impostures, temporary disputes, and antiquated statutes; but students, scholars, social and rational beings. Universities should be κοινον παντων παιδευτηριον, as Diodorus calls Athens; the common house of instruction in all things; and more, it should be the house of instruction for all men. It was on this ground that Lysias lays his claim for the paramount excellence of the Athenian state. Universities relate to men more than things; and if they comport with the dignity of the name, they should relate rather to men as connected in civil society, than as broken into sects, and parties, by disputatious polemics. Readers of their history have a right to expect the most liberal principles in those who write them; and such writers as are unbiassed by party feelings, will best meet the views and wishes of, at least, humane and enlightened minds.

Biography is the light of history, and should be the very soul of an University History. A biographical sketch of the founders of colleges, some account of persons distinguished either by original genius, patient research, or happy discoveries, and known in the world by their literary works, will necessarily be considered as the conspicuous luminaries: but sometimes, perhaps, writers less known, or who have not as yet been noticed in a history of this kind, may hold out a pure light; and zealots who are accustomed to respect only their own party, may overlook many justly entitled to some notice, undervalue many worthy of public esteem, and frequently speak only to slander and misrepresent. And, what shall I say? As ages are past and gone, and we have but fragments of their ruins, so ages of men are still passing away, and what occurred too late for one historian to record, falls to his province who succeeds.

Finally, academical habits and degrees, local customs, privileges, and benefices, may seem to claim their appropriate chapters, in an University history: but things of this kind being accurately unfolded in their proper places, in numerous publications, and being so minute, and in detail so various, may not suit every plan of history. Those who merely visit an University, are apt to be pleased with forms and habits, ceremonies and titles; they are novel, some rather splendid, and all characteristic of the place. A description of University privileges, and College benefices too, might gratify the curiosity of some, and serve the interest of others; but might encroach, beyond their due portion, on views of general utility. Judicious readers will form their expectations on such subjects from the nature of a work: a minuteness on all subjects is not suited to every publication, nor is it reasonable to expect it; and where matters of mere form, and local peculiarities, have been minutely detailed, and repeatedly narrated, actum agere may be dispensed with. Cambridge Guides and University Calendars are always at hand; and it may be no less prudent than convenient, to make a general reference to what has been written before, than to detail all the particularities over again.

Having thus considered what different sort of readers may expect in a work like the present, I proceed to shew what has been done by others, and what is attempted in the following history.

The first and most authentic documents, then, respecting Cambridge, lie in the archives of their respective Colleges, and consist of charters of foundation, licences of mortmain, and bulls of Popes; of papers relating to livings, estates, and benefactors; to the customs and jurisdiction of the University, and fragments of College History. Many papers relating to different Colleges are in the libraries so rich in MSS. Archbishop Parker's in Bene't's College, and Gonville's and Caius's. In the University there are but two or three, with the exception of Mr. Baker's.

The Bodleian Library at Oxford contains MSS. which relate to Cambridge: but the Harleian, Cottonian, and Sloanian Libraries, in the British Museum, are very abundant. I am, indeed, disposed to believe, that those three libraries possess more concerning Cambridge than all the Cambridge MSS. in the public and private libraries put together; and of the principal of these MSS. whether in the libraries at Cambridge, or in the Museum, it may not be improper to say a few words.

The principal of those that relate to the University at large are preserved in the public chest, and by the ViceChancellor and Registrar; and of these the best known is the famous Liber Niger, or Black Book, of which more in its due place. At present I shall only say, that, before Mr. Hare made his Collection, this book was considered of great use, though some part was never considered as of any authority.

In the year 1587, Robert Hare, Esq. formerly of Caius College, completed his famous Register of all the Charters, Liberties, and Privileges of the University and Town, of which the original is in the public chest. The Vice-Chancellor and Registrar too has each a copy, made by Hare himself in 15895.

However little consequence some of the originals possess, yet as a transcript, Hare's Collections are allowed by all to be faithful, correct, and of the highest authority; and Hare received the public thanks of the University for his most assiduous performance.

There are four large volumes of this collection, of which three relate to the University, and one to the Town. An index to these volumes was written by Dr. Parris, of Sidney College, in 1735, and afterwards passed through the hands of Dr. Ashton, Master of Jesus College. Both were Vice-Chancellors in their turn, and by right of office possessed Hare's Register; and few men were ever better acquainted with the affairs of the University: but of this more hereafter.

There are not above three or four manuscripts in the public library of the University, except Thomas Baker's, which relate immediately to that body. Baker's are numerous, and as conspicuous for worth as number, though most are copies, and almost all copied by himself.

Baker left behind him forty-two volumes in all; of these, nineteen were left to the University; to the Earl of Oxford he left, or as matter of form sold, twenty-three volumes, which are now made public property, and are in the British Museum.

" It seemed," says M. M. " some time since as if the University had intended to have perfected their number, a gentleman having been employed to copy some of these MSS. in the Museum for the public library at Cambridge. These two volumes are now in the public library." This business was undertaken by Mr. Ayscough of the British Museum, but was never completed.

There is one volume of Baker's writing and composition (for this is not a copy) which is entitled to particular and most honourable mention; a copy of it, but incorrectly made, is in St. John's College Library; the original, as written by Baker, is in the British Museum; it is entitled " A succinct and impartial Account of St. John's House and St. John's College, with some occasional and incidental account of the affairs of the University, and of such Private Colleges as held communication or intercourse with the Old House or College, collected principally by a member of the College, A. 1707. It gives a complete view of St. John's House or Hospital, when a priory of canons regular, proceeding to the foundation of the College, A. 1511, Robert Shipton being first master, and ending with Peter Gunning, twenty-second master, June 25, 1661. It also contains a catalogue of the masters or priors of the Old House or Hospital; a catalogue of the bishops, who went from the College; a catalogue of the fellows, from the foundation of the College to the year 1546, taken from the College Archives; the names of the masters and