New-York tribune., 1896-10-18

his character should say it was his anxiety TO
conciliate everybody and everything. He was
rre-eminently q man OF peace and the only faui'
that has ever been laid at his door has been TO
the effect that he just little too mucn OF
courtier.
I-nder these circumstances he suffered severely
when, a couple of years ago. he was compeheo
bv the Queen to issue a species of public con-
demnation Of Sunday dinner parties and dra-
matte entertainments. His Grace objected to
taking any such step. because he knew the PEI
son aimed al by the Queen was the Prince OF
Wales who is held responsible for the increasing
laxity of the observance of the Sabbath. The
Prince who is very sensible and good-natured
about such matters, saw the predicament III
which the Archbishop was placed, and told him
that he bore him no grudge, knowing that ne
practically had no alternative. 1t may be added
that the pastoral letter issued by the ArchDsnop
on the demand OF the Queen was treated WIN
something much akin to dersion and contempt
the majority of the people not paying the sighl~
est attention TO it,
DR. Benson was gentle-faced. clean featured
and clean-shaven man of about sxty-live, with
snowwhite hair of more than ordinary length.
His friendship with Mr.. Gladstone dates from
the day when he practically secured for the lat
ters son-in-law, the Rev. DR.. Wickham. the
succession to the lucrative office OF head master
Of Wellington College. on his own elevation to
the Bishopric of Truro While he was a favorite
at Court and in society. he was far from exer-
cising either upon the one or the other the In
fuence enjoyed by his predecessor, Dr. TAFT, who
was to far greater extent the spiritual director
Of his sovereign than the late Primate Perhaps
this was due TO the fact that Dr.. Benson mingled
more freely and on a equal footing with
the leaders of the great world in London than
Dr. TAFT Perhaps the best proof illustrative OF
the difference in this respect between Dr. Benson
and his predecessor may be found in the fact
that 1t was the Of the former who was the
author Of that not altogether pleasant portrayal
Of London society which bears the title of "Dodo.
and that it was written beneath the roof of the
Archbishop at Lambeth Palace and presumably
with His Grace's knowledge and acquescence.
FOND OF A GOOD HORSE.
Another feature of the Archbishop's character
and which tended to bring him into close touch
with society was his love Of horsefesh. The
Archbishop was an excellent equestrian and sell
dom allowed day to pass without good canter
across the river and around Hyde Park. He
rode with light hand and true to his sacred
calling. never used either whip or spur. His
favorite mount was a mare called Serena. for
which he paid So 900. and he taught her all kinds
OF tricks. which he WAS fond of showing off to
his friends She would trot alone from the
stables to the entrance OF the palace at Lam
beth as soon as she saw the Archbishop waiting
for her there and before he mounted she would
invariably nose all around his pockets in search
Of sugar He was not the only father Of the
Church who rode. Dr. Temple. the Bishop OF
London. whose see is shortly TO be transformed
;oto "A
q conspicuous figure in Rotten Row during the
fashionable hours while the late Bishop Of Win
chester Dr. Samuel Wilberforce. was killed while
cantering over the Epson Downs on Sunday
morning. Nearly every ono of the preiates OF
the Church Of England may pc said TO maniiest
more or less of a taste. peculiarly Anglo-Sax"n'
for sport of one kind or another. Thus the ola
Bishop of Chichester DR.. Durnford, who died the
other day at the age Of ninety-four could be
seen up to within few months Of his death n.y.
Ing about his large diocese on tricycle. The
Bishop Of Ripon plays football with az much
zest as schoolboy. while the Bishop OF Exeter Is
an excellent cricket player The Archbishop or
York. the second ecclesiastical dignitary of the
realm, who has TO content himself with stipend
OF 100000 per annum and two palaces thrown in.
is more quiet In his tastes and goes In for pho-
tography. He may be tramping through
the chalk districts of England with photo
graphic outfit placed in two-wheeled cart
drawn by a small jackass. The Bishop OF St
Adams In spite OF his age. has distinguished
himself as a fancy skater on the ice. while the
Lord Bishop of Manchester not only Keeps DUH
terriers for sporting purposes. but is also an
adept with the gloves.
OF all the honors and dignites to which an
Englishman who Is not member OF the reign
ing family can aspire. there Is meme that IS
grander or more iustrious than that or Arch-
bishop OF Canterbury AS Primate OF all Eng
land he stands higher than any other non-royai
subtect Of the Queen, and ranks on the oiiica'
table of precedence Immediately next to the
princ es OF the blood taking the pas therefore,
Of the Lord High Chancellor OF England and OF
%ha Prime Minister of the British Empire. He
.....,..s a rr,ncelv larry Of f15 600 per annl,n