Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/273

452 face down the chappel before all the congregation, he prayed along prayer full of pithie saisonable petitions like that of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple ending the same with the Blessing at the departure, and so ended all the Ceremonie, in all which I saw nothing but Godly, lawful, and expedient, without anie Superstition; howsoever some Calumniaters have spoken against this way, but I think it is because they love not Bishops." Bishop Bridgeman was essentially a scholar and a gentleman. His manners were gentle and courteous; and though of somewhat grave deportment he was not devoid of humour. In the words of Prince, in his Worthies of Devon, "he was as ingenuous as grave, and a great patron of those gifts in others he was the happy owner of himself." He was not only careful to give his own children a good education at school and college, and to help his poorer relations in their acquirements of learning, but, as Prince observes, "he every year maintained, more or less, hopeful young men at the University, and preferred such as were proficient." He was loyal and true not only to his Sovereign but also to his friends, by whom he was much respected. He was frequently consulted by archbishop Laud and the great but unfortunate Earl of Strafford, both of whom reckoned him amongst their intimate friends, as may be seen by the many letters which passed between them. He was highly esteemed by King James, to whom he was devotedly attached; and he served the son with no less fidelity than the father, giving proof of his loyalty by the sacrifices which he made in the royal cause. He seems to have been greatly looked up to by his own family, whom he was always ready to serve to the best of his power. He enabled his younger brothers and one at least of his sister's sons to pursue their education at the university, and adopted two of his nieces, who came to live with him, and were married from his house. Having had his sons well taught, he started them in their respective callings, made a good provision for their maintenance, and appears to have been particularly happy in his relations with them