tions. The first edition, which appeared in the years 1691 and 1692, although not printed under the immediate super intendance of the Author, may be considered as entirely proceeding from him. It is true that some few passages were rejected by the Licenser, and a few others, as he himself somewhat pettishly informs us, were altered by his own friends; but, as there can be no doubt that this was the genuine work of the Author, so must he be regarded as answerable for every statement and character it contains.-It has been thought the more necessary to insist on this point, since Wood has incurred great reproach, because, at the time the proceedings against him by Lord Clarendon were pending, he denied himself to be the author of the Second Volume of Athenæ Oxonienses altogether. This charge has been frequently repeated, and, in some instances, has been made to throw a doubt on the veracity of all his statements as an author. But Wood's answer to the accusation against him, in the Vice-Chancellor's Court, should be considered rather as the answer of his Proctor than of himself; and the exceptions and the denial should be regarded as those framed for him by his legal advisers. These persons, well aware of the strong party spirit at that time raging in the University, conceived that the only means of defeating the prosecution would be to compel their opponents to prove Wood the author of the obnoxious passages, which could only be accomplished by entirely disowning the publication. If this be the case, all accusations against Wood's veracity, or against his courage and consistency, are refuted; for the denial in the defence will then be attributed to the right person, namely, the Defendant's Proctor, who, in the discharge of his duty, took every legal means of repelling the accusations against his Client, although without success. To the two volumes already mentioned, it was Wood's intention to have added a third, containing the Lives of Writers before accidentally omitted, and of such others as had died after the appearance of his work. This volume, had he not been prevented by death, it was his intention to have printed in Holland, in order to escape the jurisdiction of the Licenser, or the interference of his acquaintance *. In his last hours, Wood was advised by Dr. Charlet to entrust the care of his papers relative to the Athenæ, to Mr. Thomas Tanner of All Souls' College, afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph. To this he consented, and his numerous MS Collections were, immediately after his death, delivered to Mr. Tanner for the purpose of publication. There can be little doubt but that Wood intended all his papers should see the light without any reserve; and, indeed, he appears to have been particularly solicitous on this point in his last interview with Dr. Charlet. Hearne informs ust, that when Tanner was recommended to him, he cried out with much vehemence, Hath he courage? Will he be honest? And he repeated these words several times with great energy, nor, until he was thoroughly satisfied on this head, would he commit his Collections to the guardianship of Mr. Tanner. For what reason Tanner neglected to execute his trust, and publish the contents of Wood's papers, it would now be useless to inquire; but it may safely be conjectured, that he found too many unfavourable characters of persons then living, or but recently dead, to render such a measure either gratifying or prudent: add to which, he soon after meditated a literary undertaking, in the execution of which Wood's labours proved of essential service: this was his Bibliotheea Britannico-Hibernica, a volume of which every page owes infinite obligations to the Athenæ, and in which several lives are acknowledged to be derived from the third volume, then in MS. - As things were thus situated, it is probable that Wood's additional papers would never have appeared before the publick, had not Tonson the bookseller meditated a new edition of the whole work.. For this purpose, he purchased the copyright of Mr. Wood's executrix, and then applied, through Laurence Echard, to Dr. Tanner for the materials comprising the third volume. After some debate relative to the price, Tanner consented to give up the papers, and the new Lives were either incorporated with, or "Ant. à Wood, as Mr. Hudson told me, consulted with him (knowing that be had great correspondence with the chief men in Holland,) how to get his third vol. of Athenæ Oxon. printed there. When he was asked the reason why he would not have it printed in England, he answered, that his other books had suffered so much by the liberty that some men took of expunging what they pleased, that he would never suffer any book of his to be committed to an English press again. He moreover added, (to use his own words,) when this volume comes out, I'le make you laugh again.' Hearne, MS Collections, vol. v. 140." "Ibid. vol. xcii. 192." appended contemptuous; but we have already sufficiently seen the estimation in which it was held by one at least of those persons most competent to judge of its merits or defects. How far Dr. Tanner deserved the accusations of partiality to his party, and infidelity to his friend, we have not now the means of ascertaining; but it seems pretty evident that more alterations and omissions were allowed than can be well justified, and although Tanner disclaimed any part of the management of the second edition, yet it is clear, from his own testimony, that he corrected the papers previous to their being deposited in Tonson's hands. In a letter to Mr. Baker, of St. John's College, Cambridge, he says, 'There were, I must own to you, several hard words and passages more in the original,which I thought good manners and Christian. charity, and a regard to the old Gentleman's memory, obliged me to strike out." appended to, the original work, and the whole appeared in the year 1721. As a proof of the genuineness of these additional Lives, it is much to be wished that Dr. Tanner had deposited the originals in the Bodleian Library; but, as this was never done, it is now impossible to judge with what fidelity he executed his trust. It is certain, however, that several passages were omitted, and others softened; and Hearne, whose veracity, notwithstanding his prejudices, may always be relied upon, speaks with great asperity of the partiality shewn by Dr. Tanner, or his advisers, throughout the publication. 'He bath,' says he*, 'altered things so, and made him talk in such a manner, as if Mr. Wood had been a downright villain, and had not known what even the most ignorant scholar knows. How comes it otherwise to pass, that more than once, gentlemen, when they are matriculated, are represented to take the oaths of alle--I have deemed it right to say thus giance and supremacy? Mr. Wood could not write so, since nobody knew better that the oath of supremacy only, and not the oath of allegiance, is then taken. Nor does the statute require an oath of allegiance at that time. But this was added to bring a slur upon the University, and out of a trimming design, as it was also out of design to please the trimmers, that the Dr. bath left out the just characters of Dr. Wallis and Dr. Bathurst, which he ought to have kept in certainly, as well as that of Dr. South. But there is a vast multitude of other objections. I do not doubt but Tanner was guided by his crony Dr. Arthur Charlet- a great admirer of Wallis and Bathurst, and a hater of South.' Again+, Mr. Collins of Magdalen College told me, that Anthony à Wood, if living, would be glad if the University would burn the new edition of Athenæ Oxon. though he was much displeased that they burnt the first. Indeed this new edition is so very paltry and silly a book, that nothing can be worse. Things are ascribed to Anthony that he neither would nor could write. I remember one thing particularly; viz. that it is said in this new edition that Mr. Richard Lloyd left several children, one of which was Will Lloyd, first Bishop of St. Asaph, then of Litchfield and Coventry, and at length of Worcester. Now Anthony died A° 1695, and Lloyd was not made Bishop of Worcester till 1699, four years after Anthony's death.' Many other passages might be brought forward, in which the second edition is spoken of in terms equally harsh and *"MS Collections, vol. xii. 192," "Ibid. p. 86." much of the former editions of the Athenæ, and of the peculiar circumstances attending the second, in order that I might shew the necessity of a careful collation of the two, and prove, that had either been followed exclusively, the present would have been incomplete. It now therefore remains to point out the plan that has been pursued in this publication. The text is printed from the edition of 1721, but such omissions or alterations as were made from the first edition are inserted in the mar gin, so that both readings may be referred to at the same time. The additions to the second edition are distinguished by inverted commas, and those passages which are entirely new, both in the text and notes, as well as some few additional Lives, are enclosed between brackets. The folios as numbered in the edition of 1721, are given on the margin, to render the present copy applicable for reference in the perusal of former Writers, whose works have been published subsequent to that, and previous to this edition. Evident errors have been frequently corrected without the parade of a note, since that minuteness must be considered as useless which retains the mistakes of an author, merely for the sake of bibliographical accuracy. In most instances, where a Poet's life has been recorded, a specimen from some one of his productions is added; an insertion which, whilst it occupies but a small space in the work, will, it is hoped, be acceptable to the admirers of our early literature. The same remark applies to the List of engraved Portraits, at the end of each article. In this it has been my intention to notice a few of the best speci mens mens of the art, rather than to select the scarcest or most expensive. The insertion of the reference in the Bodleian Catalogues, by which most of the works noticed may be discovered, whilst it will be peculiarly useful to Readers resident in Oxford, will also inform literary men in general whether any book of particular interest or rarity is to be found among the treasures in our University Library. It will be remarked that at the end of every addition, for which I am indebted to MS notes or friendly communications, I have inserted the name of the writer on whose authority it is offered: and it may not be impertinent to state the different sources from which so large a portion of the new Athenæ has been derived. "The notes by White Kennett, Bishop of Peterborough, are contained in the margins of an interleaved copy of the first edition. This copy was purchased, for the sum of five guineas and a half, by the late Mr. Gough, from the library of James West, esq. President of the Royal Society. Mr. Gough presented this valuable book to the Rev. Mr. Archdeacon Churton for his life, directing that, at Mr. Churton's decease, it might be placed with the rest of his noble benefaction to the Bodleian Library. But Mr. Churton, with an eagerness to promote every literary undertaking that always distinguishes him, no sooner understood that a new edition of the Athenæ was in preparation, than he most liberally transmitted the volumes to the Bodleian, in order that I might have access to the information they contained. This consists chiefly of extracts from Parish Registers, and from other Ecclesiastical documents, collected with extraordinary diligence, during a series of many years. I have endeavoured, in most instances, to give these notes in Dr. Kennett's own words and orthography; but it will be observed, in some few instances, that I have been tempted to translate the names of the preferments, in order to render the narrative more connected, and the language uniform *.-Those by the Rev. Thomas Baker, of St. John's College, Cambridge, were transcribed by the late Rev. William Cole, of King's College, for his own use, and inserted in a large-paper copy of the Athenæ, which was purchased by Craven Ord, esq. The active friendship of my worthy kinsman, John Nichols, esq. the Historian of Leicestershire, induced the fortunate possessor of this book to dispose of it to the proprietors of the new edition; and the value and importance of the notes will be discovered in every page. Bishop Tanner's additions are taken from his own copy of the Athenæ, now in the Bodleian.Dr. Rawlinson's notes on the printed volumes of the work are preserved, with his collections towards a Continuation, in the Bodleian. They are neither numerous nor interesting.-The corrections and additions by Humfrey Wanley are contained in a copy now preserved in the library of the Royal Institution. The same copy also has some notes by Morant, the Historian of Essex-Peck's notes were transmitted to Dr. Rawlinson, and are among his MSS. in the Bodleian.-The same may be stated of two small volumes of notes written by the Rev. Robert Watts, Fellow of St. John's College, and afterwards Rector of Great Gidding in Huntingdonshire, which were transcribed for Dr. Rawlin son's use by the Rev. John Jones, of St. John's College, from the original MS. in the possession of the Rev. Thomas Fer. rar. Sir Philip Sydenham's notes were transcribed by Dr. Rawlinson from the originals, and are now in the Bodleian. Bishop Humphreys's additions were first printed by Hearne, from a copy given him by Mr. Baker, in Tho. Caii Vindicia, Oxon. 1730. They are now faithfully reprinted, and arranged in their respective places.-Cole's notes are contained in the same volumes with those of Baker before mentioned. Coningsby's in a copy in the library of Baliol College. Bowles's in a copy in the library of Sion College; for which I am obliged to the Rev. Robert Watts, the present librarian. Whalley's in a copy now in the posses sion of Mr. Francis Godolphin Waldron, for whose prompt and friendly communication I beg to return my sincere acknowledgments.-The notes by John Loveday, esq. of Caversham, near Reading, are on the margins of copy in the library of that family, and for these I am again obliged to the kind interference of Mr. Churton. **Why Tanner should have rejected Kennett's notes, I cannot discover. Mr. D'Israeli has obligingly transmitted the following extract from an unpublished letter in the British Museum, written by Anthony Collins to Mr. Des Maiseaux, on this subject: Jan. 5, 1721. If that you have been informed of Wood's new edition be true, it will render it of little credit. I am told, by a good hand, that Dr. Tanner, the editor, refused to accept of the additions made by Dr. Kennett to Wood, which were very large, and which the Doctor offered to have published in the way of notes,"" "To "To Dr. Routh, the President of Magdalen, and Dr. Hodson, the Principal of Brazen-nose College, I am indebted for the greatest kindness, whenever I have, had occasion to trouble them for information relative to the Members of their respective Societies.-To Henry Ellis, esq. of the British Museum, I owe the most friendly attentions throughout the whole of this work. He has spared no trouble to assist me in transcribing from the literary stores now under his immediate care, and has devoted much time to my assistance, which his own laborious avocations might have well excused. The ready kindness with which this aid was promised, and the continued exercise of it, demand my warmest thanks.-Mr. Gilchrist, of Stamford, has favoured me with several very important communications and suggestions; these are rendered the more valuable from the liberal manner in which they were proffered, and the friendly expressions which accompanied them. To Thomas Park, esq. and his son Mr. John James Park, I am obliged for several notes, that will be found of equal interest and curiosity. I have to thank Mr. Kerrich, the intelligent Keeper of the Publie Library at Cambridge, for his kind attention to my letters, and particularly for the trouble he imposed upon himself in transcribing for me a long and tedious article.-To my friend Mr. Conybeare, of Christ Church, I am indebted for several corrections and hints, by which these volumes are rendered far more valuable and complete than they could have been without such assistance. For the kind and judicious advice of my old friend and schoolfellow Edward Hawkins, esq. now of St. John's College, but recently elected a Fellow of Oriel, I feel highly grateful; and at the same time that, in common with the rest of my College, shall lament his loss, I cannot but congratulate the Fellows of Oriel on the aequisition of so great an ornament to their Society. Mr. Browne Mostyn, of Kiddington, has my best thanks for his very polite attentions to me when I was in search of an original portrait of the celebrated Cardinal Allan; and I cannot, in justice, refrain from noticing the liberality with which he allowed me every access to his house and his curious collection of original paintings. I am obliged to Mr. Lawrence, of Georgestreet, Portman-square, for a curious article relative to his own family, which I could not have obtained from any other quarter. And to Walter M. Moseley, esq. of Wynterdere House, Worcestershire, for information of the same description.—To the Rev. John Walker, Fellow of New College, I am much indebted for his very acceptable aid in several parts of the work. "The kind, yet laborious office of correcting the errors of the press, was undertaken, in conjunction with myself, by my friend Charles Mayo, esq. Fellow of St. John's, whose accuracy, judgment, and zeal, have been actively and most beneficially exerted. I know not in what terms to express my sense of the conduct of my excellent friend the Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel throughout the whole progress of this work. It is to his friendship that I have been indebted for access to most of the rarest sources whence I have drawn my information to his judgment I owe several important amendments, and to his active and steady friendship I am obliged for favours which I cannot express in words of adequate acknowledgement, and shall never be able to repay. His research and assiduity and attention are now engaged on a work of National importance, and the world will soon be able to judge the excellence of his communications, though it can never appreciate the value and sincerity of his friendship. "I believe I have now performed the grateful task of acknowledging my obligations; yet, although my friends have been so numerous, and the assistance I have received so great, it will be discovered that I have much new text, and a great number of notes, to answer for myself. I cannot but be anxious about the reception that these will meet with from the literary world, yet I hope that those who discover my errors or omissions will reflect that it is no easy task to steer clear from mistakes among so many hundreds of names, and dates, and titles: that they will remember we are not at all seasons equally disposed for the drudgery of research; and that they will give me credit for a desire to be accurate, however I may have failed in the execution of my task. If those who discover my faults will assist me in amending them, I shall be grateful for their reproofs, and will take especial care that every omission or mis-statement that may be pointed out to me, shall be ac knowledged and corrected in the course of the work:-I shall conclude with the words of my Author, in his Preface to the Antiquities of Oxford, the truth of which will be readily allowed by those who have engaged in a similar undertaking, and which may somewhat soften the asperity of those who may be inclined to condemn my portion of the volumes before them. A painfull work it is I'll assure you, and more than difficult, wherein what toyle hath been taken, as 1 no man thinketh, so no man believeth, In Oxford's precincts, seated near the but he that hath made the triall.' PHILIP BLISS." The First Volume does Mr. Bliss great credit; and we hope very shortly to be able to give some specimens from the Second. 14. Poems and Imitations. By Daniel Cabanel, of Lincoln's Inn, esq. 8vo. pp. 192. Bickerstaff. THESE are the effusions of a libe ral and enlightened mind. The first of them, "British Scenery," (published anonymously in 1811,) "is the product of a variety of rambles by one who has been a contemplative wanderer from his youth, and whose admiration of British landscape continues undiminished." The learned Author thus describes himself, and some of the places of his occasional residence: "Scarce from Carthusian pupilage releas'd, Oxonia's cloister'd solitudes receiv'd My willing feet; Oxonia-school of arts, For Learning and for Loyalty renown'd. Hail seats of Alfred! hail sequester'd [flight Amid whose placid bounds, with noiseless Years glided on; books, and well-nurtur'd friends shades! Lent wings to time: here Addison retir'd To woo the Muse, in Magd'len's studious cells, [Wickham's bowers, And high-arch'd walks; and here, in The brother Wartons caught poetic fire: The Bard of Fancy, Memory oft recalls With fond regret; in converse, as in song, Alike conspicuous: gentle Hurdis, here, The village aunals in appropriate lays Tun'd to no common lyre: here pious Jones Imbib'd the lore of India, doom'd to close (Far from his natal soil and friends be[fame. lov'd) A life of Christian worth, and letter'd Here Heber's stripling Muse portray'd the Of Palestine in energetic strains; [fate With early academic laurels crown'd. Long is the list, immeasurably long! Of Alma Mater's worthies; from the age Of Bacon (deem'd with magic power endued [brass), T'encompass England with a wall of To times when Grenville occupies the chair, [worth. Left vacant erst by Portland's buried Countless her gifted sons, since Alfred's hand First laid the rudiments of future Fanes, And Colleges, and Halls, and Domes superb! well [fenc'd, Of hapless Rosamond, (now strongly To guard its crystal charge from touch impure,) Proudly magnificent, (the ponderous work Of Vanburgh, Architect of grand design And princely structure,) Blenheim rears its head; Blenheim*, the offering of a grateful land To Marlbro's martial deeds, and trophied fame. [Bards, The British Annals teem with Patriots, Heroes, and Sages vers'd in Wisdom's lore; Distinguish'd names that mock the scythe of Time! First in the Patriotic list appears The name of Chatham; Gallia's sons turn paleFor 'tis a name that levell'd with the dust The might of Bourbon-'tis a name rever'd |
