transcript of them: and likewise of such statutes as were
devised by the founders, or afterwards by others for the
usage of the books. Which is now as much as I can think on,
whereunto, at your good leisure, I would request your
friendly answer. And, if it lie in my ability to deserve
your pains in that behalf, although we be not yet
acquainted, you shall find me very forward. From London,
Feb. 23, 1597.

Your affectionate friend,

THO. BODLEY."

In the Easter following, "Mr. Bodley came to Oxford to view
the place on which he intended his bounty, and making them a
model of the design with the help of Mr. Saville, Warden of
Merton College, ordered that the room, or place of stowage,
for books, should be new planked, and that benches and
repositories fo [Transcriber's Note: for] books should be
set up." Wood's _Annals of the University_, vol. ii., pt.
ii., p. 920. The worthy founder then pursued his epistolary
intercourse with the Vice-Chancellor:

"_To Mr. Vice Chancellor._

SIR,

I find myself greatly beholden unto you for the speed that
you have used in proposing my offer to the whole University,
which I also hear by divers friends was greatly graced in
their meeting with your courteous kind speeches. And though
their answer of acceptance were over thankful and
respective; yet I take it unto me for a singular comfort,
that it came for that affection, whose thanks in that behalf
I do esteem a great deal more than they have reason to
esteem a far better offer. In which respect I have returned
my dutiful acknowledgement, which I beseech you to present,
when you shall call a convocation, about some matter of
greater moment. Because their letter was in _Latin_,
methought it did enforce me not to show myself a truant, by
attempting the like, with a pen out of practice: which yet I
hope they will excuse with a kind construction of my
meaning. And to the intent they may perceive that my good
will is as forward to perform as to promise, and that I
purpose to shew it to their best contentation, I do hold it
very requisite that some few should be deputed by the rest
of the House to consider, for the whole, of the fittest kind
of facture of desks, and other furniture; and when I shall
come to Oxford, which I d