cellor, new Heads where needful,—and, on the whole, swept the University clean of much loud Nonsense, and left some Piety and Sense, the best he could meet with, at work there in its stead.* At work, with earnest diligence and good success, as it has since continued actually to be,―for the contemporary clamors and Querelas about Vandalism, Destruction of Learning, and so forth, prove on examination to be mere agonized shrieks, and unmelodious hysterical wind, forgettable by all creatures. Not easily before or since could the Two Universities give such account of themselves to mankind, under all categories, human and divine, as during those Puritan years. But now Philip of Pembroke, the loud-voiced Chancellor of Oxford, is dead; and the reformed University, after due consult ation, has elected the Lord General in his stead; to which 'high testimony' here is his response. Dr. Greenwood,' who, I think, has some cast about his eyes, is otherwise a most recommendable man: Bachelor, then Doctor of Divinity, sometimes Fellow of Brasenose College,' says Royalist Anthony,† 'and lately made Principal of the said College by the Committee and Parliamentary Visitors; a severe and good Governor, as well in his ViceChancellorship as Principality; continued till the King's return, and then'- To the Reverend Dr. Greenwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and other the Members of the Convocation. HONORED GENTLEMEN, Edinburgh, 4th February, 1650. I have received, by the hands of those worthy Persons of your University sent by you into Scotland, a Testimony of very high respect and honor, in 'your' choosing me to be your Chancellor. Which deserves a fuller return, of deep resentment, value, and ac * Act and Visitors' names in Scobell, i., 116 (1 May, 1647); see Commons Journals, v., 83-142 (10 February-15 April, 1647): 8 March, 1647-8, Chancellor Pembroke is to go (Neal, ii., 307; Walker, i., 133); makes report and is thanked, 21 April, 1648 (Commons Journals, v., 538). Copious history of the proceedings, from the Puritan side, in Neal, ii., 290–314; and from the Royalist side, in Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, i., 124–142. which latter, amid its tempestuous froth, has many entertaining traits. + Wood's Fasti, ii., 157 (in Athenæ, iv.), of July, 1649. knowledgment, than I am any ways able to make. Only give me leave a little to expostulate, on your and my own behalf. I confess it was in your freedom to elect, and it would be very uningenious in me to reflect upon your action; only (though somewhat late) let me advise you of my unfitness to answer the ends of so great a Service and Obligation, with some things yery obvious. I suppose a principal aim in such elections hath not only respected abilities and interest to serve you, but freedom 'as' to opportunities of time and place. As the first may not be well supposed, so the want of the latter may well become me to represent to you. You know where Providence hath placed me for the present; and to what I am related if this call were off,*-I being tied to attendance in another Land as much out of the way of serving you as this, for some certain time yet to come appointed by the Parliament. The known esteem and honor of this place is such, that I should wrong it and your favor very much, and your freedom in choosing me, if, either by pretended modesty or in any unbenign way, I should dispute the acceptance of it. Only I hope it will not be imputed to me as a neglect towards you, that I cannot serve you in the measure I desire. I offer these exceptions with all candor and clearness to you, as 'leaving you' most free to mend your choice in case you think them reasonable; and shall not reckon myself the less obliged to do all good offices for the University. But if these prevail not, and that I must continue this honor,-until I can personally serve you, you shall not want my prayers That that seed and stock of Piety and Learning, so marvellously springing up among you, may be useful to that great and glorious Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ; of the approach of which so plentiful an effusion of the Spirit upon those hopeful plants is one of the best presages. And in all other things I shall, by the Divine assistance, improve my poor abilities and interests in manifesting myself, to the Universitv and yourselves, Your most cordial friend and servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.t * Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 'for three years to come' (Commons Jour nals, vi., 239), 22 June, 1649. † From the Archives of Oxford University; communicated by the Rev. Dr. Bliss. No. XXXIX. [Vol. i., p. 526: 'But the hail-reservoirs proved friendly to them.'] LETTER XLII. THE Oxford Convocation has received the foregoing Letter, 'canting Letter sent thereunto,' as crabbed Anthony designates it, 'dated Edinburgh, on the 4th of February,' and now at length made public in print; they have 'read it in Convocation,' continues Anthony, whereat the Members made the House resound with their cheerful acclamations;"*-and the Lord General is and continues their Chancellor; encouraging and helping forward them and their work, in many ways, amid his weighty affairs, in a really faithful manner. As begins to be credible without much proof of ours, and might still be abundantly proved if needful. Here, however, in the first blush of the business, comes Mr. Waterhouse, with a small recommendation from the Lord General; John Waterhouse of Great Greenford in Middlesex, son of Francis Waterhouse by Bridget his wife,' if anybody want to know him better;†-' a student heretofore for eighteen years in Trinity College, Cambridge,' a meritorious Man and Healer since; whom one may well decorate with a Degree, or decorate a Degree with, by the next opportunity. To my very worthy Friend, Dr. Greenwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Edinburgh, 14th February, 1650. SIR, This Gentleman, Mr. Waterhouse, went over into Ireland as Physician to the Army there; of whose diligence, fidelity, and abilities I had much experience. While I was there, he constantly attended the Army: and having, to my own knowledge, done very much good to the Officers and Soldiers, by his skill and industry;—and being upon urgent occasion lately come into England, 'he' hath desired me to recommend him for * Fasti, ii., 159. † Ibid., ii., 163: 'created Doctor of Physic by virtue of the Letters of Oliver Cromwell, General' (12 March, 1650-1). the obtaining of the degree of Doctor in that Science. Wherefore I earnestly desire you that, when he shall repair to you, you* will give him your best assistance for the obtaining of the said Degree; he being shortly to return back to his charge in Ireland. By doing whereof, as you will encourage one who is willing and ready to serve the Public, so you will also lay a very great obligation upon, Sir, Your affectionate servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.1 LETTER XLIII. HERE farther, from another quarter, is a new University matter -Project of a College at Durham; emerging incidentally like a green fruitful islet from amid the dim storms of War; agreeably arresting the eye for a moment. Concerning which, read in the Commons Journals of May last: A Letter from the Sheriff and Gentlemen of the County of Duresme, dated 24th April, 1650; with a Paper' or Petition of the same date, 'delivered in by the Grand Jury at the Sessions of the Peace holden at Duresme the 24th of April, 1650, To be presented to the Honorable Parliament of this Nation,". -were this day read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Obstructions for Sale of Dean-and-Chapter Lands, to consider these Desires of the Gentlemen and others of that County, touching the converting some of the Buildings at Duresme called the College," which were the Houses of the late Dean and Chapter, into some College or School of Literature; to state the business, to'‡-in short, to get on with it if possible. This was some ten months ago, but still there is no visible way made; and now in the mild Spring weather here has been, I suppose, some Deputation of the Northern Gentry riding through the wild mountains, with humane intent, to represent the matter to the Lord General at Edinburgh; from whom, if he pleased to help it forward, a word might be very furthersome. The Lord *that you' in the hasty Original. + From the Archives of Oxford University; communicated by the Rev Dr. Bliss. + Commons Journals, vi., 410 (8 May, 1650). General is prompt with his word ;-writes this Letter, as I find, in some interval of a painful fit of sickness he has been laboring under. To the Right Honorable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parlia ment of the Commonwealth of England: These. Edinburgh, 11th March, 1650. SIR, Having received information from the Mayor and Citizens of Durham, and some Gentlemen of the Northern Counties, That upon their Petition to the Parliament, “that the Houses of the late Dean and Chapter in the City of Durham might be converted into a College or School of Literature," the Parliament was pleased in May last to refer the same to the Committee for Removing Obstructions in the sale of Dean-andChapter Lands, "to consider thereon, and to report their opinion therein to the House:"* Which said Committee, as I am also informed, have so far approved thereof as that they are of an opinion That the said Houses will be a fit place to erect a College or School for all the Sciences and Literature, and that it will be a pious and laudable work, and of great use to the Northern parts; and have ordered Sir Arthur Haselrig to make report thereof to the House accordingly: And the said Citizens and Gentlemen having made some address to me to contribute my assistance to them therein : To which, in so good and pious a work, I could not but willingly and heartily concur. And not knowing wherein I might better serve them, or answer their desires, than by recommending the same to the Parliament by, Sir, yourself their Speaker,-I do therefore make it my humble and earnest request that the House may be moved, as speedily as conveniently may be, To hear the Report of the said Committee concerning the said Business, from Sir Arthur Haselrig; that so the House, taking the same into consideration, may do therein what shall seem meet for the good of those poor Countries. Truly it seems to me a matter of great concernment and importance; as that which, by the blessing of God, may much conduce to the promoting of learning and piety in those poor rude and ignorant parts ;-tnere being also many concurring advantages to this Place, as pleasantness and aptness of situation, healthful air, and plenty of provisions, which seem to favor and plead for their desires therein. And besides the good, so obvious to us, which' those Northern Counties may reap thereby, who knows but the setting on foot this work at this time may suit with God's present Dispensations; and may,--if due care and circumspection * Commons Journals, vi., 410 (8 May, 1650), ubi supra. |