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 collegeexercises, 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 Scotia, 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

a Lloyd's State Worthies, p. 34.

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 tan 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 a.

a"This work," says he, "had been more proper for a head or Fellow of a college, or for a public Professor or officer of the most noble University of Oxford to have undertaken and consummated, than the author, who never enjoyed any place or office therein, or can justly say he hath eaten the bread of any founder. Also, that it had been a great deal more fit for one who pretends to be a virtuoso, and to know all men, and all things, that are transacted; or for one who frequents much society in common rooms, at public fires, in coffee-houses, assignations, clubs, &c. where the characters of men, and their works, are frequently discussed: but the author, alas! is so far from frequenting such company and topics, that he is as it were dead to the world, and utterly unknown in person to the generality of scholars in Oxon. He is likewise so great an admirer of a solitary and retired life, that he frequents no assemblies of the said University; hath no companion in bed

Had I proportionably availed myself of my advantages, and even my disadvantages (though in industry I will not yield to many), could I with them have commanded more time, had I not been taken off by numerous interruptions, could I have enjoyed some comfortable snug benefice, I might have produced a much greater, and a better work; greater, at least, in bulk, and better, perhaps, in matter: but I am not complaining; nor am I unthankful to that kind Providence, by which I have not been overlooked or forsaken, and I am persuaded never shall be.

But enough what is attempted in the following volumes has been laid before the readers. It is for the public to determine of its execution, and how far it is entitled to their encouragement.

or at board, in his studies, walks, or journeys; nor holds communication with any, unless with some, and those very few, of generous and noble spirits, &c." Wood's Preface to the Athenæ Oxonienses.

PART I.

HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY.

CHAP. I.

OF ITS HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES.

IT should seem, that in describing a place of literature it is difficult for genuine sons to suppress partial regards. Gratitude is apt to grow overfond, curiosity to become superstitious; and hence men give to antiquity what is due only to truth.

Thus we are told by some, that Cambridge was founded in the year of the world, 4321; by others in 3588, i. e. 375 years before Christ". Then it was, they say, that

a The History, &c. of Cambridge, as printed in Mr. Hearne and Mr. Parker.

b Hist. Cantab. Acad. Liber primus, Authore Johanne Caio Anglo, p. 4. So Caius states it, after Gildas, yet puts to his account, some things never said by Gildas. Nay, the foundation of Cambridge has been placed still higher, at a time in which, says the Assertor Antiq. Oxon, p. 5. nullos adhuc incolas, (nisi forte a gigantibus occupatam contendant) habuisse illam, magno scriptorum consensu constat, viz. anno mundi, 1829.

Cambridge was formed into a seat of literature by one Cantaber, a Spaniard, and from him called Cantabrigia. Very early they introduce into it Grecian philosophers, to give it literature: they people it early with Christian doctors: it is soon destroyed, and soon revives; and in purifying it from heresies, and in promoting astronomy, with the other sciences, they lead us on with a tolerable grace to the year of Christ, 529a.

Then we are surrounded with a train of sacred testimonies and illustrious patrons; by charters from kings Arthur and Cadwallader, and confirmations by Edward, son of Alfred; by bulls and confirmations from popes, Honorius, Sergius, and John: and thus we are brought down to the year of Christ, 915, the date of Edward's charter.

Yet, after all, we are following an ignis fatuus, a light reflected from a history unsubstantiated by authority, and written by a very fabulous writer. For such is the book appealed to, called LIBER NIGER, or the Black Book, in the archives of the University of Cambridge, and such, in the opinion of all writers, was he, to whom this history is ascribed, Nicholas Cantalupe.

b

Nicholas Cantalupe, to borrow bishop Nicholson's words, "is reported, also, to have penned a general Chronicle of England;" but of such little account was he, that by Bellarmine, whose business was to chronicle these chroniclers, he is never once mentioned. But it appears he was prior of a monastery of Carmelite friars, A. D. 1441. just notice, in passing, that Dr. Fuller mentions an older

a Hist. in Lib. Niger,

b English Historical Library, p.

56-128,

• De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis Liber unus, 1663.

History of Cambridge.