ly to make
your account better. But time will shew. I don't understand
what you mean by his having a love to surprize people with
his vast communications. Dr. R(awlinson, qu.?) tells me he
knew nobody who had so free a use of his Lordship's rarities
as T. Hearne, a sure proof of the exactness and solidity of
his Lordship's judgment. But Hearne answered, perhaps, his
Lordship's design of making the world have a very great
opinion of his collections, and setting an inestimable value
on them. And this Hearne attempted; but his daubing is, I
think, too coarse, and the smoke of his incense troublesome
and suffocating." But it is to the loan of a copy of Lewis's
folio edition of the _History of the Translations of the
Bible_, belonging to my friend Mr. G.V. Neunburg, that I am
indebted for the following further, and more interesting,
particulars. This valuable copy, illustrated with some rare
prints, and charged with numerous MS. memoranda, contains
some original letters to Lewis by the famous Dr. White
Kennet, Bishop of Peterborough: from which these extracts
are taken. "Jan. 23, 1720-1. Dear Sir; I thank you for your
kind acceptance of the advice to my clergy: well meant, I
pray God well applied. I have wisht long to see your _Life
of Wiclif_, and shall now impatiently expect it. I am not
surprised that a man of dignity, near you, should be jealous
of publishing an impartial account of that good old
evangelical author, &c. I have a mighty veneration for
Wicliff, and am the more angry with Mr. Russell for
deceiving the world in his promise of the Bible, after
proposals given and money taken. But he has in other
respects behaved so very basely that, forgiving him, I have
done with him for ever. I would not have you discouraged, by
an ungrateful world, or by a sharp bookseller. Go on, and
serve truth and peace what you can, and God prosper your
labours." Signed "Wh. Peterbor." "Feb. 20, 1720-1. You
perceive your own unhappiness in not being able to attend
the press. I cannot but importune you to revise the whole,
to throw the additions and corrections into their proper
places, to desire all your friends and correspondents to
suggest any amendments, or any new matter; in order to
publish a new correct edition that will be a classic in