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HENRY ELLIS, Esq. F. R. S. Governor of GEORGIA.

I gladly embrace this opportunity of introducing the following authentic particulars of a very worthy character; and the rather, as a paragraph extracted in the " Literary Anecdotes," vol. IX. p. 533, from a publication attributed to Governor Thicknesse, indirectly conveys an erroneous impression. Accuracy being my primary object, I feel considerable obligation to the gentleman whose name is subscribed to the present article.

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Henry, second son of Francis Ellis, of Monaghan, Esq. was born on the 24th of August 1721. In early youth, owing to juvenile wildness and high spirit impatient of paternal authority exercised with ill-judged severity, he forsook his father's house, and was for some years lost sight of by his family. The chief part of this period he appears to have passed at sea. A reconciliation then took place with his father, who afterwards promoted his pursuits in life, finally leaving him the whole of his considerable fortune, with the exception of a few immediate legacies, and subjecting certain lands (at the death of Governor Ellis) to the payment of six thousand pounds bequeathed to charitable institutions*. This sum it has been my lot to pay, as executor of my uncle, and inheriting from my grandfather the lands thus charged. He died at Naples on the 21st of January 1806.

FRANCIS ELLIS. Lansdown Crescent, Bath, 28th March, 1816."

* To the Monaghan County Hospital three thousand pounds, and three thousand to Mercers' Hospital, Dublin.

Sir GODFREY COPLEY * to T. KIRKE, Esq. Cookridge.

"March 4, 1702-3.

"Your old Philosopher is gone at last, to try experiments with his ancestors. He is dead, they say, without a will; had only a poor girl with him, who, seeing him ill, went to call somebody; and he was quite gone before they came. Thus departed the great Dr. Hook.-We are told there is like to be a great promotion of New Peers, which signifies not much to you nor me.

"The Duke of Marlborough went this morning for Holland, and the General Officers are going after him. G. COPLEY." ROBERT WALPOLE, Esq. to ROGER GALE, Esq.

"SIR,

June 11, 1719.

"The bearer, Mr. John Moody, was a Surveyor of the Leather Duty in our country, and acquitted himself very faithfully and diligently in the execution of his office; but, by the alteration of the management of that duty, was dismissed, and has ever since been unemployed. I beg leave to recommend him to your care and favour, and that he may be employed again in some manner; either in the Leather Duty in particular, or in the Excise in general, as you shall find proper and convenient. His friends are such as I would gladly oblige; and shall think myself indebted to you for the service you shall do him.

"I am, Sir, your most faithful humble servant, R. WALPOLE." Rev. Dr. JOHN JOHNSON to Dr. Z. GREY.

"DEAR SIR, Hurworth, July 20, 1738. "You may justly blame me for not acknowledging the favour of your last, but it went to Durham, and lay there whilst I was prevailed upon to go to Ledstone, to perform a great operation upon the great and good Lady Betty Hastings. As it was a case of great difficulty, and great importance, for it was not only saving a life which has done so much honour to Religion in general, but to the Church of England, and her Clergy, in an exalted

*This worthy Baronet was elected F. R. S. in 1694; and died April 8, 1709; leaving to the Royal Society a small annual sum, to be given as a premium for the best communication to their "Transactions;" which, after some time, as a more liberal gratification, was converted into a gold medal, of about the same value, which is still continued.

+ Afterwards Sir Robert, Prime Minister, and Earl of Orford. At that time a Commissioner of Excise.

This worthy Divine was Curate, in 1700, to Mr. Bruce, Vicar of Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire. He had not an University education; but was admitted, in Brazenose College, Oxford, Jan. 13, 1721, to the degree of B. C. L. by diploma; and June 16, 1726, to that of D. C. L. He possessed a knowledge of Surgery, and attempted many difficult cases; in one of which succeeding with Lady Clayton (wife of Sir William Clayton, afterwards Lord Sundon), one of the Ladies of the Bedchamber, by her interest at Court he was appointed Domestic Chaplain to Caroline then Princess of Wales; and by King George I. was presented to the Vicarage of Manfield, in Yorkshire. He obtained the Ninth Prebend in the Cathedral of Durham, Jan. 18, 1726; and had also the Rectory of Hurworth, on the presentation of Charles Pinkney, esq. Dying possessed of that living, Oct. 14, 1761, aged 84, he was there buried.

manner;

manner; besides, thousands are supported by her great and extensive charities. If her Ladyship had miscarried, all this must have fallen to the ground, by reason of the Statute of Mortmain, she depending upon settling all by her will; but that act broke all her Ladyship's measures, and now she has all to settle by deed enrolled, and that at least a year before her death; and whilst I was striving to save her life, at the same time I thought it my duty both to press and help forward the other, for fear what a year might bring forth: but this was so delicate a point at this critical juncture, as put me under great difficulty, both in respect of her Ladyship's ability to fatigue in such affairs, and lest it should raise fears that I apprehended danger. But, I bless God, I have been the happy instrument of completing the cure, and of putting the last hand to all her generous and charitable benefactions, which are surprisingly extensive, as will appear when they are made public. This important affair took up all my time and thoughts; and I flatter myself that you have so great a regard for the occasion as to excuse my not before this acknowledging the favour of yours, and the great obligations I am under for the favour you have done my son; and shall be glad of every opportunity to testify my gratitude in a more substantial manner, than by words and writing; being, dear Sir, your most affectionate brother and very humble servant, J. JOHNSON." EDWARD Earl of OXFORD to Dr. WILLIAMS*.

"REVEREND SIR,

Jan. 30, 1734-5.

"I have the favour of your Letter by your servant. My Lord Dupplint is just gone from me to speak to Sir Michael Newton, and see what else he can do. I shall take all the care I can not to neglect any thing. I assure you I am most heartily determined to serve you to the utmost of my power. I am, with true respect and esteem, Sir, your most obedient faithful humble servant, OXFORD."

Dover-street, Feb. 3, 1734-5.

"REVEREND SIR, "I have received your Letter, and have obeyed your commands to the utmost of my power. I wish I could have done better, I hope you will have success. Nothing is wanting on my part. Your servant is kept longer by not being able to meet with people; and Mr. Edwards, who is very industrious for you, keeps him for a letter. I refer you to Mr. Morgan's letter, my time being short; and am, with true respect and esteem, OXFORD." "REVEREND SIR, Wednesday, a quarter past twelve o'clock, February 5, 1734-5. "I have your Letter at eleven this morning. I think so far Philip Williams, of St. John's College, Cambridge; B. A. 1714; .A. 1718; B. D. 1725; D. D. 1730. He was a Senior Fellow and President of St. John's, and Public Orator.

+ George Henry Hay Viscount Duplin, son of Thomas sixth Earl of Kinnoul, married Abigail, youngest daughter of Robert Earl of Oxford. He succeeded to his father's title in 1718, aud died June 29, 1758.

This was on the vacancy of the Mastership of St. John's College, Cambridge, on the death of Dr. Richard Lambert.-See Mr. Cole's account of the Election in the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. I. p. 553.

you

you may go, as to talk in the style you mention to Parnham ; but not by any means to engage yourself by any promise to Newcome; and that you will take care that you do not serve him. Why should not Newcome throw his seven upon you since he has no chance? I repeat again, that by all means Newcome should be kept out*; and I cannot but think that what you propose to offer to Parnham will have the effect you desire, but you must manage it with very great caution. It is not possible to judge so well here as you can upon the spot. I wish you success. My Lord Dupplin is yours. Remember us both to Mr. Morgan. I am, your most faithful and most humble servant, OXFORD." "REVEREND SIR, Dover-street, Feb. 12, 1734-5. "I have seen Lord Exeter; and he said, in case that Mr. Parnham and Mr. Chappelow cannot be served, he is for you. There has been no meeting of the Lords concerned, but I suppose it will be this evening, or to-morrow. It was so late last night when I had your letter, that nothing could be done. Both Lord Dupplin and I have been about this morning. I hope to give you some account. As soon as I know any thing to be depended upon, I will send you a messenger down. I will write to you, or Mr. Morgan, by the post this night. I cannot, nor will, by any means despair. I am, with true respect, &c. OXFORD." The Duke of MONTAGU† to Dr. Z. GREY.

June 24, 1742.

"SIR, "I have received the favour of yours of yesterday, and am infinitely obliged to you for the trouble you are taking for me, which I am sure will be a much completer Work than it would have been any other way if you had not been so good to undertake it: I am in hopes of getting the Work from Lord Salisbury's Library. As to Mr. Collins, he is dead, and I do not suppose any thing belonging to him can easily be got; nor do I know how to go about it. Sacheverel's book about the Isle of Man I think I have, and will send it you; and will enquire about the Bishop of the Isle of Man.

"Upon the creation of the Knights of the Bath, Lord Glenorchy, who was one of them, was at that time Envoy at the Court of Denmark. How was the Order sent to him (for it was sent him, and he was installed by proxy)? and what dispensation was there for him, as to his not being knighted, and for his wearing the Order? The Red Ribbon is to be immediately sent to Mr. Robinson, our Envoy at Vienna; and how must it be done?— I wish you would send me forms of the proper dispensations, which, I suppose, must be sent him; and let me have them as soon as you can, for they are in a great hurry to send it him. "I am your most humble servant, MONTAGU."

* Dr. Newcome was the successful Candidate.

+ John Montagu, second Duke of Montagu, succeeded to that title in 1709, died July 6, 1749, aged 59, being then Master General of the Ordnance, Master of the Great Wardrobe, Colonel of the second regiment of Dragoon Guards, K. G. Grand Master of the Order of the Bath, F. R. S. one of the College of Physicians, and Privy Counsellor. .See vol. II. p. 786. Thomas, afterwards Secretary of State; and created Lord Grantham.

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