A Bishop’s Romance.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 94, 30 April 1901, Page 3

A Bishop’s Romance.

London, March 9. * Ambition sated and love denied ! This in brief is tho history of Winnington Ingram, King Edward’s new appointee to the See of London. A Bishop at forty-two of the world’s metropolis, in direct line of succession to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, tho proudest ecclesiastic honor in Great Britain’s gift, with riches and wordly power at command, he has all that heart could desire but love! The Bishop has buried his romance, but it has left its mark.

The story of Arthur Foley Winnington Ingram would convert the most hardened sceptic to belief in the law of compensation. His father’s modest living at Stamford Rectory inspired tho studious boy with simple tastes, and when he obeyed a call to the priesthood he was satisfied to begin at the bottom of the ladder. He filled the post of curate at St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury, sixteen years ago, at the opening of his career. In 1895 he was rector of Bethnal Green. Two years later

he had become canon of St. Paul’s and the Suffragan Bishop of Stepney. His preferment was literally the work of his own hands. He labored for his parish with a zeal that was almost unparalleled. No sacrifice was too great. He was ono with his people—lived among them, and was idolised by them. They called him “ tho Working Bishop.” Ho used to say laughingly that he was the busiest man in London, for he prepared speeches on the top of omnibuses, composed sermons in tram-cars, and ate his lunch in the underground trains. It was two years ago that the Bishop’s romance came to a focus, when it was

announced that Lady Ulrica Duncombe, the youngest of the four famous beauties, daughters of the Earl of Faversham, was to become his bride. All London was startled ! The bride-to-be, strikingly like her lovely sister, the late Duchess of Leinster, was barely twenty-four. Her delicate charm had been fostered in an environment of softest luxury. The man she had chosen dwelt among tho masses in the most laborious diocese in England. It would mean self immolation her friends

But the affair was evidently a love match. Lady Ulrica, always of a serious cast of cast,' entered heart and soul into the Bishop’s plans. For three months he lived in a fool’s paradise before the engagement was abruptly broken. Whether her courage faltered or relatives interfered none dared ask. But with the wedding day already in view the beauty, who had declined an earl for his sake, refused to marry her churchman lover. The Bishop, stunned by tho blow which crumbled his happiness, went abroad. He returned a changed man. He is still “ the working Bishop,” with a life devotion to his work which has spiritualised and ennobled his face and bearing. But the youthful buoyancy that characterised his splendid energy is gone. His romance cost him dear.

King Edward’s appointment was in the nature of a reward for his labors in his former diocese. Ingram is the youngest holder of the See.