Langbain, what I know concerning it, which was (to my best remembrance) to this purpose:

Some disputes arising about this admeasurement (whether in the time of King Charles I. or sooner, I do not well remember; but think it was upon the first settlement of this Act;) the Privy Council (or some by their order) settled that business in this manner: that the admeasurement should begin from the wall or gates of the city of Oxford, (the word Franchises being a dubious word;) that, from thence, they should measure five miles on every side, the nearest way (over hedge and ditch) without being obliged to keep the high way. That such admeasurement was then made; and at the end of five miles so found, posts or marks were set up as the boundaries that way: and, in particular, such boundary was set up somewhere in the town of Abington; part of that town being found within the five miles, but not all of it. (And like boundaries, I presume, were set up toward other parts.) And according thereunto, the practice hath been ever since. And such practice, so long continued without interruption, may be reputed (I think) a sufficient settlement as to that point; whether or no all these boundries are yet standing, I cannot tell.

This Act of Parliament was first made in the time of Elizabeth and was then but a temporary

act (to continue for seven years, to the end of the first session of the next Parliament) but, by divers continuations, was continued to the time of K. Charles I. And then, (about his 16th or 17th year) this Act, with divers other temporary Acts, was made perpetual (till revoked by Act of Parliament) by a general proviso, annexed to the end of another Act then made; and so continues till this day.

I have copies of some assessments relating to this business, about the year 1622, and so onward till about 1627; but none since. Such papers being kept I presume, (if kept at all) by the Town Clerk of the City, or whom else the Vice Chancellor and Mayor do appoint from time to time. They came not to my hands.

This is the best account I can give you in this affair, from, Sir,

Your humble Servant,

JOHN WALLIS.

LETTER XLI.

DE LLOYD, Bishop of Worcester, to Mr. HUMFREY

WANLEY.

A Letter of Objurgation.

MR. WANLEY,

[16]99, Dec. 19.

UPON receiving your letter about

the Librarian's place at St. James, I took the

first opportunity to speak to Dr. Bentley, that you might be his deputy there; for I knew he would continue to be the King's library-keeper. He told me that for a deputy he should take one of Trin. Coll. in Cambridge, upon the commendation of Mr. Laughton that keeps the University Library. So there is no hope of that place.

But upon this occasion having spoken with others concerning you, I was sorry to hear what opinion they had of you, and should be much more sorry if I believed it were true. I hope it is not true, but whether it be true or not, it is fit you should know it. It is said that you live at the rate of most other foolish young men, that affect to be gentlemen, and to live above their rank, and loiter away their time in idle company. If this be true, you must look to your self, and take up betimes, before the habit be grown too strong for you. You must tie your self strictly to study and duty, you must be constant and fervent in prayer, that God may enable you to subdue your affections and lusts, and to bridle your roving imagination. You must watch against all temptations to sin or to vanity. You must observe and avoid all them that would ensnare you, tho' it be but robbing you of your time; that loss is irreparable; but it rarely stops there. Idleness is the mother and nurse of most sins. Look to it therefore as you love your own happiness here and hereafter. If these things are not true, however,

it concerns you to consider what occasion you have given for any reports of this kinde; for it is scarce to be believed that they are raised without colour or occasion. If you keep idle company that is more than a colour. For such as one's company is, such he is or will be in a short time.

For my part, as if I finde you growe idle I shall cease to hope well of you, so as long as this hope continues, I am concerned for you, and shall shew it as you give me encouragement by well doing. By my writing this to you, you may be very sure that I am,

HAVING other letters to write by

this post I can scarce allow my self. time to answer yours. But I do it as well as I can in few lines, not to hold you in suspence whether yours were received or how it was entertained. I tell you in few words, I am very well satisfied with what you have written. I believe you have been

misrepresented, and shall continue in that belief till I see reason to the contrary. But this I hope will make you the more diligent in your studies, and the more watchfull over your self, and the more cautious what company you keep, since you see there are those that observe you and are ready to take occasion to raise ill reports to your prejudice. Above all things be sure to keep your peace with God and your owne conscience, and then you need not fear any other. I am sorry your place in the library is so little worth that it does not yield a maintenance. I will speak to the Bishop of Oxford to see whether he can get it made better to you. And if he cannot, we must think of removing you some whither else where you may have a subsistence. I am,

Sir,

Your assured friend,

W. WORCESTER.

Pray do not trouble your self to guess whence I had my information. For you may mistake, and by talking of it you may make yourself enemies of them that are or would be

your

friends.

For Mr. Humfrey Wanley,

of University College,

in Oxford.

frank

W. W.