A Proper Reply to a Pamphlet, entitled, A Defence of the Rector and Fellows of Exeter College, &c.

HUDDESFORD, George (1698/91776). A Proper Reply to a Pamphlet, entitled, A Defence of the Rector and Fellows of Exeter College, &c. Oxford: Printed at the Theatre for Richard Clements; and Sold by J. and J. Rivington in St. Paul's Church-Yard, London. 1755. 4to., (10 4/8 x 8 4/8 inches). 18-pages, stabbed and sewn as issued (last leaf torn with loss, old folds, pale stains). Woodcut head and tail-pieces. Original blank front wrapper. Provenance: with the early ownership inscription of Arthur Tremayne [?(1701-1796), Member of Parliament for Launceston 1727-1734] on the front cover. Francis Webber (1707-1771) was the author of "A Defence of the Rector." and this is Vice-Chancellor Huddesford's response to the particular allegations that Huddersford, and therefore Oxford University, harboured feelings of disloyalty towards King George II. "Some few Days preceeding the fourteenth of February 1754, an Accusation was lodged before the Vice-Chancellor, by the Rector of Exeter College, attended by some of his Fellows, against a young Scholar, a little above two Years standing, for having entered their College about seven or eight of the Clock in the Evening, and having there cried out, more than once, "King James for 'ever' - The Vice-Chancellor immediately appointed the next Day, for hearing the Matter of the Accusation at his Lodgings, The Accused made no other Defence, than that He had not Intentionally offended; but that falling into Company with some Acquaintance, on the Day that was charged in the Complaint, He was unhappily so disordered in Liquor, as to be utterly uncapable of recollecting either This or any other Transaction that passed that Evening. This Account of his Intoxication was in some Measure allowed by the Porter himself; but more strongly confirmed by the Evidence of a Gentleman, who had no previous Acquaintance with the Delinquent, but, finding him in the Street in so very unbecoming a Condition, had out of Compassion led him home to his proper College" (pages 12 and 13). Arthur Tremayne is quite possibly the former MP for Launceston, who was of "an ancient royalist Cornish family, [who] inherited a very large fortune from his great-grandfather. A Tory and a friend of the Morices of Werrington, who probably returned him at Launceston, he voted against the Government in every recorded division. He did not stand again, and died at an advanced age in 1796" (The History of Parliament online). ESTC T42777. Catalogued by Kate Hunter. …