 I have the Honour to be known; he is Captain of a Man of War, and would give any Consideration to a young Man of Sense and Letters, who is a Poficient, in Navigation and in the Use of the Charts and Compass, and who, at the same Time, might serve as a Friend and Companion.
Sir, said I, quite astonished, I have been a Student, as
Goliah
was a Man of War, from my Childhood. If all my Tutors did not flatter me, my Genius was extensive; and my Progress, in Learning, may prove that my Application has been indefatigable. I know all Things, from the Beginning of Time, that the ancient or modern World, as I was told, accounted Matters of valuable Erudition or Recognizance; and, yet, I have not so much as heard of the Use or Estimation of any of these Sciences required, as you say, by Persons in high Trust and Commission.
Mr.
Goodville,
hereupon, looked concerned and shook his Head. My dear
Clement,
says he, I do not doubt your Talents or Learning; but, I, now, begin to doubt whether they have been directed or applied to any useful Purpose. My Cousin
Goodville
informs me that the Bishop of St.
Asaph
is in Distress for a young Gentleman, a Man of Morals and a Linguist, who has some Knowledge in the Canon and Civil Law, as his Vicar General is, lately, dead. He tells me, further, that a Gentleman, a Friend of his, who is in great Circumstances, and who is now about purchasing the Place of Surveyor General, wants a Youth who has got some little smattering in Architecture, and has an elegant Hand at the Drawing of Plans and Sections. I am also known to one of the Commissioners of Excise, and, if you are barely initiated in Gauging, or Surveying, I think I could get you into some Way of Bread.
Alas, Sir, I replied, in a desponding Tone, I am equally a Stranger to all these Matters.
Perhaps, said Mr.
Goodville,
I could get you into holy Orders, if you are that way inclined. Are you well read in
Theology?
Yes, yes, Sir, I briskly answered, I am perfectly acquainted with the Gods and Manners of Worship, through all Nations, since the Deluge.
But, are you, replied my Friend, equally versed in the Christian Dispensation? Have you studied our learned Commentators on the Creeds; are you read in
Polemic
Divinity? and, are you a Master
