tIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SANCROFT. 55 



design, related to him how the papers of Arch- 

 bishop Laud first came into his hands, how he 

 had often prepared to complete the publication 

 of them, and having now at last earnestly set 

 about the business, found himself interrupted by 

 an attack of sickness, the termination of wdiich 

 would, in all probability, be fatal. He then 

 told him that, feeling his own inability to com- 

 plete the design, he desired to consign it over 

 to his care ; and immediately he caused to be 

 placed in his hands the original and copy of the 

 History and Diary, together with all the papers 

 belonging to them, and all the observations and 

 collections that he had made respecting them. 

 At this time, Mr. Wharton says, he was evi- 

 dently decaying apace ; his voice was weak, 

 and his spirits faint, so that he could not give 

 him as perfect an account as he desired of the 

 manner in which the copy had first come into 

 Archbishop Sheldon's hands. For, on his hav- 

 ing omitted to explain this matter distinctly, 

 and Mr. Wharton, in consequence, requesting 

 further information on this and some other 

 points, he answered, '* These are material 

 questions, but I am weary with speaking, and 

 my spirits are faint. I cannot now make you 

 any further answer herein." After this, Mr. 

 Wharton says that he never presumed to trou- 

 ble him with the question. 



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