Page:The Harveian oration, 1873.djvu/74

 68 1 646) — I should have made search for whatever records there may be left of him unpublished in Oxford, and especially in Merton College. After diligent search, I have to report that there is but little to be learned of Harvey's history from any un- published document which I have been able to find in Oxford. The Merton College Eegister gives the following account of his election to the Wardenship. In 1645 King Charles I, after the execution of Archbishop Laud, took upon himself the functions of Visitor, and, having removed Sir Nathaniel Brent from the office of Warden, for having joined 'the Rebells now in armes against' him, he directed the Fellows to take the customary steps for the election of a suc- cessor. This course consisted in giving in, after due inquiry, three names to the Visitor, in order that one of the three, the one we may suppose it would be understood who was named first, should be appointed by the Visitor. Harvey was so named by five out of the seven Fellows voting ; and, after a dispute of which it is unnecessary to give an account, he was duly elected on receipt