LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 319 



trust; though she could not always depend 

 upon his judgment in those matters. For, as was 

 before 'observed, he was a stranger to all that 

 sort of politics which consists in intrigues, ca- 

 bals, and party schemes ; and would have no- 

 thing to do with the struggles of the other cour- 

 tiers and great men striving to surmount each 

 other, not so much in her Majesty's favour, as 

 in the great offices and posts in the government. 

 When her Majesty was pleased to acquaint him 

 beforehand with any of her designed changes in 

 the ministry, he would give her his advice very 

 freely. And when alterations were made with- 

 out his privity, and when he was absent in his 

 diocese, he would as freely speak his mind to 

 her about them after they were made*. 



He quite disapproved of her giving herself up 

 to the conduct of any ministry or set of men 

 whatsoever ; and the more so, when she took 

 into favour those wliom he knew she disliked; or 

 when she suffered herself to be prevailed with 

 to do any thing inconsistent with her former de- 

 clarations. These things consisted not with his 



* " Cm bono ? " For some persons may incline to think, that 

 there was more of honest temerity than of seasonable freedom 

 in such backward proudness to utter his mind, the changes 

 being effected without asking his advice. But the good Arch- 

 bishop, as he cannot now suffer by his plain dealing, so, were 

 he living, probably could answer the query. Perhaps the 

 Queen liked the compliment to her understanding, implied in 

 such *' free speech," — Editor. 



