As to Cambridge itself, among my advantages I must always reckon my personal obligations to gentlemen residing in the University; for I have been indebted to Mr. Pearne, Mr. Smyth, and Mr. Hollingworth, of Peter House, for my access to the archives of that College; to Dr. Turner, Master of Pembroke Hall, for my introduction to Mr. Chevalier, Mr. Aspland, and Mr. Wood, to whom I am indebted for similar favours ;-and particularly for the perusal of Bishop Wren's MS. de Custodibus Pembrochianis-to Dr. Torkington, Master of Clare Hall, for an opportunity of inspecting the register of the Fellows of that house: to one of the oldest residing members of the University, and than whom no one is better acquainted with the laws and customs of the University, Mr. Tyrwhitt, of Jesus College, I am indebted for a long acquaintance, which has not only led me to the knowledge of many useful books, but facilitated my access to them; to that, as well as the kindness of Dr. Pearce, the Master of that college, I owe an admission into their library, and the freest use of their college-records. By Mr. Woodhouse, and other gentlemen of Caius College, I have, at various times, been obliged for the liberty of consulting manuscripts in their collections: to Mr. Currey, and Mr. Markby, of Bene't, for my access to Archbishop Parker's; to Mr. C. Farish and Mr. Goseham, for access to Queen's library; and to Dr. Cory, for the use of books and manuscripts in Emmanuel library, (as I had been to Dr. Farmer before) as well as many other civilities, favourable to my designs in the progress of this work.

Thus, as in the common concerns of life, may agreeable and auspicious circumstances, by an opposite and more powerful influence, overrule those which are unpromising and full of discouragement: and methinks I am

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reminded of the Lord Cromwell, who, though not of the University of Cambridge, became its chancellor; and "though a scholar of no college, was trusted by the scholars with the charters and statutes of the University, aiming to reform the University, in order to reform the church." Not that there exists any resemblance in the two cases (nothing can be more dissimilar), for situation, character, or aim, any more than for substance and solidity in gold and straw: it is the colour only of resemblance, a correspondence in disadvantages and improbabilities; and had not some hints been dropped on the untowardness of my circumstances for these college- / exercises, though it is pleasant to acknowledge obligations, I should never have paraded about advantages, though it had only been from prudence.

In undertakings of a liberal or useful character, it is flattering to set out with noble encouragement, and animating to look forward to a sure reward. I have had none of these advantages, I confess. Leland, in exploring the antiquities and libraries of this country, was supported and remunerated by Henry VIII. Anderson, when engaged on his Diplomata Scotiæ, was encouraged with no despicable reward by the estates of the Scottish Parliament. Others may have to muse over melancholy affections, ill-fated patronage, and ludicrous rewards; as, where Erasmus complains of, (I quote from memory,) rerum angustiæ, oculi tremuli, et immatura senectus; or where Hearne tells us of a curious book of his, of which, though he only printed 120 copies, by subscription, and applied to lords and bishops, he could only obtain 20 subscribers' names; or, where poor Weaver

informs us, how, when poring over funeral monuments, in his private, unprotected capacity, he was sometimes in danger of being swept away by the sexton.

But there are cases where the feeling of independence, of uprightness, and of conscientiousness of intention, with a proportionable degree of industry, can do more than the proudest patronage; where obscurity is to be preferred to popularity, and retirement to publicity; and where even poverty might be a better security, and surer earnest, than dangling on the great, and waiting for orders, though to be followed with preferment. Nor are preferments criteria of merit. Independence can move with firmness and composure, or with ardour and celerity, where patronage might debilitate the whole system; and a prospect of preferment might interrupt every generous effort. For my own part, differing as I do from Anthony Wood in principle, I accord with him in spirit. I am pleased to see him turn even his disadvantages to the best account: and I am delighted with that air of self-respect, with which he viewed himself under his weighty occupation *.