LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 441 



then at the Hague, to tell the Archbishop of 

 York, m his letter, July 1, 1711, N. S. That he 

 was assured, by good hands from Hanover, that if 

 her Majesty would allow a pension for a chaplain of 

 the Church of England to attend the Princess Sophia, 

 it would be very acceptable there. And Dr. Smal- 

 dridge, through whose hands Mr. Ayerst trans- 

 mitted this letter, added, as from himself, " that 

 it would certainly be of great service to our 

 Church, that our Liturgy should be used at the 

 Court of Hanover. And since there is (says he) 

 so good a disposition towards it, I hope, by 

 your Grace's influence, it may be compassed. 

 If that design should succeed, Mr. Ayerst seems 

 to have a very good right to officiate as chap- 

 lain. He has given sufficient proofs of his pru- 

 dence and good affection to the Church; and 

 being well known there, would, I doubt not, 

 be very acceptable to Madam and the Elec- 

 tress." 



The connecting these two designs together, 

 was looked upon as a probable means of bring- 

 ing both to a good issue. For a stricter union 

 between the Courts of Prussia and Hanover 

 was entered into by the marriage of the Prince 

 Royal ; and it was not without grounds judged 

 conducive, as well to the interests of the House 

 of Hanover, iii relation to the succession in Eng- 

 land, as to the furtherance of the Prussian pro- 



