The Old-Church Clock ... Third edition

Front matter

€f)t ©ltr*(£f)urcf) ©lock Bl EICHARD PARKINSON, D.D., F.S.A., CANON OF MANCHESTER. FIFTH EDITION rntrr, with A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, BY .JOHN EVAN?. MANCHESTER : ABEL HEYWOOD & SON, 56 & 58, OLDHAM STREET. LONDON SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO., STATIONERS HALL COURT. 1880. TO JAMES CROSSLEY, Esq., F.S.A., president of the chetham society, THE loved and honoured friend OF CANON PARKINSON, THIS EDITION OF THE OLD CHURCH CLOCK, WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Or ITS AUTHOB, IS AFFECTIONATELY AND RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED EY THE EDITOB.

Preface

. In preparing a Paper for the Manchester Literary Club, on Canon Parkinson, the writer renewed his acquaintance with the admirable story of The Old Church Clock. He was again impressed with the simple beauty of its design, and the healthy tone, both religious and secular, which pervaded its pages. As the little work was scarce, it was assumed that a new edition would be acceptable, not only to those who were acquainted with its attractions, but to another large class of readers to whom its contents were entirely unknown. Consulting with those in whose judgment the writer has the utmost confidence, he applied to Canon Parkinson's executor (the Rev. Dr. G. H. Ainger), and his eldest daughter (Mrs. G. B. Turner), from whom he received a kind and ready per mission to issue the present edition.

Out of a large number who have encouraged this undertaking, it may be permissible to quote the opinions of three authorities — Mr. James Crossley, Mr. William Harrison Ainsworth, and the late Canon Raines. "I am very glad to find that sanction has been obtained from Dr. Parkinson's representatives," says Mr. Crossley, " to publish a new edition of The Old Church Clock, which is very much wanted. It is too good a book to be allowed to remain in the category of scarce volumes, and at the present period peculiarly deserves reproduction." VI

PREFACE.

. "I feel certain," says Mr. Ainsworth, " The Old Church Clock has not attained its full measure of popularity. It will become a standard book in Manchester, and will keep the excellent author's name alive." And Canon Raines justly remarked, — "There is so much good sense, practical wisdom, true religion and humanity in the work, that it ought not, to use Swift's expression, to be allowed ' to go down amongst the dead men.' " The work now presented is reprinted from the last (the fourth) edition, published by its author in 1852, which is a considerable extension upon its predecessors ; the first edition (1843) being a small volume of about 140 pages, with somewhat primitive illustrations of Victoria Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness Church, Ulverstone Church, and a view of Scawfell. The notes given in the original edition are initialled "R.P.," those added in the present edition," J. E." The writer gratefully acknowledges the kindness of those who have assisted him in this reproduction, and in the com pilation of the Biographical Sketch.

Amongst these he would especially name Mr. Zaccheus Walker, of Fox Hollies Hall, Birmingham ; the Rev. Dr. W. H. Bateson, Master of St. John's College, Cambridge ; the Rev. Dr. J. S. Wood, and Professor J. E. B. Mayor, of Cambridge; the Rev. Dr. G. H. Ainger, of Rothbury, Morpeth; Canons W. Crane and C. W. Woodhouse, of the Manchester Cathedral ; Canon E. H. Knowles, of St. Bees College ; the Rev. S. R. M. Walker, Vicar of Seathwaite ; the Rev. Richard Robinson, Vicar of Chipping; the late Rev. F. Heppenstall, Head Master of Sedbergh Grammar School ; the Rev. H. T. Baines, Head Master of Hawkshead Grammar School ; Mr. J. Langfield Ward, Head Master of Burnley Grammar School ; the Rev.

PREFACE.

. VII E. Boden, Head Master of Clitheroe Grammar School ; Mr. James Crossley ; Mr. William Langton; Mr. Joseph Gillow ; Mr. Robert Godfrey, of Kendal; Mr. J. R. Coulthart, of Ashton-under-Lyne; Mr. Thomas Casson, of Denbigh ; Mr. J. P. Holden; Mr. Richard Hanby, of Chetham's College ; and Mr. Richard Parkinson, of Pendleton, Manchester. To the officials of the Manchester Cathedral he must tender his thanks for their uniform kindness and courtesy in supplying information. To one he is under more than ordinary obligations — the late Canon Raines,* amongst whose Lancashire MSS. are a series of Lives of the Fellows of the Collegiate Church, including, of course, Canon Parkinson. (Lane. MSS., vol. xiii., pp. 155-79.) Finally, he must acknowledge the kindness of his artist friends, who have furnished the illustrations with that ready sympathy and kindly purpose for which they are distinguished.

Should this reproduction of the story produce a tithe of the good its admirers expect from its perusal, or the Biographical Sketch with which it is introduced throw any new light upon its author's examplary life and career, then the present undertaking will have met with an adequate reward. Manchester, 1879. * See Note, Canon Raines. [*,* The small figures which occur throughout the text refer to the Notes at the end of the volume.] ILLUSTRATIONS. Page Portrait of Canon Parkinson. Drawn by C. Mercier, engraved by Banks Frontispiece The " Old-Church" Clock. Drawn by J. E.Gregan, engraved by Stephenson Title-pa tie. West Entrance to the "Old Church." Drawn and engraved by R. Langton ix Pakkinson Memorial Brass, formerly in Chipping Church. Engraved by R. Langton xiii Chipping Church. Drawn by W. Morton, engraved by R. Langton xvi Brabbin's School.

Drawn by W. Morton, engraved by R. Langton xvii Brabbin's Alms-houses. Drawn by W. Morton, engraved by R. Langton xviii Portrait of George Pilkington. From a Photograph. Engraved by R. Langton xxxix Chetham's Monument. Drawn by E. Bancroft, engraved by R. Langton xl Screen of Chetham Chapel. Drawn by E. Bancroft, engraved by R. Langton xii Entrance to the Derby Chapel. Drawn by E. Bancroft, engraved by Dalziel Iii Old House in Long Millgate. Drawn by J. Johnson, engraved by H. Watkinson illustrations. Seathwaite Chapel, 1875. Photographed by G. Waters, engraved by Dalziel 1 Memorial Brass to Robert Walker, in Seathwaite Church. Engraved by R. Langton 13 Victoria Bridge, 1844. Drawn by J. E. Gregan, engraved by Stephenson 55 " It may be so, sir, it may be so ; but I always set my watch by that clock every week, whether it be right or wrong."

Drawn by J. Houghton Hague, engraved by R. Langton 57 " Confound Tom Hebblethwaite ! " Drawn by J. H. Davies, engraved by R. Langton 61 Old Seathwaite Chapel 99 " God be gracious unto thee, my son ! " Drawn by E. Goodwyn Lewis, engraved by Dalziel 102 Robert Walker's Gravestone. Engraved by R. Langton 101 The Appointment. Drawn and engraved by H. Watkinson 117 Smithy Door. Drawn by J. E. Gregan, engraved by Stephenson 176 Fac-simile of Letter from the "Wonderful's" Grandson 197 Fac-simile of Letter from the "Wonderful" to his son Zaccheus The Rev. CANON RICHARD PARKINSON, D.D., F.S.A. A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. " The old familiar scenes Shall know him now no more No more henceforth his feet Shall haunt the calm retreat They trod before. ' ' Along the sacred dome His voice no more shall swell Like thunder rolling on — That soul-awaking tone We lov'd so well." ■From Lines "On the Death of the Rev. Richard Parkinson, D.D." There is a fragrance in the memory of some men, which clings around and seems to sanctify every spot with which they have identified themselves.

Years roll on, change after change is accomplished, the "old lamps" flicker out, the " new lights " beam into existence, yet there remains in sundry nooks and corners which they familiarised, if not to say hallowed, with their presence, a kindly haunting spirit, suffusing a gentle influence over the whole, forming a fond AN " OLD CHURCH " WORTHY. X connecting link with the otherwise dim and irrevocable past. In this sense, perhaps, all the pleasant associations we may have with the names and virtues of the illustrious dead are in those paths and places which they made peculiarly their own ; there we seem to live with them their good lives over again — to follow in the course they loved to pursue — to associate ourselves with them in the manifold works of goodness they have bequeathed us. " The memory and monuments of good men Are more than lives ; and though their tombs want tongues, Yet have they eyes that daily sweat their losses, And such a tear from stone no time can value."

These thoughts are, in a way, apologetic for introducing Canon Parkinson as an " Old Church Worthy." Certainly, all the writer knew about him was in connection with the Collegiate Church of Manchester. It was during his career as a Fellow and Canon of the same that his friends and admirers saw in him all those noble virtues which they so fondly and justly extol. Most of their pleasant memories of him, — his sound judgment, sunshiny presence, and hearty disposition, combined with his thoroughly practical character as a scholar and a divine, — are centred in his associations with the Collegiate Church. There are few, if any, characters, in the later annals of our "Old Church," which shine out so brightly as the subject of this sketch. That fine specimen of sound Anglican Churchmanship — Dr. Calvert,1 that indescribable character of somewhat Bohemian type — Joshua Brookes,* that refined portrait of the now unknown English Whig — Dean Herbert,2 that genuine example of a good old English parson — Canon Wray,8 the gentle, yet solid Dean Bowers,4 — all have a powerful hold upon our mind ; but none of them impress us so completely with their individuality as the genial Canon before us.f As some excuse for the temerity of the present under taking, the writer may cite the words of one of the Canon's * See Appendix A. t " As an old Grammar School-boy," says the present Vicar of Roch dale, the Rev. Canon E. C. Maclure, " I have a vivid recollection of the Canon, whose rugged northern utterances ring in my ears even now." nearest and dearest friends, Mr. James Crossley, who remarked that " the want of Dr. Parkinson's biography, like many other unwritten biographies, is a fact more to be de plored than the existence of many written biographies is a circumstance to be desired."

The writer is apprehensive that the limits at his disposal, which will only admit of a merely discursive biographical sketch, will bring it within the second category indicated by the learned President of the Chetham Society. With rare exceptions the lives of clergymen present few features of sufficient interest to engage the attention of the general reader. A quiet yet earnest devotion to the charge entrusted to their care — even a life of studious application on the one hand, or a brilliant career in the arena of pulpit eloquence on the other — constitute attractions only interesting to a comparatively limited circle of friends and admirers. In Canon Parkinson's life, however, there were certain features which may attract general attention ; and from the materials supplied to the writer it is hoped that a faithful, if imperfect record may be given of his life, character, and works.

Richard Parkinson sprang of a sturdy race, who as yeomen and gentlemen had long been settled in the town ship of Bleasdale, a royal forest in North Lancashire.* The Canon, who was by no means insensible to the satisfaction of a " long descent, "\ recounts that the possessions of his ancestors extended to five or six thousand acres of cultivated and moor land, stretching along a range of hills from Brooks * " In 1740, one-third of the select vestry, or twenty-four men, of Goosnargh, were Paekinsons. About the beginning of this century, in a field belonging to a Goosnargh Parkinson, there were seven cousins reaping all bearing the name of Tom Parkinson. They nicknamed each other on the spot, and some of their families bear the cognomen to this day." " A nook in North Lancashire," by Edward Kirk.

Papers of the Manchester Literary Club, Vol. ii., pp. 110-11. t An old friend, Mr. J. R. Coulthart, takes exception to this state ment. " The only remark in the memoir which my own observation does not fully confirm is with regard to his satisfaction with a long descent. His total absence of all vanity led him, as I sometimes thought, to undervalue a lengthy lineage, and he always spoke of his own family as only of the yeoman class." Nevertheless, it must be admitted that the Canon held a very proper reverence for the long Fell to Parlick Pike, in the adjoining parish of Chipping. The oldest deed in his hands was dated 11th Elizabeth (1569), but its terms implied a long previous possession, being a release of a portion of Blindhurst from the Crown, on behalf of the Duchy of Lancaster, for thirty-one years, to James and Edmund Parkinson.

The family claim descent from a son of Perkin Featherstonehaugh, whose arms they bear.* Blindhurst and Fairsnape were the principal residences of the family, and a great portion of these two estates is still held mesne, or in common. A moiety of the Fairsnape and Blindhurst estates passed by marriage into the family of the Cliftons, of Lytham, and thence, by sale, into the possession of Mr. William Garnett, of Bleasdale Tower, t while another moiety remained in the Canon's name and family until the days of his great grandfather, Robert, being then divided between Mr. Sharp, of Lancaster, and the Canon's grandfather, Richard, to whom were left Hoghton House and Woodgates, which had been purchased by James Parkinson, of Blindhurst, in the first year of King Charles I., and which still remains.

In the Lancashire Visitations of 1613, a pedigree is given of the Perkinsons or Parkinsons of Falsnape (otherwise Fairsnape), the last, Robert, impaling with the arms assigned to him, those of his wife Anne, daughter of descent of this yeoman class, as illustrated further on in his remarks to the Rev. Hugh Stowell. * " Parkinson, of Bleasdale Forest, Fairsnape, and Blindhurst, co. Lancaster — a family of great antiquity and high position in that shire, descended originally from a son of Perkin Featherstonehaugh, of the North, recorded in Heralds Visitations as Parkinson, and assigned the arms of the Featherstonehaughs. Arms : Gu., a chevron agt. between three ostrich feathers of the last. Crest : A dexter arm couped at the elbow, clothed az., cuffed or, holding an ostrich feather agt." — Burke's British Seats and Arms. t Mr. William Garnett, of Quernmore Park, Lancaster, grandson of this Mr. Garnett, who once resided at Lark Hill, Salford (now Peel Park), and was High Sheriff in 1843, is the acting trustee of the fund of " Parkinson's Charity " in Bleasdale, which is distributed on the 17th April in every year.— Since this was written the following announce ment has been made :— " Mr. William Garnett, of Quernmore Park, Lancaster, will be the High Sheriff of Lancashire for the ensuing year, 1878-9.

Mr. Garnett is the eldest son of the late Mr. William James Gamett, who represented Lancaster in Parliament from 1857 to 1864." PARKINSON MEMORIAL BRASS, FORMERLY IN CHIPPING CHURCH George Singleton, of Stayning. There is no attempt to identify this family with the Parkinsons of Northumberland or Durham. One Parkin (or Peter) Featherstonehaugh was succeeded by a son who called himself Perkinson, though, of course, inheriting the arms of Featherstonehaugh. The family similarly named in Lancashire had, no doubt, a distinct, though similar origin, but the herald having the precedent of a Parkinson bearing three ostrich feathers, gave the same to the Lancashire family, with the difference of three mullets on the chevron. The crest is differenced by ermine spots, &c, which distinctions are intended to mark a difference of family.* The pedigree f has been kindly furnished by Mr. Joseph Gillow, of Preston.

In connection with the pedigree, it may be interesting to append the copy of a brass found in old Chipping Church, and now carefully preserved in the vicarage, a rubbing off which has been kindly supplied by the present vicar, the Rev. Richard Robinson. : Two Wtves of ROBERT Fatbesnape, Gent: viz.: Hebe lyeth intoh : PARKINSON, OF I Marie, Daughter of Jerom Asheton Gent : (discended of the House of Midleton, where Anne, Daughter of George Singleton, of Stayninge, Esquier. He had issue by her, Marie, Grace, Anne, Raphe, and George. She was maryed 7ne yeares and ten dayes, and dyed the XXIth. of November, Ao Dni 1623:-/ she was borne). He had issue by her, Marie, Robte, Elizabeth, & the 4th lyeth with her here, Mary & Robte lye in Heighsham Churche (where theire Father is patron. She was maryed 4or yeares, 7ne monethes, and 8 : dayes, . — « and dyed the 7th of Aprill, Ao Dni 1611 :-/ [Skull and cross bones.]

Theire ptes, theire psons, and theire vertaous lyfe, Now rest in peace, freed from the bonde of wyfe, * Mr. William Langton. t See Appendix B. AN " OLD CHURCH " WORTHY. XIV Richard Parkinson, the subject of this memoir, was born at Woodgates on the 17th September, 1797, but he was not baptized until the 23rd of the following month. His grandfather, Richard, was blessed with a family of twelve, and displayed a patriarchal care and wisdom in the management and training of his children. In a note appended to a very beautiful poem, entitled, " On revisiting Admarsh Chapel," the Canon gives us some interesting details of his grandfather's line of life. " Admarsh," he says, " is the name of the chapel of the township of Bleasdale, which is a Chapel of Ease in the vast parish of Lancaster. It was totally without endowment, and generally without a minister, except when the author's ancestors hired one to take the duty once a month, whose receipts for ' wages ' (about four pounds) I occasionally find among the papers.

To remedy the evils arising from this want of a spiritual pastor, the author's grandfather, who had twelve children, engaged the Rev. Mr. Smith to become a permanent resident in his house, and teach his children and officiate in the chapel, giving him for his labours board and lodging, and ten pounds a year ! and allowing him to take occasional boarders into the roomy house, by way of eking out his scanty maintenance. Thus one generation of the Greenhalghs, Claytons, Walmsleys, and some other old Lancashire families, were brought up under my grandfather's eye ; while his large family obtained a higher style of education than could otherwise have been procured for them in that remote region, and with his, after all, limited means ; and thus these, as well as the whole town ship, received temporal and spiritual benefits, for which the author, as well as many others, has deep reason to be grateful."

The following graphic description of his birthplace, and the attractive scenery surrounding it, is furnished by Mr. Richard Parkinson : — "If you stand on the ruins of Clitheroe Castle and look to the north-west, a noble expanse of country stretches out before you. At your feet rolls the well-known and romantic Ribble ; further on its grand tributary, the Hodder, peeps out in places, glistening in the sun, gliding between the limestone hillocks or woody dales of Bowland and Brows holme. To the left the hoary tips of Mytton and Whalley crop out, and the long range of Longridge Fell stretches out towards Preston, shutting out the time-honoured valley in which nestle Stidd and Ribchester. In front a vast view is commanded. To the north rises the precipitous barrier known as Bleasdale Fells, and at the easterly points of this we find the sweet little anglers' rest known as White Well.

Abutting from the last-named mountainous chain stands Parlick Pike,* a hill some 1,500 feet high, and on its summit for a moment we will suppose ourselves standing. No spot in England that I have seen commands a finer view than this. Its top is almost flat, and is crowned by a stone edifice, the erection of which is traditionally alluded to as having been directed by some evil spirit. From this point spreads out like a map a country of which any dukedom might be proud ; Chipping Chaigeley and Bowland to the left, with the grey and time-honoured Clitheroe Castle. Beyond the vast ridge above Stonyhurst rises the dense smoke of Blackburn; in front Goosnargh, Broughton, Alston, Whittingham, and the forest of smoke-emitting chimneys of Preston (too far away to contaminate the purest of atmo spheric breezes around you), and the widening, ship-laden mouth of the Ribble dotting the estuary of the old Roman port.

Beyond this Liverpool, and far away again the tips of the Welsh mountains struggle with the clouds for identifi cation. To the right a long expanse of the coast, upon which you can distinctly recognise the principal buildings of Lytham, Blackpool, Southport, and Fleetwood. At your feet, among the innumerable homesteads, cosily lies one looking much like a bird's nest, a house encircled by a plantation, the blue smoke curling up in fantastical wreaths, giving an impression of rustic peace and comfort, in itself * In a poem called " The Prospect," by Canon Parkinson (Poems Sacred and Miscellaneous, page 67, 1845), there is a fine description of the varied and interesting scenery commanded from the summit of Parlick Pike — the " flowing Hodder," " Wild Bowland's crags," " the silver Lune," "Hoghton's ruined Tower," "the gentle Ribble," &c. — of which he says in a note : " Owing to its remote distance from any large town or public road, it is a scene little known to the traveller, but not on that account the less worthy of admiration ; for there are few views in England which can bear a comparison with it, at once for extent, variety, and sublimity."

AN "OLD CHURCH" WORTHY. quite a picture, and a theme for contemplation when we know that this is ' Woodgates ' * — the birthplace of Canon Parkinson." The same writer adds — " He seldom failed to visit his birthplace once a year, and though circumstances had removed him from the neighbourhood and habits of his early kinsmen and neighbours, he always strove after enjoying these little peeps into the past in his old way. ' Come, brother,' he once said, not many years before his last visit, ' these silver spoons are not those we had when you and I went to Chipping School — let us have the common ones, and some of our old sort of porridge.' A glimpse into the ancient state of things in these parts is afforded by the following anecdote : — The scene is the little quiet church to the right in the forest of Bleasdale, just at our feet.

Mr. Garnett (then of Lark Hill, Salford) was High Sheriff of Lancashire. His seat, Bleasdale Tower, was in the immediate neighbourhood, and his Chaplain, the Rev. Hugh StoweU,6 preached the sermon. Canon Parkinson was also there, and assisted in the service. On their way to Bleasdale Tower, the Chaplain remarked to the Canon — ' Well, I never remember preaching to a poorer congregation in my life.' The Canon replied — ' On the contrary, Mr. StoweU, I can assure you that you never preached to a richer one.' When it was explained that the congregation had consisted of people — plain, homespun, dialectal, retiring, home-loving dwellers — having little, and needing less, Mr. StoweU was fully impressed with the truth of the Canon's remark, and fell meditating, aptly quoting Sir Henry Wotton'p, well-known lines — 1 Thrice happy is he bom and taught That serveth not another's will ; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill.'" Young Richard was sent to the village grammar school, which stands not far from the homely tower of Chipping Church.6 The school was founded by the venerable John * " Higher Cove and Wood Gate are two ancient habitations of the Parkinson family." — Baines's Lancashire.

CHIPPING CHURCH BRABBIN'S SCHOOL. Brabbin,7 who, after the customary precaution of making his will (which is dated 1683) went on a pilgrimage to London. He never returned, and the parish became his legatee in this useful though unpretending school.8 Over the entrance is inscribed a sentence which may often have puzzled the future divine, and perhaps had some suggestive influence on his mind — " This Schoole founded by John Bkabbin, Gentleman. Doce. Disce. Vel Discede. C. P. 1684. J. H. B. P. R. M.' This has been rendered, by one who was educated at the school, — " Teach, learn, or cut your stick,"* It is a scholastic summary of the right course of life, and truly those who can neither teach nor be taught had better depart.! The school was conducted by the parish clergy man, who doubtless imparted to the future canon some taste for classical literature.

From the little school in Chipping he went for a short time to Hawkshead Grammar School ; thus associating him- * The boys in Brabbin's School seem to have had a predilection for unique interpretations not only of Latin phrases, but of common names. An anecdote is told of a boy being "drawn up" for calling a schoolmate named Mark Noble "Twenty Shillings" as a cognomen. The dominie, who was a severely proper man, and repressed every little development of vulgarity with a mighty hand, demanded with an ominously bitter visage of the delinquent why he had dared to call a schoolfellow a nickname. The whimpering urchin's answer was — " Please, master, my father ses a mark an' a noble meks twenty shillin'." The lad was dismissed without a caution, and Mark Noble to the end of his days was known by the soubriquet of " Twenty Shillings." f In the schoolroom of William de Wykeham's College at Winchester, the same thought is put with a more unpleasant alternative.

There also three courses are offered to the ingenuous youth: — "Aut disce, aut discede, manet sor tertia, ccedi." Either learn, or depart, or (thirdly) be flogged. Opposite this inscription are the mitre and the crosier as the too often vainly hoped for reward of learning, the inkhorn and a sword to enforce compulsion. Perhaps these mottoes have their root in those words in which the Venerable Bede describes his pursuits when not engaged in the service of the Church — " Semper aut discere, aut docere, aut scribere dulce habui." B XV111. self with the beautiful scenery in which he always revelled, and the great poet of Nature whom he so highly revered.9 He was afterwards removed to Roger Lupton's famous Grammar School at Sedbergh.10 His connection with Sedbergh was remarkable for his having there studied mathematics under the celebrated Dawson, who was a native of the place, and received private pupils, but was not connected with the school, as it has been commonly stated.11 He used to relate that he was Dawson's last pupil, and that the old man jocosely said — " When I first under took to teach mathematics I received from each pupil a guinea a year, and I now refuse a guinea an hour."* The school, however, must have fallen off in late years, as the present head master (the Rev. Fred.

Heppenstall, M.A.) informs the writer that during the last three years his time has been fully taken up with its reorganisation, the school being nearly empty when he entered. A new scheme was promulgated in 1874, and the school, under its efficient head master, regained some of its old prestige, f The following note has been supplied by the present master of St. John's College, Cambridge : — " In the Book of Admissions of St. John's College, Cam bridge, I find ' Richard Parkinson, of the county of Lan caster,' admitted as a Sizar, 28th December, 1815, under Mr. Jackson and Mr. Tatham as his tutors, but no further particulars are there given. Mr. Jackson afterwards changed his name to Calvert, and became Warden of the Collegiate Church of Manchester. § Young Parkinson does not appear to have distinguished himself by successful study as an undergraduate.

His degree, the last junior optime but one * Canon Raines. t Since this was written, the untimely and much-to-be-deplored death of Mr. Heppenstall is announced. He died on the 31st July, 1879, at the early age of 44 years ; and it may be truly said that he wore away his life in the conscientious discharge of his duties as a teacher in our public schools. Mr. Heppenstall was a graduate of St. John's College, Cambridge, whero he won distinction as a scholar, prizeman, and exhibitioner. § Among the Canon's Poems will be found a Monody on the death of the worthy Warden in 1840. BRABBIN'S ALMS-HOUSES. in 1820, is poor.* Still it is to be remembered that the University had no Honour Examination at that time except in mathematics. I have had the College Book of Examina tions examined, and it will be found that the work recorded in Dr. Wood's notes indicates a decidedly better state of affairs than the place in the Junior Optimes would lead one to suspect.

Professor Mayor, who is an excellent authority on all matters of research, furnishes a memorandum of the leading points of his University career, and other passages in his after-life. § Endeavours have been made to obtain a * A friend of the Canon's remarks — " He narrowly escaped the ' Wooden Spoon,' being the ' eleventh apostle,' and therefore was not great in mathematics, like his namesake, Dr. Thomas Parkinson." — " Thomas Parkinson, the son of Adam Parkinson and Elizabeth, his wife, was born at Kirkham on the 14th June, 1745 ; admitted a student at Christ's College, Cambridge, on the 11th October, 1765, and gradu ated there B.A. 1769, A.M. 1772, and S.T.B. 1789. He was elected a Fellow of this college in 1771, and in 1789 was appointed Vicar of Kegworth, in Leicestershire. Dr. Parkinson was Archdeacon of Leicester, Chancellor of the Diocese of Chester, Prebendary of St. Paul's, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.