These were Bub Dodington (the late lord Melcombe), Dr. Stubbes, our poet _Grubb_, Mr. Crabb, Dr. Trapp the poetry-professor, Dr. Edw. Young, the author of Night-Thoughts, Walter Carey, Thomas Tickel, Esq., and Dr. Evans the epigrammatist.
As for our poet _Grubb_, all that we can learn further of him is contained in a few extracts from the University Register, and from his epitaph. It appears from the former that he was matriculated in 1667, being the son of John Grubb, "_de Acton Burnel in comitatu Salop. pauperis_." He took his degree of Bachelor of Arts, June 28, 1671: and became Master of Arts, June 28, 1675. He was appointed Head Master of the Grammar School at Christ Church: and afterwards chosen into the same employment at Gloucester, where he died in 1697, as appears from his monument in the church of St. Mary de Crypt in Gloucester, which is inscribed with the following epitaph:--
H. S. E. _Johannes Grubb, A. M._ Natus apud Acton Burnel in agro Salopiensi Anno Dom. 1645. Cujus variam in linguis notitiam, et felicem erudiendis pueris industriam, gratâ adhuc memoriâ testatur Oxonium: Ibi enim Ædi Christi initiatus, artes excoluit; Pueros ad easdem mox excolendas accuratè formavit: Huc demum unanimi omnium consensu accitus, eandem suscepit provinciam, quam feliciter adeo absolvit, ut nihil optandum sit nisi ut diutius nobis interfuisset: Fuit enim propter festivam ingenij suavitatem, simplicem morum candorem, et præcipuam erga cognatos benevolentiam, omnibus desideratissimus. Obiit 2do die Aprilis, Anno Dni. 1697. Ætatis suæ 51.
[437] To this circumstance it is owing that the editor has never met with two copies, in which the stanzas are arranged alike, he has therefore thrown them into what appeared the most natural order. The verses are properly long Alexandrines, but the narrowness of the page made it necessary to subdivide them: they are here printed with many improvements.
[439] Men of bulk answerable to their places, as is well known at Oxford.
[440] A butcher that then served the college.
[441] A cook, who on fast nights was famous for selling cow-heel and tripe.
[443] Who kept Paradise gardens at Oxford.
[444] A noted drawer at the Mermaid tavern in Oxford.