Editing Hugh M'Neile (section)

== Dean of Ripon ==
M'Neile was in close sympathy with the philanthropic work, as well as the religious views, of the [[Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury|Earl of Shaftesbury]], who tried hard to persuade [[Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|Lord Palmerston]] to make him a bishop. Although Palmerston usually followed the advice of Shaftesbury in the appointment of bishops, he would not consent to the elevation to the [[House of Lords]] of so powerful a political opponent as M'Neile, whom [[John Russell, 1st Earl Russell|Lord John Russell]] had accused of frustrating the education policy of the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]] for thirty years.<ref>McNeile (1911), p265.</ref><ref name="EB1911"/>

On 13 August 1868, [[William Goode (priest)|William Goode]], the [[Dean of Ripon]], the senior Anglican cleric in the Diocese of Ripon after the Bishop of Ripon, died suddenly.

On 14 August, Disraeli wrote to Queen Victoria, recommending that the Queen immediately appoint M'Neile to the vacancy, arguing in support of his case that, "at this critical conjuncture [M'Neile] is gaining golden opinions all over England for his eloquent, learned and commanding advocacy of [[Acts of Supremacy|the Royal supremacy]] …" (Buckle (1926a), p.&nbsp;533). The Queen's detailed response, written on her behalf by [[Thomas Myddelton Biddulph|Major General Sir Thomas Myddleton Biddulph]], the joint [[Keeper of the Privy Purse]], spoke directly of her reluctance:
{{Blockquote|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dear Mr. Disraeli, – I am desired by the Queen to reply to your letter of the 14th instant, respecting the appointment of a successor to the late Dr. Goode, Dean of Ripon.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You must be aware how desirous the Queen is generally to sanction the recommendations you make for the disposal of the patronage of the Crown, and that it is most unwillingly her Majesty demurs on the present occasion.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But before sanctioning the appointment of Dr. McNeile to the vacant Deanery, the Queen would wish you to consider well what the effect may be of appointing so strong a partisan to a high dignity in the English Church.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However great Dr. McNeile's attainments may be, and however distinguished he may be as speaker, the Queen believes he has chiefly rendered himself conspicuous by his hostility to the Roman Catholic Church.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Queen would ask whether his appointment is not likely to stir up a considerable amount of ill-feeling among the Roman Catholics, and in the minds of those who sympathise with them, which will more than counter-balance the advantage to be gained by the promotion of an able advocate of the Royal supremacy. I am, yours faithfully, Thos. Biddulph.<ref>Buckle (1926a), p.533.</ref>}}

In his response, written on 19 August,<ref>"Mr. Disraeli to Queen Victoria", Buckle (1926a), pp.533–534.</ref> Disraeli replied that he had only recommended M‘Neile after the most anxious and deep consideration. Further, and given that he was being subjected to considerable pressure to elevate M‘Neile from a number of quarters (including "the vast number of letters [Disraeli] daily receives on the subject"), he strongly advised the Queen to appoint M‘Neile to the Deanery of Ripon, on the basis that he (Disraeli) had consulted the Lord Chancellor ([[Hugh Cairns, 1st Earl Cairns|Hugh Cairns]], M‘Neile's nephew by marriage) "on this matter", and that Cairns was "very strongly in favour of the appointment".

He also indicated to the Queen that, in his view, and regardless of her declared reservations, such an appointment was prudent: "the step … would be favourably received by the High Church party [viz., 'faction'], who feel that the claims of Canon McNeile cannot be overlooked"; and, more significantly, he noted that, if he were to be "overlooked" at this time, the pressures might become such that if he were to be "passed over" at this time, he might well gain an even "higher preferment" than the Dean of Ripon.

M‘Neile was hurriedly appointed to the vacancy at Rippon,<ref>"The deanery of Ripon has been offered to and accepted by the Rev. Hugh M‘Neile, incumbent of St. Paul’s, Liverpool": London's ''Morning Post'', Thursday, 27 August 1868, p.4, col.D.</ref> and was installed on 29 October 1868.

He served in that position until he retired due to ill health on 31 October 1875.

[[File:Statue in St George's Hall, Liverpool.jpg|thumb|240px|M‘Neile's statue in St Georges Hall]]