would appear to imply a glaring invasion of
all ecclesiastical discipline on _your_ part, or of inexcusable
neglect and indifference to my duties on _mine_."

"April 14, 1842. I am very much obliged by your Lordship's kindness
in allowing me to write to you on the subject of my house at
Littlemore; at the same time I feel it hard both on your Lordship and
myself that the restlessness of the public mind should oblige you to
require an explanation of me.

"It is now a whole year that I have been the subject of incessant
misrepresentation. A year since I submitted entirely to your
Lordship's authority; and with the intention of following out the
particular act enjoined upon me, I not only stopped the series of
Tracts, on which I was engaged, but withdrew from all public
discussion of Church matters of the day, or what may be called
ecclesiastical politics. I turned myself at once to the preparation
for the Press of the translations of St. Athanasius to which I had
long wished to devote myself, and I intended and intend to employ
myself in the like theological studies, and in the concerns of my own
parish and in practical works.

"With the same view of personal improvement I was led more seriously
to a design which had been long on my mind. For many years, at least
thirteen, I have wished to give myself to a life of greater religious
regularity than I have hitherto led; but it is very unpleasant to
confess such a wish even to my Bishop, because it seems arrogant, and
because it is committing me to a profession which may come to
nothing. For what have I done that I am to be called to account by
the world for my private actions, in a way in which no one else is
called? Why may I not have that liberty which all others are allowed?
I am often accused of being underhand and uncandid in respect to the
intentions to which I have been alluding: but no one likes his own
good resolutions noised about, both from mere common delicacy and
from fear lest he should not be able to fulfil them. I feel it very
cruel, though the parties in fault do not know what they are doing,
that very sacred matters between me and my conscience are made a
matter of public talk. May I take a case parallel though different?
suppose a person in prospect of marriage; would he like the subject
discussed in newspapers, and parties, circumstances, etc., etc.,
publicly demanded of him, at the penalty of being accused of craft
and duplicity?

"The resoluti