LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 139 



of which he thought fit to make memorandums, 

 he committed to short-handy either in his diary, 

 or in loose papers, which latter, when he had 

 made that use of them that he designed, he 

 usually destroyed. 



Perhaps no man in his station was ever more 

 inquisitive into the characters and conduct of 

 the Clergy than he was, or made a kinder or 

 better use of the notices he obtained. He never 

 censured or complained of any of them till he 

 had heard them ; and he always was so open 

 and free as to tell them whatever he had heard 

 amiss of them, and to give them an opportunity 

 of clearing themselves. If the things reported 

 or signified to him, were apparently to the dis- 

 advantage and hurt of their characters, and 

 could not conveniently be connived at till he 

 should happen to meet with them, he either 

 wrote himself to them, or sent for them to attend 

 him, according as the matters he had to acquaint 

 them with might best be delivered. If he found 

 any of them upon examination blameworthy, 

 he was very frank and solemn in his admoni- 

 tions, (and how happy he was in discharging 

 this part of his office, we shall see hereafter ;) 

 if they acquitted themselves, they found from 

 him all favour and encouragement. 



By this means he knew his Clergy, and un- 

 derstood the worth of the deserving among 



