ministry, and in order to it has, I think, completed his time at
the university. The occasion of his applying this way was purely
from his own inclination. I took him a child from his poor
parents, out of a numerous and necessitous family, into my own,
employing him in nothing servile; and finding his ingenuity, put
him abroad to the best schools to qualify him for preferment in
a peculiar way. But the serious temper of the lad disposing him,
as I found, to the ministry preferably to other advantages, I
could not be his hindrance; though till very lately I gave him
no prospect of any encouragement through my interest. But having
been at last convinced, by his sober and religious courage, his
studious inclination and meek behaviour, that 'twas real
principle and not a vanity or conceit that led him into these
thoughts, I am resolved, in case your lordship thinks him worthy
of the ministry, to procure him a benefice as soon as anything
happens in my power, and in the mean time design to keep him as
my chaplain in my family.

"I am, my Lord, &c.,

"SHAFTESBURY."

The second letter inserted in my copy is to Ainsworth himself, dated
Reigate, 11th May, 1711, and written when he was about to apply for
priest's orders. But the bulk of this letter is printed, with a
different beginning and ending, in the tenth printed letter, under date
July 10th, 1710, and is there made to apply to Ainsworth's having just
received deacon's orders. The beginning, and ending of the letter, as in
MS., are--