that so much wants them, as long as in its justice to them it could spare them to us. May my soul be with those who have meant well, and have acted well to that meaning! And, I doubt not, if this prayer be granted, I shall be with him. Let us preserve his memory in the way he would best like, by recollecting what his behaviour would have been, in every incident of our lives to come, and doing in each just as we think he would have done; so we shall have him always before our eyes, and in our minds, and (what is more) in our lives and manners. I hope when we shall meet him next, we shall be more of a piece with him, and consequently not to be evermore separated from him. I will add but one word that relates to what remains of yourself and me, since so valued a part of us is gone; it is to beg you to accept, as yours by inheritance, of the vacancy he has left in a heart, which (while he could fill it with such hopes, wishes, and affections for him as suited a mortal creature) was truly and warmly his; and shall (I assure you in the sincerity of sorrow for my own loss) be faithfully at your service while I continue to love his memory, that is, while I continue to be myself. MR. DIGBY died in the year 1726, and is buried in the church of Sherborne in Dorsetshire, with an epitaph written by the author. Pope. His sister Mary died of the small pox, 1729. Elizabeth, who was probably Pope's favourite, married Sir John Dolben; died 1730. Bowles. Or Bishop Atterbury's birth, education, and talents, something has already been said in the course of these volumes. He appears to have acted sincerely from his conscience; although it has been said, that disappointed ambition was the chief cause which made him take so direct a line in politics, in opposition to the reigning powers. Whatever may be thought of his conduct in this respect, his classical attainments, his talents, his eloquence, his taste, and his various learning, together with his warmth of friendship, and domestic tenderness, interest us strongly in his behalf. No man was more popular; and we may readily imagine, there were few of whom Walpole was more afraid. He knew his talents, his decided principles, his powerful elocution, and his great popularity. He therefore proceeded with the greatest caution; but when, according to Mr. Coxe, he was convinced of the truth and danger of the conspiracy, he took an active part in conducting the prosecution. The event is well known; Atterbury was sent to the Tower, and exiled. "It was apprehended," says Mr. Coxe," that his removal on board the ship which was to convey him into banishment, would have been the signal of insurrection; but no tumults took place. Walpole, in a letter to Townsend, dated Whitehall, June 20, 1723, thus speaks of his embarkation: "The late Bishop of Rochester went away on Tuesday. The crowd that attended him was not more than was expected; but great numbers of boats attended him to the water's side. Nothing very extraordinary, but the Duke of Wharton's behaviour, who went on board the vessel with him, and a free conversation betwixt his holiness and Williamson, with menaces of a day of vengeance." It evidently appears, that Walpole felt some uneasiness, till Atterbury had left the kingdom. The conversation respecting the "day of vengeance" was, perhaps, more the suggestion of his own ideas, than a circumstance founded in fact. It is totally unlike the dignified manliness which Atterbury exhibited, and the exquisite sensibility of tenderness and of silent regret which his writings breathe. See the conclusion of his affecting letter on leaving his country: "Some natural tears he dropped, but wiped them soon; Bowles. LETTERS TO AND FROM DR. ATTERBURY, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. LETTER I. THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER TO MR. POPE. December, 1716. I RETURN your preface,* which I have read twice with pleasure. The modesty and good sense there is in it, must please every one that reads it. And since there is nothing that can offend, I see not why you should balance a moment about printing it always provided, that there is nothing said there which you may have occasion to unsay hereafter of which you yourself are the best and the only judge. This is my sincere opinion, which I give, because you ask it; and which I would not give, though asked, but to a man I value as much as I do you; being sensible how improper it is, on many accounts, for me to interpose in things of this nature, which I never understood well, and the * The general preface to Mr. Pope's Poems, first printed 1717, year after the date of this letter. Pope. |