CHAPTER VIII.
Preston was the son of an ironmonger of the City of London, and was born October 28, 1712, of Protestant parents. At an early age he was sent to the Merchant Taylors School, where he had for his master a clergyman of the Established Church, a person as remarkable for his animosity against Catholics, as for his attachment to the declining Cause of the House of Stewart. In quality of Head Master of the school he possessed the right of nominating two students to the University of Oxford, who were to receive a college education at the expense of the school over which he presided. Among all his pupils, the abilities and application of young Preston eminently pointed him out as the fittest object of his choice. Accordingly when a vacancy occurred, which happened before Preston had completed his Course of Rhetoric, he was one day unexpectedly called aside by his master who, after passing the most flattering encomiums upon his application and talents, concluded by informing him of the resolution he had taken of sending him to the University.
The young man, whose mind had been previously agitated by serious doubts as to the truth of the Protestant faith, respectfully but positively declined the intended favour alleging, in general terms, that conscientious motives prevented him from accepting it.
The master taking for granted that the scruples of Mr. Preston could only relate to the oath of allegiance to the existing dynasty, that was tendered to those entering the University, secretly exulted to find so exact a resemblance between the political opinions of his pupil and his own. He lamented, indeed, that the path to dignities and preferment should be thus unjustly closed against him, but at the same time warmly applauded his firmness in
