THE MINSTER. 



19 



make up for any deficiencies : there the mind can expand as 

 much as it likes, and I would not change it for Edinburgh with 

 its society, university, and scenery. I am too, for the first 

 time, in a set whose views are like my own — a very remarkable 

 situation. . . . The dulness of the country leads us to see 

 beauty and admire, where, in a place like Bristol, we should 

 pass by without anything to notice." 



He longed "to see a decent Sunday school,' 7 and to refresh 

 his spirit in the vacation : this he did, and returned with good 

 heart, though there was much to depress in the condition of 

 the college. Eight senior students (including the writer) had 

 finished their course, and only three juniors entered. It was 

 voted " a very stupid session ; " but he wrote, " I am happy, 

 having so many extraneous things to interest me." He was 

 trying to stir up the congregation to build a room for the 

 Sunday school, and was teaching the children singing ; " and 

 there is ' York's redeeming place ' still ! " As, in later life, he 

 became an attendant on the Church of England, it is interest- 

 ing to note how susceptible he was from his youth to its attrac- 

 tions, and how strong must have been the convictions which 

 kept him from its communion. 



The following extract from a letter to his father (October 22, 

 1838) shows not only his feeling for Cathedral music, but his 

 pleasure that others could share it : — " I do not know what 

 made me so stupid yesterday. I think it was going to the 

 Minster, where I was more excited by the music than ever I 

 was before. It was the 'Creation the second time of my hear- 

 ing it. As I was now prepared for everything, I entered into 

 it more fully : and yet, though I was prepared, when it came to 

 the burst at 6 Let there be light/ I was completely carried 

 away, and a very little more would have made me fall down 

 for I felt exactly as I did after I was bled. However, I made 

 a vigorous effort, and after a time recovered myself. I cannot 

 imagine anything more perfectly sublime than this. Persons 

 talk of a full orchestra, but give me the Minster organ with its 

 pedals. The Chaos was most grand, terrible, and powerful, 

 and here and there most sweet and delightful. Then after the 



