, no.
4036, in the British Museum. It is written to Sir Hans
Sloane.

_From my Lodgings_, July 24, 1704.

WORTHY SIR,

Since you honoured me with your good company for seeing
printing and card-making, I thought it my duty to explain
myself to you per letter on this subject. Till you had seen
the whole process of card-making, I thought I could not so
well represent it unto you by writing--for this I take to be
the first manner of printing. In this short discouse
[Transcriber's Note: discourse] I have explained myself when
I design to treat of it in the famous subject of the Art of
Printing. It hath been the labour of several years past, and
if now I shall have assistance to midwife it into the world,
I shall be well satisfied for the sake of the curious. For
these 10 years past I have spared no cost in collecting
books on this subject, and likewise drafts of the effigies
of our famous printers, with other designs that will be
needful on this subject. If this short account of the design
of the whole shall give you any satisfaction, I shall esteem
my pains well bestowed. Hitherto, I have met with no
encouragement but from three reverend gentlemen of Bennet
College in Cambridge, who generously, of their own accord,
gave me 10 pound each, which is all I ever received of any
person whatsoever. It may indeed be imputed to my own
neglect, in not acquainting the learned with my design, but
modesty still keeps me silent. I hope your goodness will
pardon my impertinence. I shall be ready at all times to
give you any satisfaction you desire on this subject, who
am,

Honoured Sir,

Your most humble Servant to command,

JO. BAGFORD.

_For the Worthy Sir Hans Slone_ [Transcriber's Note:
Sloane].

And now it only remains to close the whole of this
BAGFORDIANA by the following unique communication. One of
Bagford's friends sent him this letter with the subjoined
device:--"_For my Lovinge friend Mr. Jno. Bagford._--You
having shewed me so many rebuses, as I was returning home, I
thought of one for you--a bagge, and below that, a fourd or
passable water." (_Harl. MS._, no. 5910.)

[Illustration]

I wish it were in my power to collect information, equally
acceptable with the foregoing, respecting the