ECAM HANC INSTITUIT
HONORIS CAUSA P.P.]

The library of Sir Thomas Bodley, when completed, formed the
figure of a T: it was afterwards resolved, on the books
accumulating, and the benefactions increasing, to finish it
in the form of an H; in which state it now remains. Sir
Kenelm Digby, like a thorough bred bibliomaniac, "gave fifty
very good oaks, to purchase a piece of ground of Exeter
College, laying on the north west side of the library; on
which, and their own ground adjoining, they might erect the
future fabric." The laying of the foundation of this
erection is thus described by Wood; concluding with a
catastrophe, at which I sadly fear the wicked reader will
smile. "On the thirteenth of May, being Tuesday, 1634, the
Vice-chancellor, Doctors, Heads of Houses, and Proctors, met
at St. Mary's church about 8 of the clock in the morning;
thence each, having his respective formalities on came to
this place, and took their seats that were then erected on
the brim of the foundation. Over against them was built a
scaffold, where the two proctors, with divers masters,
stood. After they were all settled, the University
Musicians, who stood upon the leads at the west end of the
library, sounded a lesson on their wind music. Which being
done, the singing men of Christ-Church, with others, sang a
lesson, after which the senior Proctor, Mr. Herbert Pelham,
of Magdalen College, made an eloquent oration: that being
ended also, the music sounded again, and continued playing
till the Vice-Chancellor went to the bottom of the
foundation to lay the first stone in one of the south
angles. But no sooner had he deposited a piece of gold on
the said stone, according to the usual manner in such
ceremonies, but the earth fell in from one side of the
foundation, and the scaffold that was thereon broke and fell
with it; so that all those that were thereon, to the number
of a hundred at least, namely, the Proctors, Principals of
Halls, Masters, and some Bachelaurs, fell down all together,
one upon another, into the foundation; among whom, the under
butler of Exeter College had his shoulder broken or put out
of joint, and a scholar's arm bruised." "The solemnity being
thus concluded with such a sad catastrophe, the breach was
soon after made u