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then informed me, that he was sent by Mr. Williamson with a kind proposal,-that I should again be put under his care,-that he would charge nothing for my education,-and would also be my friend at the University, where he was highly honoured. This proposal was to be kept an entire secret from the school. My mother had yielded, being overcome by the kindness of this excellent man, and I heard the proposal with great joy. I never can forget the moment of my appearance in the play-ground: I was surrounded by the whole school, with such shouting, and joyful acclamations, that I remember it as one of the happiest days of my early life.

My Preceptor was as kind to me as could be anticipated from this beginning. He examined me himself, and in a little time put me into a higher form, which increased my advantages. I continued with him while he kept the school; but this second fair prospect became at length clouded. He was intimate with several of the Fellows of Trinity-College, who used frequently to attend his school, and were the stated Examiners for Premiums: Especially Dr. Wilson, a senior Fellow, who, when several years after he retired on one of the College livings, (which are reckoned the best in the kingdom,) invited Mr. Wesley to his church and house, and treated him with great respect. By these learned men Mr. Williamson

was persuaded to give up his school, and read for a Fellowship, as it is called; that is, to prepare for the examination which always precedes the election of a junior Fellow. It is well known that those examinations are the most public, the most severe, and the most awful to the candidates, of any which are held at any University in Europe. They are attended by the Archbishop of Dublin, with all the Dignitaries; and all the Ministers who choose may also attend. And, beside the Professors, who are the regular Examiners in the various departments, classical, mathematical, and philosophical, every Master of Arts has the privilege of putting any question which he may think proper. Generally, from eight to twelve enter the arena. The examinations last several days, but seldom more than two continue to the end; and the successful candidate often pays for his honours by a severe illness. A junior Fellowship is a settlement for life. They succeed to the senior Fellowships in rotation, and the seniors to the College livings, in the same way; unless any should prefer to remain at the University. Several of the Fellows have arisen to the highest stations in the Church, and some of them from a low origin. The present Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. M'Gee, thus obtained a Fellowship; as did also the late Bishop of Killala, who became celebrated by a very interesting account of the invasion of his diocese by

the French under General Humbert. His father, whom I personally knew, kept a hosier's shop in the city of Dublin. Even an unsuccessful candidate is noted all his life after, as one (to use the common phrase) who has gone in for a Fellowship.

Mr. Williamson, having acted upon the advice of his learned friends, I was once more set at melancholy liberty. He did not, however, suffer me to depart without a private interview; in which he gave me the kindest advice, put me in mind of my father's views concerning me, and pressed me to continue my studies, assuring me that I might depend upon his friendship in that line. But this benevolent man did not live to realize his hope respecting the University, or to be of any service to me. He died, not long after, of a violent fever. His death much affected me.

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After staying at home for a short time, my mother put me under the care of an artist, carver, a man of great respectability; of whose kindness, with that of his family, I entertain to this day a grateful remembrance. His kindness, however, was ill repaid by me; for although I do not remember that I was ever unfaithful to any trust which he reposed in me, yet I was very careless of the business; minding only my books, except in the hours when I was obliged to labour. My heart was set upon learning. It was my idol. I used frequently to dream that I was at school

again, and awaked only to weep.-I even left his service, in hope that I might be sent to the Rev. Mr. Daniel, already mentioned, who had opened a school about thirty miles from Dublin. But I could not resist the tears of my mother, whom I tenderly loved, and consented to return to my sorrowful employment.

My engagement with my friendly master expired while I was yet very young; and when I was only nineteen years of age, I determined to go to London, of which I had heard much from the workmen whom my master occasionally employed. My mother had many fears concerning me; but at length she consented, as I pleaded that I could not hope to arrive at any eminence in my profession, if I stayed in Dublin. I accordingly set out, without a friend, or even a companion, and in four days arrived in London, not knowing how I should live, or to whom to apply. But a gracious Providence was over me, and I obtained employment as soon as I applied for it.

I soon became acquainted with several young men in the same line, and with some of them I became very intimate; so that there was something like friendship between us. But they were like myself, without God in the world. Our leisure, and even our Sabbaths, and sometimes the hours which ought to be spent in necessary

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employment, were consumed in what is usually called pleasure. The Parks, Vauxhall, Ranelagh, and especially the theatres, of which I was a passionate admirer, quite intoxicated me; so that the name of Garrick, in a play-bill, would make my heart vibrate with delightful anticipation. I lost, in a great measure, my relish for my former studies, and seemed to be sinking into depravity. Yet, strange to say, while I was thus devoted to sinful pleasure, I still held fast an integrity which seemed innate, and as if it could not be sinned away. I have disputed, and almost quarrelled, with my most intimate companions, about their being involved in debt; while I chose to bear many privations, rather than offend against that high moral sense that seemed to possess me. But I doubt not this also would have yielded, if I had continued in my rebellion against God; and I should have sunk into complete depravity. I continued in this vortex of dissipation till I was nearly of age, at which time I should have a sum of money to receive, the savings of my minority; and wishing much to see my mother and sisters, I returned to Dublin.

I was received most affectionately; and my old master also manifested much good-will, and gladly employed me. But my mind became more than ever averse to the business. I spent much of my time in reading, with frequent illapses into idle0

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