PREFACE. IX industry and ability of its Fellow Commoners. There is no class which in proportion to its numbers has contributed so much to the reputation of the College. But this high standard was not uniformly maintained : distinctions based on wealth and rank came to be thought unsuitable : the numbers steadily dwindled, until in 1865 the College resolved that no more should be received. Of the Commoners, little new has to be said : but the catalogue goes to illustrate the independence of local con- nexion which has throughout it's history been a conspicuous feature of Oriel. The somewhat large proportion, in the eighteenth century, of Glostershire, Somerset, and Devon names, may be due to the loyalty of old Frank Fellows or of the holders of College livings in that quarter : but there is hardly a county in England or Wales which is left wholly unrepresented in the list. It is worth notice, that in the case of youths admitted from beyond the seas, it was for some time considered prudent to require a larger amount of Caution Money than was asked from those nearer home. Ireland stood, in this respect, on the same footing as the American and West Indian Colonies. Scholars and Exhibitioners, elsewhere forming a consider- able part of the undergraduate body, were of late introduction at Oriel. Mrs. Ludwell, a sister of Dr. Carter (Provost 1708- 1727), left an endowment for two Exhibitions, to be held by natives of Kent : and Henry, fourth Duke of Beaufort, granted an annuity of ;£ioo for the support of four Exhibitioners, to be nominated by his successors in the title from among natives of the three counties of Gloster, Monmouth, and Glamorgan. But the holders of these endowments formed no distinct class : their own rank in the College was that of Bateller or Commoner, according to their circumstances. It was to the good fortune of their birth, rather than to their intellectual merit, that they owed their modest stipend. They wore no Scholar's gown : they had no special place in Chapel : no greater degree of diligence was required of them : they differed in no way from other junior members who came up with leaving Exhibitions from School. The patronage of the