CHAPTER XI. Opinions of the Crown Lawyers respecting the Visitor of Trinity College— Anne. lawyers on of Trinity Jan. 9, THE progress made by the Fellows of Trinity College CHAP. XI. in the prosecution of their Master was not greater in 1712. 1712 than in the two preceding years. The Crown Opinion of lawyers, to whom the questions relative to the visita- the Crown torial jurisdiction had been referred, after more than the Visitor seven months' deliberation at length came to a dis- College. tinct opinion, that they deemed the Crown to be 1711-12. General Visitor of the College; but that the Bishop of Ely possessed, under the 40th statute, the power of hearing and deciding upon the charges against the Master; adding that it was in the power of her Majesty to alter the visitatorial authority, provided such alteration met with the acceptance of the College. This opinion is subscribed by the eminent names of Sir Thomas Powys, Sir Edward Northey, CHAP. XI. Sir Robert Raymond, Serjeant Hooper, Serjeant 1712. Conyers, Mr. Lutwych, and Mr. Ward: but, upon one essential particular it is opposed by the no less Sir Joseph valued opinion of Sir Joseph Jekyl; who states his Jekyl. Private communi cation of reasons for thinking that the visitatorial power, having been once vested in the Bishop of Ely by King Edward's statutes, was not revoked by those of Queen Elizabeth; particularly as the latter, in the 40th chapter, actually make mention of him as Visitor; consequently, that in his view of the question, the Bishop continued General Visitor of the College. The division of opinion on this point, though highly momentous to the Society, did not affect the immediate question of Bentley's case, since both parties agreed that the jurisdiction in a complaint against the Master rested with the Bishop. As there now appeared no further objection to the exercise of his functions, it was expected that the Royal prohibition would be immediately taken off, and the Bishop allowed to administer justice in this long suspended cause. However, the interdict still continued; and it was currently believed that the hand of power was extended to screen the Doctor, through the influence of Lady Masham, and Secretary St. John. But the true state of the case is discovered from certain letters preserved in the collection of Lord Oxford. The prosecutors had found access to the Lord Treasurer's private ear, through the medium of their the Fellows late representative the Earl of Anglesey, and were Lord Trea- encouraged by the assurances of that Minister that he with the surer. would procure them redress for all their grievances, and settle the disturbed and afflicted College. As early as June 1711, we find that the Vice-master Dr. Stubbe was in communication with him; and from subsequent letters it appears that the leaders of the prosecution were induced to delay their proceedings, 1712. in reliance upon the powerful assistance of the Pre- CHAP. XI. mier. It is curious to observe that he acted in this business precisely upon that temporizing and procrastinating policy, for which we find his administration condemned even by his own adherents. To negotiate with opposite parties, and to persuade each to rely upon his management, seems to have been his universal resource in all difficulties. By this method he procured both the Whigs and the October Club to acquiesce for some time in the measures of his government; and subsequent discoveries have proved that he was engaged in secret communications at the same moment, with the Pretender and with the court of Hanover; and was thus encouraging both houses to reckon upon his assistance in mounting the throne of Great Britain. the Lord In the present instance however there is no reason Design of to suspect the Lord Treasurer of insincerity, or of Treasurer. intending to betray either party to whom he promised his countenance and assistance. His undoubted intention was to compose the quarrel, and then to take such measures as might prevent the recurrence of the same state of affairs in the society. As the easiest method of effecting this purpose, he wished the Master and Fellows to concur in submitting all differences to the arbitration of the Crown'. He possibly expected 1 This appears, from several circumstances, to have been the Lord Treasurer's object; particularly from a correspondence between the Master and Bateman, a person in the confidence of Lord Oxford, who had written to Bentley for an account of the state of things in the College in Dec. 1712, and had received from him a long and particular letter; to which, after a communication with the Minister, he replies: "I cannot but wish what you mention at the close of it may be soon effected, viz. the unanimous reference of it to her Majesty, and the submitting the whole to her settlement and determination. This will be a publick service, and may entitle any one to favour who influences in it, and brings it about. I doubt not but you'll believe whom I wish to congratulate upon it, and that I am your affectionate faithful servant, T. B." 1712. CHAP. XI. that the pique and animosity mixed up in this dispute would in a short time subside, and a sense of duty and interest would bring the contending parties to some better understanding. It is likewise highly probable that he intended to recommend Bentley, when occasion served, to some station in the Church which might remove him from the scene of disagreement. At this time a general expectation prevailed of the Master's speedy advancement: indeed it was reported that he was actually appointed to the deanery of Lichfield 2. Bentley's own activity and exertions were great to maintain and increase his reputation, and to strengthen his interest; but unfortunately his endeavours to put an end to the College dissentions, which were an evident obstacle to his advancement, were not dictated by a pacific spirit. He made no concession or retractation, but clung to the idea of inducing his prosecutors to give up their proceedings and acquiesce in all his schemes and arrangements. A deplorable occurrence took place this spring in Prof. Sike. Trinity College: Dr. Henry Sike, the learned orien May 20. Death of 2 His friend Kuster, writing to him from Amsterdam, Aug. 5, 1712, in Latin, adds this English postscript.-" P.S. After I had written this letter, (which I have kept from one post day to another, waiting for Mr. Hemsterhuise's letter for to be inclosed in myne) there came to see me some English gentlemen, and amongst them one of your College, nomine Town, a physician (qui magni te facit) who brought me the good news that you were made Dean of Lichtfield. Ego plane erectus fui hoc nuncio; and upon that I drank presently first your health, and afterwards upon the confirmation of this news. I can assure you, Sir, that I shall long heartily to have the confirmation of this from you, because nobody of your friends can take more part in your prosperity than I do; having found that I have no truer friend then you. Mr. Hemsterhuise desseins to write this same day. Vale."- -Writing again shortly afterwards, he says, "Te a Serenissima Regina creatum esse Decanum Litchfeldensem, etiam ab aliis postea mihi relatum est; qua ex re ingentem voluptatem cepi: gratulor tibi ex animo de nova hac dignitate, et quidem eo magis, quo magis id inimicis tuis doliturum esse novi. Pudor jam, credo, et reverentia rursus intrabit animos eorum, qui in Collegio, cui præsides, tamdiu erga te contumaces fuerunt." 1712. talist, who through the address and influence of CHAP. XI. Bentley had been made Professor of Hebrew, perished by suicide. To what this sad catastrophe was attributable I do not comprehend; but I find that it raised excessive grief and horror among the learned throughout Europe. Sike was esteemed by every one for his talents and disposition; all appear to have felt interested for his welfare, and to have nourished high expectations of the fruits which were to result from his erudition 4. Election of This melancholy event was followed in a few weeks August 24. by the death of Professor Barnes, whose uncomfort- Hebrew able situation we have lately described. The election and Greek to the two vacant professorships of Hebrew and Greek 66 3 Rud's MS. Diary. May 20, 1712. Dr. Sykes (Sike) hanged himself some time this evening, before candlelight, in his sash, which bore his weight till he was dead, but broke before morning; for he was found lying upon the floor, with part of it about his neck, the rest still hanging upon the hook." ▲ I do not understand the allusion in Saxius's Onomasticon Literarium, vol. v. p. 491, where the notice of Sike thus concludes. "Postea in Angliam translatus literarum orientis doctor publicus in Academia Cantabrigiensi extitit; ubi exprobratam sibi, quam olim meruerat, crucis pœnam indigne ferens, laqueo sibi ipse gulam domi fregit." Adrian Reland, who was then printing his Palæstina, writes thus to Bentley, July 23, 1712. "At quam nos turbavit nuncius horribilis! In hunc usque diem fidem habere non potui rumoribus de Sikio nostro circumlatis. Nunc coram se testem fuisse infandi spectaculi affirmat Crownfieldius. O infelix fatum! et damnum quod literæ nostræ patiuntur vix reparabile. Promiserat et mihi nuperis literis Excerpta ex Abulfeda quæ ad Palæstinam spectant. Nisi illa tua auctoritate nanciscar per aliquem sermonis Arabici gnarum, Ockleyum aliumve, spem omnem abjicere cogar." Francis Burman, writing from Amsterdam, says: "Adeone verum est Sikium sibi necem conscivisse? Quibus furiis agitatus tantum scelus perpetravit, cui jam in re lauta ac splendida esse licebat? Vix famæ, quæ valde incerta ad me pervenit, credidi." Matthias Ancherson, a young Dane who had studied for some time at Cambridge under the tuition of Sike, writes from Copenhagen a letter full of mourning at the sad tidings, and of veneration for his deceased preceptor, of whose projected undertakings he gives some account. I find, from the register of St. Michael's parish, that Sike was buried there, May 28, 1712. Professors. |