Up to this time the astronomical investigations of Bradley had been
more those of an amateur than of a professional astronomer, and as it
did not at first seem likely that scientific work would lead to any
permanent provision, it became necessary for the youthful astronomer
to choose a profession. It had been all along intended that he
should enter the Church, though for some reason which is not told us,
he did not take orders as soon as his age would have entitled him to
do so. In 1719, however, the Bishop of Hereford offered Bradley the
Vicarage of Bridstow, near Ross, in Monmouthshire, and on July 25th,
1720, he having then taken priest's orders, was duly instituted in
his vicarage. In the beginning of the next year, Bradley had some
addition to his income from the proceeds of a Welsh living, which,
being a sinecure, he was able to hold with his appointment at
Bridstow. It appears, however, that his clerical occupations were
not very exacting in their demands upon his time, for he was still
able to pay long and often-repeated visits to his uncle at
Wandsworth, who, being himself a clergyman, seems to have received
occasional assistance in his ministerial duties from his astronomical
nephew.
The time, however, soon arrived when Bradley was able to make a
choice between continuing to exercise his profession as a divine, or
devoting himself to a scientific career.
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