The Thoresby Society

January 3. Finished the perusal of Mr. Hearne's curious notes upon his edition of Sir John Spelman's Life of King Alfred, a very ingenious treatise.

5. Finished the perusal of the ingenious Mrs. Elizabeth Elstob's Version of the Saxon Homily, with large preface and curious notes, the learned lady's present; this and Mr. Hearne's were read before immediately upon their arrival, but had not then time to take notes of what relates to the north. \ Was afterwards with the Committee at the Charity -school ; subscribed a guinea per annum for three years.

10. Concluded good Mr. Henry's excellent and practical Exposition upon the Pentateuch, an incom parable family-book, inasmuch as practical truths and pious affecting inferences are infinitely prefer able to speculative notions, that only satisfy the curiosity.

11. At court, where we got a good order passed to avoid extravagance.

23. Rode with dear Mr. Thornton to Methley Hall; transcribed the names of the gentry from their arms in the great gallery, as they were in Queen Elizabeth's time; found both our own in their several wapentakes ; after a courteous entertainment by Mr. Savile, returned safe, blessed be God!

25. Was all day attending workmen, making up windows, to prevent the extremity of an unequal tax, that would else equal me in payment with the greatest nobleman.

March 21. Carried my children to see Hans Valerv, (aged 40,) the German, who, though born with out hands or arms, writes different hands and languages with his feet and mouth.

31. Rode with relations and others to the funeral of cousin Sagar, of Wakefield; attended the corpse to Tinglaw, to the burial-place, where Captain Pickering's and uncle Sykes's families are interred.

April 3. Cousin Elston, of Chesterfield, (late of Tinglaw,) is to be buried this day; there are six Nonconformist ministers of this county (Mr. Lister, Mr. Dawson, and Mr. Noble, and three more) died the last year, and two already in this, cousin Sagar and cousin Elston. Lord, prepare me for death and eternity !

13. Cleaning books, as usually once a year.

15. Made an end of my toil about the books, to clean them from moths, mould, &c. which loses seve ral days every year.

25. Began to read the Bishop of Man's excellent Treatise of the Principles and Duties of the Chris tian Religion, received yesterday as a curiosity, (being the first book that was ever printed in the Manks language,) from the pious author, but find it also an excellent practical treatise in the English part of it.

June 8. Rode with Mr. R. P. to Wetherby; thence, alone to Parson Froget's, who obliged me with his company to Ribston, where most courteously received by Sir Henry Goodrick, who showed me several valuable curiosities,, ancient writings from King John and others, relating to the Templars' commandery there of old; the chapel is yet in being, and accommodated for present use: there are two modern inscriptions relating to the family of the Goodricks, which, though but here since the Reformation, yet is of good antiquity in Lincolnshire. I saw the pedigree of nine descents before that in Mr. Hopkinson's MS. several of which have been very eminent. I was best pleased with that of Sir John Goodrick, who gave the tithes, worth better than 100l. per annum, to the church of Hunsingore. He wrote also a Latin History of this nation, in a ! large folio; I saw the autograph and some original surveys of Christopher Saxton's ; took notice of the family pictures since the Reformation, but was troubled that the famous Bishop's, who was also Lord Chancellor, was not there; but he gave his estate, &c. to the eldest branch, this being the second. There is also a good library, though I had not time to view it; only took notice of a Common-Prayer-Book, 1552: but I durst not stay, for fear of missing my company at Wetherby, with whom I returned by way of Thorner; transcribed Sir John Savile's epitaph from his monument lately erected there, and got well home.

13. Finished transcript of our pedigree, upon parchment; brought it down from Canutus's time to my children. Lord! make them truly pious and useful, and it will abundantly suffice, though they want the many lordships possessed by their ancestors.

July 7. Showing collections to Mr. Wilkinson, Vicar of Halifax; and, in the evening, to a stranger brought by Captain Nevile, as a kinsman of Dr. Sacheverel's, but supposed to be the Doctor himself, incognito; the hand is not unlike, and the motto suitable, duke et decorum pro patria pati.

17. Up pretty early, preparing for a journey to York, with my only daughter. Lord! make it for her good, in all respects for her improvement, and preserve us from all evil accidents; but, above all, from sin itself, which is the worst of all. Was visited by an exile, Dr. ————, to whom showing a few of the antiquities till the coach was ready, where unexpectedly met Mrs. Hutton, (a descendant of the Archbishop's,) designed for the same place with my daughter, an acceptable convenience for both, being acquainted before they were bed-fellows. At Tadcaster visited old Mrs. Morley, to inquire for autographs ; after, got well to York ; disposed of my daughter (with Mrs. Hutton) at Mr. Lumley's, at the Manor-house, much, I hope, to their advantage. Afterwards, returned to Micklegate, got Mr. Smith's company, condoled the death of his uncle, my old friend, Mr. H. Gyles, the famous Glass-painter.

18. Walked to the Manor to see my poor daughter, and discourse Mr. Lumley ; looked at a variety of ingenious books ; pitched upon some needlework embroidery, and some cross-stitch worsted for chairs. Visited Dr. Fall, the pious precentor, indisposed; went to the prayers at the Minster, less intelligible to such country auditors, who are not accustomed to organs and singing their prayers ; but was pleased that I met with the excellent Mr. Archdeacon Pearson, who kindly went along with me to the Register's office (Mr. Empson being dead) to desire Mr. Jub, his successor, to lend me the subscription books. I dined at Mr. Thick's, another of the prebendaries, and friend of Bishop Burnet's, under which pious prelate he received part of his education. After visited the two aged virgins, Mrs. Pauldens (about eighty years old) ; was pleased with an account of their four memorable brothers, of whom I took notes, as after from Sheriff Baines, of the family at Knowstrop.

19. With Mr. Smith to view the drawings, &c. of the late ingenious Mr. Gyles, with great quantities of curious painted glass. After, with Mr. Knaresbrough, the most ingenious priest I have met with of the Romish communion.

20. Walked to Bishop Thorp, where most kindly received by his Grace; writing an account of the family from Mr. Richardson.

21. At the Lady Perrot's, with her son, the parson, running over the library, which has been curious, of his grandfather and uncle, eminent in their generations, some of whose manuscripts and antique pamphlets he presented me with. After dinner with the Lady (who has been very fortunate in her sons, of whom, one was Mayor of Hull the last year, and another is Lord Mayor of York this, as her husband had been in his time.) Visited Dr. Wainwright, whose treatise of Non-Naturals is much valued, has already had a second impression. After, to visit my late dear friend, Mr. Torre's widow, with his son and daughters, taking an account from the pedigree of his nativity, with the titles of his valuable MSS. now in my Lord Archbishop of York's library, beside which there yet remain several of Heraldry at Normanton: then at the Manor; could not but be pleased with my poor daughter's affection, who came running to me with tears of joy that I was well, fearing the contrary, because of my two days' absence at Bishopthorp. Evening, with cousin Lumley at young Gyles', to inquire for Roman antiquities, found as digging for clay ; procured two of the pots.

22. Dined at Mr. Townley's, or rather Madam Rennet's, who presented me with a delicate piece of Nun's-work, wrought by her niece Townley, a ca-noness regular at Paris. After, walked with Mr. Townley to view the old Bale : I left the old gentleman at the foot of it, and walked to the height of the Mount, which answers to that of the Castle and Clifford's Tower, on the north side of the river, and though this might have some additional fortifications added by Archbishop Melton, as Camden hints, yet I take it to have been originally a Roman fortification, as appears by the steep mount and camp, surrounded with a considerable vallum. Was also with Mr. Bayns and Mr. Dixon, to see the new manufacture ; fetched my daughter and Mrs. Hutton from the Manor, to see the Judges come in at Micklegate. Evening, with Mr. Errington and Mr. Raynes ; took an account of two remarkable passages in the North, for which I had wrote to Newcastle, but in vain, since Dr. Cay's death : had forgot to note that I was at the Lord Mayor's, to see the sword of the famous Gustavus Adolphus, which is his Lordship's own property, and to take a more particular account of the inscriptions upon those that belong to the city.

25. With Mr. Cai-penter about the monument for my dearest father; left his picture and a model with him.

26. Lost most of the forenoon waiting for the coach, which came not till one ; but, blessed be God, I got well home, and in tolerable time, and found all well, for which mercies to me and mine, I have the more reason to be thankful, when I consider the calamities and sudden deaths of others : Sir Francis Hungate passed by me in the morning, as I waited for the coach ; and before I left the city a messenger came, that he died immediately after he got home.

Aug. 3. Showing collections to Dr. Gibson, of Covent Garden, (uncle to Dr. Edmund Gibson, of Lambeth,) whose rare treatise of Anatomy has had several impressions ; in company were two of Richard Cromwell's daughters, who took notice of what related to that family. Thus am I exposed, like a common innkeeper, to guests of all complexions ; the last was Dr. Sacheverel's kinsman, these, two of Oliver Cromwell's grand-daughters, (one of which seemed to have his height of spirit) ; but as much as moderation is decried, one betwixt both extremes, is, in my opinion, to be preferred before either.

10. Finished the perusal of good Mr. Strype's History of the Life of the excellent Archbishop Grindall, an admirably pious and most excellent Bishop, notwithstanding some late invidious reflections upon him as a false brother.

12. With the Corporation about public concerns, consulting upon erecting a hall for the white cloths, &c. Memorandum : the foundation of the front of the new Guildhall was now laid, the engines exercised, &c.

14. Rode with the Mayor, cousin Milner, and others, to my Lord Irwin, about the erection of a hall for the white cloths in Kirkgate, to prevent the damage to this town, by one lately erected at Wakefield, with design to engross that affair, which is computed to bring above one hundred tradesmen every market-day to this town, which that would utterly prevent for the future if permitted. His Lordship gave all the encouragement imaginable, and after dinner showed me some curious MSS., formerly part of Sir Henry Spelrnan's library, particularly Walter Hemingford's Chronicle in Latin, the Laws of Henry IV. from first to his twelfth year, in French ; but I was best pleased with a History from Albion to Henry V- in old English. Mr. Ray, his Lordship's chaplain, made me a present of a pair of gloves, large enough for a grown woman, enclosed within the gilded shells of a walnut, and brought me some other curiosities from Signor Sebastiano Alto-cribel, which are entered under his name.

15. Surprised to find the dry shrub, that was last night like a withered gall closed up, to be this morning expanded above three inches by immerging it in water: it is called the Angelical Rose, (Jericho, by Dr. Brown) : it was brought by the said Signor Altocribel from the desert of Judea.

25. Finished the perusal of Mr. P. Gordon's Geography, a most excellent treatise, and I was particularly pleased with some pious reflections intermixed, an ornament, no blemish, to the work.

Sept. 1. Had no workmen, that I might get to church, yet prevented by three companies successively to see the collections, which the noted horseraces had brought to town.

27. Much concerned for the indisposition of my dear friends, the Recorder and cousin Cookson ; then surprised with the news of one of the workmen being slain, and another wounded, by the fall of some stones, as taking down the scaffolds from the new erected town-house.

28. Somewhat indisposed ; my dear wife blamed a too affectionate concern for my dear friend's illness as the cause, and I must own I am heartily affected, but desire a submissive heart.

Oct. 2 to 5. To visit dear Mr. Thornton ; was much affected with his weakness.

6. With the three doctors at dear Mr. Thornton's, under great weakness. To speak to Dr. Richardson and other Justices at the Free School, where the Sessions was kept (the Town-hall being not finished,) by the Justices for the West Riding, as on Wednesday it had been there for this borough. Was after with Mr. Calverley and Mr. Fawkes, but stayed not, being deeply concerned for my dear friend, who seems to be upon the confines of eternity. Lord, grant him an easy and comfortable passage into a blessed immortality ! Endeavoured in private and family prayer to wrestle in his behalf. He died this evening at forty-five minutes past eight, as Dr. Richardson afterwards told me. The Lord sanctify this severe loss to his surviving friends

7. I went to the house of mourning, to weep over the remains of my dearest friend, which were lovely even after death, the encounter with the king of terrors having not wholly deprived him of his native smiles, the only countenance in whom any thing of that nature appeared, there being a general sadness upon the faces of all persons, not there only, but elsewhere, the justices, clergy, commonalty, indeed the most general lamentation that ever I knew. And if my dear child Richard live to read these hints, let him endeavour to imitate the virtues of his surety, that he may, like him, be useful and amiable in life, and then he may expect to be happy and lamented at death, as his grandfather Thoresby and godfather Thornton were above most men in their generations.

9. The great Court Leet and Court Baron was held in the Free School, (the Moot-hall not being re-edified,) which was fitted up accordingly with conveniences for both the juries.

11. Hasted to the house of mourning, took a doleful leave of the remains of my dear friend ; then officiated (as requested) in delivering gloves, scarfs, &c. to the nobility and gentry that were designed to support the pall, others being served below stairs.

12. At a full court, where my nephew Wilson was, by a great majority of votes, (twenty-four in twenty-nine,) elected to succeed my late dear friend, Mr. Thornton, as Recorder of this borough. Was constrained to stay too late, and subscribe a paper about the new seats for the Common Council adjoining to that of the Aldermen.

19. Attended the Mayor and Corporation to York, where most gave one vote for Sir William Strick-land, and the other, either for the Lord Downe or Sir Arthur Kay ; many others gave single votes for the first, who yet, by the joining of the other two, was vastly outdone.

20. Made a visit or two to Mr. Nalson, and Mr. Hodgson, the charitable and pious Lady Hewley's chaplain, to obtain an account of her benefactions, which see elsewhere. Went with Mr. Archdeacon Pearson and Lady to Bishopthorp, where most kindly received by his Grace, notwithstanding the endeavours of some furiosos to misrepresent me. His Lordship's present of autographs is noted elsewhere. Spent the evening at the Lady Perrot's, with the late Mayor of Hull, the parson, and other relations, but scarce any where without unhappy disputes, even' amongst nearest relations, about the wretched distinctions betwixt high and low Church.

31. Missed (as yesterday) of Sir Henry Goodrick nd Mr. Gale, (the Parliament-man for North Aller-ton.) but happily met with Mr. Westby, who, with his brother White, is in the same capacity for Ret-ford ; he is also one of the trustees for my Lord Wharton's benefactions, by whose interest, I hope this town will be sure of the Bibles, according to his kind promise to me. After, made a hasty visit to Mr. Place, the artist, (returned from London,) cousin Lumley, and Dr. Fall, and got just in time for cousin Milner's coach. We stayed a little at Tad-caster, and got home in good time, blessed be God for mercy ! was much concerned for the intemperate heat of some indiscreet persons, to put the softest construction that is possible upon the rude affronts that had been put upon the Mayor and other magistrates yesterday, and upon our company to-day. Lord, heal all the breaches of this divided sinful nation !

24. Writing the deeds for Mr. Gates, the new Trustee for Madam Leighton's benefaction.

November 3. Sealing the writings for Mr. Gates, the third Trustee elected in my time for Madam Leighton's pious benefaction, none of the thirteen feoffees, from the foundation, having continued so long, but old cousin Milner and Mr. Bryan Dixon. I had an opportunity of diverting the Charity to what some may think, not only more legal, but more universal, by electing Trustees of a different denomination, and thought once of choosing Alderman Milner, and cousin Wilson, our new Recorder, who would, no doubt, have discharged the trust as faithfully as any ; but considering the founder's will and strict charge, I think it justice and honesty to continue to those that succeed in the same communion she was a stated member of.

December 17. Die Dom. The vicar made an excellent sermon, and too suitable to the piteous state of this divided town. Afterwards at cousin Milner's request, was with him to speak to the vicar ; was much concerned to see him so deeply affected for an unjust calumny cast upon him by the malice of unreasonable men ; the vicar promised to transcribe the sermon for his satisfaction, and half yielded to its publication, which is too seasonable for this sinful distracted nation as well as town, and particularly for the necessary vindication of this worthy magistrate, who in this exigence discovered his will to us, wherein he has left 400l. to the Charity-school, or that failing, 10l. per annum to the poor, and the other moiety to the lecturer of the old church, which shows his sincere affection to that church, of which the present ferment will not admit us to be members. Lord, heal our breaches, in thy due time !

23. To visit cousin Wilson, where met with parson Lodge, cousin Sykes's second son, and Mr. Thomas Dinsdale, who had been sealing the writings, whereby he settles forty shillings per annum upon the clerk of the new church.