of every thing which can contribute to your happiness and satisfaction, for this and all succeeding years. The goodness and generosity of your heart, in designing me so truly valuable an acknowledgment as my Lord's Pedigree, so accurately done as I know it will be by you, for the good will and good wishes which ́ was all I had in my power to make for your service, independent of your other merits, must always entitle you to my particular esteem and friendship. I am exceeding glad you are so happily settled with your Family; and only wish, if you employ your four hours, which is but a short recess from business which requires so much application of the mind as the study of the Law, and you make that of an Antiquary your amusement, though you do it with so much more ease than any one else could; yet I should think your health must suffer, unless you allow yourself some time for exercise, and to quite unbend your mind. You will think I talk like an old woman; but they sometimes guess right.

"I do not suppose Edmondson will refuse what you asked from him; and will endeavour to have Lord Egmont asked, or ask him myself, by writing to him, if you think it necessary, for what regards my Lord's Family in his MS. I hardly think he would refuse me.

"Mr. Bigland has put out a little pamphlet in quarto, which he calls, 'Observations on Marriages, &c. as kept in Parochial Registers.' Probably he has sent you one : if not, I have bought one, which is at your service, if I knew how to convey it to you. "I am, Sir, your sincere friend, ELIZ. MARY MIC. STAFFORD." « SIR, Turnham Green, Sept. 27, 1766. "As I shall always take a share in every thing that regards your interest or happiness, I could not see your marriage in the papers (in which it is so essentially concerned) without making you a compliment of felicitation on the occasion. I do not doubt, from the good sense I always saw in you, but you have made a very prudent choice, and, by doing so, added to the felicity of your Family, as well as your own. I desire you will make my compliment acceptable to Mrs. Allan; and if this should bring you both to London this winter, nobody would have more pleasure in seeing you there than I should. ELIZ. M. M. STAFFORD." "Nov. 2, 1766.

"The favour of your obliging Letter arrived safe in due course of the post; but was then from home, and have been till Sunday last in Derbyshire. I cannot sufficiently express the sense I have of this distinguishing mark of my still being in your Ladyship's remembrance, an honour I shall ever boast of, and the more so, as I have long thought myself unworthy of it, by a delay in not performing a promise I ought long ago to have fulfilled: but, when I assign the reason, I shall still hope for your Ladyship's pardon. It was always my determined resolution to make as exact and authentic a Pedigree of the Stafford Family as I could possibly pick up, either from print or MSS; and, for that purpose, I assure your Ladyship, I have made a pretty large collec

tion; yet the main thing I wanted to see was a copy from Segar, which Mr. Edmondson has often promised to send me, and as often made apologies for want of time to copy it. I think I may now tax him with a breach of promise, as I am a subscriber to his work. I know the authenticity of this MS. of Segar, which makes me so anxious to have it. I shall write to him next post, and press it in the most earnest manner: and whenever it comes to hand, I do sincerely promise your Ladyship, the whole shall be sent for your perusal as soon after as I can possibly copy it.

"I am greatly obliged to you for your good wishes on my marriage; and have the satisfaction to tell your Ladyship, that my choice was with the approbation of all my Friends; and that I have the greatest reason to hope for the most permanent happiShould I ever have a call to London, Lady Stafford might be assured, she would be the first person Mr. Allan would pay his respects to. He flattered himself with the pleasure of a trip there this summer, but was disappointed.

ness.

"Mrs. Allan joins with me in proper compliments to Lady Stafford *; and I am, with the greatest sincerity,

Her Ladyship's most obedient humble servant, GEO. ALLAN.”

Extracts from LETTERS between RALPH BIGLAND, Esq. Garter King of Arms, to Mr. ALLAN †. London, July 22, 1765.

"DEAR SIR, "I have been in great tribulation; for my only Son, whose residence is in Gloucestershire, 27 years of age, accidentally being in town was seized with a violent fever, insomuch that no less than four, five, or six persons were obliged to be constantly with him, to keep him in bed, he was so strong and outrageous. Relapse after relapse; every one thought it impossible he could have survived; yet, notwithstanding he has had such hard struggles for life, he still survives, and is now in a fair way to recover. "I am vastly obliged to you for the Inscriptions; and what makes them still more valuable is, that you have given Notes to several of them. In the many Inscriptions we meet with, the Christian name of wives being only set forth, one is frequently at a loss to discover the surname. When this happens, and if on enquiry the surname can be come at, a note, or reference, to explain whose daughter Mary or Jane, &c. was, with other particulars, in like manner as you have introduced, is very ingenious. I generally take my Inscriptions on three sheets of paper stitched together, in order to be bound when a sufficient number is collected. But yours excell every thing for exactness that ever I had. I return you my most hearty thanks for them; and know I herewith beg your acceptnot how I shall return the favour. ance of a few Pamphlets; as you may have kere and there a * This respectable Dowager died Jan. 25, 1783. † See p. *357.

"Observations on Marriages, &c." See p. 712. particular

particular acquaintance to oblige with one, who hath not seen these observations of mine; which, having in some measure engaged the attention and curiosity of the publick, may not perhaps be unacceptable. I should be very glad of your remarks. R.B." "DEAR SIR, Sept. 6, 1765.

"Last week I sent three or four more Monumental Inscriptions, which I hope you have received safe. The Observations on Marriages, &c.' gave me inexpressible pleasure; and the more so as they in every respect ageeed with my own sentiments. I have for a long time talked to the Minister of our Parish, to make his entries in the same manner in the Register; and have offered voluntarily to be the Public Register myself for the whole Parish, would he but give me leave. But what he alledges, is, that the public and late Acts have prescribed a certain form, from which he dares not deviate. However, one may expressly follow that form; but surely additions can never do harm. One other part, in regard to sealing Deeds, Wills, &c. with the person's own seal, has ever been a rule with me in the course of my profession, and which I ever will stick to; and so nice am I in this point, that if three or more Seals are to be affixed to a Deed, and perhaps the party executing has none, rather than there shall be two alike, I frequently send to the shops for common penny seals. I flattered myself ere this to have sent you a larger collection of Inscriptions; but have hardly had an hour to devote to my favou rite study. I am daily, however, transcribing them. GEO. ALLAN." "DEAR SIR, London, Nov. 14, 1765.

"I admire the Inscriptions you have been pleased to send me. I know not how I shall be able to make you amends; but I shall be ready to do you any services I can in my department here. I am glad my Observations' prove agreeable to your sentiments. I am sorry your public spirit to serve the Parish should have been rejected. However the late Marriage Act hath prescribed a certain form for the entering of Marriages, every Minister may enter the Births and Burials as he pleases. There are several Reverend Gentlemen that I know, who now pursue my plan as much as is in their power; and, however some may think lightly of the matter, I am sure it stands in great need of regulation. A certain considerable Bishop told me lately, that my Pamphlet had been much spoken of, and that he should in a particular manner recommend it to the Clergy in his Diocese. "A Natural History, &c. &c. of the County of Durham, after the manner of Dugdale's Warwickshire, or Chauncy's Hertfordshire, would certainly meet with great encouragement from the publick. I know of none so capable as yourself to undertake the work. I shall be glad to have your own Family Collection, or indeed any other that you shall think proper to send me. R. B." "DEAR SIR, London, April 26, 1766.

"I am quite ashamed to think I have not acknowledged the receipt of your agreeable present before now. You will say I might certainly have found time to have written something. I confess the same; but, expecting long before this to have copied the Hilton Pedigree, and to have ready some specimens of our

intended

intended work to have sent you with that Pedigree, which I ought to have returned long since; I have delayed the matter, not inideed entirely owing to neglect, but the hurry of business I have been in, and many avocations I have been subject to. Mr. Heard's long illness and confinement, together with continual illness in my own house, and loss of my dear wife, will, I hope, in some measure, plead with Mr. Allan to excuse me.

"Inclosed have sent you our Advertisement, which will speak for itself; and with it some impressions of such-like Seals as we propose to intersperse in the Work, which would have been in greater forwardness had not so many interruptions happened. Besides, the business and application to the Heralds' Office being now so continual, we are for ever employed. R. BIGLAND." April 29, 1766.

"DEAR SIR,

"This morning I had the pleasure of your agreeable Letter, with the several inclosures, for which accept my most sincere thanks. I had almost despaired of ever seeing your Publication, by so long a delay; but hope, when it appears, every judicious person will acknowledge it not to be a work of a day. The Seals, &c. you have sent me, must make it valuable indeed; and I am confident nothing so much warrants authenticity as these things. I observe, you begin with the Royal Descent from Egbert; and that this number is now in the press. I wish I had known sooner: I could have sent you up a curious Pedigree, from that very period, down to Queen Elizabeth, with the Arms, &c. I have got Edmondson's two first volumes, and observe a third published, which I wonder he has not sent me. In the above parcel are also a few sheets of old Seals, which I picked up at a printstall when in town; they will, perhaps, afford you a minute's perusal. I am in no hurry for the Hilton Pedigree, nor the others intended to be sent by you; but shall send you my own Family, and another or two, very soon. G. ALLAN."

"DFAR SIR,

Heralds' Office, London, Oct. 7, 1766. "I confess I receive no small satisfaction in being remembered by a Gentleman for whom Mr. Bigland as well as myself entertained, in a very early acquaintance, a real esteem, and for whose happiness we have both the sincerest wishes. If credit can be given to the public papers, those wishes will extend to a Lady; in which supposition, may the choicest blessings be your attendants! I have long felt the great misfortune of a very indifferent state of health. Thank Heaven, it is more re-established at present, than it has been a long time; for the waters of Islington have been more efficacious than those of Bath, Bristol, &c. &c.

"Mr. Bigland is at present on a tour to the West; his designs of extending it to the North are, I believe, frustrated, which, among other things, deprives me of the pleasure of paying you a visit. I shall always rejoice to hear that you are happy; for I am, indeed, dear Sir, your sincere well-wisher, &c. I. HEARD *, Lanc."

* Bluemantle, 1761; Lancaster, 1763; Brunswick, 1768; Norroy, 1774; Clarenceux, 1780; Garter, and Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, 1784; knighted 1786.

"Have you among your Collections any Inscriptions for the -Peacocks of Burnhall and Whitehall? Francis P. one of the Family, was Alderman of Durham, and died very old circa 1720. He married, if my account is just, .... daughter and heir of Sir Robert Bulmer; whom I cannot find among the Knights.” "DEAR SIR, College of Arms, London, Dec. 22, 1768. "You will see by the inclosed Catalogue, that there was not any thing relative to Durham among Mr. Anstis's MSS. From the largeness of the Catalogue, one would have expected a very valuable sale; but it will appear strange to you, that the four nights' sale did not amount to 400l. Mr. Anstis had written a great deal himself; and there was a considerable number of his Tracts, most or many of them undigested and unfinished. There were, as you see, several Visitations; but they appeared to more advantage in the display of their titles in the Catalogue, than on an examination of their intrinsic worth. With regard to Philpot's books, they made up only a heap of rubbish. A written Catalogue only was taken, and the numbers put within the covers. A ficticious sale, we are informed, took place, to the amount of 120l.; and the original owner, I believe, will be ready to take half that sum.

"Mr. Bigland has entered your Pedigree very fairly in the Register; 6th D 14, fol. 22, 23. We both hope for the satis faction of certifying your signature (in our presence) to the authenticity of it.

66

RALPH BIGLAND, Somerset.
ISAAC HEARD, Lancaster."
London, Feb. 25, 1769.

"DEAR SIR, Having lately had a draft of our Office taken, and a Plate engraved, representing the Building, and decorated with Arms and the several Seals relative to every one concerned; and being quite new, and altogether very uncommon, and very well executed; Mr. Heard and I have had one framed and glazed, in order to send to you; which we request you will be pleased to accept, and keep as a small token of our sincere regard for Mr. Allan. R. B." "DEAR SIR, London, Feb. 27, 1769.

"Last post I gave advice that I should send you a Print of the Heralds' Office; and now take the liberty to send eight more impressions, thinking they may not prove unacceptable to some Book or Print-seller to sell on my account. The Print being new and uncommon, it is likely some persons may be glad of the opportunity to purchase them; the price is but two shillings and sixpence each Print. You see I am willing to introduce something new into the North of England. We think it one of the cheapest Prints extant, considering the execution; and as it is of the same size of Rooker's Views of other public buildings, of London and Westminster, it will match very well with his.

"On second thoughts (provided you have no objection) could not you introduce one or two of them into your principal Inns, where the better sort sojourn in their pas sage through Darlington? Some Landlord from you (gratis)

Would