gree that he enjoyed it, had sought him; he was disposed to make the best use of it in every way; and had it by any accident been wrested from him, he would have practised, himself, the magnanimity which he inculcated; he would even have said that he might have learnt this lesson in a much lower school than that of Christ, the school of his favourite Epictetus. And as for honours, it will be seen by the sequel, that he was never found among those who coveted them. Such objectors have yet to learn that Christianity, when it truly animates the heart with its superhuman philosophy, can impart poverty of spirit in the midst of affluence, and unaffected humility beneath the shade of a mitre. HIS MARRIAGE. CHAP. XV. DOMESTIC LIFE AT WINSTON, ETC. 1799 to 1803. - IS FIVE years of the life of Mr. Burgess glided happily away in the peaceful and faithful discharge of pastoral duties at Winston, varied by official residence at Durham, by occasional visits to Bishop-Auckland, and by the discharge of his important functions as examining chaplain. His retirement had occasionally been pleasantly interrupted by visits from Oxford friends, and from others of more recent standing; but in the year 1799 he relieved the solitude of his situation, effectually, by entering into the married state. The object of his choice was Miss Bright, daughter of John Bright, Esq. Mr. Bright was of an ancient Yorkshire family, whose ancestors suffered greatly in their property during the usurpation of Cromwell. In addition to his landed estate he possessed a house in Durham, in which his widow continued to reside after his death. The present representative of the family is the Rev. John Bright, of Skeffington Hall, Leicestershire. Mrs. Burgess survives her husband, and cherishes his memory with unceasing and affectionate veneration. During the long course of forty years, through which this union extended, their harmony and happiness were uninterrupted. Those who have had the privilege of sharing their social board will fully enter into the spirit of this description, and can never forget the respect and tenderness which he unceasingly manifested towards his amiable con sort. My readers will not be surprised to hear, that his thoughts had hitherto been so exclusively bestowed upon his learned studies and his religious duties, that he had little attended to the cares of housekeeping. In allusion to his inexperience in all such matters, the Bishop of Durham smilingly said to the lady, a short time before their marriage," Miss Bright, you are about to be united to one of the very best of men, but a perfect child in the concerns of this world; so you must manage the house, and govern not only your maids, but the men-servants also." A piece of friendly advice for which Mrs. Burgess, however unwilling to outstep her proper province, soon found reason to perceive the necessity. On the day of their marriage, the Bishop drove into Durham from Auckland Castle to unite their hands, and it was arranged that they should go to Winston Parsonage immediately after the ceremony. Conjecturing that his chaplain might probably have forgotten to furnish his larder suitably to the occasion, the kind and thoughtful Prelate had sent over an ample supply of delicacies to await their arrival. Just as they were about to drive off, he amused himself by probing the fact. "You have, no doubt, taken good care to provide everything in the best manner for Mrs. Burgess's reception at Winston?" The chaplain started at the question, and was obliged to own that really it had never occurred to him. He was at once relieved from his embarrassment, and had reason, as on many former occasions, to recognise in his diocesan his good genius. But while he thus occasionally lost sight of what referred to personal comfort or gratification, Mrs. Burgess was most pleasingly impressed, on settling at Winston, by the minute attention which she found that her husband had been in the habit of paying to the comfort and relief of the poorer classes of his parishioners. In after life, they both delighted to recur to the happy days they spent in this peaceful parsonage. The situation was so retired, that, excepting in the summer months, they saw little company; but their evenings were rendered delightful by the constant fund of interesting reading which the library, seconded by its owner's intimate acquaintance with its stores of knowledge and entertainment, supplied. Their time was divided between Durham and Winston, though the habits of the two places were necessarily very different. Mr. Burgess retained all his love of studious and devout retirement; but his marriage naturally led him more than formerly into mixed society, where he was always a great favourite. He was never inclined to take the lead in conversation, or in any way to obtrude his opinions, but was always willing to be drawn out by others, when, from the strength of his memory, his excellent understanding, and his acquaintance with general literature, he poured forth a bright stream of instruction and amusing information. But he was most happy himself, and most of all attractive to others, when engaged in a tête-à-tête with some kindred spirit upon any subject of mutual interest. His person, as described to me, at this time, corresponded with my own impressions at a much later period. It was tall, erect, and dignified, and there was a cast of pleasing, not repulsive gravity over the calm expression of his intellectual features. His smile was peculiarly winning. The Reverend Mr. Smelt, a very accomplished man, and sub-tutor to George IV., who often met him at Durham, used to say, "Of all the sweet things I can think of, there is nothing quite equal to Burgess's smile." He had always been a cherished guest at Auckland Castle, occasionally spending many weeks |