Journal, Letters, &c.-Descriptive Catalogue of his printed Works, Manuscript Collections, &c.-British Grave at Angerton-Visit to Harrogate To Shap Wells-Journal, Letters, &c. - Tithe Commutation Journal, Letters, &c. Visit to Shap- Chapel of Cambo― Journal, Letters, &c. - Brockett's Glossary-Journal, &c.-Final Visit to Shap-Journal, &c.-Paralytic Attack MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN HODGSON, M.A. CHAPTER I.-1823. Presentation to the Vicarage of Kirk Whelpington-Congratulations-Arrangements at Jarrow and Heworth-The parish of Whelpington-Induction-Verses by Dean Ekins upon an Induction in 1786-Correspondence-Monument to Dawes at Heworth-Offer of the Perpetual Curacy of Hexham-Correspondence. Those of my readers who have pictured to themselves the painful circumstances detailed in the latter part of the preceding volume, and have a heart of humanity, will readily comprehend the joy with which the following letter would be received at Heworth. Mr. Hodgson's eldest son, then in his eleventh year, was its bearer from the post office, and he informs me that when he saw the frank of the Bishop of Durham he had a presentiment that it contained good news for his father. And so it did. FROM THE BISHOP OF DURHAM. "REV. SIR, Cavendish Square, Mar. 22, 1823. "The same post which brought me the information of the vacancy of the Vicarage of Kirk Whelpington, by the death of the Rev. Mr. Gardner, would have conveyed to you an offer of the living had I known its real value. I still remain ignorant on that subject; yet I feel unwilling to delay any longer assuring you of my intentions, in the event of your thinking it worthy of your acceptance. As soon as you have determined you will inform me, and in the event of your accept ance, I will order the necessary instruments to be made out. I am, with much regard, your sincere friend and brother, FROM THE BISHOP OF DURHAM. "S. DUNELM." "DEAR SIR, Cavendish Square, Mar. 24, 1823. "You will not feel more pleasure in receiving than I have in transmitting the inclosed authentic valuation of the Vicarage of Kirk Whelpington. As there does not now remain a doubt of your acceptance, I shall give directions for preparing the instruments for collating you by commission at Durham. I am, with much regard, your sincere friend and brother, "S. DUNELM." "MY DEAR SIR, FROM SIR J. E. SWINBURNE, BART. Grosvenor Place, 29 March, 1823. "I had my pen in my hand when I got your kind note, to congratulate you on your preferment, that Mr. Ellison had just informed me of; and to express the great pleasure and satisfaction it has afforded myself and all my family. No appointment could be more gratifying to us; and I hope the society of Capheaton and the use of my library will compensate for the remoteness of the situation from the more active occupations of Newcastle and its neighbourhood; and afford you more leisure for your literary pursuits. "My worthy friend Mr. Redman has long managed all the concerns of the living, and I am sure will afford you every information you can require. "Looking forward with much pleasure to our future meeting, and with the best wishes and congratulations of all my family, believe me, my dear Sir, very sincerely yours, “J. E. SWINBURNE.” * A valuation of the vicarage by the Rev. Thomas Redman, Vicar of Kirkharle, the adjoining parish, making the income about 3547. 15s. per annum, all outgoings except agent's salary deducted. To Hodgson, of course, a curate would be unnecessary. Mr. Redman's valuation, however, could not be maintained. See a letter to the author in December of the year before us. But Hodgson's connection with the cure of Jarrow-withHeworth was not severed by his collation to the vicarage of Whelpington. He had for some time generally enjoyed the assistance of a curate upon such a small stipend, under the bishop's sanction, as the living would allow of, and therefore had been instrumental in securing the performance of full duty in both places; he had built a new chapel at Heworth, for the cost of which a final settlement remained to be made; he had schools, which required much of personal superintendence; and there was a fear that the patron, in whose turn it was to present to the benefice in the event of its being declared vacant, would not adopt measures to separate the two places of divine worship from each other, but appoint a sole incumbent, as had previously been the case. Under these circumstances, there being at that time no law against it, it was arranged that Hodgson should continue to hold the benefice, and nominate two curates as his representatives; allowing to each such a salary as to leave to himself a sum not more than sufficient to defray the expenses of his periodical visits and general superintendence. The following letters afford all the information which is necessary, in explanation of this arrangement, into which, from after circumstances, Hodgson had great reason to regret that he had ever entered. But it is needless to detail here the annoyances which Jarrow and Heworth occasioned to him in after years until his connection with the parish finally ceased in 1833. The quiet of Whelpington during this period must have been his consolation. The gentle murmur of the Wansbeck soothed the noise arising from the swelling turbulence of the Tyne. FROM C. ELLISON, Esq. "MY DEAR SIR, Beckenham, Mar. 31, 1823. "Upon the best consideration I am of opinion that it would be very much for the interest of your present parishioners that you should retain the care of them, although you will not hereafter be at liberty to give them your personal attention, inasmuch as the duties will be more |