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At work, with earnest diligence and good success, as it has since continued actually to be,-for the contemporary clamours and Querelas about Vandalism, Destruction of Learning, and so forth, prove on examination to be mere agonised shrieks, and unmelodious hysterical wind, forgettable by all creatures. Not easily before or since could the Two Universities give such account of themselves to mankind, under all categories, human and divine, as during those Puritan years.

But now Philip of Pembroke, the loud-voiced Chancellor of Oxford, is dead; and the reformed University, after due consultation, has elected the Lord General in his stead; to which 'high testimony' here is his response.- Dr. Greenwood,' who I think has some cast about his eyes, is otherwise a most recommendable man: 'Bachelor, then Doctor of Divinity, sometimes Fellow of 'Brasenose College,' says Royalist Anthony, and lately made Principal of the said College by the Committee and Parliamentary Visitors; a severe and good Governor, as well in his 'Vice-Chancellorship as Principality; continued till the King's ' return, and then'

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To the Reverend Dr. Greenwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and other the Members of the Con

vocation.

HONOURED GENTLEMEN,

Edinburgh, 4th February, 1650.

I have received, by the hands of those worthy Persons of your University sent by you into Scotland, a Testimony of very high respect and honour, in 'your' choosing me to be your Chancellor. Which deserves a fuller return, of deep resentment, value and acknowledgment, than I am any ways able to make. Only give me leave a little to expostulate, on your and my own behalf. I confess it was in your freedom to elect, and it would be very uningenious in me to reflect upon

1 Wood's Fasti, ii. 157 (in Athenæ, iv.), of July, 1649.

your action; only (though somewhat late) let me advise you of my unfitness to answer the ends of so great a Service and Obligation, with some things very obvious.

I suppose a principal aim in such elections hath not only respected abilities and interest to serve you, but freedom 'as' to opportunities of time and place. As the first may not be well supposed, so the want of the latter may well become me to represent to you. You know where Providence hath placed me for the present; and to what I am related if this call were off,1—I being tied to attendance in another Land as much out of the way of serving you as this, for some certain time yet to come appointed by the Parliament. The known esteem and honour of this place is such, that I should wrong it and your favour very much, and your freedom in choosing me, if, either by pretended modesty or in any unbenign way, I should dispute the acceptance of it. Only I hope it will not be imputed to me as a neglect towards you, that I cannot serve you in the measure I desire.

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I offer these exceptions with all candour and clearness to you, as leaving you' most free to mend your choice in case you think them reasonable; and shall not reckon myself the less obliged to do all good offices for the University. But if these prevail not, and that I must continue this honour,—until I can personally serve you, you shall not want my prayers That that seed and stock of Piety and Learning, so marvellously springing up amongst you, may be useful to that great and glorious Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ; of the approach of which so plentiful an effusion of the Spirit upon those hopeful plants is one of the best presages. And in all other things I shall, by the Divine assistance, improve my

1 Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for three years to come '(Commons Journals, vi. 239), 22 June, 1649.

poor abilities and interests in manifesting myself, to the University and yourselves,

Your most cordial friend and servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.*

On the same Tuesday, 4th February, 1650-1, while the Lord General is writing this and the former Letter, his Army, issuing from its Leith Citadel and other Winter-quarters, has marched westward towards Stirling; he himself follows on the morrow. His Army on Tuesday got to Linlithgow; the Lord General overtook them at Falkirk on Wednesday. Two such days of wind, hail, snow and rain as made our soldiers very uncomfortable indeed. On Friday, the morning proving fair, we set out again; got to Kilsyth ;-but the hail-reservoirs also opened on us again : we found it impossible to get along; and so returned, by the' road we came; back to Edinburgh on Saturday,'-coated with white sleet, but endeavouring not to be discouraged. We hope we much terrified the Scots at Stirling; but the hail-reservoirs proved friendly to them.

LETTER CLIV.

THE Oxford Convocation has received the foregoing Letter, 'canting Letter sent thereunto,' as crabbed Anthony designates it, ' dated at Edinburgh on the 4th of February,' and now at length made public in print; they have read it in Convocation,' continues Anthony, 'whereat the Members made the House resound with their cheerful acclamations ;'2-and the Lord General is and continues their Chancellor; encouraging and helping forward them and their work, in many ways, amid his weighty affairs, in a really faithful manner. As begins to be credible without much proof of ours, and might still be abundantly proved if needful.

Here however, in the first blush of the business, comes Mr.

* From the Archives of Oxford University; communicated by the Rev. Dr. Bliss.

Perfect Diurnal (in Cromwelliana, p. 100).

2

Fasti, ii. 159.

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Waterhouse, with a small recommendation from the Lord General; John Waterhouse of Great Greenford in Middlesex, son of Francis Waterhouse by Bridget his wife,' if anybody want to know him better ;'-' a student heretofore for eighteen years in Trinity College, Cambridge,' a meritorious Man and Healer since; whom one may well decorate with a Degree, or decorate a Degree with, by the next opportunity.

To my very worthy Friend, Dr. Greenwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.

SIR,

Edinburgh, 14th February, 1650. This Gentleman, Mr. Waterhouse, went over into Ireland as Physician to the Army there; of whose 'diligence, fidelity and abilities I had much experience. Whilst I was there, he constantly attended the Army: and having, to my own knowledge, done very much good to the Officers and Soldiers, by his skill and industry;and being upon urgent occasion lately come into England, 'he' hath desired me to recommend him for the obtaining of the degree of Doctor in that Science. Wherefore I earnestly desire you that, when he shall repair to you, you will give him your best assistance for the obtaining of the said Degree; he being shortly to return back to his charge in Ireland.

By doing whereof, as you will encourage one who is willing and ready to serve the Public, so you will also lay a very great obligation upon,

Sir,

Your affectionate servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.*

1 Fasti, ii. 163: created Doctor of Physic by virtue of the Letters of Oliver Cromwell, General' (12 March, 1650-1).

2 that you' in the hasty original.

* From the Archives of Oxford University; communicated by the Rev. Dr. Bliss.

LETTER CLV.

HERE farther, from another quarter, is a new University matter, -Project of a College at Durham; emerging incidentally like a green fruitful islet from amid the dim storms of War; agreeably arresting the eye for a moment.

Concerning which read in the Commons Journals of May last: A Letter from the Sheriff and Gentlemen of the County ' of Duresme, dated 24th April, 1650; with a Paper' or Petition of the same date," "delivered-in by the Grand Jury at the Ses'sions of the Peace holden at Duresme the 24th of April, 1650, To be presented to the Honourable Parliament of this Nation," were this day read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Com'mittee of Obstructions for Sale of Dean-and-Chapter Lands, to 'consider these Desires of the Gentlemen and others of that 'County, touching the converting some of the Buildings at Duresme called the "College," which were the Houses of the late 'Dean and Chapter, into some College or School of Literature; to 'state the business, to'- in short, to get on with it if possible.

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This was some ten months ago, but still there is no visible way made; and now in the wild Spring weather here has been, I suppose, some Deputation of the Northern Gentry riding through the wild mountains, with humane intent, to represent the matter to the Lord General at Edinburgh; from whom, if he pleased to help it forward, a word might be very furthersome. The Lord General is prompt with his word;-writes this Letter, as I find, in some interval of a painful fit of sickness he has been labouring under.

To the Right Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England:

These.

SIR,

Edinburgh, 11th March, 1650.

Having received information from the

Mayor and Citizens of Durham, and some Gentlemen of

1 Commons Journals, vi. 410 (8 May, 1650).

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