the cause it professes to defend. In a letter to a theologian of a very different spirit, he says, "I do not think the controversial the best mode of bringing up children in the deep, serious, practical, heart-felt love of our true reformed Christianity. And I question, whether the early disputant on debated points may not, in riper years, be the most likely to waver or apostatise. The habit of argumentation is certainly not friendly to settlement of opinion, and he was a wise man who invented and bequeathed that maxim to posterity — disputandi pruritus ecclesiarum scabies." Those who have witnessed the animosities, the heart-burnings, and even the deeds of actual violence, engendered and perpetuated by the fanatic zeal of controversial preachers in Ireland, can best understand what a blessing such a man as Jebb was in an Irish parish. Thirty years have elapsed since he quitted Swanlinbar, but the memory of his virtues is "still green in the souls" of his former parishioners.

On his promotion to the archiepiscopal see of Cashel, Dr. Broderick gave a signal proof of his discernment, by taking Mr. Jebb with him. Here he remained for several years as reader of the cathedral; and had not only the advantage of the Archbishop's society, but also considerable assistance in his studies from the diocesan library, of which he made constant use. The only publication, however, which appeared during this period was a sermon preached before Lord Hardwicke, President of the Association for discountenancing Vice, and promoting the Knowledge and Practice of the Christian Religion. The sermon is written with great elegance; and the miscellaneous notes attest the variety of the resources upon which the preacher had been drawing for information. In the year 1810 the Archbishop had an opportunity of showing his estimation of Mr. Jebb, and he presented him to the valuable living of Abington. But so short-sighted are all our views, that this apparently most advantageous preferment seems to have laid the grounds for a premature decay. The absolute retirement of the glebe house forbidding all society, and the variety of parochial duty requiring active exertion, encouraged

the too studious habits of Mr. Jebb, and exercise was taken only irregularly and from compulsion. At Abington, however, commenced that intimacy with the Rev. Charles Forster, which cheered the declining years of his life by the sympathies of private friendship, such as seldom are exhibited in this heartless world; this friend resigning the charms of society dearly prized, and the enjoyment of exuberant spirits, to the call of duty; and devoting six years of life to watch the couch of the suffering invalid.

While rector of Abington, Mr. Jebb published a volume of "Practical Sermons," and an "Essay on Sacred Literature." Soon after the appearance of the latter, Archbishop Broderick had another opportunity of showing his favourable opinion of the author, by appointing him Archdeacon of the diocese, upon which Mr. Jebb took the degrees of B.D. and D.D. in the University of Dublin.

Higher preferment, however, awaited him; and on the removal of Dr. Elrington to the see of Ferns, the bishopric of Limerick was, in January, 1823, conferred on Dr. Jebb. The diocese of Limerick, one of the most extensive in Ireland, contained in it some of the most miserable and disturbed districts. It had also its full share of neglected curates, and a slight sprinkling of negligent rectors. The gentle mind of Jebb seemed ill calculated to encounter such a complication of difficulties, but he soon showed that mildness is not inconsistent with firmness, and that the meek, when principle is concerned, manifest a strength of resolution which cannot be shaken. The new bishop declared that he would disregard aristocratic influence, and he kept his word: in bestowing patronage, his choice was guided by merit alone; the unostentatious claims of the working clergy were with him more powerful than the pressing solicitations of the great; and the curate who despaired of reward, because he had no patron, found that his labours were his best introduction, and that his most powerful advocate was the heart of his diocesan.

On the 10th of June, 1824, onthe third reading of the

Irish Tithes Composition Amendment Bill (Marquis Wellesley's act), the Bishop, for the first, and it is believed for the only, time, addressed the House of Lords in support of the measure. The main object of his speech (which was subsequently published) was to vindicate the clergy of Ireland from the charges which had been brought against them, and to show that the value of the great benefices in that country was much over-rated by common report. He stated, that his own see, though one of the best in his province (Munster), produced under 5000l. per annum; and, adopting the data furnished by Mr. Leslie Forster, he assumed, that that sum was rather above than below the average value of the episcopal preferments of all Ireland, archbishoprics included. To this he added a severe exposure of the inhumanity of Irish landlords, resident and absentee.

Dr. Jebb's name now became at once popular in England; enquiries were made respecting his literary productions: their value for the first time was made known; and, at the same moment, he came into possession of the fame of an accomplished orator and a sound theologian. At that period no prelate of the united church occupied a more distinguished place in the public esteem: his society was eagerly sought by all, by the young and the old, the learned and the gay, the statesman and the divine. Though cold and reserved in manner at first, he entered into conversation with great animation, and had the happy talent of bringing forward the various treasures of his mind in the way best adapted to the acquirements of the individuals with whom he conversed. He interested all, and while he amused, he instructed them.

This career of exertion and utility was destined to be short. Four years after his appointment to the episcopal bench, in the early part of the summer of 1827, he was seized with a paralytic stroke while sitting at dinner, and apparently in good health. As soon as removal was possible, the Bishop was taken to England for change of air and better advice and he never returned. In the latter end of the year

1828 considerable hopes were entertained of his recovery;

when, as his strength increased, he was induced to take an active part in the political discussions on the Roman Catholic question. Firmly convinced that his duty as a Christian bishop obliged him to oppose the measures then in agitation, he devoted his time and his pen to the exposure of the dangers which such changes threatened. The exertion was too much for his feeble frame; and, in the ensuing summer, a second paralytic attack put an end to every hope of permanent recovery. While the body was thus crippled, the mind remained in all its vigour, in full possession of

Whate'er of mental grace,

Of candour, love, or sympathy divine;

Whate'er of fancy's ray, or friendship's flame,

had adorned it in his days of health. The Bishop pursued his studies of the sacred Scriptures; read with avidity the literary productions of the day; gave assistance to several authors in their theological publications, which has been acknowledged with the gratitude it deserved; and prepared for publication one of his earlier works, which appeared under the title of "Practical Theology." He edited Dr. Townson's "Discourses," and Dr. Phelan's "Works," to which are prefixed memoirs of the authors; also Bishop Burnet's "Lives," and a selection of practical tracts, under the title of "Piety without Asceticism." The energies of the mind never seem to have sunk for a moment under bodily suffering; to use a quotation applied on another occasion by the Bishop himself, "Nunquam fuit ex toto otiosus, sed aut legens aut scribens aut orans, aut meditans aut aliquid utilitatis pro communi laborans." His religion, indeed, was such as became a Christian prelate it was unobtrusive, but influencing the whole man; it was to be witnessed in private, not forced upon the public notice; it was truly piety without asceticism, devotion without superstition, seriousness without hypocrisy. During six years of disease and suffering, no expression of impatience, no murmur of discontent, escaped his lips it was his heavenly Father's will, and he submitted.

At length the earthly tabernacle mouldered away; exhausted nature gradually sunk to rest. His death took place on the 7th of December, 1833, at East Hill, Wandsworth; in the 59th year of his age. The words of Doane's Requiem over Bishop Ravenscroft may well be applied to his kindred spirit:

Although Bishop Jebb's original works are not numerous, they are all of sterling merit. The great charm of his sermons is the spirit of love breathing in every line; he remonstrates as a father with an erring child — he advises as a brother to a brother - he reasons as a friend with a friend. His "Essay on Sacred Literature" is his most finished and valuable performance; it is one of the finest specimens of sacred criticism in our language. The discovery of a metrical structure in the hymns and discourses preserved by the Evangelists at once affords a key to the interpretation of difficult passages, and establishes their genuineness beyond all question. The learning displayed in the work will remind the reader of Usher, Hooker, and Taylor; nor does the resemblance stop there in the rare union of rich fancy with simplicity of