And--what was equally serious--his
views were shared by Mrs. Shuttleworth, who had already decided
that the pushing young Rector was 'tainted'. But at the critical
moment Archdeacon Hare came to the rescue; he persuaded the
Bishop that Manning was safe; and the appointment was accordingly
made--behind Mrs. Shuttleworth's back. She was furious, but it
was too late; Manning was an Archdeacon. All the lady could do,
to indicate her disapprobation, was to put a copy of Mr.
Bowdler's book in a conspicuous position on the drawing-room
table, when he came to pay his respects at the Palace.
Among the letters of congratulation which Manning received, was
one from Mr Gladstone, with whom he had remained on terms of
close friendship since their days together at Oxford. 'I
rejoice,' Mr Gladstone wrote, 'on your account personally; but
more for the sake of the Church. All my brothers-in-law are here
and scarcely less delighted than I am. With great glee am I about
to write your new address; but, the occasion really calls for
higher sentiments; and sure am I that you are one of the men to
whom it is specially given to develop the solution of that great
problem--how all our minor distractions are to be either
abandoned, absorbed, or harmonised through the might of the great
principle of communion in the body of Christ.
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