ALDRICH, HENRY (1647-171o), dean of Christ Church, Oxford, and in 1692 vice-chancellor of the University, was born at Westminster in 1647, and died at Oxford Dec. 14, 171o. He was a man of versatile talent, who wrote a Compendium Artis Logicae used as a text-book in Oxford far into the i gth century, composed many excellent anthems and church services and adapted much church music of Palestrina and Carissimi to Eng lish words with skill and judgment. He designed the church and campanile of All Saints and the Peckwater quadrangle of Christ Church.
Dean Aldrich bore a great reputation for conviviality, and wrote a humorous Latin version of the popular ballad: A soldier and a sailor, A tinker and a tailor, etc.
Another specimen of his wit is furnished by the following epi gram of the five reasons for drinking: Si bene quid memini, causae sunt quinque bibendi; Hospitis adventus, praesens sitis atque futura, Aut vini bonitas, aut quaelibet altera cause.
The translation runs: If on my theme I rightly think, There are five reasons why men drink:— Good wine ; a friend ; because I'm dry ; Or lest I should be by and by ; Or—any other reason why.