suing to great men, without taking the least step towards soliciting for it, was pitched upon to fill a great trust, only because he was fittest for it.  He walked after his usual manner on a post-day to the coffee-house, and read in the newspaper that one Dr Cumberland of Stamford was named to the bishopric of Peterborough, a greater surprise to himself than to anybody else.”  His chaplain speaks of the bishop’s character, zeal, and learning in terms of unqualified praise.  One of the bishop’s sons, Richard, was Archdeacon of Northampton, and father of Denison Cumberland, Bishop of Clonfert and of Kilmore.  This last named married a daughter of Dr Bentley, the famous Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and one of their sons was Richard Cumberland, the dramatist.  Bishop Richard Cumberland is buried in the Cathedral, and a tablet to his memory remains in the New Building.

=White Kennett= (1718-1728) had been Dean.  He was a most industrious writer, many of his works, which are upwards of fifty in number, being most laborious.  His manuscript collections in the British Museum are also of great value.  He is best known from his antiquarian tastes and studies, and for having directed the attention of his clergy to the value of parish registers.  It would seem that before his time no transcripts of parish registers were ever sent to the Bishop’s Registry at Peterborough.  The earliest transcripts now to be found date only from the beginning of his episcopate, except that, in a few instances, some incumbents appear to have sent the entries for six or eight years previously.  Notwithstanding the efficiency of his predecessor he “found the irregularities of the diocese great and many.”  The Cathedral service was negligently conducted, many clergy were non-resident, some small benefices had been left unfilled.  Many other abuses were discovered from time to time.  Bishop Kennett was most active and conscientious in administering his office, and thoroughly re-organised the diocese; but his strong political partisanship made for him a great number of enemies.  The enmity he raised came to a culminating point while he was still dean.  An altar-piece representing the Last Supper had been painted for Whitechapel Church.[38] In this Judas was painted turning round to the spectator, and was intended to represent Kennett.  We do not know whether the likeness in itself was sufficiently good to be recognised, but the intention was sufficiently indicated by a black patch in the centre of the forehead, just under the wig.  Kennett always wore such a patch, to hide a scar which had remained after being trepanned in early manhood.  Judas is, moreover, represented as clean-shaven, being the only figure so drawn except the Evangelist S. John.  Great scandal and excitement were caused by this picture, and it was removed.  It ultimately found a home at S. Albans Abbey, where it may still be seen (patch and all), but no longer in the position it once occupied over the high altar.  Bishop Kennett died in 1728, and is buried in the New Building.