LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 117 



he conducted himself in the regulation and go- 

 vernment of his extensive diocese. 



At his entrance upon this great charge, he 

 laid down to himself a rule or two of expedience 

 (for they came not within the ordinary and 

 stated duties of his office,) deserving to be men- 

 tioned. One was for the encouragement of the 

 clergy, viz. to bestow the prebends in his gift 

 upon such only as were either beneficed in his 

 diocese, or retained in his family. The other 

 more properly respected the laity, viz. never 

 to meddle or any ways concern himself in the 

 election of members of parliament. These ge- 

 neral rules he followed, though not altogether 

 without an exception, yet with such a steadiness, 

 that no solicitations could prevail with him to 

 break through them. 



As to the former, it is to be remembered that 

 the main branch of the patronage of the Arch- 

 bishops of York are the stalls in York cathedral 

 and the collegiate church of Southwell; which 

 preferments though most of them inconsiderable 

 in point of yearly value, are yet (at least many 

 of them are,) well circumstanced in regard of 

 their leased lands and Rectories appropriate, 

 and all of them acceptable promotions to the 

 Parochial clergy, on account of the credit that 

 attends them without any burden or inconve- 

 nierice. Now these he appropriated to his own 



