LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 329 



beneficent, must have tired out her patience. 

 No wonder then he was so solicitous to get rid 

 of this troublesome office. 



1704. Tuesday, November 14. " I told her I 

 hoped that between this and next year, some 

 new bishop might be made, to whom I might 

 resign the Almoner's office. She smiled, and 

 said, * I must not, or I hope not,' or some such 

 word." 



1706. Monday, December 9. "In the after- 

 noon I went to Kensington, to wait upon the 

 Queen. Afterwards I begged of her to think 

 of some one to be put into my place of Almoner. 

 For that I was weary of and incapable of serv- 

 ing it. And that I had done all that I promised, 

 which was to take it for a year or two, till she 

 was better provided. And I was sure there 

 were enow she might pitch upon, and begged 

 of her to advise with my Lord Treasurer and 

 my Lord Marlborough. I mentioned particularly 

 the Bishop of Norwich, for whom she declared 

 she had a kindness. But the Queen would not 

 hear of my quitting this place, notwithstanding 

 all that I said." 



At other times he spoke to the same purpose. 

 March 25, 1706. Twice in the year 1707, he 

 offered to resign (April 21,) his seal; and the 

 second time " he did it upon his knees. But she 

 would not accept of it ; though (he says) she cvpressed 



