Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

1752 . "During the short time that Butler held the See of Durham , " writes the county historian , Surtees , " he conciliated all hearts . In advanced years , ancl on the episcopal throne , he retained the same genuine modesty and native sweetness of disposition which had distinguished him in youth and in retirement . During the ministerial performance of the sacred office a divine animation seemed to pervade his whole manner , and lighted up his pale , wan countenance , already marked with

the progress of disease , like a torch glimmering in its socket , yet bright ancl useful to the last . " And an earlier historian , Bro . Hutchinson , remarks : — " He was of a most reverend aspect , his face thin ancl pale ; but there was a divine placidneas in his countenance , which inspired veneration , ancl expressed the most benevolent mind . His white hair hung gracefully on his shoulders , and his whole figure was patriarchal . "

Mr . Egglestone regrets that " no monument of this great man exists" at Stanhope , — " not even a tablet in the chinch , where he ministered for fifteen years , records that he wrote the Analogy on the banks of the Wear . His parsonage has been rebuilt , the church has been ' restored , ' ancl its fittings replaced ; the town has been modernised by new buildings ; the castle is not old ; and the very market cross which tho rector passed on his way to church was demolished seventy years ago .

It is , however , " he lovingly adds , " something to hear , at this clay , the very bells which called our rector to his ministerial duties , to look upon the very sun-dial which he erected , to handle the very cups he handled when he administered the sacrament , ancl even to contribute a mite to the very plate on which the charitable pastor laid his offerings . " Indeed , everything , however trifling , that remains at Stanhope , which Bishop Butler can be conceived to have touched , or even looked upon , is carefully

described in the most ardent spirit of a hero worshipper ; nay , the very officials ancl tradesmen whom he would know are , as it were , summoned from their graves before us . The story told by Mr . Egglestone of Bishop Butler and "the Eev . Joseph So-and-So , " however , is of older date , ancl belongs to Butler , Duke of Ormond and the Curate of Islay , and shows how the anecdotes of one man are often in the telling transferred to another of the same name ; jnst as the destruction of the monasteries are all over the country commonly attributed to Oliver Cromwell , instead of to Shakspere ' s " Cromwell , servant to Wolsey , " who became the willing tool in the work of spoliation of the rapacious monarch , Harry the Eighth .

Much curious matter , interesting to the antiquary , is incidentally introduced by Mr . Egglestone , who has produced a really good book , which no one who wishes to know all they can either of Bishop Butler or of Stanhope can afford to be ignorant of . It has wonderfully refreshed my recollections of a few pleasant summer clays' rambles in that romantic nei ghbourhood , and I can confidently recommend it to the readers of the Masonic Magazine . The authorship , printing , binding , and illustrations are all alike good .

Rose Cottage , Stolcesley .