under the immediate superintendence of the professor of divi nity. This library, which is placed in Edinburgh, in commodious premises, purchased for the purpose, will eventually contain the valuable collection of the Right Rev. Dr. Jolly, of Frazerburgh, Bishop of Moray, who has generously consigned the whole of it to the church. The sum required for the purchase of these premises was collected by subscriptions and donations, among which those of the well-known promoters of theologica! learning, Bishop Low, of Ross and Argyle, Bishop Walker, of Edinburgh, (the present professor of Divinity,) and the Rev. Alexander Cruickshank, of Muthel, Perthshire, were most conspicuous for their munificence, these two prelates and Mr. Cruickshank having each given a donation of 1007. The premises appropriated for the library contains a lecture room for the professor of divinity.

The Gaelic Episcopal Society was instituted in 1831, for the benefit of the members of the church in the highland districts. The Right Rev. Bishop Low, whose united diocese of Ross and Argyle comprehends all the northern and western highlands, may be said to be the founder of this society. This active and zealous prelate, whose practical knowledge of the highland districts is inferior to none, had long perceived the state of the church in those remote districts, with which he is more immediately connected, and the necessity which existed for preserving her Gaelic members within the communion of their ancient church. It is a well known fact, that in the northern counties the present establishment of Scotland has a very slender hold of the population, the great majority of whom are protestant episcopalians and Roman catholics. Bishop Low had previously, for some years, supported and patronized one or two schools, partly at his own expense, partly by voluntary donations from his own immediate friends, and partly also by an occasional collection in his own or some other chapel. In 1830, the Bishop preached a sermon in the episcopal chapel at Pittenween, Fifeshire, the objects of which having been noticed in some of the Edinburgh newspapers, led to the institution of this useful society. It is the purpose of the society to organize schools in the highlands, taught by Gaelic schoolmasters, and also to educate students for holy orders who are capable of officiating in the Gaelic language. The patron is his Grace the Duke of Gordon ; Bishop Walker, of Edinburgh, is the president; the other bishops and some noblemen and gentlemen are the vice-presidents. It appears from the account rendered by the treasurer during the past year, that the income of the society during the first year of its existence was 5147. 11s. 11 d. There is an auxiliary in London, which was established chiefly through the exertions of the Rev. Edward Craig, minister of St. James's chapel, Edinburgh, the secretary of the parent society, who visited London last year for the purpose. This auxiliary numbers

among its patrons, the Bishops of London, Durham, Ely, Lichfield and Coventry, Lincoln, Chester, and Oxford, Lords Kenyon and Bexley, &c., together with the Bishops of Nova Scotia. and Quebec. The society is supported by annual subscriptions and donations.

The Episcopal Free School in Edinburgh was founded in 1817, by the late Colonel F. J. Scott, who left the sum of 20007. for the purpose of "educating boys and girls according to the principles of the Scottish episcopal church," the interest of which sum constitutes the salary of the teacher. It is attached to St. James's chapel, Edinburgh, where the children, upwards of 100 in number, regularly attend divine service, and is under the direction of the Rev. Edward Craig, M.A., the incumbent of the chapel.

Such are the principal institutions connected with the Scottish episcopal church, which well deserve the support and encouragement of the friends of the church throughout the empire. There is in auxiliary branch of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and various other institutions, but none so exclusively connected with the church as those already described.

Of

In concluding this narrative of the present state of the Scottish episcopal church, the reader will not fail to take a deep interest in the fortunes of a communion which was once the national eatablishment, and which has, since its depression, adhered steadily to the principles of apostolical order and truth; and limited though its members confessedly are, it can boast of names among its bishops and clergy which would confer honour on any church, and which reflect a peculiar lustre on the humble communion of which they are the pride and the ornament. those who now adorn the Scottish episcopal church, I need only mention Bishops Gleig, Jolly, of Moray, and Walker, of Edinburgh, who are inferior to none in theological and ecclesiastical learning; Dr. Russell, of Leith, whose great and varied attainments are too well known to require any eulogium, and Messrs. Alison and Terrot, of Edinburgh, the former the distinguished author of the Essays on Taste, the latter known as a biblical critic of the first rank. And if we review the history of the Scottish episcopal church since her overthrow at the Revolution, till recent times, equally luxuriant is that history of names distinguished in theological and historical literature, who, " though dead, yet speak" to their successors, and call upon them to be animated with the same noble spirit of emulation. The recollection of such men as Bishops Rose and Sage, Keith and Rattray, Abernethey, Drummond, and Skinner, can never be effaced; while among the inferior clergy not a few successively adorned the church by their learning and their talents. May their spirit descend on their succes

sors, who now serve at the humble altars of the Scottish episcopate, and may there arise, in ages to come, a succession of men who, like them, will contend for "the faith once," and but once for all," delivered to the saints," and earnestly preserve and maintain the apostolical order and constitution of episcopacy sacred and inviolable!

J. P. L.

PROJECT OF HENRY II. FOR UNITING CHURCH AND STATE.

(Continued from p. 260.)

In this state of things the archbishop again came forward as a prominent character in the drama. From the time of his banishment he had hitherto remained inactive in his retirement at Pontigni, and his correspondence had been confined to his own intimate friends; but now we find him writing to Robert, Earl of Leicester, pressing him to detach himself from the State party;* and to the Empress Matilda, explaining to her the wickedness and danger of her son's conduct, and soliciting her interference;† to Henry himself, intimating, that though God was patient and longsuffering, yet he was a righteous Judge ; and to Gilbert, Bishop of London, with the following address :-" Thomas, Dei Gratiâ, Cantuariensis Ecclesiæ Minister humilis Venerabili Fratri Gilberto, eâdem Gratiâ Londoniensi Episcopo magis in Christo gloriari quam in Sæculo, amplius sperare in Domino quam in Mundi amplexibus." In these letters, however, there is nothing worthy of particular notice; the position of things at parties is set forth more clearly in the two following, from Nicholas of Rouen, describing the interview he had with the Empress Matilda, when he presented to her the above-mentioned letter from the archbishop, and other matters of interest.

XVII.

NICHOLAS OF ROUEN TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

THE strong feelings with which I myself regard the present sufferings of the church, and your Lordship's heroic conduct, could not easily be described by me, and indeed are not very well worth describing. But there is another thing which I cannot forbear to mention, though it is of course well known to your Lordship for the recurrence of the thought will assuredly be pleasing, sug gesting, as it does, the certainty of your ultimate success, and the most soothing support during your troubles. The Church of Christ's little ones,|| whom your Lordship has, in your condescension, claimed as sons, and to whom you have commended yourself as your patrons before God, turns towards

:

Ep. D. T.. 34. + Ibid. 52.

Ibid. 63. § Ibid. 58.

Pauperes Christi-a name which, in the mouth of the archbishop's party, was associated with the noblest and most inspiring thoughts.

you with entire affection, praying day and night for a prosperous issue to your labours: it asks in faith, nothing wavering. Finish, therefore, with cheerfulness the good work which you have begun ; and think of the two great witnesses in whose presence you are acting-Christ and Conscience.

But of this enough. John, of Oxford, who on his way from England to the court,* and on his return, paid a visit to the Empress, endeavoured to exasperate her against you by every malicious insinuation possible; and as he could not find fault with your actions, he calumniated your motives, asserting that you had done all from pride and a domineering spirit. He affirms too, and so do the King's other messengers, that the liberty of the church which you uphold is used by the bishops, not for the good of their flocks, but to fill their purses; (and though they admit, that as yet, owing to the short time you have held office, your Lordship is not chargeable with this yourself, yet they are positive you looked forward to it greedily); for that in England, the delinquencies of persons accused before bishops, are not punished by penance, but by fines. They say too, that it is plain God cannot be on your side, for, that from the first day you were archbishop, you have had about you, not persons remarkable for their religion, but for their intellectual rank, whom they call by a coarse name which it is useless to repeat. Also they assert, that in disposing of your benefices, you have looked to your own service more than to God's, and have promoted persons of notoriously lax character.† Lastly, they declare that your flight has nothing to do with the Constitutions of Clarendon, but merely with a money question between you and the King. I have mentioned these base fabrications, as well to put you on your guard, as to account for the exasperation of the Empress.

Well paid our respects to her the third day after these messengers were gone. For some time she refused to receive your letter, and spoke sharply to us for having dared to visit you, after it was known you had been at the court. However we were not daunted; and that time, and again afterwards, we forced her, as it were, against her will, to hear all the good we could say of you. The third day, after a few words, she received your letter kindly, but in secret, concealing the circumstance from her own chaplains, and ordering us to read it to her. When we had finished, she at once apologized for the harsh things she had said of your Lordship, either to me or to others-asserting that her son had concealed from her all his plans affecting the church-and now she has sent to him, demanding a full explanation of the whole. then," she said, "after I am fully informed, if I find I can interfere beneficially, I will do my best to bring about peace between my son and the church." After this interview we sought the Bishop of Lisieux, at his manor of Nonant, near Baieux: he received us kindly, and read your letter in secret, assuring us of his readiness to forward your views, as well in the ways you sug

"And

i. e. of Rome, probably on the mission spoken of in Henry's letter to the archbishop of Cologne-Letter XV.

+ The inconsistency of these charges with the modern notion of the archbishop's ostentatious sanctity needs not to be dwelt upon.

Containing a summary of the royal prerogatives, said to have been acknowledged in the time of Henry I.; but which the archbishop would not permit to be formally enacted as law.

At the council of Northampton, October, 1164, which was summoned in order to ratify the Constitutions of Clarendon,—on the refusal of the archbishop, the king required of him an account of all the money which had passed through his hands when Chancellor. The preposterous nature of this claim is well exposed by the learned and candid Mr. Turner, with whose views, however, respecting the archbishop's character, I do not agree.

Nicholas and Herbert de Boscham.

VOL. IV.-Oct, 1833.

3 c

gested, as in others which occurred to ourselves. He protests that from the time he was sent to the court, though he apparently took part against you, he was really devising schemes for your advantage, (which he had promised us he would do on a former occasion,) i. e. that in private he had spoken to the Pope in favour of your Lordship and your cause, and had never supported any of the king's claims, except those which he knew he could not hinder. You may be sure that if the king applies to him for advice, he will do his best for your advantage. In the mean time he advises you to regulate your expenditure with caution. If, as the king's party suppose, you have a large treasure with you, use it sparingly; if not, on no account let it be known; for if they see that you are willing and able to persevere, now that your resources are cut off, they will be more likely to come to terms. Before the end of this festive season* he will send you a messenger of his own ; indeed he would have sent one now, if he had had a secretary with him in the manor to whom he could trust such secret matters. In the mean time he has sent to England his particular friend R. de Ardervâ, who will hunt out all that is going on at court, and send you news of whatever he discovers.

On our return to the Empress, we laid before her again all your instructions. The Constitutionst we repeated from memory, as M. Herbert had mislaid the schedule. We added too, that some of them were contrary to the faith of Jesus Christ, and nearly all to the rights of the church; so that her son was perilling his eternal welfare as well as his temporal. She ordered us to send to you for another copy of the Constitutions, but, by God's grace, we found the schedule that same day. The day following she excluded every one from her presence, and ordered us to read them to her in Latin, and make our comments in French. The woman is from a stock of tyrants, and approved some of them, particularly that which forbids the excommunication of the king's servants without his permission. I was unwilling to proceed without first arguing this point, shewing her, that, according to the precept of the gospel, we are to" tell it to the church," not to" tell it to the king," and much more to the same point. With far the greater number she found fault; and what offended her above all was their being reduced to writing, as well as the attempt to exact from the bishops a promise of their observance-for this, she said, was without precedent. In conclusion, when I pressed her earnestly to mention some expedient for bringing about peace, we suggested this to her, and she assented. If the king applies to her for advice, she will recommend a compromise on these conditions-that the ancient customs of the kingdom shall still be observed, but without being reduced to writing, or enforced by a promise; and that neither the bishops should abuse the liberty of the church, nor the civil judges overturn it.

You must know that our lady, the Empress, is very dextrous in the defence of her son, finding excuses for him, both in his zeal for justice and in the wickedness of the bishops. Moreover she shews great discrimination and good sense in pointing out the origin of the dispute. Some things she stated

*Probably the festivities which precede Lent, which would place this letter near the commencement of 1166.

+ Of Clarendon.

$ "But if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.-Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matt. xviii. 16-18. From this passage Nicholas of Rouen inferred the validity, before God, of sentences of excommunication passed by the church.