A SHARP ARCHBISHOP. 289 



"It was the custom of Archbishop Sharpe in his 

 journeys generally to have a saddle-horse attending 

 his carriage, that, in case of his feeling fatigued with 

 sitting, he might refresh himself by riding occasionally. 



"In his advanced age, and a few years before his 

 death, as he was going in this manner to his episcopal 

 Palace, and was a mile or two in advance of his 

 carriage, a decently-dressed, good-looking young man 

 on horseback came up to him, and, with a trembling 

 hand and faltering voice, presented a pistol some- 

 where in the direction of the Archbishop's head, 

 telling him to stop. 



" His Grace, with great composure, turned round, 

 and, looking steadily at him, desired he would re- 

 move that dangerous weapon, and tell him fairly his 

 condition. 



" ' Sir, sir,' cried the youth with great agitation, 

 ' please, no words ; it is not a time for words now. 

 Your money instantly, if you please.' 



" ' Hear me, young man,' said the venerable 

 prelate; 'come on with me. I, you see, am a very 

 old man, and my life is of little consequence ; yours 

 seems far otherwise. I am Sharpe, the Archbishop of 

 York ; my carriage and servants are behind. But 

 conceal your perturbations, and tell me who you are 

 and what money you want, and on the word of my 

 character I will not injure you, but prove a friend. 

 Here, take this ' (pushing aside the barrel of the 

 pistol with his ungloved hand, and giving him a 

 purse of money). * And now tell me how much 

 you want to make you independent of so dangerous 

 and destructive a course as you are now engaged in.' 



" ' Oh, sir,' replied the young man, ' I detest the 

 business as much as you do. I am — but — but — at 



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