Whilst he had this design in view, he was addressed by the vice-chancellor and senate of the university of Cambridge ; who, by their public orator, wrote an elegant Latin letter, to remind Sir Thomas of a promise made by him (as they had been informed) to give them 500l. either towards building a new college, or to repair one already founded. This letter was dated March 14, 1574-5. It is probable, that Sir Thomas might have intimated such intention, but had changed his mind, upon enlarging his plan. On the 25th of the same month another letter was sent, in which no mention is made of the 500l.; but the university acquainted Sir Thomas, that they had learned he had promised Lady Burghley both to found and endow a college for the profession of the seven liberal sciences. The only place, they observed, for such a foundation was either London, Oxford, or Cambridge; they endeavoured, at the same time, to dissuade him from giving a preference in favour of London, lest it might prove prejudicial to both universities; and they hoped he would not make choice of Oxford, considering that he was bred himself at Cambridge. The university also wrote to Lady Burghley, to interest herself in their favour with Sir Thomas; but he persisted in his resolution in favour of London, and therefore, on the 20th of May 1575, he, by an indenture quadripartite, revoking all others, made a disposition of his several manors, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, with such limitations and restrictions, particularly as to the Royal Exchange, and his mansion house, as might best secure his views with regard to the uses for which he designed them. This was followed by two wills, one of his goods, the other of his real estates; from the latter, the following bequests are extracted:

"And I will and dispose, that after such time as the one moiety of the said Royal Exchange, and other premises, according to the intent and meaning of these presents, shall come to the mayor and corporation of the said city, and from thence so long as they and their successors, shall by any means or title have, hold, or enjoy the same, they and their successors every year shall give and distribute to and for the sustentation, maintenance, and finding

four

Four persons from time to time to be chosen, nominated, and appointed by the said mayor and commonalty and citizens, and their successors, meet to read the lectures of Divinity, Astronomy, Music, and Geometry, within mine own dwelling house in the parish of St. Helen's, in Bishopsgate Street, and St. Peter's the Poor, in the city of London (the moiety whereof hereafter in this my last will is by me limited and disposed unto the said mayor and commonalty and citizens of the said city) the sum of 2001. of lawful money of England, in manner and form following, viz. to every of the said readers for the time being 501. of lawful money of England, yearly, for their salaries and stipends, meet for four sufficiently learned to read the said lectures, &c."

The will then proceeds in making provision for the almshouses which he had made at the back of his house, and for certain sums which he desired might be annually dispensed for the relief of prisoners in various prisons; after which he ordains what shall be the duty of the company of Mercers:

"And as concerning the other moiety, before in this my present last will disposed to the said wardens and commonalty of the corporation of the Mercers, I will and dispose, that after such time as the same moiety, according to the intent and meaning of these presents, shall come to the said wardens and corporation of the Mercers, and from thenceforth, so long as they and their successors shall by any means or title have, hold, and enjoy the same, that they and their successors every year yearly shall give, and pay,' and distribute to and for the finding, sustentation, and maintenance of three persons by them the said wardens and commonalty, and their successors from time to time to be chosen and appointed, meet to read the lectures of Law, Physic, and Rhetoric, within mine now dwelling house in the parish of St. Helen's, in Bishopsgate Street, and St. Peter's the Poor, in the city of London (the moiety whereof hereafter in this my present last will is by me appointed and disposed to the said corporation of the Mercers) the sum of 1501. of lawful money of England, in manner and form following,, viz. to every of the said readers for the time being the sum of 501. for their salaries and stipends, meet for three sufficiently learned to read the said lectures, &c."

The situation of the place, spaciousness of the fabric, with the eight almshouses situated at the back of the house,

the accommodation for separate apartments of the several professors, and other rooms for common uses; the open courts and covered walks; with the several offices, stables, and gardens, seemed so well suited for such an intention, as though Sir Thomas had it in view to form a college when he built his house. Sufficient care was taken that the two corporations, who were intrusted with the superintendance of the undertaking, should not lose by their trouble. The stated annual payments, directed by the will, amounted to no more than 6037. 6s. 8d.; whilst the amount of rents from the Exchange was 7401. beside the additional profits arising from time to time by fines.

Sir Thomas Gresham did not survive long to enjoy the fruit of his munificence; on the 21st of November 1579, he fell in an apoplectic fit in his own kitchen, and instantly expired, in the sixty-first year of his age.

"He had the happiness of a mind every way suited to his fortune, generous and benign; ready to perform any good actions, and encourage them in others. He was a great friend and patron of the celebrated martyrologist, John Fox, and other eminent and learned characters. He was well acquainted with ancient and modern languages, and had a very comprehensive knowledge of commercial concerns, both foreign and domestic; his success in these kinds of traffic were immense, and he was esteemed the richest commoner of his time; his probity was equal to his opulence; and as his genius and abilities surmounted every occasion of difficulty, his justice and honour ensured him the highest consideration both of his sovereigns and their subjects; and, as we have in another place stated, he was styled "The Royal Merchant

In fine, as no one could be more ready than Sir Thomas to perform benevolent actions, which might contribute to the honour of his country; so he very well knew how to make the best use of them for the most laudable purposes. Each of his benefactions, separately considered, is great in itself, and a just foundation for lasting honour; but, when united, they are peculiar to that great man without a rival.

After

After the decease of Sir Thomas and his lady, who had a life interest in the estates, the City and the Mercers' Company immediately took upon them the trust; and having obtained possession of the estates, proceeded to the appointment of lecturers; but that they might not be misled in their choice, they applied to the two universities of Oxford and Cambridge; but as they wished not to give any umbrage, they elected three professors from each university, and a seventh, who was a graduate of both, upon the recommendation of Queen Elizabeth.

PROFESSORS OF GRESHAM COLLEGE, FROM ITS FOUNDATION. Extracted from "Ward's Lives of the Gresham Professors."

DIVINITY.

Anthony Wotton, B. D. Camb. Richard Holdsworth, D.D. Camb.

1596.

Hugo Gray, D. D. Camb. re

signed, 1604.

William Dakins, B.D.Camb. 1604, one of the translators of the New Testament.

George Mountayne, D.D. Camb. 1605, afterwards archbishop of York.

1629, appointed dean of Worcester, but died before installation. See St. Peter le Poor. Thomas Horton, D. D. Camb. 1641, warden of Queen's College. George Gifford, B. A. Oxon. 1660, rector of St. Dunstan's in the East.

William Osboldton, D. D. Oxon. Henry Wells, A.M. Camb. 1686.

1610.

Samuel Brooke, D. D. Camb. 1612, archdeacon of Coventry.

Edward Lany, D. D. Camb. 1691.
John Bridgen, A. M. Oxon. and

Cumb. 1728.

John Henry Parker, A. M. 1806. ASTRONOMY.

Edward Brerewood, A.M. Oxon.

1596, author of several learned works.

Thomas Williams, A. M. Oxon.

1613.

Edmund Gunter, A. M. Oxon.

1619, author of the Dials and a Scale, which go by his name. Henry Gellibrand, A. M. Oxon. 1626, famous in mathematics.

Samuel Foster, A.M. Camb. 1636;
Dr. Twysden says, "he was
a learned, industrious, and
most skilful mathematician."
He published many learned
works.

Mungo Murray, M. A. St. An-
drew and Oxon. 1637.
Samuel Foster, re-chosen.
Laurence Rooke, A. M. Camb.

1652.

Sir Christopher Wren, Oxon. Alexander Torriano, D.C. Oron.

GEOMETRY.

MUSIC.

Thomas Clayton, M. D. Oxon. Sir Thomas Baynes, M.D. Camb.

John Taverner, A. M. Oxon. William Perry, A. M. Camb.

Richard Knight, M. B. Camb. John Newey, A. M. Oxon. 1696, 1638. dean of Chichester. Sir William Petty, M. D. Oxon. Robert Shippen, D. D. Oxon.