I come now to the consideration of a subject on which I enter with reluctance. Since Mr. Geary’s pamphlet appeared, “Observations” on my “Letter” have been published by a person who styles himself, “The Rev. J. Perowne, Rector of St. John’s Maddermarket, Norwich.” With some of the members of his family, I have, for a long time, been acquainted. They have belonged to my congregation for nearly twenty years; and one of them has lately become a member of the church of which I am the Pastor. With Mr. Perowne himself my acquaintance has been but slight, and I am left to gather my opinion of his character and ministry almost entirely from the “Observations” which he has published. Those observations are of such a nature that it is impossible to reply to them either _gravely_ or _respectfully_; and I am quite of opinion that the most dignified course would be, not to reply to them at all. I fear however that some of the statements which he has made, relative to the Infant Schools in this city, and relative to the principles and conduct of the Dissenters, may be believed by some persons, if they are not contradicted; and as he has chosen to make my “Letter” the occasion of propagating many slanders, I think it due to the public to submit to the humiliation of replying to such an antagonist. I am persuaded that every man who read my “Letter,” with an “honest heart,” believed that my object in writing it was what I avowed; and that I wished my fellow-christians in this city to unite in educating Infants, because I thought that such an union would promote the interests of true religion. From the testimony of Mr. Geary’s pamphlet, and from several communications which have been made to me, I am gratified with knowing that the “Letter” has been received, by many religious and intelligent persons, in the spirit in which it professed to be written. With their testimony I am satisfied; and therefore Mr. Perowne must excuse me if I do not strive to vindicate myself from his charges of hypocrisy and falsehood. As he is the accuser, I have no need to become the vindicator. And all that I intend to do is to gather, from his own “Observations,” the evidence which they afford of his character and competency.