A LETTER From a Scholar in OXFORD, To his Friend in the country: showing What progress the Visitors have made in the Reformation of that university, and what it is that obstructs it.  
ACADEMIA· OXONIENSIS·  
SAPIENTIA ET FELICITATE  
Printed in the year, 1647.   

A Letter from a Scholar in OXFORD, to his friend in the country.  
Sir,  
I Writ to you yesterday by your good friend Master P. but in such haste, and so abruptly, that it cannot in any measure answer either your expectation or my desires of satisfying you.  
I know you must needs long to hear what progress is made in our Visitation: Truly so little, that I cannot well tell whether it be begun. Friday June 4. was designed for the day; and the Visitors from London had peremptorily resolved to be here, and were as confidently expected. But they were diverted by the unexpected news of the Armies rebelling against the two Houses, together with a high Mutiny of the Garrison here (two days before the Visitors should have come down) who not only refused to disband, but detained the 3500. l. which was sent down to pay them upon their disbanding. The Parliament, while the money was upon the way hither, being informed that they meant not to disband, sent Post after the money, to have it brought back: but their menssenger was too slow; for it was got into Oxford before he overtook it: and the Garrison notwithstanding the Parliaments command, were resolved not to part with it. Whereupon the Convoy of dragoons, who had guarded it from London hither, attempting to have it back again, the Garrison-Souldiers fell upon them in the high street (the money standing loaden betwixt them) wounded many of them, and quickly beat them out of the town, leaving their money and their waggon & team of horses behind them.  
This, with the high demands of the Army (which fell out very opportunely at the same time) made Sir Nathaniel Brent, and those other gentlemen which should have accompanied him hither, begin to look about them, and to be think themselves whether it were not better to keep in London then to adventure themselves at Oxford amongst a company of Malignant Scholars, and an Independent Garrison that had already put such an affront upon the Parliament especially there being a great party of Horse then lying quartered about Ox. sent from the Army to secure the train of Artillery here, upon an information that there was a design to seize upon it, and remove it to London.  
The result was, that (though on the Thursday following, June 3. Merton college great gates were set wide open to receive them and great preparations made for their entertainment there; and the poor Scholars generally quaking at the approach of their doomsday, the rather in regard they had declared but three days before against the Covenant, yet) the Gentlemen came not. Only a Packet of letters was brought from them to the Ministers here, to let them know that they should not expect them till the long Vacation.  
Hereupon we conceived (and we thought we had some reason for it) that the Visitation would be adjourned till that time: never imagining that the Ministers (especially considering the present Posture of affairs) would have had the courage to undertake it themselves. Though by the way let me tell you, that had the rest all of them come, yet the University had beforehand resolved not to appear or submit to their Visitation, otherwise then with a [Salvis nobis & Academiae omnibus juribus, privilegiis, immunitatibus, &c.] to be delivered to them in writing by the Proctors and Heads of Houses. Nay it was put to the question (but waved) whether we should appear at all: upon this supposed ground that they had no lawful authority to visit us.  
But the next morning, contrary to everybody's expectation, we understood that the 
* M. Rogers. M. Harris. M. Reynolds. M. Wilkinson. M. Cheynell.  Ministers (forsooth) assisted by one Master Dunce of Pizzy, Master Draper (a new-made justice, and a Committee-man for this County) and another of the Wilkinsons, which three were come to town for that purpose, supposing the rest would have done the like (and indeed some others there were in town; one, I am certain▪ but he thought it more prudence not to be seen among them) intended to proceed in the business. To be short (for I perceive I am already become tedious in my Relation) the bell rung out for the Visitation-Sermon; M. Harris preached it; the greatest part of the University were present.  
Sermon ended (but it was very long first; for which we do freely forgive him) we hasted away (the Visitors following after more gravely & leisurely) to the schools: where the vicechancellor, the Doctors and Proctors, with diverse other members of the University had attended (according to the Citation) from nine of the clock. No sooner were we come thither but the clock struck eleven: and I can assure you there was no foul play in it; for to prevent all cavil, the vicechancellor, when he perceived it to draw towards eleven sent a command to the Sexton that he should be careful to observe the Sun, and see that his clock kept pace with it exactly.  
This fair advantage being thus unexpectedly offered us (for which we have none to thank but the Preacher, one of themselves) we thought we had no reason but to embrace it: and therefore, upon the striking of the clock, we entered immediately into the Convocation-House, and there declared (by the mouth of the Proctor; whereunto we have the attestation of a public Notary) that whereas by virtue of an Ordinance of the two Houses we had been cited to appear there this day between the hours of nine and eleven in the forenoon, we had obeyed: and because the time limited was now expired, we held ourselves not obliged to any further attendance. Whereupon the vicechancellor gave command that we should every man forthwith repair home to our several colleges.  
In our return (the vicechancellor and Doctors marching in a full body, with the Beadle's before them) we met the Visitors just in the Proscholium; where the passage (you know) being somewhat narrow, one of the Beadle's called to them [room for M. vicechancellor] whereupon they were pleased to deny self, and gave the way. The vicechancellor (very civilly) moved his cap to them, saying [good morrow gentlemen; 'tis past eleven a clock] and so passed on without taking any further notice of them. Upon this, there followed a great hum, and so we parted; they ●●lding on to their Visitation-House, and we home to dinner. They sat about an hour that day (looking one upon another) and have met several times since (M. principal Roger● being chairman:) but what they do when they are togther, or how they put off the time▪ I am not able to inform you: for, to tell you the plain truth, we never heed them.  
This carriage of ours they take very ill, and look upon it as a high contempt. We, on the other side, think we are very well able to justify what we have done; and are of opinion that they are quite out, and must begin again, if they mean to do any thing: conceiving that we are not bound to make any further appearance, unless we have a new Citation; the former being rendered null through their default.  
Sir, let me crave your Opinion of the Case, and your favourable acceptance of this impertinent Paper, that presumes thus to break in upon you, and disturb your thoughts, which (Doubtless) are now fixed upon a business of much greater concernment, the present contestation between the two Houses and the Army. However, I do not at all doubt but you will pardon this injury, when you shall find that it is done you by  
Your very affectionate Friend. Oxford. June 25. 1647.   

Postscript.  
YEsterday Doctor Shelden and Doctor Hammond (two of His majesty's chaplains) went from hence towards Saint Albans, upon a command sent them to come and attend their Master: a favour which he had long begged of the two Houses, and hath now (it seems) obtained it of the Army. Whereat Master Cheynell here is very angry, and storms extremely, if anybody cared for it. The poor man, God help him, hath utterly lost his patience, and (truly I am afraid) something else.   
THE END.