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t M^r= Warden is obliged to pay when he does not fulfill his turn. As soon as the sermon is
over, the masters bacchelors and undergraduates being all in different seats, wait till the
procession of the Dii majorum gentium is gone away. Then follow the ladies follow and
after those the whole congregation pêle mêle. Upon some holy days as Christmas, Eastern &c
all the Doctors appear in their habits. This is the name [Greek word] for their scarlet gowns
with black velvet sleaefs. All other days they wear black gowns tho’ of a very different
kind from the other members of the university. But I will not insist upon these bagatelles.
which you know besides that very well, and I could not tell you any news by mentioning
that every person whosoever from the highest to the lowest according his rank and degree
is distinguished by his dress at first sight. –- I suppose you long to know whether in
such an university, where the laws for directing the studies and conduct of the students
are so exceedingly strict, there be a great number of learned and clever young people.
I hardly know what to say to it. There are most certainly many students being very
remarkable for their real knowledge either in languages or sciences, or in both. But if
you consider the university consisting of more than 2000 members, then I must allow
the number is but very small and in proportion not greater than in Holland. But, which
I was much surprised at, was not to find more than 6 or 7 persons knowing any thing
of the Arabick, tho’ there is perhaps the best opportunity ^{in Europe} for promoting this study by
the considerable number of MS.S. being in the Bodlejan library. But all those things depend
upon custom and mode, which is at present intirely about the kennicottian scheme of
collating Hebrew MSS and correcting our present text. You know, his proposals for publis-
hing the work are printed of. and I if he sends me them before this ship goes away I
shall inclose them to be distributed at Groningen. I wrote to him last week but have
till yet not received an answer. As I have had the honour of being several times at
his house, I am very much convinced in M^r= Schroeders judgement of his being ^xxx rather a
laborious and diligent man than a man of profoud profound learning and taste. But
with regard to the conversation he ist ^is undoubtedly an exceedingly goodnatured man
and the most chearful companion I ever saw in my life.