Cambridge and Its CollegesThompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
History
Cambridge and Its Colleges
Thompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
University of Cambridge
Robert Brady,* Keeper of the Records and Regius Professor of Physic, was
master for forty years after Batchcroft’s death. He was a supporter of
the royal prerogative in its most extreme form, and wrote a History of
England to prove his views. Two clergymen were educated at Caius in his
time; Prince, who wrote the Worthies of Devon, and Jeremy Collier, the
stout antagonist of Restoration drama. Another long mastership was that
of Sir Thomas Gooch,* from 1716 to 1754, who, during the same period,
was Bishop successively of Bristol, Norwich and Ely. He was succeeded in
1754 by Sir James Burrough, who, for many years before, had interested
himself in the architectural condition of Cambridge, and had had a hand
in altering almost every college. He was not an unsuccessful architect,
although an amateur, but his work is very unequal and it degenerated with
the taste of the epoch. Although one of the best known masters, as far
as Cambridge is concerned, there is no portrait of him in the college.
Another Cambridge architect, William Wilkins, was also a Caius man.
Burrough’s successor was Dr John Smith, afterwards Lowndean Professor of
Astronomy, who lived till 1795. There is a portrait of him by Reynolds in
the Master’s Lodge. Later masters have not been so famous. Mr Clark tells
us that Dr Benedict Chapman (* Philips) was the last head of a house who
rode out in top-boots. Perhaps the name on which Cambridge men will dwell
with most affection in connexion with Caius is that of John Hookham
Frere, whose translations of Aristophanes have a place in English
literature. The mastership of Dr Ferrers,* which began in 1880, has been
marked by great progress. The college is no longer exclusively medical,
but is winning yearly honours in all the schools, and it has created a
good precedent by granting fellowships as a reward of proficiency rather
than of mere academic distinction. It has, however, produced, all through
its history, great members of every profession. Among its lawyers have
been Lord Chancellor Thurlow* and Baron Alderson.* And of its divines,
while it reckons the late Dr Harvey Goodwin, Bishop of Carlisle, among
the number, the last, but not the least, is the heroic Charles Frederick
Mackenzie,* first Bishop of the Universities Mission to Central Africa.
Its latest living bishop is Dr Wallis, who was consecrated Bishop of
Wellington in New Zealand a year or two ago.
VII
TRINITY HALL
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