178 GAST. until compelled by the persecution of 1684, to f l y for refuge, together with his wife, a native o f Bourdeaux, and nearly related t o the great Montesquieu
and Ireland be came his retreat. Mr. John Gast received his education i n Dublin, under Dr. Lloyd, and entered Trinity College under Dr. Gilbert. I n 1785, h e took his bachelor's degree; and soon after, married Miss Huddleston. On his entrance into holy orders, h e served a s chaplain t o the French congregation a t Portarlington, but after wards removed t o Dublin, and became, i n 1744, curate t o the parish o f St. John, i n that city. The pecuniary emo luments derived from this source were inadequate t o the support o f a young and increasing family, and h e endea voured t o add t o them b y a weekly lecture a t St. John's, by attending early prayers a t St. Mary's chapel, i n Christ church, and b y the business o f a school; a n extensive and laborious undertaking. Yet these various and arduous employments did not weaken the powers o f his mind, nor detract from his passion for literature. Under their severest pressure, h e composed his “Rudiments o f Gre cian History,” and published them i n 1753. These were written with such great accuracy, perspicuity, and talent, that the university o f Dublin were highly pleased with them, and i n proof o f their admiration, conferred o n Gast the honour o f D . D . without any expense t o him; and the Board o f senior Fellows, b y a n entry i n their Register books, recommended them very strongly, “as a book very proper t o b e read b y young gentlemen a t school, for their instruction i n the history o f Greece.” - I n 1761, h e was presented t o the living o f Arklow, b y Archbishop Cobbe, and three years after, h e added t o i t the archdeaconry o f Glandelogh and the parish o f New castle, making i n the whole a n income o f 500l. per annum. These rewards o f virtue and learning, reflect a s much lustre o n the amiable donor, a s they confer honour o n the receiver. I n 1775, h e exchanged Arklow for the parish o f St. Nicholas without, Dublin. As a token o f respect for his exertions while curate o f St. John's, the inhabi
