I can pretend to [be], and besides requires an age to collect, digest, and deliver down to posterity, the transactions of 2000 years; during which time, allowing the British Historians to be true, there are few pauses in history, or to speak plainer, few years, in which our City cannot be traced ab origine to the present time. My genius and inclinations in study have a natural bent to that of History and Antiquity, and whenever the business of my profession will allow me that secess, an historian is my delight. Your learned labours in the several editions you have published of Leland, &c. have afforded me abundance of pleasure, and tho' I was never so happy as to learn when any subscription was carrying on, yet I can never want the perusal of any, whilst Dr. Richardson, you know, can furnish me. Thus you may guess, Sir, that what you have already printed I am no stranger to; but I am told there are several things much to my purpose in Mr. Dodsworth's Collections in the Bodleian Library, which I can never come at, unless assisted by you: these and whatever else you think worthy to communicate to me, shall meet with the most grateful acknowledgement. Dr. Richardson will, in a short time give you a Testimonial of me, as also I shall claim it from another hand, the Reverend Mr. Fothergill, at London, who married my aunt, and whose principles of conscience, honour, and integrity, I am told, you do not disrespect.

I have by me large collections, deduced in the course of my reading, from British and Roman Historians, as well as all the monkish writers; the best editions of which, by Savil, Twisden, and Gale, are to be met with in our Church library, and above all Leland's Collectanea arc an inexhaustible fund for me, tho' I am surprized the Itinerary has so little to my purpose to be found in it, the traveller having, by an unfortunate turn out of the way for me, not touched upon York, or very little, at all. I have besides, the perusal of a copy of the MS. History of this City by Sir Thomas Widdrington, sometime Recorder here, which will be of vast help to my design in law affairs; that gentleman having taken the pains to draw out of Year-books, Acts of Parliament, Public Records, and City-books, all that is proper to insert about the several charters, privileges, and customs of the city, which I confess I had neither leisure nor inclination to do; but as to the historical part, I must say I can go beyond him, both in connection and facts, a great way. You have, inclosed, a draught, hastily drawn, of the whole building I propose, and as I know you capable to furnish me with many materials for it, I hope you will consult your vast magazine of this kind of learning for some proper supports to the fabrick. As I intend no interest in the affair, but resolve to publish it, if God sends me life and health, your

generous way, it may be some inducement to you to lend a helping hand to one, who, swayed by no thirst of interest or vain glory, undertakes to deliver down to posterity the transactions of this famous City; which if you consent to do, the warmest acknowledgments, that either my tongue or pen can testify to the world, shall be justly and faithfully paid you.

11

In which pleasing, thought give me leave to subscribe myself,

Your much obliged humble Servant,

WORTHY SIR,

In answer to your inquiries on July 14, these are to let you know that I cannot tell from whence my father transcribed the account I sent you of Mr. Ferrar's first years; nor do I see any thing to the contrary, but that it may be proper to refer to my Father's MS. for its

authority. As for the other matter you want to know, viz. who was the author of the prefatory account of Mr. Herbert's life printed in his little book called the Country Parson, the following lines in his Life written by Walton will fully satisfy you.

"At the death of Mr. Herbert this book fell into the hands of his friend Mr. Woodnot; and he commended it into the trusty hands of Mr. Bar. Oley; who published it with a most conscientious and excellent Preface."

No doubt, Mr. Wood* has given some account of Mr. Barnabas Oley; whom you could not but acknowledge to be a person of very great worth, if you knew no more than what I shall add by way of postscript.

That work is in such forwardness is very

your

welcome news to,

Sir,

Your most humble Servant,

J. W[ORTHINGTON].

London,
July 23, 1730.

From a mural inscription within the Church of Great Gransden, in the County of Huntingdon, transcribed by me, Nov. 2, 1699.

* Wood does mention him certainly, but Oley was Cambridge, not an Oxford, man.

The Reverend Mr. Barnabas Oley, Archdeacon of Ely, Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Worcester, and Vicar of Great Gransden 53 yeares, gave the pulpit 1633. gave the wainscot seates in the Chancell 1621. and in 1664 Mr. Oley was the first contriver and chief benefactor of the brick-school-house. And he built brick houses for six poor people upon his own freehold land, and did lease them for one thousand yeares to the Church-Wardens and their successors at the yearly rent of one pepper corn, if lawfully demanded upon Christmas day. He gave one acre of freehold land for ever, to enlarge the herd commons at Hanginton-Layes in this parish. He gave six godly books, named the Whole Duty of Man, for the benefit of poor people that can read English and the present vicar of this church is to lend them six moneths together to six several persons, and then call for them, and deliver them to six other persons; that the whole parish in time may have the benefit of reading them. He gave six leatherbuckets to prevent casual fires in this town. He also built a strong and large vicarage-house with barns, stables, and out-houses, and a brick wall next the highway or town-street, and against the church-yard.