MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD. The house of the scholars of 3Ierton, commonly called 3r.c., the model of all the secular colleges, was first founded in Maldon in Surrey by Walter de Merton, bishop of Rochester, aud lord high chancellor, in 1264, for the main tenance of 20 scholars in the schools of Oxford, and of a warden and three or four minis ters of the altar, who were to manage the property. Before 1274 he transferred his warden and ministers to Oxford—thereby not only founding his own college, but con tributing in no small degree to fix the university in its present locality. The fellows were to be as many as the means of the house could maintain, and after some changes, this number was fixed by archbishop Laud at 24. They were to be elected first and chiefly from the founder's kin; but this was from an early period evaded, and the com missioners of 1852 speak of " a common belief in the university that the elections to fellowships at Merton were formerly determined by personal interest." In 1380 Dr. Wylliot, chancellor of Exeter, endowed twelve partionistce, or postmasters as they are now called, equivalent to the scholars of other colleges; and in 1604 John Chamber, fellow of Eton, endowed two more—restricted, however, to foundationers from Eton.
By the ordinances under 17 and 18 Vict. c. 81, considerable changes were made—six fellowships were suspended, of which two were assigned to increase the postmasterships, etc., and four to the endowment of the Linacre professorship of physiology, of value £800 per annum. The remaining 18 were thrown open, and not to exceed £250 per annuni, exclusive of rooms, until the original number of 24 was restored. The number now being completed, they have reached their limiting value of £300. Sixteen post masterships, and four scholarships (founded by Henry Jackson in 1753), each of the value of g80 a year, are open without restriction, and tenable for 20 terms from election; but the two postmasterships on the foundation of John Chamber are only to be thrown open in default of candidates from Eton being found duly qualified. This college pos sesses 18 benefices, to some of which, however, certain other patrons present in turn.