I will write, however, were it but to assure you that no absence, no engagement can make me forget you. I have much wished that you were here, that I might advise with you on the subject of my future plans.

I spent a week on Long-Island. The village of Hempstead, within which is the church and parsonage, lies at the south border of an uncultivated plain, about four or five miles in width. A residence there would be very retired; I am almost afraid too much so for me. You may, perhaps, wonder at this, after my frequent eulogies on a retired life; but remember that at Princeton, though retired from the busy and gay world, I yet enjoyed the highest pleasures of society in daily intercourse with intelligent and affectionate friends. However, should I go, I must summon resolution to occupy my mind wholly with study, and the duties of my profession, till I find in domestic joys a solace for low spirits and disquietude; and I rather think Miss C.'s wishes, which would determine mine, are in favor of Hempstead.

To your sister, and all friends, give my warmest affection. I long once again to embrace you, and rest assured, that, with the most fervent prayers for your welfare and happiness, I am

Your faithful and affectionate,

J. H. HOBART.'

Under these circumstances he received the expected call from Hempstead; and, influenced by his feelings, took a step which his better judgment almost immediately condemned and retracted that of soliciting a release from his existing contract with the church at Brunswick.

Thus circumstanced,' is the language of his letter to the vestry, 'I have thought it my duty to state to the vestry here my desire that they would release me from my temporary engagement with them for the last six months, to enable me to accept a permanent settlement, which as fully meets my particular views as I can have any reason to expect. I think it proper to mention, what I suppose, however, would not be doubted, that is, my determination, and my wish to fulfil, to the best of my abilities, my engagement with the church here, unless regularly released therefrom.'

This was a letter of impulse; that of calm reflection came the following day. My business with the vestry,' says he, 'has been the subject of my serious reflections since I left you, and I have come to a determination, which, as it will render all further proceedings unnecessary, I am anxious to communicate as soon as possible. I think I shall not be satisfied, under existing circumstances, to receive a release from my engagement with your church, and I must, therefore, beg leave to withdraw my request for it. I shall accordingly answer the call of the church at Hempstead, by informing them that my immediate acceptance of it is incompatible with my engagements and duty to the church at Brunswick; and so fully have I made up my

mind, that I would not receive a release from my engagement were it offered to me. Please to communicate the contents to the vestry. I feel myself bound to apologize to them for the trouble I have given them, and to you for what you have voluntarily undertaken.'

This was an act of self-denial, and it had its reward. The church at Hempstead delayed their choice until he was free to accept a call, and his union with Miss C. crowned the completion of his new arrangements.

An easy conscience, a lovely bride, and a rural parsonage, with youth and health, and duties to which his heart had long been devoted, it were not easy to add another element to the cup of human felicity!

On the 6th day of May, 1800, his marriage took place with Mary Goodin Chandler, of Elizabethtown, N. J., youngest daughter of the Rev. Thomas Bradbury Chandler. Of this lady, whose living sorrows forbid such notice as her virtues merit, it may still be added, that she was in every way worthy of that faithful and affectionate heart which then became her own. In her lineage, too, as daughter of the ablest defender of the Church in the colonies, it seemed a fate peculiarly appropriate, which made her the wife of the ablest defender of the same Church after those colonies had become

independent States. The name of her father is in fact so much identified with the early history of the Church in this country, as well as with the personal fortunes of Bishop Hobart, as to deserve from his biographer a more than passing notice.

Thomas Bradbury Chandler was born at Woodstock, Mass., 26th April, 1726,* educated at Yale College, Conn., and ordained in England in 1751, by the Bishop of London, under whose Episcopal charge the Colonies then were. On his return to this country he became Rector of St. John's Church, Elizabethtown, N. J., in which humble and quiet retreat, resisting with true Christian humility all temptations to change, he lived, labored, and died.

In this choice, indolence, however, had no part, for he there labored both faithfully and fearlessly, and that not only in his parochial

* Extract from the Life of the Rev. Hugh Peters, Chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. London, 1815.-' The second daughter of William (a brother of Hugh) married Colonel John Chandler, of Andover, one of whose descendants was the Rev. Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D. D., Rector of an Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown, New-Jersey, a pious and literary character of the first rate in America. The Doctor left several daughters, one of whom is wife of the Rev. Dr. Hobart, an Episcopal clergyman in the city of New-York, who is an author and preacher of high fame. He is a descendant from the younger brother of the Earl of Buckinghamshire in England.'

charge, but in the general concerns of the Church. The great object to which, beyond his immediate duties, he devoted himself, was the obtaining an episcopate for the Church in the colonies. This formed the subject of several successive Appeals** to the government at home, both in Church and State. But though its justice and expediency were alike granted, the boon was not obtained. The Bishop of London, Dr. Lowth, was content to praise the argument instead of acting upon it. "The nation in general,' says he, in a letter to their author, is greatly obliged to you for your three pamphlets, which, I am sure, if plain reason and good sense, strongly and forcibly urged, and placed in the clearest light, can meet with any attention, must have a great effect, as indeed I hear they have, and I hope so essential a service will not be forgotten.'

The concluding word of the above quotation deserves notice, as it shows that the Bishop underrated the motives of the writer. In afteryears, when the policy for which Dr. Chandler now vainly pleaded was freely adopted by the British government toward their remaining American colonies, the newly-created bishopric

*See his Appeal in behalf of the Church of England in the Colonies; Appeal defended; Appeal further defended; Address to Southern Churchmen; Life of Dr. Johnson, &c.