LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 221 



other hand, if he made little conscience of his 

 actions, he might break his oath very often. 

 Therefore, he would have the master's oath (if 

 any were to be administered) put into very 

 general terms, as that he would be faithful 

 and careful to and for the good of the said 

 school, in all things appertaining to his office 

 and charge, according to the trust reposed in 

 him. 



These were the principal rules by which he 

 amended, as there was occasion, the orders or 

 statutes that were sent to him for his approba- 

 tion and confirmation. And in the choice and 

 appointment of schoolmasters, so far as he had 

 any concern, he was very inquisitive and wary, 

 knowing the qualifications for that business were 

 sometimes mistaken, and interest and friendship 

 too often prevalent ; he thought that the capacity 

 of an useful schoolmaster lay ^?7wrd in his temper, 

 than in his parts, more in his taste, than in his 

 learning, and most of all in his virtue and sobriety. 

 That favour and friendships should always be 

 postponed to these material considerations. 

 The answer that he gave once to a person 

 that desired his recommendation to a school, 

 was in these frank words : — ** It is not out of 

 any mean opinion of your abilities, that I am 

 averse to doing that which you desire of me. 

 So far from that, I really take you to be a per- 



