That office was, both in dignity and in emolument, one of the highest in the University of Oxford.

The Dean was charged with the government of a greater number of youths of high connections and of great hopes than could then be found in any other college.

He was also the head of a Cathedral.

In both characters it was necessary that he should be a member of the Church of England.

Nevertheless John Massey, who was notoriously a member of the Church of Rome, and who had not one single recommendation, except that he was a member of the Church of Rome, was appointed by virtue of the dispensing power; and soon within the walls of Christchurch an altar was decked, at which mass was daily celebrated.