1

LXX.

2

JOHN STRYPE TO HIS MOTHER. CONTINUATION OF THE ACCOUNT OF HIS
3COLLEGE LIFE.

4
9    The ii. Present I received with your Letter £6. which was forthwith
10carried to my Tutor, who, I understood, expected a greater
11lump, which you may guess by my Bill here enclosed; also because
12we were behind-hand with him in former Accounts. It would be
13good if the remainder of the money due to this Bill could be sent
14by the next. The next Quarter, which is approaching, would be the
15more tolerable. Assure yourself I am not so far out of the way,
16or so unconcerned, but that I am sensible of the charges that a

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17College life doth expect, and particularly mine; and therefore
18have endeavoured, and shall, the time providence hath allotted
19for my stay here, continue in the same endeavour: to wit, of
20redeeming the hastening hours, and improving them, so as that it
21may be for my advantage and credit, and therewith all my friends
22comforts hereafter. Take this from a serious Pen. Pray lett's
23understand whether that Letter miscarried which I sent last week
24to my sister Welsh. There was something in it I would have
25an answer to.
26    I know you expect I should tell you what is become of the
27money I brought along with me: and I will gladly satisfy you in
28any thing. Some of it is yet remaining in my hands, for uses:
29and I question not but you are well contented I should have
30something laying by mee against necessity. Ten Shillings you
31know I paid out of it for the Horse I came from London upon.
32Another 10^s I gave to my taylor in part of payment for making
33my Sute. More of it went for Books, whereupon you see noe
34Books in my Bill. The remainder you may conclude is in my
35custody. Excuse, I beseech you, the largenesse of my taylor's
36Account, and it shall be less for the future. Bed-maker and
37Laundresse are set down for a whole Quarter: whereas I was
38absent a Month: so that what my Laundresse hath had overplus
39the last Quarter, shall be abated her for so much of this Quarter;
40and so I have turned her off: besides her loosing my linnen
41and washing dirtily, she hath also grosly abused me, and one
42or two others; but when all comes to all, hath worst of all abused
43and besooted herself: and all for a trifle, and most unjustly.
44    We have hereabouts most intollerable robbing: never by reports
45so much. I have heard within two or three days of six or seven
46robberies hereabouts committed: whereof two or three killed. No
47longer than last sabbath, a mile of, a man knocked on the head.
48Lately a scholar of Peter House had both his eares cut off, because
49he told the thieves, after he had delivered some money to
50them, that he would give them leave to inflict any punishment

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51upon him, if he had a farthing more: but they searching him,
52found, it seems, 20^s more: so they took him at his word, and
53inflicted the cheater's punishment upon him.
54    The season beginning now to hasten towards Winter, and a
55Coat I shall have great occasion for. It may be you may meet
56with a piece of black cloth, either in the chest my uncle Bonnell
57sent, or among the Broakers, which may serve my turn. If you
58meet with such a piece cheape, do not passe the opportunity.
59    My respects and service to all my Friends, particularly to my
60brother and sister Johnson, whom I understand are now returned,
61and I hope in good health, and I shall remain for ever
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LXXI.

74

JOHN STRYPE TO HIS MOTHER. ABOUT TO TAKE HIS DEGREE.

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78    I am unsatisfied very much if I cannot heare from you once a
79weeke, whiles Times are so troublesome, and the place and air
80you live in is so dangerous and infectious. This is the cause that
81I resolved this Saturday Evening to trouble you with a Letter. I
82am ready to think my Tuesday Letter was miscarried, because no
83Answer to it, especially being of concernment. I pray let me understand

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84how affairs go. I cannot but imagine you now begin
85to be a little fearful of the Plague. The Report goes, that no lesse
86than sixty were buried Thursday Evening of that disease. I hope
87by this time you are convinced it is the best way to change your
88habitation for the Country.
89    But secondly, and chiefly, concerning my Degree. The next
90Monday or Tuesday come seven-night, I expect to be Bachelor of
91Arts, so that you will but supply me with some money. I have
92enquired, and understand that it will stand me in £8 the cheapest
93way; and therefore, I beseech you, fayle not to procure it for me.
94You may send either by Hurst on Tuesday, or Waterson on
95Friday.
96    That I have not yet wrote to Brother Johnson is, because I
97have not been able to answer him in the particular of Subscription,
98having not had the opportunity of speaking either with the
99Proctor, or my Tutor; but, as far as I can understand, there is
100no escaping of it: yet it is a more harmelesse thing then is imagined,
101and no more than himselfe subscribed to, and all other since
102Q. Elizabeth's reigne: being nothing else then the chiefe heads of
103the Protestant Religion.
104    Thus much at present in haste. My humblest service to my
105Aunt, and sister Welsh, with the rest.
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