This may fairly be conjectured from what soon after took place, as it certainly led to most unjustifiable outrages against the ruling authority. An order came down to Oxford from Charles the second, that the surplice should be worn, according to the custom of ancient times, which operated so disagreeably upon William Penn's ideas of the simplicity and spirituality of the Christian religion, that, engaging Robert Spencer and some others of his associates to join him, he fell upon those students who appeared in their surplices, and tore them violently off their backs. It was impossible that an outrage of so unwarrantable and shameful a nature could be overlooked. The college took it up, and William Penn and several of his companions were expelled. This act of a rash and impetuous mind, and which could only be excused on the plea of his youth and inexperience, gave great displeasure to his father, who received him very coldly on his return home. Nor was the admiral's displeasure a little increased by observing the turn which his son's mind had taken, and the desire which he shewed to avoid all gay and fashionable society and to associate only with those of a serious and religious disposition.

Foreseeing a destruction to all the schemes of ambition which he had formed for his son, and which bis situation and connections in life gave him so fair a prospect of realizing, the admiral be

came exceedingly impatient; and, after endeavouring in vain to overcome him by argument, he adopted a mode of discipline more consistent with his habits as a commanding officer, than with his character either as an affectionate father or a reasonable being-and had recourse to blows. These, however, failing, as it was natural they should, for bodily inflictions can have little influence on the mind except in hardening it against the opposing party, he at length turned him out of doors.

son.

But though of rather a hasty temper, the admiral was possessed of an excellent disposition, and could not, therefore, fail to be soon convinced of the error of his proceedings-particularly as his wife, who was a most amiable woman, used every means in her power to soften his anger towards his Overcome by such powerful advocates as his own affection and his wife's intercessions, the offender was at length pardoned, and a plan adopted to wean him from his old connections, which, with a mind less firm and steady than the one which was to be conquered, would most certainly have produced the desired effect. Deeming it probable that a change of scene, and in particular the gaiety of French manners, might have a powerful effect in counteracting the increasing gravity of his mind, he was sent to France with some persons of rank who were then going on their travels.

His first place of residence was Paris, but from his short stay there it may be concluded that the gaiety and dissipation of that place did not suit his turn of mind. He afterwards resided some months, during the years 1662 and 1663, with his companions, at Saumur. It appears he had been induced to go thither for the sake of enjoying the conversation and instruction of the learned Moses Amyrault, who was a protestant minister of the Calvinistic persuasion, professor of divinity at Saumur, and at this time in the highest estimation of any divine in France. From Saumur he directed his course towards Italy, and had arrived at Turin, when he received a letter from his father desiring his return, as he was himself ordered to take command of the fleet against the Dutch, and wished his son to take care of the family during his absence. Though his religious principles were as firm as ever, he returned home with manners much more accordant with his father's wishes than those with which he had departed. He had become more lively, and had acquired a polish and courtly demeanour which was the natural consequence of having mingled more with the world.

As it was deemed desirable on his return from the continent that he should make himself acquainted with the laws of his country, he entered himself, at his father's request, a student at Lincoln's Inn. The breaking out of the plague, how

ever, obliged him to relinquish his new pursuit in about a year, as it was necessary, for self preservation, that he should leave London. It is probable, however, that short as this time was, the knowledge which he then obtained was highly serviceable to him in future life, and that he then acquired the rudiments of those principles of law and equity which were afterwards so conspicuously displayed. There can be little doubt that, as his situation in life was too independent to make it necessary that he should follow a profession, his father's motive for directing his attention to the study of the law was a wish to occupy his mind and preserve him from returning to his former habits and associates. But his mind appears to have been too firmly bent upon the cause he had espoused, to be diverted from his object. On the contrary, it broke forth with renewed force from its temporary suppression. He again became serious, and mixed only with grave and religious people.

His father, on his return, immediately observed the change; and, still feeling the same determination to break up his son's connections, he sent him off to Ireland. He was induced to make choice of this country on account of his acquaintance with the duke of Ormond, (who was the lord lieutenant,) as well as with many others of his court. The duke was a man of graceful manners, lively

wit, and cheerful temper; and his court was gay and splendid; so that the admiral imagined his son could scarcely fail, in such society, to forget his early habits, and gradually acquire new tastes and pursuits. But this scheme proved as futile as the former ones; his religious sentiments remained unshaken, and every thing he saw tended to confirm his determination to a serious life. And here it is impossible not to pause and admire the firmness of that mind which could thus resist such powerful and manifold temptations, and steadily persevere in keeping itself unspotted from the world.

The admiral, again disappointed though not overcome, had recourse to another expedient. He had large estates in Ireland, of which he determined to give his son the sole management, knowing that it would at once keep his time fully employed, and detain him at a distance from all his English connections. And here he found that, though unshaken in his resolution where his conscience told him that it was his duty to oppose, this opposition did not arise from any unwillingness to comply with his wishes; but that on the contrary he performed the duties of his commission with scrupulous diligence. But an accident occurred at this time which produced very important consequences.

Being accidentally on business at Cork, he heard