The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

The Library.

If the Schools may be resembled to the Ring, the Library may the better be com∣pared to the Diamond therein: not so much for the bunching forth beyond the rest,

as the preciousness thereof, in some respects equalling any in Europe, and in most kinds exceeding all in England, yet our Land hath been ever 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, much given to the love of Books, and let us Fleet the Cream of a few of the primest Libraries in all ages.

In the infancy of Christianity, that at York bare away the Bell, founded by Arch∣Bishop Egbert (and so highly praised by Alevinus in his Epistle to Charles the Great) but long since abolished.

Before the dissolution of Abbies, when all Cathedr•…•…s and Convents had their Li∣braries, that at Ramsey was the greatest R•…•…bbin, spake the most and best Hebrew, aboun∣ding in Iewish, and not defective in other Books.

In that age of Lay Libraries (as I may term them, as belonging to the City) I behold that pertaining to Guild-Hall as a principal, •…•…ounded by Richard Wh•…•…ington, whence three * 1.1 Cart loads of choice Manuscripts were carried in the raign of King Edward the sixth on the promise of [never performed Restitution.]

Since the Reformation, that of Benet in Cambridge hath for Manuscripts exceeded any (thank the cost and care of Mathew Parker) Colleg•…•…ate Library in England.

Of late Cambridge Library, augmented with the Arch-Episcopal Library of Lambeth, is grown the second in the Land.

As for private Libraries of Subjects, that of Treasurer Burlies was the best for the use of a States-man, the Lord Lumlies for an Historian, the late Earl of Arundels for an Herald, Sir Robert Cottons for an Antiquary, and Arch-Bishop Ushers for a Divine. Ma∣ny other excellent Libraries there were o•…•… particular persons, Lord Brudnels, Lord Hat tons, &c. routed by our Civil Wars, and many Books which scaped the execution are fled, [transported] into France, Flanders, and other forraign parts.

To return to Oxford Library (which stands like Di•…•… amongst her Nymphs, and) sur∣passeth all the rest for rarity and multitude of Books; so that if any be wanting on any Subject, it is because the world doth not afford them. This Library was •…•…ounded by Humphrey the Good Duke of Glo•…•…ster; confounded in the raign of Edward the sixth, by those who I list not to name; re-founded by worthy Sir Thomas Bodley, and the bounty of daily Benefactors.

As for the Kings Houses in this County Woodstock is justly to be preferred, where the Wood and Water Nymphs might equally be pleased in its •…•…uation. Queen Eliza∣beth had a great affection for this place, as one of her best R•…•…membrancers of her condi∣tion, when a prisoner here (in none of the best lodgings) in the raig•…•… of her Sister. Here she escaped a dangerous fire, but whether casual or intentional God knoweth. Here hearing a Milk-maid merrily singing in the Park, she desired exchange of Estates, preferring the poorest liberty before the richest res•…•…raint. At this day it is a fair, wa•…•… for∣merly a fairer fabrick, if the Labyrinth built here by King Henry the second, answered the Character of Curiosity given it by Authors. But long since the Labyrinth (time without the help of Ariadne her Clue of Silk, can unravel and display this most intri∣cate building) is vanished away.

Nor must E•…•…on hard by be forgotten, which though some sullen Soul may re∣count amongst the costly tri•…•…es, the more ingenious do behold as Arts pretty Comment, as Natures pleasant Text, both so intermingled, that Art in some sort may seem •…•…tu∣ral, and Nature artificial therein. It was made by Thomas B•…•…shel, Es•…•… sometimes ser∣vant to Francis Bacon Lord Vor•…•…am. Now because mens expectations are generally tired with the tedious growing of wood, here he set hedges of full growth (which thri∣ved •…•…ll well) so that where the former left no plants, the following year found trees grown to their full perfection. In a word, a melancholy mind may hear feast it self to a surfeit with variety of entertainments. But Rarities of this nature are never sufficient∣ly described till beheld.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Stow in his Survey of Lon∣don.