In 1604, when King James, in commemoration of his escape from the Gowrie conspiracy*, not only appointed an anniversary, but that there should always be a sermon and service on Tuesdays throughout the year, Dr. Airay introduced this last custom into Oxford, first at All Saints' Church and then at St. Mary's, with a rule that the sermons should be preached by the Divines of the Colleges in their respective turns†. Writers concur in praising him for wisdom, and dexterity in the government of his College; and that in his time many learned ministers were sent into the Church, and many worthy gentlemen into the Commonwealth. He was Provost of Queen's College from March 1598-9 to October 1616, when and where he died, at the age of fifty-seven years. His In addition to the two works already noticed, he wrote a third, entitled "The just and necessary Apology touching his suit in Law for the Rectory of Charlton-on-Otmore, in Oxfordshireț. Lectures were published after his death by Christopher Potter, with an Epistle of his own composition prefixed to them. By his will, he bequeathed to the College some lands lying in Garsington, near Oxford; and to the Chapelry of Kentmere, his * In 1582, Hume Hist. VOL. I. Bodl. 8vo. F. 12, Art. 13, s. † Biog. Dict. native place, forty shillings a year for a monthly sermon*. For aught that we can learn, he was never married. There was afterwards (1621-1670) a Christopher Airay, who was born at Clifton, and was Fellow of Queen's; he was also author of the Fasciculus præceptorum logicalium in gratiam juventutis Academica compositus," &c. There was also a Christopher Airay, nephew to Dr. Adam Airay (Principal of Edmund Hall), who in 1660 contributed to enlarge the buildings of the College. Wood seems to think both were related to the Provost†. On a brass plate is the following In the College Chapel there is a black marble monument, erected to his memory by the College. The figure of him is most striking, bending in a most sublime posture of devotion, with the words Te Sequar ascending to Heaven in prayer; above his head are the forms of clouds, and the figure of Elias in the act of translation to the world of spirits. The following words are written underneath : 66 Ignis et efflantes purgant aëra venti, Transitus in cœlum promptior inde patet." There is a line engraving of it in the College, executed with equal fidelity and power, a proof copy whereof is in our possession. On the South wall of the Chapel there is another, put up by Christopher Potter, with the following Juscription: Memoriæ viri sanctitate et prudentiâ clarissimi HENRICI AIRAY, S. Theol. D. hujus collegii Præpositi vigilantiss. Reverendi ROBINSONI, [ut Eliæ Elisha] successoris et æmuli, Clariss. Patruelis CHRISTOPHER POTTER, hujus Coll. Socius, hoc amoris et observantiæ testimonium M. Q. posuit. Non satis Elishæ est Eliæ palla relicta, Dum [licet in cœlum raptus] amicus abest, Tristis agit quæritque amissum turturis instar Mortalitatem exuit anno 1616, 6to. Idus Octob. natus an. 57 et hic sepult. alterum Messiæ adventum spectat. DEAN OF WORCESTER AND DURHAM,-CHAPLAIN IN ORDINARY 1590-1645. "This zealot Is of a mongrel divers kind. 'HAT industrious and exact Antiquary and Biographer, Anthony Wood, says of this our fellow-countryman, "that he was a person esteemed by all that knew him to be learned and religious, exemplary in his behaviour and discourse,―courteous in his carriage, and of a sweet and obliging nature and comely presence." And (upon the authority of Fuller) let us add, a friend to the poor;-yet, withal, a man with faults unwhipped of justice. One who so acted "As if hypocrisie and nonsense Had got th' advowson of his conscience;" * See Wood's Ath. Oxon. + Hudibras. |