her to be prepared for his being taken from her very quickly. When his last suit of clothes was made, he said he should not live to wear them out. When he went out of town, he did not expect to come home again alive; and when he left the Bath to return, he thought he should not be able to reach the town. I am told that he has left his family in very good circumstances. I am afraid his tender concern for them was prejudicial to his health. He was an affectionate husband, a tender father, an excellent scholar, a man of great experience and prudence, of good temper, of sober and religious principles, and one whom those who had the happiness to be acquainted with him will much miss. I visited the widow yesterday, who bears her afflic tion with as much patience and resignation as can be expected. I hope her husband's friends will do what they can to make her loss less insupportable. I am, Sir, your humble servant, G. S." 14. From the Same to the Same. Dated Feb. 26, 1708-9. He notices a rumour of a repeal of the Founder's Statutes requiring Fellows of Colleges to go into orders, which was then supposed to be dropped, as all the Bishops, the Speaker of the House of Commons, &c. have declared warmly and openly against it."I thought I had long since informed you, that Mrs. Gregory was very willing to be at the charge of erecting for her husband such a monument as Dr. Wallis's; that she leaves the ordering of it to the Dean of Christ Church; that she will procure an inscription to be made by Mr. Freind; that she has a picture of the Doctor, by which a bust may be graven, by such a hand as the Dean shall appoint." 15. From the Same to the Same. Dated July 14, 1709. Recommends Dr. Griffin, a Physician of Dublin, to Dr. Charlett's courtesy. Dr. Griffin's object, to see the Physic Garden, "to take a pattern from thence for methodizing the Plants in a Physic Garden intended to be made at Dublin." Controversy between Christ Church and the University. Dr. Smalridge endeavours to heal the breach. 16. Dr. Smalridge's Character of Sir Simon Harcourt's Speech at the Trial of Dr. Sacheverell. 1709-10. (In Dr. Charlett's hand). "We had yesterday the noblest entertainment that ever audience had, from your friend Sir Simon Harcourt. He spoke with such exactness, such force, such decency, such dexterity, so neat a way of commending and reflecting as he had occasion, such strength of argument, such a winning persuasion, such an insinuation into the passions of his auditors, as I never heard. I will not pretend to say one word, for I am sure I could say nothing without spoiling it: I will only observe to you that, throughout his whole discourse, he spoke with approbation of the Revolution; allowed it to be an excepted case; and defended his client upon this ground that he had asserted the utter illegality of resistance without excepting any cases; and proved, from authority human and divine, from our Municipal Laws, from our Ho milies, milies, from the testimonies of the Fathers, and Writers of our Church, from irrrefragable reasons, that it was lawful for a Preacher, that it was his duty, to lay down the general rule of non-resistance, without making any exceptions; which was very different from affirming it admitted of no exceptions. His speech was universally applauded by enemies as well as friends, and his reputation for a Speaker is fixed for ever. But then the mischief is, that this was his vox cygnea; for he is returned, and we heard him not to-day, and shall hear him no more, He was very ill on Thursday night, and, it is said, very weak when he spoke; but that did not appear from any thing he said, or from the manner of his speaking. His Speech you will see in publick; but you will not be able to conceive half the pleasure from reading, as we did from hearing it." 17. From the Same to the Same. (No date, but received by Dr. Charlett June 10, 1710. Requests Dr. Charlett's interposition for Mrs. Gregory, who complains of losing by the house her husband had as Professor. She thinks also that disrespect is shewn to the memory of her husband by the distribution of sixty copies of the Apollonius to Mr. Halley, out of which the University allot her only 15: whereas "the part which Dr. Gregory undertook was, she saith, by him compleated, and by her sent to the University." The Dean of Christ Church declines ordering the monument. 18. From Bishop SMALRIDGE to Dr. CHARLETT. Dated March 27, 1715. Thanks Mr. Willis for a draught. Wishes to know whether the University would give a diploma degree of D. D. to Mr. Harris, M. A. of Oriel College, Clerk of the Closet to his Highness the Prince of Wales. Also, whether the University would present to the Princess books to the amount of 20 or 301. of the best English Divinity, to be sent to Hanover for the instruction of the Divines there. 19. From the Same to the Same. Dated June 20, 1717. On the disturbances at Oxford and Cambridge. Rumours of various impeachments in London. 20. From the Same to the Same. Dated April 3, 1716. On the various modes of Service at the Churches in London on the Sunday before Easter, which fell on the same day with the Feast of the Annunciation. 21. From the Same to the Same. Dated May 2. Agrees with Browne Willis on the propriety of removing Cardinal Wolsey's ashes to a more decent repository*; but doubts whether there be authority for supposing those mentioned to be * The proposal was, to remove the remains of this celebrated Cardinal from the Abbey of St. Mary de Pratis at Leicester, where he was buried, to Christ Church, Oxford. See an interesting correspondence on this subject in "Letters of Eminent Persons," &c. from the Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum, 1813, vol. II. pp. 16-20. See also the "History of Leicestershire, vol. 1. pp. 273, 274. EDIT. the the authentic remains of Wolsey. Miscarriage of a proposed Address to the King from the University of Cambridge. 22. From the Same to the Same. Dated May 17, 1716. On the expulsion of some Christ Church men for drinking the Pretender's health. Approves of the proposed Septuagint, and likes the specimen of type and paper. "I believe we may expect from Dr. Leigh very learned and useful annotations, who has by him all the materials which Dr. Grabe prepared, and who is himself very conversant in biblick learning." 23. From the Same to the Same. Dated Christ Church, June 11, 1715. On the right of the Universities of Judicature in civil and criminal causes. 24. From the Same to the Same. Dated March 23, 1715-16. The Duke of Devonshire a great friend to the Universities in the House of Lords. "He declared that he would as soon consent to a Bill for divesting him of Chatsworth as for depriving the Universities of their privileges." 25. From the Same to the Same. On the riots in Oxford, perjury of Dated Lady day 1717. witnesses, &c. 26. From the Same to the Same. Dated April 6, 1717. Walker, Author of the St. James's Evening Post, examined before the House of Lords. Tuckey, Printer of the Flying Post, examined; said the Author was George Ridpath. 27. From the Same to the Same. April 10, 1717. Recommends Mr. Schurer, Professor of Eloquence at Bern, who comes to collect English books for that University. 28. From Bishop SMALRIDGE to Dr. BARON, Vice-chancellor. "REVEREND SIR, June 25, 1717. "I just now hear from one, on whose intelligence I can depend, that Sir William Whitlock is in a very dangerous state, and not likely to live long. It will become all, who wish well to the University, to have our thoughts upon a proper successor, a person of experience and gravity, one who is entirely in our interest, and able to support it, one against whom the Government can have no exception, and who will be acceptable to, and agree with, his Colleague. I believe you are of the same sentiment with me, that no one better answers this character, no one at any time, and especially at this juncture, could be more proper for us to pitch upon, than our worthy friend Dr. Clarke*. If you are of this sentiment, I beg of you, that you and those who are of the same opinion with you, would forthwith apply to him in your own name and mine (and I believe I might add, the name of every one who wishes well to the University) and earnestly * George Clarke, D. C. L. Fellow of All Souls; Judge Advocate General (who had been Secretary at War to King William, and one of the Lords of the Admiralty to Queen Anne) was elected Member for the University in 1717, on the death of Sir William Whitlock, and continued their Representative till his death in 1736. EDIT. beg beg of him, that he would not, at this juncture, prefer his own ease or inclination to the public good. He would do us an inestimable service in keeping out all other pretenders, though he should do us no other; but no one is more capable or more inclined to do us the utmost. Sure I am, that there is no one in the Kingdom who would be more acceptable to Mr. Bromley : this I have not from conjecture, but from certain and very late knowledge. I hope he who loves us so well, and has given us so good and numerous proofs of his affections to us, will not refuse to add this, which will crown all the rest. Should he out of modesty, out of a desire of ease, or out of any other regard, be willing to decline it, yet, in my humble opinion, he should not at this critical juncture be suffered to do it. I see many and great inconveniences from thinking of any one else; we shall be broke to pieces, if there be a contest; we shall expose ourselves to the utmost danger, if at this time we should pitch upon one who at another time might be unexceptionable. As to myself, I cannot think whither to go, if he will not serve us; but I flatter myself that he has too great a concern for us not to gratify us in this request at this time. I refer you to the Master for news, to whom I wrote, and sealed my letter before I had notice of what has occasioned this from your affectionate friend and brother, G. BRISTOL." 29. Memorandum by Bishop Smalridge relative to some feefarm rents purchased of the Crown, and left by Mr. Wallis to the Reader of Carfax, and two poor Scholars of Christ Church. 30. From Bishop SMALRIDGE to Dr. CHARLETT. Dated June 25, 1717. A long account of the trial of the Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer. 31. From the Same to the Same. Dated Feb. 15, 1717-18. He has desired Dr. Leigh, who is to be the Editor of the remaining parts of the LXX. to vindicate Dr. Grabe from the aspersions cast upon him by Pfaffius and Audinus. Account of the case between Baskett and Watson on printing Bibles. 32. From the Same to the Same. Dated March 4, 1717. Applauds Mr. Hall as a learned and judicious man, one fit to edit Trivet's Chronicle. Thinks the prosecution of Tom Hearne to be for the credit of the University. 33. From the Same to the Same. Dated Jan. 12, 1718-19. "We expect every day a Bill for settling the Regency during the King's absence. I do not find that there is any doubt with any person, but that the King can by his own prerogative appoint whom he pleases to be Regent; nor do I hear any reason given why Parliament should be asked to do what can as legally be done without them." 34. From the Same to the Same. Dated Feb. 10, 1718-19. Regrets that Mr. Schurer (see No. 27) turns out unworthy of his recommendation. Gives a good character of Mr. Revall, a French Minister. On the cause between the Crown and the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. 35. From the Same to the Same. (Of no interest). Dated Feb. 16, 1718-19. Letters Letters of Dr. ZACHARY GREY and Dr. DUCAREL. "WORTHY SIR, To Dr. DUCAREL. Houghton Conquest, near "I acknowledged your favour by the return of the post from Cambridge, but fear it miscarried. I should be extremely thankful for the perusal of those notes you mention upon Hudibras, if Dr. Evetts will favour me with a sight of them. If they are sent directed to me to be left at the Rev. Mr. Warcopp's, he will thankfully pay the carriage, and convey them safely to me. I am, with service to the Doctor, and my most hearty thanks to you, worthy Sir, your much obliged and most obedient humble servant, ZACH. GREY." To the Rev. Dr. ZACHARY GREY. "REVEREND SIR, Inner Temple, Sept. 16, 1742. "I return you thanks for both your kind letters, which I duly received; but, being obliged to go suddenly out of Hertfordshire into Kent, and my portmanteau not arriving out of Hertfordshire so soon as I expected, had not before an opportunity of answering your kind letters. My friend Dr. Evetts desires me to acquaint you that he shall be extremely well pleased if there is any thing in his Hudibras that can be of service to you; and flatters himself that the names of some persons of those times, which you will find up and down, and which were all written by his grandfather, will clear up some obscure passages in that valuable Author. If amongst my acquaintance I should hear of any remarks or collections, I shall be sure to acquaint you with it; and I hope you wili meet with no difficulties from the Booksellers, some of whom already begin to cry out that the sole property of Hudibras is vested in them. "I forgot to tell you that I have this morning sent the said Hudibras (being three volumes) to the Rev. Mr. Warcop, who has promised to take care of them; who am, Reverend Sir, "Your most humble and obedient servant, AND. DUCAREL." To Dr. DUCarel. "WORTHY SIR, Houghton Conquest, Oct. 11, 1742. "I am much obliged to you and Dr. Evetts for the kind assistance you intended me, towards the better explaining of Hudibras; though, upon examination, I find every note entered in those three parts to have been already printed. You will be so good to return the Doctor my thanks, and I will take some opportunity of conveying the books to you. "The Booksellers, I find, threaten; but I think I have as good a right to the text as they have, if my brother, who is an *An eminent Physician, of whom see hereafter, p. 573. eminent |