This part of the Memoir ought not to be dismissed without observing, to the honour of Mr. Pegge, that, as it was not in his power to make any individual return (in his life-time) to his Patrons, the two Bishops of Lichfield of the name of Cornwallis, for their extended civilities, he directed, by testamentary instructions, that one hundred volumes out of his Collection of Books should be given to the Library of the Cathedral of Lichfield[25].
During Mr. Pegge's involuntary retreat from his former associations with the more remote parts of the Kingdom, he was actively awake to such objects in which he was implicated nearer home.
Early in the year 1788 material repairs and considerable alterations became necessary to the Cathedral of Lichfield. A subscription was accordingly begun by the Members of the Church, supported by many Lay-gentlemen of the neighbourhood; when Mr. Pegge, as a Prebendary, not only contributed handsomely, but projected, and drew up, a circular letter, addressed to the Rev. Charles Hope, M. A. the Minister of All Saints (the principal) Church in Derby, recommending the promotion of this public design. The Letter, being inserted in several Provincial Newspapers, was so well seconded by Mr. Hope, that it had a due effect upon the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese in general; for which Mr. Pegge received a written acknowledgment of thanks from the present Bishop of Lichfield, dated May 29, 1788.
This year (1788), memorable as a Centenary in the annals of England, was honourable to the little Parish of Whittington, which accidentally bore a subordinate local part in the History of the Revolution; for it was to an inconsiderable public-house there (still called the Revolution-house) that the Earl of Devonshire, the Earl of Danby, the Lord Delamere, and the Hon. John D'Arcy, were driven for shelter, by a sudden shower of rain, from the adjoining common (Whittington-Moor), where they had met by appointment, disguised as farmers, to concert measures, unobservedly, for promoting the succession of King William III. after the abdication of King James II.[26]
The celebration of this Jubilee, on Nov. 5, 1788, is related at large in the Gentleman's Magazine of that month[27]; on which day Mr. Pegge preached a Sermon[28], apposite to the occasion, which was printed at the request of the Gentlemen of the Committee who conducted the ceremonial[29], which proceeded from his Church to Chesterfield in grand procession.
In the year 1791 (July 8) Mr. Pegge was created D. C. L. by the University of Oxford, at the Commemoration. It may be thought a little extraordinary that he should accept an advanced Academical Degree so late in life, as he wanted no such aggrandizement in the Learned World, or among his usual Associates, and had voluntarily closed all his expectations of ecclesiastical elevation. We are confident that he was not ambitious of the compliment; for, when it was first proposed to him, he put a negative upon it. It must be remembered that this honour was not conferred on an unknown man (novus homo); but on a Master of Arts of Cambridge, of name and character, and of acknowledged literary merit[30]. Had Mr. Pegge been desirous of the title of Doctor in earlier life, there can be no doubt but that he might have obtained the superior degree of D. D. from Abp. Cornwallis, upon the bare suggestion, during his familiar and domestic conversations with his Grace at Lambeth-palace.
Dr. Pegge's manners were those of a gentleman of a liberal education, who had seen much of the world, and had formed them upon the best models within his observation. Having in his early years lived in free intercourse with many of the principal and best-bred Gentry in various parts of Kent; he ever afterwards preserved the same attentions, by associating with respectable company, and (as we have seen) by forming honourable attachments.
In his avocations from reading and retirement, few men could relax with more ease and cheerfulness, or better understood the desipere in loco;—could enter occasionally into temperate convivial mirth with a superior grace, or more interest and enliven every company by general conversation.
As he did not mix in business of a public nature, his better qualities appeared most conspicuously in private circles; for he possessed an equanimity which obtained the esteem of his Friends, and an affability which procured the respect of his dependents.
His habits of life were such as became his profession and station. In his clerical functions he was exemplarily correct, not entrusting his parochial duties at Whittington (where he constantly resided) to another (except to the neighbouring Clergy during the excursions before-mentioned) till the failure of his eye-sight rendered it indispensably necessary; and even that did not happen till within a few years of his death.