Page:Literary Landmarks of Oxford.djvu/255

217 empty fellow"; and still another he called "Old Smooth Boots," nobody now knows why. He confided to his Journal his impression that the wife of one of his enemies was "remarkable only for the drinking of brandy," and that the wife of another foe "wore the breeches, and managed her husband as his haughty, insolent temper deserved."

One of Hearne's prayers, as showing the strength of his devotion to his ruling passion, still exists among his Promiscuous Manuscripts, and it must be produced here in part. After thanking his Maker for many gracious blessings, he says: "I continually meet with most signal instances of this thy Providence, and one act yesterday, when I unexpectedly met with three old MSS.; for which in a particular manner I return my thanks; beseeching Thee to continue the same protection to me, a poor helpless sinner. Amen!"

After Hearne was retired from the Bodleian he continued to live quietly at St. Edmund Hall, where throughout the rest of his life he carried on his literary work. Mr. Charles A. Boase, who treats of Oxford in the series of "Historic Towns," says that "a favorite walk of Hearne's was to the third house on the left hand after you have passed High Bridge, going toward Worcester College; which was a tavern called Antiquity Hall, with the sign of Whittington and his Cat, but known