"LONDON, 15_th Nov._ 1712."
I insert the following extract as it records what was of great importance
to Hearne personally, since he refused to recognise George I. as the
legitimate monarch.
3_rd Aug._ 1714.--"On Sunday morning (Aug. 1st) died queen Anne, about 7
o'clock. She had been taken ill on Friday immediately before. Her
distemper an apoplexy, or, as some say, only convulsions. She was
somewhat recovered, and then made Shrewsbury lord treasurer. On Sunday
last, in the afternoon, George Lewis, elector of Brunswick, was
proclaimed in London King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, by
virtue of an act of parliament, by which those that are much nearer to
the crown by bloud are excluded."
The following extract illustrates the feeling in Oxford under the first
Hanoverian sovereign. Very few, however, showed Hearne's consistent and
courageous Jacobinism:--
29_th May_ 1715.--"Last night a good part of the presbyterian
meeting-house in Oxford was pulled down. There was such a concourse of
people going up and down, and putting a stop to the least sign of
rejoycing, as cannot be described. But then the rejoycing this day
(notwithstanding Sunday) was so very great and publick in Oxford, as hath
not been known hardly since the restauration. There was not an house
next the street but was illuminated. For if any disrespect was shown,
the windows were certainly broke. The people run up and down, crying
_King James the third_! _The true King_! _No usurper_! _The duke of
Ormond_! and healths were everywhere drank suitable to the occasion, and
every one at the same time drank to a new restauration, which I heartily
wish may speedily happen."
I give the following extract as a record of the dinner hour in Oxford in
1717:--
24_th April_ 1717.--"On Sunday morning last (being Easter-day) Dr
Charlett, master of University college, sent his man to invite me to
dinner that day. I sent him word that I was engaged, as indeed I was.
Yesterday he sent again. I sent word I would wait upon him. Accordingly
I went at twelve o'clock. When I came I found nobody with him but Mr
Collins, of Magdalen coll., whom he had also invited." {41}