192 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



qualifications alsoy as well when he recommended 

 to others as when he received recommendations 

 from them, always endeavouring to fill vacant 

 livings with such persons as were sufficiently 

 qualified to answer the particular ivants of the 

 respective cures. Which was a point that he 

 had more regard to than any considerations of 

 favour, friendship, or intei^est. 



But how justly soever this rule in disposing 

 of church preferments will approve itself to all 

 considering people, yet it is easy to conceive 

 that his adherence to it would be interpreted 

 by some as an humoursome unreasonable deli- 

 cacy, and would draw upon him when he re- 

 fused to prefer clerks that were recommended 

 to him, difficulties if he concealed his reasons, and 

 complaints and greater difficulties if he gave the?n. 

 The following instance will shew both his ad- 

 dress and temper on such occasions. 



The Duke of Leeds had recommended him a 

 clerk (one who was already beneficed in the 

 diocese of York by the duke's own presentation,) 

 for one of the most considerable cures in the 

 county, in the Archbishop's gift. But as he 

 was ?nost careful and conscientious in the choice 

 of persons to serve in those places which were 

 under his patronage, so he found it necessary to 

 desire that the duke would not lay his com- 

 mands upon him in this particular, giving for 



