Volume 1
A summary catalogue of Western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
- Bodleian Library
- Date:
- 1895-1953
Licence: In copyright
Credit: A summary catalogue of Western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![am inclined to think that he wrote A and C as well as the 1686 Catalogued If this conclusion is accepted, it is necessary to try to define more closely the part played by Edward Bernard in the editing of the 1697 Catalogue, which commonly goes under his name. The account given by Edmund Gibson in the prefatory epistle is that in 1691-2 discussions were going on in Oxford about the desirability of a catalogue of Bodleian manuscripts, and that Dr. Jonathan Edwards, principal of Jesus College, then Vice-Chan- cellor [1689-92], approached the Delegates of the University Press, who accepted the scheme. The name of Bernard imme- diately occurred to them as a suitable editor ‘propter infinitam Librorum notitiam et magnam domi forisque autoritatem’, and Bernard accepted. This account of the launching of a large and difficult academic enterprise is too simple and straightforward to express the whole truth. In two letters of Bernard addressed to Thomas Smith there are tantalizing glimpses of preliminary negotiations. The first reference occurs in a letter dated Oxford, 24 April 1692 How well the Bodleian Catalogue will be published I cannot yet write, having not seen the specimen. As soon as it is wrought off, it shall accompany Ludolphus his letters into your hands. The second is dated Oxford, 18 June 1692:^ The Catalogus MSS Bodleianorum stops because they would be more curious and research the books again: so that I fear our pittance of life will not obtain that sight. Further, among Bernard’s papers is a sheet in his own hand- writing, dated 8 October 1692, and headed ‘Proposals to the Curators of the Bodleian Library’. The third proposal is the only one that concerns the catalogue. It runs as follows:^ That the Catalogue of the manuscripts belonging to the Publique Library be printed, beginning with y® old Bodleian manuscripts, by the care of the Librarians; and the impression commence before Christmas next; the publishers being allow’d competently per sheet; as the Delegates for printing shall think fit. ^ D and E were also copied by him. G and H are earlier. ^ MS. Smith 47 (S.C. 15654), fob 109. Ludolfus is H. W. Ludolf, for whom see J. S. G. Simmons, Oxford Slavonic Papers, i, 1950, pp. 104-29. ^ Ibid., fob III. MS. Smith ii (S.C. 15618), p. 35. Macray, Annals, p. 161 gives, without warn- ing, an abbreviated text, which is seriously misleading. 127.1 C](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29001250_0001_0037.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
