806 THE CONDITION OF 



insisting on what were their rights, even though they abated 

 something from what in their decided opinion was within the 

 value of what they were called on to renew. One illustration 

 of this difficulty is so significant, that though it occurs at a later 

 date than the period with which these volumes conclude, it is 

 worth putting in a note. Lord Litchfield, Chancellor of the 

 University, was lessee of a piece of land in Bucks, which went 

 by the name of Seager's Close, and had been let (30 \ acres) at 

 from iSs. to 15^. an acre in the reign of Charles II. In 1766 

 it could have been sublet at 30^. an acre. The College, which 

 had previously taken a fine of 25 in 1759, determined to 

 raise it to 55, or a year and a-quarter's rent, minus the reserved 

 rent of 4, and valuing it at 48 a year. Lord Litchfield 

 refused to renew, and the College eventually let it at 40 a 

 year, at rack-rent 1 . 



The conditions on which these beneficial leases were or- 

 dinarily granted by King's College are as follows. The docu- 

 ment begins with defining the extent of the grant, and generally 

 reserves timber and underwood, with the right of access and 

 of carriage, though the tenant generally has housebote. The 

 term is almost always twenty years. Then comes the reserved 

 or ancient rent, in money or corn, the date at which the pay- 

 ment was due being given, with a clause of forfeiture within a 



1 The following is Lord Litchfield's letter to his steward : 



'Dec. ii. 



' I am so much surprised by the fine which the College hath proposed, that I 

 can give no answer to it, except that of my determination not to pay it. I will 

 await the event of Time, and I find that some of these exorbitant demands (which 

 are much the subject of conversation) will probably become an object of ptiblick 

 notice. At the same time, I would be glad to hear from Mr. Pryor, upon what 

 Idea the gentlemen have thought fit to make this extraordinary demand. 



'Yours, 



'LITCHFIELD.' 

 The poor Warden comments privately on this : 



Dec. 18, 1766. 



' Qusere. Upon what Idea could our Noble Lord and Chancellor write this ex- 

 traordinary Letter, implying or rather expressly calling our Fine exorbitant, and 

 threatening us in some measure with public notice, while he knew not upon 

 what Idea we made it ? ' 



