In this year the last volume (numbered 142) of Dr. Holmes' Collations of
MSS. of the Septuagint-Version, was deposited in the Library. This great
and important work had been commenced in the year 1789; it was intended
to embrace collations of all the known MSS. of the Greek text, as well
as of Oriental versions; and for seventeen years, by the help of liberal
subscriptions, in spite of the difficulties interposed by the
continental wars, the collection of the various readings from MSS. in
libraries throughout Europe was carried on. And each year's work was, on
its completion, deposited in the Bodleian. During this period, annual
accounts were published of the progress of the work, which possess both
critical and bibliographical interest; and the results of the whole are
seen in the fine edition printed at the Clarendon Press, in five vols.,
folio, 1808-1827.
The MSS. of the distinguished classical scholar, James Philip D'Orville,
who died at Amsterdam, Sept. 14, 1751, were bought for £1025. After the
purchase was completed, a question arose whether the University of
Leyden were not, by the terms of his will, entitled to them after the
death of his son, but it was ascertained that this provision was only
made in case his son did not reach manhood. The collection numbers about
570 volumes, containing many valuable Greek and Latin Classics, together
with numerous collations of texts, and annotated printed copies.
Thirty-four volumes contain correspondence (autograph and in copy) of
Is. Vossius, Heinsius, Cuper, Paolo Sarpi, Beverland, and the letters
addressed to D'Orville by all the great scholars of his time. And
thirty-eight volumes, in folio and quarto, contain _Adversaria_ of
Scipio and Alberic Gentilis. There are also six Turkish and Arabic MSS.
The gem of the collection is a quarto MS. of _Euclid_, containing 387
leaves, which was written, 'χειρι Στεφανου κληρικου,' A.M.
6397 = A.D. 889. It contains a memorandum by one Arethas of Patras, that
he bought the book for four (or, most probably, fourteen,) _nummi_. A
Catalogue of the MSS., compiled anonymously by Dr. (then Mr.) Gaisford,
was printed in quarto, in 1806. D'Orville's signature occurs in the
Admission-book as having been admitted to read on Aug. 18, 1718.
A form of new Statute was put out on March 28, to be proposed to
Convocation in May; but it appears to have been withdrawn, as no fresh
Statutes were actually enacted until 1813. The staff was proposed to be
increased to the number which was adopted in the latter year, but with
smaller salaries; and the Library was to be open from nine to three,
throughout the year.