Thus did these High Churchmen and Tractarians combine, at this meeting, for a party purpose, to vote themselves competent to violate their own laws; in other words, to vote authority to themselves without the power to do so. Now, what should we think of a man, or of a set of men, who should vote themselves competent to make laws, to act as magistrates, and to pass sentence on their brethren, without the sanction of any law? We might suppose that this proposition would have met with a determined resistance; but as it touched none of the existing members of the society, (yet its design was to exclude a particular individual, only they dared not yet go so far,) as it was prospective, and not retrospective, it was allowed to pass without much opposition.

At the next meeting the Commination Service was proceeded with, and concluded rather more hastily than was agreeable to Mr. Pumansey; for he thought that the Psalm of confession and humiliation, "Miserere mei," was so suitable to the Church's present state of bondage, when, as he expressed it, she was "working in chains," that we ought to go over this psalm again and again - to consider how applicable it was to our present condition.

But the Rev. Mr. Bucklebury, a Low Churchman, who was in the chair that day, did not enter into this view of the case.

This service, then, being concluded, the question was raised, "What shall we discuss next?" Several of the oldest members of the society, and all of the Low Churchmen that belonged to it, had for some time been wishing to return to the original practice of making the Scriptures their principal subject of consideration. "We have had enough," they said, "of Rubrics; and now, that attention to Ru

brics is causing so much strife in the country, we are of opinion that it would be better to return to the word of God."

It so happened that not many of the High Church members were present on this occasion, but those who were strongly opposed the introduction of the Scriptures. The Rev. Dr. Dominant, doctor of divinity! who came in this day too late to take the chair, expressed his fear that the introduction of the Scriptures would disturb the harmony of the meeting. Mr. Jollyside, Mr. Dulhead, and some others, were afraid it would have the effect of spoiling the dinner. After much altercation and tergiversation the question was at length put from the chair — whether they should take some part of the Scriptures for their next subject of inquiry. The question was carried by a majority of only one, which circumstance the secretary, the Rev. Mr. Roodstock, who was an Anglo-Catholic, took special care to note in the minutes. The part of Scripture agreed to be taken into consideration was the Epistle to the Galatians. By a singular coincidence of circumstances it happened at this meeting that one of the clergy, the Rev. Mr. Fairlight, who was a pious, candid High Churchman, but no Tractarian, suggested that they should add to the number of their books the able and learned charge of one of our Bishops against Tractarianism, just published. "I have read it," he said, "and have learned much from it. It is no ordinary Bishop's charge, but a volume in itself. For the sake of the notes alone, which contain much critical matter, it is worthy of a place in our library, and I should very much like to see it there." "Why then," said the chairman, "do you not propose it ?"

"I would," he replied, "if any one would second the proposition."

"I will second it," answered Faithful.

"Then I propose," he added, "that the charge of the Bishop of be procured for the use of this society."

This charge was well known as containing a powerful exposure of the jesuitry and falsehood of the Tractarian principles. Its proposal, therefore, alarmed those of that party who were present, and they endeavoured by every means to prevent_its introduction. Mr. Macmullen, who was Dr. Dominant's curate, his ready agent whenever he was absent, (he had now left the room,) objected that it was not a suitable book for their society, being of too controversial a nature. Mr. Roodstock contended that it was too late in the meeting for any book to be proposed, as the voting in of books usually took place at the commencement, and not at the end of the meeting. Shift after shift, device after device, was had recourse to in order to prevent this proposal being put to the vote; but as they were all ruled by the chairman to be futile, the question was at length put and carried, as that of the introduction of the Scriptures had been, by a majority of one.

Now the war of principles was to begin in earnest the Low Church and the Anti-Tractarian clergy had planted their cannon; and the High had to collect their forces for the battle.

At the next meeting there was a pretty strong muster of the High Church and Tractarian clergy, with Dr. Dominant, (Dr. Bangorius Diotrephes Dominant, to give his designation in full,) at their head. Faithful suspected that a storm was about. to break, from observing the elements of the meeting, and the dark clouds that flitted ever and anon across the faces of some of the assembly. He noticed, in particular, that one gentleman was there,

the Rev. Reynard Placehunter, who never attended, except when some mischief was to be perpetrated. Of this gentleman, as he will be rather a prominent actor in some of the scenes which are to follow, it may be well that we should give some

account.

The Rev. Reynard Placehunter, then, was a man who, by busying himself about schools, putting himself forward on all occasions to support whatever was in favour with those in authority, going just so far as the state of public feeling would support, but never far enough to endanger his own interests, attending all High Church meetings, and having the words "Church principles" always on his lips, had succeeded in getting into the good graces of the Bishop, and securing to himself one of the most important livings in the diocese. He was one of those who follow close up, so as to come in for the spoils, but never lead the way in the conquests of truth. He was a man who possessed a wonderful deal of that worldly wisdom which some call "prudence," and could be either so reserved as that those who would oppose should not know his principles, or so explicit, as occasion might call, that those who could promote his interests might calculate with certainty upon his agency. He centred in himself at once all the qualities both of the fox and the spaniel. It was truly astonishing to observe with what adroitness he could manage to deceive people as to his principles, and insinuate himself into their confidence. There were those, indeed, even among the High Church clergy, who could see through him, and who did not hesitate to denounce him in private as a consummate Jesuit: but they would never say it openly, because, by so doing, they knew they might injure their own prospects. The amiable old Bishop thought him one of the wisest

and most efficient clergy in his diocese, and the rural dean did not fail to assure him that he was correct in his judgment. He was, in fact, just the man for his purpose.

With Dr. Dominant in the chair, the business of the meeting proceeded. The usual formalities were passed through of saying "Prevent us," &c., when the chairman put the question, "What is the subject for discussion?" "The Epistle to the Galatians," some one replied. "But oh," said Dr. Dominant, "turning round to his curate, the Rev. Mr. Macmullan, "I believe you have some motion to make—will you please to state it to the meeting?"

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"The motion which I have to make," replied Mr. Macmullan, "has respect to the library, and, as I have the honour to be your librarian, it is thought that this motion will come most properly from me. It is of great importance, as gentlemen must be aware, that, as our funds will not allow of our purchasing a large number of books, all that we do purchase should be standard works knowledged orthodox authorities-such as we may with safety refer to to guide our judgments upon all Church questions. All books of a light and ephemeral kind, I am sure the meeting will agree with me, ought to be excluded. The motion, therefore, which I beg leave to make, is, that for the future no bishops' charges shall be placed upon the list of the books of our society."

Instantly that this motion was proposed, up started the Rev. Reynard Placehunter from behind two or three other gentlemen, just at the chairman's elbow, where he sat peeping over their shoulders, (it was one of the characteristics of this gentleman that he never looked at you but between two other men's shoulders, just like a fox peeping