xliv INTRODUCTION. University, and brings them down againe. Then hee cries Ad scrutinium tertio : then the Proctors gather Placets againe, and returne Placet. And after a pause, demands Placet ut intrent. Aher Placets gathered, the Bedel leads the prsecentor* downe, and both bringe upp the Candidates, the father presents them. All the Masters, after they are presented, are to doe as the Earl of Ossory, before as the Doctors of Divinity." The following speech, which is preserved amongst the papers of the College, was probably delivered on this occasion. It is headed : — " Lord Lieutenant's Speech, when the Instrument of Chancellor of the University was presented him.
- ' Gentlemen,
" After so learned a speech, I must return you plain thanks in English. The honour you have done me, I value above any I ever re- ceived, next that I now hold from his Majesty, and shall- be ready in acknow- ledgement thereof to serve jou in all things the best I may. I shall not make protestations. This book shall be my judge that I shall not fail herein, altho' it should cost me the price it did that worthy person mentioned." At a later period the Masters of Arts seem to have acquired, or usurped, a power, not recognized in the University Statutes, of addressing the Senate, and making motions, or proposing re- solutions. This was a serious innovation, and led to disastrous consequences. A remarkable instance is on record. A Master of Arts, one Edward Forbes, at the Summer Commencements (12th of July, 1708), the same day on which he was himself admitted to the degree of M. A., took occasion to give utterance to some very disloyal sentiments respecting the title of Queen Anne to the throne. He is reported to have said that she had no better right to sit on the throne of Great Britain than her predecessor, ' The term Prcecentor does not versity Statutes, cap. xi. occur before as the title of an officer *> The "worthy person," here al- of the University, but we have mention ludedto, ifnot Strafford, was probably of music in connexion with Theolo- Laud, the Duke of Ormonde's im- gical Degrees, " ad reficiendas au- mediate predecessor in the office of ditorura mentce," in Temple's Uni- Chancellor.
