Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/420

 in some places, his title prmed, it was thought proper, by most bodies of men, to give the government all possible assurance of their fidelity and allegiance; and accordingly there was published "A Declaration of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops in and near London, testifying their abhorrence of the present Rebellion; and an exhortation to the Clergy, and people under their care, to be zealous in the discharge of their duties to his Majesty King George." This paper both Atterbury and Smalridge refused to sign, on pretence of a just offence taken at some unbecoming reflections cast on a party, not inferior to any, they said, in point of loyalty. But Atterbury's refusal of signing the declaration of his episcopal brethren, during the rebellion in Scotland, was not the only testimony he at that time afforded of his disaffection to government. Another remarkable proof of it was his conduct to an ingenious and learned clergyman, Mr. Gibbin, curate of Gravelend. When the Dutch troops, which came over to assist in subduing the rebellion, were quartered at that place, the officer requested of Mr. Gibbin the use of his church one Sunday morning for their chaplain to preach to their soldiers, alleging that the like favour had been granted them in other parishes, and promising that the service should begin at six in the morning, that it might not interfere with that of the town. The request was granted, the chaplin preached, and his congregation was dismissed by nine o'clock, Dut Dr. Atterbury was so incensed at the transaction, that he suspended Mr. Gibbin for three years. The suspension, however, was deemed so injurious by the inhabitants of Gravesend, that they subscribed a sum to Mr. Gibbin more than double the income of his church; and the affair being represented to the king, his majesty gave him the rectory of North Fleet in Kent, which living he afterwards exchanged for Birch near Colchester in Essex, where he died July 29, 1752. He was a very ingenious, learned, and worthy clergyman, who had greatly improved and enlarged his mind, by his travels into France, Italy, and other countries, with Mr. Addison.—A farther striking instance (if true) of bishop Atterbury's attachment to the Pretender, is related, by the author of the "Memoirs of Lord Chesterfield," from Dr. Birch's manuscript papers and was often mentioned by the late bishop Pearce, who appears to have been always severe on the memory of Atterbury). "Lord Harcourt leaving the old ministry, provoked Atterbury's abusive tongue. He, in return, declared, that, on the Queen's death, the bishop came to him and to Lord Bolingbroke, and said, nothing remained but immediately to proclaim K. J. He further offered, if they would give him a guard, to put on his lawn sleeves, and head the procession." which, he constantly opposed the measures of the court in the house of lords, and drew up some of the most violent pro- tests with his own hand. In 1716, we find him advising dean Swift in the management of a refractory chapter.

April 26, 1722, he sustained a severe trial in the loss of his lady; by whom he had four children; Francis, who died an infant; Osborn, student of Christ-Church; Elizabeth, who died Sept. 29, 1715, aged 17; and Mary, who had been then seven years married to Mr. Morice. In this memorable year, the government, on a suspicion of his being concerned in a plot in favour of the Preten-