270 NATURAL HISTORY OF NUNBURNH0LME. 



Ever since I have been in Holy Orders, though I have lived in the 

 country, and in the country only, yet it has always, till now, fallen to 

 my lot to have the care of a large parish, while the superintendence of a 

 small one has been the object of my wishes. It is not, however, for the 

 clergy to choose as they would in all respects for themselves. "It is 

 good for a man that he bear the yoke." 



But, most unexpectedly, and unasked, the Archbishop of York, on St. 

 Thomas' Day, the very day for a "dole," wrote to offer me the living of 

 Nunburnholme, which I did not even know was vacant, a place from the 

 little I knew about it, though I never had been at it, it had before 

 come into my thoughts would be exactly the one that would suit me, 

 and that I should suit. I thankfully accepted the offer; and more thank- 

 ful, if it be possible, I feel every day to his Grace, and to the Supreme 

 Ruler of events — the "Head over all things to His Church." 



Surely no one was ever so really suited to his mind — Whereas I had 

 thought before that any such place would very likely be thrown away upon 

 many a one who might have it, the utter reverse is the case with myself 

 — no one would possibly appreciate more that which was just to his liking. 

 "Glory be to God." 



"I said if there's peace to be found in the world, 

 A heart that is humble may hope for it here." 



Picture to yourself a moderate- sized Rectory-house, quite sufficiently large 

 for comfort, but not overgrown, as one sees some houses which are built 

 for show and effect more than for the proper ultimate end of architecture, 

 (I always pity the dwellers in such,) but if you wish a model of a 

 house, not altogether as to appearance, for that, I grant, might be im- 

 proved, but one fit for the class to which I belong — the middle class, 

 the happiest of all — do you doubt the former part of my assertion? I 

 have Scripture for it — "Give me neither poverty nor riches — Feed me 

 with food convenient for me" — I beg of you also not to doubt the latter 

 part — come and look at Nunburnholme Rectory — I will shew any naturalist 

 over my mansion and domain; he shall see my cabinets, and may be 

 sure of a hearty welcome. 



But I must first give some sort of general and particular description 

 of the place itself. 



In a brief account of the parish which I put forth on the cover of 

 my "History of British Birds" in an address on the restoration of the 

 quaint little parish church, which was responded to by many kind friends, 

 more than one an "ami inconnu," unknown but known, as a lady in 

 the south, whom I never saw, nor she me, said in a letter, "we know 

 you quite well from your broks." — I have got wrong somehow — how shall 





