Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/551

 SKELTON. 547 lowed his example, and there was often an amicable con test in the performance of their acts of duty and charity. In 1742, he accepted the office of tutor to the late Earl of Charlemont; but, owing to a difference with his lord ship's guardian, soon resigned his charge, and returned to his curacy. On the death of Dr. Sterne, the see of Clogher was filled by Dr. Clayton, author of the “Essay on Spirit,” a decided Arian; and between him and Skelton there could consequently be no coincidence of opinion, or mutuality of respect. In 1748, Mr. Skelton having prepared for the press his valuable work, entitled “Deism revealed,” he conceived it too important to be published in Ireland, and therefore determined to go to London, and dispose of it there. On his arrival, he submitted his manuscript to Andrew Millar, the bookseller, to know if he would pur chase i t , and have i t printed a t his own expense. The bookseller desired him, a s i s usual, t o leave i t with him for a day o r two, until h e could get a certain gentleman o f great abilities t o examine i t . Hume i s said t o have come accidentally into the shop, and Millar shewed him the MS. Hume took i t into a room adjoining the shop, exa mined i t here and there for about an hour, and then said t o Andrew, “print.” By this work Skelton made about 200l. A few months after i t s publication the Bishop o f Clogher, Dr. Clayton, was asked b y Sherlock, Bishop o f London, i f he knew the author. “O yes, he has been a curate i n my diocese near these twenty years.”—“More shame for your lordship,” answered Sherlock, “to let a man o f his merit continue s o long a curate i n your diocese.” After a residence a t London o f about six months, during which h e preached some o f the sermons since published i n his works, Mr. Skelton returned t o his curacy i n Ireland, and i n 1750, a large living became vacant i n the diocese o f Clogher. Dr. Delany and another bishop immediately waited o n Bishop Clayton, and told him that i f h e did not give Skelton a living now, after disappointing them s o often, they would take him out o f his diocese. This, how