Fonsie Mealy's THE LIBRARY HOWTH CASTLE September 22nd & 23rd, 2021

132 Imperfections Not Stated info@fonsiemealy.ie WilliamVan Mildert William Van Mildert (1765-1836) was a graduate of The Queen’s College, Oxford. He was Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, Bishop of Llandaff 1819-1826, and Bishop of Durham 1826-1836. “Van Mildert is often described as a 'stormy petrel' on account of his outspoken expression of his views. As Bishop of Llandaff he broke with the practice of his predecessors and actually resided in the diocese. As the bishop's palace had fallen to ruin, he rented Coldbrook House near Abergavenny. During his time in Llandaff, he gained a reputation as "a conscientious diocesan". As part of the University of Durham's foundation, behind which he was the driving force, he gave Durham Castle to the university, where it became the home of University College. Auckland Castle therefore became the sole residence of the Bishop of Durham. In addition, he donated a large number of buildings on Palace Green, between the Castle and the Cathedral. He was the last Bishop of Durham with significant temporal powers as a Palatinate Prince-Bishop. Those secular powers were removed and returned to the Crown after his death.” (Wikipedia) Van Mildert married in 1795 Jane, daughter of General Archibald Douglas and aunt of Gaisford’s first wife, Helen Douglas; hence the close relationship between the two clerics. – 12 June 1824. Gaisford to Van Mildert from The agueHHague reporting on improvements to living standards since the peace, the state of the university library, and his attendance at a book auction. – 28 August to 29 December 1828. 5 letters from Van Mildert re his negotiations with the Duke of Wellington to secure a promotion for Gaisford. The last also contains some remarks on “matters of immediate and most distressing urgency (i.e., Catholic Emancipation) and the attitudes of some of the bishops: “Of my Lord of Oxford [Charles Lloyd], you may perhaps know more than I do. It is rumoured that he leans towards Liberalism. But of this I know nothing. Whenever he perchance has touched on these topics with me, he writes so flippantly, and so entirely plays the jester upon me, that I do not mean to trouble him again with such matters.” – 22 Jan 1831. Gaisford to Van Mildert, giving his views on the reforms proposed for the structure and governance of the Church. – 5 August to 6 Sept 1831. 12 letters between Gaisford and Van Mildert re proposals for the structure of a university at Durham, and a course of studies. – 6 Jan 1836. An affectionate family letter, sent with a box of “eatables” and a picture book for Gaisford’s daughter Fanny. His wife’s health, and his own. Endorsed: “This is the last letter recd by me from my poor friend the Bp of Durham.” Robert Peel 26 letters to Gaisford from Sir Robert Peel, 1817-1845. Peel (1788-1809) matriculated at Christ Church in 1805, his tutor being Charles Lloyd (q.v.). In 1808 he became the first Oxford student to obtain a double first in Classics and Mathematics, and in the following year he entered Parliament at the age of 21, being elected unopposed by the 24-strong voters of Cashel. He was Chief Secretary for Ireland 1812-18, Home Secretary 1822- 27 and 1828-30 (when he reformed the policing system), and Prime Minister 1834-35 and 1841-46. “Peel often started from a traditional Tory position in opposition to a measure, then reversed his stance and became the leader in supporting liberal legislation. This happened with the Test Act, Catholic Emancipation, the Reform Act, income tax and, most notably, the repeal of the Corn Laws. Historian A. J. P. Taylor wrote: "Peel was in the first rank of 19th century statesmen. He carried Catholic Emancipation; he repealed the Corn Laws; he created the modern Conservative Party on the ruins of the old Toryism."” (Wikipedia) – 4 July 1817. Thanks Gaisford for his letter congratulating him on the distinction conferred on him by the University of Oxford. – 18 Feb. 1818. Re the University’s right to a copy of every book entered at Stationer’s Hall. – 7 April 1818. He will do all he can to protect the University’s right to copyright from the attacks of Sir E Bridges. – 1 May 1818. do – 5 May 1818. do – 6 June 1818. Ditto, enclosing copy of his letter to the Vice- Chancellor – 30 Jan. 1822. Note stating that Charles Lloyd is to be Regius Professor of Divinity. (One of Lloyd’s first tasks at Oxford had been to prepare Peel for his exams) – 30 Sept 1822. Re proposed publications of the Record Commission. – 21 May 1824. Enclosing a letter of recommendation for him to Lord Granville [Ambassador to France] for his upcoming visit to Holland. – 22 Oct 1824. Will write to the British Ambassador at Brussels re the manuscript he will send him. – 22 Nov 1824. Is sending him“the book for which application was made to the Government of the Netherlands”. – 10 June 1825, offering him a stall in Worcester Cathedral – 10 June 1825, urging him to accept the offer – 15 June 1825, repeating his offer – 16 June 1825, confirming his previous letter enclosed with one from Lord Liverpool offering him a stall in Worcester Cathedral – 10 Nov 1826. Reply to Dean Gaisford, re his request for a commission for his nephew. – 27 Nov 1828, urging him to reconsider his proposed resignation of the stall at Worcester Cathedral – 3 Dec. 1828. Letter from the Bishop of Worcester expressing regret at Gaisford’s decision to resign his stall in the cathedral. – 20 April 1831. Re unusual manner of making additions to the Commissioners of the Peace for Co. Durham. – 15 April 1842. Re the appointment of Mr Hussey to be Professor of Ecclesiastical History, and Mr Ogilvie Professor of Pastoral Theology. – 14 June 1842. Asks for his opinion as to the appointment of Regius Professor of Modern History. – 18 Jan. 1843. Has interviewed the new Dean of Westminster [Thomas Turton] about the necessity of remedying the “great Evil” at Westminster School. – 23 Jan 1843. Re proposals to remedy the “evils” (unspecified, alas) existing at Westminster School. – 27 Nov 1844. Consults Gaisford’s advice on the suitability of Dr Cramer to be Dean of Carlisle. The appointee “should not hold Tractarian opinions or having any marked leanings towards them.” – 13 March 1845. Asks for Gaisford’s help in establishing the correct wording of the Latin inscription to be carved on the trophy presented by Czar Nicholas I for the Ascot Gold Cup, in the light of criticisms by “an eminent Latin scholar” (attached; signed “Beaufoy Jacobus St Patrick”). – 27-31 May 1845. Asks for Gaisford’s advice re the appointment of the Master of Balliol (Richard Jenkyns – Gaisford’s brother- in-law!) as Dean of Wells; copy of Gaisford’s reply; and Peel’s confirmation of the appointment. The Duke of Wellington and LordWellesley – 6 letters to Gaisford from the Duke of Wellington (Prime Minister 1828-30 and for most of 1834) and 4 from his elder brother the Marquess Wellesley. – 17 July 1820. Has received his note, to which he will pay attention. – 19 August 1828, offering him the Deanery of Norwich, with draft of Gaisford’s reply declining the offer.