Untitled - Electric Scotland

,0 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. xn.
responsibility ; but the second speaks
of the contributors as
having one common object, and as approving collectively of
the spirit in which each has endeavoured to promote that
object.
"
As circumstances stand, I hold that those especially of the
contributors who, like yourself, occupy important public posts,
are now solemnly bound to explain publicly, and with as little
delay as possible, their relation to this book in duty to them
selves, and in fairness to the many who are likely to be influenced
unduly by an apparent combination of much respected names
with others less known.
" The Essays and Reviews have, I understand, passed through
several editions in consequence of the attention which has been
directed to them. It seems to me that, considering the light in
which this volume has been regarded, and the feeling which it
has elicited, whoever undertakes the task of editor ought, on the
commonest principles of right, before now to have been authorised,
or rather charged, to satisfy the anxiety of the public on the
subject I have brought before you. Believe me to be, ever
yours sincerely,
A. C. LONDON.
"
The Rev. Dr. Temple to the Bishop of London.
Private and Confidential^
" MY
"
RUGBY, 25 February 1861.
LORD, I regret that I cannot accede to your wish that
our correspondence should be published ; and although in my
first letter I asked for an answer of which I might make a public
use, yet considering that the whole correspondence arose from a
mere mistake, I can hardly think that you can insist upon pub
lishing it without my consent.
"
I do not think the short preface to the book ambiguous.
The first sentence states an exact fact. So completely was the
volume put together without concert or comparison that I never
knew what any other writer was writing, nor even what he was
writing about, till the book came to me from the Publisher s.
The second sentence states the tacit understanding with which
the book was undertaken, namely, that it was to treat of Biblical
subjects, and that each was to write in a becoming spirit, but to
say exactly what he thought. I do not see what is to be gained