Page:Lettersconcerni01conggoog.djvu/49

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24
Letters concerning


LETTER IV.

ON THE

QUAKERS.

About this[1] time arose the illustrious William Pen, who establish'd the power of the Quakers in America, and would have made them appear venerable in the eyes of the Europeans were it possible for mankind to respect virtue, when reveal'd in a ridiculous light. He was the only son of vice-admiral Pen, favourite to the duke of York, afterwards king James the second.

William Pen at twenty years of age happening to meet with a[2] Quaker in Cork, whom he had known at Oxford, this man made a proselyte of

him.
  1. 1666.
  2. Thomas Lea.