should be capable of acting as vice-chancellor, or even as his deputy.*

The Master of Trinity College remained thus under the ban of the University about two years, until Sherlock became vice-chancellor; when the official, with the principal's concurrence, submitted to his arbitration the whole matter in dispute, to be by him equitably and amicably decided: accordingly,' says Bentley's learned biographer, the vice-chancellor, after an examination of the charters, records, and registers, drew up a distinct statement of the different descriptions of persons, to the probates of whose wills the University was entitled: whereupon the official subscribed an engagement never to interfere with those claims; and the archdeacon ratified the concessions, in the name of himself and his successors. Those documents being published to the Senate in a convocation, were immediately followed by a grace, cancelling and annulling the late resolution; and the repeal was next day voted by the body, with the same unanimity as the censure.' +

On the 4th of the following month the sense which the University entertained of Bentley's superlative merits in the cause of revealed religion, was testified by its public expression of thanks for the admirable. work which he had published against Collins, under the assumed name of Phileleutherus Lipsiensis.§ As some people asserted that the University had been taken by surprise in this instance, and the grace had * Dean Monk's Life of Bentley, p. 262. + Page 292.

+ Ibid.

§ The grace on this occasion was drawn up by his friend and supporter Waterland.—Bishop Van Mildert's Life of Waterland, p. 13.

been clandestinely passed through the Senate at a single congregation,* Dean Monk has taken some pains to vindicate the great Aristarchus and his friends from this charge of artifice and collusion: he observes that the motion was made with unusual pomp,' and that 'the person answerable for the management, had there been any, was Sherlock, the vice-chancellor, who can never be reckoned among the friends of the Master of Trinity.'†

In truth it redounds greatly to the credit of the subject of this Memoir, that he was not numbered among those friends. I am inclined to think that the sound sense, the accurate legal knowlege, and the strict integrity of Sherlock's character, would never have allowed him to encourage the scandalous acts of that extraordinary personage, who seemed as if he took delight in stirring up the waves of strife around him, just as one might imagine some powerful enchanter to raise the foaming billows of the ocean, that he might plunge amidst their furrows, and defy their rage. But that Sherlock became one of Bentley's most determined opponents, was probably owing, not so much to his detestation of the other's tyranny, as to the different view he took of politics, and to the associates with whom he was accustomed to act; one of whom was connected with him by nearer ties than those of friendship: a similarity however of opinion in ecclesiastical matters, (for Bentley, though he was a Whig in politics,

*This actually gave rise to a decree which passed soon afterwards, declaring, that no public business should be completed except in two congregations.'-Life of Bentley, p. 293.

+ Page 293.

Dr. Gooch, Master of Caius College, whom Bentley designated as the empty Gotch of Caius,' in whose vice-chancellorship the Master of Trinity was degraded, and who was the leader

by no means sided with that party in all their low church doctrines,*) and a mutual respect which each of these two great men bore for the other's talents and attainments, kept them from that personal collision, which so frequently took place between some individuals and the great Aristarchus, to the disgrace of learning and scandal of the University. As might have been expected, when personalities did occur, they arose on the part of Bentley ; and the nickname of Cardinal Alberoni, which he fixed on his antagonist, from a fancied resemblance of his active exertions and extensive influence to the intriguing politics of the Spanish minister, adhered to Sherlock long after the circumstances which gave birth to it had been forgotten.

It becomes necessary here to advert briefly to the state of parties at Cambridge, as an introduction to one of the most splendid bequests that regal bounty ever made to a seat of learning. Political animosity was perhaps now at its height; and the enmity between Whigs and Tories was scarcely any where more violent: great discretion, therefore, was necessary for a person holding so high and responsible an office as that of vice-chancellor, to escape obloquy, whilst he carried himself firmly, but temperately, through the waves of contending factions. In his endeavors to this effect, Sherlock seems to have been eminently successful; but it must be added that his difficulties were considerably lessened by the different charac

of his adversaries in the University, married Sherlock's sister; and the closest intimacy always subsisted between these two brothersin-law.

* It is to this cause that Dean Monk, with great probability of truth, assigns Bentley's forbearance to take up the cudgels in the Bangorian Controversy.

ter of Tory politics in Cambridge, from that which they assumed in the sister university. At Oxford they were mixed up with the strong leaven of Jacobite principles; whence arose disturbances which sometimes required military aid to quell them. But at Cambridge the Tories, though numerically preponderant, were for the most part distinguished by a firm adherence to the Hanoverian succession. Of this number was our vicechancellor but when, on the night of the Pretender's birth-day this year (1715), certain disturbances arose from some young men, which Sherlock and his coadjutors prudently passed over as the freaks of youth or inebriety, and thereby incurred the charge of conniving at such excesses, and of encouraging sentiments hostile to the reigning family, a loyal and energetic address to his Majesty was carried through the Senate, which avowed, in the strongest terms, a determination of upholding the Hanoverian succession on the principles of the Church of England.

On this occasion, when a troop of horse,' according to the witty epigram of the day, was sent to curb the Tory spirit of Oxford, a magnificent donation of books, purchased by the King from the executors of the deceased Bishop Moore for 60007., rewarded the Whig principles of Cambridge. Notice of this valuable present, which had been suggested and advised by Lord Townshend, one of the schoolfellows and early friends of Sherlock, was communicated to him as vice-chancellor, for the information of the University, in a letter from his Lordship, dated September 20th, 1715.* The gratitude of that learned body for this signal generosity, was expressed by an address to the King, and another to the minister; 'in both

* University Register.

of which,' says the Dean of Peterborough,* 'we find specimens of that glowing eloquence frequently conspicuous in the writings of Dr. Sherlock.' The insertion of these documents, which, through the kindness of my valued friend the present registrary,† I have procured from the grace-book of the University, must prove acceptable to the reader, while they fully justify that opinion which the learned Dean has advanced concerning the intellectual powers of their author: with respect to their orthography, which has been carefully observed, that must, I think, be referred, at least in one instance, which is marked by italics, to the worthy registrary of the day, rather than to our vice-chancellor. The address to King George was carried up by Dr. Sherlock in person, attended by many heads of houses and other members of the Senate, who were introduced to His Majesty by Lord Townshend, in the absence of the Duke of Newcastle, then Chancellor of the University.

To the King's Most Excellent Majesty,-The humble address of thanks from the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We beg leave to approach your Majesty with our most humble thanks for the gracious mark of royal favor which your Majesty has bestowed on your ancient University of Cambridge. There never was an occasion when we were either more desirous to express our sentiments of gratitude, or less able to do it to our own satisfaction. The genius of learning, which has for many ages so happily presided in this place, cannot furnish us with language to utter what we feel. There is nothing to which even the wishes of your

* Life of Bentley, p. 296.

+ W. Hustler, Esq., Fellow of Jesus College.