f the new year he wrote to his married
daughter:--

"We are debating how to come up to town, and how to make a Stage Coach
compatible with Saba's aristocracy and dignity. The Coach sets off
from Taunton at four o'clock. It is then dark. I recommend her
hurrying in three minutes before the Coach departs with her face
covered up. But there is a maiden lady who knows us and who lives
opposite the Coach. I have promised to keep her in conversation whilst
Saba steps in. Once in, all chance of detection is over.

"_PS._--We think Miss Y---- has discovered us, for, upon meeting her
in Taunton, she spoke of the _Excellence of Public Conveyances_. I
said it was a fine day, and, conscious of guilt, retired."

The removal to London was safely accomplished, and on the 29th of January
he wrote:--

"I drove all this morning with Lady Holland. I had refused two or
three times last week, but, as a good deal is due to old friendship, I
wrote word that, if she would accept the company of a handsome young
clergyman, I knew of one who was much at her service. She was very
ill. I preached to her, not 'of Temperance and Righteousness and
Judgement to come,' but said nothing of the two last and confined
myself to the first topic. 'Lay aside pepper, and brandy and water,
and _baume de vie_. Prevent the evil instead of curing it. A single
mutton chop, a glass of toast and water'--here she cried and I
stopped; but she began sobbing, and I was weak enough to allow two
glasses of sherry--on which she recovered."

A few days later he wrote to his old friend Lady Morley[109]:--

"I have taken possession of my preferment. The house is in Amen
Corner,--an awkward name on a card, and an awkward annunciation to the
coachman on leaving any fashionable mansion.[110] I find too (sweet
discovery!) that I give a dinner every Sunday, for three months in the
year, to six clergymen and six singing-men, at one o'clock. Do me the
favour to drop in as _Mrs._ Morley."

It soon became evident that the Whig Government, flushed with its triumph
over Toryism, intended to lay reforming hands upon the Church,[111] and the
newly-fledged dignitary was alarmed. On the 22nd of December 1832 he
wrote--

"I see Lord Grey, the Chancellor, and the Archbishop of Canterbury
have had a meeting, which I suppose has decided the fate of the
Church." "Do you