congratulatory oration in Latin was addressed to him in the
magnificent vestibule of the hall; and he in reply professed the
warmest attachment to the venerable house in which he had been
educated, and paid many gracious compliments to those over whom
he was to preside. But it was not in his nature to be a mild or
an equitable governor. He had left the chapter of Carlisle
distracted by quarrels. He found Christchurch at peace; but in
three months his despotic and contentious temper did at
Christchurch what it had done at Carlisle. He was succeeded in
both his deaneries by the humane and accomplished Smalridge, who
gently complained of the state in which both had been left.
"Atterbury goes before, and sets everything on fire. I come
after him with a bucket of water." It was said by Atterbury's
enemies that he was made a bishop because he was so bad a dean.
Under his administration Christchurch was in confusion,
scandalous altercations took place, opprobrious words were
exchanged; and there was reason to fear that the great Tory
college would be ruined by the tyranny of the great Tory doctor.
He was soon removed to the bishopric of Rochester, which was then
always united with the deanery of Westminster. Still higher
dignities seemed to be before him. For, though there were many
able men on the episcopal bench, there was none who equalled or
approached him in parliamentary talents. Had his party continued
in power, it is not improbable that he would have been raised to
the archbishopric of Canterbury. The more splendid his
prospects, the more reason he had to dread the accession of a
family which was well-known to be partial to the Whigs. There is
every reason to believe that he was one of those politicians who
hoped that they might be able, during the life of Anne, to
prepare matters in such a way that at her decease there might be