Cambridge and Its CollegesThompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
History
Cambridge and Its Colleges
Thompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
University of Cambridge
John Jackson died in 1724, and the precious legacy passed to Magdalene.
Its value is incontestable, and no treasure is to this day more jealously
guarded. The inscription “Bibliotheca Pepysiana,” and Pepys’ motto,
“Mens cujusque is est quisque,” were put up on the building after the
arrival of the books. The value of the bequest was more fully illustrated
when, in the present century, Lord Braybrooke, a Magdalene man himself
and visitor of the college, translated Pepys’ cypher diary and gave
that unvarnished picture of contemporary manners to the world, opening
thereby a most fruitful mine of research, as well as discovering a
hidden classic. Dr Peter Peckard,* master from 1781 to 1797, enriched
the library with his own collection. He was Dean of Peterborough. The
see of Peterborough, at the beginning of the same century, was held by a
Magdalene man, Dr Richard Cumberland, whose very exhaustive treatise on
Jewish Weights and Measures, as well as his polemical essay in answer to
Hobbes, are still remembered, although seldom read. The name of Daniel
Waterland,* master from 1713 to 1746, is of greater fame in the history
of controversial theology.
The present century, from 1813 to the present day, is covered by the long
masterships of an uncle and a nephew. The first of these was the Hon.
George Neville Grenville, Dean of Windsor (* Pickersgill); the second is
the present master, the Hon. Latimer Neville, who has ruled his college
for forty-five years. The Nevilles of Audley End are descendants of
the founder in the female line. The first Lord Braybrooke, the editor
of Pepys’ Diary, was a Neville of Billingsbear in Essex, and succeeded
the last Lord Howard de Walden, of the family of Griffin, on the death
of that nobleman without male issue. During the century, Magdalene has
had some reputation as a fashionable college; but the amusing American
critic, Mr Everett, spoke of it somewhat unjustly when he said that “it
is a favourite home for young men who are of the opinion, either from
conjecture or experience, that other colleges are too strict for them.”
It has, like other small colleges, produced an excellent percentage of
scholars and learned men. Our opinions as to the literary merits of
Charles Kingsley (* Lowes Dickinson) may be divided, but there can be no
question as to his abiding influence on English letters. He is equally
well known as parish priest, cathedral dignitary, novelist and poet, and
Professor of Modern History. The roll of living members includes the
name of Professor Alfred Newton (* Lowes Dickinson), and the genial and
kindly influence of the late Mr Frank Pattrick (* Dickinson), Tutor and
President of the college, is gratefully remembered by the latest and
youngest of those who have pursued their studies at Magdalene.
XVI
TRINITY COLLEGE
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