The wisdom of his nomination was manifest from the very outset of his episcopal career in the repair of old, or the erection of new churches, in the enlargement of schools, and in the promotion of the general prosperity and working order of his diocese. He took a great interest in the welfare of the junior seminary of St Mary's College, Blairs, near Aberdeen, and threw himself enthusiastically into the scheme for rebuilding and extending the institution. He erected the Cathedral chapter at Aberdeen, made the canonical visitation with great regularity, and altogether infused a great amount of order into the administration of his diocese. Personally, he was of a most amiable and unassuming disposition, respected by all classes of the community in the North, and held in the highest estimation by his clergy and people.