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ihre vielgepriesenen geistreichen Schöpfungen. Woran sie auch, von dem sehr übel angebrachten Hochmuth abgesehen, ganz recht thun. Die Stimmführer unsrer Tage wissen nicht, was sie wollen mit ihrem Geschrei gegen die wenigen Gelehrten, die noch bei der alten Weise ihres Berufs bleiben. Es ist höchst unbillig, wenn dem Gelehrten zugemuthet wird, dass er sich unmittelbar betheilige bei dem Getreibe des Tageslebens und der Tagesfragen. Er kann diess nicht, wenn er seine eigenthümliche Aufgabe ernstlich betreiben will. Jeder leiste das Seinige! Muthet doch der Gelehrte von Fach den Andern nicht zu, Stubensitzer zu sein. Er aber ist seinem Begriff zufolge in einem gewissen Sinne Stubengelehrter. Die Interessen, welche die Zeit bewegen, kann er nichts desto weniger auf das lebhafteste theilen, und für sie mit Aufopferung thätig sein. Die Studirstube ist für ihn der feste Punkt, von dem aus er den Hebel anlegt, um die Welt zu bewegen. Von ihr aus kann er mittelbar wirksamer in die Weltgeschichte eingreifen als alle die

lauten Lärmer auf der Gasse. Für die Wissenschaft wenigstens ist es wahr

lich nicht zu wünschen, dass die ‘Stubengelehrten' ganz aussterben.

ROTHE'S Theologische Ethik, § 1118 (iii. 756).

"For let it be remembered...that whatsoever God has allowed to exist or to be done, is an eternal fact—that it has become a part of everlasting and immutable Truth-that nothing subsequent can alter it-that, if we had the power to analyse any one such fact, we should find it to be as a tree whose seed is in itself,' the produce of the past, and the cause of the future, joined to both, as well as to the present, by a thousand ties; invisible, perhaps, but true, effectual, and indissoluble. As the result, there exists a state of things which is Historic Truth-a great fabric, filling all space, fashioned as time goes on from everlasting to everlasting, growing up to infinity by ceaseless and imperishable increase-in all its minute details, as well as in the boundless majesty of the whole, the work of Him who is building it according to His

prey which man s imagination nas to offer-surely it were more likely to reach, and raise man to, heaven, than the Babel Tower of Fancy and man's device. It seems as if an inward voice of guidance had in all ages bade man go round about her, and tell the towers thereof, mark well her bulwarks and consider her palaces, that he might tell it to the generation following—and as if the answer of every wise and understanding and grateful heart, as soon as by God's help it has mastered its infirmity of great styles and vain glory, must be, 'I will remember the Years of the Right Hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy Wonders of Old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.""

MAITLAND'S Eight Essays (Matter of Fact), pp. 125-7.

ΤΟ

C. H. COOPER, Esq.

AUTHOR OF "ANNALS OF CAMBRIDGE," &c.

MY DEAR SIR,

I TAKE the liberty of dedicating this volume to you, not only because the great work which you have undertaken has prepared you to welcome every addition to the sources of our Cambridge history, but still more because a fair appreciation of the autobiographer demands all that candour and charity which are the best fruits of an acquaintance with "the proper study of mankind." You at least will not fail to trace beneath the vain surface of Robinson's character its substantial worth; you will do justice to his graphic power of description, his industry, moderation, kindliness, and patient endurance.

But I have another and less personal reason for making use of your name. During the past year much has been done towards destroying the barriers of prejudice and supposed interest which

X

have so long divided town and gown; your labours, the labours of a townsman working in the spirit, with the materials, and upon the lives, of gownsmen of old-of Fuller, and Strype, and Baker,appear to me a happy sign of better times in prospect, of the much-needed union of Learning and Working.

Again, when many of our countrymen seem to be wholly unconscious that "great men have lived amongst us," it is reassuring to find one, who has no "vested interests" at stake, devoting himself to the generous task of recalling to life memories which the world has too soon let die.

Believe me to be,

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE,

September 13, 1856.

My dear Sir,

Ever very truly yours,

J. E. B. MAYOR.

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