On the death of Edward Bernard, D.D., the Savilian Professor of
Astronomy (which occurred on Jan. 12), the University became the
purchaser from his widow of the greater part of his library. A selection
from his printed books, made on behalf of the Library by H. Wanley,
comprising many rare Aldines and specimens of the 15th century, were
bought for £140, and his MSS., many of which were valuable copies of
classical authors, together with collated printed texts and his own
_Adversaria_, for £200. Of 218 of the latter, Bernard has given a very
brief list in his own invaluable _Catalogus Manuscriptorum Angliæ_,
which appeared posthumously, in the year of his death. (Vol. ii. pp.
226-8.) The bulk of his books are dispersed through various divisions of
the Library; but about thirty volumes of his own _Adversaria_ are kept
together under his name. A very full account, by H. Wanley, of the
purchase of the collection is printed by Dr. Bliss in his notes to the
_Ath. Oxon._ (iv. 709), who adds that this addition 'contained many of
the most valuable books, both printed and MSS., now in the Library.'
In the discharge of his duty of selection, Wanley came into sharp
collision with his chief, Dr. Hyde, as is shown by a curious paper, in
Wanley's handwriting, which was transcribed by Dr. Rawlinson from the
original in Dr. Charlett's possession[153]. The paper gives a list of
books for the not securing which, together with others, out of Dr.
Bernard's collection, blame had been thrown upon Wanley, and which Hyde
had said must by all means be bought at the auction which was to be held
in October, 1697. To the title of each book so specified, Wanley appends
some caustic remarks, exposing Dr. Hyde's little acquaintance with the
Library or with the books themselves; and sums up thus at the
close:--'This is what I have to say to these 13 books, one whereof I
look upon as imperfect, two more I was charged not to meddle with, and
the other ten are in the Library already. I shall wave all unmannerly
reflections, as whether this be not in you _insignis insufficientia_,
for which you are liable to be turned out of your place; or [whether,]
if you had been employed to bring in a list of Dr. Bernard's books
wanting in the Library, and took the same method as now, the University
would not have bought a fair parcel of duplicates, and such like; but I
pass them by. Tho' it must be owned that the University being willing to
lay out but 140 pounds, some different editions of the Bible, Fathers,
Classicks, &c., were preferr'd to some books not at all in the Library,
but they were at the same time judged to be of less moment, and likely
to be given to it by future benefactors.'
The quarrel, however, soon ceased; for, in the following year, Hyde was
anxious to see Wanley appointed as his successor. The latter, in a
letter to Dr. Charlett, dated Oct. 10, 1698[154], repeats a conversation
held with Hyde on the previous evening, in which the Librarian said
'that he is heartily weary of the place of Library-keeper; that he must
use more exercise in riding out, &c., if he intends to preserve his
health; which will of necessity hinder his attendance there. He had
rather I succeeded him than anybody else, which I cannot do untill I am
a graduate; that, if I have any friends amongst the heads of houses,
they cann't do better for me than in procuring for me the degree of
Batchellor of Law, that I may be in a condition to stand for his place
with others, which he will resign as soon as I have obtain'd the said
degree, and (for my sake) will communicate his intentions to nobody else
in the mean time. He presses me to get this degree as soon as possible,
urging that he does not care how soon he is rid of his place.' Wanley
asks for Charlett's advice; what that was does not appear, but, at any
rate, he did not obtain the degree which he desired, and consequently
did not become eligible as Hyde's successor.
Sixteen MS. treatises on Mathematics, Astronomy, and Ancient History, by
Thomas Lydiat, were given by Will. Coward, M.D. They are placed amongst
the Bodl. MSS., chiefly between Nos. 658-671.
[153] Rawlinson's copy is now in MS. Rawl. Misc. 937. For the knowledge
of this paper the writer is indebted to Rev. W. H. Bliss.
[154] Ballard MSS. xiii. 45.