VALUABLE BOOKS

Evening Post, Issue 122, 26 May 1933, Page 13

VALUABLE BOOKS

GIFT TO UNIVERSITY

LATE BISHOP HADFIELD

In a letter read at tlio meeting of the Victoria College Council last evening, the college librarian (Mr. 11. Miller) stated that while he was in London recently he had received from a former resident of Wellington, Miss Amy Hadfield, several books and manuscripts which were of such great interest and valuo that they called for more than ordinary notice. They were as follows: (1) "Eikon Basilike: The Portraicture of His Sacred Maijeste and His solitudes and sufferings." Massou had called this one of the most famous books of the world, said Mr. Miller. It was published "with great; secrecy and in very mysterious circumstances" exactly ten days after the King's death on February 9, 1649. The copy in question, if not one of the absolutely first impressions, must have been issued within six weeks of Charles's execution. (2) "Monumentum Kcgak A tombe erected for that incomparable and glorious Monarch, Charles the First." This was a first edition published in 1649. (3) "Eesuscitatio, or works . hitherto sleeping of Francis Bacon." Mr. Miller said that this was a first edition much esteemed by collectors. The first part, published in 1657, contained the Life by Eawley, upon which all subsequent writers had depended, and a splendid portrait., The second part, published in 1670,-was bound with it. (i) A Latin whole Bible published at Lyon in 1732. (5) :A letter of John Henry (Cardinal) Newman headed "Oriel College, Oxford, February 23, 1530." (6) A letter written by the wellknown son of Te Kauparaha to Miss Hadfield's mother in 1852. This, said Mr. Miller, was very interesting as showing how the Maori had profited by twelve years of missionary instruction. (7) "Jvotes of the State of Jersey, U.S.A., June, 1786," by Joseph Hadfield. (Unpublished manuscipt.) (8) "Observations . .on the present state of Britain," written by Joseph Hadfield in 1806 for Lord Henry Petty. (Unpublished manuscript.) "The Canadian journals ot Joseph Hadfield have just been published by Toronto University," Mr. Miller concluded. All these books and MSS were onco owned by the late Bishop Hadfield, of Wellington. It will be seen at once that they constitute a valuable sift, and that the college is much indebted to Miss Hadfield for her generosity." A resolution was carried expressing the council's appreciation of the gift, and it was resolved to send a special letter of thanks to Miss liadfield. The council was also advised that Dr. and Mrs. 1.. W. Maskell, of Khyber Pass Road, Auckland, had given Victoria College the technical books formerly owned by their son, the late Dr. G. Maskell. A letter of appreciation is to be forwarded to Dr. and Mrs. Maskell.