The Holy State, Book 2 · Chapter 14
CHAP. 14. The good Master of a Colledge.
THe Jews Anno 1348. were banished out of most countreys of Christendome, principally for poysoning of springs and *Munster de German. lib. 3. pag. 457.fountains. Grievous therefore is their offense, who infect Colledges, the fountains of learning and religion; and it concerneth the Church and State, that the Heads of such houses be rightly qualified, such men as we come to character.
Maxime 1His learning if beneath eminency is farre above contempt. Sometimes ordinary scholars make extraordinary good Masters. every one who can play well on Apollo's harp cannot skilfully drive his chariot, there being a peculiar mystery of Government. Yea as a little allay makes gold to work the better, so (perchance) some dulnesse in a man makes him fitter to manage secular affairs; and those who have climbed up Parnassus but half way better behold worldly businesse (as lying low and nearer to their sight) then such as have climbed up to the top of the mount.
2He not onelyonly keeps the Statutes (in his study) but observes them: for the maintaining of them will maintain him, if he be questioned. He gives them their true dimensions, not racking them for one, and shrinking them for another, but making his conscience his daily Visitour. He that breaks the Statutes, and thinks to rule better by his own discretion, makes many gaps in the hedge, and then stands to stop one of them with a stake in his hand. Besides, thus to confound the will of the dead Founders, is the ready way to make living mens charitie (like Sr Hugh Willoughby in discovering the Northern passage) to be frozen to death, and will dishearten all future Benefactours.
He is principall Porter, 3and chief Chappell-monitour. For where the Master keeps his chamber alwayes, the scholars will keep theirs seldome, yea perchance may make all the walls of the Colledge to be gate. He seeks to avoid the inconvenience when the gates do rather divide then confine the scholars, when the Colledge is distinguished (as France into Cis & Transalpina) into the part on this, and on the otherside of the walls. As for out-lodgings (like galleries, necessary evils in populous Churches) he rather tolerates then approves them.
In his Elections he respecteth merit, 4not onelyonly as the condition but as the cause thereof. Not like Leofricus Abbot of S. Albans, who would scarce admit any into his Covent though well deserving, except he was a *Math. Paris. in 23. Abbat. S. Alban. pag. 42.Gentleman born. He more respects literature in a scholar, then great mens letters for him. A learned Master of a Colledge in Cambridge (since made a reverend Bishop, and, to the great grief of good men and great losse of Gods Church, lately deceased) refused a Mandate for choosing of a worthlesse man fellow. And when it was expected, that at the least he should have been outed of his Mastership for this his contempt, King James highly commended him, and encouraged him ever after to follow his own conscience, when the like occasion should be given him.
He winds up the Tenants to make good musick, 5but not to break them. Sure Colledge-lands were never given to fat the Tenants and sterve the scholars, but that both might comfortably subsist. Yea generally I heare the Muses commended for the best Landladies, and a Colledge-lease is accounted but as the worst kind of freehold.
6He is observant to do all due right to Benefactours. If not piety, policy would dictate this unto him. And though he respects not Benefactours kinsmen, when at their first admission they count themselves born heirs apparent to all preferment which the house can heap on them, and therefore grow lazy & idle; yet he counts their alliance, seconded with mediocrity of desert, a strong title to Colledge-advancement.
7He counts it lawfull to enrich himself, but in subordination to the Colledge good. Not like Varus, Governour of Syria, who came poore into the countrey, and found it rich, but departed thence rich, and left the countrey poore. Methinks 'tis an excellent commendation which Trinity Colledge in Cambridge in her records bestows on Doctour Still once Master thereof. Se ferebat Patremfamilias providum, foreign, nec Collegio gravis fuit aut onerosus.
8He disdains to nourish dissension amongst the members of his house. Let Machiavills Maxime, Divide & regnabis, if offering to enter into a Colledge-gate, sink thorow the grate, and fall down with the durt. For besides that the fomenting of such discords agrees not with a good conscience, each party will watch advantages, and Pupils will often be made to suffer for their Tutours quarrells: Studium partium will be magna pars studiorum, and the Colledge have more rents then revenues.
9He scorneth the plot, to make onelyonly dunces Fellows, to the end he may himself command in chief. As thinking that they who know nothing, will do any thing, and so he shall be a figure amongst cyphers, a bee amongst drones. Yet oftentimes such Masters are justly met with, and they find by experience, that the dullest horses are not easiest to be reined. But our Master endeavours so to order his elections, that every Scholar may be fit to make a Fellow, and every Fellow a Master.