LETTER LXVI.

Dr. HYDE to Mr. (afterwards Dr.) HUDSON.

On augmenting the Second Librarian's Salary, &c.

[no date.]

MR. HUDSON,

can.

I HERE send you the list of Dr. Sloane's books, which I thought had been now waste paper; but if the Curators should insist upon entering them, I will direct you as well as I When I have writ in the margin DUPL. all those are returned. Many of the figures were rubbed off in carriage, so that it was impossible to compare them with the list exactly. Of the Quartos there wanted above an hundred not sent, and I shewed it to Mr. Wanley, who thought there might be some mistake in the packing them up. Upon these considerations, it will be difficult and impossible to enter them exactly. But if it should be insisted on, you may enter a good parcel of them to make a shew in the Album; though I scarce think it for the credit of the business, nos inter nos. If they must be entered, I advise you to adjust the business of paying the scribe, for it will cost a great deal of money, to be written (as the Statutes require) in a fair hand quæ legentium oculos oblectabit.

About half a year ago, the Vice-Chancellor was speaking of adding two Masters of Arts for

assistants to the Library-keeper. If you tell him that you want assistance, then you will hear what he thinks of it. But for my part, I could not guess whence he would wish a salary sufficient to oblige men to a constant attendance. It is my opinion it should be such as intend to live always in the University, that you may not be always troubled with new persons who understand not the business.

At a late meeting of the Curators, I urged them to give ten pounds to Mr. Crabbe, in regard of his great pains in entering books in the Catalogue, and in regard of the smallness of his place. They did with some difficulty give him the money, but the first reason they did not much approve, saying that some of us should have done it without making them pay for it. The second reason of the smallness of his place, they willingly admitted, the Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Bouchier both confessing it impossible for him to live upon it: wherefore it is my opinion your first request should be to mend the salary of Mr. Crabbe, that so you may retain him who understands [the] business, before you are troubled with strangers who understand it not.

There is but one Catalogue wherein the insertions are compleat, it is in Mr. Crabbe's study. Of this Catalogue you must have a great care that it be not torn by common use, for it will be irrecoverable; and therefore I durst not let it be

open for common use, seeing how ill the other Catalogues are used by careless people.

Some in the University have been very troublesome in pressing that their Servitors may transcribe Manuscripts for them, though not sworn to the Library, nor yet capable of being sworn: wherefore the Curators made an order (as you will find in the Book of Orders in the Archives,) "That none were capable of transcribing, except those who had right of studying in the Library, viz. Batchelors."

You ought to translate the Bodleian Statutes into English, to imprint them in your head. But if any do press for concessions, answer that you must consider what the Statutes allow in that case; and then if you send Mr. Crabbe to me, I will tell you what is statute, and what is the practice in such case,

Your humble Servant,

THO. HYDE.

Mr. Wanley, besides the 121. per ann. was

paid for all particular services distinctly.

LETTER LXVII.

Dr. ARBUTINOT to Dr. CHARLETT, at Hambleton, near

DEAR SIR,

Henley-upon-Thames.

On the Death of Dr. Gregory.

Maidenhead, Greyhound Inn, Tuesd. 34 afternoon. [Oct. 1708.]

THIS gives you the bad news of the death of our dear friend Dr. Gregory, who died about one o'clock this afternoon, in this Inn, in his way to London from Bath. He sent to me last night to Windsor; I found him in a resolution to go forward to London this morning, from which I happily dissuaded, finding him in a dying condition. He has a child, an only daughter, dead at London of the small pox, of which neither he nor his wife knew any thing, for I would not tell them; the rest of his family lie sick of the same disease, so you may easily guess what a disconsolate condition his poor widow must find herself in. She would be glad to see you to advise about his burying. My present thought and advice is to bury him at

We have just now received news of the death of Dr. David Gregory, our Scotch Professor of Astronomy. His distemper was a consumption. HBARNE, MSS. Collections, vol. 17. (1708.) 197.

Oxford, where he is known, amongst those who will shew a great deal of respect to his memory,* and it is almost the same distance from this place as London. Mrs. Gregory begs the favour to see you here if possible, being one of his most intimate friends, whom he always confided in. I am in great grief, and shall stay here as long as

* The following Testimonial in favour of Dr. Gregory, from Sir Isaac Newton, is taken from the original in the Bodleian:

London, July 28, 1691.

Being desired by Mr. David Gregorie, Mathematick Professor of the Colledge in Edinburgh, to testifie my knowlege of him, and having known him by his printed Mathematical Performances, and by discoursing with travellers from Scotland, and of late by conversing with him; I do account him one of the most able and judicious Mathematicians of his age now living. He is very well skilled in Analysis and Geometry, both new and old. He has been conversant in the best writers about Astronomy, and understands that science very well. He is not only acquainted with books, but his invention in Mathematical things is also good. He has performed his duty at Edinburgh with credit, as I hear, and advanced the Mathematicks. He is reputed the greatest Mathematician in Scotland, and that deservedly so far as my knowledge reaches, for I esteem him an ornament to his country, and upon these accounts do recommend him to the Electors of the Astronomy Professor into the place in Oxford, now vacant. Sic subscribitur

VOL. I.

Js. NEWTON, Math. Prof. Cantab.

N