LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 231 



he conceived hopes of succeeding in it. He 

 drew up a petition, in the name of the chapter, 

 setting forth the settlement of ten pounds per 

 annum by Edward VI. for the maintenance of a 

 reader in divinity, in that large parish, with the 

 reasons of it ; and that the said pension had not 

 been paid for fifty years, so that they humbly 

 conceived there was an arrear of five hundred 

 pounds due to them from the Crown on that 

 account. Therefore, they most humbly re- 

 quested of his Majesty, King William, to grant 

 them an order for such a number of trees in his 

 forest of Sherwood, not fit for the naval stores, 

 as should amount to the value of five hundred 

 pounds, out of which fund they might make a 

 perpetual provision for a divinity lecturer, &c. 



The answer he received to this was as fol- 

 lows. 



" Whitehall, Dec. 29, 1692. 



** My Lord, 



"I am to acquaint your Grace, from 

 my Lord Godolphin, that the King is unwilling 

 to grant the timber you desired for the church 

 of Southwell, but his Majesty chooses rather 

 to give the money. And thereupon I am to 

 desire of your Grace the times and proportions 

 by which the payments of the sum proposed 

 will answer the end intended. And in this 



