15 JANUARY 1848, Page 9

POSTSCRIPT. SATURDAY.

Dr. Hampden's episcopation is not yet complete, and a new obstacle ap- pears. In the Court of Queeu's Bench, yesterday, Sir Fitzroy Kelly moved for a rule to show cause . . " why a mandamus should not issne, directed to the Most Reverend Father in God, William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Metropolitan, and to his Vicar-General, Sherrard Beaumont Burnaby, Doctor of Laws, commanding them, or one of them, at a court to be therefor duly holden in the cause, or business, or matter of the confirmation of the election of the Reve- rend Resin Dickson Hampden, Doctor of Divinity, to the Bishopric of Hereford, to permit and admit to appear in due form of law the Reverend Richard Webster Huntley [and the other opposers, who are all named] to oppose the said con- firmation of the said election of the said Dr. Renn Dickson Hampden, and to hear and determine upon such opposition, and upon the articles, matters, and proofs thereof."

Sir Fitzroy contended that the office of the Archbishop in the confirma- tion of a Bishop is a judicial office, and carries with it a judicial discretion; and in the " summary petition " addressed to the Court, it is called upon to determine, inter alia," that the person elected is sufficiently qualified by age, knowledge, learning, orders, sobriety, condition, fidelity to the King, and piety." He also contended that the invitation to all opposers is general, and that they may come in and oppose the confirmation upon any of those grounds. The Judges consulted for a few minutes, and then Lord Chief Justice Denman told Sir Fitzroy Kelly that he might take a rule.