In this year the gifts to the Library, which since 1640 had been but
few, begin once more to increase in number. Five hundred gold and silver
coins were given by Ralph Freke, of Hannington, Wilts, and a cabinet for
their reception, 'auro gemmisque coruscum,' by his brother William.
Amongst various other donations occur a copy of Caxton's Description of
Britain, 1480, from Ralph Bathurst, M.D., Trinity College, and four
Oriental MSS. from William Juxon, 'Londinensis olim Episc.' One entry in
the Benefaction Register has been at one time carefully pasted over, and
at another brought again to light; it is the record of a gift from _Hugh
Peters_. 'Hugo Peters, serenissimo Britanniarum Protectori Olivero a
sacris, pro sua in academiam et rempubl. literariam benevolentia,
codices insequentes Bibl. Bodleianæ dono dedit Maii iiii^o, Anno CIƆ.
IƆC. LVII;' viz. the great Dutch Bible with annotations, 'edit. ult.
[scil. Hague, 1637] auro sericoque compacta,' and the Æthiopic Psalter
of 1513. A leaf which followed this entry has been removed from the
Register, probably because it contained some further particulars of
Peters' gift, or possibly the record of the MSS. presented by the
Protector himself in 1654[123]. The binding of silk and gold has now
altogether disappeared, and the Bible is clad in a plain calf coat, with
no note of its former condition or of its donor.
Francis Yonge, M.A. of Oriel College, the Sub-librarian, died in this
year. In his place succeeded, through the influence of Dr. Owen, Dean of
Ch. Ch., Henry Stubbe, M.A., the well-known violent and varying
political writer, then a Student of that House. From the posts, however,
of both Librarian and Student Stubbe was ejected in March, 1659, on
account of the publication of his book entitled, _A Light Shining out of
Darkness_, which was supposed to attack the Universities and clergy.
[123] See p. 55.