things I thought it proper to suggest to Dr. Wild and you, that you might not, thro' surprise or inadvertency, proceed farther in an irregularity which is attended with so much danger to yourselves and the Clergy, and mischievous consequences to the peace and order of the Church. And so not doubting but that you will sincerely weigh and consider what I have written,

I remain, Sir,

Your faithful Friend and Brother,

ED. LINCOLN. †

* The University of Oxford, in full convocation, returned *" solemn thanks to the Earl of Nottingham for his most noble defence of the Christian Faith," &c. See Walpole's "Royal and Noble Authors," by Park, vol. iv. p. 118. And the clergy of the diocese of Peterborough waited on the Earl for the same purpose, on the very day Dr. Chandler wrote this letter. See the Whitehall Evening Post, May 16, 1721. + Edward Chandler, afterwards Bishop of Durham.

SIR,

LETTER CXXXVIII.

Mr. TORKINGTON to T. HEARNE.

Leland's Itinerary and Collectanea.

I RECEIVED your letter, and Mr. Vansittart desires me to acquaint you that he will subscribe to both your books, and that he would have that set of Leland's Itinerary, and his Collectanea too, if the bookseller will not part with the one without the other. I think it a very great price, and must beg the favour of you to look them over and see they are perfect, and to get them as cheap as possibly you can, and when you have bought them for whatever you think they are really worth, please to send them directed for Mr. Vansittart, to be left at the Catharine Wheel, in Henley; at the same time favour me with a line what day they will be there, that a servant may go over for them, and let me know what they cost, and what the subscription is, and the money for both shall be paid to your order any where in London, or at Oxford if you will give directions how to send it. I am, Sir, Your very humble Servt.

L. TORKINGTON.

Shottesbrooke,

Sept. 20, 1724.

LETTER CXXXIX.

T. HEARNE to the Rev. L. TORKINGTON.

In answer to the last.

REV. SIR,

UPON receipt of your letter yesterday in the afternoon, I immediately repaired to Mr. Wilmot. He said he would not abate any thing of twenty guineas for Leland's Itin. and Coll. Upon which I agreed with him for that price (which is not dear, considering the great scarceness of the books, and the goodness of the set) and this morning I paid him twenty guineas in full for them, and took of him a receipt, signifying what I had paid, which, for better satisfaction to Mr. Vansittart, I ordered him to put in the first volume of the Itin. The bookseller hath packed them up, and I shall send them next Tuesday morning by the Windsor carrier, directed (as you order) for Mr. Vansittart, to be left at the Catharine Wheel, in Henley. "Robert of Gloucester" is published and dispersed, so that I cannot now help Mr. Vansittart to a copy of that work; but "Peter Langtoft" is now printing, (and there is room as yet for subscription) at two guineas the large, and one guinea the small paper, as you may see by the printed paper I sent you. My money is generally

returned me by carriers, but if Mr. Vansittart does not approve of that way, he may be pleased to make use of the method he shall judge most proper for remitting it. You will be pleased to let me know under what title I must enter Mr. Vansittart. I am,

Rev. Sir,

Your most humble Servant,

Edm. Hall, Oxon,

THO, HEARNE

Sept. 23, 1724.

The two preceding Letters are inserted in this Collection to shew how very valuable some of Hearne's publica. tions were esteemed even during his life-time.

SIR,

LETTER CXL.

Mr. SAMUEL GALE to T. HEARNE.

A Picture of Fair Rosamond.

PRESUMING your

Langtoft's Chronicle" is almost finished, and not being willing to lose the advantage of subscribing to your accurate works, I desire you would be pleased to insert me in the list. I shall take care

to return you the whole money by the fittest op: portunity. I have nothing curious at present to entertain your speculations with, but only that I have lately and accidentally purchased an ancient but fine picture of the beautiful Rosamond. It is painted on a pannel of wainscot and represents her in a three quarter proportion, dressed in the habit of the times, a straight-body'd gown of changeable red velvet, with large square sleeves of black flowered damask facings, turned up above the bend of her arms, and close sleeves of a pearl-coloured satin puffed out, but buttoned at the wrist, appearing from under the large ones; she has several rings set with precious stones on her fingers. Her breast covered with a fine flowered linen, gathered close at the neck like a ruff. Her face is charmingly fair, with a fine blush in her cheeks. Her hair of a dark brown, parted with a seam from the middle of her forehead upwards under her coifure, which is very plain, but a gold lace appears above it, and it is covered with a small cap of black silk. She is looking very intensely upon the fatal cup which she holds in one hand, and the cover in the other, as going to drink it. Before her is a table covered with black damask, on which there lies a prayer book open, writt in the ancient black character: the whole piece is extremely well preserved. I take it to have been done about Harry the 7ths time. You'll excuse this excursion which nothing but