S22] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



certain whether he became a separatist from the established Church. 

 He had the decency and discretion not to censure or ridicule the 

 religion of his fathers, if he even disapproved of some of its tenets ; 

 and hence, he did not, like those malignant apostates whose pride 

 or other violent passions prompt them to an opposition to the faith 

 of their friends, vilify with base ingratitude the venerable institu- 

 tions of ages. Elijah Fenton seems to have acted from conscien- 

 tious scruples, and however censurable his imprudence may appear 

 in thus counteracting the amicable endeavours of his friends to ob- 

 tain an honourable employment for him, his integrity was not only 

 respectable but unimpeachable. 



Elijah Fenton left the University with a well-instructed mind, 

 but without any prospect of obtaining a livelihood. The small sub- 

 division of his father's property which fell to his share had been ex- 

 pended on his education, and he was consequently cast afloat upon 

 the ocean of life to pursue his progress according to fortuitous cir- 

 cumstances. There is considerable obscurity in this part of his life, 

 and none of his biographers have been able to clear away the mist. 



It is however ascertained that he was employed for some time 

 as Usher, by Mr. Bouwicke, of Headley, in Surrey, but was soon 

 afterwards patronized by the representative of the noble family of 

 Boyle, and appointed Secretary by Charles Earl of Cork and Or- 

 rery. Under the auspices of a family which had produced so many 

 men of genius and piety, Mr. Fenton' s abilities were happily ma- 

 tured, and so great was the confidence of Lord Orrery in the in- 

 tegrity and prudence of his secretary, that he appointed him tutor to 

 his only son Lord Boyle. Mr. Fenton remained with this noble fa- 

 mily for some time in Flanders. 



On his return to England he opened a grammar-school at Seven 

 Oaks, in Kent, which, though not very productive, increased his re- 

 putation as an able instructor of young gentlemen, a task for 

 which he seems to have been well qualified by his classical know- 

 ledge, and the amenity of his manners, which had doubtless re- 

 ceived a higher polish by travel, and an intercourse with the visi- 

 tors of his noble patron while on the Continent. But notwith- 

 standing the approbation of Lord Orrery, and the high estimation 

 in which Mr. Fenton was held by his pupils, it does not appear 

 that his pecuniary resources were improved during his residence 

 with that family, nor was there an annuity bestowed on him as a 

 reward for his services. Hence he was obliged to avail himself of 

 his knowledge of the classic languages for a subsistence. 



