222 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



son of extraordinary wit and parts, and I believe 

 of very good learning, and I know you to be a 

 singular good preacher; but I cannot satisfy 

 myself that you will make a good schoolmaster, 



especially at such a school as that at 



If I am worthy to advise you, it should be the 

 last employment you should take. For this reason, 

 I have no mind to contribute any thing, either 

 directly or indirectly, to the carrying on that 

 project. I must also own ingenuously to you, 

 that I do make a little scruple of certifying for 

 your sobriety, because I have heard some stories 

 that are not to your advantage that way. I hope 

 they may be false ; but, however, they would 

 prevent at present my complying with your 

 request, though I had no other reasons for 

 declining to recommend you." 



He was, indeed, upon all other occasions, 

 very delicate and conscientious in ,the matter of 

 testimonials. 



And now, to pass over all his other episcopal 

 acts of lesser moment, it may be time to give 

 some account of a more material instance of the 

 exercise of his authority, viz. in the visitation 

 and reformation of the collegiate church of South- 

 well. And the rather, because he has not been 

 a little censured since his death by some of the 

 vicars choral of that church, who have fancied 

 themselves injured and aggrieved, or prejudiced 



