Volume 1

The history and antiquities of the University of Oxford ... / by Anthony ä Wood. Now first published in English ... by John Gutch.

  • Wood, Anthony à, 1632-1695.
Date:
1792-1796
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history and antiquities of the University of Oxford ... / by Anthony ä Wood. Now first published in English ... by John Gutch. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of our Univerfity, as at this day they are of {bme Colleges therein, the latter, Diocefans. At length reducing all my Col- lections to an ultimate method, compofed my book which is here laid before you in the Englilh tongue, and in that lan- guage did I intend to print it. But the chief Governours of the Univerlity having knowledg of my labours and defigne, offered me a fum of money for my Copie, with intentions to have it in Latine, becaufe the fame and dignitie of this Univerlity might be more knowne and made the greater throughout the learned Univerfe: which proffer I accepting, and they then deliring my help in the recovery of all antient Charters, Bulls, and the very words of antient Authors (which I in my Engliffi did briefly touch upon) to the end that they might be at large and verbatim repeated in their refpeClive places in this work, I did in a manner promife them, but then not knowing what trouble would follow, I found to my great forrow, that I was forced to run over all my Copie, take it to pieces, make it fit for a Latin tranflation and to receive into it the faid Charters, Bulls and the veri words or quotations of all Authors whether pub- liflied or in MSS: but before 1 could well do this I was forced to my great expence to take feveral journeys to retrieve them, becaufe that when I was meditating and collecting this work I onlie took the fenfe or epitome of them in Englifh, not then in the leaft dreaming that they Ihould be all hereafter verbatim in Latine. In the meane time the tranflation went forward by the care and charge of the Rev. Joh. Fell, S. Th, P. and Dean of Chrifl; Church, a perfon born to ferve the public more than his owne Concern, and when a confiderable part of the Copie was ready, was put into the prefs, and continued there till ’twas finifhed moftly at his charge. But then finding it to go on very flowly to my great difincouragement, I belet my felf after I had retrieved