I hope to have the pleasure of paying my personal devoirs at the Society, and of waiting upon all my esteemed Friends in the great Metropolis. I tried at several Booksellers, when in town, if I could dispose of the remaining copies of Blomefield's History of Norfolk, but to no effect, they being a set of monopolizing gentlemen, not to say any worse of them. There are 50 copies, or thereabouts, of the first and second volumes in hand, which were delivered to subscribers in twelve-penny numbers; and about 200, I presume, of the imperfect volume, which were also sold to subscribers in like manner (the numbers amounting to about 22 or 23, all which Mrs. Blomefield has condescended to sell at the low price of 1l. 11s. 6d.; also the Collectanea Cantabrigiensia, in quarto, (which her husband sold at 58.) for 3s.; and his quarto History of Thetford at 5s. which her husband sold at 7s. 6d. (all unbound.) Of the Collectanea' there may be about 50 or 60 left, but of the Thetford quarto a very few. If our friend Mr. Crooke could put us in any way how to dispose of these remaining copies to the widow's advantage, I should think myself much obliged, and will satisfy him for his trouble and advice in any reasonable manner. I was thinking, if he could be allowed a spare part of an outward room at the Museum, it might be worth his while to be the purchaser. But as to that as he pleases. However, I should be glad to hear his opinion, as soon as conveniently he can spare time to favour me with an answer, and if he could spare time to see our Norfolk and Suffolk curiosities this Vacation, he should be heartily welcome to a bed and kind reception at Palgrave, and then might see the copies, and be better able to judge of their value. The Norwich and Yarmouth coaches both come through this village. I should be very glad of a line, to hear the sheets are come to your hands, because I send this Letter inclosed in them. I am, dear Doctor, your most obedient servant at command, THO. MARTIN.

"MY GOOD FRIEND, Doctors Commons, Aug. 24, 1765. "I wrote to you some time since a long and a friendly Letter, of which you have not thought proper to take the least notice.As I have always been ready to do you any service in my power, of which you have always seemed sensible, I cannot help acquainting you that I take your silence much amiss. The question I asked you was this- Who was it bought, at Peter Le Neve's auction, Dr. Parsons's Ecclesiastical Collections for the History of the Diocese of Gloucester * ?'-Pray send me an answer to that question as soon as you can; and you will oblige, Sir, your humble servant, AND. COLTEE DUCAREL." Palgrave, Aug, 26, 1765.

"GOOD DOCTor,

Pray bridle your passion; it may possibly be of dangerous consequence to your health. Irasci crede profanum, is one of the first rules laid down in the good old book called, ' Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum,' inscribed to one of our antient Kings of England. But to the matter in hand.

"In perusing the late Mr. Le Neve's Catalogue of MSS. p. 92. No. 335. I find, Gloucestershire described, and Epitaphs in Churches, &c. collected by Chancellor Parsons; a Parochial - Visitation.' It sold for 3l. 16s. but to whom I cannot say, unless it was to Dr. Rawlinson, for his name is put down either to that or the following number, but to which I cannot tell. Old Mr. Wilcox in the Strand was our Auctioneer. If his son has his marked book by him, that may probably give a better light. I had one Burrough, a Check to the Auctioneer, whose book Mr. West had many years since from me; and I presume it is not easily to be found in his superabundant Collections; and, if it should, I question whether the Auctioneer, or my Check, took any further notice than to mark down the prices. The other remarks were what I took pleasure in, to set down to whom any book of value was sold. So as to this point I can go no further.

"Pray recommend me kindly to all my worthy acquaintance; and if Sir Joseph Ayloffe has any thoughts of visiting Suffolk this Vacation, I should be glad of some previous notice, that I might not be out of the way, &c.; and would willingly meet him on the road, if I could tell his rout. Or, if your Worship should pay your respects to Mr. Morant at Colchester, I would endeavour to wait upon my good Lord Maynard and his Reverence in the same journey, if my business will admit of it.

"I purposed being in town about six or seven weeks ago, upon the sale of an estate in these parts before a Master in Chancery, in which I have some considerable concern; but find there was some flaw in the Particular, &c. I am now in daily expectation of hearing it will soon be put up again, and then I hope to have the pleasure of kissing your hand, &c. Mr. Crook, I find, is gone down to Hereford, so shall say nothing about him or Blomefield's Books till I come up, unless you or he can help us off with some more setts, which will be of great service to the poor widow. I am, worthy Sir, your most obedient servant in haste, T. MARTIN." "SIR, St. John's, near Bungay*, Nov. 7, 1765. "I had the favour of yours about some Papers relating to Gellham Hall, in the town of Waxham, in Norfolk.

"I do remember going with you to the Bishop of Norwich (then Dr. Hayter), and exhibiting upon the table some detached pieces of paper about Waxham and Gellham; but they did not appear to be of any consequence in the affair the Bishop wanted information. What became of them I know not. After a short conference with the Bishop and his Secretary, Mr. Diches, you went into the garden with the Bishop, and staid there till dinner. I was not there with you. When you came back, you expressed to me great satisfaction in his Lordship's behaviour, which is all I can say about the affair. I am, Sir, &c. RICHARD CHASE †.”

* Indorsed by Mr. Martin, "The Rev. Mr. Richard Chase's Letter concerning the Papers I lent to the late Bishop of Norwich (Dr. Hayter) about Gellham Hall, in Yaxham."

↑ Of Bene't College, Cambridge, B. A. 1736; M.A. 1740.

To

To Mr. THOMAS MARTIN, Palgrave, near Diss, " SIR, July 6, 1767. "Among Mr. Le Neve's Manuscripts sold by Mr. Wilcox, in the year 1731, were the following: Catal, p. 86. No. 212. Extract. Placitorum Parliamenti toto temp. Ed. I.'-P. 85. No. 206. < Placita Parliamentaria Tempore Regis Ed. I. ad Annum 35 Regni sui; extracted from the Records of the Talley Court.'

"His Majesty, at the request of both Houses of Parliament, having directed the Rolls of Parliament during the reign of Edward the First, among others, to be printed; and as the above Manuscripts are thought to be useful for that purpose; I am directed to desire that you, who are one of Mr. Le Neve's Executors, will be so good to search among your Papers, and inform me who were the purchasers of those Manuscripts, to whom application will then be made for a perusal of them. If you have a marked Catalogue of the Sale, which I hope you have, in your custody, you will be able to give me this information, which will be of public service, and very much oblige all lovers of Antiquity, particularly, Sir, your very humble obedient servant,

PHILIP CARTERET WEBB. “I shall be much obliged to you for your answer with all convenient speed, directed to me in Great Queen-street, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, London."

"TO JOHN IVES, Esq. Yarmouth.

"DEAR SIR, Palgrave, July 17, 1770. "It vexes me much that I did not sooner answer your first Letter with the two guineas inclosed, &c.; and when yesterday 1 received the other parcel, with my Lothingland Collections and Impressions of four Seals, I could not rest till I sent you this hurrying epistle, to shew you how much I am obliged to you for all favours, and what a value I have for your commendable undertaking to promote British Antiquities, and to assure you that to my poor assistance you shall be ever extremely welcome with the greatest cheerfulness. Ever since you was here I have been engaged in a particular business of consequence, which requires my own hand, and not that of an amanuensis: but I hope, when the Assizes are over, to get a little respite; and if you and my good friend Mrs. Barber will not oblige me with a visit, I will do myself the pleasure of paying my respects at Yarmouth; and herewith you will receive Mr. Blomefield's Book of Collections for Lothingland (which, you will observe, are chiefly transcribed from those I sent you); and at the return of it you shall have my copy of Domesday for Suffolk, and any thing else in my power.

"I should be very glad to have Mr. Swinden's Account of Yarmouth, as far as published; being desirous, before I leave the world, of seeing every thing of that kind which I can, for, in my decline of life, I may not probably live to see it finished.

"Exeter Window I have not received; am desirous of seeing it. As soon as leisure will admit, I will be looking up all I can relating to your intended History. Wishing you and my old friend

Mrs.

Mrs. Barber all imaginable health and happiness; I must conclude abruptly, contrary to my inclination, for I could fill sheets upon the subject in hand: with my sincere assurances that I am entirely devoted to you both and all lovers of venerable Antiquity; that you may both go on and prosper is my sincere wish; and with great sincerity I beg leave to subscribe myself hers and your most obedient servant, THO. MARTIN.

"MY GOOD FRIEND,

"I am sorry the art of taking seals in block tin is at present lost. Desire Mrs. Barber to excuse my not writing to her, and both of you my imperfections, for I do not recollect I ever wrote such a scrawl in my life, but you will be so good as to take the will for the deed. Pray let us see you both soon. My girls join in best compliments to Mrs. Barber and your Worship. Vale, vale. Pray do not Esquire me any more, I am not one of that sort." Palgrave, Sept 8; 1770. "This waits on you to acknowledge the favour of yours received yesterday, and also to beg pardon for not answering your last sooner, nor sending Domesday, &c. nor paying my respects to Mrs. Barber and you as I intended, but hope my years and defect of memory (at my time of life) will plead some excuse. Yet, let what will be the event, you may both always be assured of my sincere esteem and readiness to oblige in every thing to my power. I must make no engagements of coming to Yarmouth, lest I should not perform them. However, I by no means lay aside the doing myself that pleasure; and, if I come, be not surprized. Write to you both I will upon all proper occasions, and shall ever be glad of hearing from you, but much more of seeing my very agreeable and respected acquaintance Mrs. Barber and Mrs. Ives at Palgrave. But to the business in hand. I hope, by the return of Salter's coach next Thursday, to send you Domesday Book and such other papers relating to your present undertaking as have come to my hands since we were last together; and when any others occur, you may assuredly command a sight of them, no one in life taking a greater pleasure than myself in communicating things of this nature, especially to those who are likely to make so proper and public a use of them as Mr. Ives.

"Thus far I proceeded, but by some unforeseen accident could not then proceed in my design. I have again (6 Oct.) taken pen in hand, and hope what I send will come safe. A thousand things more I want to impart; but, fearing the coach should slip by before I am aware, I must conclude with my sincerest respects, and thanks, &c. Sir, your most obedient, &c. THO. MARTIN." "HONEST FRIEND MARTIN, St. John's, Dec. 16, 1770. “The number of Guthrie's History, in which is the account of the Duke of Norfolk's Funeral, accompanies this by the Yarmouth stage. I hope you will receive it very safe and clean; return it at your leisure. I hear you intend to dispose of some of your books. I am willing to be a purchaser. If you do not chuse to sell any of them at present, I am very ready to wait upon you, and assist you in methodising your Library, and preparing your Catalogue for the inspection of your friends. I am, &c. RICHARD CHASE."

The

The REV. THOMAS MORRES, D. D.

was educated at Jesus College, Oxford; M. A. there 1735; afterward Fellow of Hertford College; B. D. June 28, 1751; and D. D. on the fifth of July following; about which time he was appointed Chaplain to the Princess Dowager of Wales. He was presented by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster in 1752, to the Vicarage of Hinckley in Leicestershire, where he resided very constantly *,

He

* In the "History of Hinckley," Dr. Morres is thus described: "He was blessed with a liberal and manly disposition. He recommended, eucouraged, and promoted peace, harmony, and good neighbourhood; and was an encourager of industry and frugality. He was naturally studious himself, and fond of promoting the same inclination in others. was well acquainted with the learned languages and arts and sciences, to which he had most happily and successfully applied himself: for his diligence was great and indefatigable, and his memory very tenacious. Though he had a general knowledge of Literature, yet he was more particularly intimate with the Greek learning, and studiously examined both the ancient and modern systems of Philosophy: there was something in his very countenance expressive of the extent and keenness of his understanding. He had a critical knowledge of the classic authors; and in his compositions joined their ease and elegance with the more sublime parts of knowledge which appear in the sacred writings, to the study of which he more particularly applied himself; for he steadily attended the sacred duties of his calling. His public discourses were grave, clear, and elegant; on well-chosen subjects, and delivered in a manner peculiar to himself, which secured the attention of his hearers; his subtilty in distinguishing in difficult points was very extraordinary; and his judgment in making right decisions extremely sharp and accurate, and delivered with so much judgment and propriety of language, that they were fit for the most learned audience, and yet so intelligible as to be proper for the meanest capacity. With regard to his character as a Minister, he was faithful, pious, and truly worthy the name of a Christian. In private conversation, he was free from that reserve and austerity observable in studious and contemplative men, after the mind has been long intent on grave and important subjects, deep researches, or abstruse speculations; so that what rendered him still more to be admired was, he was extremely pleasant and agreeable in private conversation. It is a very false idea that piety arises from a gloomy temper; a chearful mind naturally produces good-will towards men, and gratitude to God; it

inclines