SION COLLEGE, or the college of the London clergy; which has been a religious house time out of mind, sometimes
College. sometimes under the denomination of a priory, sometimes under that of a spital or hospital: at its dissolution under 31st Henry VIII. it was called Elson's Spital, from the name of its founder, a mercer, in 1329. At present it is a composition of both, viz. a college for the clergy of London, who were incorporated in 1630, in pursuance to the will of Dr White, under the name of the President and Fellows of Ston College; and an hospital for ten poor men and as many women. The officers of the corporation are the president, two deans, and four assistants, who are annually chosen from among the rectors and vicars of London; and are subject to the visitation of the bishop. They have a good library, built and stocked by Mr Simpson, and furnished by several other benefactors, chiefly for the clergy of the city, without excluding other students on certain terms; and a hall, with chambers for students, generally occupied by the ministers of the neighbouring parishes.
Gresham College, or COLLEGE of Philosophy; a college founded by Sir Thomas Gresham, and endowed with the revenue of the Royal Exchange. One moiety of this endowment the founder bequeathed to the mayor and aldermen of London and their successors, in trust, that they should find four able persons to read, within the college, divinity, geometry, astronomy, and music; who are chosen by a committee of the common council, consisting of the lord mayor, three aldermen, and eight commoners, and allowed each, besides lodging, 50l. per annum. The other moiety, he left to the company of mercers, to find three more able persons, chosen by a committee of that company, consisting of the master and three wardens, during their office, and eight of the court of assistants, to read law, physic, and rhetoric, on the same terms; with this limitation, that the several lecturers should read in term-time, every day in the week except Sundays; in the morning in Latin, in the afternoon the same in English; but that in music to be read only in English. By 8th Geo. III. cap. 32. the building appropriated to this college was taken down, and the excise-office erected in its room. Each of the professors is allowed 50l. per annum, in lieu of the apartments, &c. relinquished by them in the college, and is permitted to marry, notwithstanding the restriction of Sir Thomas Gresham's will. The lectures are now read in a room over the Royal Exchange; and the city and mercer's company are required to provide a proper place for this purpose.
In this college formerly met the Royal Society, that noble academy, instituted by King Charles II. and celebrated throughout the world for their improvements in natural knowledge. See their history and policy under SOCIETY.
COLLEGE de Propaganda Fide, was founded at Rome in 1622 by Gregory XV. and enriched with ample revenues. It consists of thirteen cardinals, two priests, and a secretary; and was designed for the propagation and maintenance of the Romish religion in all parts of the world. The funds of this college have been very considerably augmented by Urban VIII. and many private donations. Missionaries are supplied by this institution, together with a variety of books suited to their several appointments. Seminaries for their in-
struction are supported by it, and a number of charitable establishments connected with and conducive to the main object of its institution.
Another college of the same denomination was established by Urban VIII. in 1627, in consequence of the liberality of John Baptist Viles, a Spanish nobleman. This is set apart for the instruction of those who are designed for the foreign missions. It was at first committed to the care of three canons of the patriarchal churches; but ever since the year 1641 it is under the same government with the former institution.
COLLEGE of Heralds, commonly called the Herald's Office; a corporation founded by charter of King Richard III. who granted them several privileges, as to be free from subsidies, tolls, offices, &c. They had a second charter from King Henry VI.; and a house built near Doctors Commons, by the earl of Derby, in the reign of King Henry VII. was given them by the duke of Norfolk, in the reign of Queen Mary, which house is now rebuilt.
This college is subordinate to the earl marshal of England. They are assistants to him in his court of chivalry, usually held in the common hall of the college, where they sit in their rich coats of his majesty's arms. See HERALD.
COLLEGE of Heralds in Scotland, consists of Lyon king at arms, six heralds, and six pursuivants, and a number of messengers. See LYON.