have been offered it, for he was certainly well qualified for it, and he had great influence at Oxford. But he belonged to their party, and that was enough in those days to disqualify him. What the Tractarians lamented was the influence that Hampden would have on the growing generation of clergy should he be appointed. He would be in a position to influence one half of the clergy. A protest was, therefore, made against his appointment. It was signed by seventy-three resident Fellows and nine Heads of Colleges in the University, and this was sent to the king. But their object was defeated. The next step was to approach the University itself, to curtail Hampden's influence when he came into residence. Convocation was petitioned to submit Hampden's writings to examination. But to this the Heads of Colleges would not agree. A compromise was finally agreed to, and it was decided that Dr. Hampden should not be allowed to have a voice in the appointment of the select preachers who spoke to the undergraduates every Sunday from S. Mary's pulpit. This decision was arrived at by 474 votes against 94 votes.
Hampden's pamphlet, before alluded to, was sent to Newman soon after its publication. Newman acknowledged it, and said, [1]"While I respect the tone of piety which the pamphlet displays, I dare not trust myself to put on paper my feelings about the principles contained in it; tending as they do, in my opinion, altogether to make shipwreck of Christian Faith. I also lament that, by its appearance, the first step has been taken towards interrupting that peace and mutual good understanding which has prevailed so long
- ↑ Apologia, pp.57, 58.
