>^^>'u^ 
 
 v-^^ 
 
 
 X
 
 L I B RA RY 
 
 OF THE 
 U N 1 Y ERS ITY 
 or 1 LLl NOIS
 
 " IJrotestant listers of fHcrcg;' 
 
 THE 
 
 REPORT OF THE INQUIRY 
 
 IXSTITUTED BY 
 
 THE LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. 
 
 WITH 
 
 ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS, HAVING REFERENCE TO THE 
 INQUIRY.
 
 In the Press, and will be published in a few days, price 6d. 
 
 A VOICE FROM THE PLACE OF S. MORWENNA, in the Rocky Land, uttered to the 
 SISTERS OF MERCY, at the Tamar Mouth; and to LYDIA, their Ladj- in the Faith, 
 *' whose heart the Lord opened." By The Vicar of Morwenstow, a Priest in the Diocese 
 of Exeter.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The Publisher regrets liaving to advert to a few mistakes, 
 Avhich have unavoidably arisen in the publication (see Errata) ; 
 but for its being a correct and faithful Report of the whole 
 Investigation, he has the satisfaction of referring to many 
 gentlemen, in connection with the public press, and other 
 gentlemen, who reported the whole proceedings. He there- 
 fore ventures to ask indulgence, as well as to offer his apology, 
 for not having sent it before the public in a more finished 
 style of the art, which, for want of time, he has been unable 
 to accomplish. 
 
 Plymouth, 16, George Street, Fch. 27, 1849.
 
 EUHATA AND ADDENDA. 
 
 Pagre 3, line 6, after Telegraph, iyisert "published on the 10th of February, 1849." 
 „ 8, „ 24, "/or "hands," read "hand." 
 „ 17, 18, for "many," read "any," 
 
 „ 21, „ 31, after the words, "of the Cross," add "being placed where it was." 
 „ 21, „ 42, erase the semicolon after the word " knowledge," and insert a comma ^er 
 
 the word "improper" in line 43. 
 „ 38, „ note, for "2.')th," read "26th." 
 „ 41, „ 9 & 39, for " catechism," read " christian." 
 „ 44, „ 21, for " Feb. 4th," read " Feb. 14th." 
 „ 46, „ 38, erase " used to." 
 
 ,, 50, „ 24, erase the words, " and Mr, James Clase." 
 „ 51, „ 5, for " your," read " her."
 
 REPORT 
 
 Cfve Unqttirj) 
 
 INSTJTUTRD BY TUB' 
 
 RIGHT REVEREND THE LORD BISHOP OF EXETER, 
 
 As Fisif'ir of tht^ Orphans' Home, 
 
 ESTABLISHED BY 
 
 THE SISTERS OF MERCY, 
 
 At Morice Tomi, Decmiport, 
 
 INTO THE TRUTH OF CERTAIN STATEMENTS PUBLISHED IN THE 
 " DEYONPORT TELEGRAPH," 
 
 FEBRUARY lOUl, 1819. 
 
 PLYMOUTH : 
 ROGER LIDSTONE, 16, GEORGE STREET. 
 
 LONDON: J. MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET. 
 
 EXETEK: H. J. AVALLIS 
 
 itDCCCXUX.
 
 PLYMOUTH : 
 
 Printed l.y Lidstone and I!rexdon, 
 
 Gcorpe Lane. 
 
 "-V 
 

 
 RET OUT, 
 
 It is considered desirable that the Public should be in full 
 possession of all that transpired relative to the charges brought 
 against the Sisters of Mercy. We therefore publish, as an 
 introduction to the Ecport of the Inquiry instituted by the 
 Bishop of Exeter, the evidence taken by the Editor of the 
 Detonport Telegraph, in consequence of the communications 
 he has stated he received from anonymous correspondents ; so 
 that the I'ublic may be enabled to compare the evidence taken 
 by the above Editor (Mr. Richards), -svith that Avhich was 
 elicited from the same witnesses before the Lord Bishop. 
 
 " THE SISTERS OF MERCY. 
 
 " It has excited both surprise and comment among our friends, that we have so 
 long abstained from taking part in the discussion of the questions raised at the 
 Plymouth meeting. "We did so because we perceived them to be surrounded with 
 much difficulty; and fearing that possibly the Clmrch might be as much en- 
 dangered by imprudent zeal as by innovations. Though we were urged almost 
 beyond the power of resistance, we studiously avoided committing ourselves to 
 little more than a bare record of the speeches then made, and of one fact arising 
 out of them. Notwithstanding the moderation and excellent feeling of the 
 meeting, which could not be surpassed, we adhered to our determination to set 
 aside all impressions sought to be made by others, and in an affair of so much 
 importance to examine facts, and from them judge for ourselves. The " Orphans' 
 Home" having been alluded to at the meeting, as an Institution founded on 
 Tractarian principles, and being located in our own neighbourhood, presented a 
 fair subject by which the correctness of the statements of Mr. Bennett, and other 
 speakers, might fairly be tested. A letter from the Reverend W. B. Killpack, 
 impugning the truth of the one fact to which we have before alluded, drew us 
 somewhat prematurely into the field ; but we are prepared this week to lay before 
 our readers a statement " of the principles on which that Institution is conducted," 
 very different, we would fain believe, from the opinion entertained of them by the 
 clergymen of the Protestant Church, wlio have so emphatically vouched for those 
 principles in the public journals. We subjoin a statement, deliberately made by 
 three witnesses, as to the religious arrangements of the " Orplians' Home." By 
 comparing them with each otlier, tliey bear the stamp of truth, and that they are 
 correctly reported we stake our personal veracity. We commend these statements 
 of the religious observances there carried on to the serious consideration of every 
 Prutestant ; for if they be consistcn; witli Protestant Worship, it is but right that 
 all should know wliat is expected of thpni as members of tliat Churcli, and if they 
 be not But to this allcrnalivt wc will recur next week.
 
 "Sarah Ann Clarke, aged between 16 and 17, now residing with her parents, 
 at No. 7, Boscawcn Place, Moricc Town, states as follows : — I first went to reside 
 with the "Sisters of Mercy" at their lodgings in George Street, on the IGth of 
 October, 1S48, and subsequently went with them to the house in Milne Place, and 
 lemained there until the 26th of January last, when I came away. During my 
 residence, the practice was to rise at 5 a.m. At 6 o'clock the bell rang for "Laud." 
 The whole of the household then attended prayers in the "Oratory." This was in 
 a. room on the second floor, adjoining the drawing-room, the walls were covered 
 with red or crimson cloth, against the east wall was a table, and on it stood a large 
 cross on a step pedestal. As well as I can judge, the cross was two feet high from 
 the pedestal, it was of white stone or marble ; the table also stood on a raised 
 platform. The Sisters always bowed to the cross in passing and repassing it. At 
 7 o'clock we attended ''Prime," when the rules of the house for the day were 
 lead. At 8 o'clock went to church. At half-past nine, prayers, " Terse." At 
 1 o'clock, " Sext." At 20 minutes past 2, " None." At 6 p..m., '• Vespers." At 
 9 P.M., " Complin." There were eight desks in the " oratory," at which the 
 household stood during the service, so arranged that they looked towards the 
 "Altar." Dr. Pusey visited the house two or three times during my residence. 
 I did not know his name by hearing it mentioned, as the Sisters always called him 
 " Father j" but there was a young person, an inmate, who came from Torquay, 
 who knew him, and who had a letter from her friends, informing her of the Dr.'s 
 intended visit. On the occasion of his visit he slept in the house, and performed 
 service in the " oratory" the next morning at C o'clock. On one occasion Dr. 
 Posey administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, of which I partook with 
 Ihe Sisters. Dr. Pusey's son, and another gentleman, who has since gone abroad 
 with the young Mr. Pusey, also visited the house. I liave seen other gentlemen 
 there, but the only person who ever read prayers in the "oratory" besides Dr. 
 Pusey, was the Rev. W. Hutchison. The cross alluded to was in the oratory on 
 Tuesday morning (the 23rd January). Recollect three gentlemen calling on that 
 day, the household were at prayers at the time, and the visitors were kept some 
 time at the door. I know there were three gentlemen, as I looked from the 
 window and saw them. It was my day to attend to domestic matters, and I was, 
 in consequence, exempt from attendance at prayers — but not allowed to answer 
 the door. When I next went into the oratory, the cross was not there, and its 
 place was supplied by a picture of the "Virgin Mary, with the infant Jesus in her 
 arms." I did not see the cross again until Friday, when it was in the study of 
 the Lady Superior. I never saw the Eishop at the house, but Mr. Maskell was 
 there once. There were six sisters when I left the house, but I understand 
 sereral have joined since ; but this I cannot say of my own knowledge. Some of 
 the children whom I had met told me this was the case. Friday was always a 
 Fast Day ; wc then knelt during prayers. The Lady Superior, Sister Catherine, 
 and Sister Elizabeth, wore crosses suspended at their sides. These were exposed, 
 and worn out of door as well as in, until the cross disappeared from the oratory. 
 The greatest secrecy was enforced on all in the house. On the occasion of one of 
 the children running away 1 mentioned it to my mother. This was overheard by 
 the Lady Superior, and I was called into Miss Sellon's room and reproved for it, 
 and told never to speak of anything that was said or done in the house. I received 
 no wages. I was first engaged by Miss Scllon, at lOd. per day, to teach the 
 children of the schools knitting. Subsequently !Miss Sellon pursuaded me to 
 become one of the sisters, promising to further educate me, and that my only 
 duties should be to attend to the school and the poor. This promise was not kept, 
 and I was made to do the household work, with which I was dissatisfied ; this, and 
 my not being allowed to go home to see my friends, induced me to leave. When 
 I joined the sisters, they took the clothes I had and gave them to the poor. I was 
 well clad at that time for a person in my situation of life, but when I left I had 
 only the gown I wore. When the three gentlemen alluded to Avere ushered into 
 the front parlour. Sister Catherine and Sister Elizabeth went into the " oratory." 
 The Lady Superior had a string of what appeared to be white bone beads, wliich 
 used to be under her pillow ; there was a number of small ones, then a larger. 
 Dr. Pusey administered the sacrament every day in the chapel when at the 
 liouse. 
 
 " Mary Pochetty, aged 15 last November, an orphan, neither father nor mother 
 living. Mr. Swayn, minister of Clirist Church, St. Giles, London, sent me to
 
 Devonport. IIo gave mc the means to come down, and a character, requesting I 
 would give the latter to some clergyman. I took it to Mr. Childs. Have two 
 aunts residing in Mr. Childs' district, — one at Uock-walls, and the other 85, 
 Pembroke Street. Mr. Swayn is chaplain of St. Giles workhouse, where I was 
 compelled to go on the death of my mother. When I came to Devonport, Mr. 
 Cliilds told me I had better go to the parish authorities ; they put mc into tlic 
 workhouse of Stoke Damerel. The llev. W. Hutchison, the Rev. Mr. Childs, and 
 Miss Sellon, came to the workhouse. Mr. Hutchison and Miss Scllon asked me 
 if I would like to go and live with Miss Sellon to regain my strength. I went to 
 the house accordingly, and remained in the house three months and three weeks. 
 I left on Saturday, the 3rd of February. I had asked Miss Sellon to allow me to 
 leave several times, as I was unhappy. I was made to work hard, and did not 
 like the confinement. I thought the Sisters were Roman Catholics, and told Miss 
 Sellon so. Miss Sellon said they were not. One of the children asked Miss 
 Sellon why they bowed to the cross. Miss Sellon said in remembrance of " our 
 blessed Saviour," and " respect to the cross." They used to rise at 5 o'clock in 
 the morning. At six attended prayers in the " oratory." The " altar" was on a 
 raised platform covered with grimson cloth. The table was covered with blue 
 cloth, en it stood a cross on raised steps, the cross was about two feet or two feet 
 six inches high. On each side of the table was placed a vase of flowers. The 
 flowers were of different character for each saint day. At Christmas, laurel and a 
 small white flower ; the flowers liad been frequently changed for fresh ones, but 
 always the same up to Friday last. This was the " Festival of the Virgin Mary," 
 when a difierent description of flowers was placed in the vases. The cross and 
 flowers were always on the table until the three gentlemen visited the house, that 
 was on a Tuesday. I saw them on the table on the morning of that day, but on 
 attending prayers in the afternoon, I found both the cross and flowers w-ere 
 removed ; the table was quite bare except the cloth. The next morning there was 
 a picture of the Virgin Mary in a gilt frame on the altar. I did not see the cross 
 again until the Friday following, when it was removed from what had been Miss 
 Sellon's writing room, to the top of the house in the smaU dormitory, to which 
 Miss Sellon's desk, &c. were also removed. Last Monday, (the 29th January,) 
 on attending prayers in the morning, the cross was in its former place, as were the 
 Tases of flowers. There was a wreath of holly round the cross from Christmas 
 until Friday last, and a cross of holly on the mantel piece. On Friday, the 
 "Festival of the Virgin Mary," a wreath of flowers was substituted for the holly. 
 I attended prayers on Saturday morning (February 3rd), the cross was then on 
 the altar. The Lady Superior wore two crosses, the larger one was about the 
 length of my hand and fore finger, and a second round the neck attached to a 
 string of beads. The Lady Superior often had a cross and beads on her pillow. 
 Sister Catherine and Sister Elizabeth wore black crosses round their waists. 
 Sister Caroline wore a small cross inside her dress. The Sisters wore the crosses 
 on the morning the three gentlemen visited the house. Have seen gentlemen 
 perform service in the " oratory." The Rev. Wm. Hutchison read prayers some- 
 times. He did so the first time they were ever read in the oratory. On one 
 occasion an elderly gentleman performed service in the " oratory." This person, 
 I understood, was Dr. Pusey. A young woman who came from St. Mary's 
 Church, Torquay, and is educating in the house for a governess, knew him. This 
 was Anna Maria Lane. She received a letter from a Miss Lloyd, saying, Dr. 
 Pusey was coming to the house, and Miss Lloyd wished her (Lane) would speak 
 to him, and the Dr. and Miss L. had a long conversation together. Dr. Pusey 
 performed service in the " oratory." He read the prayers in his surplice. On 
 another occasion he performed service in the top room, called the small dormitory. 
 This was because Sister Caroline was ill. She was in bed at the time. He per- 
 formed the service of Holy Communion at this time in the bed room. This 
 gentleman (Dr. Pusey) visited the house three times. On one occasion he 
 remained three days. The Lady Superior left on Monday (the day before that on 
 which the three gentlemen visited the house) I believe for Torq\iay, returning the 
 following Wednesday with Dr. Pusey. The Dr. left again the Friday following. 
 On that day. Miss Pusey and another young lady came. Miss Pusey told them her 
 name, and said the gentleman who had performed the services alluded to was her 
 papa. Mr. Barter, who is gone abroad with Dr. Pusey's son, also read prayers 
 once. The Kcv. Mr Kiilpack, and Rev. Mr Procter, attended at the "oratory,"
 
 () 
 
 but whether they performed service cannot tell. Mr. Furneaux has also attended 
 service at the "oratory." The Sisters used to go into the "oratory" out of 
 service time and kneel before the cross. The Sisters used to bow to the cross 
 when they entered the room, and when they left the room — they would go up to 
 the altar and bow— indeed every time they looked at it. The children were 
 several times chid for not bowing to the cross. There is a cross on the parlour 
 mantel-piece, — one in the Lady Superior's room, and one in Sister Caroline's 
 room. Had prayers seven times a day, besides morning and evening services. 
 
 " Selixa Jones, daughter of Elizabeth Jones, residing at 19, Barrack Street, 
 Devonport, father was au able seaman on board the Britannia, and died in the 
 Naval Hospital at Stonehouse, about Christmas, 1841, states as follows: — I am 
 eleven years of age. I was in the Orphans' Home, in Milne Place, nearly three 
 months, and left there on Friday I'Hh January last. During the time I was 
 there it was the practice to rise at five or half-past five o'clock in the morning. At 
 six o'clock the bell rang for prayers in the " oratory," which was the room over 
 the back-parlour ; the walls were covered with red cloth, there Tas a raised plat- 
 form also covered with red clolh, and on this stood a table covered with blue 
 cloth, and on the table was a cross, I think between two to three feel high. At 
 first only the cross stood on the table, then Sister Catherine brought a picture of 
 the Virgin Mary, and placed by the side of it. The table on which the cross 
 stood was against the east wall of the room. The Lady Superior, Sister 
 Catherine, and Sister Caroline, wore crosses suspended from their waists. The 
 Lady Superior and Sister Catherine, always wore crosses, but Sister Caroline did 
 not always wear them. The children on entering the " oratory" used to bow to 
 the cross. When I went to the house first, there were only two other children 
 residing there. Sister Catherine told us we were always to bow to the cross when 
 we went into the "oratory," and shew us how we should do it. The Sisters had 
 prayers many times a day, but the children only went to the oratory once, that 
 was in the morning. The Lady Superior, or Sister Catherine, usually read 
 prayers in the oratory, but several times an old gentleman, who came from a 
 distant part, read the prayers. " Friday and Wednesday" were called Festival 
 days, no work was done on those days." 
 
 The publication of these statements, and the circulation of 
 various idle rumours and clandestine charges, which had been 
 made by various parties, evidently ignorant of the real facts, 
 in the hope of bringing discredit on the intentions and objects 
 for which the Sisters of Mercy have so nobly devoted them- 
 selves, caused the Lord Bishop to institute the investigation, 
 ■which will be found in the following pages. 
 
 The inquiry, which ■\^as an open one, took place on Thurs- 
 day, February 15th, in the Lecture Hall of the Mechanics' 
 Institute, Devonport, in the presence of a large and highly 
 respectable body of the clergy and laity of Plymouth, Devon- 
 port, Stonehouse, and the neighbourhood. Reporters from each 
 of the local newspapers were also in attendance. On his Lord- 
 ship entering the room, about half-past eleven, the greater por- 
 tion of those assembled paid the usual mark of respect to the 
 IJisho]) by rising from their seats, and continued standing until 
 he had taken his seat. His lordship was accompanied by his 
 son, the Rev. E. C. Philpotts, his chaplain. Immediately after 
 the Bisho]) had taken the chair. General the Hon. Henry 
 Murray,K.C'.H.,theCommander-in-chiefof the western district, 
 and Admiral Sir William Hall Gage, G.C.B., the C'onunander- 
 in-chief at Devonport, came in, and took .seals on his lordship's
 
 loft, and continiicil to support him by their presence throughout 
 the (lay. 
 
 In opening the proceedings, his lordship said, I venture to 
 express a hope that 1 shall receive the assistance of all the 
 gentlemen here in the business of the day. Let it be borne in 
 mind that I am here without authority — not affecting to have 
 any authority whatever. I have no right to ask questions — no 
 right to desire persons not to interrupt me in those questions, 
 but I am quite certain when I, your Dishop, come here de- 
 claring the simple and sole purpose of my coming to investigate 
 a matter that has been made very public, an accusation of a 
 very grave kind against certain ladies — ladies who profess to 
 come here for the purpose of devoting themselves, their talents of 
 all kinds, whether of mental ability, of money, or health — to 
 devote these and all other their talents to the cause of God and 
 the assistance of poor people in this most distressed neighbour- 
 hood — I am quite sure, under such circumstances, 1 shall have 
 jour assistance in the endeavour to conduct this inquiry peace- 
 ably, I am certain without interruption, and according to my 
 own judgment of the way in which it should be carried on 
 (cheers). I will state at once the course I mean to pursue. 
 I wish, if it were possible, that every word I utter on this 
 occasion should be taken down, for though I cannot well be 
 considered to be speaking premeditatedly, and may give vent 
 to some expressions which I may wish to recall, yet I would 
 very much rather be guilty of a degree of inaccui-acy of expres- 
 sion, of seeming indiscretion in reference to the topics to which 
 this inquiry may lead, than to repress any single sentence that 
 I may have in my heart, or shall give utterance to (cheers). 
 I will make a further request, that when I shall venture to 
 call the witnesses that may be put before me, in the order in 
 which my discretion shall judge fit, I shall first be permitted 
 to inquire by myself of those witnesses. After I have finished 
 that inquiry, I shall be glad to be assisted — and shall consider 
 it an assistance — by gentlemen suggesting further questions to 
 be put ; but I must request that no question be put by any one 
 here to the witnesses except through me : that the questions 
 shall be proposed to me, and I shall exercise my discretion 
 whether or not it is fit for me to put them : 1 shall exercise 
 that discretion upon my own responsibility — a responsibility 
 not light because undertaken in the presence of this most 
 respectable as well as numerous body of persons — also a re- 
 sponsibility in reference to the whole people of England, for 
 I rejoice to see the reporters of the public press here, and I 
 heartily wish that they may commit to paper, and set before 
 the world every word that I may utter. Therefore, under that 
 sense of responsibility, I do entreat the indulgence of this
 
 8 
 
 assembly, and its assistance in conducting the business of tins 
 day (cheers). I would begin by expressing the opinion, that 
 however gratifying it may be to receive the indications of your 
 good will now exhibited, it will be better if no such indications 
 are suffered to escape you (hear, hear). As you are an assem- 
 bly of Englishmen met to coiiduct an inquiry, that inquiry 
 shall be conducted, as far as I am concerned and enabled to 
 do so, upon pi-inciples of English justice. We have got wit- 
 nesses but no accusers. I have now, therefore, to request that 
 the accusers in this case — those who have prepared the depo- 
 sitions which I see in the papers, will have the goodness to step 
 forward. 
 
 Mr. Richards, of the Deconport Telegraphy rose. 
 
 The Bishoj). What is your name, sir ? 
 
 Mr. liicharcls. My name is William Eichards. 
 
 The Bishop. Are you editor of this newspaper? (pointing 
 to a copy of the Dcvo?^port Tclcf/raph.) 
 
 Mr. Richards. Yes, my I^ord. 
 
 The Bishop. Then, Sir, it is to you we are indebted for the 
 publication of these statements. 
 
 A. Yes, my Lord. 
 
 Q. Will you permit me to ask you, were you present when 
 the investigation took place ? 
 
 A. I took the evidence myself , all by my own hands. 
 
 Q. Were you alone ? 
 
 A. I was not alone on two occasions. 
 
 Q. I see this states there were three witnesses ; it docs not 
 say on what days they were examined, nor does it state that 
 examinations were continued on subsequent days. 
 
 A. I did not think it necessary to do so, my Eord, but I 
 can st?te the days on which they were taken. The first was 
 
 taken 1 presume too much, my Lord ; I do not recollect 
 
 the dates exactly ; the paper may assist me. 
 
 The paper was handed to Mr. Richards. 
 
 The Bishop said, will any one be kind enough to act as my 
 clerk ? I have no one here to take down the depositions for me. 
 
 After a pause, the Rev. W. B. Killpack volunteered to 
 perform this duty, and took his seat at the table, on the right 
 of the Bishop, and the examination was resumed. 
 
 The Bishop. Are you aware of the days, sir, on which the 
 examinations took place ? 
 
 3fr. Richards. Mij memory does not se?'ve 7)ie. I cannot 
 
 REMEMBER. 
 
 Q. Was it in this month ? 
 
 A. I AM NOT CERTAIN. I think this gentleman (Mr. Bennett) 
 can assist me.
 
 9 
 
 Mr. J. N. Bcnndt, Solicitor, of Plymouthj then stood 
 forward. 
 
 The Bishoj). Can you tell what the days were ? 
 
 Mr. Bennett. I cannot tell the days, my lord. 
 
 Q. Was it this month or last ? 
 
 A. Certainly, in this month. I was present only on one 
 occasion. 
 
 The Bishoj), addressing Mr. Richards. Were all the exami- 
 nations in this month ? 
 
 Mr. liichards. All three times were in this month. 
 
 Q. What induced you to make this investigation ? 
 
 A. In my capacity as editor of a public journal, I had 
 recently received a number of letters on this subject. I en- 
 deavoured to ascertain the truth of what was set forth in these 
 letters ; and having heard that some of the inmates of the 
 Orphans' Home had left that establishment, I sought them 
 out, in order to investigate the matter, and the result was the 
 evidence which T published. 
 
 Q. AVere the letters you received with or without signatures ? 
 
 A. Nearly all of them were anonymous. 
 
 Q. Were they all anonymous ? 
 
 A. Yes. They were such as newspaper correspondence 
 usually is. 
 
 Q. No one, then, put his signature to any one you received? 
 
 A. Only the Rev. J. Hatchard and the ReV. W. J. St. Aubyn; 
 but their communications were subsequent to the examination. 
 
 Q. Were those letters from these two gentlemen the only 
 •ones you received with the names of the writers communicated ? 
 
 A. They were. 
 
 The Bishoj). Is there any professional gentleman present 
 who will take notes of the evidence for me, ^Ir. Killpack being 
 unable to do so, which is natural for one not used to the 
 practice ? 
 
 Mr. William Martyn Richard, of Messrs. Little and Wooll- 
 combe's office, stepped forward and consented to take the duty 
 upon him. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. Thank you, sir. 
 
 The examination of Mr. Richards was continued. 
 
 The Bishop. Were you alone at two of those examinations? 
 
 Mr. Richards. I was alone at one of them. At two, I had a 
 gentleman present. Mr. Bennett was present at one. 
 
 Q. And who at the other ? 
 
 A. The evidence was taken in the presence of Mr. Tripe, 
 jun. and Mr. Bennett. 
 
 Q. I understood Mr. Bennett was only present once ? 
 
 Mr. Beniiett. Only one evening, my lord. I saw one girl at 
 one time, and t^e other at a later period of the evening.
 
 10 
 
 Mr. Richards. It was only on one occasion, although there 
 were two examinations. 
 
 The Bishop. What is Mr. Bennett? 
 
 Mr. llicliards. A Solicitor of Plymouth. . 
 
 Q. And who is Mr. Tripe ? 
 
 A. He is a Surgeon of this town. 
 
 Q. Did the anonymous letters you received especially point 
 out those gentlemen as parties likely to give you information 
 on the subject ? 
 
 A. No, my lord. 
 
 Q. Then what induced you to procure the evidence of those 
 witnesses ? 
 
 A. I had heard that these parties left the institution, as 
 was reported, from a repugnance towards the ceremonies prac- 
 tised there. 
 
 Q. From whom did you receive that information? 
 
 A. I do not recollect. 
 
 The Bishop, Not ]{ecollect ! ! ! 
 
 M-r. llicliards. No, my lord; if you were in a newspaper 
 olHce you would nnderstand how 1 should not recollect ; and 
 you too would easily forget names. 
 
 The Bishop. I only want answers to the questions. 
 
 Mr. Richards. Exactly, my lord ; and it is only because my 
 answers may seem evasive that 1 offered the explanation. 
 
 The Bishop. I do not say that they are evasions ; and if I 
 thought they were evasions, the addition of your remark would 
 not shake my impression. 
 
 Mr. Richards. I will answer your lordship's questions as 
 far as I am able. 
 
 TJte Bishoj). I will not put a question with any vexatious 
 intention, nor ona which does not appear to me to be proper. 
 Then, you say, you heard of these persons from some quarter, 
 yon do not know where ? 
 
 Mr. Richards. 1 went to their residences ; but I think, if 
 you will allow me to state the facts 
 
 The Bishop. Forgive me, I asked a specific question, — "What 
 was your reason for applying to these parties? And you said, in 
 consequence of information you received from some parties, 
 that the witnesses had left the establishment from a repugnance 
 of the ceremonies observed there, and you say you do not recol- 
 lect who these parties w^ere. 
 
 A. I do not. (Mr. L. P. Tripe having addressed Mr. Itich- 
 ards in an under tone, he added,) Mr. Tripe has reminded me 
 he was one of the gentlemen giving the information. 
 
 'The Bishop. Very well; no doubt we shall have Mr. TripeV 
 evidence.
 
 11 
 
 Q. Had you any conversation previously Avith the father or 
 mother of the first witness in relation to the matter .' 
 
 A. Never. 
 
 Q. In your presence, was anything said to either of these 
 persons to indicate that it would he for their advantage, in any 
 way, if they would give an account flxvourable or unfavourable 
 of the institution { 
 
 A. Nothing of the kind. 
 
 Q. Was there anything said in your presence by any one, as 
 to your having been induced to come there, sent by high autho- 
 rity of any sort ? 
 
 A. No.' 
 
 Q. Was the Queen Dowager's name mentioned ? 
 
 A. Yes ; I think it was. 
 
 Q. Ky whom ? 
 
 A. ]5y Mr. Bennett, I believe, 
 
 Q. What did Mr. Bennett say of the Queen Dowager ? 
 
 A. It referred to the Hon. Mr. Ashley's visit. 
 
 Q. Will you be good enough to state what he said ? 
 
 A. On Sarah Ann Clarke speaking of three gentlemen 
 visiting the institution, Mr. Bennett mentioned one of these 
 as coming from the Queen Dowager. 
 
 Q. That Mas all that was said about the Queen Dowager 
 in your presence ? 
 
 A. That was all. 
 
 Q. Was anything said of the Archbishop of Canterbury? 
 
 A. I have not the slightest recollection of such. 
 
 Q. Was Mrs. Clarke, the mother of the girl, present at the 
 time ? 
 
 A. I enquired for the mother when we first came to the 
 house, and the father came in subsequently, and was present 
 during the greater part, and the mother, during the whole. 
 
 The Bishop. I think the whole of the witnesses named in 
 this paper had better be out of the room at present. 
 
 Q. The evidence taken by yourself — was it put doAvn in the 
 words of the witnesses? 
 
 A. I don't know that it was precisely/ placed down in the 
 words of the witnesses, because the evidence, as given by them, 
 was not such as could he jjublished. The sentences were not 
 spoken in a Avay to go before the public ; but all the facts were 
 related as they stated them. 
 
 Q. You put into your words the purport of what fhei/ said ? 
 
 A. I put down the substance of them ; but, as far as possible, 
 I used their own words. The corrections were simply such as 
 to make it grammatical, and fhn infurmation which I elicited 
 from them, I coynmitiod to paper at th<- time, and ni'tf-nrarda
 
 10 
 
 1 1^ 
 
 read it over to them before it loas piihlished. I printed nothing 
 which the children said they loere not ready to vci'ify upon oath. 
 
 The Bishop. I think I need not trouble you any further. 
 I should like to ask INIr. Bennett some questions. 
 
 The Bishop. Mr. Bennett, I believe you Avcre present at 
 the examination of Sarah Ann Clarke, and mentioned the 
 Queen Dowager's name. Was it in the hearing of the young 
 person ? 
 
 A. Certainly. 
 
 Q. Was it stated in a way to give an impression she had at 
 all authorized the enquiry being made by you ? 
 
 A. Most undoubtedly not ; the only object of my using her 
 name was in connection with Mr. Ashley, who I described as 
 having been sent by the Queen Dowager. 
 
 Q. With reference to Mr. Ashley's name, you supposed he 
 was one of the three gentlemen mentioned by the child ? 
 
 A. Exactly so. 
 
 The Bishop. I need trouble you no further. 
 
 Mr. Tripe. I have something to say in reference to the way 
 in which the affiiir came to my knowledge. The mother of 
 the girl, Selina Jones, called on me to request her child's 
 name might be placed on the list of candidates for admission 
 to the Orphan Asylum, of which I am honorary secretary ; 
 and she stated her child had be6n an inmate of the Orphans'" 
 Home. I said, then she cannot be placed on the list. She 
 said, I have removed the child. I said, why ? She said, 
 because I was afraid the ladies would make her a Roman 
 Catholic. 1 said, I must be satisfied that the child has been 
 removed from this institution, and you can call on me again. 
 I saw one of the ladies of our own committee, who satisfied 
 me that the child actually was removed ; the woman called 
 on me again, and T asked her some questions, the ten- 
 dency of which induced me to communicate the matter to 
 Mr. Bennett and Mr, Richards, who saw the child Jones in 
 my presence ; and I left it to Mr. Richards to make the 
 proper use of the evidence. 
 
 The Bishop. Now, I think, we are prepared to sec the girls 
 themselves. Let Sarah Ann Clarke be called. 
 
 Sarah Ann Clarke was then called. She stated herself to 
 be between 16 and 17 years of age. 
 
 The Bishop. Is the mother present ? 
 
 Mrs. Clarke. I am her mother. 
 
 T/ie Bishop. Then you will have the goodness to retire. 
 
 Mrs. Clarke. I would rather stay. 
 
 The Bishop. I cannot consent. It is necessary she should 
 not interfere, and I will not continue the inquiry unless the 
 mother quits the room.
 
 13 
 
 Mrs. Clarke still objected to leave the room, and the Bishop 
 addressing her said, your daughter will have the protection of 
 Englishmen — hardly a face among them do I know but as 
 Englishmen. I am sure there cannot be one among them 
 who would allow of any treatment towards her that is im- 
 proper f loud cheers J . I must again entreat as a great favour 
 that parties will forbear to express their feelings ; if you have 
 a right to give expression to your feeling of approbation, you 
 have an equal right to express your feeling of disapprobation, 
 and that would be an indecent thing, and most unpleasant to 
 us all. Now, Sarah Ann Clarke, were you present in the room 
 when Mr. Kichards was asked some questions ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 77^6 Bishop. I thought I requested that witnesses should be 
 out of the room. 
 
 Sarah Ann Clarke. 1 was out of the room just now, sir, 
 but was present when Mr. Richards asked me questions. 
 
 The Bishop. Very well. You mistook the question. Then 
 referring to the statement made by Clarice inserted in the 
 Telegraph, his lordship said, you went first to reside with the 
 Sisters of Mercy at their lodgings in George street on the 
 16th of October, 1848, and subsequently went with them to 
 Milne Place, and remained there until the 26th January, when 
 you came away ? 
 
 A. I did. 
 
 Q. During your residence the practice was to rise at 5 o'clock 
 in the morning, and at 6 the bell rang for " laud " ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Now, I will ask you a question about laud, in the paper 
 so called : Avhen were you told the meaning of laud ? 
 
 A. I was not told at all — I was only told it was the name 
 of the prayers. 
 
 Q. When were you so told ? 
 
 A. It was mentioned in this Avay, " It is time for laud." 
 
 Q. Was it called laud to the end of the time during which 
 you staid in the house ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 The Bishop. I have no hesitation in saying why I ask that 
 question ; it is because certain rules or private regulations had 
 been laid before me, and the names of the prayers being so 
 called, I suggested the names had better be altered, for they 
 might excite apprehensions of a Roman Catholic tendency, 
 though they are, in themselves, as innocent as names can be ; 
 for they were the names given to prayers at these hours long 
 before the corruptions of the Church of Rome, — as early, I 
 believe, as the fourth century. I only mention that to show 
 that these names, of themselves, are of little moment in my
 
 14 
 
 estimation, but I thought it right to recommend their discon- 
 tinuance, as they might give offence, and it n-oulcl onhj be in 
 the evetit of anything of a Romish tendency being proved 
 agaitist the Sisters, that the use of such names woidd become a 
 matter of importance. 
 
 Q. You don't know that those names were scratched out of 
 a book do you ? 
 
 A. No, sir, I don't 
 
 The Rev. William C. Hutchison was about to address an 
 observation to his lordship upon this point. 
 
 The Rishop. I cannot hear you now, sir, but will bye and 
 by as a witness, if you W'ish to be examined. 
 
 Mr. J. E. Ehvorthy. My lord, if one witness is ordered out, 
 in fairness all ought to be out. 
 
 TJie Bishop), I will not insuU any gentleman by turning 
 him out. If any gentleman apprehends that the examining 
 of a clergyman who has been in this room would be unfair I 
 will refuse to call that clergyman, but I Avill not turn him out 
 of the room. I will not turn out any clergyman or any 
 gentleman here, on the score of his being likely to have his 
 evidence prejudiced by what he might hear (cheers). I would 
 not insult any gentleman by assuming that he is capable of 
 being misled. 
 
 Mr. George Mennie, Druggist, Plymouth, rose and said, I 
 do not think, my lord, that those gentlemen would tell an un- 
 truth, but 1 do not think that children would take more harm 
 than adults by being present. I must beg, as an Englishman, 
 that fair play be dealt to all (hear, hear). 
 
 The Bishop. The gentlemen who intend to give evidence 
 had better withdraw. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. I think, my lord 
 
 The Bishop. Let them withdraw. 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard, Vicar of St. Andrew, Plymouth. My lord, 
 may I make an observation ? 
 
 The Bishop. No. 
 
 Mr. Hatchard. It is to this effect, my lord — (order, order). 
 
 The Bishop. I cannot allow you to speak. If you wish to 
 be a witness, withdraw. 
 
 Mr. Hatchard. But I w-ish the position in Avhich I stand 
 to be understood (loud cries of order, order) . 
 
 The Bishop. 1 throw myself upon the meeting (cheers). 
 I am told to deal out the same measure of justice to all ; and I 
 am now told that all the witnesses ought to withdraw — that is 
 called English. It may be ; but I have bad some experience, — 
 I am now upwards of TO years old, and have repeatedly been 
 in Courts of Justice, anil never knew an instance in which
 
 15 
 
 gentlemen in the position of those now called on to quit the 
 room, were ever insulted by being required to do so. 
 
 Mr. Elicorthy. Oh, my lord 
 
 The Bishop. Let the witnesses retire. Mr. William Hutchi- 
 son, you will leave the room. 
 
 The Rev. J. P. Oliver, Curate, Stoke Damerel. My lord, is 
 it not possible that all the clergy may be examined ? . Must 
 they all withdraw ? 
 
 The Bishop. I do not know. In that case, they must 
 withdraw. 
 
 Mr. Elicorthy. My lord, will you permit me to make one 
 observation. It may be necessary that the gentlemen who 
 attended the institution should be examined. I will not in- 
 terfere with your lordship's arrangements, but I only suggest 
 that those parties whom your lordship has called as Avitnesses 
 are, in point of fact, no more witnesses than the clergy who 
 have visited the institution. 
 
 The Bishop. It never occurred to me to desire Mr. Bennett 
 or Mr. Tripe to leave the room. I think we should be great 
 losers by the gentlemen being told to retire — (cheers) — but I 
 have not the slightest hesitation in saying that the parents of 
 this child ought not to remain. I have no reluctance in saying 
 that I have been told that questions may probably lead to some 
 exposure of unfair practices between the mother and daughter. 
 I am told to deal equal justice to all. I am quite ready to 
 agree, if you think it best. 
 
 Mr. Elicorthy. The only question is yea or nay. Have the 
 practices in the house been proper ? I would therefore submit 
 whether it will not be necessary to examine the clergy. 
 
 The Bishop. Clearly — I should be glad to do it. It is my 
 intention to hear any gentleman who presents himself, or is 
 solicited to give evidence. 
 
 Mr, Elworthy. If anything wrong has been done, I submit 
 that the course is to take the best evidence that can be ob- 
 tained. I only submit that subject to your lordship's better 
 judgment. 
 
 The Bishop. Not subject to my better judgment, because 
 my judgment remains the same as before. 
 
 Mr. Mennie. I would submit that it would be just that all 
 should remain. 
 
 The Bishop. I think that justice rather requires that the 
 mother should not remain ; but if there is an objection — if it 
 is thought that it would be unfair, she may be called in. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. I submit the observations that I have made 
 to your lordship's better judgment. 
 
 'The Bishop. 1 repeat that my judgment remains the same ; 
 but I am resolved not to do anything that can gravely be said
 
 16 
 
 to be unfair — I shall therefore seek the opinion of the meetino;. 
 Is it the pleasure of this meeting that I should proceed with 
 the evidence of this young- -woman in the absence of the 
 mother, or in the presence of the mother ? 
 
 Mr. Elwortliij. I have raised no such question. 
 
 The BisJiop. I don't say you have, sir. Hut I do The 
 
 Bishop was proceeding to put the question to the meeting, when 
 
 J. Williams, Esq. Penlee, Stoke, rose and energetically 
 protested against the meeting being taken by surprise by any 
 such question as this being hastily submitted to it; especially 
 as it did not embrace the whole nature of the objection that 
 had been made. He entreated his lordship to pause before he 
 determined on such a course. For his own part, he came there 
 determined to form his judgment upon the evidence fairly and 
 judiciously brought forward and arranged in this most im- 
 portant matter. 
 
 The Bishop. I was going to 
 
 3Ir. W. J. Little here interposed to say something, but was 
 prevented doing so by cries of order, chair. &c. 
 
 The Bishop. The gentleman who has made the very sensible 
 observations to which I have listened with a great deal of 
 attention, was a little too hasty, and unfortunately has pro- 
 ceeded on the assumption that 1 was going to exclude one 
 party and not the other. On the contrary, my intention was 
 iirst to put the question whether the woman should be excluded, 
 and if I found a very large portion of the meeting in favour 
 of her not being excluded, I should have permitted her pre- 
 sence, t should not exactly have counted noses, but I should 
 have seen if a majority was in favour of her staying, and if 
 so, stay she should. Then I should have asked in the same 
 way, whether all persons here, who would have, to give their 
 testimony, should retire. If I had found from that exhibition 
 of opinion any considerable number were in favour of their 
 going out, I should have required them to go. But I think 
 now the presence of the woman is of but little consequence 
 as compared with the time wasted in this discussion ; I say, 
 therefore, let the woman come in. 
 
 Dr. BclliDnij rose to s])cak, and said: Will you permit me 
 to make one observation ? — f cries of order and chair.) 
 
 The Bishop. No, sir ; the thing is decided. 
 
 The Hev. W. J, St. Aubyn. Shall she come in, my lord ? 
 
 The Bishop. I thought she was in. 
 
 Mrs. Clarke then took her position near her daughter. 
 
 The Bishop resumed the examination. Then the whole of 
 the household attended prayers in the oratory — that ^vas the 
 name the room of prayer went by ? 
 
 Sarah Ami Clarhc. Yes.
 
 17 
 
 The Biiiliop. Now I liavc no hesitation in saying, that liow- 
 cvev 1 may think it unfortunate that a name was given to a 
 room of tliis sort which might excite prejudice, it does not to 
 my mind create the slightest painful feeling. The word oratory 
 is known to the laws of England ; there are lawyers here 
 present who know very well that in the Acts of Uniformity 
 of Edward VI. and Elizabeth, in the very Acts of Uniformity 
 which contributed largely to establish and fix the Reformation, 
 the word oratory is used. I say this to show that no undue 
 prejudice need be excited in the mind of any by the iise of 
 the tcord. I do not mean to say that words innocent in 
 themselves may not have a special meaning when connected 
 with other things ; but it is clear that they are to be consi- 
 dered in their essence as well as in the possibility of abuses 
 arising from them. U^nless in this case something more 
 precise should turn out, of a decided Romish tendency, we 
 may ])crhaps regard this as indifferent ; but I must say that 
 if there should appear to be many things actually of a 
 Popish or Romish tendency, that gives importance to all these 
 trifles — (applause) — but without that, these names appear to 
 me to be innocent, and must be so considered. 
 
 The Bishop. (Again referring to the witness's former evi- 
 dence.) Then there were other names ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. You say, at 7 o'clock we attended " prime," when the 
 rules of the house for the day were read. At 8 o'clock went to 
 church. At half-past 9, prayers, " terse." At 1 o'clock, 
 " sext." At 20 minutes past 2, "none." At 6 p.m., 
 " vespers." At 9 p.m., " complin." 
 
 Sarah Afin Clarke. Yes sir. 
 
 The Bishop. These were canonical names given very early 
 in the Christian Church, — as early as the fourth century. I 
 did suggest certainly thai the rules containing them should be 
 altered. 
 
 Q. Then Dr. Pusey visited the house two or three times 
 during your stay in the house ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 The Bishop. And I am yet to learn what there is of just 
 prejudice against these ladies, because Dr. Pusey is a friend of 
 theirs and goes to their house ; but I will add, it is important, 
 because it affects the proceedings of Dr. Pusey there which 
 may be connected with them. 
 
 Mr. Bennett. My lord, will you allow (cries of order, order, 
 chair, chair, from all parts of the room. 
 
 The Bishop. No sir, I have undertaken this, by no means 
 a pleasant, duty, and I will conduct it in my own way, and 
 according to my own judgment, and not the judgment of
 
 18 
 
 others. 1 stated before, that at the close I sliould be ready to 
 receive any observations. 
 
 3Ir. Bennett. But, my lord (cries of chair, order, &c. as 
 before). 
 
 TJie Bishop: I say I have used this observation at the time 
 when this name first occurs, and I state now, Mrly, frankly, 
 and avowedly, that I myself see no just prejudice, notwith- 
 standing I am aware that probably nineteen twentieths of those 
 who are here couple a great deal of criminality with the very 
 knowledge of Dr. Pusey. Now I do not for one : I state that 
 broadly and plainly. 1 should be ashamed if I did not avow 
 it, that because the name of a certain gentleman is ex])osed to 
 public odium, his very acquaintance by these ladies, who 
 receive Dr. Pusey as their friend, is to be decried. 
 
 Mr. Bennett. My lord (chair, and cries of order, as before, 
 but more determined). 
 
 The Bishop. After the examination of this young woman is 
 over, I will hear anything suggested by Mr. Bennett : at 
 present I will hear nothing. 
 
 Mr. Bennett still attempted to speak, but was again silenced 
 by the almost unanimous voice of the meeting. 
 
 The Bishop. Is Mr. Bennett about to dismiss this meeting ? 
 If he is, let him go on. If he do go on, I shall declare the 
 meeting to be at an end — (cheers). 
 
 Mr. Bennett then resumed his seat, and the Bishop con- 
 tinued the evidence. 
 
 The Bishop. Who first mentioned Dr. Pussy's name to you ? 
 
 A. Anna Marie Lane. 
 
 Q. When you were examined by these gentlemen, did you 
 tell them, or did they ask you about him ? 
 
 A. They asked if any gentlemen had been there, and I told 
 them that 
 
 Q. I do not wish to interrupt you ; but did you tell them 
 that Dr. Pusey had been there or did they name him first ? 
 
 A. They asked me if any gentlemen had been there, and 
 1 told them Dr. Pusey had. 
 
 Q. The Sisters called him " Father," did they ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q*. Did they all call him " Father ? 
 
 A. They did. 
 
 Q. How many called him Father ? 
 
 A. All who were there at the time he was there. 
 
 Q. Pray, why was he called Father — did they tell you ? 
 
 A. They did not. 
 
 Q. Did you ever have any conversation with Dr. Pusey ? 
 
 A. I did not. 
 
 Q. He said nothing to you ? 
 
 A. No.
 
 19 
 
 The Bishop, reading from the witness's former evidence, — 
 " There was a young person, an inmate, from Torquay, who 
 knew him, and who had a letter from her friends, informing 
 her of the Dr.'s intended visit. On the occasion of his visit, 
 he slept in the house, and performed service in the 'oratory' 
 the next morning, at six o'clock. One one occasion. Dr. Pusey 
 administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, of which I 
 partook with the Sisters." Is that so ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. Now, was that the only time on which he administered it ? 
 
 A. Yes, to me, sir. The only time he administered it to me. 
 
 Q. Was any one sick in the house at the time ? 
 
 A. No one, to my knowledge. 
 
 Q. Was no one of the persons who received the Com- 
 munion sick ? 
 
 A. / don^t know lohether Dr. Pusey'' s son was sick. He 
 teas there. 
 
 Q. Did Dr. Pusey 's son sleep in the house ? 
 
 A. Yes, he did, sir. 
 
 Q. Dr. Pusey's son is notoriously in a desperate state of 
 health, I believe ? 
 
 A. I do not know, sir. 
 
 Q. Did he appear to you to be ill ? 
 
 A. He was about the house. He did not appear ill. 
 
 Q. You would, then, consider him a young man in good 
 health? 
 
 A. I should think him, sir, in delicate health, but not ill. 
 
 Q. Did Dr. Pusey administer the Communion at any other 
 time than the one which you have referred to ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir ; every morning while he was there, he ad- 
 ministered the Communion. 
 
 Q. When you communicated, was it the Communion for the 
 Sick that was celebrated ? 
 
 A. I do not know. 
 
 Q. Was it out of the Prayer Book ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. You have received the Communion at Church ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. Was the service, then, performed by Dr. Pusey, exactly 
 the same service, beginning with the Offertory sentences, 
 the Prayer for the Church Militant, w-itli the Exhortation ? 
 
 A. 1 cannot exactly remember. 
 
 Q, You do not recollect having been struck with its being 
 a different service ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 The Bishop. Has any one a Prayer Book ? 
 
 The Rev. W. J. St. Auhyn. My lord, I have a letter from 
 Dr. Pusey on the subject.
 
 20 
 
 The Bishop. I will see tliat by and bye. lias any one a 
 Prayer Book i 
 
 The Rev. W. J. St. Aubyn handed one to his lordship. 
 
 The Bishop. How long ago was this ? 
 
 Sarah Ann Clarke. Before Christmas. 
 
 Q. You do not recollect whether you turned to the Com- 
 munion Service, or the Office for the Communion of the Sick. 
 Had you a Prayer 13ook in your hand ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir ; but I cannot recollect. I know it was from the 
 Prayer Book, but which I cannot say. 
 
 Q. But it is quite a short office, the Communion for the 
 Sick. 
 
 A. I don't know, sir. 
 
 Q. "Were you present at any other time when the Office of 
 the Communion for the Sick Avas celebrated i* 
 
 A. Never. 
 
 Q. Do you not think if there had been a special short 
 service, differing materially from that which is generally used, 
 you would have been struck M'ith it ? 
 
 A. I cannot say which was the service used. 
 
 Q. Is it possible you could notice the service, then, and not 
 recollect it now ? 
 
 A. I know, sir, some prayers were read that I had been used 
 to ; but whether all were so, I cannot tell. 
 
 Q. Were you not struck with the difference at the time ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. It is useless, then, to ask you what the par- 
 ticular prayers were, when your recollection is so weak. Do 
 you recollect who received the sacrament ? 
 
 A. The Lady Superior, Sister Catherine, Dr. Pusey, and 
 Dr. Pusey's son. 
 
 Q. Who received it the last ? 
 
 A. Dr. Pus&y^s son. 
 
 The Bishop. Then that shows it was the Communion for the 
 Sick ; because it is specially mentioned that, in that, the last 
 person to receive it shall be the person who is sick. — You say 
 "Dr. Pusey's son and another gentleman, who has since gone 
 a];»road with the young Mr. Pusey, also visited the house." 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Who was that other gentleman ? 
 
 A. He was called Barter. 
 
 Q. Did he sleep in the house ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 The Bishop, (referring to and reading from the former evi- 
 dence of witness) " The only person who ever read prayers 
 in the oratory beside Dr. Pusey was the Rev. W. Hutchison. 
 The Cross alluded to" — what Cross ; — oh, I see; I must have
 
 21 
 
 omitted that. It is a very important point. You say, " At 6 
 o'clock the bell rang for laud ; the whole household then 
 attended prayers in the oratory. This was in a room on the 
 second floor, adjoining the drawing room; the walls were covered 
 with red or crimson cloth ; against the east wall was a table, 
 and on it stood a large Cross on a step pedestal. As well as 
 I can judge, the Cross was two feet high from the pedestal; it 
 was of white stone or marble ; the table also stood on a raised 
 platform." 
 
 Witness. That is all true, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. Now upon this subject I shall adopt the course 
 I have hitherto done, of expressing my opinion as the fact 
 arises. I have no hesitation in saying, I think the having a 
 Cross upon the communion table, or standing separate, or a 
 moveable, portable Cross, not a Cross worked on the com- 
 munion cloth, nor one made part of the building by being 
 inserted into it; but a moveable thing that might be put on or 
 off for the occasion, on that table, was highly improper — was 
 contrary to the ajiproved practice of the Church of England, 
 and if it was put there as part of the furniture of the com- 
 munion, I hold it to be positively illegal — (loud cries of hear, 
 hear). I have had occasion myself, in the instance of a 
 clergyman of this diocese, to interpose to bring him to account 
 for having put a Cross upon the table, with flowers, and did 
 proceed against him, even to sentence, for having so done. The 
 thing is decidedly andpositiceli/ wrong ; and if it had been done 
 by a clergyman in a place of which I had cognisance — for I am 
 not going to be inspector and enter into houses for such a pur- 
 pose — I should certainly have proceeded against him as offend- 
 ing against the laws ecclesiastical in so doing. Therefore, I 
 have a decided opinion of the impropriety of the Cross. Having 
 said that, I have as little hesitation in saying that the quantum 
 of blame attaching to this impropriety will very greatly depend 
 upon the parties who are said to have committed it. A clergy- 
 man would have been greatly blamed ; a layman who had 
 much experience of the w'orld, and who had done the same 
 thing, would have been blameable also, because we could hardly 
 suppose him ignorant ; but ladies — single ladies — who had led 
 very recluse lives, even if it be necessary to deal out the exact 
 quantity of blame to them, may have acted indiscreetly and 
 w'rong, or it may have been done with very little indiscretion ; 
 the quantum of indiscretion must depend on their knowledge ; 
 of its being improper we may still have the opinion that a 
 thing may be innocently done, and yet have a dangerous 
 character. But I will say, in the presence of the clergy and 
 others, that the fact of there being a separate room in a private 
 house called an oratory, is in my opinion a very proper practice.
 
 oo 
 
 I think that in large houses it is exceedingly desirable, if the 
 capacity of the house admit of it, that the room in which 
 family prayers are used should be a separate room. I think I 
 speak from a consciousness of my own weakness in the case, 
 and of receiving assistance from such helps, that poor weak 
 human beings like ourselves require many assistances to fix us 
 in our devotion ; and one of those assistances, I think, is by 
 having a separate room for the purpose of prayer. Therefore 
 the fact of there being a room set apart for this purpose, called 
 an oratory, does not affect me. 1 will say of this oratory, that 
 it was my fortune to succeed, after an interval of one or two, 
 one of the greatest names the Church of England ever was 
 enabled to boast — one of the greatest and best of men — one 
 of the most pious and soundest divines that could be named — 
 it was the great Bishop Butler. I succeeded to a benefice 
 which was once his, and I rejoice to say that the tradition 
 came down to me that, as he was unmarried, had no family, 
 and his household Avas not large, he had set apart one small 
 room in that house, and called it an oratory ; and therefore 1 
 am not shocked by the name of oratory given to a room set 
 apart for that sacred purpose ; and 1 should rejoice to hear 
 that every proprietor of a house large enough had a room set 
 apart, and if he chose to call it an oratory, I for one should 
 not be among those that would blame him. Now comes a 
 matter of great importance — the greatest importance, in my 
 estimation, in the whole case. 
 
 The Bishop, addressing the witness, said : Pray sit down ; 
 you must be fatigued. It is said, the Sisters always bowed to 
 the Cross in passing and re-passing ? 
 
 A. They did. 
 
 Q. Where did you see them bow ? 
 
 A. In the oratory. When they saw the Cross, they bowed 
 to it. 
 
 Q. Not elsewhere ? 
 
 A. I cannot say. 
 
 Q. Are there Crosses in other parts of the house ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q . Did you ever see them bow to these in passing ? 
 
 A. I did not. 
 
 Q. Have you any reason to believe that, out of the oratory, 
 they bowed to the Cross ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. By bowing to the Cross, do you mean that they bowed 
 to tlie place where the Cross stood ? Did they go up to the 
 Cross, and bow specially, as if to the Cross ? 
 
 A. They bowed before the Cross. They could not go up 
 to it, it was on the table.
 
 23 
 
 Q. Then, whether they bowed to the Cross or the table, have 
 you any reason to know ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir ; one of the children asked the Lady Superior 
 her reason for bowing to the Cross. 
 
 Q. What girl was that ? 
 
 A. Theresa Penny. 
 
 The Bishop. Let her be sent for. To witness — were you 
 ever told the answer? 
 
 A. " In respect to the Cross, and in remembrance of our 
 blessed Saviour." 
 
 Q. Do you recollect, — was the Cross removed from the 
 oratory after a time ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. How many days was it absent ? 
 
 A. 1 do not know ; it was out when I left. 
 
 Q. How many days had it been out ? 
 
 A. I left on Friday. It Avas taken away on Tuesday. 
 
 Q. Did the ladies boAV when the Cross was not there ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. They bowed always, when they came in and when they 
 went out, when the Cross was removed from the table ? 
 
 A. Yes ; but at the time when the Cross -was removed, a 
 picture of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus was on the 
 table. 
 
 The Bishop. Let the prints be sent for. 
 
 Q. Did the prints ever remain in the room when the Cross 
 was there ? 
 
 A. Not to my knowledge. 
 
 The Bishop: Now this statement goes on, " I never saw the 
 Bishop at the house, but Mr. Maskell was there once." How 
 came you to say you never saw the Bishop ? 
 
 A. Because I was asked, sir. 
 
 Q. Who asked you ? 
 
 A. I cannot tell if it was Mr. Bennett or Mr. Richards. 
 
 Q. How came you to say, " / never saw the Bishop; but Mr. 
 Maskell was there once.^^ 
 
 A. When the gentleman ashed me if any other gentleman 
 loere there, he asked if I knew their names, and I said, Mr. 
 Maskell. 
 
 Q. Did you put your ansioer in this manner ? — I never saio 
 the Bishop at the house, hut Mr. Maskell toas there once. Did 
 you connect Mr. Maskell '5 name with the Bishop's 9 
 
 A. No, sir ; I mentioned Mr . MaskeWs name xohen I men- 
 tioned the othei' gentlemen. 
 
 Q. Then that connectioi^ must have been put by the person 
 who drew up your testimony ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir.
 
 24 
 
 Q. So any cotincction behveeji the Bishop and Mr. Maskcll 
 was not in your mind at all? 
 
 A. No, sir ; I did not knoio there was any. 
 
 Q. Therefore tohen it is said, you never saio the Bishoj) there, 
 and when you said, you saw Mr. Maskell thci'e, you did not 
 mean to imply, that although the Bishop was not there, Mr. 
 Mashell was ? 
 
 A. No. ^ 
 
 The Bishop, reading as before from, the former evidence — 
 " There were six Sisters when I left the house, but I under- 
 stand several have joined since ; but this I cannot say of my 
 own knowledge. Some of the children whom I had met told 
 me this was the case. Friday was always a fast day, we then 
 knelt during prayers." Did you not always kneel during 
 prayers ? 
 
 A. No, sir, we stood up. 
 
 Q. Probably these prayers were singings, 
 
 A. Not all. 
 
 The Bishoj). Friday then was kept as a fast day, very good ; 
 the Church orders it should be a fast day, and many persons 
 are good churchmen enough to keep that fast. I honour them 
 for so doing. 
 
 The Bishop, reading, " The Lady Superior, sister Catherine, 
 and sister Elizabeth wore crosses suspended at their sides. 
 These were exposed, and worn out of door as well as in, until 
 the Cross disappeared from the oratory." Was this so? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Did they wear the crosses in and out of the house ? 
 
 A. In and out of the house 
 
 Q. At all times ? 
 
 A. As long as I staid in the house. 
 
 Q. Until when did you stay ? 
 
 A. Until Friday, the 26th of January, 
 
 Q. Have you seen them out with them on ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Have you seen the ladies out Avithout them on ? 
 
 A. When I first went into the house, the Lady Superior had 
 not one. 
 
 Q. Afterwards she had ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. And she continjied to wear it until you left ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. You say the crosses were worn exposed until the Cross 
 disappeared from the oratory ; did you mean to imply that 
 after the Cross was removed from the Oratory their Crosses 
 were not exposed — did you intend any connection between the 
 two ?
 
 A. None, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. This is the necessary conscqueyicc of notjyutting 
 evidence dow?i in the words of the witness. I prefer had 
 English to had ecidenec, and 1 call it had evidence lohen the 
 language is turned i?ito a meaning it was not intended to hear. 
 
 The Bishop, reading as before — " The greatest secrecy was 
 enforced on all in the house. On the occasion of one of the 
 children running away, I mentioned it to my mother. This 
 was overheard by the Lady Superior, and I was called into 
 Miss Sellon's room and reproved for it, and told never to speak 
 of anything that Avas said or done in the house, I received no 
 wages. I Avas first engaged by Miss Sellon, at lOd. per day, 
 to teach the children of the schools knitting. Subsequently 
 Miss Sellon persuaded me to become one of the Sisters, pro- 
 mising to further educate me, and that my only duties should 
 be to attend to the school and the poor. This promise was not 
 kept, and I was made to do the household work, with which I 
 was dissatisfied ; this, and my not being allowed to go home to 
 see my friends, induced me to leave." 
 
 Q. Were you engaged to be a serving sister. 
 
 A. Yes, I was ; but Miss Sellon afterwards put me as an 
 orphan. 
 
 Q, As a what ? 
 
 A. An orphan. 
 
 The Bishop. (Not clearly hearing what she said) Oh, as a 
 corporal (a laugh). 
 
 Witness. As an orphan, sir. 
 
 Q. Though your father and mother were alive, you were 
 placed as an orphan? 
 
 A. Yes, sir, I was, 
 
 Q. Had you any wish of your own to leave ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Then you did not want the inducements of your friends ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Then why did you say your friends induced you to leave ? 
 
 A. That was so too. 
 
 The Bishop. Oh, I see there were two reasons ; my eyes did 
 not catch the words here — it may be pardoned in a man seventy 
 years old. 
 
 Q. What clothes had you when you went there ? 
 
 A. A bonnet, shawl, and a dress nearly new. 
 
 Q. What do you mean by a dress ? 
 
 A. A gown or frock. 
 
 Q. " Miss Sellon took these, and gave them to the poor ? " 
 
 A. Yes, sir 
 
 Q. " I was Avell clad at that time, for a person in my station 
 in life. When T left, I had only the gown I wore? " 
 
 n
 
 20 
 
 A. I had what I stood upright in. 
 
 Q. You went out with as much clothing as you came in 
 with ? 
 
 A. Yes; Miss Sellon gave me 10s. to buy a bonnet and 
 shaw^l, instead of those she gave away. 
 Q. Did you buy a bonnet and shawl? 
 
 A. I bought the bonnet, but have not, as yet, bought the 
 shawl. 
 
 Q. What shawl were you sent back with ? 
 A. A plaid shawl, belonging to sister Caroline. 
 Q. Then you went out with the same quantity of clothing 
 as you went in ? 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. But you sent back the shawl — why did you ? 
 A. My mother took it back, because it was not so good as 
 mine, and IMiss Sellon then gave her 10s. 
 
 Q. Now permit me to ask, did you mention this to the gen- 
 tlemen who took your evidence. 
 
 A. Yes ; I mentioned the bonnet and shawl, but did not 
 say I had 10s. to buy them with-. I said, I had Avhat 1 stood 
 upright in. 
 
 Q. But you say you went out with as much clothes as you 
 came in with ? 
 
 A. Yes : I did not tell them how I had the bonnet and 
 shawl, or that I hud 10s. to buy them. 
 
 Q. But you say you went out with as good clothes as you 
 had Avhen you came in ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir ; when I went to Miss Sellon's, I had clothes to 
 keep me clean and respectable. 
 
 Q. I don't mean but that you had them at home ; but you 
 were sent from Miss Sellon's with as good clothing as you 
 went to her in ? 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Why did you not tell the gentlemen of that ? 
 A. I told them I came out with the clothes I stood upright 
 in. 
 
 Q. Did you tell them you went in Avith no more ? 
 A. I told them I took in just as much as I brought out. 
 Q. Did you tell them so ? 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Then, if any account is given, representing that you took 
 more clothes in (I do not say any one has said so) than you 
 brought away, that is not correct ? 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 A. Did you intend that your words should have such a 
 meaning ? 
 
 A. Not at all, sir.
 
 21 
 
 The Bishop. I liuvo not said any one has represented that 
 this girl came out with fewer or worse clothes than she had 
 when she went in ; but the words in the newspaper are, 
 *' When I joined the Sisters, they took the clothes I had and 
 gave them to the i^oor ; hut ivhen I left, I had only the gown I 
 7corc" Now, to my mind, this does convey the impression 
 already stated. / allude to this merely to draw attention to the 
 manner in lohich this statement has been got up. 
 
 Q. " When the three gentlemen alluded to were ushered 
 into the front parlour, Sister (^atherinc a"jid Sister Elizabeth 
 w^ent into the oratory." Did the >gcn'tTcmcn go into the 
 oratory ? 
 
 A. I cannot tell ; I went to the kitchen. 
 
 Q. Do you know who they were ? 
 
 A. I do not know, but I have heard smce that one was 
 Sir William Ashley. 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. I see, my lord, the witness states that the 
 Lady Superior had a string of what appeared to be Avhite bone 
 beads, which used to be under her pillow. 
 
 The Bishop. Now T frankly say as a" man, I Avill not ask a 
 question about that. I will not pursue a lady into her bed- 
 chamber, and enquire what she had there. Shall not that 
 lady have a necklace with beads, but we are to ask her about 
 her bed-room. 
 
 The Bishop then read, " I have seen other gentlemen there, 
 but the only other gentleman besides Dr. Pusey, Avho read 
 prayers in the oratory, was the Rev. W. Hutchison." Was 
 there any other that officiated ? 
 
 A. No one. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. What was the service which the 
 clergyman performed ? 
 
 A. Mr. Hutchison performed the service of compline. 
 
 The Bishop. Did he read evening prayer at that time ? 
 
 A. No, it was some other prayer. 
 
 The Bishop. Have you got a copy of the prayers ? I should 
 like to see them ; no doubt it can easily be obtained ; let it be 
 sent for. 
 
 Q. You say. Dr. Pusey administered the sacrament every 
 day, but you were only there once ; you were told of the rest ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. How long was he there ? 
 
 A. Three days the last visit ; 1 won't say what time on his 
 visits before the last. 
 
 Q. No promise was made to you when the questions were 
 put to you by these gentlemen ? 
 
 The witness made no reply. 
 
 The book asked for by the Bishop being then handed to his
 
 28 
 
 lordship, he showed it to the witness, aud asked, — Is this the 
 book which you used ? 
 
 A. The prayers are the ones ; but I did not have that book 
 first, I had a smaller book before Christmas. 
 
 The Bishop. That will be accounted for by what I said just 
 now, that I suggested the alteration of the names of the 
 prayers. I see the prayers here. I don't like to read prayers 
 in this large assembly. There is only one way in which I can 
 read them — by praying them, 1 can't do that here. 1 Avill 
 look through them, and then put them in the hands of any 
 gentleman who chooses to look at it, and who can say if there 
 is anything Popish in it. 
 
 The Rev. J. Ilatchard. Will your lordship have the good- 
 ness to read the title page ? 
 
 The Bishop. Certainly — " The Psalms of David, published 
 by the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge." 
 I find here, " the Praises for morning prayer," written instead 
 of " lauds," which has been erased ; there is also the canticle, 
 *' O all ye works of the Lord," so that these " praises for 
 morning prayer" were merely the saying of Psalms, with the 
 proper Collect. I see nothing to object to in this, I shall be 
 glad to hear any gentleman who can. So these lauds were 
 merely saying of Psalms ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. I am now quite ready to have any question 
 suggested. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. I beg to be permitted, through your 
 lordship, to propose a few questions. How many times w'as 
 the Holy Sacrament performed during the residence of the 
 girl in the house ? 
 
 Tlie Bishop. I asked the question and she said only once. 
 Was it as I have got it ? 
 
 A. I was present once : it was performed by Dr. Pusey 
 every morning, but this I heard from others. I saw Sister 
 Catharine prepare the oratory for Communion. 
 
 Q. How often did you see that done ? 
 
 A. Every morning during Dr. Pusey's visit. 
 
 Q. In what room was it administered ? 
 
 A. Always to my knowledge in the oratory. 
 
 Q. Never up stairs in a sick room ? 
 
 A. Not to my knowledge. 
 
 Q. Do you believe it was ever administered to a sick person 
 in a bed-room ? 
 
 A. Once 1 believe to Sister Caroline, but I am not aware of 
 it myself. 
 
 Q. Was the Sacrament administered by any other clergyman 
 than Dr. Pusey ? 
 
 A. Mr. 1?arter.
 
 29 
 
 Tfie Bishop. He is the geiitleinaii who went abroad with 
 Dr. Pusc} 's son ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Mr. Hatchard. I desire to ask, whether the oratory was 
 used only as a place for what might be called family prayers, 
 or whether it was a place appropriated for family and private 
 prayer ? 
 
 The Bishop. Pursuing the course I have, of making obser- 
 vations upon the points as they arise — I have no hesitation in 
 saying, that I applaud that practice, I take upon myself the 
 full shame, if there be any shame in it, of avowing, that I think 
 it an excellent practice ; and 1 say again, I am glad to find 
 any house in which a room is set apart either for family or 
 private prayer. I rejoice to think that, in saying this, I am 
 saying what the Reformers said also, for most unquestionably 
 there will be found a direct order, and a most wholesome order 
 it was, issued at the time when the reading of the Bible was 
 first given to the people of England, by which it was expressly 
 directed that the churches should be left open, not only during 
 prayers, but at other times, so that the people might go in and 
 read the Bible, and one or two other books. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. The Homilies. 
 
 The Bishop. Yes, the Homilies. I remember in one parish 
 where I had the honour to minister, there was a practice to a 
 like efiect, in order that the people might go in and read them 
 out of prayer time. 
 
 The Rec. J. Hatchard. That only applies to a parish church, 
 my lord. (A voice, Why is not St. Andrew's church opened ?) 
 
 The Bishop. Undoubtedly ; but I rejoice that there should 
 be in any house a room appointed purposely for private worship. 
 
 The Bev). J. Hatchard. I desire to know whether at one 
 time it was the custom of the Sisterhood to kneel before the 
 Cross ? 
 
 A. I never saw any one kneel except on Fridays, when all 
 knelt ar prayer. 
 
 Q. What was the position of the Cross ? was it ever hang- 
 ing over the table ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. I wish to ask this question very solemnly for I have a 
 reason. Is that young person ready to affirm before your lord- 
 ship and this meeting that the Cross to which reference has 
 been made, was ever in the oratory at all ? 
 
 The Bishop. I have abstained from putting any question 
 in the way in which you have framed this, 1 will put it in 
 the simple form. Was the Cross ever there ? 
 
 ITltness. It was (a laugh). 
 
 3Ir. Hatchard. I am not permitted to enter into reasons
 
 so 
 
 now, but at a future time I may. I am sure, with a full know- 
 ledge of this case, no gentleman would laugh, or ought to 
 laugh. 
 
 The Bishop. I am sure I have never encouraged the slightest 
 exhibition of laughter. 
 
 Mr. Hatchard. Certainly not, my lord. 
 
 The Bishop. Then have the kindness, sir, to abstain from 
 such observations ; I am the only person to make such a remark, 
 and no one else (hear, hear). While I sit in this chair, I occupy 
 my position under a grave responsibility, and shall proceed 
 according to my own judgment. 
 
 Mr. Hatchard. Did all the Sisters usually wear Crosses both 
 in and out of the house ? 
 
 The Bishop. I understood yon to say all, — am I right ? 
 
 A. No, sir, only the three Sisters. 
 
 Q. The question is, did all? 
 
 A. Only three. Miss Scllon, Sister Catharine, and Sister 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 3Ir. Hatchard. Fray when did witness last see the Cross 
 on the table in the oratory ? 
 
 The Bishop. She has already said that she last saw it on the 
 Tuesday before the Friday on which she left. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. As near as possible, will she state 
 at what hour she last saw it ? 
 
 A. At half-past nine in the morning. 
 
 Q. At what time on the Tuesday morning did the three 
 gentlemen call ? 
 
 A. At a little after one o'clock. 
 
 The Bishop. You last saw the Cross at half-past nine in the 
 morning ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. It might have been removed only 
 five minutes before the gentlemen came. 
 
 A. I saw Sister Catherine and Sister Elizabeth enter the 
 oratory as the three gentlemen came into the house. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. Did you see the Cross on the oratory 
 after you had seen it, as you say, at half-past nine ? There is 
 much depending on this. 
 
 The Bishop. I must request you will not comment in put- 
 ting your questions. 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Tlie Rev. J. Hatchard. What dresses did the Sisters of 
 Mercy wear — were they dressed uniformly ? 
 
 A. Yes, a kind of loose dress. 
 
 The Bishop. Ferhaps we shall be favoured with the dress. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. Was there any promise made by the 
 gentlemen who examined this young person — any promise of 
 benefit of any kind ?
 
 31 
 
 The liishoj). She has distinctly said not. 
 
 T/ie lleo. J. Ilatchard. Or threat of any kind? 
 The Bishop. I don't Hke to put this question. 
 
 Mr. L. Tripe. When I saw you with Mr. Richards, did I 
 not seriously caution you to speak nothing hut the truth, and 
 to be careful not to say anything not correct, to the injury of 
 the Sisters of Mercy. Were these not the expressions I used 
 when you came to me ? 
 Witness. It was so, sir. 
 
 Mr. G. Mennie. Were the Bible and Testament read in the 
 house ? 
 
 A. The Bible Avas read once the Sunday after I went to the 
 house ; the Lady Superior then read a chapter out of the New 
 Testament. 
 
 Mr. Mennie. Was that the only time the Bible was read 
 whilst you were there ? 
 
 K . The only time it was read singly ; it was always read 
 during church service. 
 
 Q. Was it a mutilated or perfect Bible ? 
 
 A. It was an entire Bible. 
 
 Mr. Richards. I should like to ask, whether, when the girl 
 gave her testimony, we did not press on her the necessity of 
 confining her evidence to the matters in question, and also the 
 great importance of speaking the whole truth ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. Were they supplied with Bibles ? 
 
 The Bishop. How many were there in the house ? 
 
 A. I am not aware, 1 had not any ; there was one upstairs. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Were there Testaments there ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Had you the use of them ? 
 
 A. Not to my knowledge. 
 
 Q. Was there no reading of the Bible except during the 
 Church service, and the one occasion to which allusion has been 
 made ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Were you supplied with books ? 
 
 A. Yes, such as we had time to read were given us by the 
 Lady Superior. 
 
 The Bishop. Had you any doubt that you might have had 
 Bibles by asking for them ? 
 
 A. I might have had one if I had asked. I had no Bible : 
 an orphan had one. 
 
 Q. Were the books in the house published by the Society 
 for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. All ?
 
 A. All that T have seen to my knowledge. There was the 
 Churchman's Companion. 
 
 Q. What clergymen in the neighbourhood were in the habit 
 of attending there ? 
 
 A. Mr. Killpack, Mr. Proctor, Mr. AV. Hutchison, and Mr. 
 -^neas Hutchison. 
 
 Q. What duties have you seen them perform ? 
 
 A. I have never seen them perform any duties, except Mr. 
 W. Hutchison, who performed prayer in the oratory. 
 
 Q. When Mr. Killpack has been there, did you see the 
 Sisters wear Crosses ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 The Bishop. What Sisters ? 
 
 A. Sister Catherine more especially. 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. Do you happen to know -whether Mr. Kill- 
 pack had an opportunity of seeing the Crosses when the 
 Sisters w^ere out of the house ? 
 
 A . Yes ; when attending Mr. Killpack's church, they wore 
 them suspended from a cord round the w^aist. 
 
 The Bishop. Was it openly to be seen — was it under a cloak ? 
 
 A. The Lady Superior generally w^ears a cloak, which covers 
 the cross and the Avhole dress. 
 
 The Bishop. The other ladies w^ore them openly and mani- 
 festly to all ? 
 
 A. No, Sister Catharine wears it inside. 
 
 Q. You knew it to be a cross, but -svould a person who was 
 not aware of it, perceive that it was a cross ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. The other Sister wore it outside ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Did they wear these crosses Nvhen attending the district 
 church ? 
 
 A. Yes, and at Stoke Church too. 
 
 Mr. Elworthj. Can you undertake to say that you have 
 known of any occasion when Mr. Killpack was in the oratory 
 that the cross was there ? Will your lordship put that question 
 as I have stated it ? Your lordship will sec the object of it. 
 
 The Bishop. I will put the question, I have nothing to do 
 with objects. 
 
 Mr. Elworthj. But I have a right to court your lordship's 
 assistance. 
 
 The Bishop. Will you answer the question ? 
 
 Witness. I have never seen INIr. Killpack in the oratory, but 
 I have seen him going to the oratory. 
 
 Q. Was the cross on the table of the oratory at that time ? 
 
 A . It was at the prayer time before. 
 
 Q. Was it at the prayer time after ?
 
 33 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Di\ Bellamy. What was that book which we hear was given 
 up, and another given ? 
 
 A. It was a book with a parchment cover, with a cross 
 upon it. 
 
 The Bis/ioj). Was it a book of prayers — were the prayers, the 
 prayers of the church and the Psahns ? 
 
 A. It was a book of prayers. 
 
 Q. Was it a similar one to the one we have seen here to-day ? 
 
 Dr. Bellamy asked if the book which had been pi'oduced 
 was by Bishop Ken. 
 
 3Ir. Elworthy. iSIy lord, that is a private compilation, and in 
 the writing of a lady. 
 
 Mr. W. J. Little. At the time the Rev. Mr. Hutchison read 
 prayers in the oratory, was the moveable Cross on the table ? 
 
 Witness. Yes, sir. 
 
 Mr. Little. When Dr. Pusey was there, was the same Cross 
 on the table ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Did Dr. Pusey and Mr. Hutchison bow towards the Cross 
 as well as the Sisters ? 
 
 A. Mr. Hutchison never did — Dr. Pusey did. 
 
 Mr. Bennett. Did the present witness or any other inmate 
 receive instruction by these ladies to bow to the Cross ? 
 
 A. I was not instructed, and I never saw any of the children 
 instructed ; but I was told that the children were so instructed. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. By whom ? 
 
 A. Selina Jones. 
 
 The Bishop. She is one of your witnesses ? 
 
 Mr. Bennett. Not mine, my lord ; you have called the 
 •witnesses. 
 
 Admiral Pasco. I should like to ask what chapter in the 
 New Testament was read on the occasion referred to by the 
 witness ? 
 
 The Bishop. Do you think it necessary ? 
 
 Admiral Pasco. I do, my lord 
 
 The witness said if she had a Bible she could find it. A 
 Bible was supplied her. 
 
 27ie Bishop. Really this is wasting time. 
 
 Admiral Pasco persisted in putting his question. 
 
 The Bishop. Well, if there is one chapter in the Bible which 
 ought not to be read, for heaven's sake let us hear what it is. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. But the tendency, my lord. 
 
 The Bishop. I wish we had the tendency of every chapter 
 in the Bible implanted in all our hearts more than we have. 
 
 The witness could not readily find the chapter, and the 
 Bishop said he would not give her the trouble to hunt for it. 
 
 E
 
 31 
 
 James Ftmieaiix, Esq. At any time, in going to and from 
 church, have you ever been accosted by persons who have 
 endeavoured to make you dissatisfied with your situation ? 
 
 A. Never. 
 
 Q. Has any one in your company been so addressed ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 The Bishoi). There is one point reLative to the removal 
 of the Cross on the morning on which the three gentlemen 
 came to the house, by Sister Catherine, or one of the Sisters, 
 who went into the oratory. Here is a paper of Miss Sellon's, 
 in which she alludes to that. 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. My lord 
 
 The Bishop. Miss Selloii will be here, and may be called on 
 to speak of these things. 1 think there will not begone person 
 Avho will not honour my intention when I state that my object 
 in having this paper read is saving of time, and to spare 
 the feelings of that lady, and I am not ashamed to say that 
 the last is with me some consideration. I am anxious to make 
 this inquiry consistent with justice — and it shall be con- 
 sistent with charity also — and my wish in reading this 
 paper is, as far as possible, to elicit the truth, but in a way to 
 inflict the least injury to the feelings of a lady — especially such 
 a lady. 
 
 His lordship then read a portion of the following statement, 
 and requested that the whole might be published : — 
 
 " I have extracted from the deposition of the three young girls every fact, or 
 falsehood, which is urged against lis. These have been so curiously and mis- 
 chievously wrought together, that it is only by the most minute detail that I can 
 disentangle them from the web in which they have been involved. I Lave taken 
 them as they are given in the evidence : — 
 
 1. During my residence the practice As the household are in bed "at ten, 
 was to rise at five a.m. even if all rose at five, it would give all 
 
 seven hours rest, but it is the practice 
 of the Sisters only ; the children rise at 
 half-past five; the two servants, Sarah 
 and Mary, being both delicate, I only 
 usually require to rise in time for 
 breakfast (seven o'clock), which was 
 prepared for them and ourselves by the 
 Sisters. 
 
 2. At six o'clock the bell rang for That is to say, that when the house- 
 lauds, the whole of the household then hold are up and dressed the first act 
 attended prayers in the oratory. required of tlicm, as in most Christian 
 
 families, is that they should assemble 
 together to thank God for preserving 
 them in safety through the night passed. 
 The Psalms which are read, and the 
 hymn which is sung, occupies about ten 
 minutes. It is the only prayer the 
 children or servants are required to 
 attend, except morning and evening 
 prayer at church. 
 
 3. The Sisters always bowed to the Tlie children were never told to bow 
 Cross in passing and repassing it. to the Cross, neither have they been
 
 35 
 
 They would go up to the allar and bow, 
 indeed every time tliey looked at it. 
 The cliildreii were several times eliid 
 for not bowing to the Cross. The chil- 
 dren, on entering the oratory, used to 
 bow to the Cross. Sister Catherine 
 told us we were always to bow to the 
 Cross, and showed U6 how we should 
 do it. 
 
 4. At seven o'clock we attended 
 prime, when the rules for the house 
 were read. 
 
 5. Dr. Pusey visited the house two 
 or three limes during my residence. I 
 did not know his name by hearing it 
 mentioned, as the Sisters always called 
 him Father; but there was a young 
 person, an inmate, who came from Tor- 
 quay, who knew him. On the occasion 
 of his visit he slept in the house, and 
 performed service in the oratory the 
 next morning at six o'clock. On one 
 occasion Dr. Pusey administered the 
 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, of 
 which I partook with the Sisters. Dr. 
 Pusey's son, and another gentleman, 
 who has since gone abroad with young 
 Mr. Pusey, also visited the house. 
 Dr. Pusey administered the Sacrament 
 every day in the chapel, when at the 
 house. A yoiuig woman who came 
 from St. Mary Church, Torquay, and 
 is educating in the house for a gover- 
 ness, knew him. This was Anna Maria 
 Lane. She received a letter from a 
 Miss Lloyd, saying Dr. Pusey was 
 coming to the house, and Miss Lloyd 
 wished her (Lane) would speak to him, 
 and Dr. Pusey and Miss Lane had a 
 long conversation together. Dr. Pusey 
 performed service in the oratory. He 
 read the prayers in his surplice. On 
 another occasion he performed service 
 in the top room, called the dormitory. 
 This was because Sister Caroline was 
 ill. She was in bed at the time. He 
 performed the service of Holy Com- 
 munion at this time in the bid-room. 
 This gentleman visited the house three 
 times ; on one occasion he remained 
 three days. 
 
 chidden for not doing so, nor have ihcy 
 been shown how to do it. The Sisters 
 make a slight inclination upon entering 
 and leaving the room set apart for 
 prayer. They have a reason for this, 
 but not connected with the Cross, 
 which is often removed from the 
 oratory. If we bowed to the Cross 
 whenever we looked at it, it is evident 
 we should have enough to do, as we are 
 told that Crosses so abound throughout 
 the house. 
 
 At seven o'clock we always break- 
 fast. It is no rnlc in the house that 
 servants or children should attend any 
 prayer but the morning prayer in the 
 oratory. I have never even expressed 
 a wish on the subject. 
 
 All this evidence is given with iin 
 importance minute as if I had been 
 harbouring a Jesuit priest in the house, 
 instead of a clergyman of the Church 
 of England, of irreproachable life and 
 earnest piety. It is unnecessary to 
 explain tliat Dr. Pusey is my personal 
 friend. I said so to Mr. Hatchard 
 when he asked me. I have made no 
 mystery of it. When his sick son was 
 waiting here for a steamer to go abroad, 
 I most gladly took him in. He has 
 been here since. He was coming here 
 when I went to consult a physician at 
 Weymouth, and he came back with 
 me. His little daughter has also been 
 staying a fortnight with me amongst 
 other friends. It concerns people little 
 whom I, as a private individual, see, 
 consult, receive, as long as I teach the 
 ignorant children around me, only the 
 plain truths of the Gospel of Christ, as 
 I myself have learned them from my 
 mother, the Church of England. I 
 never heard any of the Sisters address 
 Dr. Pusey as father ; only two of them 
 knew him by sight. His stay here 
 being short, and their daily occupations 
 unceasing, several of them have 
 scarcely spoken to him ; nevertheless, 
 I have myself occasionally spoken to 
 him and of him in that manner, and 
 supposing I had always done so — 
 wherefore not ? The ministers of God 
 are our Fathers in Christ. But this is 
 a private matter, with which I again 
 protest the ;;«6//c have nothing to do. 
 When I offered to educate the destitute 
 poor, I did not therefore lay myself 
 open, as all generous and just hearts 
 will allow, to be called to account in 
 public for any affectionate term I might 
 use in private conversation to a friend 
 in my own house. The service of the 
 Holy Communion appears a graver
 
 3(> 
 
 6. I have seen other gentlemen there, 
 but the only person who ever read 
 prayers in the oratory, besides Dr. 
 Pusey, was the Rev. Wm. Hutchison. 
 
 7. Recollect three gentlemen calling 
 on that day (Tuesday), the household 
 were at prayers at the time, and the 
 visitors were kept some time at the 
 door. I knew there were three gen- 
 tlemen, as I looked from the window 
 and saw them. It was my day to 
 attend to domestic matters, and 1 was 
 in consequence exempt from attend- 
 ance at prayer, but not allowed to 
 attend the door. 
 
 8. The cross alluded to was in the 
 oratory on Tuesday morning. When 
 
 matter, and more open to misunder. 
 standing and offence. It is faUe that 
 Holy Communion was administered 
 every day by Dr. Pusey ' in the 
 chapel.' When I first came into this 
 parish, the rector, wiih the kindness 
 which he then and ever since has 
 shewn towards u% told me that I might 
 feel perfectly free to ask any of my 
 clerical friends to perform ministerial 
 offices for my household. This I re- 
 peated to Dr. Pusey when he came. 
 His first visit was when his sick boy 
 was sailing for Malta. He administered 
 Holy Communion on Sunday on his 
 account— (ihis was the only time Holy 
 Communion was administered in the 
 oratory) — and also on that of one of 
 the Sisters, who was suffering from an 
 attack of a dangerous character, which 
 prevented her leaving the house. I 
 was also myself ill at this time, with an 
 attack of inflammation and cough. On 
 the other occasionsfl requested him to 
 administer Holy Communion to the 
 sick Sister, who was so much worse as 
 to be unable to leave her bed. Had 
 ayiy other clergyman been in the Tiouse 
 I should have tnade the same request. 
 The service of the Communion of the 
 sick was used each time, of course. 
 Mr. St. Aubyn told me since, that he 
 only meant my friends among the dis- 
 trict clergy. I deeply regret and 
 apologise for having so misunderstood 
 him. Had I been aware of his reser- 
 vation, I should unquestionably Jnot 
 have so represented the matter to Dr. 
 Pusey. 
 
 Gentlemen and ladies who may have 
 come to see us, or who have been stay- 
 ing in the house, of course, if they 
 like, attend the hours of prayer. Dr. 
 Pusey and the Rev. William Hutchi- 
 son are by no means the only persons 
 who ever read prayers in the oratory ; 
 if any clergyman is present, of course 
 it is their office to do, so. 
 
 ' It was my duty to attend to do 
 mestic matters, and J was in conse- 
 quence exempt from attendance at 
 prayers.' These are no xcords of a 
 servant girl, added to which the state- 
 ment is untrue. She never attended 
 prayers throughout the day unless of 
 her own accord, and every day's work 
 was, of course, domestic work. At that 
 time she was resting. I thought her 
 delicate, and desired her always to rest 
 for half an hour in the day. 
 
 This alleged what is true, viz., that 
 the Cross was not on the altar when
 
 1 next -went into the oratory the cross 
 was not there, and its place was sup- 
 plied by a picture of the Virgin Mary 
 ■with the infant Jesus in her arms. I 
 did not see ihe cross again until Friday, 
 when it was in the study of the Lady 
 Superior. The cross and flowers were 
 always on the table iinlil the three 
 gentlemen visited the house ; that was 
 on a Tuesday. I saw them on the 
 table on the morning of that day, but 
 on attending prayers in the afternoon I 
 found that the cross and flowers were 
 removed ; the table was quite bare, 
 except the cloth. The next morning 
 there was a picture of the Virgin Mary, 
 in a gilt frame,on the altar. 
 
 9. I never saw the Bishop at the 
 house, but Mr. Maskell was there 
 once. 
 
 10. There were six Sisters when I 
 left the house, but I understand several 
 have joined since ; but this I cannot 
 say of my own knowledge. Some of 
 the children whom I had met told me 
 this was the case. 
 
 11. The Lady Superior, Sister 
 Catherine, and Sister Elizabeth wore 
 crosses suspended at their sides. These 
 were exposed and worn out of doors as 
 well as in, until the Cross disappeared 
 from the oratory. 
 
 12. The greatest secresy was en- 
 forced on all in the house. On the 
 occasion of one of the children running 
 away, I mentioned it to my mother. 
 This was overheard by the Lady 
 
 Mr. Ashley saw the oratory. But it 
 insinuates what is not true, and what is 
 an ignorant and unmerited insult, viz., 
 that it was concealed from Mr. Ashley. 
 The Sisters and myself have no wish 
 to conceal our use of the Cross. It is 
 a Christian, not a Pojnsh, emblem. It 
 is one which every Christian ought to 
 love and reverence ; far be it from ua 
 to disown it. But very lately 1 heard 
 that our simple white cross was always 
 spoken of as a Crucifix, and 1 said we 
 would not always have it in the oratory 
 lest persons might so misrepresent it. 
 One of the Sisters informed me, that 
 the Cross was not in the oratory when, 
 Mr. Ashley saw it. She said she was 
 sorry it had not been there, and that 
 if she had had a minute's time for 
 thought, she would have taken care to 
 replace it. Slie asked me if it was of 
 any consequence. I said. No ; that 
 Mr. Ashley had seen otlier Crosses in 
 the house, and that, therefore, it did 
 not matter; but that, as I was writing 
 to him that very day, I would tell him 
 also of this, which I did. Mr. Ashley 
 is the last person to confuse the use of 
 the Cross with Popish error. 1 have 
 a satisfactory letter from him, in which 
 he alludes to this. There are two 
 pictures ; one of the Virgin and Child, 
 another of Our Lord Blessing Little 
 Children, which are favourites with the 
 orphans and ourselves. These wo 
 sometimes have in the oiatory, some- 
 times in the children's schoolroom, as 
 it pleases them. 
 
 I know not what the /7«6/«c have to 
 do with t/jw information. Mr. Maskell 
 once paid me a morning call ; so did 
 Mr. Hatchard. Many people call upon 
 me, and of course 1 can receive whom 
 I will without any inference being 
 necessarily drawn from it. 
 
 No Sister has since joined us ; wc 
 have had friends staying with us. 
 
 This is another insinuation which is 
 untrue. We have never worn our 
 crosses (0 be seen in public ; it would 
 have attracted personal observation. 
 
 This is a moral charge, again wholly 
 untrue. The only foundaliun for it 
 rests upon my having desired Sarah not 
 to speak of things done or said in the 
 house which did not concern her, to her
 
 ss 
 
 mother, because I found tlicy were 
 niisre[)rcseiitcd and exaggerated. I 
 blamed her, therefore, for speaking of 
 the fault of INIary Pochetly, who had 
 run away, and at the entreaties of 
 herself and the orphans, and also at 
 tlie earnest request of a clergyman, 
 liad been again received into the 
 household. 
 
 I made, and tlierefore broke, no 
 promise to Sarah Clarke ; I never per- 
 suaded her to come to us ; I found her 
 in what she told me was an unhappy 
 home ; she was delicate in health, and 
 could not afford such things as were 
 ordered by the medical man for its 
 restoration ; I offered her a home with 
 lis as a servant, but I said we gave no 
 wages. 1 asked her if she should be 
 satisfied with good food and clothing ; 
 she said, yes. I told her she might 
 become a serving Sister, if she, after 
 some trial, thought she should like it ; 
 I said this again to the mother three 
 weeks since;* and the mother's reply 
 was, that she thought of going, perhaps, 
 to Australia, with her husband and 
 family, and in that case, could leave her 
 dauffhter icith perfect satisfaction with 
 me. Neither at that time, nor until 
 Sarah left me, did I know of the least 
 dissatisfaction on any account, save 
 that she did not see enough of her 
 family. I had reasons for making no 
 promises to this effect ; however, she 
 saw her mother whenever Mrs. Clarke 
 liked to call, and she went home three 
 times during her stay with us. Sarah 
 had her own clothes, as well as others 
 besides, so they could not have been 
 given to the poor; some were given 
 away because we had given her those 
 •which were better. It is very likely 
 she went away with only the dress she 
 wore, because her mother, without 
 assigning any reason, desired her to 
 leave at an hour's notice, and she sent 
 for her clothes the next day. 
 [Sarah Clarke observed, — I did not say that my home was an unhappy home. 
 
 Miss Scllon came to my home for me I did not leave at an hour's notice, for 
 
 I told Miss Scllon long before, that I was unhappy, and should leave, and there- 
 fore, that is not true.] 
 
 Superior, and I was called in Miss 
 Sc'llon's room and reproved for it. and 
 told never to speak of anything that 
 was said or done in the house. 
 
 13. I received no wages. I was fust 
 engaged by Miss Sellon at lOd. per 
 day, to teach the children of the schools 
 knitting. Subsequently, Miss Sellon 
 persuaded me to become one of the 
 Sisters, promising to further educate 
 me, and that my only duties should be 
 to attend to the school and to the poor. 
 This promise was not kept, and I was 
 made to do the household woik, with 
 •which I was dissatisfied ; this, and my 
 not being allowed to go home to sec my 
 friends, induced me to leave. When 
 I joined the Sisters, they took the 
 clothes I had and gave them to the 
 poor. I was well clad at that time for 
 a person in my situation of life, but 
 when I left I had only the gown I wore. 
 
 MARY rOCIIETTY. 
 
 14. I left on Saturday, the 3rd Feb. 
 I head asked Miss Scllon to allow me 
 to leave several times, as 1 was un- 
 happy. 
 
 Mary only once asked my leave to go, 
 it was the day after she had been per- 
 mitted to visit her relations. She did 
 not tell me she was iinhajipy. I told 
 her she would only come to the work- 
 house again, and that she was foolishly 
 throwing herself out of a happy homo 
 upon the world again. I told her I 
 thought some one had been persuading 
 * This nmsl liave been oa tlic 33id or 24tli January, and the girllofl oii the 25th.
 
 39 
 
 licr for some reason to leave. I desired 
 her to wail a moiitli, and to pray to 
 God every day to teach her M-hat to do. 
 If she wished to k-ave tliat day mouth 
 she should go. !She thanked me, and 
 went aioarj satisfied. The next morn- 
 ing she left the house without my know- 
 ledr/e and joined Sarah Clarke a7id her 
 ?7iother. She had told me the prcvions 
 day tliat she wished to go and work 
 •with her aunt and cousins. 
 
 None of the children ever asked me 
 that question, because they are not 
 taught to bow to the cross. 
 
 Wednesdays and Fridays are not 
 festival days." 
 
 15. One of the children asked Miss 
 Sellon why they bowed to the cross ? 
 Miss Sellon said, in remembrance of 
 our blessed Saviour, and respect to the 
 cross. 
 
 16. Friday and Wednesday were 
 called festival days ; no work was done 
 on those days. 
 
 Mev. TV. Killpack. Did Miss Sellon give you any other 
 dress than the one you had on when you went away? 
 
 A. She gave me 10s. to buy a bonnet and shawl. 
 
 Q. Did she give you anything else ? 
 
 A. (After some hesitation.) She gave me 10s. 
 
 Q. Did Miss Sellon not give the gown you have on ? 
 
 A. Yes ; after a few days she sent me the gown. 
 
 The Bishop. Why did you not tell me that just now ? 
 
 A. Because you only asked, sir, what I left in ; this gown, 
 was sent after, and the gown I had when I left, I had given, 
 as I have stated, to an orphan. 
 
 [The Bishop requested witness to show the gown.] 
 
 A. Is it as good as that you took when you went to Miss 
 Sellon ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Rev, TV. Killpack. Mary Pochetty, I think, is living with 
 your mother. 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. What became of the gown you took away? was it a 
 black one ? 
 
 A. Yes. I gave it to Mary Pochetty ; I gave it away 
 because I am not in black, and Mary Pochetty is in mourning. 
 
 Q. Does she wear it now ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Where are Mary Pochetty's own clothes ? 
 
 A. They are at home. 
 
 Q. Has Mary Pochetty been living with your mother ever 
 since she left ? 
 
 A. She has thrown herself on my mother's protection. 
 
 Mr. Richards. With reference to the 10s. spoken of, was 
 the arrangement made subsequently to the girl giving her 
 evidence, my lord ?
 
 40 
 
 Witness, liefore. 
 
 T7ie Bishop. Was the circumstance related to Mr. Richards ? 
 
 A. I told him that I left it -with ^vhat I stood upright in, 
 for which the 10s. were given. 
 
 Q. Did you tell him the 10s. were given to you ? 
 
 A. I told him I had a honnet and shawl given me, but I did 
 not tell him about the 10s. 
 
 Mev. G. F. lVhidl)orne. Were the beads spoken of only 
 used in the bed-room ? 
 
 The Bishop. I will ask Miss Sellon on the subject when she 
 comes, as a mere necklace of beads, but I will not ask her 
 what she does Avith it in her bed-room. 
 
 Q. Did you ever see the beads put to any use ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. Were they diiFerent from other beads ? 
 
 A. They were like common beads; white bone, some large 
 and some small, on a string with a cross to them. 
 
 Q. Did you ever see them out of the bed-room ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Then I will not ask a question about them. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. But as to the form of the beads, you will 
 certainly, my lord, make an enquiry. 
 
 The Bishop. I will not make any enquiry of what is heard 
 or seen in the bed-room. 
 
 M?: Elwoi'thij. Has Mr. Killpack had any communication 
 wdtli you on this subject ? 
 
 A . Yes. 
 
 Q. When r 
 
 A. Last Monday week he called at our house and wished 
 me to stale my reasons for leaving, which I told him. 
 
 Q. What passed ? 
 
 A. When I said I did not like the means used in the 
 oratory, he told me he had nothing to do with that ; it would 
 not be proper for a servant of his to tell what was done in his 
 house. Mr. Killpack asked me about the clothes ; he deemed to 
 think it was about those I left ; it was not 1 assured him. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Has she been to Miss Sellon's with Mr. 
 Killpack since she left the house ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 The Bishop. What passed ? 
 
 A. Miss Sellon asked me if I had not told a story. I told 
 her I had not. She asked me if I could lie down that night 
 with a clear conscience that I had not told a story ? I said I 
 could. 
 
 The Bishop. I have received a postscript to the statement 
 sent by Miss Sellon, which I will request my son to read. 
 This statement was as follows : —
 
 41 
 
 " Besides daily reading of some of the Psalms in the house, the children 
 heard the 8cri|)lnros read at morning and eveninp service. There are Bibles in 
 every part of the house; and, only a few days since, wlitn the boys came to the 
 house withuiit Bibles, Sarah Clarke fetched more than 12 from the house for 
 their use. On Sunday they are always instructed in the Bible. On other days 
 the religious instruction, wliich lasts for half an hour, has been confined hitherto 
 to the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Church 
 Catechism, the children being so very ignorant of the first principles of the 
 Catechism faith. If ihey could read, there are always Bibles in the room for 
 them. Before Sarah Clarke came into the house, she had been taught in the 
 Tuesday clas.s, which is always instructed from the Scriptures; and when she 
 left the house she expressed a wish to come back into the same class again." 
 
 The Bishop. Is that all true ? 
 
 Witness. Part is. 
 
 The Jlishoj). Which part is not? — hut this gentleman will 
 read it through, sentence hy sentence. 
 
 The Rev. E. C. Philljjotts. '• Besides daily reading of some 
 of the Psalms in the house, the children hear the Scriptures 
 read at morning and evening service." 
 
 Witness. 1 never heard the Bible read in the house except- 
 ing the one time mentioned by me. 
 
 Rev. E. C. Phii/j)otts. " There are Bibles in every part of 
 the house ; and, only a few days since, when the boys came to 
 the house without Bibles, Sarah Clarke fetched more than 12 
 from the house for their use." 
 
 27ie Bishop. Then Miss Sellon says, there were Bibles in 
 every part of the house. 
 
 Air. Elworthy. No, my lord, it says there are. 
 
 Witness. I never said but what they had Bibles. 
 
 The Bishop. Never mind what you said, is that tnce P 
 
 A. I never saw the Bibles. 
 
 Q. Then you fetched the Bibles from the house? 
 
 A. That is true. 
 
 The Rev. E. C. Philljwtts. " On Sunday they are always 
 instructed in the Bible. On other days the religious instruc- 
 tion, which lasts for half an hour, has been confined hitherto, 
 to the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, and 
 the Church Catechism, the children being so very ignorant 
 of the first principles of the Catechism faith." 
 
 Witness. That is true. 
 
 T7ie Rev. E. C. PhiUpotts. " If they could read, there are 
 alwap ]3ibles in the room for them." 
 
 A. I never saw the Bibles there, except with the boys. 
 
 T7ie Bishop. Were there Bibles in the school-room which 
 the children might read ? 
 
 A. No. — The Sisters had Bibles. 
 
 The Rev. E. C. PhiUpotts. " Before Sarah Clarke came into 
 the house, she had been taught in the Tuesday class, which 
 Is always instructed from the Scriptures ; and when she left
 
 the liouse she expressed a wish to come hack into the same 
 chiss again," 
 
 Witness. That is quite true. 
 
 The Rev. G. Procter. Will your lordship ask her whore she 
 ohtained the 12 Bihles? 
 
 A. The Sisters gave me the Bibles. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. I should like to ask this witness a few more 
 questions. 
 
 Q. When she went to Miss Sellon's with Mr. Killpack 
 whether it was attempted to separate her from her mother? 
 
 A. They did try to separate me from my mother — Sister 
 Mary attempted to take me from the parlour. 
 
 Q. Was Mr. Killpack present ? 
 
 A. He was present, in the parlour. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. Was Mr. Killpack with Sister Mary at the time ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Mr. Ehvorthy. Did Mr. Killpack say anything to you, and 
 what did he say ? 
 
 A. He asked me my reasons for leaving. 
 
 Mr. Ehvorthy. What was his manner? 
 
 A. When he found I would no go, he appeared excited, and 
 very angry with me indeed. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. What more did he say ? 
 
 A. He said that we w^ere combined together with a parcel of 
 newspaper writers to ruin the fair fame of this lady ; he said 
 this lady, meaning Miss Sellon. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. You say his manner was excited. What was 
 his manner ? 
 
 A. He spoke as if he was very much enraged indeed. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Any gesticulation. 
 
 The Bisho]). Was there any gesticulation ? I shoidd not have 
 used the word of myself. You do not understand it, did he raise 
 his arm ? 
 
 A. Yes, he lifted up his arm. 
 
 Q. Did he show a disposition to let it fall on you ? 
 
 A. Oh ! no sir (laughter.) 
 
 Q. How far off was he ? 
 
 A. I was at the door, and he at the other end of the room. 
 
 Captain Sanders here suggested that some questions should 
 be asked of the next witness, to show what w^ere the occupa- 
 tions of the girls. 
 
 The Bishop said it would be gratifying, no doubt, to all if 
 they would spare the feelings of Bliss Sellon, and he would re- 
 commend, when she came into the room that they should not 
 call upon her to repeat what had already been read, but ques- 
 tions, if necessary, might be asked upon it. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy begged to enquire in what light the present
 
 ^3 
 
 enquiry was to be considered. It was not a matter of Ecclesi- 
 astical jurisdiction and inspection, was 
 
 The Bishop. At the commencement I stated I had no 
 authority whatever; but as visitor to this institution, I felt it 
 my duty to enquire into Avhatevcr faults were alledged against 
 it. T said I came here without a right to ask a single question, 
 but trusting to the good feeling and good sense of those who 
 are here. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. Is it to be supposed that Miss Sellon is to be 
 forced to come here ? 
 
 The Bishop. I will not answer Dr. Bellamy's question. 
 Does he think we are going to force any one's attendance here, 
 or does he think we are here on a fool's errand ? 
 
 Dr. Bellamy, But 
 
 The Bishop. I will not here you. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. If we are met here — (cries of order). 
 
 The Bishop. I must leave the room or Dr. Bellamy must be 
 silent. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. I want satisfaction, — (cries of order, order 
 chair, chair). 
 
 The Rev. IV. J. St. Aubyn. This room belongs to me, and if 
 Dr. Bellamy is not silent he must go out. 
 
 TJte Bishop. If you have hired the room, you have put it in 
 my possession, and I will not allow Dr. Bellamy to be put out. 
 
 The Bishop's Chaplain then read from the Rev. W. D. 
 Morrice and the Rev. G. W. I.angmead, Diocesan Inspectors 
 of the Church Schools in this locality, letters to the Lord 
 Bishop and H. M. the Queen Dowager, speaking very favour- 
 ably of the Schools established by the Sisters of Mercy, and 
 which were as follows : — 
 
 " Athenaeum Street, Plymouth, February 14th, 1S49. 
 " My Lord, — I have (he honour to inform your Lordship tliat having been 
 appointed by the Diocesan Board in Exeter, on November 15th, 1848, Inspector 
 of Church Schools in the three towns of Plymouth, Stonehouse, and Devonport, 
 I visited with the Rev. W. D. Morrice, the other Inspector, the Schools which 
 are conducted and supported by the Sisters of Mercy, and I have much pleasure 
 in enclosing for your Lordship's perusal my opinion of them, as well as extracts 
 from the Report, which Mr. Morrice and myself forwarded to the Diocesan 
 Board at Exeter on the 4lh of this month. I exceedingly regret to say that Mr. 
 Morrice is at present in London, and that there has not been time to obtain a 
 Testimonial from him, in reference to these Schools, which, / ani quite confident, 
 he would most readily have given, as his opinion fully coincided with mine as to 
 their efficiency, and the strict adherence to the principles of the Church of 
 England manifested in them. Your Lordship will observe that I have chiefly 
 spoken of the Industrial School in my Testimonial, and the reason is, that Mr. 
 Morrice examined the School in St. Mary's District, which I merely visited, 
 being engaged at the same time with another School in the same District ; his 
 opinion, however, of this excellent School will be found in the accompanying 
 extracts. " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " Your Lordship's obedient servant, 
 
 " Geouge W. Langmead, 
 
 " Diocesan Inspector." 
 " To the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Exeter.'
 
 44 
 
 " To Her Majesty the Queen Dowager. 
 
 " In ovir capacity of Diocesan Iiispecl<>rs, apjiointed by the Bisliop, wo Iiavc 
 examined the Schools conducted by the ' Sisters of Mercy,' and have inucli 
 pleasure in bearing our teslimony to their value, and to the strict adherence to 
 the principles and teaching of the Church of England manifested in conducting 
 them. 
 
 " Georgb W. Langmi.ad. 
 
 " VV. D. MouRici:, Clerk M.A." 
 
 The following Testimonials from the same gentlemen were 
 also handed in : — 
 
 " TESTIMONIAL. 
 
 " Having been appointed by the Diocesan Board at Exeter, Inspector of 
 Church Schools in the three towns of Plymouth, Dcvonport, and Stonchouse, 
 on December 12th, 1848, I visited the Schools conducted and supported by the 
 ' Sisters of Mercy,' and had much pleasure in observing their etficient state. I 
 particularly examined the children of the Industrial School in the Bible and 
 Church Catechism, and found that they were, not only well taught and gruundcd 
 in Scripture Truth, but that a firm adherence to the principles of the Church of 
 England had been fully manifested in the instruction which they had received. 
 " G. W. Langmead, M.A., Diocesan Inspector. 
 
 " Plymouth, Feb. 4th, 1849." 
 
 Extracts from a Report forwarded to the Diocesan Board of 
 Education at Exeter, by the Rev. W, D. Morrice and the Rev. 
 G. W. Langmead, Diocesan Inspectors : — 
 
 " St. Mary's District, Devonport. 
 "The Girls' School at Mutton Cove, supported and conducted by the 'Sisters 
 of Mercy,' under the Clergy, is admirable for the time it has been established ; 
 the 2nd class of girls would make a good 1st class in an ordinary school." 
 
 "St. James', Devonport. 
 
 " The Industrial Evening and Infant Schools are conducted and supported 
 
 solely by the ' Sisters of Mercy,' under the Clergymen. We were extremely 
 
 pleased with the Industrial and Infant Schools ; the behaviour of the children is 
 
 exceedingly reverent, and they read very intelligently. 
 
 " W. D. MoRuicE, ? ,.. T . >. 
 
 ,. ,^r /-. T i^ Diocesan Inspectors. 
 
 " W. &. Langmead, \ *^ 
 
 27<e Reo. TV. B. Killpach. One of the reflections which has 
 been cast on Miss Sellon is, that she kept out of the way when 
 Mr. Ashley called, and went over to Torpoint ; but the fiict is 
 she had gone to Weymouth, and I have here a communication 
 from the physician there indicating that she was there. 
 
 The Bishop. It is unnecessary to read it. 
 
 Mary Pochetty, (15 years of age last November,) was next 
 called. 
 
 The Bishop. You, I think, are a native of London. How 
 long were you in Devonport before you went to tlic Unidn ? 
 
 A. I am a native of London. I was in Devonport a week 
 before I Avent to the workhouse. 
 
 Q. How came you to go to the Union ? 
 
 A. My friends could not maintain me. 
 
 Q. Did Miss Sellon come to the Union to take you out ? 
 
 A. Mr. W. Hutchison came to me first.
 
 45 
 
 Q. Never mind that. Did you go with IMiss vSeHou ? 
 
 A. Yes ; she offered to take me, and I went to the Orphans' 
 Home, and remained there three months and three weeks. I 
 left on the 3rd February. 
 
 Q. You were comfortable there for a time ? 
 
 A. Yes; but after a month or two I felt unhappy. 
 
 Q. Why? 
 
 A. T3ecause there was too much confinement and work. 
 
 Q. Had you not the same work the first month you were 
 there ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. And the same confinement ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. You say you thought the Sisters were Roman Catholics ? 
 
 A. Yes, I did, and I told Miss Sellon I thought so. She 
 said they were not. 
 
 Q. Did you ask one of the Sisters why they bowed to the 
 Cross ? 
 
 A. No, I did not ; but one of the children asked one of the 
 Sisters why they bowed to the Cross, and Miss Sellon replied, 
 " In remembrance of our blessed Saviour, and in respect to 
 the Cross." 
 
 Q. Did Miss Sellon wear a cross ? 
 
 A. She did not, that I saw\ 
 
 Q. Well, but in the statement published, as made by you, it 
 is said — " The Lady Superior wore two crosses, the larger one 
 Avas about the length of my hand and fore finger, and a second 
 round the neck, attached to a string of beads." 
 
 A. That is a mistake, sir, I did not say so. Miss Clarke 
 made that statement. 
 
 The Bishop. Did you put your name to the bottom of the 
 paper after it had been read over to vou ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Did you tell them that it was a mistake ? 
 
 A. No, sir, 1 did not think of it at the time. 
 
 Q. Did you think of everything else and not of this ; are you 
 certain that everything else in the statement is true but that ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. And you did not say this, when you signed the state- 
 ment ? 
 
 A. I did not. 
 
 Q. It is stated here, " The Lady Superior often had a cross 
 and beads on her pillow. Sister Catharine and Sister Elizabeth 
 wore black crosses round their waists. Sister Caroline w'ore a 
 small cross inside her dress. Tlie Sisters wore the crosses on 
 the morning the three gentlemen visited the house. Have 
 seen gentlemen perform service in the oratory. The Rev. W.
 
 46 
 
 Hutchison read prayers sometimes. He did so the first time 
 they were read in the oratory. On one occasion, an eklerly 
 gentlemen performed service in the oratory. This person I 
 understood, was Dr. Pusey." Further on it is stated — "Dr. 
 Pusey performed service in the oratory ; he read the prayers 
 in his surplice. On another occasion he performed service in 
 the top room, called the small dormitory. This was because 
 Sister Caroline was ill. She was in bed at the time. He 
 performed the service of Holy Communion at this time in the 
 bed-room." Did you receive it yourself? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Then you only heard it was so ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. It is likewise stated — " Miss Pusey and another 
 young lady came. Miss Pusey told them her name, and said 
 the gentleman who had performed the services alluded to was 
 her papa." — So that it was no secret about Dr. Pusey being 
 there ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. How old is Miss Pusey ? 
 
 A. About my age. 
 
 Q. You state " the Sisters used to go into the oratory out 
 of service time and kneel before the Cross." Who did so ? 
 
 A. I only saw one Sister — Sister Emma, kneel before the 
 Cross ; she went up to the table where theCross was and knelt. 
 
 A . Did you ever see Miss Sellon do so ? 
 
 Q. No, sir. 
 
 The Bishop, reading — " There is a cross on the parlour 
 mantel-piece, — one in the Lady Superior's room, and one in 
 Sister Caroline's room. Had prayers seven times a day besides 
 morning and evening services." — Is that true ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. What sort of a cross was it on the parlour mantel-piece ? 
 
 A. It was a small stone cross. 
 
 Q. Are you aware that it is common for ladies to have 
 crosses in their parlours ? 
 
 A. I am not. 
 
 Q. Did the ladies used to bow to this cross ? 
 
 A. I did not see them. 
 
 Q. They never used to do so on any particular occasion ? 
 
 A. Never. 
 
 Q. Were you required, or the children, to bow or curtsy on 
 going into the room ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir ; the children were taught to bow on going into 
 the rooms. 
 
 Q. Was it a rule on going into the room to make a bow or 
 curtsy ?
 
 47 
 
 A. It was not, tli.it I know, a rule; but they did it. 
 
 Q, Do you not know that they were told to bow, on enter- 
 ing any and every room ? 
 
 A. I do not know they were told this ; but they were told 
 by Sister Catherine, that they were to bow to the Cross, and 
 not to leave the room until they did. She spoke crossly to the 
 children. 
 
 Q. Was it to the Cross, or on going iuto the room, they were 
 to bow ? 
 
 A. To the Cross. 
 
 Q. When were they to bow ? 
 
 A. When they came into the room, and when they went out. 
 
 Q. Was it mentioned to you that it was your duty to bow 
 to the Cross ? 
 
 A. It was not mentioned to me. 
 
 The lied. W. B. Killpack. Did you not run away from the 
 institution also, on a former occasion ? 
 
 A. Yes, I did. 
 
 Q. Where did you go to ? 
 
 A. I Avent to my friends. 
 
 Q. Where do they live ? 
 
 A. In Devonport. In Dock-wall Street. 
 
 Q. Who brought you back ? 
 
 A. Mr. W. Hutchison came to me, and persuaded me to 
 return. 
 
 Q. What reason did you give to Mr. Hutchison for running 
 away ? 
 
 A. I did not like the confinement. 
 
 Q. So you ran away a second time ? 
 
 A. I ran away this last time, and have not returned. 
 
 Q. W^hy did not you go to your relations this last time ? 
 
 A. (After some hesitation.) They could not afford to keep 
 me. 
 
 Q. Have you not been at Mrs. Clarke's ever since ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. Did you give your evidence to the persons who called upon 
 you, in the presence of Mrs. Clarke and her daughter ? 
 
 A. Yes, I did. 
 
 Q. Did not Mr. Lancaster fetch you from Mrs. Clarke's, 
 and take you to Miss Sellon's. 
 
 A. Yes, he came to me at Mrs. Clarke's ; he wished me to 
 come to Miss Sellon's with him ; he said Miss Sellon wanted 
 to speak to me. 
 
 The Bishop. Did you go ? 
 
 A. Yes, and Miss Sellon asked me, why I left her ; and I 
 said, because it was too much work and confinement. 
 
 Q. Was Mr. Lancaster present ?
 
 48 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. But, in the Union you had work to do, as well as con- 
 finement ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Would you prefer living in the Workhouse to living at 
 Miss Sellon's? 
 
 A. I do not prefer either. — (laughter.) 
 
 Q. But which of the two would you prefer ? 
 
 A. The Workhouse. 
 
 Q. What makes you prefer the Poorhouse — was there better 
 living in it ? 
 
 A. No ; hut there is not so much confinement or so much 
 work. 
 
 T/ie Bishop. Or so much reading ? 
 
 Wittiess. I had quite as much time for reading in the 
 Workhouse as out of it. 
 
 Q. Had you as many books ? 
 
 A. I had a Bible, a Prayer Book, and a book about Confir- 
 mation. 
 
 Q. But did you read as much as at Miss Sellon's ? 
 
 A. 1 read more. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. I would ask, whether the person, or 
 persons, who w^ere in the habit of kneeling before the Cross, 
 were in the habit of prostrating themselves for any length of 
 time? 
 
 A. No, they never prostrate themselves. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. I mean, did they kneel for any long 
 time ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. But how long ? 
 
 A. I have seen Sister Emma kneel for half an hour. 
 
 The Bishop. When they knelt in this manner, where were 
 they? 
 
 A. Before the Cross. 
 
 Q. Who was it knelt in that Avay ? 
 
 A. Sister Emma was the only one I saw. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. What kind of bow Avas made on en- 
 tering the oratory ? 
 
 A. They crossed their hands before and bowed. 
 
 Q. Will you show us ? 
 
 [The girl crossed her hands on her bosom and bowed 
 reverently.] 
 
 Q. On entering the room, did they make the bow directly ? 
 
 A. No, they went to the table on which the Cross stood, and 
 made the bow. 
 
 Q. By what name is the table known ? 
 
 A. I believe, an altar ; it is covered with a blue cloth.
 
 49 
 
 Q. Did you on any occasion see flowers placed on the table f 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 3It\ Elworthy. "Were you told to bow to the Cross ? 
 
 A. Not myself; but the children were chid for not bowing 
 to the Cross ? 
 
 Q. Who chid them ? 
 
 A. Sister Catherine, who said they were to bow, and not to 
 leave the room until they did ; and that they would be punished 
 if they did not do it. 
 
 Q. Was that a bow of respect made by the children to the 
 ladies, and not as that before referred to ? 
 
 A. It was not a bow of the same kind. I always bowed to 
 the ladies when I met them in the house. 
 
 Q. Now, with regard to the other crosses, what size was 
 that on the mantel-piece of the parlour ? 
 
 A. About three inches long. 
 
 The Bishop. I have a marble shop in my neighbourhood, and 
 almost every lady that goes there, I dare say, buys such things 
 as these. But, really, is there any harm in these things ? 
 
 Afr. Ehcorthy. I don't think so, my lord ; / have one myself. 
 But what was it standing on ? 
 
 The Bishop. It must be fixed in something. I defy any one 
 almost to form a Cross without fixing it in something. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. But I wish to ask if it was not a raised 
 pedestal, my lord. 
 
 TAe Bishop. Why a pedestal must of necessity be raised — 
 (laughter). 
 
 Mr. li. M. Oliver. Did you not see Mr. Lancaster, the 
 Governor of the Workhouse, when he visited the Orphans' 
 Home by directions of the Board of Guardians ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. What passed ? 
 
 A. Mr. Lancaster asked the children if they were all happy, 
 and they said they were ; and he said to me, " I suppose I 
 need not ask you, Pochetty, if you are comfortable ?" I did 
 not answer. 
 
 Q. Why did you not answer ? 
 
 A. Because I did not feel unhappy then. 
 
 Q When did you first feel unhappy ? 
 
 A. I was there a month, p,nd then I began to feel unhappy. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. How long did you remain there after ? 
 
 A. Two months. 
 
 Q. Why did you feel unhappy ? 
 
 A. I had too much work to do. 
 
 Q. Had you not as much confinement and work when you 
 first went there duiing the first month ? 
 
 A. Yes, but not the same kind of work.
 
 50 
 
 Q. What was the work you had to do ? 
 
 A. 1 had to scrub the house. 
 
 Q. Did you have any one to assist you ? 
 
 A. The chikhen lielped me. 
 
 Q. How many helped you? 
 
 A. Two or three helped to scrub the liouse. 
 
 Q. What other work had you ? 
 
 A. To keep the house clean. 
 
 Q. Were you assisted in this also ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. What else had you to do ? 
 
 A. I had to help one of the Sisters cooking. 
 
 Q. Do I understand you were more happy in the workhouse 
 than at Miss Sellon's ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Had you food enough ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 The Rev. J. Hatchard. Was it the practice of any of the 
 clergymen who went into the oratory, to make the bow, after 
 the manner of the Sisters. 
 
 A. I never saw any bow to the Cross, except Dr. Pusey. 
 
 TJie Bishojj. Did you ever see any other clergyman in the 
 place ? 
 
 A. Yes. Mr. W. Hutchison and Mr. James Clase. 
 
 Q. Did you ever see any Bibles in the house ? 
 
 A. Yes, many. I saw one in the recreation room. 
 
 Mr. Mennie. Were the girls instructed to read the Bible 
 every day ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 The Bishop. Did they hear the Bible read every morning 
 and evening ? 
 
 A. Yes. At the church morning and evening service. 
 
 Q. Did they hear parts of the Bible read in the oratory ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Mev. G. W, Procter. Were the children old enough to read 
 the Bible ? 
 
 A. They w^erc all over ten years of age. 
 
 Q. Could they say their letters, or mucli more ? 
 
 A. Yes — they could read. 
 
 /. Furneaux, Esq. The witness has stated that I attended in 
 the oratory on one occasion. Did the witness attend there ? 
 
 A. I Avas not there, I Avas going up stairs to bed at the 
 time, and I saw him going towards the oratory ; I never saw 
 him in the oratory. 
 
 Q. I wish to know if this witness has not been habitually 
 late in returning from church in the evening. 
 
 A. No, sir.
 
 51 
 
 Q. Had not the door to be ke'^t open, or be re-opened, on 
 her account ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Has she ever been, when out, accosted by persons not 
 connected -with the establishment, with regard to your 
 situation. 
 
 A. Never. 
 
 Q. Or were not some of the children so accosted, wlien in 
 your company ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Were any clergymen in the habit of going to 
 the Orphans' Home, and attending prayers there? 
 
 A. Mr. W. Hutchison, Mr. .^neas Hutchison, Mr. Killpack, 
 Mr. Barter, Mr. Procter, and Dr. Pusey. 
 
 'The Bishop. I am exceedingly glad there are so many — very 
 glad indeed. ^^ hat clergyman, if he were in a private house, 
 when family prayers were about to be said, would turn his 
 back on those prayers ? I trust none — (cheers). 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. What laymen, 7iot clergymen, were in the 
 habit of visiting at the house ? — (great laughter.) 
 
 A. I do not know. 
 
 The Bishop desired the witness to remove her shawl, in order 
 to show the black gown, which Clarke had brought out of the 
 house and had given her. 
 
 The jRev. IV. B. Killpack- Where were you found when 
 you ran a^vay the first time ? 
 
 A. In Dockwalls. 
 
 Q- What was the house at Avhich you were ? 
 
 A- I do not know the number. I had left the house when 
 I was found. 
 
 Q. Who kept it ? 
 
 A. A person named Lashbrook. 
 
 Q. How long were you there ? 
 
 A. About a quarter of an hour. 
 
 Q. Who found you there ? 
 
 A. Nobody found me there. 
 
 Q. What relation is the person you mentioned to you ? 
 
 A, A cousin ; she is the nearest relation I have in Devon- 
 port. 
 
 Q. What is she ? 
 
 A. She is a widow, and works at shoe-binding. 
 
 Q. By whom were you induced to return ? 
 
 A. By Mr. W. Hutchison. 
 
 Q- Did Mr- Hutchison ask you why you ran away ? 
 
 A. Yes — 1 said I was not happy. 
 
 Q. Where did vou go, when vou ran awav the second time ? 
 
 A- To Mrs. Clarke's.
 
 Q. Has Mrs. Clarke a husband ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. What is he ? 
 
 A. He is, I believe, a soldier. 
 
 Q. Were you living there, when you gave your evidence ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Were Mrs. Clarke and her daughter present when you 
 gave your evidence ? 
 
 A. 'Yes. 
 
 The Rev. W. H. Nantes. Were you taught to bow to the 
 Cross ? 
 
 A. I did bow to it, because I saw others do it. 
 
 The Rev. G. R. Prymie. Has she any relations here ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Does she now live with them ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Is the person she is living Avith the mother of Clarke ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Who pays for her living ? 
 
 A. No one, as she knows of. Mrs. Clarke is a poor woman, 
 and has no means of supporting any one but herself and family. 
 
 Q. Does the witness pay for her living ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Does any other person pay for it ? 
 
 A. I do not think any one does. 
 
 Q. How often had you to attend prayers in the Orphans' 
 Home? 
 
 A. Three times a day. 
 
 Rev. G. W. Procter. Were you not in the habit yourself of 
 kneeling before the Cross in the oratory ? 
 
 A. We knelt by the wall looking across the room — not 
 before the Cross. 
 
 Rev. G. TV. Procter. My lord, may I 
 
 The Bishop. I cannot hear any remarks now. 
 
 Rev. G. W". Procter. I would ask, did she ever kneel to the 
 Cross ? 
 
 A. No, I never knelt to it, but I have bowed to it. 
 
 Q. Were you taught to kneel or bow to the Cross ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Were others taught to kneel to the Cross ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Were any of the Sisters chid for not bowing to the 
 Cross. 
 
 A. I do not know of any. 
 
 Q. Did all the Sisters and children bow before the Cross in 
 the oratory ? 
 
 A. No.
 
 53 
 
 Q. Were any told this was wrong, or chid for it 
 
 A. No, I never heard any told it was wrong. 
 
 James Furneaux, JEsq. Were you taught to place your hands 
 before you and bow in the way you have shown ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q, Did the bowing continue after the removal of the Cross ? 
 
 A. Yes, all bowed when the picture of the Virgin Mary 
 was there. 
 
 Q. Was the same reverence done to the picture as to the 
 Cross. 
 
 A. Yes, there was. 
 
 J. Mcfidle, Esq. Did you ever see the altar without either 
 Cross or picture ? 
 
 A. No; nor did I ever see the Cross and picture there at 
 once. 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard. Were tlie clergymen visiting the Orphans' 
 Home called by any particular name ? 
 
 A. Dr. Pusey was called Father, but no other person was 
 so called. 
 
 The Bishop. Why was that ? Were you ever invited to con- 
 fess your sins to Dr. Pusey, or did you know any person so 
 invited ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Lieutenant Strong, then rose and, with much energy, said — 
 I would ask if the table in the oratory is like the table at 
 w"hich you are seated, or like a tomb in a church — (laughter). 
 
 The Bishop. That is a strange question. Is the table in 
 the oratory like this, or like a tomb-stone ? 
 
 Lieutenant Strong- That's not the question. 
 
 The Bishop. Then I don't understand it. 
 
 Lieutenant Strong. Is the table like the tomb-stone erected 
 to the memory of dear departed friends in an established 
 churchyard (roars of laughter)? 
 
 The Bishop — I will not put such a question ; I will not put 
 such trash. 
 
 Lieutena7it Strong. It is a very proper question — (laughter). 
 
 W. R. Berryman, Esq. With submission to your lordship, 
 I w^ould ask the shape of the table ? 
 
 A. It was a square table, covered with blue cloth. 
 
 Q. Were there any legs to the table — (laughter) ? 
 
 A. I cannot say. 
 
 The Bishop. Then you had not the curiosity to pull up the 
 blue cloth to see ? 
 
 A. No. sir. 
 
 The Bishop. Then, perhaps, it was unfortunate these gen- 
 tlemen were not there, for they might have done it — 
 (laughter).
 
 54 
 
 Mr. Richards. Was there any iutlucement held out to you 
 to obtain your evidence ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 JRev. W. C. Hutchiso:* then presented himself for ex- 
 amination. 
 
 The Bishop. You were a party to taking the girl Pochetty 
 from the Union house ? 
 
 A. Yes, my lord. She first called upon the Rev. Mr. Childs, 
 with a note from the clergyman of the parish she came from 
 in London. That is how I first knew of her. 
 
 The Bishop. Never mind. You induced her to go to Miss 
 Sellon ? 
 
 A. Y"es. 
 
 Q. After she ran away, you found her — where ? 
 
 A. I found her in North-corner street. 
 
 Q. What character docs that neighbourhood bear ? 
 
 A. It is a notoriously bad neighbourhood. 
 
 Q. Did she assign any reason for running away ? 
 
 A. Yes. She said the reason was that two of the sisters had 
 spoken harshly to her, but she loved Miss Sellon dearly: she 
 believed that it was " the temptation of the devil ; something 
 told me I must go." 1 told her that many prayers were 
 offered for her, and that I thought she had better return to 
 those kind ladies who had taken care of her. I did this out 
 of pure love to the girl. 
 
 [The Rev. Gentleman here evinced much pious emotion.] 
 
 T7ie Bishop. Did she return ? 
 
 A. She went back, and was received with kindness by Miss 
 Sellon, and that night went to bed, after having kissed Miss 
 Sellon, as was their wont. 
 
 Q. Did you see any bowings ? 
 
 A. Being at the Orphans' Home at the time of prayer, I 
 joined the family in their devotions, and once, as I was leaving 
 the oratory, and almost by accident I saw Miss Sellon bow. 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. Did Mr. Hutchison say the bow was acci- 
 dental ? 
 
 Tlie Bishop. That's absurd. (To witness) — was the bow an 
 accidental bow ? 
 
 A. I mean that my seeing her, was accidental ; she was on 
 the other side of the table. She had sat on a stool by the side 
 of the table, and as she was coming towards the front of the altar 
 she bowed. 
 
 The Bishop. Did it appear to you as bowing to the Cross, or 
 without any special direction ? 
 
 A. I believe she would bow if no cross was there, — (cries of 
 no, no.) 
 
 The Bishop. This is the first time I have heard, " no, no."
 
 55 
 
 and I hope it will l)c the last of anything so discreditable. I 
 put it to you as a clergyman, and 1 cannot put it in a more 
 solemn way — in verba sacccrdotio , were you satisfied that Miss 
 Sellon bowed to the Cross X)r simply towards that place in 
 which the Cross stood ? 
 
 A. She bowed, I should think simply towards the place 
 where the Cross stood. On my word, as a clergyman, 1 believe, 
 that Miss Sellon Avould have bowed, if there had been no Cross. 
 I never left the room in consequence of IMiss Sellon bowing, 
 I asked her once the reason M'hy she did it, and she told me 
 it was in reverence to the place : that I perfectly understood. 
 
 The Bis/ioj). I hear a loud whisper that this is " a distinction 
 without a difference !" The Church of England does not so 
 regard it, for in one of its early convocations has required or 
 recommended, bowing to the East, on going into, and coming 
 out of the church. The 7th Canon of the Synod of 1640, re- 
 commends bowing on going into church, and on leaving it. 
 The practice is observed in ])urham Cathedral and in all 
 Colleges on going in and out, always to bow. At Christ 
 Church, when I was there in College it was adopted, and 1 
 heard from a gentleman who a few days since left it, that it 
 was still continued there. 
 
 3Ir. Ehcorthy. It is done also, in Winchester Cathedral.) 
 
 TJie Bisliop. Yes, and Mr, Elwoithy reminds me it is also 
 followed in the Cathedral of Winchester. 
 
 Mr. Ehcorthy. These my lord are churches. 
 
 The Bishop. To be sure they are churches. But if a chapel, 
 it might be done ; and these ladies call this place an oratory, 
 and I honor and applaud them for it. 
 
 Mr. Mennic. Should not the room have been consecrated ? 
 
 The Bishop. I will say something on the other hand, I am 
 sorry there has been such a thing as a table having been called 
 an altar, and I will say why, in the oratory, there could not be 
 ordinarily the Holy Sacrament celebrated, for that would have 
 been contrary to law ; therefore, I am sorry that in the arrange- 
 ment of the room, the table has been called an altar. In refer- 
 ence to the word altar, I need not remind lawyers, that the lan- 
 guage of the law calls it an altar. One of the earliest Acts of 
 Parliament — one of the statutes of Edward the YI., was for 
 preventing the desecration of the altar ; I must say, however, 
 it is not only irregular, but unlawful, to have the Holy Com- 
 munion, except in case of sickness, celebrated in any private 
 house or room Avhatever it was called, except in those that are 
 especially licensed, and I am sorry these ladies gave to this 
 place the character of a church by preparing for the celebration 
 of the Holy Communion in it ; but can I blame ladies, young 
 ladies, if they fall into a mistake, when it is very possible for
 
 56 
 
 some whom I address to be ignorant upon the point i Am 1 
 to be surprised, then, to find they -have been mistaken — 
 (laughter). I am astonished, gentlemen — astonished at such 
 a manifestation against these lac^s ; I Avill not call them un- 
 fortunate (God knows who are fortunate if they are un- 
 fortunate). (Hah ! Hah ! derisively from j\Ir. W. J. Little.) 
 Is it posssible? (Turning towards the part of the room 
 from whence the laugh proceeded.) I do not know the 
 man w'ho laughed, and I do not wish to know him, for I wish 
 to despise no man. But if there be a human being here who 
 does not honour those generous Sisters of Charity, I disclaim 
 him. I entreat that there may be no further indication of this 
 kind. 
 
 Mr. Ehvorthy. It appears to me your lordship thinks we are 
 opposing those ladies, we do not question the piety or goodness 
 of the ladies. 
 
 The liishoj). When I expressed the honor due to these 
 ladies, I felt they could not be called unfortunate. Whatever 
 their trial may be now, their triumph will be hereafter. 
 
 The examination was then continued. 
 
 Q. Did you ask Miss Sellon why she bowed ? 
 
 A. I did ask her, and she said she bowed in reverence. 
 
 Q. Was it in reverence to the place ? 
 
 A I believe it was in reverence to the place. 
 
 Q. Did Miss Sellon say so ? 
 
 A. I cannot say she said so. 
 
 Q. Did you understand it so r 
 
 A. I understood it was to that place where God's honor 
 dwelt. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. The witness used the word altar, did he 
 used it advisedly ? 
 
 The Bishop. What, Mr. Elworthy ? 
 
 Mr. Elioorthy. If I am troublesome to your lordship I will 
 sit down. 
 
 The Bishop. I will not insult a gentleman by asking him 
 such a question. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Very well, my lord. 
 
 Witness. I was not aware that I used the word altar. 
 
 Two of the reporters said the word altar had been used by 
 the witness. 
 
 Mr. Ehvorthy. I find the word altar has been used. 
 
 3Ir. Ilutchisofi. It is quite immaterial which word I used, I 
 sometimes say altar and sometimes table, but the latter more 
 frequently to avoid giving offence. 
 
 I7ie Bishop. I am happy to hear that, for it is in accordance 
 with the teaching of the church. Was the cross on the table 
 when you performed service there ? 
 
 A. Yes.
 
 57 
 
 Q. Did yoii ever perform service wlien it was not there ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. How often did you perform service ? 
 
 A. Several times. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. AVere there flowers on the altar when yon 
 read prayers ? 
 
 The Bishop. I find you are not the only one that calls it 
 " the altar," Mr. Elworthy has done so now — (laughter). 
 
 Witness. They were. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Did the ladies, or any of them, wear crosses 
 that this gentleman saw ? 
 
 A. I believe so, but I never saw a cross exposed but twice 
 upon Miss Sellon, 
 
 The Bishop. Did you ever see them in the street with them 
 apj)arent ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Do you know what use Miss Sellon made of 
 the cross, that she wore ? 
 
 A. I only know that she regarded it as a sweet memorial, 
 the same as some persons do a miniature of dear friends. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. Have you any reason for believing she had any 
 particular use for it but that of a memorial ? 
 
 A. None. 
 
 Q. Did you meet Dr. Pusey at the Orphans' Home, by 
 agreement or appointment ? 
 
 A. No, 1 understand his visit was simply that of a friend. 
 
 Q. Then you did not meet him there to forward the objects 
 of the Orphans' Home? 
 
 A. There was no agreement between us whatever. I heard 
 he was coming and I Avas desirous to meet him. I went and 
 did see him, and I am delighted that I did see him. 
 
 The Bishop. I am glad you have the manliness to avow it. 
 
 Mr. Ehvorthy. My questions have not reference to the ladies, 
 the " Sisters of Mercy," but they concern the clergy. 
 
 The Bishop). Then I would say my object in coming here is 
 to enquire into the charges against these ladies only. But I 
 will not put a single question to criminate a clergyman. If 
 the conduct of any clergyman were objected to, the complaint 
 must be made in a proper way, and an ecclesiastical enquiry 
 should undoubtedly take place. There .is my son sitting 
 beside me, and I would not spare my nearest or dearest 
 relation, if any ecclesiastical offence were brought against him. 
 But 1 do not sit here to investigate the conduct of my clergy. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. 1 have to say, your lordship, I am not con- 
 cerned in the enquiry relating to the ladies. 
 
 The Bishop. It is a pity so much time has been wasted, 
 then ; all I have come here for now is to make tliat enquiry, 
 
 H
 
 58 
 
 and I will not hear one word about the clergy, except [with 
 regard to the Orphans' Home. 
 
 3Ir. Elicorthj/. That is what I desire, my lord. It is with 
 respect to the clergy connected with the Orphans' Home, I 
 hope to ask many more questions, with your lordship's 
 permission. 
 
 Q. Did you meet Mr. Maskell at Miss Sellon's ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Did you ever officiate in the celebration of the Sacra- 
 ment in that place ? , 
 
 The Bishop. That would be an offence against the ecclesias- 
 tical laws. Has Mr. Elworthy any charge to prefer ? 
 
 Air. Elworthy. I have no such charge to prefer. 
 
 The Bishop. What do you want, then ? 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. I want to put the question, and he may 
 answer it or not, if he pleases. 
 
 [Here some one called out — " I object to that question."] 
 
 The Bishop. To the witness. I will ask you, did you ever 
 administer the Sacrament to a sick person in the house ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Were you ever present when it was administered to a 
 sick person ? 
 
 A. Yes ; I had the happiness, during the stay of young Mr. 
 Pusey, who is an invalid, when the communion for the sick 
 was celebrated, and Mr. Pusey partook the last. 
 
 The Bishop. It is notorious that young Mr, Pusey is not in 
 health ; I remember his being brought to me to receive a 
 Bishop's blessing, Avhich was esteemed not lightly. Twelve 
 months ago his sister was brought to me, I recollect perfectly 
 well] and her brother was also brought to me for the purpose 
 of receiving a Bishop's blessing — Mr. Pusey was one of those 
 who considered a Bishop's blessing of some comfort to him — 
 (hear, hear) ; and I thank God that I Avas enabled to give it, 
 because I saw that it gave to him and to his venerable father, 
 real comfort. He is notoriously so much an invalid as to be 
 obliged to go abroad. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy said — I should like to know whether the altar 
 in the oratory was in the east end or not, because I wish to 
 stand by the directions of the Kubric. 
 
 The Bishop. I rejoice to find so devoted an attachment for 
 the Rubric. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. I like it when it is right. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. Then it comes to this — this gentleman, Avho 
 thinks he is a churchman 
 
 Dr. Bellamy I am one ; I don't merely profess to be. 
 
 The Bishop. This gentleman, who thinks he is a church- 
 man 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. And is onej too.
 
 59 
 
 The BisJiop. ] should have a hettcr opinion of his church- 
 nianship it" lie would liave more respect for the law of the 
 church. He says he likes the Rubric wiien it is right. Now, 
 the difference between the sound churchman and the self- 
 fancying churchman is this — while the sincere churchman says, 
 I am bound by the laws of the church as they are ; the other 
 says, I will be Pope in this country, and decide what is the 
 law, and what is nol, for myself, and take no account of what 
 does not agree with my own notion — (hear, hear). 
 
 Mr. Elivorfhy. -When INIr. Maskell came to Miss Sellon's 
 before the Cross was removed , was he the Bishop's chaplain ? 
 
 A. I cannot tell ; it was about the time the memorial from 
 some of the clergy was sent to your lordship. 
 
 The Bishop. Did Mr. Maskell go into the oratory or not? 
 
 A. I only saw him in one room. 
 
 The Bishop. T should not have objected to his going into the 
 oratory if he had been my chaplain. 
 
 Mr. Elworthij. Do you chance to know if he was the Bishop's 
 chaplain at the time ? 
 
 A. 1 do not. 
 
 Rev. E. C. Phillpotts said, — T believe I can tell. 1 was, at 
 the time he visited the Orphans' Homo, passing through Ply- 
 mouth, and I enquired for Mr. Maskell, who is a friend of 
 mine. At that time he was not the chaplain of your lordship. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy asked, if any gentleman accompanied Mr. 
 Maskell ? 
 
 A. There was one, if not two. 
 
 TJie Bishop. (To Mr. Rickard.) You may put down this as 
 my evidence. I asked Mr. Maskell after he had visited Miss 
 Sellon, to tell me something about the establishment, and he 
 said that they went four together, and instead of obtaining any 
 knoAvledge as to the manner in which the house was conducted, 
 they had learnt nothing. 
 
 itcD. G. F. IVhidborne enquired, whether Mr. Hutchison 
 had remonstrated with Miss Sellon for bowing to the Cross ? 
 
 A. 1 never understood that Miss Sellon did bow to the 
 Cross. 
 
 Rev. H. A. Greaves. Did Mr. Hutchison ask why she bowed 
 to the Cross ? 
 
 The Bishop. It has been already answered, T shall not put 
 such an unnecessary question. 
 
 Mr. Rogers, reporter, said — Really my lord my notes are so 
 confused upon this question, that I cannot say what will go 
 before the public, unless your lordship will ask the question. 
 
 The Bishop. Certainly. What did you say to Miss Sellon ? 
 
 Mr. Hutchison. I asked why she bowed on the mentioning 
 of the Holy Trinity, on entering church, and on going into the
 
 (JO 
 
 oratory. She said, out of reverence. Had it been otherwise, I 
 should have felt it my duly to reuioustrale with her. 
 
 The Bishop here called upon the Rev. W. B. Killpack to 
 give evidence ; but it being- nitimated to his lordship that the 
 little fiirl, 8elina .Jones, was waiting, he requested she might 
 be asked to step forward. 
 
 The Bishop. How long were you in this Institution ? 
 
 Selina Jones. Three months. 
 
 Q. When did you leave it? 
 
 A. Three weeks ago last Friday. 
 
 Q. Why did you go away ? 
 
 A. Because I did not like it. 
 
 Q. Have you any parents alive? 
 
 A. Yes, ray mother is alive. 
 
 Q. Did you tell the ladies you were about to leave ? 
 
 A. I did, sir. 
 
 Q. When you went, was there any difficulty in it ? 
 
 A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. When you were there, wore you in the habit of attending 
 prayers in the oratory ? 
 
 A. Yes, sir. 
 
 Q. How often ? 
 
 A. I used to go once a day. 
 
 Q. At what time ? 
 
 A. In the morning, at G o'clock, sir. 
 
 The Bishop. Did you, when you went into the oratory, 
 make any bowing ? 
 
 A. I made a curtsey. 
 
 Q. Which were you told to make, a bow or a curtsey ? 
 
 A. Sister Catherine told us to make it ; she said you must 
 bow or curtsey to the Cross ? 
 
 Q. How were you directed to bow ? 
 
 The witness then bowed her head. 
 
 Q. When you bowed, did you put your arms or hands in 
 any particular position ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 The Bishop. That will do — you are a nice little girl, and 
 have answered the questions in a very straightforward manner. 
 How old are you ? 
 
 A. Eleven, sir. 
 
 3Ir. Lancaster was next examined. 
 
 The Bishop. You are the governor of the Workhouse ? 
 
 A. I am. 
 
 Q. Were not some orphans from the Workhouse placed in 
 the Orphans' Home ? 
 
 A. They were ; 1 was called upon by the Rev. Wm. 
 Hutchison, who^asked me to furnish the names of the Orphans
 
 61 
 
 then in the house ; T gave in Porhotty's name, and she went 
 to the Home ; I have seen her several times, but she never 
 told me that she was unhappy. I saw her after she ran away 
 the first time, and persuaded her to go to the Home. I told 
 Miss Sellon at that time, that 1 was fearful she would have 
 ^trouble with her After she ran away, I saw her ; she told me 
 she did not like it. She went back to Miss Sellon's. Miss 
 Sellon asked her whether any person or persons had put any 
 questions to her. Pochetty was a long time before she gave 
 any answer, she at last said, no person had. She was asked, 
 are you quite sure what you say is the truth ? She said, they 
 never asked me anything, but they asked Sarah Clarke. She 
 was asked then, what questions were put to Sarah Clarke? 
 She replied, I don't know. 
 
 Rev. W. B. KillpacJi. Did she go to Miss Sellon's freely ? 
 
 A. 1 saw her in the street, and said, you had better go to 
 Milne Place. She said, I am sick from wearing damp clothes 
 and from hard work. I said, Miss Sellon wishes to see you. At 
 first she refused to go, but at the persuasion of Mrs. Clarke, 
 she went. I heard that three or four of the children had ran 
 away, and been examined. 
 
 Mr. L. P. Tripe. You have heard the girl Pochetty examined 
 here to day, — did she answer Miss Sellon as freely ? 
 
 A. I was surprised at the freedom of her manner to-day, 
 contrasted with her backwardness before Miss Sellon, as she 
 then made her statements with great hesitation. 
 
 James Furneaux, Esq., said, he should like to be examined; 
 when some one said, Miss Sellon was in waiting, and the 
 Bishop said, your evidence shall be taken afterwards, but we 
 cannot keep Miss Sellon waiting. I am sure, gentlemen, we 
 shall all feel it to be as much our duty as our inclination, as 
 much as possible, to spare Miss Sellon in her examination — 
 (cheers). Will you, Mr. Acland, be kind enough to ask Miss 
 Sellon to oblige us with her i)resence, for it will be an honour ; 
 and will you, gentlemen, make way for her. 
 
 Miss Sellon, accordingly, came into the room, attended by 
 Arthur Dyke Acland, Esq., who had been in attendance upon 
 her in the absence of her father, who was prevented being 
 present by illness. 
 
 On Miss Sellon entering the room, the Bishop cordially 
 shook hands with her. Upon her taking her seat, the Bishop 
 observed that it appeared to him the principal charge was, that 
 Miss Sellon and the ladies were in the habit of bowing to the 
 Cross, and also taught the orphans to do so. Is this the case ? 
 
 A. No, it is not, my lord. 
 
 Q. Then you are not in the habit of bowing to the Cross ? 
 
 A. No, my lord, we do not. We bow both when we enter
 
 6^2 
 
 and leave the oratory; but this is for a reason not at all con- 
 nected with the ('ross, which is often removed from the oratory. 
 
 Q. Is it a bow of reverence to what you esteem the place 
 where God especially dwells in your house ? 
 
 A. It is, my lord. 
 
 Q. Are you aware of Sister Catherine, or any one else, 
 having told the inmates to bow to the Cross ? 
 
 A. No ; I have particularly asked Sister Catherine if she 
 had ever desired any of the children to bow to the Cross, or 
 threatened them if they neglected it, and she has told me that 
 nothing of the kind has ever occurred. I asked her the day 
 before yesterday about this. I told her these young women had 
 declared she told them to bow to the Cross, and she said it was 
 not true. 
 
 Q. Where is Sister Catherine now ? 
 
 A. She is unwell, in bed. 
 
 The Bishop. Observations have been made about things 
 which have been seen in your bed-room. It is impossible, Miss 
 Scllon, for me to ask you any questions in reference to that; 
 but it has been stated that you have worn a cross with beads. 
 
 A. I have worn a cross with beads, but not since I have 
 lived in Milne Place. It is not a rosary, but a cross with beads. 
 
 Q. What do you mean when you say it is not a rosary ? 
 
 A. A rosary is made up of small and large beads alternately ; 
 this is not. 
 
 Q. Is there anything on the beads ? 
 
 A. There is not. 
 
 Q. Is there anything attached ? 
 
 A. There is a cross appended to it. 
 
 Q. Have you got it here ? 
 
 A. No, my lord ; I have given it away. It is a common 
 cross, about an inch and a half long, and was a little token 
 given to me by a friend, when I was a child. 
 
 Q. Your father is a Captain in the Navy, is he not ? I need 
 not ask you that, for I know that ; he is an honour to his pro- 
 fession. I am sorry he is not in this county, for he would 
 have been here to day, to protect his daughter; but you do 
 not require the protection of an earthly father. I believe you 
 are a grand-daughter or a great grand-daughter of Mr. Sellon, 
 who made the abbreviation of the Bible ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q, Have you been in the habit of instructing the children 
 in the Bible ? 
 
 A. The children have been instructed in the Bible every 
 Sunday, and have also had half an hour's instruction every 
 day on the Creed, the Ten Commandents, and the Lord's 
 Prayer. Theij were very ignorant when they /?r5^ came to me.
 
 63 
 
 Q. Were there any Bibles in the house ? 
 
 A. Yes; there were numbers in every part and in every 
 bed-room, and of course freely accessible to all. 
 
 Q. Were the ladies ever in the habit of using the oratory 
 as a place for private devotion ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Some time ago in the last Autumn, you submitted to me 
 the rules for the private regulation of the house, do you re- 
 collect my saying anything upon them ? 
 
 A. Very \\e\\, my lord. You expressed a wish that the Latin 
 names of the prayers should be struck out. They were so 
 erased in August last, from all the Prayer Books, and the 
 English substituted ; but we use the Latin temis for short- 
 ness' sake in speaking to each other, It is very likely the 
 children might have heard us use these expressions in our 
 rooms, but they were never taught them. 
 
 Q. You say it is for " shortness' sake" you use the Latin 
 names in speaking to each other? 
 
 A. Yes — The children call it " saying prayers." But it is 
 not unlikely they may use them sometimes. 
 
 Q. What kind of Cross was in the oratory? 
 
 A. It was a white marble Cross, and stood on a pedestal, 
 having three steps. 
 
 Q. There were flowers on the table, as well as the Cross ? 
 
 A. Yes, sometimes, not always. 
 
 Q. Were you aware that proceedings had been taken against 
 a clergyman in this diocese, for having a Cross and flowers on 
 the Communion Table ? 
 
 A. No, my lord ; I am a stranger here. 
 
 Q. Were you aware it is against the law of the church ? 
 
 A. I was not aware of it, my lord. 
 
 Q. Were you aware that there is a law of the church for- 
 bidding the celebration of the Lord's Supper in a private house, 
 except for the sick. 
 
 A. I know that it is contrary to the law of the Church of 
 England to have the Sacrament administered in a private house, 
 except in case of sickness, when the office of the Communion of 
 the Sick is used. I did not think of it when 1 arranged an altar 
 in the oratory. I had it put there to make it look more like a 
 church. But afterwards, I remembered, that sickness might 
 happen of a nature, that would not confine persons to their 
 bed ; in which case, I considered, the Holy Communion would 
 be more reverently administered in the oratory. 
 
 Q. Then it did not occur to you at first, that there was im- 
 propriety in so doing? 
 
 A. No, my lord, only subsequently. 
 
 The Bishop. I do not blame you — but I wish that it had not
 
 64 
 
 been done. It was wro/iy to have a Comnuiniuii Table whcie, 
 ordinarily, it was impossible it could be used. 
 
 Q, Was the Cross always upon the table ? 
 
 A. No, my lord. 
 
 Q. Has it been lately removed ? 
 
 A. Yes, my lord; for I was told it was by some called a 
 Crucifix. 
 
 The Bishop. A Crucifix would be a graven image of the 
 Sou of God ; you, therefore, very properly removed it as soon 
 as you knew it was considered to be a Crucifix. Let me ask 
 you if, before you heard it was called a Crucifix, you were in 
 the habit of removing it from the table } 
 
 A. Never, my lord. 
 
 Q. We have heard of a picture being placed in the oratory 
 — possibly it was an engraving .^ 
 
 A. Yes, my lord, it was. 
 
 Q. What was it ? 
 
 A. The Virgin and Child. 
 
 Q, What was it put there for ? 
 
 A. My feeling was to please the children ? 
 
 Q. Was it placed there instead of the Cross ? 
 
 A. 1 suppose I had it in my mind — the place looked blank 
 without it. 
 
 Q. And because it was a favourite wdth the children you 
 placed it there ? 
 
 A. Yes, my lord ; the engraving of Christ blessing little 
 Children, was also sometimes placed there. 
 
 Q. Did you bow when the pictures were there ? 
 
 A. Yes, we always bowed on going in as well as coming out. 
 We bowed out of reverence. 
 
 [The pictures were here handed in. One was a fine engraving 
 of Raphael's celebrated Madonna, in a plain gilt frame ; the 
 other a well executed drawing of our Saviour blessing little 
 Children. The Bishop having inspected them, and remarked 
 in warm praise on their merits, observing that he or any 
 gentleman might be proud to have them in his house, passed 
 them on to those gentlemen nearest to him to look at.] 
 
 Mr. Elworthy, after looking at the print a short time, 
 asked confidently — Has your lordship observed the inscription 
 at the bottom of the picture. Perhaps your lordship or your 
 lordship's son will read it to us. 
 
 2lie Bishop looked at the inscription and said, it is a very 
 beautiful one, and which all must admire. It is — " Virgo ct 
 Mater, decora es /" or, " Thou art heantiful, Virgin and 
 Mother — (laughter). It contains a truth of the Scriptures. 
 
 AJr. ElwortJiy. It is a highly Popish print and sentiment. 
 
 The Bishop. I do not consent that all the good things
 
 65 
 
 belong to the Church of Rome. I claim it for the Church of 
 England. Are ^\e not all in the habit of getting good prints 
 from Italy and placing them in our houses; I know several 
 gentlemen that are in that habit, and I am myself. 
 
 Mr. Elwoithy. Pray, my lord, read on, there is something 
 more on the picture — (cheers, and much anxiety manifested by 
 Mr. Elworthy and the gentlemen near him). 
 
 The Bishop. Oh, certainly — ** Alia sua Altezza Imperiale 
 Reale Ferdinando II. Gran-duca di loscana'^ — laughter 
 and cheers). I do not profess to be an Italian scholar, but 
 my knowledge is sufficient for me to translate this into 
 English — " Dedicated to His Imperial and Royal Highness 
 Ferdinand H. Grand Duke of Tuscany — fcheers and excessive 
 laughter). Unfortunately there is no inscription upon the 
 drawing, and we cannot have another edifying translation 
 such as we have just had ; however, 1 will pass it to the gen- 
 tleman to see if he can discover anything. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Go on, my lord, go on; I can bear with your 
 lordship's kindness. 
 
 The Bishop. You have called yourselves " The Sisters of 
 Mercy," have you not ? 
 
 A. Yes. I did intend that we should designate ourselves 
 Sisters of Charity ; but hearing that a Roman Catholic com- 
 munity of that name already existed in Stonehouse, I was 
 afraid we might have been confused with them. 
 
 Q. Did you know there were other communities, known as 
 " Sisters of Mercy ?" 
 
 A. The name was familiar to me, but I was not aware there 
 were Protestant Sisters of Mercy. 
 
 Q. Did you ever hear of Sisters of Mercy on the Continent, 
 in the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland ? 
 
 A. J did not know there were Protestant Sisters of Mercy 
 in Switzerland ; but 1 knew there were Protestant societies of 
 the kind there, and that those bear the title of " Sisters of 
 Charity." I think there are Sisters of Mercy also, but I am 
 not quite sure. 
 
 Q. You are called the " Lady Superior." Did you adopt 
 that title in order to mark the similarity of this institution to 
 conventual ones ? 
 
 A. I do not know what is understood by conventual. 
 
 Q. Was it your intention to imitate the Convents in 
 Roman Catholic countries ? 
 
 A. No ! no ! my lord. 
 
 Q. Did you intend to make it a Nunnery ? 
 
 A. Oh, dear, no ! 
 
 Q. Will you state the objects of the institution ? 
 
 A. We BECEIVE ORPHANS AND EDUCATE THEM OUB-
 
 66 
 
 SELVES — WE COLLECT SCHOOLS AND SUPPORT THEM — WE 
 VISIT THE SICK AND DESTITUTE POOR — AND ANY OTHER 
 WORK OF CHARITY THAT OFFERS ITSELF, WE ARE DESIROUS OF 
 CARRYING OUT. 
 
 Q. Do you think the title of the " Sisters of Mercy," ap- 
 propriate, as expressing the ohjects of the institution ? 
 
 A. Yes, I think so. 
 
 Q. Have you been enabled to carry out these objects ? 
 
 A. Yes, to a considerable extent. 
 
 Q. I need not state that it was in a place which seemed 
 likely to make your services most needful, but will ask, what 
 occasioned you to come here ? 
 
 A. It was in consequence of reading your lordship's appeal 
 on the spiritual destitution of Devonport, that appeared in the 
 public papers, that I came here. 
 
 Q. Before coming here, did you apply to your father on the 
 subject ? 
 
 A. Yes, my lord ; I asked my father if he would allow me to 
 come and labour among the people here, and he gave me his 
 willing consent. 
 
 Q. You had, I believe, some private means of your own, 
 and you mentioned to your father that you wished to devote 
 these means, as well as yourself — is it so ? 
 
 A. At first, I did not resolve upon devoting these means, but 
 afterwards our plans grew, and I asked my father's consent to 
 devote this property, which he cordially acceded to. My father 
 came down and would have been here now, but for illness. 
 
 Q. When he came, did he employ any of his ozr-« means to 
 the advancement of the work to which you had devoted 
 yourself ? 
 
 A. Yes ; when he came down here, he bought the chapel 
 in Morice Town. I think that, from some legal difficulty, the 
 purchase has not yet been completed, but he has the occu- 
 pation, and pays the rent. 
 
 Q. How have you been received by the people among whom 
 you labour ? 
 
 A. The poor are very grateful for our labours among them. 
 Q. How did you collect the children for the schools r 
 
 A. / collected the children myself out of the streets. I saw 
 them, went up to them, and asked them if they had ever been 
 to school, and if they were willing to be taught ; and then 
 desired them to lead me to their parents. 
 Q. Did they readily go with you ? 
 
 A, They did so, and in consequence of this I collected three 
 schools myself, one of boys and two of girls. 
 
 Q. I would ask how you collected the boys ; did you speak 
 to the boys employed on the new works ?
 
 67 
 
 A. Yes; I have stopped the boys engaged on the works, 
 and asked thorn if they wished to he taught. They were not 
 very civil, but like little savages — (liear, and oh, oh). 
 
 The Bishop. Gentlemen, 1 am astonished ; I have already 
 made a request, twice or thrice, that yon would abstain from 
 such demonstrations of feeling. 
 
 Witness continued. 1, however, got some of them to come, 
 and had gone on for a month with a few, wlien one evening 
 the door of the school-room was burst open, and as many as 30 
 boys rushed in. They said they wished to be taught — (hear). 
 
 Q. Did you take them in to teach them ? 
 
 A. I did, my lord, and they still continue to show great 
 earnestness ; they love their evening school very much. The 
 time they devote to school is taken from their leisure evening 
 hours. 
 
 Q, What time of the year was it ? 
 
 A. I began in May last, and continued until within the last 
 fortnight ; but my health does not permit of their coming now 
 more than once a week — on a Monday. When I told them 
 that, they appeared very unhappy, and expressed a wish that 
 they might not be " dispersed to the winds."* This was their 
 own expression — (hear). 
 
 Q. Have you observed in the conduct of those boys, any 
 improvement, since they have been under your instruction ? 
 
 A. Decidedly so. They are very quiet and gentle — (hear). 
 
 Q. Have you the private rules with you, to which I gave 
 my assent ? 
 
 A, I have my lord. Miss Sellon then gave the copy of the 
 rules to the Bishop, for which the reader is referred, at the 
 end of the pamphlet. 
 
 Rev. W. B. KiUpach. When Pochetty was brought back to 
 you by Mr. Lancaster, did she remain behind after he left the 
 house ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. What took place. 
 
 A. She burst into tears, and asked me to forgive her, for 
 ■what she had done, and asked me to kiss her. I told her she 
 had not injured me, but herself, if she had told a falsehood. 
 
 Q. To what falsehood did you refer ? 
 
 A. I was informed, she had said, the children were told to 
 bow to the Cross. 
 
 Q. Did you say anything more to her ? 
 
 A. Her whole conduct before had been so wrong, that I did 
 nothing but give her some general ad\'ice. 
 
 ' * This statement refers to an evening school, in which boys belonging to the 
 Keyhara "Works are instructed ; but it is only just to add that Messrs. Baker and 
 Sons, the Government contractors, afford very liberal aid to the minister of the 
 district of St, James in the support of two other schools.
 
 68 
 
 Q. When Mrs. Clarke and her daughter saw you after the 
 daughter had left the Institution, how did Mrs. Clarke express 
 herself — satisfied or dissatisfied ? 
 
 A. As satisfied : from her manner I was led to suppose she 
 regretted having taken away her daughter. 
 
 The Bishop. Did she say anything about the clothes being 
 taken away, and no compensation made ? 
 
 A. She seemed perfectly satisfied, and Sarah said, she had 
 received enough for her clothes. Sarah Clarke then burst into 
 tears, and threw her arms round my neck. She had done so 
 once before, when I had been absent from home longer than 
 they expected, and they were frightened until my return ; 
 when Sarah Clarke, being the first that saw me, did as I have 
 said. 
 
 Rev, TV. B. Killpack. Did you observe a change in the 
 character of Sarah Clarke, and at what time ? 
 
 A. I did ; it was after she had been at home to spend an 
 afternoon. After that she was not so gentle in her manner. 
 
 Q. When you engaged Sarah Clarke, on what terms was it ? 
 
 A. Merely to supply her with food and clothing. 
 
 The Bishop. Is there any other gentleman who desires to 
 ask Miss Sellon any question ? 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard. I would ask a few questions. First, 
 was it with the knowledge and permission of the Lady Superior, 
 that clergymen visiting the Orphans' Home, were called 
 " Father" as their common designation ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 Q. Was no one called " Father." 
 
 A. I never heard any of the Sisters address a clergyman as 
 Father. 
 
 Q. May I ask, if, in discharging their duties as clergymen, 
 any of the family were put on confession ? 
 
 A. Certainly not, and I atn not aware that any one did con- 
 fess. 
 
 Q. How many clergymen have been in the habit of officiating 
 in the oratory ? 
 
 A. Whenever a clergyman was in the house at the hour of 
 prayer, I asked him if he would perform the service. 
 
 Q. I would ask, if prayers were made between 11 and 1 
 o'clock in the day ? 
 
 A. None, ray lord. 
 
 Q. I would ask, whether a large white Cross was placed on 
 the table at any time ? 
 
 The Bishop. She has already stated it was. 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard. Well, then I would ask, what furniture 
 was in the room called the oratory ? 
 
 A. Matting, which covered the floor, eight small desks, one 
 for each of the Sisters, one altar, and red hangings on the 
 walls, to make the place comfortable.
 
 69 
 
 Q. Was there nothing else ? 
 
 A. I am not aware there was anything more. 
 
 Q. What has there been upon the altar besides the Cross, 
 the flowers, and the two pictures you spoke of? 
 
 A. There has been nothing else. 
 
 Q. May I ask, was Dr. Pusey in the house at the time I 
 had the honour of visiting you ? 
 
 A. No. 
 
 The Bishop, addressing Mr. Hatchard. I am glad you 
 esteem it an honour — (hear, hear). 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard. I understand the ladies are in the habit 
 of visiting the sick : what is the course they pursue ? 
 
 The Bishop. I would rather not ask vexatious questions. 
 In what mode was the visiting conducted ? 
 
 A. Perhaps, my lord, I may be permitted to read the rule ? 
 
 The Bishop. Certainly, Miss Sellon. 
 
 It is — " 3. — In all intercourse with the poor, folloAv as much 
 as possible the direction of the parish priest, to whose care their 
 souls are committed." — (hear, hear.) 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. (With much surprise) " Direction of the 
 parish priest, to whose care their souls are committed ! ! ! " 
 
 The Bishop. It is by those rules you regulate the conduct of 
 the institution ? 
 
 A. Yes, my lord. 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard. Was there anything on the altar with 
 the Cross ? 
 
 A. Therewas always,or almost always, a Bible and Prayer 
 Book on the altar. 
 
 Q. On how many occasions in the oratory was the Sacrament 
 of the Lord's Supper administered ? 
 
 A. Twice. 
 
 Q. Was it ever administered elsewhere in the house ? 
 
 A. In a bed-room, once. 
 
 Q. At such times was there a sick person in the house, in 
 consideration of whom it was administered ? 
 
 A. Yes. The Communion for the Sick was used. 
 
 Q. Who was the Sacrament administered by ] 
 
 A. Once by Mr. Barter, and twice by Dr. Pusey. 
 
 Rev. IV. B. Killpack. How was Sarah Clarke engaged in 
 the house ? 
 
 A.. She rose in time for breakfast, which was seven o'clock. 
 
 The Bishop. Was she not required to be present at daily 
 prayers, at six o'clock ? 
 
 A. She seldom rose until half-past six. 
 
 Q. I think she has said she was required to rise by five 
 o'clock ? * 
 
 * The reader is here referred to the evidence at pages -1 and b.
 
 70 
 
 Miss Sellon. She was merely required to be dressed for 
 breakfast. This was because she -was delicate. Neither of 
 the servants did rise in time for early prayers. 
 
 llev. W. B. KUlpack- What was her employment ? 
 
 A. The usual household work, in which the orphan Mary 
 Pochetty and two of the Sisters assisted. She was always 
 allowed a half-an-hour to lie down aftcn- dinner ; and I 
 directed she should not have much scrubbing, fur I thought 
 her delicate. 
 
 Q. Were there any other employments for her ? 
 ' A. These were all ; and she had her own time for going to 
 bed after half-past seven ; that was after evening service at 
 church. 
 
 The Bishop. Now, about Pochetty. What had she to do? 
 
 A. Household work only. 
 
 Q. How many assisted in this work ? 
 
 A. Five orphans, Sarah Clarke, and three of the Sisters. 
 
 Q. That is nine engaged in the household work. How 
 many are there altogether residing in the house. 
 
 A. Fourteen. 
 
 Q. So we have, in a family of fourteen, inclusive of the 
 Sisters, nine to do the work. Was Sarah Clarke engaged 
 as a servant ? 
 
 A. Yes. She was allowed to go home three times in the 
 four months, and her mother had every reasonable access to her. 
 
 B,ed. H. A. Greaves. Did Miss Sellon think it right to place 
 the picture where it was placed for the amusement of the 
 children ? 
 
 The Bishop. I will not ask such a question ; I would not 
 insult a lady by asking her if she thought that right which 
 she did ; it is enough that she has said she did so. 
 
 Mr. Ehoorthy. Was the picture removed w hen the Cross Avas 
 put on the altar? 
 
 The Bishop. I will not ask it, it has been already answered. 
 
 E. R' P. Bastard, Esq. Did Sarah Clarke remain the whole 
 time as a servant ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. I think I heard a rule read which speaks of 
 a "parish priest to whose care their souls arc committed." I 
 was going to ask if these were general rules applying to other 
 places or communities, or only used by the Sisters here ? 
 
 A. The latter. 
 
 Q. May I ask who prepared the rules ? 
 
 A. I chiefly prepared them myself. 
 
 Tlie Father of Sarah Clarke. 1 should like to know where is 
 the letter Sarah Clarke wrote to Miss Sellon ? 
 
 A. I never received any.
 
 71 
 
 E. R. P. Bastard Esq. Was there any agreement made 
 with Sarah Clarke, that she wouhl be required only to attend 
 school and visit the poor ? 
 
 A. None. 
 
 The Bishoj}. Was ten-pence per week promised her ? 
 
 A. No, my lord. 
 
 Dr. Bellamy. Was there any lifting up of the Cross by 
 Dr. Pusey or any other clergyman ? 
 
 The Bishop. That is an improper question. 
 
 Dr. Bella7ny. But (cries of order and chair). 
 
 Mr. Elworthy. Has not Miss Sellon a complete Library of 
 the Fathers among her books ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Tlie Bishop. I rejoice to hear her say so, and I hope the 
 clergy will often be visitors to the library and avail themselves 
 of those books. 
 
 Rev. J. Hatchard. What are the books used in the instruc- 
 tion of the young ? 
 
 A. We have only instructed them in the Bible and the 
 Prayer Book. They are so ignorant, most of them cannot read. 
 
 Q. Are there not other books ? 
 
 A. There may be two or three little Hymn Books, some of 
 AVatt's Hymns. 
 
 Q. Are there any other books of instruction used in the 
 house ? 
 
 A. Certainly; there is Harding's Manual for Catechising. 
 This small book is not in the catalogue of the Society for 
 Promoting Christian Knowledge. It was written, I think, by 
 a clergyman of this diocese. 
 
 (A voice) — " Yes, it was ; he was tutor to Lord ('ourtenay's 
 children. 
 
 Q. Are any other books used in the instruction of the 
 children besides those mentioned ? 
 
 A. Yes, we use the books of the Society for Promoting 
 Christian Knowledge, and a little Catechism by the Bishop 
 of Brechin. 
 
 Rev. TV. B. Killpack. I am responsible for the books used : 
 the schools are in my District. 
 
 The Bishop)- Very well. Do I understand that all the books 
 are under the direction of the clergy. 
 
 A. They are always open to the inspection of clergymen, 
 and I should not use in the schools any which they did not 
 approve. 
 
 The Bishop. Miss Sellon now wishes to read a statement, 
 which 1 feel sure will be listened to with patience and atten- 
 tion by all present.
 
 72 
 
 Miss Sellon then rose and read as follows : — 
 
 My Lord, — Your Lordship has already enquired into the truth 
 of printed statements, which are as yoZse a picture of the Sisterhood, 
 as are i\\e false pretences on which it was extracted. I 'will not say 
 anything of the morality of this proceeding, by which young per- 
 sons whom I found in poverty and wretchedness, housed, taught, 
 and treated (as I suppose even these unhappy girls will allow), with 
 the most tender kindness, have been decoyed away, and taught to 
 speak against me. I will say nothing of the manner in which 
 dotnestic privacy has been outraged ; and yet what would, in any 
 other case, be thought of one, who enquired of an attendant, and 
 published about what an Englishwoman wore beneath her dress, or 
 laid under her pillow i ! ! Of my own private devotions I cannot be 
 expected to say anything. If nothing else is to be sacred, these, at 
 least, may be kept for the eyes of Him to whom they are said, and 
 who seeth in secret. 
 
 Yet, to satisfy any doubting minds, I will say that they are such 
 as an English Churchwoman would use — that I have not deviated in 
 anything from the English Church, and use nothing foreign to her 
 spirit. I use no invocation, nor any prayer, except to the three 
 persons in the all Holy Trinity ; and I will add for the satisfaction of 
 those who may wish to know it, that a Cross is sometimes laid on 
 my pillow, reminding me in the silent hours, when recollections of a 
 most peaceful and happy past rush upon the memory, that, it may be. 
 He who bore that Cross for us, will yet grant a higher happiness, a 
 deeper peace, amid all that is most bitter to a woman's heart — calumny 
 and ingratitude, public animadversion and suspicion. 
 
 With regard to the little oratory, it is nothing new to have a room 
 set apart for prayer. It is a pious custom recommended by the 
 English divines, when it is practicable and used by English lay 
 persons. In our small house, where each cannot have her own 
 room, there can be nothing strange that we should have one quiet 
 place where we may retire for our devotions, amid the burden and 
 fatigues of a most busy life. Ignorance alone can invest this with the 
 idea of Popery ! ! ! 
 
 The only other charge about the oratory is that we put flowers 
 there. Why not ? Is there more harm in our having flowers in the 
 oratory on a festival than in a drawing room for an evening party ? 
 We have all been accustomed from childhood to see our chambers 
 and houses made to look as gay as they can with evergreens and 
 holly. Some of our friends have brought us flowers, and xce have 
 placed them in, what is to us, the happiest place in our house. But 
 then a wreath of flowers was put upon the Cross on the festival of 
 the Virgin Mary. Why is this said, " on the festival of the Virgin 
 Mary," but just for odiimis sake; as though we wished to pay more 
 respect to her than the Church of England does. Why deal thus 
 in inuendo r The festival is a festival of our Lord. The Church 
 calls it " The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called 
 the Purification of St. Mary the Virgin." Friends gave us some 
 flowers ; some of the Sisters, when the day's labour was over, 
 amused themselves in twining a wreath, and placed it on the Cross,
 
 73 
 
 Men may think it a frivolous act, but to ns it is natural. Women 
 may give their whole heart to God and his poor, to labour for them, 
 but we are women still, and have women's tastes. We still love 
 flowers and pictures. We have done with gay dresses, for they are 
 expensive, and would be a mockery to the poor ; but we like the 
 brightness and gaiety of flowers, and friends give them to us, — why 
 may we not use them as we will ? And when, perhaps, too weary 
 with our day's work to do anything else, why may we not plait a 
 wreath of flowers, and think of the unfading crowns in Heaven ? 
 
 But we wear crosses, — and what lady docs not ? And if there may 
 be a cross on the Queen"s crown — il ladies may wear crosses of dia- 
 monds, pearls, and rubies in courts and assemblies, who shall grudge 
 us our simple wooden cross ? worn not from any idolatrous or super- 
 stitious feeling, but because ive love the remembrance of the symbol of 
 our Faith, and because we strive to remember in our daily life. Him 
 who bore the Cross for us. Lastly, we keep other forms of devotion 
 besides those of the church service. And if we work to our full 
 strength, and, when not otherwise engaged, seek to refresh our souls, 
 as well as our bodies, who shall say this is wrong ? Why should 
 we not aim to do to the letter what we say in the Psalm that we do ? 
 " Seven times a day will I praise Thee, O Lord, because of Thy 
 righteous judgment." 
 
 We learnt it from Bishop Cosins, whose book, I believe, was once 
 held in esteem next to the office of the Liturgy itself. We use 
 nothing which is not in accordance with the Prayer Book. Our 
 psalms, and hymns, and prayers, are not allowed to hinder any work. 
 If any sick need us, or children are to be attended to, we say psalms 
 to ourselves as we can in the streets. No work of love was ever 
 neglected for our times of prayer. As for their names, if we use 
 among ourselves, for shortness' sake, the old names ; is it names or 
 things that people are so anxious about ? Since our prayers are 
 according to the Church of England, is suspicion to be thrown upon 
 us, because we say, "It is time for terse," rather than "it is time to 
 go to the prayers for the third hour ? Is not this the temper of those 
 who zvould " mahe a person an offender for a word ? " But to comply 
 with a wish that was expressed, these words have been erased from 
 our books. But now I would ask, in common justice to the cause of 
 the institution which I advocate, why are these matters brought for- 
 ward so prominently, and why are very important truths concealed ? 
 Such are the charges brought against us after an inquiry into our 
 most private life, as ininute as if it had been made by the Inquisitors. 
 But I forgot. Not to mention insinuations, painful and insulting as 
 they are unjust, there is one other definite cause of public censure. 
 I have received into my house, as personal and private friends, those 
 whose names in their public capacity offend some ears. I know not 
 what right any one has to publish to the world my private concerns. 
 When I offered to work for the poor, and to educate neglected child- 
 ren, I did not, thereby, make myself public property. 
 
 And by what line am I to measure my friendships and acquaint- 
 ance ? Do people never associate with each other unless they agree 
 on every possible subject — morals, politics, religion ? or is every one
 
 74 
 
 responsible fur tlie opinions of iheir guests : Free society and our 
 friendships would indeed be unhappily marred. It is not that we 
 would not resign our pictures, our Crosses, our flowers, if, indeed, 
 the hearts of Englishmen could refuse a woman the indulgence of 
 such innocent pleasures. But it is incredible ! Have you then no 
 Crosses in your houses, no pictures on sacred subjects in the room 
 where you say your daily prayers ? Have you never put holly or 
 evergreens in your rooms or your Churches ? Why then find fault 
 with us ? Are we to put away these things only because we have 
 left our homes, and have reserved to ourselves these innocent 
 delights, with which to soothe and cheer our toil ? But it is gen- 
 erally urged, " you will mar greater good by indulging in things 
 innocent enough in themselves, but which people cry out about." 
 And if they cry out at these, tchefi toill they hold their jteacc ? If ice 
 give up one thing, another would he laid hold of. There is no reality 
 in all this, it is the mere cry of a party. A very short experience will 
 prove this. I could not request the Sisters to lay aside the few 
 pleasures with which their daily toil is cheered, and in w-hich they 
 take an innocent, a natural, and a wholesome delight 
 
 It is said that the clothes of the young servant girl were given to 
 the poor. It is not said that the Sisters gave new instead of their 
 own clothes ; that they nursed her with a loving tenderness, which 
 would have touched every heart during an illness ; that if from the 
 time of her recovery, until the day she left us, she only complained 
 of fatigue, they voluntarily and daily gave up their own time of rest, 
 in the midst of other duties, to perform her household work. It 
 would, alas ! be too easy for me to explain yet further a history of 
 most sorrowful, most bitter ingratitude. 
 
 And here I have one observation to make respecting the state- 
 ment that was read concerning the free use of Bibles in my 
 house. When I sent Sarah to collect them, the boys and myself 
 were then occupying the only sitting room, excepting the school- 
 room in the house ; thus, all those Bibles (and she came into the 
 room twice laden with them) were collected from the bed-rooms, 
 the oratory, the school-room, and the kitchen. I suppose, during 
 my ten months' residence in Dcvonport, I have bought hundreds of 
 Bibles from the Christian Knowledge Society, for distribution. 
 
 It is said, that Mary Pochetty averred she w-as unhappy. It is 
 not said that again and again she wrote letters to her relations, 
 which she showed, telling them how happy she was, and how she 
 loved us as her mother and sisters. 
 
 It is said that the Sisters pray often in the oratory. Why do they 
 not add, that they are yet oftener found beside the bed of the sick, 
 attending to their bodily wants, and soothing the fevered couch of 
 misery and pain ? 
 
 Our children are chidden for not remembering a mark of respect 
 at entering and leaving a room, and this is traduced into a proof of 
 idolatrous worship. Could, then, those who enquired so minutely 
 into the external mode of education, have remained in ignorance of 
 their religious instruction being confined to the Church Catechism, 
 the Prayer Book, and the Bible ?
 
 I plaged in the oratory, to please the little ones, a print from a 
 picture, which I suppose, may be found in countless drawing 
 rooms in En^^land. But because it represents the Holy Child 
 Jesus in the arms of his mother, it is made a matter of accusation 
 against me. Why did not these cross-questioners ask these 
 unhappy girls stra/t/J/ffoncardli/, tvhcfher they ivere taught any- 
 thing uhlch the Bible and the Church of England do not teach, or 
 whether they ever heard any words or conversation to that tendency f 
 
 It is not for me to speak of the principles inculcated in our schools, 
 or amongst the poor. Those under whose inspection we work, will 
 gladly bear their testimony on these points. 
 
 And now, wlicre is all that has been said about our having crucifixes 
 in the house — of our wearing hoods like nuns — of our having no Bibles 
 or only mutilated copies of them — of our educating the children in 
 " soul destroying doctrines" — of mj' being myself educated in a French 
 convent, and sent down here by some person or persons belonging to 
 some section of the Church, for the purpose of fomenting divisions, 
 and teaching heretical doctrines to the benighted population of this 
 place ? 
 
 There is not one present, who can really credit this ; yet, these 
 and other falsehoods are industriously circulated, and create an im- 
 pression which it is hard to combat ; for one idle assertion is more 
 readily believed by the ignorant and credulous, than the most minute 
 defence. 
 
 No one brought or sent me here but the Bishop, who nobly appealed 
 to the country for help, and God who put it into my heart to respond 
 to that appeal. I, and those associated with me, came, not to advance 
 the cause of any party, (this motive, powerful though it may appear 
 to men, would but /// sustain iceak women amid a life of daily and 
 unaccustomed toil). We came to feed the hungry, to nurse the 
 sick, to soothe the wretched, to gather the children from haunts of 
 ivickedness and scenes of misery, to teach them to love their Bibles, 
 their Church, their God ! We came in love, and by some we have 
 been received in love. But, why do we elsewhere meet with such 
 bitter hostility r Is it because we are educating hundreds of children, 
 who, a few months ago, were untaught and neglected ? Or, is it be- 
 cause within the last winter season, when owing to the cessation of 
 work, there has been grevious local distress, innumerable families 
 have been supplied with bread, the sick have been cared for, and the 
 destitute have been clothed ? Or, is it because, while absent from our 
 families and our homes, and spending our days amongst the ignorant 
 and the miserable, we seek a blessing on our work, and strength for 
 our weakness, by unceasing communion with Him without who;:e aid 
 and guidance our feeble efforts are worse than vain ? 
 
 It is a noble cause for which I jjlead — it is the cause of the orphans 
 and the poor. IVotdd that I coidd defend it more worthily. Why 
 are my words so cold — ^my language so powerless ? Alas ! I am but 
 a woman, weakened by the heavy pressure of illness, and iynorant 
 how to 7-eason with men. I know not how to convince their under- 
 standing, or to touch their hearts. It is not my own cause which 1 
 Avould plead. It matters little to me that insulting insinuationr- arc
 
 70 
 
 attached to my name, or that I am by soine few that knoic me not, 
 believed to be other than tvhat I seem. There is One who knoweth 
 the secrets of the heart, and He, and He alone, is my judge : but 
 oh ! that those who oppose us would reflect that they do not injure us. 
 That would little matter ; we could easily forgive and forget, and 
 pray God to pardon their error ; but they incur a greater danger ; 
 they injure the poor; they hinder, it may be, the salvation of immor- 
 tal souls. Thousands are at this moment surroundiny us, persisting 
 in igiwrance, and want, and sin. Oh! if those, who so bitterly criti- 
 cise and tcatch our tvay of life, would but go and labour amongst the 
 poor. But let them not judge harshly of us ; let them not seek to 
 check our progress, or mar our plans, lest they only succeed in 
 injuring the poor, through those who came to aid them. Once 
 more. Will any degree of present triumph or exultation compensate 
 for the agony of one future pang of remorse ? I grieve greatly for 
 those who have been so bitter against us. For the Sisters, and for 
 our orphans, how is it possible, 1 should not feel anxious, as to the 
 result of this day's enquiry ? The morning may be gloomy, — yea, 
 the noonday may be clouded ; but at eventide there shall be light ! 
 The Lord shall give strength unto his people ! The Lord shall give 
 his people the blessing of peace ! Oh ' my God, I will give thanks 
 unto Thee for ever ! ! ! 
 
 The Bishop now rose and said, I wish that address had been heard 
 by all ; I am sure it will be read by all, because I am quite certain 
 that justice will be done to it by publishing every word. It will 
 occupy a great space — and if it were printed in a little pamphlet, or 
 indeed I fear it would be a large pamphlet, it would be sure to receive 
 attention. It is to me a matter of some pain to have been obliged 
 to contribute so largely by my own words in swelling that report. 
 I came here this day with a feeling of impartiality, as much as it 
 was possible for a man, under such circumstances, to feel. I do not 
 profess to have come feeling absolutely impartial. I frankly say, I 
 should blush for myself if I had. I came with a feeling of venera- 
 tion for that young lady who sits there. I go from this meeting 
 with a feeling I know not how to express — admiration mixed with 
 reverence. I would do something to express the sensation I feel. 
 Most heartily, madam, do I, your Bishop — the Bishop of this diocese — 
 most heartily and earnestly do I thank you for having come here on 
 this mission of Christian love ; for having laboured so devoutly, and 
 by God's blessing, so usefully ; for having endured more than yet I 
 ever knew woman to be called upon to endure, with a patience and 
 resignation, and a feeling of superiority to all human consideration, 
 which I never hope to see in any other again. I declare most solemnly, 
 that the result of this investigation in me, is that of the most unmixed 
 admiration. If there have been some things which these ladies have 
 adopted in executing their work that I wish had not been adopted, 
 they are absolutely overpowered by the cloud of virtues and graces 
 exemplified in their conduct. 1 know I shall, very likely, be con- 
 demned for expressing very strongly that opinion. I know I shall 
 be condemned as a Papist, as a favourer of papacy, as encouraging 
 Popery in my diocese, because 1 stand forward (and while I am
 
 77 
 
 blessed by God's mercy with strength to stand forward, never will I 
 cease to do so) to testify my reverence for the pious virtues of that 
 good and virtuous — I had almost said — ^angelic woman. I am willing 
 to hear all the censure which may be cast upon me, as your Bishop, 
 for speaking thus strongly. I repeat, there are some things which I 
 wish had not occurred : I wish particularly that the Cross had never 
 been put upon that altar, and also that the flowers had not been 
 placed there ; but am I surprised that ladies have done this, which 
 we, as men, might think very imprudent, and very improper ? I am 
 not surprised, and will not treat it as a subject in the slightest degree 
 for censure. I venture to hope that they will be removed — that they 
 will not be permitted to stand there, after the scandal that has arisen, 
 and the expression of your Bishop has been given, that they are 
 improper — (Miss Sellon here bowed assent). But there are other 
 things done by these ladies, of whom Miss Sellon is, in fact, the 
 presiding mind. They have done many strange things. That is 
 very true. These Crosses, this altar, are strange things ; but not so 
 strange — not any thing like so strange — as the works of mercy she 
 has performed. I wish with all my heart they were less strange than 
 they are — I wish this was not incomparably more distinguished by 
 its wonderful singularity than those little Crosses, of which we have 
 heard. Then what are they called ? They are called Sisters of 
 Mercy, and we are told that it is a Popish title. I rejoice that Miss 
 Sellon knows that such Sisterhoods exist in Protestant countries 
 abroad. I do not know whether this be so or not, but I have 
 heard so, though I have not particularly enquired ; but for one, I 
 rejoice that there is in England established a Sisterhood of Mercy. 
 I thank Miss Sellon for establishing such a Sisterhood in this diocese. 
 I rejoice to thank her as a member of the Church of England, for 
 having, by her wonderful exertions, rescued, in part, her Church 
 from that reproach hitherto very frequently borne against her by the 
 Roman Catholics ; namely, that we are incapable of raising among our 
 women, anything like that spirit of love which has exerted itself in 
 so Avonderful a degree, in many instances, in Roman Catholic 
 countries. I have never been abroad, but I have always heard the 
 Sisters of Mercy spoken of with reverence and regard, and I have 
 often heard .a strong feeling of regret expressed that we never have 
 had such an institution here. I repeat that reproach is in this in- 
 stance removed, thanks to that lady. I hope she will not give up 
 that title, however it may be attacked by the press, or otherwise ; I 
 hope she will retain that title of Sister of Mercy. She will go from 
 this room possessing that title. She entered it not with danger, 
 because in such a case there was no danger, or apprehension, though 
 many in this room might have been apprehensive that she would 
 have gone out not as a Sister of Mercy, but as a Martyr of Mercy. 
 Instead of that she rises before us, and makes us all feel — the 
 greatest, the proudest, the most self-righteous among us — what poor 
 miserable things we are in the presence of her — (hisses and 
 laughter). I entreat you to hoot and hiss as much as you will, 
 unless for your own sakes you cease. I am sorry indeed — if there 
 were only my own personal considerations I should be glad — because
 
 78 
 
 I conceive it is an honour to have the reproach of those who can 
 express reprobation on my attempting to do justice to that excellent 
 lady. I am sorry for detaining you so long. I say she will go out 
 not a martyr of mercy, but with the thanks, and gratitude, and 
 approbation of all, whose thanks, and gratitude, and approbation she 
 will value. She has been taunted this day, and every day, with 
 showing an extreme regard for the Cross. Let us recollect that she 
 has shown her regj^rd in one way, in which it would become all of 
 us to show our regard ; she has followed the precepts and example 
 of her blessed Lord, by taking up her Cross and bearing it in such a 
 way as I trust no one will forget. On such an occasion as this, I 
 thank you heartily for the general attention and good will you have 
 shown. I have particularly to thank the two gentlemen I see here, 
 I mean the Admiral and the General, for the honour of their being 
 present on this occasion. It does not surjirise me ; they are the 
 honoured heads of two noble professions, to which we are all in- 
 debted — the Navy and Army. It is for the good of the orphans of 
 the Navy and Army, that this lady has laboured, and successfully 
 too : that she has suffered, and thank God that she has not been 
 overborne. I do earnestly hope she will give herself some rejoose, 
 some rest from the tremendous trials to which she has been exposed, 
 and Nvill not hazard a life, valuable as hers is, by prosecuting those 
 labours so unceasingly as she has done. I trust that some one else 
 will for a time carry on her arduous work. I now thank those 
 present for the forbearance they have shown, and as a \asitor to this 
 institution, to thank Miss Sellon for what ajDpears to be her general 
 conduct. 
 
 The "Inquiry" then terminated, having lasted upwards of seven 
 hours.
 
 79 
 
 RULES OF THE ORPHANS' HOME 
 
 1. Study to offer up every duty and every action to Christ. 
 
 2. Devote ordinarily six hours each day to works of Mercy. 
 
 3. In all intercourse with the poor, follow as much as possible the direction of 
 the parish priest, to whose care their souls are committed. 
 
 4. Shew tender sympathy towards the sick. For the most part, begin by 
 relieving his bodily wants, and contribute in any way you can to his cleanliness, 
 ease and comfort ; for we are most inclined to listen to those who show love 
 towards us. When ye have to visit those who in health have forgotten God, 
 dwell on the tender love of Christ to all true penitents : yet warn them 
 affectionately, that unless they seek His mercy and pardon in the way He hath 
 appointed, they must be miserable through all eternity. 
 
 5. Impress yourselves, and speak to them as being impressed with the truths 
 ye speak of, and as feeling the value of the soul ; for if ouf own hearts be not, 
 moved, in vain shall we hope to move the hearts of others. 
 
 6. Pray eurnestly with and for them, and especially that God would look down 
 on them with pity, and bring them to repentance. 
 
 7. When there is no hope of the patient's recovery, if it is necessary to make 
 this known to him, do so with great caution, and if time permit, gradually ; 
 telling the sick man that to submit himself wholly to the will of God, trusting 
 in His mercy for his dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, will turn to his profit, and 
 help him forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life. 
 
 8. Speak in a gentle, soothing, impressive way, and be careful not to fatigue 
 the sufferer by trying to gain too much in one visit. 
 
 9. If mention be made to you of the disposal of property, endeavour to put 
 the subject from you, and refer the patient to some proper person, in whom he 
 may have confidence. 
 
 10. In visiting the schools, besides the ordinary instruction, ye shall be diligent 
 in teacliing the children, to direct all their thoughts, woids, and actions, to the 
 glory of God, and to realize His presence everywhere; — to implore His grace 
 that they may know and love Him, and keep His commandments ; and to 
 respect their parents and superiors. 
 
 11. Especially ye shall be diligent in catechising and preparing the children to 
 go before the parish priest for examination, previous to Confirmation and for 
 Holy Communion. The Orphans shall be the especial charge of the Sisters, in 
 proportion to their numbers : great watchfulness shall be used that they do not 
 teach each other harm : they sh ill be carefully trained in all the duties of their 
 calling ; the Sisters who have the care of them allowing nothing to interfere with 
 this work of love. 
 
 12. Aim to do all things in the spirit of deep, sincere, unfeigned humility ; " in 
 honour preferring one another." 
 
 13. Receive any suggestion or reproof with an expression of thankfulness, or 
 otherwise in perfect silence. Whatever ye think it necessary to say, defer till 
 another time. 
 
 14. Dwell in unity with one heart and one soul in God. 
 
 15 Let their be no contention, or at least let it be soon ended. 
 
 16. If there be a difference of opinion, and ye must speak your thoughts, give 
 your reasons with modesty and charity, with a view to truth and edification, and 
 not to get the better of the argument. 
 
 17. Should any ofl'end another, let her make amends as soon as possible, and 
 the offence must be pardoned directly. If both have offended, both must 
 mutually pardon. 
 
 18. Carefully avoid all harsh expressions. 
 
 19. Shun all party spirit and partizanship as a source of discord and division.
 
 80 
 
 20. Be content with such food and raiment as ye have. Let all furniture in the 
 dwelling rooms of the sislcih.tod be simple and plain. 
 
 21. Let all things needful be given to all alike, according to their needs. 
 
 2?. The Sisters being constantly employed in works of mercy, care shall be 
 taken that the health do not suffer by indiscreet abstinence ; yet the Sisters shall 
 refrain from eating out of meals, unless health require. But whatever is needed 
 they shall ask for. 
 
 23. There shall be no unnecessary conversalion in rising and going to bed, 
 amid daily duties, and in going to and from Church. 
 
 24. Let each attend to herself and her own duties, and not curiously enquire 
 of others, or needlessly talk of them. 
 
 25. Take whatever befalls yourselves or others as from the hand of God. 
 
 26. The dress of the Sisters shall be as simple as possible, both as to material 
 and as to form. 
 
 27. Consider personal neatness and general order as religious duties. 
 
 28. If sick, obey not the Superior only, but the Physician also, in all things 
 relating to the body. The Sisters, especially the Superior as Mother, shall 
 frequently visit the sick, and treat them with tender love. 
 
 29. If death be apprehended, the Superior shall take care that the Holy 
 Communion be administered in due time. 
 
 30. Fathers, mothers, or such as have stood in the place of parents, brothers, 
 and sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, shall be admitted to see any of the 
 Sisters ; but, except on any urgent occasion, only at stated hours. 
 
 31. It shall be a strict rule that the duties of the Sisterhood shall not inter- 
 fere with the Sisters shewing filial piety and affection towards relatives. It shall 
 also be allowable to any Sisier to visit her parents yearly for a limited period. 
 
 32. The Superior shall not value herself upon the authority she holds, but 
 rather esteem it an opportunity of rendering loving service to others. 
 
 33. She shall be loved and honoured as a mother, in matters of great or less 
 moment, in things agreeable or disagreeable, not considering whom they obey, but 
 rather Him for whose sake they obey, that is Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 34. She shall have the direction of the employments of the household, and 
 exercise a mother's care of the health of the whole family. 
 
 35. She shall make herself a pattern to all, receive and support the weak, be 
 patient with all, be exact with herself, and cautious in what she requires of 
 others. 
 
 36. The Sisters who serve shall by no means be treated differently from the 
 others, but all shall live together in equal love. Any orders given them shall be 
 seasoned with charity. 
 
 37. All the Sisters shall call them Sister, mindful that although these be ser- 
 vants in outward circumstances, they are still the daughters of God, and with 
 them in hope co-heirs of Jesus Christ. 
 
 38. Whereas the Institution is still in its infancy, and it may be expedient that 
 other regulations should be adopted for the well-being of the Sisterhood, and of 
 the Orphans' Home, the Superior, with the advice and consent of the Sisters, 
 shall have power to frame such further rules, in harmony with the foregoing, as 
 she may conceive calculated to promote those ends. And such rules shall be 
 laid before the Bishop, whenever he shall think that tliey have been sufficiently 
 approved by experience. 
 
 I
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 The following statements have been voluntarily made by llie respective 
 parties whose " marks " are attached. They were in attendance to be examined, 
 and were also prepared to verify the same before the Bishop of Exeter, had he 
 thought it necessary to call upon them : — 
 
 Mary Ann Blake, 33, Granby Street (husband 1st class petty officer of the 
 Caledonia), the aunt of Catherine Dale, an orphan under Miss Sellon's care. — 
 On Sunday week, the 4th February, Mary Pochetty, accompanied by another 
 girl, called "Sarah," whom I believe to be Sarah Clarke, and whom I have seen 
 at Miss Sellon's, called on me and told me that my niece Catherine Dale was 
 very uncomfortable, and that the ladies were very distrustful of her, and put 
 people to watch her, because they thought her dishonest. I said I would go 
 to the ladies and ask why they were mistrustful about the child ; I said I thought 
 it was my place to go, as the child had no otherrclationsbut myself and husband. 
 These girls informed me, that two gentlemen had called upon them from the 
 Qtteen, stating that the ladies were Roman Catholics, and that they themselves loere 
 to go to London, as head tcitnesses, and that when the two gentlemen had called 
 upon the ladies they had cojiccalcd an hnage, and it could not he found, ichich they 
 used to go down on their two knees and worship} every night, and frequently in the 
 day. They endeavoured to persuade me to take a"way my niece, stating that she 
 ■was bringing up as a Roman Catholic, and that she was crying every night and 
 morning, and was breaking her heart. Yesterday, the 13th, I went to Miss 
 Sellon. I did not go before as my nephew had seen the child, and mentioned 
 that she was very comfortable, and liked the situation ; my husband had also 
 seen her in the Brick-field, and she said she was very comfortable, and did not 
 wish to leave. 1, therefore, went yesterday to Miss Sellon, and told her what the 
 girls had said. Miss Sellon called Catherine inio the parlour, and desired me to 
 question the child alone — Miss Sellon leaving the room. I asked her about her 
 being mistrusted, and she said — " Aunt, if I am, I do not know why. Mary 
 Pochetty has told me the same ; she said she had been repeatedly set to watch 
 her." She told me she was very comfortable, and had no wish to leave, and 
 that Miss Sellon was a dear lady to her. Miss Sellon returned to the room and 
 asked her if she had ever heard before that she had mistrusted her ? The child 
 said, " Yes, madam ; Mary Pochetty has told mc that she has been set to watch 
 me." Miss Sellon said, it was the first time she had ever heard of it, and she 
 was ready to give her a good character, which Avould be taken more notice of 
 than what such girls would say. Miss Sellon told me she was glad I had come. 
 I said I was sorry to be so troublesome, as I frequently called to see my niece, and 
 was always admitted \ohen the lady was at home. 
 
 The mark of X MARY ANN BLAKE. 
 In the presence of 
 WILLIAM BENNETT KILLPACK, M.A., Clehk. 
 TIMOTHY CAREW, 
 
 14ih February, 1849. 
 
 Jane Thomas.— I am a widow, and now reside at No. 7, Boscawcn Place, M'ith 
 my only son. Mrs. Clarke rents the house, and I am tenant to her; I rent two 
 rooms from her. Mrs. Clarke's family consists of her husband, herself, two sons, 
 and three daughters; Sarah Clarke is the eldest, and is about 17. Before Miss 
 Sellon went to Milne Place, Mrs. Clarke had been hired by Miss Sellun to pre- 
 pare the house for her, to get it cleaned and aired, and to keep fires in the 
 
 L
 
 different rooms; Mrs. Clarke had been so occupied about three weeks. I have 
 heard Mrs. Clarke say that Miss Sellou was a very nice young lady, and what a 
 blessing it was that such a nice young lady should be sent upon earth to do the 
 good wliich she was now doing for the little children in the schools. Sarah, the 
 eldest daughter of Mrs. Clarke, was at that lime living with Miss Sellon, in 
 George Street, Devonport, and she came to Milne Place with Miss Sellon. I am 
 certain that when Sarah Clarke went first to live with Miss Sellon, she only 
 took with her one cotton gown, and a bonnet that had often been cleaned and 
 turned; they were both poor, and not worth more than three or four shillings ; 
 she also took a scarf with her, worth about sixpence or a shilling. About this 
 time Sarah Clarke and some of the orphan children, under Miss Sellon's care, 
 one day brought a large quantity of clothes to Mrs. Clarke to be washed. Mrs. 
 Clarke told me that she hoped she should always have the washing, it would be 
 such a good thing for her. Very shortly after this, Mrs. Clarke told me that 
 Miss Sellon had taken the washing from her, and said that she was going to give 
 it to a poor widow woman with two children. Mrs. Clarke was in a most violent 
 
 passion, she called Miss Sellou a good-for-nothing b h for so doing and 
 
 putting her to the expense of buying a flasket — she said that she was a liar, and 
 called her dreadful names. From that time she took a regular hatred to Miss 
 Sellon. I am positive it was so, from the different remarks she made to me at 
 various times. I told her the poor widow woman wanted the washing more than 
 she did. A short time after, Sarah Clarke called at her mother's with the 
 orphan children. I spoke to her, and asked her how she liked being with Miss 
 Sellon ; she said, I am so happy and comfortable : I think I shall end my days 
 with her, I am so happy. She shewed me a shawl which she wore, and said, 
 this is a beautiful shawl which Miss Sellon has given me. About three weeks, 
 I think, after this happened, Sarah Clarke was again walking with the children 
 near Boscawen-place, when her mother called to her, and told her to come to 
 the house. Sarah Clarke said she could not, as she had the children with her, 
 and Miss Sellon would not like it. Mrs. Clarke flew into a violent passion, 
 abused Miss Sellon, and exclaimed against her for taking away her daughter, and 
 not permitting her to come to her house. She called one of her own children, 
 and desired the child to tell Sarah Clarke never to come near her house again. 
 Sarah Clarke then left the orphan children, and came to her mother at the back 
 door ; she remained with her about a quarter of an hour. I have seen Sarjih 
 Clarke at her mother's two or three times ; once during a whole day. I have 
 heard Mrs. Clarke repeatedly say, that she was determined that her daughter 
 should not remain with Miss Sellon, but that she would have her home. I be- 
 lieve Sarah Clarke left Miss Sellon and returned home about three weeks since. 
 A day or two after her return, two gentlemen called in the evening of Wednesday 
 the 3) st of January ; one of them I knew to be Mr. Richards, the Editor of a 
 paper in St. Aubyn Street, the other I was unacquainted with — he was rather a 
 tall gentleman — they staid until nearly eleven. When they were gone, I heard 
 Mrs. Clarke distinctly tell lier daughter to say all that she knew about Miss 
 Sellon, for now, whatever you say, you will be well paid for. To which, her 
 daughter said — " Oh ! won't I ; leave me alone for that ; there is no fear of me, for 
 I shall be a lady by and bye, and ride in my own carriage." She was at that 
 time rising up and down in her chair, laughing aud saying — " I shall be a lady 
 and have servants to attend me." Mr. Clarke, the father, then said to his 
 daughter, " Sarah, now you mind and say to the gentlemen when they come 
 again, that you will tell nothing unless you have a new suit of clothes— say that 
 you are almost naked, and must have new clothes." During the time the gen- 
 tlemen Avere tliere, I distinctly heard the name of the Queen Dowager and the 
 Bishop of Canterbury mentioned. I have told Mrs. Clarke that she ought to be 
 ashamed of her conduct towards the young lady, meaning Miss Sellon, who had 
 treated her so well ; and I said " You have got all you can out of her, and now 
 you arc trying to get all you can out df the gentlemen ; " and I told her 1 would 
 tell Miss Sellon all about it. To which she said, " I might ; for that she would 
 do for her, on account of the lies she had told. " I went to Miss Sellon's, but I 
 did not see lior. I have known Surah Clarke eight or nine months ; she is of a 
 gentle, quiet disposition, and would not dare to refuse her consent to anything her 
 mother insisted on. Mrs. Clarke is a violent woman, and gives way to fits of passion, 
 when she beats her children very cruelly. The next time Mr. Richards camo was
 
 m. 
 
 with liis son ; this was on Sunday the 4lh Feb., they staid about an hour ; yesterday 
 Mr. Richards again came and remained about ten minutes. Some time since 
 Mary Pochcity came to Mrs. Clarke's house, and has remained there ever since; 
 when Mr. Uiidiards camt; to Mrs. Clarke's house, Mrs. Clarke, Sarah Clarke, 
 and Mary Pochetty were in a room talking together. I am sure Mrs. Clarke 
 would do anything to spite Miss Sellon. This information I have given of my 
 own accord, and have never been asked to do so by any person whatever. 
 
 The mark of X JANE THOMAS. 
 In the presence of 
 TIMOTHY CAKEW. 
 JOHN LAMPEN, M.A., Clerk. 
 WILLIAM BENNETT KILLPACK, M.A., Clerk. 
 
 February 14th, 1849. 
 
 Mr. Richards was again at Mrs. Clarke's yesterday afternoon, and staid about 
 five minutes. If I could have written, I would have written all that I have seen 
 and heard. 
 
 The mark of X JANE THOMAS. 
 
 February 15th, 1849. 
 
 Eev. W. Bennett Killpack. — Having been informed on Saturday, the 3rd of 
 the present month, that the mother of Sarah Clarice had been to the house of a 
 respectable inhabitant of my district, representing that her daughter had left 
 Miss Sellon's, having been treated with great injustice by her, and turned into the 
 world without any clothing but what she had on, and also had made various 
 other complaints injurious to Miss Sellon's character ; I considered it my duly, 
 to call on Mrs. Clarke, to enquire into the particulars of the case, which I did on 
 the Monday evening following, in company with a gentleman resident in this 
 district. I told Mrs. Clarke the object uf my visit ; and said I felt it my duty 
 to call upon her, as the clergyman of the district wherein she resided, adding, 
 that if her daughter had been in any way wronged by Miss Sellon, I would en- 
 deavour to see her righted. In reply to my enquiry, as to the cause of her 
 daughter having left Miss Sellon, Mrs. C. said, she had not been justly treated, 
 having not been clothed, as had been promised her, and as a servant ought to be ; 
 that her daughter had been overworked, and prevented from coming home to see 
 her. She also stated that her daughter had no change of clothes, when at Miss 
 Sellon's, and that her petticoat had not been changed for four months. Mrs. 
 Clarke however, admitted on my putting some further questions to her, that 
 Miss Sellon had given her a new gown after she left, and 10s. on account of an old 
 bonnet and scarf, which had been given away to the poor ; but she expressed her- 
 self very Ul satisfied with this. She further complained, that when her daughter 
 lay ill for three weeks, and insensible the Avhole time, she was not informed of it, 
 or sent for, adding, it was cruel treatment this, to keep a mother from her sick 
 child. At the end of my conversation with Mrs. Clarke, her daughter Sarah 
 came in with Mary Pochetty. I then questioned her on the same points. I 
 found her story, on the whole, ajree with that of her mother. She especially 
 complained of having been worked beyond her strength, and kept in close 
 restraint, and stated, whenever she had any additional rest given her, she had to 
 make it up afterwards. She also said, she did not approve of the religious 
 services of the house; and felt il a hardship to be obliged to attend them. 
 I tulJ her I did not then desire to hear what she had to say on that 
 matter. Both Mrs. Clarke and her daughter addmitled that Miss Sellon 
 had always been very kind to her, and that she was a very good and pious woman. 
 On our leaving the house we were followed by Mrs. Thomas, who said, she had 
 been to Miss S< lion's to tell her all that had taken place, and what complaints 
 Mrs. Clarke and her daughter had made to the gentlemen who had visited her, 
 for the purpose of making enquiries about the Orphans' Home. She said she 
 thought it shameful for them to speak against the good ladies as they had done, 
 and, therefore, she determined to let Miss Sellon know it ; but that on going to 
 Miss Sellon's house she could not sec her, ajid she then thought it her duty to 
 tell me. She expressly contradicted what Mrs. Clarke and her daughter had 
 said as to her being kept from seeing her daughter. As wc were in the street.
 
 IV. 
 
 and I was desirous to hear what Miss Scllon herself had to say, I did not wish to 
 put any particular questions to the woman ; so after four or five minutes' conver- 
 sation as we walked along, we left her. I then proceeded to the Orphans' 
 Home to tell Miss Sellon what I had heard; upon doing which she utterly 
 denied the truth of what had been alleged by Mrs. Clarke against herself. 
 Thinking it then best to endeavour to prevail upon Sarah Clarke to see Miss 
 Sellon and explain what she had said, I went again to Miss Clarke's the following 
 evening, about half past five o'clock, to request her to accompany me thither; 
 for some time she refused to go, stating she had promised never to go near the 
 house again. Whereupon when I asked her to whom she had made the promise, 
 she could not tell me, but said it was made before God. She afterwards added, 
 she would not go because Miss Sellon had injured her character. At length she 
 consented to go, and went up stairs, as I thought, to put on her clothes for the 
 purpose; but after about five minutes she sent down for her mother. After a 
 few minutes' conversation with her daughter, Mrs. Clarke returned and told me 
 Sarah was unwilling to go. I requested to speak to Sarah again, and when she 
 came she consented to go, if her mother would go with her; but would not go 
 alone. Mrs. Clarke said she could not go as she must take care of the children. 
 At length, however, she was induced to go with her daughter. On leaving the 
 house we fell in with Mr. Clarke, the father, whereupon they went back into the 
 house with him, but promised to follow mc to Miss Sellun's in a few minutes, 
 which they did. When she was at Miss Sellon's she would not leave her 
 mother's side for an instant to see Miss Sellon alone, which I was desirous she should 
 do, as I believed her to be completely uiuler the influence of her mother, and 
 both of them manifested great anxiety to getaway again. Whilst they were 
 there the Rev. ^Eneas B. Hutchison unexpectedly came in. In his presence, 
 as also that of Miss Sellon, I said to Mrs. Clarke — " You complained to me when 
 your daughter was ill for three weeks, you were not informed of it, and kept 
 from her." Upon this Miss Sellon said — "Why, Mrs. Clarke, you 
 came and saw Sarah the day after she was taken ill." Mrs. Clarke at 
 once admitted this, with much apparent confusion, saying — " I don't doubt 
 your word. Miss Sellon ; but people make such strange reports." A kind 
 of excuse I could not comprehend. I asked Sarah Clarke the real cause 
 of her leavuig ; she answered, what she had never stated before — " Because 
 I was called a thief." I then enquired who had called her so — she replied, " One 
 of the Sisters," who had also, she added, often spoken very harshly to her. I 
 asked her how she knew this had been said of her ? to which she replied, that a 
 girl who had now left, had told her so. I then enquired if she had mentioned 
 it to Miss Sellon ; she said she did so. I asked when ? her answer was, before 
 I left. Miss Sellon here remarked, " That is not true, Sarah ; you told me of it 
 afterwards, for I never suspected you of being a thief." I then inquired, how it 
 was she considered Miss Sellon had injured her character : she replied " She had 
 been told that Miss Sellon had said she would go upon the town." I asked 
 who had told her so ? she said " A young woman whom she had met in St. 
 Aubyn street," but she could neither tell me her name, nor could she be sure, 
 she said, of her person ifshesawher again. After such evident contradictions, I 
 thought it useless to ask her any more questions, expecialhj as Mis. Clarke 
 a2}peared anxious to Icaxie, and looukl not allow her daughter to speak to Miss 
 Sellon 2'rivatelj/. After two or three minutes, therefore, dining which Miss 
 Scllon, in vain, tried to speak to Sarah Clarke apart, they left the house. 
 Signed, 
 
 WILLIAM BENNETT KILLPACK, M.A., 
 
 Minister of St. James' District. 
 February, 14th, 1849. 
 
 PS. It is not true, as Mrs. Clarke and her daughter have since staled to a 
 newspajjcr writer, that I rose from my chair with closed fists, and spoke to them 
 in a violent manner. I did, on leaving, say in a ,firm and earnest tone, Mrs. 
 Clarke, I plainly see you and your daughter arc leagued with some newspaper 
 editors, to ruin Miss Sollon's character. I did not rise from my seat at the time ; 
 and I believe I shewed no sign of anger during the whole interview. 
 
 W. B. K. 
 
 LIdstoiic & nrondon, Printers, I'lymouth.
 
 >* ^^ 
 
 J-; 
 
 
 
 
 >v.. 
 
 
 -:'♦■■.. ■ ' .VI 
 ,. , ., - , »■ ^ • • " I 
 
 'V. , ' t; >Yf X 
 
 
 A 
 
 /^ 
 
 ■r 
 
 iv,v