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These things put together , quite discouraged him , and , being under the influence and direction of no parent or guardian , he , soon after I left London , turned his thoughts to physic . I constantly corresponded with him till he had foundation enough to go to Leyden , where he soon took his degree , and then returned to Oxford to make himself
known and gain a character . While he was here , he became acquainted with Mr . Talbot , a son to the then Bishop of Durham , who had the art of persuading him to get into the
Church , which he very soon did , upon which he was immediately made an examining Chaplain to the said Bishop , then a golden Prebend , on the death of Dr . Clarke , Rector of St . James's ,
and at last Bishop of Bristol . I need say nothing of bis public character , for it is known and admired , but I think there must have been a very great alteration both in his temper
and principles , and that very sudden too , otherwise he could never , with any decency or honesty , have stooped to such preferments as I knew he once despised upon the terms they were to be had .
While I staid in Town , I made it my business to hear the moat celebrated preachers , of all denominations , consequently I never confined myself . Very few among the Dissenters were worth hearing ; they were generally
enthusiasts , and retained greatly that canting way of speaking , and that old method of composition , which was peculiar to the old Puritans . I conversed with but few of them . Dr .
Calamy was very civil to me ; I dined with him often , and had the liberty of hia study , which was a great favour . Chandler then lived with him , and so we became acquainted . I was also recommended to Mr . Evans : he was
esteemed a man of great judgment and solidity , very patient of study , and a good , rational preacher . He was always very affable and civil to me . While I was in town , my father wrote to me about passing my trials as a candidate for the ministry . I
thought if I could do thia it would appear with a good face in the country , and so , however ungrateful the task was to me , I was determined to attempt it . I mentioned it to Dr . Calamy , who seemed pleased with the proposal , and promised to speak to some minis-
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ters about it , and I was glad te have go good a friend to manage the affair . He went soon after into Kent , and on his return it was to be brought to an issue . In the mean time , 1 began to furnish my memory with all the definitions and distinctions I could think
of in logic , metaphysics , &c , being at the same time in a terrible panic to think how I should pass through an examination which required little judgment , a moderate share of
understana-* S > a great memory , and much impudence . My intention being soon known to the gentlemen who lived with me in the same house , one of them , ( Mr . James Reed , ) wh 6 had an acquaintance with Dr . Williams , * persuaded me to
apply to him while Dr . Calamy was in Kent , and offered to introduce me . I being willing at any rate to get rid of an affair which sat so uneasy upon me , consented , and one forenoon , when it was a time of leisure and audience , we waited on him at his house at Hoxton .
After crossing a large court , in which stood a coach , as an emblem of some state unusual to men of that rank , I was led into a large dark parlour , at the upper end of which I discovered the figure of a man in black , sitting alone at a larce wainscot table , smoakalone at a large wainscot
tablesmoak-, ing a pipe . As this figure seemed no way affected by the noise we made in entering the room , but sat precisely in the same posture , without moving either his head or eyes to see who or what we were , I began to suspect that we had intruded at an unseasonable
time , and kept myself as near the door as possible , in order to facilitate my retreat in case we should meet with some rebuke for our intrusion . But I was mistaken ; for I perceived Mr . Reed approaching near enough to be seen , who , after making a very low bow , whieh the Doctor returned only 9
with " How dye / told the business he came about , and that he had brought me to wait on him for that purpose . All this while , I kept my first station , with my hat in my hand , having not yet ventured far enough in the room to fall into the focus of his eyes . At length , after Wo or three very loud and significant puffs , he did vouchsafe to roll his eyes towards me , and with
* Pr . Daniel William * , Founder of the Library in .. Red-Cross &tr * et * Ei * .
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194 Memoirs ofHimself \ by Mr . John Fq $ .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1821, page 194, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2499/page/2/
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