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Preface
man, it is matter for rejoicing with every honest gentleman to be able to observe how quickly the idea took root, how well it has thriven, by how great a tradition it has become consecrated, and how studiously the wishes of the founder in all their essentials are still observed and carried out."
The first actual university library at Oxford, called after its benefactor, Bishop Cobham, was begun in 1367, in a small upper room, lighted by four windows. Even before that a few books had been kept in chests, to be "lent out under pledges," while others were chained to desks for public reading. Bishop Cobham's
