of these, it may be of use to me. The post is just going out, which obliges me to conclude myself, sooner than I intended, dear Sir, most affectionately yours, FRA. TOPHAM." York, Oct. 4, 1755.

"DEAR SIR,

Yesterday morning I was favoured with your very kind and friendly letter, which put me in mind of an omission I had been guilty of in not sooner acknowledging a very obliging letter I received from you some time ago. My silence was owing to a variety of business I have lately been engaged in; but, indeed, principally to my expectations of being able to tell you I hoped shortly to have the pleasure of seeing you, for it was my intention to have been in town early in the last month,—but I begin to fear it will not now be in my power to be in town till some time after the meeting of Parliament.

"Your kind wishes and friendly assistance I shall ever bear a most grateful remembrance of; and when I get to town, shall be glad to look into some matters arising in the Registers at Lambeth, in which I promise myself the same kind helps I had formerly from you and Mr. Mores.

"I dare say your performance in methodizing and indexing Peckham will be of vast use to the See of Canterbury; and, in truth, I shall not be satisfied till my good Lord the Archbishop has placed you in the situation I am persuaded he has in view for you; nor shall I forget to remind his Grace, at our first meeting, of what he was so kind both as to say and write to me on that head. I have a good account from his Grace of his present state of health, and this is confirmed to me from others who have lately seen him, so that I hope he will now be able to attend more to the concerns of his friends without any injury to his own health.

"Before the meeting of Parliament, I hear, great changes are talked of in the Ministry :-is this likely to affect Sir George Lee or Dr. Hay? or is the latter mentioned for any post under the new Ministry? Believe me to be, with my compliments to Mr. Mores, and to all those who are so kind as to inquire after me, dear Sir, most truly and affectionately yours,

"DEAR SIR,

FRA. TOPHAM." York, Oct. 3, 1757.

"Before this reaches you, the public papers will have given you some account of the disturbances we have had here, and in the North and East Ridings of this County, from a dislike to the late Militia Act; and though I happened to be at that time upon a visit to Sir Conyers D'Arcy, where all things were quiet, yet my house, furniture, and effects, at York, had a more narrow escape than at that time, and at that distance, I could have supposed. The rage of the people, in which numbers of rich freeholders and substantial farmers were comprized, was directed against all Deputy-Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace; and as they inquired strictly after all persons who had acted in both or either of these capacities, and if, happily, they had not been satisfied I both was and had been some time abroad, their mistaken rage might have injured me to the amount of several thousand pounds; for they plundered entirely several houses, and after

afterwards gutted them, and would have done more mischief if, by emptying several cellars, the most daring and desperate had not been rendered quite incapable. After this atrocious attempt, and upon repeated threatenings that they would return here again, the citizens and tradesmen, in conjunction with several of the gentlemen, kept watch and ward till a military force could be had; and almost every where in the North and East Ridings of this County, the gentlemen were forced to redeem their persons and houses with money, both which have been censured above (such is the strange fate of things), as if any public authority was necessary, in the one case, for arming or rather using arms in the defence of your person, family, and house; and, in the other case, as if you was not at liberty to part with some of your property to prevent a greater evil, because some persons have affected to call this a treating with Rebels. Shortly we shall have some of these refining gentlemen treat every person, who delivers his purse to a highwayman to preserve his life, as an aider and abettor of robbers, since I believe we should certainly have fewer robberies if no person gave up his purse but with his life.

"In a few days, I suppose, we shall hear with some certainty the destination of our late equipment, and for what the new one is preparing. There seems also to be some account of Admiral Holbourne and Lord Loudon's sailing; so that I hope you may be shortly able to send some good news to, dear Sir,

"Your most faithful humble servant, FRA. TOPHAM." "DEAR SIR, York, Jan. 31, 1764. "Your very kind and obliging letter, which came to this place under cover to Dr. Burton, was forwarded to me, and gave me much pleasure, both in bringing me an account of your good health, and of the good and proper reception your work meets with from the Bishops, as an undertaking that is likely to prove of much benefit to them and their Clergy.

;

"This winter has proved a very trying one to all invalids but though, from time to time, I have had some very sensible mementos of my gouty habit, yet very happily these have all gone off without producing a fit, and I please myself with the hopes of passing a more comfortable new year than the former one produced. Mrs. Topham has had a most severe cold, attended with feverish complaints, which have held her for some time; and at intervals she has likewise had returns of her cholic and rheumatism; that if the roads and weather were more favourable, and I could spare time from my employments here, I am very sensible I ought to think very soon of a Bath journey, and of seeing my friends in London in my way thither.

"By this day's post I had a letter from my friend Mr. Worsley, who surprizes me with saying they have lately had a division in their House about some proposed amendments to the Marriage. Act, and that these were referred to a Committee after dividing the House 130 to 30; but as, I suppose, he was not acquainted with

with my having any interest in this affair, he mentioned it only as a common piece of news, and amongst an account of other debates and divisions. As I take it for granted you have, either from his Grace or Sir Edward Sympson, been acquainted with the scope and tendency of this scheme, and what alterations and amendments are supposed to be in view, I shall be much obliged to you for favouring me with a few lines by the post on Thursday or Friday (as it comes every day to York), to let me know what is in agitation, as I should wish to know in what manner it may be right for me to apply to such friends as I have in each House of Parliament, or if it is likely to be of moment enough to call for my coming up to town, which at present would be rather attended with some risk of throwing me into the gout by attempting a journey in such cold weather, and if this was to happen would prevent my applying as occasions arose in person to my friends.

"The persons who formerly opposed the Marriage Act have now greatly the lead in the Ministry; but yet, after the distress arising almost every day to worthy families by people running into Scotland, I should not imagine this could be thought a time for opening more doors for practices of this kind. But I shall suspend all further judgments about this matter till a letter from you reaches, dear Sir, your most faithful and affectionate humble servant, FRA. TOPHAM.

P. S. Send safely to the penny post the inclosed letter, which is on business of consequence. This county suffers greatly in all shapes by these rains and tempestuous weather."

"DEAR SIR,

York, Feb. 20, 1764. * "Your most kind and friendly letter came safe to hand, and as I am well apprized of the goodness of your disposition, I am sure I may rely on your being so kind as to continue from time to time to transmit to me the most early accounts of the progress of this new Bill, with such remarks and observations as you think will be of use to me.

“This is a very busy post with me as you will naturally suppose; I have employed it in writing to such of my friends as have some lead and influence in the House of Commons. I have the pleasure to hear our good Master is on the recovery, and will, I hope, be able to attend in Parliament before the new Bill can be sent up to the House of Lords.

"It is the special licences being continued in the present shape that seems perhaps in the most danger if they should be particularly objected to, which I hope will not happen. The late Act properly treats them as a branch of the Legantine power; for, if they were an Archiepiscopal one, his Grace of York would have exercised it, which he never did, no more than some others preserved to his Grace of Canterbury by the Statute of Dispensations; and, therefore, as the parliamentary mode, I hope they will be continued in the same channel, which can only be done by the same reference to the Statute of Dispensations. I am ever, dear Sir, most faithfully and affectionately yours, FRA. TOPHAM."

Letters

LETTERS to Dr. RICHARDSON*,

continued from vol. I.

p. 816.

Rev. Dr. ROBERT UVEDALE† to Dr. RICHARDSON.

"SIR,

April 30, 1695.
I am a fellow-

"I return my thanks for your kind answer. sufferer in the Garden by the severity of the Winter; and also in the more considerable loss of my very good and worthy Friend Dr. Herman. I am not encouraged to hope the like correspondence from his successor. The list of Native Plants of England was very welcome to me; and, by the few underwritten which I have, you will see how poor I am; but I hope, from your kindness, to be better stocked all the season. Whenever you send, be pleased to send forward to London, giving me by the post advice when the carrier will be there, his name, and inn. I have not yet examined my Garden, being in the case of failing Traders, who are afraid to look into their books. As soon as I have any leisure, I will give you account by a list what Exotics survive, and be ready to send to your command; entreating you to signify to me whether you cultivate any but what live abroad, or have convenient conservatories for those of hotter countries. I have yesterday sent to London a box of Auricula, and some varieties of Primula Veris Polyanthos caule folioso, directed to you; I know not by what carrier it is conveyed, either Kendal or Bradford. I gave directions to enquire for both, and to send forward by him that went first out; but the answer is not yet brought me, the coachman not being returned, and forgot to send by his man, though he assures me the box is delivered. I hope the flowers will not be so faded but you may see them. I sent these only as a specimen. You may command more variety when you please. I was in London last week, and in my absence the rain had so battered them that the beauty was gone. Had I received yours before I went, you would have seen them much finer. Of Natives of England mentioned in yours I have only the following:

"Acetosa rotundifol. Ebor. fol. in med. deliquium patiente. Mor. « Allium åμÞíxagon fol. porraceis flor. et nucleis purp. R. Syn. "Filix Saxatilis caule tenui fragili. R. Cat.

"Papaver corniculatum flore luteo. C. B.

For the Memoirs of this eminent Physician, who may very properly be styled the Mæcenas of his age, see vol. I. p. 225.

+ Of whom see the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. IX. pp. 485, 755, 816. VOL. III. "R. Pen

Y

"R. Pentaphylloides fruticosum. R. Cat.

"Sedum Alpinum trifido folio. C. B.

"Any of the rest, especially the Capillary tribe, will be extremely welcome to me, or any that you hereafter meet with in the field.

"Exotics desired when you can spare them are the following: "Arachus Clematitis rubra pulcherrima.

"Dentaria affinis Echii flor. Mor.
"Eupatorium Canadens. Urtica foliis.

"Jacobæa maritima segmentis fol. latioribus. Flor. Bot.

"Plantago argentea angustifol. è Rupi Victorid. Sch. Bot. "Stachys Betonicæ fol, subincano. H. L. B.

"Viola Martia flor. minimo inodoro limbis fol. argenteis. "Filix Polypodii facie fol. quernis. Fl. Bat.

"I assure you, I will endeavour to make you suitable returns for whatever you send, desiring your directions how I may further my own intentions, and pleasure you therein. I am, Sir, ROB. UVEDALE.

"Your faithful humble servant,

:

"Be pleased, when you send, to direct to me at Enfield, to be sent to the Enfield coach at the Bull in Bishopsgate-street, if not called for the coachman, upon receipt, will pay carriage and charges; but, if I have advice, I shall save the carrier that labour." Oct. 27, 1696.

“SIR, "I received the Plants sent, and return my hearty thanks for them. On Thursday I sent a little box with four Myrtles, all I could crowd in, and a few Tulip Bulbs; the other Myrtles you shall have in the Spring, and the boxes which were not spoiled in carriage. I wish these come well; for it was a very wet time when they were packed. The Myrtles are, two of the white variegated, and two variegated with yellow. The Bulbs are underwritten by the barbarous names the Flower-sellers give them, which, for distinction sake, they keep them by. In the Spring I will acquaint you with my losses, and trouble you to recruit me at your conveniency. 1. Amarillis. 2. Angelick. 3. Arco de Ciel. 4. Astrea, 5. Aurora Imperial. 6. Bel Clarinda. 7. Bel President. 8. Brabanson de Will. 9. Camillus. 10. Carnivall. 11. Chevalier Gredaline. 12. Diana. 13. Dorothea. 14. Duke of Savoy. 15. Formosa. 16. Hispaniolell. 17. Jacobæa. 18. Jacobine. 19. Jardinier Royal. 20. King of Portugal. 21. Limner. 22. Lesimoreen. 23. Nasse. 24. Pluto. 25. Por Zeeland. 26. Satinee. 27. Sullen. 28. Turbant Imperial. 29. Venice. 30. Double pounced.

"I hope to furnish you with July-flowers at Spring. I thank you for the two specimens sent; they are as welcome as living Plants, which cannot be sent conveniently.

"I am, Sir, your faithful humble servant, RoB. UVEDALE."

"DEAR SIR, Enfield, March.., 1696-7. "Yours of the 7th came to me yesterday; and on the 10th. I sent forward to you a box of July-flowers by the Bradford car