It was in November 1865, that he went to town to appear
before the Benchers of the Inner Temple, carrjang with him
testimonials fix>m Fawcett, and Latham, and Ward, as well as
his clerical credentials. He was one of the three eandidates
picked out from the many, and once having listened to his




ALREWAS AND SHEFFIELD 85

voice, the assembly elected him unanimously. His rare beauty
of tone, low and vibrating — ^his mcumer of reading, vivid with-
out being dramatic, impressive without the slightest striving
for effect — were indeed unique, drawing many to the Temple
for nearly forty years to come. With the Temple his name
was henceforth to be identified. From the first he grew
familiar with its pulpit, for the Readership entailed preaching
in the afternoon, as well as at other times if the Master were
absent and required it.
At the time of Ainger'^s appointment, Dr. Robinson was
Master, nor was it till 1869 that he was succeeded by Dr.
Vaughan, who was to become Ainger^s intimate friend. With
every one about the Temple he soon became familiar ; with
the organist. Dr. Hopkins, with the vergers, and, outside the
church, with the Benchers, whose lawyers^ talk always had a
peculiar fascination for him. Nor was there a guest more
welcome than he at the Benchers^ table.
Early <in 1866, as soon as his affairs were settled, he left
Sheffield and came to live in London altogether. To part
with the Atkinsons was a grief, and he penned no more grace-
ful tribute than his acknowledgment of what their home had
meant to him. Nor can we close the chapter of his Sheffield
career more fitly than by transcribing it.
