the plan and execution of theſe his public-ſpirited deſigns to the wiſdom of his parent univerſity. Reſolving to dedicate his learned labours “to the benefit of poſterity and the perpetual ſervice of his country[1],” he was ſenſible he could not perform his reſolutions in a better and more effectual manner, than by extending to the youth of this place thoſe aſſiſtances, of which he ſo well remembered and ſo heartily regretted the want. And the ſenſe, which the univerſity has entertained of this ample and moſt uſeful benefaction, muſt appear beyond a doubt from their gratitude in receiving it with all poſſible marks of eſteem[2]; from their alacrity and unexampled diſpatch in carrying it into execution[3]; and, above all, from the laws and conſtitutions by which they have effectually guarded it from the neglect and abuſe to which ſuch inſtitutions are liable[4]. We have ſeen an univerſal emulation, who beſt ſhould underſtand, or moſt faithfully pur-
- ↑ See the preface to the eighteenth volume of his abridgment.
- ↑ Mr Viner is enrolled among the public benefactors of the univerſity by decree of convocation.
- ↑ Mr Viner died June 5, 1756. His effects were collected and ſettled, near a volume of his work printed, almoſt the whole diſpoſed of, and the accounts made up, in a year and a half from his deceaſe, by the very diligent and worthy adminiſtrators with the will annexed, (Dr Weſt and Dr Good of Magdalene, Dr Whalley of Oriel, Mr Buckler of All Souls, and Mr Belts of Univerſity college) to whom that care was conſigned by the univerſity. Another half year was employed in conſidering and ſettling a plan of the propoſed inſtitution, and in framing the ſtatutes thereupon, which were finally confirmed by convocation on the 3d of July, 1758. The profeſſor was elected on the 20th of October following, and two ſcholars on the ſucceeding day. And, laſtly, it was agreed at the annual audit in 1761, to eſtabliſh a fellowſhip; and a fellow was accordingly elected in January following.—The reſidue of this fund, ariſing from the ſale of Mr Viner’s abridgment, will probably be ſufficient hereafter to found another fellowſhip and ſcholarſhip, or three more ſcholarſhips, as ſhall be thought moſt expedient.
- ↑
The ſtatutes are in ſubſtance as follows:
1. That the accounts of this benefaction be ſeparately kept, and annually audited by the delegates of accounts and profeſſor, and afterwards reported to convocation.
2. That a profeſſorſhip of the laws of England be eſtabliſhed, with a ſalary of two hundred pounds per annum; the profeſſor to be elected by convocation, and to be at the time of his election at leaſt a maſter of arts or bachelor of civil law in the univerſity of Oxford, of ten years ſtanding from his matriculation; and alſo a barriſter at law of four years ſtanding at the bar.
3. That ſuch profeſſor (by himſelf, or by deputy to be previously approved by
