1

Letters to and from the Rev. JOHN PRICE.

1. Mr. GOUGH to Mr. PRICE.

"REVEREND Sir, March 20, 1771. "Your kind communication to the British Topography, by Dr. Gower, of a piece relative to Cheshire, encourages me to beg some further information on the articles in the inclosed list, which I copied from the last edition of the Bodleian Catalogue. You will easily see what is wanting to make the titles complete; and whatever you can further collect from the books themselves relating to the authors or subjects, will be a very acceptable communication.

"As Dr. Rawlinson's bequest has been more attentively examined than it had been when I had the pleasure of seeing you at Oxford, I would beg the favour of any intelligence on the same subjects that can be collected from it; a list of his topographical plates, or of his or any other MSS. County Collections. "Mr. Burrough, who is so obliging as to convey this to you, will assist you in forwarding your answer to me in the course of the year, that you need not confine your enquiries to the time of his return from the circuit.

"I think myself very unfortunate in not meeting you at Llangollen last summer, when Mr. Pennant was so kind as to shew me the stone at Vale Crucis. What I saw served only to increase my regret that we were not able to raise the stone, and compare the inscription with the copy. Should an opportunity offer I doubt not your readiness to make this comparison. "I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

R. GOUGH."

2. "SIR, London, Sept. 15, 1772. "I take the liberty to trouble you in behalf of a friend (Mr. G. Paton) at Edinburgh, who has already applied to Mr. Daniel Prince, but not met with all the satisfaction he desires.

"It is about a piece of Sir David Lindsay of the Mont, intitled, 'Ane Satyre of 3 Estaits in commendation of Vertue and vituperation of Vyce. Edinb. 1602;' to know whether this or his Interludes' be the severe reflections on the Scotch Clergy, which Lindsay, in his History of Scotland, says, laid the foundation of the Reformation in Scotland.

My friend sent Mr. Prince six lines from the beginning, and six from the end, of an imperfect book in his hands, which he suspects to be the last of the above works, which are become very scarce. Your solution of this difficulty, at your leisure, will much oblige your very humble servant,

3. Mr. PRICE to Mr. GOUGH.

R. GOUGH."

"SIR, Oxford, Sept. 26, 1772. "I received your letter in behalf of your friend Mr. Paton; and some time ago, I had one from himself. Mr. Prince (bookseller) having another at the same time, and to the same pur

na

pose, engaged answering for both; this he did, as he assures me,
very particularly, by informing Mr. Paton that the book de-
scribed was in the Bodleian Library, and that he was at liberty
to complete his imperfect copy when he pleased. Nothing more,
I think, was required. I have examined New College, Queen's,
All-Souls, Christ Church, Corpus, and Jesus College, Libraries,
but found nothing of Lindsay's in either of them. In the Bod-
leian, we have only what is mentioned in the printed catalogue.
In that copy of his works referred to at 8vo. L. 24. Art. Seld.
there is a preface by Hen. Charteris, and in it these words:
les ernist and vehement was he aganis them (Bischoppis, Ab-
bottis, and Prelatis) in his fairsis and publict playis, whairin
he was verray craftie and excellent. Sic ane spring he gave
them in the play, play it beside Edinburgh, in presence of the
Queene Regent, and ane greit part of the Nobilitie, with ane
exceeding greit nowmer of pepill, lestand fra nyne houris afore
none, till six houris at evin, quhair, amangis mony baith grave
maters and merie trikkis, he brocht in ane Bishop, ane Persone,
ane Freir, and ane Nun, deckit up in thair papisticall ornamentis
and maner of rayment. And thaireafter brocht in King correc-
tioun, quha reformand sindrie deformiteis in his Realme, passit
to the tryall of his Clergie. And findand thame to be altogidder
Idiotis, unworthie of ony functioun ecclesiasticall, decernit them
to be degradit of their digniteis, and spuilzeit of thair officis:
quhilk beand executit, and they denudit of thair upmaist gar-
mentis, they war fund but verray fulis, hypocrites, flatteraris, and
nouchtie persones. Quhairby he signifyit to the people, that
howsaever thay war estemit of the warld, thay had na thing
quhairin thay micht justlie glorie to be pastouris of Christis
Kirk, and feidaris of his flock, but onlie thair outward orna-
mentis, and triumphant tytillis. Bot beand inwardlie considerit
thay wald be fund bot verray hyrelingis, enemeis to Christ, and
devoraris of his flock. This play did enter with sic greif in
thair hartis, that they studyit be all meanis to be avengit thairof,"
&c. &c.

"This copy wants part of the title; but 1 fancy, from its contents, it must be the edition (mentioned by Tanner in Bibloth. Brit. Hibern.) printed at Edinb. MDLXXI. 4to. the size only being a mistake. From the above extract, I should imagine that Sir David Lindsay's Satyre of 3 Estaits, &c. (which I am certain is the Play here alluded to) must be the severe Satyre against the infamous practices of the Romish Clergy in Scotland. The Interlude must be the same with this Satyre; for at the end of the first part of it he says, Now sall the pepill mak collatioun, then beginnis the interlude; the King's Bischops and principall players being out of their seats (p. 63).

"I have nothing more to add, but that I am your most obedient humble servant, J. PRICE."

4. Mr. GOUGH to Mr. PRICE.

Nov. 17, 1772.

"SIR, "I am much obliged to you for the information in your letter, and that communicated to me by my friend Mr. Tyson, who is very sensible of the civilities he received from you and others at Oxford. He has opened to me a treasure which I am impatient to be better acquainted with,-Dr. Rawlinson's numerous plates. If it be allowed to have a particular account taken of them, you will oblige me much by employing an amanuensis whom I will readily satisfy in whatever demands you shall think reasonable. I could wish to have impressions of them all, which, if I am not misinformed, were left for the benefit of the University by their sale; but, if this is not likely to take place soon, I shall content myself with a catalogue of their titles, dates, draftsmen and engravers. Another very agreeable piece of news is, that editions of Euripides and Apollonius Rhodius are preparing at your press, and I presume in forwardness. "Whatever particulars occur to you relative to English Authors and Topography, will always be acceptable to, Sir, "Your obliged humble servant,

R. GOUGH."

5. Mr. GOUGH to the Rev. WILLIAM SHEFFIELD *.

"REV. SIR, Winchester Street, April 21, 1773. "Though I have not the pleasure of being known to you, yet I doubt not your readiness to give any information about the MSS. under your care in the Ashmolean Library. I therefore take the liberty of requesting some account of No. 7497 folio, which is said to be a Life of Sir John Hawkwood. I wish to know whether it has the appearance of a genuine history or a romance, what are the principal facts related in it, whether the author can be discovered, and of what date it is; what number of pages it contains, whether worth transcribing, and at what expence a person can be found to do it; that if your account of it recommend it, I may consider further about getting a copy of it. I am, Sir, your very humble servant, R. GOUGH.

6. Mr. PRICE to Mr. GOUGH.

"DEAR SIR, Oxford, May 10, 1774. "I have at last got a copy of the Map of Scotland †, in Harding's MSS. which I shall send you very soon. I cannot find any Map in any of our MSS. at Jesus College; nor is that mentioned by Hearne extant at Merton. Camden's Britannia is not interleaved; but the Notes and Emendations, by himself, are

* Of Worcester College, Oxford; M. A. 1757; B. and D.D. 1778. He succeeded William Huddesford, B. D. as Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum in 1772, and was succeeded by William Lloyd, LL.B. in 1796. See in the "Literary Anecdotes,” vol. VIII. p. 596, a similar request to Mr. Huddesford.

+ Afterwards engraved by Mr. Gough for his British Topography. See the following Letters.

inserted in the margin, and on little pieces of paper fixed in their proper places. I know of no notes with respect to Brooke in this book. There is a copy of Brooke's Catalogue of Kings, &c. of England, with MS. notes by Camden, in the Library. On the blank leaf before it, is the following memorandum : 'This note, and the rest of the notes in this book, are in the hand-writing of William Camden, Clarenceiux. Ita testor, Peter Le Neve, Norroy, 1709. There are some notes of Vincent's &c.' If you should be desirous of any further intelligence, with respect to this or the former book, you will let me hear from you again. As to Nennius, I must refer you to Mr. Barrington, who is acquainted with a clergyman (Mr. Lloyd) in Sussex or Kent, who has long been preparing for a new edition of him, and for that purpose has collated the Bodleian and other MSS. I have nothing more to add, but that I am, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant, J. PRICE."

7. Mr. GOUGH to Mr. PRICE.

"SIR, Enfield, Aug. 27, 1774. "I am much obliged to you for your favour, and for the encouragement you give me to trouble you with further inquiries for British Topography, which I wish to make as complete as I can. I had early information of Sir John Peshall's design for the County of Oxford, which I hope is by this time in great forwardness; such a History being certainly much wanted. Can you tell me where Catherall's and Sanderson's Collections are, and whether the Heralds and dates of the Visitations are properly stated? Where are Bishop Kennet's collections for the second volume of Parochial Antiquities? Can I procure Dr. Rawlinson's printed queries for a History of the County? and an exact list of his plates of English views, &c. now in the Bodleian, such as do not appear to have been published? A copy of Talbot's Notes at New College, wherein different from that printed by Hearne ? What additions to Camden in Smith's copy in the Bodleian? What the bulk and quantity of Norden's Surrey, and on what terms a transcript? Mr. Manning is my particular friend, and has admitted me to his valuable Collections with great frankness and pleasure. Mr. Hill's do not appear to have been very considerable. It were to be wished all County Histories might have their Domesday engraved on so liberal a plan as Mr. Manning has given for Surrey, in which he is going to be followed by Dr. Nash. This latter gentleman has also admitted me to his confidence in the design he has generously formed of publishing Habingdon's History, with great improvements. If I do not appear impertinent, I shall, as opportunity offers, make use of the privilege you give me of corresponding with you. Meantime I am, R. GOUGH."

8. Mr. PRICE to Mr. GOUGH.

"DEAR SIR, Oxford, May 17, 1775. "As I had not heard from you since I sent you copies of Harding's Maps, I began to suspect that they did not answer your expectations, or that you had dropped your scheme of publication. But by your letter of the 28th of April, I was glad to find that you still continue to prosecute your noble undertakings with respect to British Antiquities. The words you are at a loss for in the Maps, are Norling (next to Berwick) and Dunbar, by Edinburgh. The inscription on the right hand of the castle, at the end, is Luctus perpetuus cochiton, the infernal flood. "The drawings numbered 1, 2, and 3, are from so many pages in the manuscript, each measuring in length thirteen inches and a quarter, and in breadth nine and a half.

"The person I usually employ in drawing, &c. is not at present in the University; so that I have been obliged to make out a specimen myself, which I fear will not answer your purpose. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, J. PRICE."

9. Mr. GOUGH to Mr. PRICE. "DEAR SIR, May 18, 1775. "I am much obliged to you for the specimen*; but, as it will not be possible to engrave the whole from such plates, and I wish to have this as much a fac-simile as the rest which I have collected, beg to know who there, as probably your draftsman, may be able to trace the whole on oiled paper, or how could I contrive to send mine by the Oxford coach, consistent with the Library hours, so as the time of his stay at Oxford might be reduced as much as possible. Your much obliged servant, R. GOUGH."

10. "DEAR SIR, London, June 24, 1775. "I am very much obliged to you for the contents of your packet, which I immediately transcribed, and now return. The Quarto MS. seems highly worthy to see the light. Is there no probability that his Gracet could be induced to give it the publick? The drawings are too interesting to remain locked up, and it seems the best and fullest account of the Principality. I shall thank you for the account of Monmouth Town-Hall, which is altogether new to me. Is it not extraordinary that Ragland Castle should be omitted?

"I have heard of tapestry in Warwickshire, representing Kenilworth Castle when entire; but this is the whole of my information, and I proposed when I came into that county to inquire after it. Mean time shall be glad to hear further from you about it. My book goes on as fast as inquiries and fresh matter will allow; but I can fix no term for it.

* See preceding letter.

†The Duke of Beaufort.