Abstract of the Iistory of Dr. Williams's Trust. for the preparation of the deeds necessary to be executed by her: but in the mean time the lady had changed her intentions, and insisted upon having those estates at her own disposal, or at least an equivalent of two hundred pounds per annum. As the trustees had it not in their power, any more than in their inclination, to submit to either of her demands, they found themselves under the necessity, in the year 1717, of filing a bill in Chancery against Mrs. Roberts, and afterwards a supplemental bill against the attor ney-general, to have the will and codicil of the testator established, and the trust carried into execution. During the progress of these bills, Mrs. Roberts relinquished her former claims, and consented to confirm her brother's will, on the condition of receiving sixty pounds per annum, commencing from the time of his decease, to dispose of in charities in North Wales, as she should see fit; with which the Trustees agreed to comply, upon the report of the master in Chancery that it was for the interest of the charities that they should come into this proposal. Accordingly, by indentures of the 24th of March 1719, and 25th of March 1720, Mrs. Roberts granted and released to the trustees and their heirs all the estates of which the testator was possessed before making his will, as well as those described in his codicil, subject to the payment of sixty pounds per annum, as she should by deed or will direct, and for want of such direction to Mrs. Roberts herself. This grand obstacle to the proving of Dr. Williams's will having been removed, on the 26th of July 1721, a decree was obtained at the Rolls, by which the above-mentioned indentures and the testator's will were established, and his various charities were directed to be executed and performed. By the result of these proceedings, the trustees have a legal estate of inherit ance, in fec-simple, in Temple Manor in Essex; Beech-Lane and Glover'sCourt estates; Coleman-street estate, and Clerkenwell-green estate; and in all the rest of the Doctor's real and personal property, not specially devised, an equitable term of two thousand years. One of the first steps taken by the trustees after obtaining this decree, was to propose schemes to the master in Chancery for settling the charitics, 377 and carrying them into execution ; which were approved of, and continue to be followed to the present time, with such alterations as they have found it necessary to introduce, which have received the sanction of the Court. The founder's will directs, that the trustees whom he appoints, and their assigns and successors, shall meet at least once a quarter in London, for the management of his estates; and that if any of them, or their successors shall remove to a considerable distance from London, or voluntarily neglect or betray their trust, or be rendered incapable faithfully and diligently to answer the ends of it, then the residue of the said trustees and successors, from time to time, shall choose others in the room of such, and the disallow ed be deprived of all power and right to intermeddle in any part of the trust. The will also directs that the vote of the major part of the trustees present shall conclude any matter; but that twelve of them shall be always present, (if so many are alive and near London, free from violent restraint,) in granting leases, electing successors, and other very important matters. And that in the aforesaid cases of death, &c. all about London being summoned to two successive meetings, what is concluded in the first meeting, notice thereof being sent to the absent in and near London, and confirmed in the second meeting, shall stand and be valid if the number be seven; provided they have not wilfully omitted to fill up the numbers by electing others to succeed the dead, and such as reject the management of the trust after they had accepted it, or inhabit above ten miles from London, and such as shall be voted by fifteen of the trustees to endeavour to betray or frustrate the scope and purpose intended by the testator in any considerable part of his will; for these last are to be succeeded as if dead, and others elected by his trustees in their stead. After various legacies to individuals, and to charitable institutions, Dr. Williams devised estates at Barnet in Hertfordshire, and Totham in Essex, together with one hundred pounds in money to the College of Glasgow, towards the maintenance of such students from South Britain as his trustees should appoint and nominate from time to time, to be removed at 378 Abstract of the History of Dr. Williams's Trust. their discretion, and successors appointed by them to supply their place. Having pointed out students, then at Glasgow, to be his first beneficiaries, who while under-graduates were to receive six pounds per annum from the said College, and when admitted masters of arts, ten pounds, or fifteen pounds for three years, as his trustees should direct; he enjoined the latter in filling up of vacancies, to prefer the sons of poor presbyterian ministers, equally qualified, before others. The College, however, was ordered to send every year to the trustees in London an account of their receipts and distributions; and the testator ordained that the grant should be no longer valid than while the present constitution of the church of Scotland continues, and that should the episcopal hierarchy or popery be established in North Britain, the bequest shall become null and void, and revert to his trustees, to be applied to the other uses of his will. In the year 1725, the then trustees of Dr. Williams conveyed to the then professors of the College of Glasgow, and their successors, the estates before mentioned; but by this conveyance the professors rook only estates for life in the presentations, the fee and inheritance remaining in Dr Williams's trustees. In the year 1754, the trustees passed a resolution, that all persons who shall hereafter be presented to exhibitions in the College of Glasgow shall be entered as under-graduates, and shall wear the gown, and be subject to the rules of the college, in order to their being admitted to the degree of M. A. and that a clause be for the future inserted in the presentations of the exhibitioners for that purpose. In 1755, the professors of Glasgow brought an amicable bill against Dr. Williams's trustees, praying that they and the surviving professors might convey the devised estates to all the members and professors of the university in their natural capacity, and their heirs. As the trustees did not oppose it, a decree was made accordingly at the Rolls. During subsequent years the income of the college estates has increased so much by savings and improved rents, that at the present time (1816) exhibitions are granted to eight students of forty pounds per annum, while under-graduates, and of forty-five pounds per annum when graduates. By the regulations of the trustees, no exhibition is to be made to any of the students who are absent during the terms, or times of reading lectures, unless leave of absence be previously granted by them, or by the principal or faculty of the university. The qualifications of students, as to their knowledge in the languages, should be attended to while undergraduates, and testimonials are to be sent at the end of each session of their progress if any exhibitioner wishes to continue another session beyond what is usually allowed, he must apply at least six months before the close of the expiring session. Students are not eligible till sixteen years of age, and are required at certain periods to declare their intention of pursuing the Christian ministry in South Britain. On the value of such an institution, and the enlarged liberal views of the founder, this is not the place in which to expatiate, and they will be found amply illustrated in another department of this treatise. The same spirit prompted Dr. Williams to give to the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, an estate at Catworth in Huntingdonshire, together with one hundred pounds in money, to possess at the end of one year after they should send three qualified ministers on missions for the conversion of foreign infidel countries to the Christian faith; with the proviso, in the event of the Society's becoming dissolved, or subjected to restraint, or neglecting to name such ministers, that the possession of those estates should be resumed by his trustees. From the minutes of the trust it appears, that a variety of obstacles arose in negotiating the settlement of this business with the Scots Society, which were not removed for several years: but at length the conditions on which the grant was made by the testator having been satisfactorily complied with, and a deed of conveyance drawn up, which met with the approbation of all parties concerned, it was executed by the trustees on the 4th of July, 1737. The reversion of another estate called Becknam Hall, in Essex, Dr. Williams bequeathed to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England, upon the condition that sixty pounds per annum should be allowed to two properly qualified Abstract of the History of Dr. Williams's Trust. persons to preach as itinerants in the English Plantations in the West Indies; and that the remainder of the income should be paid to the College of Cambridge in New England, towards the support of persons engaged in the conversion of the Indians. In the year 1740, by the death of the person who had a life interest in that estate, it fell to the Society, and in 1746 the writings relating to it were delivered to the treasurer for the time being. Dr. Williams was also fully aware of the state of barbarism and superstition which prevailed among the lower classes in Ireland, where he had his earliest settlement, and form ed that matrimonial connexion to which he was chiefly indebted for his means of benevolence. With a view to promote their reformation, he charged his estates with a giant of fifty pounds per annum, to be paid in Dublin to a preacher of the gospel, being a Protestant, and skilful in the Irish tongue, who should be willing as an itinerant, diligently to preach in Irish, wherever he might find an opportunity, so long as he should be approved of by four gentlemen whom he nominated in Ireland, and their assigns from time to time, as well as by his trustees. But Dr. Williams's bequests for the instruction and improvement of the poor were made on the most extensive scale, on behalf of that class in his native country, and at Chelmsford, in Essex. His trustees were directed to choose and appoint some pious grave persons, with salaries of eight pounds per annum, for the purpose of teaching twenty poor children to read English, and of instructing them in the principles of the Christian religion, in several towns which he named, so long as they should conduct themselves in a manner to meet with their approbadon. Among other towns he had selected Flint, Beaumaris, and Conway. When, however, the trustees made proposals to the clergy and principal inhabitants of those towns for the settlement of such schools in them, they were rejected, on the supposition that the children were to be taught the Assembly's Catechism, and to be under the tuition of Dissenters from the Church of England. The trustees resolved, therefore, to establish schools at Newmarket in 379 Flintshire, and Pullhely in Caernar vonshire, in their stead; and their resolution was confirmed by the Court of Chancery. In consequence of considerable improvements in the trust estates, the salaries of the respective masters have of late years been raised, to sixteen pounds per annum; and the benefits of this branch of the testator's charitable benefactions extend, communibus annis, to more than two hundred children. The advantage of the rising generation was also consulted in another part of Dr. Williams's will, which directs the appropriation of the surplus of the income of his estates, after the other purposes and uses of his will have been fulfilled. Among the schemes for settling the testator's benefactions approved of by the Court, the following relates to such surplus: Whenever it shall be found to amount to five hundred pounds, it shall be divided according to the proportion which he prescribes: one eighth for the purchase of bibles, catechisms, &c, to be distributed by his trustees; one tenth among the widows of ministers, and one fifth among ministers respectively nominated by them; one eighth for the purpose of apprenticing poor boys; one eighth among the students of three years standing in seminaries of education for the ministry, for aid during two years additional study either in Scotland, or in England, at the discretion of the trustees; one hundred and eight pounds six shillings and eight pence among approved ministers in North Wales; and fifty-four pounds three shillings and four-pence among approved ministers in South Wales The amount of the nomination to ministers and ministers' widows is always to be determined by the nunber of trustees present on the day of the distribution. Dr. Williams's last bequest of any magnitude, was that of his books, including the purchased collection of Dr. Bates, which he appointed for a public library, accessible to such persons as should be approved of by his trustees, "for the perusal of any hooks in the place where they are lodged." For the reception of this library, he directed his trustees to "purchase or build a fit edifice, not pompous, or too large," and to pay ten pounds per annum to a library 1 380 Abstract of the Iistory of Dr. Williams's Trust. keeper, "giving security for his fidelity and attendance at such times as they appoint." In a parenthesis he intimated that a young preacher seemed to him the fittest for such a situation; but by not binding them with respect to the object of their choice, submitted it to their discretion. When the trustees found themselves in circumstances which permitted them to carry the founder's design for a public library into execution, they ap pointed a deputation to examine several buildings and situations which were recommended as well adapted to their purpose; but none of them met with their approbation. At length, in September 1727, they purchased the piece of ground in RedCross Street on which the present building stands, for the sum of four hundred and fifty pounds, and appointed a committee to consult with proper persons respecting the erection of such a house, and to procure an estimate of the requisite expense. The estimate delivered in to them amounted to fifteen hundred and eighteen pounds, which they were empowered by the Court of Chancery to apply to the purpose out of the founder's estates. However, owing to mismanagement somewhere or other, the whole money was expended before the building was finished, and the trustees were compelled to desist from its completion. Thus circumstanced, they consulted about the propriety of making application to the Court of Chancery, for leave to appropriate an additional sum from the Doctor's estates; but were dissuaded by their legal advisers from adopting such a measure. They afterwards agreed, at a general meeting on the 25th of March 1729, to circulate the following notice among their members, with the view, doubtless, of its being communicated to their friends. "Dr. Williams's Library, being near finished, some additions of general advantage to the common interest it is apprehended may be made upon the foundation of that building, consistent with the Doctor's design of additions and of general use, which will require a considerable expense, and vet cannot be defrayed out of his estate according to the allowance made by the Court of Chancery for erecting the library. It is therefore proposed, that any who are inclined to forward that service, would contribute what they see proper for such a service." This appeal to liberal-minded men fully answered their expectations. One gentleman defrayed the expense of wainscoting and furnishing the room on the left hand next, the outer door, now the librarian's parlour; another paid for the iron gates and iron palisades before the windows; a third expended upwards of forty pounds, contributed by himself and friends, in finishing two stalls in the library; a charitable society (most probably the managers of the presbyterian fund) paid upwards of sixty pounds for fitting up and furnishing what is now called the committee room; and various gentlemen contributed sums of money towards finishing the library and useful additions to the building. The names of Thos. Hollis, Esq.; Joseph Andrews, Esq.; the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wright; Samuel Lessingham, Esq.; the Rev. Mr. Neal; the Rev. Mr. G. Smith; the Rev. Mr. J. Newman; and the Rev. Jos. Bayes, are conspicuous in the list of benefactors on this occasion. By such honourable exertions was this building completed to the state in which it continued till about the year 1760, when two of the trustees, Mr. South and Mr. Bowden, worthily emulated the liberal deeds of their predecessors, by presenting the mahogany glazed book-cases in the large front room, as well as the mahogany glazed doors to that room and the library. Within our own times, the improved revenues of the founder's estates have enabled the trustees to render the whole establishment greatly more respectable and commodious. The trustees held their first meeting at the library on the 8th of December 1729; and on the 20th of April 1730 the first librarian was chosen, (with the original salary of ten pounds per annum, to which the trustees added fifteen pounds) and the institution opened to the public under the regulations which the trustees thought it proper to prescribe. Since that day great accessions have been made to it, by bequests of whole libraries, donations of money for the purchase of books, and the respectable presents of numerous individuals. Our limits will not permit us to insert here the names of all the benefactors; but we may be allowed to mention that of Mr. Day's Religious Opinions. the Rev: Mr. Davies, who presented to the library many scarce and useful volumes; that of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, which stands at the head of a long list of valuable books; that of the Rev. Dr. Harris, who bequeathed 1959 volumes; that of the Rev. Mr. Archer, who bequeathed 473 volumes; that of the Rev. Mr. Sheldon, who bequeathed 314 volumes; that of Mr. Wastfield, who bequeathed a valuable collection of books; that of Thomas Hollis, Esq. which often occurs in the book of benefactions, under the title of an unknown hand; and those of Dr. Horsman, the Rev. Mr. Calamy, the Rev. Dr. Evans, the Rev. Dr. Lardner, Mr. Neal, the Rev. Mr. Walburgh, the Rev. Mr. Lowman, 381 the Rev. Dr. Benson, William Mount, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Lindsay, and Thomas Brand Hollis, Esq. We could with pleasure enrich our list by the insertion of names of many living benefactors, who will be honoured by posterity, were we not checked by the recollection of the beautiful and classical apology which Dr. Jortin makes for not panegyrizing his patron Archbishop Herring, then alive, "that it was a custom amongst the ancients not to sacrifice to heroes till after sun-set." In the records of our gratitude those names are faithfully preserved; and far, very far distant be the period, when the trust shall have to offer the tribute of praise to their memory! MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. June 22, 1816. HAVE been, I dare say, by no curiosity respecting the religious opinions of the author of Sandford and Merton, whose talents, so wisely and benevolently employed, during his comparatively short term of life, would have done credit to any mode of faith which he might have adopted. This curiosity was lately revived, by a circumstance which occurred in a course of very miscellaneous reading. I made what inquiries were in my power, and now offer you the result. 1 may, I suspect, sometimes have given occasion to a doubt whether he were that the only hint on this subject which Dr. Kippis affords, is where he refers, with high approbation, to the first volume of Sandford and Merton, for some observations concerning the excellency of the Christian religion as adapted to the instruction and comfort of the poor, in a conversation between Mr. Merton, sen. and the tutor." This can hardly be considered as decisive, for Rousseau himself, who panegyrised Jesus Christ, in his letter to the Archbishop of Paris, would not have scrupled such a compliment to Christianity. Mr. Keir has, I think, settled the question, for had Mr. Day been an unbeliever in the Christian revelation, he could not have imitated too many unbelievers, who scrupled no Christian pretensions to serve their interest, but would have proved himself an honest Deist: Yet Mr. Keir describing a mere describing "with what veneration the people in Mr. Day's neighbourhood beheld him," adds, "he con versed much with them in a familiar style adapted to their capacities, and confirmed them in their respective duties. Being at a considerable dis tance from the parish church where he resided in Surry, and finding that many of his neighbours were thereby prevented from attending the service on Sundays, he used to invite them to his house, where he read prayers to There are two biographies of Mr. Day. One, his friend Mr. Keir's Account, published in 1791, the other, by Dr. Kippis, in the Biographia Britannica, Vol. V. 1793, p. 21. From both it appears that he entered as a gentleman-commoner at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, at the age of sixteen." He must then have subscribed the thirty-nine articles, probably consider ing such a subscription as a mere form. He took no degrees at Oxford, and is described by Mr. Keir as proposing for the main object of his academical pursuits, the discovery of moral truths, which he investigated with the severity of logical induction and the depth of metaphysical research." (P. 6.) The early, warm, and apparently unqualified admiration of J. J. Rousseau which Mr. Day indulged in the dedication of the Dying Negro, in 1773, VOL. XI. 3 D |