collector, antiquary, and orientalist, who had been
chaplain to the embassy at Constantinople, and had been employed to
collate the Alexandrian manuscript, aspired to the vacant post. He
conceived that he had some claims on the favour of the government as
a man of learning and as a zealous Tory. His loyalty was in truth as
fervent and as steadfast as was to be found in the whole Church of
England. He had long been intimately acquainted with Parker, Bishop
of Oxford, and hoped to obtain by the interest of that prelate a royal
letter to the college. Parker promised to do his best, but soon reported
that he had found difficulties. "The King," he said, "will recommend no
person who is not a friend to His Majesty's religion. What can you do
to pleasure him as to that matter?" Smith answered that, if he
became President, he would exert himself to promote learning, true
Christianity, and loyalty. "That will not do," said the Bishop. "If so,"
said Smith manfully, "let who will be President: I can promise nothing
more."

The election had been fixed for the thirteenth of April, and the Fellows
were summoned to attend. It was rumoured that a royal letter would come
down recommending one Anthony Farmer to the vacant place. This man's
life had been a series of shameful acts. He had been a member of the
University of Cambridge, and had escaped expulsion only by a timely
retreat. He had then joined the Dissenters. Then he had gone to Oxford,
had entered himself at Magdalene, and had soon become notorious there
for every kind of vice. He generally reeled into his college at
night speechless with liquor. He was celebrated for having headed a
disgraceful riot at Abingdon. He had been a constant frequenter of noted
haunts of libertines. At length he had turned pandar, had exceeded even
the ordinary vileness of his vile calling, and had received money from
dissolute young gentlemen commoners for services such as it is not good
that history should record. This wretch, however, had pretended to
turn Papist. His apostasy atoned for all his vices; and, though still
a youth, he was selected to rule a grave and religious society in which
the scandal given by his depravity was still fresh.

As a Roman Catholic he was disqualified for academical office by the
general law of the land. Never having been a Fellow of Magdalene College
or of New College, he was disqualified for the vacant presidency by a
special ordinance of William of Waynflete. Will