The New Hampshire Gazette

A prudent tutor.—Archbishop Moore owed his rise in life to two accidental circumstances. The Duke of Marlborough required a tutor for his sons, and wrote to Dr. Sutton, the then Principal of Christ Church College, Oxford, to appoint a proper person. The Doctor selected a young man, and the Duke appointed a time for an interview with him at the College. Either in consequence of mistaking the hour, or from a carelessness of disposition, he did not keep the appointment, and both Dr. Sutton and the Duke grew angry. At this critical juncture Mr. Moore passed by the house, and caught the eye of Dr. Sutton, who informed his Grace that perhaps, it was as well the gentleman for whom they had so long waited in vain had disappointed them, as he might prove as negligent with respect to his duties as he had been in attending to his appointment, and he then strongly recommended Mr. Moore to the Duke. His Grace made no objection to this new arrangement. Mr. Moore was sent for and introduced, and before the day closed, every necessary preliminary was arranged. Mr. Moore was not only a man of very great classical attainments, but also a most estimable character. He was likewise eminently handsome; and to his person, rather than to his talents, he was indebted for his seat on the Archiepiscopal throne. He had been some few years the family tutor, when his personal attractions placed him in an awkward if not a dangerous situation. One of the daughters of his patron became enamoured of him, and hinted so broadly her wishes that he could not affect to misunderstand her. In a short time, as the tutor did not profit by a hint, the lady spoke plainly. Mr. Moore could not return her love and, to prevent being pressed too closely, mentioned it in confidence to the Duke. His Grace was grateful, and assured Mr. Moore that he would never lose sight of him until he had made his fortune. Nor did he; for as a reward for the tutor's declining a noble alliance, he never rested until he saw him installed in the See of Canterbury. The Archbishop acknowledged to a Right Reverend Prelate, from whom I obtained this anecdote, that had he admired the lady, he very probably might have acted differently.—ibid.