them aside, to wield the sword of theological combat; taking his gauntlets and spear, sallies out, like a true Don Quixotte, to fight a shadow and phantom of his own creation; for whoever cared a farthing, whether he published this Poll, or chose rather to amuse himself with his water schemes? If his antagonists be so few, as he tells us over and again, and the patriots so superior, it was cruel barbarity to so fright and insult them with truths so offensive; for says Dr. Watson, in his sermon, 4 Feb. 1780, "If truth be offensive, he cares not if, in speaking truth, he offends them all." Well said, Mr. Quixotte; but if I am not mistaken, Dr. Watson is too shrewd and sensible a man, not to avoid being seen in company with a man whose real truths and known practices are so offensive to all decency and propriety.

"His book is thus titled; for I know assuredly that he was the compiler, aided by the exact list-maker, and his master's list.

"The Poll for the Election of two Representatives in Parliament for the University of Cambridge, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 1780. Candidates-Lord Hyde, Hon. Mr. Wm. Pitt, Hon. Mr. J. Townshend, James Mansfield, Esq. Solicitor General, R. Croftes, Esq.

Cambridge, printed by Francis Hodson, price 1s. 8vo. 1780." Pages 32.

"It may prove an useful and curious publication, as it contains two lists: 1st. Of all those who voted; and 2dly. Of all who having votes did not come to vote: so that both of them make a complete list of the members of the present senate, Sept. 1780,"

2. Charles Moss, Archdeacon of Colchester.

"In the spring of 1778, Dr. Gooch being in town, and paying a visit at Ely House in Dover Street, the Bp. of Bath and Wells came in while he was there: when he was gone, Bishop Keene, who was exactly in the same predicament with Bishop Moss, and

had last year refused the Chancellorship of Ely to Dr. Gooch, which he had set his heart on, and which his brother and self had insinuated to Bishop Keene, that it would be a most agreeable present to him, who had never yet received the least favour of the sort from him: Bishop Keene, I say, on Bishop Moss's retirement, remarked to Dr. Gooch, that it was very odd that that Bishop, who had received such favours and patronage from Bishops Sherlock and Gooch, should yet not think of doing something for him, out of gratitude for his own great promotion. Upon this, as Dr. Gooch told me, he thought he would put Bishop Moss in mind, that as it was in his power to give him a Stall at Well, he should think himself greatly obliged to him for it. The Bishop gave him the hearing, and flatly told him it was not in his power. However, though the Dr. is amply provided for in Ely Diocese, a Canonry at Ely, the Rectories of Wivelingham and Ditton, two Officialities in Norwich Diocese, &c. this did not damp the Dr.'s courage, or make him resent his ingratitude. It is wonderful, with such ample preferment, how eager, rapacious, and voracious some people are after Benefices; as if they were totally, or at least meagerly provided for. He must not have any pride to solicit a second time, after such a rebuff: yet he told me himself, that he wrote letter to him, and represented, that in case his Lordship would give him an entrance into his Church, he made no doubt, but it would occasion his further promotion in it. Whether he had an eye to a Residentiaryship, or the Deanery, or other good birth in that Cathedral, is more than I can say, he not mentioning it to me; but from the Bishop's answer, which he read to me, I collected it was something of that sort. The answer was to this effect-That he was amazed at the Doctor's application; that kis idea was as wild and romantic as could be conceived; and that he would attain the popedom with equal probability. These were his proper expressions. I had rather live upon bread and cheese, than expose myself to such insults.

"I well remember him, having often met him at Dr. Middleton's and Dr. Zach. Grey's: he talked and looked as if he was asleep was supposed, while Rector of Saint James's, for some time to be disordered in his intellects: of a most fawning and ab

:

ject behaviour to Bishop Sherlock, to whom he owed his preferment: married a woman of fashion and fortune: was a decent man and good scholar: he has published some controversial pamphlets against the free-thinkers."

3. Tyrwhit, Fellow of Jesus College.

This gentleman had been offered a Chaplainship under the Bishop of Winchester, and some time since resigned the small Vicarage of Hinxton; but as he had a genteel, private fortune of his own, it was thought that he chose rather to live a retired life in College, and uninterrupted, and that this was his motive for his denial in both however, about May, 1770, being called upon by the statutes to keep his Bachelor of Divinity's degree, and perform exercises in the schools, his reasons, which he had kept close to himself, were discovered by his questions sent to the professor, which were against the belief of the Trinity; and that prayers and intercessions ought to be addressed to the Deity alone: as the Professor, Dr. Rutherforth, refused to admit them, Mr. Barker of Queen's College was appointed to his day to dispute in. Another set of questions which he sent to the Professor, after these had been refused, was, that nothing contrary to reason was to be admitted in religious worship. These questions and difficulties are now (I write May 27, 1770) sent up to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his opinion. It ever occurred to me, that if the legislative and ecclesiastical system now professed in the Church of England was to be supported, it seemed to be absurd to give the encouragement to Dr. Clarke's works which the University has always shewn to them, by reading lectures to the young scholars out of them: and it was natural enough to suppose that a man, whom they had made a sort of deity of, would soon inspire his tenets into his admirers.

"I was told by Mr. L. of Trin. Coll. Nov. 2, 1771, that the Bishop of Ely, to his, Mr. L.'s great surprise, had given a Fellow. ship of this College, which presents two to the Bishop, who

chuses one, to a young man who had taken orders, and now ab solutely thrown them aside, and appears as a layman. Mr. L. told the Bishop of it, as a fact, that such a person would be presented; not as an allegation against him, as he is otherwise deserving. Mr. L. said if these things went on, adieu to all decency and regard to ordination. He said, a Fellow of Trinity of College, who was in orders, and had a Cure by a brother's death, came into the possession of a good estate, on which he immediately laid aside his gown, and appeared as a layman: some time after a good living in his own gift fell vacant; he then resumed his gown and cas sock, and presented himself to the living. If things go on at the rate they seem to be driving, the Bishops themselves may soon be in danger, when it is too late to put them in order. He did not subscribe to the petition at Mr. Barker's chambers, giving a plausible but inconsistent reason: however, he was much applauded by some.

"

"In the London Chronicle for Dec. 10, 1771, is this article: 'Cambridge, Dec. 6. A grace was this day offered by Mr.T for excusing gentlemen, who were candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, from subscribing the 39 articles. The grace was unanimously rejected by the Caput, for the same reasons as before: That the University had no power of making so material a change; and that the times were not favourable to so great an undertaking, which required the slow and wise deliberations of the supreme Legislature, not the partial determination of a few academics.''

"In the same Chronicle for December 12, 1771, is the following petition and article:

"Copy of a petition which is handed about the University of Cambridge, for relief in regard to subscription to the articles.

'To the Caput, Regents, and non Regents of the University of Cambridge, the humble petition of certain Undergraduates in the said University, Sheweth,

That your petitioners apprehend themselves, in consequence of engagements entered into with the University at the time of their admission or matriculation, to be under an obligation of devoting their attention to that course of studies which is recommended to them by their superiors: That with this view they have employed

themselves in pursuit of natural and metaphysical knowledge; have laboured to improve themselves in moral philosophy, and to ac quaint themselves with the sentiments and language of those authors, who in their time were esteemed the greatest ornaments of Greece and Rome: That in consequence of this multiplicity of academical engagements, they have had neither the leisure nor the opportunity of enquiring into the abstruser points of theology: That they nevertheless find themselves under a necessity of declaring their unfeigned assent to a set of theological propositions, usually called the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, apparently of high argument and great importance; or of subjecting themselves for their dissent, to much trouble, and no little expence. Your petitioners therefore entreat, if such indulgence can be granted unto them without infringement of the University statutes, that they may be relcased from the necessity of testifying their assent to the aforesaid propositions: or that such timely assistance may be afforded in their respective Colleges, as will enable your petitioners to satisfy their consciences in subscribing them.

And your petioners shall ever pray, &c.'

“It is said that a great personage [the King] has signified his disapprobation of the intentions of the ecclesiastical petitioners.

"I have put this petition here as a curiosity; not that I know whether Mr. Tyrwhit was concerned in it or not; but it looked with a bad aspect, when the Undergraduates were suffered to send a petition about two years ago to London to the Chancellor, just before his coming to Cambridge to be installed, in order to throw aside their round caps, and all to take square ones. The Chancellor was in a manner forced to acquiesce in their demand, as Wilkes was then in his meridian glory, and the Duke by his means as much in disgrace; so that it was thought advisable to gratify a swarm of wasps, who might and probably would otherwise have hissed and buzzed about him in the senate house; but this compliment gave it another turn, and his Grace was clapped by the galleries as much as he could desire.

Friday, Oct. 29, 1773, on a mandamus degree of D. D. being to be conferred on Mr. Davies of King's College, lately elected head Master of Eton school, Mr. Tyrwhit, to make him