LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 213 



^^ December 19, 1704. 

 '' Sir, 



" I understand there is one Mrs , 



of , presented in our court at York, for 



having had a bastard child ; and, as I am told, 

 the sentence of excommunication is decreed 

 against her for that fact. So that she must 

 either speedily perform the penance enjoined 

 her, or commute for it, or else there will be a 

 sig7iijicavit. I was, I believe, applied to while I 

 was in Yorkshire, to grant a commutation of her 

 penance. But I would do nothing in it, nor 

 will I do now, without advising with you. You 

 know the state of the case best, and can best 

 resolve, whether the doing penance in person, 

 or by money to be applied to the use of religion 

 in your town, will be most serviceable to the 

 public good. If you like this latter way better, 

 viz. of commuting, then I would desire you to 

 send me word what sum you think (considering 

 the person's circumstances) may be insisted 

 upon for a commutation. And likewise to 

 what uses you would have it applied. For 

 I would have it entirely applied to the use of the 

 Church, and as notoriously as this her oiFence 

 to it hath been. If, on the other hand, you are 

 of opinion that this fault of her's ought not to 

 be commuted for, but that it is for the interest 

 of religion thai she should do a personal 



