There is a fierce agitation getting up against Dr. Temple's
appoint- ment to the See of Exeter, which is grounded chiefly on his having contributed an essay, which was never declared heretical, to a heretical book—Essays and Reviews —some nine years ago, and on the horror expressed by the late Bishop of Exeter of that work, said the censure he heaped on Dr. Temple personally for not disavowing. it. Dr. Pusey writes to the Guardian that the Prime Minister's recommendation of one of the writers of Essays and- Reviews to a bishopric " surpasses in frightful enormity auything which has ever been openly done by any Prime Minister." The Guardian itself thinks differently, aud, without approving the appoint- ment, insists on Dr. Temple's great qualities of character, and ridicules the notion of his responsibility for all the neighbouring articles in one aud the same volume. Dr. Pusey wishes the Dean and Chapter of Exeter to brave the penalties of prwinunire by refusing to elect Dr. Temple, and a certain number of clergymen, of the diocese have actually memorialized the Dean and' Chapter not to elect him. We rather hope they will prove persuasive. The absurd and misleading form of the conge &dire wants abolishing, and there could not be a better opportunity. As for deferring to the scruples of the late Bishop, a more monstrous continuance of the grasp of ' the dead hand' has never yet been suggested. Dr. Temple succeeding to Dr. Phillpotts is fresh spiritual life succeed- ing to a swoon at the very least. No wonder the diocese feels un- comfortable, and is calling out to be let alone. There is nothing more painful than the awakening from such a state.
