The Late Archbishop of Canterbury.

Manawatu Herald, 1 December 1896, Page 2

The Late Archbishop of Canterbury.

The late Archbishop, Dr Benson, when seized with an apoplectic fit was kneeling in Hawarden Parish Church on Sunday, October 11. The fit occurred while the absolution was being pronounced at the morning service. He was removed to the It-eory, but never reoovered consciousness and soon ceased to breathe. Mrs Benson was with her husband when he died. The Court Journal contained the following paragraph dated Balmoral, October 12 : " The Queen is much grieved at the terribly sad and untimely death of the Archbishop of Canterbury. To the count) y the Queen feels it is a serious loss of an eminent and gifted Piimate, to Her Majesty that of a t fiend, for whom she entertained strong regard, affection and the highest respect."

The Queen sent the following touching message to the Archbishop's widow : " I am stunned by the awful news. My heart bleeds for you, but my own sorrow is great, for I was so fond of tha dear, kind, excellent Archbishop. A terrible loss to all. My daughter joins me in my expressions of sympathy to vou.— V.R."

There are 88 Bishops in England and Wales, 22 of whom were appointed under Lord Salisbury's Premiership, 7 under that of Mr Gladstone, 2 under that of Lord Eosebery, 1 under that of Lord Palmers ton, and 1 under that of Mr Disraeli. Dr EUicott, the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol has held his See longest, having been appointed in 1868. Dr Ryle, Bishop of Liverpool, is the oldest Bishop, his age being 80, whilst Dr Kennion, Bishop of Bath and Wales, is the youngest Bishop, his age being 49.