Collegii Mertonensis V. V. doctissimis et sanctissimis cum Oxonium inviseret L. MM. D. D. Alexander omnium Russiarum Imperator, anno sacro MDCCCXVI. Every body admires it as it now stands, and though there may be here and there a slight pause made at the word "specimen," some good reason is given for it, and the visitor walks away perfectly satisfied. I stated the circumstance slightly when I wrote to Lord Grenville, but in his reply he does not notice it. In answer to the other plain questions I have only to add, that it will be really agreeable to me, and really convenient for me, that you should sojourn, as you propose, at my lodgings whenever you may have occasion to pass through Oxford, whether I may be absent or present. Very little is said, and perhaps very little known here, as to the comparative chances of success between Reginald Heber and Maltby. When the subject was last discussed in my hear ing, Maltby was thought the most likely to succeed. But it seemed to me a conjecture. Charles is very well, and enjoys his Secretary's life at Paris. Believe me to be, my dear Dr. Parr, yours ever most gratefully and affectionately, P. VAUGHAN. The inscription, of which the foregoing is the history, has introduced the name of Dr. Peter Vaughan to the reader, and I take a melancholy pleasure in this short notice of a most amiable and learned man, another companion of my early life, whom it has been my lot to survive. He gained the prize for Latin verses in the University of Oxford when he was an Under-graduate, and successively became Fellow and Warden of Merton College. The following are the warm communications he made to Parr on his promotion to the Wardenship and to the Deanery of Chester, which he possessed till his death, in the summer of 1826. The last time I saw him was at the grave of John Bartlam, to attend whose remains was the sole purpose of a journey from Oxford to Alcester. MY DEAR SIR, Merton Coll. Jan. 26, 1810. I thank you most sincerely for your kind congratulations. I value them as I ought to do. The unanimity that marked my election in College, could not but be gratifying to my feelings, and the liberality of the Society in their proceedings since my appointment, has been such as, I trust, I shall not easily forget. If I know myself, I am sure I shall not be backward in repaying them in their own coin. When I shall find myself in the lodgings heaven only knows, but whenever that hour arrives, be assured there will always be a well-aired bed at your service. Bartlam is just arrived, and goes into Warwickshire tomorrow. I wish he had been at a College meeting this morning. I have not yet seen him. Sir H. Halford is very well, and never fails to inquire when you mean to visit London. Charles is, I believe, on his way to Portsmouth. It was a great comfort to me to meet a large family-party in London, before Charles quitted England. Pigou and Griffith desire me to give their best compliments, and believe me, my dear Sir, ever your much obliged and faithful servant, P. VAUGHAN. MY DEAR DR. PARR, Merton Coll. April 17, 1820. I am confident I have no relative belonging to me who will receive with more heart-felt pleasure than yourself the information of my appointment to the Deanery of Chester. It is of itself, as you may be aware, of small value, but, in the words of Lord Liverpool's Letter, "it is one of rank and consideration," and as such (his Lordship hopes) it may not be unacceptable to me in the situation I hold in the University of Oxford. If I write more I shall be too late for the post; but I could not sleep unless I had given you this little news under my own hand. Believe me, my dear Dr. Parr, your very grateful and obliged faithful servant, PETER VAUGHAN. With Sir Henry Halford Parr was well acquainted, fully appreciating his great accomplishments, his classical taste, and his elegant suavity of manner. Parr was fond of physicians, and would have feasted with delight on the good Latin and good sense of Sir Henry's address to a royal, noble, and learned audience, such as human society seldom presents, at the opening of the New College of Physicians. There is one letter of civility from Baron Vaughan, when, as a Barrister, he went the Midland Circuit. * Three Princes of the blood, Prince Leopold, the Great Captain, the Prime Minister, and a multitude, Οἵτινες ἡγεμόνες Δαναῶν καὶ κοίρανοι ἦσαν. 766 CHAPTER XXII. Queen Caroline. The arrival of her late Majesty Queen Caroline in England, became an important era in the life of Dr. Parr. Severe reflections have been cast on the warm and eager espousal of her cause by a Divine of the Established Church, who had passed his seventieth year. But if here, as on other occasions, his prudence and discretion may be questioned; on the purity of his motives, the honesty of his zeal, the disinterested and conscientious feelings that prompted him, no suspicion has been, or ever can be, cast. 4 He had been presented to the Queen, and was received as a visitor at Connaught-House in 1814, when she was Princess of Wales. His venturing to expostulate with her on the indiscretion of quitting England, and the following short note, which he received in answer, prove that, at that early period, he was admitted to a considerable share of her confidence: The Princess of Wales acknowledges the receipt of Dr. Parr's letter, and regrets that he leaves the metropolis so soon, which will prevent her from talking over the subject with Dr. Parr, to which he alludes in his note. The Princess trusts to the Almighty, who has been her protector hitherto, and will still continue to protect her through her remaining trials. The Princess accepts the good wishes of Dr. Parr with the best thanks.-Connaught-House, June 29th. When, on the death of the late King, the name of the Queen Consort was ordered to be erased from the Liturgy, he recorded his sentiments on that subject in the Prayer-book of Hatton Church, in the following terms: Numerous and weighty are the reasons which induce me deliberately, and solemnly, to record in the Prayer-book of my parish the following particulars. With deep and unfeigned sorrow I have read a London Gazette, dated February 12th, 1820, of which a faithful copy is here inserted: "At the Court at Carlton-House, Feb. 12, 1820, &c. signed James Buller." It is my duty as a subject, and an Ecclesiastic, to read what is prescribed by my Sovereign, as head of the Church of England. But it is not my duty to express my approbation, as well as to yield obedience, when my feelings as a man, and my principles as a Christian, compel me to disapprove and to deplore. If the person who, for many years, was prayed for as Princess of Wales, has not ceased to be the wife of the Royal Personage who was called Prince of Wales, most assuredly she becomes Queen when he becomes King; and Queen she must remain, till by some judicial process her conjugal relation to our legitimate Sovereign be authoritatively dissolved. Whensoever I pray for "ALL the Royal Family," I shall include Queen Caroline as a member of it. Though forbidden to pronounce her Royal name, I shall, in the secret and sacred recesses of my soul, recommend her to the protection of the Deity. I shall pray that God may "endue her with his Holy spirit, enrich her with his heavenly grace, prosper her with all happiness, and bring her to his everlasting kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord." Thursday, Feb. 17th, 1820. SAMUEL PARR, LL.D. Resident Minister of Hatton for thirty-three years and eleven months. During the interval between the death of George III. and the landing of Queen Caroline in England, Parr continued a zealous defender of her cause, and openly expressed his determination to give her every personal assistance that could be derived from his |