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Description
Detailed record of Bp. Chase's movements on his England voyage
Date
4-7-1824
City
London, England
Keywords
England voyage, George Marriott, Lord Bexley, Dr. Gaskin, Bp. Hobart, Reverend Wheaton, Reverend Robert Marriot, Mr. Evans, British Critic, Timothy Wiggin, Mr. Crawley, Mr. Gibb, Mr. Thorton, Mr. How, Reverend Clark, Mr. Summer
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Diary Letter to Sophia Chase" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 308.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/308
Rights Statement
Transcript
Original at Church Historical Society, Philadelphia
7. Aprl. - 1824 ½ past 11.p.m.
My Dear Wife.
Instead of filling sheets with names of persons whom I see and may never see again & noting every event to you which may serve but to confuse leaving no time for reflections I have thought it best to buy a book blank in which I can keep dates & persons and from this extract such things with such animadvertions as may inform and interest you.
My cause begins to be known among that class of people in London who, thro’ the clouds of suspicion and calumny raised by Bp. Hobart could not hitherto be supposed to see the truth.
I have this day dined at Mr. Gibb’s in Montague Place. He is son in law to Mr. Crawley who was present with Mr. and Mrs. Marriott and the several members of that family. After dinner came in Mr. I Thornton. This latter Gentleman takes a deep interest in my affairs & you may hear from him again.
This morning met me by appointment at my lodgings a Mr. G. A. How about 50 years old - the youngest & best looking man of his age I have ever seen. He has a large fortune and a numerous family yet is he a Candidate for Holy Orders, and is possessed with a Missionary Spirit!! Much was said of his going to America. I told him of the true state of things in Ohio and thought of Piqua for a place wherein he can do much good. But nothing was determined on: but each agreed to leave all to the good providence of God. Manifesting a pious character united with a very gentle manners I sincerely hope this Mr. How may prove a blessing to us. One observation made by Mr. How I hope not to forget. “A gentleman” said he “once speaking to a lady respecting her son she asked him what was the best advice he could give her in relation to so beloved a Child. “Madam” sd. he finds your son employment: gaive a plenty to do - again I say employ your son for if you do not, the Devil will.
An acct. of the 10th of April, 1824, extracted from my minute book but epitomized.
G. W. Marriott Esquire giving up the day to me and my cause accompanied me to & we breakfasted with the Bp. of Lichfield and Coventry Dr. Rider - all very friendly. The Bishop wrote to Ld. Bexley (late Rt. Hon. N. Vansittart Chanr. Of the Excheqr.O who the (Bp. Ld.) had read the appeal, and was desirous of seeing me. - The Bishop of Lichfield expressed his regret that he himself was going out of town for about 3 weeks; but that on his return he promised me his support.
We went to Grosvenor Square - saw the Honl. Fred Calthrope M.P. who was very kind. Thence to Hatchards the Bookseller where we saw (and I was introduced to) Dr. Maddy one of the Clergymen of St. James also, Mr. Sumner, Domestic chaplain to his present Majesty. The latter was named to the King for the new Bishop of the W. Indies, but could not be spared; in other words (I supposed) he is designed for some high station in the Ch. at home.
We then went to Stoke Newington to dine with Dr. gaskin, (for many years SEcy. of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge - N. B. These are the persons whom one and all the Bp. of N. Y. so effectually prejudiced agt. me.) who [w.] us kindly [&] with whom we spent the afternoon very pleasantly. He disapproves of Bishop Hobart’s conduct. We then came home; I set up till nearly one oclock taking down the events and circumstances of the day of which this a skeleton.
P. S. Found on my table a card from Mr. Thornton inviting me to break fast next day.
9th of April. One oclock P.M.
According to the invitation from Mr. Thornton I set off this morning to breakfast with him at 41 Marchmont St.: Russel Sqr. Much conversation on the affairs of Americas - came home and found a letter from Mr. Wiggin advising not to come to any agreement with Bp. Hobart to support his cause considering the two applications as mutually destructive. If his flourishes mine can not & vice versa. I went to see Mr. Pratt on this subject but did not find him at home. He (Mr. Wiggin) says he thinks this last stroke of policy of Bp. Hobart to be more against me than all his former schemes. Mr. Wiggins judgment I have hitherto found to be correct: and this letter of his therefore is more discouraging. I was never made for manouevering; therefore I have no other way to combat the schemes of a crooked policy but to go straight forward and put my trust in God. If I am to fall it shall not be by following in the devious paths of the Serpent.
6 oclock. Mr. Marriott who calls in go to & from the Inner Temple very frequently showed me a letter from his Brother the Rev. Robert Marriott at Colesbatch Luttenworth saying everything kind about me & the cause of Ohio, that many of the clergy far & near him are interested in it.
N. B. I called yesterday on the Rev. Mr. Wheaton, as he is now in copartnership with the good Bp. of N. Y. he does not see fit to call on me. I think he is not happy. I would not be in his case for London and all its treasure. I pray God to direct him aright & to east him of his burdens.
10 of April. Dined this day with the Rev. Mr. Clark Chaplain to the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea. The invitation was thro’ Mr. Dicey his brother in law at Claybrook near Luttenworth. No appeals having been sent they were in a manner strangers to me. (I [cut] some the next day) The day was stormy -
Sunday Apl. 11. Red. the Blessed Sact. at the Chh. in Queens Square. During the intermission Mr. Chas. Crawley & Mr. Gibs called and took me to St. James Chh. to hear Dr. Andrews. His text was “Let him be crucified” and the sermon the best or among the best I have heard in Engd.
After Church I dined “en famille” with G. W. Parriott Esq. - discoursed a long time with his son Geo. on the subject of his being confirmed. When I went away Mr. M. out into my hands the following paper.
“On Easter Tuesday go with us to The Infant School. Spitalfields: thence on to
“Laytonstone (Mr. Davis’s)
“On Thursday after go with us to Greewich after Post, time. [?]
“On Friday go with me to Stowe” (about 30 miles from London towards Colesbatch “to see Robert again) “of which I will inform Mr. Crawley by letter and give him an opportunity of assembling some of the active clergy at his house.”
“Write to Lord Kenyon in answer to his letters & mention the hope of visiting “him in your way to Ireland.” N. B. I think I will inclose the first draft of this letter but you must preserve it as also everything else that I send you.
12. Apl. 1824 I told you in my former letters how well I was red. at Ales near Derby by W. Evans Esq. M. P. His wife is Daughter to the celebrated Mr. Gisborne. With this family I breakfasted this morning. Mr. Babington & two Daughters from near Leicester were present. Before we set down at the table the Scriptures were read and I expounded the parable of the ten Lepers. Mrs. Evans enquired much about you and the dear Children.
½ past ten came home and found a note and an invin. To dinner with Lord Bexley on the 30th. - He goes now from town to spend the Easter Holy Days.
Late at night came to see me Thos. Hartwell Horne, the Author of the Review in the British Critic which first suggested the idea of my coming to England. You may better conceive than I relate the tenderness of this interview. All matters were talked over. Deeply learned in sacred subjects and unfeignedly pious he holds the even tenor of his way leaving disputes to others while himself thro’ faith & love is sure of the Kingdom of Heaven.
13. I breakfasted with Mr. Thornton, Marchmont St: Russell Square. Called in my way home to Mr. Marriott’s. He was reading the arte. In the B. R. written by my friend Mr. Horne to Miss Duff Macfarlane. Expressed great desire it should be reprinted.
Came home and soon saw Mr. Chambers of Rugby, Warwickshire and then Mr. Horne called on me again. I am to go to church with him on G. Friday. Said much about America.
Mr. Thornton by his calling again manifests great earnestness in my favour; will do nothing for me however unless made a complete Master of the whole subject; such is the prejudice excited against me that I am obliged to fight my way as through a wall continually opposed.