"WORTHY SIR, Great Yarmouth, March 28, 1774. "I should have done myself the honour of writing to you long before now, but have been much out of order with a slight fever, which confined me to my chamber, and forbad me the use of my study. I am now, thank God, perfectly recovered, and at liberty to thank you very kindly for your most obliging favour of this morning. On the other side you will find an account of the Seals of the Bishops of Norwich in my possession* (late Thomas Martin's): you will soon observe there is by no means a regular series, and many of them are broken and damaged. Mr. Martin was apt to think and speak too highly of his literary possessions, and probably in that manner has represented this collection to you. However, if you think it right to exhibit these venerable remains to the publick, I will (after my Burgh affair is finished) bestow a few hours upon them, being ever ambitious to observe your directions, and to deserve your favour. "I am infinitely obliged to you for your recommendation of Hooper; he appears to be just the man I wanted; I am greatly pleased with his diligence and punctuality, and will give him every encouragement in my power. Captain Grose is so kind as to reduce the bird's-eye view of Burgh Castle to a quarto size. The reason I am solicitous to have this engraved is, that such a one has never yet appeared, and will be new to the publick. I shall soon send Mr. Hooper copy for my account of it, and hope before July to present you, Sir, with the book. "I am afraid my affairs will not permit me to see London this year, and I know not but I may be called into the North of England about our Anniversary †. It would, next to the pleasure of spending a day with you, give me infinite satisfaction to dine at the Crown and Anchor ‡. There is a greater happiness still, which I would give a considerable sum to enjoy ;-that is, the favour of my worthy and most respected friend Dr. Ducarel's company at Yarmouth my house is large and convenient, and I have a heart which would sincerely bid you welcome. Mrs. Ives commissions me to offer you her respectful compliments: pray, Sir, do me the favour to accept and dispose of mine, as well as to permit me to assure you that I am, with every respectful sentiment, dear and worthy Sir, your most obliged, &c. J. IVES." * "Seals of the Bishops of Norwich, in the possession of John Ives: 1121. Eborard (the second Bp.) 1243. Walter de Suffield. 1264. Simon de Walton. 1267. Roger de Scarning. 1325. William Ayrminne. 1356. Thomas Percy. + St. George's day, April 23. 1446. Walter Lybert. 1546. William Reppes. 1637. Matthew Wren. The Anniversary of the Society of Antiquaries has long been annually celebrated at that tavern. ROBERT " DEAR SIR, ROBERT LUMLEY KINGSTON*, Esq. to Dr. DuCAREL. Dorchester, Dec. 19, 1743. "I am but just come, but cannot omit sending you what I promised by the first conveyance. This day my Plan of Dorchester and Maiden Castle went hence attended with my Etheldred, which I desire your acceptance of. If Mr. Vertue is to make a Plate of Maiden Castle, I need only notice for his better instruction, that it will display itself much more naturally if he makes the ramparts to be described by the light colour of the paper, and the trenches by a dark shadowing, like those Roman Encampments which are delineated in Lord Oxford's Collection, vol. II. p. 15; whereas Mr. Armstrong has made the summit of each rampart by a broad black line, that does not so well discover it. When you have gotten the Plan taken off, you will send it in the same box to me here. I am your obliged humble servant, ROBERT LUMLEY KINGSTON." Dorchester, Dec. 8, 1746. "DEAR SIR, "Your favours always give me pleasure, and I shall be glad to have some more of the leaf silver; and in return you may depend on some impressions of a few things, which I and my friends have by us. Indeed, I think, I take off the impressions pretty well. Our dull situation here affords us nothing nouvelle ; Harlequin Methodist hath not yet taken any trip hither; a neighbouring agent tells me he expects to have one soon. I reckon Mr. Rich has afforded the Town a good deal of fun on the change of his Religion, and fancy the other House by this time might have represented him in that character on their stage, as I know they often throw dirt at each other. The incident that occasioned it is really merry enough. The recantation of the Court Martial Gentry, for their affront on my Lord Chief Justice Willes, I like much; and his making it a record is exceedingly right, to prevent other assumers of trifling power from pretending to such fancied authority for the future. The fact of iny Lord Chief Justice Holt I do not recollect; but am very glad that it was not forgotten, and that it stood a memorial precedent, though not recorded otherwise. The service of the current year's money, I presume, will be by Lottery, and some sumptuary laws. The taxing folly and extravagant living is commendable. This morning I much pleased myself with a Tatler in the third volume on that head; and I too much fear other methods will fail of the desired success, as the National poverty is daily more and more visible. Whether the scheme is good or not, I have not indeed given myself the time to judge rightly of; but it seems as proper as any thing, in aid of the landed interest, to reduce the interest of all money lent on mortgages, &c. to 3 per cent.; under this certainty, * Mr. Kingston was an eminent Solicitor at Dorchester, where he was also an Alderman, and served the office of Mayor in 1771; elected F. S. A. 1753; and died Oct. 6, 1773. That he was a zealous and skilful Antiquary, is evident from the whole of his correspondence, and particularly by the ittle Poems noticed in p. 623. that that it is too evident no estate whatever has in these bad times produced 3 per cent. ; and the interest of money either due thereon in mortgage, or as charges for the portions of younger children, or otherwise, has often been much more than the whole estate on which those charges are has really cleared. This is only a speculative notion of mine, and too crude to turn to any advantage, I fear, to the publick, and I shall pull all the people of small money and fortunes on my back.-I hear Garrick is much chagrined at Barry's appearance; his person, they say, is vastly better than the former's, but his manner not so. This distance prevents our knowing any thing right; and what I have picked up about these two great competitors is from persons rather speaking as they affect, than from any real judgment of dramatic performances. Be the merit on either side of these gentlemen, it is natural to suppose Barry will have some to espouse his quarrel, and the other thereby have some malevolent persons against him. I hope, however, the competition between them will be on merit only, and not on the same topic as the dispute a few years ago between Garrick and Macklin-whether 700l. or 1000l. a year was to be the reward of their employ, besides a benefit, to a considerable sum more. I would not the least depreciate the performances of any person of the Stage; but it is monstrous that, in a Nation so much in debt as ours, things should be carried to such an height of extravagance and folly, to the ruin perhaps of the inferior (though the most useful) part of the world. But really, I expect you will tell me, how odd it is in us country putts to pretend to set up for regulators and reformers of men and manners. I will be beforehand with you, and own myself impertinent; but at the same time know your candour has by this time excused it. Adieu! Let me hear from you soon; and believe me to be, dear Sir, &c. R. LUMLEY KINGSTON." Dorchester, March 2, 1752. "DEAR SIR, Though I have been lately so very remiss, I am determined not to be so any more. Confession of faults entitles a man to pardon. I must, however, say something of the occasions, because, not to account in some sort for so long silence would not be quite so pretty. I have this winter been more out of order than ever in my life; have had some affairs to transact that have much engaged my time; and had the business of some relations, lately dead, to settle; which, all together, have so diverted my thoughts from (what would have been to me) most agreeable amusements. Yours of this day I am particularly obliged to you for, and am exceeding sorry that, after all the enquiry I yet can make of the affair you mention, I cannot find there is any thing in the discovery of the nineteen jars of Gold Coins, and the half jar of Gold Medals at Mr. Drax's. I shall nevertheless prosecute my inquiries as minutely as I can, and not omit letting you know my success. Heartily glad shall I be to see Mr. Rushworth, and shall endeavour to be in the way to receive him; and am obliged for Serjeant Eyre's intention to call on me. I some time since 2 R 2 intended intended Sir Peter Thompson a visit at Poole, but was not fortunate enough to find him at home. I shall beg the favour of one of his Prints, and wish it were in my power to contribute to your or his collection; but this part of the world is barren of curiosities, at least most we have are discovered already. "I have, indeed, been likely to have a call to London; and that, amongst my other preventions, kept me silent, in hopes of personally paying my respects. I have several times intended to congratulate on your being incorporated, and should be glad to know the terins of your charter. There is a manuscript in this town that seems to me exceeding curious. It is a Survey made in the last century, by one of our Heralds, of the County of Stafford; and contains a very accurate account of all the families, interspersed with many pieces of ancient history, and public facts relative to the families treated of; and it is, in all respects, a wellfinished thing. They ask for it much more money than I can afford to give, unless, from your or any other judicious inspection of it, I could be certified I should find my account in it by publication. It is soon to be sent to London, when I will get you a sight of it, and let you know what it is set up at; and am, most truly, your very obliged servant, R. LUMLEY KINGSTON." "MY DEAR FRIEND, Dorchester, April 6, 1752. "Your very kind letter was the more acceptable, as it came by the hands of Mr. Rushworth, for whom I have a particular esteem. I was, very luckily, at home when he came, and was only sorry the stay of him and his friends could not permit them to see Maiden Castle. However, we took a light survey of Mambury, at which they were highly delighted, and had from thence a distant peep at the former. Daily am I expecting their return, when I am in hopes of hearing some useful remarks on Devon and Cornwall. Serjeant Eyre was so kind as to pass an evening with me as he went the Circuit, and promised to communicate to me what should occur to him, but as yet he is quite silent. I am told Sir Peter Thompson comes down soon, when I will pay him a visit at Poole, and receive from his own hands the Print you mention. The instant that account of Staffordshire comes to London you shall know it, and I believe you will like it much; according to my judgment, it is a very curious thing, and is offered to be sold cheap. It is a happiness for us that Learning seems at this time of day to be more general than in my (though small) remembrance I have known it. And indeed I really think the incorporating your Society will be greater occasion of its flourishing than had it remained in the state it was before, and it is with much satisfaction I see so many competitors for admission. When you will be so kind to let me know the terms, and the probability of my being received, give me Icave to tell you, with all possible modesty, how great an honour should I esteem it to be a Member. I presume there is not a great expence attending it; if so, with respect to my family, I dare not attempt it. However, I shall rather retrench on other occasions, than not have the pleasure of being one with you. I am very sensible, dear Sir, that my knowledge and insight into matters of Antiquity cannot recommend me to an admission; and am truly sensible of my own incapacity, and can only acknowledge with gratitude that the notice that yourself and so many learned acquaintance of the Society are pleased to shew me, gives me encouragement to be in such a station whereby I may receive, as one of you, more frequent opportunities of correspondence in that part of Learning, which (inexpert as I am in it) I have the greatest ambition to improve myself in. I trust Sir Peter, the Serjeant, Mr. West, Mr. Eames, and a few more, will be so good to back me, with your recommendation; and from thence I hope for success. That some of the Nobility are with you, I am particularly pleased with; their figure and fortunes make them proper patrons of Arts and Sciences, and shew them in an advanced light. My call to London now approaches. Glad, heartily so, were I that it was come; hasten it, you may assure yourself, I will; because, as the satisfaction to me will be so great, the sooner it comes the better. Mr. Hutchins will be here in a day or two, and I will then know his particular progress, and hurry him on as prudently fast as I can, and to publish it in Numbers. Sir Peter must permit me to subscribe for his History of Poole ; and, if you see him before me, please to pay my compliments on that occasion. Fray is the Chronology published yet, of which you sent me a specimen ? If so, remember I subscribe for it. When I see it, I shall be able to regulate my own design the better; and indeed I have been something idle in expectation of it, as I am willing to know how far the scheme is like my own, before I lose any labour to no purpose. "My neighbour Hubbock* and I will make a section of Maiden Castle; and we will ere long set about it, I assure you, and hope to receive your approbation of our performance. Should any Coins fall in my way of the kind you mention, depend on my securing them for you, as I will most readily any thing I can possibly get that can give you or the Society pleasure. There is something indeed found at Mr. Drax's of the Urn kind, but no inclosure but burnt bones, and not a syllable about the Coins is true. "I now can only add, that our best compliments to you and your lady are very heartily tendered; and that I am, with the truest esteem, dear Sir, yours, &c. R. LUMLEY KINGSTON." Dorchester, June 16, 1752. As "DEAR SIR, "Your very kind letter requires my hearty thanks this first opportunity. The draft of Maiden Castle (as you now call it) Mr. Hubbock and I will get made the first holidays he has. he is so much engaged in his school, I cannot request him till then to give me his assistance.-Pray make my best compliments acceptable to Mr. Ames, Dr. Rawlinson, and the other gentle * John Hubbock, of St. John's College, Oxford; B. A. 1733; M. A. 1737; Rector of Holy Trinity church at Dorchester, 1762; Rector of Barcomb and Downfrome; Prebendary of Chichester; Schoolmaster at Dorchester; Official of the Bishop of Bristol, died Feb. 20, 1781. men |