confide in, upon points of fo great moment to me; and where I have to dal with fharp and fubtle heads, which oblige me to be ever upon my guard, and to tread very warily. However, fince I am in, I must go through with it as well as I can ; and hope I have ripened matters fo well already, that this attempt will end in fhame and confufion to the attempter. I know not when I fhall fhall be able to return to London, being refolved to wait here the cvent of this matter; and have accordingly fent to put off my waiting in October *. I thought myself obliged to give your Lordfhip fome account of these my poor affairs ; though it will be a good while before it comes to your hands in Cornwall. The ill usage I have had from this gentleman makes me reflect often on the contrary treatment I have had from your Lordship, and would, if any thing poffibly could, raise my gratitude to your Lordship for all your noble favours to me, and for the obliging manner wherein you have ever beftowed, and by that means doubled them. Dr. Smalridge writes me word, that the, Dean of Gloucester + hath fent him eighty. pounds for the two laft terms. So they will go on now, I fuppofe, upon that foot for the future. I beg your Lordship's bleffing, and am your moft obliged, dutiful, and devoted fervant, FR. ATTERBURY. As Queen's Chaplain. See vol. II. p. 207. + Dr. Jane. For fupplying his place as Divinity Profeffor. LET |