were pillars of the Emperor's throne have followed their master to the grave, leaving behind them nothing but the memory of the destructive struggles and unavailing conquests associated with their names. The world was full of the fame of their valour; and where are its fruits?

66

We need no other memento to teach us the folly of war. Waged on a scale of unparalleled magnitude, and embellished by a series of unexampled victories, it ended, with its great hero in exile; Europe exhausted and impoverished; and France herself, with lessened territory, crippled resources, a restricted freedom, and no other inheritance to console her for her protracted suffering than a glorious name." Of what can she boast to-day, in exchange for her squandered treasure, and her blood spilled like water? The same sun that gilded the heights of Austerlitz, shines now upon her fairest provinces under martial law, her fortresses filled with illustrious citizens, her constitution trampled under foot, and every form of liberty destroyed by the hands of despotic

power.

And, still pressing like an incubus on her political life, and burdening her future with mountains of debt, the vast army of France remains. It may adorn a public pageant, or subserve the schemes of dynastic ambition,-but

cannot foster the institutions of freedom, nor contribute to the political or material development of a great people. Would the true glory of La Belle France at this moment,-her happiness at home, her just influence abroad,-have been less, if Napoleon, his marshals, and his armaments, had never overrun Europe, and set their feet on the necks of kings?

THE LATE BISHOP OF

NORWICH.

THE following narrative shows us how a man can live a useful and Christian life, and pass away from this scene of action full of years, and full of honours, and leave behind him a fame which kings and conquerors might envy. We shall not attempt any high-flown style to present to our readers a flattering picture; but by a simple narrative of facts record the principal doings of a great and a good man.

Edward Stanley, Bishop of Norwich, was born on the 1st of January, 1779. He was a younger son of Sir John Thomas Stanley, the sixth Baronet, of Alderley, in Cheshire, by Margaret, the heiress of Hugh Owen, Esq., of Cenrhos, Anglesea. He was brother to Lord Stanley, of Alderley, who was raised to the peerage in 1839. Besides

being Bishop of Norwich, he was Clerk of the Closet to the Queen, President of the Linnæan Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

In

Dr. Stanley's childhood was strongly marked with characteristics which never deserted him,-a sanguine temper, active mind, quick decision, and a resolute will. He likewise manifested an ardent love of the sea, which, throughout life, formed a singularly prominent feature in his career. the indefatigable prosecution of his duties, he is said to have regarded the church or diocese under his care as a ship, and himself its commander. The discipline and regularity with which he conducted his duties bore this characteristic in a striking degree; and, judging from his subsequent movements, it may be safely concluded, that he would have been no less distinguished as a naval commander, than as Rector of Alderley, or Bishop of Norwich. His early education appears to have been irregular and defective, and it was only on his entrance of St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1798, that he applied himself to a regular course of study. Here he did not distinguish himself beyond the attainments of an ordinary student; but what he did acquire must be mainly ascribed to his zealous application. He graduated B.A. in 1802, and M.A. in 1805. He took. holy orders in 1802, and entered upon the curacy of Windlesham in Surrey In 1805, his father presented him with the family living of Alderley, in Cheshire. The religious and moral condition of this place, when Dr. Stanley commenced his labours, was most de plorable. The parish had been much neglected by the former rector. The people were dissolute and depraved the means of education, either secular or religious, were much below their requirements, and the new rector found before him a rough up-hill road. the introduction of a man of Edward Stanley's temperament, showed how much might be done to elevate the peo

But

ple by proper application. A fixed determination to eradicate an evil will never fail in its purpose. Had another man of less industry and less decision of character been entrusted with this important charge, the people of Alderley might have been left unreclaimed, and added another page to our already crowded records of crime and depravity. But difficulty and danger, apathy and neglect, found no place in the vocabulary of Edward Stanley. To work he went; and whose hand shall fully and faithfully record the unbounded extent of his services?

"Labour all labour is noble and holy! was his watchword from morning until night, in every place, and under all circumstances. Not a stone remained unturned, where there appeared the slightest chance of amelioration or reform. In the church or out of it, in the poorest cot, in the schools, on the high road, yea, even in the publichouses, and the lowest depths of sin and vice, were Edward Stanley's holy labours and benign influence felt and acknowledged. The precept of Jeremy Taylor, "in honouring God and doing his work, put forth all thy strength,' was never more rigorously acted upon than by the subject of our memoir.

The limits of a magazine sketch do not allow us to enter into all the details of his career, while rector of Alderley. In his numerous movements, he invariably united the kindest heart with a spirit of resolution and untiring perseverance. His love of children was most ardent, and his attention to those of the parish led him to be regarded more as a father than as a spiritual teacher. "No task," says one who remembers this parental feature, "seemed too difficult for them to learn; and, rewarded by the rector's well-known smile and expressions of approbation, and his gentle tap on the head of each; and so anxious was he to encourage them, that, on these examination-days, he regaled them at his own house with a good dinner, and various amusements. Sometimes, to their great delight, he allowed them to accompany him in his boat on Alderley Mere, and spent the afternoon on the water with them himself." The results of such an education as this are apparent. That such seed has brought forth fruit worthy of the garner; that these children have profited by instructions conveyed

in such a benign manner, who will attempt to dispute? What a significant lesson is here imparted to all teachers of mankind; to teach kindly; to make truth loveable; and, while conveying instruction to the mind, to purify and sanctify the heart.

A long catalogue of instances, in which the rector manifested his fervent devotion to the welfare of these little ones, might be brought forward. Wherever he showed his kind face there would be sunshine and gladness. In the humble homes of his poor parishioners, he was the never-failing source of hope and comfort. Every child knew him by his paternal smile, and by his gifts of cakes and ginger-bread; every mother showered blessings on his head for his kindness to their offspring. No man ever realised the pastoral character in a more genuine sense; no man ever enacted the good Samaritan with more zeal and readiness. To the simplest cottager, his addresses were clear and familiar; and while, in his visits, his conversations partook of a religious character, he showed no less concern in their daily pursuits and interests:— Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings lean'd to virtue's side! But in his duty, prompt at every call,

He watch'd and wept; he prayed and felt, for all.

And as a bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt its new-fledg'd offspring to the skies,

He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay, Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way.

In reforming the moral and social condition of Alderley, his efforts were most indefatigable, and generally met with success. His influence over the people will be best illustrated by a short anecdote. It was announced that a prize-fight was to come off, which had been adjourned beyond his parish. An eye-witness says:-"The whole field was filled, and all the trees round about, when, in about a quarter of an hour, I saw the rector coming up the road, on his little black horse, as quick as lightning, and trembled for fear they should harm him. He rode into the field, and just looked quick around (as if he thought the same), to see who there was that would be on his side. But it was not needed; he rode into the midst of the crowd, and, in one moment, it was all over; there was a great calm-the blows stopped; it was as if they would all have wished to

D

cover themselves up in the earth;—all from the trees they dropped down directly-no one said a word, and all went away humbled." The superiority of moral force over physical was never better demonstrated. This good man, in his secluded parish, showed an example worthy of the attention and imitation of kings. If such an influence operates so effectively upon a mob of ignorant rustics assembled to witness one of the most brutal sights on record, why should it fail in guiding the enlightened assemblies of kingdoms ?

While Rector of Alderley, he was no less busy in other matters. The time he had to spare he devoted to the study of mineralogy, ornithology, and entomology. His favourite study was ornithology, and the most popular of his productions is "A Familiar History of Birds, their Nature, Habits, and Instincts," which was published, in two volumes, in 1835. This work, which has passed through a second and cheap edition, is written in a comprehensive style, and to any one either acquainted or unacquainted with ornithology, will prove a very delightful book. In the advancement of Mechanics' Institutes, and other kindred establishments, he took uncommon interest. One of the first lectures delivered by a Church of England Minister in any of these places was delivered by him, on Geology, before the Macclesfield Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. He prepared a manuscript "History of Alderley," and contributed several interesting articles to Blackwood's and the British magazines. The principal papers are those on the condition of Western Ireland and the Isle of Achill, an account of the South Stack, near Holyhead, and a description of the "Mauvais Pas," in the Valais of Switzerland, which is said to have suggested to Sir Walter Scott the opening scene of "Anne of Geierstein." Most of his other productions consist of charges and sermons. In 1836 he was appointed Vice-President of the British Association. In 1837 Lord Melbourne appointed him Clerk of the Closet of the Chapel Royal.

His liberality of opinion was as wide as the prosecution of his duties was unwearied. Bigotry and intolerance formed no ingredient of his mind. While loving truth intensely, he held large and comprehensive views of the

In

rights of conscience, and the duties which men owe to each other. alluding to his political opinions on addressing the clergy after his inauguration into the episcopal office, he said: "He had never spoken to them on political subjects; he left them free as air. He did not deny that he had his opinions; from his earliest youth he had adopted them, because he conceived that they tended to the welfare of the people, the prosperity of the country, and, indirectly, to the glory of God; and he was sure those were reasons, however they might differ from his conclusions, which they would approve." In 1829, when the Catholic Relief Bill was in agitation, he wrote an address, entitled 66 A Few Words in Behalf of our Roman Catholic Brethren." 1831, he took a prominent part in the agitation for Church Reform. During the excitement occasioned by the introduction of the New Poor Law, he issued a pamphlet bearing the title of "A Country Rector's Address to his Parishioners ;" and, in 1836, a pamphlet entitled 66 A Few Observations on Religion and Education in Ireland.” these productions he showed a spirit of liberal enlightenment and a deep feeling for the elevation of all classes of men. Fearless in his disposition, he never failed in denouncing the wrong and supporting the right.

In

In

In 1837, he was nominated, by the late Lord Melbourne, to the See of Norwich. After thirty-two years of active life in the pleasant and peaceful shades of Alderley, and after having become so deeply interested in the welfare of his parishioners, it may be justly imagined that he felt and evinced considerable reluctance in accepting the offer. Conceiving it, however, to be his duty to make his life and exertions as valuable as possible to his fellow-creatures, and seeing before him a wide field of usefulness as a Bishop of the Church of England, he consented to the appointment. With some, this golden offer would have been seized with avidity; but the spirit of this noble-minded man rose above all pecuniary considerations. It mattered little to him what was the extent of his income, so long as he was able to discharge those duties which he held as dear as his own life. That he was entirely disinterested in the emoluments of his appointments, in a worldly

was

point of view, is fully substantiated by a passage from Dean Peller's sermon, preached on his death. He says: "In the expenditure of his income, the rule to which he adhered was to give away and spend in his diocese all the emoluments he derived from it; and his liberality in pecuniary matters not more remarkable on occasions than his disinterestedness in respect of patronage and other advantages usually resulting from his position. The giving of public benefices as rewards for faithful services, and fitness for the office, constituted the principle on which he was guided in the dispensation of preferments; and it is remarkable, that, out of the numerous vacancies which have occurred during the twelve years of his residence in the diocese, not one has been filled by a relative or family connection." Acts such as these speak volumes in favour of his character as a bishop.

а

"For

His sufferings upon leaving his humble and devoted flock were most acute, and they were no less mournful. In alluding to this subject in the address from which we have quoted, he spoke in the following feeling terms:thirty years, for upwards of thirty years, I have been a humble minister in a rural and distant parish. In that parish I had formed dear ties that will last as long as life exists. For thirty years I have lived amongst beings become as dear as relatives. I have superintended their education whilst young; I have enjoyed the friendship of some in maturer years; and some I have followed, with the intimacy and affection of a relative, to the grave." So deeply was he affected upon leaving Alderley, that he was obliged to compose a farewell address, and print it for distribution, as he felt too much overcome to deliver it from the pulpit.

In entering upon his new duties, many difficulties and disadvantages surrounded his path; but he encountered them all with his wonted animation and perseverance. He immediately commenced a series of changes and reforms in the diocese which, to say the least, was in a very disordered and unsatisfactory state. He opposed pluralities, advocated a revision of the Articles and Prayer-book,-paid more attention to the admission of candidates for holy orders,-reformed the imperfect administration of the rites of bap

tism and burial,-opposed apostolical succession and Tractarianism,-established two services where there had been but one,-increased clerical residences, and pursued a course entirely new to those who had recently been under the infirm superintendence of his predecessor, Bishop Bathurst. In the words of Dean Pellew," he pressed into the twelve of his episcopacy what common minds would have considered a laborious achievement for thirty or forty years." He did not gain much sympathy from the "High-Church" party in some of these movements, and the jealousy and ill-will manifested was in nowise decreased by his fearlessly avowing, in his installation sermon, his toleration of dissent, and that a combination of religious and secular education was highly desirable. This led to much dissension and ill-feeling, which did not die away for some months. But nothing could repulse the new bishop; his temper was too inflexible and courageous to be overcome by such opponents. He went on in his course, and, as his plans succeeded, so his popularity increased, and his enemies diminished.

His system of conducting the ordinations was characterised by much kindness and consideration. On one occasion, "hearing that one of the candidates was very nervous and in low spirits concerning his fate, he took the trouble to walk up, after dinner, from the palace to the hotel where the man was staying, to assure him that his work was well done, and that he need be under no alarm about not succeeding." His attention to the poor children of his diocese was a no less prominent feature than at Alderley. In the visitors' book of the schools his name often appeared, and his contributions to their support were most liberal. At the infant-schools the sugar-plums for the little ones were always brought; and when, in their daily exercises and singing, they marched round the school, he would sometimes himself take one of them by the hand and join the little procession." Good man! how justly he followed his Heavenly Master's precept and example! "From their public examination," to make another quotation from the Dean, “he was rarely absent; and it was pleasing on these occasions to observe the little innocents beguiled by his benevolent countenance into disregard or forgetfulness of his dignity, and

66

plucking his garments in anticipation of the smile that they knew would be sure to follow; showing how deeply the Saviour's precept, 'Suffer little children to come unto me,' was impressed on his heart." He always made a point of visiting the schools, whether of the Establishment or Dissenters. He was the friend of Bible and Tract Societies, and every other institution for the dissemination of good and useful knowledge. It was of little consequence to the good bishop who were the parties connected with these movements, so long as they sought a worthy end. One "High-Church" clergyman said, "I can truly say that I learned very many lessons from him; but perhaps none more practically important than the interpretation of the word liberality." In him there was a settled spirit of Christian charity which nothing could stem in its noble purposes. "There was a bonhommie," says a writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine," "and, at the same time, an earnestness, in his advocacy, which rendered his services very valuable to any objects which he undertook to promote." Hence we find him defending the Irish National Education scheme and the Dissenters' Chapel Bill; impartially administering his distribution of patronage; contending for the union between science and revealed religion; entertaining Father Mathew in his own palace; preaching a funeral sermon on the death of the Quaker philanthropist, Joseph John Gurney; expressing his pleasure to Mr. Macready for his able management of Coventgarden Theatre; making his palace the temporary home of Jenny Lind; and embarking in a number of movements which he conscientiously believed to be good and beneficent.

99.66

In recording the closing scene of such a life as this, the tongue falters and the heart exclaims-Why are not such as these allowed to survive the ordinary span of existence? A full and earnest faith in the great and everlasting reward of such men alone reconciles us to the close of their righteous labours. Engaged most actively every day, Dr. Stanley's sanguine temper and cheerful disposition never forsook him, and it was not until he had arrived at his "three score and ten," that he felt any effect from declining years. The unwearied life he had led, doubtless, added to his weight

of age. In the summer of 1849, his health began to give way. From the entries in his journal, about this period, he seemed to be conscious of his approaching dissolution. With the hope of recruiting his health, he consented to accompany his family into Scotland. Change of scene and air rallied him, and strong hopes were entertained of his recovery. But early in September a serious change took place. The good man's spirit was fast quitting its earthly mansion. He continued two days in a state of unconsciousness, and his illness terminated, on the 6th of September, in congestion of the brain. He died at Braham Castle, near Dingwall, and was in his seventieth year. He left a widow, three sons, and two daughters ; the sons are all distinguished men, the second being the Rev. Arthur C. Stanley, the well-known author of the "Life of Dr. Arnold."

It was his wish to be interred in Alderley churchyard, in the retired shades where his good spirit had shed so much benign influence; but if his friends wished otherwise, his desire was to rest in Norwich Cathedral or its precincts." His remains were brought from Scotland, and to the latter, on the 21st of September, they were borne amidst the deepest grief of all the city. A large assemblage, including men of all shades of opinion and classes of society, met to pay their last token of respect to their departed friend. marble slab marks his resting-place, with the following eloquent record of his life and labours :-

In the faith of Christ,
Here rests from his labours

EDWARD STANLEY,

A

Thirty-two years Rector of Alderley, Twelve years Bishop of Norwich. Buried amidst the mourning Of the diocese which he had animated, The city which he had served, The poor whom he had visited, The schools which he had fostered, The family which he had loved, And of all Christian people With whom, howsoever divided, he had joined, In whatsoever things were true, and honest, And just, and pure,

And lovely, and of good report.

To this noble tribute what more can be added? His life and labours form a monument more radiant than the western window in Norwich Cathedral, and more solid than the marble on which his praises are inscribed, which will not crumble away with the lapse of time.