Twenty years from this date an atheistic treatise might have been written with perfect impunity by any Fellow of any college.

Nobody would even have read it if atheism had been its only recommendation.

The wise indifference of the wise had relieved true religion from the paralysis of official patronage.

But in 1849 the action of the Rector and Fellows was heartily applauded by the Visitor, Bishop Phillpotts, the famous Henry of Exeter.

Their behaviour was conscientious, and Dr.Richards, the Rector, was a model of dignified urbanity.