see.

Wednesday.

"DEAR SIR, "My friend Mr. Ducarel is so kind to write to you, as you I desire you will please to direct to him at the InnerTemple, in case you shall answer his letter by to-morrow's post otherwise to direct to him afterwards at Wellwyn in Hertfordshire. In your answer to him pray let him know how he must direct to you afterwards, for I think you are going shortly into Bedfordshire. I am, dear Sir, &c. WM. WARREN."

To the Rev. JOHN NIXON *.

"DEAR SIR, Doctors Commons, July 7, 1753. "I answer with great pleasure your very kind letter of the 4th, and am very sorry I have no frank to inclose it in. inclosed letters I sent away directly to the penny post.

Your

"I am very glad to hear that your friend Sir Thomas Cave is about the History of Leicestershire, and he may, upon your account, depend on all the assistance in my power. I have looked over my Collection, and have, to my great concern, nothing by me relating to that County.

"On the receipt of yours I immediately wrote to Dr. Rawlinson, who has since called upon me, and informs me, that he bought all Blackborne's Papers, and assures me that there is nothing in them relating to the History of Leicestershire. He advises your friend to consult Valor Beneficiorum, a MS. in the Bodleian Library; and also Bishop Tanner's Papers in the Bodleian likewise; where he says there are many things relating to the County of Leicester.' Vide also many monumental Inscriptions in Le Neve.

"The late learned and Rev. Mr. Francis Peck, Rector of Godeby, near Melton, in Leicestershire, a Member of our Society whom I well knew, hath in his Memoirs of the Life of Oliver Cromwell,' 4to, 1740, which I bought of him at that time, published Queries for the History and Antiquities of Leicestershire, which I find he re-printed in that book from a single sheet in folio, in 1729, at the desire of several friends. At the end of these he mentions a MS. of Mr. Burton's hand-writing, sent to him by an unknown gentleman, and afterwards his having since that time purchased another of Mr. Burton's. This Mr. Peck hath left behind him a son who is a clergyman; and I think it would not be improper for your friend to endeavour to purchase his Father's papers†, as I hear he has no taste for Antiquities.

"There was very lately in Osborne's Catalogue (price five guineas to the best of my remembrance) Burton's Leicestershire, with many MS notes and additions by the late Rev. Mr. Carte, Rector of St. Martin's in Leicester. This book may by your friend be enquired after, and may prove of service to him.

* See the " Literary Anecdotes," vol. VII. p. 293.

+ All these papers were afterwards purchased by Sir Thomas Cave; and were subsequently given by his Brother and Grandson, the two last Baronets, to Mr. Nichols, by whom they were incorporated into his History of the County of Leicester.

"As

"As to Leicestershire, I apprehend it will be absolutely necessary to search, and to carefully examine the Bishop of Lincoln's Registers, which contain the Institutions, Collations, and many particulars relating to the Ecclesiastical History of that County. No great matter is to be expected from the Library at the Heralds' College with regard to that County, as I am informed; it being already inserted in Burton.

cess.

"I can at present recollect nothing more relating to that County. Pray present my compliments to Sir Thomas, and I will assist him in so laudable a work as far as I am able, and wish him good sucSuch a work will be an honour to him and to that County. "I will conclude by acquainting you, that a gentleman set out by sea from London for Caen last Thursday, to whom I gave a letter, and who has promised to send me from thence drawings of the Church of the Abbey of St. Stephen, and of the Monument of Matilda in the Abbey of the Trinity. As soon as I receive them, they shall be engraven; I only wait for them to put my notes to the press. I shall never forget your kind assistance to me in that Work; but have greatly improved and enlarged the observations since I had the pleasure of seeing you.

"Wishing you health, and assuring you that I shall at all times be very glad to hear from you, I remain, &c. A. DUCAREL. "P. S. We are pretty easy and pretty well settled at our Society. Our new house is agreeable to every body, and next Thursday a fine print of the Cross at Doncaster will be delivered to our Members."

TO CHARLES FREDERICK *, Esq.

"SIR, Doctors Commons, June 16, 1755. "I have for some time past been collecting materials for an History and Account of the Anglo-Gallic, Norman, and Aquitaine Coins, struck by the former Kings of this Realm, which account is almost finished; but having two days ago received a book from abroad lately published by l'Abbé Venuti, where your name, and coins in your possession, are frequently mentioned, I take the liberty of troubling you with this, to desire you would give me leave to wait upon you any afternoon that suits you, to talk on this subject t; or, if you like it better, shall be very glad to have the pleasure of seeing you at my house at Doctors' Commons, at any time that may be agreeable to you, being always at home. I have the honour to remain, Sir, &c. A. DUCAREL."

"Intended to be sent to Mr. FREDERICK, but was not sent because I altered my mind.

"SIR,

August., 1755. "I took the liberty of troubling you with a letter by the penny post on the 16th of June last, a copy of which is here

* Afterwards Sir Charles Frederick; of whom see the “Literary Anecdotes," vol. VII. pp. 140. 568.

+Of the assistance given to Dr. Duearel by Sir Charles Frederick, see the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. VII. p. 383.

enclosed,

enclosed, and as I have not been favoured with any answer, I am to presume it never came to your hands.

"Give me leave, Sir, to add to my former letter, that M.. Venuti, in his Dissertation on Anglo-Gascon Coins struck at Bourdeaux, has not only described, but likewise engraven and published several of those Coins that were in your possession so long ago as the year 1740. As the Coins in his book are by his means become public, I have a right, and it can be no injury to you, to let the world know what a great number of AngloGallic Coins are still to be found. I shall therefore from that book engrave the few I want to complete my account of them, and by that means shall somewhat increase the number of Coins already engraven by me, which at present exceed one hundred.

If you are desirous, Sir, of seeing my plates, or M. Venuti's Dissertation, I will with great pleasure give you a sight of them whenever you please to do me the honour of a visit at Doctor's Commons; and as my Work consists of a Series of Letters to the most eminent Antiquaries of this Kingdom, if you desire it, Sir, one of them shall be addressed to you.

"I beg leave to subscribe myself, &c.

AND. DUCAREL. "I have sent a special messenger with this to your house in Berkeley Square."

To the Rev. JOHN HUTCHINS*, Wareham, Dorsetshire.

"SIR, Doctors Commons, Sept. 12, 1761. "I am much obliged to you for yours of the 7th instant, and for the Endowments of the Vicarages it contains, and thank you for them. Be not afraid in the least of the person who threatens to prosecute you for mentioning your suspicions of his being a methodist, especially if he has acted much like a methodist. If he attempts it, inform me how the case stands, and I will tell you how to act.

"The inclosed is the first proof of the first of Ancient Windows, from the drawings of Mr. Aubrey's book † which you brought to town. It is done at my expence. The 2d and 3d are now doing at the expence of Thomas Tyndal and Mark Cephas Tutet, Esquires, both Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries, who have laid down the money for their engraving, which are nearly finished; and therefore if that MS is not printed, they, as well as myself, will be very ill used. You must therefore apply immediately to the owner about it. If you are in want of interest, I will, upon hearing from you, immediately apply to Sir Peter Thompson, who is my old friend, to bring this matter about; for it must be printed as things stand now, or else you have brought me and my friends into a very fine scrape, who never once dreamed that you had made the extract The worthy Historian of Dorsetshire; of whom see the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. VI. p. 406.

+"A Series of antient Windows," engraved by Francis Perry, from the rude sketches of Aubrey. Of this very curious publication see the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. VI. p. 385.

for

for your own private use, without the knowledge of the proprietor of the MS. Besides, the printing will do honour to the MS. its author, and its owner; and it is expected to be done in town, where it is well known why, wherefore, and by whom the Plates of the Windows are engraving, and also for what purpose. "What you mention in another part of your letter, that you must have time to digest what you collected at Oxford and London, is certainly true, as to your History of Dorsetshire, but does no way relate to Aubrey's MS.; for this, which is finished, needs nothing more than to be immediately transcribed for the press (during which time your preparations for the History of Dorsetshire ought to lay dormant), and ought to be got ready as soon as possible, and should contain no other addition to it but a short Plan (by way of Preface) of your intended History of that County.

These, Sir, are the thoughts of your friends in London, to whom I have shewn your letter.

"You are, Sir, to keep the inclosed proof plate to shew to your friends; at the bottom will be my name and arms; and so of the other plates, of which proofs will be sent you when done. You will please not to neglect this affair of the MS. and send me a letter on this business as soon as you conveniently can.

"I could likewise wish to know the date of the Ordination of Bradsole, which you say is in the hands of the Vicar. If you cannot get the date, at least tell me in your next from what Bishop's Register it is taken.

"In a post or two I will send you my List of the Chancellors of Bristol, which is not quite copied out, and would have crowded this frank. I hope to hear from you soon; and remain, Sir, your most humble servant, A. C. DUCAREL."

To Dr. MATTHEW MATY, at the British Museum.

"SIR, Doctors Commons, March 24, 1766. "The contents of this packet are-First, 'The Life of Professor Ward,' in the late Dr. Birch's hand-writing; 2dly, an Addenda thereto, from the Register Book of the Society of Antiquaries; 3dly, Two Letters to me from Mr. Loveday*, about the said Professor, which two Letters I desire may be returned when you have done with them.

"His Grace the Archbishopt is entirely of Mr. Loveday's opinion and mine as to the Epitaph in Bunhill Fields, viz. that it should be dropped, &c. as in Mr. Loveday's last letter, to which I refer you. With regard to the Addenda, that will easily be inserted in your copy, under the proper years. The title of this Work, if you approve of it, should properly be, 'An Account of John Ward, LL. D. Professor of Rhetoric in Gresham College, F. R. S. and F. S. A. by Thomas Birch, D. D.' (to which may be added his other titles of F. R. S. &c. &c. &c.) But this I entirely submit to your consideration.

* See these Letters in the Third Volume of these Illustrations, pp 647.648. Dr. Thomas Secker.

"The

"The Archbishop being very desirous of seeing this Work printed, I request you would be so good as to examine these Papers immediately, and give me your opinion, and favour me with your thoughts on this subject as soon as you can; assuring you, Sir, that you may at all times command any assistance in the power of

"Your humble servant,

AND. DUCAREL."

To M. GRENTe de Grecourt, à Rouen.

"MONSIEUR, Doctors Commons, à Londres, le 19 May, 1767. "J'ai reçu la semaine passée l'honneur de votre lettre du 2d de May. Le Conseil privé de ce Royaume juge absolument en dernier ressort et sans appel, toutes les causes qui y viennent, soit des cours d'Amiraulté, ou des Colonies. Le Modus procedendi des premières m'est bien connu; celui des secondes n'est point de mon ressort. Mais pour vous tranquilliser vous pouvez, Monsieur, être assuré que la justice est administrée dans toutes les cours de ce Royaume avec la plus grande exactitude, et impartialité, soit au natifs, ou aux étrangers. La sollicitation des juges est si absolument inconnue ici, que l'idée seule de son existence (quand on en parle) fait trembler les auditeurs.

"Voila dont, Monsieur, une reponse à toutes les questions de votre Lettre du 2d de May.

"M. Duane de Lincoln's Inn m'est connu depuis un grand nombre d'années. C'est mon intime ami, et la seule personne que je vous aurais recommandé, si vous ne l'aviez pas vous-même nommé dans votre Lettre; il est habile, diligent, et du premier ordre comme Jurisconsulte; estimé de tout le monde; riche et en même tems honnête homme; il parle et écrit fort bien la langue Françoise, qu'il a appris dans sa jeunesse à Rouen, où il a demeuré plusieurs années.

"Si vous m'aviez écrit il y a trois semaines, vous aviez vousmême pu voir M. Duane à Rouen. Des affaires particulières l'ayant appellée à Paris (où il a resté seulement dix jours) il n'en est revenu que Jeudi passé; et Samedi je lui ai remis votre lettre du 2d de May.

"Il est convenu entre nous qu'il entre en votre procès, que je vous en informerais par cet ordinaire, et que vous lui écrirez tout droit par la poste d'abord que vous aurez reçu cette lettre.

"Voila donc, Monsieur, ma reponse. Je suis bien charmé de vous pouvoir rendre service. Vous êtes ami de mon Frere; cela suffit; evitez vos complimens. Vos Lettres me feront toujours plaisir. J'ai l'honneur d'être, &c. &c.

TO RICHARD GOUGH, Esq.

AND. DUCAREL.".

"Doctors Commons, June 5, 1769. "Dr. Ducarel presents his compliments to Mr. Gough. He returned from Canterbury last night. During his stay there he was frequently with Mr. Hasted, who returns herewith the MSS. which Mr. Gough so kindly lent him, with a great many thanks,

as