from different books and catalogues in the Mu seum. Notwithstanding Dr. Mead's practice was so extensive, that in one year it produced him seven thousand pounds, and for several years between five and six thousand; yet, after the payment of his debts, he did not leave more than about twenty thousand pounds. The Doctor's Son, Mr. Richard Mead, had an estate of about 8001. a year, left him by Lord Chief Justice Reeves. The following may be relied on, as an accurate account of the produce of his books, medals, antiques, pictures, and prints. The books sold for.... 5518 10 11 During the life of Dr. Mead, Dr. Askew bought all his Greek manuscripts for 5001. He sold his miniatures to the Prince of Wales, and his Series of Greek kings to Messrs. Carmey and Kennedy. Quere, who was this Carmey? his name frequently occurs as a purchaser of the Doctor's coins for himself and others. The bronze head of Homer, which now adorns the Museum, and is too well known to require M 4 quire description, was purchased at Mead's sale for 1361. 10s. by Lord Exeter, and by him placed where it remains. The first picture that Dr. Mead purchased was the Flaying of St. Bartholomew, by Spagnoletto. There is a fine Etching of this, by Spagnoletto himself. This picture produced no more than eighteen guineas. The following pictures are described, because the verses written beneath them were by Dr. Mead himself, and were inscribed under the portraits. The original head of Mr. Samuel Butler, by Zoust, a small half length, engraved by Vertue, for the Editor of Butler's Works, published by Dr. Grey, sold for no more than 9l. 11s. 6d. Quere who bought this? The head of the celebrated Earl of Arundel, by Rubens, sold for 361. 15s. This is engraved by Houbraken. Marmora Arundeliæ Comiti quæ Patria debet Sir Godfrey Kneller, by himself, a three quarters, painted when young, sold for 311. 10s. Qualis eram vultu Knellerus quantus et arte The head of Vesalius, the great Anatomist, by Titian, sold for 391. Beneath it are these lines: Vesalium Vesalium pinxit Titianus, gnarus uterque Monstrare hic vultum, fabricat ille hominis. The head of Grævius, by Hoet, sold for 31. 6s. Grævi Romanæ linguæ clarissime vindex! Ipse tuo vellet Tullius ore loqui. Doctor Edmund Halley, by Sir Godfrey Knel ler, sold for 31. 3s. Mensoris maris et terræ cælique profundi Hallei nomen jactat uterque polus. Hugo Grotius, by Cornelius Jansen, sold for 41. 5s. Unicus immensum qui cepit mente capaci Doctrinarum orbem, Grotius hicce fuit. Doctor Harvey, the celebrated Physician, painted by Bemmet, sold for 421. Harveii magnum nomen laudesque manebunt, This picture has been engraved by Houbraken. Sir Isaac Newton, by Sir G. Kneller, sold for 131. 2s. 6d. Ille hic Newtonus dicent volventia sæcla Felix qui potuit noscere quantus erat. Dr. Charlton, the Physician, by Kneller, sold for 81. 18s. 6d. Doctrina ornavit medicam Charltonius artem; Vis animi senio jussit inesse decus. Dr. Dr. Pitcairn, by Sir John de Medina, 51. 5s. Scire potestates herbarum et tangere plectrum, Erasmus, a Kit Cat. on board, by Holbein, was purchased by Lord Folkstone for 1101. 5s. E tenebris clarum doctrinæ attollere lumen Ægidius, companion to the former, by Holbein, sold for 951. 11s. Ægidium musis charum dilexit Erasmus Two pieces by Watteau, the one a Pastoral Conversation, the other its companion, Italian Comedians; sold, the former for 421., the latter for 521. 10s. These two pictures are monuments of the great and extensive benevolence of Dr. Mead. Watteau came to England in very bad health, and very indifferent circumstances. Dr. Mead relieved him in both, and gave him employment, by ordering him to paint these two pictures. The Portrait, which in the Catalogue of Prints and Drawings, No. 69, the 13th days sale, is called a Man's head, by Holbein, is the portrait of Ann of Cleves. It was purchased by Walter Chetwynd, of King's College, Cambridge, for five guineas and a half. It is now in the Royal Collection Collection of Drawings, and has been engraved by Bartolozzi. Published November, 1796, by Mr. Chamberlaine. The manuscript of Virgil is in the possession of Lord Lansdown. At Dr. Mead's sale Dr. Askew purchased it for five guineas; at the sale of the Askew Collection it cost Lord Lansdown twenty guineas. The Life of Dr. Mead, usually prefixed to the Bibliotheca Meadiana, was written by Dr. Maty, of the British Museum. ORIGINAL LETTERS. THESE letters which follow, are too honourable to our national character to require any apology for their insertion. From Lord Minto to the Cardinal of York. MONSEIGNEUR, De Vienne, 9 Feb. 1800. J'ai reçu les ordres de sa Majesté le Roi de la Grande Bretagne de faire remettre à votre Eminence la somme de deux mille livres sterling, et dassurer V. E. qu'en acceptant cette marque de l'interet et de l'estime de S. M. elle lui fera un sensible plaisir. Il m'est en même tems ordonné de faire part á V. E. |