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The Project Gutenberg eBook of St. John's College, Cambridge
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
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the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
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this eBook.
Title: St. John's College, Cambridge
Author: Robert Forsyth Scott
Illustrator: E. H. New
Release date: November 24, 2008 [eBook #27320]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27320
Credits: Produced by Brownfox and the Online Distributed Proofreading
Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
images generously made available by The Internet
Archive/American Libraries.)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ST. JOHN'S
COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE ***
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will
have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using
this eBook.
Title: St. John's College, Cambridge
Author: Robert Forsyth Scott
Illustrator: E. H. New
Release date: November 24, 2008 [eBook #27320]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27320
Credits: Produced by Brownfox and the Online Distributed Proofreading
Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
images generously made available by The Internet
Archive/American Libraries.)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ST. JOHN'S
COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE ***
Page 4
The College
Page 5
Monographs
THE COLLEGE
MONOGRAPHS
Edited and Illustrated by Edmund
H. New
TRINITY COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE
W. W. Rouse Ball.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE
R. F. Scott.
KING'S COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE
C. R. Fay.
MAGDALEN COLLEGE,
OXFORD
The President.
NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD
A. O. Prickard.
MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD
Rev. H. J. White.
THE COLLEGE
MONOGRAPHS
Edited and Illustrated by Edmund
H. New
TRINITY COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE
W. W. Rouse Ball.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE
R. F. Scott.
KING'S COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE
C. R. Fay.
MAGDALEN COLLEGE,
OXFORD
The President.
NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD
A. O. Prickard.
MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD
Rev. H. J. White.
Page 6
Page 7
ST.
COLLEGE
JOHN'S
CAMBRIDGE
BY
COLLEGE
JOHN'S
CAMBRIDGE
BY
Page 8
ROBERT FORSYTH SCOTT
FELLOW AND SENIOR BURSAR OF THE COLLEGE
ILLUSTRATED BY
FELLOW AND SENIOR BURSAR OF THE COLLEGE
ILLUSTRATED BY
Page 9
EDMUND H. NEW
1907: LONDON: J. M. DENT & CO.
NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
All Rights Reserved
1907: LONDON: J. M. DENT & CO.
NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
All Rights Reserved
Page 10
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
I. The Courts and Buildings 1
II. Some Interiors 13
The Hospital of St. John (circa
III. 35
1135-1511)
IV. The First Century (1511-1612) 40
V. The Second Century (1612-1716) 52
VI. The Third Century (1716-1815) 66
VII. The Current Century 74
VIII. Social Life 86
INDEX 109
CHAP. PAGE
I. The Courts and Buildings 1
II. Some Interiors 13
The Hospital of St. John (circa
III. 35
1135-1511)
IV. The First Century (1511-1612) 40
V. The Second Century (1612-1716) 52
VI. The Third Century (1716-1815) 66
VII. The Current Century 74
VIII. Social Life 86
INDEX 109
Page 11
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
The Entrance Gateway Frontispiece
PAGE
Plan of College Buildings x
Bag of Flowers; detail of Carving over Entrance Gateway 3
The Second and Third Courts from the Screens 6
The Gatehouse from the Churchyard of All Saints 12
Monument of Hugh Ashton in the Chapel 19
The Hall from the Second Court 24
Interior of the Library 34
The Old Bridge 41
The Hall and Chapel Tower from the Second Court 53
The College Arms (in the Third Court) 58
The Chapel Tower from the River 67
The College Chapel from the Round Church 75
The New Court from Trinity College Bridge 87
The "Bridge of Sighs" 98
The Entrance Gateway Frontispiece
PAGE
Plan of College Buildings x
Bag of Flowers; detail of Carving over Entrance Gateway 3
The Second and Third Courts from the Screens 6
The Gatehouse from the Churchyard of All Saints 12
Monument of Hugh Ashton in the Chapel 19
The Hall from the Second Court 24
Interior of the Library 34
The Old Bridge 41
The Hall and Chapel Tower from the Second Court 53
The College Arms (in the Third Court) 58
The Chapel Tower from the River 67
The College Chapel from the Round Church 75
The New Court from Trinity College Bridge 87
The "Bridge of Sighs" 98
Page 12
Page 13
CHAPTER I
THE COURTS AND BUILDINGS
S
t. John's College was founded in 1511, in pursuance of the intentions of
the Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII.
Approaching the College from the street we enter by the Great Gate.
The gateway with its four towers is the best example of the characteristic
Cambridge gate, and dates from the foundation of the College. It is built of
red brick (the eastern counties marble), dressed with stone. The street front
of the College to the right and left remains in its original state, except that
after the old chapel and infirmary of the Hospital of St. John (to which
allusion will be made hereafter) were pulled down, the north end was
completed by a block of lecture rooms in 1869.
The front of the gate is richly decorated with heraldic devices, full of
historical meaning and associations. The arms are those of the foundress;
the shield, France (ancient) and England quarterly, was the royal shield of
the period; the bordure, gobonny argent and azure (the argent in the upper
dexter compartment), was the "difference" of the Beauforts, and is only
slightly indicated. The supporters, two antelopes, come from Henry VI.
There is no crest above the shield, and heraldic rules are against its use by a
lady, but on her seal the Lady Margaret used the Beaufort arms as above
ensigned, with a coronet of roses and fleur-de-lis, out of which issues an
eagle, displayed or; and this device of coat and crest is used by the College.
The arms on the gate are surrounded by badges, the Portcullis of the
Beauforts, the Tudor, or Union, rose, each surmounted by a crown. Besides
these we have daisies (marguerites), the badge of the Lady Margaret, and
some flowers, which are not so easily identified. Certain vestments and
embroideries, which belonged to the Lady Margaret, of which a list has
been preserved, are described as "garnishede with sophanyes and my ladyes
poisy," or, "with rede roses and syphanyes." The sophanye was an old
English name for the Christmas rose, and there seems little doubt that these
flowers on the gate are meant for Christmas roses. The carving on the right,
THE COURTS AND BUILDINGS
S
t. John's College was founded in 1511, in pursuance of the intentions of
the Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII.
Approaching the College from the street we enter by the Great Gate.
The gateway with its four towers is the best example of the characteristic
Cambridge gate, and dates from the foundation of the College. It is built of
red brick (the eastern counties marble), dressed with stone. The street front
of the College to the right and left remains in its original state, except that
after the old chapel and infirmary of the Hospital of St. John (to which
allusion will be made hereafter) were pulled down, the north end was
completed by a block of lecture rooms in 1869.
The front of the gate is richly decorated with heraldic devices, full of
historical meaning and associations. The arms are those of the foundress;
the shield, France (ancient) and England quarterly, was the royal shield of
the period; the bordure, gobonny argent and azure (the argent in the upper
dexter compartment), was the "difference" of the Beauforts, and is only
slightly indicated. The supporters, two antelopes, come from Henry VI.
There is no crest above the shield, and heraldic rules are against its use by a
lady, but on her seal the Lady Margaret used the Beaufort arms as above
ensigned, with a coronet of roses and fleur-de-lis, out of which issues an
eagle, displayed or; and this device of coat and crest is used by the College.
The arms on the gate are surrounded by badges, the Portcullis of the
Beauforts, the Tudor, or Union, rose, each surmounted by a crown. Besides
these we have daisies (marguerites), the badge of the Lady Margaret, and
some flowers, which are not so easily identified. Certain vestments and
embroideries, which belonged to the Lady Margaret, of which a list has
been preserved, are described as "garnishede with sophanyes and my ladyes
poisy," or, "with rede roses and syphanyes." The sophanye was an old
English name for the Christmas rose, and there seems little doubt that these
flowers on the gate are meant for Christmas roses. The carving on the right,
Page 14
under the portcullis, where these emblems seem to be growing out of
something resembling a masonic apron, is very curious.
Above the gate are two sets of rooms. The upper set has been used from the
beginning as the Treasury or Muniment Room of the College; the set
immediately above the arch is now an ordinary set of rooms. In this set
resided, during his college career, Lord Thomas Howard, a son of the fourth
Duke of Norfolk, afterwards himself first Earl of Suffolk and Baron
Howard de Walden. He fought against the Armada in 1588, and commanded
the expedition to the Azores in 1591; the fame of Sir Richard Grenville of
the Revenge has somewhat eclipsed that of his leader in the latter case; the
reader may recall Tennyson's Ballad of the Fleet.
Bag of Flowers over Entrance Gateway
To the left of the gate it will be observed that five windows on the first floor
are of larger size than the rest; this was the original position of the Library;
the books were removed in 1616 to a room over the Kitchen, and later to
the present Library. According to tradition Henry Kirke White, the poet,
occupied, and died in, the rooms on the ground-floor next the tower; he lies
buried in the old churchyard of All Saints', across the street.
something resembling a masonic apron, is very curious.
Above the gate are two sets of rooms. The upper set has been used from the
beginning as the Treasury or Muniment Room of the College; the set
immediately above the arch is now an ordinary set of rooms. In this set
resided, during his college career, Lord Thomas Howard, a son of the fourth
Duke of Norfolk, afterwards himself first Earl of Suffolk and Baron
Howard de Walden. He fought against the Armada in 1588, and commanded
the expedition to the Azores in 1591; the fame of Sir Richard Grenville of
the Revenge has somewhat eclipsed that of his leader in the latter case; the
reader may recall Tennyson's Ballad of the Fleet.
Bag of Flowers over Entrance Gateway
To the left of the gate it will be observed that five windows on the first floor
are of larger size than the rest; this was the original position of the Library;
the books were removed in 1616 to a room over the Kitchen, and later to
the present Library. According to tradition Henry Kirke White, the poet,
occupied, and died in, the rooms on the ground-floor next the tower; he lies
buried in the old churchyard of All Saints', across the street.
Page 15
Entering the gate the Hall and Kitchen face us, and preserve much of their
original appearance. But right and left the changes have been great. The old
Chapel was swept away in 1869—its foundations are marked out by
cement; at this time the Hall was lengthened, and a second oriel window
added. The range of buildings on the south was raised and faced with stone
about 1775, when the craze for Italianising buildings was fashionable; it
was then intended to treat the rest of the Court in like manner, but
fortunately the scheme was not carried out.
If we walk along the south side of the Court we may notice on the underside
of the lintel of G staircase the words, "Stag, Nov. 15, 1777." It seems that
on that date a stag, pursued by the hunt, took refuge in the College, and on
this staircase; the members of the College had just finished dinner when the
stag and his pursuers entered. On the next staircase, F, there is a passage
leading to the lane with the Kitchen Offices, this passage is sometimes
known as "The Staincoat"; the passage leading from the Screens into the
Kitchen is still sometimes called "The Staincoat," or "The Stankard." These
curious names really mean the same thing. It appears that in times past a
pole was kept, probably for carrying casks of beer, but on which the
undergraduates seem also to have hoisted those of their number, or even
servants, who had offended against the rules and customs of the College;
this pole was called the Stang, and the place or passage in which it was kept
the Stangate Hole, with the above variations or corruptions.
Reserving the Chapel for the present we pass through the Screens, the
entrance to the Hall being on the right, to the Kitchen on the left. We enter
the Second Court. This beautiful and stately Court was built between 1599
and 1600 (the date 1599 may be seen on the top of one of the water-pipes
on the north side), the cost being in great part provided by Mary, Countess
of Shrewsbury, a daughter of Sir William Cavendish by the celebrated Bess
of Hardwick, and wife of Gilbert, seventh Earl of Shrewsbury. The original
drawings for the Court, and the contract for its construction, almost unique
documents of their kind, are preserved in the Library. The whole of the first
floor on the north side was at first used as a gallery for the Master's Lodge;
it is now used as a Combination Room. Over the arch of the gate on the
western side of the Court is a statue of the Countess, with her shield
(showing the arms of Talbot and Cavendish impaled); these were presented
to the College by her nephew, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle.
original appearance. But right and left the changes have been great. The old
Chapel was swept away in 1869—its foundations are marked out by
cement; at this time the Hall was lengthened, and a second oriel window
added. The range of buildings on the south was raised and faced with stone
about 1775, when the craze for Italianising buildings was fashionable; it
was then intended to treat the rest of the Court in like manner, but
fortunately the scheme was not carried out.
If we walk along the south side of the Court we may notice on the underside
of the lintel of G staircase the words, "Stag, Nov. 15, 1777." It seems that
on that date a stag, pursued by the hunt, took refuge in the College, and on
this staircase; the members of the College had just finished dinner when the
stag and his pursuers entered. On the next staircase, F, there is a passage
leading to the lane with the Kitchen Offices, this passage is sometimes
known as "The Staincoat"; the passage leading from the Screens into the
Kitchen is still sometimes called "The Staincoat," or "The Stankard." These
curious names really mean the same thing. It appears that in times past a
pole was kept, probably for carrying casks of beer, but on which the
undergraduates seem also to have hoisted those of their number, or even
servants, who had offended against the rules and customs of the College;
this pole was called the Stang, and the place or passage in which it was kept
the Stangate Hole, with the above variations or corruptions.
Reserving the Chapel for the present we pass through the Screens, the
entrance to the Hall being on the right, to the Kitchen on the left. We enter
the Second Court. This beautiful and stately Court was built between 1599
and 1600 (the date 1599 may be seen on the top of one of the water-pipes
on the north side), the cost being in great part provided by Mary, Countess
of Shrewsbury, a daughter of Sir William Cavendish by the celebrated Bess
of Hardwick, and wife of Gilbert, seventh Earl of Shrewsbury. The original
drawings for the Court, and the contract for its construction, almost unique
documents of their kind, are preserved in the Library. The whole of the first
floor on the north side was at first used as a gallery for the Master's Lodge;
it is now used as a Combination Room. Over the arch of the gate on the
western side of the Court is a statue of the Countess, with her shield
(showing the arms of Talbot and Cavendish impaled); these were presented
to the College by her nephew, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle.
Page 16
View from the Screens
A pleasing view of the Court is got by standing in the south-west corner and
looking towards the Chapel Tower, with an afternoon sun the colouring and
grouping of the buildings is very effective.
Passing through the arch we enter the Third Court; this was built at various
times during the seventeenth century. On the north we have the Library, the
cost of which was chiefly provided by John Williams, a Fellow of the
College, successively Dean of Westminster, Bishop of Lincoln, and
Archbishop of York; he was also Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to James I.
As originally built the Library occupied the upper floor only, the ground-
floor being fitted up as rooms for the accommodation of the Fellows and
scholars, on a special foundation of Bishop Williams, but this lower part is
now all absorbed into the Library. The southern and western sides of the
Court were built between 1669 and 1674, some part of the cost being
A pleasing view of the Court is got by standing in the south-west corner and
looking towards the Chapel Tower, with an afternoon sun the colouring and
grouping of the buildings is very effective.
Passing through the arch we enter the Third Court; this was built at various
times during the seventeenth century. On the north we have the Library, the
cost of which was chiefly provided by John Williams, a Fellow of the
College, successively Dean of Westminster, Bishop of Lincoln, and
Archbishop of York; he was also Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to James I.
As originally built the Library occupied the upper floor only, the ground-
floor being fitted up as rooms for the accommodation of the Fellows and
scholars, on a special foundation of Bishop Williams, but this lower part is
now all absorbed into the Library. The southern and western sides of the
Court were built between 1669 and 1674, some part of the cost being
Page 17
provided from College funds, the rest by donations from members of the
College. On the last or southern pier of the arcade, on the west side of the
Court, there are the two inscriptions: "Flood, Oct. 27, 1762," "Flood, Feb.
10, 1795," recording what must have been highly inconvenient events at the
time.
The central arch on the western side of the Court has some prominence, and
was probably intended from the first as the approach to a bridge. Towards
the end of the seventeenth century Sir Christopher Wren was consulted on
the subject, and a letter from him to the then Master, Dr. Gower, has been
preserved. Sir Christopher's proposal was a curious one: he suggested that
the course of the river Cam should be diverted and carried in a straight line
from the point where it bends near the Library of Trinity College. A new
channel was to be dug, and a bridge built over this; the water was then to be
sent down the new channel, and the old one filled up. He pointed out that
this would give "a parterre to the river, a better access to the walks, and a
more beautiful disposal of the whole ground." This scheme was, however,
not carried out, but a stone bridge was built outside the range of the
buildings on the site of an old wooden bridge, which then gave access to the
grounds. This is the bridge which still exists; it was built, apparently from
Wren's designs, under the superintendence of his pupil, Nicholas
Hawksmoor. More than a century now passed before further building
operations were undertaken. In 1825 the College employed Mr. Thomas
Rickman and his partner, Mr. H. Hutchinson, to prepare designs for a new
Court, with from 100 to 120 sets of rooms. This work was started in 1827,
and completed in 1831. The covered bridge connecting the old and new
parts of the College was designed by Mr. Hutchinson; it is popularly known
as the "Bridge of Sighs." The style of this Court is Perpendicular Gothic.
The site was unsuited for building operations, consisting mostly of washed
and peaty soil; it had been known for generations as "the fishponds close."
The modern concrete foundations were then unknown, and the plan adopted
was to remove the peaty soil and to lay timber on the underlying gravel. On
this an enormous mass of brickwork, forming vaulted cellars, was placed;
this rises above the river level, and the rooms are perfectly dry. The total
cost of the building was £78,000, most of which was provided by
borrowing. The repayment, extending over a number of years, involved
considerable self-denial on the Fellows of the College, their incomes being
College. On the last or southern pier of the arcade, on the west side of the
Court, there are the two inscriptions: "Flood, Oct. 27, 1762," "Flood, Feb.
10, 1795," recording what must have been highly inconvenient events at the
time.
The central arch on the western side of the Court has some prominence, and
was probably intended from the first as the approach to a bridge. Towards
the end of the seventeenth century Sir Christopher Wren was consulted on
the subject, and a letter from him to the then Master, Dr. Gower, has been
preserved. Sir Christopher's proposal was a curious one: he suggested that
the course of the river Cam should be diverted and carried in a straight line
from the point where it bends near the Library of Trinity College. A new
channel was to be dug, and a bridge built over this; the water was then to be
sent down the new channel, and the old one filled up. He pointed out that
this would give "a parterre to the river, a better access to the walks, and a
more beautiful disposal of the whole ground." This scheme was, however,
not carried out, but a stone bridge was built outside the range of the
buildings on the site of an old wooden bridge, which then gave access to the
grounds. This is the bridge which still exists; it was built, apparently from
Wren's designs, under the superintendence of his pupil, Nicholas
Hawksmoor. More than a century now passed before further building
operations were undertaken. In 1825 the College employed Mr. Thomas
Rickman and his partner, Mr. H. Hutchinson, to prepare designs for a new
Court, with from 100 to 120 sets of rooms. This work was started in 1827,
and completed in 1831. The covered bridge connecting the old and new
parts of the College was designed by Mr. Hutchinson; it is popularly known
as the "Bridge of Sighs." The style of this Court is Perpendicular Gothic.
The site was unsuited for building operations, consisting mostly of washed
and peaty soil; it had been known for generations as "the fishponds close."
The modern concrete foundations were then unknown, and the plan adopted
was to remove the peaty soil and to lay timber on the underlying gravel. On
this an enormous mass of brickwork, forming vaulted cellars, was placed;
this rises above the river level, and the rooms are perfectly dry. The total
cost of the building was £78,000, most of which was provided by
borrowing. The repayment, extending over a number of years, involved
considerable self-denial on the Fellows of the College, their incomes being
Page 18
materially reduced for many years. Crossing the covered bridge and passing
down the cloisters of the New Court, we enter the grounds by the centre
gate; these extend right and left, being bounded on the east by the Cam, and
separated from the grounds of Trinity by a ditch.
From the old, or Wren's, bridge over the Cam two parallel walks extend
along the front of the Court; according to tradition the broader and higher
was reserved for members of the College, the lower for College servants. At
one time an avenue of trees extended from the bridge to the back gate, but
the ravages of time have removed all but a few trees.
At the western end of the walk we have on the left the (private) Fellows'
garden, known as "The Wilderness," an old-world pleasance, left as nearly
as may be in a state of nature. Towards the end of the eighteenth century the
College employed the celebrated Mr. Lancelot ("capability") Brown to lay
out the grounds and Wilderness. The plantation in the latter was arranged so
as to form a cathedral, with nave, aisles, and transept, but here also old age
and storms have brought down many of the trees. On the right, opposite to
the Wilderness, there is an orchard, the subject of much legend. One
popular story is that this orchard formed the subject of a bequest to "St.
John's College," and that the testator, being an Oxford man, was held by the
Courts to have intended to benefit the College in his own University. As a
matter of prosaic fact, the orchard originally belonged to Merton College,
Oxford, being part of the original gift of their founder, Walter de Merton,
and it was acquired by St. John's College by exchange in the early years of
the nineteenth century.
The long walk terminates in a massive gate with stone pillars, surmounted
by eagles. Outside and across the road is the Eagle Close, used as the
College cricket and football field.
The visitor in returning should cross the old bridge, thus getting a view of
the Bridge of Sighs, and re-enter the College by the archway on the left.
down the cloisters of the New Court, we enter the grounds by the centre
gate; these extend right and left, being bounded on the east by the Cam, and
separated from the grounds of Trinity by a ditch.
From the old, or Wren's, bridge over the Cam two parallel walks extend
along the front of the Court; according to tradition the broader and higher
was reserved for members of the College, the lower for College servants. At
one time an avenue of trees extended from the bridge to the back gate, but
the ravages of time have removed all but a few trees.
At the western end of the walk we have on the left the (private) Fellows'
garden, known as "The Wilderness," an old-world pleasance, left as nearly
as may be in a state of nature. Towards the end of the eighteenth century the
College employed the celebrated Mr. Lancelot ("capability") Brown to lay
out the grounds and Wilderness. The plantation in the latter was arranged so
as to form a cathedral, with nave, aisles, and transept, but here also old age
and storms have brought down many of the trees. On the right, opposite to
the Wilderness, there is an orchard, the subject of much legend. One
popular story is that this orchard formed the subject of a bequest to "St.
John's College," and that the testator, being an Oxford man, was held by the
Courts to have intended to benefit the College in his own University. As a
matter of prosaic fact, the orchard originally belonged to Merton College,
Oxford, being part of the original gift of their founder, Walter de Merton,
and it was acquired by St. John's College by exchange in the early years of
the nineteenth century.
The long walk terminates in a massive gate with stone pillars, surmounted
by eagles. Outside and across the road is the Eagle Close, used as the
College cricket and football field.
The visitor in returning should cross the old bridge, thus getting a view of
the Bridge of Sighs, and re-enter the College by the archway on the left.
Page 19
SOME INTERIORS
Page 20
T
he visitor has been conducted through the College without pausing to
enter any of the buildings. We now retrace our steps to describe these
parts of the College open to inspection. It must be understood that
during a great part of the year the inspection of these interiors is subject to
the needs of a large resident Society, and as a rule it is best to inquire at the
gate for information as to the hours when these parts of the College are
open.
The Chapel.
The present Chapel was built between the years 1863 and 1869, from the
designs of Sir George Gilbert Scott; it was consecrated by the Bishop of
Ely, 12th May 1869. As we approach it we see on the right the outline of the
old Chapel, which had served the College and the Hospital which preceded
it for something like six hundred years. This former Chapel was a building
quite uniform and simple in appearance, filling the whole of the north side
of the Court. Originally built to serve the needs of the Hospital of St. John,
it was considerably altered when the College was founded. Side Chantries
were then, or shortly afterwards, added. In early times a good deal of the
life of the College centred in the Chapel, in addition to its uses for worship.
It was regarded as a place in which the Society was formally gathered
together. In it the statutes, or rules for the government of the Society, were
read at stated times, so that all might become aware of the rule under which
they lived. The names of those who had not discharged their College bills
were publicly read out by the Master. The elections of the Master and of the
Fellows and Scholars were held within it; of this practice the sole part that
remains is the election of a Master, which by the present statutes must be
held in the Chapel. The scholastic exercises of Acts and Opponencies, in
which certain doctrines were maintained and opposed, took place there. The
seal of the College was kept in the vestry, and the sealing of documents
took place in the Ante-Chapel. Though documents are now sealed
elsewhere, the stock of wafers for the College seal is kept by the Chapel
Clerk.
The erection of a new Chapel for the College was contemplated for about
200 years before it was carried out. Dr. Gunning, who was Master from
1661 to 1670, afterwards successively Bishop of Chichester and of Ely, left
he visitor has been conducted through the College without pausing to
enter any of the buildings. We now retrace our steps to describe these
parts of the College open to inspection. It must be understood that
during a great part of the year the inspection of these interiors is subject to
the needs of a large resident Society, and as a rule it is best to inquire at the
gate for information as to the hours when these parts of the College are
open.
The Chapel.
The present Chapel was built between the years 1863 and 1869, from the
designs of Sir George Gilbert Scott; it was consecrated by the Bishop of
Ely, 12th May 1869. As we approach it we see on the right the outline of the
old Chapel, which had served the College and the Hospital which preceded
it for something like six hundred years. This former Chapel was a building
quite uniform and simple in appearance, filling the whole of the north side
of the Court. Originally built to serve the needs of the Hospital of St. John,
it was considerably altered when the College was founded. Side Chantries
were then, or shortly afterwards, added. In early times a good deal of the
life of the College centred in the Chapel, in addition to its uses for worship.
It was regarded as a place in which the Society was formally gathered
together. In it the statutes, or rules for the government of the Society, were
read at stated times, so that all might become aware of the rule under which
they lived. The names of those who had not discharged their College bills
were publicly read out by the Master. The elections of the Master and of the
Fellows and Scholars were held within it; of this practice the sole part that
remains is the election of a Master, which by the present statutes must be
held in the Chapel. The scholastic exercises of Acts and Opponencies, in
which certain doctrines were maintained and opposed, took place there. The
seal of the College was kept in the vestry, and the sealing of documents
took place in the Ante-Chapel. Though documents are now sealed
elsewhere, the stock of wafers for the College seal is kept by the Chapel
Clerk.
The erection of a new Chapel for the College was contemplated for about
200 years before it was carried out. Dr. Gunning, who was Master from
1661 to 1670, afterwards successively Bishop of Chichester and of Ely, left
Page 21
by his will the sum of £300 "to St. John's College, towards the beginning
for the building for themselves a new Chapel." Gunning died in 1684, and
in 1687 the College paid to Robert Grumbold the sum of £3 for "a new
ground plott modell of the old and new designed Chappell." Nothing,
however, came of the proposal at that time, though the idea seems always to
have been before the Society.
Preaching on Commemoration Day (May 6), 1861, Dr. William Selwyn,
Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, and a former Fellow, pointing out that
the College was celebrating "its seventh jubilee," just 350 years having
passed since the charter was granted, pleaded earnestly for the erection of a
larger Chapel. The matter was taken up, and in January 1862 Sir (then Mr.)
George Gilbert Scott was requested "to advise us as to the best plans, in his
opinion, for a new Chapel." The scheme grew, and in addition to the Chapel
it was determined by the end of that year to have also a new Master's
Lodge, and to enlarge the Dining Hall. It was then intended that the scheme
should not involve a greater charge on the corporate funds of the College
than £40,000. As a matter of fact, before the whole was carried out and paid
for, the cost had risen to £97,641; of this £17,172 was provided for by
donations from members of the College, the rest was met, partly out of
capital, partly by a charge on the College revenues, which ran for many
years.
The Chapel was built on a site to the north of the old Chapel, and through
this site ran a lane from St. John's Street to the river. An Act of Parliament
had to be obtained before this lane could be closed, and the consent of the
borough was only given on condition that St. John's Street should be
widened by pulling down a row of houses on its western side, and throwing
their site into the street.
The foundation-stone of the new Chapel was laid on 6th May 1864 by Mr.
Henry Hoare, a member of the College, and of the well-known banking
firm. As originally designed the Chapel was to have had a slender flèche
instead of a tower. This had been criticised, and Mr. Scott, the architect,
designed the present tower; the additional cost being estimated at £5000.
This Mr. Hoare offered to provide in yearly instalments of £1000, but had
only paid two instalments when he died from injuries received in a railway
accident. The finial on the last pinnacle of the tower was fixed on 13th
for the building for themselves a new Chapel." Gunning died in 1684, and
in 1687 the College paid to Robert Grumbold the sum of £3 for "a new
ground plott modell of the old and new designed Chappell." Nothing,
however, came of the proposal at that time, though the idea seems always to
have been before the Society.
Preaching on Commemoration Day (May 6), 1861, Dr. William Selwyn,
Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, and a former Fellow, pointing out that
the College was celebrating "its seventh jubilee," just 350 years having
passed since the charter was granted, pleaded earnestly for the erection of a
larger Chapel. The matter was taken up, and in January 1862 Sir (then Mr.)
George Gilbert Scott was requested "to advise us as to the best plans, in his
opinion, for a new Chapel." The scheme grew, and in addition to the Chapel
it was determined by the end of that year to have also a new Master's
Lodge, and to enlarge the Dining Hall. It was then intended that the scheme
should not involve a greater charge on the corporate funds of the College
than £40,000. As a matter of fact, before the whole was carried out and paid
for, the cost had risen to £97,641; of this £17,172 was provided for by
donations from members of the College, the rest was met, partly out of
capital, partly by a charge on the College revenues, which ran for many
years.
The Chapel was built on a site to the north of the old Chapel, and through
this site ran a lane from St. John's Street to the river. An Act of Parliament
had to be obtained before this lane could be closed, and the consent of the
borough was only given on condition that St. John's Street should be
widened by pulling down a row of houses on its western side, and throwing
their site into the street.
The foundation-stone of the new Chapel was laid on 6th May 1864 by Mr.
Henry Hoare, a member of the College, and of the well-known banking
firm. As originally designed the Chapel was to have had a slender flèche
instead of a tower. This had been criticised, and Mr. Scott, the architect,
designed the present tower; the additional cost being estimated at £5000.
This Mr. Hoare offered to provide in yearly instalments of £1000, but had
only paid two instalments when he died from injuries received in a railway
accident. The finial on the last pinnacle of the tower was fixed on 13th
Page 22
December 1867 by Mr. (now Sir Francis) Powell, M.P. for the borough of
Cambridge, and a former Fellow of the College; Mr. Powell was
accompanied on that occasion by Professor John Couch Adams and the
Rev. G. F. Reyner, the Senior Bursar of the College.
The new Chapel was, as we have said, opened in 1869, and the old Chapel
then cleared away. The woodwork of the stalls had been transferred to the
new Chapel, but most of the internal fittings were scattered. The ancient
rood-screen stands in the church of Whissendine, in Rutlandshire, and the
old organ-case in Bilton Church, near Rugby, and other parts of the fabric
were dispersed; it was perhaps inevitable. Sir Gilbert Scott's idea was that
the new Chapel should be of the same period of architecture as the old, but
it is absolutely different in design; in the lover of things old there must
always be a feeling of regret for what has gone. The mural tablets in the old
Chapel were removed to the new Ante-Chapel, the slabs in the floor were
left. It is worth noting that Eleazar Knox, a Fellow of the College, and one
of the sons of John Knox, the famous Scotch Reformer, was buried in the
Chapel in 1591. His elder brother, Nathanael Knox, was also a Fellow. To
the north of the old Chapel, and bordering on the lane which has been
mentioned, stood the Infirmary of the Hospital which preceded the College.
This was originally a single long room, of which the eastern end formed an
oratory. In this the poor and sick, for whose benefit the Hospital was
founded, were received, and Mass said for them, and in their sight, as they
lay in their beds. This Infirmary, after the foundation of the College, was
devoted to secular uses. For some time it was used as a stable and
storehouse for the Master. Then later it was fitted up with floors and turned
into chambers. It was approached by a tortuous passage at the eastern end
of the Chapel, and was popularly known as the Labyrinth. When the
Infirmary was taken down a very beautiful double piscina was found
covered up on the walls; this is preserved in the new Chapel.
The new Chapel is built of Ancaster stone, and is in the style of architecture
known as Early Decorated, which prevailed about 1280, the probable date
of the Chapel of the Hospital. Sir Gilbert Scott very skilfully made the most
of the site, and by the device of the transeptal Ante-Chapel made full use of
the space at his disposal.
Cambridge, and a former Fellow of the College; Mr. Powell was
accompanied on that occasion by Professor John Couch Adams and the
Rev. G. F. Reyner, the Senior Bursar of the College.
The new Chapel was, as we have said, opened in 1869, and the old Chapel
then cleared away. The woodwork of the stalls had been transferred to the
new Chapel, but most of the internal fittings were scattered. The ancient
rood-screen stands in the church of Whissendine, in Rutlandshire, and the
old organ-case in Bilton Church, near Rugby, and other parts of the fabric
were dispersed; it was perhaps inevitable. Sir Gilbert Scott's idea was that
the new Chapel should be of the same period of architecture as the old, but
it is absolutely different in design; in the lover of things old there must
always be a feeling of regret for what has gone. The mural tablets in the old
Chapel were removed to the new Ante-Chapel, the slabs in the floor were
left. It is worth noting that Eleazar Knox, a Fellow of the College, and one
of the sons of John Knox, the famous Scotch Reformer, was buried in the
Chapel in 1591. His elder brother, Nathanael Knox, was also a Fellow. To
the north of the old Chapel, and bordering on the lane which has been
mentioned, stood the Infirmary of the Hospital which preceded the College.
This was originally a single long room, of which the eastern end formed an
oratory. In this the poor and sick, for whose benefit the Hospital was
founded, were received, and Mass said for them, and in their sight, as they
lay in their beds. This Infirmary, after the foundation of the College, was
devoted to secular uses. For some time it was used as a stable and
storehouse for the Master. Then later it was fitted up with floors and turned
into chambers. It was approached by a tortuous passage at the eastern end
of the Chapel, and was popularly known as the Labyrinth. When the
Infirmary was taken down a very beautiful double piscina was found
covered up on the walls; this is preserved in the new Chapel.
The new Chapel is built of Ancaster stone, and is in the style of architecture
known as Early Decorated, which prevailed about 1280, the probable date
of the Chapel of the Hospital. Sir Gilbert Scott very skilfully made the most
of the site, and by the device of the transeptal Ante-Chapel made full use of
the space at his disposal.
Page 23
At the springs of the outer arch of the great door are heads of King Henry
VIII. and of Queen Victoria, indicating the date of the foundation of the
College and of the erection of the Chapel. On the north side of the porch is
a statue of the Lady Margaret, and on the south one of John Fisher, Bishop
of Rochester.
The statues on the buttresses are those of famous members of the College,
or of its benefactors. Those facing the Court are William Cecil, Lord
Burghley; Lucius Carey, Viscount Falkland; John Williams, Lord Keeper to
James I.; Thomas Wentworth, Lord Strafford; William Gilbert, author of De
Magnete, in which the theory of the magnetism of the earth was first
developed, and physician to Queen Elizabeth; Roger Ascham, and the
Countess of Shrewsbury.
VIII. and of Queen Victoria, indicating the date of the foundation of the
College and of the erection of the Chapel. On the north side of the porch is
a statue of the Lady Margaret, and on the south one of John Fisher, Bishop
of Rochester.
The statues on the buttresses are those of famous members of the College,
or of its benefactors. Those facing the Court are William Cecil, Lord
Burghley; Lucius Carey, Viscount Falkland; John Williams, Lord Keeper to
James I.; Thomas Wentworth, Lord Strafford; William Gilbert, author of De
Magnete, in which the theory of the magnetism of the earth was first
developed, and physician to Queen Elizabeth; Roger Ascham, and the
Countess of Shrewsbury.
Page 24
Monument of Hugh Ashton
We enter the Ante-Chapel. This has a stone-vaulted roof; over the central
bay the tower is placed. On the south wall are placed the arches from
Bishop Fisher's Chantry in the old Chapel. The monument with the
recumbent figure is that of Hugh Ashton, comptroller of the household to
the Lady Margaret, a prebendary and Archdeacon of York. He was buried in
the old Chapel, and this tomb originally stood in a chantry attached thereto.
He founded four fellowships and four scholarships in the College, the
Fellows being bound to sing Mass for the repose of his soul. The carving on
the tomb and on the finials of the railing around it include a rebus on his
name, an ash-tree growing out of a barrel (ash-tun). On the north wall is a
bust of Dr. Isaac Todhunter, the well-known mathematical writer; on the
western wall a tablet by Chantrey, to the memory of Kirke White, the poet,
who died in College. He was buried in the chancel of the old Church of All
Saints, which stood opposite to the College; when the church was pulled
down the tablet was transferred to the College Chapel. The statue is that of
James Wood, sometime Master of the College, part of whose bequests went
towards building the Chapel. On the east wall is an old brass to the memory
of Nicholas Metcalfe, third Master of the College, the words "vestras ...
preces vehementer expetit" have been partly obliterated, probably during the
Commonwealth. The roof of the Choir is of high pitch, of quadripartite
vaulting in oak, and is decorated with a continuous line of full-length
figures. In the central bay at the east end is our Lord in Majesty, the other
bays contain figures illustrating the Christian centuries. Owing to the deep
colour of the glass in the windows, it is only on a very sunny day that the
figures can be clearly discerned. The windows in the Choir have been given
by various donors, the subjects being scenes from Scripture at which St.
John was present; his figure robed in ruby and green will be seen in each.
The five windows in the apse, the gift of the Earl of Powis, High Steward of
the University, depict scenes from the Passion, Crucifixion, and
Resurrection of Christ. In the apse is preserved the double piscina which
was found covered up in the walls of the Infirmary, and removed by Sir G.
G. Scott, with such repairs as were absolutely necessary. It is probably one
of the oldest specimens of carved stonework in Cambridge.
The steps leading up to the Altar are paved with Purbeck, Sicilian, and
black Derbyshire marbles. The spaces between the steps are decorated with
We enter the Ante-Chapel. This has a stone-vaulted roof; over the central
bay the tower is placed. On the south wall are placed the arches from
Bishop Fisher's Chantry in the old Chapel. The monument with the
recumbent figure is that of Hugh Ashton, comptroller of the household to
the Lady Margaret, a prebendary and Archdeacon of York. He was buried in
the old Chapel, and this tomb originally stood in a chantry attached thereto.
He founded four fellowships and four scholarships in the College, the
Fellows being bound to sing Mass for the repose of his soul. The carving on
the tomb and on the finials of the railing around it include a rebus on his
name, an ash-tree growing out of a barrel (ash-tun). On the north wall is a
bust of Dr. Isaac Todhunter, the well-known mathematical writer; on the
western wall a tablet by Chantrey, to the memory of Kirke White, the poet,
who died in College. He was buried in the chancel of the old Church of All
Saints, which stood opposite to the College; when the church was pulled
down the tablet was transferred to the College Chapel. The statue is that of
James Wood, sometime Master of the College, part of whose bequests went
towards building the Chapel. On the east wall is an old brass to the memory
of Nicholas Metcalfe, third Master of the College, the words "vestras ...
preces vehementer expetit" have been partly obliterated, probably during the
Commonwealth. The roof of the Choir is of high pitch, of quadripartite
vaulting in oak, and is decorated with a continuous line of full-length
figures. In the central bay at the east end is our Lord in Majesty, the other
bays contain figures illustrating the Christian centuries. Owing to the deep
colour of the glass in the windows, it is only on a very sunny day that the
figures can be clearly discerned. The windows in the Choir have been given
by various donors, the subjects being scenes from Scripture at which St.
John was present; his figure robed in ruby and green will be seen in each.
The five windows in the apse, the gift of the Earl of Powis, High Steward of
the University, depict scenes from the Passion, Crucifixion, and
Resurrection of Christ. In the apse is preserved the double piscina which
was found covered up in the walls of the Infirmary, and removed by Sir G.
G. Scott, with such repairs as were absolutely necessary. It is probably one
of the oldest specimens of carved stonework in Cambridge.
The steps leading up to the Altar are paved with Purbeck, Sicilian, and
black Derbyshire marbles. The spaces between the steps are decorated with
Page 25
a series of scriptural subjects in inlaid work in black and white marble, with
distinctive inscriptions. The Altar is of oak, with a single slab of Belgian
marble for its top. On the sides of the Altar are deeply carved panels; that in
the centre represents the Lamb with the Banner, the other panels contain the
emblems of the four Evangelists.
The organ stands in a special chamber on the north side; the carved front
was not put in place till 1890. It was designed by Mr. J. Oldrid Scott, a son
of Sir Gilbert Scott. In 1635 the famous Robert Dallam of Westminster built
a "paire of new orgaines" for the College. The organ has been repeatedly
enlarged, altered, and improved; it may be that some of Dallam's work still
remains, though this is uncertain. The present organ is one of the best in
Cambridge; its tone throughout is uniformly beautiful.
The brass reading-desk was given to the old Chapel by the Rev. Thomas
Whytehead, a Fellow of the College; the pedestal is copied from the
wooden lectern in Ramsay Church, Huntingdonshire; the finials, which are
there wanting, having been restored, and the wooden desk replaced by an
eagle.
As we return to the Ante-Chapel we may note the great west window,
representing the Last Judgment; this was given by the Bachelors and
Undergraduates of the College. There are also windows in the Ante-Chapel
to the memory of Dr. Ralph Tatham, Master of the College, and to the Rev.
J. J. Blunt, Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity.
The oil-painting which hangs on the south wall of the Ante-Chapel near the
door—a Descent from the Cross—is by Anthony Raphael Mengs. It was
given to the College in 1841 by the Right Hon. Robert Henry Clive, M.P.
for Shropshire.
The Hall.
We enter the Hall from the Screens, between the First and Second Courts.
The southern end is part of the original building of the College. It was at
first about seventy feet long, with one oriel only, the old Combination
Room being beyond it. When the new Chapel was built the Hall was
lengthened, and the second oriel window added. The oak panelling is of the
distinctive inscriptions. The Altar is of oak, with a single slab of Belgian
marble for its top. On the sides of the Altar are deeply carved panels; that in
the centre represents the Lamb with the Banner, the other panels contain the
emblems of the four Evangelists.
The organ stands in a special chamber on the north side; the carved front
was not put in place till 1890. It was designed by Mr. J. Oldrid Scott, a son
of Sir Gilbert Scott. In 1635 the famous Robert Dallam of Westminster built
a "paire of new orgaines" for the College. The organ has been repeatedly
enlarged, altered, and improved; it may be that some of Dallam's work still
remains, though this is uncertain. The present organ is one of the best in
Cambridge; its tone throughout is uniformly beautiful.
The brass reading-desk was given to the old Chapel by the Rev. Thomas
Whytehead, a Fellow of the College; the pedestal is copied from the
wooden lectern in Ramsay Church, Huntingdonshire; the finials, which are
there wanting, having been restored, and the wooden desk replaced by an
eagle.
As we return to the Ante-Chapel we may note the great west window,
representing the Last Judgment; this was given by the Bachelors and
Undergraduates of the College. There are also windows in the Ante-Chapel
to the memory of Dr. Ralph Tatham, Master of the College, and to the Rev.
J. J. Blunt, Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity.
The oil-painting which hangs on the south wall of the Ante-Chapel near the
door—a Descent from the Cross—is by Anthony Raphael Mengs. It was
given to the College in 1841 by the Right Hon. Robert Henry Clive, M.P.
for Shropshire.
The Hall.
We enter the Hall from the Screens, between the First and Second Courts.
The southern end is part of the original building of the College. It was at
first about seventy feet long, with one oriel only, the old Combination
Room being beyond it. When the new Chapel was built the Hall was
lengthened, and the second oriel window added. The oak panelling is of the
Page 26
old "linen" pattern, and dates from the sixteenth century; that lining the
north wall, beyond the High Table, is very elaborately carved, being the
finest example of such work in Cambridge. Within living memory all this
oak work was painted green. The fine timbered roof has a lantern turret,
beneath which, until 1865, stood an open charcoal brazier. From allusions
in early documents it would appear that members of the Society gathered
round the brazier for conversation after meals. In addition to its use as a
dining-room, the Hall also served as a lecture-room, and for the production
of stage plays. On these latter occasions it seems to have been specially
decorated, for Roger Ascham, writing 1st October 1550, from Antwerp, to
his brother Fellow, Edward Raven, tried to picture to him the magnificence
of the city by saying that it surpassed all others which he had visited, as
much as the Hall at St. John's, when decorated for a play at Christmas,
surpassed its appearance at ordinary times.
north wall, beyond the High Table, is very elaborately carved, being the
finest example of such work in Cambridge. Within living memory all this
oak work was painted green. The fine timbered roof has a lantern turret,
beneath which, until 1865, stood an open charcoal brazier. From allusions
in early documents it would appear that members of the Society gathered
round the brazier for conversation after meals. In addition to its use as a
dining-room, the Hall also served as a lecture-room, and for the production
of stage plays. On these latter occasions it seems to have been specially
decorated, for Roger Ascham, writing 1st October 1550, from Antwerp, to
his brother Fellow, Edward Raven, tried to picture to him the magnificence
of the city by saying that it surpassed all others which he had visited, as
much as the Hall at St. John's, when decorated for a play at Christmas,
surpassed its appearance at ordinary times.
Page 27
Many of the College examinations are held in the Hall, and in the days of
the brazier, examinees were warned by their Tutors not to sit too near the
brazier; the comfort from the heat being dearly purchased by the drowsiness
caused by the fumes of the charcoal.
Many interesting portraits hang on the walls. That of the foundress in the
centre of the north wall is painted on wooden panel, and is very old. She is
flanked by Lord Keeper Williams, and by Sir Ralph Hare, K.C.B., both
benefactors to the College. Other noteworthy portraits are those of Sir Noah
Thomas, physician to King George III., by Romney; William Wordsworth,
poet-laureate, by Pickersgill; Professor John E. B. Mayor, by Herkomer;
Professor B. H. Kennedy, long headmaster of Shrewsbury School, by
the brazier, examinees were warned by their Tutors not to sit too near the
brazier; the comfort from the heat being dearly purchased by the drowsiness
caused by the fumes of the charcoal.
Many interesting portraits hang on the walls. That of the foundress in the
centre of the north wall is painted on wooden panel, and is very old. She is
flanked by Lord Keeper Williams, and by Sir Ralph Hare, K.C.B., both
benefactors to the College. Other noteworthy portraits are those of Sir Noah
Thomas, physician to King George III., by Romney; William Wordsworth,
poet-laureate, by Pickersgill; Professor John E. B. Mayor, by Herkomer;
Professor B. H. Kennedy, long headmaster of Shrewsbury School, by
Page 28
Ouless; Professor E. H. Palmer, Lord Almoner's Reader of Arabic in the
University, and a famous oriental scholar, by the Hon. John Collier; and
Professor G. D. Liveing, by Sir George Reid.
The shields in the windows are those of distinguished members of the
College, or benefactors. The further oriel window has busts of Sir John F.
W. Herschel and Professor John Couch Adams.
The Combination Room.
We enter by the staircase at the north end of the Hall. This was originally
about 187 feet long, extending the whole length of the Second Court, and
was used as a gallery in connection with the old Master's Lodge. The
ceiling dates from 1600, and the panelling from 1603. In 1624 about 42 feet
were sacrificed to obtain a staircase and vestibule for the Library; the
ceiling can be traced right through. In the eighteenth century partitions were
put up, dividing up the gallery into rooms. When the new Master's Lodge
was built these partitions were removed, and the whole now forms two
Combination Rooms.
In the oriel window on the south side is an old stained-glass portrait of
Henrietta Maria, Queen of King Charles I. The tradition runs that the
marriage articles between Prince Charles and Henrietta Maria were signed
in this room; King James I. was at that time holding his Court in Trinity
College.
A number of interesting portraits hang on the walls: George Augustus
Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand, afterwards of Lichfield, by George
Richmond, R.A.; a chalk drawing (also by Richmond) of William Tyrrell,
Bishop of Newcastle, New South Wales; of Sir John Herschel and Professor
J. C. Adams; of William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, the opponents
of the slave-trade. There is also a very beautiful sketch of the head of
William Wordsworth; this study was made by Pickersgill to save the poet
the tedium of long sittings for the portrait in the Hall. It was presented to
the College by Miss Arundale, a descendant of the painter. The smaller
Combination Room contains many engraved portraits of distinguished
members of the College.
University, and a famous oriental scholar, by the Hon. John Collier; and
Professor G. D. Liveing, by Sir George Reid.
The shields in the windows are those of distinguished members of the
College, or benefactors. The further oriel window has busts of Sir John F.
W. Herschel and Professor John Couch Adams.
The Combination Room.
We enter by the staircase at the north end of the Hall. This was originally
about 187 feet long, extending the whole length of the Second Court, and
was used as a gallery in connection with the old Master's Lodge. The
ceiling dates from 1600, and the panelling from 1603. In 1624 about 42 feet
were sacrificed to obtain a staircase and vestibule for the Library; the
ceiling can be traced right through. In the eighteenth century partitions were
put up, dividing up the gallery into rooms. When the new Master's Lodge
was built these partitions were removed, and the whole now forms two
Combination Rooms.
In the oriel window on the south side is an old stained-glass portrait of
Henrietta Maria, Queen of King Charles I. The tradition runs that the
marriage articles between Prince Charles and Henrietta Maria were signed
in this room; King James I. was at that time holding his Court in Trinity
College.
A number of interesting portraits hang on the walls: George Augustus
Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand, afterwards of Lichfield, by George
Richmond, R.A.; a chalk drawing (also by Richmond) of William Tyrrell,
Bishop of Newcastle, New South Wales; of Sir John Herschel and Professor
J. C. Adams; of William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, the opponents
of the slave-trade. There is also a very beautiful sketch of the head of
William Wordsworth; this study was made by Pickersgill to save the poet
the tedium of long sittings for the portrait in the Hall. It was presented to
the College by Miss Arundale, a descendant of the painter. The smaller
Combination Room contains many engraved portraits of distinguished
members of the College.
Page 29
The institution of the Combination Room seems gradually to have grown up
in colleges as a place where the Fellows might meet together, partly about
business, partly for the sake of society. In early times, as the Fellows shared
their chambers with their pupils, there could have been no privacy. The
room seems to have been called the Parlour for some time; the name
Combination Room is now universal at Cambridge, and may have arisen
from the fact that the cost of running the room was met by the Fellows
combining together for the purpose. At the present time the Combination
Room is used for College meetings, as a room where the Fellows meet for a
short time after dinner and for dessert on those nights when there is a dinner
in Hall to which guests are invited.
The Library.
The Library is only open to visitors by leave of the Librarian, or to those
accompanied by a Fellow of the College. The usual access is by staircase E
in the Second Court, but leaving the Combination Room by the west door
we find ourselves in front of the Library door. The visitor may note that the
moulded ceiling of the Combination Room extends overhead. This portion,
as we have already seen, originally forming part of the long gallery.
The door of the Library is surmounted by the arms of John Williams,
impaled with those of the see of Lincoln. The original position of the
Library, as has been already stated, was in the First Court, next the street,
and to the south of the entrance gate. In 1616 the books were moved out of
this Library to a room over the Kitchen, and in the succeeding year the
Master and Fellows wrote to the Countess of Shrewsbury to intimate their
intention of building a Library, and hinting at the possibility of her aid in
the scheme. The answer of the Countess, if there was one, has not been
preserved. In the year 1623, Valentine Carey, Bishop of Exeter, and a
former Fellow, wrote announcing that an unnamed person had promised
£1200 towards a Library. After some little time Lord Keeper Williams
disclosed himself as the donor, and some further advances were promised.
The Library was commenced in 1623, and the books finally placed in it in
1628. The style of the building is Jacobean Gothic, and its interior, with the
whitewashed walls and dark oak roof and bookcases, is singularly striking.
in colleges as a place where the Fellows might meet together, partly about
business, partly for the sake of society. In early times, as the Fellows shared
their chambers with their pupils, there could have been no privacy. The
room seems to have been called the Parlour for some time; the name
Combination Room is now universal at Cambridge, and may have arisen
from the fact that the cost of running the room was met by the Fellows
combining together for the purpose. At the present time the Combination
Room is used for College meetings, as a room where the Fellows meet for a
short time after dinner and for dessert on those nights when there is a dinner
in Hall to which guests are invited.
The Library.
The Library is only open to visitors by leave of the Librarian, or to those
accompanied by a Fellow of the College. The usual access is by staircase E
in the Second Court, but leaving the Combination Room by the west door
we find ourselves in front of the Library door. The visitor may note that the
moulded ceiling of the Combination Room extends overhead. This portion,
as we have already seen, originally forming part of the long gallery.
The door of the Library is surmounted by the arms of John Williams,
impaled with those of the see of Lincoln. The original position of the
Library, as has been already stated, was in the First Court, next the street,
and to the south of the entrance gate. In 1616 the books were moved out of
this Library to a room over the Kitchen, and in the succeeding year the
Master and Fellows wrote to the Countess of Shrewsbury to intimate their
intention of building a Library, and hinting at the possibility of her aid in
the scheme. The answer of the Countess, if there was one, has not been
preserved. In the year 1623, Valentine Carey, Bishop of Exeter, and a
former Fellow, wrote announcing that an unnamed person had promised
£1200 towards a Library. After some little time Lord Keeper Williams
disclosed himself as the donor, and some further advances were promised.
The Library was commenced in 1623, and the books finally placed in it in
1628. The style of the building is Jacobean Gothic, and its interior, with the
whitewashed walls and dark oak roof and bookcases, is singularly striking.
Page 30
John Evelyn visited it while at Cambridge in 1654, and describes it as "the
fairest of that University"; after 250 years the description still holds good.
The upper part of the Library has been little altered since it was built. The
intermediate (or lower) cases were heightened to the extent of one shelf for
folios when Thomas Baker left his books to the College; but two, one on
either hand next the door, retain their original dimensions, with the sloping
tops to be used as reading-desks.
At the end of each of the taller cases, in small compartments with doors, are
class catalogues written about 1685. These catalogues have been pasted
over original catalogues written about 1640; small portions of the earlier
catalogues are yet to be seen in some of the cases. Of the treasures in
manuscript and print only a slight account can be given here. One of the
most interesting to members of the College is the following note by John
Couch Adams:—
"1841 July 3. Formed a design, in the beginning of this week, of
investigating, as soon as possible after taking my degree, the
irregularities in the motion of Uranus, wh. are yet unaccounted
for; in order to find whether they may be attributed to the action
of an undiscovered planet beyond it; and if possible thence to
determine the elements of its orbit, &c. approximately, wh. wd.
probably lead to its discovery."
The original memorandum is bound up in a volume containing the
mathematical calculations by which Adams carried out his design and
discovered the planet Neptune.
Lord Keeper Williams, who was instrumental in building the Library,
presented to it many books; amongst others, the Bible known as Cromwell's
Bible. Thomas Cromwell employed Miles Coverdale to revise existing
translations, and this Bible was printed partly in Paris and partly in London,
"and finished in Aprill, a.d. 1539." Two copies were printed on vellum—
one for King Henry VIII., the other for Thomas, Lord Cromwell, his Vicar-
General. This College copy is believed to be that presented to Cromwell,
and is now unique, the other copy having disappeared from the Royal
Library; the volume is beautifully illustrated, and has been described as "the
finest book in vellum that exists."
fairest of that University"; after 250 years the description still holds good.
The upper part of the Library has been little altered since it was built. The
intermediate (or lower) cases were heightened to the extent of one shelf for
folios when Thomas Baker left his books to the College; but two, one on
either hand next the door, retain their original dimensions, with the sloping
tops to be used as reading-desks.
At the end of each of the taller cases, in small compartments with doors, are
class catalogues written about 1685. These catalogues have been pasted
over original catalogues written about 1640; small portions of the earlier
catalogues are yet to be seen in some of the cases. Of the treasures in
manuscript and print only a slight account can be given here. One of the
most interesting to members of the College is the following note by John
Couch Adams:—
"1841 July 3. Formed a design, in the beginning of this week, of
investigating, as soon as possible after taking my degree, the
irregularities in the motion of Uranus, wh. are yet unaccounted
for; in order to find whether they may be attributed to the action
of an undiscovered planet beyond it; and if possible thence to
determine the elements of its orbit, &c. approximately, wh. wd.
probably lead to its discovery."
The original memorandum is bound up in a volume containing the
mathematical calculations by which Adams carried out his design and
discovered the planet Neptune.
Lord Keeper Williams, who was instrumental in building the Library,
presented to it many books; amongst others, the Bible known as Cromwell's
Bible. Thomas Cromwell employed Miles Coverdale to revise existing
translations, and this Bible was printed partly in Paris and partly in London,
"and finished in Aprill, a.d. 1539." Two copies were printed on vellum—
one for King Henry VIII., the other for Thomas, Lord Cromwell, his Vicar-
General. This College copy is believed to be that presented to Cromwell,
and is now unique, the other copy having disappeared from the Royal
Library; the volume is beautifully illustrated, and has been described as "the
finest book in vellum that exists."
Page 31
One of the show-cases in the centre contains the service-book which King
Charles I. held in his hand at his coronation, and the book used by Laud on
the same occasion, with a note in Laud's handwriting: "The daye was verye
faire, and ye ceremony was performed wthout any Interruption, and in verye
good order." The same case contains the mortuary roll of Amphelissa,
Prioress of Lillechurch in Kent, who died in 1299. The nuns of the priory
announce her death, commemorate her virtues, and ask the benefit of the
prayers of the faithful for her soul. The roll consists of nineteen sheets of
parchment stitched together; its length is 39 ft. 3 in., and its average width
is about 7 in. There are in all 372 entries of the ecclesiastical houses visited
by the roll-bearer for the purpose of gaining prayers for the soul of
Amphelissa. The roll-bearer visited nearly all parts of England: there are
entries by houses at Bodmin and Launceston in Cornwall; at Dunfermline
and St. Andrews in Scotland; each house granting the benefit of its prayers,
and concluding in each case with the formula, "Oravimus pro vestris: orate
pro nostris." As a collection of contemporary handwritings, such a
document has great value; and it is interesting to note that in 600 years the
roll has had only two owners, the Priory of Lillechurch and the College,
which succeeded to its possession.
In this case there is also an IOU of King Charles II.: "I do acknowledge to
have received the summe of one hundred pounds, by the direction of Mr. B.,
Brusselles the first of April 1660. Charles R." The "Mr. B." was John
Barwick, a Fellow of the College, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's. The date
seems to indicate that the money was advanced to enable Charles to return
to England for the Restoration.
In the other show-case there is a very curious Irish Psalter of the eighth
century, with crude drawings. Its value is much increased by the fact that
the Latin text is interlined throughout with glosses in the Irish dialect.
Of printed books one of the choicest is a very fine Caxton, "The Boke of
Tulle of old age; Tullius his book of Friendship." The volume contains the
autograph of Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary General, who entered the
College in 1626. It was presented to the College by Dr. Newcome, Master
from 1735 to 1765. To Dr. Newcome the College owes a very fine
collection of early printed classics; among these is a copy of Ovid, printed
Charles I. held in his hand at his coronation, and the book used by Laud on
the same occasion, with a note in Laud's handwriting: "The daye was verye
faire, and ye ceremony was performed wthout any Interruption, and in verye
good order." The same case contains the mortuary roll of Amphelissa,
Prioress of Lillechurch in Kent, who died in 1299. The nuns of the priory
announce her death, commemorate her virtues, and ask the benefit of the
prayers of the faithful for her soul. The roll consists of nineteen sheets of
parchment stitched together; its length is 39 ft. 3 in., and its average width
is about 7 in. There are in all 372 entries of the ecclesiastical houses visited
by the roll-bearer for the purpose of gaining prayers for the soul of
Amphelissa. The roll-bearer visited nearly all parts of England: there are
entries by houses at Bodmin and Launceston in Cornwall; at Dunfermline
and St. Andrews in Scotland; each house granting the benefit of its prayers,
and concluding in each case with the formula, "Oravimus pro vestris: orate
pro nostris." As a collection of contemporary handwritings, such a
document has great value; and it is interesting to note that in 600 years the
roll has had only two owners, the Priory of Lillechurch and the College,
which succeeded to its possession.
In this case there is also an IOU of King Charles II.: "I do acknowledge to
have received the summe of one hundred pounds, by the direction of Mr. B.,
Brusselles the first of April 1660. Charles R." The "Mr. B." was John
Barwick, a Fellow of the College, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's. The date
seems to indicate that the money was advanced to enable Charles to return
to England for the Restoration.
In the other show-case there is a very curious Irish Psalter of the eighth
century, with crude drawings. Its value is much increased by the fact that
the Latin text is interlined throughout with glosses in the Irish dialect.
Of printed books one of the choicest is a very fine Caxton, "The Boke of
Tulle of old age; Tullius his book of Friendship." The volume contains the
autograph of Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary General, who entered the
College in 1626. It was presented to the College by Dr. Newcome, Master
from 1735 to 1765. To Dr. Newcome the College owes a very fine
collection of early printed classics; among these is a copy of Ovid, printed
Page 32
by Jacobus Rubaeus at Venice in 1474; this was formerly in the possession
of Lorenzo de Medicis.
Dr. Newcome and Thomas Baker share between them the distinction of
having added many of the chief glories of the Library. Matthew Prior, the
poet, a Fellow of the College, presented his own works and many
interesting French and Italian works on history. There is also a presentation
copy from Wordsworth of his poems.
The Kitchen.
The Kitchen (opposite to the Hall) may sometimes be visited when the daily
routine permits. The whole has been recently modernised, and a picturesque
open fire with rotating spits done away with. To gain more air-space it was
necessary to incorporate in the Kitchen some rooms in the floor above. One
of these was the set occupied during his College life by the poet
Wordsworth, and the fact is commemorated by a stained-glass window.
of Lorenzo de Medicis.
Dr. Newcome and Thomas Baker share between them the distinction of
having added many of the chief glories of the Library. Matthew Prior, the
poet, a Fellow of the College, presented his own works and many
interesting French and Italian works on history. There is also a presentation
copy from Wordsworth of his poems.
The Kitchen.
The Kitchen (opposite to the Hall) may sometimes be visited when the daily
routine permits. The whole has been recently modernised, and a picturesque
open fire with rotating spits done away with. To gain more air-space it was
necessary to incorporate in the Kitchen some rooms in the floor above. One
of these was the set occupied during his College life by the poet
Wordsworth, and the fact is commemorated by a stained-glass window.
Page 33
THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN
Page 34
CIRCA 1135-1511
S
t. John's College, as we know it, was founded in 1511, and opened in
1516. But at the time of its foundation it took over the buildings and
property, and many of the duties, of an earlier and then a venerable
foundation, that of the Hospital of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge.
The origin of the old house is obscure, and its earlier history lost, but it
seems to have been founded about 1135 by Henry Frost, a burgess of
Cambridge. It consisted of a small community of Augustinian canons; its
site was described about 140 years later as "a very poor and waste place of
the commonalty of Cambridge."
Whatever its early history and endowments may have been, it formed a
nucleus for further gifts; and its chartulary, still in the possession of St.
John's College, shows a continuous series of benefactions to the old house.
Founded before the University existed, the brethren were occupied with
their religious duties, and with the care of the poor and sick who sought
their help. An Infirmary, part of which was adapted for worship, was built.
In the thirteenth century a chapel was added, afterwards adapted as the
College Chapel, and used as such down to 1869.
Of the domestic buildings practically nothing is known. When some years
ago trenches were dug to lay the electric cables for the lighting of the Hall,
some traces of a pavement of red tiles were found near the entrance gate of
the College.
The Hospital had the opportunity of becoming the earliest College in
Cambridge. Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely, obtained in 1280 a licence
from King Edward I. to introduce a certain number of scholars of the
University into the Hospital, to be governed according to the rules of the
scholars of Merton. The regular canons and the scholars were to form one
body and one College. The Bishop gave additional endowments to provide
for the scholars, but the scheme was a failure. Thomas Baker, the historian
of the College, suggests that "the scholars were overwise and the brethren
over good." All we do know is that both were eager to part company. The
Bishop accordingly removed the scholars in 1284 to his College of
Peterhouse, now known as the oldest College in Cambridge. His
S
t. John's College, as we know it, was founded in 1511, and opened in
1516. But at the time of its foundation it took over the buildings and
property, and many of the duties, of an earlier and then a venerable
foundation, that of the Hospital of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge.
The origin of the old house is obscure, and its earlier history lost, but it
seems to have been founded about 1135 by Henry Frost, a burgess of
Cambridge. It consisted of a small community of Augustinian canons; its
site was described about 140 years later as "a very poor and waste place of
the commonalty of Cambridge."
Whatever its early history and endowments may have been, it formed a
nucleus for further gifts; and its chartulary, still in the possession of St.
John's College, shows a continuous series of benefactions to the old house.
Founded before the University existed, the brethren were occupied with
their religious duties, and with the care of the poor and sick who sought
their help. An Infirmary, part of which was adapted for worship, was built.
In the thirteenth century a chapel was added, afterwards adapted as the
College Chapel, and used as such down to 1869.
Of the domestic buildings practically nothing is known. When some years
ago trenches were dug to lay the electric cables for the lighting of the Hall,
some traces of a pavement of red tiles were found near the entrance gate of
the College.
The Hospital had the opportunity of becoming the earliest College in
Cambridge. Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely, obtained in 1280 a licence
from King Edward I. to introduce a certain number of scholars of the
University into the Hospital, to be governed according to the rules of the
scholars of Merton. The regular canons and the scholars were to form one
body and one College. The Bishop gave additional endowments to provide
for the scholars, but the scheme was a failure. Thomas Baker, the historian
of the College, suggests that "the scholars were overwise and the brethren
over good." All we do know is that both were eager to part company. The
Bishop accordingly removed the scholars in 1284 to his College of
Peterhouse, now known as the oldest College in Cambridge. His
Page 35
endowments were transferred with the scholars, and perhaps something
besides, for shortly afterwards the brethren complained of their losses. It
was then decreed that Peterhouse should pay twenty shillings annually to
the Hospital, an acknowledgment of seniority still made by Peterhouse to
St. John's College.
For another two hundred years the Hospital went on, not however forgetting
its temporary dignity, and occasionally describing itself, in leases of its
property, as the College of St. John.
Towards the end of the fifteenth, or beginning of the sixteenth century, the
old house seems to have fallen into bad ways. The brethren were accused of
having squandered its belongings, of having granted improvident leases, of
having even sold the holy vessels of their Chapel.
At this juncture the Lady Margaret came to the rescue. She had already
founded Christ's College in Cambridge, and intended to still further endow
the wealthy Abbey of Westminster. Her religious adviser, John Fisher,
sometime Master of Michael-House and President of Queens' College in
Cambridge, then Bishop of Rochester and Chancellor of the University,
persuaded her to bestow further gifts on Cambridge, suggesting the Hospital
of St. John as the basis for the new College. The then Bishop of Ely, James
Stanley, was her stepson, and in 1507 an agreement was entered into with
him for the suppression of the Hospital and the foundation of the College,
the Lady Margaret undertaking to obtain the requisite Bull from the Pope,
and the licence of the King. Before this could be carried out King Henry
VII. died, 21st April 1509, and the Lady Margaret on the 29th June
following.
By her will she had set aside lands to the annual value of £400 for the new
College; but innumerable difficulties sprang up. King Henry VIII. was not
sympathetic; the Bishop of Ely raised difficulties; the Lady Margaret's own
household claimed part of her goods. Fisher has left a quaintly worded and
touching memorandum of the difficulties he experienced, but he never
despaired. He ultimately got the licence of the King, the requisite Papal
Bull, and the consent of the Bishop of Ely. From a letter to Fisher, still
preserved in the College, it appears that the "Brethren, late of St. John's
besides, for shortly afterwards the brethren complained of their losses. It
was then decreed that Peterhouse should pay twenty shillings annually to
the Hospital, an acknowledgment of seniority still made by Peterhouse to
St. John's College.
For another two hundred years the Hospital went on, not however forgetting
its temporary dignity, and occasionally describing itself, in leases of its
property, as the College of St. John.
Towards the end of the fifteenth, or beginning of the sixteenth century, the
old house seems to have fallen into bad ways. The brethren were accused of
having squandered its belongings, of having granted improvident leases, of
having even sold the holy vessels of their Chapel.
At this juncture the Lady Margaret came to the rescue. She had already
founded Christ's College in Cambridge, and intended to still further endow
the wealthy Abbey of Westminster. Her religious adviser, John Fisher,
sometime Master of Michael-House and President of Queens' College in
Cambridge, then Bishop of Rochester and Chancellor of the University,
persuaded her to bestow further gifts on Cambridge, suggesting the Hospital
of St. John as the basis for the new College. The then Bishop of Ely, James
Stanley, was her stepson, and in 1507 an agreement was entered into with
him for the suppression of the Hospital and the foundation of the College,
the Lady Margaret undertaking to obtain the requisite Bull from the Pope,
and the licence of the King. Before this could be carried out King Henry
VII. died, 21st April 1509, and the Lady Margaret on the 29th June
following.
By her will she had set aside lands to the annual value of £400 for the new
College; but innumerable difficulties sprang up. King Henry VIII. was not
sympathetic; the Bishop of Ely raised difficulties; the Lady Margaret's own
household claimed part of her goods. Fisher has left a quaintly worded and
touching memorandum of the difficulties he experienced, but he never
despaired. He ultimately got the licence of the King, the requisite Papal
Bull, and the consent of the Bishop of Ely. From a letter to Fisher, still
preserved in the College, it appears that the "Brethren, late of St. John's
Page 36
House, departed from Cambridge toward Ely the 12th day of March (1510-
11) at four of the clokke at afternone, by water."
All facts which have been preserved show Fisher to have been the real
moving spirit—to have been the founder in effect, if not in name, and the
College from the first has always linked his name with that of the
foundress. Of the foundress' estates only one small farm, at Fordham, in
Cambridgeshire, came to the College, and that because it was charged with
the payment of her debts. What did come was part of what would now be
called her personal estate—moneys she had out on loan, and what could be
realised from the sale of her plate and jewels, the furniture and hangings of
her various mansions. Rough priced-lists of these, probably handed over by
Fisher, are preserved in College.
One personal relic, a manuscript Book of Hours, which belonged to her,
was in 1902 presented to the Library by Dr. Alexander Peckover, Lord-
Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
THE FIRST CENTURY
1511-1612
T
he Hospital being closed, the way was cleared for the new College. The
Charter, signed by the Executors of the Lady Margaret, is dated 9th
April 1511; in this Robert Shorton is named as Master. He held office
until on 29th July 1516 the College was opened, when Alan Percy, of the
Northumberland House, succeeded. He again was succeeded in 1518 by
Nicholas Metcalfe, a member of the Metcalfe family of Nappa Hall, in
Wensleydale. Metcalfe had been Archdeacon of Rochester, and was no
doubt well known to Fisher as Bishop of that Diocese.
11) at four of the clokke at afternone, by water."
All facts which have been preserved show Fisher to have been the real
moving spirit—to have been the founder in effect, if not in name, and the
College from the first has always linked his name with that of the
foundress. Of the foundress' estates only one small farm, at Fordham, in
Cambridgeshire, came to the College, and that because it was charged with
the payment of her debts. What did come was part of what would now be
called her personal estate—moneys she had out on loan, and what could be
realised from the sale of her plate and jewels, the furniture and hangings of
her various mansions. Rough priced-lists of these, probably handed over by
Fisher, are preserved in College.
One personal relic, a manuscript Book of Hours, which belonged to her,
was in 1902 presented to the Library by Dr. Alexander Peckover, Lord-
Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
THE FIRST CENTURY
1511-1612
T
he Hospital being closed, the way was cleared for the new College. The
Charter, signed by the Executors of the Lady Margaret, is dated 9th
April 1511; in this Robert Shorton is named as Master. He held office
until on 29th July 1516 the College was opened, when Alan Percy, of the
Northumberland House, succeeded. He again was succeeded in 1518 by
Nicholas Metcalfe, a member of the Metcalfe family of Nappa Hall, in
Wensleydale. Metcalfe had been Archdeacon of Rochester, and was no
doubt well known to Fisher as Bishop of that Diocese.
Page 37
The building of the College commenced under Shorton, but was not
finished until about 1520.
It must be remembered that the College was founded before the
Reformation, and that these three Masters were priests of the Church of
Rome.
Metcalfe was more of an administrator than a student, and his energies were
chiefly devoted to the material side of the College interests. Fresh
endowments were obtained in place of those which had been lost. King
Henry VIII. was persuaded to hand over to the College the estates of three
decayed religious houses—the Maison Dieu at Ospringe, the Nunnery of
Lillechurch in Higham, both in Kent, and the Nunnery of Broomhall in
Berkshire. As these houses, as well as the Hospital, had allowed their affairs
to fall into disorder, it is probable that the identification of their lands, and
the reduction of these to effective possession, was a matter of some
difficulty. Metcalfe was much absent from College; the accounts of his
private expenditure on these journeys have survived, and letters to him from
the College during his absences show that his skill and wisdom were much
relied on.
finished until about 1520.
It must be remembered that the College was founded before the
Reformation, and that these three Masters were priests of the Church of
Rome.
Metcalfe was more of an administrator than a student, and his energies were
chiefly devoted to the material side of the College interests. Fresh
endowments were obtained in place of those which had been lost. King
Henry VIII. was persuaded to hand over to the College the estates of three
decayed religious houses—the Maison Dieu at Ospringe, the Nunnery of
Lillechurch in Higham, both in Kent, and the Nunnery of Broomhall in
Berkshire. As these houses, as well as the Hospital, had allowed their affairs
to fall into disorder, it is probable that the identification of their lands, and
the reduction of these to effective possession, was a matter of some
difficulty. Metcalfe was much absent from College; the accounts of his
private expenditure on these journeys have survived, and letters to him from
the College during his absences show that his skill and wisdom were much
relied on.
Page 38
The Old Bridge
Fisher also gave largely to the College, and through his example and
influence others were induced to endow fellowships and scholarships. He
gave three successive codes of statutes for the government of the College in
1516, 1524, and 1530. These present no novel features, being for the most
part based on existing statutes of Colleges at Oxford or Cambridge. They
are long, and, as the fashion then was, lay down many rules with regard to
minor matters. A few of the leading provisions may be given. One scholar
was to be Chapel clerk, to assist the sacrist at Mass; another was to ring the
Fisher also gave largely to the College, and through his example and
influence others were induced to endow fellowships and scholarships. He
gave three successive codes of statutes for the government of the College in
1516, 1524, and 1530. These present no novel features, being for the most
part based on existing statutes of Colleges at Oxford or Cambridge. They
are long, and, as the fashion then was, lay down many rules with regard to
minor matters. A few of the leading provisions may be given. One scholar
was to be Chapel clerk, to assist the sacrist at Mass; another was to ring the
Page 39
great bell at 4 a.m., as was done before the College was founded, and again
at 8 p.m., when the gates were closed; another was to be clock-keeper. These
three scholars were to be exempt from all other domestic duties, except that
of reading the Bible in time of plague. Seven scholars were told off to serve
as waiters in Hall, to bring in and remove the food and dishes; an eighth
was to read the Bible in Hall while the Society were at dinner. When in
honour of God, or the Saints, a fire was made up in Hall, the Fellows,
scholars, and servants might stay to amuse themselves with singing and
repeating poetry and tales. The Master, Fellows, and scholars were to wear
clerical dress; red, white, green, or parti-coloured boots were forbidden.
One-fourth part of the Fellows were always to be engaged in preaching to
the people in English; Bachelors of Divinity, preaching at Paul's Cross,
were to be allowed ten days of absence for each sermon. No arms were to
be borne, though archery was allowed as a recreation. No Fellow or scholar
was allowed to keep hounds, ferrets, hawks, or singing-birds in College.
The weekly allowance for commons was 1s. for the Master and each
Fellow, 7d. for each scholar. The President or Bursar was to receive a
stipend of 40s. a year, a Dean 26s. 8d. No one under the standing of a
Doctor of Divinity was to have a separate room; Fellows and scholars were
to sleep singly, or not more than two in a bed. Each room was to have two
beds—the higher for the Fellow, the lower or truckle-bed for the scholar;
the truckle-bed being tucked under the other during the day.
The College made an excellent start, and was soon full of earnest and
successful students. It is sufficient to mention the names of Sir John Cheke,
the famous Greek scholar; of Roger Ascham, the tutor of Queen Elizabeth;
and, in another sphere, William Cecil, first Lord Burghley, to give an idea
of the influence the College was spreading through her sons.
In all this Metcalfe had his share. He is the "Good Master of a College" in
Fuller's Holy State, where we read: "Grant that Metcalfe with Themistocles
could not fiddle, yet he could make a little city a great one." And Ascham in
The Scholemaster writes of him: "His goodnes stood not still in one or two,
but flowed aboundantlie over all that Colledge, and brake out also to
norishe good wittes in every part of that universitie; whereby at his
departing thence, he left soch a companie of fellowes and scholers in S.
Johnes Colledge as can scarce be found now in som whole universitie:
at 8 p.m., when the gates were closed; another was to be clock-keeper. These
three scholars were to be exempt from all other domestic duties, except that
of reading the Bible in time of plague. Seven scholars were told off to serve
as waiters in Hall, to bring in and remove the food and dishes; an eighth
was to read the Bible in Hall while the Society were at dinner. When in
honour of God, or the Saints, a fire was made up in Hall, the Fellows,
scholars, and servants might stay to amuse themselves with singing and
repeating poetry and tales. The Master, Fellows, and scholars were to wear
clerical dress; red, white, green, or parti-coloured boots were forbidden.
One-fourth part of the Fellows were always to be engaged in preaching to
the people in English; Bachelors of Divinity, preaching at Paul's Cross,
were to be allowed ten days of absence for each sermon. No arms were to
be borne, though archery was allowed as a recreation. No Fellow or scholar
was allowed to keep hounds, ferrets, hawks, or singing-birds in College.
The weekly allowance for commons was 1s. for the Master and each
Fellow, 7d. for each scholar. The President or Bursar was to receive a
stipend of 40s. a year, a Dean 26s. 8d. No one under the standing of a
Doctor of Divinity was to have a separate room; Fellows and scholars were
to sleep singly, or not more than two in a bed. Each room was to have two
beds—the higher for the Fellow, the lower or truckle-bed for the scholar;
the truckle-bed being tucked under the other during the day.
The College made an excellent start, and was soon full of earnest and
successful students. It is sufficient to mention the names of Sir John Cheke,
the famous Greek scholar; of Roger Ascham, the tutor of Queen Elizabeth;
and, in another sphere, William Cecil, first Lord Burghley, to give an idea
of the influence the College was spreading through her sons.
In all this Metcalfe had his share. He is the "Good Master of a College" in
Fuller's Holy State, where we read: "Grant that Metcalfe with Themistocles
could not fiddle, yet he could make a little city a great one." And Ascham in
The Scholemaster writes of him: "His goodnes stood not still in one or two,
but flowed aboundantlie over all that Colledge, and brake out also to
norishe good wittes in every part of that universitie; whereby at his
departing thence, he left soch a companie of fellowes and scholers in S.
Johnes Colledge as can scarce be found now in som whole universitie:
Page 40
which either for divinitie on the one side or other, or for civill service to
their Prince and contrie, have bene, and are yet to this day, notable
ornaments to this whole Realme. Yea S. Johnes did then so florish, as
Trinitie College, that princely house now, at the first erection was but
Colonia deducta out of S. Johnes, not onelie for their Master, fellowes and
scholers, but also, which is more, for their whole both order of learning, and
discipline of maners; and yet to this day it never tooke Master but such as
was bred up before in S. Johnes; doing the dewtie of a good colonia to her
metropolis, as the auncient cities in Greice, and some yet in Italie at this
time are accustomed to do."
But troubles were in store both for Fisher and Metcalfe. The Reformation,
the divorce of Henry VIII. from Queen Catherine, the Act of Succession,
and the sovereign's views on the royal supremacy, were the stumbling-
blocks. Fisher went to the Tower, and on 22nd June 1535, to the scaffold;
Metcalfe was compelled to resign in 1537.
Fisher had by deed of gift presented his library to the College, but retained
its use for his lifetime—the greatest loan of books on record, as has been
said. This magnificent collection was now lost, a loss more lamentable than
that of the foundress' estates. Endowments might be replaced, but "the
notablest library of bookes in all England" was gone for ever. It is to the
credit of the Fellows of the College that, no doubt at some risk to
themselves, they stood by Fisher. They visited him in his prison, and in a
nobly worded letter stated that as they owed everything to his bounty, so
they offered themselves and all they were masters of to his service.
In 1545 King Henry VIII. gave new statutes to the College, adapted to the
reformed religion; but all mention of Fisher and his endowments is cut out;
the College even had to pay 3d. for removing his armorial bearings from the
Chapel.
During the reign of King Edward VI. the outspoken and eloquent Thomas
Leaver was Master; on the accession of Queen Mary he, with many of the
Fellows, had to fly to Switzerland. In Ascham's words: "mo perfite scholers
were dispersed from thence in one moneth, than many years can reare up
againe."
their Prince and contrie, have bene, and are yet to this day, notable
ornaments to this whole Realme. Yea S. Johnes did then so florish, as
Trinitie College, that princely house now, at the first erection was but
Colonia deducta out of S. Johnes, not onelie for their Master, fellowes and
scholers, but also, which is more, for their whole both order of learning, and
discipline of maners; and yet to this day it never tooke Master but such as
was bred up before in S. Johnes; doing the dewtie of a good colonia to her
metropolis, as the auncient cities in Greice, and some yet in Italie at this
time are accustomed to do."
But troubles were in store both for Fisher and Metcalfe. The Reformation,
the divorce of Henry VIII. from Queen Catherine, the Act of Succession,
and the sovereign's views on the royal supremacy, were the stumbling-
blocks. Fisher went to the Tower, and on 22nd June 1535, to the scaffold;
Metcalfe was compelled to resign in 1537.
Fisher had by deed of gift presented his library to the College, but retained
its use for his lifetime—the greatest loan of books on record, as has been
said. This magnificent collection was now lost, a loss more lamentable than
that of the foundress' estates. Endowments might be replaced, but "the
notablest library of bookes in all England" was gone for ever. It is to the
credit of the Fellows of the College that, no doubt at some risk to
themselves, they stood by Fisher. They visited him in his prison, and in a
nobly worded letter stated that as they owed everything to his bounty, so
they offered themselves and all they were masters of to his service.
In 1545 King Henry VIII. gave new statutes to the College, adapted to the
reformed religion; but all mention of Fisher and his endowments is cut out;
the College even had to pay 3d. for removing his armorial bearings from the
Chapel.
During the reign of King Edward VI. the outspoken and eloquent Thomas
Leaver was Master; on the accession of Queen Mary he, with many of the
Fellows, had to fly to Switzerland. In Ascham's words: "mo perfite scholers
were dispersed from thence in one moneth, than many years can reare up
againe."
Page 41
The reign of Queen Mary did not extend over much more than five years,
but while it lasted a resolute and unflinching effort was made to re-establish
the Roman Catholic faith.
The accession of Queen Elizabeth resulted in an equally rapid and
fundamental revolution of opinion on the most vital points which can
interest mankind. A few selected extracts from the College Account Books
for this period bring before us, with almost dramatic effect, the changes
which occurred. (Queen Mary succeeded in 1553, Queen Elizabeth on 17th
November 1558.)
"1555, To the joyner for setting up the rood, 2d.; A new graell printed in
parchment 40s.;—1556, In Spanish money given to the goldsmyth by Mr
Willan to make a pixe to the highe Aultar, 24s. 11d.; A redde purple velvet
cope, with the border of imagrie, having the assumption of our Ladie
behinde and three little angels about her and the greater being full of floure
de luces, 46s. 8d.;—1557, To William Allom for two antiphoners, one
masse book and hymnal and processioners, £6 13s. 4d."
"1558, To John Waller and his man for a dayes working pulling down the
hye Altar and carrying it away 20d.; For pulling down the aulter in Mr
Ashton's Chapel 6d.; 1563, Received for certain old Albes and other
popishe Trashe, sold out of the Revystry the last yere, 26s. 10d.; Paid to Mr
Baxter for ten Geneva psalters and six service psalters, bought at Christmas
last, 22s."
This last entry gives us the key to the troubles at St. John's; the Marian
exiles had returned with strong Calvinistic leanings. The unrest was, of
course, not confined to St. John's, but was general throughout the
University. But for the greater part of the reign of Elizabeth there was a
strong leaning toward Puritanism in the College. There was a rapid
succession of Masters, most of whom were thrust on the College by Court
influence; and about this time the Fellows of St. John's acquired the
reputation of being "cunning practitioners" in the art of getting rid of
unpopular Masters.
Queen Elizabeth visited Cambridge in August 1564, and was received with
all honour. She rode into the Hall of St. John's on her palfrey and listened to
a speech from Mr. Humphrey Bohun, one of the Fellows, in which for the
but while it lasted a resolute and unflinching effort was made to re-establish
the Roman Catholic faith.
The accession of Queen Elizabeth resulted in an equally rapid and
fundamental revolution of opinion on the most vital points which can
interest mankind. A few selected extracts from the College Account Books
for this period bring before us, with almost dramatic effect, the changes
which occurred. (Queen Mary succeeded in 1553, Queen Elizabeth on 17th
November 1558.)
"1555, To the joyner for setting up the rood, 2d.; A new graell printed in
parchment 40s.;—1556, In Spanish money given to the goldsmyth by Mr
Willan to make a pixe to the highe Aultar, 24s. 11d.; A redde purple velvet
cope, with the border of imagrie, having the assumption of our Ladie
behinde and three little angels about her and the greater being full of floure
de luces, 46s. 8d.;—1557, To William Allom for two antiphoners, one
masse book and hymnal and processioners, £6 13s. 4d."
"1558, To John Waller and his man for a dayes working pulling down the
hye Altar and carrying it away 20d.; For pulling down the aulter in Mr
Ashton's Chapel 6d.; 1563, Received for certain old Albes and other
popishe Trashe, sold out of the Revystry the last yere, 26s. 10d.; Paid to Mr
Baxter for ten Geneva psalters and six service psalters, bought at Christmas
last, 22s."
This last entry gives us the key to the troubles at St. John's; the Marian
exiles had returned with strong Calvinistic leanings. The unrest was, of
course, not confined to St. John's, but was general throughout the
University. But for the greater part of the reign of Elizabeth there was a
strong leaning toward Puritanism in the College. There was a rapid
succession of Masters, most of whom were thrust on the College by Court
influence; and about this time the Fellows of St. John's acquired the
reputation of being "cunning practitioners" in the art of getting rid of
unpopular Masters.
Queen Elizabeth visited Cambridge in August 1564, and was received with
all honour. She rode into the Hall of St. John's on her palfrey and listened to
a speech from Mr. Humphrey Bohun, one of the Fellows, in which for the
Page 42
last time the restitution of the Lady Margaret's estates was hinted at, without
result.
Richard Longworth, a man of Presbyterian sympathies, was at this time
Master. In 1565 he, with the Fellows and scholars, appeared in Chapel
without the surplice. Lord Burghley, as Chancellor of the University, wrote
a sharply worded letter to Longworth, expressing his grief that such a thing
should happen in "my dear College of St. John's"; adding, "truly no mishap
in all my service did ever plunge me more grievously."
Fortunately affairs were in strong and capable hands. With the authority and
in the name of Queen Elizabeth, Whitgift, at this time Master of Trinity,
afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cecil provided new statutes for
the University in 1570, and for St. John's in 1580. By these much more
power was put in the hands of the Master, and government rendered easier
to a resolute man.
Matters improved, if not at once, at least gradually, and the Anglican rule
became firmly established. But during the mastership of William Whitaker
(1586-1595) we still hear of troubles with "Papists." Whitaker was a learned
scholar and an acute theologian, but he does not seem to have been a ruler
of men or a judge of character. He got involved in an unfortunate dispute
with Everard Digby, one of the Fellows, a man of considerable literary
reputation, but of a turbulent disposition. Whitaker, who clearly wanted to
get rid of Digby, seized upon the pretext that his bill for a month's
commons, amounting to 8s. 7¼d., was left unpaid, and deprived Digby of
his fellowship. An appeal was lodged with Whitgift and Cecil, who ordered
Whitaker to reinstate Digby. Whitaker replied that Digby was a Papist, was
wont to blow a horn in the Courts and to holloa after it, and that he had
threatened to put the President in the stocks! He seems to have succeeded in
getting rid of Digby for good.
On the death of Whitaker in 1595, Richard Clayton became Master. If not a
brilliant scholar, he commanded respect, and the tenor of many letters
which have come down from that time shows that the Fellows in residence
were on good terms with each other, and with those of the Society who had
gone out into the world. The College was prosperous, and the building of
the Second Court was the visible sign of returned efficiency. Clayton lived
result.
Richard Longworth, a man of Presbyterian sympathies, was at this time
Master. In 1565 he, with the Fellows and scholars, appeared in Chapel
without the surplice. Lord Burghley, as Chancellor of the University, wrote
a sharply worded letter to Longworth, expressing his grief that such a thing
should happen in "my dear College of St. John's"; adding, "truly no mishap
in all my service did ever plunge me more grievously."
Fortunately affairs were in strong and capable hands. With the authority and
in the name of Queen Elizabeth, Whitgift, at this time Master of Trinity,
afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cecil provided new statutes for
the University in 1570, and for St. John's in 1580. By these much more
power was put in the hands of the Master, and government rendered easier
to a resolute man.
Matters improved, if not at once, at least gradually, and the Anglican rule
became firmly established. But during the mastership of William Whitaker
(1586-1595) we still hear of troubles with "Papists." Whitaker was a learned
scholar and an acute theologian, but he does not seem to have been a ruler
of men or a judge of character. He got involved in an unfortunate dispute
with Everard Digby, one of the Fellows, a man of considerable literary
reputation, but of a turbulent disposition. Whitaker, who clearly wanted to
get rid of Digby, seized upon the pretext that his bill for a month's
commons, amounting to 8s. 7¼d., was left unpaid, and deprived Digby of
his fellowship. An appeal was lodged with Whitgift and Cecil, who ordered
Whitaker to reinstate Digby. Whitaker replied that Digby was a Papist, was
wont to blow a horn in the Courts and to holloa after it, and that he had
threatened to put the President in the stocks! He seems to have succeeded in
getting rid of Digby for good.
On the death of Whitaker in 1595, Richard Clayton became Master. If not a
brilliant scholar, he commanded respect, and the tenor of many letters
which have come down from that time shows that the Fellows in residence
were on good terms with each other, and with those of the Society who had
gone out into the world. The College was prosperous, and the building of
the Second Court was the visible sign of returned efficiency. Clayton lived
Page 43
on into the reign of King James I., dying 2nd May 1612; besides being
Master of St. John's, he was also Dean of Peterborough and a Prebendary of
Lincoln.
During this period the College enjoyed a considerable reputation as a
training ground for medical men. Thomas Linacre, physician to Henry
VIII., founded in 1534 a medical lectureship in the College, endowing it
with some property in London. The stipend of the lecturer was to be £12 a
year, no mean sum in these days—being, in fact, the same as the statutable
stipend of the Master. In the Elizabethan statutes special and detailed
provisions are made for the continuance of the lectureship. These lay down
that the lecturer must be versed in the works of Aristotle, and that he should
lecture on the works of Galen, which Linacre had translated. The effect of
the foundation was to attract a number of medical students to the College,
many of whom seem to have obtained fellowships, for we find the Fellows
petitioning Queen Elizabeth, while her code of statutes was under
consideration, that Divines should be preferred to Physicians in the election
of Senior Fellows; otherwise, they submitted, an undue proportion of
Physicians would get on the seniority and rule the College. Further, they
asked that the medical Fellows, as some return for their privileges, should
attend on poor students free of charge. That the College school of medicine
was a noted one is confirmed by the fact that three successive Presidents of
the Royal College of Physicians were Fellows of St. John's: Richard Smith
(1585-1589), William Baronsdale (1589-1600), and William Gilbert (1600-
1601). Smith and Gilbert were physicians to Queen Elizabeth; Baronsdale
and Gilbert had been Senior Bursars of the College. Of these Gilbert is the
most celebrated; his treatise, De Magnete, is a scientific classic. Galileo
spoke of Gilbert as "great to a degree which might be envied." Francis
Bacon mentions the book with applause, and Hallam describes Gilbert as
"at once the father of experimental philosophy in this island, and by a
singular felicity and acuteness of genius, the founder of theories which have
been revived after the lapse of ages, and are almost universally received
into the creed of science." Gilbert, who always signs his name Gilberd or
Gylberd in the College books, was Senior Bursar of the College in 1569,
and President in the succeeding year.
Amongst others who have held the Linacre lectureship, and attained to
scientific distinction, was Henry Briggs, who was appointed lecturer in
Master of St. John's, he was also Dean of Peterborough and a Prebendary of
Lincoln.
During this period the College enjoyed a considerable reputation as a
training ground for medical men. Thomas Linacre, physician to Henry
VIII., founded in 1534 a medical lectureship in the College, endowing it
with some property in London. The stipend of the lecturer was to be £12 a
year, no mean sum in these days—being, in fact, the same as the statutable
stipend of the Master. In the Elizabethan statutes special and detailed
provisions are made for the continuance of the lectureship. These lay down
that the lecturer must be versed in the works of Aristotle, and that he should
lecture on the works of Galen, which Linacre had translated. The effect of
the foundation was to attract a number of medical students to the College,
many of whom seem to have obtained fellowships, for we find the Fellows
petitioning Queen Elizabeth, while her code of statutes was under
consideration, that Divines should be preferred to Physicians in the election
of Senior Fellows; otherwise, they submitted, an undue proportion of
Physicians would get on the seniority and rule the College. Further, they
asked that the medical Fellows, as some return for their privileges, should
attend on poor students free of charge. That the College school of medicine
was a noted one is confirmed by the fact that three successive Presidents of
the Royal College of Physicians were Fellows of St. John's: Richard Smith
(1585-1589), William Baronsdale (1589-1600), and William Gilbert (1600-
1601). Smith and Gilbert were physicians to Queen Elizabeth; Baronsdale
and Gilbert had been Senior Bursars of the College. Of these Gilbert is the
most celebrated; his treatise, De Magnete, is a scientific classic. Galileo
spoke of Gilbert as "great to a degree which might be envied." Francis
Bacon mentions the book with applause, and Hallam describes Gilbert as
"at once the father of experimental philosophy in this island, and by a
singular felicity and acuteness of genius, the founder of theories which have
been revived after the lapse of ages, and are almost universally received
into the creed of science." Gilbert, who always signs his name Gilberd or
Gylberd in the College books, was Senior Bursar of the College in 1569,
and President in the succeeding year.
Amongst others who have held the Linacre lectureship, and attained to
scientific distinction, was Henry Briggs, who was appointed lecturer in
Page 44
1592. He afterwards became Gresham Professor of Geometry and Savilian
Professor at Oxford. He took up Napier's discovery of logarithms; the idea
of tables of logarithms having 10 for their base, and the calculation of the
first table of the kind, is due to him.
THE SECOND CENTURY
1612-1716
T
he second century of the College history opened quietly. Owen Gwyn
was elected Master by the choice of the Fellows; John Williams, then a
Fellow, afterwards Lord Keeper, Dean of Westminster, Bishop of
Lincoln, and Archbishop of York, exerting himself on Gwyn's behalf. It
appears that Williams in after years repented of the choice, and Thomas
Baker, the historian of the College, speaks slightingly of Gwyn. Still, under
his rule the College flourished, and Williams himself marked the period by
providing the greater part of the funds for the new Library.
King James I. and Prince Charles (afterwards Charles I.) frequently visited
the University; James holding his Court at Trinity, but being entertained at
St. John's. On one of these occasions, comparing the great Court of Trinity
with the two then existing Courts of St. John's, he is said to have remarked
that there was no greater difference between the two Societies than between
a shilling and two sixpences.
Professor at Oxford. He took up Napier's discovery of logarithms; the idea
of tables of logarithms having 10 for their base, and the calculation of the
first table of the kind, is due to him.
THE SECOND CENTURY
1612-1716
T
he second century of the College history opened quietly. Owen Gwyn
was elected Master by the choice of the Fellows; John Williams, then a
Fellow, afterwards Lord Keeper, Dean of Westminster, Bishop of
Lincoln, and Archbishop of York, exerting himself on Gwyn's behalf. It
appears that Williams in after years repented of the choice, and Thomas
Baker, the historian of the College, speaks slightingly of Gwyn. Still, under
his rule the College flourished, and Williams himself marked the period by
providing the greater part of the funds for the new Library.
King James I. and Prince Charles (afterwards Charles I.) frequently visited
the University; James holding his Court at Trinity, but being entertained at
St. John's. On one of these occasions, comparing the great Court of Trinity
with the two then existing Courts of St. John's, he is said to have remarked
that there was no greater difference between the two Societies than between
a shilling and two sixpences.
Page 45
With the advent of the Stuart kings the practice arose of sending mandatory
letters to Colleges, directing the election of named persons to fellowships.
In theory it may have been correct enough; the statutes as enacted by Queen
Elizabeth reserved to herself and her successors the power of rescinding or
altering them. To direct that the statutory provisions as to elections should
be dispensed with in favour of an individual was thus within the sovereign's
power, however inconvenient it might prove in practice. One of the special
letters to Colleges, directing the election of named persons to fellowships.
In theory it may have been correct enough; the statutes as enacted by Queen
Elizabeth reserved to herself and her successors the power of rescinding or
altering them. To direct that the statutory provisions as to elections should
be dispensed with in favour of an individual was thus within the sovereign's
power, however inconvenient it might prove in practice. One of the special
Page 46
grievances at St. John's was that King James directed the College to elect a
Scotchman, George Seaton, M.A., to a fellowship, though there was none
then actually vacant. The College obeyed, informing his Majesty that they
had made their statutes wink to fulfil his bidding, and maintained an extra
Fellow for a time. The practice was, however, followed by others; and
Gwyn seems to have been deluged with letters from persons in high places,
begging for his favour at elections. At some Colleges the device of "pre-
elections" seems to have been resorted to; a promising man being elected to
the next fellowship which should be vacant. Thus, when the vacancy
became known, the College could, with a clear conscience, say that it had
been already filled up; there is, however, no trace of this practice at St.
John's.
On Gwyn's death in 1633 there was a disputed election to the mastership,
which Charles I. settled by nominating William Beale. Beale was originally
a Trinity man, but had been for about a year Master of Jesus. He was a
supporter of Laud; he embellished the Chapel, and introduced a more ornate
ritual; under his influence St. John's seems to have been the only College at
Cambridge which fully complied with Laud's instructions. Thus when the
Puritans got the upper hand, Beale and his College were the subject of their
displeasure.
In 1642 King Charles applied to the University for supplies. The
contribution of St. John's was £150 in money and 2065 ounces "grocers
weight" of silver plate. The list of the pieces of plate and of the donors'
names is but melancholy reading; suffice it to say that among those sent
were pieces bearing the names of Thomas Wentworth, Lord Strafford, and
of Thomas Fairfax. The fact that this plate actually reached the King did not
endear the College to the parliamentary party. Oliver Cromwell surrounded
the College, took Dr. Beale a prisoner, and, to equalise matters, confiscated
the communion plate and other valuables.
Beale, after some imprisonment and wandering, escaped from England and
became chaplain to Lord Cottington and Sir Edward Hyde (afterwards Lord
Clarendon) in their embassy to Spain; he died at Madrid, and was there
secretly buried. A number of the Fellows were also ejected, and for some
time the College was used as a prison. The Chapel was stripped of the
obnoxious ornaments, and other damage done. A little bundle of papers
Scotchman, George Seaton, M.A., to a fellowship, though there was none
then actually vacant. The College obeyed, informing his Majesty that they
had made their statutes wink to fulfil his bidding, and maintained an extra
Fellow for a time. The practice was, however, followed by others; and
Gwyn seems to have been deluged with letters from persons in high places,
begging for his favour at elections. At some Colleges the device of "pre-
elections" seems to have been resorted to; a promising man being elected to
the next fellowship which should be vacant. Thus, when the vacancy
became known, the College could, with a clear conscience, say that it had
been already filled up; there is, however, no trace of this practice at St.
John's.
On Gwyn's death in 1633 there was a disputed election to the mastership,
which Charles I. settled by nominating William Beale. Beale was originally
a Trinity man, but had been for about a year Master of Jesus. He was a
supporter of Laud; he embellished the Chapel, and introduced a more ornate
ritual; under his influence St. John's seems to have been the only College at
Cambridge which fully complied with Laud's instructions. Thus when the
Puritans got the upper hand, Beale and his College were the subject of their
displeasure.
In 1642 King Charles applied to the University for supplies. The
contribution of St. John's was £150 in money and 2065 ounces "grocers
weight" of silver plate. The list of the pieces of plate and of the donors'
names is but melancholy reading; suffice it to say that among those sent
were pieces bearing the names of Thomas Wentworth, Lord Strafford, and
of Thomas Fairfax. The fact that this plate actually reached the King did not
endear the College to the parliamentary party. Oliver Cromwell surrounded
the College, took Dr. Beale a prisoner, and, to equalise matters, confiscated
the communion plate and other valuables.
Beale, after some imprisonment and wandering, escaped from England and
became chaplain to Lord Cottington and Sir Edward Hyde (afterwards Lord
Clarendon) in their embassy to Spain; he died at Madrid, and was there
secretly buried. A number of the Fellows were also ejected, and for some
time the College was used as a prison. The Chapel was stripped of the
obnoxious ornaments, and other damage done. A little bundle of papers
Page 47
labelled "Receipts for Army taxes during the Commonwealth" still reposes,
as a memento of these days, in the Muniment Room.
St. John's, which dabbled in Presbyterian doctrines during the days of
Elizabeth, now had these imposed upon it by superior authority. The two
Commonwealth Masters, John Arrowsmith (1644-1653) and Anthony
Tuckney (1653-1661), were able men of Puritan austerity, the rule of the
latter being the more strict; judging from the after careers of its members,
the College was certainly capably directed. A well-authenticated College
tradition relates that when, at an election, the President called upon the
Master to have regard to the "godly," Tuckney replied that no one showed
greater regard for the truly godly than himself, but that he was determined
to choose none but scholars; adding, with practical wisdom, "They may
deceive me in their godliness; they cannot in their scholarship."
On the Restoration, Dr. Peter Gunning, afterwards Bishop of Ely, was made
Master; and the Earl of Manchester, who, as an officer of the Parliament,
was the means of ejecting many of the Fellows, now directed that some of
them should be restored to their places. An interesting College custom dates
from this period: on the 29th of May in each year the College butler
decorates the Hall and Kitchen with fresh oak boughs; there is no order to
that effect, but—"it has always been done."
as a memento of these days, in the Muniment Room.
St. John's, which dabbled in Presbyterian doctrines during the days of
Elizabeth, now had these imposed upon it by superior authority. The two
Commonwealth Masters, John Arrowsmith (1644-1653) and Anthony
Tuckney (1653-1661), were able men of Puritan austerity, the rule of the
latter being the more strict; judging from the after careers of its members,
the College was certainly capably directed. A well-authenticated College
tradition relates that when, at an election, the President called upon the
Master to have regard to the "godly," Tuckney replied that no one showed
greater regard for the truly godly than himself, but that he was determined
to choose none but scholars; adding, with practical wisdom, "They may
deceive me in their godliness; they cannot in their scholarship."
On the Restoration, Dr. Peter Gunning, afterwards Bishop of Ely, was made
Master; and the Earl of Manchester, who, as an officer of the Parliament,
was the means of ejecting many of the Fellows, now directed that some of
them should be restored to their places. An interesting College custom dates
from this period: on the 29th of May in each year the College butler
decorates the Hall and Kitchen with fresh oak boughs; there is no order to
that effect, but—"it has always been done."
Page 48
The College Arms
The rest of this century of the College existence, with the exception of one
exciting event, passed quietly enough. Such troubles as there were in
College were but eddies of the storms in the world outside. Of the "seven
Bishops" sent to the Tower by King James II. in 1688, three were of St.
John's: Francis Turner, Bishop of Ely (who had been Master of the College
from 1670 to 1679); John Lake, Bishop of Chichester; and Thomas White,
Bishop of Peterborough.
The event of College interest was the fate of the nonjuring Fellows. The
Nonjurors were those who, on various grounds, honourable enough,
declined to take the oath of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary.
Under the law they were liable to be deprived of their places and
emoluments. At St. John's twenty Fellows and eight scholars took up the
nonjuring position. In the rest of the University there were but fourteen in
all, and the same number at the University of Oxford. No explanation seems
to be forthcoming as to why there was this preponderance of opinion at St.
The rest of this century of the College existence, with the exception of one
exciting event, passed quietly enough. Such troubles as there were in
College were but eddies of the storms in the world outside. Of the "seven
Bishops" sent to the Tower by King James II. in 1688, three were of St.
John's: Francis Turner, Bishop of Ely (who had been Master of the College
from 1670 to 1679); John Lake, Bishop of Chichester; and Thomas White,
Bishop of Peterborough.
The event of College interest was the fate of the nonjuring Fellows. The
Nonjurors were those who, on various grounds, honourable enough,
declined to take the oath of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary.
Under the law they were liable to be deprived of their places and
emoluments. At St. John's twenty Fellows and eight scholars took up the
nonjuring position. In the rest of the University there were but fourteen in
all, and the same number at the University of Oxford. No explanation seems
to be forthcoming as to why there was this preponderance of opinion at St.
Page 49
John's. It is difficult to believe that it was enthusiasm for the cause of James
II.; for when in 1687 that King directed the University to admit Father
Alban Francis, a Benedictine monk, to the degree of M.A. without making
the subscription or taking the oaths required for a degree, Thomas Smoult
and John Billers, members of the College (the latter afterwards a Nonjuror),
maintained the right of the University to refuse the degree before the
notorious Judge Jeffreys, after the Vice-Chancellor and Isaac Newton had
been silenced.
Humphrey Gower was at this time Master of the College; he was of Puritan
origin, and entered the College during the Commonwealth. After the
Restoration he joined the Church of England, and though his sympathies
were with the Nonjurors, he took the oaths and retained his mastership after
the flight of King James. He had been for less than six months Master of
Jesus before becoming Master of St. John's. Abraham de la Pryme, a
member of St. John's, has handed down an irreverent jest on his
appointment. "Our master, they say, is a mighty, high, proud man.... He
came from Jesus College to be master here, and he was so sevear that he
was commonly called the divel of Jesus; and when he was made master
here some unlucky scholars broke this jest upon him—that now the divel
was entered into the heard of swine; for us Johnians are abusively called
hoggs."
In 1693 the Court of King's Bench issued a mandamus calling upon Gower
to remove those Fellows who had not taken the oath. Defence upon the
merits of the case there was none; but Gower or his legal advisers opposed
the mandate with great skill on technical points, and after much litigation
the Court had to admit that its procedure was irregular, and the matter
dropped for some twenty-four years. During this period some of the
Fellows in question died, others ceded their fellowships owing to the
combined action of the general law and the College statutes. Under the
latter Fellows were bound, when of proper standing, to proceed to the B.D.
degree, but the oath of allegiance was required of those who took the
degree, and so fellowships were forfeited. Thomas Baker, the historian, who
was one of the Nonjurors, had taken the B.D. degree before 1688, so this
cause did not operate in his case. But on the accession of King George I., an
abjuration oath was required, and the meshes of the net being now smaller,
the then Master, Dr. Jenkin, had no other course but to eject Baker and
II.; for when in 1687 that King directed the University to admit Father
Alban Francis, a Benedictine monk, to the degree of M.A. without making
the subscription or taking the oaths required for a degree, Thomas Smoult
and John Billers, members of the College (the latter afterwards a Nonjuror),
maintained the right of the University to refuse the degree before the
notorious Judge Jeffreys, after the Vice-Chancellor and Isaac Newton had
been silenced.
Humphrey Gower was at this time Master of the College; he was of Puritan
origin, and entered the College during the Commonwealth. After the
Restoration he joined the Church of England, and though his sympathies
were with the Nonjurors, he took the oaths and retained his mastership after
the flight of King James. He had been for less than six months Master of
Jesus before becoming Master of St. John's. Abraham de la Pryme, a
member of St. John's, has handed down an irreverent jest on his
appointment. "Our master, they say, is a mighty, high, proud man.... He
came from Jesus College to be master here, and he was so sevear that he
was commonly called the divel of Jesus; and when he was made master
here some unlucky scholars broke this jest upon him—that now the divel
was entered into the heard of swine; for us Johnians are abusively called
hoggs."
In 1693 the Court of King's Bench issued a mandamus calling upon Gower
to remove those Fellows who had not taken the oath. Defence upon the
merits of the case there was none; but Gower or his legal advisers opposed
the mandate with great skill on technical points, and after much litigation
the Court had to admit that its procedure was irregular, and the matter
dropped for some twenty-four years. During this period some of the
Fellows in question died, others ceded their fellowships owing to the
combined action of the general law and the College statutes. Under the
latter Fellows were bound, when of proper standing, to proceed to the B.D.
degree, but the oath of allegiance was required of those who took the
degree, and so fellowships were forfeited. Thomas Baker, the historian, who
was one of the Nonjurors, had taken the B.D. degree before 1688, so this
cause did not operate in his case. But on the accession of King George I., an
abjuration oath was required, and the meshes of the net being now smaller,
the then Master, Dr. Jenkin, had no other course but to eject Baker and
Page 50
others. The College did all it could to soften the blow, and allowed Baker to
reside in College until his death in 1740. He worked unweariedly at his
manuscript collections and at the history of the College. The latter was first
published in 1869, under the editorship of Professor John E. B. Mayor; with
the editor's additions it forms a record of a College such as almost no other
foundation can show. Baker's learning and accuracy are undoubted; but it
may be permitted (even to a member of his College) to hint that Baker's
judgments are a little severe, and his views somewhat narrow.
One notable improvement in the College records dates from this century. In
early days no record was made of the names of those who joined the
College. The statutes of King Henry VIII. enjoined that a register should be
kept of all those admitted to scholarships and fellowships or College
offices. This was begun in 1545, and has been continued to the present time.
The entries of scholars and Fellows are in the autograph of those admitted,
and if they possessed no other interest, have that of providing numerous
examples of contemporary handwriting. But of those not admitted on the
foundation, or of those admitted prior to 1545, there is no official College
record.
Dr. Owen Gwyn and the seniors of his day passed a rule that "the register of
the College should have a book provided him wherein he should from time
to time write and register the names, parents, county, school, age, and tutor
of every one to be admitted to the College." This was commenced in
January 1629-30, and has been continued, with varying care and exactness,
ever since. It seems probable that the initiative in this matter was due to
Gwyn, as few Masters have so carefully preserved their official
correspondence.
Just before this general register commenced, three notable men joined the
College: Thomas Wentworth, afterwards Earl of Strafford; Thomas Fairfax,
afterwards Lord Fairfax, the victor at Naseby; and Lucius Cary, Viscount
Falkland, who fell in Newbury fight in September 1643. Complimentary
letters to the first and last of these, with the replies, have been preserved.
Falkland, in his reply, complains that of the titles given to him by the
College "that which I shold most willingly have acknowledged and mought
with most justice clayme you were not pleased to vouchsafe me, that of a
St. John's man."
reside in College until his death in 1740. He worked unweariedly at his
manuscript collections and at the history of the College. The latter was first
published in 1869, under the editorship of Professor John E. B. Mayor; with
the editor's additions it forms a record of a College such as almost no other
foundation can show. Baker's learning and accuracy are undoubted; but it
may be permitted (even to a member of his College) to hint that Baker's
judgments are a little severe, and his views somewhat narrow.
One notable improvement in the College records dates from this century. In
early days no record was made of the names of those who joined the
College. The statutes of King Henry VIII. enjoined that a register should be
kept of all those admitted to scholarships and fellowships or College
offices. This was begun in 1545, and has been continued to the present time.
The entries of scholars and Fellows are in the autograph of those admitted,
and if they possessed no other interest, have that of providing numerous
examples of contemporary handwriting. But of those not admitted on the
foundation, or of those admitted prior to 1545, there is no official College
record.
Dr. Owen Gwyn and the seniors of his day passed a rule that "the register of
the College should have a book provided him wherein he should from time
to time write and register the names, parents, county, school, age, and tutor
of every one to be admitted to the College." This was commenced in
January 1629-30, and has been continued, with varying care and exactness,
ever since. It seems probable that the initiative in this matter was due to
Gwyn, as few Masters have so carefully preserved their official
correspondence.
Just before this general register commenced, three notable men joined the
College: Thomas Wentworth, afterwards Earl of Strafford; Thomas Fairfax,
afterwards Lord Fairfax, the victor at Naseby; and Lucius Cary, Viscount
Falkland, who fell in Newbury fight in September 1643. Complimentary
letters to the first and last of these, with the replies, have been preserved.
Falkland, in his reply, complains that of the titles given to him by the
College "that which I shold most willingly have acknowledged and mought
with most justice clayme you were not pleased to vouchsafe me, that of a
St. John's man."
Page 51
Of others who entered we may name: Sir Ingram Hopton, son of Ralph, first
Baron Hopton, who entered as a Fellow Commoner 12th May 1631. Sir
Ingram fell at the battle of Winceby, 11th October 1643. He there unhorsed
Oliver Cromwell in a charge, and knocked him down again as he rose, but
was himself killed.
Titus Oates, "the infamous," first entered at Caius 29th June 1667,
migrating to St. John's, where he entered 2nd February 1668-69. Thomas
Baker for once abandons his decorous reticence and states of Oates: "He
was a lyar from the beginning, he stole and cheated his taylor of a gown,
which he denied with horrid imprecations, and afterwards at a communion,
being admonisht and advised by his Tutor, confest the fact."
Matthew Prior, the poet, was both scholar and Fellow of the College,
holding his fellowship until his death. Robert Herrick, though he graduated
at Trinity Hall, was sometime a Fellow Commoner here. Thomas Forster of
Adderstone, general to the "Old Pretender," and commander of the Jacobite
army in 1715, entered the College as a Fellow Commoner 3rd July 1700.
Brook Taylor, well known to mathematicians as the discoverer of "Taylor's
theorem," entered as a Fellow Commoner 3rd April 1701. While David
Mossom of Greenwich, who entered the College as a sizar 5th June 1705,
after being ordained, emigrated to America, and became rector of St. Peter's
Church, New Kent County, Virginia. He was the officiating clergyman at
the marriage of George Washington in St. Peter's Church.
We get an amusing glimpse of the importance of the Master of a College in
the following anecdote: "In the year 1712 my old friend, Matthew Prior,
who was then Fellow of St. John's, and who not long before had been
employed by the Queen as her Plenipotentiary at the Court of France, came
to Cambridge; and the next morning paid a visit to the Master of his own
College. The Master (Dr. Jenkin) loved Mr. Prior's principles, had a great
opinion of his abilities, and a respect for his character in the world; but then
he had much greater respect for himself. He knew his own dignity too well
to suffer a Fellow of his College to sit down in his presence. He kept his
seat himself, and let the Queen's Ambassador stand. Such was the temper,
not of a Vice-Chancellor, but of a simple Master of a College. I remember,
by the way, an extempore epigram of Matt's on the reception he had there
met with. We did not reckon in those days that he had a very happy turn for
Baron Hopton, who entered as a Fellow Commoner 12th May 1631. Sir
Ingram fell at the battle of Winceby, 11th October 1643. He there unhorsed
Oliver Cromwell in a charge, and knocked him down again as he rose, but
was himself killed.
Titus Oates, "the infamous," first entered at Caius 29th June 1667,
migrating to St. John's, where he entered 2nd February 1668-69. Thomas
Baker for once abandons his decorous reticence and states of Oates: "He
was a lyar from the beginning, he stole and cheated his taylor of a gown,
which he denied with horrid imprecations, and afterwards at a communion,
being admonisht and advised by his Tutor, confest the fact."
Matthew Prior, the poet, was both scholar and Fellow of the College,
holding his fellowship until his death. Robert Herrick, though he graduated
at Trinity Hall, was sometime a Fellow Commoner here. Thomas Forster of
Adderstone, general to the "Old Pretender," and commander of the Jacobite
army in 1715, entered the College as a Fellow Commoner 3rd July 1700.
Brook Taylor, well known to mathematicians as the discoverer of "Taylor's
theorem," entered as a Fellow Commoner 3rd April 1701. While David
Mossom of Greenwich, who entered the College as a sizar 5th June 1705,
after being ordained, emigrated to America, and became rector of St. Peter's
Church, New Kent County, Virginia. He was the officiating clergyman at
the marriage of George Washington in St. Peter's Church.
We get an amusing glimpse of the importance of the Master of a College in
the following anecdote: "In the year 1712 my old friend, Matthew Prior,
who was then Fellow of St. John's, and who not long before had been
employed by the Queen as her Plenipotentiary at the Court of France, came
to Cambridge; and the next morning paid a visit to the Master of his own
College. The Master (Dr. Jenkin) loved Mr. Prior's principles, had a great
opinion of his abilities, and a respect for his character in the world; but then
he had much greater respect for himself. He knew his own dignity too well
to suffer a Fellow of his College to sit down in his presence. He kept his
seat himself, and let the Queen's Ambassador stand. Such was the temper,
not of a Vice-Chancellor, but of a simple Master of a College. I remember,
by the way, an extempore epigram of Matt's on the reception he had there
met with. We did not reckon in those days that he had a very happy turn for
Page 52
an epigram; but the occasion was tempting; and he struck it off as he was
walking from St. John's College to the Rose, where we dined together. It
was addressed to the Master:—
"'I stood, Sir, patient at your feet,
Before your elbow chair;
But make a bishop's throne your seat,
I'll kneel before you there.
One only thing can keep you down,
For your great soul too mean;
You'd not, to mount a bishop's throne,
Pay homage to the Queen.'"
THE THIRD CENTURY
1716-1815
T
he third century of the College history coincides roughly with the
eighteenth century. It was not a period of very high ideals, and
"privilege" was in full force. For the first time in the College registers
men are entered as "Noblemen." These were allowed to proceed to the M.A.
degree direct in two years without passing through the intermediate stage of
B.A. The College was also full of Fellow Commoners, who sat with the
Fellows at the High Table in Hall; until the close of the century these do not
seem to have proceeded to any degree. The other two classes were the
pensioners, who paid their way, and the sizars. A sizar was definitely
attached to a Fellow or Fellow Commoner, and in return for duties of a
somewhat menial character passed through his College course on reduced
terms. Among other duties, a sizar had, with some of the scholars, to wait at
table, a service not abolished until 6th May 1786.
walking from St. John's College to the Rose, where we dined together. It
was addressed to the Master:—
"'I stood, Sir, patient at your feet,
Before your elbow chair;
But make a bishop's throne your seat,
I'll kneel before you there.
One only thing can keep you down,
For your great soul too mean;
You'd not, to mount a bishop's throne,
Pay homage to the Queen.'"
THE THIRD CENTURY
1716-1815
T
he third century of the College history coincides roughly with the
eighteenth century. It was not a period of very high ideals, and
"privilege" was in full force. For the first time in the College registers
men are entered as "Noblemen." These were allowed to proceed to the M.A.
degree direct in two years without passing through the intermediate stage of
B.A. The College was also full of Fellow Commoners, who sat with the
Fellows at the High Table in Hall; until the close of the century these do not
seem to have proceeded to any degree. The other two classes were the
pensioners, who paid their way, and the sizars. A sizar was definitely
attached to a Fellow or Fellow Commoner, and in return for duties of a
somewhat menial character passed through his College course on reduced
terms. Among other duties, a sizar had, with some of the scholars, to wait at
table, a service not abolished until 6th May 1786.
Page 53
The Chapel Tower from the River.
Speaking in general terms, the College seems gradually to have acquired
the reputation of being the Tory College in the Whig University; it became
exceedingly fashionable, and towards the end of the century had more
students in residence than any other College. At the same time its reputation
for efficiency was very high. This was due to the policy of Dr. William
Samuel Powell, Master from 1765 to 1775. He introduced various
administrative changes on the financial side of College management, and
also started annual examinations in the College, then a novelty in the
Speaking in general terms, the College seems gradually to have acquired
the reputation of being the Tory College in the Whig University; it became
exceedingly fashionable, and towards the end of the century had more
students in residence than any other College. At the same time its reputation
for efficiency was very high. This was due to the policy of Dr. William
Samuel Powell, Master from 1765 to 1775. He introduced various
administrative changes on the financial side of College management, and
also started annual examinations in the College, then a novelty in the
Page 54
University. These examinations were not very severe, and to the somewhat
overtaxed undergraduate of the present day might seem almost trivial. They
were not competitive, there was no order of merit, but no one seems to have
been exempt; their object was simply to test the knowledge of the students.
The success of the plan attracted much attention; it was proposed to
institute similar examinations for the University at large, but Powell
opposed this on the ground that candidates ought to be examined by those
who taught them. From this date it would appear that Fellow Commoners,
at St. John's at least, began to take degrees in the University.
During Powell's mastership an observatory was established on the top of the
western gateway of the Second Court, and regular astronomical
observations taken. Two sets of observations there made by Fellows of the
College have been published; one set made by William Ludlam in 1767 and
1768, the other by Thomas Catton between 1796 and 1826, the latter being
published by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1854.
We find members of the College taking part in all the movements of the
time. In the rebellion of 1745, James Dawson, a captain in the Manchester
Regiment, was taken prisoner at Carlisle, and executed in July 1746 on
Kennington Common; while Robert Ganton, afterwards a clergyman, was
excused one term's residence in the University, during which, as one of "his
majesty's Royal Hunters," he was fighting the rebels.
Charles Churchill, satirist, was for a short time a member of the College in
1748. William Wordsworth, afterwards Poet Laureate, entered the College
as a sizar, and was admitted a foundress' scholar 6th November 1787. Many
adopted military careers; of these we may mention George, first Marquis
Townshend, who joined the College in 1741, afterwards entered the army,
and was present at Fontenoy and Culloden; he went with Wolfe to Canada,
and took over the command when Wolfe fell. Daniel Hoghton entered in
1787, he also became a soldier, and was one of Wellington's men in the
Peninsular War; he was killed at the battle of Albuera, being then a major-
general.
Of another type were William Wilberforce (entered 1776) and Thomas
Clarkson (1779), whose names will always be associated in connection with
the abolition of slavery. The saintly Henry Martyn, Senior Wrangler in 1801
overtaxed undergraduate of the present day might seem almost trivial. They
were not competitive, there was no order of merit, but no one seems to have
been exempt; their object was simply to test the knowledge of the students.
The success of the plan attracted much attention; it was proposed to
institute similar examinations for the University at large, but Powell
opposed this on the ground that candidates ought to be examined by those
who taught them. From this date it would appear that Fellow Commoners,
at St. John's at least, began to take degrees in the University.
During Powell's mastership an observatory was established on the top of the
western gateway of the Second Court, and regular astronomical
observations taken. Two sets of observations there made by Fellows of the
College have been published; one set made by William Ludlam in 1767 and
1768, the other by Thomas Catton between 1796 and 1826, the latter being
published by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1854.
We find members of the College taking part in all the movements of the
time. In the rebellion of 1745, James Dawson, a captain in the Manchester
Regiment, was taken prisoner at Carlisle, and executed in July 1746 on
Kennington Common; while Robert Ganton, afterwards a clergyman, was
excused one term's residence in the University, during which, as one of "his
majesty's Royal Hunters," he was fighting the rebels.
Charles Churchill, satirist, was for a short time a member of the College in
1748. William Wordsworth, afterwards Poet Laureate, entered the College
as a sizar, and was admitted a foundress' scholar 6th November 1787. Many
adopted military careers; of these we may mention George, first Marquis
Townshend, who joined the College in 1741, afterwards entered the army,
and was present at Fontenoy and Culloden; he went with Wolfe to Canada,
and took over the command when Wolfe fell. Daniel Hoghton entered in
1787, he also became a soldier, and was one of Wellington's men in the
Peninsular War; he was killed at the battle of Albuera, being then a major-
general.
Of another type were William Wilberforce (entered 1776) and Thomas
Clarkson (1779), whose names will always be associated in connection with
the abolition of slavery. The saintly Henry Martyn, Senior Wrangler in 1801
Page 55
and Fellow of the College, went out as a missionary to India in 1805, and
died at Tokat in Persia in 1812. There have been many missionary sons of
the College since his day, but his self-denial greatly impressed his
contemporaries, and Sir James Stephen speaks of him as "the one heroic
name which adorns the annals of the Church of England from the days of
Elizabeth to our own." With Martyn curiously enough is associated in
College annals another name, that of Henry John Temple, third Viscount
Palmerston, sometime Prime Minister of England; for Martyn and Temple
appear as officers of the College company of volunteers in the year 1803.
Thomas Denman, afterwards Lord Chief Justice, entered the College in
1796; he resided in the Second Court, staircase G, at the top. When he
brought up his son, the Hon. George Denman, to Trinity he pointed the
rooms out to him, and the latter pointed them out to the present writer, "in
order that the oral tradition might be preserved."
Alexander John Scott, who, as private secretary and interpreter to Lord
Nelson, was present on the Victory at Trafalgar, entered the College in 1786,
and became a scholar of the College 3rd November 1789. Fletcher Norton,
Speaker of the House of Commons from 1770 to 1780, and first Lord
Grantley, entered the College in 1734. With him, in a way, was connected
John Horne (afterwards Horne Tooke), who entered in 1754; for Horne, for
purposes of his own, libelled Fletcher Norton when Speaker. Horne Tooke's
stormy career belongs rather to political than College history; but it is worth
noting that when he presented himself at Cambridge for the M.A. degree,
and the granting of this was opposed in the senate on the ground that he had
traduced the clergy in his writings, the members of St. John's, headed by Dr.
Richard Beadon, then Public Orator, afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells,
carried the grace for the degree. Horne and Beadon entered the College in
the same year.
We have already mentioned Charles Churchill. Another Johnian poet of this
period was William Mason, who entered the College in 1742. Mason
afterwards became a Fellow of Pembroke, where he was the intimate friend
of Thomas Gray. As the biographer of Gray he is perhaps better
remembered than for his own poetry, though during his lifetime he enjoyed
considerable fame.
died at Tokat in Persia in 1812. There have been many missionary sons of
the College since his day, but his self-denial greatly impressed his
contemporaries, and Sir James Stephen speaks of him as "the one heroic
name which adorns the annals of the Church of England from the days of
Elizabeth to our own." With Martyn curiously enough is associated in
College annals another name, that of Henry John Temple, third Viscount
Palmerston, sometime Prime Minister of England; for Martyn and Temple
appear as officers of the College company of volunteers in the year 1803.
Thomas Denman, afterwards Lord Chief Justice, entered the College in
1796; he resided in the Second Court, staircase G, at the top. When he
brought up his son, the Hon. George Denman, to Trinity he pointed the
rooms out to him, and the latter pointed them out to the present writer, "in
order that the oral tradition might be preserved."
Alexander John Scott, who, as private secretary and interpreter to Lord
Nelson, was present on the Victory at Trafalgar, entered the College in 1786,
and became a scholar of the College 3rd November 1789. Fletcher Norton,
Speaker of the House of Commons from 1770 to 1780, and first Lord
Grantley, entered the College in 1734. With him, in a way, was connected
John Horne (afterwards Horne Tooke), who entered in 1754; for Horne, for
purposes of his own, libelled Fletcher Norton when Speaker. Horne Tooke's
stormy career belongs rather to political than College history; but it is worth
noting that when he presented himself at Cambridge for the M.A. degree,
and the granting of this was opposed in the senate on the ground that he had
traduced the clergy in his writings, the members of St. John's, headed by Dr.
Richard Beadon, then Public Orator, afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells,
carried the grace for the degree. Horne and Beadon entered the College in
the same year.
We have already mentioned Charles Churchill. Another Johnian poet of this
period was William Mason, who entered the College in 1742. Mason
afterwards became a Fellow of Pembroke, where he was the intimate friend
of Thomas Gray. As the biographer of Gray he is perhaps better
remembered than for his own poetry, though during his lifetime he enjoyed
considerable fame.
Page 56
A somewhat unusual career was that of William Smith, who entered the
College from Eton in 1747, but left without taking a degree. He is reported
to have snapped an unloaded pistol at one of the Proctors, and rather than
submit to the punishment which the College authorities thought proper to
inflict, left the University. He became an actor, and was very popular in his
day, being known as "Gentleman Smith." He was associated with David
Garrick, and Smith's admirers held that he fell little short of his master in
the art.
The reputation of the College as a medical school was maintained by Dr.
William Heberden, who entered in 1724. Heberden attended Samuel
Johnson in his last illness, and Johnson described him as "ultimus
Romanorum, the last of our learned physicians." A description which may
be amplified by saying that Heberden was in a way the first of the modern
physicians.
THE CURRENT CENTURY
T
he time has probably not yet come when a satisfactory account of
College and University development during the nineteenth century can
be written. The changes have been fundamental, involving perhaps a
change of ideal as well as of method. In early days the College was filled
with men saturated with the spirit of the Renaissance; casting aside the
studies of the Middle Ages, they returned to the literature of Greece and
Rome. The ideals of the present day are not less high, but more complex
and less easy to state briefly; the aim is perhaps rather to add to knowledge
than to acquire it for its own sake alone.
College from Eton in 1747, but left without taking a degree. He is reported
to have snapped an unloaded pistol at one of the Proctors, and rather than
submit to the punishment which the College authorities thought proper to
inflict, left the University. He became an actor, and was very popular in his
day, being known as "Gentleman Smith." He was associated with David
Garrick, and Smith's admirers held that he fell little short of his master in
the art.
The reputation of the College as a medical school was maintained by Dr.
William Heberden, who entered in 1724. Heberden attended Samuel
Johnson in his last illness, and Johnson described him as "ultimus
Romanorum, the last of our learned physicians." A description which may
be amplified by saying that Heberden was in a way the first of the modern
physicians.
THE CURRENT CENTURY
T
he time has probably not yet come when a satisfactory account of
College and University development during the nineteenth century can
be written. The changes have been fundamental, involving perhaps a
change of ideal as well as of method. In early days the College was filled
with men saturated with the spirit of the Renaissance; casting aside the
studies of the Middle Ages, they returned to the literature of Greece and
Rome. The ideals of the present day are not less high, but more complex
and less easy to state briefly; the aim is perhaps rather to add to knowledge
than to acquire it for its own sake alone.
Page 57
For the first half of the century College life was still regulated by the
statutes of Elizabeth. These were characterised by over-cautious and minute
legislation. Now that they are superseded, the chief feeling is one of
surprise that a system of laws, intended to be unchangeable, should have
endured so long in presence of the changing character of the wants and
habits of mankind.
statutes of Elizabeth. These were characterised by over-cautious and minute
legislation. Now that they are superseded, the chief feeling is one of
surprise that a system of laws, intended to be unchangeable, should have
endured so long in presence of the changing character of the wants and
habits of mankind.
Page 58
It must be remembered that each member of the corporate body, Master,
Fellow, or Scholar, on admission, each officer on his appointment, bound
himself by oaths of great solemnity to observe these statutes and to seek no
dispensation from their provisions. To a more logical race the difficulties
must have proved intolerable—the practical Englishman found his own
solution.
The forms were observed juramenti gratia, but much practical work was
supplemental to the statutes. This could be illustrated in more than one way
—the most interesting is the development of the educational side and the
tutorial system.
The statutes prescribed the appointment of certain lecturers—even the
subjects of their lectures. Space need not be occupied in showing that such
provisions soon became obsolete. The working solution was found in the
tutorial system. In early days it was contemplated and prescribed that each
Fellow should have the care of two or three students, living with them,
teaching them daily; the exact date when this system passed away has not
been traced with any certainty, but gradually the number of Fellows taking
individual charge of the undergraduates diminished until it became reduced
to two or three. Those in charge became known as Tutors, and with each
Tutor was associated one or two others called Assistant Tutors or Lecturers.
A charge was made to the undergraduates for tuition, and the sum so
received was shared by the Tutors and their assistants. But the Tutor was
not a College officer in the eye of the statutes, nor the money received for
tuition treated as part of the College revenues. The system worked, because
it was meant to work, and as it was not subject to obsolete rules could be
modified and adapted to changing conditions. So long as the chief subjects
of study were few in number, practically restricted to classics and
mathematics, College provision for teaching was possible and simple. The
multiplication of studies, the needs of the studies generally known as the
Natural Sciences, with their expensive laboratories and equipment, are
entailing further changes, and the tendency, more especially in the newer
subjects, is to centralise teaching under the control of University professors
and teachers. The subject is one of great interest, but cannot be further
touched upon here. To return to the history of St. John's.
Fellow, or Scholar, on admission, each officer on his appointment, bound
himself by oaths of great solemnity to observe these statutes and to seek no
dispensation from their provisions. To a more logical race the difficulties
must have proved intolerable—the practical Englishman found his own
solution.
The forms were observed juramenti gratia, but much practical work was
supplemental to the statutes. This could be illustrated in more than one way
—the most interesting is the development of the educational side and the
tutorial system.
The statutes prescribed the appointment of certain lecturers—even the
subjects of their lectures. Space need not be occupied in showing that such
provisions soon became obsolete. The working solution was found in the
tutorial system. In early days it was contemplated and prescribed that each
Fellow should have the care of two or three students, living with them,
teaching them daily; the exact date when this system passed away has not
been traced with any certainty, but gradually the number of Fellows taking
individual charge of the undergraduates diminished until it became reduced
to two or three. Those in charge became known as Tutors, and with each
Tutor was associated one or two others called Assistant Tutors or Lecturers.
A charge was made to the undergraduates for tuition, and the sum so
received was shared by the Tutors and their assistants. But the Tutor was
not a College officer in the eye of the statutes, nor the money received for
tuition treated as part of the College revenues. The system worked, because
it was meant to work, and as it was not subject to obsolete rules could be
modified and adapted to changing conditions. So long as the chief subjects
of study were few in number, practically restricted to classics and
mathematics, College provision for teaching was possible and simple. The
multiplication of studies, the needs of the studies generally known as the
Natural Sciences, with their expensive laboratories and equipment, are
entailing further changes, and the tendency, more especially in the newer
subjects, is to centralise teaching under the control of University professors
and teachers. The subject is one of great interest, but cannot be further
touched upon here. To return to the history of St. John's.
Page 59
Dr. James Wood became Master in 1815. He was a man of humble origin, a
native of Holcombe, in the parish of Bury, Lancashire. According to a well-
authenticated tradition he "kept," as an undergraduate, in a garret in
staircase O in the Second Court, and studied in the evening by the light of
the rush candle which lit the staircase, with his feet in straw, not being able
to afford fire or light. He became a successful and popular College Tutor,
and his mathematical writings were long the standard text-books in the
University. At the time of his death in 1839 he held, with his mastership, the
Deanery of Ely and the Rectory of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight. He made
the College his residuary legatee, but during his life had handed over large
sums for College purposes, and the total of his gifts cannot have been less
than £60,000.
In Wood's time we find the first movement in favour of change taken by the
College itself. St. John's then suffered under a specially awkward restriction
arising from the joint effect of the general statutes and the trusts of private
foundations. By the statutes not more than two Fellows could come from
any one county in England, or more than one from each diocese in Wales.
There were thirty-two foundation Fellows, and twenty-one founded by
private benefactors, the latter having all the privileges and advantages of the
former. Each of these private foundations had its own special restriction; the
holders were to be perhaps of founder's name or kin, or to come from
certain specified counties, parishes, or schools. The effect of these special
restrictions was that many fellowships had to be filled by men possessing
the special qualification without, perhaps, any great intellectual distinction.
But once a county was "full" no Fellow could be elected who had been born
in that county; and even if a vacancy occurred a promising man might be
again cut out by some special restriction. Dr. Wood and the Fellows
addressed themselves to this point and obtained in 1820 the Royal consent
to a statute throwing open the foundress' fellowships without restriction as
to county; the private foundations were left untouched, but the College was
empowered to transfer a Fellow on the foundress' foundation to one of the
special foundations, if qualified.
Dr. Wood was succeeded as Master by Dr. Ralph Tatham, whose father and
grandfather (of the same names) had been members of the College. He was
Public Orator of the University from 1809 to 1836, an office for which he
native of Holcombe, in the parish of Bury, Lancashire. According to a well-
authenticated tradition he "kept," as an undergraduate, in a garret in
staircase O in the Second Court, and studied in the evening by the light of
the rush candle which lit the staircase, with his feet in straw, not being able
to afford fire or light. He became a successful and popular College Tutor,
and his mathematical writings were long the standard text-books in the
University. At the time of his death in 1839 he held, with his mastership, the
Deanery of Ely and the Rectory of Freshwater in the Isle of Wight. He made
the College his residuary legatee, but during his life had handed over large
sums for College purposes, and the total of his gifts cannot have been less
than £60,000.
In Wood's time we find the first movement in favour of change taken by the
College itself. St. John's then suffered under a specially awkward restriction
arising from the joint effect of the general statutes and the trusts of private
foundations. By the statutes not more than two Fellows could come from
any one county in England, or more than one from each diocese in Wales.
There were thirty-two foundation Fellows, and twenty-one founded by
private benefactors, the latter having all the privileges and advantages of the
former. Each of these private foundations had its own special restriction; the
holders were to be perhaps of founder's name or kin, or to come from
certain specified counties, parishes, or schools. The effect of these special
restrictions was that many fellowships had to be filled by men possessing
the special qualification without, perhaps, any great intellectual distinction.
But once a county was "full" no Fellow could be elected who had been born
in that county; and even if a vacancy occurred a promising man might be
again cut out by some special restriction. Dr. Wood and the Fellows
addressed themselves to this point and obtained in 1820 the Royal consent
to a statute throwing open the foundress' fellowships without restriction as
to county; the private foundations were left untouched, but the College was
empowered to transfer a Fellow on the foundress' foundation to one of the
special foundations, if qualified.
Dr. Wood was succeeded as Master by Dr. Ralph Tatham, whose father and
grandfather (of the same names) had been members of the College. He was
Public Orator of the University from 1809 to 1836, an office for which he
Page 60
was well qualified by a singular dignity of person and courtesy of manner.
"He brought forth butter," said the wags, "in a lordly dish." In the year 1837
the Earl of Radnor and others raised the question of University reform, and
tried to induce the House of Lords to pass a bill for the appointment of a
University Commission. In the end the matter was shelved, the friends of
the University undertaking that the Colleges, with the approval of their
Visitors, should prepare new statutes for the assent of the Crown. The
change in St. John's was opposed by some ultra-conservative Fellows, who
urged that as they were bound by oath to observe and uphold the statutes,
and to seek no dispensation from them, they were precluded from asking for
any change. The Bishop of Ely, however, gently put this objection on one
side, and the statutes then prepared were approved by Queen Victoria in
1849. The more ardent reformers have described this code as merely
legalising the customs and "abuses" which had grown up around the
Elizabethan statutes without introducing any effective change.
On the death of Dr. Tatham (19th January 1857), Dr. William Henry
Bateson was elected Master; he had been Senior Bursar of the College from
1846, and Public Orator of the University from 1848. Dr. Bateson was a
man of scholarly tastes, but he was above all a practical man of affairs and
of broad views. He served on more than one University Commission
appointed to examine into and report upon the University and Colleges. The
College statutes were twice revised during his mastership; the first code
becoming law in 1860, the second was prepared during his lifetime, though
it did not become law till a year after his death. These statutes are much less
interesting reading than the early statutes, though undoubtedly more useful.
While aiming at precision in the matter of rights and duties, they leave great
freedom in matters of study, discipline, and administration. All local
restrictions on scholarships and fellowships have been abolished. The
government of the College is entrusted to a Council of twelve, elected by
the Fellows, and presided over by the Master; a simple method has been
provided of altering them if necessary. Independently of the changes thus
introduced the College, on its own initiative, was providing for the newer
studies. In 1853 a chemical laboratory was built, and a lecturer in chemistry
appointed, and other lecturers appointed from time to time as the scope of
University teaching was widened. St. John's at an early date began to elect
men to scholarships and fellowships for Natural Science. In all this we may
"He brought forth butter," said the wags, "in a lordly dish." In the year 1837
the Earl of Radnor and others raised the question of University reform, and
tried to induce the House of Lords to pass a bill for the appointment of a
University Commission. In the end the matter was shelved, the friends of
the University undertaking that the Colleges, with the approval of their
Visitors, should prepare new statutes for the assent of the Crown. The
change in St. John's was opposed by some ultra-conservative Fellows, who
urged that as they were bound by oath to observe and uphold the statutes,
and to seek no dispensation from them, they were precluded from asking for
any change. The Bishop of Ely, however, gently put this objection on one
side, and the statutes then prepared were approved by Queen Victoria in
1849. The more ardent reformers have described this code as merely
legalising the customs and "abuses" which had grown up around the
Elizabethan statutes without introducing any effective change.
On the death of Dr. Tatham (19th January 1857), Dr. William Henry
Bateson was elected Master; he had been Senior Bursar of the College from
1846, and Public Orator of the University from 1848. Dr. Bateson was a
man of scholarly tastes, but he was above all a practical man of affairs and
of broad views. He served on more than one University Commission
appointed to examine into and report upon the University and Colleges. The
College statutes were twice revised during his mastership; the first code
becoming law in 1860, the second was prepared during his lifetime, though
it did not become law till a year after his death. These statutes are much less
interesting reading than the early statutes, though undoubtedly more useful.
While aiming at precision in the matter of rights and duties, they leave great
freedom in matters of study, discipline, and administration. All local
restrictions on scholarships and fellowships have been abolished. The
government of the College is entrusted to a Council of twelve, elected by
the Fellows, and presided over by the Master; a simple method has been
provided of altering them if necessary. Independently of the changes thus
introduced the College, on its own initiative, was providing for the newer
studies. In 1853 a chemical laboratory was built, and a lecturer in chemistry
appointed, and other lecturers appointed from time to time as the scope of
University teaching was widened. St. John's at an early date began to elect
men to scholarships and fellowships for Natural Science. In all this we may
Page 61
trace the influence of Dr. Bateson, one of whose guiding principles was to
widen and increase the teaching power of the College, and to reward
intellectual distinction of any kind. Dr. Bateson died 27th March 1881, and
was succeeded by Dr. Charles Taylor, the present Master.
Of men who have added lustre to the College roll of worthies we may
mention Sir John F. W. Herschel, the astronomer, who was Senior Wrangler
in 1813, and died in 1871, laden with all the honours which scientific and
learned bodies could bestow upon him; he lies buried in Westminster Abbey
close to the tomb of Newton. John Couch Adams, Senior Wrangler in 1843,
in July 1841, while yet an undergraduate, resolved to investigate the
irregularities in the motion of the planet Uranus, with the view of
determining whether they might be attributed to an undiscovered planet.
The memorandum he made of his resolve is, as has been stated, now in the
College Library. It is a matter of history how Adams carried out his
purpose, and how through a series of unlucky accidents he did not get the
sole credit for his discovery of the planet Neptune. Adams became a Fellow
of the College in 1843, but had to vacate his fellowship in 1852 as he was
not in orders. The College tried to induce a Mr. Blakeney, who then held
one of the very few fellowships tenable by a layman, to resign his
fellowship and make way for Adams; offering to pay him for the rest of his
life an income equal to that of his fellowship. Mr. Blakeney, however,
refused, and a fellowship was found for Mr. Adams at Pembroke College,
which he held till his death.
It is perhaps a delicate matter to allude to those still living, but two may
perhaps be mentioned. The Hon. Charles A. Parsons by his development of
the steam turbine has revolutionised certain departments of engineering.
Dairoku Kikuchi, the first Japanese student to come to Cambridge, after
graduating in 1877, in the same year as Mr. Parsons, returned to Japan, and
has held many offices, including that of Minister of Education, in his native
country.
We may say that the changes introduced in the nineteenth century have
restored to the College its national character, admitting to the full privileges
of a University career certain classes of students who had been gradually
excluded. During the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and
Elizabeth, there was always a part of the nation, Protestant or Roman
widen and increase the teaching power of the College, and to reward
intellectual distinction of any kind. Dr. Bateson died 27th March 1881, and
was succeeded by Dr. Charles Taylor, the present Master.
Of men who have added lustre to the College roll of worthies we may
mention Sir John F. W. Herschel, the astronomer, who was Senior Wrangler
in 1813, and died in 1871, laden with all the honours which scientific and
learned bodies could bestow upon him; he lies buried in Westminster Abbey
close to the tomb of Newton. John Couch Adams, Senior Wrangler in 1843,
in July 1841, while yet an undergraduate, resolved to investigate the
irregularities in the motion of the planet Uranus, with the view of
determining whether they might be attributed to an undiscovered planet.
The memorandum he made of his resolve is, as has been stated, now in the
College Library. It is a matter of history how Adams carried out his
purpose, and how through a series of unlucky accidents he did not get the
sole credit for his discovery of the planet Neptune. Adams became a Fellow
of the College in 1843, but had to vacate his fellowship in 1852 as he was
not in orders. The College tried to induce a Mr. Blakeney, who then held
one of the very few fellowships tenable by a layman, to resign his
fellowship and make way for Adams; offering to pay him for the rest of his
life an income equal to that of his fellowship. Mr. Blakeney, however,
refused, and a fellowship was found for Mr. Adams at Pembroke College,
which he held till his death.
It is perhaps a delicate matter to allude to those still living, but two may
perhaps be mentioned. The Hon. Charles A. Parsons by his development of
the steam turbine has revolutionised certain departments of engineering.
Dairoku Kikuchi, the first Japanese student to come to Cambridge, after
graduating in 1877, in the same year as Mr. Parsons, returned to Japan, and
has held many offices, including that of Minister of Education, in his native
country.
We may say that the changes introduced in the nineteenth century have
restored to the College its national character, admitting to the full privileges
of a University career certain classes of students who had been gradually
excluded. During the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and
Elizabeth, there was always a part of the nation, Protestant or Roman
Page 62
Catholic, which found the entry barred to it. The establishment of the
Anglican rule in the reign of Elizabeth led to the exclusion of Roman
Catholics, and for three hundred years the doors of the University were
closed to them.
The Civil Wars, the Commonwealth, and the Restoration produced religious
difficulties of another kind; the wholesale ejections in 1644 and 1660 testify
to the troubles men had to face for conscience' sake. After the Restoration
the Puritan, the Protestant Dissenter, was excluded with the Romanist.
In the eighteenth century a certain variety was introduced by the entry of
students from the West Indies, sons of planters; one or two individuals came
from the American colonies. The constant wars drew off men to military
careers, and the religious movements towards the close of the century
attracted men, after leaving College, to Unitarianism or Wesleyanism. The
celebrated Rowland Hill was a member of the College; Francis Okeley,
after leaving, became a Moravian or a Mystic. Such dissenters as entered
the College, and they were very few, were obliged to leave without
graduating.
The removal of all religious tests has thus restored to the ancient
Universities a national character they had not possessed since the early days
of Henry VIII., when all could come, as all were practically of the same
faith.
Thus a wider field is open to the College to draw on, not only in the British
Islands, but in all its colonies and dependencies. On the other hand, it is no
less true that her sons are to be found more widely scattered. A hundred and
fifty years ago one could say of a selected group of men that the majority
would become clergymen or schoolmasters, a few would become barristers,
others would return to their country estates, one or two might enter the
army; with that we should have exhausted the probabilities. Now there is
probably not a career open to educated men in which members of the
College are not to be found; the State in every department, civil,
ecclesiastical, or military, enlists her sons in its service. The rise of
scientific industries has opened new careers to trained men. We talk of the
spacious days of Elizabeth; if space itself has not increased it is at least
Anglican rule in the reign of Elizabeth led to the exclusion of Roman
Catholics, and for three hundred years the doors of the University were
closed to them.
The Civil Wars, the Commonwealth, and the Restoration produced religious
difficulties of another kind; the wholesale ejections in 1644 and 1660 testify
to the troubles men had to face for conscience' sake. After the Restoration
the Puritan, the Protestant Dissenter, was excluded with the Romanist.
In the eighteenth century a certain variety was introduced by the entry of
students from the West Indies, sons of planters; one or two individuals came
from the American colonies. The constant wars drew off men to military
careers, and the religious movements towards the close of the century
attracted men, after leaving College, to Unitarianism or Wesleyanism. The
celebrated Rowland Hill was a member of the College; Francis Okeley,
after leaving, became a Moravian or a Mystic. Such dissenters as entered
the College, and they were very few, were obliged to leave without
graduating.
The removal of all religious tests has thus restored to the ancient
Universities a national character they had not possessed since the early days
of Henry VIII., when all could come, as all were practically of the same
faith.
Thus a wider field is open to the College to draw on, not only in the British
Islands, but in all its colonies and dependencies. On the other hand, it is no
less true that her sons are to be found more widely scattered. A hundred and
fifty years ago one could say of a selected group of men that the majority
would become clergymen or schoolmasters, a few would become barristers,
others would return to their country estates, one or two might enter the
army; with that we should have exhausted the probabilities. Now there is
probably not a career open to educated men in which members of the
College are not to be found; the State in every department, civil,
ecclesiastical, or military, enlists her sons in its service. The rise of
scientific industries has opened new careers to trained men. We talk of the
spacious days of Elizabeth; if space itself has not increased it is at least
Page 63
more permeated with men who owe their early training to the foundation of
the Lady Margaret.
SOCIAL LIFE
H
itherto we have confined ourselves to an outline of the College history
on what may be called its official side. In what follows we deal briefly
with some features of the life of the place.
the Lady Margaret.
SOCIAL LIFE
H
itherto we have confined ourselves to an outline of the College history
on what may be called its official side. In what follows we deal briefly
with some features of the life of the place.
Page 64
The New Court
The original, and perhaps the chief, purpose of the College in the eyes of
those who founded it was practically that it should form a training ground
for the clergy. The statutes of King Henry VIII. distinctly lay down that
theology is the goal to which philosophy and all other studies lead, and that
none were to be elected Fellows who did not propose to study theology. The
statutes of Elizabeth provided a certain elasticity by prescribing that those
Fellows who did not enter priests' orders within six years should vacate
their fellowships; but that two Fellows might be allowed, by the Master and
a majority of the Senior Fellows, to devote themselves to the study of
medicine. King Charles I. in 1635 allowed a like privilege to be granted
from thenceforth to two Fellows who were to study law. These privileges
The original, and perhaps the chief, purpose of the College in the eyes of
those who founded it was practically that it should form a training ground
for the clergy. The statutes of King Henry VIII. distinctly lay down that
theology is the goal to which philosophy and all other studies lead, and that
none were to be elected Fellows who did not propose to study theology. The
statutes of Elizabeth provided a certain elasticity by prescribing that those
Fellows who did not enter priests' orders within six years should vacate
their fellowships; but that two Fellows might be allowed, by the Master and
a majority of the Senior Fellows, to devote themselves to the study of
medicine. King Charles I. in 1635 allowed a like privilege to be granted
from thenceforth to two Fellows who were to study law. These privileges
Page 65
were not always popular, and we occasionally find the clerical Fellows
complaining that while the duties of teaching and catechising were laid on
them, a man who had held one of the law or medical fellowships sometimes
took orders late in life and then claimed presentation to a College benefice
in virtue of his seniority as a Fellow, having in the meantime escaped the
drudgery to which the Fellow in orders had been subject.
The emoluments of members of the Society in early times were very
modest, and as prices rose became quite inadequate; the amounts being
named in the College statutes were incapable of alteration, and indirect
means were taken to provide relief. In Bishop Fisher's time it was
considered that an endowment of £6 a year sufficed to found a fellowship,
and £3 a year to found a scholarship. The statutable stipend of the Master
was only £12 a year, though he had some other allowances, the total amount
of which was equally trivial. James Pilkington, Master from 1559 to 1561,
when he became Bishop of Durham, wrote to Lord Burghley on the subject
of his successor, stating that whoever became Master must have some
benefice besides to enable him to live. Richard Longworth, Master from
1564 to 1569, made a similar complaint, putting the weekly expenses of his
office at £3. We accordingly find that many of the Masters held country
benefices, prebends, or deaneries with their College office. Lord Keeper
Williams, who gave to the College the advowsons of Soulderne in
Oxfordshire, Freshwater in the Isle of Wight, and the sinecure rectories of
St. Florence and Aberdaron in Wales, made it part of the conditions of his
gift that the Master should always be entitled to take one of these livings if
a vacancy occurred. Many of the Fellows also held benefices or curacies
near Cambridge. In the eighteenth century the business of holding
ecclesiastical preferment in plurality became almost a fine art; thus Sir Isaac
Pennington, who was President of the College and Regius Professor of
Physic, left to the College by his will a fund to provide the sum of £200 a
year for the Master "if he be rector of Freshwater and not otherwise," a
direct and curious incentive to holding in plurality. A Fellow was entitled to
his commons, and, in addition, to allowances of 13s. 4d. under each of the
three heads of "corn," "livery," and "stipend," or, as we may say, food,
clothes, and pocket-money. The College officers received but small salaries,
the most highly paid being the President and Senior Bursar, who each
received £2.
complaining that while the duties of teaching and catechising were laid on
them, a man who had held one of the law or medical fellowships sometimes
took orders late in life and then claimed presentation to a College benefice
in virtue of his seniority as a Fellow, having in the meantime escaped the
drudgery to which the Fellow in orders had been subject.
The emoluments of members of the Society in early times were very
modest, and as prices rose became quite inadequate; the amounts being
named in the College statutes were incapable of alteration, and indirect
means were taken to provide relief. In Bishop Fisher's time it was
considered that an endowment of £6 a year sufficed to found a fellowship,
and £3 a year to found a scholarship. The statutable stipend of the Master
was only £12 a year, though he had some other allowances, the total amount
of which was equally trivial. James Pilkington, Master from 1559 to 1561,
when he became Bishop of Durham, wrote to Lord Burghley on the subject
of his successor, stating that whoever became Master must have some
benefice besides to enable him to live. Richard Longworth, Master from
1564 to 1569, made a similar complaint, putting the weekly expenses of his
office at £3. We accordingly find that many of the Masters held country
benefices, prebends, or deaneries with their College office. Lord Keeper
Williams, who gave to the College the advowsons of Soulderne in
Oxfordshire, Freshwater in the Isle of Wight, and the sinecure rectories of
St. Florence and Aberdaron in Wales, made it part of the conditions of his
gift that the Master should always be entitled to take one of these livings if
a vacancy occurred. Many of the Fellows also held benefices or curacies
near Cambridge. In the eighteenth century the business of holding
ecclesiastical preferment in plurality became almost a fine art; thus Sir Isaac
Pennington, who was President of the College and Regius Professor of
Physic, left to the College by his will a fund to provide the sum of £200 a
year for the Master "if he be rector of Freshwater and not otherwise," a
direct and curious incentive to holding in plurality. A Fellow was entitled to
his commons, and, in addition, to allowances of 13s. 4d. under each of the
three heads of "corn," "livery," and "stipend," or, as we may say, food,
clothes, and pocket-money. The College officers received but small salaries,
the most highly paid being the President and Senior Bursar, who each
received £2.
Page 66
An effort was made by the Statutes of the Realm to improve the condition
of members of colleges. It seems to have been assumed that the rent of a
college farm, like its statutes, could not be altered; but by an Act of
Parliament passed in the eighteenth year of Elizabeth, known as Sir Thomas
Smith's Act, it was enacted that from thenceforth one-third of the rents were
to be paid in wheat and malt; the price of wheat for the purposes of the Act
being assumed to be 6s. 8d. a quarter, and of malt 5s. a quarter. Thus if
before the Act the rent of a farm was £6 a year, after it became law the
tenant had to pay £4 in money, three-quarters of wheat, and four quarters of
malt, these two latter items coming to £1 each. But the tenant now paid a
rent varying according to the prices of the day—namely, the money rent
plus the cash value of the wheat and malt according to the best prices of
these commodities in Cambridge on the market-day preceding quarter-day.
Thus as the prices of wheat and malt rose the College benefited. By the Act
this variable one-third, or "corn-money," went to increase the allowance for
commons. As time went on the amount of the corn-money was more than
sufficient to pay for the commons, and a further modest allowance out of
the surplus was made to all who participated in the College revenues,
whether as Master, Fellow, scholar, or sizar, under the name of præter.
In process of time another source of revenue arose. Leases of College
estates were usually granted for a term of forty years, and there was a
general custom that the tenant might surrender his lease at the end of
fourteen years and receive a new one for forty years. As prices rose tenants
were willing to pay a consideration for the renewal known as a "fine"—this
was calculated on the full letting value of the estate at the time of the
renewal, the rent reserved remaining at its traditional amount. At first this
fine-money was regarded as a species of surplus, and grants were made
from it to Fellows or scholars who were ill or in special need of temporary
assistance. The cost of entertaining royalties or other distinguished visitors,
and part of the cost of new buildings, were defrayed from this source. In the
year 1629 the practice arose of dividing this fine-money up among the
Master and Fellows in certain shares, and the money so paid became known
as the "dividend." At the present time the College property is managed like
any other landed estate, and after the necessary expenses of management
and maintenance have been met, and certain fixed sums paid to the scholars
and exhibitioners, and to the University, the remainder is by the statutes
of members of colleges. It seems to have been assumed that the rent of a
college farm, like its statutes, could not be altered; but by an Act of
Parliament passed in the eighteenth year of Elizabeth, known as Sir Thomas
Smith's Act, it was enacted that from thenceforth one-third of the rents were
to be paid in wheat and malt; the price of wheat for the purposes of the Act
being assumed to be 6s. 8d. a quarter, and of malt 5s. a quarter. Thus if
before the Act the rent of a farm was £6 a year, after it became law the
tenant had to pay £4 in money, three-quarters of wheat, and four quarters of
malt, these two latter items coming to £1 each. But the tenant now paid a
rent varying according to the prices of the day—namely, the money rent
plus the cash value of the wheat and malt according to the best prices of
these commodities in Cambridge on the market-day preceding quarter-day.
Thus as the prices of wheat and malt rose the College benefited. By the Act
this variable one-third, or "corn-money," went to increase the allowance for
commons. As time went on the amount of the corn-money was more than
sufficient to pay for the commons, and a further modest allowance out of
the surplus was made to all who participated in the College revenues,
whether as Master, Fellow, scholar, or sizar, under the name of præter.
In process of time another source of revenue arose. Leases of College
estates were usually granted for a term of forty years, and there was a
general custom that the tenant might surrender his lease at the end of
fourteen years and receive a new one for forty years. As prices rose tenants
were willing to pay a consideration for the renewal known as a "fine"—this
was calculated on the full letting value of the estate at the time of the
renewal, the rent reserved remaining at its traditional amount. At first this
fine-money was regarded as a species of surplus, and grants were made
from it to Fellows or scholars who were ill or in special need of temporary
assistance. The cost of entertaining royalties or other distinguished visitors,
and part of the cost of new buildings, were defrayed from this source. In the
year 1629 the practice arose of dividing this fine-money up among the
Master and Fellows in certain shares, and the money so paid became known
as the "dividend." At the present time the College property is managed like
any other landed estate, and after the necessary expenses of management
and maintenance have been met, and certain fixed sums paid to the scholars
and exhibitioners, and to the University, the remainder is by the statutes
Page 67
divided up into shares called dividends, each Fellow getting one dividend,
the Master and the members of the College Council receiving certain
additions calculated in dividends; there is a general restriction that the
dividend shall not exceed £250 a year. The fall in the value of land at
present automatically provides that this limit is not exceeded; if the
revenues become more than sufficient for the purpose, additional
fellowships and scholarships must be established.
The reader will gather that the chief endowment of the College arises from
land. The College estates lie scattered over most of the eastern side of
England, from Yorkshire to Kent. There is no large block of property
anywhere. The estates in past times, when means of communication were
poor, must have been difficult to visit. In the leases of the more distant
farms it was usual to stipulate that the tenant should provide "horse meat
and man's meat" for the Master and Bursar and their servants while on a
tour of inspection. That some care was bestowed on the management is
clear from the regular entries, in the books of accounts, of the expenses of
those "riding on College business." Probably the estates were visited when
leases came to be renewed, and an effort made to discover the actual letting
value of the property. Land agents seem to have been first employed to
make formal valuations towards the end of the eighteenth century, and
about the same time plans of the estates were obtained, some of these, made
before the enclosures, showing the land scattered in many minute pieces,
are very curious and interesting.
The actual life within the College walls is not so easy to describe with any
certainty. At first, as we have seen, the undergraduates actually lived with
Fellows of the College, and overcrowding must have been a constant
feature of College life. On 15th December 1565 a return was made to Lord
Burghley of all students, "whether tutors or pupils," residing in the College,
with notes as to whether they had come into Chapel in their surplices or not.
The return concludes with this summary: "The whole number is 287,
whereof there came into the Chappell with surplesses upon the last
Saturdaie and Sondaie 147; and abrode in the country 33. And of thother
107 whiche cumme not in as yet, there be many cumme to the Colledge of
late and be not yet provided of surplesses." At this time we have to
remember that the buildings of the College consisted only of the First
Court, the Infirmary or Labyrinth, and a small block of buildings in a corner
the Master and the members of the College Council receiving certain
additions calculated in dividends; there is a general restriction that the
dividend shall not exceed £250 a year. The fall in the value of land at
present automatically provides that this limit is not exceeded; if the
revenues become more than sufficient for the purpose, additional
fellowships and scholarships must be established.
The reader will gather that the chief endowment of the College arises from
land. The College estates lie scattered over most of the eastern side of
England, from Yorkshire to Kent. There is no large block of property
anywhere. The estates in past times, when means of communication were
poor, must have been difficult to visit. In the leases of the more distant
farms it was usual to stipulate that the tenant should provide "horse meat
and man's meat" for the Master and Bursar and their servants while on a
tour of inspection. That some care was bestowed on the management is
clear from the regular entries, in the books of accounts, of the expenses of
those "riding on College business." Probably the estates were visited when
leases came to be renewed, and an effort made to discover the actual letting
value of the property. Land agents seem to have been first employed to
make formal valuations towards the end of the eighteenth century, and
about the same time plans of the estates were obtained, some of these, made
before the enclosures, showing the land scattered in many minute pieces,
are very curious and interesting.
The actual life within the College walls is not so easy to describe with any
certainty. At first, as we have seen, the undergraduates actually lived with
Fellows of the College, and overcrowding must have been a constant
feature of College life. On 15th December 1565 a return was made to Lord
Burghley of all students, "whether tutors or pupils," residing in the College,
with notes as to whether they had come into Chapel in their surplices or not.
The return concludes with this summary: "The whole number is 287,
whereof there came into the Chappell with surplesses upon the last
Saturdaie and Sondaie 147; and abrode in the country 33. And of thother
107 whiche cumme not in as yet, there be many cumme to the Colledge of
late and be not yet provided of surplesses." At this time we have to
remember that the buildings of the College consisted only of the First
Court, the Infirmary or Labyrinth, and a small block of buildings in a corner
Page 68
of the ground now occupied by the Second Court, swept away when that
was built. The arrangement seems to have been as follows. The ground-
floor rooms were occupied by junior Fellows, each with a few pupils. The
rooms on the first floor, known in the College books as the "middle
chambers," were in greater request; with these went the rooms on the
second floor, with sometimes excelses or garrets over them—these could
accommodate a senior Fellow with several pupils. In the older parts of the
College the rooms occupied the whole depth of the building, and so were
lighted from both sides; in the corners, when light could be obtained,
cubicles or studies were partitioned off. From a sanitary point of view, life
under such conditions must have left much to be desired, and the burial
registers of All Saints' parish (in which the older part of the College is
situated) leave the impression of frequent and almost epidemic illness in the
College during the sixteenth and early part of the seventeenth century.
The undergraduates in early times were much younger than the men of the
present day. The statutes prescribed that the oath should not be required
from scholars who were under sixteen years of age; the frequent occurrence
of non juratus in the admission entry of a scholar shows that many came to
the College before that age. Probably the average age was about sixteen; the
idea being that after the seven years' residence required for the M.A. degree
they would be of the proper age to present themselves for ordination. Those
under eighteen years of age might be publicly whipped in the Hall for
breaches of discipline.
Students from distant parts of England probably resided continuously in
College from the time they entered it until they took their degrees. The
statutes of King Henry VIII. contemplate a period of some relaxation at
Christmas; providing that each Fellow in turn should be "Lord" at
Christmas, and prepare dialogues and plays to be acted by members of the
College between Epiphany and Lent. The brazier in the Hall seems to have
been kept burning in the evening about Christmas time; of this practice a
curious relic survived until comparatively lately, it being the custom to
leave a few gas-jets burning in the Hall until midnight from St. John's Day
(December 27) until Twelfth Night.
There were three classes of students. The Fellow Commoners, sons of
noblemen or wealthy land-owners, who sat at the High Table, or, as it was
was built. The arrangement seems to have been as follows. The ground-
floor rooms were occupied by junior Fellows, each with a few pupils. The
rooms on the first floor, known in the College books as the "middle
chambers," were in greater request; with these went the rooms on the
second floor, with sometimes excelses or garrets over them—these could
accommodate a senior Fellow with several pupils. In the older parts of the
College the rooms occupied the whole depth of the building, and so were
lighted from both sides; in the corners, when light could be obtained,
cubicles or studies were partitioned off. From a sanitary point of view, life
under such conditions must have left much to be desired, and the burial
registers of All Saints' parish (in which the older part of the College is
situated) leave the impression of frequent and almost epidemic illness in the
College during the sixteenth and early part of the seventeenth century.
The undergraduates in early times were much younger than the men of the
present day. The statutes prescribed that the oath should not be required
from scholars who were under sixteen years of age; the frequent occurrence
of non juratus in the admission entry of a scholar shows that many came to
the College before that age. Probably the average age was about sixteen; the
idea being that after the seven years' residence required for the M.A. degree
they would be of the proper age to present themselves for ordination. Those
under eighteen years of age might be publicly whipped in the Hall for
breaches of discipline.
Students from distant parts of England probably resided continuously in
College from the time they entered it until they took their degrees. The
statutes of King Henry VIII. contemplate a period of some relaxation at
Christmas; providing that each Fellow in turn should be "Lord" at
Christmas, and prepare dialogues and plays to be acted by members of the
College between Epiphany and Lent. The brazier in the Hall seems to have
been kept burning in the evening about Christmas time; of this practice a
curious relic survived until comparatively lately, it being the custom to
leave a few gas-jets burning in the Hall until midnight from St. John's Day
(December 27) until Twelfth Night.
There were three classes of students. The Fellow Commoners, sons of
noblemen or wealthy land-owners, who sat at the High Table, or, as it was
Page 69
phrased, were in Fellows' commons. Some came in considerable state. In
1624 the Earl of Arundel and Surrey sent his two sons, Lord Maltravers and
Mr. William Howard, to the College. The Earl's chaplain, or secretary, in
making arrangements for their coming, wrote to request that they should
have one chamber in the College, with a "pallett for the gromes of their
chamber"; the rest of "his lordships company, being two gentlemen, a
grome of his stable and a footman, may be lodged in the towne near the
College." At this period the Second Court had been built, and the
accommodation for residence thus somewhat greater than in Elizabethan
times. The Fellow Commoner wore a gown ornamented with gold lace, and
a cap with a gold tassel. The last Fellow Commoner at St. John's to wear
this dress was the present Admiral Sir Wilmot Hawksworth Fawkes.
The next class in order of status were the Pensioners—men who paid their
expenses without assistance from the College, sons of middle-class parents.
In times of which we have any definite record this was the most numerous
class in College. Lastly, we have the sizars. A sizar was definitely attached
to a Fellow or Fellow Commoner; he was not exactly a servant, but made
himself generally useful. For example, those members of the College who
absented themselves from the University sermon were in the eighteenth
century fined sixpence, and the sizars were expected to mark the absentees.
The sizar at Cambridge had, however, always a better status than the
servitor at Oxford, and in the days when scholarships were strictly limited
as to locality, a sizarship was something of the nature of what at the present
day we should describe as an entrance scholarship or exhibition, the
assistance given consisting in a reduction of expenses rather than in actual
direct emolument. At the present time there is no difference in status among
members of the College; the foundation scholars, however, having special
seats in Chapel and a separate table in Hall if they choose to make use of it.
Until 1882 the condition of celibacy attached to all fellowships in the
College; Queen Elizabeth held strong views on the matter, even
discouraging the marriage of Masters. The necessity of taking orders was
somewhat relaxed in 1860. The system had its advantages—it tended to
produce promotion; for the natural inclination of mankind to marry, vacated
fellowships; the disadvantage was that men with a real taste for study or
teaching had no certain career before them. The question of allowing
Fellows to marry was raised in the eighteenth century, but met with little
1624 the Earl of Arundel and Surrey sent his two sons, Lord Maltravers and
Mr. William Howard, to the College. The Earl's chaplain, or secretary, in
making arrangements for their coming, wrote to request that they should
have one chamber in the College, with a "pallett for the gromes of their
chamber"; the rest of "his lordships company, being two gentlemen, a
grome of his stable and a footman, may be lodged in the towne near the
College." At this period the Second Court had been built, and the
accommodation for residence thus somewhat greater than in Elizabethan
times. The Fellow Commoner wore a gown ornamented with gold lace, and
a cap with a gold tassel. The last Fellow Commoner at St. John's to wear
this dress was the present Admiral Sir Wilmot Hawksworth Fawkes.
The next class in order of status were the Pensioners—men who paid their
expenses without assistance from the College, sons of middle-class parents.
In times of which we have any definite record this was the most numerous
class in College. Lastly, we have the sizars. A sizar was definitely attached
to a Fellow or Fellow Commoner; he was not exactly a servant, but made
himself generally useful. For example, those members of the College who
absented themselves from the University sermon were in the eighteenth
century fined sixpence, and the sizars were expected to mark the absentees.
The sizar at Cambridge had, however, always a better status than the
servitor at Oxford, and in the days when scholarships were strictly limited
as to locality, a sizarship was something of the nature of what at the present
day we should describe as an entrance scholarship or exhibition, the
assistance given consisting in a reduction of expenses rather than in actual
direct emolument. At the present time there is no difference in status among
members of the College; the foundation scholars, however, having special
seats in Chapel and a separate table in Hall if they choose to make use of it.
Until 1882 the condition of celibacy attached to all fellowships in the
College; Queen Elizabeth held strong views on the matter, even
discouraging the marriage of Masters. The necessity of taking orders was
somewhat relaxed in 1860. The system had its advantages—it tended to
produce promotion; for the natural inclination of mankind to marry, vacated
fellowships; the disadvantage was that men with a real taste for study or
teaching had no certain career before them. The question of allowing
Fellows to marry was raised in the eighteenth century, but met with little
Page 70
support and much opposition. Even in the middle of the nineteenth century
a University Commission inclined to the view that celibacy was inseparable
from the collegiate system.
The "Bridge of Sighs"
The clerical restriction had the effect of chiefly confining selection to
College offices to those who were in orders. These in due course went off to
benefices in the gift of the College, these acting as a species of pension.
One form of benefaction frequently bestowed by past members was the gift
of an advowson; one or two benefactors left estates, the revenues from
a University Commission inclined to the view that celibacy was inseparable
from the collegiate system.
The "Bridge of Sighs"
The clerical restriction had the effect of chiefly confining selection to
College offices to those who were in orders. These in due course went off to
benefices in the gift of the College, these acting as a species of pension.
One form of benefaction frequently bestowed by past members was the gift
of an advowson; one or two benefactors left estates, the revenues from
Page 71
which were to accumulate, and with the sums so raised advowsons were to
be purchased. Presentation to livings went by seniority of standing, and this
practice, with the restriction on marriage, gave rise to the belief, still
prevalent in many parishes where the College is patron, that the College on
a vacancy always chooses for the next incumbent "the oldest bachelor." It
seems probable, without any minute statistical inquiry, that most of the
Fellows left the College before the age of forty. A few remained on for life.
It is difficult now to reconstruct a picture of the High Table, made up as it
was for many years of a group of middle-aged or elderly men, with a
considerable admixture of youthful Fellow Commoners. During the
eighteenth century the proportion of Fellow Commoners was probably from
one-fourth to one-third of those dining together, and constraint on both
sides must have been almost inevitable. The terms "don" and "donnishness"
seem to have acquired their uncomplimentary meaning about this period.
The precise significance of "don" is not easy to express concisely; the most
felicitous is perhaps that of the Oxford Shotover Papers, where we read that
don means, in Spain, a gentleman; in England, a Fellow. The abolition of
the Fellow Commoner was perhaps chiefly due to the rise of the democratic
spirit and a general dislike of privilege, but there are other grounds for
welcoming it.
Of the individuals who make up the stream of youthful life which has ebbed
and flowed through the College gate there is but little official record. An
Admonition Book exists, in which more than a century ago those who were
punished for graver offences against discipline signed the record of their
sentence and promised amendment. One youth admits over a trembling
signature that he was "admonished by the Master, before the Seniors, for
keeping strangers in my chamber till twelve o' the clock, and disturbing the
Master by knocking at his gate in an irreverent manner at that hour for the
keys of the gate." When the College gate was closed it may be explained
that the keys were placed in the Master's keeping. We are, however, left in
ignorance of what passed in that chamber until the midnight hour. Yet no
doubt the student in past days had his amusements as well as his successor
of the present day—rougher perhaps, but not less agreeable to him.
In Bishop Fisher's statutes archery was encouraged as a pastime, and we
know from Ascham's writings that he indulged in it. In the sixteenth century
be purchased. Presentation to livings went by seniority of standing, and this
practice, with the restriction on marriage, gave rise to the belief, still
prevalent in many parishes where the College is patron, that the College on
a vacancy always chooses for the next incumbent "the oldest bachelor." It
seems probable, without any minute statistical inquiry, that most of the
Fellows left the College before the age of forty. A few remained on for life.
It is difficult now to reconstruct a picture of the High Table, made up as it
was for many years of a group of middle-aged or elderly men, with a
considerable admixture of youthful Fellow Commoners. During the
eighteenth century the proportion of Fellow Commoners was probably from
one-fourth to one-third of those dining together, and constraint on both
sides must have been almost inevitable. The terms "don" and "donnishness"
seem to have acquired their uncomplimentary meaning about this period.
The precise significance of "don" is not easy to express concisely; the most
felicitous is perhaps that of the Oxford Shotover Papers, where we read that
don means, in Spain, a gentleman; in England, a Fellow. The abolition of
the Fellow Commoner was perhaps chiefly due to the rise of the democratic
spirit and a general dislike of privilege, but there are other grounds for
welcoming it.
Of the individuals who make up the stream of youthful life which has ebbed
and flowed through the College gate there is but little official record. An
Admonition Book exists, in which more than a century ago those who were
punished for graver offences against discipline signed the record of their
sentence and promised amendment. One youth admits over a trembling
signature that he was "admonished by the Master, before the Seniors, for
keeping strangers in my chamber till twelve o' the clock, and disturbing the
Master by knocking at his gate in an irreverent manner at that hour for the
keys of the gate." When the College gate was closed it may be explained
that the keys were placed in the Master's keeping. We are, however, left in
ignorance of what passed in that chamber until the midnight hour. Yet no
doubt the student in past days had his amusements as well as his successor
of the present day—rougher perhaps, but not less agreeable to him.
In Bishop Fisher's statutes archery was encouraged as a pastime, and we
know from Ascham's writings that he indulged in it. In the sixteenth century
Page 72
the College built a tennis-court for the use of its members. John Hall, who
entered the College in 1646, recommended "shittlecock" as fit for students
—"it requires a nimble arme with quick and waking eye." We hear of horse
matches and cock-fighting, but in terms of disapproval. Football is
mentioned in 1574, when the Vice-Chancellor directed that scholars should
only play upon their own College ground. In 1595 "the hurtful and
unscholarly exercise of football" was forbidden, except within each College
and between members of the same College. Certain general orders for the
discipline of the undergraduates, which gave rise to much controversy about
1750, forbade cricket between the hours of nine and twelve in the morning.
In 1763 the Vice-Chancellor required that no scholar, of whatever rank,
should be present at bull-baiting. We read in the eighteenth century of
"schemes" or water-parties on the river, but these appear to have been more
of the nature of picnics than exercises of skill. Riding was probably very
common, the student arriving on his nag, perhaps selling it and using the
proceeds as a start in his new life. The phrase "Hobson's choice" took its
rise from the rule in the livery stables of Hobson the carrier that a man who
hired a hack had to take the one that stood nearest to the stable door. In later
days stage-coaches supplied a more regular means of conveyance. Students
leaving Cambridge for the North betook themselves to Huntingdon, and
were housed at the George Inn there till places could be found for them in
the coaches. The landlord of the George sending over to Cambridge to let it
be known that one batch were gone and that another might come over.
Traditions linger in parishes round Cambridge that the University
"gentlemen" used certain fields or commons for the purpose of riding races;
the Cottenham steeplechases are presumably a survival of this practice.
Shooting and coursing, with a little hunting, came into vogue at the end of
the eighteenth century.
The rise and organisation of athletic sports as an essential element of
College life would require a bulky history in itself. The first to take definite
form was rowing. The historic boat club of the college is the Lady Margaret
Boat Club; this was founded in the October term of 1825. The actual
founder of the club seems to have been the Hon. Richard John Le Poer
Trench, a son of the second Earl of Clancarty. Trench afterwards became a
captain in the 52nd Regiment, and died 12th August 1841. The club was the
first to start an eight-oared boat on the Cam, though some Trinity men had a
entered the College in 1646, recommended "shittlecock" as fit for students
—"it requires a nimble arme with quick and waking eye." We hear of horse
matches and cock-fighting, but in terms of disapproval. Football is
mentioned in 1574, when the Vice-Chancellor directed that scholars should
only play upon their own College ground. In 1595 "the hurtful and
unscholarly exercise of football" was forbidden, except within each College
and between members of the same College. Certain general orders for the
discipline of the undergraduates, which gave rise to much controversy about
1750, forbade cricket between the hours of nine and twelve in the morning.
In 1763 the Vice-Chancellor required that no scholar, of whatever rank,
should be present at bull-baiting. We read in the eighteenth century of
"schemes" or water-parties on the river, but these appear to have been more
of the nature of picnics than exercises of skill. Riding was probably very
common, the student arriving on his nag, perhaps selling it and using the
proceeds as a start in his new life. The phrase "Hobson's choice" took its
rise from the rule in the livery stables of Hobson the carrier that a man who
hired a hack had to take the one that stood nearest to the stable door. In later
days stage-coaches supplied a more regular means of conveyance. Students
leaving Cambridge for the North betook themselves to Huntingdon, and
were housed at the George Inn there till places could be found for them in
the coaches. The landlord of the George sending over to Cambridge to let it
be known that one batch were gone and that another might come over.
Traditions linger in parishes round Cambridge that the University
"gentlemen" used certain fields or commons for the purpose of riding races;
the Cottenham steeplechases are presumably a survival of this practice.
Shooting and coursing, with a little hunting, came into vogue at the end of
the eighteenth century.
The rise and organisation of athletic sports as an essential element of
College life would require a bulky history in itself. The first to take definite
form was rowing. The historic boat club of the college is the Lady Margaret
Boat Club; this was founded in the October term of 1825. The actual
founder of the club seems to have been the Hon. Richard John Le Poer
Trench, a son of the second Earl of Clancarty. Trench afterwards became a
captain in the 52nd Regiment, and died 12th August 1841. The club was the
first to start an eight-oared boat on the Cam, though some Trinity men had a
Page 73
four-oar on the river a short time before the Lady Margaret was started.
Among the first members of the club were William Snow and Charles
Merivale, afterwards Dean of Ely. Trench acted as stroke of the original
first boat crew in the Lent Term of 1826. There were at first no regular
races, but impromptu trials of speed with other crews frequently took place.
In 1827 the University Boat Club was started, and regular bumping races
begun. The first challenge to Oxford was determined on at a meeting of the
University Boat Club held 20th February 1829, when it was resolved: "That
Mr. Snow, of St. John's, be requested to write immediately to Mr.
Staniforth, Christ Church, Oxford, proposing to make up a University
Match." The match was made up, and the race rowed at Henley on 10th
June 1829, and from this the annual boat-race between Oxford and
Cambridge takes its rise. Snow acted as stroke of the Cambridge boat,
George Augustus Selwyn, successively Bishop of New Zealand and
Lichfield, rowed "seven," and Charles Merivale "four." Snow (afterwards
Strahan) became a banker, and died at Florence 4th July 1886. In after years
when, from 1861 to 1869 inclusive, Oxford had uniformly beaten
Cambridge, the Lady Margaret supplied the late John H. D. Goldie to break
the spell and restore hope and confidence to Cambridge crews. Thus the
College club has taken an important part in the establishment and
maintenance of Cambridge rowing. Two verses of the College boat song run
as follows:—
Among the first members of the club were William Snow and Charles
Merivale, afterwards Dean of Ely. Trench acted as stroke of the original
first boat crew in the Lent Term of 1826. There were at first no regular
races, but impromptu trials of speed with other crews frequently took place.
In 1827 the University Boat Club was started, and regular bumping races
begun. The first challenge to Oxford was determined on at a meeting of the
University Boat Club held 20th February 1829, when it was resolved: "That
Mr. Snow, of St. John's, be requested to write immediately to Mr.
Staniforth, Christ Church, Oxford, proposing to make up a University
Match." The match was made up, and the race rowed at Henley on 10th
June 1829, and from this the annual boat-race between Oxford and
Cambridge takes its rise. Snow acted as stroke of the Cambridge boat,
George Augustus Selwyn, successively Bishop of New Zealand and
Lichfield, rowed "seven," and Charles Merivale "four." Snow (afterwards
Strahan) became a banker, and died at Florence 4th July 1886. In after years
when, from 1861 to 1869 inclusive, Oxford had uniformly beaten
Cambridge, the Lady Margaret supplied the late John H. D. Goldie to break
the spell and restore hope and confidence to Cambridge crews. Thus the
College club has taken an important part in the establishment and
maintenance of Cambridge rowing. Two verses of the College boat song run
as follows:—
Page 74
"Mater regum Margareta
Piscatori dixit laeta
'Audi quod propositum;
Est remigium decorum
Suavis strepitus remorum
Ergo sit Collegium.'
Sic Collegium fundatum
Et Johannis nomen datum
Margareta domina,
Ergo remiges gaudendum
Triumphandum et canendum
In saeclorum secula."
So that, if we can trust the historic insight of the author (Mr. T. R. Glover),
the intentions of the foundress have been duly carried out.
The uniform of the club was at first much what it is now, a white jersey
with pink stripes; with this was worn a jacket of scarlet flannel, popularly
known as a "blazer"—a name which has passed into the English language
as descriptive of the coloured jackets of all clubs. It is said that some one,
whose feeling for analogy was stronger than for decorum, described the
surplice as "the blazer of the Church of England." Organised cricket clubs,
athletic clubs, and football clubs grew up, and in process of time clubs for
the pursuit of every kind of athletic exercise have been started. Originally
each club in College had a subscription, paid by its members, towards the
expenses of the special game. About twenty years ago all the clubs in St.
John's were united into one club—"The Amalgamation." The subscription
to this entitles a member to join in any of the recognised games. The funds
are administered by a committee consisting of the representatives of those
interested in the different games, and grants made from the general fund
towards the expenses of each game. The presence of a few senior members
of the College on the committee provides the continuity so difficult to
maintain with the short-lived generations of undergraduate life. The College
Piscatori dixit laeta
'Audi quod propositum;
Est remigium decorum
Suavis strepitus remorum
Ergo sit Collegium.'
Sic Collegium fundatum
Et Johannis nomen datum
Margareta domina,
Ergo remiges gaudendum
Triumphandum et canendum
In saeclorum secula."
So that, if we can trust the historic insight of the author (Mr. T. R. Glover),
the intentions of the foundress have been duly carried out.
The uniform of the club was at first much what it is now, a white jersey
with pink stripes; with this was worn a jacket of scarlet flannel, popularly
known as a "blazer"—a name which has passed into the English language
as descriptive of the coloured jackets of all clubs. It is said that some one,
whose feeling for analogy was stronger than for decorum, described the
surplice as "the blazer of the Church of England." Organised cricket clubs,
athletic clubs, and football clubs grew up, and in process of time clubs for
the pursuit of every kind of athletic exercise have been started. Originally
each club in College had a subscription, paid by its members, towards the
expenses of the special game. About twenty years ago all the clubs in St.
John's were united into one club—"The Amalgamation." The subscription
to this entitles a member to join in any of the recognised games. The funds
are administered by a committee consisting of the representatives of those
interested in the different games, and grants made from the general fund
towards the expenses of each game. The presence of a few senior members
of the College on the committee provides the continuity so difficult to
maintain with the short-lived generations of undergraduate life. The College
Page 75
provides the ground for the cricket, football, and lawn-tennis clubs, while
through the generosity of members of the College of all standings a
handsome boat-house has recently been built on the river. The College also
possesses flourishing musical and debating societies, and from time to time
clubs arise for literary and social purposes, dying out and being refounded
with great persistence.
In another sphere of work the College has taken a leading part. St. John's
was the first College in Cambridge to start a mission in London—the Lady
Margaret Mission in Walworth. Preaching in the College Chapel on 28th
January 1883, the Rev. William Allen Whitworth, a Fellow of the College,
then Vicar of St. John's, Hammersmith, afterwards Incumbent of All Saints',
Margaret Street, suggested that the College should support a mission in
some neglected district of London. The matter took form a little later in the
year, and since then the College Mission has been a College institution.
Members of the College visiting the mission district, and visitors from
Walworth coming for an annual outing, including a cricket match, in
August.
Another flourishing institution is the College magazine, The Eagle.
Founded in the year 1858, it has maintained its existence for nearly fifty
years, being now the oldest of College magazines. It has numbered among
its contributors many who have subsequently found a wider field and
audience: some of the earliest efforts of Samuel Butler, author of Erewhon,
are to be found in its pages.
I now bring my sketch of the College history to a close. I have
endeavoured, within the prescribed limits, to give an outline of the
corporate life of an ancient and famous foundation. In writing it two classes
of readers have been borne in mind: the visitor who, within a short
compass, may wish to learn something more than can be picked up by an
inspection of the buildings; members of the College who feel a lively
interest in the habits and pursuits of those who have preceded them. I have,
perhaps, thought more of the latter than of the former class.
through the generosity of members of the College of all standings a
handsome boat-house has recently been built on the river. The College also
possesses flourishing musical and debating societies, and from time to time
clubs arise for literary and social purposes, dying out and being refounded
with great persistence.
In another sphere of work the College has taken a leading part. St. John's
was the first College in Cambridge to start a mission in London—the Lady
Margaret Mission in Walworth. Preaching in the College Chapel on 28th
January 1883, the Rev. William Allen Whitworth, a Fellow of the College,
then Vicar of St. John's, Hammersmith, afterwards Incumbent of All Saints',
Margaret Street, suggested that the College should support a mission in
some neglected district of London. The matter took form a little later in the
year, and since then the College Mission has been a College institution.
Members of the College visiting the mission district, and visitors from
Walworth coming for an annual outing, including a cricket match, in
August.
Another flourishing institution is the College magazine, The Eagle.
Founded in the year 1858, it has maintained its existence for nearly fifty
years, being now the oldest of College magazines. It has numbered among
its contributors many who have subsequently found a wider field and
audience: some of the earliest efforts of Samuel Butler, author of Erewhon,
are to be found in its pages.
I now bring my sketch of the College history to a close. I have
endeavoured, within the prescribed limits, to give an outline of the
corporate life of an ancient and famous foundation. In writing it two classes
of readers have been borne in mind: the visitor who, within a short
compass, may wish to learn something more than can be picked up by an
inspection of the buildings; members of the College who feel a lively
interest in the habits and pursuits of those who have preceded them. I have,
perhaps, thought more of the latter than of the former class.
Page 76
Members of the College have always been distinguished for a certain
independence of thought and adherence to principle, not always guided by
motives of mere worldly prudence; they have always been noted for that
strong corporate feeling which finds expression in the words of Viscount
Falkland's letter, before alluded to: "I still carry about with me an indelible
character of affection and duty to that Society, and an extraordinary longing
for some occasion of expressing that affection and that duty."
To one who has spent much of his life in the service of the institution to
which he owes so much, the words of the Psalmist (a Scot naturally quotes
the version endeared to him by early association) seem to put the matter
concisely—
"For in her rubbish and her stones
thy servants pleasure take;
Yea, they the very dust thereof
do favour for her sake."
independence of thought and adherence to principle, not always guided by
motives of mere worldly prudence; they have always been noted for that
strong corporate feeling which finds expression in the words of Viscount
Falkland's letter, before alluded to: "I still carry about with me an indelible
character of affection and duty to that Society, and an extraordinary longing
for some occasion of expressing that affection and that duty."
To one who has spent much of his life in the service of the institution to
which he owes so much, the words of the Psalmist (a Scot naturally quotes
the version endeared to him by early association) seem to put the matter
concisely—
"For in her rubbish and her stones
thy servants pleasure take;
Yea, they the very dust thereof
do favour for her sake."
Page 77
INDEX
Adams, J. C., 16, 25, 26, 29, 82
Admonition Book, 100
Armorial Bearings, 2
Arrowsmith, J., 57
Ascham, R., 19, 23, 44
Ashton, H., 19
Baker, T., 28, 32, 61
Balsham, Hugo de, 36
Baronsdale, W., 50
Barwick, J., 31
Bateson, W. H., 81
Beale, W., 56
"Blazer," 104
Blunt, J. J., 22
Boat Club, 102
Bohun, H., 47
"Bridge of Sighs," 8, 10
Briggs, H., 51
Brown, "Capability," 10
Adams, J. C., 16, 25, 26, 29, 82
Admonition Book, 100
Armorial Bearings, 2
Arrowsmith, J., 57
Ascham, R., 19, 23, 44
Ashton, H., 19
Baker, T., 28, 32, 61
Balsham, Hugo de, 36
Baronsdale, W., 50
Barwick, J., 31
Bateson, W. H., 81
Beale, W., 56
"Blazer," 104
Blunt, J. J., 22
Boat Club, 102
Bohun, H., 47
"Bridge of Sighs," 8, 10
Briggs, H., 51
Brown, "Capability," 10
Page 78
Bull-baiting, 101
Burghley, Lord, 18, 48
Carey, V., 28
Catton, T., 70
Caxton, 31
Celibacy, 97
Chapel, New, 13-17
Chapel, Old, 4, 13
Charles I., 26, 30, 52, 56, 86
Charles II., 31
Cheke, Sir J., 44
Churchill, C., 70, 72
Clarkson, T., 26
Clayton, R., 49
Clive, R. H., 22
College Leases, 91
Combination Room, 5, 23, 25, 27
Commons, 43, 90
Corn Rents, 91
Cricket, 101
Cromwell, O., 56, 63
Cromwell, T., 29, 30
Burghley, Lord, 18, 48
Carey, V., 28
Catton, T., 70
Caxton, 31
Celibacy, 97
Chapel, New, 13-17
Chapel, Old, 4, 13
Charles I., 26, 30, 52, 56, 86
Charles II., 31
Cheke, Sir J., 44
Churchill, C., 70, 72
Clarkson, T., 26
Clayton, R., 49
Clive, R. H., 22
College Leases, 91
Combination Room, 5, 23, 25, 27
Commons, 43, 90
Corn Rents, 91
Cricket, 101
Cromwell, O., 56, 63
Cromwell, T., 29, 30
Page 79
Dallam, R., 22
Dawson, J., 70
Denman, T., 71
Digby, E., 48
Dividend, 92
Eagle, The, 106
Eagle Close, 10
Edward VI., 45
Elizabeth, Queen, 46, 47
Estates, 93
Examinations, 24, 69
Fairfax, T., 31, 56, 62
Falkland, Viscount, 18, 62, 107
Fawkes, Sir W. H., 96
Fellow Commoners, 66, 96, 97, 99
Fisher, John, 37
Floods, 7
Football, 101
Forster, T., 63
Frost, H., 35
Ganton, R., 70
Dawson, J., 70
Denman, T., 71
Digby, E., 48
Dividend, 92
Eagle, The, 106
Eagle Close, 10
Edward VI., 45
Elizabeth, Queen, 46, 47
Estates, 93
Examinations, 24, 69
Fairfax, T., 31, 56, 62
Falkland, Viscount, 18, 62, 107
Fawkes, Sir W. H., 96
Fellow Commoners, 66, 96, 97, 99
Fisher, John, 37
Floods, 7
Football, 101
Forster, T., 63
Frost, H., 35
Ganton, R., 70
Page 80
Gilbert, W., 18, 50, 51
Glover, T. R., 104
Goldie, J. H. D., 103
Gower, H., 7, 59, 60
Gunning, P., 57
Gwyn, O., 52, 62
Hall, The, 23
Hare, Sir R., 25
Hawksmoor, N., 8
Heberden, W., 73
Henrietta Maria, Queen, 26
Henry VII., 38
Henry VIII., 18, 38, 41, 45, 86
Herrick, R., 63
Herschel, Sir J. F. W., 25, 26, 82
High Altar, 46
Hill, R., 84
Hoare, H., 16
Hoghton, General, 70
Hopton, Sir I., 63
Horne Tooke, 72
Hospital of St. John, 14, 35
Glover, T. R., 104
Goldie, J. H. D., 103
Gower, H., 7, 59, 60
Gunning, P., 57
Gwyn, O., 52, 62
Hall, The, 23
Hare, Sir R., 25
Hawksmoor, N., 8
Heberden, W., 73
Henrietta Maria, Queen, 26
Henry VII., 38
Henry VIII., 18, 38, 41, 45, 86
Herrick, R., 63
Herschel, Sir J. F. W., 25, 26, 82
High Altar, 46
Hill, R., 84
Hoare, H., 16
Hoghton, General, 70
Hopton, Sir I., 63
Horne Tooke, 72
Hospital of St. John, 14, 35
Page 81
Howard, Lord Thomas, 3
Hutchinson, H., 8
Infirmary, 17
James I., 26, 49, 52
James II., 58
Jenkin, R., 61, 64
Kennedy, B. H., 25
Kikuchi, D., 83
Kirke White, H., 4, 20
Kitchen, 32
Knox, E., 17
Knox, John, 17
Knox, N., 17
Labyrinth, 17, 18, 94
Lady Margaret, 1, 2, 37
Laud, 30
Leases, 92
Library, 25, 27, 28
Lillechurch, 30, 41
Linacre, T., 49
Hutchinson, H., 8
Infirmary, 17
James I., 26, 49, 52
James II., 58
Jenkin, R., 61, 64
Kennedy, B. H., 25
Kikuchi, D., 83
Kirke White, H., 4, 20
Kitchen, 32
Knox, E., 17
Knox, John, 17
Knox, N., 17
Labyrinth, 17, 18, 94
Lady Margaret, 1, 2, 37
Laud, 30
Leases, 92
Library, 25, 27, 28
Lillechurch, 30, 41
Linacre, T., 49
Page 82
Liveing, G. D., 25
Longworth, R., 47, 89
Ludlam, W., 70
Martyn, H., 71
Mary, Queen, 46
Mason, W., 72
Master's Lodge, 15, 25
Mayor, J. E. B., 25, 61
Mengs, R. A., 22
Merivale, C., 102, 103
Metcalfe, N., 20, 40, 42
Mission, Walworth, 105
Mortuary Roll, 30
Mossom, D., 63
Newcome, J., 31
Nonjurors, 59
Norton, F., 72
Oates, Titus, 63
Okeley, F., 84
Organ, 22
Ospringe, 41
Longworth, R., 47, 89
Ludlam, W., 70
Martyn, H., 71
Mary, Queen, 46
Mason, W., 72
Master's Lodge, 15, 25
Mayor, J. E. B., 25, 61
Mengs, R. A., 22
Merivale, C., 102, 103
Metcalfe, N., 20, 40, 42
Mission, Walworth, 105
Mortuary Roll, 30
Mossom, D., 63
Newcome, J., 31
Nonjurors, 59
Norton, F., 72
Oates, Titus, 63
Okeley, F., 84
Organ, 22
Ospringe, 41
Page 83
Palmer, E. H., 25
Palmerston, Viscount, 71
Parsons, Hon. C. A., 83
Paul's Cross, 43
Peckover, Dr. A., 39
Pennington, Sir I., 90
Percy, A., 40
Peterhouse, 36, 37
Pilkington, J., 89
Powell, Sir F. S., 16
Powell, W. S., 69
Powis, Earl, 21
Præter, 91
Prior, M., 32, 63
Reform, University, 80
Registers, 61, 62
Reyner, G. F., 16
Rickman, T., 8
Rowing, 102
St. John's Street, 16
Scott, A. J., 71, 72
Palmerston, Viscount, 71
Parsons, Hon. C. A., 83
Paul's Cross, 43
Peckover, Dr. A., 39
Pennington, Sir I., 90
Percy, A., 40
Peterhouse, 36, 37
Pilkington, J., 89
Powell, Sir F. S., 16
Powell, W. S., 69
Powis, Earl, 21
Præter, 91
Prior, M., 32, 63
Reform, University, 80
Registers, 61, 62
Reyner, G. F., 16
Rickman, T., 8
Rowing, 102
St. John's Street, 16
Scott, A. J., 71, 72
Page 84
Scott, Sir G. G., 15, 17
Scott, J. O., 22
Seaton, G., 55
Selwyn, G. A., 26, 103
Selwyn, W., 15
Seven Bishops, 58
Shittlecock, 101
Shorton, R., 40
Shrewsbury, Countess of, 5, 19, 28
Sizar, 97
Smith, R., 50
Smith, W., 73
Snow, W., 102, 103
Stag Staircase, 4
Stage Plays, 23, 95
Staincoat, 5
Stankard, 5
Statues, 18
Statutes, 42, 43, 61, 74, 79, 81
Strafford, Lord, 18, 56, 62
Tatham, R., 22, 80
Taylor, B., 63
Scott, J. O., 22
Seaton, G., 55
Selwyn, G. A., 26, 103
Selwyn, W., 15
Seven Bishops, 58
Shittlecock, 101
Shorton, R., 40
Shrewsbury, Countess of, 5, 19, 28
Sizar, 97
Smith, R., 50
Smith, W., 73
Snow, W., 102, 103
Stag Staircase, 4
Stage Plays, 23, 95
Staincoat, 5
Stankard, 5
Statues, 18
Statutes, 42, 43, 61, 74, 79, 81
Strafford, Lord, 18, 56, 62
Tatham, R., 22, 80
Taylor, B., 63
Page 85
Taylor, C., 82
Thomas, Sir N., 25
Townshend, Marquis, 70
Trench, R. J. Le P., 102
Trinity College, 44
Tuckney, A., 57
Tutorial System, 77
Tyrrell, W., 26
Victoria, Queen, 18
Washington, Geo., 64
Whitaker, W., 48
Whitgift, J., 48
Whitworth, W. A., 105
Whytehead, T., 22
Wilberforce, W., 26
Wilderness, The, 9, 10
Williams, John, 7, 18, 25, 27, 28, 29, 52
Wood, J., 20, 78
Wordsworth, W., 25, 26, 32
Wren, Sir C., 7
Wren's Bridge, 8, 9
Thomas, Sir N., 25
Townshend, Marquis, 70
Trench, R. J. Le P., 102
Trinity College, 44
Tuckney, A., 57
Tutorial System, 77
Tyrrell, W., 26
Victoria, Queen, 18
Washington, Geo., 64
Whitaker, W., 48
Whitgift, J., 48
Whitworth, W. A., 105
Whytehead, T., 22
Wilberforce, W., 26
Wilderness, The, 9, 10
Williams, John, 7, 18, 25, 27, 28, 29, 52
Wood, J., 20, 78
Wordsworth, W., 25, 26, 32
Wren, Sir C., 7
Wren's Bridge, 8, 9
Page 86
THE END
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.
Edinburgh & London
TRANSCRIBERS' NOTES
General: Spelling of words in quotations has been preserved.
General: Corrections to punctuation have not been individually
documented.
Page 51: logarithims corrected to logarithms (second occurrence)
Page viii: Some links on List of Illustrations have been adjusted
as illustration have been moved to a different page for
readability
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.
Edinburgh & London
TRANSCRIBERS' NOTES
General: Spelling of words in quotations has been preserved.
General: Corrections to punctuation have not been individually
documented.
Page 51: logarithims corrected to logarithms (second occurrence)
Page viii: Some links on List of Illustrations have been adjusted
as illustration have been moved to a different page for
readability
Page 87
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