A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921

by S. C. Roberts

RICHARD BENTLEY

On the other hand, it is clear that the old system inaugurated by the charter of 1534 had broken down. Under that system the university simply licensed tradesmen (who might, or might not, be members of the university) to print and sell books; and the proper working of the Press was dependent on the capabilities of the individual printer. He might be bullied by the London Stationers, as were Thomas Thomas and John Legate (the elder), and involve the university in a long series of petitions and counter-petitions; on the other hand he might make commercially profitable arrangements with the Stationers' Company, as did Thomas Buck, and disregard the interests of the university; he might accept the office with no intention of printing, but simply in the interests of a family monopoly, as did Francis Buck; or he might neglect his duties altogether, as did John Legate, the younger.

Consequently, the standard of typography, the expansion of the Press buildings, and the purchase of new type were at the mercy of the commercial fortunes of the holders of the patents.

It was with the object of bringing the Press directly under the control of the university and, at the same time, of making it worthier of Cambridge scholarship that the movement associated with Bentley's name began.

The formal initiative came from the Chancellor himself. On 29 June, 1696, the Duke of Somerset wrote to the members of the Senate:

Gentlemen

As I have y^e honour to be a servant to you all, soe am I ever thinking of w^t may be most for y^r interest, and for y^e support of that reputation, and great character w^ch y^e University have soe worthily deserved in y^e opinion of all good, and of all learned men: & in my poore thoughtes, noe way more effectual, than the recovering y^e fame of y^r own printing those great, and excellent writinges, y^t are soe frequently published from y^e Members of y^r own body; w^ch tho' very learned, sometimes have been much prejudiced by y^e unskillful handes of uncorrect printers. Therefore it is, y^t I doe at this time presume to lay before you all, a short, and imperfect Scheame (here enclosed) of some thoughtes of mine, by way of a foundation, for you to finishe, and to make more perfect; w^ch tho' never soe defective at present, yett they have mett with aprobation among some publick spirited men (much deserving the name of friends to us) who have freely contributed eight hundred pounds towards y^e Carying on this good, and most beneficiall worke.

Now, Gentlemen, their is nothing wanting of my part, to endeavour the procuring the like su[̄m]e againe from others, but y^r aprobation, and consent, to have a Presse once more erected at Cambridge: and when that shall bee resolved on, then to give a finishing hand (like great Masters as you are) to my unfinished thoughtes, that I may be proude in having done some thing, y^t you think will bee for your service; w^ch I doe hope will bee a meanes to procure mee a general pardonn from you all, for laying this Matter before you, having noe other ambition, than to bee thought your most obedient and most faithfull humble servant.