36

THE PRINCE OF ORANGE.

a careful analysis made by him of the action of "Paradise Lost."*

It is impossible to exaggerate the interest Francis Atterbury took in the Romanizing proceedings at Oxford, as well as in those which followed when the scene was removed to London. The incarceration of the Seven Bishops, one of whom was an "Old Westminster," Sir Jonathan Trelawney, greatly increased his excitement, which did not abate in the university when it became known that the prelates of the Anglican Church had joined in sending an invitation to William of Orange. The Protestant champion came, and clerical excitement was at fever heat; the Popish oppressor fled, and a frenzy of congratulation seized upon the members of the rescued Church. It was long before the divinity students could resume their academical pursuits; then came reflection and examination, and the enthusiastic Churchmen began to experience some misgivings as to the value of the change they had helped to effect.

While exercising tutorial functions, Atterbury obtained as a pupil the Hon. Charles Boyle, a student in his college, to whose advancement he dedicated himself with remarkable assiduity. But it is evident that he longed for a more active career. He wrote to his father:

Oxon, Oct. 14, 1690.

My pupil I never had a thought of parting with till I left Oxford. I wish I could part with him to-morrow on that score,

* It was preserved among the Walpole Papers, and has been printed by John Nichols, "Epistolary Correspondence, &c., of Bishop Atterbury," 5 vols.

ATTERBURY'S FATHER.

37

-I

for I am perfectly wearied with this nauseous circle of small affairs, that can now neither divert nor instruct me. I was made I am sure for another scene, and another sort of conversation, though it has been my hard luck to be pinned down to this. I have thought, and thought again, sir, and for some years now— have never been able to think otherwise than that I am losing time every minute I stay here. The only benefit I ever propose to myself by the place is studying, and that I am not able to compass. Mr. Boyle takes up half my time, and I grudge it him not, for he is a fine gentleman, and while I am with him I will do what I can to make him a man. College and university business take up a great deal more, and I am forced to be useful to the Dean in a thousand particulars-so that I have very little time.

The Rector of Middleton Keynes did not approve of his younger son's dissatisfaction with his position, and wrote him a parental lecture by way of answer (Nov. 1st).

I know not what to think of your uneasiness. It shows unlike a Christian, and savors neither of temper nor consideration. I am troubled to remember it is habitual. You used to say, "When you had your degrees, you should be able to swim without bladders." You seemed to rejoice at your being Moderator, and of your quantum and sub-lecturer: but neither of these pleased you, nor was * you willing to take those pupils the house afforded you, when Master, nor doth your lectures please, or noblemen satisfy you. But you make yourself and friends uneasy -cannot trust Providence.

Do your duty and serve God in your station, until you are called to somewhat better. Man's ways are not in himself, nor can all your projecting change the colour of one of your hairs, which are numbered; and a sparrow falls not to the ground without a divine oversight. What may we think of our stations? You need not doubt but I could wish you all the great things you are

*The reverend gentleman, in his anger, loses sight of grammar-a very common fault in his day. The office held by his son will be presently noticed. The writer means that his son had desired to take pupils before he obtained his M. A. degree, and that since he had secured this he had become careless on the subject.

38

A CAREFUL PARENT.

capable of, but I can neither secure them to you nor to myself, but must leave all to time and Providence.

The clerical Paterfamilias now ventures upon some details of Atterbury biography, that indicate the position of more than one member of the family.

I am not wanting in pains and prospect, and deny myself more in toiling and sparing than you ever did or will do; and all, I see, to little purpose, when it is of no better effect with you. It hath cost me several journeys to settle things with my brother; and your brother knows no more than he heard from me or his wife, for it was done in his absence, and he knows not, nor they, what I designed for you. Besides, I have obliged myself to be his bailiff as long as I live.

These sentences imply an arrangement in Francis's favour, which probably caused the subsequent estrangement of his elder brother. The writer then refers to the rectory he had held since 1654, in the gift of the Bray family.

And for Rissington it cost me long and wet journeys, besides expense. Madam Bray is very civil to me, without the Dean's interposing. I met her at the Wells. If she would give you the next turn on my death or resignation, it would be somewhat, but you may enjoy it better and without charge or loss of anything in Oxford, under my title-it may close with every preferment elsewhere better, when not charged with this. I know and have been assured that she had rather have me there than Chetwode,* and he hath another argument (besides his own expense) to incline him to peace, in that I can make him pay my charges, and refund our main profits. If you can do anything to make him sensible of it, it may do well.

The prudent father now directed his son's attention to a matter of interest to every young man desirous of rising in the world.

* Dr. Knightley Chetwode, Rector of Great Rissington. He became Dean of Gloucester in 1707, and died on the 4th of April, 1720.

HON. CHARLES BOYLE.

39

"For matching," he writes, "there is no way for preferment like marrying into some family of interest, either Bishop or Archbishop's, or some courtier, which may be done with accomplishments, and a portion too; but I may write what I will, you consider little, and disquiet yourself much." He concludes, "that God would direct and reason you with His fear, is the earnest prayer of your loving father, LEWIS ATTERBURY."

The correspondence of the Hon. Charles Boyle with his tutor, does not impress on the reader a very high idea of the young man's talents. In November 15, 1691, he thus expresses his appreciation of the most profound thinker of his age: "I have just made an end of Locke. I was all along extremely pleased with him. I think there is a great deal of very good sense in him." He expresses opinions of the most distinguished philosophers and scholars much in the same tone.

Some reports to Mr. Boyle's prejudice reached Mr. Atterbury, who lost no time in bringing them under his attention. Mr. Boyle assured him in March that they were untrue, and that he would be more cautious for the future; nevertheless, he was presently again found fault with, which elicited from the young gentleman a touching remonstrance: "After having been three years your pupil, I am sorry, for your own sake as well as mine, you do not think me able to write my own letters.' The effect of this evidence of his impatience he immediately tries to lessen by bearing cordial testimony to the kindness of his conscientious preceptor. There seems to have been some sort of disinclination on his part to parental as well as to scholastic control. He objects to going to Ireland with his mother (Mary, married to Roger, second

Earl of Orrery), never mentions his father, is not inclined to enter the army, and prefers a place at Court as Groom of the Bedchamber, which he hopes to get through the interest of Sir William Temple. Nevertheless, he went to Ireland and entered the

army.

The tutor fulfilled his duty by him, and something more; he made a man of him,* and did his best to prove that he had made him a scholar. Mr. Boyle was not without ambition; his self-confidence is evident in the estimates he expresses in his letters of the authors he has read.

He now desired to edit a classical work, or come forward prominently as a distinguished author. An opportunity shortly presented itself. He set about a republication of a collection of letters, attributed to the Tyrant of Syracuse, who is said to have employed a brazen bull for torturing the victims of his cruelty. There was a MS. in the royal collection the young editor desired to consult, and he applied to the King's Librarian, Dr. Bentley, who behaved somewhat discourteously. In the preface to his volume the editor sharply commented on this.

young

Dr. William Wotton wrote "Reflections on Ancient and Modern Learning," and Dr. Bentley appended to it a "Dissertation on the Fables of Esop, and the Epistles of Phalaris." Bentley not only denounced the latter as spurious, but in rather arrogant language animadverted on Mr. Boyle for desiring to republish such fabrications. The tutor felt this attack quite as

*

Subsequently proved at the head of his regiment at the battle of Malplaquet, after he had succeeded to the earldom.