letter, which, when written, seemed to him to be too formally
cold to be sent alone to so dear a friend, was accompanied by a
private note; and both are here inserted.

The letter of resignation ran as follows:--

CHAPTER HOTEL, ST. PAUL's,
LONDON,
August, 18--

My LORD BISHOP,

It is with the greatest pain that I feel myself constrained
to resign into your Lordship's hands the wardenship of the
hospital at Barchester, which you so kindly conferred upon
me, now nearly twelve years since.

I need not explain the circumstances which have made this
step appear necessary to me. You are aware that a question
has arisen as to the right of the warden to the income which
has been allotted to the wardenship; it has seemed to me
that this right is not well made out, and I hesitate to
incur the risk of taking an income to which my legal claim
appears doubtful.

The office of precentor of the cathedral is, as your
Lordship is aware, joined to that of the warden; that is to
say, the precentor has for many years been the warden of the
hospital; there is, however, nothing to make the junction of
the two offices necessary, and, unless you or the dean and
chapter object to such an arrangement, I would wish to keep
the precentorship. The income of this office will now be
necessary to me; indeed, I do not know why I should be
ashamed to say that I should have difficulty in supporting
myself without it.

Your Lordship, and such others as you may please to consult
on the matter, will at once see that my resignation of
the wardenship need offer not the slightest bar to its
occupation by another person. I am thought in the wrong by
all those whom I have consulted in the matter; I have very
little but an inward and an unguided conviction of my own
to bring me to this step, and I shall, indeed, be hurt to
find that any slur is thrown on the preferment which your
kindness bestowed on me, by my resignation of it. I, at
any rate for one, shall look on any successor whom you may
appoint as enjoying a clerical situation of the highest
respectability, and one to which your Lordship's nomination
gives an indefeasible right.

I cannot finish this official letter without again thanking
your Lordship for all your great kindness, and I beg to
subscribe