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lection is soe great, and my purse soe little, that I cannot compass it. It is such a collection (both for the vast number of bookes, and the exact method they are bound in, as none has, nor possibly can have, besides yourselfe. The use of that collection myght be of exceedinge benefitt to the publique (both church and state) were it placed in some safe repository where learned and sober men might have accesse to, and the use of it. The fittest place for it (both for use and honor) is the King's, Sr. Tho. Bodleies, or some publique library, for in such places it might be most safe and usefull. I have long indeavoured to find benefactors, and a way to procure it for Bodleies library, and I doe not despaire but such a way may be found in good time by

Your affectionate friend and brother,

THOMAS LINCOLNE.

Oxon. Feb. 6,

1676.

By this letter we learn that the collector was a clergyman, and his name Thomason; for the direction, which is preserved, is,

"For the Reverend G. Thomason.

These."

years

It appears that after an interval of a few they came into the possession of the Kings Sta

tioner,

tioner, for there is preserved, in the Museum, the copy of an order of Privy Council, authorizing Anne Mearne, relict of Samuel Mearne, his Majesties Stationer, to dispose of them as she might think fit.

"At the Court at Whitehall,

the 15th of May, 1684.

By the Kings most excellent Ma" and the Lords of his Ma's most Honble Privy Councill.

The humble peticon Anne Mearne, relict of Samuell Mearne, his Ma's Stationer, lately deceased, being this day read at the Board, setting forth, That his Ma" was pleased, by S Joseph Williamson, the Secretary of State, to command the petitioners husband to purchase a collection of severall bookes, concerning matters of state, being above thirty thousand in number, and being vniformly bound, are contained in two thousand volumes and vpwards, and that by reason of the great charge they cost the pet" husband, and the burthen they are upon her selfe and family, by their lying vndisposed of soe long, Therefore most humbly prayes his Ma" leave to dispose of the said collection of bookes, as being a ready way to raise money upon them, : to support her selfe and family: His Ma" in Council was graciously pleased to give leave to the Pet' to dispose and make sale of the said bookes as she shall thinke fit.

PHI. LLOYD..

3

Beyond

Beyond this period I have not been able to trace them, and must therefore content myself with the general information communicated by Mr. Gough, in one of the volumes of his Topography, that they were purchased by his present Majesty, and by him presented to the Museum.

It is painful to add, that the following volumes were missing from this collection when presented to the Museum. This is hardly to be wondered at, when it is considered, through what various hands and accidents they passed. I subjoin, however, a particular description of the lost volumes, to give an opportunity to those, in whose hands they may happen to be, to restore them to their fellows.

No. 6.

Containing Juvenals Satyrs, translated by Sir Robt. Stapylton.

No. 57.

1. Magazine of Honour.

2. The Book of Praises from the Hebrew. 3. Seasonable Sermon for Unseasonable Times. 4. Tears of Ireland.

5. Engenius's Tears for Gr. Britains Distractions.

6. Anglicus Peace or no Peace.

No. 60.

1. Survey of Englands Champions. 2. Medea of Seneca Eng. by E. S. 3. Corpus sine Capiti visibili.

No.

No. 87.

1. Disloyalty of Language questioned. 2. Prodigies, or Eng. Warning Pieces. 3. The Bachelors Blessing.

4. Naworths Almanac for 1645.

5. Nyes Almanac for 1645.

No. 151.

1. Choice Novels and Amorous Tales, by the refined Wits of Italy.

2. Life of Father Paul.

No. 448.

1. Tradesmans Companion at 6 per Cent. by Haynes.

2. The Para Synagogue paragorized, or Confutation of John Lesley.

No. 449.

1. State of the future Life, by White.

2. The Saints Kingdom established on the Ruins of Babylon.

3. Tables of Interest at 6 per Cent.

4. Proposition for Advancement of Morality. No. 450.

1. Pet. Cunæus on the Governinent of the Hebrews.

2.

Catechesis errorum qui hodie vexant

Ecclesiam.

No. 451.

1. Hobbs, on Liberty and Necessity,

2. Sermon of Judgment before Lord Mayor, by R. Baxter.

No.

No. 453.

1. Young Mans Warning Piece, by R. Abbot

2. Pisse Pot Lectures, by Tho. Brian.

No. 454.

1. Biddle disposest.

2. Aphorisms of Hippocrates.

No. 465.

1. Heavens Alarm to all Jurors.

2. Art of Cookery, by Cooper.

3. Ludus Mathematicus, by Wingate. No. 470.

1. Generall History of Women, by T. H. No. 479.

1. Deaths Alarm, B Halls Funeral Sermon, by Whitefoote.

2. Serious and pathetical Description of Heaven and Hell.

3. One Sheet for the Ministry, by Baxter. 4. Men before Adam.

No. 892.

1. Complaint to the L Protector, by Tho. Grantham.

2. The Childs Book and Youths Book, in 2 Pt, by S. T.

RARE

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