"the religious world of London of the highest cast. Instead "of entertaining them with news from India, which, per"haps, some expected, I gave them an account of the spi"ritual resurrection."

In the letter which next follows, Dr. Buchanan notices the distinguished honour which had been just conferred upon him by the University of Cambridge, and adds some interesting particulars respecting his ministry at Welbeck chapel.

"Cambridge has conferred on me the highest honour in "her gift. She petitioned his Majesty to grant me the de"gree of Doctor in Divinity. The mandate was issued, and "I received the degree on the commencement day last week. "Dr. Ramsden, as Regius Professor of Divinity, delivered "a speech on the occasion, in the name of the University, ❝in which he referred to the evangelization of the East, and "to my endeavours. The Duke of Gloucester and many of "the nobility were present. I waited on the Bishop of "Bristol after my degree, and received from his Lordship “an assurance, that he would ever support the cause in which "I had been so long engaged. He subscribed at the same "time to the Bible Society. All the Heads of Houses whom “I saw professed their gratification at the public notice the "University had taken of the subject. I shall be shortly "called to preach before the University.

"I live very retired at present; preaching regularly to "my congregation, and attending little to public affairs. "The nobility have mostly left town; but their seats at my ❝ chapel are filled generally by the poorer sort. The Duke "of Gordon, Lord R. Seymour, and others, yet remain. I "pray to be enabled to persevere to the end of my time with them, next November; and after that, to the end of "my race, wherever I shall be called to run.

"The Christians in Travancore are suffering persecution, "which may do them good. I foresee another conflict on "missions; may we all be found faithful and prudent, wise "and harmless!

"Before the nobility left town, I delivered to some of them "at Welbeck chapel my views of the pious and useful life of "the late Bishop of London. I noticed his exertions to pre"serve the purity of public morals; and gave them an ac"count of my last interview with the Bishop, a few days "before his death, and of his testimony to serious piety. "Speaking of a public trial then pending, in which some allusion had been made to the religious character of one of

his friends, he observed, that the character of public men "professing religion was severely tried, and often greatly "misrepresented in the present age. And, addressing him"self to the Master of a college in one of our Universities, "then in company, he added these words: The man who "shall at this day conduct himself in a strictly religious man"ner, and make a profession of serious piety, must be con"tent to be misunderstood by some, and called by a name "of reproach.""

The following is a somewhat fuller account of the effect of Dr. Buchanan's ministry at Welbeck chapel, from a letter to a friend soon after he had left it.

"The power of religion which I witnessed in Marybone "was more among the lower than the higher classes; though "even among them I have reason to believe that good has "been done.. A general spirit of conciliation was manifest. "Lady retains an abiding impression, and does the "works of righteousness. I visited her frequently. Lady ❝also has evinced a just sense of true religion, and "others of rank. But the glory of the Gospel was chiefly "manifested in Mrs. B. who died last month. She was but "in humble life'; but many of the nobility visited her, and "benefited by her example."

In the month of August Dr. Buchanan left London on a journey into Yorkshire; the object of which will be perceived by the following extract from a letter to Colonel Sandys.

"London, 31st Aug. 1809.

"I have been absent from London the last ten days. My "friends wished to know if I should like to fix at Scarbo

"rough, if the advowson of the living were purchased; and "I went down to see the place and the people. There is "but one church, and seven thousand inhabitants, besides "the visitors. I found the Rev. Mr. Robinson of Leicester "there; and we both preached last Sunday, he in the morn"ing, and I in the evening. It was calculated that three "thousand persons were in church. I do not think that. I "shall settle there; but I leave the event to Him whose "providence governs all things.

"While at Scarborough, I was hospitably entertained by "a family I have long heard of, and wished much to see, "Mr. Thompson's of Kirby Hall.

"I am glad you are reading Milner's Church History. "He has combined more real piety and sound sense in these "volumes than are to be found in half the books of the day.

"I am engaged by Mr. Burn to preach two sermons at "Birmingham on the 8th of October next, on some annual "occasion. My journey has refreshed me, I think, after "some months residence in London, though it was rapid, "and chiefly in the mail. I am glad that William has such "an awful sense of the importance of the ministry. That is "more likely in time to lead him to it, than to drive him "from it."

About the first week in October Dr. Buchanan took a second journey into Yorkshire, and returned at the end of a fortnight, for the purpose of preaching a series of sermons on the interesting occasion afforded by the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of our venerable Sovereign; and with the last of these discourses he closed his engagement at Welbeck chapel.

CHAPTER III.

EARLY in the ensuing month Dr. Buchanan communicated to the friend to whom the preceding letter was addressed his intention of again entering into the marriage state. The lady with whom he formed this second engagement, was the daughter of Henry Thompson, Esq. of Kirby Hall, near Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire. Dr. Buchanan, as we have already seen, became acquainted with this respectable family during his first visit to Scarborough, and was attracted towards Miss Thompson by her piety, her active benevolence, and her filial duty and affection. This connection was particularly agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, and was universally approved by the friends of Dr. Buchanan. The marriage accordingly took place in the month of February following; from which period he fixed his residence in Yorkshire.

A few extracts from his letters will describe the plan of life upon which he now entered, and shew with how much promptitude and diligence he engaged in the duties of the ministry.

"Kirby Hall, March 1810.

"We live at Moat Hall, or Parsonage, within a quarter "of a mile of the mansion. I have undertaken the whole "charge of the parish of Ouseburn. On the Thursday and "Sunday evenings I have a meeting of my parishioners in "my own house. I read a portion of Scripture to them, and "expound it; and generally incorporate the subject of the "lecture in a prayer. I ought to be thankful for the atten❝tive ear of the people.

"Mrs. Buchanan enters into these plans with much ardour "and affection.

"After staying here some months, I shall probably return "to London; at least my friends urge me to resume Wel"beck. I published three Jubilee Sermons, as a record that

"I was once there. They are passing through a second "edition, to which is to be annexed the Star in the East.""

The friend who originally introduced Dr. Buchanan to Welbeck chapel was anxious that he should be permanently fixed in that or in some similar station, which he had shewn that he was so well qualified to fill. He therefore proposed the building of a chapel in one of the western parishes of London, and wrote to Dr. Buchanan for his approbation of the plan. To this he replied as follows.

"Accept my sincere thanks for your kind congratula"tions. I was about to write to you, that our correspon"dence might not cease on account of distance.

"I have next to thank you, in the name of the Church in "India, for your zeal in relation to the organ.

"I much approve your proposal for building a chapel ; "and I trust it will please Providence to bring the work to "a conclusion. I take it for granted that you mean a build"ing which will contain two thousand people, with all the "latest improvements in church accommodation, and propri"ety of decoration.

"I know not how it may please God to dispose of my life "and services in the revolution of years, but I consider the "situation you propose as highly important; and I beg you "will proceed with your plan of building the chapel, under "the presumption that I shall be its minister.

"Great simplicity, I think, ought to be observed in the "construction and finishing; approaching nearer to the "Gothic than the Grecian taste, but not to be wholly in "either style; for there is no such thing, I allege, as truth "in architecture. An oval or oblong octagon is by far the "best general plan of an edifice, having the pulpit in the "phonic centre. But I shall submit to your judgment in all "things."

Notwithstanding the apparently promising nature of this, and of a similar plan, which was supported by many opulent inhabitants of Mary bone, various difficulties, well known to those who embark in such engagements, prevented the accomplishment of either; and circumstances in the life of Dr.