BENTLEY, Richard (1662-1742, scholar, philosopher and critic). Autograph letter signed ('R. Bentley') to the Reverend [Samuel] Clarke, Trinity College, [Cambridge], 18 November 1716, thanking him for his letter 'though wrote with such laconic brevity, as shewe you to be either very busy or very lazy', recounting with glee 'a very jocular Scene of Malice and Party Rage' during the competition for the vice chancellorship, after Bentley's name was put forward without his knowledge expressing the view, 'I cannot tell, how much the Ministry thinks us worth their Consideration; but here is certainly such a Juncture; that they may either make the University their own; or let y. Jacobite Party carry all here before them', and begging Clarke to make use of this letter 'to y. Public Good, prevent Jacobite Principles in our Youth, and Hickesian Doctrines in y. Schools', and, furthermore, 'pray extend your Spartan Jejunity to the length of a competent Letter', 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf 'For the Revd Dr Clark at his House near St James's Church London', docketed; with two portrait engravings. Bentley was appointed Master of Trinity College, Cambridge in 1700 (and elected vice-chancellor of the University in the same year). From then until 1738 he was almost incessantly feuding with the fellows of the College. Samuel Clarke (1675-1729) was generally regarded as the first of English metaphysicians after the death of Locke in 1704. He corresponded with all the leading philosophers of his time including Locke, Newton and Leibniz (his correspondence with Leibniz was published in 1717). He was rector of St. James's, Westminster from 1709. Also in the lot are one autograph letter signed and one autograph letter by Samuel Parr, 1813-1819. (5)