ions about the Hogglestock school. Soon afterwards Mrs
Crawley left the room, seeing the difficulty under which Mr. Thumble
was labouring, and feeling sure that her presence would not now be
necessary. Mr. Crawley's letter was written quickly, though every now
and then he would sit for a moment with his pen poised in the air,
searching his memory for a word. But the words came to him easily,
and before an hour was over he had handed his letter to Mr. Thumble.
The letter was as follows:--

THE PARSONAGE, HOGGLESTOCK,
-- December, 186--

RIGHT REVEREND LORD,

I have received the letter of yesterday's date which your
lordship has done me the honour of sending to me by the
hands of the Reverend Mr. Thumble, and I avail myself of
that gentleman's kindness to return to you an answer by
the same means, moved thus to use his patience chiefly
by the consideration that in this way my reply to your
lordship's injunctions may be in your hands with less
delay than would attend the regular course of the
mail-post.

It is with deep regret that I feel myself constrained to
inform your lordship that I cannot obey the command which
you have laid upon me with reference to the services of my
church in this parish. I cannot permit Mr. Thumble, or any
other delegate from your lordship, to usurp my place in
my pulpit. I would not have you think, if I can possibly
dispel such thoughts from your mind, that I disregard your
high office, or that I am deficient in that respectful
obedience to the bishop set over me, which is due to the
authority of the Crown as the head of the church in these
realms; but in this, as in all questions of obedience, he
who is required to obey must examine the extent of the
authority exercised by him who demands obedience. Your
lordship might possibly call upon me, using your voice as
bishop of the diocese, to abandon altogether the freehold
rights which are now mine in this perpetual curacy. The
judge of assize, before whom I shall soon stand for my
trial, might command me to retire to prison without a
verdict given by a jury. The magistrates who committed
me so lately as yesterday, upon whose decision in that
respect your lordship has taken action against me so
quickly, might have equally strained their authority. But
in no case, in this land, is he that is subject bound
to obey, further than where