her;" the defective word was added at Dr. Farmer's suggestion. Had he seen a copy of Fidessa, the true reading might perhaps have been restored. (Note by Mr. Singer.)

CAPS AT CAMBRIDGE.

At the congregation in the Senate House at Cambridge, Nov. 23, presided over by the Prince Chancellor, it was observed that the undergraduates in the galleries (for want I suppose of an obnoxious Vice-Chancellor or Proctor upon whom to vent their indignation) poured it forth in yells and groans upon those members of the senate who kept on their hats or caps. The same has been done on several former occasions. It probably

arises from a mistake, in ascribing to the gaucherie of individuals what is really the observance of a very ancient custom. The following extract, from an unpublished MS. of the middle (I think) of the seventeenth century, in which the custom is incidentally noticed, will serve for a confirmation of what I say:

"When I was regent, the whole house of congregation joyned together in a petition to the Earle of Pembroke to restore unto us the jus pileorum, the licence of putting on our cappes at our publicke meetings; which priviledge time and the tyrannie of our vicechancellours had taken from us. Amongst other motives, we use the solemne forme of creating a M^r in the Acte by putting on his cappe, and that that signe of libertie might distinguish us which were the Regents from those boyes which wee were to governe, which request he graciouslie granted."

This was written by an M.A. of Oxford. At Cambridge we have not hitherto had such haughty despots in authority, to trample upon our rights; but we seem to be in danger of losing our jus pileorum through "the tyrannie," not of our Vice-Chancellors, but "of those boyes which wee are to governe."

A Regent M.A. of Cambridge.

Lincoln's Inn.

LETTERS OF EMINENT LITERARY MEN.

(Continued from p. 8.)

IV.

Dr. John Ward, Professor of Gresham College, to Dr. Cary, Bishop of Clonfert.

[MS. Donat., Brit. Mus., 6226, p. 16.]

While there was any expectation of your Lordship's speedy return to England, I forbore to congratulate you on your late promotion. For though none of your friends could more truly rejoice at this news than I did, both on your own account, and that of the public; yet in the number of compliments which I was sensible you must receive on that occasion, I close rather to be silent for fear of being troublesome. But as I find it is now uncertain, when your affairs may permit of your return hither, I could not omit this opportunity by your good Lady to express my hearty congratulation upon the due regard shown by the Government to your just merit; and shall think it an honour to be continued in your esteem as ultimus amicorum.

I doubt not but your Lordship has seen Mr. Horsley's Britannia Romana advertised in some of our public Papers; but I know not whether you have heard that the author died soon after he had finished the work, before its publication. When it was hoped that the credit of this book might have been of some service to him and his large family, he was suddenly and unexpectedly taken off by an Apoplexy. Such is the uncertainty of all human affairs. That your Lordship may be long preserved in your high station for the good of the Protestant Religion, and the support of public liberty, are the sincere wishes of,

V.

Mr. Michael Mattaire to the Earl of Oxford.

1736, Oct. 21. Orange Street.

After my most humble thanks for the continuation of Westminster Elections you was so kind as to give me, I must acquit myself of my promise; and therefore I herewith send your Lordship a copy transcrib'd exactly from the MS. given me by Dr. South himself of his verses upon Westminster School, with his name, and the year subscribed at bottom. They were indeed publish'd among his Opera Posthuma Latina Anon. 1717, by Curl, after his impudent way of dealing with dead authors' works; and sometimes also with those of the living.

Curl's printed copy differs from the MS. in these following places:

Your Lordship by this may see how much this sawcy fellow has abused this learned man's fine copy of verses; and how justly he deserved the correction which was inflicted on him at that school.

By the tenth Distich it appears that the School (containing then Tercentum juvenes) was managed by three Masters onely: and, for aught we know, might flourish pretty well, though it had not twice that number.

Give me leave, my Lord, to subscribe myself with profound respect,