dris et Prefecturis veterum Hebræorum: he lived but to finish three books. Shortly before his death, he wrote also a preface to the Decem Scriptores Anglicanæ,' a Collection of Monkish Historians, published by sir R. Twysden; and a vindication of his Mare Clausum,' which contains some particulars of his own history. Of his works, which are very numerous, a list may be found in the Biographia Britannica: they were collected and published in six volumes, folio, by the learned Dr. Wilkins, in 176.

"At length," says Wood," after this great light of our nation had lived to about the age of man, it was extinguished on the last of November, 1654," He died of a gradual decline at the Carmelite, or Friary House, in White Friars, which he possessed, with other property, to a very considerable amount, by the bequest of Elizabeth, countess dowager of Kent, with whom he had lived in the strictest amity, as he had also done with the earl in his life-time. He died very rich, having lived a bachelor, in the exercise of a lucrative profession, with no disposition to expense, beyond the formation of a most extensive and valuable library, which he had once bequeathed to the University of Oxford, but revoked the legacy on account of some disgust taken at being required to give a bond as security for the loan of a manuscript: it was therefore left at the disposal of his executors, but he directed it not to be sold. They had intended bestowing it on the society of the Inner Temple, and it actually remained for five years in chambers hired for the purpose; but no preparations being made for building a room to contain it, the executors placed it at length in the Bodleian Library, where it remains, with his other collections.

He was buried, by his own direction, in the Temple church, on the south side of the round walk: his funeral was splendid, and attended by all the judges, benchers, and great officers, with a concourse of the most distinguished persons of the time.

To lord Clarendon's delineation of his character may be added what Whitelocke says of him; "that his mind was as great as his learning, being very generous and hospitable, and a good companion, especially where he liked." Dr. Wilkins says," he was naturally of a serious temper, which

was somewhat soured by his sufferings; so that he was free only with a few."

His parliamentary character has been recently most ably sketched by an anonymous writer in a periodical paper. "Selden was a member of the long parliament, and took an active and useful part in many important discussions and transactions. He appears to have been regarded somewhat in the light of a valuable piece of national property, like a museum, or great public library, resorted to, as a matter of course, and a matter of right, in all the numerous cases in which assistance was wanted from any part of the whole compass of legal and historical learning. He appeared in the national council, not so much the representative of the contemporary inhabitants of a particular city, as of all the people of all past ages; concerning whom, and whose institutions, he was deemed to know whatever was to be known, and to be able to furnish whatever, within so vast a retrospect, was of a nature to give light and authority in the decision of questions arising in a doubtful and hazardous state of the national affairs."

"After all," says one of his biographers, "the most endearing part of Mr. Selden's character is elegantly touched by himself in the choice of his motto:"

Περι παντος την ελευθερίαν.

LIBERTY ABOVE ALL THINGS.

TO THE HONOURABLE

MR. JUSTICE HALES,

ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE COMMON PLEAS;

AND TO THE MUCH HONOURED

EDWARD HEYWOOD, JOHN VAUGHAN,

AND

ROWLAND JEWKS, ESQUIRES.

MOST WORTHY GENTLEMEN,

WERE you not executors to that person, who, while he lived, was the glory of the nation; yet am I confident, any thing of his would find acceptance with you; and truly the sense and notion here is wholly his, and most of the words. I had the opportunity to hear his discourse twenty years together; and lest all those excellent things that usually fell from him might be lost, some of them from time to time I faithfully committed to writing, which, here digested into this method, I humbly present to your hands: -you will quickly perceive them to be his, by the familiar illustrations wherewith they are set off, and in which you know he was so happy, that, with a marvellous delight to those that heard him, he would presently convey

the highest points of religion, and the most important af. fairs of state, to an ordinary apprehension.

In reading, be pleased to distinguish times, and in your fancy carry along with you the when and the why, many of these things were spoken; this will give them the more life, and the smarter relish. It is possible, the entertainment you find in them, may render you the more inclinable to pardon the presumption of

Your most obliged, and

Most humble servant,

RI. MILWARD.

4

SELDEN'S

TABLE TALK.

ABBEYS, PRIories, &c.

1. THE unwillingness of the monks to part with their land, will fall out to be just nothing, because they were yielded up to the king by a supreme hand, viz. a parliament. If a king conquer another country, the people are loath to lose their lands; yet no divine will deny, but the king may give them to whom he please. If a parliament make a law concerning leather, or any other commodity, you and I for example, are parliament men; perhaps, in respect to our own private interests, we are against it, yet the major part conclude it: we are then involved, and the law is good.

2. When the founders of abbeys laid a curse upon those that should take away those lands, I would fain know what power they had to curse me; it is not the curses that come from the poor, or from any body, that hurt me, because they come from them, but because I do something ill against them that deserves God should curse me for it. On the