p. 316 _Collonel Codrington._ Christopher Codrington (1668-1710) was born at Barbadoes, and thence sent to England to be educated. In 1685 he passed as a gentleman commoner to Christ Church, Oxford. Five years later he was elected as a probationer fellow to All Souls. Here he speedily became known for the catholicity and thoroughness of his studies, and ‘soon acquir’d the deserv’d character of an accomplished, well-bred gentleman, and an universal scholar’. He was already an enthusiastic bibliophile. In 1694 he followed William III to Flanders, and having fought with great gallantry at Hay and Namur in 1695, received various military distinctions. In the same year he attended the King to Oxford, and pronounced the university oration on this royal visit. There are dedications to him by Creech, Dennis, and others, but it has been pertinently remarked that ‘his fame is rather to be inferred’ hence ‘than from actually existent performances on his part’, albeit we have copies of complimentary verses (e.g. prefixed to Garth’s _Dispensary_) from his pen. In 1697 he succeeded his father as commander-in-chief of the Leeward Isles. He does not seem to have been popular, and resigned in 1703, retiring to a life of seclusion and study on his Barbadoes estate. He died 7 April, 1710, and his body was brought back to England to be buried in All Souls’ chapel. To this college he left £10,000, and £6,000 worth of books, a legacy which built, furnished and endowed the magnificent Codrington library there. p. 317 _Mr. Verbruggen’s reading some of his part._ One may remember the incident recorded by Pepys (2 February, 1669), how, after Kynaston had been assaulted by Sedley’s bravos, and was too ill to appear, the young actor’s rôle was ‘done by Beeston, who is fain to read it out of a book all the while and thereby spoils the part, and almost the play, it being one of the best parts in it.... But it was pleasant to see Beeston come in with others, supposing it to be dark, and yet he is forced to read his part by the light of the candles: and this I observing to a gentleman that sat by me, he was mightily pleased therewith, and spread it up and down.’ +Prologue+