SERMON 59 



arrangement for me, as I had two coaches a day, and but 

 one home, which would very much reduce my expenses ; 

 but, at the same time, I had no faith in the stability of 

 the concern, as I was well aware the new partners had it 

 in their power to compromise it at any time, and that I 

 should then be thrown overboard. 



However, it went on for some little time, and I had 

 nothing whatever to find fault with all through the 

 autumn. I had between three and four hours to spend at 

 Henley, which I managed to get rid of without being 

 infected with idleness, or ennui, as it is usually termed. 



A. clergyman who had, from my youth up, been the 

 ofiiciating minister at Portsmouth, had only lately been 

 removed to Henley.^ I would, therefore, frequently call, 

 and have half an hour's chat with him. I had had the 

 temerity to publish a sermon I penned on the death of 

 the old king, George III., which, without permission, I 

 had dedicated to this excellent divine. It was at the 

 instigation of some friends at St. Albans I had written it, 

 because I happened to say the discourse I had heard at 

 the Abbey church did not come up to my idea of Avhat a 

 sermon ought to be, on such a subject. Here the 

 obsequies of the deceased monarch were celebrated ; and 

 when the choir of the old buildino^ Avas hun^: with black 

 and lit with torches, it presented a novel and imposing 

 scene. The printing this production may have been an 

 unpardonable act of vanity ; the dedication Avas an 

 expression of heartfelt gratitude to one whose eloquent 

 expositions of the Gospel, and clear and imposing manner 



' The Eev. T. G. Bussell. 



