Since then the Convocation of York has been regularly summoned, met, adjourned, and been prorogued, without even the dutiful address to the crown, which is regularly discussed and adopted in Canterbury. In the year 1847, a spasmodic attempt at life was manifested in this venerable and ill-used institution. Archbishop Harcourt had consented that an address to the crown should be adopted, and himself procured a draft to be approved by the bishops. His grace however died before the day of meeting. Some difficulty was experienced by the officials, both in York and London, as to the course to be pursued; but a precedent having been pointed out in the reign of James I., when Archbishop Hutton died after summoning the Convocation and before its assembly, a writ was issued from the crown to the dean and chapter at York to elect a _præses_ for the Convocation during the vacancy of the archbishoprick. They appointed the canon who happened to be in residence; an unusually large attendance was given; the Convocation was opened, the names called over, and then the officials had reached the limit of their experience; according to _their_ precedents we ought all to have been sent away. The address however was called on by the _præses_, being apparently quite unaware that a _prolocutor_ should be chosen by the clergy before they proceeded to business. Such an officer probably seemed to the dignitary already in the chair like a _second King of Brentford_ "smelling at one rose," and the demand was refused. Further difficulties ensued, of course, the moment the debate was opened; and finally, the _præses_, determined not to be tempted out of his depth, rose all at once, and read the fatal _formula_ which restored our glorious Chapter House to its silent converse with the ghosts. The Convocation has never since been heard of. CAN EBOR. THE OLD COUNTESS OF DESMOND. (Vol. iv., p. 305.)