the standard and purity of our ancient English coins. Mr. N. also made considerable progress in a History of the Money of Henry III. but it was never completed. He left his valuable collection of coins to Dr. Askew.

Mr. Richard Elliot was admitted of this college, 1746. He soon began to favor the doctrines of the Methodists, afterwards became an Arian, and settled as minister of a Dissenting congregation in London. He published several theological pieces on the person of Christ, and Atonement; for he maintained the Arian doctrine with what is deemed the more Orthodox doctrine of the

Atonement of Christ. He also published several sermons, and a Hymn Book. Mr. Elliot took his A. B. degree in 1749, but never, through objection, I suppose, to the subscription required, took the degree of A. M.

Mr. James Nasmith made the valuable catalogue of MSS. in the public library, and that of Archbishop Parker's. He also published an edition of Tanner's Notitia Monastica. He was A. M. 1767, S. T. P. 1797, and fellow.

Robert Masters, F. A. S. the historian of this college, must not be forgotten. His account is the only printed history of a separate college in Cambridge that is extant, and the materials being derived, principally, from the college archives and records, and wrought up with faithfulness by the writer, possesses authority. It is done much after the manner of Mr. Baker's MS. History of St. John's College. Mr. Masters also published, in 1784, Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the late Mr. Thomas Baker, of

about the oldest printed book, at Cambridge, p. 432, nor quite so correct about Saxon architecture, as his friend Dr. Ducarel was, in his Norman antiquities. What Mr. North says on the old Baptisterium and Fons is very judicious.

St. John's College, in Cambridge, from the papers of Dr. Zachary Grey, with a Catalogue of his (Baker's) MS. Collections. The Memoirs, indeed, do not display (what the life of such a man as Baker admitted of) much profundity of remark, elegance of taste, or perspicuity of arrangement: still it is a useful, valuable work. The Catalogue of the twenty-three volumes in the British Museum, is that printed in the Harleian Catalogue, Vol. II. number 7028: of the subsequent volumes, in the public library of Cambridge, Mr. Masters had an opportunity of making out the list himself. He has subjoined a few notes. This gentleman took his A. M. degree in 1738, his B.D. in 1746. He died at Landbeach, in the Isle of Ely, of which place he was rector in 1798; and, the place of his burial being fixed by himself, the following inscription is placed under the east chancel window on the outside, in the church yard.

Sacred to the Memory of

ROBERT MASTERS, B.D. F.A.S.

The faithful and diligent Rector of this Church 41 Years, Whose Charity to the Poor, and Humanity to the Distressed, rendered his Life truly exemplary,

and his Death lamented.

He died, July 5, 1798,
Aged 84 Years.

This inscription was communicated to me by his relation, Dr. Cory, master of Emmanuel College, and copied by Mr. Burroughs, the present rector of Landbeach, who informs me, this inscription was not written by Mr. Masters himself. This I mention, because some brother antiquaries, with whom, as appears by his two histories, Mr. M. was at variance, have said it was.

Some distinguished statesmen are reckoned among the scholars of this college; and of this number was Sir Nicholas Bacon, who was also a benefactor to it. Lloyd, in his Statesmen and Favourites of England, after having given an ample account of Sir Nicholas, winds up all by saying, "He was, in a word, the father of his country, and of Sir Francis Bacon "." Another distinguished person was, Philip, second son of the Earl of Hardwicke, high steward of the University, 1764.

Mr. Michael Tyson, fellow, should have been mentioned, being well known in the circle of antiquaries: he was, also, an artist. I am not however aware that he published any thing except a Short Account of an Illuminated MS. in the Library of Bene't College, and something in the Archæologia. In a letter of Lord Orford's, in Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, Vol. IV. p. 708, mention is made of his History of Dresses and Fashions. He took the degree of A. M. 1767.

* Page 289.

TRINITY HALL.

THIS House, before it passed into a regular college, had been a sort of literary retreat for some neighbouring religious.

John de Crowdon, the 22d prior of Ely, elected May 20, 1321, was a person of great account with his convent, and of a public spirit. He bought a house at Cambridge on this site, and sent some of the Ely monks there, for the purpose of acquiring University learning; and from Crowdon's time it seems three or four of these monks were regularly resident, supported there at the charges of the convent. When they took their degrees, they were succeeded by others. But the place was not so occupied long; nor am I aware that any possessions b were attached to the House, except it might be a few messuages. Be this as it may, the site was granted to Bateman, Bishop of Norwich, soon after, and he began to build there the college now called Trinity Hall. The

I follow Mr. Bentham's Orthography.

Had there been, it is most likely Mr. Bentham, who had the Rot. Comput. of Ely Cathedral before him, would have mentioned it. See his History of Ely Cathedral.

monks, in the event settled on the north side of the river, with some brethren of their own order (St. Benedict's), who came from Ramsey, Walden, and other places. The House to which these monks retired, after leaving this spot, was called Monk's College, which occupied part of the grounds on which Magdalen now stands.

Our business, then, is only concerned with Bishop Bateman and his new college.

From Bishop Bateman's petigre, I can collect nothing material, except that his father served the office of bailiff, afterwards changed into that of mayor, of Norwich, and built a chapel there.

Bateman himself is described as outstripping, when a youth, all his compeers in parts and knowledge; as admirably taught, in after-life, in what were called primitivæ Scientia; and as being made doctor of laws, when 30. He was very early Dean of Lincoln, and elected in 1343 Bishop of Norwich; and his history affords some remarkable testimonies to his being Ecclesiæ suæ propugnator acerrimus. But what particularly distinguishes his history, is, the foundation of this college, to which, having visited Rome, and been in great confidence with Stephen (afterwards Pope Innocent the Sixth), he obtained permission to unite several rectories, which were confirmed in perpetuity by the seal of Islip, Archbishop of Canterbury. He went twice to France, in a diplomatic

a Harl. MS. 7029.

b Bishop Godwin.-Mr. Blomefield gives one or two ludicrous instances of the excess of church power, in the case of this bishop. Hist. Norfolk, Vol. 2. But not belonging to this place, they are not copied.