ignorance of the dark ages, when few but clerks could read or write,—sometimes, perhaps, to a supposed existence of prior, real grants-to the confusion into which property was thrown, and the havoc that was made of all authentic documents, during the wars of the Saxons, Danes, and Normans to a suspicion of future claimants, accompanied with a belief, (agreeably to the doctrine, that, Dominion was founded in grace) that too much could not be claimed for God and the church. The lay-abbots, no doubt, had a share in these frauds; but monks and priests were the principal movers in them. Germon, the Jesuit, author of an able work, referred to above*, introduces it, by observing, "that had he thought the publishing of it could have any way proved injurious to the churches and monasteries, whose ancient instruments he had examined, he would have foreborne the publication:" but adds, "it is of no consequence, or very little, to the churches and monasteries, whether, after so long a series of years, their more ancient instruments are true or false." A remark similar to this I have made elsewhere, relative to the more ancient charters copied from the archives of the University of Cambridge: antiquaries may, in their fondness, make them the ground of their disputes, and historians, if they please, take from them something to give colour and strength to their narratives. But, it is evident, they can answer no purposes in real business, and will have little or no authority, in settling any disputed claim. Whether true or false, they have answered all their purposes, by serving as stepping-stones to the present Privileges of our University. These Privileges are now held not by doubtful charters and musty bulls, but by the sanction of the English Legislature. The British Parliament, therefore, is become a guarantee, to secure them in all their legitimate, constitu * De Re Diplomatica Regum Francorum, &c. tional privileges, (still, however, with reserve for its supreme legislatorial authority) while yet retaining the higher character of, Protector of the liberties of the nation. This is the strongest argument which, in a constitutional point of view, can be brought for the legislatorial interference in the abolition of our subscriptions to the 39 Articles, which by many liberal and good men has been reckoned (as already urged) to be a dreadful tax on the morality, religion, and liberty of the country, and, at the same time, the most serious invasion ever made, though by royal authority, on the Privileges of the University. I shall close with notifying to my readers, that in 1812 I published Four Letters on the English Constitution; and I perceive the venerable Major Cartwright* has done me the honour to oppose one or two points advanced in them. These I may consider at my leisure, though, perhaps, I may not think so highly of some things in the English Constitution, as the Major. But be this as it may, those Letters were written as a pledge to certain friends, that, in the Privileges of the University of Cambridge I did not intend to act inconsistently with the principles advocated in my Inquiry into the Nature of Subscription, in Reference to the natural Rights of Mankind, the Powers of the human Mind, the Doctrines and Precepts of Christianity, and the Principles of the British Constitution, first printed in 1789; and I hope it will be found that I have endeavoured to redeem the pledge. P. S. I have said elsewhere, that I might, perhaps, say something (omitted in its proper place) on another of our ancient Bulls; but having lost certain memoranda, and being now employed on other subjects, I shall be easily forgiven, if I have taken my leave of such matters. * The English Constitution Produced and Illustrated. By John Cartwright. 1823. ENGLISH MANUSCRIPTS* IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CAMBRIDGE. ABBOT, Archbishop, his Opinion on the Earl of Essex's Divorce Adams, Thomas, his Letters to Professor Wheelock Æsop at Tunbridge Aglionby, William, his Letters Akehurst, Alexander, his Charge and Defence Alcock, Bishop, his Abbey of the Holy Ghost Aldred, Thomas, his Letter against the Spanish Match Allingtone, Richard, his Confession America, Prospect for peopling and planting the Christian Religion in the North-West Parts of America Anderson, Edmond, his Letter to Sir Francis Bacon Andrews, Bishop, A Discourse against a second Marriage after a Divorce Concerning Abstinence from Meats, and Observation of the Jewish Sabbath On the Countess of Shrewsbury's Case Consecration of Ridgeway Church Exposition on the Commandments Anslowe, Mr. Law Readings Arithmetic, Treatises on Arlington, Lord, his Speech in the House of Commons, in Defence of Himself * These Catalogues, &c. make part of the Cambridge Fragments announced in the other volume. They are placed here to prevent a disproportion in the size of the two volumes. P P Arundell, Count, his Apology for accepting the Honour of Comes Imperii Ascham, Roger, his Letters Ascham, Mr. A Discourse on Marriage Assembly of Divines, A Journal of their Proceedings, taken by Dr. Lightfoot Ashby, George, his didactic Poem to Prince Edward, Son of King Henry VI. Atkins, Richard, A true Report of the horrible and merciless Martyrdom of Richard Atkins BABBINGTON, his Letter to Queen Elizabeth Bacon, Anthony, his Letter to the Earl of Essex Proceedings in Parliament against him His Charge at the Sessions of the Virge Preparation towards the Union of England and His Speech to the Judges in the Star-Chamber Bacon, Sir Nicholas, his Speeches at the Council Table, in Parliament, and Star-Chamber Bagford, John, History of Typography Account of the first Impression of the Bible in Balzac, Mr. Letters between him and Mr. Dumoulin Barlow, Bishop, his Manner of consecrating the Church of Fullmer His Speech in Parliament Barnes, Joshua, Letter to Mr. Langton Barnwood, Courts held for the Forest of Barnwood Baronets, Case between Baronets and younger Sons of Viscounts and Barons for Precedency Barrow, Henry, his Examination before the Queen's Com missioners Barrow, Isaac, Volume of Sermons supposed to have been written by him Battie, William, his Letter to Bishop More Baverius, John, Collections from his Works Bedford, Levell, Proposals for the better Management of it Bollard, Nicholas, of gendering, planting, and grafting of Bosworth Field, a Poem Bradford, Mr. his Letters to Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, to Russell, to the University and Town of Cambridge Bridewell, a Discourse upon the Commission of Brook, John, Arms of the Knights Baronets Brown, William, Collections of Receipts for making compound Waters Brute of England, Chronicle from Brutus to Henry IV. to the Accession of Edward III. to the 12th of Henry VI. to Henry V. Gallice, to Edward I. Reign of Edward I. to the Death of Edward I. to the latter end of Edward II. to Edward III. to Edward I. Burton, Drue, Collections out of Sinnertus Collections out of Schenkins Collections out of sundry Authors CAMPION, Edmund, Histories of Ireland Candia, Narrative of the taking of the Isle, A. D. M.DC.LXVII. PP Q |