Terrae-filius, Or, The Secret History of the University of Oxford, 1721-1726Edited with an Introduction and Notes by William E. Rivers In his Terrae-Filius essays of 1721, Nicholas Amhurst describes and satirizes Oxford life as he saw it during the 1710s and early 1720s. Although academic and intellectual issues receive abundant attention, Amhurst devoted even more space to the political, religious, social, and moral issues that often worked to undercut the university's academic goals. Written in an energetic, personal prose style characteristic of the best eighteenth-century essay periodicals, the Terrae-Filius essays provide accessible, entertaining reading for anyone interested in the history of Oxford University, early eighteenth-century British culture, or the close but often tense relationship between the nation and the university during the tumultuous decade following the Whig ascendancy of 1714. This modern critical edition of the Terrae-Filius reprints all the essays (including those omitted in the 1726 collected editions) and provides an introduction and extensive explanatory notes that set the essays in their historical and cultural context. William E. Rivers is Professor of English at the University of South Carolina. |
From inside the book
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Page 32
... Delaune controlled . Amhurst voices that concern in Number 49 , where he lists all of St. John's college benefactions and asks at the end of that list whether all these gifts are " still distributed in the manner 32 INTRODUCTION.
... Delaune controlled . Amhurst voices that concern in Number 49 , where he lists all of St. John's college benefactions and asks at the end of that list whether all these gifts are " still distributed in the manner 32 INTRODUCTION.
Page 33
... manner directed by the respective benefactors " ( 361 ) .54 Despite his questionable character , Delaune clearly had his friends and supporters . Lucy Sutherland's phrase " amiable reprobate " captures the problem of Delaune quite well ...
... manner directed by the respective benefactors " ( 361 ) .54 Despite his questionable character , Delaune clearly had his friends and supporters . Lucy Sutherland's phrase " amiable reprobate " captures the problem of Delaune quite well ...
Page 34
... manner " and afforded the candidate for the degree no knowledge of his accuser or the reasons for the denial ( 319 ) . The candidate for a degree at Oxford was subject to a procedure that was , as Amhurst noted , less fair , just , and ...
... manner " and afforded the candidate for the degree no knowledge of his accuser or the reasons for the denial ( 319 ) . The candidate for a degree at Oxford was subject to a procedure that was , as Amhurst noted , less fair , just , and ...
Page 37
... manner , that it convinc'd them of the factious spirit which reign'd at Oxford , not amongst the young Lads only ( as hath often been speciously pretended ) but even amongst the scarlet gowns and veteran doctors of the university . ' 72 ...
... manner , that it convinc'd them of the factious spirit which reign'd at Oxford , not amongst the young Lads only ( as hath often been speciously pretended ) but even amongst the scarlet gowns and veteran doctors of the university . ' 72 ...
Page 39
... manners " ( 339 ) . Their empty - headedness was offensive ( they read , he says , nothing " but novels and romances " [ 339 ] ) ; but it was their lack of " civility and good manners " ( 338 ) that received Amhurst's strongest ...
... manners " ( 339 ) . Their empty - headedness was offensive ( they read , he says , nothing " but novels and romances " [ 339 ] ) ; but it was their lack of " civility and good manners " ( 338 ) that received Amhurst's strongest ...
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Common terms and phrases
academical Amhurst Amhurst's note amongst Bangorian Controversy Benjamin Hoadley bishop of Bangor Black Book C1 Number call'd called chancellor Charles Clarendon Press collected edition common constitution club degree Delaune's disputations doctor Drybones eighteenth century F Number famous fellow folio friends gentlemen give governor Hart-Hall heads of colleges Hearne High Church History honour Jacobite James John John's College King George late learning lectures letter Library London Lord manner matriculated Meadowcourt mention Merchant Taylors Merton Merton College Nathaniel Mist never Nicholas Amhurst oath obliged occasion omit opinion Oriel original Number paper persons poem political preached present proctors publick reader reason religion Remarks and Collections Restoration reverend satire Saturday scholars sculls sermon society statute Terræ-Filius thing Thomas Thomas Warton thought Tories truth University of Oxford vice-chancellor Warton Wednesday Weekly Journal Whig William Delaune young
Popular passages
Page 62 - there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.
Page 69 - Exegi monumentum aere perennius Regalique situ pyramidum altius, Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens Possit diruere aut innumerabilis Annorum series et fuga temporum.
Page 24 - I am in hopes that we may order our affairs so as to meet this summer at the Bath; for Mr Pope and myself have thoughts of taking a trip thither. You shall preach, and we will write lampoons ; for it is esteemed as 'great an honour to leave the Bath for fear of a broken head, as for a Terrae Filius of Oxford to be expelled.