The Project Gutenberg eBook, The true history of the Kentish Lawyer, by Anonymous
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
Title: The true history of the Kentish Lawyer with an account of the extraordinary marriage of his son
Release Date: June 28, 2020 [eBook #62515]
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE KENTISH LAWYER
***Transcribed from the early 1800’s J. Evans and Son edition by David Price, email [email protected]
THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE _Kentish Lawyer_;
WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MARRIAGE OF HIS SON.
LONDON: Printed and sold by J. Evans and Son, Long-lane; sold also by F. Collins, 60, Paternoster-Row; and J. Nisbet, 15, Castle-street, Oxford-street.
OLD Mr. Studley was a lawyer in Kent, of about £400 a year. He was a great enemy to godliness. His son, in his youth, seemed to follow in the same steps, till the Lord, who had separated him from the womb, called him by his grace as follows:—The young man was at London, and being drunk in some company, and going in the night towards his lodging, fell into a cellar, and in the fall was seized with horror, and thought he fell into hell at that time. It pleased God he took little harm by the fall, but lay there some hours in a drunken drowse; his body being heated with what he had drank, and his soul awakened, he thought he was actually in hell. After he was come to himself, and got home into Kent, he became serious, betook himself to read, and study the Scriptures, and of much prayer, which at length his father perceived, and fearing he would turn puritan, was troubled and dealt roughly with him, making him dress his horses, which he humbly and willingly submitted to. And when, at that time, his father perceived he sat up late at night, reading his Bible, he denied him candle-light; but being allowed a fire in his chamber, he used to lie along and read by the fire-light; and said, that while he was dressing his father’s horses in his frock, and when reading by the fire, he had those comforts from the Lord, and joys that he had scarce experienced since. His father seeing these means ineffectual, resolved to send him into France, that by the manners of that country, his melancholy temper might be cured. He went, and being at his own disposal, by the Lord’s guiding him, he placed himself in the house of a godly protestant minister; and between them, after they were acquainted, there grew great endearment. Great progress he made in speaking the language; and his father expecting an account from the gentleman with whom he lived, of his proficiency in speaking French, he sent it to him; but soon after he had orders to return home; and (the father directing it, or he intreating it) the landlord, with whom he had lived, came into England with him, and both were made very welcome at his father’s house, he not knowing that he was a minister. At last the father caught the French gentleman and his son at prayers together, and was angry; paid him what was due to him, and sent him away. Then his father having an interest with a person of quality, a great lady at Whitehall, and his son by his education being accomplished for such an employ, prevailed with that lady to take his son for her gentleman or attendant. He thought by a court life to drive away his melancholy, as he called his son’s seriousness in religion. The lady had many servants, some given to swearing and rudeness, whom this young gentleman would reprove, with that prudence and gravity, that sin fell down before him; and if any of the servants had been ill-employed, and heard him coming, they would Say—Let us cease, or begone, Mr. Studley is coming. After a year’s time, his father waited upon the lady, to enquire of his son’s conduct.—She answered, that she was glad she had seen his son’s face: he had wrought a mighty reformation in her family; she that had formerly been troubled with unruly servants, by his prudent carriage it was now as quiet in her house as if she lived in a private family in the country. At this the father stormed. What, will he make puritans in Whitehall? He told the lady that was no place for his son; he would take him with him; which to her grief he did.