As part of the Archdeacon's plans to strengthen traditional values in Barchester, he has appointed a conservative Oxford scholar to as preacher at St. Ewold's church. This scholar, Mr. Arabin, has had a long-standing dispute with Mr. Slope in the editorials of a popular newspaper. The Archdeacon hopes that Mr. Arabin will be able to help him in his feud with Mr. Slope and the liberal factions of the church.
The Archdeacon and Dr. Harding discuss the wardenship of the hospital. The Archdeacon correctly assumes that Mr. Slope has managed to trick Dr. Harding into refusing the position and that the changes that Mr. Slope proposed could not be enforced. Dr. Harding, still upset about the initial public scandal that had lost him the position five years ago, refuses to take any public steps.....
