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32 The Autobiography oj Archbishop Thomas Seeker
had two: & keep one of them still. ^[The Bishop of Cloyne, Dr Berkeley,
came to Oxford this Summer, before his Friend Bishop Bensons Death;
but I think not before he went through Oxfordshire to Glocester. So that
he did not see him.]
In the End of September 1752 we returned to St Pauls. In the
beginning of November, we went to the Duchess of Somersets at Percy
Lodge for a few Days, & thence to Cuddesden. I had before this time
given my Nephew John Frost the Vicarage of Sibertoft: where the
Repairs of the Vicarage House & Chancel cost me above 50 11 . On his
quitting the Curacy of Hooknorton, which he had held for some Years,
Lady Susan Keck desired me to give it to Mr Mountsteven of Exeter
College. I excused my self. Not long after, Mr George Talbot, son to the
Chancellor, asked it for a Friend of his. I excused my self again, having
another Person in View. But that Design not taking Effect, I offered it
afterwards to Mr Talbot for his Friend, if he was one disposed to favour
the New Interest in the approaching Oxfordshire Election. On this he
wrote me a very angry & contemptuous Letter. I returned him one
calculated to mollifie him. He answered it by a worse.
FOLIO 45 So I gave the Curacy to Mr Mountsteven, & have had no
1752-53 Intercourse with Mr Talbot since. He did once make a visit
at the Deanery of St Pauls. Whether he asked for me, or
only for his Aunt & Cousin, I know not. He saw them; but saith nothing
to them on what had passed between him & me. I was in the House, but
did not go to him. I think reading the Letters will shew that I ought not,
without some Excuse made to me for them. Bishop Talbot indeed had
conferred great Favours upon me, in return for the faithful Service
which I did him. And I made my Acknowledgements for them in the
best Manner, that I could, by shewing Kindness to that Part of his
Family, which needed & deserved it; & through the means of which I
had been made known to him. Chancellor Talbot was always civil to me:
& I believe wished me well. But neither he, nor any of his Sons, had
either done or attempted to do me any further Favour. And the Person,
whom Mr George Talbot recommended to me, proved to be very
obnoxious to the Party, which I approved in that Election. And therefore
I hope that I cannot be justly blamed on this Occasion.
Dec. 22,23 we returned from Cuddesden to St Pauls.
In the beginning of 1753 I gave my Nephew & Niece Seeker 500 11 . *)
[They were then newly married by me in St Pauls Church: & lived with
me some time at the Deanery.
This Spring the Marriage Act passed. I had no Concern in it, till it
was printed & read a 2d time. Then I declared my Desire of its passing,
but with many Amendmts, which I specified. Ld Bath said, I ought to
have reserved them for the Committee. The D. of Argyl said, I did well