BERNARD GIXPIN. 311 
these were the sons of persons of distinction, whom he boardecl 
at easy rates ; but the greater part were poor children, whonn He 
not only educated, but clothed and maintained. He was at the ex-^ 
pense likewise of boarding in the town many other poor children. Me 
used to bring several every year from the different places W'here he 
preached, particularly Redesdale and Tynedale. As to his school, 
he not only placed able masters in it, whom he procured from Oxford, 
but himself likewise constantly inspected it. To encourageand quicken 
the application of his boys, he always took particular notice of 
the most forw^ard ; he called them his own scholars, and sent for them 
often into his study, to instruct them himself. When he met a poor 
boy upon the road, he made trial of his capacity by a few questions ; 
and if the answers pleased him, he provided for his education. Be- 
sides those whom he sent from his own school to the universities, 
and there wholly maintained, he likewise gave to others, who were in 
circumstances to do something for themselves, what farther assistance 
they needed. By these means he induced many parents to allow 
their children a liberal education, who otherwise would not have 
done it. 
Nor did he think it enough to afford the means only of an acade- 
mical education to tliese young people, but endeavoured to make it as 
beneficial to them as he could. With this view he held a punctual 
correspondence with the tutors; and made the youths frequently 
write to him, and give him an account of their studies. And once 
every other year he made a journey to the university, to inspect 
their behaviour. This uncommon care was not fruitless ; for many 
of his scholars became ornaments to the church, and exemplary 
instances of piety. Every Thursday throughout the year, a very 
large quantity of meat was dressed, wholly for the poor, and every 
day they had what quantity of broth they wanted. Twenty-four of 
the poorest were his constant pensioners. Four times in the year 
a dinner was prepared for them ; when they received from his stew- 
ard a certain quantity of corn and a sum of money, and at Christmas 
they had always an ox divided among them. In his walks abroad, he 
often brought home with him poor people, 'and sent them away clothed 
as well as fed. He took great pains to inform himself of the cir- 
cumstances of his neighbours, that the modesty of the sufferer might 
not prevent his relief. 
But the money best laid out was, in his opinion, that which encou- 
raged industry. It was one of his greatest pleasures to make up the 
loss of his laborious neighbours, and prevent their sinking under them. 
If a poor man had lost a beast, he would send him another; if a 
farmer had a bad year, he would make him an abatement in his tithes. 
Thus, as far as he w^as able, he took the misfortunes of his parish 
upon himself, and, like a true shepherd, exposed himself for his 
flock. But he was most forward to assist those w'ho had large fami- 
lies ; such never failed to meet with his bounty, when they wanted to 
settle their children in the world. In the distant parishes where he 
preached, as well as in his own neighbourhood, his generosity and 
benevolence were continually exercised, particularly in the desolate 
parts of Northumberland, 
