Отрывок из книги
Thomas Bodley
Published by Good Press, 2020
.....
Sir Thomas wrote his Life in 1609, and the original manuscript is preserved in the Bodleian. It was printed first in 1647, by Henry Ball. In 1703 Thomas Hearne (later sub-librarian) included it, as reprinted here, in his Reliquiae Bodleianae, together with Sir Thomas's First Draught of the Statutes of the library, and a collection of letters written by him to Thomas James, the first librarian. The latter is known for his editions of Richard de Bury's Philobiblon one of which has a long dedication to Bodley. It is fortunate indeed that these letters have been preserved, for they are a most truthful witness of the unceasing activity and industry, the indefatigable attention even to matters of minutest detail, and the unending devotion which Sir Thomas lavished upon his self-appointed task.
"I have spoken here with Mr. Farmer," he says, "who hath promised, that whensoever you come after Thursday next, he will be at Home. He hath a Cartload of Books, of which you may make your choice, which he will cause to be new bound at Oxon. You shall do well, in my Opinion, to be there some morning very early, least he ride abroad, and not come in till Night." And again: "Now I must entreat you to send me the Register-Book, wherein the Benefactors' Names and Gifts shall be recorded. For I will begin, to have it written. It would be packed up in a Coffin of Boards, with Paper thick about it, and Hay between it and the Boards. I pray you be careful about it, and let me receive it the next Week, sent by the Waggon for Fear of Rain."
.....
