with Dr. Prideaux, that that line as it stands (and according to Dr. Broome it should stand so) falls heavy upon Socrates; and with his mighty reasons has at last convinced Stillingfleet. Master Lubin, the best Commentator, in my opinion, on that author, is directly against them. Tell me, dear Sir, at your leisure, whether I must give him up or not, and you will extremely oblige "Yours heartily,

WM. SMITH."

From the Rev. ROBERT SMYTH*.

"SIR, Woodston, near Peterborough, 1745."I wait upon you with this letter upon the encouragement given me by a neighbour of mine, Mr. Whitehead of Standground, who has lately told me that he saw you at Cambridge, where he obliged me in recommending to you a scheme of mine in the business of the Sheriffs, and in which I find I am to be obliged likewise to you for any thing in your power by way of assistance towards it. As this, Sir, calls upon me to return you my best thanks for so obliging an offer, I take this opportunity of doing it; and, at the same time, of acquainting you with the nature and extent of my undertaking, that you may have the whole in one view, and best judge in what way you can make yourself a contributor towards it.

"It is now about three years since that I happened by accident to form this design, and engaged in it merely from the curiosity of the subject, as being a valuable part of our antiquities; my plan to build upon being that of Dr. Fuller in his Worthies, who has given us lists of the Sheriffs in the several Counties from Henry II. to the end of Charles I. together with their arms and seats, from the time of Richard II.; and some short memoirs of the most remarkable persons who had borne the office. This plan I propose to enlarge not a little, by beginning at the Conquest, and bringing the lists down to the present times, distinguishing each Sheriff all the way by his proper title of honour, seat, and coat-armour; and adding the history of the chief families and persons, with such a mixture of their pedigrees and descent as seems proper to attend the whole, and particularly to observe in whom, and when, any such families came to a conclusion, and in what others their honours, fortunes, &c. became settled by their heirs female; and so as to carry this latter part through (though this part to be only mentioned in brief) to the present possessors of themt.

"This being the plan I propose to follow, if it be approved of, or at least for the most part, you will see it at once to be à very large one, and that it will require the assistance of many people to bring it any thing near perfection. It will be seen likewise from hence what I shall want for carrying it on, as, namely, collections of pedigrees and arms, memoirs of persons, both an• Of whom see the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. V. p. 47; vol. VII. p. 386. This intended work Mr. Smyth did not live to complete. I have a few fragments of it anong Mr. Smyth's MSS. A A 2

tient

tient and modern, monumental inscriptions (which last I confine almost wholly to the men, taking no notice of the women, ex+ cept the wives by whom families were continued, or any of them, and their daughters, were some way more than ordinary eminent), as likewise to have the several lists reviewed by some able person or persons in each county. If in any of these respects you can give me your assistance, you will do me no small favour.

"I have already done some of the counties, though not all of them alike, several counties having so far little or nothing published about them; and have particularly drawn out 17 of the lists, not hitherto all completed, some of which are already abroad for assistance, and in the hands of very curious knowing people; and I have some others to send shortly, when they shall be quite prepared. I need add no more at present, as I shall hope soon for your answer, unless it be, that if you have in your collection any list of Sheriffs, or part of such, you will much oblige me with a copy of the same, which may be sent to Mr. Laxton*, Fellow of St. John's, who can very easily forward it to me, or any thing else you may have to send. As I know Bedford to be your own County, I shall just inform you that the list of this County, with Bucks, has been for some time under the review of Browne Willis, Esq.; but I should be glad it might wait upon you after he has done with it, or any one else you may know proper in the two Counties; as I shall the same for any thing you can collect for my purpose there, or in Cambridge, where you are. I send this letter by Mr. Laxton himself; and Mr. Whitehead's compliments, who is now at Woodston. I am, Sir, your most obliged, &c. ROBT. SMYTH." Woodston, March 15, 1745.

"SIR,

"I am favoured with your letter, for the contents of which I am much obliged to you, as I shall the same hereafter for any thing you can meet with relating to my scheme. Though I looked over the Catalogue of MSS in the several Libraries at Cambridge, as added to those at Oxford, &c. I could see very little in them to my purpose; only in the Library at Caius, where are the Visitation-books of almost every County, a sight of which, by one or two at a time, I was much desirous to have; but, on application made, I found they would not lend them out of College. Perhaps the review of this Catalogue might afford something else worth the transcribing; and, if it should, as you have the volume in more Libraries than one, you will do me service in any thing curious thence collected; any list of Sheriffs, autient or more modern, or parts of such; lists of Knights of any order; collection of arms, &c. not too tedious in taking a copy of, will be useful to me. I have most of the modern Sheriffs for Cambridge and Hants, and those likewise for Bedford; but, if you have a list of either, or can procure one, you will oblige me with send

* Robert Laxton, of St. John's College, Cambridge; B. A. 1742; M. A. 1746. He was presented in 1752 to the Rectory of Letherbed in Surrey, where he rebuilt the parsonage-bouse in 1763; and died, by a fall from his horse, July 7, 1767. See the "Literary Anecdotes," vol. IV. p. 346.

ing it, especially for those that follow at the end of Chap. I. where Dr. Fuller concludes, to 1666, including the Rump Sheriffs, which must be inserted for the sake of the series, as lawful ones were wanting; the adding too any of their seats, where wanting, and their arms will be farther useful; and the same for the Sheriffs in any County higher up, whose seats or arms are wanting in Dr. Fuller, or unexact and wrong, as some are in all the counties. I do not care how many lists I meet with, as all have their use, as well as errors and defects; and, by comparing them together, the true list will be better made out. The appointment of Toby Combe for Hereford by the Parliament falls within my scheme to observe, if I pursue my first design, viz. to give an account of any branch of a family in their proper county, when any other merits notice elsewhere.

"I shall need to add no more at present, as I shall trouble you farther if I discover any thing about you proper to my scheme, except that I have enquired at our Society* about your book, which I find has been received, and Mr. Bradfield under100k to send the subscription-money for you to Mr. Laxton at St. John's. He says, the first part was paid to him for Mr. Shaw, and not the second, as he remembers; and this he received last week, and told me that he would take care to forward it to you. I think this Society has not the honour of your name enrolled amongst its members; and, as I am fallen upon the mention of it, I shall ask it of you in the name of my brethren. It has but one condition for its honorary members;-those at a distance a present of some book, either in history, antiquities, philosophy, &c. each of which has the donor's name entered into the title-page in perpetuam rei memoriam, all designed at last to be added to the Public Library in the Cathedral. We have already a very curious and valuable Collection, which would be glad to open itself to your view, if any occasion should draw you this way, when I should be no less so to wait upon you both there and at Woodston. "I am, Sir, your very obliged humble servant, ROB. SMYTH."

From the Rev. MATTHIAS SYMSON†, M. A. "REV. SIR, London June 14, 1734. "As you are now engaged with Neal, I chuse rather to be officious, than omit any thing I imagine could be of service against him and his sect, which I abominate. Daniel Neal, in his Letter to the Rev. Dr. Hare (when the Doctor had preached a Visitation Sermon), page 18, line 2, has these express words: All the world knows that the Church of Scotland, about the time of the

* The Gentlemen's Society at Peterborough; of which see the “Literary Anecdotes," vol. VI. p. 136.

+ Prebendary of Lincoln, 1718; Rector of Moorby, and Curate of Brudney, in that county, 1728; in which year also he was presented by Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, to the Rectory of Wenington in Essex. He published, in 1708, "A Visitation Sermon on the Necessity of a lawful Ministry;" also "A Sermon preached on the 29th of May, 1729;" and "Three Sermons on the Lord's Prayer, 1737." He died in 1742.

Revolution,

Revolution, rejected the English Liturgy and discipline, after they had made trial of it for above twenty years.' Shall I reckon the impudence or ignorance of this fellow the greatest? Is he fit to write a History, or manage a controversy, that knows nothing of the matter, and yet asserts a thing with the utmost assurance? It is well known, and none in all the world knows otherwise, that the English Liturgy or discipline was not used in Scotland before the Revolution. Their Bishops indeed had been consecrated by the English Ordinal; but, as for public worship in all churches and chapels, the officiating minister was left to his own discretion in prayers, praises, and sacraments, as well as in preaching. The cross in Baptism was not used, nor genuflexion in the Communion enjoined. In discipline, they had no Chancellors, their Deans and Archdeacons were nominal, and kept no Courts; all their discipline was by the Parish Ministers, within proper districts, who generally met once a month for expounding Scripture, examining candidates, and hearing causes of spiritual cognizance, all which met twice a year in a Diocesan Synod, wherein the Bishop presided; nor did, or could a Bishop do any act but commune Presbyterorum Consilio. So it was not English Liturgy and discipline they threw off:-no; it was even such an Episcopacy as Baxter, Bates, Manton, Calamy, and such like, would have gladly accepted; no Liturgy, Surplice, or Ceremonies; no Lay-Chancellors, or censures for cases of any thing but what is purely Ecclesiastical. Yet this is what Daniel Neal, good man and TRUE! calls English Liturgy and discipline! If this should be of any service, I shall be heartily glad I can contribute, was it but a mite: if not, you see my zeal.

"If you and Dr. Warren would think of a proper tutor and College where my son might be admitted, to pass on the time till he keep his last Term, in order to a degree in Law, I should be glad to hear from you, directed to be left at the Sun, in Great Swan Alley, Coleman-street, for, Reverend Sir,

Your most humble servant, "Rev. SIR,

MAT. SYMSON." London, Aug. 7, 1735. "I should be glad to hear if you and Dr. Warren came to any resolution. I should also be glad of Dr. Webster's acquaintance; as I am well pleased with the design of the Weekly Miscellany,' so I am fully persuaded I could contribute, now and then, something to its advancement, which, if you please, you may intimate to him. Since I saw you, I have been at Oxford; and, returning by Reading, I stayed two or three Sundays, and officiated for an old acquaintance, during the time he went for institution and induction to a Living, the Vicar* of his parish (as Chancellor of Sarum) had presented him to; got into company with an Anabaptist Teacher, a good Grecian, and a very ingenious man, a rigid Anti-Calvinist. After much discourse, especially that the schistn in England was needless, and all the advantage could be got by

* Witting Colton, of Trinity College, Cambridge; B. A. 1719; M. A. 1725; Chancellor of the Church of Sarum; Vicar of Odiham, Hants, and of St. Giles, Reading. He died Dec. 15, 1755, æt. 60.

Nonconformity

Nonconformity did more harm to the common cause of Christianity than that could countervail; he ingenuously owned he believed it was so, and assured me of his design to conforin. 1 told him, that as I was for Clerical Baptism, he must be regularly initiated into the Church; for, being dipped in their way, was what I would not venture my own Church-membership upon; and that, as he intended for Orders, I bid him read over the Office, and see if he could conscientiously answer the first question, and that a proper interval would be necessary for his Novitiate. I am to be heard of, at Mr. Strahan's, the Golden Ball in Cornhill; and am, with the greatest respect, Rev. Sir, MATT SYMSON."

tents.

"Your most humble servant,

"REV. SIR,

Sept. 9, 1735.

I received yours, and acquainted Mr. Strahan with the conHe desired a little time to consider of the proposal about your' Answer to Sir Isaac Newton;' and last night he told me he did not care to meddle: it being an abstruse subject, he did not know how it would take, and, besides, he believed it would be difficult to get an octavo set of Rapin. I thank you for your care about my son, and am sorry that your University-men and I have different ways of thinking. Shall a man be perpetually barred, even when no expulsion or open censure was ever against him? Is there no place for amendment and reformation Can no length of time wear out a piccadillo? Can imposition of hands from two several Bishops have no weight among them? Is a Priest incapable of being a Freshman? or one capable of cure of souls, and probably (may be) incumbent of that very parish wherein their College is situated, not admissible as a member among their Society? I protest I am at a loss to account for such things. The Crown purges all attainders; and I should imagine so should Priest's Orders all former faults. I dare say Dr. Adams means well; but what then? So did many

Puritans; but, alas! they were needlessly scrupulous when they pretended, and many of them intended conscience. I doubt the Master of Sydney * did not know that my son has (under his Tutor's hand and seal) a testimonial of his Terms, with free leave for his being admitted into any College, dated last Christmas. If he knew not that, I desire he may be informed of it, which I presume may induce him to grant admission; otherwise I must believe him very inflexible, to say no worse.

"My son has now got upwards of 521. per annum; but he labours hard for it, in three London Churches: Morning Reader all Litany-days, and Occasional Preacher in one; Afternoon Sunday Reader in another; and administers the Communion every Sunday morning between 6 and 7 o'clock in a third. He has a very audible voice, and behaves himself hitherto with great prudence.

"I thank you for your intended present of your seasonable 'Answer to Neal,' and all your other favours, of which I shall always have a grateful remembrance; and remain, Reverend Sir, "Your most humble obliged servant, MATT. SYMSON."