Are you willing I should lay out a matter of 30 or 40 shillings to that purpose? J. Higham (who will not make so much use of them) did so the last quarter.

28 October, 1626. (Fol. 148.)

I perceive by your letter (by Mr. Danford) that it wilbe no newes to tell you of Dr. Goslins death. He died the evening after I wrot my last. He fell a sleep at 4 that morning, and awaked not till after 2 in the afternoone, when he was speechlesse and knew nobody, and his apothecarie coming sayd he was drawing on to death. Many of his fellowes would not beleeve he was deadly sick, though himselfe had told them so, but thought it was onely fearfullnes; and till the apothecarie told them he was dying, some thought rather he was not perfectly awaked. They have chosen Mr. Badgcraft their master. It seemes they meane to be quarter-masters themselves. I heare by some that they first offered to elect Mr. Stokes, if he would accept it; who answered (ita aiunt) that he would not leave his companie for 20 masterships: but how true this is I know not; therefore I pray name not your author.

4 November, 1626. (Fol. 151.)

We say here that Caius Colledg men being gone up to signifie their election according to the manner, the duke questions it, because their statute being to chuse within 15 dayes, they stayed not untill the 15th day. Certainly tis but a money matter, and Badgcraft is rich. In the meane time, what [a] chancellor shall we have! God give them joy who were so eager.

11 November, 1626. (Fol. 157.)

Caius Colledg buisines is like to produce some strange president, to the utter overthrow of all elections of masters for ever. On Saturday came down doctor Maw with a com

mission from the king to the heads to inquire and certifie him: 1. What publick proofe of his sufficiencie in learning by any publick exercise, and of his manners by his carriage, the new elect hath given as is fitt for a man to be in that place and ranke. 2. What he is in respect of his degrees taken in the schooles to his predecessors the former masters of that colledg. 3. Whether he were elected and qualifyed according to statute. The doctors have had 3 meetings, and are divided. The courtiers, doctors Maw, Wren, and Beale, over furious against him. Vice-chancellor indifferent. Collins, Mansell, Ward, Butts, eager for him.

He was chosen with unanimous consent of all the fellowes, one onely that was absent sent, notwithstanding, his consent under his hand. There is no exception will fasten against the proceeding of the election, so that now all exceptions are against the sufficiencie of the elected in regard of the credit and honour of the Universitie, for according to the colledg statute he is every way qualified. There is neere 200 of us have given our hands we think him fitt for the place at the instance of the fellows, etc.

18 November, 1626. (Fol. 159.)

The vice-chancellors funerall was on Thursday [doctor Ward preached]. The doctors have not yet, as I heare, returned their certificate concerning the new elect. The impediment hath bin their division among themselves; but some of the fellowes with the new master went up this day sennight with a testimoniall of 6 or 7 skore hands, which they had procured in the University, and a petition to the duke, (as I heare) very home and downright, remembring him of his oath, and of his promises to defend the priveledges of the University; but what successe they have I yet heare not.

25 November, 1626. (Fol. 163.)

Mr. Badgecroft was yesterday accomplished according to his wish, both by his grace and also by his majestie, whereupon to day he is gone to give thankes to them both; and all this (he telles me) hath not cost him a groat.

2 December, 1626. (Fol. 169.)

I am troubled with Mr. Highams backwardnes, who is 10. in my debt, besides this quarter, which will make it neere 151i. Neither he nor Mr. Tracy are so good paymasters as I hoped for; but the latter I think is loth to forgoe his money, the other is not so well stored.

9 December, 1626. (Fol. 171.)

I send my lady the fish-book, bound in the same order it was taken out of the fishes belly; for our bookbinders use to putt the Preparation to the Crosse first, because the Treasure of Knowledg being almost wholly consumed, they mistook the place of it when the book was pulled asunder. The preface is Dr. Goads. I humbly desire my lady to accept it as a pledge of my service, and an acknowledgment of many undeserved favours, and to call it, if she please, a new yeers guift.

DECREES OF THE HEADS.

Maii 8, 1626. Interpretatio seu decretum de auferendis morionum ineptiis et scurrilibus jocis in publicis disputationibus.

CUM statutis academiæ cautum sit, ut modestiam ordini suo convenientem omnes omnibus in locis colant, eamque majores nostri præcipue in publicis comitiis ita observarunt, ut philosophi quæstiones suas tractarent serio, prævaricatores veritatem philosophicam qua poterant contradi

cendi subtilitate eluderent, tripodes sua quæsita ingeniose et apposite defenderent, gestibus autem histrionicis, flagitiosis facetiis et ineptiis, pueriles risus captare nuperrimi sæculi malitiosum sit inventum; ad antiquam academiæ modestiam et gravitatem restaurandam et in posterum retinendam, dominus procancellarius et præpositi collegiorum quorum nomina subscribuntur sic prædictum statutum interpretantur, et interpretando decernunt, ut prævaricatores, tripodes, aliique omnes disputantes, veterem academiæ formam et consuetudinem in publicis disputationibus observent; ut ab hoc ridiculo morionum usu et impudentia prorsus abstineant; neque leges, statuta, vel ordinationes academiæ, neque facultatum, linguarum, aut artium professiones, neque magistratus, professores, aut graduatos cujuscunque tituli aut nominis, salutationibus mimicis, gesticulationibus ridiculis, jocis scurrilibus, dicteriis malitiosis, perstringere aut illudere præsumant. Quod si quis decretum hoc violaverit, ipso facto per dominum procancellarium ab omni gradu suscepto suspendatur, aut incarceretur. Et si indignitas facti majorem pœnam merito postulaverit, per dominum procancellarium una cum assensu majoris partis præpositorum collegiorum ab Universitate expellatur in æternum.

Sept. 18°, 1626. Decretum de exercitiis baccalaureorum in theologia præstandis ante festum sancti Barnabæ.

Cum gravi academiæ incommodo, et officiariorum molestia qui baccalaureatum in theologia quotannis suscipiunt, exercitia sua in extrema tempora comitiis proxima

deferre soleant: decretum est per dominum procancellarium et majorem partem præfectorum collegiorum, ut gremiales singuli qui gradum prædictum deinceps suscepturi sunt, omnia exercitia ad gradum hunc requisita omnino ante festum sancti Barnabæ præstare teneantur; alioquin ad gradum prædictum nequaquam eo anno admittantur, nisi aut eorum propriæ vel in templo concionandi vel in scholis disputandi vices inter festum prædictum et majora comitia inciderint, aut ex justa et necessaria causa impediti fuerint, quo minus prædicta exercitia suo tempore perficere poterant, eaque causa per dominum procancellarium et alterum ex professoribus in theologia et seniorem in theologia doctorem tum præsentem in academia unanimi consensu approbetur.

I AM not onely willing, but in some respect desirous, to accept sir John Ishams son under my tuition, if I can provide a fitt chamber for him; but whether I shall do or not, I know not. Our master here hath the absolute dispose of chambers and studies; and howsoever the statute limits his power by discretion to dispose according to qualitie, desert, and convenience, yet himselfe being the onely judge, that limitation is to no purpose. And, to tell tales forth of schoole, our present master is so addicted to his kindred,