THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 191 



been built, the cost of which depended on means 

 mainly raised by Russell's exertions. 



"When I was inducted," Russell writes, "to 

 this incumbency, in 1833, there was only one 

 service here every Sundav — morning and evening 

 alternately with Landkey, whereas now, I am 

 thankful to say, we have four services every 

 Sunday in Swymbridge alone." To this it may 

 be added that the fine old church of that 

 parish, described by Mr. Pearson, A.R.A., of 

 Harley Street, as " one of the most interesting 

 churches he ever saw," has been admirably 

 restored by that gentleman at a cost of nearly 

 £3,000. 



Russell's great influence among the yeomen 

 and tenant-farmers of North Devon, and the 

 genial spirit with which he managed them, as 

 a Master of Hounds, has been already referred 

 to in a former chapter ; a kind word from him 

 doing more to secure their goodwill, and 

 promote the cause of fox-hunting, than the 

 Bank of England notes of less popular men. 

 But, if little has hitherto been said on the 

 subject of that inner circle — his own parish — 

 over which he has presided for so many years, 

 it must not thence be inferred that he lacked 

 at home the honour he found abroad ; for no 

 man has been more venerated, nay, loved, by 

 the poor among whom he has ministered than 

 Mr. Russell. And with good reason, too ; for, 



