1778 DR. CHANDLER'S ASSISTANCE 29 



To Samuel Barker. 



[On the same sheet as the above.] 



Dear Sam, — I am much pleased to find that the university, 

 and your studies there give you so much satisfaction : there 

 is no fear that you will neglect this opportunity of improve- 

 ment, or spend your time amiss : I should rather wish that 

 you were cautioned to remember, that it is possible for a 

 young man to apply too earnestly ; and therefore I hope you 

 will intermix daily exercise with your studies. To the 

 generality of young men I am well aware this caution would 

 be needless ; but to you, who I know apply yourself to all 

 laudable pursuits with all your might, it may not be im- 

 proper. 



D^ Chandler the traveller has been with me a month, 

 and is just gone: he has furnished me with more curious 

 matter respecting the antiquities of this place; and in 

 particular with William of Wyckhame's Notabilis visitatio of 

 this priory. From this long instrument, consisting of 36 

 injunctions, and reprimands, it appears, that this institution, 

 which then had been founded only one century, had 

 deviated much from its original simplicity. For they were 

 become mighty hunters, and used to attend junketings, and 

 feastings ; had altered their mode of dress ; and used to let 

 suspectae come into their cloisters after it was dark; had 

 suffered their buildings to dilapidate; had pawned their 

 plate; administered the sacrament with such nasty cups, 

 and musty, sour wine, that men abhorred the sight {ut sit 

 hominihus horrori) had let down their number of brethren 

 from 14, the original number, to eleven ; had suffered their 

 friends, and relations to hang on to the convent, and eat it 

 up, &c. : they also were got into a method of laying naked in 

 bed without their breeches, for which they are much 

 reprimanded. Moreover I find that the Knights Templars 

 by their statutes were enjoined constantly to sleep in their 



