Occasional Notes. 371 
Scraps of Colonial History. — The editor of the 
" Argosy," having lighted on a complimentary reference 
in MURRAY'S " English Literature " to a forgotten 
literary clergyman of Berbice, asked for further infor- 
mation about this Rev. F. Whitfield. The enquiry 
has elicited the following characteristic scrap of colony 
history : — 
I believe it was in 1812 that the Rev. F. Whitfield began to officiate 
as the English Church clergyman at New Amsterdam, and continued 
to do so until 1816, when he resigned in consequence of a conflict of 
opinion between himself and Governor Bentinck as to the rights and 
privileges of the English Church, Governor Bentinck being an ad- 
herent of the Dutch Reformed Church. I have been informed that the dis- 
pute was one respecting marriage, and arose with Dominie Schidiers. 
In 1822, however, the Rev. R. Austin, who succeeded, having be- 
come extremely unpopular in consequence of his advocating the cause 
of Smith, the missionary, resigned, and went to live in Surinam ; and 
Mr. Whitfield was again appointed chaplain. Those whose recollec- 
tions carried them back to those prehistoric times have reported that 
he was a splendid reader and very gentlemanly in his manners. He 
was, moreover, a most graceful rider, having been originally, so it was 
said, a Cavalry officer. 
It must be remembered that the colony church in New Amsterdam 
was not built until 1820, and that the English congregation till then 
had the privilege of worshipping in the Lutheran Church ; but Mr. 
Whitfield, for some portion of his time, at any rate, performed 
Divine service in a dwelling house. One service a Sunday then satis- 
fied the religious appetite of the colonists and the conscience of the 
clergyman. That having been performed, Mr. Whitfield is said to 
have retired, with certain members of the congregation, and relieved 
the tedium of the Sabbath with a game of billiards. If no one accom- 
panied him he still indulged in his favourite amusement by himself. In 
the evening he rode out to Vryheid, the magnificent mansion of Mr. 
Katz, — an extensive proprietor, and had a rubber of whist. 
Mr. Whitfield resigned in 1829 and was succeeded by the Rev. 
Rowland. It was rumoured that he declined to comply with Bishop 
Coleridge's dire&ions to the clergy to provide instru&ion for the 
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