Sir Robert Cotton (the great antiquary, that collected the library) was his great friend, whose son, Sir Thomas Cotton, was obnoxious to the Parliament, and skulked in the countrey: Mr. Selden had the key and command of the library, and preserved it, being then a Parliament man.
He intended to have given his owne library to the University of Oxford[LXXXV.], but received disobligation from them, for that they would not lend him some MSS.; wherfore by his will he left it to the disposall of his executors, who gave it to the Bodlean library, at Oxon.
[LXXXV.] Memorandum:--Mr. Fabian Philips says that Mr. Selden had given his library to Oxford at first, but that the University had disobliged <him> by not lending him a MS. or MSS.
He understood ... languages:--Latin, Greeke, Hebrew, Arabique, besides the learned modern.
In his writing of ... he used his learned friend, Mr. Henry Jacob, of Merton College, who did transcribe etc. for him, and as he was writing, would many times putt-in things of his owne head, which Mr. Selden did let stand, as he does, in his preface, acknowledge.
In his younger yeares he affected obscurity of style, which, after, he quite left off, and wrote perspicuously. 'Twill be granted that he was one of the greatest critiques of his time.
I remember my sadler who wrought many yeares to that family[961] told me that Mr. Selden had got more by his marriage then he had done by his practise. He was no eminent practiser at barre; not but that he was or might have been able enough; but after he had got a _dulce ocium_ he chiefly addicted himselfe to his more ingeniose studies and records.
I have heard some divines say (I know not if maliciously) that 'twas true he was a man of great reading, but gave not his owne sentiment.
He was wont to say 'I'le keepe myselfe warme and moyst as long as I live, for I shall be cold and dry when I am dead.'
[962]John Selden, esq., would write sometimes, when notions came into his head, to preserve them, under his barber's hands. When he dyed his barber sayd he had a great mind to know his will, 'For,' sayd he, 'I never knew a wise man make a wise will.' He bequeathed his estate (40,000 _li._ value) to four executors, viz. Lord Chiefe Justice Hales, Lord Chief Justice Vaughan, Rowland Jukes, and ... (his flatterer)--from Fabian Philips.