[82] A lady, whose name is not mentioned, but who is graced with the appellation of 'heroina,' is recorded to have given to the University the Life of our Blessed Lord depicted in needle-work, 'byssina et aurata textura,' which was duly presented in Convocation on July 9, 1636. [Reg. Conv. R. 24.] It is not now preserved in the Library.
[83] This note is printed and the book described in Hearne's Appendix to Titi Livii Forojul. Vit. Hen. V, and, from thence, in Ballard's Lives; but not very correctly in either case. Also in Bliss' Reliqq. Hearn. i. 104.
[84] In the life of Rich. Ferrar, junior, in Wordsworth's Eccl. Biogr. (third edit. vol. iv. p. 232) a note is quoted from a MS. stating that a copy of Ferrar's Whole Law of God, bound by the nuns of Gidding in green velvet, was given to the University Library by Archbp. Laud. This is a mistake; the book in question was given by the Archbishop to the library of his own college, St. John's, where it still remains.
[85] The first was the Genevan Version, printed in 1591.
A.D. 1629.
The extremely valuable series of Greek MSS., called from its collector the Barocci Collection, comprising 242 volumes, was
presented by Will. Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and Chancellor of the University. The manner of its acquisition is recorded in Archbp. Usher's correspondence. In a letter from Dublin of Jan. 22, 1628-9, Usher says: 'That famous library of Giacomo Barocci, a gentleman of Venice, consisting of 242 manuscript volumes, is now brought into England by Mr. Featherstone the stationer[86].' He recommended that the King should buy it, and add to it the collection of Arabic MSS. which the Duke of Buckingham had bought of the heirs of Erpenius[87]. On April 13, 1629, Sir H. Bourgchier writing to Usher, tells him that the Earl of Pembroke has bought the collection, for the University of Oxford, at the price of £700, and that it consists of 250 volumes[88]. It was forwarded to the University with the following letter, which is here copied from the Convocation Register, R. 24 (f. 9b.):—
'Good Mr. Vice-Chancelor,
'Understanding of an excellent collection of Greke manuscripts brought from Venice, and thincking that they would bee of more use to the Church in being kept united in some publick Librarye then scattered in particular hands; remembring the obligation I had to my mother the Universitie, first for breeding mee, after for the honor they did mee in making mee their Chancelor, I was glad of this occasion to repay some part of that great debt I owe her. And therefore I sent you downe the collection entire, which I pray present with my beste love to the Convocation house. And I shall unfaynedly remaine,
'Your most assured freind,
'PEMBROKE.
'Greenewich, the 25th of May, 1629.'