PREFACE.

THE INTRODUCTION will contain what would naturally fall into a Preface. That gives an account of what has been done by others, towards a History of the University and Colleges of Cambridge, and of what is meditated in the following attempt. Still a Preface may supply a few omissions, without aiming to forestall the reader's private judgment. To that a writer is not only bound in duty, but compelled of necessity, to submit. Yet, when two fellow-travellers, before setting out on a journey, agree to leave weightier matters to an after-reckoning, it may be prudent in them to settle smaller by a few simple preliminaries, and ordinary arrange

ments.

Many years ago I had some fancies in my mind of what materials a History of Cambridge should consist, and, indeed, had, imprudently enough, put them down upon paper. This, however, was merely building a castle in the air, raised, indeed, with something of seriousness in design, but without any danger from experiment. It was a castle which I never thought of inhabiting but on finding I am to be tenant, as well as builder, I perceive my aerial voyage proved a serious adventure, that I have ensnared myself with my own devices, and that I am like the legislator, who became the first victim of his own laws.

But with fairy fancies I intermeddle not now, and with my dreams readers have no concern; not being on fairy ground, but on the Terra Firma of realities, I proceed in a regular progress, and with undisturbed feelings, to a direct point.

Universities are like those springs, which flowing from high grounds, and forming brooks and rivers, and lakes, overspread the face of a country, and give it some peculiar features. They necessarily become interesting; and, as on travelling over extended regions, and observing various bodies of waters, taking different courses, men are gratified in beholding their source, so, after seeing the progress of our

universities, it may be pleasing to trace their origin. There is much to excite our curiositymuch to employ our most serious meditation: for whether viewed in a favourable or unfavourable light, it must on all hands be allowed, they have a material influence on the manners and character of a nation.

And hence the necessity of considering our Universities on the largest scale, of adapting their history to the public feeling; and, in accommodation to general readers, of giving their true character, and genuine appearance.

At the same time, though it is necessary and expedient to meet the expectations of general readers, it is desirable to meet, more particularly, those of such, as have been members of the University and as the former, it may be presumed, may find much interest in its history, the latter, it may be expected, will find most pleasure. It is as natural for people to receive gratification from the history of the places where they were educated, as from revisiting them. In both cases, where there is a consciousness of having passed the years of early life in literary pursuits, and virtuous conduct, there will arise a thousand pleasing recollections, not affected much by the remembrance of departed friends, (for what we call melancholy feelings, are our better and more salutary ones) nor much by a

sense of the intermixture of some follies, like the ivy twining about the oak; for time acts by our follies, as by our resentments, it teaches us to forgive and forget our own infirmities, not less than those of others: so that, generally speaking, in retracing the scenes of early life, and not less in reading their history, there will be found a preponderance of pleasure: and hence the propriety of combining together a particular with a general interest.

This regard to particular interests is more strictly required on subjects, which involve the exercise of the human understanding. Every man of letters supposes he has a right to think for himself: and, on a review of the history of those who have been members of a university, we shall find, as might be expected, all possible variety of opinion; and this variety will be seen as well in philosophy, politics, and even poetry, as in metaphysics and theology.

And here, it being evident that those who have been members of our University are so various in their opinions, it is as evident, that one who writes the history of them should not be obtrusive of his own opinions, nor censorious of theirs. He should be of no party, or seem to be of none. He is thrown on a quiet spot, sacred to literature; a narrow neck of land, where he may look all around him, and see each un

interruptedly take his own course; but not with leisure to listen to the eulogiums of parties in their own favour, nor with a right to adopt their railings against their opponents. His destination is fixed by the genius of literature, with respect to philosophy and politics, and more particularly to theology: to borrow a happy expres sion of Dr. Henry More's, "God has placed me in a dispensation above any sect, and wilt thou throw me down?" what was dietated to him by his own turn of thinking, may be imposed upon others by their employment.

But to leave generalization for particulars. When it seemed to fall to my lot to attempt a History of Cambridge, I soon perceived that, however inadequate to the task, I was called to a serious undertaking. I considered a University as a great object, a body of learned men, its colleges as so many aggregates, which composed it; and my duty became clear: I determined to proceed with candour and liberality, both with respect to its members departed, and with respect to general readers.

After reflection, without determining where the narrative should begin, I saw where it should end. It seemed expedient to confine it to the dead; and I was ruled by reasons of delicacy, as well as of necessity: those reasons are obvious, without explanation. So I