them: it is enough, for once, if I have but escaped myself. You mention a design of a friend of yours relating to a new and complete Common-place-book to the whole Bible, and you desire my opinion of the usefulness of such a work. If I live to see you in Cambridge after next Whitsuntide, we may then talk over the whole affair. At present I do not apprehend what kind of a work your friend has formed in his mind. Is it to reduce the Scripture matters to certain heads, after the way of what has been called a Concordance of things? or is it to note down whatever is occasionally met with in any author (excepting Commentators, who are readily turned to) for the explication of particular texts, after the way of Wolfius in his Curæ Criticæ et Philologicæ,' on the New Testament. Till I know something more perfectly of the general scheme at least, I know not what opinion to give of it. If a person in the prime of life, who has years before him, a strong constitution, and strong inclination likewise, had a mind to refer whatever he reads to the Bible, and to have it forthcoming upon every occasion, the way, I think, would be, 1. To interleave an Hebrew Bible, in order to note down in it whatever occurs in relation to the Hebrew text in such Criticks as Buxtorf, Cappellus, &c. 2. To interleave a Septuagint, in order to note down, that is, to make reference to book and page of such Authors as have any where happily reconciled the Greek texts to the Hebrew, or otherwise explained them. Much of that kind may be found in Bochart, somewhat also in Pocock's 'Porta Mosis,' and Pearson's Preface to the Septuagint; not to mention other writers of inferior note. 3. To interleave a Greek Testament, for making references to Criticks, in like manner as Wolfius has made references in his Cura before mentioned. 4. To interleave an English Bible, chiefly for the noting down any corrections or amendments proper to be made in the English text; as indeed many have been occasionally noted by our able divines, such as one would wish to recollect, as need may require. 5. To interleave a Latin Bible and Testament, wherein to enter a reference to any author or authors (commentators always excepted) who have particularly considered this or that text; or else to refer to Fathers who have interpreted such or such texts.

"Such a method of common-placing would be of very great use, in order to preserve what one has any where read, and not to lose it in a manner soon after, as I believe is very usual. But, I presume, what your friend has in his thoughts, is not a thing of this kind proper for private use, or as preparatory to some great work upon the Bible; but something else. Whenever you favour me with some general idea of the design thought on, I shall very frankly give you my opinion of it.

"A learned Foreigner (Mr. Lemker of Luneburgh) sent to me to know whether such a pamphlet as 'Some Observations addressed to the Author of the Letter to Dr. Waterland,' &c. had ever appeared. It seems he had taken hints of such a piece from some Foreign Journals, and some persons of Leipsick had reproached

him as referring to a piece which never was in being, and it gave him uneasiness. I compassionated his case, and sent him an exact list of all that had been published in that fray, by or against the letter-writer; only I would not acquaint the gentleman with the names of the several Authors, having no leave; and besides, not knowing what use might be made of it. Mr. Lemker had translated into the German language Delany's Revelation examined with candour,' in which there is a small digression about the Letter-writer; so came Mr. Lemker to give some account, by way of note, of what had been written on the same side with Delany, as far as he could learn from the foreign prints. "I am, Sir, your most obliged and affectionate humble servant, DAN. WATERLAND."

From the Rev. GEORGE WATESON*.

"GOOD SIR,

Ampthill, July 1, 1723. "I am summoned to appear on Tuesday next before the Commissioners at Bedford, &c. I am lame; so the inclosed, which is to excuse me, I desire you to present to Capt. Armstrong, and send me his answer, either by the bearer, or to-morrow, or Thursday morning, and you will oblige

"Your humble servant and friend,

G. WATESON."

From the Rev. Dr. WILLIAM WEBSTER †.

"DEAR SIR, Temple Bar, Sept. 7, 1732. "You had some reason in your own mind to blame me for not answering yours sooner; but I waited till yesterday for an answer from Fulham, which I have inclosed, together with your other letter, for fear you should have forgotten any of the books you there mention, together with your next parcel. The Bishopt has not yet received your last parcel, because it was not come to hand when I went yesterday to Fulham, though I had received your letter.

"I am obliged to you for giving me the pleasure of reading over the Dean's MS.§ which I shall carefully convey to Dr. Waterland. The 6lb. and a quarter|| is annihilated. When I see you I have a curious passage or two between his Lordship and me, about the Dean, to communicate.

"With all due respects, I am, &c.

WILLIAM WEBster."

* A celebrated Nonjuring Clergyman, who quitted the living of Milbrook in Hampshire; and died at Ampthill, Bedfordshire, aged near 90. Of whom see some memoirs, and several other Letters, in the Literary Anecdotes," vol. V. pp. 160-175. See also vol. VII. pp.458, 708. Dr. Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London.

§ Dean Muss. See the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. V. p. 168. This is an allusion to Bishop Hoadly.

"DEAR

"DEAR SIR, Tuesday night, Cannon Street, [1736.] "There is just published Advice to the Freeholders,' supposed to be written by a Bishop, but for any farther account I must leave you to your own conjectures. I take it for granted that you are mindful of Squire Hooker* upon every proper occasion, because you are on all occasions so mindful of the interest of "Your affectionate and obliged servant, WILLIAM WEBSTER."

From the Rev. Dr. JOHN WILCOX†.

"REV. SIR, Feb. 26, 1746. "At a Meeting of the Vice-Chancellor and Heads, some years ago, I remember, it was resolved not to give their consent, for the future, to the procuring a Mandamus for a Degree, till the case of the person applying should be laid before them by the Vice-Chancellor, and approved of by a good number present at the Meeting. I have hitherto thought myself obliged not to depart from this resolution; and hope you will not take it ill that I do not send you any certain answer to your letter.

"Iam, Rev. Sir, your most obedient humble servant, J.WILCOX."

From the Rev. John WILKINSON.

"DEAR SIR, [1742.] "A Friend of mine, having heard that the next Presentation to the Living of Marston, in your neighbourhood at HoughtonConquest, is to be sold, and not knowing where to find Mr. Hatton, who (he tells me) hath the disposal of it, desired me to get him some information; I therefore beg the favour of you, Sir, (if you are acquainted with the premises and conditions of sale) to inform me what the annual value is, what is the sum asked for it, what glebe-lands, what sort of a parsonage-house, and any other particulars which you shall think proper to mention. The gentleman who would treat about it is a gentleman of honour; and will wait upon Mr. Hatton, if desired, either at Cambridge, or any other place: and the Clergyman, for whom it is designed (if the affair succeeds), you will find a worthy person, and an agreeable neighbour. I shall be obliged to you for an answer as soon as possible, because the gentleman will leave this country in a fortnight's time; and rely upon your goodness to pardon the freedom taken, and the trouble given you by, Reverend Sir, your most humble servant, J. WILKINSON."

* In Dr. Webster's "Weekly Miscellany."

+ Master of Clare Hall, Cambridge, 1736, and Vice-Chancellor the same year; Sub-dean of York; Rector of Kensington 1731. He died Sept. 16, 1762. See the "Literary Anecdotes,” vol. II. p. 125.

Of Emanuel College, Cambridge; B. A. 1725; M. A. 1729; B. D, 1736; and Rector of Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire.

From

From the Right Hon. Sir JOHN Willes *. "SIR, Serjeants Inn, March 20, 1743. "I was favoured with yours. A Commissioner of the Lottery, though a place not worth having, is very difficult to be got, since almost every Member of Parliament has some one or other to recommend. However, as I told you before, I have not the least interest in the present Lords of the Treasury, who look upon themselves to have a right to dispose of these places; but I assure you that I shall be ready to serve you in any thing that is in my power. The Master of the Rolls † has lost his sister Grace, who was an exceeding good woman; and he is very much afflicted. "I am, Sir, your very faithful humble servant, J. WILLES."

From the Rev. Dr. PHILIP WILLIAMS.

"DEAREST SIR,

Cambridge, March 4, 1740-1. "Mrs. James desired me to return her hearty thanks for your friendly advice and trouble about her late husband's books. She has sold them to Mr. Rutter for about 501.

Mr. Burton, Mr. Baker's Executor, died at Durham about 10 days ago; and if you will return the Catalogue by Mr. Hatton, with your opinion of the value, it may be of service to Mr. G. Baker, who, I believe, will purchase them of Mr. Burton's Administrators; for it is feared that he died intestate.

"I believe Mr. James made no observations upon his Hudibras; but I will make enquiry, and if I can any where pick up any materials, I will always remember that Hudibras is now under the best qualified hand in England to explain and do him justice. I have borrowed Huetius out of our Library for your use, which I desire you to return, as soon as conveniently you can to me or Mr. Rowse§. I shall resign my Fellowship|| next Sunday, and afterwards my residence here will be precarious. My hearty respects wait upon the ladies of your house; and I am, dear Sir, "Your ever affectionate and obedient servant, P. WILLIAMS.” "DEAR SIR, July 5, 1740.

"This is an extract from our good friend Mr. Baker's will, which Mr. Burton desired me to convey to you with his service; and will deliver the contents according to your order: All my other pictures and prints (undisposed of) I leave to my worthy friend Dr. Grey, LL.D. for the ornament of his house, with rings of a guinea to him,' &c. In haste, entirely yours, P. WILLIAMS." *Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in 1737. He died Dec. 15, 1761. + William Fortescue, Esq.

President of St. John's College, and Public Orator. See the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. I. p. 553; vol. VII. p. 468; and vol. VIII. p. 415. § Ezekiel Rowse, of St. John's; B. A. 1699; M. A. 1703; B. D. 1711. || On accepting the Rectory of Barrow in Suffolk, to which he afterwards added that of Long Sutton in Lincolnshire. He expended 10007. on the Parsonage of Barrow; where he died May 23, 1747, and was buried in that Church. Mr. Cole says, "In 1746 he solicited Henry Howard Earl of Suffolk for the Mastership of Magdalen; at which time Ỉ had also a prospect of it, from Colonel Vachell's alliance to Lady Portsmouth, of the Griffin family." From