,nai-

Five Hundred Copies only of this edition of
"Ralph Thoresby, the Topographer, his Town and
Times," have been printed for Sale, each of which
is numbered.

''^9/

T ^~'~'''''~"'~''^'*"^'^~''''"~"^'''^~^^" iJ*

RALPH THORESBY.

Engraved by R. Rapkin from llie Painting by Parmenlier

|[a(l>fj f ltain^$% jlf|^^t|j$jj)ljtp(jiji^^

iis Cotoit antJ Cimes.

D. H. ATKINSON,

Editor op "Old Leeds: its Byeoones and Celebbities.'

WITH PORTRAIT OE THORESBY,

FKOM THE OKIGINAL PAINTING BY PARMBNTIER.

VOL. 1

LEEDS :
WALKER AND LAYCOCK.
1885.

PREFACE.
In a sort of valedictory postscript appended to " Old Leeds,''
its author, Mr. Odman, the " Old Cropper," intimated that his
original conception -vvent beyond the work executed ; and v^hat-
soever his singularity in other respects, it 'will scarcely be said
that he was singular in this, Nor, considering his years and
manifest infirmities, and, above all, the condition of commercial
success which his circumstances made essential (as with character
istic modesty he hinted at, rather than declared, in his intro
ductory chapter), scarcely any one can have anticipated that his
intimation of a possible completion of his design would result
in so great an improbability. Nor, so many years having now
elapsed since the date of his publication, can it surprise any
one to learn that the " Old Cropper " no longer survives. The
continued demolition of old buildings, and indeed whole streets,
to which his affections clung with so remarkable a tenacity, is
supposed to have somewhat precipitated an event which, under
any circumstances, could not much longer have been deferred.
Ho is gone, and with him his personal reminiscences. Topo
graphical materials remain to u.s extending beyond those found
in his collection, but they are still insufficient for his unaccom
plished purpose. It is' not pretended that the work now
offered to the pubhc approaches in comprehensivoie.s.s to
the late Mv. Odman's idea; but a Life of Thoresby more in
detail than any whieh has hitherto appeared, in some measure
ilhislraling the age in which he lived, and in;olviiig many

PREFACE.
incidents of local history, may be accepted as an instalment
towards what might have been, had Mr. Odman's ability corre
sponded to his will.
"As the Description of particular Places are Parts of Cho-
rography, or of the general Description of the Countries where
those Places lye; so the written Lives of particular Men are
Parts of the History of the Times in which they lived; and
when they are written -with ' Truth, and -without Byas and
Partiality, they are in the Judgement of the wisest Men the
most beneficial, and useful Parts of History." Thus wrote Dr.
George Hicks, the Non-Juror Dean of Worcester, in the intro
duction to his Life of the Eev. John Kettlewell. The conditions
which he lays down are, the Author trusts, observed > in the
following pages, be their vakie what it may. Much -will be
found interpolated for the elucidation of Thoresby's writings,
and matter introduced which has not before been printed; yet,
so far as well could be, Thoresby has been left to tell his
own story in his own words, rendering the work as much as
possible an autobiography. Free use is therefore made of the
publications of the Eev. Joseph Hunter, F.S.A. ; but so far from
this Life of Thoresby being intended to supersede them, it is
designed, on the contrary, to add interest to the perusal of
the Diary and Correspondence which Mr. Hunter edited.
The thanks of the Author and of the Publishers are due
to the Council of the Society of Antiquaries, London, for their
permission, very courteously and readily granted, to engrave
the portrait of Thoresby -which forms a frontispiece to this
volume, from the original painting by Monsieur Parmentier in
the Society's possession.

Zbe Zboccsb"^ family.

PEDIGREE— RALPH THORESBY'S BIRTH AND SCHOOLIXG— LEEDS AND THE
THORESBYS FROM THE REIGN OP JAJIES THE FIRST TO THE RESTORA-
TION-OPEEATIDN IN LEEDS OF THE ACT OF UNIFOIIMITY— DEATH OF
THE MOTHER OF RALPH THORESBY.
On the 4th of April 1666, William Dugdale, Esq, (afterwards Sir
William), Norroy King-at-Arms, held his Court in Leeds at the
inn bearing the sign of the King's Head, during, as it proved, the
last Heraldic Visitation of the County of York, Many whom he had
cited disregarded his summons ; but among those who appeared
before him to show arms and pedigree in support of their right
to be styled Esquire and Gentleman was John Thoresby, father
of Ealph Thoresby the Antiquary and Topographer, Were it only
known of him that John Thoresby was a Presbyterian ; and that
at the outbreak of the Great Eebellion he refused to be sent to
Holland out of the way of commotion, as his father, a Leeds
cloth merchant, proposed, and chose instead to fight under Fair
fax, it might have been supposed that he would be in the number
of those who slighted Norroy and his citation, esteeming his power
exploded and his purpose obsolete. It is not, indeed, uncommon
to find Democratic principles, in so far as relates to general
politics, combined with Aristocratic pretensions in matters per
sonal ; nor to see Eepublican tendencies coupled vrith a regard
for social distinction, and for the veriest trifle that betokens rank,
much in contrast with ideal Eepublican simplicity. But further
knowledge of John Thoresby makes it needless thus to attempt

2 R.M.PII THORESBY TUE TOPOGRAPHER,
accounting for his attendance upon the King-at-Arms. If he joined
the second Lord Fairfax against Charles the First, he joined the
third Lord Fairfax against "The Eump," and in favour of the
Eestoration ; when, as it is said in the Biographia Britannica,
"Mr. Thoresby not only engaged himself, but brought a large
party along with him." More to the purpose than any revulsion
in his politics, John Thoresby was himself an antiquary; and,
to quote again from the B'lographia, "though a merchant by pro
fession had a particular turn to the knowledge of Antiquities."
Concurring with this we have the inscription upon his monument
in the Parish Church of St. Peter at Leeds, E'lstoriarum et Anti-
quiiatum peritissimi viri, to a man most learned in history and
antiquities ; which is supported by his purchase of the Fairfax
collection of coins and medals, and directly confirmed by no less
an authority than Dr. Martin Lister, of York, who, -writing to the
Eoyal Society, called John Thoresby " that ingenious Antiquary."
Antiquaries are not the men to show indifference to pedigree; and
when to this it is added that his friend Charles Fairfax, of
Menstone, a younger brother of the second Baron, and also an
antiquary, had assisted in sending out the notices to the gentry of
the County, there is an end to any wonder that John Thoresby
used the opportunity given for an interview -with Dugdale. Nor
did he want a good foundation for his claim to gentility by descent.
The Thoresby genealogy as printed by Ealph Thoresby in his
Ducaius Leodiensis ascends to a remote date. Gospatrick, grand
son of Ayksith, or Aykfrith, Lord of. Dent, Sedbergh and twelve
other seignories in the time of Canute, -was at the Norman Con
quest Lord of Thoresby, -whence his family was named from that
time. Fifth in lineal descent from Gospatrick -was Sir Adam
Thoresby, Kt., of Thoresby, near Middleham, in the North Eiding
of Yorkshire, one of whose great-grandsons was John Thoresby,
Cardinal, Bishop successively of St. David's and Worcester, Keeper
of the Great Seal, and subsequently Archbishop of York in the

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 6
reign of Edward III, on whom he attended with a retinue at the
seige of Calais. He is notable also as builder of the choir of York
Minster, as the great friend of Wickliffe, and for his exposition in
English of the Ten Commandments, Lord's Prayer, Creed and
Sacraments. Ealph Thoresby held this illustrious member of the Thoresby
Family in high esteem, more particularly as " a Eeformer before
the Eeformation." The aforesaid exposition, " I take," he writes,
"to be the Glory of his Age ; " and having discovered it among
Eecords at York, he transcribed and eventually printed it, in an
Appendix to his Vicaria Leodiensis. It is of much interest and
value to the investigator of our ecclesiastical history, and to the
English philologist. There is also a Harleian manuscript (Harl.
M.S.S. 1022) of kindred character, unkno-wn to Thoresby, which
owes its origin to the Archbishop though not written by him,
worthy the attention of some society interested in the publication
of ei^rly writings. It is entitled " A Poem in Northern English
on the Decalogue ; " and at the conclusion is a Latin note, stating
that it had been done " by command of John de Thoresby, Lord
Archbishop of York, by the venerable and discreet man John de
Taysteke, monk of the Monastery of the Blessed Mary at York,
Anno Domini 1357." It is a carefully and beautifully written
manuscript, and prefixed to the Poem are some treatises in
" Inglyssch '' by the same hand. The paraphrase of the Decalogue
takes up over fifteen pages of about thirty lines each, but the
entire Poem is not limited to this. It is in metre but not rhyme.
A single couplet will serve as a specimen : —
" Ye Seconde Comandement byddes us noght take
In ydelschip ne in vayn ye name of our God."
And under the tenth Commandment there is the curious line, —
" Ne his mayde ne hys knave ne his hors ne hys asse ; "
the letters i and y being used alternately in the pronoun as
here given.

4 RALPH THOKBBBY TUE TUPOGEAPHEK.
A nephew of the Archbishop's bearing the same name, John,
was common ancestor to three families settled in Yorkshire, Essex
and Norfolk. "The manor of Thoresby eventually passed to Sir
Thomas Hardrcsse, of Great Hardresse, Kent,* by his marriage
-with Elinor, daughter and heiress of Henry Thoresby, who was
a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn, and one of the first Governors of the
Charter-House, as stated upon his monument formerly in Hackney
Church ; but a younger brother of this Henry, Ealph Thoresby of
Woolhouse, near Barnard Castle, had a son, George Thoresby of
A^est Cottingwith, in the East Eiding of Yorkshire, who married
twice. A son from the first marriage, named John, father of
the John Thoresby who waited upon Dugdale, and grandfather of
the Topographer, became Alderman as well as a merchant of Leeds;
another Son, Paul, from the second marriage, also settled in Leeds
as a merchant, and was its Alderman at the Eestoration in 1660,
The father of Ealph Thoresby the Topographer did not
possess the earlier portion of this long pedigree, and the entry
in Dugdale's Visitationf begins with Robert Thoresby, of Thoresby,
Dent and Sedbergh, in Co, Ebor, who,5e son George married Agnes
Eilerton, grand-daughter of John Barden, said to be the founder
of Eilerton Abbey, in the East Eiding, The descent is thence
traced to Henry the Bencher and his brother Ealph. The father
of the above George is called Thomas, not Robert, in the Ducaius ;
and his wife is inserted as Isabel, daughter and co-heiress of
Hugh Thoresby, of another branch of the family, whereas in the
Visitation her name is altogether wanting.
The enlarged pedigree drawn up by the son of John Thoresby
became the subject of correspondence between him and a successor
of Dugdale's, Peter Le Keve. Ealph Thoresby, it seems, had,
* " From whom Sir William Hardresse, Knight of the Shire for Kent in the
preseub Parliament 1712, is liaeaDy descended. This EUenor, Lady Hardresse,
was a Thirty Thousand Pound Fortune to the said Sir Thomas."— Ducaius
Leodiensis, p. 72, note. t Published by the Surtces Societi/.

THE THORESBY FA JULY. 5
while the Ducatus was yet preparing, sent this pedigree for
attestation to Le Neve, with whom he had become acquainted,
and who replied to him from the College of Arms on the 4th of
August 1710. Nurroy Peter Le Neve writes with combined
courtesy and conscientiousness : —
" I received your kind letter, and you may be sure I would
do all in my power to serve you, in order to which I beg leave
to desire you to send me the names of the several books, and
copies of the other authorities, whence you had the pedigree you
sent me, before the time of the first person mentioned in the
last Visitation of Yorkshire, and in what books in the office you
have found anything relating to the proof of the jjedigree, arms
and quarterings, and the names of them, which will ease me in
my search ; for I dare not set my hand to any pedigree of which
we have no proofs, and by the Duke of Norfolk's orders, tempore
Elizahethce, the Kings of Arms are ordered not to set hands with
out entered in the office, and my Lord Marshall keeps us up to
these orders, which I have not yet transgressed  I
must beg leave to observe some things in your pedigree which I
think, till better informed, must be so many mistakes ; which are
first, George Thoresby, great-grandson of John, who lived 25
Edw. III., married Agnes, daughter and heir of Matthew Eilerton,
by Catherine, daughter and co-heir of John Barden, sole founder
of Eilerton Abbey ; -when the Monasticon acquaints me that
Monastery was founded by William Fitz Peter, in the time of
King John, long out of the time of that George, 'whose son,
Christopher, was alive 19th. Nov. 7 Hen, \ll., and this till cleared
may bo, I hope, one excu.sc why I did not si|jn it without
examining." Le Neve spoke also of a discrepancy between Thoresby's
jiedigree and an inquest at Pontefract in the 30th year of Henry
the Eighth, adding,— " Furthermore, I am very diflident about the
proof of the derivation of the family from the time of Canutus."
" The pedigree of the Thoresbys of Thore.sby, now of Leeds,"
replied the Topographer, writing ten days after the date of Le
Ne\'c's letter, "is I confess, surprisingly long; and you may justly.

6 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
considering your eminent station, suspend your attestation till you
receive satisfaction as to the deduction of it from the time of
Canutus: yet I hope to prove it abundantly, not only from the
famous Antiquary Eoger Dodsworth's manuscript in the Bodleian
Library (of which Dr. Hickes procured me a copy), which, I
believe, you have a transcript of in the College of Arms, but
from manuscript Visitations in your own custody, where you -will
find this remarkable attestation (E, 13 p. 162) by one of the
Kings-at-Arms,-* — 'In mj opinion, I never saw any descent so
well travelled nor truly set down,' But that you may have as
little trouble as may be in this matter, I shall refer to the
particular authorities,"
Thoresby then proceeds to answer the difficulties raised by
Le Neve, and after a reference to prove that John of Berden, or
Barden, was the founder of Eilerton Abbey, he adds, —
" And accordingly, in the manuscript Compendium Compertorum,
at the dissolution of religious houses (found of late years in the
Duke of Devonshire's Library at Hardwick, and of v.^hich I have
a copy, so far as relates to the County of York),t William
Asselby and William Thurresby are styled founders, as descended
from the said John Berden.''
Involved -with this question of pedigree was that of the
armorial bearings to which the Thor&sbys laid claim, namely, —
Argent, a chevron between three lions rampant, sable. In
Dugdale's Visitation there is the query, "For proofe of these
Arms V and to this Le Neve apparently refers in the aforesaid
letter, —
" I must beg leave likewise to inform you, that if Sir William
Dugdale had been satisfied of the right to your family he would
not have entered a respite, as it is in his Visitation ; and that
respite must be taken off by the proof you can make, or else I
shall be blamed to sign such a pedigree."
*Iiiohard Lee, Clarenoieux.
+ It was found by Abraham de la Pryme, who lent his copy from it to
Thoresby, part o£ which 'Ihoresby transcribed.

THE THORESBY FAMILY, 7
Thoresby answers that either a certain manuscript which he
cites had not been seen by Sir William, or Sir WilHam had not
duly considered the matter, else he might have removed the
respite; but he thinks the former conjecture to be confirmed, and
Sir William to be acquitted from any charge of negligence, by a
passage in the Preface to Dugdale's Baronage, showing the said
manuscript to have lain in obscurity until ten years after the
Visitation. For want of it Sir William had been inconsistent
with himself : —
" He enters the true coat, but with au unadvised respite, in
the manuscript of the last Visitation, which is now in the College
Library; but after confirms the pedigree under his own hand,
without the least proviso or re.spite; but then makes the chevron
engrailed, which we never had before, nor would I willingly
admit of, being the eldest heir male of the family."
Thoresby appealed to the Arms upon the monument in
Hackney Church, and in the course of his letter he remarks, — "A
strict scrutiny is commendable and necessary ; but if too great
nicety be insisted on, it will prevent all application to the College
of Arms." The letter has been published by Mr. Hunter, along
with a collection of those addressed to Thoresby by eminent
correspondents. The original is in the British Museum, bound
up in "Lloyd's Collection of English Pedigrees." Next to it,
rather curiously, is a copy with the heading, — "Letter from Ealph
Thoresby to Peter Le Neve, copied from the original one in my
possession. T. Lloyd." Then follows the pedigree, from Ayksith
to Ralph Thoresby's children. One of Thoresby's letters to the
Rev. John Strype, copied in the Cole M.S.S. at the Museum, is
there said to have been sealed in black wax with a chevron
engrailed between three lions rampant. From this it appears he
then (in 1707) used a seal with the difference against which he
protests to Le Neve ; but when afterward he inserted his Arms
in the Dacalus he had the chevron his own ^^¦ay.

8 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHEli.
The connexion of his family with the Archbishop, and with
the founder of an abbey, is not the only point upon which
Thoresby might put value in the pedigree for which he so stoutly
battled. It records a marriage into the family of Lord Scroop of
Bolton, through which he might claim descent from that house;-*
and another marriage, that of Agnes Thoresby with Thomas Dods-
worth, remotely connecting him with the Eoger Dodsworth whom
he styles " the famous antiquary." Perhaps he prized this con
nexion the more of the two.
Notwithstanding all this particularity in Kings-at-Arms, Dug
dale's Visitation is wrong in a matter which immediately concema
the Topographer himself. His age is there stated at six years
only, and at the date upon the pedigree he was between seven
and eight. Ealph Thoresby was born in Kirkgate, Leeds, on the
16th of August, 1658, and was baptized on the 22nd of the same
month. The discrepancy may be thus accounted for. Dugdale
held two sittings in Leeds during the course of his Visitation,
the first in 1665. In his entry book for that year,t under date
11 August, 6th sitting. Town of Leeds, a list of twenty-three
names are bracketed, including John Thoresby's. Some of these
appear in the Visitation of 1665 ; of others there is no further
mention, and some are in a list' declared contumacious, appended
to a precept which Dugdale addressed to the High Sheriff of
Yorkshire in November 1668. But of them all, the pedigree of
Thoresby alone is entered in the second year of the Visitation,
1666. It was probably communicated to Dugdale at his former
sitting, when Ealph was a few days short of seven years old ; and
* A note to the pedigree states that in the reign of Henry the Eighth,
William Thoresby held the manor of Thore«by of Lord Scroop of Bolton. It
might have been supposDd t.-i be his solely by inheritance from his ancestors.
Have we here an instance of the propitiatory .=urrender of lands which is said to
have sometimes be.en made to Xorman Barons by Saxon o-miers, who then received
them back as ti. sub-infeuilatinn ?
•|- Ad.Utij-.),i! M,'-!.S.. EritLsh Museum, 12,4S2,

THE THORESBY FAMILY, 9
having been held over for the wanting proof of right to the
arms, inadvertently entered in April 1666, without alteration.
In the Ducatus we have Thoresby's own account of the school
to which he was sent : —
"At the north end of the great stone bridge is a private
Grammar School which I am particularly obliged to mention with
gratitude for my education there under the Eev, Mr, Eobert Garnet,
M,A,, of Christ's Coll: Cambridge,* The higher story is for read
ing and arithmetic, lately taught by Mr. Eobert Kettlewell," t
Of the building he says : —
" That this edifice was an ancient chapel before the Eeforma
tion, and that Syr John Cheke was Prieste thereof, and buried 9
Dec, 1565, is evident from the Eegister of the Parish Church, but
whether it was a chantry, or one of those oratories that the piety
of our ancestors frequently built near the ferries over rivers, I
cannot learn."
Subsequently he learned, and inserted in his later work on the
Vicarage of Leeds, that it was the Chantry of St. Mary the
Virgin, described in a surrender among the Archives of the Parish
Church as "Capella Stse Mariae Virginis Super Pontem de Leedes,"
Very likely an oratory had preceded it, for another passage in the
* In Thoresby's Catalogue of liis Octavo manuscripts is, — "An Alphabetical
Construction of each word in Qui Mihi ; by Rob. Garnet of Leedes, M A."
+ Brother of the famous non-juror, ,rohn Kettlewell, Vicar of Coleshill, War
wickshire, whose works were published in 1719, with the Life by Dr. Hickes
which has been adyerted to in the Preface. Their father lived at Hedon, near
Kingston-upon-Hull ; and in the life it ia said, — "Whereas some have taken the
liberty to reflect upon his memory for not leaving the paternal estate, which was
about forty pound a-year, in Yorkshire, to his brother Robert, he considered that
affair very nicely, and after discourse with Mr, Nelson about it, who was fidly
satisfied -n'ith his reasons and could not object anything to that method which he
re.s(jlvod upon. For he left Three Hundred Pound.s in Trust to be equally divided
among that brother'.'* children," and the same for his sisters. After this, having
no children of his own, he thought that he "was more at liberty to do something for
himself; for so he called that which he gave to charitable and pious uses." His
lirqutsts included i.5 to the poor at Coleshill ; and the like to Northallerton,
where he Wiis educated under a Royalist schoohnaster of whom there is a curious
account.

10 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Ducatus mentions a tradition that a neighbouring inn, The Golden
Lion, stood upon the site of the Ferry House ; and in later years
an anuotator of the ,Ducafus, Thomas Wilson, told that when the
foundation stones of the bridge and chantry were exposed, on the
8th of August 1760, the two seemed to have been built together
in or before the time of Edward III, Therefore the chantry might
¦succeed au oratory when the bridge was built, as the inn suc
ceeded the Ferry House, In the aforesaid year 1760 "the great
stone bridge," for the second time after Thoresby wrote, was
enlarged, and the chantry, which for thirty years or more had
been used as a warehouse, was demolished ; the old bridge has
recently been displaced by a new one of iron, but the sign of
The Golden Lion sur-vives at the old site.
Dr, Whitaker's Life of Thoresby, prefixed to the new edition
of the Ducatus, states that he was sent from the private school to
the Grammar School of the town ; the foundation of Sir W^iHiam
Sheffield, Priest, in the reign of Edward the Sixth, enriched by
subsequent benefactors, and notably by John Harrison, whose
many gifts to Leeds have made his name a household word there
at the present day. It is more than doubtful that Whitaker is
in this correct. Thoresby speaks of the public Grammar School in
the course of his Topography, he is enthusiastic in his mention of
Harrison, "the Grand Benefactor," "a Gentleman never to be
mentioned -without Honour, the ever famous John Harrison, Esq.;"
he tells the Author of Parochial Antiquities, Bishop Kennet, in a
letter giving account of Harrison's benefactions,-*- that "the Free
Grammar School, which formerly stood in a low and inconvenient
situation, he re-built upon his own ground;'' in his Diary, under
date 11 December 1691, he writes, — "Evening, at the Free School,
with much good company, to hear the boys act a Latin 'Fendu of
books;" and again, 12 December 1692, — "Evening, at the Free
School, seeing the boys act an ingenious comedy;'' but in no case
*Lansdowuc M.S,S. 989.

THE THORESBY FA-UILY. 11
does he so much as hint at any indebtedness on his own part to
the school so repeatedly under notice. Had he been a scholar
there, this is difficult to reconcile with his grateful mention of the
other school and its masters ; and Dr. Whitaker may easily have
been misled by a rather loose statement in the memoir of the
Biographia Britannica which, after saying that Ealph Thoresby
was born in Leeds, states that " after going through the Gram
mar School of that town" he was sent for further improvement
to London. But there is little difficulty in applying this to the
"private Grammar School" which alone Thoresby mentions as the
place of his education. In the 22nd year of Elizabeth, the Trustees
of the Grammar School estates obtained from the Duchy of Lan
caster "one tenement or chapel called New Chapel" on the north
side of the town, in which, or a succeeding building, the school
was held until Harrison's erection superseded it ; " and also one
other tenement or chapel, called the Chapel at the Bridge End,
then in the occupation of Matthew Auckland."-* Thus both school-
houses were the property of the same Trustees ; and it is on
record that during the latter part of Thoresby's life they chose
for master at the Bridge End, John Lucas, afterward transferred
to a Charity School, t A note in the Biographia, which says that
John Thoresby was "possessed of a good share of learning, and
superintended every part of his son's education," is clear enough ;
and a brief adversion to John Thoresby's history, and that of the
town in which he lived, not only strengthens the doubt that his
son was sent to more than one Grammar School, but throws great
light upon Ealph Thoresby's after life and character.
Leeds played a more important part in the great ci\'il war
of the 17th century than the general histories of the time would
* From the report of a Commission iu the reign of James the First, under a
Statute of 43 Elizabeth, and quoted iu the Act obtained by the Grammar School
Tru.stce,^ in 1847.
i Historical Register, Wilson M.S.S. in the Lccdo Library.

12 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
lead us to suppose ; and its local annals, scanty as they are,
furnish a good illustration of the troubles of the day in Church
and State. Towards the close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
Leeds acquired the advowson of its vicarage by purchase from a
private owner. The first two vicars subsequently appointed were
brothers, Eobert and Alexander Cooke, local men, but famous
among their contemporaries as men of learning and letters, and
prominent adversaries of the Church of Eome. Of a work by the
former, in Latin, upon genuine and spurious writings of the
Fathers, there were two editions published in London, and three
in Germany ; the " Pope Joan " of the latter was translated into
French, and it is among the reprints of the Harleian Miscellany.
But the appointment of Alexander Cooke became the subject of
a hot dispute, which had to be settled by a decree of the Court
of Chancery. His opponents not only alleged that "the means
and greatness " of Sir John Savile, of Howley Hall, had procured
the appointment, but also that he had been deprived of a former
benefice for non-conformity and non-subscription. The opposition
failed, Alexander. Cooke was sustained in the Vicarage, and Sir
John Savile was named the first of twenty-five trustees in whom
the advowson was to be vested, as it is still in their successors.-*
This was in the fifteenth year of King James the First, and
before his reign ended he was appealed to in another dispute
* The following curious relic of Alexander Cooke's time has been preserved
(Harl, M S.S, 212S) :— "Decimo Sexto Februarii Anno Dmi 1623."
" Received by us Andrew Megg and George Afrates, Grecians, the day and
yeare above said, deputed and aiithorized by the Archbishop of Dirach, Spate
aud Mussak to aske collecte and receive all such sunimes of money as were
collected by virtue of Lis Majesty's Letters Patents within the County of Yorke
to the use of the f-aid Archbishop the summe of Fifteen shilHngs, together with
the Briefs delivered into the Parishes of Leeds, Gargrave, Pannall, Kighley and
Watersrieaton of the Archdeaconry of Yorke ; at the hands of Thomas Wcsse
appointed by the Register of the Archdeaconry aforesaid to collecte the money as
aforesaid. Wee say received." The first signature is in Greek ; but George
Afrates signed with a mark. The receipt is attested,— "Subscribed in the
presence of mc. Matt. Dodsworth."

THE THORE.SBY FA.MTLY. 13
upon the incorporation of the town. The petition against it is
entered as follows in one of the Harleian M.S.S :— ¦*
"The inhabitants being many hundreds of people, desire a
stay of the Corporation lately procured by some of the ablest
men of Leeds for their own ends in the name of the whole town,
without the consent of the greater number and to their prejudice.
Desires a reference to Sir Thomas Wentworth, Sir Henry Savile,
Kts, and Barotts ; and to Sir John Wood, Kt,, to examine the
conveniency or inconveniency of the said grant, and to certify
His Majesty thereof,"
The answer is appended : —
"At the Court of Theobald',s, 21 Dec, 1624."
" His Majesty is graciously pleased to refer the consideration
of the conveniency or inconveniency of the corporation in the
petition mentioned unto the Committee desired, authorising them,
or any two of them, to examine the same. And then His
Majesty upon their certificate 'will declare his further pleasure.
And that in the mean time all proceedings concerning the same
to be stayed."
Again the opposition failed. The death of James on the
27th of the following March probably delayed the decision of
the controversy; for it was the 13th of July 1626 when the
charter was granted by Charles the First, The Alderman, or
head of the Corporation, named in it was Sir John Savile, soon
after ivard made Baron Savile of Pontefract, f But this was only
an honorary appointment, John Harrison, also nominated by the
Charter, officiated for him, and at this time built a Market' Cross
at his own cost. He had built the new Grammar School in
1624, its master being Dr, Samuel PuUen, who married Anne
Cooke, the Vicar's daughter, and became Archbishop of Tuam,
* Harl, M.S.S, 1327; entitled in the Catalogue,— "A Paper Book in fol,
bought of Mr. Timothy Laugley," It contains the substance of many amusing
petitions, corporate and personal, to King James the First, and one or two to
Charles the Fir.^t, with the answers from Theobald's and Whitehall.
t He died in 1630,

14 RALPH THOr.ESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
In 1632 the Vicar died; and the Trustees in whom the
advowson had been vested first used their right by nominating
John Harrison's nephew, the Eev. Henry Eobinson. Hitherto
there had been only one church in Leeds, but now Harrison built
a new one, St, John's, in ground adjoining to a Hospital -with
Chapel, for forty poor persons, which he had just completed.
When this church was ready for Consecration he was about to
be chosen head of -the Corporation on his own account; and he
resolved to give the appointment of the minister at St, John's to
the Alderman for the time being and three of his municipal
associates. The Vicar of Leeds was joined with them ; but
whether this were Harrison's original proposal, or an addition
suggested by Neale, then Archbishop of York, is rendered
doubtful by a letter which the Archbishop -wrote to Harrison
from Bishopthorpe on the 15th of September 1634.-* It is too
long to be wholly inserted, filling six closely -written pages, and
it is evidently in continuation of former correspondence upon the
subject. But it is significant of the times. After the greeting
Salutem in Christo the Archbishop proceeds : —
"Mr. Harrison, — I received your letter by this bearer, dated
the 14th, of this month from Leeds. You have received informa
tion from me what inconvenience I should bring upon myself
by consecrating your chapel before the Curate's maintenance be
settled. Yet in my willingness to satisfy your desire I have
yielded to proceed upon your bond given for the making good of
the Curate's stipend and establishing the same for perpetuity.
And if you be minded so to do, what is it that you stick at ? I
presume you do not think I will accept of a bond with such a
condition as shall be doubtful whether it will stand for good or
not : As thus, that a Curate shall have such a stipend if he come
in by the nomination of Aldermen and three Burgesses of Leeds
and the Vicar; otherwise not." How was it to be in case of the
Archbishop's refusal to licence the man nominated ? or of an
* Lansdcvme M,S,S, 973,

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 15
Archbishop's own appointment should the vacancy go unfilled 1
Was there then to be no payments Archbishop Neale could not,
be said, make a new law upon the subject to meet Harrison's
wishes, and he thus wound up a dissertation upon the existing
law of patronage : — " Now lay this to your case of a Curateship,
and consider what reason you have to stand upon these terms
with the Archbishop,"
"You have twice put me in mind," the Archbishop continued,
" to look upon my first directions sent to j'ou concerning this
business. I have considered well of them : and yet if I should
now vary something that was in these directions it were no
slander to my judgement. A\'iser men than I give way to our
second thoughts. I do profess that till my coming this summer
into the country I did not understand that your chapel was so
near the Parish Church as it is, but thought it had stood a mile
or two distant from the Parish Church, to which people could not
always repair without danger or inconvenience; but being in the
same town (little more than a slight shoot off) I nm very tender of
that accord that should be betwixt the Vicar and the Curate of that
Chapel, that it may not fall out hereafter to have Pulpit against
Pulpit, and Chapel against Church, in the same town. Your
experience cannot but make you see how easily distractions arise
in like cases."
Archbishop Neale then insists that if the appointment is to be
given to Feoffees as designed by Harrison the Vicar shall be one,
" under whom the Curate that shall be may acknowledge himself
to serve as Curate." The Archbishop dislikes the principle of
" popular election," and he adds, " against that conceit that the
people ought to have the choice of their minister I am resolutely
opposite." The letter is signed " Your very loving Friend, E.
Ebor," and has the following postscript, — " Mr. Harrison, I pray
you to be pleased to have this business done as I advise you,
God is my witness I have no other end herein but that it may
be so done as in my conscience I ought to advise and- require it
to be done. What can it be otherwise to me 'i "
In another week, on the 21st of September, Archbishop Neale
consecrated the Church, notwithstanding John Harrison's adherence
to his own arrangement. The first nomination was reser-^'cd to

16 RALPH THORESBY THE T0POGR.A.PHER
Harrison himself, and it might have been thought a safe one, for
it was that of Eobert Todd, M.A,, Lecturer at the Parish Church
under Vicar Eobinson. But his sermon on the afternoon of the
Consecration day was opposed, or thought to be, to one that had
been preached in the morning by the Archbishop's Chaplain, Dr.
Cosin, afterward Bishop of Durham. Had the two discourses
coincided as well as the respective texts did there could have
been no cause for complaint. Dr. Cosin preached from the last
verse of the 14th chapter of I Corinthians, — "Let all things be
done decently and in order ; '' and Mr. Todd expounded these
words of the Catechism, — " Yes, verily, and by God's help so I
-will." But Calamy states that something said by Mr. Todd " was
supposed to reflect upon the hyperconformity* recommended in
the Dr's sermon." This offence against the Fifty third Canon
could hardly be tolerated by one whose views so much sympathised
with that Canon as, judging from the above quoted letter, the
Archbishop's must have done. The new minister of the new
church was forth-with suspended, although at Harrison's intercession,
and that of Sir Arthur Ingram of Temple-Newsome, one of the
Vicarage Trustees under the Chancery settlement, the suspension
was eventually withdrawn. Subsequent events were enough to
make John Harrison repent of his opposition to the Archbishop,
* A Folio black letter Prayer Book in the Harleian collection (Harl. M.S.S.
7311), printed in 1625, throws light on the tendencies of Dr. Cosin. On a blank page
is written, — " This book is noted for the most part by the Hand of the most
learned Dr, John Cosin, some time Bishop of Durham, and was bought of Dr.
White Kennet, now Bishop of Peterborough, who found it, by chance, in a private
house in Peterborough aforesaid." The next leaf is headed, — "Let me live and
Dye an obedient sonne of the Church of England my holy mother, and I shall
be sure to find God my Father. 16i8." Then follow M.S. notes, including
reasons why " Bowing, Kneeling, or prostrating when one comes into y" Church
is necessary." Many notes are on the margins of the Prayer-Book, and on sheets
bound up with it. Among suggestions for the amendment of Ecclesiastical rule
is the following,—" It were profitable for the increase and estabUsliing of Religion,
if Ministers had power and authority to examine and take account of their
Parishioners what they learne and profit by Sermone &o. And that the people
might bee bound to perform it under a penalty."

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 17
Within eight years the civil war broke out. The Eoyalists got
possession of Leeds, abandoned it on the approach of Lord Fair
fax, aud regained it on the defeat of Fairfax at Tadcaster by Lord
Newcastle in December 1642. Abraham de la Pryme, in his
History of Hatfield,* says that when the King's party took Leeds
" all this lordship was summoned into work at the fortifying of
the town ; " but the defences, earthworks, failed to keep out Sir
Thomas Fairfax, who attacked the town from the west, and took
it on the 23rd of January 1643. The Vicar (Eobinson), with
other Eoyalists, made his escape by fording the river. In the
following April, Newcastle's forces unsuccessfully attacked the town
upon its east side. Lord Fairfax and his son maintained their
post, thereby delaying Queen Henrietta, who had landed in York
shire from Holland, in her progress to the King at Oxford. Sub
sequently Fairfax's defeat at Adwalton Moor again gave Leeds to
the Eoyalists ; but Marston, on the 2nd of July 1 644, gave well
nigh the whole north to their enemies, except, for a while, certain
of its castles.
The Minister of St. John's remained in Leeds, and when the
Parliamentarians gained the ascendency he proved himself a
thorough Puritan. For some time he had sole charge. The
Vicar, after a round of adventures, was taken prisoner and con
fined, first in Middleham, and then in Cawood Castle ; his Vicarage
and private estate being sequestered, and Mr. Todd's successor as
Lecturer at the Parish Church turned out of office. W^hen at
length, with difiiculty, the Vicar got his release, his church was
occupied by an enthusiast and oddity, Peter Saxton; and in 1649
he retired to Swillington, a neighbouring Eectory, given to him by
its patron the Hon. Conyers D'Arcy, afterward Earl of Holdemess.
His uncle, John Harrison, appears at the outset of these com
motions to have taken no decided part with either side, a line
* Lansdowne M.S.S. 897; and extracts printed with his Diary by the Surtecs
Society.

18 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
of conduct which had its frequent consequence, offence to both ;
and without ha-ving engaged actively in the struggle, he ultimately
suffered much in estate, and in mind still more. He inveighed
bitterly against Mr. Todd; against the Master of the Grammar
School, Joshua Pullen, brother and successor of Samuel Pu-llen ;
against the intruded Saxton, and against the Corporation. He died
in 1656, aged 77, amid troubles, mortification and disappointment.
The slight and disconnected information we possess concerning
Harrison's proceedings at this time indicates some degree of
indecision, and, immediately prior to the actual commencement of
hostilities, of sympathy with the side from which he most suffered.
He himself declared, when on defence against Parliamentarian
accusations, that he had " recalled -with strong hand " a horse
sent for view only to the Commission of Array at York, when the
King was there in June 1642, but which Sir John Goodrick, of
Hunsingore, had attempted to retain for the King's service ; and
among the British Museum M.S.S. there is the following curious
fragment, dated five months later : —
" Whereas by ordinance of Parliament bearing date the 24th
day of November, 1642, The right honW^ Ferdinando L"^- Fairfax
(or whom he should appoint Treasurer for that purpose) Vas
enabled to engage the public faith of the Kingdom for all such
Plate, Money, Armes and Horse as should be voluntarily lent,
or raysed for the service of the State in the Northern Countyes.
In pursuance of the said ordinance John, Harrison of Leeds Esq.,
did in the yeare of our Lord 1642 furnish and lend the Sume
of fewer score and Ten poundes, in money and also on Horse
and Armes, being valued at Twenty Poundes, in all amounting
to the sume of One Hundred and Ten Poundes, the Publique
Faith of the Nation is to bee engaged unto the said John
Harrison. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand
and scale. W. Harrison, Treasurer,
app'"» by the s? L?
Fairfax." *
* For more on this subject see " Old Leeds," and the letters of Harrison
given by Dr. Whitaker.

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 19
In Parson's History of Leeds it is said that Harrison, who
died on the 29th of October, was buried on the 8th of November
in his- own Orchard, "but having decreed in his Will that his
property in Briggate should be sold, the descendants of his two
sisters caused him to be taken up, and to be interred in St.
John's Church, A.D. 1658." But Thoresby tells nothing of this;
and among the list of burials in the Parish Eegister there is, in
the usual course, under date 1 November 1656, that of "Mr. John
Harrison of Brigait, who was the ffounder of St. John's Church,"
with a further enumeration of his benefactions, but without the
slightest indication in any way of anything unusual in his inter
ment. Mr. Styles was then Vicar, and Mr. Todd still at St. John's.
Ealph Thoresby, in a letter to the Eev. John Strype (author
of the "Annals," &c.), -written in 1707, spoke of his father, John
Thoresby the younger, — "whose memoirs I think to publish, for
he was very eminent is his generation;"-* to which Strype
answered, — "I am greatly pleased. Sir, with your design of
giving the public an account of your worthy father." Thoresby
wrote the memoirs, as his Eeview of his life for the year 1689
testifies: — "I was frequently attempting to draw up some Memoirs
of my honoured and dear Father, which, though never perfected,
yet were not, I hope, without some good to my soul; and I
found more real satisfaction and pleasure in reflection upon the
days thus spent, than in the merriest company I could meet
with." The manuscript may still exist, and if so it must be very
interesting. Wanting it, little is known of the part played by the
Thoresbys in those stirring times, but that little is enough to show
that, locally at least, they were eminent in their generation.
Thoresby's Father was born on the 18th of February 1 625-6. t
He was not therefore seventeen years old when the war began,
" Add. M.S,S. ,'i,853.
t "John Thirsbye Kirgat had a child bap'. Named John." — Parish Church
Reyistfr, "21 Februarie 1625." (O.S.)

20 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
in which, as before said, he took arms under Fairfax, refusing to
be sent away. In the Ee-view for 1699 Thoresby relates that at
the funeral of a Captain Pickering of Tingley, —
"Were several old soldiers, particularly Mr. Eobert Gledhill
(whose son, the Colonel John Gledhill, is now Governor for the
King in Newfoundland), which Eobert was of Oliver's life guard,
and told me that at the famous battle of Marston Moor he saw
thirty thousand of the Parliament forces beat out of the field and
run away; he would gladly have persuaded my Father to' do so
with him, but could not, for he was one of the few that rallied
and stayed upon the field till the victory turned to their own

John Thoresby may also have been engaged in Sir Thomas
Fairfax's successful attack on Leeds, its subsequent defence against
Newcastle's army, and the taking of Wakefield near the same
time, when his uncle Ealph, (it was an old family name), an
Ensign, was killed.-* This Ealph, one of the half-brothers of the
elder John Thoresby, was the first who died out of a family of
fourteen. He was buried on the 22nd of May 1643, at John
Harrison's new church.
Until the war, the Alderman of Leeds, equivalent to the
Mayor of later days, had always been chosen from among those
who were named in the Charter of Incorporation; but new men
then rose to office, one of the earliest of them being the elder
John Thoresby. His Aldermanship is particularly noteworthy.
It commenced when Leeds was suffering from one of those
visitations known as " The Plague ; " and it was superseded
by the military governance of a Parliamentarian officer, Major-
General Carter, to whom, not to the Alderman, a return of deaths
* Fairfax's resolute hold of Leeds at this time, and the taking of Wakefield,
-when Lord Goring was made prisoner, did material injury to the King's cause in
Lancashire, by preventing the aid designed and promised by Queen Henrietta to
the Earl of Derby.

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 21
from the Plague was made on the 12th of March 1645-6. About
two months later, and during the year which was, or should
have been, his year of office, his wife died, 25 May 1646; and
in the following month, his father, George Thoresby of West
Cottingwith, at the age of 77. After some years he married
agaip, and his second wife was the widow of Eobert Brooke,
his next successor as Alderman when the military governance
ceased and the civil re-commenced.* Among some original manu
scripts written by John Harrison, now in the British Museum,!
there is one which bears the following in Ealph Thoresby's
hand, — -"Mr. Harrison's letter upon some unjust and unworthy
aspersions cast upon him by some in power in the late times ;
the sequestrators I presume, in which number, blessed be God,
my Grandfather Thoresby never was, tho' a magistrate in those
times." The younger John Thoresby married Euth, the daughter of
Ealph Idle of Bulmer, near York, on the 15th of April 1651.
* As King Charles the First's Charter of Incorporation is dated 13 July
16ii), and nominates Sir John Savile Alderman " from the making of thesa
presents imto the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel next following," or until
some one of the Principal Burgesses named shall have been elected and sworn
in place of him, there appears a doubt whether the year 1627, which has been
given with the name of his first successor, Samuel Casson, is the date of Casson's
election, or the year over which his term of office chiefly extended ; and
this uncertainty has led to some inaccuracies in the notes to " Old Leeds "
respecting the succession of Aldermen. The question is settled by a clause in
Harrison's Trust Deed for St. John's Church, dated 6 September 14th Chas. 1st,
that is, 6 September 1638, which calls Thomas Metcalf, who built Red Hall, in
Leeds, " this present Alderman." This makes Metcalf's year of office from 29
September 1637 to the same date 1638 ; and the same date in 1627 that of
Casson's election. It follows that when the short term for which Sir John
Savile was nominated had expired, the services of John Harrison, his deputy,
were continued for a year longer before the new Corporation exercised its power
of election ; for Harrison's name does not appear in the list of Aldermen until
1634. It was during the interval of military rule, that Charles I. was brought to
Leeds by tho Parliament's Commissioners to whom the Scots had given him
up at Newcastlo, and detained iu Red Hall, a prisoner, on the way to Holmby,
+ Add. M.S.S. l,'27c'.

22 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
His elder brother, Joseph, who lived at Sykehouse, near Snaith,
was a Parliamentarian Captain of Horse, and from 1657 to 1659
^ Justice of Peace for the West Eiding of Yorkshire. A younger
brother, George, settled at Newcastle, where he became Sheriff
in 1657; and there can be no doubt that the Thoresbys were
influential Parliamentarians. There is a letter by Paul Thoresby,*
o-wn brother to the Ealph who was killed at Wakefield, to his
Father-in-law, John Belton of Eawcliffe,t on behalf of some whose
estates were threatened -with sequestration. It is very curious
for its extreme caution, and for its careful profession of con
fidence in the equity of the powers that were. It is not dated;
but from some business memoranda upon the back, made at
York, it seems to have been written early in 1647 : —
" Loving Father,
" Our duty unto yourself and my mother presented. I am by
promise engaged to request a la-wful favour for an acquaintance
and sometimes a chapman of mine in Pontefract, Gervas Hooper,
who is sequestered, upon what ground I know not ; but if it be
as some besides himself do aver that his affection hath been on
the better part, and his sufferings much from the other, it is pity
he should be in prejudice. I should desire your furtherance of
courtesy unto him in no other way than the truth and equity
of the cause admitteth, and question not his dealing vrithal
accordingly, although I had not moved it, which is but a friendly
courtesy to him, and an obligation unto
"Your affectionate Son-in-law,
"Paul Thoesby."
* Add. M.S,S, 15,858.
t Anne Belton, who became -ndfo of Paul Thoresby, died 26 December 1703,
aged 90. Her elder sister, Ruth, married Wm. Milner, merchant of Leeds, son
of one of its aldermen under the first Charter, father of one of its later mayors,
and an ancestor of the present Milners of Nun-Appleton. Her brother, named
after the father, John Belton, married Frances, daughter of Sir John Bland, of
Kippax Park, by Katharine, daughter of Lord Savile.

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 23
" There is one James Wade in the same condition, and is
desirous of the same favour; be it to him according to the truth
and equity of the cause."
Although the Thoresbys were thus prominently identified with
the side which they espoused, they are to be classed -with the
more moderate of the party, ecclesiastically and politically. Peter
Saxton had not been at the Parish Church haU-a-year when
the elder John Thoresby joined in an unsuccessful attempt to
draw over to Leeds, from the neighbouring village of Pudsey,
Elkanah Wales, an earnest preacher whose Puritanism had more
concern with theology than with politics. Peter Saxton, if we
may trust John Harrison, filled his sermons with Cavaliers.
"proving Joseph's mistress to be a Eoyalist and himself a Eound-
head ; " and making allowance for Harrison's irritation under
his many provocations, it is still certain that Saxton, though a
man of honest piety in his way, and not unlearned, was very
eccentric, his zeal degenerating into extravagance. It is likely
enough that by his excess he contributed towards a re-action
which the choice of his successor indicates. This was William
Styles, formerly Vicar of Hessle-cum-Hull. He was in so far of
Puritan opinions that he once got into trouble for baptizing a
child without the sign of the Cross. He rejected overtures from
Lady Bland, Queen Henrietta's messenger to Sir John Hotham,
under a conviction that the Eoyalist army was an army of
Papists, open or concealed, and that if successful it would,
"without the immediate interposition of Providence, totally eradi
cate the Protestant religion in these Kingdoms, and light up
again those fires that had already consumed so many of its
sincerest professors." * But when the Parliamentarians triumphed
he was ejected from his benefice by order of President Bradshaw,
despite an active protest by his parishioners, for refusing the
engagement to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth,
* Tickcirs Hi.it. of Hull.

24 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
without a King or House of Lords. His nomination to Leeds
in 1652 had the free consent of the Vicar by right, who
remained at Swillington; and the account of his ministration,
given by Thoresby in the Vicaria Leodiensis, confirms the
idea of a somewhat early re-action in political opinion at
Leeds : —
" Here he met -with a kind reception, and was highly honoured
by the magistrates and people for his excellent practical preach
ing. I have some sermons in M.S., and have seen several
volumes writ by Aldermen and others, his devout hearers. Tho'
he lived not to the Eestoration, yet within a short time of it,
and had the courage and honesty to pray publicly for the King,
then in exile."
Here there is a notable error. In TicJeeWs Hull it is related
that after the Eestoration, when the Act passed entitled "An Act
for the confirming and restoring of Ministers," which Act received
the Eoyal assent on the 13th of September 1660, Styles recovered
his former benefices ; and that the Hull Corporation, and burgesses
took the opportunity to make their parish independent of Hessle.
The Eecorder of Hull was sent to Leeds to obtain Mr. Styles's
co-operation, which was readily given. Tickell refers to the
" Town's Eecords " as his authority; and he is confirmed by the
Eegister of the Parish Church of Leeds, in which the burial of
this Vicar is entered with the date 16th March 1660, Old Style,
or 1661 as we now reckon. So that he died in March following
the Eestoration, and did live to see the return of that King for
whom, when an exile, he prayed. This error of Thoresby's is
curious, as an early instance of the many which have arisen from
a confusion of Old Style and New; the more so that it occurs
so long prior to the Act by which the New Style was legalised
in England. The 'Vicaria Leodiensis was published in 1724.
But Thoresby's statement of Mr. Styles's popularity as a
preacher is indirectly confirmed by a document among the British

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 'Ji-J
Museum M,S.S,, from which it is manifest that his congregation
was fully as large as his church could accommodate : — ¦
" Forasmuch, as we are credibly informed that the Town and
Parish of Leeds in the County of York is a place very populous
and (before the late war) consisted of 1700 communicants, where-
unto belongs one church or meeting place, though of late (as we
understand) some other places or chapels have been built for the
ease' of the people. And forasmuch as in the year 1639-* the
Burgesses by their then power caused many lofts to be pulled
down in the said Church to the great damage of the Parishioners
there, whereby several of them are destitute of pewes, and much
confounded as to the knowing of their places in the said Church,
as in times past. For remedy whereof for time to come, and to
the end every person or persons within the said Parish charge
able to the relief of the Poor, and to the Eeparation of the said
Church, may be provided for of pews and seats contained. We
do hereby give full power and authority to the Alderman of
Leeds (for the time being) the Burgesses, together with Mr. Wm.
Styles, Vicar there, and the Churchwardens of the said Parish, to
take care for future for the orderly placing of every parishioner
(chargeable as aforesaid) in the said Church, acjording to his
degree, by disposing of the pews therein, as much to the satisfac
tion of those concerned as may be. And in case it appear that
still there be want of room; that then the said Alderman,
Burgesses, Vicar, and Churchwardens, by joint consent, to proceed
to build such Loft or Lofts in the said Church as may be
thought convenient for the future, and purpose aforesaid."
No date nor signature is attached, nor is there any endorse
ment; but it is written formally in court-hand. It is bound up
in one of the eleven volumes of M,S,S, presented to the Museum
in 1856 by the Eev. Adam Baynes, comprising correspondence of
Captain Adam Baynes, of Knowsthorpe, in which are letters
relating to Leeds, and to the Thoresbys. t
¦* Five years after the consecration of Harrison's new church.
\ Add M.S.S. 21,417 to 21,4i7.

'26 RALPH THORESBY TUB TOPOGRAPHER.
Two of these letters were written by Captain Joseph Thoresby,
asking Captain Baynes's interposition with General Lambert. One
of them, dated " Hireford, this 29th of ApriU 1657," is as
follows : —
" Honored Sr. — Since my coming to Hiriford -with my Major
Troupe, I was towld that Capt. Spillman is to goe into Ireland
to have the comand of a Troupe there. I question not but you
know the certainty of it. Sr. my humble desier is that you
would be pleased to stand my frend in moving my Lord Lambert
that I may be his Capt. Leutenant : if Capt. Spillman goe for
Ireland having no Frend to speake to but your selve and being
Incoredged by your former kindness doth Imbowlden me to crave
this favor at your hands which I shall be redy to acknowledge
with the rest of your lov ad [and] Favor ad Study how I may in
some mesure make requitall and take leve to teU you that I am
" Your most afectionate Frend and Servant
"J: Thoresby."
And Captain Adam Baynes, of Knowsthorpe, appears to have
been applied to by the people of Leeds in general, in matters of
more or less public concern. A legal document, dated 1 April
1650, commencing, — " To all Christean people to whom these
psents shall come," recites that the Commons of England had,
by Act, set to sale all Honours, Manors, Lands, Eents and
Eevenues hertofore belonging to the late King Charles, the
Queen, and Prince of Wales, gi-ving thirty days preference to
existing tenants : —
"Wee who have hereunto sett our hands and Scales and
greeting  beinge inhabitants of the Manner
of Leedes and Countie of Yorke and heretofore Tennants to the
late King for a fee farm rent yearely payd by us out of our
Lands lying within that Manner " constitute " our trustee and
well-beloued Friend Captaine Adam Baynes " Attorney to purchase
the aforesaid rent " at such rates as in the judgement of our
.said Attorney shall be held reasonable and indifferent." The con-

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 27
veyance was to be made to the said Attorney " in his owne
name and to his heires and assignes for ever." Signed by
"Fra. Allanson Thos. Foxcroft
P. Thoresby , Sam. Stable
Tho. Fairbairne Gilbt. Cowper
Jno. Fairbairne John Pease
Eobert Harrison William Smith
Miles Douglas Eobert Smith
Eobt. Carver Tho. Walker
Joshua Jefferson John Harefrand
William Strickland Thos. Jefferson
Milles Ellerby (his mark).
" Witnessed by
" Eobt. Baynes
Willm. Eodley (his mark)."
The " Instrument of Government " which, towards the close of
the year 1653, made Cromwell " Lord Protector," provided for a
re-arrangement of the Parliamentary constituencies ; and on the
29th of the following April this letter was sent from Leeds to
Captain Adam Baynes : —
" Sir, — We have jointly perused your letter to Mr. Baynes,
and do heartily thank you for that respect you have towards us
here. We should much desire (upon occasion) to hear from you
not only in relation to our Government, but other necessary
things we shall upon occasion give you notice of, tending to
the good of this place. At present having heard of the division
of this County, and that some town in this Eiding will be made
choice of, do desire you consider well whether or not you think
this place be not as fit and deserving as any other, which we
commend to your care and discretion, Eesting
"Your humble Servants
"Fra Allanson
Jno. Baynes
Martin Iles."

28 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
The same signatures are appended to the following : —
" Sir,— The reason why till now we have not given answer
to your last of the sixth instant, hath been occasioned by the
absence of some of us. Sir, what you intend by taking into
Government with us persons of all interests we know not; this
we acquaint you with, of a truth we have several times en
deavoured to regain the clothiers to be concerned with us, but
by reason of some bad instruments amongst us still were kept off,
which divers of them have since repented, and now the number
being complete we can not exclude any person he being a
friend to the Commonwealth, neither is there any need of recon
ciliation as to that business, the inhabitants being very well
satisfied for any thing we know or hear of, having a special
care to act for the good of the whole, however mistaken by
some restless spirit,?. As for the rest of your letter, in relation
to the river and advance of our town in point of the County
division, we shall cease to say any further at present, only desire
you to keep those and other things in your mind. Sir, you know
the time now approaches for the choice of a Member of Parha-
ment for our town. Some thought we have of you, presuming
of your faithfulness towards us, in relation to our Government
and other good things we should acquaint you -with (though
some think otherwise). We could wish you would suddenly let
us know your mind therein, and that in case you should be
chosen you would stand for us, for then we should improve our
utmost interest for you. We desire you would let us know
whether the Lord Lambert be capable of being chosen a Member
for the County 1 if not, the West Eiding -will be at a loss, there
not being such choice as might be desired. We desire you
present our humble service to his Lordship. We hope if upon
occasion we apply ourselves unto him he will not be unmindful
of us. Thus ceasing to trouble you any further, in hopes to hear
from you rests "Sir"&c.
After the signatures is this postscript : — ¦
" The town of Leeds consists as you know of Leeds, Leeds-
Kirkgate, and the Main-Eiding, which only hath a Member
granted. Some would have it extend to the Parish too, but if

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 29
not altered, and the writs come forth according to your Act, we
shall go on better with our choice."
This postscript is the more curious by reason of another post
script to a letter written to Captain Baynes by his brother
Eobert, when Leeds was under the mihtary rule of Major-General
Carter : —
"Martin lies is an ill friend to the Main-Eiding, exhorting
the Major-General and Committee to join it to the Town, that
so they may assess it at their pleasure; but I hope will prevail
nothing.'' When the election 'writs were issued on the 1st of June 1654,
there was one for Leeds. Captain Adam Baynes was credited
with having procured it by his influence, as evidenced by a letter
which Dr. Whitaker has published, addressed to the Alderman
for the year, John Thwaites.-* Whitaker has also published two
letters to the same Alderman, from Captain Baynes himself, in
one of which he urges the defeat of an attempt by the High
Sheriff to fix the day of election. The other is a letter of thanks,
after the election, with an invitation for commands against the
meeting of Parliament. But the election did not pass over
smoothly, as the following joint letter from the father of Ealph
Thoresby and another shows : — f
"Hono"-''- Sir,
" Wee conceive you are not Ignorant of what differences have
happened amongst us at Leeds, by reason of our late Ald^'mans
* In a Conveyance signed by John Thwaites, of AUerton Gledhow, in the
County of York (in possession of the -writer), he is described as " Statutes
Merchant and of the Staple." This Deed is curious, being dated "the third day
of July, in the Three and Twentieth Year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord
Charles, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King,
Defender of the Faith, &o." Early in the preceding February, the said King
Charles 'was brought a prisoner to Leeds by the Parliament's Commissioners, on
his way from Newcastle to Holmby.
+ The original orthography of this and the succeeding document is worth
retaining.

30 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
dissatisfactory proceedings, * in complaynt whereof a petition
was drawne & presented to the Comittee of Privehdges &c.
And what care and paynes our Pastour Mr. Styles together with
Dr. Devevir have taken in negotiating an accord we suppose you
are ere this informed of. As for our o-wne pticulars we esteeme it
our duty both to make peace and preserve itt, and we are ready
to manifest our willingnesse to Conserve the due respects &
Hono! we owe to youTselfe as also to wane the controversy, all
w^l" you will perceive by the enclosed certifficate, and we hope for
reciprocall tendernesse from you, requesting you (as we engage
our selves) to disowne & gainsay any that shall sow the seeds
of dissention. We begge excuse for this our bold addresse to
jou, which might have beene made by some of better quality,
but that our pastour made choyce of vs in the behalfe of the
rest. So not further troubling you in the midst of your more
waighty affaires, we presume to subscribe our selves
" Sf Yor affectionate servants
"John Thoresby, Jun:
^' Leeds this 13° WiLLiAia Whitley.
October 1654."
A week afterwards. Captain Adam Baynes, M.P., received a
more important addres^ from the Leeds Corporation; a formal
-document, written in very good Court-hand, and bearing the
autographs of the members of the Corporation at the time.t
^'Honord Sr.
" That unhappy difference amongst us in relacon to jo',
elleccon of Burgesse for this yeare (being not in y' least occaconed
in regard of any finding ag' yo' self, but as some conceited in y°
undue carriage of the then Alderman denying a poUe) being now
over and past wee desyre may bee forgotten by yo ; & that
according to o' expectacons yo will acte cordyally for us in any
* At the date of this letter, Martin lies had succeeded Thwayts in the
office of Alderman. t Add M.S.S. 21,427, folio 213.

THE THORESBY FAMILY.

31

thinge that may tend to the good of this place, for w'.'' yo are
chosen (of wi'' wee make noe doubte). And that yo would bee
pleased to signify soe much to us, also when yo consider will
bee a fitt and oppertune tyme for us to make knowne of greev-
ances to yo, to the end they may bee Eepresented to the House
that soe in y° Interim wee may bee endeavouring to fynd out
what is any wayes obstructive to us that (in tyme convenyent)
they may fynd a redresse. Wee shall not truble yo further at
psent but (wishing a good succcsse to the, pceedings of that
ho*'." Howse) shall ever rest
" Yo' very Lo: Freinds to seve yo.
" Signed at a Corporacon Corte
Leeds 21° Oct' 1654.

"Samuell Childe
William Fenton
Willf Hardisty
Alexander Foster
Marma: Hicke
Thomas Killingbecke
Thomas Walkers
James Ibbetson
Tho. Walker
John Kerk
Jabez Bentley
William Smythson
Miles Douglas."

Martin Hes. Aide
John Dawsonn
Fra. Allanson
John Thoresby
James Moxon
W? Stable
Henry Eoundell
Eich: Milner"

This address is directed, —
"For o' much honored freind Adam Baynes Esq', a Member
of y" hob'" House of Parlyam! at the Comittee for the Eevenewe
at ^\^litehalL
"p post." London."

The seal, in red wax, has a suspended Fleece like that of
the Leeds Coat-of-Arms.

32 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
Cromwell's early dissolution of his Parliament, without any
actual business having been transacted, made the first Parlia
mentary representation of Leeds more a name ' than a reality;
but the dissolution of the 22nd of January 1654-5, did not free
Adam Baynes from the solicitations of his constituents. A series
of letters, extending into the following March, ask his services
for procuring convoy to protect vessels about to sail from HuU
to Hamburgh, laden in part with Leeds cloth : —
"We, the merchants of Leeds, together with those of York
and Hull,' having lately taken on two ships for Hamburgh to he
ready precisely the 25th instant, which -will be richly laden -with
cloth and lead, do humbly desire you to supplicate the State
on our behalf, for two Convoys; however, one good one, to be
with us at Hull, if possible, on that day ! * Though we be at
peace with Holland, yet there are other birds of prey abroad,
who, if they light on us, may undo us ! The last year, the want
of Convoy in time did so obsti-uct this Northern trade for that
Port, that the Country in general did smart by it, echoed forth
doleful complaints 1 Truth is ! the manufacture of wool in (sic)
the free Exportation thereof is, under God, the very life and
soul of our country ! if it cease in any considerable measure, the
multiplicity of people- that depend thereupon ine-vitably are
ruined I Since, therefore, the business is of such general con
cernment, we hope less entreaties will serve the turn in this
particular ! However we do (as in reason we ought), obtest your
favour herein ! humbly requesting you would be pleased speedily
to send some about it who may render us an answer ! that so
we may know what we have to rely on 1 We presume the Lord
Major (sicj and his brethren of York hath writ to Alderman
Dickenson, to join with you in procuring us convoy as before
desired, whom you may please to consult ! and what charge you
are at in going about it from place to place shall be very thank
fully repaid ! Sir, if you procure a Grant (which we question
not but you will), we desire it may be sent to the Captain,
* Notes of admiration are used in the punctuation of this letter, as here
inserted.

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 33
or Captains, that are to serve us both speedily and carefully I
Otherwise we may be disappointed at the day which is now nigh
at hand I Thus we take our leaves and remain
" Sir ! your Friends and Servants
to command to our power,
" William Lowther
John Metcaffe
Eichard Lodge
Eobert Washington
John Walker
George Jackson
Jno. Stable
Jose Newton
Chr. Watkinson
Eich: Armitage
George Chafin."
" Sir ! considering your great employinent may take you from
prosecuting our desires I we have hereby -writ Mr. Tho. Pease to
take the payns for us, and to discharge your imprudent charge I
So make bold with you only to procure us a Grant for us.''
Another letter, and apparently a later one, although neither is
dated, gives the 2nd of March as the day when the ships would
be ready for sailing ; another, written on the 1st of March, asks
that the Convoy may be at Hull on the last day of that month.
In this it is said : —
"If it please you to consult Sir Thos. Witherington herein
it will not be amiss, for we believe the Deputy and the rest of
our brethren at York have desired his assistance."
But a letter of thanks ran as foUows : —
" Sir, yours of the 5th present come to hands ! Intimating
you have procured us a Frigott (sic), with much difficulty for
our Convoy this present voidge (sic) for Hamburgh,
3

34 RALPH THORESBY .THE TOPOGRAPHER,
"You are pleased to superadd a bosom full of love towards
us, when you say you hope you shall not need to trouble my
Lord Widdrington nor any else upon this or the like occasion
on our behalfs. Since it is so, we shall not trouble my Lord
Widdrington nor any other but yourself."
Writs for a new election were not issued until July 1656.
Evelyn writes in his Diary under date the 20th of August, —
" Was a confused election of Parliament called by the Usurper ;"
and it appears from another of the Baynes M.S.S. that in Leeds
the election was on the 24th. Adam Baynes was again chosen,
but with more squabbling than on the first occasion : —
" We whose names are here under--written with the schedule
annexed, do humbly certify that we gave our voices for a
Burgess to the Borough of Leeds upon the 24th of August last
past, which election was on this manner. At the hour appointed,
the Alderman,-* his brethren, and the rest being present (after
the Instrument of Government was read with a Laudable Voice),
the name of Adam Baynes, Esquire, was presented to the Alder
man as the only fit Burgess to serve in this present Parliament.
The Alderman desired of that Assembly whether or no they had
any other to present, and how they approved of him 1 Where
upon there was a general shout (without any contradiction or
mentioning any other), for the said Adam Baynes. This noise
ended, the Alderman again desired to know their approbation,
and whether they would present any other 1 It was again carried
(without any contradiction or mentioning any other), for the said
Adam Baynes. Upon the third (second 1) cessation, the Afilerman
moved the assembly if they would present any other. In the
close of this third shout, some few inconsiderable voices were
heard for AUenson, but the plurality of voices was still by all
reasonable judgement to be conferred upon Adam Baynes. Here
upon, Mr. AUenson then present (who afterward subscribed the
Indenture for this just election of Adam Baines) t did positively
deny >to stand to a poll m, competition with the said Baines ;
* Henry Roundhill.
t Hero spelled thus, not Baynet.

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 35
whereupon the Alderman gave sentence. And this is a true
narrative of this election, to which we have hereunto set our
hands." " We whose names are here under-written -with the schedule
annexed in the behalf of ourselves and others. Gentlemen, Mer
chants, Clothiers, and Inhabitants within the borough of Leeds,
understanding that the just election of Adam Baynes, Esquire,
is presented disputable contrary to our desires at the Eight
Honourable the Committee of Priveleges by some discontented
persons ; We, therefore, being many of us prevented by not
knowing of the day of election, and others detained by our
immergent (sic) occasions, do now hereby manifest our due
respects in our consent and approbation of the said Adam
Baynes, Esquire, whose integrity for the good of the manufacture
and Borough we do in no -wise question. Whereunto we have
set our hands."
There was also an address from members of the Corporation;
but not, like the former, an official document emanating from a
Corporation Court : —
" Sir, " Since your late - election, and unhappy difference betwixt
yourself and Mr, Allanson, several of us have been threatened
and abused in the due execution of our offices against gross
offenders, who (together with diverse other Inhabitants), daily
give out in speeches that they receive encouragement from you
to that purpose, expecting the downfall of this Corporation ;
by means whereof public justice is very much obstructed. But
notwithstanding which we hope better things of you, and have
the charity to believe you will rather study peace and unity
amongst us, and make the breach less than otherwise. For our
own parts, we have not , the least trouble upon our spirits against
any in relation to that difference, all our utmost endeavours
being to put the known laws into execution, which, by several
late proclamations, all officers of justice are specially required and
invited to do. We conceived we could do no less than to make
you acquainted -w'lth these miscarriages amongst us, seeing you are

86 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
now principally intrusted for the general good of this Corpora
tion, and of every of us in particular. We shall no longer
detain you from your more serious occasions, but shall always
remain, " Sir, " Your servants to command,
" Marma: Hicke : Aid,
John Dawsonn
Fra: Allanson
John Thoresby
James Moxon
Wm. Stable
Eichard Milner
"Leeds, 4 Nov. 1656," Willm, Fenton."
"For our much hotloured Friend, Adam Baynes, Esq,, a
Member of the honourable House of Parliament at Westminster,"
The phraseology of another letter betokens a Puritan origin: —
" Honoured Sir,
" We are well satisfied you are elected a Member of Parha-
ment for us, knowing your candid affection to the good of
trade in our former proceeds ; and we are confident of your
continuance in the same to negotiate in such great affairs as -will
be necessary in so great a work as it has pleased our God to
draw our Spirits out to in order to a thorough Eeformation,
We are also sensible of your attention by your letter sent to
the 'Alderman of Leeds, which was communicated to us at a
meeting occasioned by the same. In answer to which we thought
it requisite to let you know that we have had a meeting to
con,sider of the best way for the general good of all concerned,
and do conclude it is most safe and valid to act of ourselves,
we best knowing what concerns our own condition. Sir, we are
resolved to hast the business, and appoint some fit persons to
wait upon you in tyme to inform the main, not doubting in

THE THORESBY FAMILY-. 37
the least your readiness to act in so necessitous a work; and
but that the Lord hath called you to, is. Sir, the hopes of your
friends in truth and plainness,"
Twenty-eight signatures are appended to this letter, three of
the number signing by mark. The spelling of some of these
names is rather curious, particularly that of " Eobert Sljnsbje."
On the other hand, the favourers of Francis Allanson, although
a minority, persisted to the utmost in their opposition : —
" Sir, " Having received notice that two persons are appointed for
London to-morrow by the adverse party, intending to prefer
some Petition, or make affida-vit for nulling of your election,
we thought fit to give you timely notice thereof. Now if the
persons proceed accordingly, it will be no little trouble and costs
for the other persons to go up in defence thereof. Therefore in
regard we are confident that if a Writ should issue for a new
Election (though the former were nul) that you will carry it
clearly, and have six voices for one, for all the merchants,
clothiers, and' the best of the Parish are wholly for you; and
the parties against you are Mr, Todd's auditors, and such as are
Wakefield men, and clothworkers. We make bold to advise you
not to stand too much upon the Election (for the reason above
said) if a Writ for a new election will be pressed; if not, here
are persons ready to make good the old, so that you need not
be disannymated by the opposition, nor think that it may any
way tend to your disparagement, for we doubt not but the con
clusion will be very much to your credit, and to your adversary's
disgrace, "We are. Sir,
" Your real friends and Servants,
"Wm, Marshall
Wm, Stable
John Fairbarne
John Gill
John Walker
Henry Laidman."

88 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Of these, John Fairbarne and Henry Laidman were among
the signers of the letter immediately preceding. The address
is,— "For the Hon'".'^ Adam Baynes, Esq. at his house in Sh.
yeard London."There is another address given in the Baynes M.S.S., —
"Att his house in Sheir Garden near ^^^litehall in West
minster." The opposition failed. Adam Baynes was again Member of
Parliament for Leeds, until the dissolution of Cromwell's second
and last Parliament on the 4th of February 1657-8.
The second of the two letters from Captain Joseph Thoresby
that have been mentioned, was •written during the strife for
ascendency between contending parties which marked the close of
Cromwell's life, and survived him; and from it we learn that
Captain Adam Baynes shared in the vicissitudes of his patron
Lambert : — " Dowsthorpe,* the 15th of June 1659.
" Honoured Sir, '
" I writ to you about a month since, but I fear it miscarried.
This bearer. Quart Watson, is told that he is laid aside from his
command, and he fears some wrong information is given against
him. Indeed I can thus much certify of him, that he was very
much dissatisfied when my Lord Lambert and j'ourself was laid
aside, and so much satisfied with this late change in reviving the
good old cause as that I did look upon him as likely to be
continued his command as any in the Eegiment ; for indeed he
was always a stranger to the Major actions, that my Major looked
Upon him and me as fit men to be outed when you was (this to
be confined). Sir, your knowledge of him, and how long he hath
been Quartermaster in the army, will move you so much to
* ProWbly Dowthorp, in Holderness,

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 39
befriend him as to take off any aspersions that is wrongfully
thrown upon him, and to do what other favour you can, which
is the humble desire of "Your most affectionate
"Friend and Servant, "J. Thoresby."
"Sir. I pray you what favour you can do for me, and I
shall add it to the many favours already received. The bearer
'will give you an account how I was informed against when you
and the officers was laid aside, and had undoubtedly been put
from my command had not some friends unknown spoke for me,
all which is writ to you as above."
On the same day when Joseph Thoresby 'wrote the above
letter, another was written to Adam Baynes, from Leeds, in
reference to a controversy of some duration and hotly waged,
concerning the local charitable bequests known as "Pious
Uses.'' The writer of the letter. Hurst, is spoken of in a
correspondence between a Eecorder of Leeds, John Clayton, and
Ealph Thoresby's father, published by Dr. Whitaker ;¦* and his
name also appears in the Journals of the House of Commons,
16 February 1646-7, when Commissioners of Excise were called in
to give an account of riots in Smithfield the day before. " They
delivered a letter from Leeds of 15 January 1646 (O.S.) sub
scribed Mansfield Hasset, Eobert Hurst, concerning the uncivil
carriage of one Mr. Marwood to the Excise Officers at Leeds."
Eobert Hurst wrote to Adam Baynes on the 15th of June
1659,—" Sir, " We are afraid of none to do this town a mischief so much
as Dixon, he is the last cards that Iles and the rest of that
pack have to play their last game. . . Mr. Eosse is retained
to procure one " (a Commission for Pious Uses) " before them, and
that honest and good men may be Commissioners. The names of
* LoiJii and El mote,

40 RALPH THOfiESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
the persons that are judged fit to be Commissioners are here
inclosed, Mr. Styles will not, Allison must not, and Washington
not your friend, nor ours."
The younger John Thoresby's heading a party to co-operate
with Fairfax in bringing about the Eestoration, although the lead
was left to General Monk, proves that he not' only shared in the
changed feeling of the times, but retained the energy which had
before led him zealously in the opposite direction. His son,
writing in 1706, makes an interesting reference to this historical
incident : — •
" I have perused the three volumes of the Lord Clarendon's
History written with a commendable freedom, discovering the
springs of many of the transactions of that age, that are not to
be met with in Common Authors, and is very copious and free
in the character of persons concerned on both sides ; only the
Presbyterians apprehend him not full in acknowledgement of the
assistance they contributed to the Great Ee volution. An. 1660,
wherein they were eminently concerned; Test, Tho. Dom. Fairfax
et patre meo."
The choice of Paul Thoresby to be Alderman at this crisis
favours the supposition that he, too, went with the times ; as
already stated, he was Alderman when the Eestoration took place.
The elder John Thoresby lived to see it; but, six months later
only than the Vicar, he died on the 29th of September 1661,
aged 69. He left four sons, all married. Besides the three who
have been mentioned, Joseph, John and George, there was
Timothy, the youngest son, a merchant who remained in Leeds,*
'* In a return made under two Acts of Parliament, 1662 and 1663, for the
assessment of Hearth Money, practically a House Tax at the rate of t-wo
shillings for every fireplace, Paul, .John and Timothy Thoresby are eiioh entered
with five hearths, which shows the'r houses to have been among the principal
in the town, although not the largest. From this return, supplied to him .by
the late Deputy Town Clerk, Mr, Wardell, in whose Municipal History of Leeds
it was afterwards published, Lord Macaulay says : " It seems certain that the
whole population of the borough, an extensive district, which contains many
hamlets, did not, in the reign of Charles the Second, exceed seven thousand souls."
There were 1,431 householders, ami 2,8-15 hearths, making the Hearth Money
of Leeds £2Si 10s.

THE THORESBY FAMILY, 41
The grandfather of Ealph Thoresby died six weeks before a
new Charter of Incorporation was granted to the tov/n by Charles
the Second, No members of his family were named in it,
although some of his friends and colleagues in the former
Corporation -were among those whom it nominated for office,-*
The Act of Uniformity of 1662 did not disturb the newly
appointed Vicar of Leeds, Mr, Styles's successor. The ejected
Eoyalist, Vicar Eobinson, still lived at Swillington, but was
resolved to stay there, and objected to pluralities. He advised
the election of Dr, Lake (afterwards Bishop of Chichester and
one of the famous Seven), who complied with the Act ; but
the Lecturer, Christopher Nesse, who had held that appointment
under Mr, Styles, and still continued in it, turned Nonconformist,
So did Eobert Todd, of St, John's; and in the same year his
son-in-law, John Garnet, M,A., who had been Master of the
Free Grammar School from 1651, made way for another Master,
Michael Gilberts, M.A, The Act of Uniformity extended to such
schools ; therefore, John Thoresby's sending his son Ealph to
* Among them, John Dawson and Francis Allanson, who had been Alderman
John Thoresby's immediate predecessors in the Aldermanship. But Francis
Allanson did not limg survive him, dying on the 16th January 1661-2. He was
interred on the 18th, saith the Parish Church Eegister. Both Dawson and
Allanson were leaiiing Parliamentarians. In the journals of the House of
Commons, 16th February 1643-C, is this entry : —
" The humble Petition of the Clothiers, Makers of Broad-Cloth, in the County
of Yorke, was this day read ; and likewise the humble Petition of John Dawson,
Francis AUison, and others, the well affected, within the Parish of Leeds.
" It is ordered that both these Petitions, together vnih the whole matter of
them, and the manner of procuring and getting Hands to the first Petition,
be referred tu the Examination and Consideration of the Committee for the
Northern A.ssociation, where Sir Thomas Widdrington hath the Chair: who are
to hear the parties interested ; and to report their Opinions upon the whole
Matter to this House,"
Curiously contra.sting with this is a precept of 28th Janu.iry 1661-2, signed by
John Daw.-jun, along with another Alderman, requiring all Innkeeper.-i, Alehousc-
keei:»ers, Butchers, Cooks, Victuallers, and Vintners, to enter into recognizances
not to suffer any kind of flu.sh nuat to be killed or oaten in Lent, or any other
legally prohibited time." See Warded.

42 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
the private Grammar School kept by a Eobert Garnet appears
to be significant. It does not seem likely that Ealph Thoresby
was taken from him to be placed under Michael Gilbert, who
continued master of the public school for twenty-eight years.
Another of the changes resulting from the Uniformity Act
incidentally influenced t,he life of Ealph Thoresby. Mr. Todd's
successor at St. John's was a brother-in-law of Dr, Lake's, John
Milner, B,D., himself an instance of the vicissitudes of the age;
for he had been forced from his curacy at Middleton in Lancar
shire, upon Sir George Booth's unsuccessful attempt of 1659 to
restore the King,-* As it was not until the year 1677 that
Milner became Vicar of Leeds, we must refer to his incumbency
of St. John's the interesting passage -with which Thoresby com
mences his preface to the Ducatus: —
"A natural propensity to the study of antiquities inclining
my thoughts that way, an innate affection to the place of my
nativity did more particularly fix upon the present subject. This
inclination was the more excited even when a school-boy, by an
expression of our learned Vicar, Mr. Milner, in a sermon upon a
public occasion, — ^That this town was of great antiquity, being
ex;^ressly mentioned by the Venerable Bede who flourished near
a thousand years ago."
When in his eleventh year, Ealph Thoresby was left, by his
mother's death, solely to the care of his father; and by the
death of his brother George, on the following day, he became
the eldest of John Thoresby's surviving children. There is little
doubt that John Thoresby himseK was the author of the sub
joined epitaph, placed over the vault within the Parish Church
of Leeds where his wife and son were laid : — ¦
"Here rest the precious Ashes of Euth, the dearly and
deservedly beloved vrife of John Thoresby, who having borne
* Vicar'M Leodiensis.

THE THORESBY FAMILY. 43
him 15 Children during their 18 years happy Cohabitation, April
the 30th. 1669 breathed forth her pious soul to God who gave
it. Here lye also XI of her children, of which IX died young;
but Timothy <etat. 8 July 21 1663 ; and George cetat 12 May 1
1669, were beyond their years hopeful for this life and that
better to which they are translated."
" Mors Justi via Cceli."

ADDITIONAL NOTE.

In a volume labelled " Letters of Divines " * there is the
following very curious letter, endorsed by John Harrison, — ¦
" Doctor Brough. Letter to me," It was written three years
after the consecration of St. John's Church, apparently by a
Leeds man, residing in Cornhill, London, probably the clergy
man of some church there, or in its neighbourhood. The first
part of the letter is an example of an over-strained style of
writing prevalent at the time ; the latter part, an instance
of the gossipping news-letter which residents in the provinces
received from London friends in a pre-newspaper age : —
"S' " These lines (though late) come to bring you thanks for all
yof curtesies to mee at Leeds, and to my Father before and
since. But that is not all their errand. They come to bring
(if Preists lines can carie what lips once could) Blessing to
you from the God of Heaven for all the good works you have
there done to his. Honnour. I say thereof for you (as Nehemiah
for himself of the lyke)
• Add M-S..-^. 4,27.";, Brit. Mu».

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Neh. 13. 14 Eecordetur tui Deus mens in hac re; et ne finat
delere benignitates tuas quas exercuisti erga Domum
Dei mei, et erga observationes ejus ! I say more, as
the Eoyal Prophet of others for y^ like, Beatus qui
Psal. 41. 1 attendit ad attenuatu^ tempore mali liberavit eum
Jehova. — Jehova sustentet en in spondi, langoris, totu
cubatu ejus ex morbo ejus mutato ! For both those
' of piety & of mercie (th^ Sanctuarm & Ptochotro-
phm) I say with the Church : Exaudiat te Jehova
Psal. 20. 1 tempore angustae, te in edite collocet nomen Dei
Jahhakobi. — Odoretur omnia munera tua & holo-
L. 3 Metropol. caustu tuu in cinerem redigat. Det tibi ex animo
^- 8 tuo & totu tuu consiliu impleat ! Crausius hath a
storie of a devout noble-woman, who despairing of her Husbands
return from Palestine laid out the Estate upon one Monasterie
and nine Churches ; and when he did retume to pacifie him
mett him w* these words in her mouth : Novem filias (ait) tibi
absenti peperi : at nondum in Christo renatse Sunt. The Devout
man allowed the fact, soe the Churches were consecrated (their
children christened). Sr When you built God a Church, he
gave you a Child (a goodly one) & when it was Consecrate
to his Service, your Child was Christened. And in that Child
shall yo' Name lyve, when others shall rott for Sacriledge &
their Carnall progenie not survive to preserve them from perish
ing. Fillers in God's house are better than Absaloms, or Carnall
Issue in o' owne, as stone is more durable than flesh, & more
honourable, as Gods is better than mans. In y?, therefore, you
did at once build God a Temple, and yo' selfe (though perhaps
you did not mynd it) an overliving Monument, God forbid y'
in a Towne where are two Churches, the men should grow so
barbarous as for ever to forgett it. I should then say of my
native Soile, as Scipio Afr^ did of unthankfull Eome (Ingrata
patria ne ossa quidem mea habes) Let not my bones lie in such
an Egypt I ^ St. Augustines advice is Unum habes film ChristiT
putes alteru &e,, nay, if so he must be the Eleaventh, His
meaning is, we must be Fathers to the poore for Christs sake,
as to o' children for ours, AVhen you founded the poore an
Almshouse, God gave you a Housefull of these happy children.

ADDITIOXAL NOTE.
Yo"' thus becomes Gods too, & Christs yo". Adopted w'" a faire
portion of y' w'" calls you Happie ouner, or Steward rather of
Gods store (for Lords we are not of what we have) laid out
happilie on Christs poore membe" 0 blessed conjunction ! How
well doth a Church and Ho.spitall, Gods House and Christs stand
together ! That God in Christ may heare an Acceptable Sacrifice
in the one, and see it in the Other I Happie foundation ! That
begotte y° Founde' both an Oratorio & Oratours for mercie I
Happie parent y' hath such childre I Blest Inheritance y' hath
such heirs I Others may make us cry out with him in y" poot
Outinam coelebs vixissem orbusq perissem ! But oi these y' will
be ovf true : Happy is the man y? hath his quiver full of them.
They shall stand up in the Gate and call him Blessed. Blessed
are the Knees y' bare you (faith and love) & the Paps y' gave
you suck (Plentie & Bountie) ! If any Son or daughter of
Michol shall flout this pietie, curse this progenie, or alienate
their inheritance. Give them 0 Lord, w! shalt thou give them 1
Give them dry breasts and miscarieing wombe ! Make them lyke
Oreb & Zeb w"" shall ever say Let us take to o'selves these
Houses of God in possession !
"It may be S' you do not looke for, perhaps not lyke such
lines, but I must pray yo leave to take notice so far of my
Birthplace and Profession as to write noe lesse, y' since my eies
saw what you' hands have done for Leeds (or rather for God in
it) my Thoughts have bene full of Blessings to you w"'' nowe
eraptie themselves a little upon you. I would poure them out
in more abundance towards you, but that I should seeme perhaps
to flatter, not to blesse you. Though yet this might excuse me
in this y' I know not wherefore to flatter you, though verie well
why to bless you. Yet will I leave y' & come to some other
Argument. " That about the Ship-Monie is to be heard further on Satur
day after Terme if Mr. Holburne be ready by y' time to argue
for his client (upon a fortnight's tyme) else the Atturney goes to
his Argument and the matter comes to Judgement so soone as the
Judges can agree it. My Lord Savile is come of w"'out fine, but
not staine upon his Honno' in the Breastes at leaste of the Lords
his Judges. Young Fulwood for stealing and bedding an orphan

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
(in a foule way) left by the King to the Law, is cast, & one
Bowin choise Agent w"" Him ; his Lady-moth' who held up her
hand also was quitt. Exception is laid to the Enditement, &
Tyme till next Terme. They say y' in the interim he may get (if
he can) a pardon w'' some wish him who desire more his shame
for the Fact then his Blood. A In the High Com-
^MieL*ned"S° uiissiou this Terme a deep censure was past upon
ready,* though one (who had mission he said but was no Eomish
there areTmaii pricst) for a popish Bookc of his w"? is to be burnt,
hopes of a par- j^g casting the first into y° fyre & be fined 2,000 '.'
& to be emprisoned &c. Carpenter (y° converted
Jesuite who preached at Panics this Sumer) doth at this tyme
stand & preach for a Lecture in St. Clement's Danes, whom
Multitudes goe to see who cannot heare Him. He railes much
upon the Pope, and threatens to reveale great things if the
Papists will not let him be Quiett. I wish his Conversion to be
inti'insecall & simple. Mr. Chillingworths I like better, who of a
staggered is become a confirmed Protestant, & has given those
grounds of his Confirmation -w''' I hope will be a meanes to con
vert & confirme 1000^'' He is a neat Scholler, an acute & nimble
disputant, soe well studied in y' maine points of difference y' the
Priests though shamefully provoked doe continually decline him
& all conference w"' him. His Booke I have sent you w"" I pray
you receive as an argument of his Learning and my Love. The
Countesses of Newport & Portland who are lately lapsed to
poperie (or rather appear to bee soe) said by Signio' Con & Tobith
Matthew, to be perverted, are by him sought to be regained.
Much adoe hath bene in Court about them, & the King & Counsell
are much provoked againt those y' perverted them, the issue
whereof will appear shortly, I hope in banishing them and punish
ing according to law such as shall dare to practise lyke them.
My Lords Grace of Canterburie hath bene verie hote against
them, whom yet o' libelling ;^amphlets will have a could Protes
tant. Who notw"" standing hath writt (though in short) soe much
against Poperie, y' if all y^ braines of the Libelle" and their
Love' were in one scull they would not doe more to the purpose,
though perhaps say more, to none. I speak not this from
affection, nor my oune but far greater judgements. (It is his.
discourse w'" Fisher in Dr. White's Works.)

, ADDITIONAL NOTE.
" The King hath bene troubled w'" a great Bile, but God be
thanked, hath had (though some paine) noe sickness w"" it. Lord
keep him long from it ! Dr. Warne' (Deane of Lichfield lately)
is made Bishop of Eochester. Dr. Fell (Margaret professo' of
Oxford & one of his Ma"" Chaplaines also) Dean of Lichfield.
A You have heard of the ... in Scotland, If his
AAndMr.chu- ^^u. rgmovc the [toml & Courts of Justice from
lingworth (they _ 1 J ^
Bay) uhaU be Edingborow phaps that ma3r quiett them. Here was
fesBOT?'^''** ^™' ^ report y' in Portugal! they had set up a new King
(not w'" out an ould & good title) Duke Bragance. I
doubt it is easier to sett then to keep one up. Vincet Veritas I
The Morocco Embassado' is here still. At his audience was extra-
ordinarie state to the eye and eare of the most, more then at the
reception of greater Embassado", but not to their understanding
who judge of state by reason rather then sense, & are not
affected with sounds & sights only w"" the comon people judge
by. The Ald'men & Comons brought him into [the] Citie at i'
[1st.] on Horse all. The Militarie Band to Court at his Audience.
He looks witherdly lyke an ould woman (though y" man y' turnes
y" Key to his Empero'). His Attendants poorely & yet able they
say to raise 500 horse of their owne Tenants by noone upon
notice over night most of them. 0' could clymate wearies them,
& causeth them make so great fyres y' the neighbor' are afraid
to be fyred by them. The house hath bene sett on fyre w""
receives them & w"" the Embassado' is joined in Comission one
Blague an Englishman, a merchant here but 3 yeares agoe (w* out
either state or credite), who is now farmer of all the King of
Morocco's Customes, w""" were wont to be lett to a Jew, but by
his witt & cariage these are now gott into his hands. They offer
trade for corne which is very cheap there (they say) & oth'
comodities. Thos. Bp. of Lincolne is in Tower still. Mr. Osbaston
(y" Schoolem' of Westminster his great creature &
thiaHoissorved Servant) is putt into y° starchamber for scandalous
into the High letters writt to the Bp. "(found in his studie) wherein
he railes my Lord of Canterburie, & other of the
Lords at his pleasure. He scapes well if he be not well whipt
for it. The Earle of Lincolne (the King giving y° Petition^ a
parson way) is in the High Comission for turning a Church or

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHEP,
Chappell yt was into a stable, & giving the Tithes (not to the
Parson y* should have them but) to His Chaplaine &c.
" You have S5 such news as is stirring w"" I write though
to few, to you y' you may know how willingly if I could anie
way I would serve you. I pray excuse the tediousnes of them,
& accept the tenders of all good respects from me, who for my
Father's sake & Mother-Soile cannot too much bono' you
William
Brough.
" To my much honoured Friend M'
John Harrison at his house in Leeds,
thss,"
Not only the great Ship-money trial, but the other items of
current news in the above letter, aj^pear in the published corre
spondence of Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, who at this time
was absent in Dublin as Lord-Deputy. Lord Conway, writing
to him from London, mentioned the reception of- the King of
Morocco's Ambassador with great pomp, and the perversion of
Lady Nevrport. The Archbishop of Canterbury -wrote, — "For
Sallee, the Town is taken and delivered into the hands of the
King of Morocco against his rebel, the Saint (as they caU him)
that would have taken it . . . There is an Ambassador also
come -with a present of Barbary horses to the King, and to
treat of conditions of Trade die." But Wentworth's great pur
veyor of news was a clergyman, the Eev. G. Garrard, in whose
letters are the following passages —
" My Lord Savile's cause is now there [in the Star Chamber]
in agitation, about the man whom he forced to release some -writ
ings; it hath taken up four Days already, and yet is not come to
sentence." " Wat Montague is again come into England . . . and is
a great companion of Siguier Con's, the Agent for Some."
" Here hath been an horrible noise about the Lady Newport's
being become a Eomish Catholic; she went one evenino; as she

ADDITIONAL NOTE.
came from a play in Drury Lane to Somerset House, where one of
the Capuchins reconciled her to the Popish Church of which she
now is a weak member. Her Lord upon knowledge of it, being
much grieved and in an high passion, went over to Lambeth to
make his complaint about it to my Lord's Grace of Canterbury
of those whom he thought had been instruments in the conversion
of his wife, naming Seignor Con, Wat Montague and Sir Toby
Matthew . . . The truth is neither Wat Montagije nor Toby
Matthew had any hand in this particular ; my Lady Duchess of
Buckingham, her Sister Porter and Seignor Con have been the
chief agents &c.
" Here came over -with Captain Eainshrough from Sallee an
Ambassador from the King of Morocco, an English Merchant, one
Mr. Blague, joined partly in Commission with him, some Twenty
in his train." Further particulars in the same and a later letter
are interesting and amusing.
"Here is newly presented to the King a book, -written by one
Chillingworth, of the University of Oxford, and bom in Oxford,
a book famous and long expected, entitled, Tlie Religion of Pro
testants a safe way to Salvation; I should be very sorry if it were
not so."
"We have had one or two Bonfires in Smithfield for the burn
ing of books; two of Bastwicks . . . also The Catholic Cordial,
a Popish book . . . Mr. Chillingworth for writing his book is
to be Lady Margaret Lecturer in Oxford."
" Mr. Fulwood for stealing a young wench from School, aged
fourteen ; an orphan of the City of London, and marrying her
against her will, was arraigned at the King's Bench Bar and con
demned; but Mr. Henry Jermyn hath got his pardon, for which,
'tis said, he had 5001."

II,

^boresbi^'s l^outb.

JOHN THORESBY AND LEEDS NONCONFORMITY— EALPH TAKEN TO LONDON-
RETURN— BRICKWORK— SENT TO HOLLAND-RETURN— COUNTY ELECTIONS-
DEATH OP JOHN THORESBY— HIS WILL.
Thus trained, and influenced by the traditions and associations
to be inferred from the foregoing chapter, Ealph Thoresby passed
through boyhood at home, accustomed to frequent attendance on
the services of the Church of England as well as at the meetings
of the Nonconformists. The Biographia Britannica states that
Ealph Thoresby had been bred among Presbyterians, but that
"never imbibing any of their rigid principles he had always
occasionally conformed to the Established Church;" and a note
is appended, — " In this, too, he was trained up by and followed
the example of his father." * John Thoresby seems to have had
influence with both sides. When in 1672, in the latter days of
the " Cabal," Charles the Second issued his " Declaration for an
universal toleration; Papists and swarms of sectaries now boldly
showing themselves in their public meetings," as Evelyn has it,
the leading Presbyterians of Leeds raised " a meeting-house, com
monly called the New Chapel," at Mill Hill; of which Thoresby
further wrote in his Ducatus, — "It is said to be the first, and
is certainly one of the stateliest fabricks (supported by a row
of pillars and arches More Ecclesiarum) built upon that occasion
¦* The material for this memoir was furnished by Ralph Thoresby's son, of
the same name, Rector of Stoke Newington,

THORESBY'S TdUTH. 45
in the North of England." * In the previous year, 1671, had
died Thomas, third Lord Fairfax; and his private chaplain,
Eichard Stretton, became minister at the "New Chapel." It is
highly probuble that John Thoresby ha;d a part in this choice
of the ex-chaplaiii of his old friend, tbe famous Parliamentarian
General; yet we learn from an account given by his son that
he .was " very instrumental in fixing at Leeds " the Eev. John
Kaye, M.A., who became -incumbent of the "New Church" (as
St. John's was long called), when in 1677 Mr. Milner was made
Vicar of Leeds. And there is another record of his activity in
regard to that Church.- His son says in the Ducatus that he
remembers the inscription upon its great bell, — "because ordered
by my Father, Mr. John Thoresby, upon re-casting it, —
When I the loudest ring
The Founder's praise I sing."
He was one of those Nonconformists who sought rather to co
operate with the Established Church than to separate from her;
and how much soever he might condemn the Conventicle and
Five Mile Acts, there is reason to think that he was disposed
to respect the law. In the many -visits to Leeds of that eminent
Nonconformist, Oliver Heywood, while those Acts were in full
force, though loosely administered, we find no mention of John
Thoresby among his entertainers.
In August 1665, Hejrwood preached at Leeds to a private
assembly in defiance of the Conventicle Act, which forbade more
than four persons, "over and above those of the same house-
'* It soon had two, if not three competitors: — "In the fields, near the con
fluence of Are and Holbeok, have of late years been erected three Fabricks ;
first, that called the Main-Riding-House, which, upon King Charles the Second's
Indidgence, was used for a Meeting-Place by those of the Congregational per
suasion ; whose aged Minister, Mr. Christopher Ncise, first consecrated it. . . ,
2dly. The Quaker's Meeting-House, which was bmlt Anno Dom. 1699. . . .
3dly. Pasture Spriui/, a House of Entertainment." — Ducatus Lead.
The congregation of the e.x-locturer Nesse afterwards removed to a chapel
in CaU Lane.

46 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
hold," to meet for service otherwise than the Act of Uniformity
ordained; and in little more than two months after the 24th of
March 1666, when the Act came into operation which forbade
Nonconforming preachers to come within five miles of a Corporate
tovni, or a place where they had been accustomed to minister,
"unless only in passing upon the road," he preached at Leeds
again, in the house of Mr. John Cummin, sleeping afterward
at Mr. Eobert Hickson's. In the following April he preached,
says his diary, " at the house of Matthew Boyse, a godly
ancient Christian that hath been at New England," and slept
at Mr. Ealph Spencer's, a merchant. In December 1667, he
preached at Mr. Spencer's and at Mr. Joseph Jackson's, and
t-wice in Leeds again the following March. In 1669 he was at
Mr. Timothy Smith's, keeping a fast with Christopher Nesse;
and at Mr. Cummins's, Mr. Spencer's, and Mr. Paul Thoresby's,
preaching again. Once excepted, when, preaching at William
Thompson's, near Kirkstall Abbey, in 1668, he was interrupted hy
Alderman Foxcroft, J. P., and got out by a back way. Hey wood's
Leeds ministrations had not been molested ; although, directly
after Foxcroft's visit, he went into the town, preached there, and
walked about the streets. But when, on the night of Monday
the 14th of March 1670, he was preaching in a house in Little
Woodhouse, he was apprehended by constables and carried before
the Mayor; "who," says Heywood, "put me to the common
prison, called Capon Hall, or Cappon Call." This Mayor was
Godfrey Lawson,* of whom Thoresby has recorded that he en
larged Plarrison's Grammar School by adding to it " a new
appartment in the year 1692, in the lower Eoom whereof is a
Conveniency for a Fire for the Scholars in Winter; and in that
above a growing Library, wherein are some choice Books of his

¦" Great-grandson of Thomas Lawson, of Little Usworth, in Durham, of
whom Sir Wilfrid Lawson, the first baronet, was a great-grandson also, iu
another line of descent.

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 47
Gift, and other charitably disposed persons." * It may surely be
suggested on behalf of one who showed so much consideration
for starved boys at the Grammar School, that in sending
Heywood to prison the Mayor conceived himself to be only
discharging a duty to which the law obliged him. The next
day, " on the mediation of friends," Oliver Heywood was set at
liberty, and he immediately preached again in Leeds without
further ill consequences.
One of the friends who interceded for him may have been
John Thoresby, but Heywood first mentions him on the 9th
of February 1675; when, the King's Declaration of Indulgence
having just been recalled, John Thoresby joined with others in
counselling obedience to the law. " We had," says Heywood,
" a meeting at Mr. Stretton's to consult about my preaching.
[He had been invited to preach at Mill Hill before the with
drawal was known.] Mr. Thoresby, Mr. Dickson, Mr. Hickson,
Mr. Wilson, Mr. Iveson, Mr. Milner and others did all judge it
expedient to forbear; partly because it was an Order, and so in
force as soon as published without proclamation ; partly because
of the Aldermen's rage, being exasperated by the Non-Conformists'
conflict with them and conquest of them, but especially because
they had told the mayor and aldermen that if the King called
in the licenses they would cease. So I forbore preaching in
public, yet preached my sermon in private, at Mr. Stretton's
house, that night.'' t
* " Was much of the afternoon at the new library, at the free School, tran
scribing benefactors. Some of the chief, with the founder, came presently after ;
stayed with them some time, and after, had Mr. Robinson's (who gave the
Polyglot Bible), company at my house," — Thoresby's Diary, 8th March 1693.
Mr. Lobinson was then Incumbent of St, John's Church.
t The decision here come to influenced Heywood's own conduct at this crisis.
^Vniong the reasons which he subsequently gave for then desisting from public
preaching was, — " sc\'eral ministers elsewhere had given over this public way of
preaching by Licenses, especially at Leeds, that had held up valiantly, and
had bestowed four hundred pounds in building and preparing a meeting-place,
besides Mr. Ncsse's beyond the bridge."

4S RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
The Mr. Thoresby would be John Thoresby, for Paul, his
uncle, had died in 1673, the very year in which Mill Hill
Chapel was completed. The " conflict " with the Corporation is
explained by a former passage in Heywood's Diary 'r — "We had
the case of Leeds much upon our hearts to God in prayer,
because it is the most considerable place in these parts, aud
God had graciously brought them off, indeed wonderfully, after
some shocks. Two bailiffs informed against fifty persons being
at Mill Hill May 24,* and June 7, 1674, but were baffled;
indicted for perjury; bill .found at Leeds Sessions and York
Assizes; warrants out for them. Still their enemies were busy;
prevailed with the Mayor f to send six officers to the meeting-
place, who came August 26; Mr. Todd was preaching. The
constable said the mayor charged them to desist that work in
that place : Mr. Todd briefly replied, 'Are you not Christians 1
And surely you will not be worse to us than heathens were to
Paul, who had liberty to preach the Gospel in heathen Eome.'
They went away. We, hearing that the Archbishop was at Leeds,
* John Thoresby himself was attacked among others. In a note to the
" Depositions from the Castle of York," published by the Surtees Society, ia
the following indictment: — "May 24, 1674. Against John Thoresby, gent.,
Susannah Idle, Brian Dixon and his wife, Hannah Scatcherd, the wife of
Joseph Ibbetson, the wife of Biokerdike, gen., Jeremiah Thoresby, &o., for
being at a conventicle at Leeds in a house called Sybill's." Susannah Idle was,
most probably, John Thoresby's mother-in-law, Ralph Idle of Bulmer having
mari'ied a Susannah Stapleton. There was also a connexion between John
Thoresby and the Ibbetsons. Bui the Jeremiah could scarcely be his son of
that name, who was then only eight years old. He might be a descendant of
Paul Thoresby's.
On the second date named by Heywood, the 7th of June, there was an
indictment for, — "A conventicle at tho house of Robert Armitage, Clerk, in
Holbeck." At Newcastle, on the 22nd of July 1669, there was a similar deposition against
" George Thursby, Draper, and bis wife," most likely John Thoresby's younger
brother, the ex-Sheriff, although in the Ducatus he is called a merchant,
t William Busfield, the son of WiUiam Busfield, a Leeds merchant. He was
Mayor from September 1673 to the same month of 1674, and died at. 40, in
October 1675. His mother was the eldest sister of Thomas Metcalf, Aldei'man
under the first Charter, and the builder of Red Hall.

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 49
were afraid of some combinations against them. We earnestly
prayed for them August 24, being Bartholomew's Day. The day
after we had account of their full liberty still; even the Lord's
Day the bisho2> was at Leeds." A note entered on the margin
of the Parish Eegister of Burials, August 1674, explains this : —
" The 23rd Day was the confirmation office for y° towne and
countrey celebrated by D: Eich. Sterne L. Arch Bp. of Yorke at
y" old church and y° 24th. & being St. Bartolomew Day was
Armley Chapel * consecrated by y" said L. Arch Bp. Mr. Marm:
Cooke our Vicar preaching y' confermation sermon the same Day
also was there a confirmation at that Chappell and againe at y'
old church after his retume."
The Eegister for this year contains two entries concerning
these proceedings against Nonconformists. The first is in Feb
ruary : — •
"The 8th day came order for suppressing y° Popish and
Sohismatical Assemblies. Dated from j' Councel Table ffebruary
ye 3d. (z^.y.
The other is in June :—
" Mr. Stretton Ness and Armitage -with their schismatical
assemblies was convicted by y' oathes of Lawson and Halliwell
apparatories." Above this has been added, in the same hand, "the 15th
day, the first time"; and below, "The second time July y"
19th." On the 20th of the previous March there is registered
the burial of "An infant of Mr. Eobert Ness beyond bridge."
The Nonconformists of Yorkshire at this time had the support
of the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Lieutenant of the County;
and as he had married the daughter of the late Lord Fairfax,
he would bo inclined, we may suppose, to favour them in Leeds
particularly, where Mr. Stretton was minister. Heywood speaks
* The chapel theu consecrated was built nearly a half-centiu-y earlier. It
was dedicated to St. Bartholomew.

50 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
of the Duke having rebuked at Leeds, "for troubling his neigh
bours," a county magistrate, Mr. Copley; and also the Vicar,
when he complained to the Duke of the meetings of fanatics.-*
This was Marmaduke Cooke, D.D., who had succeeded Lake in
1663, having previously been Master of the Free School at Don-
caster, his native town, and then rector of Kirk-Bram-with. He
married Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward Atkinson, who first
oflSciated as Mayor of Leeds under the new Charter of Incorpora
tion; representing Thomas Danby, Esq., f the Mayor nominated,
as Harrison had represented Sir John Savile. It is very hkely
* Another note entered in the Register, November 1674, has already been
printed in the History of ihe Parish Church of Leeds, by Major R. W, Moore:—
" The viii day, Geo, D. Buckingham -with his Countiss was at the Church
wit'n L, ffairfax, who came to compromise the contentions betwixt the clothiers
of Dewsbury and others."
t Thomas Danby, Esq,, the son of Sir Thomas Danby, Kt,, High Sheriff of
Yorkshire, and Colonel in the reign of Charles the First, was descended from
an old family settled at Danby, iu the North Riding, One of the family was
Lord Chief Justice of Common Pleas in the reign of Edward the Ponrth; and
the marriage of his son. Sir James Danby, Kt,, with the daughter and heiress
of John Langton, of Parnley, brought the Danbys into local connexion with
Leeds. One of his descenda.nts was a benefactor to the Church; t^wo others were
burled there in 1578 ; and Katharine, aunt of the Mayor, and the wife of Sir
Prancis Armitage, of Kirklees, Bart., was baptised at Leeds in 1611,
The three owls which constitute the crest and supporters iu the Arms of
the Borough of Leeds are taken from the Arms of Savile ; and the chief -with
three mullets, in the shield, from those of Danby; a suspended fleece in the
shield indicating the staple trade of the town. In the language of Heralds
these Arms, are, — Azure, a fleece, or; on a chief, sable, three mullets, argent.
Crest, an owl, argent. Supporters, two owls, argent, ducally crowned, or. But
in Leeds "V-ernacular the blazoning runs, — "T' three Ullets an' a Tup i' trouble,"
A popular magazine, in an account of Leeds in Olden Time, more amusing
than accurate, not very long since told its readers that the Arms of Savile,
containing as they did a fleece, -were very appropriate to the clothing town
that adopted them. The Arms of Savile ai-e,— Argent, on a bend, sable, three
owls ; which, ho'«'ever, Thoresby discovers for other reasons to be particularly
approiM-iate for Leeds. "The Athenian Birds," he says in the Ducatus Leodi
ensis, were " a good Omen of so many learned Authors as have been bom or
resided here;" and further appropriate, because of "Minerva (whose Bird the
Owl is as well as the Saviles Arms) being not only the Goddess of Learning
and -\Visdom, but the Inventor of Spinning and ¦\\'eiiving, and justly celebrated
for finding out the Use both of Oil and iVooi, without which tJiib idace could
not subsist."

THORESBY'S YOUTH, 51
that the Vicar's complaint was milder than the rebuke which it
brought down upon him; for we are told in Thoresby's Vicaria
that at Leeds " he had the character of a good preacher (tho' he
had not the most plausible Delivery) a peaceable and quiet Man,
and a holy mortified Christian." It appears that his successor,
Milner, had no unfriendly feeling towards Mr. Heywood, by
whom he was visited and discoursed -with immediately after his
institution as Vicar ; Heywood then being about to preach in
Mill Hill Chapel. Heywood had, too, just attended a meeting at
the house of Matthew Boyse, and -written a letter to Mr. Stretton
(unsuccessful, though signed by a number of Mill Hill congrega
tion) inviting his return from London, where he had gone that
year. At this juncture, Ealph Thoresby, nearly at the age of nine
teen, was taken by his father to London, the better to fit him
for active life, and for business as a cloth merchant. A letter
-written by John Thoresby, after his return home, has been
published in Hunter's preface to Ealph Thoresby's Diary : —
"Leeds, 15th Aug. 1677.
"Son Ealph,
" I wrote two or three lines to my cousin, by Mr. Hassle,
and at the bottom of that shred of paper two lines to you, and
expected two or three words from you -with my cousin's letter
this last post, but I suppose you had written by the carrier.
Eemember what I advised you, to be always employed in
some la-\vful employment or other; some times in hearing good
sermons, wherein you will have many opportunities; sometimes
in attending my cousin at the Hall, and helping to lift or
remoA'e cloth or any such thing wherein you can be useful or
scrviceiible ; sometimes in writing or drawing prospects (which
will be a pleasant and innocent recreation), as that of the
Monument, or of Bedlam, which might be taken very well in the
middle of Moorfields ; and I would have you, in a httle book,
^\'llich you may either buy, or make of two or three sheets of
paper, take a little journal of anything remarkable every day,

52 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
principally as to yourself, as, suppose, Aug 2. I was at such a
place; (or) I omitted such a duty; (or) such a one preached
from such a text, and my heart was touched; (or) I was a
negligent hearer, (or) otherwise, &c. I have thought this a good
method for one to keep a good tolerable decorum in actions,
&c. because he is to be accountable to himself as well as to
God, which we are too apt to forget: but I have not room to
say much. Eemember me to all the good family where you
are, and to Mr. Thomas Dickenson, and with my love to and
prayers for yourself, I am
"Your truly loving father,
"John Thoeesby."
Ealph Thoresby was prompt in obeying his father's injunc
tion. On Sunday the 2nd of September 1677, he began the
diary for which he has been sometimes named " The Yorkshire
Pepys.'' The above letter was found attached to a fly-leaf at
its commencement, and so continues.-* But Thoresby's Diary is
much in contrast with that of Pepys, although of less interest
than it and Evelyn's only, among the published journals of the
age. Out of the thirteen entries which he made in the said
month of September, nine record his attendance upon religious
services. With the relatives to whom he was consigned, Ealph
Thoresby was in a position which favoured his folio-wing a
course of life in London corresponding to his former life in
Leeds. Mr. John Dickenson, of Leeds and London, merchant,
the descendant of a Yorkshire family, is described by Thoresby
as " a holy and humble Christian, his wife also very pious."
This was his second wife, Mary, daughter of the Eev. Thomas
Button, Eector of St. Mary-le-Bow, London. His daughter Mercy,
by a former wife, the widow of Peter Jackson, of Leeds, was
married to one of the non-conforming ministers of 1662, Thomas
Whitaker. His relative, Thomas Dickenson, was grandson of the
* In the possession of James Crossley, Esq., of Manchester.

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 53
Eev. William Dickenson, B.D., Eector of Appleton near Oxford,
and himself became Master of Arts and Eector of Odington.
Thus there was a family connexion both -with the Church and
Nonconformity; but the Dickensons attended a Nonconformist
chapel, in Crosby Square, Bishopgate Street, to wliich Thoresby
went with them. His Diary begins -with the mention of a
sermon by its minister, Mr. Slater; and the next day he was
"at Mr. Lawrence's, at the Fast for the Fire."
During the six months that he spent -with the Dickensons,
Ealph Thoresby also heard sermons by Keeling, Thompson, Buck,
Taylor, Jenkins, Lye, Vincent, Jeremiah White, who had been
Cromwell's chaplain, and the famed Eichard Baxter. At the
Glasshouse, and at pinner's Hall, in Broad Street, he heard
Dr. Bates and Dr. Jacomb; and he was twice at private meet
ings where sermons were " repeated " which had been preached
by Mr. West. All these, except Mr. Buck, may be read of in
Calamy; who also gives account of another preacher whose
assistance at Crosby Chapel put Ealph Thoresby in a dilemma.
Jeremiah Marsden, the second son of Ealph Marsden, one of
Oliver Heywood's predecessors at Coley Chapel near Halifax,
was concerned with a fanatical project in the latter part of the
year 1663, to replace the existing order of things in Church
and State by a " Gospel Ministry " and " Christian Magistracy."'
"The Farnley Wood Plot," as it was called, from the meeting-
place near Leeds, was largely shared in by Fifth Monarchists, if
it did not originate with them; and Jeremiah Marsden was
tinctured with their views. The plot was promptly suppressed,,
and severely punished; its local chief. Captain Thomas Oates of
Morley, an old Parliamentarian officer, being executed at York
along with seventeen of his followers, and three others on
Chapeltown Moor, for the particular benefit of Leeds and its
vicinity. But Marsden escaped, and, utilising his father's Chris
tian name, lived in London under the name of Ealphson, as a

54 RALPH THOEESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Nonconformist minister. "Under this name," says Calamy, "he
was written against by Mr. Baxter in 1684, on account of his
rigorous separating "principles, which went so far as to decry
parish worship as idolatry. He was inclined to the notions of
the Fifth Monarchists."
The son of Captain Oates (another Ealph), gave evidence
against the plotters; and in a deposition, discursive and inco
herent, which Dr. Whitaker has published in his Loidis, he
mentioned a Major Greathead as the " leading man for the West
Eiding." He further said, — "John Brooke, of Woodhouse near
Leeds, told this examinant that Quarter-Master Pattison, who
lives at John Thoresby's house in Leeds, came to York the
ninth instant as a spy to see what was done with Major Great-
head." * How Quarter-Master Pattison came to be at John
Thoresby's house is not explained; but it is certain that John
Thoresby neither sympathised with the plot nor with the opinions
of Marsden, othervsdse Ealphson, against whom he warned his son
upon going to London. Now upon the very Sunday after that
on which his son's diary began this very man officiated for the
minister of Crosby Square Chapel; and the ingenuousness v.'ith
which Ealph Thoresby records both his difficulty and way of
getting over it is rather amusing. Although he had been warned
* At Gildersome, in Farnley neighbourhood, the house in which Major Great-
head lived yet stands; and a ghost story, that he "came again" in a neighbour
ing plantation, with an attendant chain, which, of course, rattled, is not yet
forgotten. Many have declared that they had seen him. Parnley Wood was
cut do-wn about forty years .since, to the overthrow of a local saying con
cerning any improbability, — "As likely as taking Parnley Wood to stub." A
space in the midst of it, about which there was the sort of embankment known
as a "pit-hill," -was pointed out -as the meeting-place of the plotters.
In a volume of "Yorkshire Diaries" published by the Surtees Society, is
John Hobson's, a resident in the neighbourhood of Barnsley, who mentions a
Mr. Skelton, head gamekeeper for above sixty years to the Wortleys ; and who
states that Skelton had been " quarter-master to a private troup which was
raised to quench the Parnley Wood plot, and assisted at the taking of Gates
and Greathead." But it appears that Major Greathead -was very slightly
imphcated, perhaps the others iad reckoned unduly upon his co-operation.

THORESBVS YOUTH, 55
by his father against Marsden, he was under no obligation to
know Ealphson; in any case, the preacher had come to him,
he had not gone to the preacher, and need not own to knowing
him. So we read,—" 9 Sep: 1677. Die Dom. Mr. Ealphson
(though to me incognito, else I have a charge from my good
father not to hear him, as a person less orthodox) preached
for Mr. S. from Psalm xxxvii, 5; a Christian ought to live a
dependent Hfe upon Christ." This is all that he says of the
sermon, but John Thoresby had no reason to distrust his son's
adherence to orthodoxy. When the next Sunday Mr. Ealphson
preached again for Mr. Slater, from Amos iii. 7, " Surely the
Lord will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his
servants the prophets," Thoresby said, — "but not to my great
satisfaction, seeming, though covertly, to infuse his own prin
ciples;" and on a later occasion he -wrote, — "Mr. Ealphson made
a sermon, but, in my opinion, none of the best. His subject
should have been, that sufferings precede the glory of God's
children; he more than hinted at Christ's personal reign."
Beside all these Nonconformists, Thoresby heard Dr. Bell
preach at the chapel at Guildhall ; and the Lord Chancellor's
chaplain. Dr. John Moore, afterward Bishop of Ely, at Cornhill
Church, upon which occasion he was accompanied by Mr, Stret
ton, the late minister at Mill Hill, On the 24th of January
1678, he went to Bow Church to see Dr, Sancroft consecrated
Archbishop of Canterbury, when (he thought) he heard a sermon
from Tillotson. But of all the services which Thoresby attended
during his first -visit to London, probably none more impressed
him, or was more in consonance with his feelings, than the
sight of clergymen of the Estabhshed Church walking in pairs
with Nonconformist ministers at the funeral of Dr. Manton.
Calamy says of Dr. Manton, who died on the 18th of October
1677, that "he was a man of great learning, judgment and
integrity; of great temper and moderation, and respected by all

56 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
that knew him;" and that he left "behind him the general
reputation of as excellent a preacher as this city or nation hath
produced." He was buried on the 22nd of October at Stoke-
Newington, his church prior to the Act of Uniformity; and
Ealph Thoresby's entry under that date confirms the account
given by Calamy : — " Forenoon at home ; after, walked to New- '
ington to see the church, and the eminent Dr. Manton's funeral,
who, being deservedly styled the King of Preachers, was attended
with the vastest number of ministers of all persuasions, &c. that -
ever I saw together in my life." It is in the Eeview of his
Life, written some years after his Diary, that he teUs of the
clergy and Nonconformists walking side by side. The interest
of Thoresby's visit to Newington Church, even upon this occar
sion, would have been much enhanced could he have foreknown
that some years hence a son of his o-wn was to become its
Eector. Notwithstanding his diligent attendance upon a variety of
religious services, on Sundays and week days, Ealph Thoresby
found time for the sights of London. He went "-with Elkanah
Boyse to Southwark to see the Elephant, &c." Elephants were a
greater rarity then than now; Evelyn saw one for the first time
in 1641, at Eotterdam. He went with his cousin Dickinson to
see the crown and armoury at the Tower. Mr. Thomas Dicken
son, took him "to see the tombs in Westminster Abbey"; and
another day he was there transcribing epitaphs. His cousin went
with him to several churches "to see the tombs, &c.," and after
mentioning a visit to Cripplegate Church he refers to "a collec
tion of epitaphs for those eminent historians. Fox and Speed."
This inclination for copying epitaphs, afterward prominent among
his antiquarian pursuits, showed itself thus early; and the form
in which he complied with his father's recommendation of the
"pleasant and innocent recreation," drawing, indicates that blend
ing of a disposition for antiquities with an attachment to the

THORESBY'S YOUTH, 57
principles of the Eeformation which distinguished his after life.
Instead of taking views of the Monument and Bedlam, he staid
indoors "imitating," oi*, as he , also calls it "making the pictures"
of Huss, Jerome, Luther, Zuinglius, Knox and Beza; though an
earlier artistic effort had quite another subject — Joseph and his
mistress. To begin -with, he spent half-arcrown in a set of sixty
crayons, getting several more given in; and it is to be feared
that his contemplated purchase and purpose one day disturbed
his thoughts in Pinner's Hall, when they ought to have been
monopolised by a sermon of Dr. Owen's. For after confessing,
to his shame, how many thoughts and imaginations were in him
that morning, he tells that after dinner he went to the Strand
to inquire for crayons, and in vain. The next day he visited
the Strand again, and succeeded.
Then Thoresby went to hear causes tried at the Guildhall,
and to see the Judges at Westminster; he saw "the Sheriffs
in their pomp and splendid gallantry " leave Guildhall to be
sworn at Westminster, and he went to see the Lord Mayor's
Show. But the stand which he ascended, like many more since,
gave way; and, thankful to Providence, he was glad to get
safely from it before the end also came down. This seems to
have lost him his view of the show, but he " got a sight of "
the Eoyal personages who at that day honoured it by looking on.
Beside Charles the Second and his Queen, there were the Duke
of York, the Lady Anne, and the newly married Prince and
Princess of Orange. Many of the nobility were in attendance,
and two days later Ealph Thoresby was again within sight of
Eoyalty; he went to Hyde Park "to see the soldiers train
before the King." The State entrance of the French Ambassador
on the 27th of November 1677, which Thoresby witnessed at
the Tower; his going "to see them make glasses, &c.," which
he pronounced "very ingenious and curious,'' and to see fireworks
on November the 5th, completes the record of his sight-seeing.

58 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Altogether, Ealph Thoresby's half-year's sojourn in London was
beyond the reproach of the strictest Puritan. He never so much
as names a theatre; and when he saw the elephant at South
wark, it was a fortnight after the three days' fair. He did as
his father told him by attending upon Mr. Dickenson at Black-
well Hall. By an Act of the Common Council of London in
1665, New Blackwell Hall, a former mansion of Sir Eobert Ducy,
in the parish of St. Michael's, Bassishaw, had been added to Old
Blackwell Hall, Leadenhall and the Welsh Hall for the sale of
" all sorts of broad and narrow cloths, by what name soever
called, distinguished or known, or at what place soever made,''
&c. Their sale elsewhere was forbidden, in order to prevent
other than London citizens from engaging in its trade, and
" that good and lawful wares should be bought and sold, and
corrupt and unlawful bargains and contracts made in Inns, Ware
houses and other private places, tending to the deceit of the
people, and contrary to the Laws of the Eealm and Customs of
this City, might be avoided." The market days were Thursdays,
Fridays and Saturdays ; and all woollen goods from Yorkshire
were charged a hallage of eightpence the horse-pack.
Nor was Thoresby above making himself useful at home,
but staid indoors the whole of an afternoon helping Mrs. Madox
and another lady to cut paper. This Mrs. Madox, sister of
Thoresby's hostess, Mrs. Dickenson, and -wife of a London gold
smith, was the mother of Thomas Madox, Historiographer Eoyal,
well kno-wn for his history of the Excheqaer and other works.
Twice while in London Ealph Thoresby saw the effect of its
fires; and he has recorded that on the night of Thursday the
17th of January 1678, or rather about two or three o'clock on
the following morning, —
"There was a most terrible storm of rain, hail and violent
winds, accompanied with such dreadful thunder and lightning,
that some started up half distracted, thinking it to be the day

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 59
of judgment; it was, indeed, the most formidable, unparallelled
tempest that ever I knew; the -wind blustering and beating
great hailstones -with such force against the windows and walls
as did awaken very hard sleepers with fear."
At length the time came for Thoresby's return home, and
having made purchases at Westminster, the Exchanges and several
other places, of "pictures and tokens for relations," on Saturday
the 23rd of February he mounted for Leeds : — ¦
"Left, I think, the finest city in the world, an obliging,
kind family, &c., where all imaginable advantages for soul and
body; but returning home to the dearest, most affectionate, and
best of fathers, which doth more than counterbalance all else.
Came from London to Eoyston, wherein experienced the good
ness of God, in preservation from innumerable e-vils."
As it appears, he had ¦ calculated upon staying the Sunday
over at Eoyston, after this ride of nearly forty miles; but, —
" February 24, Die Dom. Constrained utterly against my
mind to travel from Eoyston to Stamford, though the Lord's
Day; but either do so, or be left upon the road about a
hundred miles from home, and not knowing a foot of the way."
" About a hundred miles from home " understates the case.
His Sunday's ride was nine miles more than the first one ; on
Monday he rode nearly fifty miles, from Stamford to Tuxford;
and more than fifty, thence home, on Tuesday the 26th. He
spent the remainder of the week among papers and conversing
¦with friends, on Saturday righting papers, &c,, which had travelled
from London after hini by the carrier. Not much wonder that
amid the changes and excitement of this eventful week he got
wrong in his dates, and made, as he did, every entry in his
diary, from his leaving London to the end of February, too late
hy a day.
Ealph Thoresby continued at home the record which he had
begun in London, and notices of sermons still formed its promi
nent feature. But these confirm what has been said of his

60 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
father's double connexion with the Church and Nonconformity,
and they also show that in Leeds, as in London, the King's
revocation of his Declaration of 1672 interfered only temporarily
with tfie Nonconformist public services. Evelyn's opinion of it,
that although there might be relaxations without prejudice to
the Established Church, "to let go the reins in this manner,
and then to imagine they could take them up again as easily,
was a false policy," was fully justified. The Conventicle and
Five Mile Acts were found impracticable enough before the
Declaration, but they became more so after it; and one of the
Sheriffs of London is reported to have said to some Bishops
who dined with him about this time, — "We cannot trade with
our neighbours one day, and send them to gaol the next." *
This was applicable to Leeds as well as to London. The enter- ' '
tainers of Oliver Heywood who have been mentioned were not
men of insignificant standing in the town. The name of Eobert
Hickson, whose wife was niece to Elkanah Wales and sister-in-
law to Cornelius Todd, appears twice in the Hearth return for
houses in Briggate, one having five hearths and the other six.
Timothy Smith, also of Briggate, returned four hearths. His
first -wife was sister to one whom Thoresby calls " the learned
James lUingworth, B.D.; t and his second, a sister of Mrs. Hick-
son's. Timothy Smith, Jun,, married the daughter of Eobert
Hickson. Matthew Boyse ^returned four hearths for a house in
the North Main-Eiding of Leeds, spoken of in the Ducatus as
" an ancient house (to which Mr. James Blayds, Merchant, has
added a very neat and pleasant apartment, A-Ia-mode) ; " while
Ealph Spencer, the son of Eobert Spencer, citizen and wax-
chandler of London, was a merchant in Leeds, the purchaser of
a mansion in its outskirts named Holms Hall, and the bearer of
a Coat-of-Arms; which Arms, howsoever, were called in question
by Sir William Dugdale.
* Calamy, Account, &o. t He was president of Emanuel College, Cambridge.

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 61
The services at Mill Hill Chapel were resumed -with Mr. Sharp
of Horton, for minister, Mr; Stretton remaining in London; and
Thoresby, on his return, regularly heard on Sunday mornings
Mr. Kay of St. John's, and later in the day Mr. Sharp of Mill
Hill. Once he heard Milner, the Vicar, then Kay,* then Sharp, t
Two incidents, slight in themselves, which Thoresby noted at
this time, deserve mention; the one for its foreshadowing of
the antiquarian, the other because ominous of his future as a
man of business. One day, he was at home perusing old parch
ments in company with a half-cousin, a son of Paul Thoresby's,
denominated in tho pedigree "Joshua Thoresby of Chester in the
Street," and who married the sister of an artist, George Lumley.
And one Friday he went to the market at Wakefield, "but sold
nothing." His most notable employment during the four months
that succeeded his return from London was the superintendence
of the building of a chimney in brick.
* Not long after the execution of Charles the Pirst, Dr, Lake, his successor
Mr, Milner, and Mr. Kay were stationed in one neighbourhood under Puritan
authority; Lake at Halifax, Milner at Sowerby Bridge, and Kay at Raistriok.
Kay was afterward at Dewsbury, then lecturer at Leeds Parish Church (but
not the immediate successor of Nesse), whence he removed to St. John's.
Oliver Heywood calls him "a good preacher" and a "moderate Conformist";
Thoresby, "an excellent preacher and of moderate principles," Yet ou the
Sunday above referred to, Thoresby says, — " Mr. Milner preached very well ;
but Mr. Kay, in my slender opinion, too fawningly to please some, showing
the ignorance, pride, &o,, of heretics," Three weeks later, "Mr, Kay showed
there is no Church -without imperfection, and therefore a madness to separate
on that account,"
t There is a short memoir of Mr, Sharp in which it is said, that his parents
"dedicated hira to God in the work of the ministry, though he was their eldest
Bon, and likely to enjoy a considerable estate," About 1650 he was sent to
Clare Hall, Cambridge, where he was first under his mother's brother, David
Clarkson, and upon his leaving, under Tillotson, afterwards Archbishop. Another
uncle, William Clarkson, Rector of Adel, near Leeds, dying about 1660, the
living -was given to Mr. Sharp by its patron, an Arthington of Arthington; but
a displaced Rector, Dr. Hitch of Guiseley, claimed it after the Restoration as
his by right, and Mr. Sharp would not contest his claim, although eligible
having received episcopal ordination, and although Mr. Arthington offered to sup
port him, on the ground that Mr. Hitch -was excluded by tho Pluralities Act.
For some time Mr. Sharp lived privately with his father, and attended the
Palish Church of Bradford.

62 EALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
The house in Kirkgate had been built by his grandfather in
the reign of James the First, when, 'as Ealph Thoresby says, in
Leeds brick was scarcely known. Alderman Metcalf's triple-roofed
mansion at the West Bar, which still bears the name of Eed
Hall being the first brick house built in the town, dates from
1628; but brick building in Leeds seems to have made little or
no progress for the next fifty years. Mr. Kay of St. John's
"new cased with brick'' the parsonage which John Harrison
built some half-dozen years after the building of Eed Hall; and
the 15th and 16th days of March 1678, are locally memorable
as those on which. Ealph Thoresby was very busy at home, —
"taking down the pictures, beds, &c,, in order to the workmen's
pulling down the chimneys, to build them more safely, con
veniently, &c,, of brick," The massive chimney stack then raised
was recently to be seen, though not so much distinguished from
the rest of the building as it had been originally; for the main
timbers of the "post and panel" work of James the First's time
had long been filled in with brick. The chimney building lasted
until the end of June, and found Thoresby with occupation in
looking after the workmen. Being then about to go to Holland
for further improvement, and to learn Dutch, he was " so
thronged " with the workmen and with preparation for his
coming voyage, that, he confesses, "neglected diary, &c., for
which I desire to be humbled."
On Friday the 4th of July his father travelled with him to
Hull, and, ha-ving spent the next day in viewing that town and
-visiting friends, about six in the evening he went on board
" Thomas Scheman's vessel " for Eotterdam, now travelling alone.
Although, favoured with a good wind and fair weather, he got to
Eotterdam in forty eight hours, Ealph Thoresby was sea-sick until
sheltered in the Maas ; so that, as he laments, through sear
sickness and depravity of heart, he had not, as they sailed
along on Sunday, " such holy thoughts as ought to have been

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 63
in one that has so many mercies daily bestowed upon him."
No doubt he felt very miserable, at once lonesome, sea^sick and
self-condemned ; but he was not in a land of strangers entirely
upon landing at Eotterdam.
It has been mentioned in a note, that William Milner, mer
chant, of Leeds, married a sister-in-law of Paul Thore.sby's. His
third son," also William, became Mayor of Leeds in 1697; the
second, Benjamin, was a merchant at Amsterdam; and the eldest,
Joseph, a merchant at Eotterdam. With this son of the sister-in-
law of his grandfather's half-brother, Ealph Thoresby lived during
his first three weeks in Holland; and, as ready to acknowledge
relation.ship as to be useful, he tells of being at " cousin Milner's
packhouse, helping with the cloth &c." But he did not pass the
whole time in Eotterdam. Mr. Milner took him a four days'
tour, to Amsterdam by way of Turgow, otherwise Gouda, thence
to Haarlem, and home again by Leyden and Delft. They travelled
by waggon and boat, and in the night-boat from Turgow to
Amsterdam " lay contentedly upon fresh straw with much com
pany." Thoresby speaks of public buildings and other places
which he visited in these towns; but in Eotterdam itself he only
names particularly that he was " at the great church taking
Admiral De Witt's epitaph."
Thoresby commenced studying Dutch without loss of time,
and his progress soon gained for him the praises of the Milner
family. This, he wrote, "I hope is not noted through pride or
vain glory, but somewhat to curb that extremity of ill conceit
which my natural temper inclined me to entertain of everything
I am concerned in, even to the suppressing of my endeavours,
as impossible (for me) to attain to eminency in anything that
is commendable." But the better to learn the language, and also
the Dutch " way of cyphering," he removed to Schiedam, where
he boarded at Mr. Puslewitt's, and attended the school of
Jlr. William Brents. And this as he just entered upon his

64 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
twenty-first year. He was sorely troubled to see how customary
it was in Holland " for all sorts to profane the Lord's Day by^
singing, playing, walking, sewing, &c.," the more so, he adds,
" because they profess the name of Christ and are of the
Reformed Churches ; " and at Schiedam he condemned himself
for having been "too compliant -with the vices of the place, in
not so strictly observing the Sabbath."' Yet he had attended
the Sunday services in the EngUsh Church at Eotterdam; and
he went also to the Schiedam Church even before he had
sufficiently mastered Dutch to understand -what passed. Before
his stay was over, it was his fortune to be there on a memor
able occasion. The Treaty of Nimeguen was signed on the
17th of September 1678, putting an end to the war between
Holland and its allies upon the one hand, and France on the
other. Proclamation of peace was made at the Stadthouse of
Schiedam on the 30th, and order given for a day of thanks
giving. When on Wednesday the 5th of October it was held,
Ealph Thoresby " was at church both parts of the day." He
had then been at Schiedam two months, and could give the
substance of the sermons which he listened to.
But the same month finished sadly. His host's daughter,
"Mrs. Helena Puslewit, a well-accomplished young gentlewoman
who had never seen England, yet could have spoken the language
as well as if born in it," died on the last day but one of
October, after a fortnight's illness. Thoresby seems to have
gained her confidence, for a week before her death he went to
Eotterdam " about a special concern relating to Mrs. Helena,
that she durst not entrust any other with the knowledge of."
He returned to Schiedam the same night, by water, and found
that he had increased an ague which had seized him some days
before. Sometimes he had " quivering and dithering,'' sometimes
¦violent pain at the back of the head, but not often the two
together. He was better on the day of the funeral, and attended

THORESB'f'S YOUTH. 65
it; but the ague returned. Near the middle of November he
was so ill that he removed to Eotterdan;i to consult a physician
there: — "Who gave me several bitter potions which yet nothing
assuaged the illness, which grew to such a height that without
help (and great trouble and pain besides), I could neither go to
bed nor get up," In the end, advised to go home that his
native air might aid in his recovery, he re-embarked at Eotter
dam for Hull, and was again sea-sick. One evil cured another,
for he says that vomiting expelled the ague; but he must have
had a sad time of it.
Instead of forty-eight hours, as in going, his voyage now
lasted from very early on Monday morning until very late on
Thursday night. On the second day the captain foresaw danger,
and tried to return, but, hopeless of succeeding, he put about
again. Then came a dead calm, then a storm. Fearing a sand
bank at Yarmouth Eoads they sailed southward, were driven
north again by the tempest, and, finally, the sailors, not knowing
where they were, cast anchor in desperation, their captain, at
this crisis, being kept below by a "sudden and seemingly mortal
sickness." The vessel, crazy, high-built and short of ballast, as
they had hurried from the Maas for fear of being frozen in,
was blown upon its side ; and, to mend matters, the seamen
thought themselves over a sandbank, likely, when the tide
ebbed, to show itself fatally. Thus they lay for sixteen hours
expecting shipwreck. The rest is thus told by Thoresby: —
" The storm abated nothing all night, nor most of the next
day, and the dreadful darkness continued till almost noon. Next
day, at noon, we hoisted up sail, and saw land, and, which
infinitely more affected me, the Eam in the Bush, — I mean a
delicate large ship, in this very tempestuous storm, dashed in
pieces upon that very sand which we supposed had been our
death-bed, all the night. The goods were floating upon the sea,
two of the masts broken down by the tempest, a third standing
for us to look upon as a monument of God's distinguishing

66 RALPH THORE,SBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
mercy to us. The poor comfortless creatures held out a flag
for help, but alas ! I was told that -without manifest hazard, or
rather certain ruin, we could not do them any good. But after
wards their lives were given them, for a prey; the next (and
last vessel ,this year) from Eotterdam, espied a small, flat-
bottomed vessel aboard her, and which doubtless first brought
off the passengers. The storm not being quite overcome, we
were still in danger; and it was Thursday night, very late, ere
we arrived at Hull. But, blessed be God! that we did then,
even beyond our expectations, land in England; and I desire to
own it as an additional mercy that I had not one fit of the
distemper all the time."
On the Saturday it returned doubly violent :—
"And so it continued every other day for about a fortnight,
all the while I was in Hull, which I thought a tedious time
¦without a sight of my dear father; who, alas! knew not where
I -(vas, at sea or land, in England or Holland. But I desire to
be thankful that the letter from Eotterdam, which gave account
of my setting forth, came not to hand till a letter of my safe
arrival was first read; which had been an insupportable terror
to my compassionate father, who was extremely full of fears,
alarms, and disturbances during that storm,- though he knew
nothing of my being in it.
"Immediately upon receipt of my letter, my good father came
in person to Hull; and what a meeting we had shall never be
forgotten by me, who am infinitely unworthy of so good and
affectionate a parent, who, though full of rhetoric at other times,
could not express his joy otherwise than by tears (not usual
from a soldier), and embraces which would have moved an
adamant.'' Stage-coaches having ceased for the season, John Thoresby
engaged one specially to carry him and his son to York; a
mortification to both, the father being " as little able to endure
the effeminacy of that way of travelling" as the son appeared
unfit for horseback. From York to Leeds they rode the manly

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 67
way, on horses, Ralph, " though weak and crazy, yet not by
much so ill as was feared." At home, the Dutch distemper
" came, though gently, every other day almost for a month, but
at length upon means (especially camphor and elixir proprietatis)
it was quite overcome."
After this there is an interval in the diary, and its recom
mencement introduces us to politics. A short advertence to the
state of things politically is needful in order to understand
Thoresby's next account of himself.
The Parliament which in the spring of 1661 replaced the
Convention Parliament, had continued to this time ; and Sir
William Temple describes it as having grown into two recognised
parties. Court and Country. Upon questions of taking part in
the war against France, and of opposition to Popery, many of
the one party joined with the other, and carried them; but an
uncertain policy on the King's part, and a chapter of accidents
which led Temple to declare that " no man, since Solomon,
ever enough considered how subject all things are to time and
chance," ended in the Treaty of Nimeguen, which ended the war
and all English hopes of taking part in it. There immediately
succeeded the revelations of Dr. Titus Oates, and the national
ferment upon his alleged Popish Plot. ' In the midst of this
excitement, on the 24th of January 1679, the King dissolved
the Parliament of seventeen sessions, which had, says Temple,
"given great testimonies of loyalty and compliance with his
Majesty, till they broke first into heats upon the French
alliances, and at last into flames upon the business of the plot."
The Minister of the day. Lord Danby, was in no enviable
position. In addition to Court intrigues against him, he was in
danger of being attacked in the new Parliament for ha-ving, as
it was said, made the peace and endeavoured to stifle the plot ;
he was hated by the French Ambassador for, as the Ambassador
thought, having endeavoured to engage the King in the war;

68 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
and he was out of favour with the King for, as the King told
Sir William Temple, having "brought the business of the plot
into ParUament against his absolute command."
Yorkshire was represented in the Convention Parliament by
the former Parliamentarian General, Thomas,, third Baron Fair
fax of Cameron in the Peerage of Scotland, and Sir John
Dawney, afterward Viscount Downe, between whom and the
Fairfaxes there was some connexion by marriage; in the next
Parliament, by Sir John Guthrie; and by Conyers Darcy, eldest
son of Lord , Darcy and Conyers, afterward Earl of Holdemess,
descended from the former Darcys of Temple-Newsome. These
now gave way to Charles, Lord Clifford, son of the first Earl
of Burlington whose wife was a Clifford of Skipton; and Henry,
fourth Lord Fairfax, cousin to the General, and son of the
Eector of Bolton Percy* The election took place on Monday,
* The following story concerning the Fairfax family is in Thoresby's hand-
'writing (Add. MSS. 4,460, Brit. Museum) :— " We have this tradition, that
the first Thos. Lord Fairfax finding the Bishop (Toby Matthews, Archbishop of
York) very melancholy, enquired the reason of his Grace's pensiveness. My
Lord, said the Abp., I have great reason for sorrow 'with respect of my sons ;
one of whom has wit and no grace, another grace but no 'wit, and a third
neither grace nor wit. To divert him awhile the Lord F. replied, may it please
your Grace, your case is sad but not singular. I am also sadly disappointed iu
my sons. One I sent into the Netherlands to train him up a soldier, and he
makes a tolerable Country Justice but's a meer coward at fighting; my^next I
sent to Cambridge, and he proves a good la-wyer, but's a meer dunce at
Divinity ; and my youngest I sent to the Inns of Court, and he's a good
Divinity but nobody at the law, or words to that purpose, as I have often heard
from the descendants of that Honble. family, who yet seem to mince the
matter because so immediately related. The Lord Ferdinando Fairfax was the
eldest son; and I have heard our good neighbour Mr. Atkinson, who was
gunsmith to the Lord Fairfax in the late walrs, say he has heard the old Lord
Fairfax call aloud to his Grandson, Thom.' Tom. mind thou the battle, thy
father's a good man but meer coward, all the good I expect is from thee. The
Rev. Mr. Henry Fairfax (chaplain to Toby : Matthews) Rector of Bolton Percy
and grandfather of the present Thos. Lord Fairfax, 'was the second ; and
Chas. Fairfax of Menston, Esq., was the youngest."
The first Lord Fiiirfax died 1 May 1640, aud his judgement of his grandson
-was subsequently verified, Thomas, fifth Lord Fairfax, held the title from
1688 to 1709, between which years the above must therefore have been wiitteu.

THORESBY'S YOUTH, 69
the 3rd of March 1679; and the day before, to be ready for it,
EaljA Thoresby, having heard a sermon from Mr. Sharp, " after
wards rid with much company to York, supposing it an act
both of necessity and mercy." This Sunday journey, by one so
strict in his observance of the day, and his plea in justification,
indicate the state of feeling at this crisis. The importance of
the election would, if possible, be enhanced in Ealph Thoresby's
eyes, by its being the first since he was three years old ;
although, when on Monday morning he " made appearance for
the election of the Lord Clifford and Lord Fairfax as Parlia
ment men for the County," they were returned -without a contest.
After dinner he rode to Bulmer to visit his mother's family,
the Idles, and returned home the ne^xt ^day. The election had
been driven to the last, for on the third day after it the session
began. Parliament met, the Earl of Danby fell, was impeached, and
sent to the Tower; Sir WilUam Temple essayed his experimental
Council, and Titus Oates with his plot still maddened the nation;
but amid the public turmoil that prevailed Ealph Thoresby
followed his favourite pursuits, varied by some travelling. He
rode with his father to Newcastle, Eock and Berwick, and home
again, a ten days' journey; in June he went to Harrogate, thence
visiting Knaresborough "to see Sir Eobert's Chapel in the Eock
(of which see my collections, &c,), and the admirable petrifying
well;'' and to HaUfax, where he copied epitaphs in the church,
and viewed the antiquities of the town, real and apocryphal,
under the guidance of Mr. Brearcliff, a Halifax antiquary and
apothecary. When at home, he copied the portraits of Mr.
Calamy and Mr. Caryl, and seems to have been well satisfied
with his performance ; for he says, " Oh ! that I could as well
follow their heavenly directions." He read biography, wrote and
collected memoirs, and copied poetry; but he does not, mean
while, even allude to politics, beyond mentioning the 11th of

70 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
April as a day appointed by Parliament for humiliation and
prayer, and thus condemning a sermon preached on Sunday the
1st of June, — " Mr. M. made a passing mean sermon, and, as
far as I could judge, out of spite, to render Protestant Dissenters
odious, and the discourse was much more inconvenient consider
ing the present face of things." Mr. M. was probably a Mr.
Medcalf, of whom Thoresby again speaks in the following year,
and condemns with reason; but if, in the present instance, he
preached in opposition to the plot mania, Thoresby's judgment
upon him is not to be received implicitly. Nearly three months
later, on the 26th of August, five weeks after the acquittal of
Sir George Wakeman, the Queen's physician, Thoresby wrote, —
"All day within; and most of it was reading the trials of the
Popioh conspirators. Blessed be God ! for disappointing their
wicked enterprises."
The Parliament, that next met in March, was prorogued on
^the 27th of May until the 14th of August following, and sub
sequently dissolved. The second Yorkshire election of 1679 was
fixed for the 15th of September, Monday again. But this time
Ealph Thoresby and his father left home on the Saturday, and
staid Saturday over with their Bulmer relatives. They were astir
by three o'clock on the morning of the election, and went to
York, " where Lords Clifford and Fairfax joined for Knights of
the Shire." The two Lords were re-elected, but not without a
poll, being opposed by Sir John Kay, of Woodsome, in the
West Eiding, whose father, created a Baronet by Charles the
First, had been a Colonel of Eoyalist horse, and suffered in
consequence. Oliver Heywood, whom the election also drew to York, stayed
at Sir John Hewley's, and dined there in company with Lord
Clifford after the election. He says that on the 16th " they
shouted and polled," from which it appears that the election
occupied both Monday and Tuesday. But Thoresby's diary

THORESBY'S 'tOUTH. 71
mentions the first day only, with no further information than
this; — "I took the inscription upon Mrs. Middleton's (a great
benefactress) hospital, and returned safe home."
Ealph Thoresby forthwith resumed his peaceful life and bio
graphical study. His diary for the month concludes : — -
"18, 19, 20. All the days with the workmen at the garden;
in the evenings, mostly perusing Clarke's Martyrology, and epito
mising most of the lives adjoined ; viz. Dr. Collet, Bishops
Coverdale and Sands, Mr. Greenham, &c.
" 25, 26, 27. With the workmen all day : evening generally
transcribing memoirs of Mr. Bennet, Lambert, Barnes, &c."
The next month had a serious ending. On the evening of
the 30th of October 1679, John Thoresby read a portion of
Scripture as usual; but, as -was afterward thought significant, his
explication of it was much longer than customary with him,
and, says the account, he prayed " -with the utmost fervour
imaginable," Apparently, he went to bed in good health. In
the morning he was found on his knees and face, dead. He
. was buried on the 1st of November at the Parish Church, and
the next day a funeral sermon for him was preached by Mr.
Sharp, at the Presbyterian Meeting-house.
In the Parish Eegister at this period the prefix "Mr."
distinguishes the names of those inhabitants esteemed of good
social standing, and John Thoresby's is thus honoured. The
entry of his burial is remarkable on another account. The
first of the Acts of Parliament for encouraging the woollen
manufacture by ordering the dead to be vested in woollen
only was passed in 1666, without any provision for enforcing
it. But in the year before John Thoresby's death it was
followed by another Act, requiring an afl&davit on the occasion
of each interment that the law had been complied with, this
affidavit to be noted in the Eegister. And if eight days
elapsed without such affidavit being made, the Parson was to

72

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,

give notice in writing to the Churchwardens or Overseers, whose
duty it then was to take measures for enforcing a penalty of
Five Pounds ; and these notices also were to be entered upon
the Eegister. With few exceptions, the Leeds Eegister at this
time shows the woollen trade to have been supported as the
Act ordained, but one of the few is in the case of John
Thoresby ; entry of a notice instead of affidavit being appended
to the registration of his burial.
Thus ended the eventful life of John Thoresby, at the age
of fifty-four. Of the estimation in which he was held by
those most intimate vnth him we may judge by the conduct
of an aged relative on his mother's side, Eobert Cloudesley,
of whom Ralph's diary relates, — "he much lamented the death
of my dear father, and though weak, yet came to comfort
me; and when urged to take gloves refused, saying, he should
be heartily sorry to live so long in this world as to wear
them." He had his wish, for his o-wn burial followed within
a fortnight. The opinion of John Thoresby held by those of
opposite ecclesiastical and political views may be inferred from
the terms upon which he stood -with diverse parties in the
town; and his son has sent down to us a saying by Francis
Whyte, the Eecorder of Leeds, appointed by Charles the
Second's Charter, * and who held the office for thirty-two
years, — " that he never thought there was an honest Presby
terian in England, till he was acquainted with that learned
and ingenious gentleman," John Thoresby. He was the last of
iis generation. His elder brother, Joseph of Sykehouse, had died
in 1665 ;t the youngest, Timothy, in 1670; and the remaining
one, George Thoresby of Newcastle, in 1677.
* He was grandson of Dr. Francis Whyte, Bishop of Ely.
t In the will of Joseph Thoresby, dated 24 March, 17 Charles the Second,
A.D. 1664 (the last day of that year old style), he is said to be "sick and weak
iu body but of good and perfect memory. Blessed be God," It directs that he
shall be buried in the High Church of Fishlake, the parish in which Sykehouse
is situated. He left to the poor of Sykehouse, 13s. 4d, yearly.

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 73
The supposition, from his more than common earnestness at
the family devotions on the night before his death, that John
Thoresby had some presentiment of his coming end, was
strengthened by the discovery in his closet of the following
lines, in his own handwriting : —
" Eemember, mortal, that unlocked for death
Oft in deep sleep surprises vital breath :
, Then slumber not, for often the most sound.
When he thinks least, next morning dead is found."
There is little doubt they were his own composition. He had a
disposition to rhyming, to say the truth, greater than his talent
for it; and in his rhyming he sometimes fell into a play upon
words. His couplet for the bell at St. John's, —
"When I the loudest ring
The Founder's Praise I sing,"
may refer to the founder of the bell, or the founder of the
Church; and in so solemn a matter as an epitaph upon his
old friend Elkanah Wales, who died at the house of Matthew
Boyse in Leeds, and was buried in the same tomb with Mr. Todd
at St. John's, there was a pun, —
" Sure England's loss now Wales is gone."
Something of this tendency is also to be seen in the epitaph
upon John Thoresby the Elder, which may safely be ascribed to
his son : — "Here lies lamented precious Dust,
A Tradesman true, a Justice just,
A Husband kind, a Parent dear.
Who walked with God in Faith and Fear.
As also Grace, his gracious V.'ife,
Who for a better changed this Life
May 24th, 1646.
They liv'd in Love, and dy'd in hope to have
A joyful Resurrection from the Grave."

74 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGEAPHEK.
A long eulogistic ode upon the death of John Thoresby by
Theodore Bathurst of Leeds, who translated Spencer's Shepherd's
Calendar into verse, has been printed by Dr. Whitaker in his
edition of the Ducatus.
The will of John Thoresby, made two years before his death,
points, no less than the lines found, to some premonition of a
sudden end : —
" In the name of God Amen, the ninth day of June in the
year of our Lord one thousand six hundred seventy seven; I
John Thoresby of Leeds in the County of York, merchant, con
sidering the frailty and mortality of this hfe, and the various
casualties and distempers that seize upon many persons unex
pectedly whether at home or abroad. And therefore desirous (as
I esteem it my duty) in some degree to set my house in order,
do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner
and form following, that is to say, first and principally I
recommit my soul into the hands of God my maker hoping
for salvation by the alone merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer.
My body to buried in decent manner at the discretion of my
executor hereafter named. And for my outward estate with
which it has pleased God to bless me, I give and bequeath
the same in manner and form following : Imprimis I do give
unto Ealph Thoresby my eldest son all my lands and tenements
lying and being in Eock in the parish of Embleton, and County
of Northumberland, with all the . appurtenances," &c. " Item, I
give unto the said Ealph the mansion or dwelling house wherein
I now live, with the yard, shop, stables, haylofts, gardens, right
to the draw-well, with all other rights, privileges and appurten
ances whatsoever; as also one close of meadow called the clay-
pits in Leeds Mainriding, extending between Woodhouse Lane
on the west and Wade Lane on the east. Item, I give and
bequeath to my son Jeremiah that new house in Kirkgate now
in two tenements in the occupation of Michael Idle and Eobert
EUerson, with the backsides, stables, hay-chambers,' gardens, crofts,
tofts, tenters and all other rights and privileges to the said
premises appertaining, as also the sum of One hundred and fifty
pounds " to be paid to him when twenty one. He was also to

THORESBY'S YOUTH. 75
be put to some "honest trade." .... "I give unto my
daughter Abigail the sum of Three hundred and fifty pounds of
like money to be paid by my executor when she shall -kccom-
plish the age of twenty years, or when she shall be married
by the approbation and consent of my Executor, my brother
Jeremiah Idle, brother Thomas Idle, or my sister Lucy Idle, or
my cousin Elizabeth Idle, or the consent of any two of them,
and in the meantime her education and apparel to be suitable
and moderate without vanity at the discretion of the persons
last named, and at the charges of my Executor, in lieu of the
profits of the said Three hundred and fifty pounds. Item, I do
appoint my executor to pay all my just debts, and to give unto
my two brothers, sister and cousin last named each one piece
of gold at his discretion, keeping the ancientest and rarest to
himself, with the other medals I have collected, and to give
each of the said persons, as also my other brothers and sister,
each one a mourning ring. And to my sister Alice Thoresby
five pounds to help her present straits, and to her or her
children ten pounds per annum till the legacies of fifty pounds
a piece is paid to them, and proportionably what is paid to
deduct so much of the ten pounds a year from time to time.
Item, I bequeath unto Mr. Eichard Stretton twenty shillings
for mourning rings if he shall then be here residing, vizt., in
or about Leeds. Item, I give unto such poor of Leeds and
Kirkgate as shall seem fittest objects of charity to my fore-
named relations, not so much respecting clamorous beggars as
necessitous persons and widows that have lived in better rancke
(sic) the sum of Five Pounds. And I do make my son Ealph
Thoresby my sole executor to whom I give the residue of my
estate (viz.) my share in a new building and all other what
soever to me belonging, not otherwise disposed of."
The witnesses to the will were Jeremiah Idle, Richard Idle
and Michael Idle, his three brothers-in-law. It was proved on
the 15th July 1680.*
* From the transcript in the Wills Office, York.

III.

Ifrom a.2). 1679 to 1683.

RALPH THORESBY'S TEOUBLB— DE. JOHNSTON— ESTATE AT EOCK-JOUENEY
ON ACCOUNT OP IT— THE IDLES— SECOND JOUENEY NOETH— TO LONDON—
TO STITTENHAM— TO HARROGATE-LADY BAEWICK'S CHAPLAIN-DURHAM—
BY LYNN TO LONDON— DUKE OP MONMOUTH— RETURN HOME— STAGE-
PLAYS — RESOLUTIONS AND PUESUITS — BRYAN DIXON — AT DURHAM
AGAIN- FLOOD IN LEEDS — COUNTY ELECTION — FUNERALS — .SUPPOSED
SHOWEE OF WHEAT— AT HARROGATE AND COPGEOVE-IN DEEBYSHIEB—
ADDRESS OP LEEDS CORPORATION TO THE KING— DE. SHARP, DEAN OP
NORWICH, IN LEEDS -LAMENTATIONS FOR WASTED TIME— JOURNEY TO
SCOTLAND- THE WADDINGTON'S AND GIPTON SPRING- JOSEPH BOYSE—
CHANGE IN COURT POLICY UPON NONCONFOEMITY— THOEESBY AT HOME—
THE SYKEHOUSE FAMILY— GARDEN IN THE CALLS— REMUNERATION OP
MINISTER AT MILL HILL- JOURNEY TO MANCHESTER AND CHESTER—
THORESBY'S LITERARY PURSUITS— LBDSTON HALL— MILL HILL MEETING
HOUSE CLOSED — HARROGATE- SECEET NONCONFORMIST SERVICES — AT
HARROGATE AGAIN— AT HALIFAX— MUEDEE OP THE SCURRS AT BEESTON-
LAMBERT, AND LODGE THE ENGRAVER- COMET— ME, BOYSE AND HOL
LAND — SWAITH HALL — CHAPELTOWN MOOR — HILDYARD OF YORK —
PROPOSED EXCHANGE OF BOOKS — THE STEWARD OP HOWLEY — TO
DURHAM, AND EETUEN THEOUGH NOETH AND BAST EIDINGS— DEATH
OF MR, BEBAECLIFFB OF HALIFAX— DE. JOHNSTON— ACKWOETH— DANCING
SCHOOL IN LEEDS — COACH JOURNEY TO LONDON— THE MILNERS — AT
TOEK — NEW PUBLICATIONS — END OP FIEST VOLUME OF THORESBY'S
DIARY.
Deep and lasting was the distress of Ralph Thoresby. He took
his place in the congregation on the fifth of November, when
from the text, — "Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us
as a prey to their teeth," Mr. Sharp, —

FROM A,D, 1679 TO 1683,

77

" Showed very well that we have infinite reason to bless
God for his deliverances to this sinful nation, &c,; but alas!
these national mercies, for which I desire to bless God, are
all embittered by my personal affiiction, that dispensation which
even presses me down to the very pit; a lamentable affliction
that has laid my superlative comfort in the dust." " Spent the
latter part of this week as the beginning, and as the end of
the last, in weeping, lamentation and mourning for my inestim
able loss of the best of fathers."
Thoresby's health suffered, although a week later he wrote, —
"As to my health, which was not only impaired but almost
destroyed by continued and excessive mourning for my irrepar
able loss, it is now much better; the pains of the stone and
strangury (which till then I never knew the terrors of) are
abated." A letter promptly written to him from London by the
former Minister at Mill Hill, Mr. Stretton, testifies to the
worth of the father and distress of the son : —
"That stunning blow given in the sudden removal of your
dear and honoured father hath almost stricken us all deaf and
dumb. But I hearing by Mr. Murfield how much you did
resent it, I resolved to break silence (though I have but a
scrap of time for it), and to give you a little seasonable
counsel and caution about your carriage under such a sharp
dispensation. It is true you may justly claim the nearest, if
not the greatest share in this loss ; but you must not monopo
lize either the whole loss, or the sorrow for it, but admit
others to be sharers in both. I could lay claim to a great
share in it; but I reckon neither yours nor mine, put together,
as half so considerable as the loss the public hath sustained in
the removal of him." Mr. Stretton then exhorts young
Thoresby, at considerable length, to accept the dispensation of
Providence and address himself to the duties which had
devolved upon him; not to dishonour himself by over-much
sorrowing, and unfit himself for those duties. "Pluck up your
spirits, and show yourself a man and a Christian, that can be
sensible of God's hand, and yet submit to it." AH this seems to

78 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
be enforced at sufficient length, yet the letter concludes :— " I
did design to have taken time shortly to have -written more fully
to you; but hearing of your too much dejection, I could not
but give you this hasty scribble, which I hope you will not
neglect, but reckon a call from God to your present duty. I
know you have relations, and neighbours, and, friends, that are
true S3anpathizers with you, and great sharers in your loss, and
that will give the best advice and counsel they can ; pray hearken
to them, and believe it is sinful to refuse to be comforted.
Mine and my -wife's hearty love and service to you and them.
I pray God bless you, direct, assist and comfort you, and cause a
double portion of your father's spirit to be poured upon you,
which is and shall be, the prayer and hope of
" Your 'sympathizing friend and servant,
" Richard Stretton." -*
Such advice, how excellent soever, is more easily administered
than acted on. Thoresby tells how he returned home from
Wakefield towards the end of January 1680, —
"In a sad, melancholy and troubled humour, the remembrance
of my inexpressible loss seizing deeply upon my spirit; went to
bed with wet cheeks and a sad heart, dreamed troublesomely and
somewhat remarkably about following my dear father to his long
home," After another Wakefield journey on the 12th of February, —
"Returned weU home again,; but though very kindly enter
tained and reasonably cheerful when abroad, yet a trouble, sorrow
and a deep sense of my present doleful fatherless condition
almost overwhelmed me at my return, mourning heavily all
night long, and
"13. This day likewise, even to excess, and the prejudice of
health." * This letter stands first in the published "Letters of Eminent Men addressed
to Ealph Thoresby, F.E.S,," but a wrong date is there assigned to it. Any
letters to him hereinafter cj-aoted from, without other reference given, may be
found in the above-named publication.

FROM A,D. 1079 TO 1083. 79
In March 1680 he lost an uncle, Thomas Idle of Holbeck,
whose wife, the daughter of John Dawson, Mayor of Leeds in
1662, had died two years previously. Thomas Idle bequeathed
One Hundred Pounds towards the maintenance of "a preaching
minister" at Holbeck Chapel, or in case of a six months' vacancy
there, at Armley Chapel, both within the Parish of Leeds; the
first an ancient foundation, the other built in the reign of Charles
the First upon a site given by one of the Hoptons, an old
Armley family. Thoresby assisted, he says, to his utmost all the
day of the funeral, and to judge from the account which he
gives help was needed, — "Such vast multitudes, what bidden and
what unbidden, that abundance of confusion must unavoidably
happen. (Of 130 dozen of cakes, not one left)." A funeral
feast was no slight matter in those days, at least in the West
Eiding of Yorkshire. Upon one occasion, in 1673, Oliver Hey
wood remarked upon the unusual scantiness of the provision,
those present having "nothing but a bit of cake, draught of
wine, piece of rosemary and pair of gloves."
The bustle of the funeral might, for the time, divert Thoresby
from his grief, the event did but renew it. On the following
Sunday, after having attended the service at St, John's, he
heard Mr. Sharp preach, —
" Extraordinarily well as a funeral sermon for dear Uncle ;
but extreme sorrow, partly for Uncle, but more violent in
remembrance of my dear father, would not permit me to write."
Ealph Thoresby's sadness, notwithstanding Mr. Stretton's
kindly meant admonition, was very far from unreasonable. The
sincerity and warmth of the affection which had existed between
him and his father are manifest. Of late they had been com
panions, sympathising in taste and pursuits. And now, -without
warning and at one stroke, the son had been deprived of the
father aud friend whom he had so much loved, so implicitly
trusted, upon whom he had been accustomed to rely. He had

80 RALPH THOEESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
to fill the place of that father towards a brother thirteen years
old, and a sister two years younger; and to undertake his
father's business of a cloth-merchant at a time when the foreign
woollen trade of Leeds was falling away,* and the whole nation
was politically agitated. All this for a young man but just
twenty-one, possessing much simplicity of character, amiable,
sensitive, little versed in the ways of the world, and much
better qualified for, as well as much more disposed to, literary
studies and the pursuits of an antiquary, than commercial life
and bargaining with West Eiding clothiers. "Though merchan
dise was his profession," says the memoir in the Biographia,
"yet learning and antiquities were his great delight."
The sermons which Thoresby heard at this time> from Mr.
Sharp were not of a kind to inspirit him. The last of them
which he reports in the year of his father's death was from
Jeremiah xxx 7, — "Alas ! for that day is great, so that none is
like it : it is even the time of Jacob's trouble ; but he shall
be saved out of \\.'' The preacher ha'ving reviewed the signs
of the times throughout all Europe, concluded that all things
seemed to be ripening towards utter confusion, and hastening
fast to the greatest day that ever was foretold, by the slaying
of the two witnesses in Eevelations. On the first of January
1680, he preached again from the same text, and "showed
what reason we have to expect, and therefore pro'vide for, such
a day as the Prophet speaks of"; reprehending the many who
presented " themselves as a new year's gift to Satan by their
vain mirth and jollity upon this day, which custom was derived
from the Heathens, who then sacrificed to their idol Janus, "t
It is a signal indication of Thoresby's ruling passion, that
in this season of grief and anxiety he paid a visit to the
¦• Biographia Britannica.
+ Long before the style was altered, the first of January was popularly
regarded as New Year's Day.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 81
Pontefract physician and noted antiquary. Dr. Johnston; * and
a few days later went to "Woodkirk, Howley Hall and Batley
Church, writing the epitaph of the famous Sir John Savile."
Although Dr. Johnston's designed work on the county of
York stopped at the proposals for it, the materials which he
collected for' the purpose are said to have formed a hundred
and thirty-five volumes folio, and, according to his own account,
occupied him for thirty years. Thoresby spent with him a great
part of the 26th of March 1680, when Dr. Johnston, as a
physician, prescribed for his health, and, as an antiquary, for
his studies; and he, finally, Thoresby tells,— "was pleased to
adopt me his son as to antiquities." This, Mr. Hunter says in
a note to the passage, was after the manner of the old alchy-
mists. It was well for Thoresby that he had at this time business
which forced him from home, and broke in upon his sorrows,
over and above his short business journey to Wakefield. The estate
at Eock in Northumberland caused some trouble, partly from Ealph
Thoresby's title to it being disputed by the Sykehouse family;
and it gave occasion for a series of interviews with Captain
Edward Widdrington, of Felton, in the same part of North
umberland. To see this gentleman, Ealph Thoresby set out for
the north ten days after his visit to Dr. Johnston. He was
accompanied by an uncle, Michael Idle, younger brother of the
deceased Thomas Idle, who had also settled in Leeds. Thoresby
was busy in the forenoon with his preparations, and it was after
dinner when they began their journey. They rode to Borough-
bridge. Next day to Darlington; but not finding Captain
* Dr. Nathaniel Johnston was the son of the Eev. .John Johnston, Eector
of Sutton-on-Derwent, in the East Eiding of Yorkshire, and grandson of John
Johnstone, Advocate, Laird of Castle-Milke, &;c., in Scotland. The pedigree is
in Dugdale's Visitation. He settled at Pontefract, and married Anne, daughter
and co-heiress of Eichard Cud worth, Esq., of Eastfield, in the parish of Silk-
atone, in the West Eiding,

82 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
Widdrington, as expected, they set off early on the following
morning to Durham, there met with him, despatched the busi
ness in hand, visited relatives and went on to Newcastle. Here
Thoresby's trouble was recalled. It was in the same month of
the previous year that he had ridden there with his father on
the way to Eock, doubtless the cause of their journey then, —
"Newcastle was the place formerly much delighted in, and
earnestly desired, for my dear relations there; but now it is an
aggravation to my sorrow to remember past comforts and
slights." After one night in Newcastle, he returned as far as Top-
cliffe, a few miles north of Boroughbridge, and on the second
day got home again, —
" I found my poor desolate family all well ; but alas ! the
fresh remembrance of our unutterable loss is most bitter, and
almost insupportable."
Poor Ealph ! on the second Sunday after his return he was
sorely touched by a sermon in which Mr. Kay " showed the
necessity of singing psalms": —
" Though it has formerly been the constant practice of this
family, and 1 hope in time will be again, yet I must confess
the neglect of it now, it being an aggravation of sorrow, and
bringing my inexpressible loss more freshly to remembrance.
Methinks, I hear his very voice, that -with renewed pangs I
am constrained to crouch to the bottom of the pew, and there
vent my sorrow in plenty of tears ; so that, never yet, to my
shame do I record it, was I able to sing one line in pubhc
or private." His loss was again recalled to him under unpleasant circum
stances. The settlement of the late Thomas Idle's affairs brought
some members of the family over from Bulmer; and Thoresby
joined his uncles in a visit to their cousin, Marmaduke Hicl^s,
of Boar Lane, who had been Alderman of Leeds under the first
Charter, Mayor in 1666, and who became Mayor t-wice again.

FROM A.D, 1079 TO 1683, 88
in 1681 and 1694.* His mother, Ursula, was the sister of Ealph
Idle, Thoresby's grandfather. The day of this visit ended very
badly, —
"With hasty words and falUng out betwixt relations, and
though not much concerned myself, yet was much troubled for
others; and now the loss of that blessed peacemaker is sadly
evident, who, with admirable prudence, prevented such clash-
ings." John Thoresby seems to have been on good terms with his
wife's family. The younger of his surviving sons was named
like the eldest uncle Idle, Jeremiah; his daughter, after aunt
Abigail, her mother's only sister, married to John Joselyn, Esq.,
of Peering, in Essex. And let them quarrel among themselves
as they might, the Idles gave proof of a kindly disposition
towards John I'horesby's children.
Ealph had been accompanied on his northern journey by his
Uncle Michael, and on the day after the family " clashings "
he rode with Uncle Jeremiah to York and Bulmer, " Cousin
Susan of Holbeck'' going with them. In a few days he returned
home, ha-ving consulted at York " Lawyer Eookby," afterward
the Judge, Sir Thomas Rokeby, concerning his Rock property.
About the middle of the month (May) Michael Idle joined his
nephew on a second northern journey, and along -with them went
" pretty sister Abigail (her dear father's picture)," whom they
left at Durham where other relatives lived. Travelling by New
castle and Morpeth they reached Alnwick, lodged there a couple
of days for the Eock business, then rode back to Durham : —
* Thoresby says of Boar Lane in the Ducatus,—" This not being so close
built as the rest of the Town has several Gentlemen's Houses therein." So
recently as the year 1836, the following advertisement appeared in the Leeds
Intelligencer: — "Twenty years ago Boar Lane was considered a private street,
almost -without u, shop where the most trivial article could be obtained. Noio,
on the contrary, at the Grasshopper Tea Warehouse, 20, Boar Lane, are selling
the finest and best Teas, direct from the importers, and as cheap as the
London dealers." And how now?

84 RALPH THOEESBY THE TOPOGEAPHEB.
"I got a sight again of my poor sister. Natural affections
¦wrought sore, and she could not forbear weeping at our part
ing, which made my very heart bleed within me ; and my too
violent affections were so strong, that I think I slept not an
hour all night, the inconveniences whereof I found the next
day." Cousin Susan became his housekeeper : —
29 May, — "Coming home from a visit, unhappily some com
pany (by the means of my housekeeeper. Cousin S. I.), to my
great dissatisfaction, too merry for our circumstances, too many
profane words, and much precious time spent idly, if not
sinfully" What he said to' cousin Susan is not recorded, and she was
not his housekeeper long. In less than a fortnight, she, her
maid. Uncle Michael and Ealph Thoresby set out for London,
riding the first day to Bawtry, a distance of about forty miles.
The dangers and temptations of travel in those days are to some
extent illustrated in Thoresby's account of the journey: —
"13 June 1680, Die Dom. Eid thence [Bawtry] to Tuxford
(though I thought it had not been so far) and there heard
Mr. Charlesworth, who made a very honest though not very
elegant discourse ; and thence rid to Newark : the maid unfortu
nately got a grevious fall; perhaps we may read the crime,
travelling upon the Lord's Day, in the punishment, but was
not much worse.
" 14. Thence to Wansford, near which town a cart driving
furiously down the hill, hit the maid's horse and caught hold
of her clothes, but got her not under the ^heel, though at the
very door of death : thence to Stamford, and so to Stilton,
where we lodged."
On the 16th, by noon, they were in London, where Thoresby
remained until the 5th of July. Further business with Captain
Widdrington, then in London, was the chief purpose of the
journey, and much of Thoresby's time was taken up with it.
But he visited at "good cousin Dickenson's," his abode in

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 85
happier days; and at Mr. Stretton's, upon whose services also he
did not fail to attend. He heard, besides, Mr. Slater, to whose
chapel he used to accompany the Dickensons; "the famous Mr.
Baxter," and "the famous Dr. Stillingfleet." But he laments that
from diversion of his thoughts by business, and his neglecting
"to -write the heads," he lost much of the advantage which
these sermons should have had for him. He was occupied also
in "buying books and pictures of good or great persons," but
found leisure to ' transcribe inscriptions at Westminster Abbey.
And on this visit, even Ealph Thoresby was for a moment led
astray by the allurements of London, honestly confessing, —
" Can better acquit myself for going with good company to
see Paradise, where multitudes of beasts and birds are lively
represented both in shapes and notes, than in going to see a
play, whither curiosity carried me, but fear brought me back.
It was the first, and. I hope, will be the last time I was found
upon that ground."
He had also to condemn himself for staying late on a Satur
day night at Captain Widdrington's, —
" Where was too great plenty of the strongest liquors, which
afflicted me by their conquest of my friend, which being partly
on my account I desire may be for my humiliation."
Sunday, the day before his return home, was spent more to
his satisfaction. Matthew Boyse, who has been mentioned among
the Leeds entertainers of Heywood, had a family of sixteen chil
dren, one of whom was the Elkanah who went -with Thoresby
to see the Southwark elephant. Another, Joseph, now beginning
his career as a Nonconformist minister, was born in the same
year with Ealph Thoresby, who, —
"July 4, Die Dom. Went to Ne-wington Green to hear Mr.
Joseph Boyse preach, which I rejoiced as the first fruits of our
generation; he showed very accurately our happiness under the
gospel in comparison of those under the law. I came back with
ditto, good friend, to hear Mr. Charnock and Mr. Stretton in the
evenintr."

86 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHEE.
The Eev. Joseph Boyse became a frequent correspondent of
Thoresby's, and the first of his published letters, dated the 27th
of this same month, contained the following : —
" One piece of news I can present you ; but it is such as
I am unwilling to be the messenger of, and, as I am assured,
will be very unwelcome to most that hear it. London has this
afternoon lost one of its best preachers, and our young clergy
their great patron — Mr. Charnock." Boyse speaks very highly of
him, and thinks the malignant fever of which he died might
have been prevented if sooner understood; "but ha-^ang some
thing of a flux, remedies were apjDlied to the cure of that,
while his more dangerous disease, the fever/ did seize his head,
and fix itself there till it became incurable."
Susan Idle remained behind at Mr. Stretton's, " from whom
and family," says Thoresby, " especially my dearest cousin, I
parted with a sad heart. 'f He would have been sadder still had
he known that upon his return to London, in the following
September, the first news for him would be, — "the sad tidings
of my poor cousin, Sus. Idle's resolution, to bestow herself upon
one Stubbs, altogether unworthy of so virtuous a young woman,
whom I cordially love, for her goodness, much above the common
pitch of this age." The " one Stubbs," of whom he speaks so
, contemptuously, was the unworthy son of the Eev. Henry Stubbs,
a Nonconformist minister. Thoresby's forebodings were too well
justified ; for within about eight months he was " at Holbeck, to
visit cousin Stubbs, very ill of a wound given her in a kind of
Bacchanalian fray."
Leaving London on Monday morning, the loth of July,
Thoresby returned by way of Cambridge, where he " observed
some stately buildings and curious libraries ; " but only staying
there for the night he rode on to Bridge-Casterton in Eutland-
shire, thence to Barnby Moor, and on the fourth day home.
Business concerning Eock and other matters occupied him for
the next fortnight ; and then occurs a passage in his diary

PROM A.D. 1679 TU 10S3. 8/
which makes good a statement of the Biographia Britannica,
that, having been initiated into antiquarian studies by his father,
John Thoresby's "learned friends (particularly the Fairfax family),
observing the son's inclination and genius turned the same way
transferred their respect to him." Castillion Morris, son of the
Eoyalist Colonel Morris (Governor of Pontefract Castle, and
executed in 1649), settled in Leeds, eventually becoming its
Town Clerk; and on the afternoon of the 21st of July 1680,
Ealph Thoresby, " at Mr. Morris's banquet, had some learned
company, tbe Vicar and two antiquaries, that made the enter
tainment abundantly more acceptable." Three days later he
writes, — "With my kind friend Mr. Henry Fairfax, having the
honour to be sent for by my Lord Fairfax and Squire Palmes,
who expressed great kindness to me for my dear father's sake."
Mr. Henry was the second son of Henry, fourth Baron Fairfax;
and Thoresby subjoins to his account of this flattering notice, —
"the Lord give me wisdom in all things." Three days more,
and Thoresby rode with his uncle Timothy Idle of Bulmer to
Stittenham, where Sir Thomas Gower, Bart,, grandfather of the
first Lord Gower, then had a seat,* Although four in the
afternoon when they left Leeds, and the season very rainy,
they rode forward from York to Stittenham the same night :—
"Blessed be God for his preservation! the waters being very
great and dangerous," He spent the next morning looking over
Sir Thomas Gore's library : —
"The best furnished with ancient fathers and commentators,
both Popish and Protestant, upon the Scriptures, of any that I
have seen; the rest were mostly on Medicine, for which Sir
Thomas was justly famous,"
This was evidently the object of his journey, for after
calling on his Bulmer relatives he set off for home again, "but
was beat back by a violent shower, which," he says, "wetted
* The Gowers were a Yorkshu-e family of very old standing, Gower the
poet was a member of it, and it is said that he was bom at Stittenham,

88 EALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
me through all in a short time." The result was that he spent
a . couple of days at York, transcribing from the monuments of
Archbishops Hutton, Matthews ahd Frewen, in the Minster; and
at the Guildhall, hearing the trial of Twing, or Thweng, a
Popish priest, who was found guilty of treason, and condemned;
and of Ingleby, a lawyer, who was acquitted, and became a
Baron of the Exchequer in the reign of James the Second.*
Towards the close of August 1680, Thoresby took horse in
the evening "and rid with cousin Euth to Pannel, whither,
though late enough and in the dark, we got very well" He
spent some days drinking "both waters" at the neighbouring
Spaw, Harrogate; and he copied inscriptions from the Shngsby
monuments in Knaresborough Church, though "prevented by the
effect of the waters" from attending it on the Sunday, as he
had designed. He was "much pleased with the serious humour"
of one of these monuments, "where, above all, stood an angel,
with a trumpet, calling Venite ad judicam. Under the name
and titles of the Knight in his winding sheet, Omnia Vaniias!"
This monument, to Sir Henry Slingsby, who died in 1634, is
still to be seen in the mortuary chapel of the Slingsbys in
Knaresborough Church. The Knight in his winding sheet, drawn
at the top of his head into the form of a rosette, stands erect
and undamaged, beneath a canopy supported by Italian columns,
after the fashion of the day; but the comparatively diminutive
angel which surmounts the whole has lost one vnng and her
trumpet. The summons " Venite," &c., has vanished from above
* Thoresby states that Thweng was condemned " not upon account of
reUgion, but treason,— saying at a consult at Sir Thomas Gascoigne's, at Baru-
bow, that if they lost this opportimity of Killing the King they could never
expect such another." The main accuser was Eobert Bolron, a sort of minor
Oates, who had been in the service of Sir Thomas Gascoigne, aud who, earlier
in the same year, had even deposed against his master. But Thweng, »
nephew of Sir Thomas Gascoigne's, was the only one against whom a convic
tion was obtained on Bolron's evidence. — See notes at pages 240-1 of " Deposi-
fions from the Castle of York," published by the Stirtees Society.

FROM A,D, 1679 TO 1683. 89
the angel's head; and "Omnia Vanitas" has verified its o-wn
statement, by perishing with the latter portion of the epitaph
below which it stood. Hargrove gives it, — "Sed Omnia Vanitas."
The day before leaving Harrogate he had for company the
son and daughter of Dr. Hook, a Vicar of Halifax, with little
tolerance for Nonconformists, if Heywood inay be trusted; and
immediately upon his return home, whither he hastened to be
in time for a lecture by Mr. Sharp, he found another companion
in Mr. Wispelaer, a Flemish Eoman Catholic, then in Leeds
upon a visit which lasted nearly a twelvemonth. But Thoresby
seems to have got well on with the Hooks; and he afterward
spoke of Mr. Wispelaer as a well-humoured and accomplished
gentleman, parting from him with regret, and praying that he
might benefit from what he had read and heard disputed while
in England. At the end of the month Thoresby was again
honoured with a visit by Mr. Henry Fairfax, and by Mr. Corlass,
" the virtuous Lady Barwick's Chaplain." Lady Barwick, grand
mother of Henry Fairfax, was the widow of Sir John Barwick
of Tolston, Eecorder of York; and daughter of Walter Strick
land of Boynton. Her only son had been drowned in the
Wharfe, and Frances, the wife of Lord Fairfax, was her only
surviving child.
On the morning after this visit Thoresby heard a lecture by
Mr. Sharp, of which he gives a long report; and then, along
with " Squire Fairfax," Mr. Corlass, Mr. Wispelaer and Elkanah
Hickson,* he rode to Bradford to see Jonas Waterhouse, who
had been Vicar there, but declined to conform under the Uni
formity Act. Waterhouse had also been Fallow of St. John's
College, Cambridge, and Calamy says of him that he was "a
learned man, a lover of peace, and greatly esteemed for his
* Son of the Eobert Hickson who has been mentioned before, and who
married the niece of Elkanah Wales, after whom, probably, the son was
named. Nor is it unlikely that Elkanah, son of Matthew Boyse, was named
also after one so much respected by the Puritans of the time.

90 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
work's sake. After his ejectment he lived privately, and fre--
quented the Established worship, but usually preached on the
Lord's Day evening in his own home." He had not only been
Vicar, but also holder of the advowson and rectorial tithes,
formerly the possession of Sir John Maynard, Knight, of Surrey.
These he continued to hold after he ceased to be Vicar, until
about a couple of years before the time of Thoresby's visit;
when he conveyed them over to the daughter of a second Sir
John Maynard, son of the former.*
Upon the occasion of this journey to Bradford, where they
staid over night, Thoresby -writes :—
" To my exceeding satisfaction, Mr. Corlass prayed in the
family. I have not in mylife been so pleased with a journey;
such duties being too frequently omitted by the best upon the
road." And in the morning,— "My dear friend prayed again
very fervently; I was greatly pleased, that being so many young
men on travel, we should so happily agree in the best things."
Hero we have life at an inn tempore Charles the Second, a
reign which excels in social contrasts and varieties.
Before leaving Bradford, Thoresby "rode to Little Horton,
and dined with Mr. Sharp, that holy angelical man ; " and " was
much in his library.'' f Eeturning home in the evening, he was
* See Hist, of Bradford, by John James; who, however, does not distinguish
between the two Maynards. The elder Sir John died in 1658, the son in 1664.
They are not to be confounded with Maynard the la-wyer.
+ A short biographical account of Mr. Sharp, prefixed to his work entitled
"Divine Comforts," states, — "The Inhabitants of that populous town of Leeds
(ha'ving built a large Chappel) upon Mr. Richard Streatton's remove to London,
gave him a call which he embraced, living at his 0"wn house at Horton, riding
mostly on Lord's Day Morning to Leeds, and back again .at Evening (in Summer
time at least) which was above a dozen Miles, and Preaching t-wice, which at length
he found too hard for him, therefore he bought a House in Leeds, repaired it,
built to it, and kept house there and at Horton also, where his necessary
affairs required his frequent attendance."
This account states also that " He had a copious Library, and abundance
of the choicest Books, of which he made good use, having a notable facility in
turning over Authors, and picking the quintessence out of them."

PROM A.D, 1079 To 1683, 91
exposed to weather even worse than that which drove him back
to Bulmer; "wet to the very skin by a terrible thunder shower,
the most violent, I think, that has often been kno-Wn.'' Yet
scarcely a week before he had given the following account of
a storm at Leeds : —
"In the evening was such thunder and lightning as would
have startled the stoutest heart, so extremely violent, and after
such a dreadful manner, as some in a fright were ready to judge
the approach of the day of doom, and accompanied with such
a quantity of rain, that, having my boots, was forced to wade
to the mid-leg by the houses, where is no water at other times,
on my return from Mr. E. H.'s."
Near the middle of September 1680 he set out for Durham,
this time "melancholy and all alone;" and, perhaps, to escape
from his own feelings, he hastened over the ground. Having
baited at Northallerton, he got to Darlington the first day — a
ride of sixty miles. Thus he arrived at Durham early the next
day, only eighteen miles further, where he found his " poor
sister" and other relatives pretty welL During a stay of two
days he visited the Cathedral ; —
" Viewed the exceedingly rich copes and robes, was troubled
to see so much superstition remaining in Protestant churches;
tapers, basins, and richly embroidered LH.S. upon the high altar,
with the picture of God the Father Hke an old man; the Son,
as a young man, richly embroidered upon their copes."
How this would appear to the simple but genuine piety of
the young semi-Puritan may readily be imagined; and there is
good sense in his prayer, — " Lord, open their eyes, that the
substance of religion be not at length turned into shadows and
ceremonies 1 " Evidently he preferred Mr. Corlass.*
* In the Harleian M,S, No, 1,219, is "A petition preferred to the Conimons
House of Parliament A,D, 1640, by Peter Smart, one of the Prebendaries of
the Cathedral Church of Durham, who stands suspended and imprisoned in

92 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
His return journey was more equally divided than the other;
he staid the night at Topcliffe as before. In another week he
set off again for London, accompanied by Mr. Eobert Hickson.
Starting early in the morning, and leaving the main road at
Bawtry, by night they reached Gainsborough; though they soon
got wet to the skin, had to ferry over the Trent, and " many
rivulets to ride over within evening." But "without any
damage," and the next morning Thoresby^was early in Gains
borough Church copying epitaphs.
Despite the season, they took a roundabout course, and
Thoresby's journey to London occupied a week. After hearing
" an honest sermon " at Gainsborough Church, they,—
" Eid three miles to Knaith, to the Lady Willoughby's at
Parham, in expectation of an extraordinary sermon. So it
proved indeed ; but in the worst sense, full of nothing in the
world but railleries against Protestant Dissenters, who, in his
opinion, were far more dangerous enemies than the Papists ; was
much troubled at our disappointment, and to see the house so
sadly degenerated so .shortly after the Lord's death, who had
the repute of a most honest, worthy, judicious, and religious
Lord." There had been a remarkably rapid succession in this Barony
within the previous fifteen years. Francis, the fifth Baron Wil-
the King's Bench for Nonconformity." He alleged that after the death of
Bishop James, and Bishop Neale's succession to the see, the Dean and Preben
daries of Durham displaced the Communion Table for a high altar "of marble
stones with a carved skreene most gloriously painted and gUded," and began
the use of copes, on one of which was "ymbroydered the image of the
Trinity"; and the petitioner further alleged that they used, and forced others
to use, most unreasonable frequent bowing. Doctor Cosin officiating thereat
•with his face towards the East and back towards the people." Bishop Neale
was the same who, when afterward Archbishop of York, consecrated John
Harrison's new church, as related in the first chapter. Dr. Cosin preaching
the sermon. Cosin became Bishop of Durham in 1660, but he had died eight
years before the above visit of Thoresby's to the Cathedral, at which time
the see was held by his successor, Nathaniel, the third Lord Crewe. It
appears, howsoever, that the customs with which the aforesaid petitioner par
ticularly identified Dr. Cosin were still maintained.

FIIO.M A.D. 1679 TO'iesJ. 93
loughby of Parham, was drowned at Barbadoes in 1666; and his
successor, who was Governor of the Caribbee Islands, died at
Barbadoes also in 1673. George, the seventh Baron, died at
Knaith in 1674; the eighth and ninth Barons both died in 1678;
and Charles, the tenth Baron, to whose reputation Thoresby bears
testimony as above, had died without issue in 1679, de-vising
his estates to a niece, daughter of George, the seventh Baron,
who had married the Hon. James Bertie, brother to the second
Earl of Abingdon. The right of succession to the Barony
remained undecided for about six years; * and thus Thoresby
speaks of the family seat at Knaith as Lady Willoughby's. She
was the daughter of Sir Beaumont Dixie, Bart., of Bosworth,
Leicestershire. From Knaith they rode across " the noted heath " to Lincoln,
where they arrived late in the evening. Lincoln Heath is a
heath no longer, but we have still the " ancient and stately
fabric," Lincoln Minster, which Thoresby, again ri.sing early,
visited before travelling on to Sleaford; and where, he relates,
"by the assistance of one Clark, a poor but ingenious man, I
transcribed not only the modem, but the names and some in
scriptions of the ancient Bishops' tombs."
Meek in temperament, or well disciplined at least, as we
generally find Ealph Thoresby, his very blood must have boiled
at an insult which met , him at Wisbeach ; where he succeeded,
indeed, in copying an epitaph, but, he relates, "not without
difficulty, through the ignorance and impudence of the sexton,
who took me for a Papist." Some relatives of Mr. Hickson's
showed them so much civility that they . stayed aU night at
Wisbeach, and in the evening "heard a good, honest sermon
* And then decided wrongly, the line of tbe true heir, who had emigrated
to America, not having become extinct, as was supposed. His descendaint
regained the Barony in 1767; but in 1779, on the death of the seventeenth
Baron without issue, it became, and has since lain, dormant, — Sees Boike,
Extinct Peerage.

94 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
from one Mr. Howe, which was some satisfaction for the small-
ness of the journey this day." The journey, howsoever, had
been lengthened by some miles, — "We would not venture to
ride the Washes, ¦* which are dangerous at best." It was to
avoid them they travelled by Wisbeach; and before leaving there
in the morning, —
" Had the sight of an hygre, or eager, a most terrible flush
of water, that came up the river with such violence that it sunk
a coal vessel in the town, and such a terrible noise that all the
dogs in it snarl and bite at the rolling waves, as though they
would swallow up the river; the sight of which (ha-ving never
seen the like before) much affected me, each wave surmounting
the other with an extraordinary violence."
"From Wisbeach we rid to Setcha, a small country village,
but much noted for the beast fair, all the closes round the town
for a considerable distance being spread over with beasts from
Scotland, &c. : and (if not too light an observation in this place)
for the common country proverb, Setcha has but thirteen houses
and fourteen cuckolds ; true enough in the former part, but I
charitably hope false in the latter. From thence we rid to
Lynn, three miles off, a stately great town, with many churches
but few monuments ; and it being late I transcribed none, though
the chief reason was because I could attain the knowledge of
few or uo considerable benefactors. Here I saw the famous cup
which King John gave to the town, which is preserved with
great honour and veneration ; and it being the new Mayor's
festival, I had not the sight of it only, but the honour to have
it brought me by the Mayor himself, who (when according to
ancient custom I had taken off the cover) drunk his Majesty's
health in sack, and then turned one part of the bottom of the
cup to himself and the other to me, and so having received it,
drank to another gentleman after the same manner.''
Mr. Hickson making a short stay at Lynn, Thoresby started
without him, before 4 a.m. on the 30th of September, "a cold
* They could only be crossed between certain hours, which varied with
the tides.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 16S3. 95
frosty morning," taking a guide for the first fourteen miles, and
then riding alone to Norwich, where he arrived at noon : —
"The first thing I observed, as I rid along, was the manner
of building not only many houses, but churches, of flint; some
flint alone, others flint and stone, or brick mixed, and the east
end of the to-wn house is very curiously chequered -with squared
flints and brick. Christ Church, or the Cathedral, is a stately
building, and kept in . very good repair and order, whence I
transcribed many curious monuments . of ancient and some modem
bishops ; and in a very pretty chapel adjoining, of that late
worthy Divine, Bishop Eeynolds's foundation : and having thus
spent the afternoon abundantly to my satisfaction I enjoyed in
the evening the company of some acquaintance, &c."
Thoresby's journey, so far, exonerates him from any charge
of ha'ving degenerated from the hardiness of his forefathers;
and yet, so insidiously do the inventions found out by vman
creep over us, that if he still retained his repugnance to coach
travelling on the ground of effeminacy, convenience overcame it.
Next morning he "took coach for London."
But the antiquary remained, though condescending to the new
mode of travel. At the first halting-place he copied another
epitaph, and would have had more when they stopped to dine,
"but there were no monuments in the church." At Newmarket
they "had the honour to see his Majesty and the Duke of
York," who had arrived there a fortnight before, and stayed ten
days longer. In the previous year, the King's illness at Windsor
had alarmed the nation, "People," says Sir William Temple,
" looking upon everything at that time that should happen ill
to the King, as an end of the world;" and Thoresby's sight of
His Majesty is nearly co-incident with a Gazette notice, — " His
Majesty, God be praised, enjoys a perfect health, and has
declared his intention to return to Whitehall within this day
sevennight." The Duke of York had come back to England
after a temporary absence designed to appease the popular fer-

96 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
ment; and he now remained in proximity to the King, his
brother, the better to counteract the intrigues of Monmouth.
Having staid all night at Cambridge, "in a very misty un
healthy morning," Thoresby crossed Gogmagog Hills, and passing
Audley End, which he calls " the greatest house in England
. . . a vast building, or rather town walled in," arrived at
Saffron Walden, " where grows that costly flower which teaches
them to rise early; for they must either be up before the sun
to take the seeds, or they lose the prize." Travelling thence
by Ware, he got to London ota the night of the first of
October, and " though very late," went from Bishopgate Street
to Mr. Stretton's, where he heard the sad news about Stubbs
and cousin Susan. A few days only before his return home
Mr. Hickson . rejoined him. They were at Mr. Stretton's together
on the Sunday afternoon ; but in the morning and evening
Thoresby tested his Dutch at the Dutch Church. He did not,
in the morning at least, understand so much as he expected,
but laid the blame on the great echo made by the building;
and he adds, — "As the custom is, after sermon, sung a psalm,
wherein I joined them with great satisfaction, understanding then
what I read and sung."
Thoresby's account of their next day's proceedings has his
torical value : —
"Went to- Whitehall with Mr. E. H., and saw the Duke of
Monmouth, who was somewhat indisposed, yet, by means of
Mr. Skinner, we were admitted into the bed-chamber, when he
discoursed pretty freely; and understanding by Mr. E. H. that
we came from Leeds, the great clothing place, he answered with
a smile we were not for Popery there, no more than they in
the West, alluding to his extraordinary kind entertainment there
(as in the public news); then we called at Mr. Fairfax's to see
my Lord and him."
Although in the spring of this year a refutation of the
rumoured discovery, in "a black box," of a marriage contract

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 97
between the King and Lucy Walters had been published in the
Gazette, Monmouth still aimed at succeeding to his Eoyal father's
crown; and to the above passage in Thoresby's Diary its editor
subjoins, in a note, Dryden's description of the Enghsh Absalom.
Monmouth's party was about to urge upon the Parliament that
was summoned for the 21st, after twelve months' prorogation,
the bill for excluding the Duke of York from the succession;
and having this instance, on the 18th,* of the Duke of Mon
mouth's proceedings in the very palace to which the King and
his brother had returned on the 9th from Newmarket, we cannot
be surprised at the Duke's reluctance to go to Scotland at this
juncture, as he did in deference to the King's determination,
supported by some members of the Council. The alleged plot,
so useful to the Monmouth faction, imposed upon the public
with remarkable endurance, and still controlled both the King
and his counsellors. A year had elapsed since Lord Halifax had
affirmed in an argument with Temple, " that the plot must be
handled as if it were true, whether it were so or not, in those
points that were so generally believed by city and country as
well as both Houses ; " and yet, while the King was at New
market, he had renewed a proclamation requiring "all Papists,
and persons reputed Papists, and such as have been so within
six months last past," to quit London and Westminster, and any
other place for ten miles round, and not upon any pretence to
return within six months.
The conversation which ensued when Thoresby and Mr. Hick
son waited upon Lord Fairfax, their county Member, after the
interview with Monmouth, could scarcely be more interesting to
them than it would now be to us. But Thoresby does not report
a word of it ; and leaving Lord Fairfax to his Parliamentary
* The Diary says the 1 7th ; but at this time, for more than a week, its dates
are a, day wrong, as on a former occasion when Thoresby was travelling. If
any ask how this is known, Thoresby marks the 16th of October 1680 with
"Die Dom."i the Sunday bciug in reality on the 17th.

98 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
duties he started homeward on the day before Parliament met.
Not by coach. He had arranged for a horse on the previous
day, when he also t6ok leave of Mr. Stretton and, —
" My good cousin Dickenson and family, who has approved
himself the most faithful, cordial, true-hearted friend I ever met
-with in London, and indeed equal to the best I have in the
world, which true testimony I purposely mention, as a note of
gratitude." Thoresby set out upon the self-same day on which the Duke
of York went on board for Leith; and with all Thoresby's
troubles, there is little room for question which of the two left
London with the easier mind. The first day he describes Totten
ham High Cross and the cross at Waltham; Edmonton Conduit,
" in the form of a woman, with a pitcher under her arm,
whence continually issueth a stream of water ; " at " Hogsden,"
now Hoddesden, the ancient house with stately turrets and
curious garden, with the best and largest pine trees he had
seen ; and not-withstanding that the road thence to Ware,
pleasant in summer, proved " as bad in winter, because of the
depth of ruts, though far off as bad as" it next became until
near Eoyston, there is not much risk in saying that Thoresby
had a happier day than James, Duke of York.
Thoresby travelled in company with others, and next day
got well from Eoyston to Bridge-Casterton, but the third day
was a trial for his nerves. He had " passed safely the great
common, where Sir Ealph Wharton slew the highwayman,-* and
Stone-gate Hole, a notorious robbing-place"; also Grantham, and
Newark, "where," he says, "in the ruins of the old castle, I
* Thoresby names this exploit in later journeys, in one instance calhng the
place " five mile Cross," to the north of Bridge-Casterton, as above, and at
another time, placing it between Stilton and Huntingdon ; where, also, on one
Qocaslon he places Stone-gate Hole, u, noted place for robberies." — See Diary,
5 April 1083; aud 15 May 1C95.

FROM A.D, 1679 TO 1683, 99
saw the place where my grandfather was kept prisoner."-* But
two miles further, -with a Mr. Hutton, whom Thoresby would
not desert, " lest he should receive any damage, being too fuU
of drink," he left the direct Bamby Moor way and the rest
of the company, keeping the main road by Tuxford. Hutton
promised to rejoin the others at night, " but the way and
weather being very bad," he would not pass Tuxford. So
Thoresby " had to ride alone eight tedious long miles, in a place
easy enough to mistake the way in, especially in a dark evening,
over Shirewood Forest; but through the mercy of a good God I
got safe to ray designed stage, and before the rest of the com
pany." Though he does not name the stage, no doubt it was
Bamby Moor Inn; the .short cut to it taken by the rest of his
company turning, out, in such weather, to be the longer way.
In this matter, the tipsy man had shown the bettor judgment.
At Bawtry, next mDrning, to his " no small joy," Thoresby
was in his "native country again"; and "from that Mill-stone
town," by Doncaster and Ferry-bridge, he rode home and ended
this eventful journey. It was Saturday night, and he was some
what late; for at Brotherton he stayed to caU upon an old lady,
Mrs. Eayner, whom he describes as, — " my great grandfather's
father's third wife, now a great age, having lived to see many
of her grandchildren's grandchildren." Yet he gives a summary
of Mr. Sharp's sermon on the Sunday morning; and in the
afternoon he went to church, but, he says, —
" Could have wished myself at home, a stranger preaching
very meanly. I was especially vexed at these words, ' Precise
persons now-a-days will cry out of innocent plays and honest
comedies, &c., when in the mean time themselves are the greatest

* Here is one proof that Thoresby's Diary was re-written subsequently to
the dates- in it. The grandfather here spoken of must have been his wife's
grandfather, an ardent Republican. The Eoyalists held Newark Castle almost
to the last extro.nity.

100 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
actors in the world.' A speech, in my opinion, very unbecoming
a minister of the gospel at any time, much more in the pulpit,
leading to the encouragement of those insatiable devourers of
precious time."
All who sympathise with Thoresby should, on the one hand,
bear in mind that this sermon dates in an age of reaction from
ascetic Puritanism, which, while dominant, had been intolerably
provocative and tyrannical. On the other hand, it was also an
age in which the discriminating Evelyn wrote thus, — " To a
new play with several of my relations. The Evening Lover, a
foolish plot, and very profane; it afflicted me to see how the
stage was degenerated and polluted by the licentious times."
This, too, ought to be considered, before any laugh at Thoresby,
because " fear brought him back " when curiosity carried him to
see a play; an aberration which could hardly fail to recur to
him when he heard the above-mentioned preacher. He certainly
merited something more to his own satisfaction. Now-ardays,
fallen as we are far below the effeminacy of stage-coaches, how
many would have appeared twice at service on Sunday who had
finished such traveUing as Thoresby's " somewhat late " on the
night before ?
Although 'Thoresby had so far recovered his spirits while in
London as to sing Psalms in Dutch, the anniversary of his
father's death now brought back his trouble ; and from the date
of the following entry in his Diary, 27 October 1680, it
appears that he was from home on the 30th, in the previous
year, when John Thoresby for the last time led the family
devotions : — *
" 27. (Our fair-day), being the last day (last year) that I
enjoyed the invaluable happiness of my dear father's 'prayers,
directions, society, &c. ; the reflections upon the severe Provi-dence
* There is not any entry in the Diary for 1679 from 13th October to 6th
November.

PROM A.D, 1679 TO 1083, 101
of G6d in depriving us of so every way useful a person to Church
and State, and the unspeakable loss to this poor desolate family
almost overwhelmed me ; the violence of natural affections,
augmented -with the sense of the displeasure of God for my
sins, the occasion of so severe a dispensation, was so extreme,
that such rivers of tears issued from my eyes as almost deprived
me of the use of them; the smart and pain scarce suffering me
to open them, accompanied with such an exceeding pain in my
head, as made me doubt what the issue would be; which sorrow
(though the pain abated) continued the next,
" 28th day, so that I refused all consolation, would not stir
into town, but retired, spending the time in bitterness and
lamentation for my unspeakable loss, — a mercy to his pious soul,
yet a judgment upon me ! "
But Thoresby was not long given up to idle sorrow, —
" Nov. 1. Thinking to have got up by six, was mistaken ;
rose so early that I had read a chapter before it chimed four;
spent most of the time in reading my dear father's Diary. I
entered into a resolution, — to redeem more time, particularly to
retrench my sleeping time, and getting an alarm put to the
clock, and that set at my bed's head, to arise every morning
by five, and first to dedicate the morning (as in duty obliged)
to the service of God, by reading and prayer; to spend some
hours in writing and collecting remarks upon the lives and
death of the saints and servants of God in most or all ages;
and I have thoughts, and some glimmering hope, to- bring down
a continual series of all the heroes, both spiritual and temporal,
since the very first planting of Christianity in this our island."
This conception of a biographical history of his country was
quite extensive enough to end, as it did, in something less ; although
Thoresby had life before him, and speedily set to work preparing
his materials. The very next morning, having again risen sooner
than he intended, and " read a chapter before four," he was until
daylight entering in a book monumental inscriptions which he
had copied in London; and he spent most of the next day in
transcribing, from Lloyd's Memoirs, " obser\ations upon the li\'es

102 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
and deaths of some great persons." He carried out his resolu
tion to have an alarm to the clock immediately, after which
he spent from five o'clock in the morning till noon, —
"Writing some Collections . . . designing to prosecute
my former resolutions not to sleep away so much of my precious
time, but endeavour to improve it to what advantage I can."
He had already made progress in one favourite pursuit,
closely allied with biography, the collections of " eflSgies '' of
worthies and celebrities; and he now spent whole days in
assorting and pasting them in a book in chronological order.
Other occupations intervened. On the 5th of November, a
great day at this time, Thoresby was engaged in the moming
"preparing charcoal and powder for a ship of war;" and having
" then heard Mr. Sharp, who made an excellent discourse, and
suitable to the deliverance vouchsafed to our ancestors upon this
day," in the evening he was full of company to see the ship
discharged. This ship was evidently a model which Thoresby
mentions in the catalogue of Artificial Curiosities in his
Museum, — "A small Man of "War, which by means of a covert
Conveyance through the Body of the Ship, discharges 16 Guns :
it was made by order of Mr. John Thoresby.'' The device gave
satisfaction, for when Gunpowder Plot day came round next year
Thoresby gave way to " earnest importunity," and sent his ship
" up street " in order " to be discharged with the other fireworks."
" 6 Nov. Spent rather too much time abroad, though not in
bad company, or I hope bad discourse, though much in con
troversy about Con. and Nonconformity."
" 7th (Sunday). Mr. Naylor made such a discourse as, I am
apt to believe, was never preached in tSie New Church since it
was built, so full of rancour against poor Dissenters."
More than a week afterward Thoresby visited this Mr. Nay
lor, " with design of discourse about his sermon," though how
far this design was carried out is left untold. But, Protestant

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1083. 103
as he was, and the family from which he sprung, he had
a Eoman Catholic relative whom he calls " aunt Thoresby,"
and who at this time lived at Snidall, near Pontefract. She
was not the widow of his Sykehouse uncle, nor of George of
Newcastle. There remains only Alice, the widow of his father's
youngest brother Timothy, and daughter of William Thompson
of Wressle, the " sister Alice " of John Thoresby's -will ; and
that she it was is settled by the Eegister of Leeds Parish
Church, which records the burial, 19th January 1699 (O.S.), of
"Mrs. Alice Thoresby of Kirkg? Eoman Catholic." "At the
earnest entreaty " of his Dutch acquaintance, Mr. Wispelaer, " of
the same Eomish persuasion," Thoresby had visited her in Sep
tember, and before the year's end he paid her a second visit,
returning in company with Mr. V/ispelaer and a cousin. On
this occasion he seems to have staid at least one night, and
come home the early part of the next day; for he tells that
then he dined with a Leeds physician. Dr. George Neale (the son
of an Otley man), "and staid there rather too long at play, to
the loss of too much precious time." Upon this subject, when
in later years reviewing his life, Thoresby -wrote, — ¦
" Though I was never fond of cards, yet was once tempted
vrith relations upon a Christmas-Day (after I had been at church
in the forenoon), to spend too much of the afternoon (it being
a week-day), in that wicked diversion, which caused me much
sorrow upon reflection; for, though being educated a Dissenter,
I had no great veneration for the festivals, yet was sensible
that so eminent an instance of the Divine benignity should have
been commemorated in a quite different manner, and have ever
since, for more than thirty-five years, and I hope for ever,
wholly thrown them aside.''
How innocent soever his play at Dr. Neale's might be (and
it does not necessarily involve gambling), he seems to be much
more like his customary self in an occupation which another
friend bad found for him a few days earlier.

104 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Hunslet Lane, says Thoresby in his Ducatus, " is especially
noted by Travellers (being the London Eoad) for the pleasant
Gardens and delicate Seats of many Gentlemen." At one of
them lived his father's Associate in the Conventicle indictment of
1674, Bryan Dixon, " a curious Florist in his younger Days, but
an useful Eetriever of Ancient Scripts in his elder years, whereby
some benefactions have been recovered, and more secured." In
the troubles which ensued upon the outbreak of the ci-vil war,
many documents relating to such benefactions had been dispersed,
and the gifts themselves were in danger of being lost to the
town. After the Eestoration, repeated proclamation was made
by the new Corporation, that all who held any of these deeds
should give them up to the Authorities, and measures were taken
for their future safety.* On the 9th of December 1680, Mr.
Dixon sent for Thoresby, and with him Thoresby remained, —
"Writing till nine in the evening the public donations, gifts
to the poor, lecturer, free-school, highways, <kc., designed to be
engrossed upon a table, and hung up in the church, which good
design my dear father was very earnest in prosecuting many years
ago, but prevented by the iniquity of some great persons, who
had of the poor's money in their hands."
He was at Mr. Dixon's a second time "about pious donations,
writing them in order to their being fixed in the Church." The
result of these labours is given in the Ducatus, although Thoresby
modestly omits his own name from the following heading: — "An
Account of some Gifts to the Poor of Leedes Town and Parish,
with other Benefactions, from two Tables in the Quire &c. begun
by the commendable Industry of Mr. Bryan Dixon, who recovered
the Notice of some that were in danger of being lost." Above
forty -enumerations appear, and fourth from the end is a bequest
of Ten Pounds to the Charity School from Bryan Dixon himself.
Among the gifts recorded, there is the following from Thoresby's
* See 'Warden.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1083. 105
grandfather : "1661. Mr. John Thoresby, Alderman, gave a Eent-
Charge of Twenty Shillings per Ann. to the Poor, out of a
Piece of Ground at the Town-End, called the Paddock." The
year 1661 was that of the elder John Thoresby's death, but no
mention of any will of his occurs in the index at the York
ofiice. That he died intestate, has confirmation in a passage
of the -will of his eldest son, Joseph, bequeathing to such of
the poor of Leeds as the Testator's uncle, Paul Thoresby, and
his brothers John and Timothy should think fit, the rents of
a little paddock tenanted by Timothy, adjoining Claypit Closes,
Leeds, which, said the Testator, "my father did intend to give
to that use," Should Paul Thoresby fail to pay over the
money, his nephew John was to take up the trust ; and if it
were not paid by either, they were to be superseded by the
Overseers and Churchwardens for the time being. This gift by
Joseph Thoresby is not named in the Tables which his nephew
Ealph assisted Bryan Dixon to prepare, a curious omission. It
looks as if the benefaction were ascribed to Alderman John
Thoresby, whose intention the eldest son and heir, Joseph, did
but carry out.
Thoresby finished the year with another journey to the north,
travelling this time by Eipon and Catterick. Staying for the
night at Catterick, on the following day, the 28th of December,
he proceeded " to Piercebridge and Bishop Auckland ; transcribed
the epitaph of Bishop Cousins, interred in a stately chapel of
his own foundation," and " thence to Durham, without pre
judice, though the ways very deep and the night dark."
While on this visit to his Durham relatives, he attended service
at the Cathedral on Sunday, the 2nd of January 1681, and
again "he was somewhat amazed at their ornaments, tapers,
rich embroidered copes, vestments, &c. Dr. Brevin, a native of
France, discoursed on the birth of Christ."
Having also visited his relatives at Newcastle, and another

106 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"cousin," named Paxton, at Shinkley, now Shincliffe, a village
near Durham, Thoresby on the 5th set out for home "pretty
early; found the ways worst at first, but afterwards tolerable,
so got well to Burniston," a village nearly ten miles south of
Catterick, and near the well kno-wn Deeming Lane. There he
says, "I found a pretty new Hospital, erected 1680, by Dr.
Eobinson; writ thence an inscription vide my Collections." This
was Matthew Eobinson, M.D., of the family from whence
sprang the Lords of Eokeby. Combining medicine -with divinity,
he was Vicar of Burniston, and besides the Hospital, for five
poor parishioners to be not less than sixty years old, he founded
there a Grammar School. He was the third son of Thomas
Eobinson, Barrister of Gray's Inn and a Parliamentarian Colonel,
who had been killed near Leeds during the civil wars.-*
After his return home, Thoresby persevered in his resolution
to rise early for literary study, although, notwithstanding his
alarm clock, he failed in the uniformity of five o'clock. One
day he was "up before four, writing till eight; then about the
History of the Ancient Britons till three." Another, he "lay till
five, -writing till eight, and so till noon;" another, he "lay till
six; then writing two or three hours about those primitive
martyrs after the preaching of true Christian religion in this
our land ; " another, he was " up pretty early, reading and
writing about the year 400, concerning Pelagius, whose heresy
was well repugned by Germanus;" and another day he "lay too
long, till near seven; but, as a voluntary penance, stirred not
out till evening to W. A's; then writing again till ten." The
24th of the month was for his occupation on that day, unique
in the life of Thoresby. Think of his going a hunting !
"Up early, about five ; Uncle Idle called to go to Ardington ;
was but indifferently furnished with company to follow the dogs}
* Hopkinson M.S.S.; and Bee Burke's Peerage, Rokeby,

FROM A.D. 1079 .TO 1683.

107

the first time I was a-hunting, and, I think, will be the last,
being of Sir Philip Sidney's mind, next to hawking I like hunting
the worst." There is no account of his ever hunting again.
On the 14th of Febraary J 681 he mentions a flood,—
"Occasioned either by some violent rains in the West, or
rather from the sudden melting of the snow; but the flood,
increasing to such a prodigious greatness as has scarce ever been
known in these parts, brought large pieces of timber over our
garden wall, and carried the largest logs of wood as far as Dow
Bridge." This bridge, near the outlet of a stream which runs from the
north-west into the Eiver Aire at Leeds, is about a quarter of a
mile below Thoresby's house. In his Topography of Leeds,
Thoresby speaks of the stream as a nameless water, and thinks
the name of the bridge to be derived, like the Dow of Dowgate
in London, "from the British Dou/r, water." This overflow inter
rupted his studies : —
"15. With Mr. Gamet, to observe the greatness of the flood;
most of the day and evening abroad, and spent too little time
either in reading or writing, not above three or four hours these
two days."
A fortnight after this there was another county election. The
Plot trials had culminated in that of the Earl of Stafford, who,
convicted upon the usual charge of having conspired to put the
King to death, overthrow the Protestant Eeligion and introduce
Popery, was beheaded on the 29th of December 1680. In the
ParUament that was upon the eve of assembly when Thoresby
last left London, the Plot and the Bill for excluding the Duke
of York from succession to the Cro'wn had been the main topics.
The Lords having rejected the Exclusion Bill, and all overtures
for a compromise having failed to turn the resolution of the
House of Commons, Pariiament was prorogued on the 10th of
January 1681, dissolved on the 18th, and a new one simultaneously
called which was to meet at Oxford on the 21st of March.
8

108

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

Sir William Temple's Council utterly collapsed; and he himself,
after having signified to the King his resolution to withdraw
from public life, was struck off from the list of Privy Councillors,
together with the Earl of Sunderland, late Secretary of State,
and the Earl of Essex, who had more than a year before been
displaced from the Treasury. Laurence Hyde (brother-in-law of
the Duke of York), who had been Chancellor of the Exchequer,
succeeded him.
The election for the County of York was fixed for Monday,
the 28th of February. Thoresby gives an account of a sermon
on the Sunday week previous, -v\'hich has evident reference to
the critical and eventful time : —
"Mr. Ivison, * from Acts iii. 19, had a good discourse of
repentance, an honest, sound, serious sermon, as was his prayer;
wherein this expression, that God would please to preserve this
church from Popery in her doctrine, superstition in her ceremonies,
and tyranny and oppression in her government; and when praying
for the clergy, begging that they may be exemplary for their
purity, holiness and true virtues ; that such as are scandalous may
be removed, and better put in their places."
On the Saturday, Thoresby " rid to York to the election of
the two lords as Knights of the .Shire for the ensuing Parha-
¦" Anthony Iveson, M.A., was the brother of Henry Iveson, Mayor of Leeds
in 1695-6, and again in 1709-10; Lord of the Manor of Biltou in the Ainsty of
York, and High Sheriff of "Vorkshire in 1711. Anthony married Anna, daughter
of WiUiam Bethell, D.D., Eector of Kirkby Overblow, and "for his second wife,
the daughter of a Lord Mayor of Dublin. But he died without issue in 1707.
They were the sons of Lancelot Iveson, -who, as recorded in the Ducatus, built
three Alms Houses near the Grammar School and the Workhouse, "in Lieu of
as many decayed Cottages at Kirk-gate-cnd that had been appropriated to that
end but had fallen down." He died in 1673. The burial of "Thomas and
Lynenell sons of Aid. Henry Iveson of Black Bank" is entered in the Parish
Eegister, 18 Deo. 1699 ; and Black Bank, is said in the Ducatus, to be " chiefly
noted for the seat of Henry Iveson, Esq." But in the next generation, Edward
Iveson, saith the Wilson M.S.S.,— "was Mayor of Leeds 1728. He died 5 Apr.
1741. In 1744 his creditors sold his estate at Black-Bank to Joshua Wilson,
Gent., Alderman of Pomfrote, for 4,500 pounds. He was born 15 May 1686.
He got 6,000i. with his 'wife which was soon spent inconsiderately." She was
Martha, daughter and heiress of Will™ Eichardson of High Eeai-nley, Gentle
man.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683.

109

ment"; and on the Monday he was "in the Castle Yard at the
election," when Lords Fairfax and Clifford were -^ain returned,
this time -without a contest. Thoresby went home again the
same day, after "making some visits, and after the despatch of
some business."
"7 March, 1681. Perusing some letters, papers, &c., in order
to the collection of memoirs of the best of fathers. Afternoon
at a funeral, and to visit Mr. Eobert Hickson. Eecover him, O
Lord I if it be thy -will, and deprive us not of such serviceable
persons." The next day Thoresby was himself visited by Oliver Hey
wood, who gave him " a pleasing account of holy Mr. Angier,
his father-in-law'';* and doubtless Heywood also would be con
cerned for Eobert Hickson, his former host in times of danger.
But this valued supporter of Nonconformity in Leeds, Thoresby's
late companion in travel, and his associate in the interview -with
the Duke of Monmouth, had but a few weeks longer to live : —
"28 April. Assisting at Mr. Eobert Hickson's, in preparing
for the funeral of that good man, whose loss -wiU not easily
be made up to this poor congregation, which has but few
such eminent and useful members.''
" 30. At the funeral of worthy Mr. Hickson, but not able
to refrain from tears. Lord make me serviceable in my station,
that' I may live beloved, and die lamented, as my dearest father
did., whose example Lord help me to imitate 1 "
" 1 May, Die Dom. Mr. Sharp made an excellent practical
sermon, upon account of Mr. Eobert Hickson's funeral, from
Eccles. xii, 5:" [ending, — "because man goeth to his long home,
and the mourners go about the street."]
This was the fourth funeral which Thoresby had attended in
Leeds within three months. The first was that of " two ancient
* Mr. Angier had died in 1679. Heywood 'wrote his life, and it was published.
The M,S, became Thoresby's, and is thus catalogued, — "The life of Mr. John
Angier of Denton Com. Lane, by Mr. 0. Heywood, with notes and additions by
Mr, Neiocome, of Manclieater &e." He had also in M,S, some of Angier'$
BBrmons.

110 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
gentlewomen, Mrs. Child and Mr. Mayfield's mother," on the
12th of Februai'y; then, there was the nameless one of the 7th
of March, and on the 28th, —
" The funeral of Lawyer Bathurst's brother, who was interred
with the greatest state has been kno'wn in this to-wn; near one
hundred torches • carried in state ; the room hung -with black,
and escutcheons and tapers ; so was the pulpit ; a velvet pall,
hung -with escutcheons, and carried by the chief gentry, who had
gloves and scarfs; all the company had gloves, with sack and
biscuits. Mr. Benson preached at nine at night from Job xix.
26, 27."
The beginning of this text contrasts with the pomp of the
funeral, — "And though after my skin worms destroy this body."
The preacher, Laurence Benson, M.A., was lecturer at the
Parish Church from 1677 to 1709; but the funeral was at St.
John's. It was that of Charles Bathurst, brother of Theodore,
who wrote the ode in eulogy of John Thoresby,-*- and who
lived at a house at the north-west corner of what is now
Duncan Street, built and formerly inhabited by John Harrison.
Theodore was the fifth, and Charles the sixth son of John
Bathurst, M.D., of Eichmond in Yorkshire, and of London, who
had eight sons and three daughters. One of the latter married
Moses Bathurst, of another branch of the Bathursts, who 'had
twelve brothers and four sisters, only one of the whole number
dying under age. Six of the brothers lost their lives in the
civil wars, in the Eoyalist cause ; another became Dean of Bath
and Wells; and another. Sir Benjamin Bathurst, Kt., Governor
of the African Company in the reign of Charles the Second,
and of the East India Company in that of William the Third,
was the father of the first Earl Bathurst. Thoresby states
that the arms of the Bathurst family, in the Ducatus are there
given " as they were painted at the funeral."
* Ante, page 74.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683.

Ill

On the 27th of May 1681, Thoresby attended a fifth funeral,
that of GamaHel Marsden, brother of the Jeremiah Marsden,
otherwise Ealphson, against whom he had been wamed by his
father upon his first -visiting London. Gamaliel was the Non
conformist minister at TopcKffe, near Wakefield, and Thoresby
speaks highly of him : —
"May 25. Eid to visit honest Mr. Marsden, a learned and
judicious Nonconformist, but, beyond Morley, met the man with
the sad tidings of his death; stayed there most of the afternoon
with poor Mrs. Marsden, veisy weak and dangerously sick."
"27. Eid to Tingley, to the funeral of that holy man,
Mr. Gamaliel Marsden, whose death was much bewailed, not by
relations only, but many good people and godly ministers, as a
pubhc loss."
Two months afterward, Thoresby again rode "to Mrs. Mars-
den's, to view the Ubrary," and he bought a few of the books.
The ¦'heavy rains and floods which Thoresby . repeatedly men
tions, were followed in this year, 1681, by a long drought.
Evelyn, in the south, says that only one shower of rain fell
during April; and on the 12th of June he -wrote, — "It still
continued so great a drought as had never been kno-wn in
England, and it was said to be universal" The generality of
the drought is confirmed by Oliver Heywood, in his diary for
April and May, —
" I saw the dreadfullest sight of waste pastures in my travels
that ever my eyes beheld; scarce any green things left in the
fields. I saw, both in Howarth parish and up toward Marsden,
the strangest fires upon the moors that have been known, burn
ing up the heath and dry mossy earth for many miles forward,
and could not be quenched. The beasts of the field began to
smart and feel the effects of God's anger. Many strange in
credible stories were told of many places ; of an ox speaking,
saying, ' What should I plough for 1 there's more com sown
than will be reaped :' near Easingwold in Yorkshire. It is con-

112 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
fluently reported that it rained wheat at Leicester in May; also
near Pontefract and near Leeds; several quantities were in many
hands, but little solid nourishment therein."
Thoresby does not speak of the drought, nor of the argu
mentative ox; but on the 11th of June he tells, —
"Up at four, writing memoirS about the year 1544 till noon;
then walked with. Dutch cousin to Woodhouse-hill ; where, in
cousin Fenton's best chamber, I gathered some of the corn that
was rained down the chimney upon the Lord's-day "seven-night,
when it likewise rained plentifully pf the like upon Headingley-
moor, as was confidently reported; but those I gathered with
my own hands from the white hearth, which was stained with
drops of blue where it had fallen, for it is of a pale red or
a kind of sky colour, is pretty, and tastes like common wheat,
of which I have one hundred corns. What it may signify, and
whether it doth proceed from natural causes (of which some
may be prescribed) or preternatural, such an ignorant creature
as I am cannot aver."
But twenty-one years later, on the 28th of July 1702,
Thoresby -wrote concerning a similar downfall in the same neigh
bourhood, —
" With Mr. Fenton, from whom, and a person that gathered
it, received a parcel of the reputed wheat that was rained on
Lord's Day last, betwixt Hunslet and Middleton, but 'tis rather
seeds of ivy-berries, or other plants;" and the botanical section
of his Museum Catalogue has the following, — " Some of the
supposed Wheat that came down in a hasty Shower near Leedes
29 May 1681, and of that rained 26 July 110% different from
the former, and both from real Wheat, being Seeds of Ivy-
berries, or other Plants hoarded up by the Birds."
Thoresby here adopts an explanation given in No. 186 of
Philosophical Transactions (the first for the year 1687), to which
he refers. It is entitled "Part of a Letter from Mr. WiUiam
Cole of Bristol to the Publisher, about the grains resembhng
wheat which lately fell in Wiltshire." Mr. Cole writes,—

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 113
" 'The City and Country round about is filled with reports of
raining wheat about Warminster, and other places within six or
eight miles of it, and many believe it; I have procured several
parcels of it, and carefully examined them, and find it to be the
seeds of ivy-berries, which from towers and churches, chimneys,
walls arid high buildings were lately by very fierce tempest of
wind and hail, driven away from the holes, chinks, and other
parts where birds had brought them, especially sterlings and
choughs. It were to little purpose to tell you the prodigious
stories which have been made of it ; among many others it was
confidently affirmed (and backt by many who affirmed they had
seen it) that those grains were found in the 'hail as seeds in
comfits. I do here acquaint you with it (upon notice I have
had of some who have sent several parcels of it to your Society,
with strange relations of it) to the end you may inform them
of the truth. For I have by all the ways I can imagine
examined and compared them with the seeds of ivy-berries, by
the taste, smell, size and figure ; with the assistance of magni
fying glasses viewing them in both the superficial and inward
parts. This perhaps they may have discovered before this comes
to their hands, if they desire farther satisfaction concerning it I
shall be ready to serve them." *
Thoresby remained at home, excepting some day excursions,
and a night in York, until the middle of June 1681, persevering
with his early rising and literary designs. In these he had the
sympathy and assistance of the Vicar, who, visiting him at his
own house, " corrected some mistakes and errata in transcribing
epitaphs;" and, having risen at five and walked till six, Thoresby
adds, — "writing till noon, completing catalogue of my books for
our learned and good Vicar, Mr. John Milner.
On the 14th of June Thoresby "went -with cousins and much
company to the Spaws " at Harrogate, and the next three days :—
* In the diary of Abraham De la Pryme, pubhshed by the Surtees Society,
we have,— "In the year 1687 there were .several memorable things happen'd
which we cannot but take notice of. Of the 28th of April it ramed wheat in
great abundance at Lincoln and the towns adjacent, several granes of whidi
Mere sent :us miraculous and prodigious presents to sevcriil Kentlemen .ibout us."

114

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER

"Drank the sulphur water plentifully; walked much for
health and recreation with the company, but alas ! httle regarded
any good thing, generally omitted duty or but slightly performed
it." He stayed a month at Harrogate, drinking the waters, and
engaging in "the usual recreations, walking, &c." He rode
to St. Mungo's (or Mongah's) Well at Cotgrave," now Copgrove,
about four miles to the north of Knaresborough, and he de
clares the water there to be "the coldest of aU waters I ever
knew." One forenoon was spent by Thoresby in "viewing the heads
cursorily" of a work by Fernando Gorge, entitled "America
painted to the Life," a quarto published in London in 1659.
The portion of it which chiefly occupied him was that "relating
to Mr. Hooker, Shephard, Elliot, Davenport, &c., worthy ministers
who fl^ed thither." But Thoresby found Harrogate "better fur
nished than ordinary" with company, and the above is the only
account of his reading while there given in his Diary. He met
with Sir Ealph Jennyson * and his Lady from Newcastle, who
had been friends of his . late father and of his uncle ; and he
found a congenial companion in an " accomplished gentleman,
Charles Scrimshaw, Esq., of Staffordshire," afterward Sir Charles;
From him Thoresby obtained information upon a favourite topic,
"Protestant benefactors"; concerning Mr. Chetwynd, t who still
lived, the founder of a church, and Mr. Scrimshaw's father-in-
* Ealph Jennison was Mayor, and Eobert .Jennison Sheriff of Newcastle in
1668-9. It was before Ptalph Jennison, when Mayor, that a deposition was
made under the Conventicle Act against George Thoresby, as mentioned in a
previous note. If this were Thoresby's uncle, and it is so stated in the publica
tion of the Surtees Society, the friendship between them has some significance
as a commentary upon the working of the Act. In 1674, Thomas Jennison
was Mayor, and Henry Jennison, Sheriff.
t Walter Chetwynd, Esq., of Ingestre, an antiquary, rebuilt Ingestre Parish
Church at his own cost ; a work commenced in 1673 and lasting three years, —
See Shaw's Staffordshire.

FROM A.D, 1679 TO 1683, 115
law, Mr. Taylor,-* who built alms-houses at Chesterfield. On the
Sunday before his return home, having spent the forenoon in
"drinking water, and afterwards wine, too regardless of discourse,
&c.," he rode to Eipley with Mr. Scrimshaw, to hear Mr. Kir-
shaw. On the Monday or Tuesday they went to Knaresborough,
where Thoresby "writ the heads of St. Eobert's life from an
old manuscript, t gathered some remarkably petrified moss, -viewed
the castle, &c. ;" and on the Wednesday Mr. Scrimshaw accom
panied him home. The next day, Thoresby rode -with his friend
to Wakefield and there transcribed for him the epitaph of
Dr. Symson; then "rode to Snidal to -visit aunt, and retumed
weU home.''
The " Dutch cousin," who was Thoresby's companion when he
gathered the wheat that had fallen in a shower, turns out to be
Benjamin Milner of Amsterdam. It is probable that he was on
a -visit to his father, William Milner, of Leeds, merchant; and
that he, -with some other of the family, were the cousins who
accompanied Thoresby to Harrogate. For on the second day
after his return, Thoresby " dined -with some Spaw company at
Mr. M.'s; stayed there till four. Spent the rest of the day and
evening with cousin B. Milner of Holland." In four days more
he was travelling again, after " consulting Mr. Camden for the
memorables in Derbyshire," as now-a-days intending tourists con
sult Murray.
Eising about five o'clock on the morning of Tuesday the 19th
of July 1681, Thoresby mounted for Buxton; rode first to Wake
field, where he stayed an hour, from Wakefield to New Miller's
* George Taylor, Esq., of Durant Hall, Derbyshire, who died in 1G68, and
was buried in Chesterfield Parish Church, left a sum of money for the building
of an alms-house for six poor women, endowing it with a rent-charge of £16 a
year. In 1678 the bequest was carried out by his successor, Charles Scrimshire,
whom Thoresby here calls Scrimshaw (also spelled Sorymsheour), of Norbury in
Staffordshire, — See Dyson's Derbyshire.
+ Drake, in the Eboracum, gives a Life of St, Eobert of Knaresborough from
an old manuscript ; and states the one kept in his cell to be imperfect.

116 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Dam, beyond Sandal, and thence over the forest to Wuspar
(Worsborough) " where Justice Edmunds has a pretty Hall." On
the way he passed the seat of " a worthy gentleman," Justice
Wentworth, then building an hospital at WooUey ; " Justice
Blythman's, another pretty seat"; the Old Dam and "the upper
end of Black Barnsley.'' From Worsborough he rode to Sheflaeld,
" a large market-town, most noted for knives, scissors and iron
work." There he notes " a stately hospital, erected by the Earl
of Norwich, great-grandchild to Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury who
worthily gave 2001. per annum for the maintenance of twenty
poor people"; and "another for eight persons built by the town
stock." Having, with his regard for benefactions, first disposed
of these, he passes to the church, —
"A handsome well-built fabric, with some pretty monuments,
especially for the numerous family of the Spencers of Attercliffe,
inlaid many of them with brass in the stone very artificially ;
but as the town of the hospital, so the church may chiefly
boast of the stately tombs of the Talbots, Earls of Shrewsbury,
the inscriptions whereof I was with much difficulty transcribing
till eight at night."
" 20 July. Up by four this morning to finish them."
With all Thoresby's travelling, he had hitherto traversed but
little hill country; and now that railways have brought Switzer
land within easier reach from Yorkshire than London was in his
time, there i^re many who may he amused at his description of
the next stage in his journey to Derbyshire : —
"From Sheffield we came into a more hilly country, till, by
degrees, we were got into most prodigious high mountains that
ever my eye beheld, with rocks and stones, of an extreme
bigness, one whereof, at the bottom of one of the biggest, is
entirely the height and length of a pretty large room, and,
with a little addition, serves for the side of a house. Over
such -i'ast and prodigious crag.ay mountains -wc passed some

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 117
mUes; till, at last, we arrived safely at Hope, a pretty country
town, seated upon the Eiver Now, in a valley, and thence to
Castleton, at the foot of the Peak."
His account of the Castle, " an ancient ruin . . . formerly
belonging to the Peverils," scarcely accords with the Martindale
Castle of Scott's novel, recently laid in ruins by the cannon of
Cromwell, excepting one habitable wing; but his visit there
about corresponds in date with the closing adventures of Julian
Peveril. Thoresby gives a detailed account of the wonders of
Peak Cavern, which he explored to the utmost practicable
extent; for having gone the round with a party, he further
relates, — ¦
"Coming back to the entrance, I left the company, and
with a boy alone, and each a candle, went into a narrow hole,
(commonly called the Swinehole), where, creeping upon our hands
and feet, we descended lower and lower; till, at length, the
narrow passage divided itself into four narrow lanes, or passages,
too strait to contain our bodies to make further inspection."
After exploring inside the mountain, he ascended outside, and
had a view' of the Mam Torr, with its sand-fall. Thence by
the Chapel in the Forest (Chapel-en-le-Frith), " through a hilly
country, we came," he says, " by Fairfield, a country village, to
Buxton, such another, only noted for the warm-bath;" and at
this point he quotes, or misquotes, the Latin verse in which the
Queen of Scots bid farewell to Buxton, and which Mr. Hunter
says has scarcely by any two persons been given alike. Having
accomplished all this on the 20th, he spent the next day in
visiting Pooleshole, with its stalactites; the piUar, then, as
now, called the Queen of Scots'; iu bathing at Buxton, "and
with the good company." On the 22nd he travelled on by
Eldenhole ; on the 23rd, " over another part of the forest," and
" over vast mountains," to Bradfield, Barnsley and "\\'akefield,'
where lay all night," the week and his tour ending together.

118 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Thoresby's next entry in his diary, on Monday the 25th of
July, again relates to political events : —
" Spent much of the day in visits and company, writing a
little after dinner, then went with uncle Idle to visit cousin
Hick, who with Mr. Nevill and Mr. Banister are for London,
with the Address from this town."
The new ParUament, and the last of this reign, had met,
as summoned, at Oxford, on the ' 21st of March ; but on the
28th, after ordering a new Exclusion Bill to be read a second
time at ten o'clock the next morning, the House of Commons
was interrupted by a summons to attend in the House of Lords,
whither the King had come. His Majesty told them, — "That
their beginnings had been such, that he could expect no good
success of this Parliament, , and therefore thought fit to Dissolve
them; and accordingly," continues the official statement in the
Gazette, " the Lord Chancellor, by His Majesty's Command,
Declared the Parliament Dissolved." Subsequently, a Declara
tion by the King of his reasons for dissol-ving Parliament was
published and read, as ordered, in all churches ; and loyal
Addresses in reply followed, made by "Corporate bodies and others
in various parts of the kingdom. The Address now adverted to
by Thoresby had been agreed to on the 20t^-by the Corpora
tion of Leeds. It may be read at length in Wardell's Municipal
History of the Borough, and in the London Gazette of the 8th
of August 1681. First, it expresses "sincere thanks for our
holy rites, laws, freedomes, and propretyes, all fallen with Mon
archy, and raised again by your Majesty's happy restaurac'on,
before which, barbarous and boundlesse tyranny did everywhere
p'vaile, and overbear all rights, sacred and civil," &c. It then
thanked His Majesty for His Eoyal Declaration, and "tender
care expressed in that for the Church of England, the most pure
for principles of faith and worshipp, and alpne truly loyal;" it
states belief that the King " was always for, arid will call

PROM A.D. 1679 TO 16SS. 119
frequent Parliaments when need shaU be;" and it promises aid
to him " against all opposic'on and attempts of malecontents, and
sedicious mutineers and aspirers, of what supp'sition, sort or
combination whatsoever." It was signed by the Mayor, Henry
Skelton, members of the Corporation and others, altogether,
according to Wardell, by 384 persons, which agrees with the
Gazette statement that it was signed by about four hundred.
The sum of eight pounds was voted by the Corporation for
the expenses of the deputation appointed to present the Address,
Alderman Hick and Gervase Nevile, Esq. Alderman Marma
duke Hick, or Hickes, of Boar Lane, Thoresby's half-cousin upon
his mother's side, has been spoken of before. In the October
following his appointment on this deputation, he was made chief
of the Corporation for the third time, succeeding Henry Skelton
as Mayor. Gervase Nevile, of Holbeck, and " of the very
ancient family of the Ne-viles," says Thoj-esby in his Ducatus,
where he gives the Nevile pedigree from Waltheof Earl of
Northumberland in the year 969, was fifth in descent from Sir
John Nevile of Chevet, High Sheriff of Yorkshire in the 19th
year of Henry the Eighth. He was not at this time a member
of the Corporation, and appears therefore to have been joined
with Alderman Hick as a representative of the outsiders who
had signed the Address. Thoresby also names Mr. Banister.
George Banister was nominated Town Clerk in the second
Charter of Incorporation, but he only held the office until the
4th of January 1662, when Samuel Brogden succeeded him.
Most likely it was the son of this " good old father " ¦* whom
Thoresby includes in the deputation, George Banister, Junr. He
became Waiden of the Mint at York in the years 1696 and
1697; and in his will he bequeathed the rents of a farm at
Sutton, near Ferry Bridge, for a salary to an organist, when
* See Ducatus, where particulars are given concerning their house at Spring
Gardens, on the north of the river, towards Kirkstall,

120

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,

an organ should "be set up in the Parish Church at Leedes, or
St. John's Chapel there." Until then, to be given to charitable
purposes, at the discretion of his trustees.
Leeds was at this time visited by Dr. John Sharp, the
distant relative of the minister of Mill HiU, but chaplain to
Lord Chancellor Finch, then recently created Earl of Notting
ham. Through the influence of Lord Nottingham, Dr. Sharp
had been made Dean of Norwich on the 17th of June. He
had now come to see his father, a drysalter at Bradford, and
on Sunday, the last day of July, preached in the old church at
Leeds. Thoresby gives in his diary a long summary of this
sermon, from Ephes. i. 16, by the future Archbishop of York;
and, taken in connection with passing events, its conclusion is of
some historical value : —
" The days we live in, blessed be God, are not such days
of persecution as those under which the apostles lived, wherein
it was death to profess Christ; we live under a gracious Prince,
and have the laws for our security in the true Protestant
religion ; and yet, not-withstanding, the argument holds good, we
should redeem the time because the days are evil. Our sins
justly merit judgments, and God may bring them upon us as
in a moment; we should therefore redeem the time we have, we
should walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise. Came very
accurately to describe the Christian's politics, as he should carry
himself in a time of danger: he should serve the time; comply
in things that are not unlawful by the law of God, if enjoined
by a lawful authority, if he can do it with a safe conscience,
as Paul endeavoured to be all things to all men, and do all
things with discretion and moderation, and swim do-wn the
stream calmly, though that must be understood with caution,
when it is not contrary to the law of God, nor the testimony
of our own consciences, for then we are of all most inexcusable.
But if it may^ be, we should submit to the Government by law
established, submit ourselves to the present state of things, that
is, again, if not contrary to God's law; for the man and his
doctrine is to be abhorred that will always be upmost in all

PROM A.D. 1679 TO 16S3. 121
things; if the Protestant interest, or Popery, or Mahometanism
come up he will be of it. No, if it be contrary to the Word
of God, we must not comply in the least ; and, if you ask what
must be done 1 1st. A man is not obliged, either by the law
of God or man, to discover his opinion and blazon it to his
own danger. But 2nd. If he should be persecuted upon it, he
is aUowed by the Scripture, and example of the Apostle, to
flee from place to place to secure himself, though both these
must be cautiously understood; for when we are called to give
an account of our faith, then either to deny it, or comply in
the least contrary to our consciences with Poperj^, would be to
deny God ; in such cases, we must commit the whole to God,
and beg his strengthening grace."
For the next month, August 1681, Thoresby's diary contains
two entries only. From one we learn that on a journey to
Swaith, a village to the east of Barnsley, for the purpose of
advising with a Mr. Wadsworth, he copied an epitaph in Eoyston
Church, and " an inscription upon an hospital of ' the virtuous
Lady Armine's at Burton Grange," both of which places lay in
or near his road. The epitaph, eighteen lines of rhyme by a
Mr. Peck, of Cambridge, is given in the Ducatus, and is a
curiosity of its kind. It records the -virtues, orthodoxy, loyalty
and consequent sequestration of estate, with something of the
life of William Blythman, Esquire, whose son, Jasper Blythman,
became Eecorder of Leeds, and successor of Marmaduke Hickes
in the occupancy of the "pleasant seat" in Boar Lane.*
The second of the two entries refers to the widow of
Thoresby's travelling companion, Eobert Hickson, who was about
to quit Leeds. She had two brothers, John Gunter, Eector
of Bedale ; and Humphrey, Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford
Mr. Garnet, ex-Master of the Free Grammar School, was con-
' Only as tenant. The o-wnership passed to Sandford Arthington, M.B., one
of the Arthingtons of Arthington, who had married Alderman Hick's daughter,
and co-heiress.

122 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
nected with the family by marriage. It is characteristic of
Thoresby, and it slightly illustrates the social habits of his
time : —
" Aug. 22. Up at four, writing till nine ; then took leave of
Mrs. Hickson, Senr., the flower of our female flock, a virtuous,
good, holy, wise, prudent woman, of vast parts and abilities, and
indeed above encomiums : exceedingly troubled we must lose her.
With her brother Mr. Gunter, Mr. Gamet, &c., till noon ; then
had Bulmer uncle, and relations, to dinner ; sat till four, but
without the least intemperance, or the fruit of it, the least angry
word, or falUng out ; then with them at tavern till evening."
Elsewhere there are indications that such resort to taverns
was then customary in Leeds. A few weeks before this Thoresby
wrote, — ¦
"At Mr. W.'s; and -with Junr., too late at tavern; can take
time for anything but what I should."
Although naturally far from ascetic and unsociable, in fact,
the reverse, Thoresby shunned intemperance; and he repeatedly
laments waste of time, or what he esteems such, with no less
simplicity than earnestness. The following extracts are all taken
from his diary during the early part of this year : —
"Eid, upon earnest entreaty, to Mr. Walker's of Headingley,
but after dinner, observing some inclination to intemperance,
embraced the first opportunity of withdrawing. Came home in
good time, though a terrible day."
"Spent all the day vainly, and idly walking or talking, or
doing worse, drinking in company, and though not to excess,
yet more than was necessary. Evening at T. W.'s, in the same
humour, &c. Vce vce mihi peccatori 1 "
"Up at four, writing till ten, then at Mill Hill. Mr. Sharp,
from Hosea vi. 1, showed the happy estate of them that return
unto the Lord. Afternoon with Aunt, &c., but spent too much

FROM A.D, 1679 TO 16SS, 123
time idly in seeing the activity of a rope-dancer, and though
many things were admirably done, yet too much time lost." *
" 31 May. Eid with Mr. E. H. [Elkanah Hickson] by way
of Aberforth to York, only stayed a while at the good Lady
Barwick's; spent most of the evening, having first -visited my
sister, too freely in company."
"1 June. At awaking in the morning, not very well, gave
a piece of a curtain lecture to E. H., and resolved, Deo Juvante,
to be more watchful for the future. Dispatched some business
in town, and after dinner, to the displeasure of some, but
abundant satisfaction to myself (especially when afterwards I
understood the dreaded effects of delay), came out of to-wn
alone, but was overtaken by the company. Stayed -with them
at the Warrant-house, had the good* company of Mr, Fairfax
and Mr. Corlas, but somewhat troubled at the freedom of
another party."
The above implies that Thoresby held his friend Hickson (son
of the old lady whom he so highly esteemed), in a measure
responsible for some joint aberration on the previous night; but
they were fellow-travellers again soon after. On the 6th of
September 1681, setting out upon a journey into Scotland, they
rode first to Boroughbridge and Topcliffe, —
"Where, supposing we should not stay long, left my charged
pistols in the bags, which at my mounting again, being gone,
caused a great jealousy of some design against us ; and the rather
because Mr. H. and his debtor had come to high words, and
the landlord took the debtor's part, and denied to send for the
ostler, till, upon some brisk compliments, we were just for
riding to depose upon oath before Sir M. Eobinson, and then,
* In a Gazette of August in this year a notice appeared setting forth that
"several Strollers, or Stage-Players, Mountebanks, Hope Dancers and others
who show motions and strange sights, wander about the country with forged
licenses." AU such strollers, &;c., -with unexpired licenses, were therefore
required to bring them for renewal to Charles KiUigrew, Esq., Master of the
revels. And the order concludes, — "Also these are to give notice to tho
peraona aforesaid, not to be imposed upon, by a late Pamphlet, to alter the
antient Custom." 9

124

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

in the very same straw we had sought carefully before, they
were found, and one of them where the horse could not get
to; which more fully manifested the knavery, as also their
leaving, for a pretence, the red bags in the holster; but we
got very weU, though late, to Northallerton that night."
Loaded pistols, pistol bags and holsters are here spoken of
as a traveller's ordinary accompaniment; and with good reason,
if we may put faith in a pamphlet published in 1674, in London,
entitled, — "Bloody news from Yorkshire, or the Great Eobbery
committed by Twenty Highwaymen, upon Fifteen Butchers as
they were riding to NorthaUerton Fair," &c. It is a sort of
pubUcation in which no story would lose in the teUing, but
according to it, seven of* the butchers and three of the high
waymen were killed in a conflict, and the sum of ^936 was
carried off by the robbers; of whom four more were killed in
a quarrel between the men and officers of the gang. Pursued
and surprised the same night, the remaining thirteen were taken
to York Castle, two of the number confessing to having been
"pupils to the famous Claude du Val, and of his gang here
tofore." We find from Thoresby's account of this journey, that his
visits to Newcastle were not entirely a matter of relatives and
pleasure. He had business there with drapers, which on this
occasion occupied him during portions of three several days.
And he had business of another nature. Thoresby's diary con
tains sundry references to the Eock estate, which indicate that
it was a somewhat troublesome inheritance. He had now cut
short his annoyances by selling it, but there were arrears of
rent still to be looked after. Nevertheless, his love of topo
graphical exploration predominated over, and outlasted business
of all kinds.
On the moming after his arrival at Newcastle he called
upon some of the drapers, "in order to their accounts;" .and

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1883.

125

then, with Hickson, went to Shields, and visited Tinmouth
Castle, "now almost ruined, and maintained by a slender garri
son." He saw also "the new fort called Clifford's, fortified with
thirty culverins, and ten demi-culverins, under the government
of the Earl of Newcastle." They had gone down by water,
"but it proved a most terrible stormy day," and in the evening,
the ship-master saying there was imminent hazard in attempt
ing to return by water, they "were forced to hire horses and
return by land." Finishing his business next morning, Thoresby
took horse again; about five miles from Newcastle he "tran
scribed some verses from a monumental pillar erected in the
highway by John Pigg, the mathematician," and then proceeded,
by his acquaintance Captain Widdrington's house at Felton, to
Morpeth and Alnwick. At Eock, —
"I found the old tenants repenting their unkind dealings,
and continued murmurings for abatements, which hastened the
sale of the estate ; and now they would gladly have the same
lands at an ordinary advancement ; discoursed Mr. Clavering
about the arrears; thence over the moors to Belford, thence over
the Sands, where we had a fair prospect of Holy Island, to
Berwick, where we got well, and in time to view the town,
which is ancient and ill-built, but stands very commodiously and
is well fortified."
The next morning, Sunday, Thoresby "being at Church too
early," transcribed some monuments; it was the first place where
"he observed the Scotch mode for Aldermen and persons of
some rank to be buried in the churchyard." Mr. Kirk of Cook-
ridge, near Leeds, who at a later period became his intimate
friend, had visited Berwick four years before him; and in Kirk's
journal the same novelty is mentioned : —
" In Scotland and in these northern parts they are rigid
Presbyters, and they will not suffer any to be buried in their
churches (except noblemen), for they look upon the figures upon
monuments to be images, and not fit to come into so holy a

126

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

place, though they themselves walk in them with great irre
verence, and are offended to see any walk in them uncovered;
therefore, in the churchyard are several pretty monuments, &c."
Leaving Berwick on the Monday moming, " over the moors,"
says Thoresby, "we found the proverb verified, that a Scotch
mist, for I cannot say it rained, wets the Englishman to the
skin." At Dunbar he again noticed that most tombs of persons
of good rank were -without the church. His account of his halt
at this stage is amusing : —
" Here I was, with three more, dubbed Knight of the Bass,
a little island near the town, rising up aU on a soh'd rock,
where is a prison, that of late has been stocked with Noncon
formists; here, I must confess, I was too impatient of the
Scotch -victuals, not able to eat anything, though we had the
bailiff's (or alderman's) own dinner; only at last made a shift
to get down some eggs, without bread, butter, or salt, but spent
the time in the churchyard, transcribing epitaphs, vie-wing the
town, and the way of making and drying red-herrings very
dexterously." They rode to Haddington for the night; and thence by
Mussleborough, where they "observed a curious engine for drain
ing /tte fire from the coal mines," to Leith and Edinburgh. But
before leaving Haddington Thoresby had made further addition
to his collection of epitaphs.
The third and last of the Scotch Parliaments of this reign
had commenced its sittings at Edinburgh on the 28th of July,
under the Duke of York, as High Commissioner representing
the King. The session was not yet over, and on the moming
of Wednesday, the 14th September, Thoresby stood " in the
yard of Parliament House, observing the several members and
nobles ?is they went to the House, and after them, the Duke
of ITork and Albany in great state." He does not mention the
Provost, who, on that day, protested in the name of the town
that an Act of Parliament then passed concerning the Admi-

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 127
ralty Court "might not prejudice the Town of their right of
Jurisdiction, and whereof they had been in possession." Leaving
the Parliament House, Thoresby was next, —
"In the great Church, at the ordination of a Minister by
the Bishop of Galloway, which was (contrary to all expectation)
by the English Common Prayer. After which he gave him a
inost serious charge to mind his duty, and live worthy of his
high calling; sho-wing very weU, how httle their words can
prevail, if their lives preach not."
Thoresby spent the afternoon in surveying the town, " the
castle, where the Kings of the Picts used to keep their daugh
ters at needlework tUl marriage, thence called Maiden Castle";
"Goldsmith's Hospital, a most stately structure, but sadly per
verted as to the design of the founder, many of his vast
donations being either lost or misemployed"; and in "tran
scribing several mottoes . there, and monuments in White Friars
churchyard, the only place where the generality of persons are
interred." The next day Thoresby -visited Holyrood House, "observing
the state of the building and attendants, where many judge ia
as great a court as at Whitehall." The re-building of Holyrood,
burnt in 1650 when in the hands of CromweU's soldiers after
the battle of Dunbar, had only been brought to a conclusion
a couple of years before. On Friday, lea-ving Mr. Hickson at
Edinburgh, but accompanied by another E. H., Eleazar Hodshon,
he traveUed on to LinUthgow, Falkirk and Stirling. On
Saturday, —
" Up pretty early, and over many a high hill and barren
mountain for nine miles to Kilseth, a little country town.
Thence nine more, but in a pleasant country, full of little
towns, to Glasgow, the university ; a very pleasant city, far
exceeding Edinburgh itself in situation and cleanness. Tran
scribing some epitaphs from the Cathedral, and other inscriptions
of benefactions from the College, Hutchinson's Hospital, &c.

i28

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

From Glasgow, we retumed the same day to Kilseth, and from
thence with a guide, in a most terrible stormy night, over the
hill to ... . bridge ; and thence, though very late and
tempestuous, to Falkirk by twelve o'clock, stretching so far,
though to the hazard of all our bodies, that we might the less
trespass upon the Lord's Day."
"Die Dom. Eose very early again, after but a little sleep,
and got by Linlithgow to Kirklistoi?, and thence to Edinburgh;
though somewhat wearied -with the hasty journey, thinking to
return for England the next day. Went to the Great Church,
beside the Parliament House, where the minister made a very
good and seasonable discourse against the sins of the times,
particularizing many with the several apologies that are made
for them, which he well confuted. Observed the stall of the
Provost, many of the Bishops and persons of quality."
Not getting away, as intended, on the Monday, Thoresby
copied some more inscriptions upon monuments, "those especially
in the Abbey Church, one most stately for the Lord Belhaven,
another for Bishop Wishart, Lady Hamilton and Lady Scot;"*
but on the morning of Tuesday the 20th, he "set out pretty
early" with Mr. Hickson and others. By Lubberton and the
Earl of Dalkeith's, "not far from Dalkeith, Monmouth's title ";t
by Bortwych Castle, and Heriot House, they regained the Tweed
and crossed it near Selldrk.
Thoresby's account of the next day's journey is a picture of
dagger and difficulty, which recaUs the well-known couplet on
Marshal Wade's Highland roads, "If you had seen these roads
before they were made," &c.
* With the exception of Lady Scot's, probably destroyed in the mob riot at
the Eevolutioli of 1688, these monuments stiU exist; bearing testimony to
Thoresby's diligence and patience in copying epitaphs.
•IThe Duke of Monmouth, who was also Baron of Tynedale, Northumber
land, and Viscount Doncaster, Yorkshire, in the Peerage of England, married
Anne Scot, Countess ot Buccleugh in her own right ; and in 1673 they were
created Baron and Baroness -Whitohester and Eskdale, Earl and Co-untess of
Dalkeith, and bufte fthd Dufchess of Buccleugh, in th^ Peferaigfe of Scotland.

FROM A.D. 1879 TO 1683. 129
" 21 Sep. Up by twelve o'clock in order to a joumey, and
'with a guide, were got over most prodigious high hills and
very many of them by daybreak; thence, by Teviotdale, upon
the brink of a steep hill for some miles, to Usedale, where,
upon the sudden, the precipice grew to that height and steep
ness, and withal so exceedingly narrow, that we had not one
inch of ground to set a foot upon to alight from the horse.
Our danger here was most dreadful, and, I think, inconceivable
to any that were not present; we were upon the side of a
most terrible high hill, in the middle whereof was a track for
the horse to go in, which we hoped to find broader, that we
might have liberty to turn the horse; but, instead of that,
it became so narrow, that there was an impossibiUty to get
further; for now it began likewise to be a sudden declension,
and the narrow way so cumbered with shrubs, that we might
be forced to lie down upon the horses' necks, and have our
eyes upon a dreadful precipice, such as mine eyes never till
then beheld, nor could I have conceived the horror of it by
anyone's relation. We had above us a hill, so desperately steep,
that our aching hearts durst not attempt the scaling of it, it
being much steeper than the roofs of many houses; but the hill
below was still more ghastly, as steep for a long way as the
walls of a house; and the track Vi^e had to ride in was now
become so narrow, that my horse's hinder foot slipped off, which
Mr. Hickson, following after, saw, but wisely concealed, else the
fright might possibly have sunk me. To add to our torments
there was a river run all along (which added to the dizziness
of our heads), close to the foot of the precipice, which we
expected every moment to be j)lunged into, and into eternity.
In this extremity (which now, many years after, in transcribing
this imperfect apcount from the loose papers makes my very
hairs stand on end upon my head), there was no way but by
catching hold of the boughs of a tree, to throw myself off on
the wrong side the horse (which I expected to have been
dashed in pieces), and to climb up the hill, which became in
a short space less steep, that the horses also escaped. In the
like danger were my fellow-travellers, and by the like watchful
Providence preserved. The river Use brought us to Langham,

130 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
a country town; thence we came to the Malees, the first town
upon English ground (in Cumberland); from whence we got
well, and in good time, to CarUsle."
The nexii day's narration is in contrast: —
"Viewing the Castle, an ancient structure, a seat of the
present Earl of Carlisle; then the church, but frustrated of my
expectations, most of the monuments of antiquity being defaced,
and nothing new worth observing. After, at a feast at Mr. Basil
Fielding's ; then -with the Mayor and several Aldermen of CarUsle,
but stayed too long, and drunk too freely. We made it pretty
late ere we got to Penrith, where (as at Stirling), constrained
to transcribe some monuments in the church by candlelight.''
On Friday morning, taking the road between Brougham
Castle and Lowther, they proceeded to Appleby and KendaL
The noted Ann Clifford, Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery,
had then been dead six years, and Thoresby speaks of the
" two stately monuments " over herseUE and her mother, Countess
Dowager of Cumberland, in Appleby Church. On his way he
had noticed the piUar, or obelisk, of which the remains are
known still as the "Countess' Pillar," erected by the Countess
of Pembroke to mark the spot where she and her mother
parted for the last time. Staying the night at Kendal, he
transcribed from monuments in the church on Saturday moming ;
then travelled by Kirby Lonsdale, Giggleswick, Settle and Long
Preston to Skipton, where he transcribed again at night, from
the tombs of the Cliffords. For the last few miles he had been
travelling in the dark, and must have once more set to work
by candlelight, as at CarUsle and StirUng.
Eising early, on Sunday morning, they rode "to Ighley (Hkley)
and thence to Lord Fairfaxi's at Denton, hoping to have been
in time for the morning's sermon. Though too late for it, they
were in time for dinner, had " an exceeding kind entertain
ment," and in the afternoon heard " an excellent discourse " by

PROM A.D, 1679 TO 1683, 131
Mr. Eymer, a successor of Mr. Stretton's in the office -of chap
lain at Denton. Finally, "though much against his Lordship's
kind humour," they rode home to Leeds.
On the following Wednesday, when in one of the streets of
Leeds, together with his feUow-traveller Hickson, they were sent
for by Alexander, the eighth Earl of EgUnton,-* and "had some
discourse -with him concerning Scotland, his motion in that
Parliament, &c." There is no explanation given in the diary;
but the interview is, apparently, connected in some way with
their recent tour. And it is noteworthy, that the father of
this Earl, a Eoyalist, had fought against the father of Ealph
Thoresby at Marston Moor, and the grandfather along with
him; for at that battle the sixth Earl fought for the Parlia
ment, his son and heir for the King. But eventually, the old
man also took the Eoyal side, in support of Charles the Second,
was taken prisoner in 1651, and confined at Berwick until the
Eestoration, which freed him the year before he died.
Whatsoever may have been the nature and purpose of this
interview with the Earl of EgUnton, it is another instance of
the notice taken of Ealph Thoresby, when but twenty-three
years old, , by men of rank and position ; and it appears also
that he himself was looked upon as of position, socially, in
his native town. On the moming of the 5th of November,
he attended by invitation as a pall-bearer at the funeral of
Mr. Waddington of Gledhow. Thoresby states in the Ducatus
that he had been unable to procure the pedigree of the Wad
dingtons, but from various notices in that work it appears
that a Waddington married the daughter of John Thwaites,
the Alderman of Leeds in 1653 ; and that on Thwaites's death
at tbe age of eighty-five, in 1671, being the last of his family,
his estate at Allerton-Gledhow passed to the Waddingtons. Ho
* The Earl had m.irried the widow of Sir Thomas Wentworth, Bart, of
Bretton Hall, and resided there.

^"^ RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
at whose funeral Thoresby officiated was probably the Edward
Waddington who in this same year, 1681, raised a building at
the neighbouring weU at Gipton, "a very curious cold Spring,"
says the Ducatus, and "frequented by Persons of Honour,
being reputed Uttle or nothing inferior to St. Mongah's." The
building was to provide "convenient lodgings to sweat the
Patient after bathing;" and a Latin inscription commemorating
the builder was placed over its entrance.* The male line
ended of this family also with Benjamin Waddington, who
died 15th February 1689, and whose daughter and sole heiress
married, in 1705, Sir Eoger Beckwith, Bart., of Aldburgh, who
was made High Sheriff of Yorkshire the next year, f The
widow of Benjamin Waddington married Eichard Ashton, M.P.
for Lancashire, and son of Sir Ealph Ashton of Middleton;
and as Thoresby inserts him in the. Ashton pedigree as Eichard
Ashton of Allerton-Gledhow, it is to be supposed that he came
to reside there.
During the remainder of the year, Thoresby took no
further journey of any extent; but he briefly mentions a -visit
of some interest to Lofthouse, at a short distance along the
Wakefield road. John Hopkinson, of Lofthouse, whose topo
graphical "Collections" are widely known, and have been freely
used, had died in the previous year ; and Thoresby writes
under date the 16th of November,— " To Loftus to have a
sight of some manuscripts of Mr. Hopkinson's, late Norroy,
King-at-Arms." 'Hopkinson had been Norroy's Deputy. Thoresby,
on this or on another occasion, had more than a sight of the
manuscripts. His own collection afterward contained a 'tran-
* On the left, from Leeds, of the road which passes through Gipton Wood,
there is still an old well, protected by rude walling, with a long flight of
partly broken steps down to it. The building has gone, and with it the stone
that bore the name, "Edwardus Waddington."
t Wilso^ M,S,S,, where this Benjamin Waddington is said to have married
Mary Thwaites, The family came from Otterborne in Craven,

FROM A,D, 1679 TO 1683. 133
cript from them of the "Pedigrees and Descents of several of
the Gentry of the West-Eiding of the County of York, 1666;"
and its insertion in his catalogue, under the heading "Manu
scripts Folio," has this curious addition, — " Note, this is placed
amongst those in Folio, because the original whence I tran
scribed it is so (though this Transcript be in 4to.), to do the
worthy Author justice.'' The Hopkinson manuscripts composed
forty-two volumes.
The concluding entry of Thoresby's diary for the year 1681
is ominous of coming troubles. During the morning of the
31st of December he was from home, apparently at Drighling-
ton, making inquiry concerning, the native founder of a Free
School there, James Margetson, Bishop of Dublin from 1660
to 1663, and then Archbishop of Armagh until 1678. In the
evening he went to his friend Elkanah Hickson's, and there
" was concerned for some sad news of intentions to suppress
covehticles, &c. "
Concerned as he was, he had been to some extent prepared
for news of the kind by a correspondent in London, His
friend Joseph Boyse, the young Dissenting minister whose
preaching at Newington had so gratified him in July 1680,
was afterward offered an engagement to assist, as he wrote to
Thoresby, " a worthy minister in Kent, that is now unfit to
preach twice a day ; " and the remainder of his letter shows
the terms upon which they stood : —
" I shall need to have some furniture of books, and being
altogether unwilling to put my father to any further charges,
and my brother being not in a capacity at present, I make bold
to request you, if you could conveniently, to entrust me with
a small sum for that purpose, till I am (by what encouragement
I shall have) in a capacity to discharge it, which I do not
question but I shall be the first year. You may possibly wonder
I make this request, particularly to yourself; but that I have

134 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
done, as for several other reasons, so especially from a peculiar
confidence in your goodness. Sir, I desire no great supply,
though the particular sum I would leave to your own con
venience; and -withal, I desire you would no less conceal than
grant my request."
Thoresby lent him ten pounds, and it was repaid; but
Boyse's Kent engagement interrupted their correspondence. On
the Lst of September 1681 he -wrote again from London: — •
" It has been both my trouble and disadvantage that I have
not, for some considerable time, been in a capacity of keeping
up that correspondence with you, that I have been always
ambitious of. The unsettledness of my condition, and my usual
distance from London, discouraged me from attempting it. But
being returned to London, and (I hope for some short time at
least), fixed there, I send you this humble in-vitation to a more
frequent intercourse; and for the great boldness of it, I can
plead nothing but ray strong assurance of the obUgingness and
condescension of your temper, and the many great testimonies
of your kindness and friendship, as to myself."
He had a particular purpose, also, in writing, to enclose
proposals for printing " Discourses on the Di-vine Attributes,"
by Mr. Charnock, whose unexpected death he communicated in
1680. It was to be published at ten shillings on subscription,
and another ten shillings on deUvery.-* He had designed
sending to Thoresby Mr. Baxter's Breviate of his wife's life,
but on perusal thought it not worth while. He knew of
nothing lately printed worth recommending, unless it were the
new edition of Mr. GlanviUe's Sadducismus Triumphatus.t "with
the addition of a great many considerable stories to it ; " but
he supposed that Thoresby would have seen it already. Ho
then passed to the news of the day: —
* Published 1684, in FoUo.
t " Sadducismus Triumphatus ; or a full and plain Evidence concerning
Witches and Apparitions:" by Joseph Glanville, Chaplin in Ordinary to King
Charles the Second, and F.E.S.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 135
"It were to little 'purpose to trouble you with any news,
were there any worth your notice, especially since I cannot
conveniently send this per post. The most considerable is the
New Commission, appointed for the honour of God and good
of the ChurcL The Commissioners are six: four Lords, Halifax,
Eadnor, Hyde, Seymour; two Bishops, Canterbury and London.
The care of Ecclesiastical affairs is committed to them; that is,
to consider what is amiss, and what laws are proper to be
put into execution, and what is the most effectual way of
doing it: it is not well understood, at least not openly visible,
what the design, but it is generally suspected, the suppression
of those turbulent Dissenters is designed, and -will, ere long, be
attempted." [The two bishops named were Archbishop Sancroft
and Bishop Compton. Hyde, First Lord of the Treasury, had
been created Baron Hyde of Wotton Basset, and Viscount Hyde
of Kenilworth, in the previous April. The Earl of Eadnor
held the office of President of the Council.] "You hear daily
(I question not) the prodigious noise of the late perjuries; and
certainly never was so great impudence in swearing anything
(and unswearing it again, were there occasion for it) practised
since the Creation. For that monstrous crime, our age has
outvied all former, and wiU be the wonder of all succeeding
times. What I might add about Shaftesbury, &c., I question
not, will, before these, come to your knowledge."*
The above was written on the day after the execution, at
Oxford, of CoUedge, known as " the Protestant Joiner," who
had been convicted of engaging in a plot to kill the King
there. The witnesses against him were Dugdale and Turberville
(former witnesses, along -with Oates, against the Eoman CathoUc
Earl of Stafford), besides one Smith, and some Irish witnesses
upon whose evidence Plunket, the Eoman Catholic titular Arch
bishop of Armagh, had been convicted on the 8th of June of
High Treason, and afterwards executed. In this case it was
an allegation of a great plot in Ireland, to bring over a
French army, and to massacre all the English, These wit-
* Shaftesbury had been committed to the Tower on the 2nd of July.

136 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
nesses, who were at first received and encouraged by Anthony,
Earl of Shaftesbury, soon found it their interest to tum against
him. Public credulity in Oates and his imitators became shaken;
but perhaps the perjury to which Boyse more particularly
alluded was in the case of Fitzharris, who, after being rewarded
by the Court for information concerning a libel, was entrapped
into writing one himself, informed against in turn, when he
sought escape by declaring that the Court had engaged him
to -write it. He was tried and convicted the very day after
Plunket; after which, to propitiate the Court, he retracted some
Popish Plot evidences that he had formerly given, and accused
the Eecorder and Sheriffs of London of having extorted it.
All failed, and he, too, was executed. Fitzharris's wife and
her maid were also witnesses, against Lord Howard of Escrick,
who was sent to the Tower on the 12th of June ; but their
. evidence was such that the Attorney-General withdrew the
Bill of Indictment from before the Grand Jury.
The letter can only have reached Thoresby on the eve of
his three weeks' journey to Scotland, if then; and in a second
which Mr. Boyse wrote on the 1st of October, he tells of his
surprise at receiving no answer, until informed by a Mr. Asquith
that his friend "had taken a journey into the northern parts of
the world." In this letter he says : —
"I do not hear any news that is worthy your perusal. We
have been peaceable about London this long time ; but how
long we shall be so, I cannot conjecture. Several ministers
in the suburbs, Hackney, Stepney, as Mr. Veal, Mr. Mead,
Dr. Bates, &c., and other gentlemen, were summoned last
Wednesday before a Court of Justices to take the Oath of
AUejiance, and were also put upon taking the Oath of Supremacy;
and the Ministers were very gravely told, upon their doing so,
that they had laid an obligation on themselves for the future
to preach no more; which, Mr. Mead (for the rest) told them
he did not understand, and was resolved to the contrary."

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. , 137
Mead had been Minister at Shadwell (appointed by Oliver
Cromwell), until the Act of Uniformity, after which he was in
Holland. A Meeting-house, containing four large pillars presented
by the States of Holland, was built for him at Stepney in 1674.
Mr. Veal left Dublin in 1662, and became Chaplain to Sir WiUiam
Waller, in Middlesex; then he settled at Wapping and took
pupils. He joined in editing one of the works of Mr. Charnock,
a " Treatise on Divine Providence," with memoir of the author.
Dr. Bates was one of the preachers at Pinner's Hall, whom
Thoresby went to hear when first in London. The London
Gazette of 1st September 1681, gives account of the administra
tion of the two Oaths, for the like purpose of a test, by the
Middlesex Justices to a number of Grand Jury-men, who all
took them.
Mr. Boyse refers Thoresby to Mr. Asquith for an account of
the recent election of Lord Mayor, but he , adds, —
"I heard Dr. Burnet's discourse before it, which, indeed, was
a very moderate and impartial one. He did severely lash those
that thought the Papists more tolerable than Dissenters. And
for those that would persuade us we were in no danger of
Popery he concluded them either fools, that did not see the
plainest evidence of our danger, or such as had a reserve, that
would secure them lives and interest, if compliance would do it.
He did discourse to very good purpose of the method to be
used upon differences of religion, which were not to prosecute
those that dissented from us, but rather overcome them by the
gentler arguments of meekness and love."
This letter was replied to, and Mr. Boyse again wrote on
the 24th of November, the day of Shaftesbury's acquittal. The
resolution of the Grand Jury in throwing out the bill against
him, notwithstanding the charge of Lord Chief Justice Pem-
berton and the unusual course of bringing the -witnesses before
them in open Court, is to be read of in general histories of

188 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
the time ; but the, contemporary account given by Thoresby's
correspondent is not without interest even for those already
acquainted -with the particulars. The letter is as follows : —
" Dear Sir,
"I must make the great hurry I am in an apology for my
overlooking your last very courteous and obliging letter; and can
only stay to tell you, in short, the result of the great tran
saction of this day at the Sessions, upon my Lord Shaftesbury's
Bill of Indictments, viz., that it is brought in ignoramus. And,
indeed, it could not be expected otherwise, when there was a
Jury of so, great sense and judgment, and -witnesses so beyond
expectation inconsiderable : for it is said of the eight, six or
seven were Irishmen; -viz., such as Joy, two Macnamaras, Smith,
Turber-ville, &c., and one Booth, an Englishman, -viz., he that was
concerned with Captain Wilkinson.* It was expected some more
creditable and fashionable persons should have appeared : and
one argument was sufficient to blast what all these said: the
vast improbability a design of so terrible and dangerous import
ance should have been intrusted -with them, and they of aU men
be my Lords confidants in it; and indeed, besides that, they
were extremely hooted at in the Court; the -vulgar were So rude
towards them when they withdrew to dine, that the Sheriffs
were forced to guard them from their fury, or else (as it was
observed) they had been sent to the de-vil before their time. Sir
Samuel Bamardiston was foreman of the Jury, and managed the
examination of the witnesses, tiU Lord Chief Justice Pemberton
snubbed him, and upon that Mr. Papillion and Mr. Duboyse
undertook the office, and performed it very much to their com
mendation. " I might add other such scraps of stories as fly abroad, but
being sensible my stories wUl be as fallible as their authors,
and as uncertain as the first reports of things are, I shaU
* Booth stated in his evidence, that Lord ShSftesbury had prepared a hand
of stout men, of which Henry Wilkinson was to be captain, and into which he,
Booth, had enlisted, for the purpose of coercing the King should he refuse his
Eoyal assent to certain bills in Parliament. WUkinson had formerly lived in
Leeds.

PROM A.D. 1679 To 1GS3. 139
dismiss you and myself from any further trouble about it : great
was the applause upon their verdict, and I question not but the
honest country will echo the city's joyful acclamations.
" I shall per carrier send you to-morrow a discourse, entitled.
The History of the Popish Sham-plots; it is, I think, very com
pendious, and mixed with reflections which are equally ingenious,
as they are severe. The author is a person, whose pen I little
expected would have undertaken a theme so remote from his
profession, though he desires to be concealed; and therefore, if
you will tell brother Elk. (to whom you may please to give an
account of the contents of this) that it is Mr. Nath. Taylor,
he will give you a further account of him. I have scarce the
leisure to add, that I am, dear Sir,
" Your's under the greatest obligations, "J. Boyse."
Taylor had been a pupil of Mr. Veal's, at Wapping.
The policy now adopted, by Charles the Second, in what
degree soever it is attributable to his personal inclination, or to
the influences brought to bear upon him, was a curious medley.
Concurrently with the protection and succour of Protestant refu
gees from France (driven thence by those measures of Louis
XIV. which about this time commenced, and led on ultimately
to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes), English Dissenters
were coupled with Papists, and the laws against conventicles
enforced with revived severity. Nor was the Court, in this,
without its party in the country. On the 9th of August 1681,
the Grand Jury of Somerset made a presentment against "Con
venticles and separate meetings of the several Sects of Dissenters
from the Church," on the ground that they gave shelter to
"Popish Priests and Jesuits," and that it was "impossible to
extirpate Popery " while conventicles were continued. In the
same month the Scotch ParUament passed an "Act for securing
the Protestant EeUgion against Popery and Fanaticism"; and
when, in December, the Lord Mayor of London, the Aldermen
10

140

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

and the Middlesex Justices of Peace, attending the King at
Whitehall by appointment, were earnestly recommended to make
some temporary provision for the French Protestants, the Justices
asked for, and obtained, the King's order for suppressing con
venticles, nothing having been said about it in a late charge to
enforce the laws against Popish recusants.* On the other hand,
an outcry was soon raised that disguised Eoman CathoUcs were
availing themselves of the measures designed for the French
Protestants, and precautions were accordingly promised.
Thoresby's diary for the year 1682 begins, — "Jan. 1. In the
moming with several friends consulting ; several of the Spiritual
Court men being come to town : but it pleased God to prevent
our fears, &c.''; and it does not appear that the Nonconformists
of Leeds had further trouble for the next six or seven months.
Thoresby followed his literary occupation, and counted his
leisure lost when taken away from it. Writing all day, in
part or altogether " of Martyrs about the latter end of
Henry the Eighth," he was " much satisfied till evening, when
sent for to some company, Mr. Vandro, the Dutch painter, &c. ;
though stayed not long, yet not the best employed." He
apologetically states, — " with others, of better account than
myself, to see a wonderful sight, a native Irishman, Edmund
Mallory (of whom see Dr. Plot's Staffordshire, p. 294), bom about
twenty miles from Dublin, about sixteen years old, two yards and
a half tall, wanting about two inches, and all parts proportion
able, except legs, which were rather too slender for so vast a
body." This sight-seeing entailed a further encroachment upon
Thoresby's time. Some friends went home with him, and they
" sat up rather too late." Another day, after he had been read
ing, picture cleaning, "and employed about such affairs till five,"
he says "then worse employed, though not in bad company, tiU
* Gazette,

FROM A.D. 1079 TO 16S3. 141
pretty late;" and he again "stayed too late" with a gentleman
from Lynn, by whom he was sent for to the Talbot — a sign until
very recently to be found at the old site in Briggate, though
the inn had been rebuilt. "Alas! how much of the short ^e
I have to remain in this tabernacle of clay am I constrained
thus to spend in vanity," wrote Thoresby another day, after
spending an afternoon with some cousins, though for the most
part at his uncle Michael Idle's, of Holbeck; and he follows on
the next with renewed lamentations, — " So too much of this
day, especially the afternoon (when with them to see the activity
of a tumbler on the stage), spent in the like waste work, which
somewhat disordered me ; for alas ! what answer can I make for
all this lost time." He speaks of one afternoon as lost when
his occupation appears both useful and kindly : — " Some Uttle
accounts and discourse -with my good old servant, Judith, who
is about altering her condition," impUes employment upon which
the time spent can hardly be held to have been thrown away.
" Writing of Heraldry," pedigrees, reading and transcribing from
biographies, and copying in Indian ink portraits in Burnet's His
tory of the Eeformation or other works, was the sort of employ
ment to which he appears to have considered nearly his whole
leisure should be devoted, when at home. He complacently re
cords ha-ving spent nearly half a day at a Mrs. Scarborough's,
"obser-ving the way of casting waxen images"; and a subsequent
forenoon in "casting some medals and figures in plaster with
good success." But the afternoon, being caUed for by his friend
Elkanah Hickson, he spent not "so innocently, and though not
in bad company, yet rather too free." He does not seem to have
thought a forenoon thrown away " in cementing the broken
pieces of a large ancient figure of Seneca's head, that worthy
philosopher," and there is reason for believing it to have been
a cast worth his pains; for in his museum catalogue we have, —
" The head of Seneca in plaister ; it is very large, a yard 'within

142 R.\LPH THORESBY THE TOPOGEAPHER.
six inches round, seems to be ancient and very agreeable to his
Statue at Rome. This was amongst the Lord Fairfax's curiosi
ties." The same portion of the catalogue also throws light upon
Thoresby's performances after his lesson at Mrs. Scarborough's,
by its record of, — "The first twelve Roman Emperors, done in
Plaister by R. Th." Another occupation which he mentions is
"filling a glass globe with pictures."
Trivial as much of this may appear, it contributes more
towards an insight into Thoresby's character than could be
had from any laboured description; and the foUowing should
be added, — "was mightily ashamed of myself, when I perused
the pious and incomparable Lord Harrington's life ; who,
though a courtier, and in the prime of his days, was a most
admirable example of true piety." Yet humbly as he estimates
himself, it is evident that he was held in estimation by
others ; for at this time he was called in upon two occasions
to make peace between- neighbours.
Ealph Thoresby was in one respect well entitled to the
office of peace-maker. Not' only was he troubled at strife
among others, but he was ready himself to forgive. The
cousins who had led him into such waste of time, and con
sequent self-condemnation, were none other than the Sykehouse
relatives who had added to his trouble over the estate at
Eock, and who now had become impoverished. They left him
on the 5th of April, —
"Forenoon with Cousin Thoresbys, of Sykehouse, who not
withstanding former unkindnesses (endeavours to deprive me of
the estate in the north), have been very welcome in their
present 'straits to my house, but have exceedingly straitened
me for time about better things, and made me lose much of
that precious commodity in every respect."
After parting with them, he was at Bryan Dixon's, and his
uncle Michael Idle's, " which took up most of the afternoon.

ntOM .\.D, 1679 TO 1683, 143
as the sight of some baboons, bear and wolf did the evening."
Exactly a month later is the following : —
"Eode to Snidall. Paid Aunt the full of this year's gratuity"
[the Eoman Catholic Aunt]. "Went on to Pontefract; found
an unexpected occasion to manifest charity to Uncle Captain
Thoresby's widow, now ruined through the extravagance of
her son. Oh, how sadly is this once flourishing family now
changed, since my grandfather (not to mention former ages,
when our ancestors lived at, and were Lords of Thoresby,
Sedbar, Dent, &c.) then chief Magistrate, with his four sons
and their -wives, were in their meridian splendour,"
Little more is kno-wn of this, the elder branch of the family.
The one son, John, about eight years older than his cousin
Ealph, sold the Sykehouse estate to Sir John Boynton, of
EawcUffe. It is only told of him further, that on the 17th
of March 1690 he died in the Irish wars, leaving no issue.
He had two sisters, Susan and Catharine.-*
After the restoration of Charles the Second, increased atten
tion was given to gardens and gardening. Writing at the close
of this reign. Sir William Temple says of the " Way and Humour
of our Gardening in England," that they " seem to have grown
into such Vogue, and to have been so mightily improved in
three or four and twenty Years of his Majesty's Eeign, that
perhaps few Countries are before us, either in the Elegance of
our Gardens, or in the number of our Plants." The fashion, if
such it is to be called, reached Thoresby. The garden over
whose wall the flood of 1681 carried logs of wood cannot have
adjoined Thoresby's house. It must have been one that in the
spring of the year following he caUs " the new garden," formed
at a little distance, and nearer to the Eiver Aire, at a place
of which he gives in the Ducatits the following description : —
* Joseph Thoresby left the Sykehouse property to his son, £250 each to
his daughters, and the residue to his widow, executrix.

144 RALPH THOEESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"From the Church to the Bridge, is the Foot Pathway thro'
the Fields, by certain Gardens (particularly, Alderman Cookson's,
who has lately erected here a very pleasant Seat, -with Terras
Walks, &c.), which from the Latin Callis (a word much used
by Virgil, and other Roman authors, for a beaten Path) is yet
named the Calls, or Cawls."
The locality so distinctly specified is still kno-wn as The
Calls, but few now acquainted with it would readily trace its
etymology to the VirgiUan Callis; although, possibly, after much
speculation, they might be guided thereto by its bordering upon
the river. Here, Thoresby planned a rural retreat of more
seclusion than the Kirkgate garden, and on the 6th of April
1682 he was, —
"The whole day entirely at the new garden, by the water,
rseeing w(
.Meditations."

overseeing workfolk, and reading Sir WilUam WaUer's Di-vine

"April 17. Eode -with Aunt Idle to Tong, to procure
flowers for the new Garden, of the noted florist there; but
was severely wet, and not without danger in passing a small
rivulet prodigiously risen with the thunder showers, but got
well home."
"18. Up before four, writing, then setting ditto roots till
about six, then rode to York with sister. Had company of
several relations of Mrs. Hickson (where left her) that some
what mitigated the trouble of the rainy journey."
The season was evidently in great contrast with the drought
of 1681. Thoresby had intended riding on to HuU, but the
wet weather prevented him, and he spent a couple of days in
-York, partly with friends, but also revisiting the monuments
in the Minster, and "-viewing the Tower with the armoury for
about 3000 men, the dungeon, &c., with a large crocodUe (about
four yards long)." A few days after his return home the heavy
rains are again adverted to by Thoresby, in a passage of his

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 16S3.

145

diary which bears witness to the assiduity of the Nonconformist
minister at Mill Hill, who had not yet a house in Leeds : —
"Eose not early this moming; till ten coUecting for Mr.
Sharp, who would not be prevented by the uncomfortableness
of the season, nor the danger of the floods, but came to do
good." This collecting is explained by the short memoir of Mr. Sharp
which has before been quoted. It says, —
" He was very self-denying, and stood not upon Worldly
Incomes, whether they were more or less he was very well con
tent, so that he gave strict charge to those who collected that
small Pittance he accepted of in consideration of his Labours,
not to urge any, but only receive the voluntary Contributions
of those who were as well able as willing.''
His private income rendered him independent of the con
tributions by his congregation, but this adds to his credit for
the earnestness of his ministerial labours.
On the 1st of June, Thoresby was at the marriage of
Nehemiah Cloudesley, probably a distant relative; as Thoresby's
grandmother, Grace, the -wife of John Thoresby the elder, was
daughter of Francis Cloudesley. The officiating minister was an
" old Mr. Armitage," and Thoresby seized upon the opportunity
for " discoursing him concerning old Mr. Saxton," the Puritan
substitute for the legal Vicar of Leeds during the civil wars.
More than forty years afterward, Thoresby published a short
account of Saxton in the Vicaria Leodiensis, containing this
passage : —
" He had indeed many plain Expressions, which often occa
sioned Smiles, and once downright Laughter in a Country
Church, where he was preaching from that in Job (xi. 12), vain
man would be wise, ilio' lie be born like a wild ass's colt. He
observing their Irreverence, threatened to make 'em cry before
he'd done, and was as good as his Word when he came to

146

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

the Apphcation : The aged Minister for whom he then preached
told me, he never saw the like in that Church, almost the
whole Assembly being dissolved in Tears; adding, that he was
reaUy a learned and studious Man, and being a great Hebrician,
constantly carried the Hebrew Bible with him into the Pulpit."*
At this wedding, Thoresby also met a friend of his father's,
James lUingworth, B.D., and the next day they were fellow
travellers : —
" 2 June. Up again before three, in preparation for a joumey
with ditto Mr. lUingworth. Was much satisfied with his learned
discourses, and many remarkable stories concerning almost aU
places we travelled through, particularly concerning the last of
the family of the Elands, of Eland, slain at Bothomley Wood,
by the children of those Knights he had before barbarously
murdered when High Sheriff.! Upon the height of Blackstone-
edge we left Yorkshire and had a pleasant prospect of Lanca
shire in a fruitful vale below, where stands Littleborrow, a
country town, and, somewhat beyond, Cleghall on the one hand,
and Howard on the other, the ancient seat of the famous
family of that name. Not far from Eochdale, a fair market town,
is Hop wood Hall, the seat of the famous Justice Hopwood,};
-* Peter Saxton was born near Leeds, and Thoresby considered him, though
apparently on slight grounds, related to the Saxton whose maps were, so much
noted in their day.
t A family feud of the reign of Edward the Third. Sir John Eland, of Eland,
or EUand, near Halifax, had surprised and killed in his own house, Crosland
Hall, Sir Eobert Beaumont, whose sons, children at the time, many years
afterward waylaid and killed Sir John Eland at Cromwellbottom Wood, near
Brighouse, on his return from official duties as High SheriflE. There were
others concerned along with the Beaumonts, and their revenge was followed
up about a year later at Eland Mill Dam, by there killing Sir Thomas
Eland, Sir John's son and heir. This tragedy was the subject of a play in
the reign of James the First; and a long narrative of it, from the collection
of Mr. Hopkinson of Lofthouse, is among the Wilson M,S,S, in the Leeds
Library ; as also, from the same source, a poem entitled, — " The Dismal! Tragedie
of S^ Eobert Beaumont of Crosland Hall and S^ John Eland of Eland Hall
nere Halifax, in the Eeygne of Kynge Edward the thirde,"
* Edmund Hopwood, J,P,, who died in 1664, had married Dorothy Ashton,
daughter of the Eector of Middleton, which Thoresby next mentions,

FRO.M A.D. 1679 TO 1633. 147
whose memory I exceedingly honour for the many good offices
he performed to the good old Lancashire Puritans, and the
many remarkable passages related of him by the ingenious Mr.
lUingworth, who hath promised me copies of many of his letters,
wherein he gives very favourable characters of the good old
Nonconformist Ministers, Midgley Senr., Langley, &c., to the
Bishop. Thence by Middleton, where the church has a wooden
steeple built almost like a dove coat, but a living of . . .
per ann., and has been in the name of the Ashtons ¦* since long
before the Eeformation. Thence within view of the house where
Ealph Brideoak, late Bishop of Chichester was born, t to the
famous town of Manchester."
Thoresby spent the next day, Saturday, at Humphrey
Cheetham's College and its library ; at Salford ; and. in the
Collegiate Church, where, aided by Mr. lUingworth, he took
copies of inscriptions upon the monuments of Huntingdon and
Heyrick, the first and last wardens, of the Eadcliffes, Howards
and others. He was late to the morning sermon ou Sunday,
and missed the beginning, which he " was more concerned for
because the latter part was so good;" but he afterward "heard
Mr. Warden."
Eising again by three o'clock, or earlier, Thoresby set out on
Monday morning for Chester ; although, as this went beyond
his design on leaving home, not, he says, " so well furnished
as I should, having consulted neither Cambden nor Fuller.''
Nevertheless, he gives an account creditable to a young antiquary
and embryo topographer of his journey by " Hulni, the present
habitation of Judge Moseley ; J by " Ordesal, the ancient seat
'• The male line of this family ended -with Sir Ealph Assheton, -n'ho died
81st December 17fi5 ; when Middleton passed to one of his daughters, the wife
of the first Lord Suffield. t He had died 6th July 1078.
t According to a pedigree inserted in Thoresby's Ducatus, Sir Edward
Moseley of Hulm, married a grand-daughter of Sir Eichard SaltonstaU, Kt.,
who purchased Ledsham Hall, ne,T,r Leeds, of Eichard Harebred, Clerk of the
Market in Ireland under the Earl ot Strafford ; and Sir John Bland, of
Kippax, married Anne, daughter and sole heiress of Sir Edward Moseley.

148

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

of- the warlike] family of the Eadcliffes, iiow Colonel Birch's ;"
and thence by Trafford, Bowden, and " through a most pleasant
vale abounding with wood and fruitful pastures, which produces
the famous Cheshire cheese, to Norwiche, a pretty market
town." Passing from thence "through a delicate country to
the famous forest of Delamere," he got to Chester in time to
have "two or three hours discourse with Dr. Bispham, the
ancient sub-dean of Chester, and Alderman Floyd, about the
antiquities of the town;" besides visiting the churches of St.
Werburg, St. John Baptist and St. Mary, and in the evening
walking round the walls, whence he "observed the situation of
the city, and had a prospect of Wales towards FUnt."* Yet,
on his way, he bad visited the church at Bowden, -with its
monuments to the Breretons, Warburtons and "Booths of
Dunham, now deservedly honoured with the title of Lord
Delamere ; " t and he adds, — " as for the inscriptions, vid. my
Collection of Epitaphs, p. 171." And he had engaged in con
versation with Lord Delamgre's chaplain, Mr. Martindale, who
gave him information of "an ancient monument of a EJnight
in armour, of the Venables,'' in the neighbouring church of
Eawston.

* Thoresby here adds, — " The walls are ' kept in excellent repair by the
Muringers ; " which is explained by this passage in Daniel King's Vale-Eoyal
cf England, published twenty-six years before Thoresby's visit : — " And this
wall, although it serveth not so much in these days, for defence and safety,
against the invasion of enemies, and dangers of siege, as in ancient times it
did; yet have the citizens here, by continual care, and no small charge, main
tained the same in sound and good reparation, for the ornament, credit and
estimation of the city. The siiecial care whereof belongeth to certain officers,
yearly either new elected or confirmed, called the Maringers, being, usually,
of the most ancient Aldermen of tho said city (Chester) who have the receipt
of the customs and tolls for the most part of the said city, especially in
shipping and sea matters; out of -which is defrayed the charge of the repara
tion of the wall, and that toll hath been alotted to this very purpose."
t The second Sir George Booth, Bart., whose movement in favour of Charles
the Second failed so short a time before that of Monk and Fairfax succeeded,
was created Baron Delamere of Dunham Massey, County of Chester, in 1661.

FRI3M A.D. 1679 TO 16S3. 149
"The Eows," which stiU attract the notice of visitors, are
thus described by Thoresby : —
" We may pass through the rows on a stormy day -without
the least rain or prejudice ; it is a sort of building pecuUar
to this city, the like they say not being to be seen in Europe
again; they are as walks chambered above, and cellared below,
-with shops mostly on both sides."
" Up pretty early writing " on the day after his arrival,
Thoresby "took a view of the Castle," of St. Peter's Church
and of " the pentis or town-house ; " then leaving the city
about ten in the forenoon, he rode over Helsby Tor to
Frodsham, near which place he had a -view, on the one
hand, of the Earl of Elvers 's " stately house " Eock Savage,
and on the other, of " a deUcate new building of Sir
Willoughby Aston's, with deUcate gardens, &c." Thence he
rode to Warrington, "a pretty market town," Eccles and Man
chester. Here he spent one day more, in the Earl of Derby's
and Cheetham's Chapels at the Collegiate Church, "walking
abroad in the town, and taking leave of Mr. Newcome, a.
worthy good man and pious divine." This was Henry New-
combe, M.A., of St. John's College, Cambridge, a Nonconformist
minister for whom a chapel was eventually built at Ackers,
Manchester. He had come to Manchester in 1656, then leaving-
the Eectory of Gausworth in Cheshire. He died, aged 68, in
1695. On Thursday morning, 8th June, —
"Took leave of the learned and ingenious Mr. lUingworth,
and of Manchester, famous for the vast quantity of wares and
commodities made there, whereof I was most taken with their
inkles, eighteen several pieces whereof they can weave in the
same loom. Got very well home with the other company."
The account of Thoresby we have for the rest of the month'
relates entirely to his studies. He was " at Mr. Scudamore's to
see his collections of heraldry, which," he adds, " merit com-

150 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGR.VPHEB,
mendation." Mr. Thomas Scudamore, son of the Eector of
Holtby,-* lived near St. John's Church, at a part of the town
which Thoresby, on the strength of certain old manorial records,
calls Tower Hill. His pedigree, his own drawing up, , engrossed
on parchment, and said to have been perused by Sir William
Dugdale, ascended to Angharad, daughter of Meredith ap Owen,
King of Wales; and to Urian Eheged, King of a portion of
Scotland, Earl of Erginge and Ewas in Wales. But Thoresby,
in the copy from it in his Ducatus, contents himself with the
paternal line only, which commences with a John Scudamore,
whose descendant. Sir John Scudamore, Kt., married the daugh
ter of Owen Glendower. The arms of the Scudamores were, —
Gules, three stirrups leathered and buckled Or.
On the last day of June, Thoresby was "at Mrs. E.'s per
using her brother's, Mr. Lever's, choice collection of books.
Thus," he concludes, " one month more of my short pilgrimage
is slipt away never to be recalled." He had misgivings that
even his literary disposition led him to misuse of time. On a
fonner occasion, when he had been " epitomizing the life of
that Pillar of Justice, Judge Nichol," he subjoined, — "but I
doubt my affections are too much bent upon books, which,
though not unlawful, yea, in some respects commendable in
themselves, yet I am afraid an immoderate love to them doth
withdraw my affections too much from more practical duties."
Having spent the morning of the 1st of July in writing
at Mr. Eooke's, who in the following year became Mayor of
Leeds, Thoresby, " with cousins F. and I,," t went to Ledston
* There are two Holtbys in Yorkshire, both in the North Eiding ; one near
Bedale, the other a small jjarish in the neighbourhood of Bulmer, near York,
from whence came the Idles.
t Probably Fenton and Ibbetson. There was a Thomas Fenton who married
one of the Ibbetson family ; and her brother, James Ibbetson of Leeds and
Ledston, married in 1676, the daughter of Mr. Eichard Bean of Ledston.

FROM A.D, 1C79 TO 1683. 151
Hall, which had formerly been a residence of the great Earl
of Strafford's, His son, the second Earl, sold it to Sir John
Lewys, Bart., who died in 1671 ; and on the occasion of this
visit Thore,sby says, — "had the opportunity of discoursing with
Mr. Bean concerning some memoirs of the famous Sir John
Lewys, whose manuscript I have by me." This, as it after
ward appears, was an account of Madagascar and Johanna by
Sir John Lewys. A portion of his pedigree is given in the
Ducatus, where Thoresby says that he saw and transcribed it
at Ledston Hall. In the previous year he had visited the
"most delicate stately monument," of Sir John Lewys, with its
Ufe-sized statues of himself and his lady ; the epitaph from
which is also in the Ducatus, together with another long one
which Thoresby transcribed from a monument to " the Right
'Worshipful Dame Mary Bolles of Heath Hall in the County of
York, Baronettess," whose brother, Plenry Whitham, sold Ledston
Hall to the Earl of Strafford.
Thus far in the year 1682 Thoresby continued leading the
life that suited him, untroubled by political fluctuations ; but
that which he and his Nonconformist associates feared when
the year began fell on them at length. On Sunday, the 2nd
of July, he gives one of his ordinary reports of a sermon by
Mr. Sharp ; but Tuesday, the 4th, —
" Morning abroad inquisitive after public concerns. Fore
noon advising with Mr. B. D. (Bryan Dixon); after tiU near
three with Mr. E. H. (Elkanah Hickson) expecting but disap
pointed of his company at G.'s, where several were consulting
about our public liberties now in much hazard,"
At old Matthew Boyse's, on Wednesday, upon which day
it appears there had been services at Mill Hill, Thoresby
advised with Mr, Sharp, and had shown to him "the order
of Court for suppressing conventicles, which, " he adds, " with
other circumstances (the officers having surprised Brook and got

152 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
the Key of the chapel) prevented our public assembly, but
through mercy enjoyed in private an excellent sermon, from
Hos. vi. 1." The text was sufficiently appropriate ; — " Come,
and let us return unto the Lord : for he hath torn, and he
will heal us ; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up."
The sermon would lose nothing in effect from the difficulties,
if not danger, under which it was deUvered ; and Thoresby at
some length gives a more careful report of it substantiaUy,
than his diary might have furnished had it been preached by
Mr. Sharp in his chapel in the ordinary course. After the
sermon he dined with Mr. Sharp at Elkanah Hickson's, and
then they consulted "where to meet on Lord's Day."
Thus, on the 5th of July 1682, Mill HiU Chapel, which
under the King's indulgence had, vnth a short interval, for
nine years kept open its doors despite all Acts of ParUament
to the contrary, was shut up. Court poUcy having turned
another way. Then came the critical Sunday, of which he
gives this account : —
" Much affected in meditation of the inexpressible loss of our
public liberties, which cost me multitudes of tears and sighs,
and yet infinitely short of the bitterness of heart that might,
and should have seized upon me for those crying sins that have
provoked God to deprive us of a mercy that certainly is more
valuable than aU the world besides. Lord, help me to forbear
murmuring at man who is only thy instrument, and to take
revenge upon my own corruptions, that are the meritorious cause
of these sad dispensations; and, do thou graciously pour down a
double blessing upon thy word dispensed in private. After ten,
walked to Holbeck, to late Uncle Idle's house (now Mr. Scur's),
where, through mercy, we enjoyed the labours of worthy Mr.
Sharp, from Micah ii., 7.* which he now concluded, being upon
the fourth use for instruction, how we must do to profit by
* " Oh thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord
straitened ? are these his doings ? do not my words do good to him that
walketh uprightly?"

FROM A.D, 1679 TO 168S. 153
the word and walk uprightly." Thoresby then reports the heads
of the sermon, eight in number, and the conclusion, in four
divisions; adding, — "Oh! that I may experience it is good for
me to draw nigh unto God, whose name be blessed for protec
tion vouchsafed to us, even when others of his own people are
disturbed and broken up, as two meetings at this town today
have been."
These troubles did not prevent Thoresby from again visiting
Harrogate : —
"July 12. Up about three, writing heads, &c., and preparing
for the Spas. Got well thither, and so early as to drink the
waters this morning ; and was unexpectedly happy in good
Mr. Corlass's company, so 'with Mr. E. H. and T. W.'s *
" 13. After the morning drinking, had the additional felicity
of Mr. Henry Fairfax's company, which was still the more accep
table, because the most of the guests at this house are Papists.
Had the advantage of Mr. Corlass's prayers, morning and evening.
"14. Ut prius, drank the waters ; but lost our good com
pany. Had some ineffectual discourses, ut prius et postea, with
the Torycal Papists, f
"16. Die Dom. Forenoon, drank of the Sweet Spa, but
not Sulphur Water; after, went to Knaresborough, where heard
a stranger discourse from that of the Pharisee : ' Lord, I am not
as other men,' &c.
"17. Morning, drunk the waters, and returned by noon; in
return, upon Chapeltown Moor, saw Mr. Sk. and Mr. Sm. ride
their own horses for a wager, which was the first, and, for
'aught I know, may be the last horse-course ever seen by me."
Although shut out from their chapel, the Mill Hill Noncon
formists persevered with their services. On the Wednesday after
* Elkanah Hickson ; and probably Thomas Whitaker, the successor of Chris
topher Nesse as minister of the Independent section of the Leeds Noncon
formists. t Tory and Whig were then new names. The first instance of it in the
diary is in May of the same year, when Thoresby read and commended an
" Apology for Nonconformists . . in answer to the High Tories, that are
for closing with the Papists rather than Protestant Dissenters."

154 RALPH THOEESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
his Harrogate visit, Thoresby " had the opportunity of hearing
an excellent discourse" at Mr. Bryan Dixon's. After dinner on
Sunday he, —
" Went to Hunslet, to hear Mr. Sharp, at Mr. Thomas Fen
ton's, but was so crowded with the multitudes, that almost sick
and fainted, and altogether displeased at some inconvenience,
through the unmannerliness of some of the ruder sort; which
hindered me, in some measure, from profiting by the good word,
the excessive crowd, and intolerable disorder of the common
people constraining them to begin an hour before the time
appointed." This account is very suggestive of an inference, coinciding
with experience in other times than that of Charles the Second,
that many here joined the congregation of Mr. Sharp who
would have troubled neither him nor Thoresby at the undis
turbed chapel services. The following Wednesday, Thoresby was
up about four in the morning " to hear Mr. Ward at cousin
I. I.'s"; and on Sunday again, having spent the "morning,
and much of the forenoon, walking in the garden, reading or
meditating," being " sometimes much affected, especiaUy -with
Dr. Wilkins' incomparable treatise of Prayer," he heard Mr. Sharp.
And Mr. Sharp " made a most incomparable discourse, both
learned and long (not tedious), for he preached two hours and a
half, by Mr. W.'s, and church clock." The text had no special
reference to the times, it was, " Seek ye the Lord while he may
be found," &c., with the next verse in Isaiah lv. This was on
the last day but one of July, and Mr. Sharp's services do not
appear to have been noticed by the authorities, although the
one at Hunslet could hardly be a secret.* But all ministers
were not so fortunate. On the 25th of July Thoresby's diary
has the following : —

* Possibly it made some difference, that Thoresby's relative, Marmaduke
Hickes, was Mayor at the time.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1633, 155
"Up at four, in order to a York joumey; got well thither,
double-horsed, pretty timely; dispatched business with sister
and Mrs. Hickson, and visited poor Mr. Tricket (a Noncon
formist minister, prisoner in York Castle, merely for conscience
sakel, and widow Bell. The Lord doth more than reward any
thing that is done in uprightness of heart for his poor suffering
servants." On the first Friday in August Thoresby set out again for
Harrogate, in " the good, serious company of Cousin Ibbetson."
They called at the Mayor's, and went by way of Bardsey,
"where Baron Thorpe lived, died, and lies interred." '^ At
Harrogate they found a brother of Mrs. Hickson's, . the Eev.
John Gunter, LL.B. —
"Die Dom. After water time in the morning, had the
opportunity to hear good Mr. Gunter, but was indisposed with
the waters which made me excessively drowsy. Afternoon, he
preached from the same, Isaiah xxxviii 14, being the prayer
of Hezekiah upon his sick (and, as he thought, death) bed, of
the plague. Was somewhat disturbed at. the sight of an informer,
who got cunningly into the meeting ; but, blessed be Goci, for
restraining him from doing any harm as yet."
Thoresby spent Tuesday morning "as the former, in the
course of the Spas, but lost Cousin I. and Mr. Gunter's com
pany, a greater loss, because good company so scarce," Mr.
Gunter was at this time U-ving at Helaugh, near Tadcaster, where
he managed the affairs of PhUip, fourth Lord Wharton, f also
preaching gratuitously to the poor of the neighbourhood, and
occasionally at Leeds. He had formerly held the Eectory of
Bedale, given to him by OUver Cromwell, who also made him
* Francis Thorpe, Baron of tho Exchequer in the time of Cromwell. The
Bardsey Church register states that he "was buried the 7th day of June 1665;"
but there is no monument to him, although there ia one to his widow, who
died about a year after him. She was the daughter of William Oglethorpe,
of Eawdon, near Leeds,
+ Helaugli, formerly a Priory, had been in possession of the Wharton family
from tho dissolution of the Monasteries, — See Drake's Eboracum.
11

156 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
his chaplain, and said, according to Calamy, that he respected
his name for his uncle Colonel Gunter's sake. The living, valued
at £500 a year, was on the Eestoration given by Charles the
Second to another, when Mr. Gunter went to Whittlebury in
Northamptonshire, and rejnained there until the ' Uniformity Act.
He then retired to Helaugh.
Thoresby did not long remain behind. He was at home again
before Saturday, on which day, after -writing before five o'clock
in' the tnorning, he rode to HaUfax. There, he "had the pleas
ing society of Mr. Brearcliffe, the ingenious antiquary, who
kindly lent me his manuscript collection." Eeturning by Horton
and Bradford, he "visited Mr. Sharp, &c."
During the remainder of August, and for the folio-wing month,
the diary has no further account of the forbidden Nonconformist
meetings, but it contains several interesting passages.
The ancient chapel of Beeston, in the parish of Leeds, had
for its minister at the passing of the Uniformity Act, Mr. Cud-
worth, an old man, of whom Calamy says that he " was so
intent upon preaching as often to forget himself, and to hold
out so long as to need some item to leave off,"-^ He had been
assisted by Mr. Leonard Scurr, a Pomfret man of private estate,
and educated at Sydney College, Cambridge. Of him Calamy
reports, — "It was said that Mr. Scurr though a good preacher
was a man of a bad character and a scandal to his profession."
Mr. Cudworth refused to conform; Mr. Scurr, it is said, alto
gether left the ministry at the Eestoration. He undertook the
management of a coal mine, and went to live, with his mother,
at a lonely house in Beeston Park. Here a tragedy occurred
* To be noted for long sermons in that age was a reputation indeed. On
the fast of the 30th of January 1G65, at the chapel founded at Bramhope by
liobert Dyneley, Esq. (in the year of King Charles's beheading), the minister,
Mr. Crossley, conducted the ser-vice to eleven in the forenoon, when OUver
Heywood carried it on until half-past three.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 157
which drew Thoresby to the scene, though at the time he was
in deep trouble on account of the recent death of his father.
On Saturday, the 24th of January 1680, he relates, —
"After dinner rode to Beeston to see the most dreadful
spectacle that was ever beheld in these parts. Mr. Scurr, his
mother, and a maid servant, every one burnt to death last
Thursday, at night between eleven and one o'clock, but whether
accidentally, or designedly by the malice of some, (which perhaps
he was in suit with) is yet uncertain. The old gentlewoman
was most burnt; her face, legs and feet quite consumed to
ashes, the trunk of her body much burnt, her heart hanging as
a coal out of the midst of it I Part of his face and arms, -with
the whole body unburnt, but as black as the coals, his hands
and feet quite consumed. Very Uttle of the maid was to be
found, only I saw her head ; a most piteous sight ! Some
observe all their skulls are broken, as it were, in the same
place, which causes some to suspect it is wilfully done ; but if
so, the Lord will reveal it, so that in all probability those
inhuman murderers may have their deserts in this life."
For a time the tmth lay hid; but eventually the deed was
traced to a Ealph Holroyd. Among the York depositions pub
lished by the Surtees Society, there is one against him made
by Hester Webster, who in Dublin had been "in company at
dinner -with one Phoebe, once servant to Mr. Scurr." Holroyd
and his wife came in, and Phoebe asked "if her Mr. Scurr
was alive." Holroyd could give so many particulars about
the murder, that suspicion attached to him. He was taken,
convicted, and sent for execution to Holbeck Moor, in the
neighbourhood of his crime. On his way through Leeds he
was taken to the Vicarage, but the discourse that Mr, Milner
had with him is said to have been unavailing.
On the 14th of August 1682, Thoresby writes : —
" Eose pretty early. Most of the day taken up with visitants,
to see Holroyd pass by to his execution for the horrid murder

158

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

of Mr. Scurr, his mother, and a maid-servant." [He would
pass Thoresby's house immediately after leaving the Vicarage.]
"After, rode to the Moor, where were many thousand speeta-'
tors ; but, alas I frustrated exceedingly in their expectations, he
dying in the most resolute manner that ever eye beheld,
wishing (upon the top of the ladder) he might never come
where God had anything to do if he was guilty, and so threw
himself off in an anger as it were, without any recommendation
of himself to God that any could observe, which struck tears
into my eyes, and terror to my heart, for his poor soul,
earnestly imploring, while I saw any signs of life, that God
would give him repentance for his crying sins, and be better
to him than his desires."
Holroyd vyas afterward bung in chains.-*
On the morning after this execution, Thoresby had for visitors
two artists ; John Lambert, whom he calls " Squire Lambert
(son to the old Lord General)," and to whom he showed his
coins, pictures, &c. ; and William Lodge, whom he calls " our
townsman born, an ingenious traveller and painter." In Walpole's
Anecdotes of Painting it is briefly said of Lambert that he
painted portraits.
William Lodge at the time of this visit to Thoresby, had
just entered on his thirty-fourth year. He was born on the
* In his Loidis and Elmete Dr. Wliitaker says the spectators numbered
30,000, and he gives some further particulars. He appends to his account,
in a note, — " I have now before me a printed half-sheet entitled ' Brief
instructions for Churchwardens and others to observe in all Episcopal and
Archdiaoonal Visitations,' opposite to which is -written in Thoresby's hand,
' By Leonard Scurre, of Beeston Chappell, Curate .; ' in which with much
shrewdness, and some colour of law, he undertakes to instruct such persons
how to elude or resist the exercise of Ecclesiastical authority. It has no
date, but was evidently about the time when the authority of bishops and
their officials was restored. I have also seen a deposition, from which it
appears probable that the murderers of Scurr were instigated by a person
of considerable property at Beeston who possessed himself of part of Scurr's
estate ; and that the pocket-book and several writings belonging to him were
Jn the possession of the same person." A note relating to this murder is
appended to the entry of Mr. Scurr's burial in the Leeds register.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 16S3. 159
4th of July 1649, at Leeds, to which town his grandmother,
Alice Lodge, who outlived her husband, had been a benefac
tress. The tabular account which Thoresby assisted Bryan Dixon
to draw up, states that in 1638 she " gave the profits of a
close in Woodhouse Fields, called Cringles, of the Yearly Eent
of Five Pounds for the Good of the To-wn of Leedes, to be
disposed of by her Executors." And it is stated in the Ducatus,
that at the entrance to the footpath through the fields by the
river side, named the Calls, where Thoresby made his new
garden, were two almshouses of her gift. But in the appendix
there is this qualification : — " Mrs. Alice Lodge before-mentioned
built the said Houses, and let the Poor inhabit them gratis
during her Life, but not being expressly mentioned as Alms
houses in her Will, they are since reversed to some of her
descendants.'' She had two sons,-* and two daughters. One of
the daughters, Margaret, married a Mr. William Sykes. The
eldest son, WUUam Lodge, merchant, father of the painter,
married Elizabeth, daughter of John Sykes, the eldest son of
an Alderman of Leeds in the reign of Charles the First; and
there is evidence of the degree to which Thoresby extended
his recognition of relationship, in his calling tjie painter
" Cousin Lodge," when he, Thoresby, had married the daughter
of Mrs. William Lodge's first cousin. On the 4th of November
1648 William Lodge, senior, died. He was buried near the
font in the Parish Church ; and a brass plate, which appears
to have soon got injured, eulogised him in rhymes, " To the
Precious Memory of ... . and best of Men, Maister
* The younger son, Eichard, merchant, of Leeds, built Red Hall at Shad-
well. It afterwards became Sir John Savile's, of Copley, whose daughter
and heiress married Lord Thomas Howard, younger brother of the seventh
Duke of Norfolk. Their son, Thomas, who was bom at Eed Hall, succeeded
as eighth Duke on the death of his uncle without issue. The widow of Sir
^\'illiam Savile sold Rod Hall to James Ibbetson of Leeds, merchant, who
built there, says Thoresby, " one of the best houses in Town." He also states
that three Dukes were said to have lodged at Eed HaU at one time.

160

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

WilUam Lodge." They began with a pun, "He was the Poor
Man's Lodge;" and ended with this couplet: —
"The best of Husbands, Fathers, Neighbours, all.
Wife, Children, Townsmen, much lamented his faU."
They who desire the rest may see it in the Ducatus.
His son, William Lodge, painter and engraver, inherited, says
Walpole, an estate of £300 a year. He was sent to Jesus CoUege,
Cambridge, and then to Lincoln's Inn; but quitting law studies,
he attended Lord BeUasis, Viscount Falkenberg, on an embassy
to Venice. Subsequently, he with Dr. Martin Lister of York,
Thomas Kirke of Cookridge, Lambert, and another Yorkshire
artist of independent means, Francis Place, formed at York
what Walpole denominates " a club of virtuosi." With Place
he was particularly intimate; and rambling in Wales together
during the Popish Plot time, they were imprisoned as suspected
Jesuits, and only liberated on the appearance of friends from
Chester. This cannot have been very long before his visit at
Thoresby's ; and it is upon a communication made by Thoresby
at a later time to Virtue, the engraver, that Walpole founds
his memoir. From the same source he had this remarkable
account of Lodge's death and burial. While -with a fishing
party at Mr. Boulter's at Stank, Harewood, he dreamed that
he should be buried in Harewood Church. It troubled him,
for he wished to be buried with his mother at Gisburn in
Craven. He died in Leeds; and as the hearse conveying his
corpse passed Harewood (which, by the way, is not on the
direct road from Leeds to Gisburn), it broke down, the coffin
was damaged, and the dream fulfilled. William Lodge was
buried in the choir of Harewood Church, on the 27th of
August 1689. Thoresby's diary at this time is wanting, and
nothing is said of the matter in a re-view of his life which
has to stand in place of it. It is the 17th of January 1694

FROM A.D, 1679 TO 1683, 161
before another notice of Lodge in the diary occurs, — "Aftemoon
with Esquire Lambert (son to the General) an ingenious painter,
inquiring of Cousin Lodge's works, but spent too much time."
And after this, all that we are there ~told of him is, incidentaUy,
that two of the eight bells of the Leeds Parish Church were,
in a great measure, the gift of "late Cousin Lodge, the ingenious
traveller and painter,"
When Lodge was in Italy, he met -with Viaggio Piitoresco,
by Giacomo Barri, translated it, adding illustrations of his own
engraving, and it was printed in octavo in 1679. The manu
script became Thoresby's, and he thus describes it : — " The
Painter's Voyage, giving an account of the famous Paintings in
England; * Englished from the Italian copy, by ilr. Will. Lodge
of Leedes; of whose ingenious Workmanship the Pictures of the
most eminent Masters, the Map of Italy, and the Frontispiece
of his English Edition, are a Specimen." In Thoresby's collection
of prints there were " Several Prospects from the Via Apipia, &c.,
taken by Mr. Will, Lodge, of Leedes, in his Journey ¦ to Rome,
and presented to me by the late worthy Hen, Watkinson, LL.D,,
and Chancellor to four Archbishops of Yorke, who was also a
Native of this To-wn : Other Prospects by the said ingenious
young Gentleman, particularly Yorke, Leedes, Durliam, Newcastle,
Berwick, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, &c. The tables of Entrochi
and Astroites, the Multangular Tower and Roman Wall inserted
in the Phil, Trans." These were drawn for Dr. Martin Lister,
who, in a communication dated York, 12th March 1673, pubUshed
the following year in No. 105 of PhUosophical Transactions,
wrote, — " I herewith send you the first part of our Tables of
* A misprmt for Italy, In the London Gazette of the 3rd of April 1679,
the work is advertised :—" The Painter's Voyage of Italy. In which all the
famous paintings of the most eminent Masters are particularised, as they are
lireserved in the several Cities of Italy. Whereunto is added the excellent
Collection of Signer Septale, in his closet at Milan &c. By IT. Iiodge of
Lincoln's Inn Gent, Sold by Thos. Fleahw at the Angel and Crown iu St, Paul's
Churchyard. "

162

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

Snails . . . also the lively figure of each Shell for illustra
tion, done by Mr. Lodge." Thoresby's catalogue further states
that the " best Draught of the Monument at London, was both
delineated and etched by him. He drew also the noted Bridge
in Languedoc three Stories high of Arch-work, which is rare
to be had, though printed."* Thoresby also had the copper
plate on which was etched by Lodge a view of Lambeth Palace;
and one of the illustrations of the Ducatus is his work, namely,
a small map of the two wapentakes of Skyrake and Agbrigg,
with views of Leeds from the Holbeck road and Wakefield
from the London Eoad above and below; and on each side,
the ruins of Kirkstall and Fountains.
To return to the month of August 1682:—
"At Mr. T. S. and S. H., who came along with me to see
the comet upon our turret. Lord fit us for whatever changes
or alterations it may portend; for though I am not ignorant
that such meteors proceed from natural causes, yet are frequently
also the presage of imminent calamities."
Evelyn mentions this comet five days earlier, on the 20th,—
" This night I saw another comet, near Cancer, very bright,
but the stream not so long as the former." The former one
referred to is that of 1680; and Evelyn's reflections upon it
agree curiously with the above of Thoresby's : — •
"What this may j^ortend God only knows; but such another
phenomenon I remember to have seen in 1640, about the trial
of the Great Earl of Strafford, preceding our bloody Eebellion.
I pray God avert his judgments 1 We have had of late several
comets, which though I believe appear from natural causes, and
of themselves operate not, yet I cannot despise them. They
may be warnings from God, as they commonly are forerunners
of his animadversions."
* Pont du Gard. Walpole enumerates some other works, and also states
that Lodge painted "some few things from the Life in oil," He gives i,
portrait of Lodge, in a wig of the period.

PROM A.D. 1679 TO 16S3. 163
On the following day Thoresby was again at work for
Mr. Bryan Dixon, "EngUshing the Town's Charter," which, it
need hardly be said, is in Latin ; and on the last day of the
month he was "visited by Mr. Joseph Boyse, spent all the
aftemoon in his good company, visiting with him several friends."
Mr, Boyse had shortly before returned from Holland, In a
letter which he wrote to Thoresby from London, near the end
of the previous March, he announced that he was about to
take the Harwich coach on his way to Amsterdam, and offered
to take charge of any letters which Thoresby, or any of his
Leeds friends, might wish to send by him. A minister at
Amsterdam, Mr. Gouge, wishing to see his friends in England,
had offered to pay travelling expenses, find board, and pay £6
or £8 besides to a substitute for three months ; and Boyse,
calculating that this sum would defray his additional expenses
in travelling through the country, accepted the proposal, for
the gratification of his curiosity more than any other advantage.
His stay exceeded three months. " Mr. Ibitson offering his
service," by him Boyse again wrote from Amsterdam on the
29 th of June, and in this letter said, —
" To send you any news from hence were to little purpose,
ours being little else but the translation of English or French,
and to send you our news from England were to carry coals
to Newcastle. ... I find by the most intelligent persons
I converse with, that the States have no great inclination or
affection to the English whilst we keep up so much of friend
ship with France."
The remainder of the letter is chiefly about a division
among the Dutch concerning the observance of Sunday, leading
to the formation of two parties. The Cocceians, drawing their
arguments from the writings of Cocceius, denied that the Lord's
Day was of Divine institution. The Voetians, "being called so
from that known person, G. Voetius," opposed them. Mention of

164 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
the severities upon the Protestants in France, "those especially
of Poictou, where the Intendant Marillac, a mercenary wretch the
priests employ, does use great barbarity," winds up his news;
but doubtless the two friends found enough to talk about
when they met in Leeds, as aforesaid, at the end of August.
On the 7th of September, Thoresby rose at five o'clock, rode
to Wakefield, and thence to Swaith Hall, near Barnsley, the
residence of a Puritan famUy named Wadsworth.* He had
visited them about a year before, and on that occasion spoke
of them as " our friends at Swaith ; " but he now discovers
relationship : —
" With Cousin Wadsworth to Silkstone, viewed the delicate
and noble tomb of Sir Thomas Wentworth, whose widow is
since married to the Earl of EgUngton. Saw the glass-houses."
" 8. At Wentworth, to see and transcribe the monuments
of that ancient family, but found none erected yet for the
Earl, but two curious ones for (his) father and grandfather,
and Sir William Eokeby."
Nearly a fortnight after this, Thoresby -visited Chapeltown
Moor, partly to see Mr. Henry Fairfax, whom he again desig
nates " my kind friend." But the Moor was at this time a
ground for public resort to the townspeople of Leeds, upon a
variety of occasions. He speaks of it in the Ducatus as, —
"A delicate Green, commonly call'd Chapel-Town-Moor, as
well noted for its healthful and free Air, as for Eaces and
other diverting Exercises, one or both of which might possibly
influence the Gentry to reside here, where we shall find a
greater Number than in any other Township in the Parish."
It was there, as already told, where three of the Farnley
Wood plotters were executed, and where Thoresby for the

* Heywood calls Mr. Wadsworth of Swaith "a very useful man," and states
that he "maintained meetings in his house for many years."

FROM A.D. 1079 TO 1633. 165
first, if not only time, saw a horse-race. He now went there
to see, besides Mr. Fairfax, —
" The soldiers trained, and a foot-race, three times round,
above six measured miles, which they ran in thirty or thirty-
three minutes, at the utmost : cuique sua dos,"
Towards the close of the month, Thoresby spent an evening
at his neighbour the gunsmith's, Mr. WilUam Atkinson, of
Kirkgate, his authority for one of the stories of old Lord
Fairfax. He .met there a former apprentice of Mr. Atkinson's
who had become Dr. Newton of London, where he kept a
house for lunatics. Newton proposed to publish in octavo,
with cuts, a Herbal, and Thoresby became one of his sub
scribers at ten shillings. So also did Mr. Samuel Ibbetson,
merchant, of Leeds, elder brother of James Ibbetson of Led-
stone. The book was not published, but Newton kept the
money. Another evening, about three weeks later, Thoresby
was " sent for by lawyer Hilliard, an ingenious antiquary, and
Dr. Eobinson, with whom spent some time pleasantly." Dr.
Matthew Eobinson, Vicar of Burniston, in the North Eiding of
Yorlcshire, has been mentioned before.
" La-wyer Hilliard," was Christopher, brother of Sir E. Hild-
yard, and Eecorder of Hedon. He was also Chief Steward of
the Manor Court of St. Mary's, York; -* and he published a
Ust of Mayors and Sheriffs of York from 1273 to 1664, -to
which Thoresby refers in his Ducatus, Like Thoresby himself,
Christopher Hildyard had a collection of coins and medals; and
it is evidence of congeniality that Thoresby again spent with
him the latter part of the day following that upon which he

* A document officially signed by him, and dated 5th May 1677, is given
in Drake's Eboracum, It certified that John Wressle, of Redness, was entitled
to the freedom and liberties of the Manor. In this was included exemption
from pontage, tollage, &c., throughout England, Wales and Ireland.

166

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

was "sent for," although there was family trouble at the time.
For earlier in the day he had been "with dear aunt Lucy Idle,
condoUng her great affiiction in her son Thomas."
On the 4th of October 1682, at the age of 81, died Lady
Barwick, to whom Mr. Corlass was chaplain; and on the 6th,
Thoresby rode with Elkanah Hickson, —
"To the funeral of the good, religious Lady Barwick; but
could not stay to hear Mr. Corlass preach, which vexed me."
Thoresby stiU maintained his connection with the Church of
England, On Sunday, the 15th of this month, he mentions in
a tone of commendation a sermon by the Vicar, Mr. Milner,
from Isaiah liv. 13, — "And aU thy chUdren shall be taught of
the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." He
made, says the diary, " a very learned discourse in confutation
of our modern enthusiasts, who, upon pretence of being taught
of the Lord, do slight all public Ordinances," * But Thoresby's
intimacy with the Nonconformists continued close as ever, and
their troubles were on the increase. On the 18th of July
Mr. Stretton had written to him from London, having an
opportunity of sending his letter by a Mr. Hickson. It could
scarcely be Elkanah, who was with Thoresby at Harrogate so late
as the 14th. At the commencement of the letter, Mr. Stretton
said, " Our news is not good or worth \\'Titing; such as it is,
I have hinted to Mr. Hickson, and that may save me the
labour to yoa." At the close of it he* said, — " I am sorry to
* Such enthusiasts found no more favour from the Nonconformist Oliver
Heywood. In his life by Hunter, there is account of a colloquy which he
had little more than three months before the date of this sermon 'with a
former servant, Ealph Deeming, who had turned preacher, saying that " he had
a call from God," Heywood told him that "if his call were of the ordinary
kind, he must be tried by such as had discerning"; if extraordinary, "show
it by extraordinary gifts and miracles"; and finally, "that he sinned iu it,
and God would not bless him in presuming upon such a weighty work with
out a call," The man's assurance evidently tried Heywood's patience; his own
account is, — "God put ma into an unusual heat,"

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1083, 167
hear they have begun with you at Leeds. They are trouble
some here, but they make nothing of it yet to any purpose."
The main part and purport of the letter has nothing to do
with current politics, but it is both curious and amusing in
reference to current literature : —
"I was sent to by a friend in Warwickshire to buy him
Dugdale's Antiquities of that County, and King Charles's Enter
tainment in the City. I find they are much out of print and
not easy to • ^ome by* I know your father had them both,
and if you have no particular fancy for them (for they are of
no use, unless the former to them of that county, and the
other a noodle's curiosity), if you would part with them, I will
either satisfy you in money, or give the value in books for
them. I will give you Dr. Edward Eeinhold's works, printed
1656, gilt and lettered, which cost me twenty shillings, when
I bought it, and if you have it not, is one of the best pieces
I know extant; and Grimston's History of the Estates, Empires
and Principalities of the World, a fair large folio, t I would
wilUngly send you these for them, which cost much more
than those stood your father. If you have no pecuUar fancy
for them, you will not impair but mend your study by the
change"; upon which Mr. Hunter remarks, "Few people would
think so now."
The letter also mentions Thoresby's cousin Susan, now Mrs.
Stubbs, who, it may be remembered, was at Mr. Stretton's
prior to her unfortunate marriage, —
"I hear Mr. Stubbs is come over, though I have not seen
him, nor her of late, possibly his coming prevents that. She
* Dugdale's Warwickshire was first published in 1656, in folio, and there
was a second edition in 1C66. The two volume edition, with continuations by
Wm. Thomas, D.D., was not published until 1730.
t The collected works of Edward Eeinholds, or Eeynolds, D.D,, Bishop of
Norwich from 1060 to 1676, at the date of this publication Dean of Christ's
Church, Oxford ; but a new edition m two volumes folio, having additions to
the former, had been published in 1679: "The Estates, Empires and Princi
palities of the World, Translated out of French by Edward Grimstone,
Sargeant-at-Armes," London, 1615. The French original was by P. d'Avily.

168

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

did come often before; or else she took it iU my wife would
not [let her] have her best chamber, and take the charge and
trouble of her, for which she might be as weU requited as
before." Thus it appears that, in London, although the Noncon
formists had of late been subjected to annoyances, they had
not been materially interfered with, or, as Mr. Stretton wrote,
"to any purpose," at the middle of July; but on the last day
of October, Thoresby, —
"Eeceived a letter of bad news; imprisonment and persecu
tion of many good ministers in Middlesex, merely for conscience
sake; the Lord be their comfort; very much or most of the
day abroad, about that and other occasions, -with Mr. 0. Hey
wood, Mr. Boyse, &c., with whom evening likewise spent to
some satisfaction."
Heywood had experienced no more serious molestation at
Northowram than Mr. Stretton in London, although, he states,
"scarce any place in the county free except Hull." Just two
months before this visit to Leeds, he had held a thanksgiving
service, recorded in his diary, —
"At mine own house we kept a solemn day of thanks-
gi-ving to God for the public liberty we have enjoyed in my
house without interruption above ten years, notwithstanding
many warrants issued out against us, as well as others. Yet
we have been secured, through the moderation of our officers,
as instrumental, when all the societies round about us have
been sadly broken and scattered.
On the 1st of November Thoresby writes, —
"With worthy Mr. Heywood and Mr. Boyse, at Mr. E. H.'s,
with whom rode after dinner to honest Mr. Middlebrooke's
steward above twenty years to the Earl of Sussex, to hear
some remarkable stories of old Sir John Savile, which took up
the rest of the day."
Thomas, son and heir of Sir John Savile of Howley Hall,
near Dewsbury, afterward Baron Savile of Pontefract, was

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 169
created Earl of Sussex in 1644, when he died. His honours
devolved upon his son James, the second Earl, but on his
death, without issue, in 1671, they became extinct. His sister,
Frances, having married Francis, Lord Brudenell, son of the
second Earl of Cardigan, the Savile estates passed to that
family. Heywood frequently visited Mr. Middlebrook, and his
diary also mentions this occasion, when Thoresby and Boyse
accompanied him thither, after dining at Mr. Hickson's in
Leeds, on the 1st of November. On the 5th he began holding
a service at Alverthorpe, and nearly got into trouble. But
Thoresby had retumed home at once, and on the 2nd he
began preparations for another tour in the north by " perusing
Camden and Speed." In the afternoon he was visited by a
Mr. Mann, who was to be his companion. Again consulting
Fuller, and some maps on the following day, he was " sur
prised -with the sad news of Mr. Sharp's being dangerously
sick." " Nov. 4th. With Mr. E. H. and T. W. rode to Little Horton,
to visit worthy Mr. Sharp, whom, blessed be our gracious and
merciful God, we found much better than we expected."
On Monday the 6th of November he set out upon his
northern journey, —
" Morning, up rather too early, about two, writing and
perusing some books and papers, in order to a journey; after
employed about some friends' concerns, and taking leave of
relations tUl noon; then rode with Mr. Eichard Mann by Har-
wood, where is an ancient castle that has often changed owners.
In the church are some ancient tombs; the most remarkable is
for Judge Gascoyne, of -\yhom vid. Fuller's Worthies in Yorkshire ;
then by Eipley, the seat of the ancient family of the Ingelbys,
whereof Sir WiUiam died this day at his prayers (as informed
by worthy Mr. Kirshaw the Minister), of an imposthume, having
been twice at church the day before, and repeated sermon

170

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

at night.-* We designed to have reached Massam, but being
benighted, got well, though in the dark, to Fountains."
On Tuesday morning, in leaving the ruined Abbey of Foun
tains, " full of trees within the very body of it," they rode
by mistake almost round it before taking the road to Eipon.
From Eipon, -with its "stately Cathedral Church," they rode
" by Staveley, where Justice Staveley, a great traveUer, has a
pretty seat," to Tanfield, Bedale and Catterick; the churches,
free schools, and hospitals, or almshouses at those places all
having interest for Thoresby. On Wednesday they rode first to
Piercebridge, "an ancient Eoman Colony, where have been dug
up many of their coins and inscriptions, particularly that altar I
have at home." This altar was found at Consley, near Pierce
bridge, and it was obtained from thence by Thoresby's father.
It was eleven inches high and eight broad, and bore the name
Condate. Engravings of it are in the later editions of Camden's
Britannia, in Antoninus's Itinerary, and in Thoresby's own work,
the Ducatus Leodiensis.
From Piercebridge they rode "by Walworth HaU, a 4eUcate
seat of the Jenison's, built archwise with turrets"; by Highing-
ton, Elden and Kirkmarinton, " the church whereof is built
upon so high a hill that it is seen many miles off," to Durham.
They had had a view of Durham Cathedral from Kirkmarinton,
and arrived in time to see the sculptured " St. Cuthbert and
his Cow" upon its outside, and the tomb of Bede within. This
perhaps recalled the sermon which in his young days impressed
* This Sir William Ingleby was the second Baronet, and died at the
age of 61. His wife Margaret was grand-daughter of Baron Sa-vile (of the
Exchequer), and daughter of John SavUe, Esq., of Methley, High Sheriff of
Yorkshire in 1648, and ancestor of the Earls of Mexborough. In the Ducatus,
Thoresby mentions her brother, John Savile, as Lord of the Manor at Potter-
newton, and adds, — " whose curious house at Medley, (was it -within my limits)
merits a particular Description, especially the celebrated long Gallery; in the
Windows whereof are painted the Arras of the 'Yorksliire Nobihty, as they
were in Queen Elizabeffi's reign."

I-ROM A:D; 1679 to 1683. 171
Upon Thoresby the antiquity of his native town, and contributed
towards making him its historian. He describes the tomb as
"a stately blue marble, but without inscription save this, hand
somely chalked round the edge. Hoc sunt in fossd. Bedoe vene-
rabilis ossa." * They also inspeeted the Castle, Bishop's Palace,
Tolbooth and Cross, and then " spent much of the evening
with cousin Mich. Walker's^" In 1681 cousin Walker had visited
Thoresby in Leeds, who then rode with him to Harewood,
"viewing the monuments in Harewood Church," of -iivhich he
gives some particulars.
On Thursday morning they rode to Chester-le-Street, " and
stayed with aunt Thoresby and cousins "; but having copied
there the inscriptions upon the tombs of the Lords Lumlejr,
Thoresby rode forward with his friend to !N"ewcastle, where he
" spent the evening in business, viewing the to-wn, &c." Up
very early the next day, he dispsttched his business and then
they rode to North Shields ; by the w£ly, had " a sight of a
pleasant hall of Mr. Clarke's, now Captain Bickerstaff's," and
Thoresby copied an inscription at Clifford's Fort, then " fortified
-with forty cannons." After, at North Shields, " having observed
their way of boiling salt,'* they "ferried oVer to South Shields;"
and returning southward went —
" Through Weston, and within sight of Whitburn, by the
sea to Hilton, the seat of an ancient family of that name ;
whereof Baron HQton (as the report is, from some private dis
satisfaction because of his marriage with an inferior woman,
which put him upon a resolution that none from her should
heir above 100^. per annum) gave the ancient estate "(being
about 3000Z. per annum) to charitable uses, making the Lord
Mayor of London and Aldermen tmstees for the term of one
hundred, or else one thousand years, wanting one. Thence by
* The sculpture of thS Cow, which refers to a well kno-wn legend, has been
replaced by a modern version of the same subject, and there has also been an
alteration of Bede's " marble " since the time of Thoresby.
13

172

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

Cleden and FulweU to Monk-Wearmouth, where Sir Thomas
Williamson has a pleasant house and gardens. Thence ferried
over to Sunderland, where we lodged."
" Saturday, 11 Nov. Ha'ving overnight observed what was
remarkable in Sunderland, which is of late grown to a consider
able repute for coals and salt, rode through Bishops Wearmouth;
which was, saith Camden, much beautified with chapels by
Benedict Bischop, who first procured Masons and glaziers in
England." Thence they rode by Easington, Hartinpoole (Hartlepool),
"where transcribed some things from the ancient church, now
much ruined, as all the town"; over the sands to Creetham,
by BilUngham, " the ale whereof is noted in Northumberland,
Durham, &c.," and by Norton to. Stockton, " which has a pretty
Town-house and handsome buildings, but of no antiquity, but
very prettily covered with Dutch tUes."
Thoresby's account of his Sunday at Stockton should not
be curtailed : —
" November 12, Die Dom. The Vicar (this being only a
chapel of ease), preached from Psm. xxxiv. 9, ' Fear the Lord ' ;
showed prettily how we are apt to fear such things as are
seldom observed, or that appear in an extraordinary manner,
as eclipses, lightning, thunders, &c., which proceed even from
natural causes, and yet how few make them arguments to fear
the Lord, who made the heavens and earth; and then for comets,
apparitions, whales, what strange effects they have upon vulgar
apprehensions ; and then gave a lash or two at the poor
Dissenters, if not at serious piety, under the odious name of
Presbyterians, full of fears and needless jealousies, and tumul
tuary petitions; but saith he, 'if we did but aright fear the
Lord, we should not need to fear Pope, or French, or Presby
terians.' After dinner I thought to have rode some miles to
a sermon, but could not hear of one in the whole country;
so went to hear the town minister, after prayers, cathechise
children, and expound, which I was glad to observe, in a plain,
profitable manner for instructing the vulgar. He' was upon

FROM A.D, 1679 TO 1683, 173
the eighth commandment, and having before insisted' upon the
several sorts of stealth, theft, robbery, oppression, sacrilege, and
shown well the reason of all this to be from want of content
with the state and condition -wherein God has set us, and
advised very honestly to that great duty, from the danger of
the contrary errors, which without repentance would ruin the
soul, which was worth more than the whole world,"
Early on Monday morning they ferried across the Tees, and
rode " to Acklam, where Sir WiUiam Hustler has a pretty seat,
thence through a blind cross road to Marton, a church-town,
and thence over the bad moors to Gisborough." Here Thoresby
noted the abbey ruins, church, old hospital and free school : —
" In the church is a delicate altar made of an old marble,
about three yards long, which some say was a tombstone in
the quire, the sides whereof are yet to be seen in the church,.
upon each whereof I counted five statues with escutcheons, and
most of the ten figures were in armour, but could receive no
account of what family, but could fancy it the founders."
From Guisborough, they rode for many miles " over the
rotten moors," the sea on their left, and hills, " whereof a
round one called Eoseberry Topping is a mark for sailors," on
their right. They passed near Eunswick, —
"The place where near by the sea-side,, stood a little village
of six or ten houses the last Spring, of which I find from
credible persons the report we had of its- being swallowed up
of the earthy too true, though blessed be God, all the inhabi
tants were saved., they happening to be at a kind of wake
(as the old manner is) at the house of a person immediately
deceasedi, where observing the earth to crack and gape, made
all their escape; shortly after which, the chinks grew suddenly
wide, and the houses fell into the gulf." -*
* Dr. Young in his History of Whitby, published in 1817, says,—" The date
of this calamity is ascertained by this circumstance, that Fras. Calvert, who
died fifty-six years ago, at the age of 100, was known to have been three
years old when Euns-wick sunk," This makes the date 1664 instead of 1682,
but Thoresby's definite mention of " last spring " leaves no doubt about the

174

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

Eiding to the left of Mulgrave Castle, "that ancient fabric,"
through Lith or Lythe, and then over the sands, they reached
Whitby On Tuesday moming Thoresby viewed that town, with its
drawbridge across the harbour "after the Dutch manner"; the
abbey, the church, and Sir Hugh Cholmley's " most deUcate
and stately hall, supposed to be exceeded by few in England
for the bigness of it" : —
"The hall is of freestone, -with large courts and walks -with
iron grates, and a curious statue in solid brass as large as the
life in the midst of the square, with a delicate bowUng-green,
gardens, &c,, which are extremely pleasant."
Thoresby also mentions the old cross, which is still to be
seen there, and, as numbers have done since, he undertook
counting the steps when he descended from the churchyard,
and reports them " about one hundred and ninety." At the
foot of the cliff he cut with a knife from the hard, black
rock some of " the stony -wreathed serpents Camden mentions,"
and carried some with him when he left, " one especiaUy of
an extraordinary bigness." But he ascribed them to nature,
not to St. Hilda. He was told the story that Scott's Marmion
has made widely knovm, of the wild boar hunters, the slain
friar, and the yearly penance enjoined each Holy Thursday Eve
until it should then be high water, which, he sceptically says,—
"You must believe to be miraculously prevented;" afterward
explaining, — " but the miracle is taken awsty when we consider
that the festival is always upon such a day of the moon, which

matter, and the identity of his account and Dr. Young's, as to the wake,
and one house only escaping, preclude the supposition of two similar events.
If Calvert had been dead fifty-sir years in 1817, and was only three years
old at the fall of Eunswiok,Jw( age, instead of 100, was but 82. If really
100, he was more than three years old when Eunswick fell. Anyone acquainted
^vith Eunswick will readily conceive how a giving way of the cliff brought
down the whole village.

FROM A,D, 1679 TO 1683, 175
by a natural cause produces the same effect; viz,, that it is
always low water upon that eve." -*
Inquiring into the alleged death and downfall of wild geese
flying near the Abbey of holy St. Hilda, he, —
" Could only be thus far satisfied, that such fowls flying
in shoals do seldom alight there, in the Strand, as they call
their lordship, but fly to the island where is plenty of com,
the want whereof they look upon as the main cause,"
These explorations and investigations ended, they rode from
Whitby to Eobin Hood's Bay, thence over the sands to the
moors, and by Cloughton to' Scarborough, where they inspected
the Castle, Scarborough was then, as Thoresby says, " famous
for the medicinal waters," and before leaving next morning he
did not faU to visit the "noted Spa Well," And ha-ving further
viewed the to-wn, they " rode by country -villages to Bridling
ton, in good time." Thoresby here noted the streets, formerly
" troublesome to pass for dirt," but then well paved at the
cost of Sir William Hustler (whose seat he had passed at
Acklam f), except that, " as some say, the townsmen found their
own stones." He also mentions the Free School which the
same Sir William had founded at BridUngton, the town of his
grandfather, to whom the family owed its rise : —
" Mr. WilUam Hustler, draper (grandfather to Sir WUliam,
near Stockton), from a • mean fortune attained a vast estate,
partly by diligence and industry, partly by the kindness of a
rich old widow, who,' looking upon him as a careful young
man, encouraged him by lending him money to buy his cloth
* Here, Thoresby does but anticipate Dr. Young, who observes, — " It required
no great skill to foresee that it would never be high-water on Ascension Eve
at nine o'clock in the morning ; for the time of Ascension Day is determined
by that of Easter, which is regulated by the moon, and the moon regulates
the tides." Dr. Young traces the legend to the local custom of Horngarth.
t "William Hustler purchased, in the reign of Charles the First, the Manor
of Acklam ^n Cleveland of Sir JIatthew Boynton. — See Nichols' Topographer
and Genealogist, vol, i,, p, 497,

176

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,

at Wakefield, which he made sure to pay again -within the
time prefixed. She told him he need not have brought it
again; she had a great many more bags at his service, which
hint (verbum sat sapienti) he improved in courtship, and married
her; and now having a considerable stock, in a gainful trade,
he grew so exceedingly in estate and esteem, that after her
death, Mr. Sympson, of ... . gave him his daughter, and
a vast fortune, whereby his family was raised to a worshipful
degree. His son married one of the Saviles, and his grandson.
Sir WilUam Hustler, enjoys a plentiful estate."
Benefactors were always the subject of Thoresby's interest,
and he mentions, beside Sir WiUiam Hustler, a seaman, WilUam
Bower, who " by God's blessing upon his lawful endeavours
raised himself and* numerous family to a very plentiful estate,"
and founded another school at Bridlington. It was for the main
tenance and education of " poor children, in carding, spinning
and knitting of wool." The founder had died nearly twelve
years before Thoresby's visit.
Thoresby walked down " to the lower to-wn," BridUngton
Quay, " and the tide being in, saw a porpoise sporting within
some yards of the piers;" evidence of their constancy to the
same neighbourhood, for they may often be seen there still.
Pretty early on Thursday morning, the two travellers rode
by the sands to Barmston, where Sir Francis Boynton then had
a seat, and forward by Burton, Leven and Sutton to Hull,
where they "spent much of the afternoon in -viewing the town,
hospital, north and south ends." Next morning, after transcrib
ing in the church from monuments of the Listers, Skinners,
and Wincop, visiting a cousin Thoresby, and Alderman Field,
Thoresby spent "much of the day with Alderman Eichardson's
son, to whom engaged for a sight of the long parchment scroll,
with the list of the Mayors." * And here he met the two
* Still extant, and continued to the present time.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 177
saiUng-masters; Thomas Scheeman, with whom in July 1678, he
had gone to Holland ; and George Brook, in whose vessel he
retumed, and had been so nearly shipwrecked. "Towards even,"
Thoresby tells, "drank too freely (though not to ebriety)."
They did not return to Leeds direct, but rode on Saturday,
the 18th of November, —
"By Newland (rightly so caUed, for, I think, by the Dutch
like dykes and plenty of water in the marshes, it has but
lately been recovered from the waters) to Beverley."
Thoresby visited the Minster ; and among other things, he
mentions that in lately digging near Earl Percy's tomb "there
was found an ancient stone trough-like coffin (which I saw there
yet remaining) with a silver lamp, but cannot yet be informed
for whom." From Beverley, they rode by Bishops Burton and
Weeton-on-the- Wolds, " a market and church tovni," now called
Market-Weighton, to York.
Little more than a fortnight after Thoresby's return home,
his Halifax antiquarian friend Brearcliffe died, Oliver Heywood
says in his diary, 7th December 1682, — " My -wife and I rode
to the funeral of my dear friend Mr, John Brearcliffe, apothe
cary in HaUfax, my old hearer ; a very active, useful man.
Dr. Hooke preached on II Cor, v, 15 ; commended him, as
indeed he had good reason." But there is no mention of this
event in what remains to us of the diary of Thoresby, which
for this month is nearly a blank. Many years later he referred
to his "old friend Mr, Brearcliffe," and in another place men
tioned a cabinet of coins which had been his, and had become
the property of a Mr, Waddington, of Carlton, in Craven.
These coins are also mentioned in one of Dr. Nathanael John
stone's letters to Thoresby, in which he states that Mr. Brear
cliffe " had a great collection " of them. To Thoresby's Museum

178

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHEE.

Mr. Brearcliffe contributed "the Jaws of a Great Shark," which
the Catalogue describes, — "these are near two yards wide; there
are four, and in one place five rows of teeth visible; they are
white, broad and indented.''
From Thoresby's return after his tour north and east in
November to the end of 1682, his diary mentions nothing but
a, visit to Pontefract. He rode there on the day after Christmas
Day, in company with Mr. Eichard Bevot of Leeds, who is
said in the Ducatus to have been "well read in Ancient
and Modern History." He was the last male of a family which
eame from South Kirkby, some miles south of Pontefract, and
which, aeoording to his monument in the Leeds Parish Church,
had continued above six hundred years. He died in his 73rd
year, on the 30th of January 1709 ; and his Latin epitaph on
the monument records, among other virtues, that he was a man
" thoroughly hating fraud in all matters of commerce." In the
Ducatus, the- Arms of the Bevot family are engraved.
" 27 December. Forenoon spent with relations ; aftemoon
mostly with Dr. Johnston, viewing his curious collection of
rarities, which for some parts cannot be paralleled, and admiring
bis indefatigaJile industry in the multitude of his manuscript
volumes in folio."
Whatsoever might be Thoresby's advantage from Dr. John
ston's adopting him for a " son as to antiquities," he was not
left a useless son by the father who so adopted him. The
foUowing short letter, dated the 19th of January 1683, calls
upon him for a variety of services : —
"Worthy Sir,
" I have found the other book, and as soon as I have
thoroughly perused it I shall return it. . I shall send you the
proposals and enquiries I intend, as soon as I get them printed;
for, God willing, I am now resolved to hasten all that I

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 179
possibly can.* Mr. Milner, the Vicar, hath long promised me
an account of the charitable gifts of Mr. Harrison, and a short
account of his life and last will. I pray give my humble
service to him, and request him to remember it. I desire
also that you will get me an account of what occurred of
remark at Leeds, during the late war. If you have selected
any of your Saxon coins, such as you found not in the life of
King Alfred, you may safely convey them to me by the bearer,
a gentleman of my Lord EgUnton's.
* This evidently refers to his Topography of Yorkshire. As before said, it was
never published, but the following was issued (Lansdowne M.S.S, 889) : —
PEOPOSALS for
Printinq by Sdbscription in One Volume
in Folio,
COLLECTIONS from the
M,S.S. OF DE. NATHANAEL JOHNSTON
Eelating to the
ANTIQUITIES
of the
COUNTY OF YOEK.
I. In the method intended to be observed in this Volume, the Publisher •will begin
the Work from the South and South--We3t Parts of the County, adjoining
^ to the Counties of Nottingham and Derby, which will take in the Wapen
takes of Strafford and Tickhill, and Osgodcross, &c. , in the West Riding,
and thence will proceed in due order through the whole.
II. This Volume containing great variety of Draughts of Churches, Abbies and
Monasteries, Monuments, Arms, Seats of N oblemen and Gentlemen, Roman
and Saxon Fortifications, Roman Altars and Inscriptions, Maps of the par
ticular Wapontakes, with a general Map of the whole County, will make
about 170 sheets, to be printed on the same Paper and with the same
Letter as the Specimen annexed.
Ill, The Copper Plates shall be engraven by the best hand, which by reason of
their Number and Charge will make the price of this Book to the Sub
scribers two Guinueas, one to be paid in hand, and the other upon the
delivery of a Book in Sheets, which shall be published with all possible
expedition.
IV. The Names of Subscribers shall be printed, as Encouragers of the Work.
Subscriptions are taken in by the Editor, Henry Johnston, M.A., and Eector
of fVTiilton in Northamptonshire ; and WiUiam Bowyer, Printer, 'White
Friers, London.

180

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

"My brother, who Uves at Wakefield, having had a charge
able suit about some lands, and having at last settled them,
hath occasion for ,£150. If you or any friend of yours can
furnish him with such a sum, I and my eldest son at York
shall join with him in security; I desire therefore you will
befriend him in it, and I shaU take it as a favour done to
" Sir,
" Your very faithful servant,
" N. Johnston."
At least a part of these requests was compUed 'with. On
the day after the date of this letter, Thoresby was " perusing
and comparing ancient Saxon coins with those in King Alfred's
Life, to send them to Oxford, to be inserted, if different, in
the next edition," On the 25th of January he spent a portion
of the day with Dr. Johnston, in Leeds, " perusing some books
and coins," On the 18th of the following April : — ¦
"Morning, writing to Pontefract to Dr. Johnstone, and send
ing the Saxon coins to University CoUege in Oxford, whence,
after a full perusal, and inscriptions taken to be inserted in
King Alfred's Life, they are promised to be faithfully returned
me by Mr. Walker."
"10 May. Sent for by Dr. Johnston of Pontefract, my
adoptive father ; employed in procuring for him writings,
charters, inscriptions, benefactions and antiquities, relating to
this town and parish, to insert in his History of Yorkshire."
Johnston was then again in Leeds, " at Squire A.'s," and
on the 6 th, Sunday, had before summoned Thoresby there ;
whose compliance' " took up too much of this holy day." And
Thoresby considered himself ill-treated in return for his pains.
In the Review of his Life he says, —
" Dr. Johnstone was long an acquaintance of both my father
and myself; but though he called me his adopted son, and so
procured some quires of my notes, promised me transcripts of
some of his, I never got one sheet from him, and he got the
thanks in the printed edition of King Alfred's Life for the

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 181
Saxon coins that I transmitted by him; and neither my father's
name nor mine are so much as once named, though the pro
prietor of many therein engraved."
The work in question was a new edition of Spelman's King
Alfred. Obadiah Walker, at this time Master of University
College, Oxford, had made the Latin translation of Spelman's
work, published with notes at Oxford in 1678.
But it appears, from a letter of Dr. Johnston's dated 6th
February 1683, that about this time he gave to Thoresby some
aid concerning an intended publication : —
" I sent the Scotch minister, who is one of the undertakers
about the printing your manuscript De Hominio, with your
letter, and another from myself to Mr. Eoss, desiring him to
take an obligation under the hand of the gentleman, for the
safe delivery of the manuscript, but Mr. Eoss could not readily
find your former letter, and so desires that I will write to
you again for fresh orders, which shall be observed. The gen
tleman's name I sent is Macintosh, a worthy gentleman, whom
I have known more than twenty years. The other gentleman
is of the same nation, a Doctor in Divinity, both resident in
London, with their families, and I am sure they will most
thankfully and carefully restore it."
In the catalogue of Thoresby's Manuscripts in Quarto, the
one mentioned in the above letter is inserted, — " De hominio
disputaiio adversus eos qui Scoiiam feudum ligium Anglim, Regem
Scotorum eo nomine hominium Anglice debere asserunt. This learned
Treatise writ by Tho. Craig, Author of the Book de Feudis, was
translated into English, and printed 1693, with the title of
Scotland's Soveraignty asserted." It is now among the Lansdowne
M,S,S, in the British Museum. The subject of the treatise
explains why Dr. Johnston, who was himself of Scotch extrac
tion, addressed himself to Scotchmen. Its author. Sir Thomas
Craig of Eiccarton, had the now suppressed office of Justice-
Depute ; and he died at Edinburgh in 1608, Thoresby's

182

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

manuscript was a transcript from the original, as appears by
the foUowing passage of an "Advertisement to the Eeader "
prefixed to the translation :— " There are some few dates and
quotations on the margin left out, because wanting in the
Latin manuscript, as Page 83 and 144. The Transcriber, though
a good penman, yet hath neither understood Latin nor history
weU, nor was his copy ever perused by the Author." There is
no mention of Thoresby, but the advertisement concludes,—
" The Latin manuscript may be seen by those that have a
mind to it, at the Bookseller's." The translation, by George
Eidpath, was first published in London in 1695. When com
pleted, the pubUsher heard of another manuscript in the
Lawyer's Library at Edinburgh, and promised to consult it "if
ever we come to a Second Edition." There was a second edition
in 1698. Literary pursuits gave Thoresby other occupation at the com
mencement of 1683. Taking his sister during the second week
in January to Mr. Gunter's at Helaugh, he stayed the night,
and before returning next day, was !' all forenoon employed
with Mr. Gunter in his library, noting his manuscripts, lives,
funeral sermons, &c." Next day, at home, he spent the fore
noon in writing, and the evening with " perusing and marking
books in two catalogues sent by worthy Mr. Stretton." The
next week brought the already named employment upon coins for
Dr. Johnston; and on the 25th of January,^ —
" Morning, rode to Wakefield, thence with Mr, E. Beavot, to
Ackworth, where kindly entertained by honest Parson Bolton,
whose library kept me company for some hours; rest of time,
and much of the next day, —
" 26. Spent there in society of friends and relations ; part
of forenoon taking several inscriptions relating to Dr. Bradley,
the last Eector, who married the Lord Savile's daughter, very
memorable for constantly wearing a veil day and night, having

PROM A.D. 1679 TO 16SS. 183
made a vow no Englishman should see her face, and which,
according to the strictest account I can procure, she observed
till within six weeks of her death."
This was Frances, one of the daughters of Sir John, after
ward Baron Savile of Pontefract, by his wife Katherine, daughter
of Lord Willoughby of Parham. Her husband, Thomas Bradley,
D.D., was one of the chaplains to Ct\arles the First, who
appointed him to the rectories of Castleford and Ackworth,
belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster. In the subsequent
troubles, both livings were sequestered by the Parliament, and
Dr. Bradley, with his -wife and family, endured great hardships;
but he regained Ackworth at the Eestoration. This vow
probably had reference to the execution of King Charles the
First, and resembled the resolution of Sir Walter Scott's
ancestor, "Auld Beardie."
On the 2nd of February, Thoresby was occupied until three
in the afternoon with "writing, and perusing several authors
concerning the British affairs under the Eoman Conquests;" but
his account of this day has a curious ending. He had before
mentioned a Madam Dawkrey, and he now states that after his
morning's studies, and a consultation at Mr. Bryan Dixon's about
a necessary work of charity, he "spent not the evening so well
at dancing school with Madam D." Accustomed to see in Ealph
Thoresby only the antiquary and puritan, some may ask what
had he to do at a dancing school ? forgetting that he was at
this time a bachelor but twenty-four years of age. His attend
ance in this instance has preserved to us the information that
the provincial town of Leeds possessed a dancing school in the
latter part of the seventeenth century, in so far adding to our
knowledge of society at the period. But this passage of Thoresby's
diary is in the midst of others of very different import.
The very day when engaged with Dr. Johnston upon books
and coins he wrote, — " Too much disturbed — by a messuage

184

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.

from Mr. H., which I feared might stir up the magistrates
against us." Mr. H. seems to be Mr. HiU, whom Thoresby
visited in the evening, together with Mr. Kay and Mr. Bryan
Dixon; and probably Mr. HiU, a merchant living at Beeston,
brother to the minister at Eotterdam, author of the "Zealander's
Choice." They were sons of a former clergyman at Bramley,
near Leeds. Less than a week before Thoresby's visit to the
dancing school he, — "had some special friends at our house,
consulting how to order our meetings inoffensively, that we may
enjoy them in private." This was on the 27th of January,
and on Saturday, the 10th of February, he was again consulting
about the next day's meeting : —
"Till rather too late, in perusing the fourth part of the Con
formists' plea for the Nonconformists, containing several passages
in the north, the truth whereof we practically know. Lord, do
thou restrain the fury of the oppressor, and give us a sanctified
use of all our dispensations to thy afilicted servants for Christ's

On the Saturday after this Thoresby went to York, ha-ving
risen at five, first "-writing a bond, and dispatching the remainder
of my small concerns." He got there in good time, and. spent
the evening "in discourse with good Mrs, Hickson," The
purpose of his journey was to be ready for the York coach to
London on Monday morning. He gives no explanation why he
thus "went out of his way to travel in the new-fangled mode
of which he and his father showed . such contempt about four
yearS' before. It was not for expedition's sake; because instead
of 'bis customary four days on horseback the coach joumey to
London took six, beside the Saturday on which he rode to
York, and the intermediate Sunday. And he looked forward
to the journey with some apprehension, — "fearful of being
confined to a coach for so many days with unsuitable persons,
and not one I know of." But to begin with, an uncle and
cousin, from Bulmer accompanied him,.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1083. 185
About six miles from York, at Streethouses, his fears were
momentarily heightened, but soon allayed. The passengers were
there joined by the son of Archbishop Steme. The Archbishop
died in the following June at the age of eighty-seven, having
held the see of York since 1664; bequeathing to his Cathedral
208 ounces of silver communion plate. Thoresby gives this
account of the first day's journey : —
At Streethouse, took up a gentleman and his man, who
proved very good company, (not so hot as I feared, being the
Archbishop's son), Eichard Sterne, Esq., Parliament man for
Eipon; thence passed by Tadcaster, where took leave of uncle
and cousin Idle, then through Sherbum and MiUord to Ferry
Bridge, and thence after dinner to Doncaster, where we lodged,
and there took in Mr. H. and daughter."
Having viewed Doncaster church on Tuesday morning, Thoresby
travelled onward to Newark, passing on the way "the noted
eel -pie house." This place is mentioned by him on later occasions,
and always in association with Tuxford. It is also named in
the diary of James Fretwell, one of the Yorkshire Diaries
published by the Surtees Society; and the editor in a note
states his belief that the house was, and still may be near
Gamston, between East Eetford and Tuxford, which place " has
long enjoyed a reputation for the savoury fish referred to." The
coach did not pass through Tuxford, but left it to the right,
and got to Newark in time for Thoresby to transcribe from
monuments in the church, before spending the evening with his
fellow-travellers, or, as he says, "our company."
On Wednesday they travelled from Newark to Grantham and
Stamford. Grantham, " famous in my esteem for Bishop Fox's
benefactions, but it is chiefly noted of travellers for a peculiar
sort of thin cake, called Grantham Whetstones." Thoresby also
refers to a local proverb, — "It's height makes Grantham Steeple
stand awry." He spent the evening at Stamford, —

186 Ralph thoresby the topographer.
"In transcribing the monument of the famous and deservedly
bonourable Lord Burghley, that great, pious and moderate states
man, in Queen Elizabeth's reign, with the inscriptions upon the
stone and leaden CofBns in the Vault."
On Thursday, they advanced from Stamford to Bugden (also,
and more pleasantly, called Buckden), about four miles south
west of Huntingdon, where a palace of the Bishop of Lincoln's, —
"A very commodious, curious pleasant house, moated about.
In the church lie interred Bishop Barlow, whose monument is
most inhumanly defaced; and the famous Bishop Sanderson,
who lies under a flat, plain marble, -with a modest inscription."
On Friday they travelled through Biggleswade to Stephenage;
and Thoresby concludes his account of his first stage-coach
journey from Yorkshire to London, ending on Saturday, 24 Feb
ruary 1683, as follows :—
"Forenoon, passed by the noble, Kingly Palace, at Hatfield,
the seat of the Earl of Salisbury (whose Countess is lately
deceased)-* than which, a more stately, pleasant fabric can scarce
be imagined. Thence to Bamet ; thence through a continued
town, as it were (excepting some pleasant fields and Enfield
Chase intermixed) by Highgate, where there is a most deUcate
Hospital and Free School, to London. Spent the evening at my
good cousin Dickenson's, where I find undeserved favours stiU
continued to me.''
On Sunday, notwitLstanding his long journey, Thoresby was
three times at Divine service. In the morning he heard Mr.
Slater, whose chapel in Crosby Square he had attended -with
the Dickenson's, when in London for the first time. In the
afternoon he heard Eichard Kidder, who eight years later
became Bishop of Bath and Wells, having pre-viously held the
Deanery of Peterborough; and who "made an excellent discourse

* Margaret, daughter of John Manners, Earl of Eutland and wife of James,
third Earl of Salisbury, who also died in this year, 1683.

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 187
from Joshua's resolution, 'As for me and my house we will
serve the Lord.' " And in the evening, —
" Went to hear worthy Mr. Stretton, in his o-wn family,
where he preached from this doctrine, that God's greatest gift
next to his giving Christ to suffer for our sake, is to give us
grace to suffer for his sake."
Thoresby remained over five more Sundays in London, but
the one following is the only one of which his diary gives
account. He again went to hear Mr. Slater, in the morning;
and afterward to the Eoll's Chapel with the design of hearing
Dr. Burnet, within six weeks made Bishop of SaUsbury. Burnet
did not preach; but Thoresby heard his fellow Yorkshireman,
" the worthy Dr. TiUotson " (who in seven years became Arch
bishop of Canterbury), —
" Discoursing very judiciously and charitably conceming rash
censure, that because God chastises some in an extraordinary
way, that therefore they must needs be greater sinners : show
ing, that though we may sometimes see the clear hand of God
in our punishment, when the sin is accompanied in diseases
that are a natural consequence of it, yet we ought to be very
modest and charitable in our observations ; and, therefore,
justly blamed the Papists for attributing all the calamities that
have befallen this nation to our forsaking their idolatries."
Dining -with an kcquaintance in Leicester Fields, —
" Was importuned to go to Westminster Abbey and St. Mar
garet's, which I was the rather inclined to because it was
supposed Dr. Sprat and the Bishop of Eochester * would preach;
but was disappointed in both, and had not my expectations
answered in either sermon, both being too full of severity, and
censuring those that dissent from the Church. Oh, good Lord !
heal our breaches, compose our differences, and grant those that
* .John Dolben, who was translated to York in the following July. His
immediate successor at Eochester was Francis Turner, Dean of Windsor; but
on his translation to Ely in 1684, the see of Eochester was given to Dr. Thos.
Sprat, Dean of Westminster, where, also, he had succeeded Dolben.
13

188 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER..
profess the same faith may live in brotherly love and kindness,
without these animosities : and be graciously pleased 0 Lord !
to influence the hearts of all men, especially those in authority,
to favour thy righteous cause ; and grant that those who profess
thy name may demean themselves with purity, piety and blame-
lessness, that none may have just cause of reproach."
Subsequently, on a Thursday morning, Thoresby heard Dr.
Burnet at St. Clement's,-* and reports that he " made an ex
cellent sermon;" and one Friday, visiting the Temple, he heard
Dr. John Sharp, of whose sermon in Leeds a year and a half
before he gave so long an account. But on this occcasion he
heard the latter portion only of Dr. Sharp's discourse; for the
first object of his visit to the Temple was "to see cousin Idles,
which took up too much time." On another day he mentions
ha'ving the company of his cousin E. Idle; and Eobert Idle,
son of the eldest of Thoresby's maternal uncles, having married
a cousin, the sister of the unfortunate Mrs. Stubbs, had by her
a son, John Idle, who was a student in the Middle Temple.
During his five weeks in London, Thoresby paid some -visits
to Blackwell Hall, but he appears to have spent much more time
at the shop of a bookseller, Mr. Wright, with whom he one
day dined, and of whom he .' doubtless made purchases ; for he
speaks of one forenoon when he was "mostly at Mr. Wright's
looking out books." He also names other two bookseUers whom
he called upon, Allsop and Parkhurst; and besides books, he
bought the " effigies of many noted persons." He " walked in
Moorfields, picking up some old pieces," but he does not say
what they were. He again saw the " ingenious and innocent
show" of Paradise, accompanied by "cousin Milner f and bride,
* He had before been there, and says that it was " accounted the most
delicate church in London for workmanship."
t Joseph Milner of Eotterdam, to whose house Thoresby first ' went when
in Holland. He and his younger brother, Benjamin Milner of Amsterdam,
married two sisters, Anne and Sarah, the daughters of Smart Goodenough, Esq.,

FROM A.D. l(i79 TO 1CS3. 189
Dr. Bright, &c.," who had just been -with him at Mr. Wright's.
He spent one forenoon at Westminster Hall and Abbey, tran
scribing some monuments,'' and -with his cousin Dickenson he
visited Mr. Foster, " Clerk to the College of Physicians, a civil
obUging person, by whose interest viewed the College and
pictures.'' Cousin Dickenson also went with Thoresby, about a week
after his arrival in London, —
" To -visit honest Captain Wilkinson, under confinement for
debt, which, was it a hundred times more, deserved to be paid
out of the common treasury, for the public service he did to
the whole nation, and the Protestant interest.''
In Thoresby's Review of his life there is the following : —
" Honest Captain Wilkinson, formerly of Leeds, a great
Eoyalist, but in straits, yet had the honesty to refuse a con
siderable pension, 500?. per annum, tendered him if he would
swear High Treason against the Earl of Shaftesbury, of which
see tho Captain's printed narrative, and the Life of the said
Eari." The latter work, " Rawleigh Redivivus, or the Life and Death
of the Eight Honourable Anthony, late Earl of Shaftesbury,"
an eulogistic account of the Earl, was published in the same
year in which Thoresby paid this visit, 1683"; and in it, after
some details of Booth's evidence implicating Captain Wilkinson,
there is an advertisement reprinted from No, 65 of Janeway's
Intelligence, wherein Wilkinson offers two several rewards of five
guineas each to anyone who can bring forward certain proofs
in confirmation of specific statements that Booth had made
concerning the purchase of a horse. There was no response to
this chaUenge.
merchant of London, and iu 1G98 Sheriff of Somorsct.^iire. Goodenough became
the owner of an estate at Larton in Somersetshire, and he lived there for many
years. On his death, about 1720, it p.-issod to William Earle, Esq., Scrjeant-
ut-liuv, who hod mi-uriod another J.i'.i^iitir.— See ColliaMii's Suuunet.

190 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
While in London, Thoresby met with his friend "honest
Mr. Elkanah Hickson," who had just returned from Flanders;
and he was frequently at Mr. Stretton's, with whom he one
day called upon " Mr. Steel, author of that exceUent and
profitable tract against Distractions,'' ¦* but his intercourse with
Mr. Stretton mainly concerned certain aims at matrimony which
proved abortive, and of which more hereinafter. At length,
having added to his other purchases some " odd things " for
himself and friends, and ha-ving taken leave of " poor cousin
Stubbs," for whom he prays, — " Lord remember her in mercy ! "
on the morning of Wednesday the 4th of April, Thoresby again
entered the stage-coach to return home. About haU-a-dozen
more took places along -with him, and he had good company
to Highgate. There, he lamented -want of time to transcribe
fully inscriptions at the Free School, recording its foundation
by the Yorkshireman Sir Eoger ChoUnley, Knt., Lord Chief
Baron, and the addition of a chapel by " the famous Bishop
Sands ;" t but at Welwyn, where they dined, he added to his
collection an inscription upon the church, a poor ruinated
building in which a breach had been made, and of which the
minister was Dr. Gabriel Towerson, " whose printed works are
said to be much esteemed." I They lodged the first night at
* " Antidote against Distractions in the Worship of God," published in
1667. Its author, Eichard Steele, M.A., a Nonconformist minister residing in
London, is mentioned by Calamy.
t Lysons, in his Environs of London, points out that Grindall, not Sandys,
was Bishop of London in 1565, and that the statement in the inscription of
the chapel having in that year been built by Sandys, Bishop of London, is,
therefore, a mistake. Edwyn Sandys was then Bishop of Worcester, and he
did not succeed Grindall until 1570. Lyson's further states, that Grindall's
coat of arms is inserted in one of the windows along vrith that of Sir Eoger
Cholmley, ' the founder of the school in 1562.
} Dr. Towerson, Eector of Wel-wyn from 1662 to 1697, a living in the gift of
AU Souls', Oxford, of which College he was Fellow, -wrote several works upon the
Creeds, Decalogue, Lord's Prayer and Sacraments ; but much as they may have
been esteemed at the time, they have not had the fortune to be remembered
like the "Night Thoughts" of one of his successors, Dr. Edward Young.

FROM A.D. 1079 TO 1683. 191
" Bigglesworth," otherwise Biggleswade ; but there he found
" nothing observable but a deUcate new Inn, with a curious
bowUng-green as can easily be met with."
The joumey home took less time than had the journey to
London. On Thursday they dined at Huntingdon,-* and slept
at Stamford; on Friday (it was Good Friday), they dined at
Newark and lodged at Bamby-on-the-Moor ; and on Saturday,
dining at Feriybridge, but not finding there a horse, as he
had expected, Thoresby went on in the coach to Tadcaster.
There he left it, rode to Mr. Gunter's at Healaugh for his
sister, and at night arrived safely at Leeds -with her, " though
very late.''
Thoresby carried home with him a letter from Mr. Stretton,
written by his own desire, but to whom addressed does not
appear. It has been printed in Thoresby's correspondence, and
gives account of troubles and persecution which had befallen
Mr, Stretton, and still hung over him. It is dated on the 31st
of March 1683, and from the foUowing extract we find that
, immediately before Thoresby's arrival in London Mr. Stretton had
not dared to show himself publicly, although Thoresby's frequent
mention of him in the diary does not imply anything of it : —
" You cannot but have heard how I was the first minister
within the walls that was assaulted for to seize my person
* Thoresby inspected the churches at Huntingdon, and he observed that there
were no monuments to the Cromwell family, although it was the birthplace
of OUver. If the Parish Eegister had been shown to him, he might have
enriched the "Collection" to which he often refers -with the follo'wing: —
"Anno 1599.
"England's plague tor five years" (having a line through it). "Oliverius filius
Koherti Cromwell, Generosus, et Elizabethse ux. ejus, natus vicesimo quinto die
Aprilis et Baptisatus vicesimo none ejusdem mensis."
"1621, Oliverius f. Eoberti reprehensis coram toto ecclesia pro factis."
"1628 Ano Oliverius Cromwell fuit poenitentius cora toto ecclesia."
The Huntingdon register about this time is beautifully written, and the
clerk by whom it w.is then kept has given his name, stating that it had been
written by him.

192 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
and estate (when they beset my house for several hours, and
threatened to break open my doors, which we expected every
moment, when many hundreds were spectators of it); and yet
God preserved us; and by removal of the best of our goods,
and careful keeping of our doors (when they used an hundred
arts to circumvent and surprise us) and putting on, for some
time, a disguise, we were kept in peace. But when I saw my
Lord Mayor's -* unexpected indulgence to ministers tbat were
taken and brought before him, that he imposed no oaths, nor
reflected it upon them as a crime to live in a corporation, I
laid down my disguise, and for these five weeks have gone
securely without it; and I have seen much of the providence
of Gpd in it. But lately they have risen higher, and as if
Uberty and estate had been little, they have struck at my
life." Mr. Stretton narrates at considerable length an attempt, so
far fraitless, to implicate him in a charge of high treason along
with Gilbert HoUes, third Earl of Clare, and his steward; with
Colonel Algernon Sydney, and two more. In preface to it aU
he says, —
" It seems strange to me that I should be such an eyesore
to them, that stand so Uttle in their way, and make such an
inconsiderable figure in the world, not capable by any part or
interest to be made great, or much known in the world, but
by their prosecution of me. And of all crimes I least expected
to have, treason charged upon me, who have been judged too
monarchical in my principles ; and for hearty praying for the
King, and my moderation in principles and practices to the
Church, many have been offended, and would no longer hear
me, nor walk any more with me. But we live in an age
wherein innocency is no securitj-. If Jesabel -write letters in
Ahab's name, and send them to the elders of Jezreel, they
-will, upon the evidence of two sons of BeUal, con-rict and
* Sir William Pritchard, elected in the pre\'iou5 October after so close a
contest, that at the wish of all the parties a scrutiny was held before the
declaration. The numbers eventually declared 'were, — Pritchard, 2,138; Sir
Thomas Gold, 2,12-1 ; Mr. Corni=h, 2,093,

FROM A.D. 1079 TO 1683.' 193
condemn innocent Naboth, and think that they do God and
the King good service, in going according to (that which they
caU) evidence."
'The evidence was contemptible enough, mainly that of a
dissatisfied tenant of the Earl of Clare's, " that Uved," says
Mr. Stretton, " near the place I preached in, in Middlesex,
which belonged to the said Earl (for which they have convicted
him for 300?. for the place, and me as much for preaching in
it)." The case was brought before the Privy Council, but the
letter continues, —
" Several there saw it was a maUcious, ridiculous design,
and the King perceived it, and said he would dismiss it from
the Council to Secretary Jenkins (who is reported, though no
excellent plot-maker, yet well skilled in plots) to see what he
could make of it.''
After this it was thought there was an end to the business,
but there appears to have been a persistent effort, in some
quarter, to keep it alive. Lord Chief Justice Pemberton was
deputed to examine into it ; and appended to the letter is this
postscript, written upon the day before Thoresby's departure, —
"I scribbled this on Saturday night, expecting Mr. Thoresby
would go on Monday, and now on Tuesday we know not
much more; but the confident rogue appears again, and brags
he hath got more M'itnesscs. We have found how he hath
been with Lcstrango four hours together, and it is thought he
hath enlarged his evidence to four sheets, wrote close on both
sides : we hope to get a copy of it. On Monday, the Lord
Chief Justice' caused my Lord's Steward to subscribe his answers :
it is to be showed the King, and, it is said, to_;^morrow in
Council they will have the business before them. I hope yet
they will have a good issue of it; though we see what they
design and endeavour, if they could effect it."
On the morning after Thoresby's return home, the newly-
married Mr. and Mr.s. Joseph Milner, who, it seems, had pre
ceded him to Leeds, accunipanicd him to hear Mr. Kay of

194

RALPH THORESBY TIIE TOPOGRAPHER,

St. John's. It was Easter Sunday, and Thoresby says, that
Mr. Kay "made a serious affectionate discourse, as always, of
the power of Christ's resurrection to the mortification of sin."
Thoresby then dined at " cousin MUner's " (the younger of the
three brothers, who remained in Leeds, with whom the bride
and bridegroom were probably staying), and in the evening he
heard a second sermon appropriate to the day, from Laurence
Benson, Mr. Kay's successor as Lecturer at the Parish Church,
On .the folio-wing Friday he " thought to have stolen an oppor
tunity to hear a good sermon, but was prevaUed -with, by the
importunity of several messengers, to spend this day, as too
many, with relations, in mirth and jollity at Kirkstall Abbey."
A pleasure party to the ruins is no new thing. There is little
doubt that the sermon which Thoresby missed was at one
of the forbidden assemblies; and if so, on the next Sunday
forenoon he had compensation in an " opportunity for riding
three or four miles to hear Mr. Sharp.'' And considering how
he was employed on this Sunday morning, it is rather amusing
to find him in the afternoon sitting under a preacher whom
he thus reports: —
"Mr. Cyprian Hunter preached at the old church ; but made
a sermon more suitable to his stature than to his pedigree,
descended from so excellent a father, and which became him
worse, because reflecting upon the Nonconformists as praying
nonsense, in not being tied up to their forms. But alas I it
is no new thing for this sinful compliant generation to trample
upon the precious ashes of their religious ancestors."
He spent the evening in the Nonconformist's exercise of
" repetition," that is, repeating some sermon which had been
written by a hearer of it ; and after this in " reading Bishop
Eeynold's Meditation upon Peter's fall."
Near the end of the month, Thoresby spent a couple of
days at York; where, first of aU^ he took more copies of

FROM A.D. 1679 TO 1683. 195
inscriptions. He dined the first day at Alderman Francis
Elcock's, a grocer who in 1677 had been Lord Mayor, and
whose collection of coins and medals found Thoresby occupation
when dinner was over. Through Alderman Elcock's introduc
tion, he also " had the happiness of a little discourse -with
Dr. Comber, a great antiquary, as well as eminent Divine."
Not long after this. Dr. Thomas Comber was made Precentor
of York Minster, and he did good service to its Ubrary by
classifying and cataloguing the books, to which the widow of
Archbishop Matthews had added 3,000 volumes, formerly belong
ing to her husband. Again Thoresby -visited a dancing-school,
"¦with cousins and young ladies;" whence he went to "the
exercise, though at a private house," which continued " tiU
pretty late in the evening." Before returning home next day
he was out with a Mr. Boldero, and " the most ingenious "
Dr. Martin Lister, whom Drake in his Eboracum calls " our
celebrated physician, philosopher and antiquary;" but Thoresby
modestly adds that he spent " most of the day in less under
standing (though thereby more fit for my) company."
On the 7th of May he writes, — " Morning, with Mr. Sharp,
about subscriptions to a new impression of the Martyr books
and Dr. Manton's works." ¦* This is explained by a letter which
Mr. Stretton had written to him on the 2Bth of April, which
commences, —
" I received your subscription to Mr. Fox's Martyrs by
Mr. Dickenson, and it brought him freely to offer his, that
* The ninth edition of Eox's "Acts and Monuments," published in three
volumes foUo, in 1684. It was thus advertised in the Gazette of the 5th of
March 1683 : — " The reprinting of Mr. Foxe's Book of Martyrs with the Eigures
engraven on Copper Plates, is proposed to be done by Subscription, at Forty-
five shillings for one compleat Copy in Quires, Twenty shillings to be paid
in hand, the rest on Delivery. Those that subscribe for six shall have a
seventh Gratia. No more will be Printed but what are subscribed for." Sub
scribers were to send in their names by the 1st of May.
The works of Dr. Manton, whose funeral at Stoke-Nevidngton Thoresby
attended when first in London, consist of his sermons.

^^^ RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
now I want but one for a subscription to a set of the large
paper. I have sent you enclosed, some proposals of a second
volume of Dr. Manton's, if you can promote it with you; if
you can get a set for yourself I shaU be glad of it, or if
not, if you can get me but one or two I shaU be thankful.
If you send one to Mr. Whitaker, it is probable he will get
a set among his people; and if they return it to me I will
take care of it. The former volume (which now is not to be
got for above thirty shilUngs, and not thirty left of them)
the book-sellers had the benefit of; but this is designed for
the benefit of good Mrs. Manton, who stands in need of it.
That worthy man left his family as low, though, through the
blessing of God, his children are like to do as well,' as any
minister's in London: this may induce some charitably disposed
to subscribe, though the book will be weU worth their money,
and if the Protestant religion continue be as good as plate."
Mr. Stretton concludes this letter by again proposing an
exchange : —
" If you have a mind to part with that old Popish manu
script of that banished man, or any other you do not much
value, if you will send them to me I will give yon books for
them to your content, if you let me know what you desire."
On the 31st of May 1683, Thoresby thus finishes the first
volume of his diary : —
" Alas ! how little of my time is spent in the business for
which it was chiefly granted that for which I was created.
Alas ! it is not enough to keep from being ill employed, or
to be employed in things that, in some respects, are necessary,
and perhaps commendable in their season, if I do not spend
more of my time about the main thing, the unum necessarium,
which, I fear, is too much slighted. How are the most neces
sary duties frequently omitted, postponed, or performed in a
most transitory casual manner — too little time devoted to • them,
too little life or vigour exercised therein ! Lord, help me to
improve riiy time better for the future ; more to the glory of
thy name, to the good of others, my own soul, and those

FROM A.D. 1079 TO 1683. 197
orphans by thy Providence under my tuition! Help me so to
discharge my duty in every respect, that when thou shalt give
me a summons before thy tribunal, I may be afcle, through the
merits of my blessed Eedeemer, to give up my accounts with
joy for Christ's sake."

ADDITIONAL NOTES.
"And three others on Chapeltown Moor." Page 53.— Their
names are given in the Leeds Parish Eegister of Burials, 19
January 1663,— "Eob' Adkin, Henry Watson, and John Errington
executed at Chappeltowne."
Knaresborough Spa-~Harroga.fe.~Pa.ges 88, 113 and 155.
In the first year of the reign of King Charles the First
there was published : —
"SPADACEENE AJSTGLICA
or
THE ENGLISH SPAW FOVNTAINE,
By Edmund Deane, Dr. in Physicke, Oxon.
dwelling in the City of Yorke.
London: 1626. Sold by Richard Foster, necre the Minster Gate
in Yorke."
This work was dedicated to " The Physitians of Yorke ";
and having named other four wells at and near Knaresborough,
Dr. Deane continues, —
" The fifth and last (for which I have principally under
taken this discourse) is an acide, or tart fountaine in the
said Forest, commonly named by the vulgar sort, Tu&whit well,
and the English Spaw, by those of better ranke, in imitation
of those two most famous acide fountaines at the Spaw in
Germany, to wit, Sauvenir and Pouhon: whereof the first (being
the prime one) is half a league from the Spaw, or Spa village,
the othet is in the middle of the towne."

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Of the discovery of the Knaresborough spripg he gives this
account, —
" The first discoverer of it to have any medicinall quality
(so far forth as I can learn) was one Mr. William Slingesby,
a Gentleman of many good parts, of an ancient and worthy
Family neere thereby; who having travelled in his younger
time, was thoroughly acquainted with the taste, use and faculties
of the two Spaw fountaines."
" In his latter time, about 55 yeares agoe, it was his good
fortune to live for a little while at a grange house in Bilton
Park aU his Ufe long,-* who drinking of. this water, found it
in all things to agree with those at i\e Spaw. Whereupon,
greatly rejoicing at so good and fortunate an accident) he made
some further triall and assay: that done, he caused the foun
taine to be well, and artificially walled about, and paved at
the bottome (as it now is at this day) with two faire stone
flags, with a fit hole in the side thereof, for the free passage
of the water through a little guttered stone. It is open at
the top, and walled somewhat higher than the earth, as well
* By this seems to be intended that he lived at Bilton Park during the
remainder of his life. The WiUiam Slingsby spoken of was, there is little
doubt, a younger brother of the Sir Francis Slingsby whose eifigy Hes beside
that of his -wife, a Percy, upon an altar-tomb in the Slingsby chapel iu the
church of Knaresborough. Francis was the eldest, WilHam the fourth son of
Thomas Slingsby of Scriven, aud he was buried at Knaresborough on the 8th
of October 1606. He had an uncle, brother of Thomas Slingsby, who in
Glover's Visitation is described as Peter SHngsby of BHton Park, and whose
only child, a daughter, married. The nephew may have succeeded him at the
" Grange House." A nephew of this WiUiam Slingsby's, Sir WiUiam SHngsby
of Kippax, has been too hastUy credited by some with the discovery of the
Spa. But he- was born in 1562, and therefore only eight or nine years old
at the time when Deane states the spring to have been found; and Deane's
account manifestly implies that the discoverer had been dead for some years.
This does not agree with the date of Sir WUHam's death, which, according
to some editions of Hargrove, was in 1634, and to others, 1624. In the one
case, he w%s living when Deane wrote, and he had only been dead a couple
of years in the other. It is rather remarkable, that although Sir WiUiam is
said by the inscription upon his momunent to have been born at Knares
borough, his baptism is not in the register of the church ; where, nevertheless,
are entered the baptisms of two brothers, one born the year before him, and
the other the year after. Nor does it contain any entry of his burial, though
his very interesting monument, with a fine statue of him, is in the Slingsby
chapel.

ADDITIOXAL NOTES,
to keepe out filth, as cattle from comming and approaching it.
It is foure square, three foot wide, and the water within is
about three quarters of a yard deepe .... The above
named Gentleman did drinke the water of this Fountaine every
year after all his Ufe time, for helping his infirmities, and
maintaining of his health, and would oftentimes say and averre,
that it was much better, and did exceU the tart fountaines
beyond the seas, as being more quicke and lively, and fuller
of mineral spirits; effecting his operation more speedily, and
sooner passing through the body."
Dr. Deane then adds, — "Moreover Doctor Timothy Bright of
happy memory, a learned Physitian (whUe hee Uved, my very
kind friend and familiar acquaintance) first gave the name of
the English Spaw unto this Fountaine about thirty yeares since,
or more. For he also had spent some time at the Spaw in
Germany; so that he was very able to compare those with this
of ours. Nay, hee had furthermore so good an opinion, and
so high a conceit of this, that hee did not only direct, and
advise others to use it, but himselfe also (for most part)
would use it in the Sommer season." *
Doctor Anthony Hunter, "late of Newark," had expostulated
with Deane and the other Yorkshire physicians for not making
this spa more public by writing upon it.
In the same year, 1626, Dr. Michael Stanhope -wrote : —
" Newes out of Yorkshire, or an_ account of a journey, in the
True discovery of a soveraign Minerall, Medicinall Water, in
the West Eiding of Yorkshire, neere an ancient Towne called
Knaresborough, not inferior to the Spa in Germany. Also a
* Timothy Bright, M,D,, a divino as well as physician, was Eector of
Methley near Leeds, and author of a " Treatise of Melanoholie " and some
other works. It has sometimes been stated that he was the first -writer upon
Knaresborough Spa; but this seems to be founded upon a misconception of
Dr, Deane's statement. No one has given the title of his supijosed book or
pamphlet, and there is no mention of the spa in the above-named Treatise,
which was pubUshed in London. It has a dedication " To the Eight
Worshipful Mr, Peter Osbovrne," dated from " litle S. Bartlemowes by Smith-
field the 23 of May 1586,"

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
taste of other Mineral Waters of severall natures adjoining."
This was also published in London, but without a date upon
the title page. It was dedicated to Lady Katherine Stanhope,
wife of PhiUp Stanhope, Baron of Thelford.
Speaking of the "Tuit WeU," Dr. Stanhope says,— " Of this
Spring (I have hearde) two neighbouring gentlemen of ancient
descent, the one SUngesbey, the other Inglebey, did -for many
yeares ordinarily drink." He then relates that in the summer
of 1625, he and Dr. Deane, "accompanied with a worthy Knight
and judicious admirer, and curious speculator of rarities, and
three other physitians of allowable knowledge," took a guide
from Knaresborough to the well, "upon a rude, barren Moore.''
Although enclosed with stone, and paved at the bottom, as
it is said also in Deane's book, they found that the well had
apparently been " long forgotten." Being choked -with " filth,"
it had, in the first place, to be cleansed, and other waters
kept out — the work of an hour. " Then," says Stanhope, " the
Physitians began to try their experiments. But' first I dranke
of it, and finding it to have a perfect Spa relish (I confesse)
I could not contain, but in a tone lowder than ordiiiary I
bade them welcome to the Spa. . . . You may suppose
(being met together at our Inne, where we found ourselves
very well accommodated for our pro-vision) we could find no
other talk but of this our new Spa." They re-visited it the
next day, also a spring in Bilton Park, another a mile distant
called Pigeon Spring, and at night returned to York,-*

* A century later, Dr, Short wrote : — " Hither also the Pidgeons resort from
all Parts about to pick up the candied Sea-salts, which are much stronger here
than at the Sea, because of the adherent Sulphur. This Place and the Forest
were formerly so thick of Wood, that he was thought a cunning Fellow, that
could readily find out those Spaws, tho' there is not now one tree out of the
Park.'' Near Bilton Hall, and in close proximity to "Pigeon Farm," an
excellent mild sulphur spring has been jireserved and protected, . Very probably
it is luie of tlie two here spoken of.

ADDITIONAL NOTES.
Dr. Stanhope states also, — "In the latter end of this Summer
(1626) there was another Spring discoverd by Dr. Leake, a
Phy,sitian of Yorke, a mile nearer the Towne of Knaresborough
than is the Tuit- Well." It was held to be as good as the other.
These publications re-vived the knowledge of the Knares
borough chalybeate, and served to increase its reputation beyond
what it had been during the lifetime of its discoverer. Eight
years later, Dr. Stanhope put out a second book: —
" CUBES
WITHOUT CAEE,
or
a summons to all such who finde little or no
helpe by the use of ordinary physick to repaire
to the Northerne Spa. Wherein
By many Presidents of a few late yeares,
it is evidenced to the world, that infirmities in
their own nature desperate and of long conti-
nance have received perfect recovery.
By vertue of Minerall waters neare Knaresborow
in the West Eiding of Yorkshire.
Also a description of the said water, and of other
rare and usefull springs adjoyning, the nature and
efficacie of the Minerals contained in them, with
other not impertinent notes.
Faithfully collected for the publique good
by M. St.
TiBUL.
. — • felix quicunque dolore
Alter ius disces posse car ere tuo.
London.
Printed by William Jones, dwelling in Eed-Crosse-Street.
16.32."

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Stanhope's second work was dedicated to Thomas, Lord Went
worth, of Wentworth Woodhouse, none other than the cele
brated and unfortunate Earl of Strafford. The " Tuit WeU "
is said is to be "distant from Knan-esborow (being a'place very
apt to accommodate strangers plentifully both for diet and
lodging) about a mile and a halfe." Dr. Leake's new discovery
is not mentioned, but Stanhope dwells much upon one of his
own: —
" This last Summer 1631, it was my hap to discover a new
Spring distancing itself about a quarter of a mile from the
other, which after it had been trenched, and opened, did give
satisfaction to all (that were not partial) that it deserves a
better degree of estimation than the other. I would be loath
to disparage the old spring, yet I must take leave to presume
that this late found Spring doth exceed the other in these
following particulars, which whether they give lustre to it by
way of excellency or no, I submit to the judgement of the
learned." Dr. Stanhope then alleges in the first place that his well
is in the better situation, being in firm ground, and the other
in boggy ; secondly, that it changed colour more quickly " in
the Triall vrith the Gall " (an infusion of galls turning these
waters purple, being the esteemed proof of their virtue);
thirdly, — " Divers who have tryed this water voluntarily affiirme
that they can with more ease, and with lesse nauciousnesse of
the stomach, drink 20 glasses of it than 14 of the other,
which, (if I mistake not) shewes a great measure of repletnesse
of Spirits;" fourthly, he says, the water of his weU had "as
brisque a taste " when carried as far as York, as the other
at the spring head. Dr. Stanhope's concluding assertion would,
if tme, be now thought anything but a recommendation, but
he argues on the principle of more good things and better: —
" It is most aparant that this late found spring hath an
admixture of Brimstone, besides the iron and vitriall, which

ADDITIOXAL NOTES.
I take to be an aditament of worth and noblenesse, for the
more variety of minerall (say the best observers of these
waters) the more proper for diversity of distempers, and that
sulpher springs are profitable in the infirmities of the Lungs,
there is no doubt to bee made, having also a healing qualitie,
and therefore fitly appliable to any inward ulcerated part by
which the water shall passe."
" This Spring," continues its discoverer, " upon examination
(proving in all points desirable) excellent, was this last Summer
set -with stone, where it now stands upon its triaU, and doth
boldly challenge any of the same nature." Whatsoever their
relative merits, " St. John's Well," as Dr. Stanhope's is now
called from its proximity to the church thus dedicated, and the
" Tewit Well," both continue principally to furnish the Harro
gate chalybeate waters, but those who drink them are cautioned
against mingling them with the sulphur.
Of the discovery of the sulphur springs there is no record ;
but they appear to have been known as early as the other, and
in the 17th century the two were distinguished as the " sweet "
and "stinking" Spas. On the first visit of Drs. Deane, Stanhope
and their associates to the Slingsby well, their guide took them,
according to Stanhope, a mile further, to a sulphur spring. Dr.
Deane says in his book there were three "stinking wels;" one
in Bilton Park (then the King's empaled, and well stocked with
fallow deer), having " the greatest current or streame of water."
"The other two," he says, "are in the sayd Forest (Knaresbro') ;
one is neare vnto the towne; the other is further off, almost
two miles from it, beyond a place called Haregate liead, in a
bottome on the right hand of it, as yon goe, and almost in
the side of a little brooke." This accurately describes the situa
tion of the sulphur springs of Harrogate at this day.
In his second work of 1632 Stanhope also mentions three
different sulphur springs, not a mile distant from one- another;
14

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
and he enumerates some five and twenty cases of reUef from'
one kind or other of the waters, a list which ranges from the
Countess of Buckingham, Lady Vavasour, and the wife ' of a
Lord Mayor of York, Lady Hoyle, down to the Wetherby post
master and others of humbler rank The nineteenth of the
number ends the narration of cures by the Spaw proper, the
others belonging to the sulphur weUs: — "Mrs. Sadler daughter
to that same reverend sage of the Law Sr. Edward Cooke (let
her pardon me that I close the relations of the Spaw with
her name, who for her worth and excellent parts deserves to
be rank'fc and equalled with the best of her sexe) came to the
Spaw in the yeare 1630." Her complaint was a fixed pain in
the head, and she found benefit enough to induce a second
visit in 1631. This account much contrasts with the one given
eight years earUer of the neglected Tewit WeU.
Next appeared, —
"THE YOEKSHIEE SPAW,
or a
TEEATISE
of four famous Medicinal Wells, viz., the Spaw,
or VitrioUne-WeU ; the stinking, or Sulphur- WeU ;
the Dropping, or Petrifying WeU; and St. Mug-
retts-WeU, near Knaresborow in Yorkshire.
Together
"With tlie causes, vertues, and use thereof.
Composed by John French, Dr. of Physick.
London,
Printed for E. Dod, and N. Ekins, and are
to be sold at the Gun, in Ivy Lane. 1652."
Dr. French explains in an address to his readers, — "I being
the last year commanded by my occasions down to the Spaw
in Yorkshire," &c. He informs them,—" The Sulphur-WeU in

ADDITIONAL NOTES.
Yorkshire smells like the scouring of a Gun that is Very
fowl ; " an ingenious and not unjust comparison, but not
attractive. Two years afterward, a second edition of Deane's book and
a portion of Stanhope's " Cures without Care " were pubUshed-
together under the title of
"SPADACEENE ANGLICA,
The English Spaw,
OR
The Glory of Knaresborough."
The imprint is, — "York, printed by Thos. Broad, and are to be
sold in his shop in the lower end of Stonegate near to the
Common HaU Gates. 1654."
Dr. George Neale, the Leeds physician with whom Thoresby
dined and " lost too much time at play," commenced a book
upon the Spaw, entitled
" Spadacrene Eboracensis : or. The Yorkshire Spaw, near
Knaresborough: Being a description of Five famous Medicinal
Wells, viz. I, The Sweet Spa. 2. The Sulphur,, or stinking
WeU. 3. The Dropping WeU. 4. The Black Spring, found
out by the author. 5. St. Magnus's or St. Mungo's WeU. All
of which Wells, with their Situation, Operation, Virtues d&c. are
described. Together with the Hot and Cold Baths; as likewise
Fume-Baths. By Geo. Neale, sen. M.D."
But Dr. Neale's Spadacrene did not get beyond the first
two of the wells enumerated. Writing in 1690 or 1691, he
says of the Sulphur, —
" Here are, and were, about twenty years ago, three Springs
close together, very low, and scarce of Water, that all of
them did not afford sufficient Water for drinking and bathing.
Wherefore, for the greater Convenience of the Drinkers, I
thought it convenient to take up the uppermost Spring, which
is weakest, and lowest of them, and made a large Bason to

Ralph thoresby the topographer.
contain several Hogsheads of Water, and covered it with a
large Stone, to preserve it from the Sun and Eain- water;
and for a week together we rammed its sides with Clay, to
prevent other Springs from getting in. The Event answered
Expectation : For we had a fresh Spring of much better and
stronger Water, which afforded as much in one Hour now, as
it did in twenty four before, more loaded 'with the Minerals
than ever, and so greater Efficacy for either Bathing or
Drinking  It's now thirty years ago, since I set
up first warm Bathing in this Water, and procured one such
Vessel for a Pattern, as are used beyond the Sea for that
purpose; and now there are above twenty Bathing Houses
kept here, 'with aU necessary Conveniences, and aU fuU employed'
ill the Season."
Dr. Neale also relates that he was present when the "Sweet
Spa" was endangered by reckless digging for the construction
of Walks and a Breastwork in its neighbourhood. This appears
to refer to Dr. Stanhope's weU, about which a terrace about
sixty yards square was formed as a promenade for the water-
drinkers.* Dr. Neale says, —
"AH the Spring was dra-wn away, and the Bason empty
in an aftemoon, when there was the greatest Appearance of
Water drinkers of all Banks I ever saw. I was not a little
troubled at the Capriciousness of the Person who carried on
the whole Design, to aggrandize himself with the Benevolence
of the Benefactors; and with Tear's in my Eyes, presently got
Workmen, to fiU up, first -with Earth and Stones, then with
Sodds of Earth well rammed do'wn, and 'with Gravel, Hurdles,
Branches of Trees, fiUed up the Trench, and sodded it over
at last, or we had lost our Spring : For it got Vent into
the Boggs West and North-west from the Fountain-head, and
ruined us.
"I observ'd, all the Ground about the AYells, after it was
opened about half a yard deep, upon the North and South-
'• The terrace is spoken of by Hargrove in his History of Knareslorougli,
but he mistakes Stanhope's well for Slingsby's.

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

East side especially, was a bluish kind of Clay, which tasted
of Vitriol. Many Iron-stones were thrown up (all the Ground
thereabout being formerly digg'd up, and all the Wood destroyed
in Queen Elizabeth's time, by Iron Forges) that the Spring
passing through both in solutis Principiis must partake of both.
. . . As to the Virtues of. this Spring, there is scarce any
Disease incident to Mankind, wherein its inward or outward
Use may not be of Service. I have been an Eye-witness near
forty Years of its Effects; and I have not neglected drinking
it myself, any one Season all that time; and though I am
now in my 66 th Year, yet I am strong and vigorous, free
from the Complaints, of Old Age."
Alas for this last testimony to the virtues of the Spaw !
On the 20th of October 1691, Thoresby attended "the funeral
of Dr. Neal, an aged, eminent and very able physician of this
town," who had died when sixty-six years old. We have his
peidigree, a very short one, in the Ducatus; but the origin of
the family is there referred to the O'Neales of Ulster, and his
coat-of-arms is given,— Or, 2 Lions Eampant Azure, supporting a
Hand Gules. His unfinished manuscript remained unpublished
until the year 1734, -when Dr. Short of Sheffield included it
among the notes to his "History of the Mineral Waters of
Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire." Dr. Short states that
Dr. Neale and his son, " the late Dr. John Neale of Don
caster," * together attended the Spaw for sixty-seven years ;
and also that Dr. Neale, Sen., " had made a,nd prepar'd a very
curious Collection of Observations, which are either lost, lent out,
or inislaid; so that the' late Doctor's Widow (who freely gave
the following Fragment, to be communicated to the Publick)
could not find it, after a most strict and careful Search."
* In another part of his book Dr. Short says,—" There was also ». very cold
well at Harrigate, famed for sore eyes. This, Dr. Neal of Doncaster turned
into a very good Cold Bath, with very good Conveniences and Accommoda
tions for Strangers," It is now most remembered in the name of Gold Bath
Eoad.

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
The Knaresborough waters gained further publicity in the
latter half of the seventeenth century from a controversy
between rival physicians, representing new and old schools in
the profession, which involved the relative merits of the Spaws
of Knaresborough and Scarborough, Eobert Wittie, M.D., F.E.S.,
pubUshed at York in 1667 a "Description of Spaw Waters at
Scarborough in Yorkshire." Two years later came out "Hydro-
logia Chymica: or the Chymical Anatomy of the Scarborough
and other Spaws in Yorkshire. Wherein are interspersed. Some
Animadversions upon Dr. Wittie's lately pubUshed Treatise of
the Scarborough Spaw. Also, a short Description of the Spaws
.at Malton and Knarsbrough. By W. Simpson, PhUo-Chimico-
Medicus." It was published in London. "Printed by W. G.
for Eichard Chiswel at- the Two Angels and Cro'wn in Little
Britain 1669;" and the Title Page bore the motto Ex Aqua
Omnia.
Dr. Simpson commended Knaresborough, that is the neigh
bouring Spaw, now known as Harrogate : —
" I confess I like the Air of that place much better,
being upon an high heathy common, than that of Scarborough,
especially for weak and tender bodies ; and in the cure of
Chronical Diseases, the choiceness of the air is of no smaU
value, nay indeed often times instar omnium, above aU the
rest." The custom of the -visitors is thus described: —
" The time of Drinking the largest Dose of the waters,
acuated with the Salt of Steel, is the Morning, walking as
the usual course is, and no more all day, except two glasses
in the Afternoon about four of the Clock; and that but to
some bodies neither, viz. to such as by experiment find it go
well with them: exercising themselves by Walking, Eiding,
Eeading, Bowling, or any other innocent divertisement; keeping
an ordinary Diet of a few dishes, and those of wholesome

ADDITIONAL NOTES
meat and well cook'd, without too much variety of sauces,
which confounds the stomach, but to keep a hanke over it.-*
" The water thus drunk, together with the addition of some
singular Specifics, well ordered, according as the nature of the
Disease requires, will probably, consderatis considerandis, perform
very considerable Cures, to the comfort of the Patient and
credit of the Physician; who as such is a Minister or helper
of Nature."
Dr. Simpson's book drew forth the following rejoinder -within
the same year : —
"PYROLOGIA MIMIC A,
or an answer to HYDROLOGIA CHYMICA of
William Sympson Philo-Chymico-Medicus ;
In defence of Scarbrough-Spaw.
Also a. vindication of the Eational Method
and Practice of Physic called Galenical,
and a Eeconciliation betwixt that and the
Chymical. By Egbert Wittie, Doctor in Physic.
. London, Printed by T. N. for F. Martyn
Printer to the E. Society, at the Bell without
Temple Bar. 1669."
" Let me observe to the Eeader," says Dr. Wittie, having
experimented on the two waters, " that Three Pints of the
Spaw at Sca/>'brough, Tias imbibed more of the Mineral and
Metalline Juices, than Ten GaUons of that of Knaresbrough,
and hence it ig far more operative, and yet every whit as
pleasant to the Palate, and as safe' to be drunk." He is
* This passage, as well as some in Thoresby's Diary, indicates pubUc
lodgings ; yet Hargrove states that the first Harrogate inn, the Queen's Head
in.his day, aud now displaced by the Queen Hotel, was built in 1687; before
which time the water-drinkers lodged in neighbouring cottages and farm-houses.
On the 25th of June 1702 Thoresby wrote, — " Eode to the Spas at Harrow-
gate. . . . The place itself is so altered with new buildings, from what it
was when I knew it formerly, that it helped to deceive me." He had missed
his way in a blinding storm of rain and hail.

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
severe upon Simpson, saying that Drs, Deane and French, who
had written on the Knaresborough Spaw, " did a hundred times
better understand that water than he,"
Next, George .Tonstall, M.D., pubUshed in London, — "Scar
borough Spaw spagyrically anatomized, an. 1670; and a New
Year's Gift for Dr. Witty." Thoresby had the manuscript of
this work in his collection ; it was accompanied by Eecom-
mendatory Verses, the joint work of his father, John Thoresby,
and James lUingworth, B.D., President of Emanuel College,
Cambridge. In answer to this came —
" SCAEBEOVGHS
SPAGYEICAL ANATOMIZER DISSECTED,
or an
AN S WEE
To aU that Dr. Tonstall hath
objected in his Book against
Scarborough Spaw.
By Egbert Wittie, Doctor in Physick.
London, Printed by B. G. for Nath. Brooke at the Angel in
Cornhil, and E. Lambert at Minster-Gate in York. 1672."
A presentation copy of this work to WilUam Osbaldeston, Esq.,
¦with some manuscript corrections, is in the British Museum.*
" Zymologia Physica, or a brief Philosophical Discourse of
Fermentation, From a New Hypothesis of Acidum and Sulphur.
. . . With an additional Discourse of the Sulphur Bath at
Knaresborough, by W. Simpson, M.D.," was pubUshed in London
in 1675. In this work Dr. Simpson incidentally shows an
acquaintance with the Leeds physician. Dr. Neale : — " That a
body of Brimstone is precipitated is evident from Dr. Neale's
'' Dr. Wittie wrote also,—" Fous Scarburgensis." London, 1678.

ADDITIONAL NOTES.
observation, concerning a crust of Brimstone which he found
under the stones of the Old Well at the removing of them,
through whose crevices the water sprang." But for Dr. Short's
account we might ha've supposed from this that something of
Neales' upon the subject had appeared in print.
The Harrogate waters appear to have been drank formerly
in quantities upon which no one would now venture. Dr. Stan
hope, as before seen, compares twenty glasses of one chalybeate
with fourteen of the other. The size of the glasses is not
given; but in Elliot's Account of the principal Mineral Waters
of Great Britain and Ireland, published so late as 1781, we
read of the Harrogate Sulphur Spring, — " It is purgative ; and
the dose required for the purpose is about three or four pints."
^^i!. Mungo's Well, Copgrove. — Page 114,
The name of this spring betokens antiquity, though how its
association with the Saxon Saint originated remains matter for
speculation. There was a church at Copgrove at the time of
Domesday Book, some part of which is perchance comprised in
the present little ivy-covered edifice. For its font is of Norman
date, and the whitewashed chancel arch seems to be at least as
ancient. And the north wall contains another subject for specu
lative disquisition in a rudely carved stone which many would
pronounce Saxon. But this, church bears the name of St.
Michael, not St. Mungo's.
Dr. Edmund Deane, in speaking of the wells at Knaresborough
and its neighbourhood, says there are two which "have gotten
and purchased that reputation, as to be saincted: The one called
by the name of St. Magnus, or Mugnus well : th' other, that of
St. Eoberts ; " to which he subjoins,—
"These formerly for a yeere or two, have beene in great
request in these parts amongst the common sort, much sought
unto by many, and great concourse of people have daily gathered

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
and flocked to them both neare and a farre off, as is most com
monly scene, when any new thing is first found out. Fama enim
crescit eundo, even unto incredible wonders and miracles, or rather
fictions and lyes. All which cometh to passe as we may well
suppose through our overmuch English credulity, or (as I may
better say) rather superstition. For to any such like well, wiU
swarme at first both young and old (especially the female sexe,
as ever more apt to be deluded) halt, lame, blind, deafe, dumbe,
yea, almost all, and that for aU manner of maladies and diseases;
both inward and outward."
Dr. Deane (1626), speaks of the two wells' reputation as a
thing of the past, saying " it is verily thought," being -without
minerals, that, "when they were so frequented," the alleged cures
were imaginary; professed by some who desired to uphold the
merits of the respective saints, or to avoid derision themselves hy
getting others deceived in Uke manner. "Time hath quite wome
aU their strength, and consumed all their vertues; so that nothing
of worth now remaining -with them, saving only their bare name
and titles : — Sic magna sua mole ruunt."
Noth-withstanding the absence of impregnating minerals the
fame of St. Mongah's revived, Uke that of the sometime neglected
chalybeate discovered by a Slingsby; only the revival was less
enduring. Dr. French, in his "Yorkshire Spaw" of 1652, not-
¦withstanding Dr. Deane's rejection of the well "as an ineffectual
superstitous reUque of Popery," says of St. Mongah's,— " because
it hath of late regained its reputation (as I shall afterward
declare) which it had lost in the account of some, I think worthy
of a place amongst the four famous wells of Knaresborow."
Thoresby's resort to it is evidence of its frequenting in 1681 and
downward ; and a Lancashire physician. Dr. Clayton, published a
book upon it in 1696. A second edition of this work has the
statement, — "that people resorted there to be cured of fixed
pains, with or without tumour; rheumatisms, quartans, strains,
bruises, rickets, and all weakness of the nerves."

ADDITIONAL NOTES.
In "The History of Cold Bathing: Both Ancient and Modem,"
of which a second edition was published in 1706, St. Mongah's
is spoken of at some length. The first part of this book was
written by Sir John Floyer, M'ho says that about thirty years
before the -writing of Dr. Geisson's book on Eickets, they, —
"were first kno-wn in England in the Counties of Dorset and
Somerset .... The rickets therefore appeared first about
the year 1620, and afterwards travelled into all parts of the
Kingdom, and it was more rare in the Northern counties, where
they commonly cured it by Bathing in St. Mungo's Well."
Floyer writes in letters; and the fourth, dated Newcastle, Feb. 4,
1700 — 1, contains an account furnished by Dr. Th. Davison,
lately Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, of St. Mongah's
and Honwick wells, the latter slightly mineral, the first not.
Both were resorted to for "fixed pains whether in the Joints or
the Muscles ; " and those immersed were of all ages, from six
months to eighty years : —
"Children are twice or thrice dipped in, and presently taken
out again, and while they are in, the officious Women at
the Well are active in rubbing tieir Backs, or the maimed
Parts ; but this seems only for form. Adult people stay
in a quarter, or near half an hour. . . . They use no
preparative physick, nor observe any Diet before nor after
wards, but a Draught of warm Ale or Sack to comfort them
when they come out . . . The distempered People go to Bed
afterwards, and Sweat for two Hours or more. But the Healthful
that go in for pleasure, put on their Cloaths, and go to their
Business or Diversion."
The second part of the History of Cold Bathing is by
Dr. Baynard, who writes, —
"A Lady in Lancashire, of good Quality and Worth, having
for some years laboured under a Complication of Distempers,
but chiefly Nerval and Hysterical, of a thin Habit, very Pale,
a decayed Stomach, faint Sweats, and a low languid Pulse,

RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
came to London by direction of Sir Charles Scarborough, unto
whose Lady she was near related, and had in consultation no
less than ten or twelve- Physicians ; she had tried all things
triable and probable, but in vain. At length when almost at
the Brink of the Grave, by the persuasions of Dr. Yarburgh.and
myself, she was prevailed with to go to St. Mungo's,' a very
Void Spring in Yorkshire, and there couragiously immersing, to a
Miracle, was in less than' a fortnight's time perfectly restored to
her Health, and lived many years after -without any relapse.
"And now I am on St. Mongo's (which is a very cold and
quick running Spring, but rather too shallow,, it being not above
three Foot deep, or little more, and open at the top, which is a
fault) having the good 'fortune to meet with that Worthy Gentle
man, Mr. Harrison -(at the Baths in Somersetshire) who is owner
and proprietor of that Well, he was .pleas'd to give me an account
of several great and considerable cures, and those to his o-wn
Knowledge; but for farther Confirmation directed me to write
into Yorkshire, to the Minister of the Place,, which accordingly I
did, and I will here insert the sum of his answer."
The said Minister, the Eev. J. Eichardson, -wrote from Cop
grove on the 9th of October 1701, referring Dr. Baynard to.
Timothy Webster,," who,",he said,, "Farms the Well;" but Mr.
Eichardson himself mentioned five cases, of which the foUo-wing
is the most notable : —
"Sir Henry Slingsby, late of Red House, I going to see him,
asked him, what benefit he found by immersion in the Wfll?
He answered, I will shew you; upon which he laid his Hands
upon the Arms of the Chair in which he sat (having lost his
Limbs) and rais3d hinaself two or three Inches from the Seat;
but before the Season was done, was able to walk very weU ;
and Mr. Harrison told me that he saw him &i York, and that
he went ,up a pair of stairs in half Jack Boots, &c."
Margaret Smith from near Newcastle, and Mary Wharton of
Cockermouth, had been each brought to Copgrove "in a Cripple-
Cart ; " and another woman had come there from Liverpool,
Another case looks suspicious ; — A man so numb that he could

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

not feel an Awl or a Pin run into his flesh, poor and almost
naked, "lay by the Well-side to receive good People's Charity,"
and was put in four or five times a day. "Yet before he
went away," says the narrator, "could feel a Fly touch his
skin, and I saw him catch a fly on his leg with his hand."
St. Mungo's Well continued to be visited for some years
afterward, though not invariably with success. Among the
burials registered at Copgrove there is one on the 29 th of
May 1710, of "a stranger that came to the well;" and some
other nameless strangers follow in subsequent years.
This hydropathic institution of the 1 7th century is now all
but forgotten. The bathing-house became an inn, which in its
turn gave way to a game-keeper's lodge, built by the late owner
of the estate, Henry Duncombe, Esq., M.P. for Yorkshire. But
the spring survives, and within the limits of the new building
is preserved the bath ; a large square cistern formed in the
ground, with stone steps down into it, fenced round by a high
brick wall, and still, as in the time of Dr. Baynard, open to
the sky. There is a constant flow of cold, delicious water, clear
as crystal, not bathed in now, but conveyed by an ingenious
hydraulic contrivance to the neighbouring hall, the former bath
serving as a reservoir. Yet a Iiather in St. Mongah's Well still
lives, an old man, once in the service of Mr. Duncombe. He
relates that, when a boy, a gamekeeper invited him to the
bath, and both prepared to enter it. " In with you,'' said the
keeper; in went the boy, and the keeper — put on his clothes,
a significant testimony to the coldness of which Thoresby speaks.
For his ability to say thus much of St. Mongah at the
present day, the writer is indebted to the courtesy of the
Eector of Copgrove.

IV.

Ifrom a2). 1683 to 1685.

RE-COMMENCEMENT OP THORESBY'S DIARY— DEATH OP THE INCUMBENT OV
ST. JOHN'S— HIS SUCCESSOR— EDWARD PRESTON, THE RUNNER— THE RYE-
HOUSE PLOT— MR. STRETTON IN NEWGATE— PERFORMANCE IN LEEDS
BY S. FRY OF DORSETSHIRE— INDICTMENT OE THORESBY UNDER THE
CONVENTICLE ACT— ARCHBISHOP DOLBEN-FfiOST OF 1684— TO LONDON-
EASTLAND AND HAMBURGH COMPANIES— THORESBY'S BUSINESS QUALI
FICATIONS—HOME BY WINDSOR AND OXFORD— AT DENTON HALL AND
SKIPTON— BISHOP LAKE— BISHOP MORETON— AGAIN AT MANCHESTER—
HEYWOOD'S LIFE OF ANGIER.
The first information given to us by Thoresby in the new
volume of his diary, is that on the first of June 1683 he
was again engaged upon the translation of the town's charter,
having -with bim Mr. E. Gamet, his old schoolmaster. On the
12th he "went to see a most wonderful woman, but about
two feet long, though twenty-one years old." She was bom at
Bowden in Cheshire, and was said to be boneless, except in
the head; and she seemed to Thoresby "as prodigious as the
monstrously great man," which refers, apparently, to the Irish
giant, Edward MaUory, who had been exhibited in Leeds a
year and a half before. On the 19th, Thoresby "had the
honour of a visit from Captain Hatfield, of Hatfield, with some
pleasing discourse concerning the antiquities of that place.*"
* John Hatfield, of Hatfield, about seven miles from Doncaster, was »
captain in the Parliamentarian army during the civil wars, but at the
Restoration, De la Prime says, he changed the service of Lambert for that
of Monk. Hatfield, from a dependency upon the Earls of Wai-ren and

FROM A.D, 1683 TO 16S5, 199
These minor incidents are passed over in Thoresby's Review
of his life, where he says, — " My second diary begins with a
melancholy account of the sickness and death of the excellent
Mr, Kay, minister of the New Church (whom my dear father
had been very instrumental in fixing at Leeds)." The entries
in the diary here referred to are : —
"16 June. To visit worthy Mr. Kay, who is very weak.
Lord, restore him in mercy to this populous town, if it be
thy blessed will.
" 20. At the sad funeral of worthy Mr. Kay, who dies
much lamented, and whose loss will be sadly experienced every
day more and more, especially if not succeeded by another of
the same Christian moderate temper. Mr. Kay of 
preached from ' then Hezekiah turned to the waU and prayed,
saying, I beseech thee. Lord, remember me.'"
The Eeview says, —
" He was an excellent preacher, and of moderate principles,
and was buried with universal lamentation, 20th June 1683." *
With the exception of the Easter Sunday preceding Mr. Kay's
death, when Thoresby attended his church in company with the
newly-married "cousin" from Eotterdam, the latest mention in
the diary of any sermon by him was in 1681, on the 27th
of December, St. John's Day, when Thoresby "heard Mr. Kay's
commemoration sermon, for the pious founder of the New
Church, Mr. John Harrison." The trustees in whom Harrison
had so resolutely vested the advowson, were not long in finding
Surrey, Lords of the neighbouring Castle of Coningsburgh, became Koyal
Demesne and, occasionally, a Koyal residence. The second son of Edward
the Third and his Queen, Philippa of Hainault, was bom there; and also a
brother of Edward the Fourth's. — See Hunter's South Yorkshire.
* Clergymen often got into trouble at this period for doing the work of
physicians to the body. Among the depositions at York, published by the
Surtees Society, there is mentioned "A true bill against John Kay of Leeds,
Clerk, for practising medicine 'without a license on May 1 1G70." Similar
bills were found at the same time against other three clerks and n private
gentleman. '

200 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
a successor to Mr. Kay in the founder's great-nephew, the Eev.
Henry Eobinson. He was the son of the Eoyalist vicar of
the same name, who had suffered so much under the ParUa-
mentarians, although, as said in Thoresby's Vicaria Leodiensis,
previously he had been " looked upon as a Puritan, and much
resorted to by that Party for Direction and Advice in the
way of his function."
" 24 June [the Sunday after Mr. Kay's funeral]. Moming,
reading in Mr. Charnock's incomparable discourses of the power
of Gpd. Forenoon, heard Mr. Eobinson (designed for Mr. Kay's
successor) from ' Eemember Lot's wife,' from whence he raised
a very profitable doctrine, that it is not the singular piety of
the nearest relation that will secure an impenitent sinner. It
is not the goodness of our parents or yoke-fellows . that will
satisfy our impieties ; which he applied, and raised several other
pretty observations as well as solid truths; and though some
censured him as too full of poetical instances, yet I am sure
there were a great many divine truths, which I beg of God
a heart to improve. Mr. Sharp preached jncomparably from
Luke xiii. 5, showing that repentance is the only means to
prevent deserved destruction."
This appointment dispelled any misgivings which Thoresby
entertained as to the possible character of Mr. Kay's successor.*
In the Review we read,—
" He was succeeded by Mr. Eobinson, who is also a good
preacher; but censured by some for giving us his father's
sermons. Be whose they will, they are indisputably admirable
good ones, and such as we have great cause to bless God for.
This may be argued in his defence, that at least some occasional
passages relate to later transactions."
* The apprehensions revealed by Thoresby -when speaking of Mr. Kay's
funeral, were exemplified in the following month by a chance substitute for
Mr. Milner, — " Instead of our worthy vicar, heard a high Don, who coupled
the Pope and Dissenting Conventicle preachers hand in hand, as busy persons
in other men's concerns : but had little edifying in his discourse, or my
wicked heart, as it too often doth, hindered me from profiting."

FROM A.D. 168.5 TO 1635. 201
" Such learned, pious and practical sermons as have been,
and yet are preached in public, occasioned my frequent attend
ance upon them, which some hot heads censured me too
severely for; and when I could not get in such time to the
private meetings, as those who came not at church, some
confident young fellows would usurp the best places that were
most convenient for hearing and writing, excluding several
others as well as myself, who are chiefly concerned in support
ing the ministry, which at other times they too much slighted
(belonging to another congregation) ; but now in times of
restraint flock in multitudes to the great inconvenience of
others, which moved my indignation, and, though not vented
in passionate expressions, yet was inwardly too much resented,
for which I was afterward troubled, and hope repented sincerely.
One day, indeed, we had an opportunity of meeting more
securely, though in greater numbers, when the race was at
Ghapel-Town-Moor, to which many came from London, Chester,
Newcastle ; the Leeds butcher, Edward Preston, being esteemed
one, at least, of the best footmen in England. Three thousand
pounds were said to have been won by him this day."
Edward Preston, to whom the Leeds Nonconformists owed
this opportunity of meeting in peace and safety, came into
existence almost coincidently with the Act of Uniformity ; and
was but just twenty-one at the date of this race. In the
Ducatus, Thoresby gives more particulars conceming him. Bom
in the propitious locality of Chapel-Town Moor, he there exer
cised when a boy, and " became one of the best Footmen in
Europe." The Ducatus here goes beyond the diary, which only
says " in England ; " but the assertion is well supported : —
" Gentlemen have come, to see him run, from Newcastle,
Chester, and London itself, by the same token that one of
them, being fatigued with his joumey, lay do-wn to take a
nap, and awaked not till the Sport was over. He frequently
run twice round that [Chapel-Town] Moor (a four Miles Course)
in about fourteen Minutes. It has been modestly computed,
that three thousand Pounds has been won upon his Head
15

302 RALPH THORESBY TIIE TOPOGBAPHEB.
{or by his Heels rather) at one Race ; bo that he ' seems to
have merited the Title of Ha/refoot as well as King Harold
himself, who was so stiled for his swiftness."
Thoresby's testimony to his pedestrian merits and fame is
¦corroborated by Abraham de la Pryme, who calls him "the
miracle of his age for running," adding, "his common race is
ten or twelve miles, which he will easily run in less than an
hower." De la Pryme then gives account of another great
race which was doubtless run upon the aforesaid moor : —
" There was a great runner, a Cheshire man by birth, who
was the King's footman, who, hearing of this man's fame,
sent a challenge to him. They both met about Leeds. The
Cheshire gentlemen took their countryman's side, and the
Yorkshiremen took their countryman's side, and 'tis thought
that there were five or six thousand spectators upon the
spot. Both sides were sure, as they thought, to win, so that
many of them laid all they had — houses and lands, sheep and
oxen, and anything that would ^selL But when they ran,
the butcher outran him half in half, and broke almost the
poor fellow's heart, who lived not long after. But there was
such work amongst the wagerers that they were almost all fitf
to go by the ears. Many people lost all they had. Many
whole famiUes were ruined. And people that came a great
many miles, that had staked their horses and lost, were forced
to go home afoot. This happened in the last year of King
James. After which he was sent up for to London, by some
lord, whose name I have forgott, who kept hiin there under
the name of a miliar, and disfigured him so that no one
could Imow him. After that he had kept him a great whUe,
he made a match with another man, a famous runner, teUing
him his miller should run with him. But, in short, the miller
bet, and won for his master many thousands of pounds. There
are such strange storys told of this man that they are almost
incredible ; and I believe that Alexander's footman, that was
so famous, was never comparable unto him for s'wiftness."
When De la Pryme wrote this, Edward Preston was about
to rim again, on the 10th pf May 1694, still following his

PROM A.B. 1083 TO 1685. 203
trade, for all he had "thousands of pounds by his heels;"
and De la Pryme winds up with, —
" I long to hear what he will win at this raise, for there
is no fear but he will beat. There is gone four or five
hundred people from hereabouts * to see him run."
But Preston's career, in its way thus brilUant, waa brought
to an untimely close. At the end of May 1700, when but
thirty-eight years old, he died, says Thoresby, " of a Wound
received from a Stake as he was skipping over a Hedge after
his Sheep," whieh stake Thoresby had in his museum. He
was buried at St. John's Church, Leeds, "honoured by several
Gentlemen's taking hold of the Pall at his Funeral." It took
place on the first of June, and the record of it in the Parish
Register confirms Thoresby : —
" Edw? Preston of J Upper head row, this man was sapposed
to be one of the best Euners in J world and was kiU'd w* a
stake as he was leaping ov' a hedge aft' some sheep. Several
persons in Leedes advanced their fortunes mightily by laying
wagers upon his expeditious peregrinations."
To revert to the month of June 1683. The 12th of that
month was an ominous day for the Nonconformists. Upon it
tho Court of King's Bench gave judgment for the Crown in its
famous contest with the Corporation of London, whose Charter
was declared to be revocable by tbe King; and on the same
day the Court reeeived information of the conspiracy since
known as the Eye-House Plot, involving a design, though by
some only of the conspirators, to kill the King and James,
Duko of Yorkr on their return to London from Newmarket.
Thus the power of the Cro-wn was simultaneously strengthened
and provoked ; while in the country, loyal indignation was
stirred up, and the stringent laws of the time against non
conformity were brought into execution with unprecedented
? Alwut Hatfield.

204 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
faciUty by busy informers and hot zealots, not improbably in
some cases for the gratification of personal resentment. On the
2nd of July the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Common CouncU
of London, who had already sought to propitiate the King
by a formal submission to the judgment _^ of the King's Bench
waited on His Majesty in the Banqueting House at Whitehall,
to congratulate him upon " His Happy DeUverance from the
late Bloody and Traiterous Conspiracy;" then, by the King's
permission, they proceeded to the Duke of York, " and
Mr. Eecorder made their compliment to him on the same
occasion." * Address after address followed from other Corpora
tions and public bodies, and that from Leeds is not behind
any in the strength of its protestation. Though not Gazetted
until the 17th of September, it is dated nearly two months
earlier : — " To the Kinfs Most Excellent Majesty.
" The humble Address of the Mayqr, Recorder, Aldermen and
Common Council together with the most Eminent and Loyal
Inliahitants within the Borough of Leeds, in the County of
York, under the Common Seal of the said Borough, the 28th
day of July 1683."
" Most Dread Sovraign,
"We amongst the truly Loyal within your Majesties Domin
ions think ourselves (under the greatest tye of Obedience) bound
to praise and adore Almighty God for his late Preservation of
your Sacred Majesty, and his Eoyal Highness t from the horrid
Machinations of Hellish, and bloodthirsty Men, whose Eeligion
is Eebellion, and their Loyalty, Witchcraft. But such is the
wonderful goodness of God to his Anointed, and the Lawful
estabUshed Chntch of this Kingdom, that the Devices of Wicked
Men shall never dethrone the one, nor the Gates of Hell
prevail against the other : And as we Praise, so we pray God,
* London Gazette.
+ I'he assassination is said to have been frustrated by the return of the
King and his brother from Nevraiarket earlier than had been anticipated.

FROM A.D. 16S3 TO 1635. 205
That your Sacred Majesty may be a Signet on his right hand,
that your Majesties Eeign may be long and prosperous. That
there may never want one of the Royal race to sway the
Sceptre of these Nations, And that neither we nor any that
pretends to Loyalty, may think either Life or Fortune dear
to them, when one or both may be beneficial to Church and
State." The ferment which Titus Oates stirred up had in some
measure over-raled the King himself; and it is not difficult to
comprehend the disadvantage at which, under the new current
exemplified by the above address, any Nonconformist would be
placed were an information laid against him, even where those
officially bound to administer the law had a personal incUnation
towards leniency. And informations were readily forthcosoing,
Calamy says that Mr. Mead of Stepney, who has been spoken
of in the correspondence of Joseph Boyse with Thoresby, was
accused of privity to the Eye-House Plot, and interrogated
before the Privy Council, when the King himself ordered him
to be discharged. This agrees with Mr. Stretton's prior account
of the conduct of Charles the Second in his case ; and, if
Calamy may be trasted, it was now repeated. His account is,
that although Mr. Stretton "had not been at his own house
for ten weeks, the very next morning after his return to it
(so very vigilant were the spies and informers) that he was
seized by the City Marshall at five o'clock in the moming,
his papers secured, and he was carried before the King and
Council Some would have had his papers looked into, but
the King said he believed there was no treason there." It is
open to question whether or not Calamy, who gives no date
but the year, has confounded the occurrences narrated in
Mr. Stretton's letter at the close of March with later proceed
ings. The above statement that he had not been at home for
ten weeks, is not easy to reconcile with a letter which he
wrote to Thoresby on the 7th of July, and which represents

206 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
him as going about London as usual; for his arrest, according
to another of Calamy's details, must have been prior to the
20th. But it is Ukely enough that the former endeavour to
connect Mr. Stretton with Algernon Sydney, ' and which his
postscript of the 3rd of April left unconcluded, was renewed
on Sydney's implication with the Eye-House conspirators.
Dismissed from the Privy Council, Mr. Stretton was carried
before the Lord Mayor. By the " Five . Mile Act," any two
Justices, were any charged Upon oath before them of offence
against the Act, were empowered to send the offender to
prison for six months if ho refused to swear, — " That it is
not lawful upon any pretence whatsoever to take Armes gainst
the King and that I doe abhorr the Traiterous Position of
takeing Armes by His Authoritie against His Person or against
those that are comission ated by Him in pursuance of such
comission. And that I -wiU ¦' not at any time endeavour any
Alteration of Government either in Church or State." Calamy ,
says that the Lord Mayor, the same Sir WiUiam Pritchard of
whom Mr. Stretton hi,mself bore favourable testimony, treated
him very civilly, and would have persuaded him to take this
oath,* but that not being satisfied to do it he was committed: —
"While he was in Newgate, Mr. Smith, the Ordinary, carried
it respectfully to him and desired his- assistance in the chapel
in preparing the condemned criminals for their deatL Captain
Eichardson, the Keeper, was also ci-vil to him, at which some
were offended. Sir Eoger L'Estrange, who was the mouth of
the fiery party, in one of his papers pubUshed about that
time reflected on the Keeper for admitting Stretton the
Jesuit to -visit Captain Walcot, who lay under sentence of
condemnation." * Calamy always calls it the " Oxford Oath,'' as Parliament passed the
Act when sitting at Oxford, during the Plague at London. He states that
Mr. Stretton was the first of ten ministers imprisoned in Newgate for refusing
to take it.

Prom a,d, ig83 to loss. 207
The trial of Walcot at the Old Bailey, preceding by one
day that of Lord William RusseU, was on the 12th of July
1683; and his execution at Tyburn was on the 20th,; Lord
Eussell being executed in Lincoln's Inn Fields on the day
following. Mr. Stretton's imprisonment must therefore have
commenced by that time. Calamy says that before it ended
a son of his died, "who earnestly desired to see his father in
his sickness, but no interest that he could make was sufficient
to procure him such liberty." It is probably with reference to
_ this son that in a letter written after his liberation Mr. Stretton
¦ says to Thoresby, — "I bless God we are all well that are left;
' (sweet Ben is long since gone to Heaven)."
From a prior letter of Mr. Stretton's to Thoresby, dated
"From the Press Yard in Newgate, September 1 1683," it is
evident that during his imprisonment he received assistance from
Thoresby himself, and from . another Leeds friend, Mr. Bryan
Dixon. It is said in this letter, —
" I received Mr. Dixon's and your kind tokens, which did
as much exceed my expectation as desert. I can only make
Paul's requital to OnesimuSj for finding him out, and refresh
ing him . in his bonds : the Lord show mercy to you and to
your house, and grant that you may find mercy in that day
when mercy will be most needed and prized : prayers and
praises are all the requital I can make ; but God is not
unrighteous to forget your works and labour of love, showed
to his name's sake, in that you have ministered to his
saints, and do minister. My prayers shaU not be wanting,
that he vni.1 repay your kindness sevenfold into your bosom.
Pray my hearty service and thsSik's to good Mr. Dixon. I did
design to have written to him; but the sudden going away
of Mr. Lamb, of York, upon so small notice (who is the
bearer) prevents me ; pray make my excuse for it : it is-
not ingratitude for such surprising kindness that occasions it,
nor so long delay for yours, but some other things that have
diverted it.

208 RALPH ;THORESBy THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"I bless God I am very well under my confinement: God
can make any place healthful and pleasant, as I have, found
this to be. We are very full here, though we have no plotters
amongst us. It was expected they would have tried those in .
the Tower and Gatehouse this Sessions, but they did not; it
is said they want evidence against them. Though it was a
great unhappiness, and horrible wickedness in some men to be
drawn into such wicked designs, yet, upon the whole that yet
appears, it is but like your Yorkshire plot in 1662, though
the persons were some of higher quality than they. They will
make the most of it they can, and they can get easy and
-willing juries, that will make slight evidence go far.''
The letter then concludes with a gossiping narration of the
current news, rather amusing when we remember that it was
sent from a prison. If the inmates could not go out to hear
news, the news found its way inside, to at least some of them.
The Gazette of the 6th of August contained a "Declaration
to all His loving Subjects " from the King, upon the subject
of the plot which had produced so great a number of loyal
addresses. This Declaration was to be read in all churches
and chapels on the day following the date of Mr. Stretton's
letter, and again on the 9th of September, appointed a day
of thanksgiving. Upon this Mr. Stretton says, — " We have had
a great talk of a ParUament, and it was thought, when they
had treated the people by the parsons' comment on the King's
declaration, they would have been ready for their elections;
but some things, it is said, do hinder it." He then passes to
the death of Essex. Arthur Capel, who had been created Earl
of Essex in the year following the Eestoration, and held the
office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1672, was committed
to the Tower on a charge of complicity in the Eye-House
Plot, During the trial of Lord EusseU, news was brought that
Essex had cut his throat, much to Lord Eussell's disadvantage.
Then 'rumours spread that the alleged suicide was, in reality.

FROM A.D, 16S3 TO 1085. 209
a murder. Evelyn wrote about it doubtfully. Bumet made
inquiry at the instance of the widowed Countess, and in the
" History of his Own Times " he states, — " When I perused aU,
I thought there was not a colour to found any prosecution on,
which she would have done with all possible zeal, if she had
found any appearances of truth in the matter." An inquiry
¦by the House of Lords, in the foUowing reign, was also un
favourable to the non-suicide theory. Mr. Stretton said in his
Newgate letter, —
"Whether there may not be some further inquiry about
the Earl of Essex's murder so soon after, is doubtful : the
jury prepared on purpose brought him in guilty of self-murder,
but they had first shifted his clothes, and washed off the
blood, and laid him out in clean linen, before the jury were
caUed to see him; and, it is said, his right hand (the instru
ment of defence in a sudden assault), had two or three wounds
in it. This was not according to the old law and usage upon
such occasions. There is one Brad well, a young lawyer, that
hath undertaken to endeavour the discovery of it; he hath met
with discouragement enough to affright him from it, but he
goes on -with an undaunted resolution, and, it is said, hath
made considerable discoveries of villainy in it; and if it come
to light, it vrill fall heavily upon some."
The result of Bradwell's endeavour was his own trial, on
the 7th of February 1684, in the Court of King's Bench, for
a false and scandalous report, with subornation of evidence in
support of it. Next day the jury gave in their verdict against
him, the Court having risen on the 7th -without waiting for
it, and Bradwell was fined .£2,000. From him Mr. Stretton
passes to currpnt speculations upon the despatch of the English
fleet, which had sailed for the westward, as announced from
Portsmouth on the 19th of August, but it was the 22nd
before they left Spithead : —
"We have sent out a fleet of ships of twenty-six saU, under

,210 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
the command of the Earl of Dartmouth ; * the design is kept
private, birti it is to make work for a ParUament to, give
money ; some think it is some agreement "between France and
us, that upon his declaring war against the Spaniard and Dutch
(which he seemed resolved on, if the prevalency of. the Turk
above his expectation, ' and the insurrection in Languedoc do not
prevent it) we should falL upon the. Dutch Smyrna, or East
India Fleet, or the Spanish Plate fleet; but they Ue wind-bound,
at the Spithead." ' ' , . '"
The Turks were then employed in the famous siege 'of
Vienna, ended on the •12th of Septem'ber 1683 by their defeat'.
by Sobieski, King of Poland. " . • "
Thoresby makes some mention of concurrent troubles of the
Nonconformists in his own neighbourhood: —
V '. '' ¦
"23 Augt. With honest Mr. Boyse ; advising • with Uncle.
Idle, Mr. E. W.; E. H., about some troubles he is surprised
with merely for conscience sake."
" Oct 5. Visited by poor Mr. Trigot, whose imprisonment in
York Gaol for nonconformity has brought him to a weak con
dition." f ¦ , ¦ .
And in the Review ; —
¦ " I cannot wholly omit my concern for soine poor deluded
Quakers, who were hurried down, this street to York Castle,' in
greater numbers than was ever known in these parts. The' Lord
open the eyes of the one party, and tender the hearts of the
other." • There is here a mistake in the title. The Admiral, George Legge,
according to Evelyn " a great favourite of the Duke's, an active and under
standing gentleman in sea affairs," was made Baron Dartmouth in 1682, and
in the follo'wing year. Admiral, and a Master of the Trinity House. He
commanded the fleet in 1688, when contrary winds prevented his attacking
that of the Prince of Orange, in whose subsequent reign he was sent to
the Tower, and died there iu .1691. Twenty years afterward, his son, the
second Baron Dartmouth, was raised to an earldom, which is still held by
his descendant.
t Perhaps the same -with the Mark Triokett of Calamy, who states that he
was " a great while prisoner in York Castle for nonconformity."

PROM A.D. 1683 TO 1585. 211
Leeds was visited about midnight on the 6th of October,
says the diary, by " an unusual memento for repentance, viz.,
an earthquake."
For some time Thoresby himself escaped any annoyance.
From the 18th to the 21st of July he was at Harrogate, "drink
ing of the sulphur and sweet spas," and found it "as formerly,
a place very unfit for serious thought." In August he had Dr.
Bumet and other two gentlemen; and in September Alderman
Elcock from York, to see his coins and museum. On the
19th of November he visited an exhibition quite equal to many
of the wonders which attract now : —
"Went to see a man (one Sam. Fry of Dorsetshire) eat brim
stone, lead, bees-wax, sealing-wax, pitch, rosin, blazing hot ; he
dropped brimstone in a blaze upon his tongue ; and- so wax, and
made thereon the iiripression of a seal, which I have; and (which
I went most to see), he walked upon a red-hot bar of iron,
which I fancied to be somewhat like the way of ordeal, much
in use among the Saxons, to try persons' innocency by, who
possibly might come off victors, though never so culpable, if
they had money enough to purchase such a secret from the
monks." Just eleven days after this amusement, Thoresby found him
self "partly in the same predicament" -with the Quakers, who
had excited his commiseration. On Friday, the 30th of Novem
ber, he " received a summons to appear on Monday at the
Sessions ; " to which he added in his diary, — '- Lord, direct.
me what to say in that hour!" Ho thus describes the ground
of the prosecution, —
" For being present at what was called a factious and
seditious conventicle at Hunslet,* where Mr. Sharp was preach
ing most admirably and practically from Hebrews xiii. 9, 'It.
is a good thing that tho heart be estabUshed vdth grace.' In
* It was at "cousin Tentou's," of Woodhouse HiU, where wheat had rained
down the chimney.

212 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
the apphcation, he recited that of the pious martyr, Mr. Brad
ford, that he would not rise up from prayer tiU he had
received somewhat from God, exciting his love and affections;
but, alas ! do not we, on the contrary, though we sometimes
come with strong resolutions and affections into the presence'
of God, rise up halting and half dead, as if we. came into
his presence to put out our candles? how can we expect that
the prayer -which warms not our own hearts, should move
God — which very sentence I was writing (and .not without
some ardency of affection), when notice was given us that ¦
the officers were coming to break us up; but we had so much-
time as to disperse."
On the afternoon of the day upon -which he reeeived the
summons, Thoresby had at his house Mr. Bryan D^xon, Elkanah
Hickson, and another, whose initials, are given " E. W.," con
sulting "about chapel accounts and poor's- business;" and he
was "till pretty late, advising with uncle Idle at. Mr. E. H.'s,
concerning this prosecution of Conventicles'." He aidds,— 7" Lord,
in thy due time assuage their causeless wrath against the
innocent, for thy name's sake ! " The business engaged him all
day on Saturday. He was in the forenoon "abroad consulting
with many friends," and was "taken up about ditto concem
until pretty late;" having, during the day, accompanied by
Elkanah Hickson, ridden to acquaint with his position two
friends who bore office, " cousin Hick," and Mr. Samuel Sykes,
a Leeds merchant, both Aldermen and ex-Mayors. Next morn
ing he rose about five, and again accompanied by Elkanah
Hickson, rode to Wakefield, "where consulted lawyer Witton,"
Sunday as it was. But Thoresby was not so absorbed with
his trouble as to ignore the duties of the day, nor so angered
by the prosecution as to break off his attendance at church : —
" Then heard their honest Vicar, Mr. Obadiah Lee, a native
of Holbeck; who made an extraordinary serious discourse, giving
both motives and directions, how to conform our lives to the

FROM A.D, 1683 TO 1685. 213
Gospel." After this he "gave cousin Atkinson a visit upon the
same account." Evening, "read a sermon of worthy Mr. Stret
ton's, preached at Leeds in 1672." Thoresby's relationship with
this " cousin " is not easily traceable, but well worth his remem
brance under the circumstances; Edward Atkinson, Esq., being
a barrister of Gray's Inn, and the son of a former Mayor of
Leeds." *
Then came the critical Monday, 3rd of December: —
"Eose about five. Spent an hour, I hope not unprofitably;
was especially desirous that God would mercifully condescend
to direct me, that I may neither speak nor do anything
whereby his great name may be dishonoured, his Gospel
reproached, or my own conscience defiled, by any of those
snares or stumbling blocks that may be laid before me this
day. Afterwards received much comfort from the twenty
second Psalm, which the good hand of God directed me to
before family prayer, especiaUy from fourth and fifth verses :
' Our Fathers trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them :
they cried unto thee, 0 Lord, and were not confounded : '
and the next words for my deserved humiliation, ' But I am
a worm and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the
people : ' and desire^ to be humbled for my sins which have
given them such advantage against me ; and Ukewise to act
faith upon the promises, and comfortably remember the experi
ences of God's gracious appearing for his in their trouble ;
especially for my dear and now glorious father, under the like
circumstances; so that I went before the magistrates to the
Sessions with courage above my expectation, considering my
bashful temper, and saw much of the goodness of God, in
restraining the wrath of man."
"The adverse party were enraged when I appeared with two
counsel, lawyers Witton and Atkinson, who pleaded it was no
riot, or conventicle, &c. ; so that they missed of their hoped for
prize, 201, for the house, and as much for the minister; but it
* The father, Edward Atkinson, Mayor of Leeds in 1661 and 16G7, was
the son of John Atkinson of Scarbrow in Westmoreland. He died in August
167B, aged 61.

214 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
pleased God to preserve him. He was in a neighbour's house,
whither the informers pursued him, and searched two rooms ;
the key of the third (where he sat alone) being in the door,
One of them providentially locked it by turning the key the
contrary way, and then lifting up the sneck, said he could, not
be there, for the door was locked and the key on the outside."
The case broke down, and its promoters "were baffled and
disappointed in their great design of proving it a riotous
meeting." The Conventicle Act was first passed for a limited period,
and gave one moiety of the penalties to Parish Churches, the
other to highways; but the renewal Act changed this, giving
a third to the Crown, a third to the poor of the Parish, and
the remaining third to informers. This in itself might have
accounted for the proceeding against Thoresby; but the prime
instigator proves to have been Alderman Martin Headley, who
was Mayor of Leeds in 1675. "All the Magistrates," says
Thoresby in his Review, " (except Mr. Headley the prosecutor)
carried themselves very civilly to me;" and in his diary he
gives these further particulars': —
" Though Alderman Headley was pleased to cast many reflec
tions upon the damnable rich fanatics (as he was pleased to
call them), yet all the Aldermen besides carried very moderately
and respectively [respectfully 1 ]. Mr. Eecorder Whyte was
pleased to express much kindness to me for my dear father's
sake, of whom he used, to say, ' He beUeved there was not
an honest Presbyterian in England till he was acquainted with
that learned and ingenious gentleman : ' but, vrithal, persuaded
me from conventicles, where nothing was preached but faction
and rebelUon : to which I only replied,' that the first time I
should hear it preached, I would thankfully embrace .his counsel;
but till then, must beg his excuse. Eeceived some jests, &c.,
from others of the justices; but desire to bless God that it
issued so well that we were not left a prey to some- unreason
able men, whose tender mercies are cruelties. After dinner,
with Aldemian Dixon, lawyer Witton, and cousin Atkinson, and

FROM A.D. 1683 TO 168S. 215
a great deal of good company j but spent too much time in
carnal joy, because in the evem'ng there passed some angry
words between two good men, and both my friends. Oh! how
sad it is that we cannot tell how to improve mercies better."
Further light was thrown upon this affair upon Alderman
Headley's death, about seven years later. Thoresby's diary for
the 9th of April 1691 has the foUo-wing : —
"At Mr. B. D.'s perusing some manuscript papers, relating
to benefactions, corporation, &c., with some ' proceeds of the
late untoward Alderman Martin Headley, containing his methods
for the extirpation of Fanaticism, &c., out of this populous
parish, with his petition to the King to that end, and for
Quo Warranto against Corporation; which unhappy man, not
withstanding, at his death could find none he durst trust -with
his concerns but one of those, viz, ditto Mr. Bryan Dixon,
whose name, together with my o-wn and many others, were
found under his own hand writing inter Puritanos, devoted to
destruction : and I can scarce forbear another passage wherein
that cruel persecutor seems to be under divine infatuation: he
would have made no will (being childless) but purposely to
prevent Jo: Hornby, of London, succeeding, him in all his
labours, -wherefore he bequeathed them to- Martin Hornby, a
Uttle knave who picked several guineas out of the Lord Dum-
blane and Latimer's pockets when at his uncle Headley's house
at Leeds, whereby he had so far incurred his displeasure that
he had sent him a far voyage into some of tho plantations,
but now in as great trouble how to dispose, as formerly
how to get, an estate, he makes him his heir, to prevent
this Jos. of London; who, notwithstanding all his endeavours
(the said Martin being dead before the date of the will),
now enjoys whatever remains of the wretched man's labours,
whose name he has erased and set his o-wn upon his house.
Eccles-. iv. 7, 8."*
* " Then I returned and I saw vanity under the sun.
"There is one alone, and tlicre is not a second; yea, he had neither child
nor brother : yet is there no end of all his labour ; neither is his eye satisfied
with riches; neither saith he, Tor whom do I labour, and bereave my soul
of good? This is also v.anity, yea it is » sore travaU."

216 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
" 24 Apl. 1691. Had Mr. Ibbetson's company perusing
Headley's papers, wherein we found our own names, and -with
many others devoted to ruin and confiscation."
The prosecution did not deter Thoresby from again bra-ving
the Conventicle Act ; for the very next Sunday he " rode with
dear E. H. [Elkanah Hickson] T. W. and T. F. [probably
Thomas Whitaker and Thomas Fenton] to worthy Mr. Sharp's,
who gave an excellent and very suitable discourse from Psalm
lvi. 3, 'what time I am afraid I wiU trust in the Lord.'"
"My usual course after this," begins the Review for the
year 1694, "was to hear our learned and pious Vicar,
Mr. Milner, in the forenoon, and in the aftemoon, Mr. Skargil,
of Holbeck, or Mr. Moon, of Hunslet, both plain, practical
preachers ; and when we had not the conveniency of Mr.
Sharp's excellent sermons in secret, to prevail with Mr. Elk.
Hickson to repeat one of them in private. He had a peculiar
talent of taking in characters those admirable sermons with
more accuracy than any other person, and was oil that and
other accounts very dear to me, but in some respects not so
circumspect as to be wished."
Thoresby continued apprehensive, notwithstanding his acquittal;
and, as it appears afterward, not without some reason : —
"16 January 1684. Spent much of the afternoon at Mr. W.'s
and evening at Mr. E. H.'s ; and though was not myself, as
I expected, called upon at the Sessions, yet heard very severe
news of my dear friends and acquaintances, cousin Ibbetson,*
cousin Whitaker, t that it is feared may suffer imprisonment,
* One of this family, Joshua Ibbetson, became Mayor of Leeds in the
foUo-wing September.
t Thomas Whitaker, the Independent minister, who has been named several
times before, was the son of Dr. Kobert Whitaker, of Hely, near Burnley.
He was «ent to York Castle, and confined there for about a year and a half.
In Heywood's life it is stated that he and Timothy Jollie, of SheflSeld, "were
imprisoned for a long period in the Castle at York, and the death, during
that period, of the young wife of Mr. Whitaker made his case more grievous ;
but they bore it with a fortitude such that the example operated to encourage,
not to deter." Jollie wrote a short memoir of Whitaker, which is appended
to a volume of his sermons published in 1712,

FROM A.D, 1683 TO 16S5. 217
durante vita, upon 23rd of Elizabeth; for whom my heart even
bleeds within me. The Lord direct them, and if it be thy
will, convince them that there is no sin in attendance upon
the pubUc ordinances; that they may neither sin against their
own consciences, nor give scope to the malice of unreasonable
men so grievously to torment them,"
Thoresby gives no explanation why he now changed St. John's
for the Parish Church, Holbeck and Hunslet; and none is to
be found in his own account of Mr. Kay's successor. At any
rate, his prosecution did not aUenate him from the Church of
England, any more than it prevented his continued attendance
upon the secret ministrations of Mr. Sharp. He held on his
course like one who had clear understanding of, and confidence
in, his own principles, with courage and independence enough
to act upon them. In the previous autumn. Archbishop Sterne
had been succeeded in the See of York by the same Bishop
of Eochester whom Thoresby was disappointed of hearing at
Westminster, John Dolben. His career had been remarkable.
Elected, when but fifteen, a scholar of Christ's Church, Oxford,
he left his college during the civil wars, joined the EoyaUst
army, and fought as an ensign at Marston Moor, where he
was wounded by a musket shot in the shoulder.-* On the
King's cause failing, he returned to his coUege, and remained
there until turned out by a commission from the Parliament.
On the Eestoration he became Canon of Christ's Church ; and
subsequently Archdeacon of London, Dean of Westminster, and
Bishop of Eochester. The London Gazette of the Isfc of October
1683 gives the following account, dated York, September 26th,
of Dolben's entry into his new diocese : — •
" On Monday last the Most Eeverend Father in God the
Lord Archbishop of York arrived at Doncaster, having been
* In Thoresby's museum there were " Archbishop Dolben's Buttons of Indian
Peas tipp'd with Silver, pi'obably when he was in the Army of King Charles I,"
16

218 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
received in that place by several Noblemen and a great number,
of Gentlemen and Clergymen, and by them accompanied to
the Town, where his Grace was welcomed by the Mayor and
Aldermen in their Formalities, and entertained with a Banquet.
The next day his Grace continued his journey to Ferrybridge,
where the Mayor and Aldermen of Pontefract waited his
coming, and entertained his Grace and all his Company. The
like was done at Tadcaster by the whole Corporation of
Leeds; and yesterday his Grace being attended -with a very
numerous company of Gentry arrived at Bishopthorpe extremely
satisfied to find the Country so full of Duty and Affection tp
the Established Church."
In the following Spring the new Archbishop visited Leeds,
'and Thoresby joined in doing him honour : —
" 30 April. Towards evening rode -with some neighbours to
meet our famous Ajchbishop Dolben, who is by me chiefly
valued for his moderation, and that he is a preaching bishop;
he was accompanied to the town by most of the Corporation
and neighbouring gentry."
" 1 May. Went very early to church, when the worthy
bishop made a very excellent sermon from James 1, 10, on
religious commemorations and holy-days. He preached exceUently
and charitably; but there being many of the nobiUty and
gentry in town, and I being the rest of the day vrith my
honoured and kind friend, Mr. Henry Fairfax, and evening
with his good father the Lord Fairfax, was prevented from
writing down the heads tUl too much forgot.''
In the Review, Thoresby says : —
"I rode with most of the gentry in the neighbourhood to
meet Archbishop Dolben, who was much honoured as a preach
ing bishop. May 1, 1684, he gave us an excellent sermon at
the Parish Church; see his remarkable preliminary discourse
concerning holy-days, their institution, and abuse in the Eomish
Church, which makes many good people (his own expression),
averse to them, even as celebrated in the Church of England,
though without superstition. In the whole he showed great
temper and moderation."

FROM A.D, 1683 TO 1635. 219
On the following Sunday, the 4th of May, Thoresby rode
to the neighbouring village of Eawdon, to the consecration of
a chapel there by the Archbishop. It had been built by
Henry Layton of Eawdon, in compliance with the -wiU of his
father, Francis Layton, one of the Masters of the Jewel House
to Kings Charles the First and Second.* A younger son,
Thomas Layton, "beautified" it, walled round the churchyard,
and increased the endowment; besides building and endowing
hospitals and a school, with a room over the latter for town's
meetings. Thoresby states that the Archbishop preached "very
seriously " and " excellently " the consecration sermon.
The year 1684 was that which opened with so intensely
severe a season, that the frozen Thames became a highway
and a fair-ground throughout the greater part of January. The
frost was general ; and at Leeds there were booths erected and
sports held upon the river Aire, also covered with thick ice.
"4 January. Abroad with Mr. T. B.; walked with him and
others from the MiUs below the Old Church, all up the main
river, under the bridge to about the upper dam, the Uke
continued frost not having been known, or scarce heard of, in
these parts."
This memorable winter put a check to Thoresby's early
rising, —
"10 MarcL The vernal equinox being now returned, got
up before five, resolving to do that now, which the violent
and tedious storm (such as no history can parallel) hindered
me most of this winter."
He walked the same day with Elkanah Hickson to SwiUing-
ton Church ; " transcribed the monuments of the Dineleys,
Lowthers, and worthy Mr. Eobinson Senf, the famous Vicar of
* He was one of the Royalists whose estate suffered by sequestration; and
" paid %70l. 12s. to Oliver's plunderers,'' to quote from Wilson, who, in his
West Riding Pedigrees, has preserved Henry Layton's autograph.

220 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
this to-wn,* returned home again on foot by Hunslet, but well
wearied." Nearly a fortnight later he was at Pontefract, where
he dined at Dr. Johnston's with the Earl and Countess of
Eglingtpn; and early in April he rode to Eochdale and Man
chester. At Manchester, —
" Placed sister (as others did their daughters) with Madam
Frankland; the Lord grant it may be, as designed, for the
good both of soul and body! Afterwards viewing the library
and famous benefactions of Mr. Cheetham; spent much of the
afternoon in perusing the monuments in the church, and viewing
Salford." Soon after his retum he visited Armley, "inquisitive of the
ancient family of the Hoptons, now extinct." t
On Monday, the 12th of May, in company with Mr. Fenton
of Hunslet, Thoresby again set out for London, the old way,
on horseback. First riding to Doncaster, where he transcribed
some monumental inscriptions, he got to Bamby-on-the-Moor for
the night. A rainy moming retarded his next day's progress;
but after at Tuxford taking "an account of Mr. Bead's noble
benefaction," he rode to Coltsforth (Coltersworth), nearly midway
between Grantham and Stamford. Wednesday, on arriving at
Peterborough, he "had the acceptable company" of the Bishop's
* Forty years afterward Thoresby published this epitaph, a Latin one, in
his Vicaria Leodiensis, saying that he had transcribed it in the chancel at
Swillington, where it had been " first inscribed upon a Plate of Brass, and
since upon a curious monument in the wall."
t The pedigree of the Hoptons begins with Sir Ingram, who came with the
Conqueror, and comes do'wn to Sir Ingram of Armley, who was killed at
Wiusby Fight, near Homcastle, in Lincolnshire, on the 14th of October 1643.
Armley, which had come to the Hoptons by a marriage, then passed 'with
the daughter and sole heiress of the last Sir Ingram to Sir Miles Stapleton
of Wighill, in York Ainsty ; and 'with their daughter and heiress, Katherine,
to Sir Thomas Mauleverer, Bart. Therefore Thoresby calls the Armley family
extinct ; but the male line of the Hoptons was continued in a younger branch,
one of whom became the second husband of the above Katherine Stapleton.
There was no issue from either marriage ; and Armley Manor next became the
property of the Inglebys of Eipley.

FROM A.D. 1683 TO 1685. 221
Chaplain, brother of Dr. Johnston of Pontefract; and from
him " received much satisfaction by the pemsal of a manu
script concerning the monuments in the Cathedral that are
now demolished." Mr. Johnston accompanied him onward, but
Thoresby spent so much time in transcribing the remaining
monuments that they did not that day go beyond Huntingdon.
Still, Thoresby reached London on Thursday, ha'ving ridden, by
Eoyston and Ware, close upon sixty miles. The business upon
which he had come only detained him a week.
It is said in the memoir given in the Biographia Britannica,
that the foreign woollen trade of Leeds having fallen to decay
before his father's death, Thoresby " endeavoured to make up
that defect by the linen trade, in which ¦view he purchased his
freedom in the incorporated Society of Merchant Adventurers,
trading to Hamburg." Upon the second day after arriving in
London, Saturday, the 17th of May, he writes, — "In company
of several merchants, &c., taking my freedom of the East-land
Company ; " and on the 22nd, — " Took my freedom of the
Hamburg Company." Both these trading companies date from
the reign of Elizabeth. The Hamburgh began in 1564. The
charter of the " Fellowship of Eastland Merchants," granted in
1579, gave them the sole trade through the Sound to Copen
hagen, Elsinore, and nearly the entire coasts of the Baltic; but
this monopoly was almost done away with in 1672 by Act of
ParUament, 25 Charles IL, c. 7,* which threw Denmark, Sweden
and Norway open to all, and, in regard to the southern coast
of the Baltic, enacted that any Englishman who desired admit
tance into the Eastland Company should not be required to pay
more than forty shillings. Thoresby's entry into this company
was not, therefore, a very serious matter. Yet, when speaking
* As in the Record Commission's publication of the Statues. Maopherson's
Annals of Comrmrce gives the reference cap, 2, The Act was " For encourage
ment of the Eastland Trade,"

222 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
of it in the Review of his Ufe, he adds,^ — "Born under some
unhappy, at least some unsuitable constellation, I never made
a merchant worth a farthing, or got so much in those parts
as my freedom cost me,''
The few notices of his business transactions scattered through
his pre-vious diary sustain Thoresby's estimate of his commercial
attainments. Early in the May after his father's death he
wrote, — " Went to Wakefield ; had nothing of business ; under
some discouragements for want of trade." On the 29th of the
same month he wrote in a better strain, — "Very busy in the
forenoon, writing to London and to the North, and sending
away some cloth, per carrier." On the 8th of January 1681,
he told of vnriting letters "to drapers, by the carriers;" but
the next month he was again dispirited: —
"11 Feb. Somewhat disordered in the moming by a Dutch
letter of bad debts ; and then, to add to the grief, had too
severe a chide from one that was offended with a single ex
pression that I meant no harm by, but I hope it may be a
warning to me to be more cautious.''
After his return home from London in 1684 he incident
ally speaks of despatching "the Uttle business I had," ha-ving
attended "at Bridge Market" on Saturday the 10th of June.
This, it appears, was the last market held on the bridge
(unless one more was held there the next Tuesday), for on
the following Saturday, —
" At the new cloth-market, which by order of the Mayor
and Aldermen, is removed from off the bridge to the broad
street above, to prevent the inconveniency from the cold air
off the water in winter, and the trouble of carts and carriages
in summer." Thoresby's Review of this year says, —
" I had some Uttle business of trade, buying cloth at the
new market, now by general consent (afterwards confirmed in

FROM A.D. 1683 TO 1685. 223
the new charter*), removed from the bridge where it was
formerly, to the Broad-street."
Shortly after this he tells of having despatched some cloth
for Holland ; but antiquarian lore, not trading, was the right
pursuit for Ealph Thoresby.
• So far back as May 1680, a letter had come from the Privy Council "To our
loveing friends the Chiefe Magistrates of the Corporac'on of Leeds in York
shire," inquiring if all its members had conformed to the Corporation Act.
On the 26th of May a reply, that the Act had always been complied with
and should be strictly enforced in future, was signed by the Mayor, and all
the Aldermen (including Thoresby's relative, Marmaduke Hick), except two
who were in London, and "one beyond the sea." On the 19th of the next
month, two Deputy Lieutenants, appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, the .Earl
of Burlington, came to Leeds as Commissioners -with the same inquiries ; and
an "attest," was signed by the Mayor and Aldermen, certifying that the
Act had been complied with, and that in some cases where those elected
had refused the oaths and declarations required by it the several elections
had been declared ipso facto void. After this, after the loyal address of the
Corporation in July 1681, and their second address upon the Rye House Plot,
we might have expected their charter, Leeds not being a Parliamentary
borough, would escape the fate of the many surrendered after the Quo War
ranto proceedings against the offending municipality of Loudon ; and that It
did not, is perhaps to be ascribed in some measure to the petition for a Quo
Warranto by Alderman Headley. It was surrendered in October 1684, and a
third Charter of Incorporation was granted to Leeds on the 24th of Decem
ber following. This was read in the "Guildhall" of Leeds, say the Quarter
Sessions Records, on the 1st of January 1685. Gervase Neville, one of the
Deputation sent with the Address of 1681, was nominated Mayor. The es
sential difference between this Charter and the former ones lay in the
clause, — " Provided always and by" these present, we do reserve full power
and authority to ua, our heirs and successors, from time to time and at all
times hereafter, of removing and declaring to be removed, the Mayor,
recorder, common clerk, or any one or more of the aldermen, burges.ses,
assistants, or common council, and justices of the peace for the borough afore
said, for the time being, at the will and pleasure of us, our heira or
successors, made in the privy council," &c.
The market clause to which Thoresby alludes granted " that the several
markets now or lately held within the borough of Leeds aforesaid, in and
upon every Tuesday and Saturday in every week, for the sale of cloth made
within the borough aforesaid, and other places thereto adjacent, shall be
holden and kept in the street commonly called Briggate,'' &c. The former
charters sanction a Tuesday's market only, and that upon condition of the
cessation of an ancient market held on Mondays "from the time whereof
the memory of man is not to tlie contrary ; " but it is evident from Thoresby's
diary that a Saturday's market had been added by local authority, or custom
only.

224 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Taking up the freedom of the two companies is the only
reference to business during this visit to London, contained in
his diary, unless we are to except that with " Cousin Fenton "
he went " to see the copperas works at Eedriffe." It records
his attendance on the moming of his one Sunday spent at
this time in London, at St. Andrew's, Holborn, "where the
famous Dr. Stillingfleet made an excellent sermon ; " and his
hearing in the aftemoon Mr. Kidder, "who excellently confuted
several of the Socinian points."
On the 22nd of May, after entering the Hamburgh Com
pany, he walked to Newington Green, with Mr. Dickenson,
and a nephew of his, Mr. CoUings of Queenborough ; and from
thence "to a little hill surrounded by a moat," where, as
Cousin Dickenson informed him, had stood Jack Straw's Castle.
Eeturning to London, he stopped at " the new burying place,"
Bunhill Fields, where, left by his friends, he remained alone
until about ten at night, copying the epitaphs of Dr. Goodwin
and other eminent Nonconformists., He also copied that of the
late Mrs. Dickenson ; and next day he took his departure,
not straight for home and the cloth market, but for Windsor,
at whose " most noble royal palace " Thoresby " was mightily
pleased with the exquisite paintings in the castle, and St.
George's Chapel for the Knights of the Garter." The only
epitaph which he had time to transcribe was " one on a
stately monument lately erected for a north country Bishop,
Brideoak." * He " unhappily missed that of Sir Eichard Wortley,"
and leaving Windsor in the evening went on to Maidenhead,
a few miles along the Oxford road. Mr. Fenton still travelled
with him ; and on the following day, Sunday, these two
members of Mr. Sharp's forbidden congregation rode forward
to Oxford, a distance of above thirty miles — " more than a
Sabbath-day's journey," says Thoresby, "for which I desire
to be thoroughly humbled." He then continues, —
'' Ante, page 147.

FROM A.D. 16S3 TO 1685. 225
" We missed the forenoon sermon, though if like the after
noon which we heard at St. Mary's, it was the less matter,
where a young scholar gave a piece of history conceming the
Jewish sufferings, &c., from Josephus. I was much troubled, and
even dejected, to see the profaneness that abounds there, even
above what I could have imagined, though I never thought it
the most serious place. Afterwards, walked to see the fronts of
some of the colleges and churches, and in one found a
serious, good old man, I think Dr. Wallis, catechising the boys,
and expounding part of the creed, which we gladly staid to hear
with satisfaction, it being the likest a Sabbath-day's employ of
anything we had seen before." And in the Review he says, —
"Viewed the fronts of many colleges, chapels, and haUs, but
was best pleased with an evening Catechetical Lecture, by the
famous Dr. Wallis." *
They finally spent the Sunday evening with a Leeds man
then at University College, Nathaniel Boyse, probably one of
old Matthew's numerous offspring, and brother of Thoresby's
two friends, Elkanah and Joseph. The account of the day
concludes, — "Lord, pardon the sins of this Sabbath, which I
think has been more disagreeable to its institution than ever
in my life ! "
On the Monday, with Mr. Boyse for guide, Thoresby visited
New College Chapel and the Hall of Christ Church, which he
decided to have " abundantly the pre-eminence " over other
chapels and haUs ; and the newly built Sheldonian Theatre,
which surprised him most of aU, being pillarless, though
seventy feet one way and eighty the other. Here Thoresby
was "much taken with the ancient altars, and inscriptions and
statues, Greek and Latin, given by the Lord Howard," and he
adds, "was courted for my own." He then proceeded to the
Bodleian Library, and "very pleasant" to him were the por
traits of college founders and others in the adjacent gallery.
* Dr. WaUis was then Savilian Professor. He is spoken of by Sorbifre
in his Voyage en Angleterre.

226 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
" The skeletons and stuffed human skins in the Anatomy School
suited my melancholy temper," says the Review, —
"But the chief of all was a Museum Ashmoleanum, which is
absolutely the best collection of such rarities that ever my eyes
beheld, amongst which is the most entire mummy (sent by Dr.
Huntingdon from Egypt) in Europe. Could have contentedly
spent a long time in a thorough view of the several rarities,
which the ingenious Dr. Plot (to whom I was singularly obliged
for his extraordinary civilities), has almost promised to print the
catalogue of, with Mr. Ashmole's picture before. Then was
shown the rarities that ditto most courteous Doctor had collected
for his history of Staffordshire ; as likewise the Scrinium Lis-
terianum* presented to the University by my father's ingenious
friend. Dr. Lister, formerly of York, now of London. I was ex
ceedingly courted for some of my coins, and almost won upon
by his most obliging carriage, but kept off from promising till
I see how it please God to dispose of me as to marriage, pos
terity, &c."
They had the company of Dr. Plot, keeper of the Ashmo-
lean Museum, at " a stately treat " given by Mr. Boyse, who
was Proctor that year, at University College, and then "with
much ado got out of town." They "rode unreasonably hard"
to reach Banbury, about twenty five miles from Oxford. Thoresby
was inquisitive for the tomb of Mr. Whately, the famous min
ister there, but found none, nor for Dr. Harris, though several
relations of both these eminent divines." t
The same evening they rode to Byfield, on the Daventry
road, and next day by Daventry to Lutterworth, where Thoresby
* Collected papers of Dr. Martin Lister.
t William Whately, M.A., was a native of Banbury, and its Vicar from
1610 to 1639. Dr. Harris, Rector of Hanwell, married Whately's sister, and
used to say of him, " that for all the requisites in a preacher, both for mat
ter, method, elocution, pronunciation, all, he seldom met 'with an abler man
than his brother Whately of Banbury." Theologically, they were reputed of
the Puritan school; and lives of both have been written.

FROM A.D. 1683 TO 1685. 227
saw Wickliffe's portrait ; and thence to Leicester, where he
transcribed from the monuments in St. Mary's CoUegiate Church,
Heyrick's, he says, being the most remarkable.*
From Leicester he rode " eighteen tedious long miles over
the moor, &c., to Nottingham," and arri-ving there at eight
o'clock at night went immediately to St. Mary's Church, where
he copied the epitaphs of the first and second Earis of Clare,
"of the religious families of the HolUses," but found none, as
he had expected, for the Earl of Kingston's family. He "after
wards transcribed an account of Mr. Hanley's benefaction from
the front of his hospital, with trouble enough (because late and
dark), but that the agreeableness of the employ were grateful."
" 28 May. Up pretty early, got well over the spacious Sher
wood Forest, which is deservedly esteemed the greater mercy,
because very lately there had been great abuses and robberies
committed there. From Mansfield, a great market town, over the
moors and through some country -villages to Eotherham, a large
market town, where was bom that famous benefactor, Thomas
Eotherham, Archbishop of York, whose college is now quite de
molished, and succeeded, alas ! by no pious foundation that I
could be informed of. Thence by Wombwell, a seat of an ancient
family of the same name, who have in tradition, that one of the
Saxon kings (I presume during the Heptarchy when there was
plenty of them), was starved to death in that house, where they
show a kind of an old vault near the cellar, supposed to be the
place : but I could not learn the king's name or the year. Then
passed by Burton Grange, where is an hospital founded (with
two others in different counties) by the religious and charitable
Lady Mary Armine. Then by Wakefield to my own habitation
in Leeds." During this six day's journey on horseback from London
to Leeds by way of Oxford, Thoresby assuredly " did not let
* The Heyricks of Beaumanor are buried at St. Martin's, Leicester, not
St. Mary's. See Nichotl's Leicester, where the epitaphs are given. There is
little doubt that Thoresby visited both churches.

228 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
grass grow under his feet." His last day's ride was above
seventy miles Thoresby caUs it fifty in his Review, but the
distance is sixty "as the crow flies,"
Immediately upon his return, he was " entertained with the
melancholy news of the deaths of Alderman Samuel Sykes, and
his brother Mr. Kirshaw, Eector of Eipley, two exceUent per
sons, and very useful in their several capacities." Alderman
Sykes, one of the friends in office on whom he called before
appearing at the Sessions, died upon the very day of Thoresby's
return : —
" 30 May. At the funeral of my worthy good friend, Mr.
Samuel Sykes, Alderman, whose much lamented death is a
public loss to this place. Mr. Eobinson preached a serious
affecting discourse, and so is the pro-vidence, the loss of so good
a magistrate, which is also accented by the death also of his
brother-in-law, my dear and much valued friend, Mr. John
Kirshaw, the reverend, moderate, and pious minister of Eipley,
whose death I heartily condole as a public loss."
This Eector of Eipley, whose church Thoresby visited from
Harrogate, had married Eebecca Sykes, sister to the Alderman,
and to Eichard Sykes, Eector of Spofforth. Wilson, in his
West-Eiding Pedigrees, has this interesting note conceming
him : —
"This John was M.A., Fellow of Brazen Nose CoU., Oxon.,
and Chief Pupil Monitor there ; presented to the Vicarage of
Wakefield, and ejected thence for his loyalty to King Charles
First, and for his affection to the Church of England, by OUver
Cromwell's sequestrators in 1645. Mrs. Hutton, Lady of Pop-
pleton, near York, took him to her house and made him her
chaplain, where he found a sanctuary until the happy restoration;
and in August Sir William Ingleby presented him to the Eec-
toTy of Eipley, where he died 1684."
Wilson says of the Kirshaws, —
" The Ancestors of this family resided formerly at Kirkshaw
Grange on the north side of the river Gaidar, in the parish of

FROM A.D. 1683 TO 1685. 229
Halifax, as I am informed from my very worthy friend, the
Eev, Mr. Sam. , Kirshaw, vicar of Leeds, who has a large col
lection of ancient writings belonging to the Kirshaws, Sykes's,
&c., being very curious originals."
Leeds was now re-visited by its former vicar, John Lake,
brother-in law as well as predecessor of the existing one, Mr.
Milner. Lake had just been made Bishop of Bristol, in place
of Bishop Gulston, who had died on the 4th of April in this
year : —
"June 1. Die Dom. This town had the honour to have
a sermon from another Bishop, Dr. John Lake, the first Vicar
hereof after his Majesty's Eestoration, lately translated from Soder
in Man to Bristol."
This is from Thoresby's Diary; "Bishop Lake, formerly
Vicar of Leeds, preached learnedly at our Parish Church," says
the Review.
" 7 June. Was importunately courted by Mr. Fairfax to ac
company him to Den|;on, where I received all the tokens of
favour I could possibly desire from the good Lord, for his cordial
respects to my dear father. I lodged with my said honoured
friend." The next entry in the diary further reveals the character
of Henry, the fourth Lord Fairfax : —
"8. Die Dom. Mr. Clapham, his lordship's chaplain, preached
exceedingly well, both forenoon and after. Was much pleased, on
yesternight, -with the good order observed in my Lord's reUgious
family, all which was caUed in, and Mr. Clapham read three or
four psalms and a chapter or two out of the Old Testament, and
as many out of the New, and then after a psalm sung, prayed
very seriously."
Before returning homo on the Monday Thoresby rode to
Skipton, and for six hours "was hard at work transcribing the
pedigrees of the ancient and noble family of the Cliffords,
Earls of Cumberland, with others they married into, from the
inscriptions upon the folding pictures in the castle,"

230 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
On Sunday the 29th of June, rising early, he "walked to
GUdersham, where at Mr. John Dickenson's had a curious op
portunity of privacy to hear Mr. Sharp." Mr. John Dickenson,
of Leeds, and afterward of London, had a son, a merchant, of
the same name ; and he, or some other member of the family,
was most likely the above-named resident at Gildersome.
Alderman Headley was stiU unappeased : —
"July 7. Advising -with friends, there being a subpoena for
J. C. to appear before the Lord Chief Justice Jeffries, about our
meeting at Cousin Fenton's of Hunslet, in November last, which
(though it was lawfully acquitted at our o-wn sessions at Leeds)
is now set a foot again by the inveterate malice of Alderman
Headley.'' It does not, howsoever, appear that Thoresby himself was
further troubled.
About the middle of August he again -visited Helaugh, and
perused " some old writings relating to Lord "Wharton's family."
He then adds, —
"After -with Mr. Todd, to visit my good brother Corlas, at
Marston, where he treated us kindly and affectionately in the
parsonage house, where formerly the good bishop, the exceUent
Dr. Morton, the parson thereof, lived, and whence during the
time of the plague at York (having made a private door out of
his study for the security of his family) he went to preach to
the poor visited people.''
The plague here mentioned was in 1604, when the infected
were sent into tents upon Hob Moor, on the Marston side of
the city, where Dr. Moreton visited them daily. He became
Bishop of Chester, Lichfield and Durham successively ; and his
Ufe by John Barwick, Dean of Durham, was pubUshed in 1660,
the year after that in which Bishop Moreton died, in the 95th
year of his age.
Visiting York on the 11th of September, Thoresby also
paid a visit " to cousin, the pious and reverend Mr. Whitaker,

FROM A.D. 1683 TO 1685. 231
a prisoner in the castle for conscience sake." He mentions,
on the 13th of November, "writing to Beverley about their
St. John's seal found in a box with an inscription, in digging
a grave." He again went to Manchester, his sister being ill
at the boarding-school ; and he found her worse than he ex
pected, but was "satisfied with Madam Frankland's prudence
and care.'' Her physician. Dr. Carte, son of the Eector of
Handsworth, near ShefiBeld, lent him a transcript of a manu
script history of Manchester by Mr. HolUngsworth, a Puritan
minister.* While there, he enjoyed the conversation of
Mr. Newcome, who has been mentioned on the occasion of a
former visit to Manchester; and of another Nonconformist
minister, Mr. Tildsley, who gave him some information con
cerning the /' temper and moderation " of the late Bishop of
Chester, WUkins ; and Sir Orlando Bridgeman, Lord Keeper
from 1667 to 1672.
Oliver Heywood's Ufe of his father-in-law also came under
their discussion ; and the latest entry in Thoresby's published
diary for the year 1684 is as follows: —
" Eeading holy Mr. Angler's life, writ by his son-in-law, my
very good friend ; and though not adequate to the extraordinary
worth of that excellent and worthy person, which was the reason
why Mr. Eaton (who preached his funeral sermon) and Mr. New-
come, and Mr. Tildesly, very eminent Nonconformist ministers of
Manchester (where I had this from ditto Mr. Tildesly) favoured
not the pubUcation of it as imperfect ; yet there are in it many
remarks that it would have been a thousand pities to have lost,
and which may be very advantageous to the serious reader."
Such was the early life of Ealph Thoresby, a new phase
now begins.
* Hunter says there is a copy of this history in the College Library at
Manchester, and another in the Library of the Herald's College.

Courtsbip anb flDarnaae.

MISS HILL— MISS DENHAM— MARY CHOLMLEY— ANNA SYKES.
" Being now twenty-six years of age, I was soUcited to
change my condition." Thoresby wrote this when reviewing
his life for the year 1684, but he might have dated it a full
twelve -month sooner. When in London in the month of
March 1683, and only in his twenty-fifth year, he received
the same counsel ; and in the same month he repeatedly
visited a London merchant, Daniel Edward Hill,* who had
daughters : —
"1 March 1683. . . . Called upon by Cousin Milner;
spent most of the evening •with him at Mr. HiU's ; by-the-bye,
observing his comely and virtuous daughters, conceming whom I
have had some letters from the north. Then at Mr. Stretton's."
" 6. Dined at Mr. HiU's . . . much concerned in my
mind with what Mr. Str. was discoursing of to me.''
" 12. Spent most of the day in 'visits, particularly at Mr.
HiU's, tiU pretty late in the evening, endeavouring to observe,
&c. ; after, discoursing Cousin D. [Dickenson] very seriously,
about what I am soUcited to by some that wish me well
Lord ! direct me therein."
"13. Most of the forenoon ad-vising Mr. Str. about ditto
matter, of consequence as to my particular ..."
This first essay at courtship had a quick and fruitless ending;
but Thoresby entered upon a second with a promptitude which
* Son of a Vicar of Iluddersfield, and cousin to Joshua Hill, merchant, of
Beeston.

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 233
argues that the solicitations of his well wishers were not at
variance with his own inclination. Only ten days after his
dining at Mr. HiU's he was again advising with Mr. Stretton
"on a matter which," he says, "occasioned a visit with my
good Cousin D. to Mr. D.'s;" that is, to Mr. Denham's, who
did business in Blackwell Hall, and Uved in Aldermanbury
Postern. Next day, 17 March,— " discoursing with Mr. Denham on
a matter of moment as to me . . , went home with him
to visit his lovely daughter."
"22. Morning at Blackwell Hall, but most of the forenoon
at St. Clement's, where Dr. Burnet, since Bishop of Sarum,
made an excellent sermon from Eom. vi. 22, on the service
of God. Exceedingly surprised -with an unexpected, and, I had
almost said, unconscionable demur of Mr. Denham's, without
any show of reason, about which spent the evening tiU pretty
late, with Mr. Stretton and Cousin Dickenson."
" 23. Spent forenoon at Blackwell Hall, with Cousin D.,
now and then discoursing the business. I was under great
anxieties and disquiets . . , evening discoursing with Mr. Str.
about ditto concern."
He was not yet so discouraged as to abandon his suit, for
he spent the afternoon of the following Monday, 26th March,
at Mr. Denham's, "discoursing his lovely daughter." But
Thoresby then " perceived several invincible diflaculties from
some foolish relations ; " and
" 27. After exchange, consulting with Cousin D., then at
Mr. D.'s, and had a full account of disingenuous (to say no
worse) transactions not becoming Christians, much less those
that profess a greater exactness than the vulgar.''
The diary has no more of the matter, and in another
week Thoresby left London for home ; but from his corres
pondence we learn that even yet he had not given up all
17

234 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER. •
thought of the lovely Miss Denham. Mr. Stretton said in his
letter of the 26th of April, about the new edition of Fox's
Martyrs, — "We know not what to say to the Postern, though
we watch their motions, and shall observe your directions;
things are not so fairly or ingenuously carried by the old
folks as they ought ; " and on the 7th of July, only a week
or so before Mr. Stretton's committal to Newgate, he wrote
another letter to his young friend entirely upon the subject
Although a rather long one, and already pubUshed, the story
of Thoresby's courtship would be imperfect without it; and
(particularly when we remember the impending troubles under
which it was 'written), the interest which it manifests in him,
beside strong indignation at the treatment which he had ex
perienced, makes it additionaUy worth insertion. Moreover, it
has some value as a picture of the times : —
"London, July 7th 1683."
"Dear Sir,
"I must trouble you once more about a business I had
thought neither you nor I should ever have troubled our
thoughts with more, unless in slighting of it. But there may
be (for ought I know) something of God in it, which should
not be sUghted ; it was as strange and unexpected to me, as
it can be to you. The Friday before last, Mr. Dickenson
showed me your letter, and we consulted and resolved, that
he should speak plainly to Mr. D., and sound his mind, and
give you an account, that you might act accordingly; hia
answer, I perceive, was not satisfactory. But yesterday, I was
going to Mr. HiU's to see Mr. Spademan, * and Mrs. Denham
stood at her door, whom I passed by very shghtly (as I had
done him, one day this week before), and took Uttle notice
* The Rev. John Spademan, M.A., Vicar of Swaton in South Lincolnshire,
was one of several clergymen in that county mentioned by Calamy, who
conformed at the passing of the Uniformity Act, but left the Church of
England some years later. He then became minister of a church in Rotterdam.
His mother was the sister of Mr. Hill of Beeston, and of Joseph HiU, B,D,,
also minister of the EngUsh church at Rotterdam.

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 235
of her; but she presently sends after me, that she must needs
speak with me before I went from the Postem. After an
hour's stay at Mr. Hill's, I caUed, and found him and her
together ; I looked strange (as they soon perceived), and I
thought I had reason, to have myself and friend so abused
by them. She presently began, that she heard by Mr. Hard-
castle, and perceived by my carriage, that I had hard
thoughts of them, for their carriages towards Mr. Th. : I told
them so I had, and had reason for it ; and told them they
had abused both me and my friend, and had not carried as
those that know what either religion or good breeding meant :
my spirits were stirred, and I never was in a better temper
to have discoursed and rattled them for their unhandsome
carriage than at that time. They began to palliate and make
excuses ; but I told them that would not do ; they must not
think to impose upon us, but we could see through such fig-
leaved excuses. She»blamed him as the cause, and he blamed
her as first hindering it (which she confessed, and seemed
ashamed that they should entertain two together), which
formerly she had o-wned, and he denied ; but since, she said,
she has as much desired it as anything in the world, and
owned the messuage she sent you by Mr. Hardcastle, and said
the fault lay only in her husband : he said it did not lie in
him, but in his daughter, that did not incline and he would
not force her. I bade him for shame hold his tongue, and
do not make her, that I believe was most innocent, to be
the only guilty person. She replied, her daughter seemed averse
because her father was averse to it ; but if he inclined, she
would sooner incline to it : though I perceived the other girls
over against, out of envy, had laboured to set her aU they
could against you; and the mother remembered the caution I
gave her daughter (which she had thought on), to take heed
foolish young women, out of envy or design, did not make
her sUght or lose a good husband when offered. And I charged
them with reporting you were sUghted and cast off there
before you made addresses to their daughter, which they
owned ; and I convinced them of the falsehood of it. I
would have been gone, but she stayed me, and sent for a
glass of wine, and would have had me take a pipe, which I

286 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
refused. I oft essayed to go away, but I saw clearly both he
and she desired my stay. She said, she expected an answer
of her letter. I told her she had no reason, that had dealt
so ambiguously, that nobody could tell what they meant hy
their words and writing. I told them they had too many of
your letters already, but I hoped they would have so much
manners as to retum them when he returned theirs ; which, I
thought, they might sooner expect than any new answers,
unless they had shown more honesty and plain-heartedness in
this affair. The more I saw them coming on, the more averse
I seemed to it ; but I saw we must not part thus. After
long discourse, I being up and down ready to go most part
of an hour, upon my legs, at length, when I perceived (if I
am not much mistaken) - it was their design to have it brought
on again ; I told them, if they would leave all their juggling,
tricks (which I did beUeve did not arise from themselves, but
rather the ill counsel of others that consulted their own
interest more than their good in it), I would plainly and nakedly
tell them my thoughts what had obstructed it, and how it
might fairly be brought on again. I told them, I was satisfied
upon the whole, that Mr. D. himself was the only hinderance,
and the ground of it; some ill counsel from Blackwell-haU
that it was not his interest (that is not theirs that gave it,
who, if he- miscarried, must necessarily fall into his trade)
to admit of a partner, especially one that had not served his
apprenticeship, and there would be quarrels between them.
Mrs. D. said that was only her daughter's fear, and not being
bred to a calling, he would be negligent and not mind his
business. He did in effect acknowledge I had hit the nail on
the head. I told him it was his own offer, and I judged it
to be for his as well as your advantage, and told him, if he
could agree -with any man alive, I thought he might with you.
And for your diUgence and faithfulness, I did not question,
but if you was called to it, you would quickly remove their
jealousies, and confute the reproaches some would cast upon
your dead father and you. He said he had not been fairly
dealt with as to your estate : I told him he never came so
far as to demand it. He said your father designed your
brother and sister more than by his -will was given them, and

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE, 237
you was obliged to make good his intentions, and then he
could not learn you was worth above lOOOZ,, though he said
that was not the thing he stood upon. I told him if they
would entertain no other in the meantime, I would once again
propose it to you, and get a particular of your estate, which
they seemed to promise. Therefore, pray, the next post (and
direct your letter for me to be left with Mr. Dickenson) give
me a true account of the value of your estate, and what by
law or conscience you are obliged to pay out to your brother
and sister. I will now make a bolt or a shot of it ; and if
you write to her mother and her it will not be amiss. I can
scarce tell the tithe of our discourse : accept this abrupt
account of some passages. My hearty love and service to you
and to all friends. I commit you to God, and rest
" Yours,
"E. S,"
This letter reveals the nature of the affair too clearly to
need comment ; and the failure of the negotiation, after all
Mr. Stretton's diplomacy, is sufiiciently explained in the first
part of his Newgate letter of the 1st of September. Even
imprisonment did not abate his warmth concerning this love-
passage of Thoresby's : —
" I have been so vexed and grieved about their unworthy
carriage at the Postern, that I knew not how to speak to them,
or write to you. I must say they carried it as badly as if
they had wanted religion, as well as good breeding. I never
saw more double-dealing in a business in my Ufe ; and I now
see their after-juggling was out of design, to make me and
Mr. Dickenson, and your other friends here, to think there was
no fault in them, but in their daughter, which is loathsome
and nauseous to us that know the contrary. Your carriage all
along hath been becoming a man and a Christian, and you
have nothing to reflect upon with regret and trouble, which
they may live to do more than at present they seem to do.
Their dirty dealing appears in that they have entertained two
others, one immediately after the other, all the while they have
been treating with you, and I hear a match is now fully con-

238 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
eluded between the hosier and her. I doubt not but God hath
a blessing in store for you, and submission to the will of God
in it is your duty: to assist you in that and greater matters,
I have sent you a sermon, which I perused, and hastily -wrote
a short epistle to,* since I came into the place, which may be
some use to you."
Thus ended Thoresby's overture to Miss Denham of the
Postem. Had it been successful, and had he become business-
partner with her father at Blackwell Hall, it is questionable
that we should now have had the Ducatus Leodiensis.
Next year Thoresby, still a bachelor, "was pecuUarly recom
mended to Mrs. Mary Cholmley, eldest daughter of Eichard
Cholmley, of Sprustey, Esq." Sprustey is now a farm between
Harrogate and Eipley. " I made my application," says Thoresby,
" finding the young lady lovely, pious and prudent, and -withal
a considerable fortune ; being not only co-heir to her father, hut
an additional portion given her by the Lady Morgan, her aunt."
Again Mr. Stretton's good offices were forthcoming. On the
8th of October 1684, he addressed a letter to Mr. Cholmley,
and sent it to Thoresby in another with this instruction, — " I
must desire you to convey the enclosed as directed; I think if
it was with your own hands, it were not amiss ; but that I
leave to your prudence. I have used the freedom with him I
use to all my friends, and wish good success to it." The letter
to Mr, Cholmley ran as follows : —
"Dear Sir,
" The last time I ¦wrote to you was upon the diminish
ing of your family, and this is about the enlarging it. I occa
sionally heard (though not from him) that my old friend, Mr. E.
Thoresby, was a servant to your daughter, and I was not sorry
to hear the news, having hinted to him my thoughts the last
time I saw him,t that she would make him a good wife, and I
* Here occurs the footnote, — "Lady Russell. R. T."
t Probably during Thoresby's London visit of the previous May, when Mr.
Stretton was again at liberty.

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 239
judged a suitableness on aU sides. The person that first told
me of it, hearing I had some acquaintance with you, desired me
to vrate to you on his behalf, and to give you a character of
him : I then decUned it as needless, judging you both stood
on an equal level, and the more you knew each other the
better you would like one another. I heard you offered that
which would content him, and required no more than he was
both able and willing to do ; that I judged the business lay
only between your daughter and him ; but the last night, the
same person * told me you put some stop to it, which I was
troubled at, on your account as well as his, for I do not know
where either of you can do better. Pray, if he bring this
letter, make him welcome for my sake ; and consult God's
glory, and your own and your daughter's comfort in this busi
ness. It may be, if you slight such an offer, you may never
have the Uke again. If you knew him as well as some others
do, you would prize him at another rate. If he do not make a
good husband and a good son-in-law, I doubt Yorkshire ¦will
not afford one. His father was my most intimate bosom friend;
as worthy a person, and as useful as ever I knew any of his
station, and as good an husband as ever Yorkshire had. And
his son does patrizare more than most young men I know of
this age. You will value a good kind for to breed cattle out
of, and 'will be more careful for your posterity. It may be
his personal qualifications and endowments exceed most of his
years : if his modesty conceal his worth, yet it is a safe
covering and ornament to. Do but consider how you are
outbid, both as to this world and another, to what was
offered before ; and if you sUp this, I question whether Leeds
or York can yield you a merchant every way more desirable
Do not give occasion to adversaries to open their mouths :
consult God's honour, and your own and your daughter's
reputation and comfort, and I think you will heartily close
with it. I am in great haste, and can only present mine
and my 'wife's hearty love and ser'vice to you and yours.
* Mr. Stretton said in his note to I'horesby, that he wrote "under a promise
to Mr. Dickenson," and scarcely ever in "greater haste or confusion.''

240 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Heartily praying that God would direct and succeed you in
this affair, I commit you to his guidance and blessing; and rest
"Your assured friend and servant,
"EiCH. Stretton.'
In the postscript to the . letter in which this was enclosed,
Mr. Stretton said to Thoresby, — "I did not judge it needful
to write before, and I hope there is not much now ; " but
money considerations again out-weighed Mr. Stretton's advocacy.
In less than three weeks from the date of his letter to Mr.
Cholmley, Mr. Cholmley wrote thus to Thoresby : —
"Sprustie, Oct. 25, 1684."
" After you went from hence, I did read over the particulars
you gave me of your estate ; and the truth is, I cannot but
admire at your singularity in setting down old debts, and the
furniture of your house, and 501. in a chapel, laid out by
your pious father, which it is possible may be employed for
the end it was builded for; ¦* but, if not, I suppose the house
will be of far less worth than it cost. I could comment upon
every one of these particulars, and lay before you how gray-
headed the furniture of the house may be, before you have a
wife to inherit it. I might tell you how long the debts you
reckon of, according to what you told me, hath been owing,
and you showed me no bond or bill for; but possibly I might
find a wrong interpretation made of such reflections : therefore.
Sir, in soberness, I am much dissatisfied with the particulars
you gave me in an account of, as falUng far short of that you
valued your estate to amount unto, and am truly sorry that
there should be any mistake betwixt us ; for except I should
go against all friends' advice, and expose my daughter to a
life of temptation, I cannot obtain what I truly longed after,
viz., to have so pious a son-in-law as I esteem you to be ; but
your estate falling so far below expectation on a due value, I
must entreat you to give me time to consult with some of my
friends and your's, that I may act as becometh a wise parent ;
¦ Mill Hill Chapel, then shut up; the "new building" of John Thoresby's WiU.

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 241
and when I have come to a consultation with my friends, and
a conclusion within myself, I shall impart myself more fuUy to
you in a line or two, being not willing that you should have
any more needless chargeable journeys to this place, till at least
we have advised with our friends. The bearer being to come
early on Monday to your to^wn, I beg your pardon that my
lines are so hasty, from so bad a pen ; and however things
fall out, that yet I may be accounted one of your well-wishers,
is the earnest request of. Sir,
"Your humble Servant,
"Eichard Cholmley."
The sequence, if not foregone conclusion, of this ominous
epistle was that Thoresby, in the former case put aside for a
hosier, was in this superseded in parental estimation by a
Member of Parliament. Thoresby himself gives this summary
account of the whole business : —
" I was courteously entertained by the whole family, and
after some time all matters were agreed upon, and the very
day of the marriage appointed, yet all came to nothing, by
the interposition of a member of Parliament, whose estate pre
ponderated mine, to whom afterwards she was married, in
pure obedience to her parents, who in this matter, acted not
agreeably to the great profession of religion the family had
been noted for. The pretence was, that her present fortune
and my estate could not maintain her genteelly till her parent's
death ; yet afterwards very solicitously endeavoured to fix me
to the second daughter, a beautiful and pious young gentle
woman; but I told them the objection (if of any weight) was
much more in this case. She was afterwards married to an
Alderman of Hull."
"This unexpected disappointment was to the mutual grief
and sorrow of myself and the lady of my affections, and we
parted, not without many tears on both sides. The poor lady-
had not much comfort in her advanced state, and survived
not long ; the kind Providence of God which foresaw this, and
how unfit I was for such a trial, prevented it in mercy. I

242 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
was supported in the perusal of Chamock on Divine Providence,
which I found most suitable in my present condition."
Notwithstanding Charnock, Thoresby was in low spirits.
He meditated, ascribing his disappointments and afflictions to
his own sins, and again : —
" The death of my dear father was now (though some
years ago) so fresh in my mind, and my hearty sorrow so
great, that I could not read the' funeral sermon for tears; and
I was concerned that, being deprived of the most desirable
society that earth could afford, I do not look up more to
what is infinitely more valuable in Heaven."
" To divert so strong a torrent of grief," Thoresby joined
his uncle Michael, Alderman Idle of Holbeck, and " dearest
Aunt Lucy," in a visit to their relatives in the neighbourhood
of York. While there, they rode on the Sunday from one
church to another, and to Thoresby's surprise " found four
towns ¦without sermon or prayers."
After all his pains, bad usage and disappointment, Thoresby
found a wife near home, in a famUy long known to him, and
repeatedly named in his diary.
In the days of the Tudors, William Sykes, younger son in a
family living at Sykes-Dyke near Carlisle, and of which the
servants, as recorded in the Ducatus, " wore the branded bull
as their badge," settled at Leeds and made money by the
cloth trade. His Grandson, Eichard Sykes, was nominated
Alderman of Leeds by Charles the First's Charter of Incorpora
tion, being among the first merchants of the to'wn. Twice, he
became head of the Corporation, and he took the lead in
purchasing from the Crown the Lordship of the Manor.* He
* " 1638. The House of Correction was built by Richard Sykes, Alderman, and
others, for a common Workhouse for the Poor. He gave also per Ann,,
to the Minister of Hunslet Chapel."— -ZJucatus Lead.

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 243
died in 1645, leaving four sons and as many daughters. The
eldest and youngest of the daughters married respectively John
Bernard and WiUiam Dobson, both Mayors of HuU; the second
daughter married a York merchant, the third did not marry.
Of the sons, John, the eldest, had two daughters, one of whom
was mother of Lodge the engraver, as before mentioned.
The second son, Henry Sykes of Hunslet-HaU, married the
daughter of Sir John Wood,.Kt., of Beeston, but he had not
male issue to carry on the Une. Eichard, the third son, mar
ried the daughter of the Eector of Kirkheaton, and succeeded
him in the Eectory. He was the father of Eichard Sykes,
Rector of Spofforth ; of Alderman Samuel Sykes, Thoresby's
friend ; of two other sons, merchants in Dort and London ;
and of two daughters, one of whom became Mrs. Kirshaw, of
Ripley Eectory. The fourth son, William, married Grace,
daughter and co-heiress of Josias Jenkinson, who is still
remembered in Leeds as a founder of Almshouses. She sur
vived her husband thirty-three years, and was the lady spoken
of in the following passage of Thoresby's diary : —
" 8 April 1681, Had this day a serious admonition from
old Mrs. Sykes, a noted Quaker, and notable good woman,
about the vanity of foolish ornaments and ribbons. I would
not (as they) look upon it as unlawful to wear them, but
desire to make a good use of such a reproof, and am very
thankful for her commendable Christian freedom."
William Sykes remained in Leeds as a merchant, until his
death in 1652 ; and by his aforesaid vrife, Grace, had five
sons and two daughters. From the fourth son, Daniel, is
descended Sir Tatton Sykes, Bart., of Sledmere. The eldest
son, Richard, of Ledsham HaU, married Elizabeth, daughter of
Thomas Scot, of West Thorpe in Buckinghamshire, Member
for Aylesbury in the Long Parliament, and one of the
regicides who after the Restoration were executed at Charing

244 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Cross; for he had sat as one of the judges of Charles the
First, and signed his death warrant. His wife, also named
Grace, was the eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Mauleverer, of
AUerton Mauleverer, Yorkshire. Eichard Sykes of Ledsham
had no son, but he had four daughters, all of whom married.
Thoresby was present at the festivities when Mary, the second
daughter, was married to Thomas Eayner of BeghaU, on the
last day of February 1682; when, he "sat up rather too late
with young company ; " and the next day : —
"Moming, when Mr. Sykes had prayed well with the family,
the old gentlewoman, a Quaker, made a very seasonable
exhortation to rejoice in the Lord, and that Satan might not
get advantage by our carnal mirth ; the more proper being in
her son's private house (though a vast company of men and
women), and upon this occasion ; else I am taught a woman's
duty is rather to learn in silence than teach in public ; after
wards, officiated as servitor, and employed in like affairs not
only the day, but too much of the night."
The eldest daughter of Eichard Sykes, named Elizabeth,
as her mother, was married to Thomas Wilson, the son of a
Leeds merchant, and himself in the same business. He
accompanied Thoresby at his last interview with the Cholmleys,
and offered substantial consolation by proposing a substitute
for the lady from whom Thoresby parted in tears. He
recommended his own sister-in-law, the third daughter of
Eichard Sykes ; and Thoresby acted upon the advice. When,
nearly four years before, he copied Lady Bolles' epitaph in
the church at Ledsham, he had ridden there 'with " worthy
Mr. Eichard Sykes (the minister of Spawforth's son)," and "was
kindly entertained at Mr. SykeS's," In that same church, he
married the daughter of his entertainer. His own account is, —
" Mr. Thomas Wilson, who accompanied me when I took
leave at Sprustey, recommended his wife's sister, Anna, the-
comely and virtuous daughter of Mr.. Eichard Sykes, senior

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 245
Lord of the Manor of Leeds, &c. I was very solicitous of
divine directions, and prayed fervently for guidance in a
matter of so great concem to me, both in respect of this
world and a future. And it pleased God to hear and answer,
so that we were joined together in holy matrimony, in the
parish church of Ledsham, by Mr. Hammond the Vicar, my
father Sykes living then at Ledsham Hall, (now the estate of
the pious and Eight Honourable Lady, the Lady Elizabeth
Hastings), Feb. 25, 1684;" (according to the new style, 1685).
In the Ledsham Eegister is recorded, — "'Eadulphus Thoresby
de Leeds, Mercator, and Anna Sykes de Ledsham conjuncti
fuerunt matrimonio vicesimo quinto die Februarii annoque Dni
1684." A quiet wedding had been planned; but, — "Notwith
standing our designed .privacy, we were met at our retum to
Leeds by about 300 horse.''
"All's well that ends well" Years after this event, Thoresby
traced his previous dissappointments to the over-ruling hand
of an all-^wise and beneficent Providence, and spoke of his
wedding day and his wife in these terms, —
" A day of mercy never to be forgotten by me or mine,
having since that happy moment enjoyed ,her endeared society
thirty five years (in which space it has pleased God to give us
six sons and four daughters), and I have by experience found
her to be the greatest blessing, she being eminent for piety
and devotion, meekness, modesty, and submission, though there
has rarely been occasion to try this, except in matter of the
baptizing and education of our children (after I changed my
sentiments as to conformity, of which in the sequel), and
singular prudence in a provident management of the family
concerns." This marriage added material for Thoresby's controversy with
Peter Le Neve, Norroy King at Arms, upon his armorial bear
ings. In the Ducatus Leodiensis he gives two pedigrees of the
numerous family of Sykes, each prefaced with their Coat-of-
Arms,  Argent, a Chevron sable, between three Fountains; the

246 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
heraldic fountain being a circular figure made up of waved
Unes of white and blue alternately, and Syke, an old word
signifying weU, or fountain. In one of these two Coats of the
Sykes's the chevron bears a crescent, denoting a younger branch
of the family.
Thoresby thought himself entitled to bear these arms upon
his own, on an escutcheon of pretence. Norroy -wrote, —
" I must beg some satisfaction about the coat in the
escutcheon of pretence by the name of Sykes, as I guess ; for
ha'ving searched some time since for a person of that name,
I could not find any right to arms in Yorkshire, the coat
seeming to be a rebus to the name."
Thoresby's defence of his claim gives some interesting par
ticulars relating to the Leeds branch of the Sykes famUy : —
" I presume I have given you entire satisfaction as to all
your queries, save the escutcheon of pretence in right of my
wife, who is daughter and co-heiress of Eichard Sykes, Gent.
who was eldest son of Mr. William Sykes, which famUy has
always borne the said arms ; and though there be no formal
entry, yet I can show it you in a gold seal of my great
grandfather's, Eichard Sykes (only with a crescent for difference
upon the che'vron), who was twice Chief Magistrate of this Cor
poration by the first charter, and besides vast estates to his
sons, gave ten thousand pounds a-piece to his daughters ; from
which four knights' and baronets' families are descended, that
you ¦will allow, in that respect, he was very well qualified to
bear arms ; but if either being a tradesman he omitted the
entry, or if during the wars, such papers were lost as would
have made it more clear, it is hard the descendants should be
debarred the accustomed arms in the fourth descent."
Whether Thoresby here proved his right to the arms in
question, or he did not, he showed at least that his want of
success with the Denhams and the Cholmleys had not driven
him to ipatch ¦with a family of inferior standing.

VI.

3n tbe IReiQn of 3ames tbe Second

PUBLIC APPREHENSIONS —ADDRESS 07 CORPORATION TO KING JAMES-
THORESBY'S FATHER-IN-LAW IMPRISONED — ILLEGAL QUARTERING OP
TROOPS — THORESBY AT MASS — WITH MR. SYKES TO DERBYSHIRE-
LIMITED MEANS— JAMES THE SECOND'S DECLARATION— DEATH OP HENRY,
LORD FAIRFAX— EXPECTED COUNTY ELECTION— REVOLUTION OF 1688-
NARROW ESCAPE FROM'^ FIRE.
Thoresby states in his Review that the license for his
marriage "was taken out in King Charles the Second's time;"
adding, " and we were married the very next week, yet King
James the Second was then upon the throne.'' Here there is
some inaccuracy, as Charles the Second died on the 6th of
February 1685, and the marriage was not until the 25th. Yet
the two events occurred nearly together, and Thoresby says, —
" Our joy was presently turned into mourning, for the death of
the King, which was bewailed with many tears, for the gloomy
prospect of Popery." This is confirmed by De La Pryme, in
whose diary for the same period we read, —
" In this year, in Febmary, dyed King Charles the Second,
of a disease they call an appoplexy, as they say. He is mightily
lamented by every one, as weU by his enemies as friends ; and
I heard a gentleman say that came from London, that the citty
was in tears, and most of the towns in which he came. Yet
perhaps it may be that they wept not so much for the love
they bore to him as for fear that his brother who now reigns
should be worse than he."

248 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
It is natural enough that in the apprehensions stirred up
when the life of Charles was cut short at the age of 53, his
good qualities should have been most remembered, and all that
had been arbitrary in the closing years of his reign ascribed
less to him than to influences surrounding him; particularly to
that of the Duke of York, his successor on the throne But
the public at large could not participate in personal recollections
like Evelyn, who wrote, — " He was ever kind to me, and very
gracious upon all occasions, and therefore I cannot, without
ingratitude, but deplore his loss, which for many respects, as
well as duty, I do with all my soul." De La Pryme's shrewd
qualification of the national mourning is not therefore altogether
unwarrantable, and it agrees with Thoresby's attributing the
tears shed, not only to the death of the King, but to "the
gloomy prospect of Popery." And as there was gloom on the
one hand, so was there elation upon the other. Thoresby further
says, — " The hectoring of some Eomanists in the neighbourhood,
and their Popish servants abusing the town's watch, increased
my fears."
The new King's declaration to his Privy Council in favour
of the Established Church and laws of the land, published in
the Gazette of the 9th of February, was calculated to allay such
apprehension. The re-constituted Corporation of Leeds, which
held its first court on the very day of Charles the Second's
death, followed the example of other Corporations, and on the
20th of February * voted an address to King James, in which
they "sorrowfully condole" with him for the death of his late
brother, congratulate him on his accession, thank him "for his
late most gracious declaration," and devoutly pray that his
Crown and dignity may be established in peace and for ever
upon the King and his posterity. It was signed by the new
* On the same day it took measures "to defray the charge of the Charter,"
by an assessment, proportionable like poor-rate.

IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE SECOND. 249
Mayor, Gervase Nevile, and its presentation is recorded in the
Gazette of the 9th of MarcL A Parliament was summoned for
the 19th of May, and Lord Clifford was again returned Member
for Yorkshire ; though instead of Lord Fairfax for colleague
he had their former opponent. Sir John Kay of Woodsome,
But Thoresby soon had justification for his uneasiness. He
gives this account of his experiences when the Duke of Mon
mouth had landed in Dorsetshire, on the 11th of June 1685,
upon his ill founded, ill managed and ill fated expedition against
James the Second : —
" Upon the landing of the Duke of Monmouth, not only
such as had been engaged in the late wars were committed
prisoners to Hull, but many good old ministers, and such private
gentlemen as were obnoxious to the censure of the Court, or
their correspondents in the country*: among the rest, my father
Sykes, though he had carried very kindly to the Eoyalists when
he was a justice of the peace.
" I accompanied him to the Lord Do^wn's, who was very
respectful, entertained us genteelly, and, which was more, per
mitted him to retum home for some time. We were also at
another justice's and deputy-lieutenant's. Sir John Boynton's,
whose lady was nearly related t ; but a person of that eminency
in the late times, and who had married a most notorious
Eepublican's daughter, could not long be kept from durance,
though not long detained in it, for upon dispersing Monmouth's
forces in the West they were released. J
* At the recent election. Sir John Reresby , Bart, , and Sir Metcalfe Robinson,
Bart,, had been returned for the City of York, in opposition to Toby Jenkins
and James May, sen,, who, as related in Drake's Eboracum, then caused
many of the Corporation to be represented at Court as disloyal, Thoresby's
friend. Alderman Elcock, and others were sent prisoners to Hull by order of the
King in Council, and not released until Monmouth's rebellion had been put down.
t She was daughter of Alderman Bernard of Hull, and Mr. Sykes's cousin. Sir
John Boynton was the purchaser, from Thoresby's cousin, of the Sykehouse estate,
X The battle of Sedgemoor was fought on the 6th of July, and Monmouth
was executed on the 15th ; so that the whole affair, from his landing to the
end, occupied little more than a month. Taking into account the delay of
Mr, Sykes's imprisonment, it must have been a very short one, Thoresby
might well call Thomas Scott "a most notorious Republican."
18

250 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"In the meantime, the High Sheriff, Captain Tankred, and
the Deputy Lieutenants came to Leeds, and summoned me,
with many other Protestant Dissenters, to appear before them;
but nothing, save Nonconformity, being objected against me, I
was immediately dismissed, and returned to dine with relations,
many of whom had been invited before we knew of this little
remora. "One of the first hardships put upon us in these parts was,
quartering soldiers in gentlemen's houses and private famiUes : I
had two for my share, and afterwards an officer of a good
family in the neighbourhood (Sir Henry Goodrick's kinsman),
but himself no saint."
This was illegal. It was forbidden, as contrary to "the
Laws and Customs of the realm," by an Act of Parliament
passed in 1679; and Evelyn states that some regiments sent
by the Prince of Orange to aid in opposing Monmouth, having
"by a gross mistake of the Secretary of His Majesty's forces"
been ordered quarters in private houses contrary to the Act,
he gave timely information to the King, and it was prevented.
They encamped on Blackheath in tents, and on the 25th of
August following the King issued a Declaration concerning the
military, in which he said, — " And we do further Declare our
Will and Pleasure to be, That no Officer or Soldier in their
march or quarters shall be lodged in any Private-House what
soever without the free and voluntary consent of the owner."
In another matter the new King set law at defiance, going
openly and in state to mass in less than a fortnight from his
accession. It was to be expected that Eoman CathoUcs else
where would pay more regard to his example than to penal
enactments; and after this practical assertion of dispensing power
in the Cro'wn they went beyond the liberty granted to them
by the formal Indulgence of 1672, which only suffered the rites
of their religion to be celebrated in private houses. Some place
for public worship was opened, it appears, by the Roman

IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE SECOND. 251
Catholics at Pontefract, and when there, Thoresby's curiosity
led him into it, as, formerly, into a London theatre. His
account is amusing and characteristic : —
" My curiosity when at Pontefract had tempted me to step
into the mass-house there, where the gaiety of the altar, and
gesticulations of that worship, presently satiated me. Father
Norris, the Jesuit, after he had taken his text, and a Uttle
opened it, kneeled down to invocate the Virgin Mary, or, to
judge more charitably, the Divine assistance, and all the people
in a moment were upon their knees, I standing, Uke a fooUsh
maypole, in the midst of them; whereupon I hasted to the
door, but one of the priests was got thither before me, and
held the door in his hand. I told him, with anger enough,
that I would not fall down, or be imposed upon as to my
gesture; he said I should not, and by this time all were upon
their feet again, so I staid a little to hear him preach (for if
mass had been celebrating, I should have thought it idolatry,
and durst not have been under the same roof); and to give
him his due, he made a good moral discourse against keeping
bad company, which was seasonable to me, who was never in
the like before or since."
Leeds Puritans viewed the proceedings of James the Second
very differently from their Roman Catholic fellow sufferers under
prohibitory laws. Instead of re-opening Mill HiU Chapel, they
devised precautions against its confiscatory metamorphis into a
"mass-house." Thoresby says, —
" Upon a surmise that the chapel at Mill Hill, whereof I
was, in my father's right, one of the proprietors, might, by a
mandamus, be converted into a mass-house, we had a private
consultation, and resolved to convert it into an hospital, or sell
it, and appropriate the monies to the use of the poor, so that,
what was designed for the increase of piety might terminate in
charity." This testifies to the disinterestedness, as well as to the
apprehensions, of its owners; but at the same time it justifies

252 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Mr. Cholmley's demurrer to Thoresby's swelUng the account of
his fortune by £50, on the strength of his share in the afore
said chapel.
In the summer of 1686, Thoresby "accompanied Father Sykes
to ¦visit relations in Derbyshire;" but the visiting began before
they crossed the Yorkshire border. Mary, the sister of
Mr. Sykes's other son-in-law, Thomas Wilson, was married to
WilUam Rodes of Great Houghton, a few miles from Barnsley.
He was the second son of Sir Edward Rodes, Knt., High Sheriff
of Yorkshire in the second year of Charles the Second, when
he built anew the chapel-of-ease at Houghton. The eldest son,
Godfrey (so named after his grandfather. Sir Godfrey Rodes, of
Great Houghton) had died -without issue in 1681. The earl of
Strafford married Elizabeth, sister of Sir Edward, for his third
wife, and she was stUl living : — -*
" The first night we lodged at cousin Rodes's, at Great
Houghton ; was pleased with the pictures of some eminent
statesmen in Queen Elizabeth's time, and family pieces, originals,
of the Earl of Strafford, Sir Edward Rhodes, and was glad of
some letters from that nobleman to the Countess (Sir Edward's
sister, daughter of Sir Godfrey)."
There are six or seven of these letters, the earliest -written
by Lord Strafford soon after the marriage, the latest from the
Tower, shortly before his trial.. They are given in a note
to the Earl's memoir in the Biographia Britannica, with this
preface, —
"We are able to pleasure the reader with several of his
letters to this lady, which have been copied by us from the
originals in Musoeo Thoresbeiano, and which are the more curious
as they have never yet appeared in print, are not given in the
collection of his printed letters and state papers, and probably
not in the possession of any of his family."
The letters are interesting, and creditable to the Earl.
* She died on the 10th of April 1688.

IN THE REIGN OP JAMES THE SECOND, 253
In the appendix to the Ducatus, Thoresby refers to another
letter in his possession, which he most likely obtained from the
same quarter, and not improbably at the same time. The date
is 2nd October 1675, and with this letter he connects the
following very extraordinary ac6ount : —
"Mrs. Elizabeth Rodes, eldest daughter Uving of Sir Edward
Rodes, was in the year 1675 seized with a distemper that
deprived her of her speech, as appears by a letter to her
aunt, the Countess of Strafford; and though by the assistance
of Dr. Nath. Johnston of Pontefract she was recovered for the
present, yet it frequently returned, especially upon any sudden
accident. But the wonder is, not that a woman should lose
her tongue, but that during the height of the distemper,
when in common conversation she could not speak one word,
yet if a Bible was opened to her, she could read audibly, but
as soon as it was closed she was mute as before : she is yet
living at Morley, a truly pious lady far from any design to
impose upon any, but perhaps not wholly void of the Flatus
Hypochondriacus. In the Reverend Mr. 0. Heywood's M.S. of
remarkable Providences, I find it attested by the Reverend
Mr, Chr. Richardson, who was an eye and ear-witness, with this
additional circumstance, that she could write sermons and repeat
them audibly and distinctly as well as chapters. But what was
of secular concerns she replied to by writing the answers, she
could not pronounce."
From Great Houghton they went to Brampton in Derbyshire
to visit Dr. Ellis, "another relation;" of whom Thoresby says that
he built two or three almshouses at Brampton, and by will left
to ten villages in the neighbourhood each £10 a year, for pious
uses.'* The night after, they " lodged at Uncle Storr's, at
Chesterfield;" Mr. William Storr of that town having married
Mr. Sykes's sister, by whom he had three sons, Joseph, Caleb
and Joshua, a series of names which indicates the Puritan
tenets of the parents. At Chesterfield, —
* Mr. Bryan Dixon's record of Benefactions to Leeds included a gift, in
1708, of £50 to the Charity School, from George Ellis of Brampton-Byerley,
Gentleman, "to be laid out in lands."

254 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"As at Rotheram, I took an account of the benefactors, of
whom the Foljambes have been chief here. The next morning
I left my relations, and rode through many country towns in
Scarsdale (which gives the title of an Earldom to the family
of Leke) t to Derby; where, at AU-haUows, I transcribed the
epitaph of the celebrated memorable Countess of Shrewsbury,
who built the two great houses of Chatsworth and Hardwick,
of which I had a distant prospect on the road."
"Building Bess" had theu been dead nearly eighty years; in
the following spring was to commence the demolition of the first
named of the "two great houses," and the building in its place
of the famed Chatsworth of our own days.
At night Thoresby got back to Chesterfield, and next day
returned with his father-in-law " to cousin Rhodes's ; only calling
to -visit Dr. Eaton of Darfield, and Squire Wombwell of
WombweU":— " Yet could not all this so far divert me, but that upon
the annual return of the day of my dearest father's death, I
was, as usual, overwhelmed with sorrow; but got my cousin,
Richard Idle (then part of my family), to read the sermon
preached upon the mournful occasion. I was troubled also to
consider how many years I have spent, and how few I have
lived. The resolutions taken then how to spend my time for
the future are registered in my diary upon New Year's Day
1686-7; but upon review, I am apt to think them such as
are not easy to be kept strictly by one that has commerce in
the world, but in general I hope that I was more cautious in
the expense of time.-"
Thus Thoresby concludes his review for the yeap 1686. It
re-commences : —
" I began also to be sensible of the pressure of the world,
great charges and small incomes ; but was sustained by Matthew
vi. 30,* which fell providentially in my usual course of reading
t This Earldom became extinct in 1736, when Nicholas Leke, the fourth
Earl, died without issue. The present Barony of Scarsdale, held by the
Curzons, dates from 1761.
* Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field," &o.

IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE SECOND. 255
before secret prayer; my dear -wife also sustained me with
suitable advice and comfort."
The increased expenditure consequent upon his marriage was
still further added to in a way that we should not have looked
for, judging from Thoresby's narration to Peter Le Neve of
the bequests by Mr. Sykes's grandfather to his sons and
daughters : —
"Though I can by no means quit my father-in-law, who
gave over housekeeping, and came -with -wife, daughter and
servant, to live upon his children, and though he sometimes
went to brother W.'s and R.'s, [WUson's and Rayner's] yet I
think he was half, if not two-thirds, of his time at my house;
and being of a generous spirit, was too liberal of my liquor
to -visitants, that I saw it absolutely necessary to give over
wine." We may well believe this to be more than Thoresby bar
gained for when he took Anna Sykes for wife. The possessions
of her great-grandfather had been divided amongst a family of
eight, and her father had half-a-dozen brothers and sisters to
subdivide with him; nevertheless, to Richard Sykes, the eldest
in his family, had descended the lordship of the manor of
Leeds, and -with it a much more substantial estate at Mill Hill
than Thoresby's share of the chapel. In the Ducatus it is
said, — " Where the Castle of old stood, is now a Capital
Messuage, and the ancient Mannor-house, lately with the Park,
&c., the Estate of Richard Sykes of Leedes, Gent." But a
portion of the Lord of the Manor's wealth consisted of an
estate in Ireland, which appears to have been, Uke some others,
more imposing in its acreage than profitable in its returns.
Communications concerning it had been transmitted through
Thoresby, before his marriage, to his friend Joseph Boyse, the
Nonconformist minister, who had settled in Dublin. In a letter
dated the 10th of May 1684, Mr. Boyse explains that he had
delayed writing, awaiting a report from a friend of his who
Uved near Mr. Sykes's lands, which he then gives as follows : —

256 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
" I went to see the land, and find it generally as coarse
land as most in this country. It is most grown over with
Irish firs, and a great part of it ploughed much out of heart:
improvement, there is none ; and truly, in that place, it is
hardly worth the while to improve. If any place be better
than other, it is, in my opinion, and the neighbours' whom I
consulted, the lands of Ballamitty, and part of Marshal's To-wn.
The tenants are most very indigent, and this year will, I fear,
make them worse, by the great loss of cattle that is every
where." *
" This is the best account I can give of it. For receiving
the rents I would willingly serve any friend of yours, on your
account, but fear offending Colonel Scott, unless there were a
right understanding between your friend and him ; f besides,
it lies remote from me, ten miles distant.''
This reference to Colonel Scott, whom Mr. Hunter supposes
to be a member of Mr. Sykes's family, implies some kind of
connection between the estate and him; and Mr. Boyse again
mentions both in another letter of August 1685, which begins
with congratulations upon Thoresby's marriage : —
" For the contents of what Mr. Sykes writes, I shall put
the question to my friend ; but since he lives some nules
thence, some allowance will be expected for his trouble. Please
to acquaint Mr. Sykes that Colonel Scott is this Assizes to be
tried at Wexford, upon an indictment of High Treason, for
words sworn against him. My Lord Tyrconnel said he would
go thither to see justice done : what will be the issue is
doubtful. Some Irishmen would have sworn plots against the
EngUsh gentry in Tipperary and the North ; but the senseless
ness of their stories, with just suspicions of maUce, have, I
suppose, spoiled their evidence for the present. Mr. Sykes
* A subsequent devise of this estate, in the 'will of Mr. Sykes, has this
ominous appendage to the specification, — ".Whether Tenanted or Untenanted."
¦f Mr. Hunter suggests that Colonel Scott was the eon of Mr. Sykes's father-
in-law, spoken of by Noble in his Lives of the Regicides ; who there says that
the son was still more violent than his father." In 1655 he was sent to
Nottingham Gaol, and afterward banished by Cromwell, against whom he
had attempted to raise a revolt.

IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE SECOND. 2.57
may accordingly tell me his thoughts conceming his concern;
and if he could sell it, would, I believe, take the wisest course :
but I very much doubt whether he will easily have an offer
he would accept."
Mr. Sykes did not sell, and about two years later Mr. Boyse
commenced another letter with, —
"Yours received, with the enclosed lines from Mr. Sykes.
I am glad he has employed one to manage his concern, though
I do not know him, nor have yet, upon enquiry, heard of him."
Thoresby's domestic anxieties were further increased by the
proceedings of the sister Abigail, of whom he has spoken with
so much affection, and for whose education he had so much
care, She was early married, to a Benjamin Brigs, was left
a widow, and again married with her relative, Eichard Idle,
to whom she bore four children, John, Abigail, Elizabeth and
Mary. But the eldest of them was not born until 1694, and
Thoresby anticipates in placing the following under the year
1687 :—
" I was also much concerned for the incautious carriage of a
near relation, and mourned in secret; but my poor sister having
buried her little daughter, got a new husband, my cousin
Eichard Idle, Vicar first of Eothwell, and after of South Dalton,
capable of taking care both of soul and body. Though alas !
too much alike unfortunate in living above their incomes, so
that not only I suffer in loss of monies, but, which I more
lament, their poor children to this day. My chief comfort was
in my library, reading, and -writing the memoirs of learned and
pious men in former ages, optimi consultores mortui. This kept
me more retired, and thereby less obnoxious to company-keeping
and drinking, the uncomfortable misfortune of some relations.
Blessed be my Preserver, from whom alone this advantage."
"As to religion in general, Mr. Milner, the Vicar, preached
excellently and Uved answerably. I cannot say so much for
the Lecturer (Mr. Benson) ; but as the Vicar and Mr, Eobinson
in public, so Mr. Sharp in private, as we could get opportunity,
for which we went several miles,"

258 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
James the Second's famous " Declaration to all his loving
subjects for Liberty of Conscience," suspending the penal enact
ments against Eoman Catholics and Dissenters in common,
enabled Mr. Sharp to resume his services openly: —
"King James II. 's Declaration of Indulgence gave us ease
in this case, and though we dreaded a snake in the grass, we
accepted it with due thankfulness. 3rd April 1687, Mr. Sharp
preached the first sermon in public, from Psalm Ixviii. 28 ; *
that whoever be the instruments, yet the supreme author of
all good to his people is God himself. We were infinitely happy
in his ministry, he being a person of great piety and learning,
judgment and moderation."
The above date deserves notice. It is that of a Sunday,
but the Declaration itself is dated Whitehall, the 4th of April,
and it was not Gazetted until the 7th; so that if Thoresby's
date be correct, the King's design must have become known
beforehand, and in this case its formal promulgation have been
anticipated. Among the many addresses to the King by Non
conformists (from Presbyterians to Quakers and Anabaptists), in
response to his Indulgence, there was the folio-wing from Leeds: —
" To the King's Most ExceUent Majesty.
" The Humble Address of divers of Your Majesties Loyal
Subjects of several Persuasions, in the Corporation of Leeds,
and places adjacent, in Your County of York."
"Great Sir,
" With all becoming Eesentment t we humbly present
* Thy God hath commanded thy strength : strengthen, O God, that which
thou hast wrought for us."
t Here is a curious example of the use of this word with a meaning now
obsolete. Resentment originally, like the French ressentiment, from which it
is derived, applied equally to a grateful sense of benefits received, and to an
angry sense of injuries experienced or supposed. Now, in both languages, the
word is understood the latter way only. Dean Trench, speaking of this
change, in his Study of Words, thus comments upon it: — "Alas! the memory
of benefits fades and fails from us so much more quickly than that of
injuries ; that which we afterwards remember and revolve in our minds is so
much more predominently the wrongs, real or imaginary, which men have
done to us, that ' to resent ' in our modern English has come to be confined
entirely to that deep reflective displeasure which men entertain against those
that have done, or whom they believe to have done them a wrong."

IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE SECOND. 259
our Grateful Acknowledgements to Heaven and Your Sacred
Majesty, for Your Royal benignity in the ample Indulgence
and Indemnity vouchsafed us by Your most Gracious Declara
tion; A Noble Testimony of Your Majesties Deference to
Almighty God, in Asserting his immediate Dominion over Con
science, as a thing no Force can or ought to -violate; and also
of the tender respect Your Majesty bears to the FeUcity of
Your Subjects, by confirming them in the Possession of their
Liberties and Properties during Your Government, which Mercy
and Righteousness, that meet and Kiss each other in Your
Majesty, we doubt not wiU be the stability of Your Throne
and time.
"We adore that wise Providence, which in this hath made
Your Majesty such a Generous Leading Pattern to the Princes
of other People, and evidenced You a Father to Your own;
thereby EstabUshing Your Majesty in Your Soveraignty, not only
over our Bodies, but Hearts, thus doubly won upon, to entertain
Your Majesty into their most affectionate embraces. And from
our very Souls we implore the Divine Goodness, to retum a
thousand-fold into Your Majesties Bosom, for the Honour put
upon us, in taking our Persons and Rights into Your Favour
able Protection, and making an estimate of our Loyalty from
our Fidelity to God and our own Consciences.
" May Your Majesty be blest with a Long, Peaceable and
Prosperous Reign, under the Conduct of Celestial Wisdom and
Grace, to an happy Immortalit}"-.
" Subscribed by us, in the name of many others."
This address appeared in the Gazette of the 27th of June
1687; but the names of the subscribers are not given,* and
Thoresby's Review is altogether silent conceming it, and con
cerning everything else during that year. The next transaction
to which he alludes seems, howsoever, to have been founded
* It is said, in a short account of Mr. Stretton, published 'with the funeral
sermon preached upon his death, — " When King James granted liberty by
proclamation to Protestant Dissenters, he made use of it, but he never did
or would join in any address of thanks for it, lest he should seem to give
countenance to the King assuming a power above the law, and was instru
mental to prevent several addresses."

260 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
upon the aforesaid Declaration, which, suspending not only the
Conventicle but the Test Act, threw open to Roman CathoUcs
and Dissenters offices from which they had been excluded*:—
" 1688 was a memorable year. My first concern in it was
for fear of the loss of my beloved privacy, there being, it
seems, a project for new modelling the Corporation. The places
of such as were to be ejected were filled up with the most
rigid Dissenters, who had put my name in the fag end of
their reformed list, there being but one (a smith by trade)
after me, as I was told by Mr. S. J., who put my name
among the Aldermen, for which I was far from thanking him."
Thoresby's estimate of this municipal reform movement is
shown in his next paragraph : — •
" I can scarce forbear reciting a passage in a sermon of the
incomparable Mr. Sharp, which he told them plainly, was the
country's observation, concerning the generality of those of a
middle sort in and about Leeds, that in a time of trade and
plenty they carry it out in such an extravagant manner, as
leaves nothing against a time of dearth and scarcity, wherein
they find as little pity as formerly they paid respect to others.
I would not be partial or too particular in my application of
this to some good people. Only 'tis plain from hence, that
when they thought their interest strong enough in the govern
ment, they were not content with their private stations, bui
were for ejecting others and making new models in their addle
noddles; but the public concussions that presently followed, put
a happy period to their projects."
" 16 April 1688. I was at the funeral of the Right Honour
able Henry Lord Fairfax, the fourth Baron of that ancient
and religious family, where was the greatest appearance of the
nobility and gentry that ever I had seen : the poor wept
abundantly — -a good evidence of his charity. I waited- upon
the Lord Thomas, his son, and his uncle, Bryan Fairfax, Esq.,
a gentleman of great accomplishments and reading. His compli-
* James the Second's restoration to the City of London of its old charter,
followed by a proclamation restoring the surrendered charters generally, wa«
not until October 1688.

IN THE REIGN OF JAMES THE SECOND. 261
ment of me to his nephew pleased me the best of any that
I ever received; 'He speaks like his father;' to be Uke whom
is the height of my ambition." *
His next date is the 30th of September, (Sunday), t James
the Second had dissolved his Pariiament on the 2nd of July
in the previous year; and on the 24th of August 1688 he
summoned a new one, the writs for its election to issue on
the 18th of September. The election for the county of York
was fixed, it appears, for Monday the 1st of October:—
" Sept. 30th. After forenoon sermon, I rode with Mr. Dixon,
Ibbetson, to Tadcaster, to wait of Sir John Kay, where, the
freeholders from several other parts of the West Riding join
ing us, we were computed to be 3,000 in number, but no
-writs for election of Parliament-men being produced, we retumed
home next day."
"Upon that very day there was published a Proclamation by
the King, dated 28th September, stating that he had received
" undoubted advice " of a " great and sudden Invasion from
Holland " soon to be made, whereupon the writs which had
been issued were withdrawn. Thoresby thus sums up the events
that next followed : —
"A strange face of affairs presents itself. We were told of
an invasion from Holland, and that a Dutch fleet was seen off
Scarborough and Hull, but it proved to be at Torbay, where
the Prince of Orange landed the 5th of November 1688. We
underlings knew not what to make of these affairs, nor is it
* Among the Wilson M.S.S, in the Leeds Library is the following "from
a Common Place M,S, by Aid. Tho. Dixon of Leeds" (Mayor in 1671 and
1693) :— " On Monday 9 Apr. 1688 Henry Lord Fau:fax died at Denton Hall
and was buried in the Chapel at Denton on Monday 16 Apr. 1688, his eldest
son Tho. chief mourner. In Mr. Dixons M.S, penes me p. 145, ia the Ceremony
and a good character of him."
•)• Passing over unnoticed the episode of the Seven Bishops (though one was
Dr. Lake), who resisted the order for reading in churches the King's renewed
Declaration of Indulgence; and the birth of the Prince of Wales, upon which
occasion the loyalty of Leeds was represented by the Justices of the Peace
assembled in Quarter Sessions, ou the 12th of July. Their congratulatory
address to the King is in the Gazette of the 6th of August.

262 RALPH THORESBr THE TOPOGRAPHER.
my , desire to mix public with my private memoirs, otherwise
than as they were merciful or afflictive to me and my family
with the neighbourhood; therefore shall take no notice of King
James's abdication, the seizing of York by the Earl of Danby
(afterwards Duke of Leeds), Lord Fairfax, &c., or the reading,
in the Moot Hall at Leeds, the Prince of Orange's Declaration,
by Jasper Blythman, Esq., afterwards Eecorder." *
" Only," continues Thoresby, "I cannot omit the dreadful
alarm of flying Irish;" but his account may be the better under
stood if prefaced by the following passage from De La Pryme's
diary, upon the same subject : —
" Qui nescit dissimulare, nescit nee vivere, nee regnare. Politick
frauds is and always has been in action in all kingdoms, revolu
tions and nations, which is sufficient licence for their lawfulness ;
and, as for their usefulness, there needs nothing to be said
about that; anyone that is wise must needs know that many a
noble and excellent design would have perished in its birth had
it not been brought into the world by such mid wives as these.
In this time of our revolution we had many a strange story of
long popish knives, gridirons and instruments of torture found
in at least a hundred popish houses up and down the land,
with suppositious letters, speeches and such like to irritate the
people and encourage them to obey the revolution.
" But that which was the most observable of all was a
general alarm that was spread over all the land, of God knows
how many thousands of Irish (who were disbanded by King
James) who ravaged the country and slew and burnt all before
them. This rumour begun in the south, and went northward
so effectually that most people believed it, for there came
expresses of it everywhere to get every one in arms, and to
* It was 1692 before this gentleman succeeded Erancis Whyte as Recorder.
He was fourth in descent from William Blythman of Henry the Eighth's
time, who, ou the dissolution of Monasteries, purchased Monk-Bretton, and
New Lathes, near Leeds, which appertained to it. Jasper Blythman's father
has been mentioned, in connection with his epitaph at Royston. His mother,
as told in the 'Appendix to the Ducatus, "was one of the twenty children of
Sir John Stanhope, that were born and baptised (besides two that were still
born) before either he or his lady were forty years of age."

IN THE REIGN OP JAMES THE SECONn. 263
meet at such a great town, on such a day, where the whole
country was to go and try a brush with the enemy. Now it
was that the whole nation was in such a ferment that they
sweat for fear ! now all was up in arms, yet nobody knew where
they were to fight ! All ways was stopped up, and passes, old
forts and castles manned, and nothing but arms sounded in
everyone's mouth. Now it was that the Papists was at the
brink of the grave, for wherever there was any, their houses
was searched and examined; and, if they were priests, were sent
to prison, etc. In all this bustle there was few that offered to
ran away, but all joyfully and courageously equipp'd and armed
themselves, being resolved to fight. It's almost incredible to
think what a number of men there was in arms, all of them
resolved to conquer or die. Everyone when they went to
exercise and meet the enemy took their last leaves of their
wives, friends and sweethearts, with far more sorrow than they
showed for any fear they had either of an enemy or death, etc.
" This news or report ran, as I said, quite through the
country, and for all it was some weeks a running northward,
yet no one letter appeared out of the south concerning any
such thing there till it was always gone past those places
where these letters were to go.
" Various reports there was concerning the occasion of this
rumour. Yet most certain it is that it was nothing but a
politic alarm raised and set on foot by the Ejng and council
to see how the nation stood affected to their new King."
De La Pryme gives further details, and extravagant rumours,
at some lengtL How far the Prince of Orange's responsibiUty
extended may be questioned; but there can be no doubt as
to the purpose of the alarm raised. The ability and success
with which the device was carried into execution have further
testimony in the story told by Thoresby : —
" Only I cannot omit the dreadful alarm of the flying army
of Irish, and massacring Papists, who with unheard of craelty
burnt and killed all before them. Nottingham was by express
said to be so treated, insomuch that all artificers, even the
most precise, spent the next, though the Lord's-day (16th

264 R.\LPH THORESBY THE, TOPOGRAPHER,
December), in mending the fire-arms of such as had any, and
fixing scythes, &c,, in shafts (desperate weapons) for such as
had none. The Mayor's account of them, with original letters,
sent express to this town from divers places, are in my CoUec-
tion of Autographs. Watch and ward were kept every night by
the principal inhabitants in their own persons, and despatches
sent to bring intelligence, so that on Monday there were
assembled at Leeds, about seven thousand horse and foot, in
defence of their Uves and liberties, reUgion and property, against
those barbarous and inhuman 'wretches.
" These were digested into several troops and companies,
under Sir John Kay, colonel; Sir WilUam Wentworth, Ueutenant.
colonel ; Mr. NevUe of Chevet, major ; it would be endless to
enter into detail of the captains and subalterns. Our fears
were now somewhat abated, when all upon the sudden at night
they were raised to the height upon a most dreadful alarm,
' Horse and arms, horse and arms ! the enemy are upon us —
Beeston is actually burnt, and only some escaped to bring the
doleful tidings ! ' The drums beat, the bells rang backward, the
women shrieked, and such dreadful consternation seized upon
all persons; some men with their -wives and children left all
behind them (even monies and plate upon the tables) and ran
for shelter to the barns and haystacks in the fields.
" Their horror was' so great and universal that the aged
people who remembered the Civil Wars said they never knew
anything like it. Thousands of lighted candles were placed in
the -windows, and persons of any courage and consideration (if
such a thing was to be fpund) ran with their arms to the
Bridge, and so marched towards Beeston; so that in a very
small time some thousands appeared, and I among the rest,
¦with horse and arms ; and, blessed be God ! the terror dis
appeared, it being a false alarm, taken from some drunken
people, who cried out horribly. Murder! Murder!
" I had left a cabinet with some of the most valuable
moveables for my dear to cast into the well ; but she had that
presence of mind, after I was mounted and gone, to go up to
the turret, and told the females Beeston was safe: for if but

IN THE REIGN OV JAMES THE SECOND. 265
one house was on fire, it might be discovered there."*
" The town being pretty well satisfied, were generally gone
to bed ; but about midnight was a more dreadful alarm than
the former — a knocking at every door, ' Fire ! Fire ! ' ' Horse
and Arms ! for God's sake 1 ' It was a piteous sight to observe
the terror and confusion that all sorts of persons were now
in. I was most concerned for my dear wife, who was in the
family way; and when I was mounted again, I could see
nothing but paleness and horror in the countenances of all
men. Our scouts had brought word that Halifax beacon was
burning as a general warning to the country, and that Halifax
and Huddersfield were burnt. The first part was really true,
though from a mistaken panic and fear that had siezed them
as well as us.
" But no enemy appearing near, and watch being set at
several passes, I lay me Aowu again, but with my clothes on ;
and when I awoke, rejoiced to see the light of another day,
when my Lord Fairfax came to town with three or four troops
of horse, completely armed, and we slept more securely, the
expresses bringing pretended advice that the Irish had broke
into parties and dispersed.
" Upon the whole, this matter of the alarm, which was
general, and spread over most parts of England, was managed
so artfully, that even when all was over, I could never learn
who was concerned, even in this neighbourhood."
On the 13th of January .1689, Thoresby "rode with many
others to York, where," as he tells us, " my Lord Fairfax and
Sir John Kay were unanimously elected members of the Con
vention appointed by the Prince of Orange." This Convention
ParUament met on the 22 nd. Upon that day it appointed the
• This turret on Thoresby's house has been mentioned before, and it com
manded an extensive view over the surrounding neighbourhood. Immediately
below it was a small apartment which Thoresby in his diary calls the " upper
study." This, in the last years of its existence, was tenanted as a pigeon-
cote. The turret was long since taken down ; and the well, in an open
court, after many year's subjection to usage more convenient than respectful,
is now closed by reason of sanitary considerations,
19

266 R.\LPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
31st as a Thanksgiving Day for London and ten miles round;
and Thursday the 14th of February for the country generaUy:—
"Feb. 14th was a day of public thanksgiving for a national
deliverance in the late wonderful Eevolution; and the 19th,
King WiUiam and Queen Mary were proclaimed at Leeds, with
such a general satisfaction and joy as has seldom been known."
They had been proclaimed in London on the 13th; and m
York on Sunday the 17th. The Gazette contains this account
of the proclamation in Leeds : —
"Leeds, Feb. 19th. This Day their Majesties King William
and Queen Mary were here Proclaimed by the Mayor, Aldermen
and Officers in their FormaUties, -with repeated Acclamations of
many Hundreds of People, and the day ended -with great
Rejoicing, and Ringing of Bells, and Bonfires."
The aforesaid Mayor was Thomas Kitchingman, the last who
held that office under the new charter. The second charter
being restored,* he was succeeded by William Massie, Salter, of
Hunslet Lane; and there is among the y/epositions published
by the Surtees Society one which has /reserved this account
of a dissentient from the " general satisfaction " : —
"March 20, 1689. Before Thomas Kitchingman, Mayor, and
Wm. Massie Esq., of Leeds. James Sinemond of Leeds, Barber,
saith, that, on Sunday night Mr. Richard Dickiup, of Leeds,
attomey-at-law, told him that if Tyrconnel did arrive in
England with thirty thousand men, he would himselfe add one
more to the number. And he said that he had lately beene
in the company of himself and six more persons, drinking; one
of which began a health of confusion to King WUUam, and
he, the said Mr. Dickens, did pledge the aforesaid health."
Thoresby has recorded both these mayors as benefactors to
the town. Mr. Kitchingman bequeathed " Two hundred Pounds
* First, by a too late attempt at concession by James the Second, upon
the eve of hia abdication ; but practically by his successor.

I.N' THE REIGN OF JAMBS THE SECOND. 267
to the Charity School at Leedes, and One hundred Pounds to
other Pious Uses, for 40 Shillings per Annum to the Poor of
Beeston, as much to the Poor of Holbeck, and the like sum to
those of Balk and Bagby." He was Lord of Beeston Manor.
Mr. Massie, who died in 1699, left to the parson of Hunslet
chapel and the master of its school, the yearly interest of a
hundred pounds.
Having concluded his account of the Revolution, Thoresby
appends this characteristic relation of a domestic incident which
might have had very serious consequences : —
"And here I cannot but take notice and lament that persons
are generaUy more sensibly affected with private deliverances
than public ones, and must particularly blame myself, who,
though I was sincerely thankful for both, yet was more sensibly
touched with what more immediately concerned myself and
family, who were aU asleep when a fire suddenly broke out
in the house, very nigh the stairs, which were of fir and very
dry; yet it pleased God it was extinguished without any human
help, and little harm done, save the burning of the children's
coats upon the lines close by the stairs. And at another time
part of the oak ceiling in the hall, under my Library: I
preserve the bit of wood, as a grateful memorial of so great
a deliverance." It is again mentioned in his pubUshed catalogue: —
"A Piece of Ceiling of the Hall in this House, just under
the Musomm, burnt to a perfect Cinder in the Night, when
the Family were asleep, yet no further damage done, kept as
a Memorial of a watchful Providence."

VII.

ZbovcsWs Conformity.

CHANGE OP VICARS AT LEEDS— NONCONFORMIST CONFERENCE AT WAKE
FIELD— LORD WHARTON'S BIBLES — DEATH OF REV. THOS. SHARP— HIS
SUCCESSOR AT MILL HILL — ARCHBISHOP SHARP— THORESBY'S CON
FORMITY.
The Uniformity Act of 1662 changed in Leeds the Minister
at St. John's, but did not disturb the Vicar. The Revolution
of 1688 did just the reverse. It left the Rev. Henry Robin
son at St. John's ; but the Vicar threw up his living rather
than take the new Oath of Allegiance, as required by WiUiam
and Mary, cap. 8, thus acting in unison 'with his brother-in-law,
Bishop Lake. Thoresby relates in his Vicaria Leodiensis that in
1687 Mr. Milner committed to the press " A Collection of the
Church History of Palestine, from the Birth of Christ to the
beginning of the Empire of Diocletian," a quarto volume pub
lished in London ; but that, —
"Not being satisfied in the publick Revolution that the
next Year produced, he retired, or, in the modish dialect,
abdicated the Vicarage, and was consequently deprived of his
preferments ; * but this is to be added to his deserved Com
mendations, that he was not in the number of those non-jurors
who set up Congregations, in opposition to the PubUck, but
constantly attended upon the service of the Church."
The Eev. John Milner, B.D., passed the remainder of his
Ufe at St. John's College, Cambridge, in literary pursuits, and
* From the year 1681 Mr. Milner had been Prebendary of Ripon.

THORESBY'S CONFOR.MITT. 269
while there published several treatises; but his retirement from
Leeds did not end his intercourse with Thoresby. On the 29th
of October 1689 he wrote to Thoresby from Cambridge : —
" You are pleased to lay further obligations upon me, both
by your very kind letter, and by your care of the little affair
in which I desired your assistance, and also as to that small
Tract, which, it seems, came to your hands at last, as, perhaps,
six copies more of it will do ere long. If there be anything
in which I can serve you, during my abode here, please to
command with freedom, and I shall carefully observe and obey
your directions. If either the public University library, or the
libraries of any of the Colleges afford any thing which may
be serviceable to you in your search after antiquities, and for
the perfecting your ingenious collections, I hope I have got
such friends in this short time, that I can have liberty to
peruse and transcribe it. The bad news that mine enemies
are bent so implacably against me, doth much affect me, not
for my own sake, but their's ; all that I can do for them at
present is to forgive, love, pity and pray for them. Assure
yourself that I think no worse of the party you know of,
much less of those of his judgment; for I have always believed
that there is not a more excellent virtue than charity, which
thinketh no evil. Please, therefore, to remember me to him,
as also to your good lady and his, to your father, Mr. Sykes,
and to Mr. Hicks, when you see him. I long to see you ;
however, I have you in my heart, and earnestly commend you
to the grace and blessing of God, who am
" Your most affectionate friend and servant,
"Jo. Milner."
This letter of itself proves the terms of kindly intimacy
upon which Thoresby stood with the late Vicar. Two of Mr.
Milner's subsequent letters are also pubUshed, one dated St.
John's CoUege, 31st December 1696. In it he informed
Thoresby that he had made inquiries concerning Bishop Fisher,
at Caius's CoUege, where he heard "they had his life in manu-

270 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
script," and elsewhere, but heard "nothing of his being Vicar
of Leeds," He then gave some particulars concerning himself
and his "brother Lake," of which Thoresby made use in h^s
account of Leeds Vicars ; although Mr. Milner wrote, — " If you
will make any mention of me, I am fully assured that you
will not do it out of any sinister design . . . But I hope,
that upon second thoughts, you wiU judge it best not to men
tion me at all."
The other letter, dated 14th September 1697, commences, —
"I am much ashamed that I have not answered your kind
letter sooner, and earnestly beg your pardon for it. If I could
have contributed anything to the furthering your noble studies
in the search of antiquity, you had certainly heard from me
sooner." Mr. Milner then reverts to "my brother Lake;" says
their Library "doth not afford Sir James Ware de ProesuUbus
Hibernise,'' and promises to make further inquiry after it if
Thoresby cannot procure it for himself.
Milner, Thoresby says in his Vicaria, " died . at St. John's
College, February 16th Anno Dom. 1702, «tat. 75, and was
buried the 19th., in the Chapel there, with great Honour and
Lamentation.'' His latest printed work, published at Cambridge,
bears date the same year, — Animadversions upon Monsieur Le
Clercs Reflections upon our Saviour and His Apostles Sc: —
"The last letter I had the honour to receive from him my
honoured Friend, was to accompany this his last work, justly
undertaken in defence of so essential a doctrine as the Satis
faction of Christ, against the Soclnians ; and indeed what can
be a more suitable or comfortable meditation for a pious dying
Christian than the mediation of the blessed Jesus."
Dr. Humphrey Gower, master of St. John's College, and
Lady Margaret Professor, wrote to Thoresby in June 1703,—

THORESBY'S CONFORSIITY. 271
" The learned work you are about will be a monument to
yourself as well as those for whose memories you intend it.
Mr. Milner, I am sure, deserves a place among the best: great
learning and piety made a really great man. He was eminent
in both, and nothing but his humility and modesty kept him
from being more noted for being so. I had the happiness of
much of his conversation, but still desired more: he was a
blessing to the whole society, by the example he gave of every
good thing. He died beloved and much lamented here, and
his memory is honourable and precious amongst us, and will
long continue so. I dare not trust my memory for a recital
of his printed works; besides which he has left many useful
learned manuscripts behind him, which are in the hands of his
son, from whom you may expect an exact account of all his
labours, and those other enquiries you propose to me."
From this son. Vicar of Bexhill in Sussex, Thoresby obtained
a list of Mr. Milner's publications, with a brief account of him;
and from Dr. Jenkins, Dr. Gower's successor at Cambridge, a list
of the unpublished manuscripts, which is also given in the Vicaria.
" 16 July 1713. Sent for by the Rev. Mr. Milner, only son
of our late learned Vicar, some of whose valuable manuscripts
he designs to publish, and leave the rest to Dr. Jenkins, the
master of St. John's, to be deposited in the library there."
Notwithstanding the high estimation in which Thoresby held
the non-juror vicar, and the friendship which subsisted between
them, the change produced in the vicarage of Leeds by the
Revolution of 1688 had the effect of strengthening his attach
ment to the Church of England, instead of weakening it. The
trustees of the advowson made choice of the Rev. John Killing-
beck, B.D., son of John Killingbeck, Esq., of Headingley, who
had been Mayor of Leeds in 1677. The family had long been
settled in the neighbourhood, and the south window of the
choir of the Parish Church of Leeds contained their coat-of-
arms, — Argent, upon a chevron sable between three unicorns'
heads oouped azure, armed gules, three annulets, or.

272 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Born at Headingley Hall, in 1649,* the younger John KUUng-
beck was about forty years old when, by the votes of fifteen
out of twenty surviving trustees, he was chosen Vicar of his
native parish. Ffteen years of his life had been spent at Jesus
College, Cambridge, of which he became fellow and tutor; and
it was in the chapel of St. John's College that he was ordained
in 1673. On the 11th of November 1678 he was constituted
one of the University Preachers, with liberty to preach through
England and Ireland. Nearly four years later he became Lecturer
of St. Nicholas Church, Lynn-Regis, where he found a wife, the
daughter of a Thomas Atmere. At King's Lynn he remained
until made Vicar of Leeds, and Thoresby says that he " was
unwillingly parted with."
The Act of Parliament imposing the new Oath of AUegiance
fixed the 1st of August 1689 as the day by which it was to
be taken by holders of ecclesiastical benefices. Those not then
having taken it were for six months suspended only, but if
this term of grace expired with the oath still untaken, the
benefice was declared ipso facto void.
It was near the end of May 1690, almost four months
after the utmost limit of the Act, when application was made
for the new Vicar's institution, yet the case was new. Arch
bishop Lamplugh, who in 1688 had succeeded Dolben in the
See of York, was unwilling to set a precedent, and he wrote
to the Mayor of Leeds, William Massie, deferring the institu
tion ; but at the same time expressing his great willingness to
admit so deserving a person to take care of so great a parish,
and promising neither to institute any other, ' nor to take
advantage of a lapse. In the following July Mr. KilUngbeck
* On a site given by Sir John, afterward Baron Savile, a ohapel-of-ease
had been built at Headingley by Mr. James Cotes, who in 1636 left the
interest of twenty-eight pounds towards its endowment. In it Killingbeck
was baptised, and his father, who died in 1696j was buried there.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 273
was instituted, and his induction on the 4th of August gave
him full legal possession of the temporalities annexed to the
vicarage of Leeds. That the Archbishop was either present on
the occasion, or visited Leeds about the time, appears from
this entry in the Corporation's books on the 20th of August
1690,— " Ordered, that the sume of tenn pounds be allowed and
paid to Mr. Massie, Maior, for entertayneing his grace the
Lord Arch-Bishopp of Yorke, to be paid out of the Church
lay, or els out of the Corporac'on stock." *
Mr. Killingbeck's appointment to be University Preacher
implies proficiency, and his style of preaching was to Thoresby's
liking : —
" The Revolution had deprived us of our learned and pious
Vicar, Mr. Milner, but a kind Providence furnished us with a
worthy successor, anno 1690, the excellent Mr. KilUngbeck, a
public blessing to this parish, whose preaching was with so
peculiar an energy and fervency of spirit as was very affecting;
and his life was answerable to his preaching, truly exceUent.
I will give an instance of the conclusion of a sermon, which
suited well with my constitution."
A death-bed scene, vividly depicted, is the " subject of the
quotation which then follows. In the Ducatus, Thoresby adverts
to this Vicar as a preacher " who does at once instruct and
move his auditors, raise their passions, and inform their judge
ments ; " and he says in the Vicaria : — -
* Wardell. In the Parish Church Register a burial is thus entered on the
26th of November 1690 : — " George Parker of Bridge End, buried in Church,
first Funearil Sermon preached by Mr, Vicar," On the 20th of the previous
month there is the curious entry, — " Wm, Parker of Marsh Lane, he had
both his legs cut off — buried before him— he died. This was done at the
taking downe of Timble Bridge."
[The acknowledgements of the author are due to Mr, Edwin Moore, who
for many years has filled the office of Parish Clerk, for the references which
have been very kindly allowed by him to the Registers in his charge,]

274 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
"He was a singular blessing to this populous Parish and
parts adjacent, and might have been so to the whole Nation,
if he could have been prevailed with to publish some of those
sermons, wherein was so rare a mixture of divine and human
learning that at the same time they did instruct and edify
the more critical and judicious, they, by a pecuUar feUcity and
emphasis, did also move and profit the vulgar capacities."
Thoresby soon gained the new Vicar's personal friendship : —
11 May 1691. "Afternoon, walked with the Vicar, Alderman
Ibbetson, and Mr. S. Ibbetson, to Northhall-wood (the pleasant
seat of the late Mr. B. Bannister): in return had their company
at my house." — 14 Sep. "Had the Vicar and four other
persons." — 23 Dec. "'Enjoyed the good company of Vicar,
Mr. Whitaker, with many friends and relations at dinner."
Two days after the last of these entries, Christmas Day,
he heard the Vicar preach "exceUently from John L 14, 'And
the Word was made Flesh,' whence he very learnedly refuted
the Socinian errors;" and on the following Sunday morning
Thoresby was at St. John's, where the Rev. Henry Robinson
'" preached the commemoration sermon, from that of the
Evangelist ' He loved our nation and built us a Synagogue ; '
wherein he earnestly recommended charity, to show our faith
by our works, and especially to make our own hands our
executors and our eyes our supervisors.'' But in the aftemoon,
Thoresby went to Mill Hill, where "Mr. Wright preached very
Avell;" and he tells us that the weekly fasts being this year
revived by the King, he "had the opportunity of hearing two
sermons, at the church and chapel."
Notwithstanding the good terms upon which Thoresby stood
with the Established Church and her clergy, his part with the
Nonconformists remained active as ever. The Independent
section, whose services had formerly been held at the Main-
Riding-House, now set about the buUding of a new chapel
in Call Lane; and Thoresby gave his aid in drawing plans.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 275
setting out the ground, and instracting workmen. On the
2nd of September, he rode with the two ministers, Mr. Sharp
and Mr. Whitaker, to a meeting at Wakefield, of some note
in the history of Nonconformity. A good account of it is
given in Hunter's life of Oliver Heywood. An attempt had
been made in London to unite the Presbyterians and Inde
pendents, and thence was issued to provincial Nonconformists, —
"Heads of Agreement assented to by the United Ministers in
and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congrega
tional, not as a measure for any National Constitution, but for
the preservation of order in our Congregations that cannot come
up to the common Rule by Law established." These heads
having received a formal assent in Nottinghamshire, Cheshire,
and the Manchester district of Lancashire, Oliver Heywood took
up the question in the West Riding upon an appeal made to
him by the two Leeds Nonconformist ministers, ivho, however,
disapproved of Leeds as the place of meeting. In the end,
Heywood fixed on Wakefield, where the meeting was held at
the house of Mrs. Kirshaw, a widow, of whose husband, Joshua
Kirshaw, M.A., of Oxford, Calamy gives a remarkable account.
As a Royalist, he lost his living under the Parliamentarians,
was imprisoned for having prayed publicly for Charles the
First, and a second time, at Lambeth, for impUcation in Sir
George Booth's movement in 1659. As a Nonconformist, under
the Uniformity Act he again lost a living at Wakefield, where
he had been appointed lecturer by the Mercers' Company of
London (trustees to an endowment by Lady Camden), in 1650;
and under the Conventicle Act he had a third imprisonment,
at York. He died at Wakefield, 21st June, 1676, and was
buried in his garden, having, according to Calamy, been excom
municated. At the meeting, objections to some of the articles were
raised bv Mr. Frankland, '*\'hose academy at Eathmel, near

276 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
Preston, in Lancashire, was in great note among the Noncon
formists of the time.* But they were over-ruled. Thoresby's
account is as follows : — -
"Mr. Heywood preached weU, and suitably to the Conven
tion from Zach. xiv. 9, 'In that day there shall be one Lord,
and his name one.' Afterwards, that good man (itinerant
preacher, or apostle of these parts) read each of the Heads
of the Agreement of the United Ministers in and about
London. Most were unanimously assented unto by the brethren
of both persuasions; others modestly discussed and explained;
and, which I rejoiced to observe, without the least passionate
expression. The truly Eev. Mr. Frankland and Mr. Sharp in
their arguments showed abundance of learning as well as piety,
and were unanswered, even in what was not readily assented
to by some juniors about synods and re-ordination."
Thoresby adds, that he " had the pleasing society of many
excellent ministers from all parts of the West-Eiding." It is
rather amusing that he finished the day by a visit to
Mr. Whyte, the Leeds Eecorder, who, while befriending him
at the Sessions when charged under the Conventicle Act, had
warned him against Conventicles. But the subject which now
occupied them was of a different kind : — -
"I afterwards performed a visit to our Eecorder, Mr. Whyte;
was acceptably entertained with the sight of some raa:e pieces
in Saxon and Gothic ; took some notes as to Leeds, &c. Was
much pleased with many of his learned observations upon several
authors, which he courteously communicated ; but stayed full
late in a dark night, but our good God preserved us from
dangers ; blessed be his name ! "
The Wakefield meeting was followed by others, but the
London Union was broken up in 1694; Mr. Hunter says ''in
consequence of doctrinal differences, most of the Presbyterians
* He was a friend and correspondent of Thoresby's, who had been visited
a few days before this meeting by "M.A. of 6., with recommendation from
the Rev, Mr. Frankland."

THORESBY'S Cp.VPOHSIITY. 277
beginning at this time to advance even from the diluted Calvinism
of Baxter to Arminianism, while the tendency of most of the
Independents was towards the CaMnism of the Assembly's
Catechism and something more." There is nevertheless an
entry of Thoresby's about three months after the meeting,
which indicates a disposition in the Leeds ministers and their
followers to give some practical effect to the agreement pro
posed. Mr. Sharp preached at MiU HiU on the morning of
Sunday, 22nd December ; and, —
"Afternoon, Mr. Whitaker (whose Congregation has a second
day been with us, tiU their new meeting place be fit for
their reception) preached very weU from Matthew xi. 28."
The day after the Wakefield meeting Mr. Whitaker's
second wife died very suddenly, a fortnight after gi-ving birth
to a daughter, her first child : —
" I was much affected, and hearjiily sympathized with the
good man in his affliction, having had sad experience almost
of the like dispensation."
Thoresby engaged in another work of more permanency,
begun near the same time ; and his own history of its com
mencement, given in his Review, may interest many at the
present day. In the year 1690, —
" The no less pious than Eight Honourable Philip, Lord
Wharton, began his noble charity, in sending Bibles to be dis
tributed to the poor. Some of a warm spirit were displeased
at the conditions required of the poor children, not only to
repeat seven Psalms mernoriter, but the Assembly's Catechism,
which wanted the stamp of public authority, and was above
their capacities. But this did not hinder their repeating the
Church Catechism in public, nor was it above their capacities
when more adult, and it contains an excellent summary of
the Christian religion.
" Upon these conditions, four-score Bibles were sent to Leeds,
and the like number to York, &c. ; a most excellent spiritual

278 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
charity, whereby many poor, families not otherwise provided,
became acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make them wise unto salvation. My Lord was pleased to con
tinue this number to the time- of his death, and condescended
to acquaint me that they should be for my time too, and
perhaps for ever.
" I could say much conceming the good effects of this
most excellent charity upon thirty years experience : that
whereas at first there came many young men and women in
hopes of the Bibles, that, at sixteen or seventeen years of
age, could not say (though perhaps the Lord's Prayer) the
Commandments, and much less the Creed, there are now num
bers that can, both these and the entire Catechism, at six or
seven years of age, as appears by my book containing a list
of their names, &c. ; and many other people's children have
been taught to read, in hopes of getting Bibles."
It was through Mr. Stretton's interposition that Thoresby
became an agent for the Leeds distribution, as we learn from
a letter to him from Mr. Stretton dated London, 26th August,
1690,— "I must desire you to take the trouble upon you to con
sult Mr. Bryan Dickson, Mr. Thomas Wilson, and whom you
judge meet to assist you in the work, to get the names and
simames, and of their parents, or those with whom they
reside, of poor children that can read, to the number of
eighty, in the parish of Leeds, the same names enclosed to
be sent by the post in an out-cover, directed to the Eight
Honourable the Lord Wharton, at his house in St. Giles's-in-
the-Fields. It is in order to the sending of a Bible to each
of them. Let it be done with all convenient speed, because
about Michaehnas he thinks to send them ; he will send, pro
portionably to their bigness, to all the great towns in the
West-Eiding of Yorkshire. I know you will not grudge this
trouble for the poor, and will take care that the children of
poor godly parents (that are like to make the best use of
them) shall be preferred."

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 279
On the 3rd of March 1691, Lord Wharton himself -wrote to
Thoresby : —
" Sir, "I received yours of the 25th of February, and am very
well satisfied with what you have done, as ^o the matter of
the Bibles and Catechisms. The work being (as I think) of
pubUc good use, I hope you wUl continue your pains and care
therein, it being like to hold for my life, and perhaps longer.
"I desire you to pitch upon any friends, two or three
whom you think fit, and can confide in, for the considering
and pitching upon such children as may be fit, for the distri
buting such books in October next.
"I suppose it may be convenient that endeavours be made
herein, so as the children may be pitched upon some time
betwixt this and Whit-Sunday, that by that you may alter
any of them as .shall be found requisite.
" Some time in September next, I hope you will use means
that such of the children may attend you, who will pretend to
the encouragement, which will be appointed them for such as
deserve it, that is to say, one in ten. There are two books
intended for each of the children of the ten, as aforesaid, and
a shilling, or coals to that value, for the parents, or others
who have the charge of the child ; and to the person who
examines them as to their proficiency, about 2s. 6d. for every
ten they shall be concerned for.
" Let Mr. Thomas Sharp know, that by yesterday's post I
received his undated ; and not knowing how to direct a letter
to him, I return him my thanks by you, for his willingness
to do any good office in this matter, and to excuse my mis
take in writing to him therein, -which, how it came I know
not, but he was the person 1 was informed was most fit.
"Your loving friend,
"P. Wharton."
On the 5th of the following October, Lord Wharton again
wrote to Thoresby, from Woburn, The letter begins,—" There

280 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
are eighty Bibles and Catechisms, which wUl be with you
suddenly." Eight copies of Lye's Catechism, and of AUen's
Sure Guide to Heaven, were sent also, for some of the
children " who had books last year," and had " made best pro
ficiency in the repeating the Catechisms and Psalms appointed;"
with a shilling to be given in money or coals, to their parents
or guardians. Then Lord Wharton proceeds, —
"There is also a small encouragement allowed to each person
who examines the said children, as to their said proficiency (that
is to say) 2s. 6d, to each person who examines ten children.
There being several books to be given out, and in several places,
this method of half-a-crown to each person who examines ten
children is pitched upon, that those who are entrusted in this
matter may with the more ease know what they are to expend.
"If your health and business will give you leave to examine
the said children herein, I would rather you did it than any
one else ; but if otherwise, I shall refer it to you to examine
so many tens as you think fit, and to name whom you please
to examine the rest.
" You are desired to preach a sermon at Leeds this year
at the delivering out of the said books, and I desire there
may be no mention of " me, only I entreat you that then, and
at other times, you remember me and mine in your prayers ;
the purport of the sermon in the next side is enclosed. I shaU
be willing to know, so soon as conveniently may be, if there
-will be a prospect whether probably there may be eighty children
at Leeds, fit objects of charity, to deliver other eighty Bibles
unto next year, that the books may be accordingly provided
and sent thither, and if not, that what shall not be sent
thither, may be delivered at some other place." All the
children were to be enjoined to " be careful to keep their
books, and not carelessly spoil them, and have them forth
coming next October."
As the Review only, and not the Diary, for the year 1690
exists, we have no particulars of the first of Lord Wharton's

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 281
distributions in Leeds; but that of 1691, the main subject of
the above letter, took place on Wednesday, the 9th of Dec
ember, —
" Distributing the eighty Bibles, and as many Catechisms,
to the probationers for the ensuing year, with eight of Lye's
Catechisms, and eight Allen's Sure Guide to Heaven, to the
eight best proficients of the former year, with 12d, to each
parent ; the noble and pious charity of Philip, Lord Wharton.
Mr. Sharp preached from John v. 39 ; doctrine, that those
Scriptures wherein we think to have eternal Ufe, and which
testify of Christ, are to be diUgently searched by us all."
About a week later Thoresby was again Lord Wharton's
agent, in distributing money to some Nonconformist Ministers, —
"Sending money from ditto religious Lord to the Eev. Mr.
Prime, of Sheffield, Mr, Heywood of Halifax, Mr. Waterhouse
of Bradford. Paid also Mr. Sharp his, with whom, and B. D.
at chapel, advising as to repairs, &c."
In September 1692 Thoresby entertained a noted minister
of the day, Mr. Howe of London, who visited him with "a
letter recommendatory from the Lord Wharton ; " * and on the
26th of that month he himself visited Lord Wharton at
Healaugh, —
"Eode to Healey (with brother) to wait upon that excel
lent pattern of true nobiUty and piety, PhiUp, Lord Wharton,
who received Us with abundant respects and kindness. Dined
with his honour and several persons of quality; had afterwards
particular orders in private about the Bibles, &c."
On the 24th of May 1695 he again, in London, visited
Lord Wharton, whose Town residence was in a district not
now associated with aristocracy, —
"Walked to St, Giles's, to wait upon the pious and noble
Lord Wharton, who entertained me most obligingly, gave me
* In 1685 the Rev. Mr. Howe had travelled abroad with Lord Wharton.
See Calamy, 20

282 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
a dispensation to such as perform the conditions, though not
resident within the parish of Leeds, and at the parting con
descended to desire an interest in my prayers. Was much
affected with his piety and charity."
On the 4th of February in the following year Lord Wharton
died. The Trust Deed, dated 11th and 12th July 1692, which
perpetuated his well known gift, continued the eighty Bibles
for Leeds, and years later we find Thoresby still engaging in
their distribution. His Review for the year 1700 concludes, —
" Disposing of Lord Wharton's Bibles, procured for the poor
children, orphans, and servants, who, hearing that they were
come, came in such great crowds that I was almost suffocated
with the heat.'' And of 1704 he wrote, — " I had now more
leisure and more freedom in distributing the Lord Wharton's
Bibles, which, by experience, I found to be a troublesome but
very useful charity. I sometimes catechised above fifty poor
children on a Lord's Day night, and afterwards heard two sets
of them the appointed Psalms, that I have been fatigued and
almost stifled, but revived to see the zeal of so many, some
of whom came many miles,"
When Thoresby published his Ducatus Leodiensis, he honoured
Lord Wharton by a notice, saying, — '' The noble and useful
Charity of the no less pious than Eight Honourable Philip
Lord Wharton to this populous Town and Parish highly merits
that the Pedigree be here inserted." Accordinghr, the Wharton
arms and pedigree are given. But Thoresby gives the year of
Lord Wharton's death, old style, and it might puzzle some to
read in the Ducatus that Lord Wharton died in February
1695, and in the Diary that Thoresby visited him at St. Giles's
in May of the same year.
Among the manuscripts of the editor of Thoresby's Diary,
in the British Museum,* there is one which states that the
* Additional M.S.S. 21,470. Mr. Hunter mentions a Ufe of Lord Wharton
In his possession, calling it a scarce tract.

THORESBY'S CONFOBJIITY. 283
Wharton Trustees, tiU about 1789, or perhaps 1787, continued
to distribute the Bibles through the medium of Nonconformist
ministers, and then of clergymen, the Trast Deed lea-ving it
optional with them. But Thoresby's connection with the Non
conformists had ceased prior to the last mentioned distributions
made in Leeds by him.
" 1 October 1692. Evening, endeavouring, in a faint measure,
to prepare this unprepared heart for the solemn ordinance of
the Lord's Supper."
" 2, Die Dom. Mr. Sharp preached from Cant. v. 16.
Doctrine, that Jesus Christ is altogether lovely in his nature,
person, offices. The succeeding ordinance was this day first
celebrated publicly in the New Chapel (having formerly been
at Brother Wilson's)."
Thus far, notwithstanding his habitual attendance at St. John's
and the Parish Church, and his friendship with the Leeds
clergy, in the main Thoresby is to be classed with the Presby
terian section of Nonconformists ; but the next year an event
occurred which materially contributed to a change.
' On Friday the 4th of August, 1693, the Eev. Thomas
Sharp, M.A., rode from his house at Horton to Leeds,-* and
preached a sermon preparatory to the Lord's Supper, which he
administered on t'ne following Sunday, preaching again twice.
He appeared to be in his usual health, but it proved the last
Sunday on which the Mill Hill congregation had the services
of him who for sixteen years had been their minister, and
for whom Thoresby ever evinced in a high degree both reverence
and affection. " Wednesday, August 9th," says the short account
of Mr. Sharp, prefixed to his only work published, — " was the
Monthly Publick Fast, he was long at work, spent himself
* Where he had purchased, and himself tenanted, the house formerly occupied
by old Matthew Boyse, and in which Thoresby's friend the Rev. Joseph Boyse
was born.

284 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
exceedingly. On Thursday night he began of his old distemper
the Pleurisy, wliich now made the fifth vigorous assault; he
was by the physician's advice blooded twice, but his distemper
prevailed, and turned rather to a fever, yet still the violent
pain in hi.s side continued, but he was very sensible and patient
under it."
Thoresby's Diary states : —
"19 Aug, Much of day with Mr. Waterhouse, and to -visit
Mr. Sharp. Oh, that he may be restored as a public blessing ! "
" 21. With Mr. Waterhouse and Mr. Whitaker to visit
Mr, Sharp ; they both prayed excellently ; I was much affected,
yet betwixt hope and fear."
" 2-i. Morning sent for by the excellent Mr. Sharp (which
deferred family prayers till noon) to consult about the' disposal
of his concerns ; being very apprehensive of his danger. Advised
with Mr. B. D. also, and acted, at his request, the melancholy
part of a clerk, &c., with a sad heart and dejected spirit. All
forenoon there."
At a meeting on the 25th, prayers were offered for Mr.
Sharp's recovery ; and Thoresby says, — " He was afterwards
somewhat better, that hopes of his restoration refreshed us
abundantly;" but at noon the next day Mr. Sharp sent for
Thoresby again : —
" I hasted thither with all speed, but he told me he feared
I was too late ; his strength w-ould scarce permit him to arise.
I made particular enquiry concerning the estate at ... ,
whether Uberty to dispose of it  which he answered
distinctly to, and called for the writings. But, percei-ving there
was no time to demur (as we had done upon Thursday in
hopes of recovery and for ditto scruples sake), I entered upon
the sad employ, put the Will into form (the first I ever
attempted), transcribed it, which ho subscribed and declared to
be his last Will and Testament, aud returned thanks to us by

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 285
name, for kind assistance and former respects,* when, others
pressing in, he began a most excellent, affecting, astonishing
exhortation, which, in vain, I wished some present to take in
writing, but all were too much affected: tears would have
rendered the paper incapable of impression."
Yet after this, Thoresby gives at some length the substance,
and in part the words, of Mr. Sharp's address, although not
to his own satisfaction; for he continues, —
"He spoke much and excellently; but what through the
extremity of my sorrow, infirmity of my memory, inability to
word them in his most apt expressions, I find myself altogether
incapable of doing what I both earnestly exhorted others unto,
and fully designed to attempt according to my poor abUity
myself, t To whieh, in my excuse, I may justly add the hurry
of the funeral preparations which lay much upon me, with
almost a constant attendance upon his disconsolate widow while
she abode in town, which both his and her requests laid me
under an indispensible obligation to. I sat up a sorrowful
mourner all night, endeavouring to support her under so
* The Will does Thoresby credit; it is concise and clear, ¦without over
straining after technical pliraseology. Mr. Sharp left estates at Bradford and
Horton to his two daughters and his son. To his widow, Faith, made sole
executrix, he left, beside his piersonalty, a house and farm at Beeston, tenanted
by John Atkinson; and the "houseing" in his own occupation at "Leeds
Town End," to be sold for the -payment of expenses and just debts. And
he desired that his widow should have sole management of the estates left
to hia daughters, "fur their Education." The date of the Will, 20th August,
agrees with that iu Thoresby's Diary, The witnesses are Eliz, Wilson,
Thoresby's sister-in-law, Bryan Dixon, Ralph Thoresby himself; and there is
a fourth, whose Christian name appears to have been Jonah, but to whom
writing was evidently no easy undertaking. The signature of the testator,
though in large and distinct characters, tells of a feeble, tremulous hand,
unequal to the task ; the letters are disconnected, as if the formation of
each had been an operation to itself. Opposite to it is a small seal of red
wax, probably Mr. Bryan Dixon's; for the arms upon it correspond with those
on a monument to a Dixon mentioned in the Ducatus, a Fleur-de-lis below a
cliief, ermine. The seal has also for crest a demi-lion. Formerly, where there
wag real estate. Wills had to be sealed as -well as signed.
\ Thoresby's report is freely used in the short life of Mr. Sharp before
mentioned, which, though left anonymous in the publication, was written by
Ohver Heywood.— See Hunter's HcyicooJ.

286 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
pressing an affliction; through mercy was much affected in
prayer (for which her importunity prevaUed) broken for those
sins that I have cause to fear have had too great a hand in
hastening so dismal a calamity."
During the evening Mr. Sharp spoke of his Ubrary, naming
particularly the Polyglot Bible, Pool's Synopsis, EngUsh Annota
tions, and Cambridge and Symson's Concordance, for the use
of his son John, then a student under Mr. Frankland of
Eathmell. " Was so distinct in his memory, that he told me
the particular shelf where my dear father's Manuscript Diary,
&c., were laid; except some cases of conscience, which were in
his studying desk, which he desired to be carefully returned."
Thoresby remained until after five o'clock in the morning, and
then, worn out, went home to sleep. It was Sunday, the 27th
of August 1693. About seven o'clock Mr. Sharp died, "which
last moments," says Thoresby " my unworthiness prevented my
particular presence at;" for, rousing at that hour from a brief
slumber, he had given way to an outburst of grief, and as
soon, he relates, "as it was in any measure abated, I hasted
up, and met our maid at the Bar with the sad tidings " of
Mr. Sharp's decease.
" 0 Lord ! 0 Lord ! what a bitter and heavy burden is sin,
that has deprived us of the choicest mercy under Heaven;
such a minister of Jesus Christ as very few have equalled in
this or former centuries — an irreparable loss. Oh black and
dismal day! a darkness like that of the Egyptians, which may
even be felt, has overspread us. How have my sins found
me out ! how bitter are the fruits of them ! the whole world
is nothing — everything is a burden to me- — I even en-vy the
dead!" It strongly betokens Thoresby's strict sense of duty in regard
to attendance on public worship, and his obedience to it, that
the above lamentation is followed by this statement, — "Attended
Mr. Dawson's ministry both ends of the day, but I fear with

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 287
little profit." He spent the whole of Monday in aiding the
widow -with preparations for the funeral. In his dying address,
Mr. Sharp had spoken of the old Nonconformist minister,
Elkanah Wales of Pudsey, who was buried in the chancel of
St. John's, in Leeds, saying of him that "he was a humble
holy man of God, and himself should think it an honour to
be buried near his sepulchre." He had his wish. On Tuesday
the 29th, Thoresby " hasted up to the house of mourning,
assisting in the disposal of gloves to ministers, &c,, at the sad
funeral ; " and Mr. Sharp " was interred betwixt two eminently
holy ministers, Mr. Wales and Mr. Todd, in the New Church,
which, upon this occasion, might justly be called Bochim, being
full of weepers ; his death being as generally lamented as his
life was loved and desired." A manuscript, written by Thoresby,
entitled " Memoirs of the Eev. Mr. Elkanah Wales," &c,,* states
that Todd, Wales and Sharp lay all under one stone,
Thoresby was Mrs. Sharp's helper in settling funeral expenses,
examining her late husband's papers, and so forth. She sent
for him on the day when funeral sermons were to be preached,
and he accompanied her to the chapel; which, —
"Upon this solemn occasion was so extremely crowded that
we could scarce get in pretty early, and afterwards, multitudes
turned back that could not get so nigh the walls and windows
as to hear; it was the greatest and saddest assembly that ever
I beheld." Thoresby's " cousin Whitaker '' preached from " Sorro-wing
most for the words which he spake that they should see his
face no more;" and Oliver Heywood immediately followed,
taking his text from 1 Kings xiii. 30, "And he laid his carcase
in his own grave, and they mourned over him saying,
my brother ! " * British Museum, Additional M.S.S. 44C0.

288 RALtH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Mr. Sharp had repUed, when asked to print some of his
compositions, that "there were books enough printed;" but a
treatise entitled " Divine Comforts, Autidoting Inward Per
plexities of mind," which he -wrote for the benefit, and at the
request of, a gentlewoman who had consulted him, had been
left by him ready for the press, and it was pubUshed by his
widow. To this is prefixed the memoir which has been referred
to, and in it is the following passage : —
" He had a lofty Poetical Strain, wherein he sometimes (for
a diversion) employed himself upon several occasions, as upon
the Death of that Worthy Grave Divine Mr. Elkanah Wales,
and upon the Burning of London in 1666, which being show'd
to Dr. Robert Wild, he seemed surpris'd, and ingenuously
acknowledg'd, that Man should be his Master, he would yield
the Laurel to the Noi-th Country Poet. An imperfect copy of
his verses for and against Sleep (made in his younger years,
when at the University) were printed under the name of the
famous Cleveland; several other of his Poems, deservedly valu
able, remain in the Custody of some Friends."
The last named composition, commencing, — "Eeturn Griefes
antidote, soft sleep return," with its antithesis which begins, —
" Be gone Joyes Lethargy, pale friend begone," extends to
twenty-two stanzas of six lines each. There is a copy in the
British Museum with the two parts in parallel columns, and
upon it is written in Thoresby's hand, " by the Eev. Mr, Thos.
Sharp, Leedes, Author of Divine Comforts, &c. Of this see his
letter to my dear Father 29th Oct. 1671."*
The Catalogue of Thoresby's Museum mentions "A Tele
scope large and curious, both the Tube turned, and the glasses
grinded by the Eev. and ingenious Mr, Thos. Sharp, M,A,"
It is evident that he had here been using the apparatus of
his brother, Abraham Sharp, mathematician and astronomer.
'Additional M.S.S, 4,276,

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 289
This telescope was given to Thoresby by the widow, for whose
benefit he collected a sum of money, as he had before done
for her husband, and otherwise helped with her affairs. For
on the 10th of October following the minister's death he
spent an afternoon with " Mr. J. Sharp, and uncle Abraham,
approving goods, &c."
Mr. John Sharp did not enter the ministry, as his father
had designed, but became a physician to the body, and died
without issue in 1704. Of "uncle Abraham" there is a very
interesting and curious account in the Gentleman's Magazine
for 1781. Apprenticed by his father to a Manchester merchant,
he got freed from the engagement, and removing to Liverpool
opened a school and followed his favourite studies. Acci
dentally making acquaintance with a London man of business
with whom lived the noted astronomer John Flamstead, Sharp
engaged as his book-keeper with the view of gaining Flamstead's
friendship, and in this succeeded. Flamstead procured for him
an appointment in Chatham Dockyard, and when himself
appointed by Charles the Second to the newly built observa
tory at Greenwich, summoned Sharp to aid him in fitting it
up with instruments and taking observations. This was about
1676, when Flamstead was thirtj^ and Sharp twenty-five years
old. But Sharp's health soon suffered so severely from exposure
to night air that he retired to Horton, and there fitting up
an observatory of his own with instruments of his own make
gave himself up to abstruse investigations. He corresponded
with Sir Isaac Newton, Halley and others, and lived until the
18th of July 1742. On one occasion Thoresby .mentions riding
with two friends "to visit Dr. Sharp, of Horton, and his
uncle Abraham, the famous mathematician, who showed us
some curious instruments and ingenious contrivances of his own
invention ; was pleased with the sight of some original letters
of Mr. Flamstead and Mr. Hallev to him."

290 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Among the Nonconformist ministers present in Leeds on the
preaching of the funeral sermons for the late minister of MiU
Hill Chapel was Timothy Manlove, who had received his Pres
byterian ordination at Attercliffe in 1688, and who was stationed
at Pontefract. Thoresby, who seems to have taken a leading
part in procuring temporary aid at Mill Hill, and in the
choice of a successor to Mr. Sharp, " enjoyed Mr. Manlove's
company in library" after the preaching was over, had his
company much of the following day, and entertained him as a
guest nearly a fortnight later -^Ahen he came to officiate at the
Chapel on Sunday the 17th of September. Thoresby says that
he then "preached exceUently and affectingly from Luke xvi.
8," the commendation of the unjust steivard. The choice of
such a text by a young minister preaching before a congrega
tion not his own, almost warrants a suspicion of some
willingness to display his abilities. Whether it were so or
not, he so far won the good opinion of others beside
Thoresby that in a couple of days, before leaving the to-wn,
he was invited to succeed Mr. Sharp. But the next week,
after consulting about a minister with Mr. Bryan Dixon,
Thoresby " received a discouraging account of Mr. Manlove
from Cousin W." A week later again we have, —
"Morning, at the meeting at Mr. B. D.'s to implore Divine
assistance, in the choice of a minister ; had discourse with
several in consultation ; had the hap of most moderators, by
some thought too hot, by others deemed too cold, in the
business of Mr. M."
Notwithstanding this want of unanimity, on the morning
after the meeting Thoresby " rode with Mr. B. D., Mr. F. and
brother T. to Pontefract, to solicit Mr. Manlove's assistance, who
seemed very inclinable ; but had some hot bickerings with
some of the people, who thought themselves injured thereby.
I desired " he continues, " a fair hearing and understanding,

THORESBY'S COXFORMITT. 291
that there might be no future animosities betwixt the two
societies." The second Sunday afterward, he communicated "a
letter from Mr. Manlove to the society, quite contrary to their
expectations, which he sadly frustrated ; " and on Monday
Thoresby made solicitations "for worthy Mr. Priestley," another
young minister personally known to him. He had " enjoyed
the ingenious Mr. Priestley's company in library" only the
year before.
Priestley, a former pupil of Mr. Frankland's, was at a newly
built chapel in his native parish of Halifax,* and " a call " to
him having been resolved upon, Thoresby, on the morning
of the 10th of November, " rode with several friends by
Horton (where visited Mrs. Sharp) to Ovenden, to Mr. Priestley's,
where we were kindly entertained, and contrary .to our resolu
tions stayed all night ; but," he wrote, " I hope for the better,
having (after the return -of some Hortoners who opposed our
design) greater opportunity for discourse." But the hearers of
Priestley, described by Thoresby as "a person of moderate
principles, learned, ingenious and pious," would not give con
sent to his going, and he would not go without it. The year
closed with Mr. Sharp's place unfilled ; and the first entry we
have in Thoresby's Diary for 1694, is, —
"Jan. 9. Much of the day abroad about concerns, under
discouragements for Mr, Priestley's negative determination. Lord,
pity us, that have sinned away the best means, and provoke
thee justly to deprive us of hoped-for supplies."
On the 22nd of January he wrote for help to Mr. Stretton;
but on the 6th of the month following he had no answer,
and having consulted with some others of the society, he again
rode to Pontefract, with "Cousin Fenton," to try Mr. Manlove:—
*¦ Not of the same family to which the well known Dr. Joseph Priestley
belonged, —See Hunter's Heywood.

29"2 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
'¦'Enjoyed Mr. Manlove's company some hours, and received
an absolute promise of his assistance at Leeds, and resolution
to continue with us till death."
"Feb, 10, Afternoon, with the chief of the society, subscrib
ing a paper in reference to ilr, ]\iaiilove. Before we had well
finished, an unexpected messuage informed me, that ilr. Fern, of
Chesterfield (the Derbyshire minister recommended by Mr. St.,
who, in three weeks, had not writ -word whether he had
received mine of the 21st past, or had made any proceeds in
that affair) was arrived at m}^ house, which startled me.
Evening, enjoyed his good company, and assistance in family
prayer." On the same day Jlr. Stretton addressed a letter to
Thoresby, commencing, —
"I received yours, and am very well pleased with the
contents of it, I received, the same post, a letter from
Mr, Manlove, giving me the same account, and assurance of
it. The next day after I received your former letter, I wrote
to Mr. BUlingsley by the post, to hasten that Derbyshire
minister (which he had wrote to me about), to Leeds. His
name is Feme ; and, if possible, that he might be there the
next Lord's-day after mine came to hand, which would be on
Monday or Tuesday at the farthest; and I wondered I never
heard from him nor you farther about it. Now, by jour's, I
conclude that letter to him miscarried; for I wrote to him
about business of concernment to himself, which I think he
would have answered. I hope the Providence of God will
answer my expectations, in a suitable provision for Leeds and
Hull, and the persons I first thought of for each of them
will be comfortably settled with them."
On the nth of February, Sunday, a Mr. Thorp preached
in the morning, and in the afternoon " Mr. Fern preached
exceUentiy," The diary then continues, —
"After sermons, discoursing with brother E, and cousin W,
of Pontefract, about ^Mr. :\lanloye, &c.; it wa.? warmly enough

THORESBY'^ CONFORMITY. 293
argued on both hands. I afterwards penned a letter, which
was immediately subscribed by eight, and sent away per a
special messenger."
"12 Feb. Morning, prevented of reading by Mr. Fern's
haste, who prayed well; walked with him to Mr. B. D.'s,
and after to cousin F.'s of Hunslet, where had Mr. Thorp's
company an hour, but spent the greatest part of the day
with cousin F. ; walking to a great number of places to dis
course with them about Mr. M.'s coming, found an unanimous
desire of him testified by voluntary subscriptions. Evening, while
solacing our wearied selves, surprised with Mr. Manlove himself,
and seven or eight Pontcfracters, with whom the case was
again agitated; we sat up too late, or rather early, yet to
small purpose; prevented of reading, but Mr. Manlove prayed
excellently.'' "13. After so few (as could scarce be called) hours' rest,
was prevented, by the unseasonable visit of the rest of the
company'-, of a better employ. We afterwards had a solemn
debate betwixt the two societies, which was managed without
that heat, and those passionate resentments, I dreaded ; the
result whereof was, that though we desire to be very tender
of the concerns at Pontefract, yet think it reasonable to stand
firm to the voluntary promise which Mr. Manlove gave us,
being then a free agent, and which has a prospect of a more
genial service to the church, as -^a'cU as society."
The next day Thoresby wrote to Mr. Stretton " a tedious
account of the whole," and we might suppose the business now
to be settled, but : —
" 19 Feb. Surprised with another retrogade motion of
Mr. M. ; soUcited by friends, I wrote to Newcastle, to have
Dr. Gilpin's -* opinion of the business,"
"An encouraging letter" came in reply from Dr. Gilpin on
the 9th of March; and on the 29th, —
* Physician and Divine, He -n-as Rector of Greystock in Cumberland in
1662, but refused to onform, and he refused also the Bishopric of Carlisle.

294 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
" Eode with cousin F. and brother Th. to Pontefract, to
Mr. Manlove, who upon the sight of Dr. Gilpin's excellent
letter confirmed his promise to us, and advised those of Ponte
fract immediately to apply themselves for probationers."
" 20 April. Eode with a few friends to meet Mr. Manlove,
who considerably damped our spirits by his hesitancy after
renewed promises."
" 22 Die Dom. Morning, Mr. Manlove preached excellently
from 2 Cor. vi. 1; and before afternoon sermon spoke excellently
to the institution of baptism : then baptized my daughter Grace,
and as many more as made a dozen, amongst which the only
son of the Eev. Mr. Corlas, late parson of Marston. Lord,
confirm in Heaven what is done in thy name upon earth." -*
Finally, on the 17th of the following October, Thoresby
"rode -with some friends to Eodwell, to meet Dr. Manlove, t
and conduct his modest wife to to-wn." The vacancy at MUl
Hill was supplied, and Manlove at length became successor to
Stretton and Sharp.
After all his pains and anxiety, Thoresby quickly found
cause to regret the appointment which he had been so instru
mental in procuring. Manlove's Nonconformity was of a type
-widely differing from his predecessor's, and from Thoresby's,
from whom he demanded undi-vided allegiance, refusing to
* Two days afterward, the 24th of April, is the entry, — " With Mr. B. D,
at Vicar's about registering our children ; " and the baptism of a daughter of
Ralph Thoresby's, named Grace, stands recorded in the Register of the Leeds
Parish Church under its proper date. No one, if not otherwise eidightened,
wordd suppose a Presbyterian meeting-house to have been the place of baptism,
and there is nothing indicative of irregularity save an appearance of interlining,
which applies also to the registry of the earlier baptisms. The above entry
says "our children;" but they are registered in proper order as to date, not
all together, as Thoresby's Diary might lead us to suppose. This is a curious
indication of the good understanding which at this time subsisted between
Thoresby and the Vicar. Subsequent incidents narrated in the diary warrant
an opinion that had Dr. Manlove been in Killingbeck's place no such registry
would have been admitted.
•f He was a licentiate in medicine.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY, 295
tolerate his accustomed attendance in part upon the services
of the Established Church. Further premising, in explanation,
that it is Manlove who is mainly referred to in the following
extracts from the diary, the story may be left to Thoresby's
own telling : —
"1694, Nov. 5. Dr. Manlove preached well and suitably to
this memorable anniversary from Eom. xu. 1. Was after with
him, and Mr. Whitaker, at Mr. Ibbetson's; but fell into an
ungrateful discourse, which much discomposed my spirits. Lord I
pity this poor divided land, and heal the breaches thereof;
for thy mercy's sake moderate the spirit of aU parties, and
make all concur in serious endeavours to promote the power
of religion, -without bitter reflections upon each other ; which
were, so afflictive to me, as to disturb me both awake and
asleep." " 7. Dined with Dr, M. and Mr. W. and other good friends,
at cousin F.'s, at Hunslet ; where enjoyed good company till
evening. But then the spirit revived, which, in my poor judge
ment, is too bitter and uncharitable. Lord pity, pardon, and
heal us."
" 20. Evening, with Dr. Manlove, Mr, Ibbetson, cousin F.
and brother, yet much dejected in the alteration in a friend's
countenance, occasioned, I presume, through his mistake of the
grounds of my attendance upon the public, which is not dislike
of the private ministry, but to promote a brotherly love amongst
all good Christians of whatever denomination, which censorious
accusation of one another doth destroy ; and because I appre
hend it my duty to go as far as I can, possibly, in a national
concord in religion, as the most exceUent Mr, Baxter judiciously
states it in his Catholic Communion. The apprehension of a
growing prevalency of a contrary temper in some of my dearly-
beloved acquaintances has several times of late much dejected
mo, and somewhat of godly sorrow (I hope) for the divisions
of this poor afflicted church and sinful nation, has kept me
waking some part of the solitary night, wherein I desired to
humble myself before the Lord for my particular provocations,

296 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
which have had too great a share, &c. The Vicar preached
excellently this evening, at the funeral of Aldress Iveson.* I
was much affected, I hope I may say edified; but upon my
return, sent for my ditto good friends, some of whose zeal in
different sentiments, I could well enough digest, might I but
enjoy my own without censure."
" 21. Morning, read Annotations ; after, to discourse Dr. Man
love alone about ditto concerns, which were a continued affliction
to me ; and blessed be God ! we better understood one another,
and my mind was more easy. Was after employed collecting,
&c,, about chapel affairs. Evening with Dr. M., friends, &c,"
For a while after this, Thoresby and the new minister seem
to have been upon a better footing. On a Sunday morning in
the folio-wing month, sent for by Thoresby to his -wife, then
ill, not as minister, but as physician. Dr. Manlove prescribed,
among other things, "the Jesuit's bark" with good effect; and
later in the day, Dr. Manlove had Thoresby for a hearer in
the new chapel of the Independents, where he supplied the
place of Mr. Whitaker, who had been seized -with illness very
similar to Mrs. Thoresby's, But, — ¦
"16 March 1695. Paying Dr. M. the coUections ; had some
unpleasant converse with, &c., which pretty much discomposed
my spirits."
And in the Review, —
" No little time was spent in collecting and receiving what
others also had collected, and paying it to Dr. Manlove ; yet,
instead of thanks for my pains and charge, was frowned upon,
and downright told, except a greater stipend was advanced
(which I and a few more were constrained to advance besides
our usual quantum) else he threatened to leave the town.
He also expressed a particular disgust at my practice in going
to hear the Vicar and Mr. Eobinson, two excellent preachers,
in public, which was a further uneasiness to my spirits,"
* The wife of Alderman Henry Iveson, See page 108, note.

THORESBYS CONFORMITY. 297
Although Thoresby thus yielded to Dr. Manlove's pecuniary
demands, he still held to his own principles. Sunday, the 22nd
of September 1695, was appointed a Thanksgiving Day, for the
provinces,* upon the taking, from the French, of Namur, in
Flanders ; and he went to church in the morning, when " the
Vicar, Mr. Killingbeck, preached incomparably and suitably to
the occasion," and in the afternoon to chapel, where "Dr. Man
love also preached excellently,"
On his part. Dr. Manlove grew imperative :—
"2 Nov. With Dr. Manlove. Much afflicted with the
severity of his resolution, that, after the most affectionate and
condescendino' entreaty that he would allow me the practice of
what my conscience obliges me to, he could not be won upon,
but if I continued to go to church I might forbear chapel ;
havino-, he said, done more harm than I could possibly do
good, except assisted in an extraordiinary measure from Heaven,
declaring that I was, as well as Joseph Milner, the occasion
of his putting off the Sacrament, which wounded me to the
heart, and so disturbed my spirit that sleep departed from
my eyes,"
In strong contrast with this treatment by the new minister
at Mill HiU was Thoresby's concurrent experience of the clergy
of the Church of England, notvrithstanding his activity as a
Nonconformist. Only three days after the preaching of the
funeral sermons for Mr. Sharp he "received a visit from Parson
Eobinson, of the New Church, who courteously communicated
his intentions of being a considerable benefactor," which ulti
mately he made good by the endowment of another new church.
And not only was kindly intercourse maintained between
Thoresby and the local clergy, but at this very crisis he gained
the friendship of one of the highest dignitaries of the Church,
oi whom he had before spoken in terms of high commendation.
• It had been Tield ia London on tho 8th, bonfires, &o., follo'wing on the
next day. 21

298 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
On the death of Archbishop Lamplugh in 1691, John Sharp,
Dean of Canterbury, and as already mentioned the remote
relative of the Nonconformist minister at Leeds, was made
Archbishop of York, He visited Leeds in July of the following
year, on the 4th of which month Thoresby, —
" Had a sight of the best of bishops that have honoured
this town with their presence in my time. Dr. John Sharp,
Archbishop of York, a most excellent preacher, universally
beloved." It is not unlikely that Thoresby's antiquarian pursuits in
some way made him personally known to the Archbishop ; but
howsoever this may be, he gives the following account of his
visiting York and Bishopthorpe in 1693 about a fortnight after
the death of Mr. Sharp of Leeds :—
" September 1 2. Morning, rode with many relations to York.''
" 13. Being Fast day, I went to the Minster in the fore
noon, where I heard a most excellent sermon, and suitable to
the occasion, full of candour and moderation. After, walked
with my dear to the new meeting, where I was as much
disappointed and disgusted at some expressions of an old
minister — a good man in the main, but to me seeming too
rigid and uncharitable; though afterwards Dr. Colton (the late
Mr. Ward Senr.'s son-in-law), made a very serious, affecting and
suitable discourse to the occasion."
" 14. Moming, at shops with my dear, and amongst books.
Afternoon, rode with relations to the Lady Tomson's (my
father's * cousin) at Middle Thorp, whence I walked to Bishop
Thorp, where I was most courteously entertained by the
worthy Bishop in his library, where he also showed me his
curious collection of coins/ laid an obligation on me to see
him at Bishop Thorp, and dine there when on that side;
designed to see mine at Leeds. Mr. Pearson, his chaplain, was
also very desirable company, and of obliging deportment."
* Father-in-law Sykes.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 299
On his return home two days later Thoresby took up Mr. Man
love on the way, to officiate on the 17th at MiU HUl ChapeL
The Archbishop's Chaplain became Archdeacon of Nottingham
and Chancellor of York, and letters upon antiquarian subjects
passed between him and Thoresby, who was also in frequent
correspondence with Nicholson, Archdeacon, and afterward Bishop
of Carlisle.* He was at this time engaged upon his "Historical
Library," and sent the first part of it to Thoresby for revision
before its publication. Thoresby himself says, — " The little
skill I had in historical antiquities procured me the respect of
several eminent dignitaries, and frequent letters from Lambeth
and Bishopthorpe." Lambeth signifies Edmund Gibson, editor
of Camden's Britannia, and Chaplain to the Archbishop of
Canterbury. He became Archdeacon of Surrey, and successively
Bishop of Lincoln and London.
Thoresby must have been either more or less than human
if these associations did not tend to attach him more closely
to the Church of England, and Mr. Manlove's authoritative
demands simultaneously to alienate him from the Nonconformists.
And yet, it was on principle, and even from a sense of duty
more than from mere personal considerations, that he finaUy
gave up Mill HiU.
* He was son of tho Rector of Orton, near Carlisle, and born there in
1655 ; and he was a Cumbrian by descent, as well aa birth, on the side
of both father and mother. After graduating at Queen's College, Oxford,
where he entered at the age of fifteen, he, in 1678, was sent abroad by Sir
Joseph Wilhamson, Secretary of State ; and the next year, having returned
and taken his Master's degree, he was made Fellow of Queen's and after
ward ordained Deacon. In 1681 he took full orders, was collated by the
Bishop of Carlisle (Edward Rainbow, a former Dean of Peterborough) to a
Prebendary, and to the Vicarage of Torpenhow ; and the next year he was
made Archdeacon. Some pubUcations had made him known already, and
subsequent historical and antiquarian writings further raised hia literary
reputation. For more particulars, see the life prefixed to his correspondence,
edited by John Nicholls, in which are three letters to Thoresby, not published
by Mr. Hunter, and one from Thoresby to the Archdeacon. Their corres
pondence began in 1699, but the earliest printed letter bears date iu Sep
tember 11391.

300 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
The Biographia Britannica states in its life of Thoresby that
when, in the reign of James the Second, "Popery began to
threaten the ruin of the Church, he more frequently attended
its worship, in the view of promoting such an union of
the Protestants as was in this juncture thought necessary on
both sides for their mutual preservation." This accords- with
Thoresby's character and principles. All things considered, the
length of time which he took in coming to his ultimate resolu
tion is more to be wondered at than the step itself. He had
been trained from boyhood to regard the Nonconformist services
as supplementary to those of the Church of England rather
than as rival services; and there are passages in the published
work of Mr. Sharp, to whom, after his own father, Thoresby
looked np more than to any other man, which betoken similar
principles. A chapter of " Divine Comforts," upon Public
Spiritedness, written in a truly Catholic spirit, has in it the
following passages : —
" Upon these principles the old Nonconformists Bradshaw,
Hildersham, Ball, &c., and m'any of the later edition, loved,
respected, defended and held communion with the congregations
in the Church of England, where they could; as appears by
their public writings and known practice, notwithstanding the
bitter reproaches and censure of some few, who I wish had
better studied the case.''
" In the Church of England are some (I wish there were
more) thousands of as sober, pious, discreet, judicious Christians,
and hundreds of as learned religious Ministers as Europe
affords ; who in their judgments and consciences seem to be
abundantly satisfied with, and strongly plead for its communion,
upon grounds of very great moment, to instance only in the
late calm discourses of the Eeverend Dean of Norwich."
" The Church of England and Dissenters agree in all the
main substantials of Christianity, the difference only lies in a
few controverted things of very inconsiderable consequence in
comparison."

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 801
" 'Tis the general and acknowledged sense of all nations,
and has been in all ages (and I think of all persons) that
Eeligion must and ought to be established by Law. So is
the Protestant Profession with us and our neighbours."
It does not appear a very violent transition for Thoresby
to pass from Nonconformity like this to communion with the
Church of Eagland, particularly when he found Nonconformity
represented by ilr. Manlove, and the Church by Mr. Eobinson
of St. John's, and by a Vicar of whom, in the Vicaria, he
writes as follows : —
" He (Mr. Killingbeck) lived like one of the Primitive
Fathers, and preach'd like one of the present. In brief, there
was so perfect an harmony between his life and doctrine, and
both so very amiable, that several persons of distinction were
brought over from the Dissenters to the Established Church,
not by set discourses against them, and passionate, ill-natured
reflections (which tend too much to extinguish the life of
religion, and the power of godliness, and never win upon
ingenuous tempers) but by preaching the substantials of the
Christian religion. His severer animadversions were generally
and chiefly against the Deists, Unitarians and modern Arians,
who endanger the foundations of xeveal'd religion, and the
Christian Faith,"
Yet Thoresby's chief confidant and helper in first commu
nicating at his Parish Church was not a clergyman, but
Eichard Thornton, Esq,, a lawyer who resided in Leeds,
and subsequently became its liecorder. He was related to
the minister at St. John's, and to the Archbishop's chap
lain, Mr. Pearson. It is said in the Ducatus that he was
" Heir Malo of the ancient family of the Thornton's, of
Thornton and Tyersall," in the West Eiding, He lived at
Eed Hall, the temporary prison of Charles the First when
carried by the Parliamentarian Commissioners from Newcastle
to Holmby,

302 EaLPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
On the 6th of February 1697, the Eev. Henry Eobinson
wrote to Thoresby : — *
"My cousin Thornton was pleased yesterday to impart to
me your design of communicating with us, and that you were
desirous of receiving the consecrated elements from my hands.
I was solicited yesternight to go preach at Whitchurch to
morrow, but I purposely declined it, to be in a capacity to
serve you : and yet I cannot pleasure you in the whole (with
out more than ordinary notice to all that will be spectators
of that transaction). If you will place yourself upon the south
part of the quire, in any part, betwixt the top of it and
the south quire door, that opens into it, you cannot miss
of that range that I always take, and consequently none
can take notice of any design you can possibly have in
fixing yourself there. But then, as I administer the bread,
SO some or other constantly follows with the cup, and that
will be almost unavoidable, be you planted in what place so
ever." Then follows, for Thoresby's contentment with the inevitable,
an ingenious suggestion for his consideration, " that if any sort
of superiority may be assigned to each element, it is to the
bread broken," with a reference to the Eomanist denial of the
cup to the laity; thence arguing, that if the whole laity of
Eome were content with the bread only, Thoresby had " all
the reason in the world to rest well assured in receiving of
that one element, from one hand perhaps more grateful," when
he also had the other, " though perhaps from a hand, say it
be not altogether so very acceptable (which yet at the best
and at the most is but a fancy)." f
* Mr. Robinson had resigned St. John's the year before, Mr. Bright Dixon
succeeding him ; but it appears from this letter that he gave aid to the Vicar.
t There is a curious letter in the British Museum (Additional M.S.S. 4,276)
dated " Beeston this ult. of June 1702," from William Robinson, Curate there,
to Mr, Killingbeck, a.sking leave to administer the communion " in our chapel
of Beeston." The application was made at the earnest instance of Nathaniel

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 303
A couple of extracts froip Thoresby's Review for 1697 will
best explain the circumstances immediately leading to, and
attendant upon, his momentous resolution : —
" It may not be amiss to insert here a passage relating
to the excellent Archbishop Sharp, who, coming to confirm,
preached incomparably ; we were forced to go a full hour
before the bells ceased, to secure places in our own pews,
the church being so crowded as was never known in the
memory of any person living; and his Grace owned afterwards,
that though he had preached before vast auditories both at
London and in the country, yet he had never seen the like.
At the conclusion he spoke most affectingly as to the office
of confirmation, concerning which the Vicar had preached the
preceding Sunday, when was also read a most excellent and
moving exhortation (which my Lord after told me was agreed
upon at the Jerusalem Chamber). The day after, his Grace
was pleased to honour me with a visit, attended by my dear
friend Mr. Thornton, and most of the clergy, to whom I
heard he spoke very honourably of me ; but he knows me
not to be so very defective (to use the best word I can) as
I know myself to be.
" But as his excellent sermons did more endear our most
pious 7icar to me, so my attendance upon them disobliged
Dr. M. exceedingly ; whose expressions I thought too warm,
and his resentment too passionate, for what in my opinion
admitted of a much better construction, especially when he
knew that I with j\Ir. Bryan Dixon, and two or three more
of far greater estates than myself, had each advanced thirty
shillings above our usual quantum to make him more easy, . ."
Bland of Beeston Hall, Lord of the Manor, " he having," said the writer,
"built us an altar." This implies that the communion was then reserved for
the mother church of the parish.
The Vicaria Leodiensis says that Mr. Killingbeck " fir.-it introduced in this
Parish (Leeds) a Monthly Communion;" and after describing in the Ducatus
the chancel of the Parish Church, Thoresby continues, — ¦' An 1 to add one
word more, this is monthly filled (for the most part) twice round with
devout Communicants (one of the most blessed Prospects thin World affords)
besides much greater Xumbers upon publick Festivals."

804 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
"I had now so far lost the favour of my quondam Pastor,
and was not yet so intimately acquainted with our good Vicar,
as to make my moan to either of them; but a kind and
merciful God provided me a dear friend and counsellor, Eichard
Thornton, Esq., a person learned in the law, yet a man of
peace and piety, who was very useful to me both for this
world and a better, and to him, being my intimate friend,
I could unbosom myself, and we had now as frequent and
more endearing conferences about spirituals, as formerly about
temporals; for he was not only learned and ingenious as a
lawyer, historian and antiquary, but very pious and religious,
his deportment and affections in prayer very mo'ving, and being
easy of access, we discoursed with freedom about the sacrament,
and particularly about communicating at the church. At length
being convinced it was my duty to comply, I resolved upon it,
but having some fears of unsuitable communicants that might
divert my thoughts, my dear friend readily condescended to
leave his usual place with the magistracy, and retired -with me
into a more private corner of the quire, where our good Vicar,
Mr. Killingbeck, administered to us both, and blessed be God,
it was a comfortable ordinance."
But it was not, at first, Thoresby's intention to break off
his connection with the Nonconformists, and he found himself
in a position of no small difficulty and trouble, To resume
his own narrative, this communicating with the Church of
England put Dr. Manlove, —
" Into such a fret that he sent three of the chief of
the society to acquaint me with his resentment, and refusal,
for my supposed fault, to administer the sacrament to others
who had made none. I argued that what I was charged
with was at worst but inexpedient by their o-wn concessions,
but in my judgement, after the strictest scrutiny, not only
lawful but my duty. His resolution and doom were very
grievous, and so perplexed me that I was scarce able to
manage my secular affairs; and observing not only his, but
the strangeness of near relations, and those tradesmen whom
he could influence, it cost, me much sorrow."

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY, 305
From his diary at this time, under date the 2nd of March
1697, it appears that the three chiefs of the Society sent to
Thoresby by Dr. Manlove were Mr. fe. D. (Bryan Dixon),
T. F, (Thomas Fenton) and W. W.; and that three days later
Thoresby himself called upon Dr. Manlove, —
"Earnestly beseeching him to allow me the liberty of my
conscience; and if he was under any ferment, I would willingly
forbear once or twice communicating ; but when he so absolutely
declared that nothing less than my total rejection would satisfy
him, I was too full of concern to stay any longer."
On the 23rd a treaty was arrived at, —
" Sent for by Dr. Manlove, upon his receipt of a letter
from the excellent Mr. Woodhouse, to accommodate the late
disputes, and he was willing to admit us to the Sacrament
as formerly, and yet permit me the liberty of my conscience
to participate (two or three times a year) in public : and I
promised, for peace sake, to refrain as statedly receiving there
as at chapel, and in ordinary not to exceed three times in
the year ; and had more peace of mind after : for though I am
thereby prevented from so frequent a communion as I designed,
yet I enjoy this with his approbation, and there is less fear
of the Society's being unhinged, not to say scattered, by his
deserting the ministry.''
The Mr. Woodhouse who interposed was probably John
Woodhouse, a Nonconformist, who for some years had an
academy at Sheriff-Hales in Shropshire, and was afterward
minister to a congregation at Little St. Helen's, Bishopgate,
London. In Calamy's Nonconformists' JMemorial he is said to
have studied the controversies, theological and ecclesiastical, of
his time ; and to have been acceptable to all parties from his
moderation towards those who differed from him in opinion.
WhUe thus acting upon his own convictions, in spite of
difficulties and opposition, Thoresby sought instruction and
counsel from others, in one form or another. The following

S06 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
extract from a letter of Mr. Killingbeck's, dated 8 March 1697,
implies his having asked for the perusal of some of the Vicar's
sermons : —
" As to your request, I would most readily, and do design,
God wiUing, to gratify you therein ; but my sermon notes,
though they are not written in characters, yet I make use of
such abbreviations of words, and upon perusing them a second
time, make such additions and interlineations, that they^ are
scarcely legible by any but myself ; and therefore desire you
would give me leave to transcribe them, which ' I will do at
my first leisure,"
He also appUed to Archbishop Sharp for the address of
one of the most remarkable men amongst the Nonconformists
of the day. John Humphrey, who held the Vicarage of Frome
in Somersetshire at the passing of the Uniformity Act, had
received Presbyterian ordination during the civil war in the
reign of Charles the First, as much from its being his only
available means at the time of entering the ministry, as from
any objection to episcopacy. At the Eestoration, the Bishop
of Bath and Wells with much difficulty prevailed with him to
take orders as Deacon and Priest in the Church of England;
but he soon recanted, influenced by scruples concerning a
second ordination. Wood, in the Aihence Oxoniensis, caUs him
" the most moderate Nonconformist of all the brethren ; " and
another account says, — " He followed his own genius, and feU
in with no party; some therefore of all sides slighted him,
but some of all parties respected him. Liberty and peace,
union and moderation, were the things he aU along pursued."
He published a number of Treatises, one of which (London,
1678) was entitled, — " The Healing Paper: or a Catholic Eeceipt
for union between the moderate party and sober Noncon
formists." Mr. Humphrey was a parishioner of St Giles's- in>
the-Fields when Archbishop Sharp held that benefice.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 307
The Archbishop wrote to Thoresby :—
"Bishop Thorp, Mar. 16, 1696-7."
"Good Mr. Thoresby,
" I received yours this morning, but am a perfect stranger
to 5,ny late transactions at Leeds therein mentioned, unless
you mean this : that I was told the other day that you had
lately received the Sacrament at Leeds church, which I was
extremely glad to hear; and, indeed (give me leave to speak
freely my thoughts), I have often wondered how a person of
such curious learning and good knowledge, and, withal, of such
goodness of temper and undesigning honesty, as I always took
you to be, could possibly have entertained such prejudices
against our way of worship, as to be of a different communion
from us, as I was told you was; but I imputed it wholly to
the principles of your education, and which I did verily beUeve,
if ever you came to examine things fairly, you would easily
correct. I have one thing to take ill of you, viz., that you
were at York about a week ago (or a fortnight) and came
not to see me. I saw one at prayers, that put me in mind
of you, but I did not think it was you, until afterwards I
was told so. If I had known it, I would not have suffered
you to have gone out of the church without speaking to you ;
but, indeed, it pleased me much - (when 1 came to know it),
that I had seen you at our Cathedral Service, though I know
there is something in it that you will not like, and that is
the singing of some of our prayers, as neither, indeed, do I
much approve of it; but it having been the custom of all
Cathedrals ever since the Eeformation, it is not to be altered
without a law.
"As for Mr. Humphrey, you may direct to him at his
house in Great Eussell-street, .in Bloomsbuiy, 1 am sure he
will vindicate your practice of communicating with us in the
holy Sacrament, because it is what himself doth, both as to
prayers and Sacrament, and so did Mr. Baxter; for so long
as he lived in my parish, he seldom failed, when he was well,
of coming to our prayers and sermons twice every Lord's-Day;
and receiving the Communion with us, kneeling at the rails,
once or twice every year : this, I speak of my o\v-n knowledge.

308 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
"As for that discourse of mine, that Mr. Thornton told
you of, I suppose he means one or both of those tracts which
I wrote at the earnest persuasion of the Bishop of London
and Dr. StiUingfleet, at that time when the London ministers
set themselves to write upon several arguments for the gaining
of Dissenting brethren to the Church. The argument that was
assigned to me was, to examine the Dissenters' plea that it
was against their conscience to join in our worship, whereupon
I wrote two tracts, one about conscience in general, the other
about a doubtful conscience. -* I have not either of them
single, but I have them bound up in one volume, with the
rest of the tracts that were wrote on that occasion, and if you
have a mind to peruse them, I will, upon the least intimation,
send the book to you by the carrier.
" I am. Sir, -with sincere wishes of your peace and happiness,
" Your most affectionate friend
and humble servant,
"Jo Ebor."
Thoresby deferred his application to Mr. Humphrey above
a twelvemonth, and then asked the Archbishop's interposition;
for another letter, dated Bishopthorp, August 17th, 1698, the
first part of which is upon coins, thus concludes : — ¦
" I have by this post wrote to Mr. Humfrey as you
desired; so that you may now send up your matters to him
when you please. Direct for Mr. John Humfrey, at my house
in Great Eussel-street, in Bloomsbury. The iU-dealing you meet
with from .... shows what schismatical principles some
of the Dissenters are acted by. Oh that it might have that
effect upon you that I think it ought to have ! viz., to oblige
you wholly to quit that party. Forgive my freedom, but I
¦* Mr, Hunter says in a note to Thoresby's Diary, that it appears he read
"Archbishop Sharp's Treatis', of Conscience and all the London Cases, and
that the whole question became at lai<t reduced to this : whether matters
indifferent in their own nature became not necessary as to our obedience to
them, when commanded by lawful authority '! "

THORESBY'S CONFOR.IIITy. 309
mean friendly and kindly. Forgive likewise the haste of this
letter, which makes it almost unintelligible. I am. Sir, with
sincere respects and hearty good -wishes,
" Your assured friend, Jo. Ebor."
Thoresby afterward obtained from Mr. Humphrey a copy of
part of the Archbishop's letter to him. It ran, —
" There is a gentleman in this country that has a desire to
consult you in some matters wherein he has need of satisfac
tion ; but being a perfect stranger to you, he has begged me
to introduce him to you, and to request that you would give
him leave to trouble you vrith a letter, and that you would
be so kind as to answer it. His name is Mr. Ealph Thoresby,
an ingenious gentleman, and a modest humble Christian, He
has of late used himself to receive, the Sacrament monthly, at
his Parish Church. This, the Dissenters in that parish, I am
told, take very grievously of him, he being, in other respects,
a member of their congregation. I do believe this is the
matter that he means to write to you about; if it be, I
doubt not but you  "
Thoresby wrote, as the Archbishop had anticipated, and
Mr. Humphrey was prompt in replying, as the following dates
show ; besides which his letter has this postscript, — " I received
your's yesterday,* but could hardly look on it till just now,
when I write away this." "London, August 25th 1698."
" Worthy Sir,
"I have received your letter dated August 21st, and a
character of you from his Grace of York. I was unworthy
that favour from him, and sensible of my slender abilities to
perform what he hath so lovingly enjoined me, which is my
endeavour of your satisfaction. The case you propose is no
grievous case, but very acceptable to me, who am very much
* The post, therefore, between Leeds and London was three days in transit.

810 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
of your judgement. I wish it were more easy to you, and
common to others, who have their hearts bent, as you seem
to me to have, for Heaven. The paths may be diverse, but
the way one, which leads thereto, in our private and pubhc
congregations. " I will tell you first my own judgement and practice,
which is perhaps singular. There is our stated communion
and occasional communion. Our moderate Nonconformist Presby
terians are for their stated communions with the congregations
whereof they are pastors and members; but they will join in
their parish churches for occasional communion, or else they
think themselves to be guilty of schism. Thus Dr. Bates does,
some time in the year, receive the Sacrament in his parish,
and Mr. Baxter did often in the parish I am. But as for
myself, I declare my staled communion to be with the parish
(where we have a very worthy, ingenuous, diligent and exem
plary Doctor for our minister), and my occasional communion
with the Nonconformist meetings, where I go sometimes, and
sometimes I am called to preach. In short, I am a Noncon
formist minister but Conformist parishioner, and I know nobody
(knowing my constant principles) that is offended at it.
" As for the case of the Nonconformist, I have formerly
thus stated it. There are some who have been and are for
our parochial churches, who are satisfied with their constitution,
and, if they might have freedom, would still choose them;
and there are others that are in their inclinations for the
congregational way only. I am, for my part, of the former
sort, and declare thus when I go,, or preach in a meeting: it
is not in opposition, but in conjunction with the parish
minister, with whom still I mentally, though not orally join,
being sensible that, when our Lord hath commanded that the
tares should not be plucked up, for fear of endangering some
of the wheat, how grievous a matter it may be to root up
all the wheat for fear of the tares, which to unchurch whole
parishes were to do. Two things, therefore, I will acknowledge:
that our parish churches are true churches; and that it is our
duty consequently to desire and endeavour their union and
prosperity. With these I must assume also, that it is the duty

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 311
likewise of those who have been set apart to the office of the
ministry to preach the gospel by way of discharge to that
office," &c.
Having pursued this argument, inquiring whether unity or
preaching were the greater duty of the two 1 Mr. Humphrey,
or as he signs, Humfrey, passes to the particular case of Ealph
Thoresby : —
" To resolve yourself now what you shall do, ask your minis
ter (Mr. M.) when you were baptised, into what church was it ?
whether it was not into the church universal 1 Ask him then,
whether that which gives a man right to be a member of
the universal Church, does not give him right of occasional
communion with all true churches, that are but parts of it t
I pray, then, ask him which he -svill choose, to have you
keep your stated communion with him (as you yet do) and
your occasional with the parish 1 or your occasional coinmunion
only with him, and your stated with the whole congregation ?
And so long as your parish minister is a good man, let Mr. M.
himself choose for you. And this, in the name God, shall
give you satisfaction,"
What use Thoresby made of the argument furnished to him
in the above letter does not appear, but from some cause or
other the minister at Mill Hill grew more conciliating. In his
Review, Thoresby gives an account of a reception which he
met with at York from the Archbishop and Dean Gale, then
subjoining, —
" Their civilities helped to revive my drooping spirits, and
the antiquities I met with there, and at Brotherton, Castleford,
Pontefract, and Almondbury (where I rode at the Mayor's
request with hira and the Vicar, to pay our respects to Sir
John Kaye), diverted me, and I think did somewhat influence
Dr. Manlove ; who, upon a designed alteration at the chapel,
would have had me his Deacon, which I rejected : but to
evidence my Christian charity, I wilUngly at his request pe
rused his manuscript designed for the press, which was really

312 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
ingenious and pious.-* But I was now, blessed be God! more
fully satisfied in communicating with the pubUc. Archbishop
Sharp had recommended my case to a very eminent divine,
Mr. John Humfrey, noted as well for his moderation as piety,
who to use his own expression, was though a Nonconformist
minister, a Conformist parishioner."
" Sep. 4, 1698. Die Dom. I received the blessed Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper, at the hands of our good Vicar,
Mr. Killingbeck."
Early in 1699 Dr. Manlove left Leeds for another congre
gation at Newcastle, and about the same time Thoresby, now
forty years old, came to the resolution of uniting himself
wholly -with the Church of England. Just at this crisis he
had staying at his house his old friend and correspondent
Joseph Boyse, Nonconformist minister in DubUn. Mr. Boyse
had come for his marriage -with Eachel, daughter of James
Ibbetson, merchant of Leeds, whose brother was one of the
Aldermen. While in Leeds, he preached a sermon when
collections were made for the French Protestants, then persecuted
and in exile, the Vicar also preaching for the same cause.
Thomas Fenton of Hunslet, Thoresby's "Cousin Fenton,"
had married an elder sister of the bride ; and in the British
Museum there is a curious original letter addressed to Mr, Boyse
at Mr, Thomas Fenton's, written from London by the Non
conformist preacher John Howe. It is dated on the 3rd of
June, 1699, and begins : — -
" I have thought Dr. M.'s (Manlove's) removes to have
been, twice, too early. I shall be glad for the sake of so
considerable a place as Leeds if a supply can be satisfactory
* This Manuscript is thus entered in Thoresby's Catalogue,— " fie Immcr-
tality of the Soul asserted, and practically improved, -with some Eeflenons
upon a pretended Refutation of Dr. Bentley's, by the Eev. Mr. Tim. Manhie
(Med. Licent.) of Leedes V.D.M. His Autograph's Gift." It was
in Loudon, with the author's portrait.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY; 313
and seasonable, that no prejudice occur by this change. It
hath been said here it so much disgusted Mr. R Thoresby
that he inclined totaUy to withdraw to the Church, and that
to justify his inclination (if not intentions) to that purpose, he
hath in some late discourses seemed to lay great stress upon
that trivial sophism (rather than argument) that if occasional
communion with the Church of England was lawful, constant
was a duty. This I am not to take notice of to him. But
if you have time to disturb him, and shall or have heard any
argument to that purpose from him, it were well if he were
closely dealt with before leaving that town."
Mr, Howe supposes Thoresby to be influenced by- some
arguments of Mr. Baxter; and having remarked upon "a man
of Mr. Th.'s (Thoresby's) understanding" being imposed upon,
" a man of Th.'s abilities upon such a trifle of an arguirient,"
and expressing sorrow " that he should lose the things he hath
wrought so as not to obtain that full reward which I wish
him, " the writer ends,—" If you have time you will read some
of these suggestions from "Y'' affec. bro,
"H. J."
A letter written to Thoresby by the Eev. Matthew' Henry,
of Chester, on the following 3rd of July, has this postscript, — ¦
" I hear of Mr. Boyse's safe arrival at Dublin. " * Mr. Boyse
cannot therefore have remained long in Leeds after receivine
the above letter, but he left it in Thoresby's hands, though it
seems to have been written as a confidential communication.
Howsoever, neither the letter itself, nor anything which
Mr Boyse may have said upon the subject of it, weighed
with Thoresby. Upon it is endorsed in Thoresby's hand
writing, after the reversed initials, " alias J. H. 'viz, Mr. John
Howe the noted N. C. Minister of Loudon, a learned, pious
'• In a letter of the previous October Mr, Henry had said, — " I tell
Mr, Boyse he must let me have the honour of being his groomsman at his
next journey to Leeds. ' 22

311 RALPH THORE.SBY TIIE TOPOGRAPHER.
and great man, tho' I suppose not infallible in this argument."
Next to it, in the same volume of manuscripts, is a letter to
Thomas Whitaker of Leeds, signed J. Howe, in the same
handwriting; but Thoresby's endorsement did not rest upon
conjecture, it is evident the authorship was not kept secret.
In his Review Thoresby says, being called to York, —
" I took Bishop Thorpe in my return, and after much dis
course upon the subject, I showed his Grace Mr. Howe's letter,
whereupon he Tnost kindly offered that if Mr. Howe, or any
other, would make particular objections, he would answer them
for my sake, and justify my deserting their communion for that
of the Church : but I being now satisfied in my own judge
ment would not give his Lordship the trouble."
In amusing contrast with Mr. Howe's adversion to Thoresby's
tmderstanding and abilities, is the following passage of a letter
written by Archbishop Sharp, only three days later than Mr.
Howe's in date :—
" Sir, give me leave to speak my mind freely to you. I
have always thought you a man of sense, as well as a sincerely
good man, and I could never be without hopes that you would
overcome all the prejudices of your education in this business
of conformity, if you once took the matter into your serious and
impartial consideration."
The letter in which this occurs accompanied the present of
a Book of Common Prayer, sent at Thoresby's desire; and the
Archbishop informs him, —
"If it will recommend it to you, that it is one that I am
wont to make use of, you may take my word that it is the
book I bought when I first came down from London hither,
to be used by me daily in my chapel : and accordingly a great
while it lay in my seat there, till afterwards I removed it to
the communion table; from whence I have now taken it, and
where I usually once a month officiate, in celebrating the com
munion with my famUy."

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 315
It was a folio volume, and is included in Thoresby's Cata
logue. The entire correspondence on the subject of conformity
between the Archbishop and Thoresby is too long for inser
tion here, and it may be read in Mr. Hunter's pubUcation.
It does not appear from the letters which he received at this
time from Mr, Stretton and Oliver Heywood, either that they
strove to influence him, or that Thoresby much sought their
counsel. Mr. Stretton, speaking of one who had been thought
of as' Dr. Manlove's successor, wrote in terms which shew his
estimate of Manlove to have been qualified : —
" Dr, Worth is nearer forty than thirty, and I do not think
he fell any thing short of Dr. Manlove (in his many very com
mendable excellencies), but only in his ill nature and covetous
humour, which he is as free from as any man I know. But
that is at an end," &c.
Oliver Heywood's allusions to the business amount to an
urgency, that to what ecclesiastical body soever Thoresby may
be attached, he 'will continue earnest in true and practical
reUgion ; and that he will still befriend his old connections.
In one letter written while the vacancy at Mill Hill Chapel
remained unsupplied Mr. Heywood said, — ¦
" I am concerned much for a fit man for Mill Hill, and
hope you put to your helping hand, and hope your heart is
there, though your bodily presence be not always with them.
I cannot forget you, for your dear father's sake, and your own,
to whom I am so much indebted and endeared. Be sure you
keep close to God in secret, wherein much of the life of reli
gion consists."
Thoresby's account of liis after proceeding accords with this
appeal. His Review for the year 1699 concludes : —
"Dr. Manlove's harshness did not so far alienate my affec
tions from that poor afflicted people, but that I endeavoured

316 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
to do them aU the kindness I could: and sidce few could be
prevailed with to be of my sentiment as to conformity, I
did what was possible for me to procure a moderate as weU
as a pious man to supply the famous Mr. Sharp's place, and
accordingly writ by their messengers to Mr. Henry, of Chester,
to have procured Mr. John Owen, a noted divine, and good
antiquary, on which account we had a correspondence,* but it
succeeded not : his knowledge in the British tongue making
him doubly serviceable in those parts where he preached to
the Welsh as well as English  In the choice of a
minister there was great heat, and many angry disputes betwixt
the two parties. Mr. Fenton moved to. have the matter decided
by lot, but the neighbouring ministers opposed that, as not
lawful but in extraordinary cases, where it could no otherwise
be determined, and not barely to avoid heats. I proposed to
give their votes by balloting, whereby both passion might be
avoided, and persons might vote vrith the greater freedom:
and this method was embraced."
In a former part of the Review, already quoted, Thoresby
observed, in regard to his wife's meekness, modesty and sub
mission, " There has rarely been occasion to try this, except in
matter of the baptizing and education of our children, after I
had changed my sentiments as to conformity." And baptism,
according to the office of the Church of England, was the
latest incident of the controversy which Thoresby himself
debated, as appears from a passage in a letter dated the 16th
of January 1700, written by Archbishop Sharp in reply to
one which Thoresby had addressed to him: —
"If I can light of my Second Part of Conscience, I will
send it to you, though there is nothing in it that particularly
relates to any dispute about baptism. There is now come out
in octavo, an abridgement of all the cases writ for the sake
of the Dissenters: if you will order any one to call on me for
it, I will present it- you. Among these, there is a particular
* These letters are among those which Mr. Hunter published.

THORESBY'S CONFORMITY. 317
discourse about the cross in baptism, which I fancy is the
thing you scruple at. I not only hope, but I am confident
you ¦will never repent of your quitting the separation and
joining in our communion, because I am sure there is no
good reason that can hold you there, or keep you from us.
Were but our lives as suitable to our profession, as our pro
fession is to the laws of Christ Jesus, I durst answer for the
salvation of every member of the Church of England,"
The result of Thoresby's deliberations on the order of
Baptism is given in his diary for August 1702. He had been
reading Bishop Patrick's " Friendly Debate," * and " The Humble
Apology " which replied to it : —
" Concluded the Humble Apology for Nonconformists, wherein
are some too severe reflections upon the Bishops and Conformity
itself ; but there are also some modest and healing concessions ;
and if that proposition, p. 131, could be made good, that for
laying aside the ceremonies, the Church might gain thousands
and ten thousands of our brethren, I should rejoice to see
that happy day : with this proviso, that as the observance of
them should not be imposed upon some, so neither denied to
others who could not be satisfied in the omission : and to my
own particular case, as I should have some ease thereby, as to
the cross in baptisms (which though I think lawful yet had
rather omit), and taking charge of my o'wn chUd in that
ordinance, either singly or jointly with some conscientious friend
who would assist me, and after my death look upon themselves
as obliged in conscience to see to the education of the orphan."
* "A Friendly Debate between a Conforaaist and a Nonconformist," by
Simon Patrick, Bishop of Chichester, afterward of Ely. If was published
in 1669.

VIII.

Secular Concgrne,
BHEEPSCAR OIL MILL-DEATH OF MR. SYKES— CONSEQUENT RESPONSIBILITIES
—TO CUMBERL-VNC — ANOTHER WEDDING- MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS— LEEDS
WATERWORKS— CORPORATE HONOURS— MONETARY DIFFICULTIES— DEATH
OF RELATIVES AND FRIENDS- FAMILY TROUBLES— DEATH OF DEAN GALE-
OP OLIVER HEYWOOD— END TO THORESBY'S TRADING— PUBLIC EVENTS TO
THE ACCESSION OF QUEEN ANNE.
When Thoresby wrote that civilities received from the Arch
bishop and from the Dean of York helped to revive his
drooping spirits, he alluded to more causes for depression than
those narrated in the foregoing chapter. Commercial difficulties
and family troubles combined with his ecclesiastical and spiritual
perplexities to render the closing years of the seventeenth
century the most trying of his whole life ; scarcely excepting
the period when he simRltaneously entered upon manhood and
lost his father's companionship and guidance. Enough has been
said already to show that Thoresby was not fitted for trade,
but found more anxiety than profit in the business which he
inherited. And not long after his marriage began to make
him " sensible of the pressure of the World, great charges
and small incomes," he was persuaded to incur new UabiUties
by entering upon new business undertakings.
The possessions of his father-in-law included an estate at
Sheepscar, where ran a stream, of which we read in the
Ducatus : —
"This is the nameless Water that Mr. William Harrison
in his Description of Britain mentions, as running into Are

SECULAR CONCERNS,

319

on the North Side of Leedes from Wettlewood, as it is
misprinted for Weelwood.'*' This Beck proceeds from a small
Spring upon the Moor, a little above Adle, and yet had some
time ago 8 Mills upon it in its 4 Miles Course. The first is
that of Adell . , . ; and the last before its Conjunction
¦with Are is this at Sheepscar, which above 80 Years ago was
employed for the grinding of Red-Wood, and making of Rape-
Oil, then first known in these Parts. It was converted into
a Corn-Mill in the late Times; but upon the Eestoration,
when the King's Mills recovered their ancient Soke, it dwindled
into a Paper-Mill, not for Imperial, but for that course Paper
called Emporetica, useful only for Chapmen to 'wrap "Wares in ;
'twas afterwards made a Rape-Mill again, as it now remains ;
and though it cannot pretend to be so fine as what proceeds
from the ele-treow [Oil-Tree] as Oliva is rendered in the Sajxon
Psalms yet I have heard of some (not of very squeamish
Stomachs 'tis confess'd) who have eat it with Victuals."
The renewal of this oil manufacture was the joint work of
Thoresby and Mr. Samuel Ibbetson, of Leeds, with whom the
proposal originated. The Ibbetsons were a rather numerous
family, of good position. Of five brothers, the second, Joseph,
and the youngest, Joshua Ibbetson, were Aldermen, and the
latter had just been elected Mayor when the second Charter
of Incorporation was surrendered to Charles the Second. The
nomination of Gervase Nevile to that office by the new Charter
superseded him ; but when Nevile's term expired on the 29th
of September 1685, Joshua Ibbetson was again chosen, and he
served as Mayor for the ensuing year. His vrife was the
daughter of Christopher Brearey, Lord Mayor of York in 1669.t
* The passage here referred to is, — " Thence it [the River Aire] goeth by
Risliworth Hall, and so to Bingleie, where it taketh a rill from Denholme
Park to Shipleie, and tbere crossing another from Thorneton, Leuenthorpe
and Bradleiq, it goeth to Calverleie, to Christall, and to Leedes, where one
water runneth thereinto by north from Wettlewood," &c.
+ Whose father had filled the same office twice in the reign of James the
First, but was of Leeds origin. I'he pedigree of the Breareys is one of the
most interesting locally in the Ducatus Leodiensis.

820 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
The eldest of the brothers, James Ibbetson, married the daughter
and co-heiress of Henry Eoundell, who had been head of the
Leeds Corporation in the days of ParUamentanan mle. Possibly
she introduced Puritan principles into this branch of the Ibbet
son family ; for her eldest son, the Samuel who became
Thoresby's partner at Sheepscar, was an active Nonconformist,
and he rode with Thoresby and the two Leeds ministers to
the Wakefield meeting for uniting Independents and Presby
terians. One of her daughters became the wife' of Thoresby's
Hunglet " cousin," Thomas Fenton, which perhaps explains his
cousinship with the Ibbetsons also; and it was another daughter,
the youngest, who married the Eev. Joseph Boyse, Noncon
formist minister in Dublin. The second son, James, who
married the dstughter of Eichard Bean of Ledston, and settled
there, may have been a Churchman with his uncles the Alder
men ; be that as it may, he had a son who became Master
of Arts, and Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford.
Samuel Ibbetson was Thoresby's senior by eight years. He
had been left a widower in 1677; and for a second -wife he
married Hephzibah, daughter of Captain John Hatfield of Hat
field near Doncaster, spoken of by De La Pryme, and the
acquaintance of Thoresby.
How it came to pass that Ealph Thoresby took up the oU
trade is thus recounted in his Review, under the year 1689 :—
"I was unhappily deprived of these pleasant enjoyments of
my papers, by an unhappy engagement at Mr. Samuel Ibbetson's
request, to make rape-oil The inducement was my father
Sykes's estate at Sheepscar, where there had been a miU
formerly : and when I pleaded my ignorance in the affair, he
argued I need not be concerned for that, he had a right
notion of it, and could manage the stock and accounts, and
my industry would be serviceable in overseeing the servants,
in making the oil, receiving seed, delivering oil, and keeping
those accounts ; the reputation he had of a reUgious and sub-

SECULAR CONCERNS. 321
stantial man; and the prospect of an advanced rent upon that
part of the estate that was designed for my wife ; and both
his brother and mine deaUng in that commodity, there was no
question but we might -with ease dispose of aU the oU we
could make." ¦*
"These arguments induced me to engage in the unfortunate
enterprise, which was in many respects a vast loss to me : the
first I was immediately sensible of was loss of time, which
was necessarily consumed in supervising and directing workmen
and servants ; another was expenses in company, that I was
unavoidably engaged in. Of others, more in the sequel."
This was written under the year 1689, and until late in
1691 Thoresby's Diary has repeated notices of his visits to
Sheepscar, and the workmen engaged there. On the 29th of
May he rode with Mr. Ibbetson " to -view the lately erected
rape-mill at Thorp Arch," most Ukely for information in regard
to their own preparations. His brother Jeremiah, now aged
twenty-five, having shops both at Leeds and Armley in a
business which involved London journeys, attendance for him
upon those occasions made further encroachment on Thoresby's
time. At length the mill was ready ; on the fourth of September
1691 Thoresby, having risen early in the morning, " was
receiving rape tiU noon; after, paying money on ditto account,
and with workmen at Sheepscar till about five." And on the
20th of the following month he was " at the mill seeing them
now first make oil there ; " but instead of now finding relief,
he found himself at the wrong end of his troubles, for it
appears that from the very first he had cause to regret his

* Maopherson quotes a pamphlet entitled Anglice Tutamen, which says,—
" By the assistance of the Dutch we have much improved our lands in
the north part of this kingdom, by sowing vast quantities of lint-seed,
rape-seed, &c., whereof making oils in large quantities, we export in abund
ance, and consume at home, in lieu of foreign and dearer oils, to our double
advantage."

322 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
having listened to the seductive representations of Mr. Samuel
Ibbetson. Only a week after the first oil making he 'wrote, —
" At miU, fretting at reiterated disappointments, there most
of the day." On the 21st of March 1692,— " walked to Sheep
scar, to view another miserable breach made by a storm and
sudden flood last night;" and on the 31st, — "Aftemoon, wholly
at Sheepscar, where are renewed disappointments daily, some
times hourly." Encroachments of another kind, or an allegation
of encroachments, drove him into a lawsuit the next July, his
account of which shows that unscrupulous antagonists knew then
how to vex and weary by protracted litigation : —
"July 11. Most of the day busied in preparation for a
trial at the Assizes, sending witnesses to York."
"12. . . . rode with Mr. Ibbetson to York about ditto
concern. Lord ! give me wisdom, and direction, and success, in
all lawful enterprises, so far as agreeable to thy holy pleasure,"
" 13. Morning, hasted abroad to consult Serjeant, formerly
Judge, Lutwich, about ditto suit ; advised also with Mr. Blyth
man and Mr. Hatfield; attending the plaintiff's motion, except
from ten till twelve, that the Judges adjourned the Court to
hear the fast sermon at the Minster." *
" 14th. Moming, spent the whole day in a wearisome
attendance with the witnesses upon the opposites, who would
neither desist, nor adventure to bring on the trial, which
wearied us."
"15. Morning, forenoon at court; at length prevailed for
bringing on the trial; but, upon the opening of our cause
by the Serjeant, the plaintiffs immediately (before so much
as one of our witnesses were examined) moved for a View, to
delay what their hearts seemed to faint in the trial of."
"16. . . . returned with my good friend Mr. Ibbetson,
whose assistance and attendance at York upon account of this
* The Judges were Lord Chief Baron Atkyns and Mr. Justice Powell.

SECULAR CONCERNS. 323
suit has been very obUging. Blessed be God for comfortable
converse, and for all merciful Providences, protection from
danger, and that we found aU well at home; but weary and
heavy, and prevented of reading."
Despite this disheartening commencement they persevered,
and early one moming in the ensuing September, Thoresby was
at " Sheepscar, directing in laying foundation for a horse miU;"
but a doubt arises that it did not work satisfactorily, when
we read, just two years later, that Thoresby and Mr. Ibbetson
then rode to Gainsborough, where they viewed the rape mills,
and were much "pleased with the workmanship and contrivance
of the new horse miU, which was the main design of our
journey,'' The death of Thoresby's father-in-law in March 1694, and a
consequent executorship, gave him additional occupation ; —
"March 7. Evening, received Dr. AViUiams (Dr. Nicholson
being prevented by his mother, the Lady Boynton's illness)
from York ; Dr. Eussell and he had a consultation about
father." " 24th. Morning, called up again after about an hour's
sleep to witness the dying moments of my dear father-in-law,
who slept sweetly in Jesus about two this moming."
" 26th. Prevented this morning of reading, &c., by prepara^
tion for the funeral, which was solemnized this afternoon about
five, when he (father-in-law) was interred in the grave of my
great-grandfather, the old Alderman Sykes." *

* Among the monumental records of the Leeds Parish Church preserved in
the Ducatus Leodiensis there is, — "A Brass Plate upon a large new Marble.
Here lyeth tite Body of the Worshl. Richard Sykes, Alderman of Leedes, who
departed this Life the f7th day of March, An. Dom. 1645; and the Body of
Elizabeth his Wife, wlu> expired some montlis l^ore." Inscriptions upon the
.lame marble follow to his grandsons, Richard Sykes, Rector of Spofforth ;
Samuel Sykes, Alderman and Mayor, and other four of tbe Sykes family,
but not including Thoresby's father-in-law.

321 RALPH THORESbY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
In his will, dated 8th November 1693, his two sons-in-law,
Thomas Eaynar and Ealph Thoresby, were appointed executors
and trustees, but not Thomas Wilson, husband of Mr. Sykes's
eldest daughter.
"May 7. Morning, perusing letters and accounts about the
estate in Ireland. Afternoon appraising and dividing books."
" 10. About executorship. After rode vrith Brother E. to
view the estate at Eodwel and Ouselwell (if not Oswald's
green)." " 20. Morning, perusing papers and -writings about estate
at Wexford. Proved father Sykes's will; was solicited to take
a voyage for Ireland; had some inclinations."
"22. Morning, extremely solicited to forbear the joumey
for fear of pirates : renewed solicitations from friends, relations
and acquaintances in abundance, but above all my dear, whose
silent language of sighs and tears altered my sentiments."
The estate in Ireland, in addition to the estates at Eoth
well, was de-vised to the wife of Thomas Eaynar, not to
Thoresby's, whose protest against her husband running such
risks upon their account was therefore quite reasonable : —
"Item, I give and bequeath (from and immediately after
the discharge of the aforesaid trust) unto my second daughter
Mary Eaynar, wife of Thomas Eaynar and to her heirs for
ever (upon the provisions hereinafter mentioned) all my Lands
Tenements and others by what name soever called vrith aU
and every their Appurtenance in the County of Wexford in
the Nation of Ireland, whether Tenanted or Untenanted And
also all my Lands and Tenements with aU their Appurtenances
in the Towne and Parish of Eodwell in the County of York,
in the occupation of Eichard Wormald and Eobert Hepton-
staU." *
Yet granting that Thoresby would have passed and repassed
safely through the piracy and all other dangers of the Irish
* From the original will in the office at York,

SECULAR CONCERNS, 325
Sea, it is very much to be regretted that the apprehensions
of his friends, with the still less resistable manifestations of
his -wife, kept him at home. As it is, we lose notes of travel
that would have been extremely interesting, and probably unique.
Howsoever, he discharged his executorship -without -visiting Wex
ford; and beyond the ordinary duties of an executor gave aid
and counsel in a question at once delicate and momentous : —
"Juno 30. Sent for by Mother Sykes, to consult about a
Cumberland gentleman (Mr. Salkeild), that would court sister
D. S. ; discoursed him seriously and plainly."
Sister Deborah Sykes' was the fourth, and only still un
married, daughter in the family ; and special pro-vision was
made for her in the will until she should reach the age of
twenty-four, or marry with the consent of her mother and the
executors, " or the major part of them."
The Cumbrian was favoured by Thoresby's antiquarian corre
spondent. Dr. Nicholson, Archdeacon of Carlisle, who, on the
26th of July 1694, wrote thus, evidently in answer to some
letter of inquiry which Thoresby had addressed to him : —
"Methinks I do not yet altogether despair of seeing you
and Leeds : and the happiness will be somewhat the greater
(if it be capable of any increase) in having the opportunity
of accompanying my honest parishioner on so good an errand
as you mention, I must do the young man the justice as to
assure you that he is of a singular good disposition and
temper. His father is remarkably so too ; having generally the
esteem of one of the most fairly do^wnright honest gentlemen
in our county. His estate I cannot be exact in ; but I will
give the honestest account I can," Estimating it at not
less than .£200 a-year, the Archdeacon proceeds, — "As to your
last query, I must do the young lady and her mother the
justice to own that the whole family are Conformists. The
old gentleman is as Zealous a Protestant, in opposition to
Popery, as your mother-in-law can wish for : and I dare under-

326 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
take for him, that neither she nor her daughter shaU find
any reason to complain of his bigotry any farther. Only, she
must give me leave to hope that I may be allowed to endea
vour to bring both her and her daughter to their parish
church (together with the rest of their relations), when I
shall be so happy as to have them ¦within the verge of my
cure. I do faithfully promise them they shall not be raUed
at, neither in the church nor at home, if I cannot fairly
prevail with them. The women, « I am sensible, must be
tenderly dealt with as weaker vessels, notwithstanding the
passionate concern that you and I, as antiquaries, may have
for the primitive discipline of our Church."
In a second letter, of the 7th of August, the Archdeacon
wrote that from information which he had received, his esti
mate of the sum total of Mr. Salkeild's estate was correct,
although he had not been quite accurate in the details. To
this he added, —
"As to the scruple raised about Conformity, I took occasion
to discourse the old gentleman himself, and can now per
emptorily engage for him, that in case this treaty goes forward,
he shaU not press either your mother-in-law or her daughter
to any compUances in religious worship. But stiU I must be
allowed to prevail ¦with them if I can do it fairly. A brother
clergyman of mine, Mr. Eobinson, Eector of a neighbouring
parish, will be with you, I believe, in a fortnight. He is an
honest gentleman, and one that has the opportunity of being
somewhat better acquainted with the circumstances of the
estate, than I can pretend to. I think he will agree
with me in the main, that matters are as I have represented
them. As to the young gentleman's temper, I must again
repeat it, that I do not know any man's I would sooner
or more heartily recommend to the nearest related female
I have in the world. You may think I write with passion
like a man interested in the case. I confess I am so : but
I can withal assure you that the great interest I have in
view, is the gaining opportunities of having the happiness

SECULAR CONCERN.?.

327

of your conversation, which hitherto I have been unluckily
balked in." *
Three days after the date of this second letter Thoresby
"had -visitants, relations and Esquire SalkeUd, with recom
mendation from the Archdeacon of Carlisle, as to courtship."
Then he spent an evening "with Parson Eobinson (the
Archdeacon's neighbour and friend) about Mr. Salkeild's court
ship." The next morning he had both together, and at night
he was " seriously discoursing sister D. S. about it." And the
next morning, " having received a somewhat discouraging
letter," he argued "the case seriously with the young gentleman,
and all others concerned." Mr. SalkeUd took his leave of
Thoresby a week later ; but within a month, on Monday the
17th of September, Thoresby started on horseback for
Cumberland " about sister D. S. 's concem, accompanied by
Mr. Eayner, another of her brothers-in-law.
* In liis former letter, the Archdeacon told Thoresby that his horse had
been saddled for Leeds, but that company and the advice of friends drew
him to Scarborough. •" I did, indeed, counterfeit health and ease the best I
could, whilst I stayed at Goldesborough ; but my dear kinsmm the Arch
deacon of Nottingham, who accompanied me, can tell you that I travelled
in much pain to Scarborough, where, I am satisfied, I should have the most
effectual cure for my distemper, if I could have afforded myself leisure enough
to have drunk the waters." So early as February 1692 he had intimated
a possibility of visiting Thoresby in the summer; aud mentioning his Glossary
of Northumbrian words, x^rinted by Dr. Ray, which he was enlarging, added, —
" to give it its last finishing stroke, it will be necussary that I visit a great
many of the remains of our Saxon ancestors in several parts of this province ;
and, (you may be assured) I shall desire to begin at Leeds."
This letter is given in Nicholson's Correspondence. In an unpublished letter
of tlie following July, now in the possession of J, H, Wurtzburg, Esq., of
Leeds, Nicholson again spoke of his intention to visit Thoresby. A distempet,
" an unmannerly ague," he wrote, " is now so much over with me that I
resolve (God willing) to be at Leeds, soon after our Assizes are done, about
y middle of next month, which I hope will be a time when I may meet
with you at home," And the letter concludes, — " You will please give my
service to Mr. Thornton and all Mr. Wilkinson's family. How the time
mentioned will suit your convenience be pleased also to signify in a line to
Sf Your most affec' & faithful Serv'-
Wilt. Nicholson."

328 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
By Otley and Ilkley, caught upon Eumblesmoor by a very
severe storm, "and the way, as well as weather, not very
desirable," he rode to Skipton, "where left the Church and
Castle unviewed (not so much as baiting in the town); thence,
over the Eiver Are eight times in three miles, to Gargrave."
A mile further he came to Cuniston, where, he relates, " the
young man lived that was of late years so remarkably
converted by reading some pages (dropped from Madame
Lambert, of Cowton, as she was reading in the book in her
way to the meeting) of Mr. Baxter's Call to the Unconverted,
strangely brought into the house by a little dog.'' He stayed
the night at Long Preston, where he arrived " severely wet,
and very weary with travelling so many miles in a dark,
rainy night, yet received little or no prejudice;" and notwith
standing his condition, he spent " most of the evening
transcribing heads of Mr. Knowles's benefaction to this his
native soU."
The next morning : —
" Eose early, to write remainder of ditto Will &c. Had
sat up too late for same purpose ; had a moming as severe
as yesternight, and worse, in respect of the waters being out
with the rains. Saw the place where Mr. Lambert (the
General's younger son) was lately drowned. Left, the Settle
road, and rode by Cowbridge to Wigglesworth Hall, Mr. Sher-
burn's seat, where saw the finest bam possibly in England,
measured by our servant twenty two yards 'wide and forty six
long, of Stone, &c."
At Eathmell Thoresby visited Mr. Frankland, -with whom
the son of the late Eev. Thomas Sharp was stDl a pupU, as
well as a son of Thoresby's sister-in-law, Mrs. Wilson. At
Giggleswick, he "alighted to observe the famous weU," and in
a few minutes saw it " several times ebb and flow eleven
inches or a foot perpendicular, and continually agitated, either
increasing or declining visibly." Then by Ingleborough, Ingleton

SECULAR CONCERN'S.

329

and Kirkby Lonsdale, " a very pretty well built market-to^vn
with a Church, &c., which the shortness of the days and the
length of the miles prevented our observance of," he reached
Kendal on the second night.
From this town, which, he says, " is the chief in West
moreland, is yet a place of trade, Kendal cottons being famous
all England over," Thoresby rode to Ambleside, and thence to
FeU-foot. Then,—
" Ascended a dreadful fell indeed, terrible rocks, and
seemingly inaccessible ; much more likely for the goats to
scramble over, than horses or men ; especially those two more
notorious of Wren-nose [or Wry-nose] and Hardknot, which
were really mighty dangerous, terrible and tedious ....
Having at length surmounted the difiiculties of this eight
miles' tedious march from FeU-foot to Dale-garth (which was
rendered still more uncomfortable by the loss of a shoe from
the servant's horse, which much retarded our journey), we came
into a pleasanter country by the Eiver Esk ; and being
recommended by Mr. Frankland, visited Justice Stanley at
Dale-garth, to enquire after Mr. S. [Salkeild]. Thence seven
miles good way in a habitable part of the earth, by Gosforth,
the pleasant seat of Mr. Copley, to Cauder Bridge, where we
arrived safe, though late, in a dark night and strange country,
but necessitated thereto for want of conveniences nigher, and
here found them very slender ; jannock bread and clap-cakes
the best that gold could purchase ; but we made ourselves
merry with the music of our clog slippers, and complimented
them to entertain us at Bernard Swaneson's, whose family, he
saith, has been there 380 years, as Mr. Patrickson, an ingenious
gentleman of Cauder Alibey adjoining, tells him."
On the fourth day, having " enjoyed Esquire Curwen's, of
Sellay Park, good company, and serious advice (upon Mr.
Frankland's recommendation) to decline a Cumberland match,"
Thoresby rode from Calder Bridge to Egremont and, " by the
iron mines, where we savv thcni- working and got some ore

330 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
(which is transported to Ireland where it is smelted)," to
Whitehaven. There they " spent the rest of the day in
pursuing directions in quest of Mr. S.'s estate, and in viewing
the town." Thoresby then gives this account of Whitehaven
in 1694,— "Absolutely the most gro-wing, thriving town in these parts;
much encouraged by Sir John Lowther,* the Lord thereof, who
gave them four hundred/ pounds towards building the pier,
and two hundred pounds towards the building of a church,
which is one of the prettiest I have seen (after the London
mode of their new churches) with the ground that it stands
upon ; and he is now building a very stately school-house, to
which he designs the addition of two wings, one for teaching
the mathematics, and the other writing. We walked thence
along the designed Lowther street, for it is grown from a
village of six houses, as Major Christian, a native of the Isle
of Man (which we had the prospect of upon the hills), and
many others can remember, to a large town, fuU as big as
Pontefract (even in brother Eayner's judgement)."
At Whitehaven, Thoresby made acquaintance " with honest
Mr. Atkinson, the Shipmaster," who gave him a letter of intro
duction to Mr. Larkham, Nonconformist minister of Talentire,
" son of a good old Puritan, some of whose works are in
print," t to procure " further instructions about Mr. SalkeUd,
though little expectations of success." With this letter he rode
first to Cockermouth, "through a silly boor's mistake prevented
of the sight of Workington, a noted market town by the sea,
and turned a worse road over the moors.'' He called at Bride

* Who two years later was created Viscount Lonsdale. In 1675 he had
been elected M.P. for Westmoreland ; in 1689 appointed Lord Lieutenant of
Westmoreland and Cumberland ; and in 1690, First Commissioner of the
Treasury. In 1699 he became Lord Privy Seal, but died 10th July in the
following year.
t " Discourses of the Attributes of God in sundry Sermons ; " London,
1656. With a, portrait of the author, Thomas Larkham, at the age of 51.

SECULAR CONCERNS. 831
Kirk " to see that noble monument of antiquity the font, with
a Eunic inscription which even the learned Camden understood
not ; " but which Archdeacon Nicholson had described in a
letter to Dugdale, printed in the Philosophical Transactions for
1685, and still more recently in another to Thoresby himself.*
At Talentire he saw Mr. Larkham about Mr. S., but received
the strongest reasons imaginable against it, and not fit to be
communicated but to very choice friends concerned." Crossing
the moors direct to Threepland, he arrived at his destination
nevertheless, on the fifth day from his leaving Leeds, —
"Esquire Salkeild's being all abroad at Bothal, &c., about
the harvest, we were under a necessity to comply with them,
and thankfully accept a night's lodging, though against my
inclination, because foreseeing a rupture, &c."
" Sep. 22. Morning, discoursed the old gentleman about the
terms ; and after, walked to view part of the land ; and, by
their excessi've importunity and pretence of business in giving
particulars of estate, prevailed with to stay till Monday; spent
part of the day in coursing with the young gentleman, while
the old Esquire was preparing a rental, and in visiting honest
Parson Eobinson, of Plumland; after, had Mr. Orphir's company;
evening, discoursed Mr. SalkeUd, sen,, again about ditto concern."
" 23. Die Dom, it should be ; though, alas ! some part
little Uke it, no prayers of any sort in family; we walked
to Plumland, where worthy Mr. Eobinson prayed and preached
very affectionately and well from Luke x. 42. Doctrine, that
nothing is needful comparatively to the salvation of the soul;
many gentlemen invited to dinner, so that rest of day and
evening was spent very unsuitably to the duties of the day,
though we enjoyed the modest parson's good company, and
Esquire Dykes 's; evening, sat too late, or early rather, with
the young gentleman, and was foolishly cheerful, and vain in
my expressions; too compliant, &c."
* He gives the date, 9th September 1091, but it is not in the published
correspondence of cither Thoresby or Nicholson.

332 RALPH THOEESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
" 24, Moming, taking leave of ditto family, who have very
obligingly entertained us; of honest Parson Eobinson, Parson
Holms, &c."
Thence riding by " Bold, or Bothal ; " Torpenna, " their parish
church, where Mr. Archdeacon preacheth;" and Ireby, he came
to Hutton,— " Where we -viewed Sir George Fletcher's very stately hall
which is by far the most delicate noble structure we saw in
these parts (not ha-ving time to see Lowther, where Sir John
Lowther is building such a palace-like fabric, as bears the bell
away from all)." *
Five miles further he reached his friend Archdeacon Nichol-
.son's, at Salkeld, with whom he stayed over-night. What passed
concerning the Salkields is not recorded; but at any rate it did
not spoil the pleasure of Thoresby's -visit. Ha-ring said how he
'' enjoyed with great deUght " the Archdeacon's " long-desired
society," he proceeds, —
" We presently retired from the company to his museum,
where he showed me his delicate collection of natural curiosities
(and very kindly bestowed several of them upon me), some
coins and medals, but the earth in those parts, where most
have been found, being of a very corroding nature, many of
* The appendix to De La Pryme's Diary contains the following :—" Mr.
Williamson, of Leeds, is a most ingenious workman at clock work; he made
a clock a whUe ago for Sir John Lowther, which he sold for 351., which,
besides the many curious works therein, goes a whole year together."
^ Considering the close connection between the Lowthers and Leeds, Thoresby
must have been reluctant to pass so near to the new edifice and not see it.
Sir William Lowther, High Sheriff of Yorkshire iu 1681, and a grandson of
Sir John's, lived in Boar Lane, and was born in Kirkgate, but at the end
opposite to that in which Thoresby lived and was born. The Ducatus states,—
"An ancient house near the Church (now Alderman Dixon's) is remarkable
for the Nativity and Residence of several Persons of Quahty. Here were
born Sir William Lowther, Justice of Peace, Deputy Lieutenaut, and High
Sheriff of the County; and Dr. Henry Watkmson, an exceUent Civffian, Doctor
of Laws, Chancellor and Vic.ar (Tcneral to four Archbishops of York; and
here lived Edward Fairfax, Esq., an eminent Poet, and Author of several
learned ,ind iii'ireiiious Treatises."

SECULAR CONCERNS. 833
them are extremely eaten; many choice authors in print, but,
above all, I was most pleased -with his own most excellent
manuscripts, especially his manuscript history of the most
ancient Kingdom of Northumberland, in two volumes, in Latin
folio, which yet put me to the blush; looking in the Villare
for what remarks he had procured concerning Leeds, I, alto
gether unexpectedly, found my name inserted with titles far
above me, for the etymology of the name, &a We after
walked to see the town and Eiver Eden, which rumbles not
as most in Cumberland, whose courses are much obstructed
with Eocks and Stones, but runs sweetly by the town, which
is, without compare, absolutely the pleasantest country town We
have seen in these parts of England ; but we had not time
to visit Long Meg and her daughters at the less Salkeld,
longing to be again at that little Paradise, his study, &c.
After supper he showed us several remarkable sea-plants, and
obliged us with most excellent converse, that I almost grudged
my sleeping time,"
On Tuesday, the Archdeacon rode with him to Appleby,
where they were " very nobly entertained -with much good
company, at a Venison feast, at the Eev. Mr. Bank's, the
head schoolmaster there.'' Thence he rode to Warcup and
Brough, " where lodged." On Wednesday morning he " rose
early (having rested badly)," and, —
" Before daylight entered upon the noted Stane- (or stony)
more, but got so severe a cold as much indisposed me, with
pain and numbness upon the right side of my head, which
rendered my journey very uncomfortable. We rode for many
miles upon the famous Eoman highway (as also yesterday),
which was here well paved, by the notorious Spittle on
Stanemore, which, though an ordinary inn, yet often most
welcome to the weary traveller in this solitary country, which,
for twelve miles, has but one other house (Baitings) for the
reception of distressed wayfaring persons. About a mile thence,
we passed by the noted Eerecross, or Eeicross, as the Scots
call it (Eoi-cross rather, or the King's Cross)."*
* " Who at Kerecross on Stanmoor meets AUan-a-dale." — Rokeby.

334 RALPH THORESBT THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Thence by Bowes, they rode to Greta Bridge, passing
within sight of Barnard Castle, " chiefly famous for bridles
there made." Not having time to wait upon " Mr. Johnson,
at Brignall, recommended by Mr. Archdeacon as a person of
the greatest curiosity in botany, omithology, antiquities, &c.,"
they rode on over Gaterley Moor to Hartforth, where they
were " kindly entertained " by an uncle of Mr. Eayner's, and
inspected a school, endowed by Sir Thomas, father of the
fourth Lord Wharton : —
"But the sight thereof, though very delightful, and did
for a little somewhat mitigate the violence of the pain in
my teeth, yet it returned -with greater force, and made the
time tedious enough to myself, and, I fear others, brother
Eayner especially, being not able to lie in bed till midnight;
but having got on my clothesy longed for the daylight.
Mr. Dawson, jun., prayed very well, both evening and, —
" Sep. 27, this morning, but it being a severe moming,
and my teeth and head so badly, we made it nine ere we
began our journey, and forbore our designed progress from
Eichmond or Midlam to Thoresby, three miles thence, the
ancient seat of our family, whence my great-grandfather's father
first removed into a more trading part of the country."
By Catterick and Deeming Lane they rode to Eipon, and
hastening onward got to Leeds at night, ending an eleven
days' tour.*
The next day Thoresby and Mr. Eayner made known "to
Mother Sykes the circumstances of the estate and family in
the north ; " and on the following day, after further delibera
tion, Thoresby wrote to " Esquire S. to prevent any further
proceeds." Thus ended the wooing of Miss Deborah Sykes
by the son and heir of a Cumberland squire; but she was
* The entire account of this journey fills nearly nineteen pages of Thoresby's
printed diary.

SECULAR CONCERNS.

335

not long off with the old love before taking on with a new,
and married a Churchman after all. The services of her two
brothers-in-law were again in requisition : —
"12th June 1695. With brother Eayner engaged in a treaty
with Esquire Copley, of Doncaster, and Mr. Stansfield (a
memorable old gentleman, whose seventh son has a seventh
son living) on behalf of Mr. Hough, whose reverend father's
will and other writings we perased, and concluded articles
in respect of an intended marriage betwixt the said Mr. H.
and Sister I). S."
On the 25th of July, at Eothwell, by the Eev. Eichard
Idle, M.A., second husband of Thoresby's sister Abigail, Deborah
Sykes was married " to Mr. John Hough, eldest son of the
late Eeverend and very pious Mr. Edmund Hough, late Vicar
of Halifax.'' The bridegroom's father had been known to
Thoresby, who on the 7th of July 1691 was at Mr. Bryan
Dixon's " with good Mr. Corlass, lamenting the death of the
pious and learned Mr. Hough, late Vicar of Halifax;" and
after a visit to his successor the year before this wedding,
returning by Oliver Heywood's, at North Owram, Thoresby, —
" Was pleased with the chapel himself [Heywood] lately
built there for his people, into which he told us the late
Vicar of Halifax (ray good friend Mr. Hough) entering with
him, put off his hat, and -with fervency uttered these words,
' The good Lord bless the word preached in this place.' "
Thoresby was present at the wedding. After it, —
" Had the company of new relations to my house ; enjoyed
their company rest of day and evening, till midnight."
His readiness to acknowledge relationship was undiminished.
About a month after his wife's sister married Mr. John Hough
he " enjoyed relations at good Aunt Hough's." Six months
before the youngest daughter of Mr. Sykes gained a husband,
the eldest daughter lost hers, —

836 RALPH THORESBy THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"10 Jan. 1695. Assisting at the funeral of dear brother
Wilson, who was interred in the choir of the New Church,
by his Father."
While the death of Mr. Sykes thus added to Thoresby's
cares and responsibilities, it added also to his estate and local
position. The ancient Manor House at Mill Hill, with certain
closes, " parcell of the late Parke in Leedsy" some of them
adjoining " Park Lane," and one-ninth of the Manor or Baili
wick of Leeds, which had previously been given for Ufe to
her late husband, became Mrs. Wilson's; but a second ninth
of the Manor was left to Mrs. Thoresby and her heirs. To
her also was left the estate at Sheepscar : —
" Item, I give, devise and bequeath (from and immediately
after the monies is raised for discharging the said trust) unto
my third daughter Anna Thoresby and her heirs for ever
(upon the conditions and provisions hereinafter mentioned) All
those tenements, Milnes, both Water Miln and Horse MUne
with all the buildings and appurtenances -with the same, and
two closes and croft And al wayes and advantages to the
same belonging near Shipscar Bridge in the Manor of Leeds
(paying the rent due to the Lords of the said Manor) and
now in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Ibbetson and the said
Ealph Thoresby."
There were added some other lands lately purchased by the
Testator, and still in possession of the vendor.
In Mr. Sykes's lifetime Thoresby had, after his marriage,
attended Manor Courts, for choosing constables, and so forth ;
but now, in right of his -wife, he ranked as a Lord of the
Manor of Leeds himself. And further distinction was shortly
afterward put upon him.
Thoresby had always shown interest in the welfare of his
native town, he appears to have been consulted upon matters
of public interest, and office was not altogether unknown to

SECULAR CONCERNS.

337

him. On the 24th of August 1691, the London Gazette
contained an announcement that " the King and Queen's
Corporation for the Linen Manufacture" had printed proposals
for setting the poor at work in aU Parishes and Corporations
in England, not concerned in the woollen trade, which would
necessarily abate the Poor's Bates. The proposals issued with
this doubly philanthropic purpose, the reUef both of the poor
and the ratepayers, were to be had at SaUsbury Exchange,
Strand, where a committee would sit to treat with all such
Parishes or Corporations, or their deputies. This throws
light upon an entry in Thoresby's Diary on the 2nd of
November folio-wing,^" At the request of the Mayor, Vicar,
&c., consulting about setting up a linen manufactory to
employ the poor &c.." Whether it were that Leeds being
concerned in the clothing trade was thought ineligible, or that
Thoresby had enough -with the oil manufactory which had
but just got to work, or that the proposals of their Majesties'
Linen Corporation were not sufficiently tempting, we hear no
more of the matter. * But he was not to escape more
occupation : —
" Sep. 29. Attending the Commissioners at Moothall, where
in an arbitrary unreasonable mannerj again appointed Assessor
for this third Poll Bill (having been upon both the former)."
He was subsequently "busy about Poll Bill, taking an
account of the inhabitants of this Division ; " and another
time, " transcribing Poll Bill, and presenting it to Com
missioners ; " and it might be in consequence of this appoint
ment that he was one morning, " at the Poor's Assessment
making," when he " was troubled to observe the inequality and
passions of some concerned."
* In Anglce Tutamen it is stated that the Company got to work, and
even brought linen cloth to some perfection, having some Dutch bands, and
a few heads, to assist them ; but that stock-jobbing ruined all.

338 RALPH THORESBV THE TOPOGRAPHER,
"Jan. 18, 1693. Was at the Mayor's (Mr. Calverly's) feast;
stayed there with suitable company till about five ; " and on the
12th of July 1694, he was sent for by Mr. Calverly's succes
sor in office, Thomas Dixon, then Mayor for the second time,
"Mr. Eecorder and Mr. Sorocold, about water-works." Ten days
afterward he " was several times with Mr. Sorocold's workmen,
who this day first began in Kirk Gate to lay the lead pipes
to convey the water to each family." A subsequent entry ex
plains that it was as Lord of the Manor he was required on
the former occasion, for on the 1st of the next October he
" dined with the lords, and 'with them subscribed Mr. Soro
cold's lease for the new water-works." * In the Ducatus he
says it was in 1695 that " the ingenious Mr. George Sorocold,
the great English Engineer " (who had " done the like at Mac
clesfield, Worksworth, Yarmouth, Portsmouth, Nor'wich, King's-
Llyn, London Bridge, Deal, Bridgenorth, Islington New Works,
and Bristol)," fixed a " Water-Engine " at Pitfall, " for convey
ing the Eiver- Water by Lead-Pipes to the several parts of the
Town," And, ex relatione George Sorocold, he adds that the
elevation of the water, -within 1 Foot or 2 in 147, was
strictly the same as at Nor'wich and Chester. The passage says
247, but there is a correction elsewhere. Mr. Sorocold had an
associate in his Leeds speculation ; and besides obtaining a lease
from the Lords of the Manor, they made a precautionary bargain
with the Corporation which Eailway Directors and Shareholders
of the present day would be glad to imitate. In his Municipal
History of Leeds, Mr. Wardell gives a minute of proceedings at a
Court held on the 3rd of March 1694, which first sets forth: —
"Whereas at a meeting of the Maior, Aldermen and Com'on
Councell, Henry Gillert of Nether Scale in the County of
* On the 31st of October in this year (1694) Thoresby mentions another
novelty, — " with Mr. Ibbetson to see the statutes, now first time kept at
Leeds, wherein servants stand to be hired in the open market-place, in great
numbers, of both sexes."

SECULAR CONCERNS.

339

Leicester, Esq'- and George Sorocold of the towne of Darby,
gent., have proposed and doe designe to lay an engine to con
vey water from the Eiver of Aire, through the Streetes to
the seu'all (several) houses within the towne of Leeds afore
said, or to soe many of them as shall purchase the same of
them." Thereupon, for the encouragement of a work adjudged to be
of public benefit, and in consideration of .£40 paid to the Trea
surer of the Corporation, it is ordered that Mr. Sorocold, and
his heirs, &e., for ever, shall be exempt in regard to the water
works, —
"From all and all manner of taxes, layes, and assessments^
to and for the poore, constable and highwayes, the Mill by
which the said Mr. Sorocold conveyes the water, and workesi
his engine, onely excepted. And that to be taxed and assessed
at the onely vsual rate that it has been taxed and assessed
att for seaven yeares last passed."
Mr. Sorocold figures among the contributors to Thoresby's
Museum, for " Eings of the different sizes of the Lead Pipe^
by which the Eiver Water is conveyed through the several
Streets at Leedes, one of which is a foot in circumference-f"
also for "A Steel Saw as small as a Needle," and "A Hat-band
of three Bounds made of the Vertebrce of Stiakes." He also
figures in the Appendix to the Ducatus among recorded in
stances of a numerous progeny : —
" Our ingenious Hydrographer, Mr. George Sorocold, has
already had thirteen children (of whom eight were living at
the same time) all single births, and all nursed by his Wife,
before he was twenty eight years of age."
Thoresby's participation in the advantages of the new water
supply cost him part of a sermon from Mr. Manlove, with
whom he had not yet broken off relations, on a rather notable
occasion : —

340 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
"7 Dec, 1694. — "Morning read; -with workmen tiU eleven;
then at private meeting at W. W.'s; after, had a branch from
the main pipe fixed into - the Kitchen, to directing which made
me lose the beginning of an excellent sermon of Dr, Man
love's, the first preparatory to the Sacrament that was publicly
4)reached at the chapel, the former being always at private
houses." It was very natural that when Thoresby's communicating
with the Church of England had qualified him for the Cor
poration, among whom were his Uncle Michael Idle, an
ex-Mayor, and other family connections, there should be a
resolution to admit him also. After telling in his Review of
the resentment of Dr. Manlove, certain near relatives, and
other Nonconformists, Thoresby proceeds, —
" This my compliance with the Established Church had a
contrary effect upon others, who caressed me too much upon
it : and this also had its inconvenient concomitants and con
sequents, for it seems some of the principle Aldermen, upon a
consultation, resolved to bring me into the Corporation, the
notice whereof was both a surprise and uneasiness to me.
Other arguments were of no weight with me, but the plea of
being more useful in my generation at length prevailed with
me to accept the place of an assistant, or common council-man,
wherein my vote was of equal authority with those of the
superior order, so that at the Vicar's request, and other
friends, I appeared at the Court and took the usual oaths of
Allegiance and Supremacy."
The Court Books of the Corporation, under date 21 June
1697, record, —
"Att this Corte Mr. Ealph Thoresby was in due forme of
law elected one of the Assistants, or Comon Councell of the
Borough aforesaid.''
So says Mr. Wardell ; but Thoresby says on the nineteenth
of June, —

SECULAR CONCERNS.

341

"Surprised with two messages from the Court, that they
had elected me one of their Corporation. The Lord direct to
what may be most for thy glory! Sent for to Major Fairfax
and Alderman Dixon : after, went with them to the Mayor,
Eecorder, Aldermen, &c. Was in continued surprise and
uneasiness, not knowing what to think, say, or do.
" 20. Die Dom. More thoughtful about ditto concern : and
after in secret, much broken in spirit for fear of a snare ;
was earnestly desirous of divine direction and assistance "
"22. Consulting friends about ditto concem of the Cor
poration; some very importunate for my compliance, and
others as zealous against it.''
" 23. I complied ; and after dinner at the time and place
appointed, took the three oaths of aUegiance, supremacy, and
of a common council-man."
Of course there was a dinner, —
" Subscribed the Association, and had the Vicar's good
company with the Corporation at the treat, wherein I
endeavoured to oblige the gentlemen that had so unanimously
and unexpectedly voted me into their body, yet was thoughtful
and soUcitous for the issue, which I humbly beg may be for
the glory of God, and my spiritual and temporal welfare."
Additional offence was now given to Dr. Manlove, who
would have had Thoresby resign his newly conferred office : — -
" 24. Evening, with Dr. Manlove, Mr. Ibbetson, and
brother Thoresby : was much afl[licted at the unexpected
severity and estrangedness that was amongst us on this account :
some of the arguments for a resignation, namely, the dishonour
of coming in after so many that might with ease have been
preceded, I laid no stress in the world upon."
It doe.s not necessarily follow from this that Thoresby's
partner joined with Dr. Manlove ; and that his younger
brother did is verj' unlikely. Oliver Heywood, who soon

342 RALPH THORESBY THk TOPOGRAPHER.
afterward wrote to Thoresby on the subject, showed another
spirit, and made no attempt in any way to influence him.
On the 19th of July he wrote, —
"As to what ]\fr. Stretton writes in your case (I had a
letter from him on another account last week), I can say
little, not understanding what oaths are requisite to Alder
manship ; but I have so much charity for you, that I presume
you will do nothing but what you have good warrant to judge
lawful ; yet I must caution you (as I love you), 1, to consult
pious Christian friends ; 2, take God's word for your rule ;
3, pray affectionately to God ; 4, renounce sinister ends, and
design ultimately the glory of God, and you shall see God
will lead you in the way that you should choose ; walk close
with God, and maintain daily communion with him, and a sense
of his omnipresence ; mortify affections to the world's triangular
baits, I. John ii. 16. I confess your parts and piety may
both fit you for and render you useful in a more pubhc
station ; and I shall be glad to hear of your fair entrance
and faithful management of such a degree ; but high places
are tickle, and magistratus virum indicat : the wise God direct
you when such a case falls out; and I judge myself bound
to put you among the clients I am advocate for at the throne
of grace. But our Lord Jesus Christ is chief advocate in
the court of heaven, retain him and you will not miscarry."
About three weeks later Heywood wrote, —
"If you be Alderman and Mayor of Leeds, I hope you
will not forsake our old friends, or forget that concern you
have espoused. I am not able to advise, but be sure you
keep faith and a good conscience, act by scripture rule, walk
uprightly, maintain communion with God and his people, and
aim at God's glory ; and God Almighty bless you and your's,
so prays, " Your obliged friend, "Oliver Heywood."
On taking the Oaths of Office, Thoresby was surprised by
the tender of the declaration against the Scotch Covenant,

SECULAR C0NCERN,S. 343
which he appears to have supposed obsolete and disused ; and
his unwillingness to make it, led to its disuse in future : —
" Boggled at the declaration relating to the Covenant,
which I argued could have no influence upon me who was
then unborn. This occasioned a demur, and the roll of sub
scribers lodged in my hand till a resolution was made, I
prevailed witl;i a friend at London to consult Judge Eokeby,
who said it was a casus omissus that it was not repealed in
the Act of William and Mary that relates to Corporations,
but that the general practice since makes it void, and that it
is neither used, nor offered to any at London, Exeter, Bristol,
Coventry, Liverpool, &c., whereupon I privately burnt the roll,
and it has never been tendered since."
That Thoresby put this roll in the fire, and not into his
collection, is a strong indication of his feeling on the occasion.
As to the higher offices mentioned by Heywood, Thoresby
says,— " I was a little more easy, when I had got it under the
hands of a great majority of the Corporation, that they would
never give their votes to remove me into a station that I
was as averse to, as unfit for; though Cousin Milner and
others of my best friends could never be prevailed with to
subscribe it : but I feared no real damage from that quarter,
and he being Mayor, matters went on successfully in public
and private." ,^
WUUam Milner, Esq., was elected mayor on the 29th of
September following Thoresby's election to be an Assistant ;
and before the year ended they had to appear publicly, in
their respective offices, on a memorable occasion.
The Treaty of Eyswick, putting an end to the war which
had been declared against France in May 1689, and -whereby
Louis the Fourteenth practically abandoned the cause of James
the Second, was signed on the 11th of September 1697; and
on the 2nd of November, Thoresby " rode with the Corpora-

344 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
tion in their formalities,'' when " The peace was proclaimed
with great solemnity." Moreover, the Assistants appeared that
day in gowns for the first time; and there was a new seat
prepared for them at church, next to that of the Aldermen.*
But almost co-incidentally with these honours, Thoresby's
business and monetary affairs arrived at a crisis. His partner,
Mr. S. Ibbetson, had a son, James, who in October 1691,
having just entered upon his eighteenth year, was sent abroad.
Thoresby himself rode with the father and son to Hull, and
in his diary wrote, — "took leave of Mr. S. Ibbetson's son;
the ' Lord send him a prosperous voyage ! " In his Review for
the year 1695 he says, —•
"About this time Mr. Ibbetson's' son, James, came from
beyond sea, and began to do somewhat for himself; and though
his father had a considerable estate in land, yet was apparently
straitened for stock, and now having to supply both their
occasions, our joint stock in the oil trade was exhausted,
and I forced to advance more, which, in the conclusion, was
all lost, by the survivor's faithlessness."
On the 3rd of September 1697, Uttle more than two months
after Thoresby's admission to the Corporation, Mr, Samuel
Ibbetson died. Notwithstanding aU the anxiety, trouble and
embarrassment into which his partner had led him, Thoresby's
friendship for Mr. Ibbetson continued to the last.
So late as the 10th of June 1697 he wrote in his
diary,— "Eode with my dear friend, Mr. Samuel Ibbetson and
son to York;" and in his Review for that year, —
-• Mr. AVardell mentions Orders passed in 1701, requiring, under £5 penalty
for noncompliance, every Assistant or Common Councilman, except " old
Mr, Hargrave," to provide himself with a gown, black, faced and trimmed
with black velvet or plush, and with long hanging sleeves; and they were
to attend with the Mayor and Aldermen at Church upon festival days, and
other public aud solemn occasions, or "one shilling a-piece" in default.

SECULAR CONCERNS, 345
"The sickness of Mr. Samuel Ibbetson was very piercing, not
only as having an extraordinary share in my affections as a
Christian friend and neighbour, but as my estate was too deeply
and unhappily involved in his concerns ; and though he recovered
that illness, and I used all the means I could devise to perfect
the accounts betwixt us, yet could never prevail to have them
proceeded in, after I had once told him that the method we
were in was certainly wrong; and so it appeared afterwards, not
only to other merchants, but even by the concession of bis son,
as cunning as he is. This lay me under a temptation almost to
suspect the probity of the deceased, though covered with the
greatest pretensions to religion, and was a sad requital for all the
kindness in advancing monies, and not to mention my acting
about this time as a commissioner for his brother Hatfield (with
out the least gratuity) in a Chancery Suit ; and the good opinion
that my friend Dr. Nicholson of York had of me was very
serviceable in procuring a wife with a considerable fortune for
his son, which was a good foundation for his present greatness.
Besides letters written in favour of the matter, I was obliged to
meet both the fathers at Tadcaster, where the terms were agreed
upon, and after to go -with the younker to York, where the
writings were no sooner sealed, than we were surprised with the
most dismal news of the sudden death of his father, Mr. Samuel
Ibbetson, who riding out with his brother Hatfield to Hunslet,
was brought dead to his mournful habitation."
"I returned post haste with the son, who seemed not near so
much concerned (by his outward appearance) as myself, nor,
indeed, as to secular affairs, had that reason, for the annual
payment to the father ceased; whereas my concerns were more
intricate and dangerous, and, I have great reason to bless God,
that the melancholy it brought me to, and the ill state both of
body and mind, attended by cold clammy sweat, and insuperable
dejection of spirits, did not for ever incapacitate me for this
world and another.
" This sad accident deferred the marriage for a month ; and
then I was (much against my inclination) obliged by their impor
tunity to go to Cousin Nicholson's at York, to the solemnization
thereof, which was the more suitable, because without the usual
24

346 RALPH Tt^ORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
vanities. Upon our return to his house at Leeds, though I
stifled my sorrow all that I possibly could, yet the repeated
sight of my late dear friend's picture, which I could not keep
my eye from an earnest view of, so affected me, that an
unusual quantity of blood violently gushed out of my nose in
an astonishing manner, so as I never had in my life before."
Mr. Ibbetson's share in the oil trade was bought by
Mr. Fenton,-*- with whom Thoresby travelled into Lancashire
early in 1698, "but found no prospect of business answerafcle
to the trouble and hazard of passing Blackstone-Edge," where
they encountered " a sore storm of snow on the height of it,
when it was fair sunshine on both sides." The drifted snow
was in some of the lanes, —
" As high as man and horse. In other places so thin
spread that it served barely to cover the ice, so that upon
the slanting side of a hill, my horse in a moment's time lost
all his feet and fell upon my left leg, in which I had severe
pain all night, and more or less a long time after, but, blessed
be God ! no bone was broken."
Disaster thus clung to Thoresby's luckless speculation; and
worse still, he had become involved in embarrassments of his
brother's and sister's. He gives this account of his position in
the said year, 1698 : —
" Mr. Eichard Idle, Vicar of Eodwell, who married my
only sister, being ^ under like melancholy circumstances -with my
brother Jeremiah Thoresby, and his creditors more severe than
the former, it was said he had to pay for part of his educa
tion at Cambridge, though it must be confessed that both
families lived at too high a rate, and could not be content
with such food and raiment as my wife and I. The younger
* Thomas Fenton of Hunslet, Mr, Ibbetson's brother-in-law, was a Salter;
and after his partnership with Mr. Ibbetson, Thoresby mentions him in
association with a Salters' Guild, — " Then had Mr. S, Ibbetson and the Guild
of the Salters' Company at my house till pretty late," In 1662 the Corpora
tion authorised the clothworkers, mercers, grocers, salters, and fourteen other ^
trades of the tow:i to incorporate themselves severally into Guilds,

SECULAR CONCERNS. 347
brother was by them always styled brother Thoresby, and the
elder only Ealph, but if our frugality had not in some measure
equalled their too great generosity, we might have been in
danger of being utterly ruined altogether.
"I was now in a most piteous condition, both my brothers
forced to abscond, and I left alone to take care of their
'wives and children ; my own sister in child-bed, and sister-in-
law at the pit's brink, and twelve children, including my own
to provide for, and I in the poorest condition that ever I
was, to sustain them, being 600^. deep in my poor brother's
concern, and above 1,000/. in Mr. Ibbetson's, of which' I never
got one farthing (though his ungrateful son is so grand in
his coach) besides I was perpetually dunned by some of their
creditors, and once actually arrested (the first, and I hope it
will be the last time, that ever I was in a bailiff's hands)."
It is evident that Thoresby's younger brother had been
assuming a position which he had not the means to support.
He had married the granddaughter of one Earl, and niece of
another ; his wife, Mary, being daughter and co-heiress of
Charles Savage, seventh son of Thomas, third Earl Elvers, who
died in 1694, when the second son, Eichard, succeeded to the
title.* The arrest was an indulgence of spite against Thoresby on
the part of * a feminine Nonconformist : —
"This was at the suit of Mrs. F. the most unconscionable
woman, I think, that ever pretended to so much religion,
ordering me to be arrested, not only without demanding the
debt, but contrary to her faith and promise when I offered to
pay it her, and when I sent for my sister AVilson (who was
then indebted to me double the sum) to be bail for me, she
was Ukewise arrested for another debt that she might have
• It is remarkable that, with so many brothers, on the death of Earl
Richard in 1712 the title went to a cousin, the son of a younger brother of
his father's. And on his death, without issue, in 1728, the Earldom became
extinct. The present Barony of Rivers was created nearly fifty years after
ward in favour of a descendant from a sister, of the above Thomas, third Earl.

348 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
had for the asking. I would not reflect upon the innocent, or
blame others for her barbarousness, which might have ruined
my family, yet cannot but think strange of this Presbyterian
revenge, not upon me only, but one of the same society.
" She was, I confess, ashamed of this ; and sorry after
she saw the monies immediately advanced and paid, but her
daughter (a Nonconformist Minister's wife), most impudently
argued in defence of the practice, and received the full
amount of the interest."
In another quarter Thoresby met with very different treat
ment : —
"I went immediately to Alderman Potter, to whom I was
engaged for another hundred pounds, on poor brother Jerry's
account, and acquainted him with the whole matter, offering
to give further security (the bond being in effect, single) tUl
I could get in my own monies : he took the tender unkindly,
and offered to lend me as many hundred pounds as I pleased,
upon my single bond. This was a comfort and respect, though
blessed be God, I needed not to make use of his kind offer."
Thomas Potter, elected Assistant in 1673, Alderman in 1681,
and Mayor the next year, died very soon after this generous
treatment of Thoresby, as appears from the following inscrip
tion at St. John's Church, preserved in the Ducatus: —
" Here lieth interred the Body of Mr. Thomas Potter,
Merchant in Leedes, who departed this Ufe 11 Day of Novem
ber 1698, aged 55 years. Also Thomas his only Son, by Mary
sole Daughter and Heiress of Dr. Langsdale, Novf 7th 1685,
aged 13 Months."
This was in raised characters upon one of two brass plates
fixed upon a gravestone, the other of which recorded the
interment of Edward Langsdale, Dr. of Physic, in 1683; with
arms, a chevron between three crosses pat6e. The arms of the
Potters were upon the brass of an adjoining stone over Eichard
Potter, Esq., — sable, a fess between three cinquefoils argent. In

SECULAR CONCERNS. 349
the appendix to the Ducatus, Thoresby includes the -widow
of Thomas Potter among fourteen gentlewomen then U-ving
whose husbands had been Mayors of Leeds ; and it was this
Mrs. Mary Potter who in 1737 founded the ten AJmshouses
for widows of deceased tradesmen, each endowed with twelve
guineas annuity, famiUar in Leeds as Potter's Almshouses. And
it so happens that the site in Wade Lane upon which they
were built had belonged to Thoresby.
To revert to Thoresby and his troubles :—
"These afflictions, together with that of Mr. Ibbetson's, had
so shattered my constitution that my spirits were sank within
me, and sleep departed from my eyes ; so that mostly the
nights from twelve to five were spent in fruitless tossings,
many faint qualms and cold clammy sweats, that looked like
the languid efforts of struggling nature to overcome an insuper
able difficulty.
" Under these difficulties, I had not one relation to direct
and assist : my uncle Idle was dead a little before, and my
nephew, Wilson, not yet grown up ; nothing but widows and
orphans there, and in other families, those under more pitiful
circumstances, from whose husbands I received most doleful
letters, one or two almost every day, to solicit one person
or another in this or the other melancholy affair, which, as
they -wrote, half distracted them, and I am sure so fatigued
me with walking mile after mile, by day and by night (some
times till past two before I could reach home), their affairs
requiring secrecy and speed, that now upon a serious review
many years after, I wonder how I was sustained."
Thoresby had indeed, of late, suffered repeated loss of
friends and relatives, to add to his melancholy. Scarcely two
months after his return from Esquire Salkeild's, he visited his
old friend and fellow-traveller Elkanah Hickson, in company
-with Mr. Bryan Dixon. They found him, —
»
" Weak beyond expectation, somewhat paralytic, yet very
sensible; caUed me per name, and desired me to pray for

350 RALPH THORESBY THE "TOPOGRAPHER,
him, which, upon my return, I endeavoured in secret. And
then walked with my dear to visit Betty [one of their own
children] at Kirkstall; and, upon return, surprised with the
death of my said dear friend, who was thought might have
continued several days. Visited his pious widow and afflicted
family, -with whom I cordially sympathized; and walked, with
a heavy heart from one, house of mourning to another, being
sent for per the poor disconsolate sisters, to the orphans of
poor Mrs. Smith [Elkanah Hickson's sister], who died last
night. , Was much affected with this double breach.
"26 Nov. (1694). Writing to Mr. Stretton, concerning this
mournful providence. After, at both the houses of mouming,
and thence about the graves at the New Church. Stayed
awhile ruminating upon the dispossessed bones cast out at the
grave's mouth ; -* and was after at the piteous funeral of my
dear friend Mr. Elkanah Hickson, and his own sister Smith,
whose corpses were carried together to their graves, attended
by the joint cries of the poor orphans and afflicted relations
of both families." t
Thoresby's " dear brother Wilson " died on the 8th of
January 1695, and in two days, as then customary, was buried
"in the choir of the New Church, by his father;" the funeral
of his " dear cousin Mrs. James Moxon " followed on the 24th ;
and that of " cousin John Kirshaw's wife '' on the 30th. Next
came the death of Marmaduke Hick, at the age of 77, on
'* This looks strange only sixty years from the opening of the church, and
considering the population of Leeds at the time ; but when afterward, on
the death of Mrs. Hickson, in 1707, Thoresby bespoke a grave for her at
St. John's, " I saw," he relates, " the remains of two eminently pious ministers,
Mr. Wales and Mr. Sharp, turned to pure dust, except the larger bones, a
melancholy sight, was it not for the comfortable prospect of a glorious
resurrection, -when these dry bones shall live ; and what was sown in weak
ness shall be raised in power."
t It was the fourth funeral which Thoresby had attended in seven weeks.
The first was that of his " honoured and dear friend Mr. Thornton's lovely
child;" and the second that tf "Young Esquire Atkinson, died in the
prime of his days," Henry Atkinson, Jun,, student of Gray's Inn, aged 22.
The other was that of "Aldress Iveson."

SECULAR CONCERNS. 351
the 17th of September 1696 ; of which Thoresby says, — " that
of cousin Hicks was more easily borne, he being very aged
and having served his generation, being the only person who
was four times chief magistrate of this Corporation." On the
18th of the follo'wing February he wrote,—
" To visit poor uncle [Idle] who seemed to be upon the
borders of eternity, which much affected me; I heartily joined
¦with the good Vicar, dear aunt, and others in prayer with
him. . , . He died more calmly, in a slumber as it were
(very like to my late father Sykes), about ten this evening."
He was buried in the new cross isle of the Parish Church.
Thoresby says in his Review, —
" The death also of Alderman Idle, my mother's only
surviving brother, was a great loss to me ; he being a person
of good natural parts and authority (the only magistrate
appointed a commissioner by Act of Parliament), might have
been a support to me after the hardships I met with' from
Mr. Ibbetson's family; but instead of that, the affairs of
his pious relict were perplexing enough, especially that of
Mr. Shipley and the tolls, which took up much of my time,
but I thought I could never do enough for my dear aunt,
who had supplied the place of a mother to us in our child
hood, and I am particularly thankful that I was of real use
to her and the public." ¦*
There is no wonder that Thoresby's health at length gave
way completely, for a season, under his accumulated labours,
• Thoresby here mentions an incident which shows that his antiquarian
researches had for once, at all events, a practical value. During the sixteenth
century there had been repeated contests upon the subjects of tolls between
Leeds and Ripon ; and it appears that Ripon renewed a demand of the kind
in Ralph Thoresby's day, when the above aunt Idle sent one of her tenants
to him to inquire if he had anything among his manuscripts bearing on
the dispute. And Thoresby brought to light " King Hen. the Vlllth's.
Letters Patent to discharge the Inhabitants of this Town and Parish from
paying Tolls for Goods." It was copied from the original, with a reference
to the original's whereabouts; and this "being borrowed of the Vicar was
produced at the Assizes, and got the victory, theirs being only granted by
Queen Mary."

352 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
¦troubles and anxieties. In the autumn of 1698, the year of
his brother and brother-in-law's absconding, and of his own
arrest, he became very seriously ill : —
"About this time, a distemper began in the night. I burnt
vehemently, but by a blessing upon the physician's advice, the
fever proved as moderate as could reasonably be expected,
though its preying upon the spirits brought me so weak that
many despaired of my life, and therefore I made my wiU ;
and as my perplexed affairs (which were my greatest trouble,
because of my wife and poor children) would permit, endea-
voured to settle my concerns, &c. In the midst of aU which
I was, through the goodness of my God, much supported by
the taste of his love. O Lord, if a faint glimpse to a poor
frail creature here below be so ravishing, what, oh what, -will
the beatific vision be.''
"Nov. 1, 1698, was the first time I put a coat on for
nine weeks ; I then ventured abroad for monies to defray
charges  This month I bought the house, late
brother Jerry Thoresby's, of Mr. J. B., now Alderman, whom
I thought too severe in exacting interest for the interest due
from my poor brother, though he knew that I lost even the
principal itself." *
Prior to his illness he had ridden to Bishopthorpe, to solicit
from his friend the Archbishop a certain living for brother-in-
law Idle, Vicar of Eothwell, whose affairs remained " very much
perplexed." Archbishop Sharp received him "most courteously,''
presented him with some curiosities for his museum, but did
not present his brother-in-law with the Jiving. In regard to it,
the Archbishop was " pre-engaged," and perhaps not sorry to
be so. Thoresby's visiting Bishopthorpe upon such an errand,
is strong evidence of the straits to which he felt himself
reduced. After all his bodily and mental trials Thoresby regained
* Probably the " new house in Kirkgate " of John Thoresby's will.

SECULAR CONCERNS. 353
health, but death made further encroachments upon his acquaint
ances and his fandly. In his Review for 1699 he relates : —
"I particularly lamented the death of my friend, Mr. Torre,
a famous antiquary, who died * of a contagions disorder then
prevalent, in the prime of his days, a comely proper gentle
man, and more likely to have wrestled through it than my
poor weak wife. Dr. Manlove also died of it at Newcastle,
enjoying his quadruple salary but a little time.f My sister
•Thoresby also died of it ; but she caught the distemper at
Cowton, where in two months and two days time it cut off
three generations of adult persons, my cousin Johnson and her
daughter Betty, and my aunt Savage (relict of Charles Savage,
Esq., seventh son of Thomas, the first Earl Elvers) ; % also my
brother's only son, John Thoresby."
On Thoresby's return from Cumberland in 1694 he found
that during his absence brother Jeremiah had lost a daughter,
Euth, from small-pox. At that time his o-wn family escaped,
although on a former occasion small-pox had carried off all, or
all then remaining, of five children who had been born to
him. In the year 1700, he had a second -visitation of it, when
other four children, born since the former visitation, all lay ill
from it at the same time. The eldest, Elizabeth, "dear daughter
Betty," and another, Euth, died. § Their father says of the
former, that she "had not only a peculiar loveliness in her
* On the 31st of July, at Snydal, near Pontefract, at a house upon an
estate which he had purchased, and of which he had only taken possession
on the 13th of the previous month. A monument to him was erected in
Normanton Church.
t Dr, Manlove died on the 4th of August 1699, aged 36 years only.
t Not the first, but the third Earl, as said before. Thomas Daroy, Viscount
Colchester, was the first Earl of this line, so created in 1626 by Charles the
First, with limitation, failing male issue, to his son-in-law Viscount Savage,
of CUfton, whose great grandson married the "aunt Savage" of Thoresby.
§ Evelyn says it was small-pox of which the Duke of Gloucester, sole
surviving child of the Princess Anne, died in July 1700; but Burnet, who was
his tutor, calls the disease "a malignant fever." It was small-pox from which
Queen Mary died, nearly six years before.

354 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER
countenance, but what is infinitely preferable, was pious above
her years," A third daughter, Grace, bom on the 3rd of
April 1694, and the one son, Ealph, born 24th of March 1698,
recovered; and on the 25th of January 1704 came a second
son, Eichard.
The embarrassments of his brother and of his brother-in-
law continued, and the work of their extrication still fell on
Thoresby : —
" The perplexed affairs of my poor brother, Jerry Thoresby,
and my brother-in-law Idle, obliged me to take a longer and
more expensive journey to prevent their utter ruin. I began
my journey to London on that account, 9th June 1701."
It was the 19th of July before his return home, but he
had brought " poor brother's affairs to a better period " than
he anticipated at starting. On reaching home again he found
wife and children well, but "had uncomfortable wrangUng with
the country creditors."
As if he had not enough to do with his own and his
brothers' affairs, about two months after this Thoresby was
engaged in " making an end of the accounts and mortgage ''
between "Parson Dixon, a native of this to'wn, now Vicar of
Mask," and " Cousin Atkinson of Burmandtofts, to the mutual
satisfaction of both parties." It appears, too, that his manorial
' rights were called in question by the Corporation ; who, being
owner of five parts out of the nine into vi^hich the Manor, or
Bailiwick, was divided, raised a claim to the whole. Thoresby
was present at the Municipal Court of the 29th of September
1701, when John Gibson, made an Alderman in the previous
year, was elected Mayor; Joshua Ibbetson and Samuel Isles,
Assistants.* This over, Mr. Blythman, the Eecorder, —
'* Gibson was a 'wine-merchant. During his year of office the Chapel-yard of
Chapel-AUerton was purchased by subscription, and his name heads the Leeds
list of subscribers. A brass plate upon a grave-stone at St. John's bore this

SECULAR CONCERNS. 355
"Produced a copy of an old account said to be Mr. Hil
lary's, relating to the bailiwick, which seemed to make against
us, but was a cancelled paper, and as I apprehend, ten or fifteen
years before the real purchase of the five parts that they indis
putably have a right to. Now my argument is, that if the
Corporation really purchased and paid monies for the nine
parts of the Bailiwick in the year 1639, what need they pur
chase the five parts (part of the said nine) in 1665?"
This is logical, not to say unanswerable, though 1655 seems
to be the year intended, and it is the correct one. Mr.
Wardell, in his Appendix, prints the Conveyance from John
Harrison and others to Charles Fairfax of Menstone, Henry
Arthington of Arthington, Henry Tempest of Tonge, Eobert
Dineleye of Bramhope, John Stanhope of Horsforth and Eobert
Francke of Bradford, as Trustees for the use of the Corpora
tion, of the said five-ninths of the Bailiwick ; and it is dated
30th January 1654, or 1655 New Style.
On the 17 th of November Thoresby gave help again to, —
" Poor Cousin Atkinson and Parson Dixon, Vicar of Mask,
from whom received a kind present of what the sea-shore in
those parts offords of natural curiosities."
"19 Nov. Being a delicate frost, took a walk to Bishop
thorp ; had my dear's company and daughter Grace's two miles,
then the company of a book over the moors, &c. Stayed not
the least (because of the shortness of the days) till I came at
the Lybian Hercules at the Street-houses, and there only the
heating of one mug of ale, but, blessed be my gracious Pre
server, got very well to my journey's end ; was most kindly
received by my Lord Archbishop and the whole family."
There he found his friend and correspondent Archdeacon
Pearson; and Eichard Thornton, his confidant and helper when
inscription, — " Elizabeth, Wife of John Gibson of Leeds, Vintner, aged 39,
was deUvered of 2 Daughters, baptized Elizabeth and Sarah, the 13th of De
cember 1083, and all three lie in one Coffin here interred, the 30th ibid."
Their names were repeated upon a marble monument placed upon the north
wall of the chancel, after the death of Mr, Gibson himself in 1712.

356 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
he first communicated at the Parish Church. The latter was
his bed-fellow on the second night of their stay at Bishop
thorpe, if not on the first also : —
"Sat up late; yet still longer kept my dear bedfellow
(good Mr. Thornton) awake, by a melancholy relation of my
losses, and the piteous circumstances of my poor family, which
discourse was accidental or providential (for I designed it not),
but had thereby the happiness of his prudent and affectionate
advice and wishes. Lord ! direct me in my concems."
It had been a public fast day, and Thoresby rode -with
Mr. Thornton, the Archdeacon, and the Archbishop himself, in
the Archbishop's coach to service at York Minster. On his
leaving next morning, the Archbishop several times most kindly
offered the use of his own saddle-horse, but decUning it
Thoresby again set out on foot, " had a pleasant walk, and
got home in good time." Whether it were in any degree a
result of the advice given by Mr. Thornton, or of the
arrangements made by Thoresby during his recent 'visit to
London, his brother, who absconded in 1698, was now able to
appear again in pubUc ; for on the 20th of February 1702
there is this curious entry in the diary : —
" Evening with brother, &c., at Garra way's Coffee House
(in Leeds) ; was surprised to see his sickly child of three
years old fill its pipe of tobacco, and smoke it as audfarandly
as a man of threescore ; after that, a second and 'third pipe
without the least concern, as it is said to have done above a
year ago."
This Leeds child of the 17th century may vie -with the
most precocious that America itself can produce at the present
day. Did some peculiarity in the sickly constitution of young
master Garraway (surely the child wasn't a girl), enable him
thus to smoke f or was it his smoking that made him sickly ?
Jeremiah Thoresby died on the 9th of the following April,

SECULAR CONCERNS. 357
at the age of 36, lea-ving two daughters, Elizabeth, ten years
old, and Mary, seven. But this information has to be taken
from the Thoresby pedigree in the Ducatus. In what remains
to us of the diary there is no mention either of his death or
funeral, and it is somewhat remarkable that the following
entry, two days only before the date of his death, says so
Uttle about him, while it enters into detaUs concerning
others : —
"7 Apl 1702, Went to see poor brother; in the way
met with the sad news that Alderman Lasenby, of this town,
and many other passengers and soldiers, were cast away near
the Dutch coast ; the case of that poor family (a poor
melancholy widow, and many orphans and intricate accounts,
&c.) very much affected me. This, in a few minutes, was
succeeded -with another sad relation of the civil death of
Cousin B. M. the Alderman's brother.* Lord, sanctify all
Providences. Afterwards received a kind visit from Mr. Boulter
of Gawthrop HaU, with whom dined at Mr. Thornton's."
Nothing in this intimates any anticipation that his brother's
death was so near, but rather the contrary ; and the next
entry, two days after his brother died, relates entirely to the
death of the Dean of York, Dr. Gale, t whose funeral on the
15th of April Thoresby thus records : —
"Walked to York, visited IV^r Gyles, then at jDrayers at
the Minster; afterwards visited Dr. Colton, Mr. Hodgson, &c.
Afternoon, at the funeral of my excellent and dear friend
"Alderman Lasonby, or Lazenby, lost his life on the 25th of March. He
had been Mayor of Leeds during the greater part of the previous year, his
twelvemonth's term of office having commenced in September 1700. By his
mother he was descended from the Scudamore's: "Cousin B. M. the Alder
man's brother," mentioned in conjunction with the other Dutch news, can
hardly but denote Benjamin Milner of Amsterdam, who with his bride had
been Thoresby's -visitor.
'tAt the beginning of January Thoresby had learned from the Vicar, that
Dr. Gale, "having got cold after having heated himself in preaching upon
Christmas Day, was very badly, and a fever was dreaded. " He died on the
8th of April, aged 68.

358 RALPH THORESBT THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Dr. Thomas Gale, Dean of York, who was interred with great
solemnity; lay in state, 200 rings (besides scarfs to bearers
and gloves to all) given in the room where I was, which yet
would not contain the company ; yet was the lamentation
greater for the loss of so learned, pious and useful a person,
whose death was deservedly lamented by persons of all
denominations. Thought to have returned part of the way,
but was invited to sup at the deanery ; was kindly received
by both the sons ; was somewhat revived to see so much of
the Dean_in Mr. Gale, &c." *
Three weeks more, and Thoresby was at a very different
funeral, with very different company ; but the funeral of an
old and highly valued friend and minister. News " of the
death of my good old friend, and my father's, Mr. Oliver
Heywood ; " and " news of the promotion of my ingenious
friend Mr. William Nicholson ,.to the bishopric of Carlisle,"
reached Thoresby on the same day. " What various providences
are we exercised with ! " he exclaims, " Lord, help me to make
a good improvement of all."
On the 7th of May, in company with Mr, Peters, the
successor of Dr. Manlove at Mill Hill Chapel, Thoresby rode
to Northowram to Oliver Heywood's funeral : —
" He was interred with great lamentations in the Parish
Church at Halifax; was surprised at the following ArviU, or
treat of cold possets, stewed prunes, cake and cheese, prepared
for the company, where had several Con. and Noncon. minis
ters and old acquaintance."
And here breaks out the antiquarian. " The word (ArviU)

*The Dean's two sons, Roger and Samuel Gale, became well known as
antiquaries. Among Thoresby's manuscripts 'were, — " Memoirs of the Family of Gale,
particularly of the learned Dr. Tho. Gale Dean of Yorke, and Christopher Gale
Esq., her Majesty's Attorney General in North Carolina, 1703. A description
of the Parish of Kighley, writ by the Rev. Mr. Miles Gale, Rector there,
-whose Autograph and Present it is." This gentleman, who held the Rectory
of Keighley from 1G80 to 1720, was the Dean's half-cousin.

SECULAR CONCERNS. 359
i,s derived from the Saxon Are, alimenture, sustenance, nourish
ment, &c." *
From the following, written on the 29th of August in this
year, 1702, it appears that the two children which, on his
brother's death, were left fatherless and motherless, became for
a time part of Thoresby's family," —
" Lord, grant thy gracious presence, protect thy poor un
worthy servant from sin, the greatest of all -evils, and from
the calamities which might justly befal me for sin, and preserve
thy handmaid, and the poor children thou hast entrusted us
with, and the poor orphans thy Providence has committed to
our charge; charge thy good angels with all of us, and what
ever appertains to us, for thy mercy's sake ! "
Thoresby tells little more about his business concems. At
the beginning of 1701 he was threatened with another Assize
trial about the mill, which caused him to spend several days
at York "in a fruitless attendance, for they durst not try the
cause." In September of the same year he paid to Mr. Hat
field, of Hatfield, about £30 upon Mr. Ibbetson's account, of
which he feared he should never recover a penny. Finally, he
withdrew from trade altogether, and sold the Sheepscar estate
which had brought so much annoyance. His Review for the
year 1705 winds up thus : —
"I ought to mention one thing, for the information of my
poor children, that the two closes at Sheepscar were not sold
for any debt of my own, but upon the executorship account,
for which I had advanced more monies than my proportion
came to ; but brother Eayner and brother H. (Houghton) either
could not or would not advance theirs, and I being joint
* Heywood's last letter to Thoresby is dated on the 18th of the previous
January, and in it he wrote " Mr, Baldwin, Mr. Pendlebury, Mr. Newcome,
Mr. Seddon, all ancient, eminent ministers, died in one year's time, which
made a great breach in that Salford Imndred. God Almighty fit us for that
home, that we may be followers of them, that through faith and patience
inherit the promises,"

360 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
executor was liable to be sued in Chancery, that they were
sold for the discharge of father Sykes's bonds. Others took
advantage of my natural temper, and dread of suits ; but I
had more peace within."
Yet all his losses and ill-treatment had not prevented his
becoming bound, in 1702, " with brother Eayner, for brother
Hough's payment of 201. per annum to good old Aunt, during
her natural life."

There is very slight allusion in Thoresby's Diary to pubhc
events in the reign of William the Third. On the morning of
the 19th of May 1691, the war with France ha-ving then con
tinued for two years, two vessels of the English fleet brought
into the Downs a Dutch Man-of-War and some merchant ships.
They had been taken by five French privateers, when bouhd
from Hull to Holland, and were re-taken by the English ves
sels off Dunkirk. The news travelled northward very quickly.
It did not appear in the Gazette until the 21st ; and yet under
date the 23rd of May Thoresby wrote, —
" Waited for post till nine, but, blessed be God ! had the
acceptable news of the re-taking of the ships designed from
Hull to Holland, wherein these northern parts (and especially
this town), were deeply concerned."
The frigate Lion also re-took from the same privateers "two
Pinks belonging to Hull, -with a Fly-boat of Eotterdam," * as
she cruised between Dunkirk and Ostend; but these did not
reach the Do-wns until the 27th. It was in November of the
same year that young Ibbetson sailed from HuU.
On the 16th of May 1692 there is this entry in Thoresby's
Diary, — "Apprehension of a French invasion.'' A descent upon
England, King William being then absent in Holland, had
* Gazette.

SECULAR CONCERNS, 8G1
indeed been planned by Louis the Fourteenth, Marshal Tour-
viUe, with the French ships under his command, sailed to
engage the English fleet under Admiral Edward Eussell,-* and
had the worst of it in an engagement which took place in
the Channel, a few leagues from Cape Barfleur, May the 19th,
It was the 21st of May when an express from Portsmouth
brought Admiral Eussell's despatch to Whitehall; but this only
announced the defeat of the French, and their sailing westward
under cover of a fog. Subsequently, the main part of the
French fleet was destroyed off La Hogue, and again the news
flew fast. On the evening of the 26th Thoresby received in
Leeds " the confirmation of that wonderful national deliverance
in the utter extirpation of the French fleet." But this is
rather more than fact warranted, for twenty-six of the French
vessels got safely to St. Male's, by risking a dangerous passage
through the Eace of Alderney.
Queen Mary died early on the moming of the 28th of
December 1694, and on the 1st of January 1695 Thoresby
writes, — "was much afflicted with the news of the Queen's death,
a public loss to the nation, and the Protestant interest in
general;" but he makes no mention of an address of con
dolence which the Corporation of Leeds, like others, sent to
the King on this occasion. It was ordered on the 28th of
January; and the Gazette of the 7th of February contains this,
among other similar announcements ; —
" The Mayor, Eecorder, Aldermen and Burgesses of the
Borough of Leeds, do, in their Address to his Majesty, express
their great affliction for the death of the Queen, and humbly
assure his Majesty, that to the utmost of their Powers they

* Nephew to the fourth Duke of Bedford. In 1C97 he was created Viecount
Barfleur and Earl of Oxford, but upon his death in 1727 his peerage became
extinct. 25

362 n.^Lrii thoresby the topographer.
will defend his Sacred Person, his Crown and Dignity, against
all wicked Conspirators whatsoever." ¦*
In the year 1695 the state of the current coin was the
subject of long debates in Parliament, which resulted in the
recall of the old coin, and its replacing by new coin miUed,
not hammered, £1,200,000 being voted to make good the loss
upon worn and clipped money. The old coin was to be sent
into the Exchequer by degrees, for public payments, or in
loans. There was much in an operation of this sort to interest
Thoresby, who, when in York on the 11th of May 1697, visited
"the Mint in the Manor to see the new milled-money coined;"!
and on the 3 1st of the same month he spent the whole day
" at Cousin Milner's looking over several thousand pounds of
old hammered money, collected for this years Capitation Act,"
It was a fine opportunity for a coin collector ; " found," he
concludes, " some old pieces to complete my collection."
Upon the death of James the Second in France, on the
6th of September 1701, Louis the Fourteenth aroused great
indignation in England by acknowledging, notwithstanding the
recent Treaty of Eyswick, the son of King James as his
successor. Within the month, the City of London Corporation
addressed King William on the subject, and its example was

* The frustration of a conspiracy to assassinate King WiUiam, early in 1696,
caused the renewal of addresses, .but they were quickly superseded by the
signing of Associations, in imitation of the two Houses of Parliament ; most
of whose members signed a form agreed upon after much debate, adhering to
King William against King James, and promising to revenge his death should
his enemies accomplish it. The form of Association was entered in the Court
Books of the Leeds Corporation, and it had 890 signatures, — (See Wardell.)
And the Gazette ot the 4th of May announced, — " The Association of the
Borough of Leeds in the County of York was presented to His Majesty by
the Right Honourable the Lord Fairfax and Sir John Kay " (the two County
Members). t De La Pryme says, 5th of June 1696, — "Being this day in Yorkshire I
hear that a mint has come to York to coin silver tankards, plates, cups,
&c." The York coins havfc Y under tlie he<\d of the Kins.

secular CONCERNS. 363
generaUy followed throughout the kingdom. Danby, the once
impeached minister, but made Duke in 1694, when he took
Leeds for his title, presented the Leeds address, to which
Thoresby, at this time in the Corporation, must have been a
party. It is short, very straightforward and emphatic, and
implies credence of the warming-pan story : — ¦
"To the King's Most ExceUent Majesty."
" The humble Address of the Mayor, Eecorder, Aldermen,
Common-Council, Merchants, Gentlemen, and other Inhabitant.s
of Your Borough of Leeds."
" The Traffick that the French King makes of Treaties and
AlUances is Vile and Abominable ; the Proclaiming the Supposi
titious Prince of Wales King of England, Scotland and Ireland,
after his solemn Acknowledgement of Your Majesty's Eoyal Title
to the Throne of these Your Majesty's Eealms and Dominions,
is Detestable. It demonstrates his designs to Subvert this Govern
ment, the Protestant Established Eeligion, the Liberties, and
Properties of Your Subjects, which Your Majesty ha,g, with the
hazard of Your precious Life, been graciously pleased to Eestore
and Defend. '
"We, therefore. Your IMajesty's most dutiful and Loyal
Subjects, do assure Your Majesty, That we will venture our
AU to support and defend Your Sacred Person; and may the
ensuing and all other future Parliaments give such Supplies as
may strengthen Your Arms, to Curb the Insolency of that
haughty Monarch, and all other Your Enemies whatsoever."
This appeared in the Gazette of the 1st of December.*
Parliament (a new one) had been summoned for the 30th, and
the 19th proclaimed a fast day for a blessing on its consulta
tions. The aUeged Proclamation of the son of the late King
had not gone beyond design; for it must either have included
the customary title of King of France, offending the French,
or this must have been omitted, offending the English. The
' On the 15th of this December Thoresby took part in stopping a municipal
irregularity of much importance :—" With the Mayor and several of the

864 Ralph thoresby tue topographer.
denunciation with which the Address begins, refers not only to
the Treaty of Eyswick, but to Louis ihe Fourteenth's disregard
of the more recent Treaty of Partition, in accepting for his
grandson, the Duke of Anjou, the succession to the Crown of
Spain. Little more than three months after this Address died
William the Third. On the 10th of March 1702, Thoresby
was "sadly surprised with the news of the King's dangerous
illness;" from which it is obvious that the King's fall from
his horse at Hampton, at the end of February, and his sub
sequent illness after his removal to Kensington, had not at
first caused much public alarm; but when Thoresby wrote the
above the King had been dead two days. He died at eight
in the morning of Sunday, the 8th of March, and on Wednes
day, the 11th, Thoresby wrote this: —
" Was immediately and sadly surprised by an aged Minister,
who coming from Bishopthorpe, met an express going to my
Lord Archbishop, and after to the Lord Mayor' of York, with
the doleful tidings of the King's death. The Vicar afterwards
showed me a letter from my Lord Archbishop, wherein he
writes, — ' We are here even at our wit's end because of the
King's dangerous illness!' What shall we now do that so great
a judgement has actually befallen us ! My poor wife was even
overwhelmed with grief. Lord help us to put our trust in
thee, who art the same God that hast preserved us in former
dangers, and thy hand. Oh Lord ! is not shortened ; were our
sins less, our hopes might be greater. Lord help thy poor
servants in this distress also ! Till four at prayers.* Lord
help me to improve these happy opportunities while they are
continued. What an invaluable mercy it is, that we have the
Uberty of address to the throne of grace at all times, and in
Corporation ; sent for the Treasurer, who was directed not to pay any of the
public stock upon private notes (as has been too common of late), of any of
the Aldermen, but by order of the Court of Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants."
'* At the Parish Church.

SECULAR CONCERNS. 365
all exigencies ; but it was melancholy to want both the prayers
(in public) for the King and Eoyal Family."
Queen Anne had been proclaimed in London the afternoon
of the day on which King William died. Thoresby attended
a Court, as it was then called, of the Leeds Corporation, held
on the 13th, when " it was resolved by the Mayor, &c,, to
proclaim Queen Anne the next market day." To which
Thoresby appends, — "The Lord direct her in difficulties, and
make her reign prosperous and pious."'
17th of March, (Tuesday), — "Queen Anne was proclaimed, by
the Mayor* and Corporation in their formalities, and by several
country gentlemen, Sir Walter Hawksworth, t &c,, but I was
best pleased that my honoured and dear friend, Mr, Thornton
complied ; J heard the like also of the Earls of Clarendon,
Lichfield, Eutland, &c,, that it may please God to prevent
those judgements of a Popish successor, that our sins have
merited. Lord bless' and direct her Majesty, Council and Par
liament, that all things may be so ordered and settled by their
endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace
and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be
established among us, and transmitted to succeeding generations,
for Jesus Christ's sake,"
The Leeds Address to the new Queen, upon her Accession,
is in the Gazette of the 30th of April. It was presented by
Thomas, Lord Fairfax, one of the Members for the County.
Emanating from the Quarter Sessions accounts for its non-entry
in the Court-books of the Corporation, which led Mr. Wardell
to suppose that no Address had been sent. But it is headed, —
"The Humble Address of the Mayor, Eecorder, Aldermeir,
Grand-Jury, Assistants, Clergy, Merchants, Gentlemen, and other
* John Gibson.
•I- Of Hawksworth, Baronet.
+ Among Thoresby's manuscripts there was one by Mr, Thornton, his
"Reasons for taking the Oaths to Her Majesty Queen Anne."

866 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
the Freemen and Inhabitants of the Borough of Leeds, from
the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace held for the said
Borough the 15th of April in the First Year of Your Majesty's
Eeign." After lamenting the death of Eng WilUam, and finding
comfort in the succession of Queen Anne, the Address
concludes : —
" May your Majesty sway the Sceptre of these Kingdoms
iu Peace and Plenty ; may you have victory over all your
Enemies, and be full of honourable success all your Days, and
Crowned with Glory after Life ; and may God Almighty in his
good time make you a joyful mother of happy and successful
Children to Sit in the Throne of these Kingdoms, will be the
constant Prayers of your Majesties most dutiful and most
obedient Subjects."
There was resolute hope in this conclusion. Queen Anne
having borne no less than seventeen children, some prematurely
indeed, and none of them sur-viving. Still, she was but thirty-
seven . years old at her Accession ; and as the future then
seemed uncertain enough to the Protestants of England, should
the Queen have no further issue, they might well cling to
hope. In the special service appointed for the day of the
Queen's Accession, the Prayer for the Queen in the Communion
Service at first contained this passage, — " And that these
Blessings may be continued to After-ages, make the Queen, we
pray thee, a happy Mother of Children, who being educated in
this true Faith and Fear, may happily succeed Her in the
Govemment of these Kingdoms." On the 13th of January
1708 its discontinuance was ordered, "In Pursuance of Her
:Majesty's Pleasure signified unto the Council."

IX.

Xiterar^ jEnGageinents.
THORESBY'S BUSINESS QUALIFICATIONS— SIR JOHN CUTLER— GASCOIGNE OP
PARLINGTON — GIBSON'S CAMDEN— TO CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON — BV
OXFORD HOME.
It is not much to be wondered at that Thoresby's commercial
labours ended in disappointment. Honourable, conscientious, his
own dealings consistent with his Christianity, and ever disposed
to think charitably of others, he trasted to like principle in
those with whom he had to deal, particularly where religion
was professed. Practice belying profession aroused his indigna
tion, but only opened his eyes when too late. He tells on
one occasion, — "With W. P. and another Quaker about business,
found, under a pretence of a holy simpUcity, downright treach
ery, was tricked out of two guineas ; " whereupon he adds, —
"Lord pardon them ! " It was a small transaction, but it indi
cates Thoresby as a business man. There is little doubt that
his confidence in the religion of Mr. Samuel Ibbetson facilitated
their partnership in the oil mill; "Mr. Ibbetson prayed well,"
"Enjoyed Mr. Ibbetson's happy assistance in prayer," or the
like, frequently attends his notice of Mr. Ibbetson's companion
ship at home and upon journeys. Now a true Christian will
assuredly be a man of honour, and he may be a good business
man also; but experience in money matters only too much
teaches, that extemal demonstration of piety is an unsafe basis
for commercial trust. And then, trade was not more consonant
with Thoresby's tastes than it was suited to his constitution.
He looked after his business as a duty and necessity, but his

368 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
heart was in the pursuits of an antiquary; and of the two
callings, the latter got its full share of his time. Amusing in
stances of this occur again and again : —
"Walked to Sheepscar about an hour; rest of day in Ubrary,
consulting authors about Archbishop Thoresby, in Edward the
Third's time" — "walked to Sheepscar; most of day writing and
consulting old authors on the antiquities of Leeds " — " walked
to Sheepscar; after, walked to Armley, attended brother's
concerns there ; in return, with Parson Wilkinson,* took a
particular view of the high mount, nigh the river, called Giant's
HiU, which I cannot tell what to make of, except it has been
a Danish fortification ; the smallness of its circuit is the most
discouraging argument to the contrary,! but yet the situation
of the place, and the moat round, seem to intimate as much"
— " forenoon in library, collecting notes and antiquities of Leeds
till about three; then at Sheepscar" — "Morning, read, &c. ; then
abroad, om gelt te ontfangen ende betaeten about Father S.'s
concerns. After, transcribing dates of the deaths of, eminent
persons from Wood's Athenee Oxoniensis. Then at Sheepscar."
These extracts are all from his diary for 1691, wound up
on the 31st of December with, — ¦
" Morning read ; then at mill, but most of the day tran
scribing manuscript of ejected ministers, &c. Evening, &c. ; but
alas ! too little of my time spent about the unum necessarium,
though another year of my short pilgrimage irrecoverably past."
¦" The Rev. Christopher Wilkinson had succeeded to the curacy at Armley
in the previous year. He built a parsonage there, with the aid of subscrip
tions, in 1704. From two to three months after their inspection of Giant's
Hill, Thoresby received through him " a letter, with remarks upon coins, the
Idol Thor, &o,, from the admirably learned Archdeacon Nicholson." A later
letter of the Archdeacon's commences, — "A letter I had this morning from
your neighbour Wilkinson puts me in mind of the debt I owe to yourself."
+ The Ducatus gives the dimensions of what Thoresby there says "no doubt
was a Danish fortification ; " and mentions the " prodigious great stone " said
lo have been thrown into a lane, now Burley Road, from the hill at Armley,'
by some Giant; "upon which stone the credulous can see the impressions of
his fingers as distinctly as the Virgin's hair in the bark of the tree that once
grew upon the hill at Hallifax." The stone, -n'ith its indentiitious, long con
tinued to be pointed out.

LITERARY ENQA0EMENT3, 369
In the following passages of Thoresby's Diary there is,
perhaps, as much said of business as might be expected, yet
they read as if the business that led him from home had but
secondary interest with him : —
"June 11, 1693,  rode with Mr. lb. to Harewood, upon
rape-seed account, with William Bolton, a cant old man, who
walked from that town to London five times, off and on, in
half a year's time (the winter terms), yet never lay more than
three nights upon the road betwixt London and Harewood, and
so, e contra, in the ten times, whereof one was strictly at
Christmas ; and he told us some remarkable passages of the
late Sir John Cutler's charity to his tenants, which I purposely
record, because of the unworthy reflections of covetousness cast
upon so worthy a benefactor (as his noble foundation of the
CoUege of Physicians ; and a lecture, founded and endowed
by him, of which, vid. Dr. Sprat's History of the Eoyal
Society, do clearly evince him to have been), particularly, in
a dear year (in the great drought Ann. 168-), he not only
forbore their rent, saying, they should not make an ill bargain
(by sale of their goods at an underworth), for his sake, but
gave express orders to his steward to send them monies to
retrieve some that had done so, and prevent it in others ; and
now at his death, his tenants there are, through his lenity
and forbearance, b,000l. in arrears, viz,, two years and a half
rent," *
"Aug, 16. Eode with Mr. Ibbetson to Parlington.. Paid to
John Gascoigne, Esq. 1001., upon rape account ; he showed me
a very curious pedigree of that ancient family, whence I
transcribed what relates to Judge Gascoigne, ob. 17 Dec, 141'>2,"

* Gawthorpe Hall, with adjoining lands at Harewood, came by marriage to
the Wentworths, and was at one time the. residence as well as estate of the
unfortunate Tliomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, His son, the second Earl,
sold it ; and eventually it was purchased by Sir John Cutler, of whom
Thoresby here transmits an account so much at variance with that in the
Moral Essays of Pope, where we have the well known couplet, —
" Cutler saw tenants lireak, and hoii.oes fall,
For very want he could not build a wall.'

370 RALPH TnoliESJjy the TOl'OOIiAPIIER.
The said pedigree appears in the Ducatus with this
preface, —
" I shall here insert the Pedigree of that very ancient
Family, as I transcribed it from the Original in sixteen large
Sheets of Parchment curiously delineated, and attested by
Hen. St. George Norroy, and lent me Anno 1696 by the very
obliging John Gascoigne of Parlington, Esq."
Thoresby concludes the mention of his business journey to
Parlington, —
" I was very obligingly entertained and respected by two
E. C. (Eoman Catholic) Knights, Sir Thomas Gascoigne and Sir
Miles Stapleton. Oh, that they were enUghtened with the
truth as it is in Jesus ! "
The former was Mr. Gascoigne's uncle, and the same Sir
Thomas who has been named in connection with a Plot trial
at York. In 1698 he died without issue, and an elder brother
of John Gascoigne's then became fourth Baronet.
These 6xtracts show how Thoresby's natural predUections
made encroachments upon his attention to business. The
following is almost sufficient in itself ; —
"August 13, 1694. Morning, read Annotations in family,
• and Saxon, &c,, in study. Was all day (except a walk to tho
mill), in library, perusing an ancient manuscript communicated
to me by Justice Stanhope, of Eccleshill, * and thence tran
scribing a charter of Maur, Painell (9th King John) to his
burgesses of Leeds, &c. Evening, began to peruse Mr, Somner's
Antiquities of Canterbury."
After this, surely few, if any, will be incUned to dispute
that Thoresby did wisely when he withdrew from commerce,
took care of what remained to him, and devoted himself to
his true vocation ; and about twelve months before the date
of this last entry be was enlisted in a work which alone must
have largely absorbed both his thoughts and time.
* And who built a house still nearer to Leeds, at Horsforth,

on

LITERARY ENGAGEMENTS. 871
A letter from Archdeacon Nicholson, written to Thoresby
the 23rd of June 1693, commences, —

"I am glad to hear that Leeds affords such plenty of
subscribers for Camden's Britannia. I hope the performance will
answer the expectation that the Kingdom seems generally to
have of it. I am desired to take care of Northumberland ;
and I shall endeavour to make the best remarks I can upon
that part, so far as the Eoman and British antiquities go.
What alterations I might perhaps make in those that relate
to the Saxon times, must be reserved for another purpose.
My friend Mr. Gibson (the publisher of the Saxon Chronicle)
is deeply concerned in the undertaking; and will, c[uestionless,
discharge himself very well."
That portion of the work which related to coins was assigned
to Dr. Obadiah Walker, the editor of Spelman's Alfred; and it
seems that Thoresby, notwithstanding the slight of which he
complained in regard to this pubUcation,* volunteered a further
loan of coins for Dr. Walker's use, beside a contribution of
inscriptions, in aid of the new edition of Camden. Dr. Walker's
reply is dated August 27th 1693: —
" My ill health will beg pardon for my incivility in not
speedier returning to your most obliging letter. The infirmities
of old age press eagerly upon me ; t yet so that I sometimes
get a Uttle respite. I return you my humble thanks for your
kind offer of the perusal of your coins : might it be done
without inconvenience, I would entreat the sight of what ancient
British, or what Eoman concerning Britain, as also those of the
Saxons, which I did not peruse in the edition of the History
of King Alfred. Your Eunic ones will also be useful to us :
I value most those which have faces upon them, the reverses
being generally of the governors of the minting places, or the
names of the mint-masters; which is also the like in those of
ancient Gallia and France : the reason might be, that their
- Ante, pages 180-1.
t Dr, Walker was then nearly eighty years nM,

37'2 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPUGRAPIlER.
evil coining might be known and punished, but this renders-
their reverses not so considerable as those of the Eomans.
" If that description of coins and medals be thought worthy
of a second impression, I will take the confidence to beg your
assistance, because we shall then add the description also of
particular coins  The memorial of your Mr, Harrison
deserves a considerable place in the history of that province,
but, as I said, that is not my task. Most humbly thanking
you for your former favour to me upon Dr. Johnston's account,
and this present one, I take leave, and remain. Sir,
" Your humble servant,
" Obadiah Walker."
J\Ir, Awnsham ' Churchill, bookseller, of London, was the
medium of communication, and he forwarded the above letter
on the 29th, with the following of his own : —
" I received this letter from Mr, Walker yesterday, and your
letter and coins for him this day, which shall be deUvered
him to-morrow; interim, send the above forward; and am much
obliged for your favours to us in this matter, which shaU be
always acknowledged, by Sir, " Your servant at command,
"A. Churchill."
Doing thus much voluntarily, Thoresby was quickly solicited
to give much more onerous assistance. On the 21st of Sep
tember 1693, Mr. Awnsham Churchill wrote again: —
"Hon, Sir,
" I was yesterday with Mr, Walker, who gives his services
to you, and will soon restore the treasure you were so kind
to send him. Your generous encouragement to our work of
Camden has brought farther trouble on you, Dr, Gale,-* I
* The future Dean of York, and Thoresby's friend. He was at this time
Head Master of St. Paul's School, in London, which post he had held since
the year V<7:1 ; and it snys much for the estimation in which Thoresby was
bold that lie was consitlered competent to t.ake Dr, Gale's pliicc in this

LITERARY ENGACElIi;.\T3, 3(3
thought, would have taken care of all Yorkshire for us, but
other affairs, and his living out of the County of York, will
not suffer him to do more than the North Eiding, So I have
ventured to be so bold to send you, per Leeds carrier, carriage
paid, Mr, Camden's account of the West Eiding of Yorkshire,
interleaved, and shall be much obliged if you will in the
blank pages correct what is amiss ; add what is omitted ; insert
what discoveries have been made since Camden corrected the
map; where the possessor of anything described in Camden is
changed, to put the name of the present possessor : — I mean,
to do anything in any manner, how or what you shall judge
fit, to better this our work. We are obliged for your favours
to make all the public acknowledgements of your generosity.
in this affair, and shall be glad of all opportunities of owning
how much I am. Sir,
" Your very obedient faithful servant at command,
"A. Churchill."
"2 Oct. 1693. Morning, with Lords of the Manor, choosing
constables, and at great court with lawyer Thornton, the Vicar,
and Mr. Brook about Camden, being solicited by the editors
to take charge of the West Eiding, which I am as unwilling
as unfit for, yet urged by friends to do what I can, lest
wholly omitted."
It was little more than a month after the death of
Mr. Sharp; and, besides his oil business, Thoresby was much
occupied with the overtures to Mr. Manlove on behalf of the
bereft congregation of Mill Hill. Nevertheless, he yielded to
the above soUcitations, not improbably seconded by a secret
incUnation for the work, despite his humble estimate of his
abiUty for it
"Nov. 3. Spent much of the day in adding to Camden's
Brit, in West-Eidins."

Dr. Gale was made Dean in 1697. He was by birth a Yorkshire-'
mim, one of the Gales of Scruton, near Bedale, in the North Riding, He
Iscame Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

374 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
"Dec. 29, All day, writing memoirs in the interleaved
Britannia." "Jan? 17 1694. Morning, dispatching away additions to
Camden's Brit."
These scattered entries in Thoresby's Diary indicate jnore
work than they record ; and keeping in mind how he was
at this time situated in other respects, he must have been
industrious, and in good earnest -with the undertaking, to have
his contributions ready for despatch by the last given date.
Two days afterward, he was "all day writing to Mr. Nicholson
and editors of Camden, except a little at mill ; " but so much
had his leisure been occupied, that his correspondence -with
Nicholson was for the time suspended, as appears from the
following reply, written to him by Dr. Nicholson on the 25th
of January : — '^
" Within an hour I received yours, was I resolving to make
inquiry, (by this post) what was become of my worthy friend
at Leeds. I am very glad to hear that you are prevaUed on
to give your assistance towards the new edition of Camden.
Upon the death of Mr. Harrington, the work had Uke to
have made a full stop ; t but I doubt not Mr. Gibson will
effectually revive it. I had last week a long letter from him,
giving me some account of the undertaking, and what prospect
he had of help. I have promised to contribute what Uttle I
am able, and, particularly, have engaged to communicate what
remarks I have relating to the Eoman and Saxon antiquities
-* This letter and another by the same writer which follows it, are mis
placed in Dr. Hunter's pubUcation, -where chronological order is adopted.
They are dated 1693, but examination of their contents, and comparison -with
the other ivritings which have been quoted, prove the year to be given
according to old style.
+ In Dr. Nicholson's correspondence, published by .John Nichols, there is a
letter of the 18th of January 1693, written by him to Gibson, commencing, —
" The very post before yours came to my hand I had a letter from Dr, Todd,
acquainting me that (by Mr, Harrington's death) a fuU stop was put to the
designed edition of Camden ; and the bookseller's measures so much broken,
that the \ihole affair was like to sleep for some time,"

LITERARY RNGAGEJIENTS. 37y
throughout the whole province of York, beside the county of
Northumberland, for which I am more especially concerned. In
the Uttle advance I have already made, I have taken the
liberty to own the friendship you have been pleased to favour
me with. But since I find you will send up your observations
on the West Eiding, I shall (for the future) be less solicitous
about that part of your county. If I am not much mistaken,
I have a considerable interest in the ingenious youth, who is
now pitched upon to supervise the whole work; and I assure
you, it shall all fail me, if he be not obUged to do you all
the justice and respect imaginable. I shall acquaint him with
the modest request you make, of having what you send care
fully examined, and the generous commission you give him, of
using or refusing what he thinks convenient. As far" as I can
guess at the design, it is not intended to make any large
additions; perhaps, none at aU. Camden's mistakes will be
corrected, but not his defects supplied; for that would render
the work much too bulky for the proposals which the under
takers have offered. As I have inteUigence from above I will
be sure to communicate. Atque hcec — damus petimus que. I
know you will do the same to me. By the way, I desire
your next may inform me who this Mr. Churchill is, that has
so happily prevailed with you to obUge the pubUc 1 "
The next letter upon the subject is from Gibson himself : —
"London, Jan. 30 1694.
"Worthy Sir,
"As I am accidentally concerned in the new edition of
Camden, I cannot but trouble you with my acknowledgements
for the great encouragement that work has received from you.
Could but men be brought to the same accuracy and diligence
in their respective counties, what a glorious book should we
then have! Mr. Churchill has received your improvements of
the West Eiding of Yorkshire,-* which shall be delivered to
* NichoUs, in his Literary Anecdotes, says that many of the materials com
municated to Gibson, through his bookseller, were in the hands of Churchill's
nephew, Awnsham Churchill of Henbury, M.P. for Dorchester. The uncle
died 24tli of April 172S.

870 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPnEP..
Dr. Gale according to your order; and the directions of your
last letter shall be carefully observed. I heartily wish you
could have notice of all the signal benefactions througho;it
England, that they might be inserted in their proper places.
As it is a respect due to the memory of such men, so would
it induce a great many (who perhaps are not otherwise too
charitably disposed) to follow their example, upon a prospect
of being inserted in a new edition of Camden. There are
men of that vain glorious temper, who if they were not in
hopes of some such thing, would probably dispose of their
money to worse uses. I received a letter this morning from
Mr. Nicholson, of Carlisle, to whom you are very much obliged,
if giving a man his true character lay any obligation upon
him. He is pleased to desire my impartial perusal of your's
and his own notes ; but I am pretty well satisfied that they
'will not be much better for anything which my abilities can
do to them. However, I shall take care to do you justice,
and not use you as I am told a certain gentleman of Pomfret
has done  If you are for the future pestered with
letters and queries, I must protect myself under a plausible
pretence of working for the public. To begin the trouble you
are like to have, I must desire your patience in the perusal
of a little treatise about Portus Iccius, where Julius Caesar
took shipping for Britain. It is lately published at Oxford,
and I have delivered one to Mr. Churchill to send to you.
Your acceptance of it, and the least interest in your acquaint
ance, will be a great honour and happiness, to Sir,
" Your very humble Servant,
"Edm. Gibson."
Then Mr. Churchill wrote, on the 6th of February: —
" Sir, "I received yours of the 17th past, with the Saxon coin,
which have communicated to Mr. Walker, who gives you his
humble service ; he will take care \ of it, and your others,
received, before ; and hope suddenly to give you an account
that I have them in my hands, to deliver to your order. I
am much obliged for your additions to West Eiding of Yprk-

LITER.VRY ENGAGEMENTS. 377
shire, which shall show Dr. Gale, as you command. Wc shall
take all possible care as to ilr. Selden's notes or references,
and throughout the whole work. If you have anything else
to communicate, fit to be inserted in any oliher county of
England, pray favour us v/ith them.
"I sent Mr. Gibson's Portus Iccius per Leeds carrier, from
Bear in Basinghall Street, Friday last, carriage paid.* Sir,
"I am your much obliged servant at command,
"A. Churchill."
A week later Archdeacon Nicholson wrote to Thoresby, —
" I have had an answer to my last to Mr. Gibson ; who
tells me he has written to you himself, and assured you that
your favours to him and his undertaking shall meet with all
due acknowledgements from him ; and I dare engage for his
performance  When I told you I apprehended the
main intent in this new edition was rather to correct mistakes
than to supply defects, you had my own conjecture. I now
find that the design is larger, and that we are to expect
considerable additions as well as alterations. The undertakers,
Mr. Gibson says, will not grudge any reasonable expense, that
may advance the repute and value of the work ; and that (to
this purpose) they will be at the charges of several new cuts
of antiquities, prospects, &c."
It was in the following month that the death of Thoresby's
father-in-law added an executorship to his other cares, and he
was still busied with the successorship to Mill Hill Chapel and
the vacUlating Mr. Manlove; but he had not yet finished with
the editors of Camden. On the third of April Mr, Churchill
wrote again : —
" Sir, "Mr, Walker, in a few days, will have finished the
Saxon coins, and then shall follow your orders about them.
" The book was promptly delivered, for on the morning of the 10th
Thoresby wrote " to the ingenious Mr. Gibson (publisher of the Saxon
Chronicle) ia answer to his letter and present.'
26

878 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Mr. S  's plate, I believe, cost £2 10s. the graving.
Dr. Gale is out of humour, and so was I, and sent for the
North Eiding of Yorkshire back from him; for I found there
was no dependence — and staying for him we are quite desti
tute — for that part, without it be some little, ssaj be, in
Mr. Nicholson's account of the Kingdom of Northumberland.
" Your very generous encouragement to our work has em
boldened me to send you that Eiding, per Leeds carrier,
Friday, that if anything occurs to you, you would be pleased
to mention it, and send it me up forthwith. I ought to ask
so many pardons and apologies, that I forbear, at present,
all. Sir, "Your very much obedient and faithful servant,
" At command, "A. Churchill,"
From another letter of Dr. Gibson's, written ten days after
ward, it appears that Thoresby declined the North Eiding, upon
the ground of having enough to do without it : —
" April 13, 1694.
" Worthy Sir,
" The exactness you have shown in the West Eiding
tempted us to desire more of your assistance, and it is the
misfortune of this work that your good inclination to be
farther assisting to it should be unluckily cut off by other
business. You refer us to Dr. Gale, and add, that he is
excellently qualified to help us : for my part, I could heartily
wish he were either less qualified, or more ready to serve the
world with his abilities. How it comes to pass, I know not,
that these men should be so much wedded to their nostrums;
and that learning, one of the most sociable, best-natured things
in the world, should beget in their tempers a sort of morose
reservedness. But so it is ; and nothing must be expected
from that quarter. No; Mr. Churchill had a flat denial; and,
for some reasons, I cannot think fit to court him into a
compliance. In your next, please to insert the inscription of
Archbishop Thoresby's seal, because there is something I doubt

LITER.iRY KNG.IGEMENTS. 379
of. What is it comes between Johannis and Sancti 1 is it et ?
This day, Mr. Walker was desiring a little of my assistance,
to put the coins in order, that every man may have his own.
I suppose we shall set aside some day next week for that
business, and afterwards yours shall be carefully delivered to
any one you shall think fit to trust with the carriage of
them. Mr, Walker has now almost finished, and the whole
body consists of eight plates, which are very beautiful, and
wiU be a great ornament to the book. So soon as there is
one entirely finished, you shall have it sent, enclosed in a
letter, and thence you may judge of the rest. Something I
had to say more, but it is now out of my head.
" I am. Sir, your obliged humble Servant,
"Edmund Gibson.-"
Thoresby's Diary contains this entry on the 10th of the
foUowing June : —
" Eeceived a kind visit from Mr. Bright Dixon (the *Duke
of Leeds, his chaplain) who brought my coins from the Editors
of Camden's Britannia, the examining of which, and concern
for the loss and exchange of several, took up forenoon."
This was disheartening, after all his labours; but that at
least one of the missing coins was recovered appears from
another letter of Mr. Gibson's, who wrote on the 8th of
July,— "The enclosed was delivered me by Mr. Walker, with
orders to send it away with all speed, that j'ou might receive
that satisfaction which he confesses himself, both in gratitude
and civility, obliged to give you. If anything else be wanting,
I hope at the upshot all will appear, when we make our
general inspection upon finishing the book. The curious draught
of Cambodunum is safe, with the seal and the inscription
upon the card. We are advanced so far as Leicestershire,
which you must own to be tolerable progress."

880 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Writing again in January 1695, Gibson referred to a recent
advertisement of the new Camden in the Gazette ; * and at the
beginning of February he commenced another letter, — "The trou
ble of finishing a tedious work, and the fatigue of removing
from London to Oxford, has made me a Uttle slack in my
correspondence." There was no delay in sending Thoresby
a presentation copy. On the last day in March Archdeacon
Nicholson wrote, — " Now, you say, you are thoroughly employed
in conversing with young Mr. Camden, and I hope you are
pleased with his company. For my share, I am not yet so
happy as to have seen him, and therefore cannot give you my
thoughts of him, Mr. Gibson says he has a book for me, and
I am (with great patience) expecting to receive it." The next
sentence was discouraging. '' I have informations from some
other hands that it already sinks in price, below the rate of
our subscriptions." And when the Archdeacon -wrote again so
late as the 9th of May, he informed Thoresby that he had
only received his copy the week before ; a longer delay than
can be accounted for by the difference in their proximity to
London. On the same date Dr. Gibson wrote to Thoresby, in terms
denoting that Thoresby this time was well satisfied with the
acknowledgment of his services, made in the new work : — f

* "The new edition of Camden's Britannia in English -wiU be ready to be
delivered to the Subscribers on the 11th day of February next without fail,
at which time they are desired to send iu their Second Payment to the
Undertakers, Abel Swale, at the Unicorn in St. Paul's Churchyard, and
A^vnsham and J, Churchill at the Black Swan in Paternoster Row." —
London Gazette, Jan, 10, 1694-95.
A former Advertisement had fixed the first payment' at 12 shUlings, to the
let of May 1694, afterward the price to be "considerably advanced."
t In the preface,— "The West-Riding of Yorkshire is indebted to Mr,
Ralph Thoresby of Leeds, of whose abilities and exactness the large Collection
(if Curiosities he has made himself master of is a sufficient argument."

LITERARY ENGitGEMENTS. 381
'¦ It is your modesty not to bear the character whieh justice
allows you, I am sensible your own abiUties, and your many
good offices to the pubUc aud myself, would not only have
borne, but required, a much more honourable mention. None
who know you will think that I have been too favourable :
the antiquaries, I am sure, will thank me for paying this
piece of respect to a person so inclinable to serve their
interests, and who is so great a credit to the common cause.
.... If you come into the south this summer, travel
what way you will, I -will find you out. I must confess
Oxford is the place where I should most like to see you.
I fancy we have a variety in this place, which would afford
a very agreeable entertainment to a person of your curiosity,
for a fortnight or three weeks. While you stay among us,
you are entire master of my time, and I hope your acquaint
ance in this place will not be so numerous, as to rob me of
too much of your company."
This invitation came at a very opportune moment. On the
day upon which it was written, 9th May 1695, Thoresby
attended at Ledsham the funeral of Mr. Thomas Eayner, the
father of his brother-in-law and fellow traveller to Esquire
Salkeild's ; * but on the 13th, with his brother Jeremiah and
partner Mr. Ibbetson, he was on his way, on horseback, to
Barnby-on-the-Moor, for London. During the following two
days they held the old route " by the noted Eel-pie-house"
to Grantham and Huntingdon, but rising early on the 16th
they left the London road and travelled by Godmanchestcr to
Cambridge. There the ex-vicar of Leeds, Mr. Milner, — ¦
•
"Showed us the delicate walks, &c,, of St. John's CoUege;
but was yet more pleased with the curious library, where arc
some valuable manuscript Hebrew Bibles, delicately writ, and
other old gilt ones, a book in the Chinese character, the
* In his Museum Catalogue Thoresby describees a coin of Hadrian, and
eayB,-"Twas found upon I'eckfield, and sent me thence by Mr, Tha Reyner
of Ledsham," Mr. Rayner made some other contributions.

882 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAI'HliR,
Greek Testament used by King Charles the First, and a serious
book, richly embroidered by Queen Elizabeth; the pictures of
the exceUent Archbishops Grindall and WUUams, Sir Eobert
Howe, noted benefactors, and Mr. Bendlows, who bestowed
several curiosities ; variety of natural marbles so delicately
placed and inlaid as make curious prospects ; we saw there also
a little chameleon, &c. After dinner we viewed the PubUc
Schools and Library, where I took chief notice of the manu
scripts, Beza's Greek Testament, a Turkish Herbal, and the
Autogra^jhs of King James the First, and Sir Eobert Naun-
ton's before his works when presented to the University, and
Lord Bacon before his ... . We were straitened in time,
but enjoyed the ingenious Dr, Archer's company, till we took
horse, for vt-e afterward rode by Fulmire and Barlow to Bark-
way, where we lodged at old Pharaoh's."
Barkv/ay, about fifteen miles beyond Cambridge, is only
thirty five from London, yet it was two days more before the
travellers arrived there. Thoresby's account of this latter part
of the journey shows what travelling in his day might become
in a rainy season : —
" May 17. Morning, rode by Puckering to Ware, where we
baited, and had some showers, which raised the washes upon
the road to that height that passengers from London that
v/ere upon the road swam, and a poor higgler was drowned,
which prevented our travelling for many hours, yet towards
evening adventured with some country people, who conducted
us (after we had passed Hogsden, which has a fountain in
the midst of the town and several very good houses) over
the meadows, whereby^ we missed the deepest of the Wash at
Cheshunt, though we rode to the saddle-skirts for a consider
able way, but got safe to Waltham Cross, where we lodged."
"18. Morning, road by Edmunton (where we had our
horses led about a mile over the deepest of the Wash) to
Highgate, and thence to London. I have the greatest cause
of thankfulness, for the goodness of my heavenly Protector,
that being exposed to greater dangers by my horse's boggling

LITERARY E.VGAGEMBNTS. 888
at every coach and waggon we met, I received no damage,
though the ways were very bad, the ruts deep, and the roads
extremely full of water, which rendered my circumstances .(often
meeting the loaded waggons in very inconvenient places) not
only melancholy, but really very dangerous."
Thus it was Saturday when the journey ended upon which
they had set out from Leeds on the Monday. Thoresby's first
errand on the Saturday afternoon was a visit of condolence to
Mr. Stretton, who a fortnight before had written to Thpresby
a sad letter, having lost his wife, —
"I have known what it is to part with sweet hopeful
children, and it is hard enough to bear it ; but to part with
a wife, and such a wife, cuts deep and reacheth the very soul."
She had died after five days' illness, and it was evidently
an unlooked for stroke. The previous letter of Mr. Stretton's,
among those published, dated 1st December 1694, at the con
clusion says, " mine and my wife's hearty love to you and
yours;" and it is in his usual lively, almost gossipping style,
touching upon the news of the day,* although he had a minor
trouble then. Oliver Heywood, writing to Thoresby a few days
before, had told him, —
"As for Mr. Stretton, my son hath had some letters from
him; he complains that the shoemakers (I think) have taken
their hall from him, which was his meeting-place, so he is
destitute; hath been quite out of employ five or six Sabbaths,
and thinks he shall have none, except he build one himself;
for the people take no care."
Mr. Stretton himself wrote to Thoresby, —
"I was turned out of my place at Midsummer, and am
not yet settled in one again (which hath made it one of the
uaeasiest parts of my time). And the neglect and discourage-
* " Last night the good Aiohbishop (Tillotson) was interred at St, Lawrence's
Church,"

384 RALPH TuoKi:sBy The tojtourapher,
ments I have met with did almost overpower, and would quickly
have made me unfit for any jDublic service, if I had given
way to them ; but I bless God I am got above them ; and
I have cast that burden upon one that will sustain it for
me. We are now treating with the Haberdashers to succeed
Mr. Howe in his place, when he leaves it at Lady Day, to
go to his new one built for him, and have some hopes to
obtain it."
On the day after his arrival, Thoresby "heard the famous
Mr, Howe, both before and after noon, who preached incom
parably;" but this was probably at his new meeting-house, for
it afterward appears that Mr, Stretton's negotiation with the
Haberdashers had succeeded and come into operation : — •
"26, Die Dom, Eose pretty early; then heard Mr. Smithyes
(at St. Michael's, Cornhill, to the building whereof Sir John
Langham gave 5001 , Sir John Cutler 20Z.), he made an excellent
sermon from that of Agur Prov, xxx, 9, and very well showed
the danger and inconveniences that frequently attend high estate,
that a medium is quit from. Then breakfasted at Mr. Moore's;
in our way we saw the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas
Lane, with most of the Judges and Aldermen in their robes :
though found the excellent Judge Eokeby at the Haberdasher's
Hall, where Mr. Stretton preached excellently from that of the
Apostle, "he hath not left himself without a witness, in doing
tli3m good and giving them rain." After dinner took coach for
Westminster .... thence I went to Mr. AUsop's meeting,
where Mr, Kentish, from . . . made an excellent discourse
against the Socinians, but, alas ! I was, as of the rest, prevented
from noting the heads till too imperfectly remembered,"
It is to be supposed that this was considered a business
joumey, as on the forenoon of the 21th, Thoresby was at
Southwark with Mr. Ibbetson, " weighing eleven packs of
wool;" and the next day, he was again "busied about wool
concerns," also "at the exchange, busied about bUls and other
business." But the remainder of an eleven days' stay in London
is thu.'3 accounted for.

LITERARY ENGAGEilENTS. 385
Having arrived on Saturday, on the Monday morning he
" visited the obliging Mr. Churchill (undertaker of the late
edition of Camden), and the learned Dr. Gale, chief master
of St, Paul's School. Afternoon, with worthy Mr. Stretton,
Mr, Carrington (discoursing of the Demoniac he is about
printing the account of),* Dr. Grier and Mr. Bays." Later,
he " visited the excellent Dr. Sampson," who, on the passing
of the Uniformity Act, had changed from a minister to a
physician, but who devoted much time and labour to the
collection of materials for a biographical account of his brother
Nonconformists. Thoresby, who says Dr. Sampson " obliged mo
very much by his courteous demeanour," became his corre^
spondent; and he contributed towards the biography which,
though never published by Sampson himself, was eventually
incorporated in the -work of Calamy. t
On Tuesday morning, Mr. Churchill walked with Thoresby
to Westminster, where they visited the well known compiler of
the Fmdera, — " the industrious antiquary, and ingenious poet,
Mr. Eymer, whom we found amongst the musty records super
vising, his Amanuensis transcribing," Eeturning from Mr, Eymer's,
who, born near Northallerton, was, with Thoresby, a Yorkshire-
man, they called upon " poor old Mr, Obadiah Walker,'' another
Yorkshireman, born at Worsperdate, near Barnsley, Of him
Thoresby says, he was " an ingenious and obliging person,
whose misfortune, or mistake rather that occasioned it, I am

* De La Pryme wrote, — "There is at present great noise in the country,
and many virulent books written, about one Dugdale of Sury in Lancashire,
who pretended formerly to be possessed, and the Presbyterians pretend that
they, after a great many prayers and fastings, cast the divel out, though it
ia a plain oheat and abominable impostui-e."
t It appears from a letter of Dr, Sampson's, -written in the following July,
that, along with other papers, Thoresby had lent his memoir of his fathei-,
John Thoresby, to Dr, Sampson, who, in u, later letter, says of it, — " For
the hfe of your father, it is a most exemplary and curious thing ; it may
be there are some things of economical concernment which the world will
not care for,"

886 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
sorry for," This refers to Mr, Walker having become an avowed
Eoman Catholic in the reign of James the Second, when he
fit up two rooms of his college for the service of the mass.
At the Eevolution he attempted to quit the country, but was
intercepted, and, for a time, imprisoned in the Tower on a
charge of high-treason. Eventually, he was liberated; but, of
course, lost the mastership of the college, the Vice-Chancellor
and Doctors having formally declared him non-master. He died
within four years from Thoresby's visit, at the age of 86.-*
Having dined with Mr. Churchill, visited his former hostess,
the widowed Mrs. Dickenson, and her sister, Mrs. Madox, and
passed some time " at the Exchange, throwing away money,"
he called in the evening on " the obliging Mr. Johnson, since
knighted, who kindly presented me with a curious copy of a
most noble medal of Constantino the Great, the original whereof,
in gold, was worth above 100?." The remainder of the evening
he spent " with friends at the inn," and he " sat up too late
as usual."The next morning, taking his brother with him, Thoresby
again called upon Mr. Walker, then living, it seems, at Covent
Garden, under the name of Williams : — •
" The courteous old gentleman walked with us to the
Temple, and introduced us to the ingenious Mr. Charlton's t
museum, who showed us a noble collection of Eoman coins."
Thence he went to see a brother of Archdeacon Nicholson's,
and having dined with Dr. Gale, a Fellow of the Eoyal
* See Wood's Athence Oxoniensis.
t Another assumed name. The real one was William Courten, He died
in 1702, when nearly 63 years of age, leaving Dr,, afterward Str Hans Sloaue
his executor and residuary legatee. The museum was thence incorporated with
Sloane's. There is a long and ^interesting account of -William Courten, and of
the family from whence he descended, in Kippis's edition of the Lioyraphia
Britannica.

LITERARY ENGAGEMENTS. 387
Society, was introduced by him to one of their meetings at
Gresham College, where he also saw the apartments, portraits,
and collection of curiosities.
Such occupation, and such society, was evidently to Thoresby's
satisfaction; but when, in conclusion, he tells that he spent the
evening " with several of the Salters, and our fellow-travellers
at tavern," traders whose conversation would doubtless be of trade
and its incidents, he complains of having "spent too much time."
A visit with Mr. Stretton to Westminster Abbey, where
Thoresby "viewed the monuments of the Kings of England,
and the noble mausoleum of the late most excellent Queen''
(then dead about five months), and transcribed from some
monuments, occupied the next morning ; and another -with
Dr. Plot to the Heralds office, with some further engagement
"amongst the books," took up most of Thursday. On Friday
morning came the wool weighing in Southwark ; but the
aftemoon was devoted to a second and longer inspection of
Mr. Charlton's museum, —
" Walked to Mr. Charlton's chambers, at the Temple, who
very courteously showed me his museum, which is perhaps the
most noble collection of natural and artificial curiosities, of
ancient and modern coins and medals that any private person
in the world enjoys ; it is said to have cost him 7,000?. or
8,000?, sterling; there is, I think, the greatest variety of insects
and animals, corals, shells, petrifactions, &c,, that ever I beheld.
But I spent the greatest part of my time amongst the coins,
for though the British and Saxon be not very extraordinary,
yet his silver series of the Emperors and Consuls is very
noble. He has also a costly collection of medals, of eminent
persons in Church and State, domestic and foreign reformers.
But before I was half satisfied, an unfortunate visit from the
Countess of Pembroke, and other ladies from Court, prevented
further queries, &c. Afterward discoursed Mr. Eoss about Judge
Craig's manuscript de Hominio, which I lent him, the English
version whereof is now in the press.'

388 RALPH THORESUr THE TOPOGRAPHER,
It was after this that Thoresby visited Lord Wharton,-*
Saturday's engagements were miscellaneous. "Wool concerns;
then at Mr. Churchill's and Parkhurst's amongst books ; "
afterward "at the Exchange, busied about bills and other
business," and " at the shops, buying tippets, black silk, &c,,
and other things for the country,''
On the following Monday Thoresby called upon Dr, John
ston, now removed from Pontefract to London, and Uving
there in poverty and concealment. In a letter of January in
the previous year the Doctor had written to -him, —
" Want of books and money are great hindrances to me.
When you write to me, be pleased to seal your letter and
only endorse it ' For the Doctor ; ' put it in a cover and
direct it ' For the Eight Eev, Father in God Thomas Lord
Bishop of St, David's, at Mr, Morer's, Postmaster, over against
Axe Yard, in King Street, Westminster ' and write ' Frank '
upon it. If you enclose the cover in such a superscription as
I have mentioned, it will come safe, without charge, to me."
There was subsequent correspondence about the manuscript
De Hominio, which Mr. Eoss had refused to give up to the
Doctor, saying in his letter to that effect, —
" I have reasons and instructions since I saw you last, that
I should not part with the said book to j-ou, nor any one
from you, upon any terms ; and although it be your province
to make gain of printing books, it is not mine."
Commenting upon this the Doctor wrote to Thoresby, —
" This letter I had not answered, but for the expression of
sny making gain by printing of books ; whereas I can testify,
I have lost five hundreds of pounds, and never got hitherto
what I laid out; and in this I had, neither directly nor in
directly, either a proposal or design of intermeddling in the
printing, or so much as desired a book. All I should have
meddled in it had been to have seen you had been honour
ably mentioned, and have had one or more books."
" Ante, pase 2S1.

LITERARY ENGAGEMENTS. 383"
As before said, Thoresby is not named in this pubUcation.
"May 27. Morning, walked to the Savoy, visited poor
Dr. Johnstone, who by his unhappy circumstances is little
better than buried alive, and I fear his vast collections, which
with prodigious industry he has made, will be in great danger
of perishing." De la Pryme, who had the same instructions for address
as Thoresby, said in 1696, — ¦
"The Doctor is exceeding poor, and the chief thing that
has made him so was this great undertaking of his. He has
been forced to skulk a great many years, * and now he lives
I privately with the Earl of Peterborough, who maintains him.
He dare not let it be openly known where he is."
The Doctor died in 1705, and a Gazette advertisement on
the 27th of March 1707 announced the sale of his estate
under the Court of Chancery. But the topographical collection
which had cost him so much in labour and fortune did not
perish as Thoresby feared, it was bought by Eichard Frank, Esq.,
of Campsall near Doncaster, a descendant from whose brother
is now its owner.
Eeturning from Dr. Johnston's, Thoresby "took leave of
Mr, Ob, Walker, and Mr, Nath, Boyes, under like piteous
circumstances, persons of learning and ingenuity, but alas,
unhappy in their mistaken notions of primitive Christianity :
the Lord iUuminate them ! " Having, in his own phrase, thrown
away too much money in books near Gray's Inn, because he
thought them cheap, Thoresby dined at a cook's shop with
Mr, Stretton and another friend, and afterward took leave of
Dr, Gale, The next morning he walked to Westminster Hall
with his brother, "saw the Lord Keeper, tho excellent as weU
as honourable Sir John Somers ; " and having also visited the
* Not so many years. The Doctor wrote to Thoresby that he was busy
packing up books and papers in order to removal, 20 June 1693,

S90 RAI,PH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Houses of Parliament and Abbey they returned by water,
arriving at "Salter's (formerly Pinner's) HaU," in time to hear
the conclusion of a lecture, or sermon, by Mr. Alsop.
Thoresby's latest business was a purchase of pamphlets, and
the packing up of hooks, on the morning of Wednesday the
29th of May, after which he set out on his return home, by
way of Oxford, "the former company" with him. At Windsor
they saw the Castle and St. George's Chapel; and Thoresby
particularly noted Verrio's painting, " and the admirable wood
work carving of our countryman Mr. Grinlin Gibbons," a York
shireman. They stayed the night at Maidenhead, as on a
former journey, and next morning rode to Henley (with its
flint church and wooden churchyard monuments), Nettlebed,
Benson, Dorchester and Oxford. There Thoresby visited with
much delight the Bodleian Library and the museum of Elias
Ashmole, and saw also several colleges, halls and chapels, of
which he considered " that stately new one at Trinity " to be
the most remarkable; and then he relates, —
" Were very kindly entertained by Mr, Sizer at University
College, whose good company we enjoyed in the evening, with
Mr, Dockray of Bennet, but above all the most excellent and
courteous Mr. Gibson, of Queen's, editor of the new Britannia,
whom I know not whether more to love or admire, both
passions are so extravagant."
Thoresby had one disappointment. The part of the new
Britannia which related to Wales had been entrusted to
Mr. Edward Lhwyd, or Lloyd, son of Mr. Edward Lhwyd of
Kidwelly, in Carmarthenshire, of Jesus College, Oxford, and
successor of Dr. Plot as keeper of the Ashmolean Museum.
He was a friend and correspondent of Archdeacon Nicholson's,
who had written to Thoresby just before his leaving home : —
" Mr. Lhwyd is indeed an extraordinary person. If you
see Oxford, it will want one of its chief glories (as Bishop

LITERARY ENGAGEMENTS. 391
Bumet said of Malpighius) if he be out of town; if he
be not, I hope you will take an opportunity of making an
acquaintance with him. Our friend Mr. Gibson will bring you
to him; or, if he be gone to London, you may let hira
know that I advised you to apply to him, without any further
ceremony than the carriage of my respects and this messuage,
that I think it will be worth your while to be acquainted
with one another."
But although Thoresby staid over-night at Oxford, and twice
risited the Museum before leaving next day, his friends were
before him on the road, and he himself mounted, when, " at the
very last," he "had the scanty happiness " to see Mr. Lhwyd,
and present the Archdeacon's recommendations. Without further
converse he re-joined his party, and rode on with them to
Lutterworth. The next day, Saturday, they reached Mansfield,
but the following morning rode to Eotherham and spent the
remainder of Sunday there. On Monday Thoresby got home,
to his oil-mill, &c. ; and the next entry in his diary is : —
"Preparing a catalogue of manuscripts for Mr. Gibson."
Thoresby wrote immediately on his retum to Archdeacon
Nicholson, who said in reply, —
"Your stay, I perceive, was so little in our University,
that Mr, Lhwyd's being in the way would have been burthen-
some to your company, whatever he had been to yourself. He
is indeed, if I may judge of him, the greatest man (at
Antiquities* and Natural Philosophy together) that I have had
the happiness to converse with. But I am, it may be, too
passionately his friend to give him his character. Mr. Gibson,
I knew, would win your heart. He has already, so far, out
done his years, that I would have him to breathe awhile, and
resolve to publish no more but what is very well considered."
• Mr. Lhwyd devoted much of his life to Celtic antiquities, travelling in
Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland and Britany.

IRalpb ^boresbi?, f.lR.S.

DR. MARTIN LISTER— ROMAN ALTARS— ON ANTIQUITIES FOUND IN YORK
SHIRE — THORESBY ELECTED PBLLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY— HIS
FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS,
Thoresr-v's part in the new edition of Camden gained for
him, if nothing else, an extended acquaintance with the literary
celebrities of the day, which was still further extended by an
honour not long afterward conferred upon him, an honour
much more gratifying to him than his admission into the
Leeds Corporation. He says of himself in the year 1696, —
" To divert myself a little at leisure hours, I pored upon
the old registers of the Church. I met with the mention of
several places upon the Moors, as Street Lane, Street Houses,
Haw-Caster-Eig, &c,, which gave occasion to search for the
remains of some Eoman Antiquities ; and so intent was my
mind upon those discoveries, that I could scarce rest tiU I
had surveyed the several places as I met -with the names of
them," For information upon the subject he communicated -with
Dr. Gale, and with Dr. Martin Lister.
So far back as the 10th of January 1681-2, there had
been printed in the fourth number of Philosophical Collections,
edited by Eobert Hooke, F.E.S,, "a letter from Dr. Lister of
York, containing an account of several curious observations
made by him about Antiquities, &c." Having said that among
his papers he had found some notes which he supposed lost,
relating to certain Antiquities which, "for ought I know,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 893
escaped the more curious Antiquaries of this and the last Age,
when that study was much more in credit.'' Dr. Lister pro
ceeded to speak of Eoman urns and pottery found at York,
at Santon near Brigg, in Lincolnshire, and elsewhere. Passing
to the obelisks at Borough-Bridge and Eudstone he pronounced
them mill-stone-grit ; and after some further observations came
this passage, — " Also two Eoman Altars I have seen of this
stone; one the original of that at Ickley mentioned in Cambden;
another in the possession of that ingenious Antiquary, Mr.
Thirsby late of Leeds."
And now, fourteen years after this publication, Thoresby
wrote to Dr. Lister : — ¦
"Sir, " I had once the Happiness in my Father's time to see
you here, and take very kindly your honourable mention of
him in your curious Letter Published in the Philosophical Col
lect. No. 4. The Altar is yet with me, with a considerable
addition of other Curiosities, relating as well to Antiquities
as Natural Parities, to which (if I mis-remember not) you was
a Benefactor, in bestowing some valuable scars of a Coraline
Urn, and of a Jet Eing, with some Indian Fruits, &c. My
natural Propensity to such things steals away more time than
I can well afford, and makes me also troublesome to such
generous tempers as I find as well able as willing to assist
me ; and therefore I presume this once to desire your thoughts
concerning a Roman Pottery that I have lately discovered in
my Survey of this Parish. 'Tis upon Blackmore, aliout two
Miles from Leedes (the old Leogeolium) the name Hawcaster Eig
gave me the first occasion to hope for some Eoman Euines
there ; but instead of the Eemains of a Eegular Camp or
Fortification, I was surprised to find several Bounds, or circular
Heaps of Eubbish, abundantly too small for any Military use,
one by the Wheel was Sixteen perches round, another in
walking Seventy six Paces, and these I take to be Euines of
27

394 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
some of the very Furnaces; 'tis a Sandy Ground, yet plenty
of Clay at no great Distance ; the Countrey People tell me of
heaps of Slagg and Cinders, but I had not the hap to meet
with any, the place being grown over with Moss, &c., and the
whole at present covered with Snow, that I can make no
further Discovery till more seasonable Weather; in the mean
time I should be glad to know of you the bigness of those
Metm you observed at Santon, and what Authors treat of the
Eoman Plasticks. I am ready to fancy these might be for
their Bncks, because of the great plenty of Clay in the
Neighbourhood, and the great Number of those Roman Bricks
yet to be seen ia the Euines of Kirkstall- AMhej,* and that
it belonged to the Eomans, I conclude, partly because the
Inhabitants' have no Tradition of any Modern Pottery, but
chiefly because it is situated on a branch of the Roman Way,
or one of their Vice Vicinnales, that leads from the great
Military Eoad upon Bramham Moor, by Thomer, Shadwell and
Kirkstall to Cambodunum, besides the very name seems to
import some Roman Castrum. Near the adjoining Eminency
that the Saxons called Hows or Hougs, and the word is yet
retained in some parts of Yorkshire, witness Hamleton Hough
in the Eoad to Selby; and to conclude, the village that
succeeded the Old Pottery is called Potter-Newton. If you please.
Sir, to favour me with a Line, that I may have your Sanction,
* Thore.sby's Diary mentions a visit to Kirkstall Abbey not quite two years
before the pubUcation of this letter: — "Pound a door open which I, had never
seen before, clambered up seventy seven steps to a pinnacle ; there are seven
pillars on each side from those upon which the steeple stands to the west
end ; at the east, three chapels for the several altars on either side of the
high altar; in viewing the ruins of the lodgings and the out apartments near
the river, was pleased to find some of the British or Roman bricks."
In the catalogue of his museum, Thoresby states these Roman, or supposed
Roman, bricks to be "eight inches broad and almost double the length." To
this is added : — " Here are also lesser Tiles (or Chequered Pavements) three
Inches square, that I had from the same Place, and from Burrow-bridge, near
Isurium; but some of the like dimensions (or rather larger) that were found
at Leedes, seem by the Painting upon them to be of a later Date, though
now obsolete. In the same Abbey I observed another Sort of Bricks, of the
Shape of those now in use, but much larger, being near 11 Inches in Length,
and five in Breadth, yet but two in Thickness. These seem to have been
laid when the Monastery was builded,"

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY, 895
if these Conjectures be so happy as to merit it, you will
thereby very much honour "Worthy Sir, Yours, &c," *
This letter appeared in No. 222 of the Philosophical Tran
sactions, September and October 1696, with the heading, —
"A letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, to Dr. Martin Lister,
Coll. Med. Lend, and S.E.S. -giving an account of a Eoman
Pottery near Leeds, in Yorkshire." T
Thoresby says this was done without his previous know
ledge, —
"Which I was so surprised with, that my dear wife was
solicitous to know what was contained in that letter that made
me blush, when Dr. Lister wrote that he had communicated
¦ my letter to the Eoyal Society, where it had the unexpected
hap to meet with approbation."
Dr. Lister -wrote on the 29th of November 1696, from Old
Palace Yard, Westminster, —
" I take it very kindly you would -write to me ; your letter
was welcome, and was well received at the Eoyal Society. As
for the notions I had on Eoman potteries, they are now quite
• out of my head, and I grown into years, and can mind but
few things ; little of that nature, so that I cannot instruct
you; but do encourage your ingenuity to proceed in those
your curious researches of all antiquities.
" I am glad your father, my dear friend, whose memory I
honour, has left so excellent a son : if you continue to -write
to me, I will compliment the Eoyal Society with your corre
spondence from time to time  "
This was encouraging ; and Thoresby found a subject for a
second letter to Dr. Lister, in a communication which he had
* The account of Haw-Caster-Rig given in the Ducatus is substantially a
repetition of the main part of this letter.

396 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
received from a Newcastle physician, Jabez Cay, M.D., a con
tributor of geological specimens to his museum, and one of
his antiquarian correspondents. Dr. Cay sent him dra-wings of
several Eoman altars and inscriptions, among others, of one
found near Carrow;' and one which was at Blenkinsop Castle,
Northumberland. Both were discussed between Thoresby and
Archdeacon Nicholson, who was cousin-german to a Mr. Foster,
into whose posses,sion the Carrow altar passed; and No. 231 of
the Philosophical Transactions contains, —
"Part of a letter from Mr. Thoresby, dated Leeds, July 10
1697, to Dr. Martin Lister, Fellow of the College of Physicians
and Royal Society; conceming two Roman Altars lately found
in the North of England. With notes on ihe same by Thos. Gale,
D.D. and F.E.S."
" I have dra-wn the figures of two Eoman Altars, which
my correspondent in the North transmitted to me for my
Thoughts of them ; the former was taken out of the Eoman-
Wall, not far from CoUerton or ChoUarton, and may tempt
us to believe that the old Procolitia, which was the station of
the Cohors Prima Batavorum, was rather there, which was an
important place (vvhere the Eiver Tine interrupting the course
of the Wall it was but necessary that the Foard should be
secured by making one of the Cohorts keep that Station), and
it is but two miles and a half from Carrow (where the Altar
now is in possession of Mr. Foster) than at Prudhow, which is
at least Ten Miles distance, where Mr. Camden seemed to
fancy it. The other is at Blenkinsop Castle in Northumberland,
which I take to have been dedicated to Lucius Annius, to
the Goddess Nymphs Old and Young, and particularly to the
Debonair (if Urhana be taken appellatively) Mansueta Claudia;
for thus I read it, DEA BUS NYMPHIS Veteribus ET IV
ioribus MANSVET^E CLAVDIA VRBance, nuncupavit Hoc
Lucius A IV S ; and hereby the defects in the stone seem to
be supplied with a right number of Letters in each vacuity,
and this I rather apprehend to be right, because 'tis now a
year since I communicated the same to an ingenious antiquary

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 397
Dr. Cay of NewcastU (who was the person that courteously
sent me copies of both) and I hear not it is disproved by
any Critic upon the place."
Drawings of the two altars are given with the inscriptions.
There are a couple of notes to the letter, in Latin. ¦*
It appears that shortly before the date of this latter com
munication Thoresby had intimated a wish to be admitted into
the Eoyal Society, in a letter to Dr. Gale, who wrote to him
on the 20th of April 1697, — "What you seem to desire in
relation to the Eoyal Society, I presume to assure you of; the
charge I think is about 40s. A bond is usuaUy taken for
the payment of that sum; I think yearly; but it is not, as
far as I know, exacted of any. The time when admis.sions are
usually made, is a little before St. Andrew's Day. The number
to choose is thirty-one, and it is hard to get that number
together but at that day, which is the general meeting of the
Society. Now, Sir, I thought fit to advertise you of these
particulars, that you may contrive your journey accordingly;
but if there be any opportunity of an admission or allowance
by the Council of the Eoyal Society before St. Andrew's, I will
watch upon that opportunity to serve you."
Dr. Gale wrote again on the 21st of July, —
" Sir, " Last night, at the Eoyal Society, a letter of yours to
Dr. Lister was read. It concerned two altars, one found at
Blenkensop, the other near Colurton. I take this Colurton not
to be Procolitia, as you guess; for in the Anonymous Eavennas
Geogra, and in the Notitia Dign. we find Hunno, Celumo,
ProcoUtiae, where Celumo will bid fairest for Colurton. The
Anonymous, moreover, placeth these towns North of the Wall,
* "Prope Colertou Cilumum, Notitia Dignitatum imperii, est tamen Pro-
coUtia aUus locus a Cilurno."
"Prope Blenkenshop & Widen, Vettii, Circa et loca fontee, Utrumqu*
Nomen hoc indicat," •

898 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
which confuteth Mr. Camden's opinion for Prudhow. Upon the
reading your letter, I moved the President • and the Society,
that they would please to admit you a Fellow of the Society.
This was readily granted. The first step is thus made; the
rest Dr, Sloane, Secretary of the Society, -will in order and
time take care of. My affairs will, I think, shortly call me to
York, where I should be glad to see you. I thank you for
yours of April 12th 1697.
" From Cateric I lately have received some Eoman coins ;
an account of a Eoman altar : nothing found but stones and
bones, and a piece of stag's horn. An inscription was found
thereabout, but it is concealed by some that stole it from the
farmer of Thornborough-grounds, near Cateric. Sir, be pleased
still to oblige the Society, and me in particular,
" Your very loving friend,
"T. Gale."
In a postscript to this letter there is a sudden transition
from remote antiquities to the events of the day : — " I have
even now received great assurance that the peace is very
near being concluded. The project of it, given ' by the French
at Eyswick, is here in town."
Next, in No. 234 of the Transactions, appeared — ¦
"Part of Two Letters of Mr. Thoresby, one to Dr. Martin
Lister, Fellow of tlie College of Physicians and Royal Society ;
Dated Leeds, Oct. 30 1697; the other to the Reverend Dr. Thos.
Gale, Dean of York and F.R.S., Dated Leeds, Nov. 6 1697,
about some Roman Antiquities found in Yorkshire." "Leeds Oct. 30 1697.
"I have had pretty good Hap in adding to my Eoman
Curiosities, Two entire Urns, both of the BlewisljL-Grey Clay,
but different Forms, with some of the burnt Bones, and Two
other Vessels of the Eed Clay, the lesser of them is almost
in the form of the Eoman Simpulum or Guttus, and by the
narrowness of the neck seems rather to have been a kind of

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, 399
Lacrymatory, or Vessel for some kind of liquid Matter rather
than Ashes, the other was part of an Aqueduct, and is turned
in the Form of a Scrue on the inside, and has a narrow neck
at one end to put into the open of the next, and several of
these (each a Foot long and Four Inches broad) were found
thus placed in the Eoman Burjing Place at York, by the
Eiver side, out of Boutham Bar, which our learned Dean,
Dr. Gale, tells me, signifies Burning in the British Language,
and 'twas indisputably the Place the Eomans made use of to
that end, as appears by the great Number of Urns there
frequently found, when they dig the Clay for Bricks, and that
it continued the place of their Sepulchre after that Custom of
Burning, introduced in the tirannous Dictatorship of Scylla, was
abolished is Evident, by a remarkable Hypogoeum without any
Urns in it, discovered the last winter; 'twas large enough to
contain two or three Corpses, and was paved with Bricks nigh
Two Inches thick. Eight in breadth and length, being CEqui-
laterally Square, upon which was a second Pavement of the
same Eoman Bricks, to cover the seams of the Lower, and
prevent the working up of the Vermin. But those that covered
the Vault were the most remarkable that ever I saw, being
above Two Foot square, and of a proportionable thickness. I
have also a Third Sort of Eoman Bricks, which I discovered
in my Survey of this Parish, in the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey,
Two MUes from Leeds, which came the nighest those mentioned
by Vitruvius, being Eight Inches broad, and almost double
the length. I have also Two Sorts of Chequered Pavements,
one of about Three Inches Square, the other (of those found
at Aldborouyh) not above half or one fourth of an Inch, and
of diff'erent colours, &c. At the same time I took the inscrip
tion below the Statue of the Standard-bearer of the Ninth
Legion, which Dr. Fairfax happily rescued from the ignorant
Workmen; but the Dean of York (to whom I communicated
it) is 'better able to give comment upon it." *
"Leeds, Nov. 6 1697.
" Since I had the happiness to see you at York, I have
met with nothing that is rare, save some very fair Coins, or
* S;e Ducatus Leodiensis. The sta.tue is now in the museum at York.

400 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
rather Impressions upon Clay, which the Eeverend Mr. Clark
(the Lady Campden's Lecturer at Wakefield) brought me, that
he had happily rescued from some Labourers, who in delving
in Fields near Thorp on the Hill found a considerable Number
of them, at first we could not imagine for what use they
were designed, but upon a stricter View it appears Plainly
they were for the Coining, or rather Counterfeiting of the
Eoman Monies, that Wretched Art it seems being in Vogue
1500 Years ago, for they are indisputably of that Antiquity,
and are really very dexterously done ; they have round the
Impression a Eim, about half the Thickness of the Eoman
Silver Penny, in each of which is a little Notch, which being
joined to the like Nick in the next makes a round Orifice
to fill in the Metal; each of these has either Two Heads, or
as many Eeverses; so that placing one, for Example, -with
Alexander Severus's head on one side, and his Mother Julia
Mammcea's on the other, betwixt two Pieces -with Eeverses, it
compleats both; so that one with the Heads, and another
with Eeverses, are placed alternation for a considerable length,
and then all passed over with an outer Coat of Clay, to keep
the Metal from running out, and a little Ledge on either side
the Orifice, to convey the Metal into the long row of Holes:
They are all of Emperors about the same Age, when indeed
the Eoman Moneys were notoriously adulterated, as is observa
ble with any Collection of their Coins, though some of them
now are so scarce, particularly a Duodomenianus, that I question
whether this Age can produce one to take a copy of." *
Thoresby also sent an account of these moulds to Arch
deacon Nicholson, who, on the 30th of November, wrote a
letter to him concluding r —
" I thank you heartily for the account your's gives me of
the old coining moulds. These are curiosities which you must
-* In the catalogue of his museum Thoresby refers to this, adding,—" I
must retract that Passage, for since that was printed the truly noble Earl
of Pembroke shewed me one in his inestimable Musceum; and, if my memory
fail not, I saw another in that of the ingenious Sir Andrew Fouittaint."
Eventually, the Earl presented one to him.

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 401
further oblige us with, by pubUshing such draughts of them
as you have already given us of some other Eoman antiquities
in the Transactions. If you sent lately any inscription from
York, it is what never -came to my hands. As soon as I shall
see it, I will do all I can to assist you in the interpretation;
though you are far from wanting the help of. Sir,
" Your ever affectionate servant,
"W. Nicholson."
On the same day Dr. Gale -wrote as follows : — " St. Andrew."
" Sir, " This being St. Andrew's Day, the anniversary foundation
of the Eoyal Society, in a very full assembly at Gresham
College, your name, amongst many others was put up, to bring
you in as one of the Fellows of that Society. The company
were pleased, upon my declaring how able and willing you
were to serve them, to elect you, nemine contradicente, into
their number. The Transaction printed this day hath two of
your letters : that to Dr. Lister and that other to me ; by
which you see how what you write is valued. Sir, I wish
you joy of this respect done to your merit, and hope you
will still oblige the Society with your correspondence, and me
in particular, by accepting of the constant and firm assurance
of all possible service from. Sir,
" Your very obUged and humble servant,
"Thomas Gale."
Charles Montague, who in the previous year had become
Chancellor of the Exchequer, subsequently Lord Halifax, was
then President of the Eoyal Society; and Dr. Hans Sloane,
Secretary. Before December had passed. Archdeacon Nicholson again
wrote, —
" I heartily wish you joy of the just honour which the
Royal Society have done you, in making you one of them-

402 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
selves, I hope this will raise your resolution of continuing to
give them also a respect abroad, by communicating to them
your own discoveries."
In the Review of his life Thoresby himself wrote, —
"Dean Gale, without giving me the least notice of it,
proposed me to the Eoyal Society, who, upon his recommenda
tion (who had entertained too great and favourable an opinion
of me) admitted me Fellow; at which time were also admitted,
Dr, Bentley, Dr. Hutton (the King's Physician) Mr. Stepney,
and others (with whom I ought not to be named the same
day)," The others were, Mr. Bird, Monsieur Bauval and Monsieur
Moivre. In saying that Dr. Gale had not given him the least
notice of his intention, Thoresby's memory must have been
somewhat at fault; it does not accord with the correspondence
between them which has been quoted. And considering his
many and varied private troubles at the time when he was
made F,E,S., he may be forgiven some inaccuracy in his
recollection of the particulars years after the event. He records
with characteristic simplicity, —
" This unexpected honour and the new correspondence that
attended it with Sir Hans Sloane, the secretary, the famous
Mr. Evelyn, Mr. Chamberlayne, &c,, supported me under
Dr. Manlove's frowns."
On the 19th of February 1698 Dr. Cay wrote from New
castle, —
" I have seen the November Transactions, and have perused
your two letters, that deserve a place there better than your
modesty, perhaps, will allow you to think they do, they being
both very well in their kind. Your crucible is a curiosity that
I would willingly see, and hope next visit that I make you
to have my longing satisfied. You may be sure the Eoyal
Society set no small value on those letters of yours, which
you speak so contemptibly of yourself, not only because they
think them worth the publishing, but because they think the

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, 403
author of them deserves a place among themselves. I wish
you joy of this new honour, for I hear from Mr. Tong that
you are actually received into that Honourable Society."
Thoresby's next, communication to the Society is dated a
week later than Dr. Cay's letter; and it was printed in No. 241,
for the following June, with the heading, — •
"Part of a letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby F.R.S. to
Dr. Martin Lister, Fellow of the CoUedge of Physicians and
R. S. concerning a Roman Shield."
The subject of it was a Eoman shield, of which he had
recently got possession ; but his description of it may be read
at length in the Ducatus, where it is engraved, as well as in
the above number of the Transactions. In the letter he says
that Scutum, Parma and Clypeus were confounded in the com
mon word Shield, as our own terms Shield, Buckler and Target.
No. 244, for September 1698,* contained, —
"Part of a letter from Ealph Thoresby, Esq. F.R.S. to John
Eyelyn, Esq. F.R.S. concerning some Eoman Antiquities lately
found in Yorkshire."
"Six months ago I sent to Dr. Lister a large Account of
the Texture and Figure of an old Roman Shield of the Parma
kind, that I had then newly procured; I have since got another
curiosity relating to their Plasticks, 'tis part of the Bottom
(which consisted of several such Pieces for the Conveniency of
Baking) of an old Roman Coffin, that was lately dug up out
of their Burying Place out of Boutham Bar at York."
Then follows a detailed description of this piece of earthen
ware, which was of red clay, but not so fine as that of the
urns. "I got also some Scars of broken urns, dug up in Mr. Giles's
Garden, which are of the finest blew clay I have seen, with
* It was in this very year that he was arrested for debt, at the instance,
ot the vindictive Rresbyterian, "Mrs. F." Ante, page 317,

404 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
which was found a Roman Shuttle, about three Inches and a
half long, but not one broad in the very middle 
"The last week I received a valuable Present of Two and
Twenty old Roman Coins, from Mr. Townley of Townley, which
were lately found in the Parish of Burnley in Lancashire, which
are the more acceptable because many of them are Consular, or
Family Coins, one of them, viz. Q. Cassiits, was 162 years
Ante Christum, according to Goltzius's Method, being strictly
the same he places An. Urb. Cond. 589." * More on these
coins finishes the letter.
This was pubUshed when Thoresby was so iU from fever
that by some his life was despaired of, and it appears that
on his recovery he wrote to Evelyn again; for in his corre
spondence there is a reply from Evelyn, who had himself been
unwell, dated Berkley Street, 21st December 1698. It is a
very courteous, long and interesting letter, and begins by con
gratulating Thoresby on his recovery, —
" In acknowledgement of your • courteous and instructive
letter, this should sooner have come to congratulate the recovery
of your health (for which I am heartily glad) had not an
indisposition of another nature (my often bleeding) with some
other impediments, kept me from holding my head down to
write so easily as I am wont to do. I have now (I thank
God) been so free from that inconvenience for some days, that
I take the first opportunity of writing to my friends again,
among whom, give me leave to honour myself with the acquisi
tion of one so obliging as Mr. Thoresby  The
famous sculptor, Nanteuil (celebrated by Monsieur Perault),

-* No. 26 in Thoresby's coin catalogue is described, — " Cassia Pleb. Q. Casdus
Longinus, no Inscription by the Head ; Rev. au Eagle (upon a Thunderbolt)
with a Lituus on one side, and Simpulum on the other, Q. CASSIVS. This
was found Anno 1695, in the Parish of Burnley, Com. Lane, near Mere Clough,
on the Skirts of the Wild Mores that border upon Yorkshire, where a consider
able Heap of Stones evidence the Ruins of a Roman Fort or Station, as I
am informed by Mr. Charles Towneley of Townley, who generously sent me
this and Twenty more Consular and Imperial Coins that he had procured
from the Workmen."

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 405
engraved my picture when I was a very young man ; but
this being now above forty years since (heu quanto mutatus !)
is no more me. The plate is still among my other trifles,
and if there be any print of it remaining, for it is near
thirty years since any were taken off, I -will send you one
when I come to them, which I fear I shall not be able to
do tiU the summer, if God so long continue the life of. Sir,
"Your most humble Servant, "J. Evelyn,"
He was then seventy-eight years old. *
On the 27th of December the donor of the coins written
upon by Thoresby, Charles Townley, wrote to him from
Townley with this curious commencement, — " I received both
yours on Christinas Day, and they do no little add to the
cheerfulness that best suits with this almost forgotten festival,"
And from a -very interesting passage of this letter we learn
that Townley's father had fought against Thoresby's at Marston
Moor : —
" My brother Townly (Eichard) who returns your kind
remembrance with all the interest due to it, desires me to
acquaint you, that he has several letters and papers, and
some instruments, that were Mr. Gascoigne's, and hopes you
wUl print nothing of that great Astronomer tUl he can have
looked over and digested what he finds, that so deserving an
ornament of your country may not want what he can contribute
towards the setting of him forth in his good and true colours.
Sir Edward Shireburn, once a considerable man in the Tower,
in his translation of Manilius de Sphcero, makes an honourable
mention of him amongst astronomical writers, of whom he gives
a large catalogue. By the superscription of letters to him, it
appears that he lived with his father, at Middleton, near Leeds;
he followed^ King Charles the First's party, and was slain at
the battle of Marston Moor, where my father being in the
* To a later letter Evelyn added this postscript,—" I have one of Nanteuil's
prints (but none here of the larger paper), which I woiUd send you, if I
knew how it might come to you without crumpling."

406 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
same interest, was Ukcivise killed. Mr. Gascoigne was the first
inventor of the micrometer which my brother Townley has since
perfected. Foreigners would gladly ascribe to themselves this
invention, and rob Mr. Gascoigne and our nation of the credit
of it; but by the date of letters in my brother's custody, it
may be fathered on its true parent.'' ¦'^¦
Thoresby's next contribution to the Philosophical Transac
tions is in No. 249, for the month of February 1699 :—
" An account of a young Man slain with Thunder and
Lightning Dec. 22 1698, from Ealph Thoresby Esq., F.ES. to
Dr. Martin Lister, Fell. Coll. Phys. and R.S.
" Jeremiah Skelton, who Uved with his Father Daniel
Skelton, at Warley in the Vicaridge of Hnllijax in Yorkshire,
observing a Storm coming, said, I think it will be Eain,
I will go and gather in some of the Corn (a late Harvest,
which has been very unkindly in some parts of the North)
which was out at a farm they had in the Cold Edge, about
a quarter of a Mile from their own dwelling ; while at this
Work, bringing in a Burthen aijd casting it upon the Barn-
Floor, the Tempest began as he came forth again; whereupon
he stepped aside for shelter within the Barn Door.''
There he was struck, and was found " wholly naked, save
a small part of his Shirt about his Neck, and a very little
of a stocking upon one Foot, and so much 'of a Coat-Sleeve
as covered the Wrist of one Arm, his Clogs driven from his
Feet, one not to be found, and the other Cloven, his Hat not
¦* Mr. Hunter here refers to the Annual Register for 1761, where there
is an article relating to the Transit of Venus, with this passage, — "Cotem-
porary with these two illustrious youths [Horrox and Crabtree] lived WiUiam
Gascoigne tbe inventor of the Micrometer, who was slain at Marston Moor
ou the 2d. of July 1644, flighting for King Charles I. at the age of 23."
Though killed at so early an age, in Thoresby's Diary, 16th March 1702, he
is thus spoken of, — "Thence, [from Thorpe-on-the-Hill to Hunslet] by Newhall,
once the seat of the most celebrated mathematician, not only in these parts,
but I believe in the world, viz. William Gascoigne, eldest son of Henry
Gascoigne, Esq., who . . . discovered and made constant use of a curious
instrument, that Monsieur Azout, the French astronomer in this age, prides
himself as the first inventor of,"

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 407
to be found after search, and the rest of his Garments torn
into small shreds, and cast at considerable distances one bit
from another." The man was iu his 22nd year, and " said to
have been sober and hopeful." He was "Buried at Luddenden
the Munday following, viz., Dec. 26 1698."
Dr. Lister, writing to Thoresby on the 22nd of January 169'9,
says, — " The account you wrote me of the young man killed
by lightning, was very welcome; I gave it to Dr. Sloane to be
communicated to the Eoyal Society." And to this he adds, —
"I asked him the reason your name was left out of the list;
which he says was the first year by the transcriber's negligence,
but assures me it is now in the list which was printed this
last St. Andrew's Day. They are about modelling the income
anew, which when they have resolved on, you shall hear
farther." This letter is out of its order in the correspondence,
the year being given old style.
Thoresby's next letter in the Transactions, No. 256, for Sep
tember 1699, was concerning a notoriety of the day, of whom
De La Pryme evidently thought little, though calling him " the
famous Irish strokor." This was an enthusiast, Valentine Great-
rakes, by some called Greatrix, or Greatorex, who undertook
to cure by stroking. De La Pryme had conversed with " a
gentleman who said that he knew him very well, and had
lodged over against him in London" for three weeks, during
which time above a hundred diseased persons had been brought
to him, but not over fifteen cured. Thoresby's paper is
headed, —
"A letter communicated from Mr. Thoresby F.E.S., to John
Evelyn, Esquire, conceming the cures done by Mr. Greatrix the
Stroker.'' It reports another letter written from DubUn on the 2nd
of May 1693, and signed "M. M." Greatrix had lodged in
DuIdUu with the father of the writer, who gives account of
wonderful cures effected twenty years before, authenticated by

i08 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
" some friends still living who were eyewitnesses as weU as
myself." Greatrix stroked a violent pain from the head and
back of Mr. M.'s brother, John D  -n., down to the great
toe and then out at it. For pains, Greatrix used nothing but
his dry hand; for ulcers, or running sores, spittle on his hands
or fingers ; " and for the Evil, if they came to him before it
was broke, he stroked it, and ordered them to poultice it with
boil'd Turneps, and so did every Day till, it grew fit for
lancing, he then lanc'd it and with his Fingers would squeeze
out the Cores and Corruption, and then in a few days it
would be well with his only stroking it every Morning, thus
he cured many who keep well to this Day, but if it were
broke before he saw them, he only squeezed out the Core,
and healed it by stroking." In one case, a woman had related
to the writer that, when a child, " her Mother sent her to
be strok'd in King Charles the 2d's Time to London, but she
was nothing the better, but Mr. Greatrix perfectly cured her."
In the .July previous to this publication, Evelyn had written
to Thoresby, —
" The narrative of the wonderful cures done by the famous
Stroker is very particular, and worth recording for the strange
operation and power of the animal spirits, so vigorous in his
constitution, as by a certain sanative virtue to be able to
vanquish and to put to flight such troublesome distempers,
especially where the imagination entertains a confidence in the
agent applying and pursuing the affected part with his warm
and balsamic touch. But concerning the extraordinary effects of
such masterly aporhoea, I have given some instances in my
Discourses of Physiognomy; and by a print which I somewhere
have of Mr. Greatorex, he seemed to have a very remarkable
countenance, which denoted some [thing] extraordinary. But to
my observation, the cures he commonly pretended to were most
effectually tumours, aches, rheumatisms, and other wandering dis
tempers ; but did not extend to fevers, agues, pleurisies, &c,
where the habit is vitiated. However, I say, the history is by
no means to be sljghted. He was some time with Mr. Digby
(son of the late famous Sir Kenelm), in. Eutlandshire, where
he was much followed; but what you report of his doing

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 409
cures by laying his glove on, and using spittle to the ears of
the deaf, looks towards miracle, — the handkerchiefs and aprons
brought from St. Paul, and our blessed Saviour's cure, Mark vn.,
on the deaf man; to which I can say nothing, only that the
Saludadores in Spain are reported to do the like stupendous
cures by their breath alone. But these particulars belong to
further inquiry." *
In answer to a pamphlet entitled " Wonders no Miracles, or
Mr. Valentine Greatrakes' Gift of Healing examined," Great-
rakes published a letter to the Eight Hon. Eobert Boyle, who,
with other members of the Eoyal Society, was his patron.
And in the archives of the Society there is another letter
addressed by him to the Archbishop' of DubUn, relating how
he first conceived an impulse to cure by touch, an extract
from which is given in Weld's History of the Eoyal Society.
It may be thought,, and with reason, that Mr. Greatrakes
was unworthy of so much notice by Fellows of the Eoyal '
Society; but have not allegations of the marvellous and super
natural often obtained in our own age more regard than they
deserved 1 — allegations made by pretenders less honest than the
visionary Greatrakes. The subject is mentioned in a letter of
Thoresby's to Archdeacon Nicholson, 8th July 1699, published
in the Nicholson correspondence. We learn from it that the
"M. M." of his communication was a woman, and that he did
not know beforehand, at least not always, of the publication of
his letters : —
" .... as also a remarkable account I lately received
from an ingenious gentlewoman of Dublin, who was an eye
witness of several wonderful cures by the famous Irish stroker
Mr. Greatrix, who lodged at her father's house. But, having
transcribed it in a letter to Mr. Evelyn, you may possibly
* Archbishop Sharpe, writing to Thoresby from London, in the following
February, said, — "I saw old Mr. Evelyn to-day, who asked kindly after you,
and spoke very kindly of you." 28

410 RALPH THORE.SBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
meet with it hereafter in some of the Transactions; for they
have played me that trick so often, that I suspect this (as
well as others which they never had my leave for) wUl appear
there." But most of Thoresby's subsequent letters published in the
Transactions were sent direct to the Secretary. The first of
them, in No. 264, for May and June 1700, is headed simply, —
"Of an accident by Thunder and Lightning at Leedes, by
Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S."
On Saturday evening, the 27th of April, " a Cottage at
the Quarry Hill where one Henry Parker lives " had been
struck by lightning, which passed " to a shelf where it melted
several holes in two Pewter Dishes ; it melted\ also, and run
into little dumps, several places in a Pewter Candlestick, and
of a Brass Mortar." A woman was alone in the house at the
time, but she was not hurt. " I went from thence," Thoresby
continues in the letter, " having bought the Candlestick to
preserve as a Memorial of so uncommon an accident,-* to
enquire of one iu that neighbourhood concerning one more
fatal, of which the Parish Eegister has this Note, ' 2d. of
Sept. 1672, was buried Thomas, the Son of James Lambert,
Junior, deceased of Holbeck, slain tlie day before, being the
Lord's Day, by a Thunderbolt.' " He spoke to one whose brother
and sister had been present. The brother " had a pair of new
stockings burnt off his legs, and himself was so scorched that
he never recovered his natural complexion," The sister, ''having
a Waste-coat clasped before (as the fashion then was) was so
burnt betwixt her Breasts, that the scars thereof remain to this
day; another had the stiffened neck of his doublet struck off,
but all recovered except Lambert's boy, who was found with
* In the Musseum Catalogue, it is entered — "A Pewter Candlestick, in
several Places melted and run into small Lumps by Lightening at the Quarry-
Hill in Leeds, 27 June 1700. A piece of a Tin Vessel burnt through at the
same Time, yet a Bit of Straw- Work that was by it, not so much as singed
(Vide Phil. Trans. No. 264)." The date given in the catalogue is manifestly
a mistake. Electricians will be at no loss to explain why the straw-work
escaped, though the tin -was struck.

FELLOW OF THU ROYAL SOCIETY. 411
his face upward, whereas all the rest had theirs to the earth :
which reminds me of our Cole miners practice, who, when any
swoon away by their sulphurous damps, dig a hole in the
earth and lay 'em on their bellies, with their mouths in it,
which (if it proves not an actual suffocation) recovers them."
When in June 1701, a twelvemonth after the pubUcation
of this last letter, the affairs of his brother and brother-in-law
obliged Thoresby to pay a five weeks' visit to London,* he
formally took his place at a meeting of the Society. The
foUowing is his own account : —
" This being the first time I was at London since my
admission into the Eoyal Society, I subscribed my name in the
book; the formality of the Vice-President's taking me by the
hand and publicly pronouncing me (in the name of the Society)
a Fellow of the Eoyal Society, and the great humanity of Sir
James Hoskyns, who then filled the chair. Sir Hans Sloane,
the secretary, Abraham Hill, Esq,, the treasurer, &c., may be
seen in my Diary, f
"After the meeting was over, I had the opportunity of
taking a more particular view of the ciirio.sities in the public
museum, to which were added some Eoman Plasticks I had
brought from York, and had duplicates of for myself. I was
invited by many eminent persons to see theirs in particular,
of which Dr. Woodward's was most curious in natural
curiosities of fossils, gems, minerals, ores, shells, stones, &c., of
which he made me a noble present, since inserted in the
printed catalogue. He has also, besides a good library, a
curious collection of Eoman antiquities, not only of urns, but
gems, signets, rings, keys, stylus Scriptorius, res turpiculee, ivory
pins, brass fibul£B, &c. The famous Mr. Evelyn, who has pub
lished a great number of very rare books, was above measure
civU and courteous, in showing me many drawings and paintings
• Ante, page 354,
t This quotation is taken from the Review, and was written not earUer
than 1716, as shown by a reference to Dr. Gibson, who v.as made Bishop in
that year.

412 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
of his O'wn and his lady's doing; one especially of enamel is
surprisingly fine, and this ingenious lady told me the manner
how she wrought, but I was uneasy at his too great civUity
in leaving an untold heap of gold medals before me, &c.
" He afterwards carried me in his- coach to his son Draper's
at the Temple, and showed me many curious Pieces of
his ingenious daughter's performance, both very small in minia
ture and as large as the life in oil colours, equal, it is
thought, to the greatest masters of the age. He gave me a
specimen of some prospects he took in Italy, and etched upon
copper by his own hand. Dr. Hook also, aged and infirm as
he was (being one of the virtuoso's that met at Bishop Wilkins'
lodgings at Oxford before the formal constitution of the Society),
was very courteous, and gave me the description of his new
invented Marine Barometer.
"But above all, the Secretary, Dr. Sloane (now Sir Hans)
in whose inestimable museum I was most courteously enter
tained many a pleasant hour : he has a noble Ubrary, two
large rooms well stocked with valuable manuscripts and printed
authors, an admirable collection of dried plants from Jamaica,
the natural history of which place he has in hand, and accord
ing to the engraved specimens will be a noble book. He gave
me the printed catalogue and some Indian seeds : he has other
curiosities without number, and above value ; Bishop Nicholson
(who is a competent judge, having been in those parts) says,
it vastly exceeds those of many foreign potentates which are
so celebrated in history.
"At Whitehall also I was courteously received by Sir Chris
topher Wren, the King's Architect, who has built more churches
since the fire of London, than, perhaps, any one person in the
world ever did. His ingenious son showed me his valuable
collection of Grecian medals; of their several states and colonies,
and gave me the printed catalogue, though he has too modestly
concealed his name.
"These and others (too numerous to be inserted) were all
of them Fellows of the Eoyal Society, and so more particularly
obliging to me as a younger brother."

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 413
The very interesting account of this visit to London gives
these further particulars : —
" Dr. Gibson (now Bishop of Lincoln) was particularly obUg
ing in showing me the library and palace at Lambeth ; * also
Dr. Bumet, Bishop of Sarum, who gave me original letters of
the Princess Sophia and Duke of Gloucester, with two M.S.S.
of his own, and showed me the original Magna Charta, and
the seal of King John.
" Dr. Moor, Bishop of Norwich, f showed me some very
great curiosities in his invaluable library, both manuscript (as
prayers written by Queen Elizabeth's own hand, a volume of
Letters of Lord Burleigh) and printed, with the emendations
of the noted authors, written propria manu, as Jos. Scaliger,
Dan Heinsius, Junius, Casaubon, Bishop Pearson.
"Amongst the entirely printed books, I was surprised to
find one Liber CathoUcon, Anno MCCCCLX alm& in urbe
Moguntind, which is five or six years before Tully's Ofiices,
hitherto reported the first printed book.
" His lordship introduced- me to his grace, the Duke of
Leeds, who was at his noble seat at Wimbledon : the way
thither was the pleasantest that ever I travelled, his lordship
ha-ring keys to pass through the King's gates, that we had
gardens on both hands. His Grace entertained us most cour
teously, and told us some remarkable passages concerning the
Czar of Muscovy, there and at Lambeth; but what more
concerned me is the Bishop's kind advice to me, as to the
dizziness in my head, to drink our Leeds Spa water for a
considerable time, and to use a flesh brush to help the circula
tion of the blood, &c. But of all the nobility, none was so
agreeable to me as the truly noble Earl of Pembroke, whose
* Archbishop Tenison had appointed Gibson librarian at Lambeth in 1696,
and his domestic chaplain in 1698. The year before Thoresby's visit Gibson
had been made Rector of Stister, in Surrey, and he became Rector of
Lambeth in 1703.
t Dr. John Moore, first Prebendary and then Bishop of Norwich, continued
in that See until 1707, when he was translated to Ely. Thoresby, on his first
visit to London (ante, page 55), heard Dr. Moore preach at Cornhill Church,
when he was chaplain to the Lord Chancellor, Finch.

414 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHBK.
incomparable museum of medals, entertained me several days.
I shall recite some of his Lordship's instructive observations
for the benefit of my dear son. I was most sui-prised with
the Eoman As, of a pound weight, and one of eight ounces,
which even their own historians are silent in. ... . His
Lordship has also several double denarii, ani the double of
them again, or silver medallions originally of the worth and
weight of four denarii, such indeed as I had never seen before.
His Lordship's humanity and condescension were extraordinary;
for, not thinking this kindness enough, he desired me to make
him another visit, and he would show me other views, which
I, modestly declining (considering his Lordship's public station,
being President of his Majesty's Privy Council, and one of the
Lords Justices)-* but my Lord would have me promise to dine
with him the next day at three, when the Council would be
over, desiring, in the mean time, the perusal of my manuscript
catalogue of coins.
" The day after was courteously entertained, and had exceUent
company at dinner. Dr. Wake (now Archbishop of Canterbury),!
Dr, Lock, Mr. Secretary Southwell, and Dr. Woodward. After
ward my Lord took me into his incomparable museum. . . .
The fifth instant I again waited on this noble Lord (at his
own appointment) who most courteously showed me those of
the British and Saxon coins, and took notice, with pleasure, of
my Eunic piece of Thor; then his views on the Danish and
Norman. I chiefly took notice of such as I was doubtful to
whom to ascribe them, but being since inserted in the printed
catalogue, need not be here recited, nor the fourteen distinct
denominations of English silver money, from a farthing to a
twenty shilling piece, which, when I was going to note, his
Lordship most courteously wrote them for me, which I treasure
up as a valuable autograph.
" His Excellency also acquainted me with the perfect history
of milled money, from the first of Queen Elizabeth upon the
* In the following January the Earl of Pembroke was made Lord High
Admiral, + Dr. William Wake, Dean of Exeter, became Bishop of Lincoln in 1705,
Gibson succeeding him, on his translation to the Archbishopric of Canterbury,

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 415
side, to those upon the edge in Oliver's, or Commonwealth's
time : the first that are lettered upon the edge are indisputably
English, for though his Lordship has of the French before
that time, they are manifestly hooped on, not as Simon's,
upon the money itself. His Lordship also asked for my Album,
wherein he wrote that of Plautus (so suitable to every good
Christian as well as virtuoso) 'Illud satins est quod satis est.'
"My Lord's kindness kept me full late, but though I
returned alone some miles in the dark, yet well contented;
and to conclude my notes upon this invaluable musseum, this
truly noble Earl appointed the 14th to show me other views.
. . . . I have been more particular in relating what this
truly noble lord instructed me in, because not to be met -with
in any printed author or manuscript that is likely to come to
the notice of my dear sons, for whose information this is
written, I shall be more brief in what follows,
"That noble Lord, Baron Spanhemius, Envoy from the King
of Prussia, and author of that learned book, De prcestantia et
usu Numismat. Antiq,, desired to borrow the manuscript cata
logue of my coins, and he told me upon perusal, that he
wondered how a private gentleman could attain such a treasure.
Disuse had made me very unfit to hold a continued discourse
in Latin, so that when Dean Gale was not with us, we had
a sad broken mixture of Latin, Dutch, and English."
Thoresby spent such time as he could spare at the Cottonian
Library at Westminster; and he thus concludes his account of
his entertainment by literary and other celebrities at this time :—
"I was frequently at the immense library of my kind friend
the Bishop of Norwich, where I always found fresh entertain
ment; as with Wickliff's M.S, English version of the Bible, shown
mo by his son, Mr. Chancellor Tanner, whose Notitia Monastica
sells now at a great rate,-* Amongst the civilities of my friends,
I ought particulariy to remember that of Dr. Fairfax, brother
* Thomas Tanner, son-in-law of the Bishop, was the son of Thomas Tanner,
Vicar ot Market Lai-ingtou, AVilts, The Notitia Monastica was published at
Oxford in ItiO.-i.

416 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHISR.
to the late Lord and unele to the present, who has lately
published the Memorials of the Lord Thomas Fairfax, the
General, which he presented me with.
" I visited also good old Mr. Humfrey,-* a noted author : he
gave me his vindication of Bishop StiUingfleet and Mr. Baxter,
just now published, with autographs of noted persons. The
celebrated Dr. Hicks, also, was very civil in showing me several
original charters in Saxon and Latin, communicated to him by
Lord Somers, a true patron of learning in men of all denomina
tions, who got him a quietus from some inconveniences he was
under as a non-juror, and sent it under seal, as a present to
the Dr., without his knowledge, and -without fees.
" The very courteous Parson Stonestreet has a good coUec-
tion of Eoman coins, and a most surprising one of shells, a
thousand several sorts from all parts of the World, curious
for their form, size, colour, &c. I cannot conclude better than
with two of my countrymen, Yorkshire Authors, WilUam Petyt,
Esq., of the Temple, who with his brother, SUvester, are also
considerable benefactors; aijd Eobert Dale, Esq,, of the Herald's
Office, whose civilities rendered a letter to the King-at-Arms
needless, for he readily showed me the M.S.S. in that College,
and particularly the pedigree of my family, which is attested
by the King-at-Arms, and carries it up to the reign of King
Edward the Confessor, whereby it also appears^ that Archbishop
John Thoresby was a younger brother of this family."
From such attentions to his home troubles, was a sad tran
sition. Thoresby says, howsoever, —
"After my return I was agreeably occupied in wi'iting to
my correspondents of the Eoyal Society (many of which letters
are inserted in the Philosophical Transactions), and others, par
ticularly Mr. Milner, of Cambridge, our late learned Vicar, who
desired an account of such ¦ coins of Claudius and Agrippa, as
might illustrate that passage of the famine mentioned Acts xi."
It was the commencement of 1702 before his next paper
in the Transactions appeared, in No. 277:^
* Ante, pages 306-11,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 417
" Part of a letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to the
PubUsher, * conceming several observdbles in his Museeum, near
Leeds in Yorkshire."
"Sir, "I remember that upon perusal of the Catalogue of the
natural curiosities in my poor Musaeum, you desired a more
particular account of the Skin of the FisKs Stomach from the
Indies; of the Crystal, and the ways of its Concretion ; of the
Iron tumed into Ore; and of the Octoedra from the Copper
Mines in Sweden. The first was given me by Mr. Robert
Midgley of this Town, an Ingenious Apothecary,! who made 5
Voyages as Surgeon into the East Indies. .... The
Crystal, with other Natural curiosities, was given me by the
Learned and Ingenious Dr. Jabez Cay of Newcastle, who brought
it from Milan  The 3d. Curiosity was also sent me
from the same very kind friend Dr. Cay; 'tis a piece of an
Iron-bolt (2 inches long), found in a Stone Quarry, now returned
into Iron Ore again; this being a property that Iron has, and
no other Metal, as Dr. Lister observes in his Journey to
Paris. J .... The Copper Ore so regulated, shot into an
* Sir Hans Sloane. It was in the following April that Dean Gale died,
and Dr. Cay near the same time. Ou the 16th of May Dr. Woodward wrote
to Thoresby from Gresham College, — " Learning suffered a great loss in the
death of Dr. Gale; and, in truth, Dr. Cay is much lamented by aU who were
not strangers to his sense and worth. But we have some reparation in the
advancement of Dr. Nicholson to the Bishopriok of Carlisle."
+ Robert Midgeley, descended from a family in the neighbourhood of Halifax,
married a daughter of Dr. George Neale, the writer on Harrogate Spaw.
A marble monument in the Parish Church of Leeds bore this inscription, —
" Here under is interred the mortal Remains of Isabella, the dearly beloved Wife
of Robert Midgeley, Chirugeon, Daughter of George Neale, M.D., whose Vertues
she truly imitated. She died the 17th of Eeb. 1706 after a godly, righteous
and sober Life of Two and Forty .^^ars; to whose Memory her disconsolate
Husband placed this." It also ,.o the Midgeley arms,— Sofcte, two Bars
gemel Or, upon a Chief of the second, three Calthorps of the first.
t In Dr, Lister's letter of the 22nd of January 1699, he says to Thoresby,—
" I am glad my Journey to Paris pleased you : it hath given me a great deal
of trouble here, though no book ever sold better, and the second impression
being more correct, is to be had at Mr. Tompson's, the booksellers, in
Gray's-mn-Giite, in Gray's-inn-Lane, where your friend, which you shall order
to call, may have one. I designed to send you one .... but for the
fcooksellers combining not to distribute it."

418 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Octoedron form, was sent me from Sweden by Mr. William
Sykes of Stockholm, Merchant."-* A draught of this specimen
is given. Figure 2 of Table 7.
In No. 279 of the Transactions, for May and June 1702,
th^re is, —
"Part of a letter to the Publisher, concerning some Eoman
Coins, and other matters lately observed in Lincolnshire ; " the
writer of which concludes, — " But having given an account
thereof to Mr. Ralph Thoresby of Leedes in Yorkshire, a year
or two ago, if you think it worth the Eecording, you may
have it I suppose from him when you please." And there
immediately follows, — " Part of a letter from Mr. Thoresby,
F.E.S,, io the Publisher, giving a further account of the same,"
Thoresby gives the above writer's f own account of the
discovery of remains of a jetty, and of an old boat near the
Weiland, showing the river to have run where it was then
land ; also of roots discovered " at the laying of the present
new sluice or Goat (as they call it) at the end of Hamorebeck
at its fall into Boston Haven," where " the Archimedean Screw,
-* Own cousin to Mrs. Thoresby,
t The letter which Thoresby wrote with this communication is among the
Sloane M.S.S, (add, M.S.S. 4,063), and from it we learn that his informant
was Mr. John Rastrick of Lynn Regis, frrmerly of Rotherham, — " He is, I
think, au N. G. Minister, but an ingenious, obliging and good man. When
in these parts he made me a visit, and took so kindly my showing him my
poor museum, that he sent me in some Astroites, found near Belvoir or Bever
Castle in Lincolnshire, which are somewhat different from those found in
-yorkshire and Northumberland, &c., and obliged me with his correspondence."
In a second letter Thoresby mentions having received from Rastrick sixty
Roman coins recently found in Lincolnshire, hut, he adds, "they answer not
¦my expectation." Rastrick was one of those who preached at Mill Hill Chapel
during the vacancy caused by Mr. Manlove's removal to Newcastle; and
Thoresby, iu his Review, says that of the many temporary preachers who then
visited him, none was more acceptable than he, — "which many wondered at,
¦because he had once been a conforming clergyman, and I on the other hand
was now come off from them entirely to the Church ; but when anything of
that nature was started in conipanj', it was managed -n'ith that temper that
it gave no offence to either, both laying the stress upon the essentials of
j'eligion, wherein all ai-e agreed,"

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 419
or Screw-Uke Trunk or CyUnder, by which the Workmen cleared
themselves of Water, was very pretty." The Lincolnshire word
"Goat," in Yorkshire " Goit," reminded Thoresby that he had
intended sending to his correspondent an additional Ust of
local words.
No. 282 of the Transactions, for November and December
1702, has a paper of more interest and importance than any
which Thoresby had before contributed. In his Diary for the
16th of the previous June, the day when he had been tricked
by a couple of Quakers out of two guineas, we have, —
" Sent for by Mr. Arthington, of Arthington (lately admitted
into the list of the Eoyal Society) who gave me the inscription
upon a Eoman monument lately discovered upon Adle Moor,
where the continuation of the Eoman via vicinalis that I dis
covered at Haw-caster-rig, upon Black moor, is visible, and
they apprehend tends to Ilkley."
And on the 13th of August, —
"Walked over the Black Moor; had Haw-caster-Eig and'
Tuninghal (or hough, rather) hill, on the left hand, and Moor-
AUerton, and the Street Lane on the right; to AlUngley (in
old writings Alwoodley), whence Mr. Midgley walked with us
to Eccup Moor and Adle, direct to the place where the heaps
of ruins were lately discovered. After a transient -view went
to the mill below; discoursed John Eobinson, an intelligent
person, who having occasion to plough a parcel of ground he
had leased from Cyril Arthington, of Arthington, Esq., lord of
the soil, was the happy occasion of this discovery of a Eoman
town, which by the ruins seems to have been very considerable ;
they have got up so many stones, though they have dug no
deeper than necessity obliged to make way for the plough,
that they have already built therewith two walls, one a yai-d
high and twenty seven rood long, the other a yard and a
half high and fifty two rood long ; these are rough stones
the foundations of houses, many of which were three or four
courses high, undemolished, being under the surface of the
ground, AVe took as particular a view as the present circum-

420 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
stances will admit of, and found fragments of urns of a very
large size; but what is most remarkable, are the remains of
two funeral monuments, one has PIENTISSIMA, very legible;
another a larger inscription, D. M. S. CADIDINI^ FOETVNA
PIA V. A. X. (vixit annos X). I returned by Adle to see
the head, which is all that remains of a noble statue the
full proportion of a man : discoursed the old man who digged
it up some years ago, as also a stone with an inscription,
which I could not retrieve, but hope to have these brought
hither in carts the next week, with one of the little mill
stones found also among the ruins not far off. I viewed a
Eoman camp which is yet very entire : there is another some
what less upon the said moor, and a third upon Bramhope
moor, which I had not time now to survey, it turning to
rain, that we were severely wet ere we reached home, but
putting on warm and dry apparel, got no harm, blessed be
God ! "
Thoresby spent much time next day, consulting Burton's
Comment upon Antoninus's Itinerary and other works, in a
vain endeavour to identify the newly found Eoman station,
which, he says, "seems by the blackness of the earth, and
remaining burnt coals and cinders, to have been burnt down
by the Brigantes."
This is the subject of the said paper : —
" A Letter from Mr. Thoresby, F.R.S., to the Publisher, concem
ing the Vestigia of a Eoman Town lately discovered near Leedes
in Yorkshire."
" Sir, "In obedience to your Commands to acquaint the Society -with
anything remarkable that occurs in these parts,* this brings
notice of the discovery of the Ve^igia of a Roman Town upon
the Moor near Adel Mills, 4 miles from Leedes ; 'twas found out
accidentally by a tenant of Mr. Arthington, who endeavouring to
plow," &c.
• Sloane had shortly before concluded a letter to Thoresby 'with,—" I hope yon
will not forget the Society, but let us know anything that passes which is curious."

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 421
But the account which follows is literally identical 'with
160 and 161 of the Ducatus Leodiensis, with some inver
sion of the order of the paragraphs ; except the following, which
in part only corresponds, — " The Eoman rig that this Town
stood Upon comes from the great Military Eoad upon Bram-
hammoor, of which Leland in his M.S. Itinerary, which by the
favour of My Lord Archbp. of York I have a transcript of, as
far as relates to Yorkshire and Lancashire, affirms, ' I never saw
in any part of England so manifest a token as here, of the
large Crest of the way of Watling Street made by their hands.'
"From thence this Via Vicinnalis passeth by Thomer and
Shadwell, Streetlane and Hawcaster ridge upon Blackmoor (near
which is tl^e Roman Pottery mentioned in some former Transac
tions) to Adel, thence thro Cookridge over the Moors towards
Ilkley, a known Roman station. This same ridge is very evident
in some part of the Grounds of Tho. Kirk of Cookridge Esq.;
who showed me the place where a Roman Monument in his
possession was dug up, it seems to have - had a large Inscrip
tion, but so erased that nothing distinct can be made of it ; *
perhaps the said Cukeryg, as it is called in the Original Letters
Pattents of K. Edw. VI to Archbishop Cranmer (now, with the
Estate thereby conveyed, in the possession of the said ingenious
Gentleman) was so denominated from this Roman ridge which
passeth directly through it."
The letter and the Ducatus tell in the same terms of the
neighbouring Eoman camp, of a stone aqueduct, and of the statue
of which the head has been mentioned in the preceding extract
from Thoresby's Diary; but the remainder of which, with an
inscription, "perished through the bmtish ignorance and covet
ousness of the labourers, who in a superstitious conceit bound
wythys or wreaths of straw about the poor Roman Knight, and
burnt him, in hopes of (by I know not what magical Apparition
in the smoke) finding some hid Treasure, and after in anger at
their disappointment broke him to pieces." They contain the
* This sentence is in the Ducatus, with the addition,— "no more than of that
ujiou a small Altar found near the head of a Spring there."

422 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
same observations on the inscribed stones presented by Mr.
Arthington, and on the stone hand-mills ; and they commend
the tenant farmer, John Eobinson, "whose industry and ingeni
ous contrivance of binding a small Engine to the wrist of his
Arm, to supply the place of his Fingers, which through the
Carelessness of a Servant were burnt of in his Infancy, pleased
me well." Both accounts wind up with a mention of Adel
Church, ending, — " The inhabitants have an old Tradition, that
Adel Church once stood upon Black Hill, the place where these
Roman Monuments were lately discovered ; occasioned perhaps
by the removal of the Stones from some publick Edifice at the
destruction of the old Roman Town." To both accounts are
appended drawings of the inscribed slabs ; and in the Ducatus,
also of the head of the unlucky statue.
A full twelvemonth elapsed before Thoresby's next appear
ance in the Transactions, in No. 289, for January and February
1704:—* "Part of two Letters from Mr. Thoresby, F.R.S., to the
Publisher, concerning an Earthquake, which happened in some
places of the North of England, the 28th of December 1703."
It had been most felt at Hull, about 5 p.m. ; and
Thoresby sent an account which he had obtained from the
Vicar of Hull, Mr. Banks, who was also Prebendary of York.
The Vicar's reader had felt the shock, but not the Vicar
himself, who at the time was on his way through noisy streets
to visit a sick gentleman. The most remarkable part of his story
is that at a house "where part of a chimney was shak'd down-
, . . they kept Ale, and being pretty full of company that were
¦* But in the British Museum (Add. M.S.S, 4,063) there is a letter from
Thoresby to Sloane dated 29 May 1703, in -which he says he had had the
ill hap to inquu'e of Sloane's friend Dr. W. (Woodward) whether the letter
on the Roman coins had appeared at Gresham College, and received an ill-
natured reply. "But this only to yourself, for I would be easy though I
cannot be useful as Mr. Kirke'e motto is."

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 423
very merry, they did not perceive the shock, only heard the
Pewter and Glass Windows dance." Thoresby also communicated
in these letters what he had heard of the shock elsewhere.
At South Dalton, where his sister's husband was the clergyman,
his sister " being alone in her chamber was sadly frighted
with tho heaving up of the chair she sate in, and the very
Sensible shake of the Eoom, especially the Windows." Another
relative, a minister near Lincoln, " being then at a Gentleman's
house in the Neighbourhood, was amazed at the moving of
the chairs they sat upon, which was so violent, he writes,
every limb of him was shaken." A second account from the
neighbourhood of Lincoln had been sent by a clergyman, who
had received it, says Thoresby, from his brother, " my cousin
Cooksou." * It was felt at Beverley and other places, and so
near to Leeds as Selby, Mr. Travers, a Selby minister, being
Thoresby's informant there.
No. 291, for the following May and June, contains: —
"An extract of a Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S.,
io Dr. Nehemiah Grew, Fellow of the College of Physicians and
M.S., concerning a Ball voided by Stool."
"A poor apprentice Girl at Rawden," aged 14, was the
primary source of this communication. If Thoresby's theory
may be relied upon, she had furnished materials for the said
phenomenon by grinding small, between her teeth, bits of
tobacco pipe ; and by licking, or scraping, off " the lean of
Mutton, or the Bind of Peaches, or some other part or Plant.
Her Stomach Kneading the matter into a Coat, as her
changeable appetite supplyd it alternately with one or the
other sort." There were three of the balls, 3, il, and 5^
inches in circumference.
* William Oookson, who became Mayor of Leeds in 1712, married Thoresby's
first cousin, the daughter of Michael Idle.

424 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Thoresby's Diary for July 1703, recording a visit to York,
says,— "Was at Mounty Gyles', to inquire what has been lately
found as digging for clay in the Eoman burying-place, and he
gave me a brass key, fixed to a ring, to be worn upon the
finger, and other curiosities, lately dug up there."
In No. 296 of the Transactions, for February 1705, there
is,— " Part of a Later from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr.
Hans Sloane, F.R.S., concerning a Leaden Coffin, &c., taken out
of a Eoman Burying-place near York.'' "Leeds, June 17 1704."
" Being lately at York, I went (as usual) to Mr. Montague
Gyles's, to enquire if his servants had retrieved anything
curious in the Roman Burying-place." The leaden coflSn "was
inclosed in a prodigious strong one made of Oak Planks
about 2 inches and a half thick, which beside the rivettings,
were tacked together with Brags, or great Iron Nails, some of
which I pulled out of the Planks and have by me. The
double Coffins were so heavy, that they were forced to drag
them out of their old Dormitory with a Team of Horses."
The next is in No. 297, for March 1705:—
" Part of a Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., concem
ing Pewter Money, coyn'd in Ireland by the late King James."
"Leeds, June 7 1704."
" Honoured Sir,
" This brings you an account of a curiosity that relates to
the late King James's Irish Money, which I am apt to think
you never heard of, viz., a Grown Piece of Pewter, inscribed
Melioris tessera facti. 'Twas sent me by the Gentleman who
found them in the Treasury at Dublin ; whose account is so
particular and curious, that I will choose to give it you in his^
o-wn words.''
It is very clear that Thoresby's correspondent was no Jacobite.
He narrates how King James had coined up all the brass guns

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 425
of Ireland, and the brass and copper vessels of the Protes
tant inhabitants, and then "fell foul on the Pewter Dishes."
The pewter crown bore on both sides the same inscription as
the common brass ones, but had on the rim, — "Melioris Tessera
Facti Anno Eegni Sexto." 'The writer concludes, — "There was
very Uttle of it coined, for our Government could meet with
none of it ; until one day rummaging all their Tinkerly Trea
sure, that they left behind them in Dublin when they were
routed, by accident I met with one Bag of 150 of these Pieces.
So that the Piece I sent you, altho' it's of no intrinsic value,
it's a Parity ; and had I thought it would have been accept
able, I would have sent you a Specimen of every sort that
he had Coyned and Ee-coyned here. I am
" Sir, Your very Humble Servant,
" Tho. Putland." *
"Dublin, Novemb. the 27th 1696."
Eobert Molesworth, of Edlington near Doncaster, who is
mentioned in the letter which next follows, was for some
years British Envoy at the Court of Denmark, in the reign of
William the Third ; and by George the First he was made
Baron of Philipstown and Viscount Molesworth of Swords, in
the Peerage of Ireland. One letter from him to Thoresby,
dated EdUngton, April 12 1703, is published in the Corres
pondence, In it he promises compliance with Thoresby's request
for his pedigree; and Thoresby afterward introduced his famUy
into the Ducatus in connection with a younger branch of the
Boyle family, though altogether outside of the topography of
Leeds, Mr, Molesworth is mentioned several times in the
Diary of Thoresby; who also speaks of two sons,— John, the
Eldest, Envoy first to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, afterward
to the King of Sardinia; and the second, Colonel Eichard
Molesworth, who at the battie of EamiUes was Aide-de-Ciimp
to the Duke of Mariborough, whom he there re-mounted at the
* The letter itself is among the Sloane M,S S, (Additional 1,063),
29

426 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
risk of his own life. They became successively second and third
Viscounts. The coins with which Mr. Molesworth presented
Thoresby are inserted in his Catalogue.
"An Account of some Eoman Coyns found at Clifton near
Edlington in Yorkshire. By Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S."
" I take myself obliged to give you an account of the dis
covery of some Roman Coins, lately found at Clifton near
Edlington, the Seat of the Honoured and Obliging Robert Moles
worth, Esq.; from whom I have received a Noble Present of
them ; which is the more valuable, because by his Ingenuity
they are so artificially cleared from the rust they had contracted
by lying so many Centuries in the Earth, that they appear
little inferiour to what they were when first Minted: They were
dug up at the East Entrance of Clifton (a village on the ells'
of the Hill) three miles from Doncaster, the Roman Danum,
where the Prcefectus Equiium Crispianorum resided, and one
from Cunsbrough, or Coningsburgh, an ancient Seat of the
Kings during the Saxon Heptarchy, now belonging to Mr. Cook
of Norfolk. They were found so near a Highway, that the Cart-
tracks had worn the Earth off the Top of the Urn, which a
Labourer of Mr. Molesworth's struck his Pick-ax into, before
he was aware of it. Upon another search, they foH.nd another
Theea Nummaria, both full of Copper Coin; the haste and
scramble of the Workmen to get the supposed Booty (which
they hoped might prove as valuable as the Broad Gold found
at Kighley) made them break in pieces both the Urns, which
were large and entire ; the bigger of them might contain two
gallons : By the fragments of them they appear to have been
of a finer Clay than those found at South Holland in Lincoln
shire, mentioned in the Phil. Trans. No. 279, and the coins
also much better preserved, being in a dryer Soil. Of sixty I
bought of those found at Fleet, com. Line, there was not one
before Gallienus, nor after Quintillius; and of near 150 of these
from Clifton there is not one of an elder or later date. . . .
These, tho they have not 'added one Emperor to my Collec
tion, yet have made a very considerable addition to the variety
ni Eeverses ; so that I have above thirty of Gallienus."

FOLLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 4'27
A list of reverses of the Clifton coins is appended to this
letter, which is in No. 303, for {September and October 1705.
The next is in the following number, for November and
December : —
"Part of a Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., concerning
a large Ball voided by Stool"
This communication relates to a Madam C  ly ; and it
tells, among other things, that the said ball was immediately
followed by some plum-stones, although Madam C. had not
eaten any plums for twelve months past.
No. 305, for January, February and ]\Iarch 1706, contains, —
"A Letter from ¦ Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr. Hans
Sloane, R.S. Seel', concerning some Eoman Inscriptions found at
York, p>i'Oving that the Ninth Legion some time resided there."
" By your very kind Letter I perceive how much I am
obliged to your Society for so candid a reception of my poor
Endeavours, which encourages me to transmit two Roman
Inscriptions found at York, one very latelj'', the other several
years ago, but no where yet taken notice of, tho' it hath this
very remarkable. That it is an undeniable Argument that the
Ni-iith Legion was not only in Britain, which is rarely taken
notice of, but that it resided at York, which was heretofore
unknown." *
* From " The Celt, the Roman and the Saxon," by Thomas Wright,
F.S.A.,— " The fourteenth legion, the one which had crushed the insurrection
of Boadicea, had been drawn from Britain by Yitellius iu the year 70, and had
never returned. Several of the others had left at a .^till cailier period. Four
only remained— the second, sixth, ninth and , twentieth. Of these, the secoml
was posted at Isca (Carlrmi), and' the twentieth at Dexa (Chester), whence
they held in restraint the mountaineers of -Wales, and of Cumberland and
Westmoreland, the retreat of such of the Brigantes .as still retained their
wild independence, and protected the country from the Irish jiirates, who
landed usually in the Severn and the Dee. The sixth legion w.is established
at York, from which it could be marched quickly into .Scotland, After the
last campaign of Agi'icola, the ninth legion suddenly disappears, and is no
more heard of in history; but as we find it commemorated in inscription.-*
found at Vork, it is supposed to have been combined with, or incorporate.!

428 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
The first of the two inscriptions is that upon the bas-relief
of a Standard-Bearer of the Ninth Legion, mentioned before at
page 399.
" This Monument was found in Trinity-yard in Micklegate
at Yo7'k, and was happily rescued by my Honoured Friend
Dr. Bryan Fairfax, from the brutish Workmen, who had broke
it in the middle and -were going to make use of it for
Throughs, as they call them, in the Wall; but by that worthy
Gentleman's Direction it was placed upright, with the Inscrip
tion outwards,"
The second inscription was upon a Eoman brick, engraved
in the Ducatus.
" The former Inscription is now removed to the Gardens of
Sir John Goodrick at Ribstone; * the latter is in my possession,"
A letter had been printed in No, 245 of the Transactions
from the Vicar of Kildwick, Yorkshire, giving account of "the
great Loss sustained by the inhabitants of Kettlewell and Star-
boton in Craven, in the County of York, by a sudden overflow
of Water.'' It occurred in June 1686, aud the Vicar (the Eev.
E. Pollard), relates : —
" The Descent of the rain was after a Thunder clap, for the
continuance of about an Hour and half, with extraordinary
Violence, and by several Eyewitnesses, the Eock on the East
Side opened visibly, and Water they beheld thence into the
Air, the height of an ordinary Church-Steeple ; so that the
Current of Water came down the Hill into the respective
into the si.xth," In the reign of Honorius, A,D. 395-123, the sixth and second
legions only remained ; the sixth still at York, the second removed from
Caerleon-on-the-Usk, in Monmouthshire, to Rutupiae, now Riohborough, on the
Kent coast.
* It was presented, for their Museum, to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society
iu 1847, by Joseph Dent, Esq., into whose possession the Ribstone estate had
passed. It was discovered, according to the catalogue compiled by the
curators, about the year 1686, Hargrove, in his History of Knaresborough,
in which there is an engraving of the monument ¦with its inscription, says
n 1683.

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 429
Towns, as in one entire Body," &c. The Vicar adds in a
Postscript that two smaller floods- had occurred later, — " For the
Towns have either of them a great Beck (as we caU it) or
Current of Water running through them which by the first
Flood were gravel'd up; so that the Passage is much altered
and cannot be regained ; though there have been many Hun
dreds of men set to do it, and Hundreds of a Day,"
In No. 306, for April, May and June 1706, there is,—
" Part of a Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F. R. ^., giving
a farther account of are Eruption of Water in Craven,"
"Leeds, August 20 1705."
"In Philos. Transact. Number 245, is registered the Vicar
of Kildwick's Letter, which gives an account of an extraordinary
Eruption of Water in Craven. I was lately enquiring further
concerning it, of one that is now my Tenant and Neighbour;
and am not only fully satisfied of the Truth of what the said
Mr. Pollard affirms, but also that, as he conjectures, a great
part of the Land is not to this day recover'd from the Sand
and Stones, though a great number of People were employed
upon it. Upon the opening of the Rock, at the foot of which
the Town of Starbotham stands, the Water gushed out in so
vast a quantity, as if it would have swept away the whole
Town : The Waves came rolling down like long Swaithes of
Grass, one upon anothei', to use the Metaphor of the Eelater,
who had never seen the Sea. Several Houses were utterly
ruin'd, and others wreckt up to the Chamber Windows ; one
particularly so covered, that a great piece of the Eock was
left upon the top of tlie Chimney. These things my neigh
bour was an eyewitness of, and had many a weary day in
clearing some part of his Land. His House was for some
time full of Neighbours, who were harbourless by this sudlen
Accident." It is rather curious that Dr, "\^'hitaker, who edited a new
edition of Thoresby's Leeds, had no knowledge of the above
letters. In his History of Craven, Whitaker aUudc.'s to this

430 RALPH THORESBY THF, TOPOGRAPHER.
inundation, but says that the Parish Eegisters of the time
being lost the best account of it which he could find was in
Magna Britannia Antiqua et Nova, published in 1720.
Thoresby's informant in the communication which next
follows. No. 310, April, May and June 1707, had been pre
sented to the Eectory of Berwick-in-Elmet, near Leeds, in 1703,
by Loru Gower, as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
" Parson Plaxton," as Thoresby familiarly calls him in his
Diary, became an intimate friend, an amusing corre,spondent,
and a contributor to the museum. His mother was of the
family of Akeroyd of Foggathorpe and Leeds, whose pedigree
in the Diwatus begins with a Eichard Akeroyd of the Parish
of Halifax, who li-\'ed in the reign of Henry the Sixth.
" Some natural observations made in the Parishes of Kinardsey
and Doiiington ia Shropshire, by the Revereiid Mr. George
Plaxton, Communicated by Mr. Ealph Thoresby, to Dr. Hans
Sloane, R.S. Sec';"
" Sir, " Yon have oftentimes desired me to give you an Account
of such Observations as I had made in my Parishes in Shrop
shire, and in some of the neighbouring Villages ; my poor
Eemarks are hardly worth your notice, however to show you
that I cannot deny you anything, I now send them, or some
part of them,"
After speakiug of the longevity of the inhabitants, and of
the moorland and morass character of the district, Mr. Plaxton
continues. — " At my -entrance there (Kinnardsey in 1673) I
found neither Gentleman nor Begger, nor any sort of Dissenter
from the Church; there had been no La.w Suit amongst them in
the Memory of Man, nor was any commenced during my incum
bency as Eector there for above Thirty Years together ; they
have but owe way to the Town and Parish, the rest they hire
from Lords of the adjacent Manours .... I have been
assured from Aged people, that all the "Wild Moors was
formerly so overgrown by Eubbish Wood, such as Alders,
Willoughs, SuUeys, 'I'horns, and tho like that tho Inhabitants

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 431
commonly hang'd Bells about the Necks of their Cows, that
they might the more easily find them .... I had nothing
remarkable at Donnington, sa-ve the Royal Oak, which stood at
Boscobell within the Parish, and the o-wners thereof paid 6s. 6d.
yearly, in lieu of their Tythes and Offerings. The Royal Oak
was a fair spread thriving Tree, the Boughs of it were all
lined and covered with Ivy; here in the Thick of these Boughs
the King sate in the Day-time with Colonel Carlos, and in the
night lodged at Boscobel-House, so that they are strangely mis
taken, who judged it an old, hollow Oak, whereas it was a
gay and flourishing Tree, surrounded with a great many more ;
and as I remember in Mr. Evelyn's History of Medals, you
have one of King James I. or Charles I. where there is a
fine spread Oak with this Epigraph, Seris Nepotibus Umbra;
which I leave to your Thoughts .... The People live
here to great Ages ; I saw in one House three Healthful
People, whose ages numbred together made 278, and I think
they lived some Years after; they were the Man and his Wife,
and his Wife's Brother  "
" The Poor Eemains of the Royal Oak are now fenced in
by a handsome Brick- Wall, at the charge of Bazil Fitz-Herbert
Esquire, with this Inscription over the Gate (upon a Blue
Stone) in Golden Letters.
Felicissimam Arborem quam in Asylum
Potentissimi Regis Caroli Secundi Deus Opt Max
Per Qtuem Reges regnant, hie crescere
Voluit, tam in perpetimm rei tantce
Me.moriam, quam in Specimen Firmoi
in Reges fidei, Muro cunctam
Poskris commendant, Bazillius
<£• Jana Fitz Herbert.
Quercus Arnica Jovi.*
* Most happy tree, whom to bo the refuge of the most mighty King diaries
the Second, God the Best and Greatest, by whom Kings reign, willed' t,.
g.ow here; as well iu periwtual memory of so great a thing, as in token of
hrm faith to Kings, surrounded by a wall, Bazil and Jane Fitaherbort
commend it to posterity. Oak beloved of Jove.
Th.' protecting wall was repaired by descendants from its loyal buUdcrs, m

432 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
" 'Twas put up about Twenty or Thirty Years ago, but the
Place deserved a Nobler Memorial ; I have writ it in such
Lines as they have cut it, and as the Letters now stand ; a
few years will mine both the Wall and the Inscription."
Thoresby completes the paper in his own words, —
" The Emblematick Medal my good Friend alludes to, is
the xivith. in Mr. Evelyn's Numismata, which King Charles I
caused to be stamped upon the installation of his Son, where
upon is the Royal Oak under a Prince's Coronet, overspreading
Subniiscent Trees and young Suckers.
Seris Factura Nepotibus Umbram.*
Eeverse within the Garter of the Order is this Legend, Carol.
M. B. Eegis. Filius Carol. Princ. inauguratur XXII Mali
MDCXXXIIV. " The Inscription at Boscobel reminds me of one I had from
the late Eeverend Mr. lUingworth, President of Emanuel College
in Cambridge, which was Inscribed upon a PiUar erected by the
Sea side. Siste, Viator, iter, vestigia prima secundus
Posuit hie Carolus, quum redit exilio.'' t
This account of the famous oak corresponds with what is
said of it in the well known tract "Boscobel;" namely, that
after the Eestoration hundreds from many miles round flocked
there, " chiefly to behold the Eoyal Oak, which has been
deprived of all its young boughs by the numerous -visitors of

17S7, when an addition was made to the Latin inscription. A view, as ¦ it
then stood, is given at page 105 of the Gentleman's Magazine for 1809; but
the tree within it was but successor to the veritable Royal Oak, though said
to be grown from one of its acorns. The estate passed into other hands, and
in 1814 the wall of the Fitzherberts was taken down, to be replaced by iron
palisading. * Thou providest a shade for posterity.
+ Traveller thy journey stay, the second Charles first placed his foot-pruit
here when he returned from exUe.

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 433
it, Avho keep them in memory of His ^Majesty's happy preserva
tion ; * insomuch that Mr. Fitzherbert, who was afterwards
proprietor, was forced in a due season of the year to crop
part of it, for its preservation, and put himself to the charge
of fencing it about with a high pale, the better to transmit
the happy memory of it to posterity."
On the 17th of April 1708, Thoresby says in his Diary, —
" With Esquire Arthington, perusing his Eoman coins lately
found at Cookridge ; " and two days afterward Thoresby
wrote the following, which appeared in No. 316 of the Trans
actions, for July and August the same year : —
"Part of a Letter from 2Ir. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to
Dr. Hans Sloane, R.S. Sec''', concerning some Eoman Coifis found
in Yorkshire." " On Saturday last Mr. Arthington obliged me with the
perusal of some Roman Coins which a few days ago were
.Plowed up at Cookridge, in some grounds he purchased of Mr,
Kirk Junior, and are a confirmation of the Conjecture of his
ingenious Father (the late Thomas Kirk, Esq,) that the Eoman
Via Vicinalis (which came from the great Military Eoad upon
Bramham-Moor) passed from that Station at Adel-locum (of
which there is an account No, 282 of the Philosoph. Transact.)
thro' these grounds to Ilkley.
"There are but few of them (not above Twenty that the
Servants confess to) but those mostly very fair ; The eldest he
has is of Domitian  "
One of the others was of Nerva, seven were of Trajan,, and
the rest which were legible, of Hadrian.
"John Dyneley of Bramhope, Esq,, has also three, one with
Fides Exercituum, one of Titus's, and one of Trajan's with
Dacia Captive under a Trophy, but I want the Inscriptions;
* Mr. Plaxton gave "A B.j:r and a Stopper of the Ikiyal Oak" to Thoresby,
who placed them in his museum.

434 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
all the rest are in the Possession of the Ingenious Cyril
Arthington of Arthington, Esq., the Lord of the Manner, who
•obliged me with one, for Lecturing upon the rest, the figure
whereof I send you, it being on a remarkable Occasion, and
not mentioned in Occo (at least in my edition of that Author),
'tis inscribed Hadrianus Aug. Cos. Ill P. P. Eev. Restitutori
Hispanim." In the catalogue of his coins Thoresby calls this a "rare
Medal ; " and there is an account of the above coins generally
in the Ducatus, under the head Cookridge, corresponding with
this one.
The next letter is dated the 18th of the following Septem
ber, and it appeared in No. 319, for January and February
1709 :—
" Part of a Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr.
Hans Sloane Eeg. Soe. Secf concerning some Eoman Antiquities
fouad in Yorkshire ; and a Storm of Thunder, Lightning and
Rain that happened there August 5 1708."
The first part of the letter relates to three Eoman relics
from Adel, which had been sent to Thoresby some months
before ; one an altar, another like an altar in all respects
•except the want of a Discus, or hearth, at the top. Yet
Thoresby considered it too small to have v been a "commem-
morative monument," being only 18 inches high and 6 broad ;
and he wished to know if there were any Eoman altars
without the Discus.
Thoresby then proceeds, —
''The more immediate occasion of this is to acquaint 3'ou
with some of the effects of a late Storm of Thunder, Lightning
and violent Eaine which happened the 5tli day of the last
month. I was then at the Spaw at Harrow-gate near Knares
borough; when having a spacious view upon the open Forrest,
I observed the motion of the Clouds and Storm, which began
iu the West, wheel'd about by the North and East to the

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 435
South ... It burnt down a Barn near Scarbrough : but
I shall confine myself to those Parts where I was,' which I
have attested under the Minister's Hand, Mr. Thos. Furniss
of Bewerley near Pateley-Bridge, about six miles from Ripley."
Mr. Fumiss related the narrow escape of a Thomas Horner,
and others, from " the Bolt, as they term it, but really the
Lightning," Horner's hair having been singed. The inundation
"tore up much of the Eoad and Street from the Church at
Pateley to the Bridge, and made Pits, in some Places several
yards deep .... if it had continued with that violence
half-auHour longer, most of the Town had been in the utmost
danger : Several Persons were in great danger, but only one
Woman drown'd ; she was hurry'd away with the violence of
the Stream, and not found until the 4th day after : It removed
the Bole of a large Oak (now sold for about 4 Nobles) several
Yards ; bore down most part of 4 Wood Bridges ; and has left
the end of the great Stone Bridge, or within about 100 Yards-
of it, as much Gravel, Sec, as is computed at above a thousand
Cart Loads ; One neighbour gives Ten Pounds for removing
the Stones and Gravel left in a small Tract of Ground." But
the Eiver Nidd had kept within its bounds. "Thus," concluded
Mr. Furniss, " the Divine Providence was pleased to temper
with Mercy provoked Justice ; I wish we may be as sensible
of the Cause of this astonishing Calamity, as we are of the
Effects." In the next number there is, —
"A Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr. Hans
Sloane, E,S, Secf concerning some Eoman Antiquities observed in
Yorkshire." This letter is dated April 23 1709, and it begins,—
" There have some Roman Monuments been lately found
among the Euins upon Adel or Echop-Moor ; " but it becomes
evident they are the same with those spoken of in tho first
part of the preceding letter. Between the two communications,
Thoresby had visited London; aud in this subsc(iuent letter to
Sloane he says,—" that any other sort of Commemorative

436 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER,
Monuments should be so little as eighteen Inches high, and
only six broad was new to me, till I found others as small,
tho' of richer Materials, being Marble, in the noble collection
of Christopher Wren, Esq,, and Mr. Kempe.'' This is explained
by the following passages of his Diary : —
" Jan? 10, 1709.— . . . went to Sir Christopher Wren's,
the unparalleled architect of above fifty churches ; his ingenious
son, of both his names, has a most noble collection of Greek
medals, with ancient busts, inscriptions, altars, &c., of which he
has printed an account, which he presented nie with,"
" 13, — Walked ,to Mr, Wren's, who showed me some valuable
curiosities," "26, — . . . visited Mr. Kempe, who showed me his
noble collection of Greek and Eoman medals, several of the
large medallions in silver, and others larger in copper, valued
at vast sums of monies ; he had also two entire, mummies
. . . . but what I was most surprised with, was his closet
of the ancient deities, lares, lamps, and other Eoman vases, some
of which were Monsieur Spon's, and are described in print ;
others not yet, being the noblest collection I ever beheld of
this kind. The Duke of Buckingham had a design upon them,
but not yielding to the price, Mr. Kempe advanced 101, and
procured the tre^sure, and has wrote over that part of the
museum ' Hie sitis Laribus Isetor. ' "
Immediately preceding this last extract is, —
"To meet Mr. Le Neve, in the Tally Office, in the Exchequer
at Westminster, where I had the perusal of Domesday-book,
the original and the index of late dates, both which I perused
with great satisfaction."
In his letter to Sloaue, Thoresby saj'-s that when the Eoman
foundations at Adel were first discovered, he was ready to
fancy the station to have been the Adellocum of the ancients,^
" But when I was last at London, having by the favour of
Peter Le Neve, Esq., Norroy King-at-Arms, an opportunity of

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY. , 437
perusing that Venerable Eecord Domesday-Book in the Exchequer,
I found besides Adele and Echope beforemen tioned another place
in the neighbourhood, call'd Burghedurum Burgdunum, which I
am now ready to conclude was the ancient Eoman name of
this station .... and to me it seems probable, that the
small squared stones, wherewith the very Antique Church at Add
is built, were brought from the ruins of such a castle (Burgi)
and gave rise thereby to an old tradition, which continues to
this day, that Adel-Cliurch once stood upon Black-Hill. ....
I shall only add that within a mile of it, there are two
scattering Houses, that do to this Day retain the name of
Burden- (for Burgdum) Head."
No. 322 contains, — •
"A letter from 2Ir. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr. Hans
Sloane, R.S. Sec, concerning some Ancient Brass Instruments
found in Yorkshire."
" .... As the servants of Mr. Elli^ of Kiddal (Father
to the present Sheriff of the County) were Plowing in a Place
caUed Osmond Thick, near the noted Bramham-Moor, they dis
covered five or six Brass Instruments, which are of different
sizes, from little more than 3 to '4 Inches and a half in
length, and from 1 and a half to 2 Inches and a half in
breadth: They are somewhat in the form of a Wedge," &c.
They had a loop on the side, a form now well known.
This paper is immediately followed by another, entitied "A
letter from Mr. Tho, Hearne, i/,^.* of Oxford to Mr. Ealph
Thoresby, F.R.S., occasioned by some Antiquities lately discovered
near BEAMHAM MOOE in YOEKSHIEE." It is dated at
Oxford, and fills eighteen pages. Both these wore also printed
in the first volume of Leland's Itinerary, with a print of one
of the brass celts, t as there is in the Transactions; and in
* Hearne wrote to Thoresby from Oxford, 17th August, 1709,-" I lately
saw your discourse in the Philosophical Transaction, with wliich I am ^^•cU
pleased." t There is a smaller print in the Ducatus.

438 RALPn TIIOREfSRY THE TOPOCRAPHER.
his preface tp the fourth volume Hearne says, — " To this
Fourth Volume I have prefix'd a Letter written by the ingenious
Mr. Thoresby to my Honour'd and Learned Friend Dr. Hans
Sloane, concerning some Antiquities found in Yorkshire, to
which I have added some Eemarks of my own upon the same
Occasion." This preface is dated at the Bodleian Library, June
14th 1711. Thoresby's Letter begins, —
" The Kind Eeception you was pleased to afford an account
of the Brass Instruments lately found in Yorkshire encourages
me to give you the trouble of this Description of what I
esteem a much greater curiosity, which was since presented to
me by Stephen Tempest of Broughton in Craven Esq. ; whose
Servants some years ago, as they were digging for Stone in
one of his Horse-Paddocks, found a Roman urn . . . ."
" The above mentioned Instruments of Brass were the
happy occasion of an elaborate Dissertation of the ingenious
Mr, Hearne which has already had two Editions (as I am told)
one at London in the Philosophical Transactions No. 322, and
the other at Oxford in his edition of Leland's Itinerary. I
wish this may procure the like from him, or some Person of
Curiosity, who can have access to Publick Librarys and Musea,
where many advantages can be had, which my private Station
in these remote Parts prevents the notice of, and which are
absolutely necessary to a just Dissert'ition upon a matter of
so very groat Antiquity . . . ."
Hearne complied with Thoresby's wish, by appending " Some
Eemarks Occasioned by the foregoing Letter," written at con
siderable length. Thoresby had supposed the relics British,
Hearne thought them Danish. They were found in 1675, and,
as well as Mr. Ellis's donation, are described in the Musseum
Catalogue. Thoresby's next paper in the Transactions is in No. 331,
for July, August and September 1711 : — ¦
" A Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., io Dr. Hans
Sloane E.S. Seer. Giving an account of a Lunar Rainbow seen

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL .SOCIETY. 439
in Derbyshire, and of a Storm of Thunder and Lightning which
happened near Leedes in Yorkshire."
This letter is dated at Leeds, Jan? 20 1711, the first
account having been communicated to Thoresby by a Derby
shire friend who saw the lunar rainbow at Christmas, about
8 p.m., at Glass weU Hall, and walking towards Patterton Green.
To this follows, — ¦
"The beginning of the same month had been remarkable
here in Yorkshire, for such Thunder and Lightnings as are not
common here at that time of the year; particularly the even
ing of the 5th Day, and the morning of that Day Sevennight;
when John Sainor of Bramham, Gardner, and two Women,
designing early for this Market, were so furiously encountered,
that the females took up at the first House they came at; but
he proceeded on his Journey, tho' the Lightning was so severe,
as he was riding over Bramham-Moor, that he thought his hair
had been burnt and Face scorch'd, at one Flash ; which
being more severe than' the rest, did actually set on Fire the
Stick which he had in his Hand, as he was ready to depose
upon Oath before John Dodgson, Esq., Mayor of Leedes,* who
presented me with the said Hazel Eod which the Gardner had
given him : It yet retains part of the blackness, tho' the man
had beat off much of the end of the Eod (little minding it
as a Curiosity) by forcing the Horse forward to get the sooner
out of the fiery Incalescence.'' And the stick was treasured in
Thoresby's Museum.
In No. 335, for July, August, and September 1712, is, —
"A Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr. Hans
Sloane R.S, Sec^. Giving an Account of the Damage done by a
* John Dodgson was elected Mayor of Leeds in 1696, and again in 1710.
He also added to Thoresby's collection a medal struck to commemorate the
victories of Queen Anne over Louis XIV. It is stated in the Ducatus that
Sir Arthur In'jTam, having purchased Thorpe, between Temple-Newsome and
Leeds; "demolished the greatest part of the old Hall; yet there remains a
convenient Tenement, where Mr. John Dodgson, Alderman of Leeds, fre
quently resides in the Summer, having a pleasant Garden of curious Flowers,"'
ic.

440 RALPH THORESBY THE TOPOGRAPHER.
Storm of Hail, which happened near Eotherham in Yorkshire on
June 7 1711." "Leedes, Nov. 3 1711."
"Being not long ago at Weniworth-Woodhouse, and other
Places near Rotherham,,' where very considerable Damage was
done by a Storm, I enquired after the most remarkable Par
ticulars, which having received from so sure Hands as the
Parties immediately concern'd, will not, I presume, be unaccept
able to yoif"
Hail, with thunder - and lightning began about Eotherham,
where the lightning " burnt a noted Tree. About one of the
Clock it reached Wentworih-Woodhouse. The Hail-Stones were
from 3 to 5 inches in Circumference, and some say larger,
which killed several Pidgeons ; but the chief Damage done
here was in the Glass Windows, which cost Forty Pounds in
repairing. In Wash Field, about two miles from thence, it did
vast Damage. This Field is generally computed to be worth
a Thousand Pounds when in White Corn (to use a Country
man's expression) some part of it escaped, and the Barley
received no Damage; but the generality of the wheat was cut
off, about half a Yard from the Ground, and the Rye about
two Foot, The Stubble tho' green at first, turn'd white, that
it look'd like a Field newly Shorn, The Rye was afterwards
Mown instead of Shearing, and .yielded not above a Bushel of
Corn in a Wain-load. Some of the wheat took Eoot and grew
up ; but the Husbandmen generally thought, that if it should
come to Perfection, it would scarce yield as much as would
be Seed for another year. The breadth of this Storm was
about half-a-Mile, as appeared by the Effects. In Places adjoyn
ing there was no Hail, but large drops of Eain. A Joiner,
working with the Minister, from whom I received part of this
Eolation, measured one of the Hailstones with his Compasses,
and it was an Inch and a half in length; But these were not
globular, mostly oblong. The generality of them there (which
was at Bolton^super-Dearne) were of the bigness of ordinary
Cherries; tho' the' aforesaid Minister's Son took up one that
was an Inch and a half in Diameter, and round, not long, and
somewhat flat, as the others were ; but the Youth durst not

FELLOW OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY 441
stay long out, the Hail feU with such Violence. Ten of his
Pidgeons were brought in sore wounded tho' not quite dead.
Great quantities of Twigs and small Boughs were beaten off
the Trees, which being of less Moment are omitted ; but the
Damage in the Corn was severe upon the poorer sort of
Inhabitants. I shall conclude this as the good old Minister
(who was a Sufferer by this Calamity) does his Letter; When
Thy Judgements, 0 Lord, are in ihe Earth, ihe Inhabitants of
tlie World should learn Righteousness. Isai. 26. 9.
I- am. Sir, Your obliged, &c."
It was his birthday, the 16th of August 1711, when
Thoresby set out from Leeds upon his -visit to the Honour
able Thomas Wentworth, of Wentworth- Woodhouse. His account
of Jt in the Diary has the preface, —
" Preparing for a journey that I wish had been in my
power to divert to another day, that I might have employed
this in meditation, &c,, considering the mis-spence of fifty three
years. Lord, pardon what is irrevocably lapsed, and help me
to spend the short remains more usefully ! "
In the following number of the Transactions, 336, there is,—
"A Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.R.S., to Dr. Hans
Sloane, R.S. Sec'':. Concerning large Stones voided per Urethram."
The letter is dated "Leedes, Nov. 26 1711," a year earUer
than its publication, and relates to the case of "Joshua, the
son of Thomas Spurrit, a poor Clothier upon the Quarry Hill,"
who had been operated on by "Mr. S, Pollard, an Ingenious
Surgeon of this Town," but died. Thoresby wrote immediately
after a Post Mortem examination,— " This Day the Youth being
dissected, there were found," &c.
This was Thoresby's latest contribution to the Philosophical
Transactions prior to the pubUcation of the Ducatus Leodiensis;
30

442 RALPH THORESBT THE TOPOGRAPHER.
and ten years passed before, in No. 372, for June, July and
August 1722, another appeared: — *
A "Letter from Mr. Ealph Thoresby, F.RS,, to Sir Hans
Sloane, Bart., President of the College of Physicians, and Vice-
Pres. R.S., concerning the Effects of a violent Shovjer of Rain
in Yorkshire," At Ripponden, near Halifax, the effects were so surprising,
Thoresby states, —
" That I wrote to a Gentleman of those Parts for an
account that might be depended upon," Between the hours of
Three and Five on the 18th of May 1722, "by the moderatest
Account the Beck was rais'd two Yards at least in perpendicular
Height above what was ever known before  Fifteen
persons were drown'd, of whom Jonas Longbotliom and his
Servant are not yet found. . . . ». The Eapidness of the
Torrent was so violent that it took down the North-side of
Ripponden Chapel, and carried off most of the Seats. A man
of Deusbury told me, that he saw four of them that were
driven to that Town ; and the Eector of Castleford, who visited
me the Day after, inform'd me that many goods were carried
down so far, tho' above 20 Miles off. .... It tore up
the Dead out of their Graves  "
The letter, whieh is dated Leeds, June 5th 1722, concludes, —
I was that day seized by a smart Thunder-Shower, upon the
Moor, as I was coming home." He was returning from Brother-
ton, where he had stayed over-night, and there is a passage
relating this in his diary at the time. Next year another
paper was printed, in No. 377, for May and June 1723:—

* In a letter of the 18th of April 172'2, to the Rev. William Smith of
Melsonby, and printed in his Literse de Re Nummaria, Thoresby says, —
" Since Sir Hans Sloane resigned his Secretary's Office, I have not so much
Correspondence as I used to have with the Royal Society ; Dr, Hally having
less Inclination to Antiquities, and Astronomical Observationii are out of my
Way, Halley succeeded Sloane aa Secretary 30th November 1713, and he
held the office until 1721.

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIKTY. 443
"Some Amendments and Additions to tlie Account of Things
found under Ground in Lincolnshire, in the Transactions of May
and June An. Dom. 1702, Numb, 279, Sect. 4, 5, By Mr
Ealph Thoresby, F.E.S,"
It relates to the depth at which the discoveries mentioned
in No. 279 were found; and this was Thoresby's last contribu
tion to the Philosophical Transactions.

ADDITIONAL NOTE.
Oar Leeds Spa Water." Page 413.
It is not easy for any one acquainted with Leeds in York
shire at the present time, to imagine it the resort of invaUds,
seeking restored health from the use of its waters. Yet suppose
it far enough distant from coal fields and manufactures, it.'^
river clear as formerly, stored with trout, and not unknown to
salmon, and running its course between meadows instead of
mUls, and it is more than probable that Leeds Spa would
have a reputation, somewhat less, perhaps, than that of Harro
gate, but rivalling Askern's at the very least.
Thoresby, ever ready to make the best of everything to
the credit of his native town, enumerates its medicinal springs.
'i'here was one, dedicated to St, Peter, — " Intensely cold, and,"
he says, " very beneficial for such as are afflicted with Rhuematia
Pains, or Weakness, Eickets, &o., for which reason it is much
frequented by such, who might otherwise have recourse to
St, Mangus, or Mongah, as it is more truly writ." Leeds could
dispense with Copgrove. Then there was, between the site of
its vanished Castle and Bene Ing, " Eye-bright Well ou a
decliniug Ground, near the Monks-Pits," which, ho tells, " dis
covers its virtues iu the Name, being, long ago, esteemed a

ADDITIONAL NOTE.
Sovereign Eemedy against Sore-Eyes," A third spring, " at the
skirt of the high Dam," close upon Holbeck, turned purple, " a
deep purple," when powder of galls was put into it, like waters
at Harrogate ; and it had " sometimes been drunk medicinally."
There was the Woodhouse Carr Medicinal Well, that " both in
the Taste and Effects'' resembled "the Sulphur-Well upon Knares-
brough-Forest." The repute of this was not extinct when
Thomas Short, M.D,, of Sheffield, published in 1734 his
"Natural, Experimental, and Medicinal History of the Mineral'
Waters of Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire." He speaks
rather slightingly of it, yet particularizes a virtue which might
be of value to some, even now. At page 303 of his work
we read, — " There is a weak, inconsiderable Sulphur-'W siieT
in the midst of a small Valley, about a mile from Leeds, and
half a mile from Woodhouse-Car. It is much out of order, and
is of , little use at present, except when the Croppers have got
an over-Dose at night, it takes off its Effects next Morning.
Three half Pints -of it afforded Four Grains pf Marine Salt.
But we meet with one of much greater Note, at Atkeron, five
miles from Doncaster," &c.
While Dr. Short thus depreciated the Woodhouse-Car
Spring, he omitted any mention of the one which, more than
all the rest, enhanced Leeds as a watering-place. " The Spaw
at Quarry-hill," wrote Thoresby in his Ducatus, "bears away
the Bell as to this Parish ; " and reverting to it on another
page, — " Onerich-side, Sheepscar-beck, which here runs under a
Stone-bridge, called North hall Brigg, is a remarkable Spring,
the Spaw-well (which Mr. William Smithson fenced -with a
Stone-wall and Cover) and Lady-well: This Spadacrene Leodiensis
strikes as good a Purple with Nutt-galls as the Knaresbrough
Spaw, and has the like effects ; only 'tis too near, and cheap,
to be valued as it ought. The same Powder of Galls does
not at all affect the Colour of the other Spring, the Lady WeU,"

ADDITIONAL NOTE.
This, doubtless, was the Spaw recommended by the Bishop
of Ely, and Thoresby had resorted to it before the advice
was given. In his Review for the year 1691 he writes,  "the
forenoons, during the time of' my drinking the Spa waters at
Quarry HiU, were almost entirely lost, that though for my
health, I could scarce forbear repining at it." He commenced
his water drinking on the 8th of July in that year, and "con
cluded Sparcourse " on the 8th of August. * It was renewed
in later years. In August 1695 his 'diary has the entry, —
"Forenoon, drinking our Leeds Spa Water which has a good
effect ; " but the most remarkable mention of it is on the
13th of July 1703 :—
"Drank but Uttle, the Spa-well having been flooded yester
night with a thunder shower, which yet reached not so far
as Alderman Ivison's, where they made hay in their .shirts all
day, yet was so violent here that in less than an hour's time
Sheepscar-beck rose a yard and a half in perpendicular height.
" This thunder-shower was ordered by Providence, for the
detection of a murderer, John Brown, cdias Clement Foster,
who had fled from the North, where he had slain an excise
man, and skulked at Bunder's upon the Moor, into whose
house the violence of the storm forced Mr. Eouth, the Stapler,
who overheard the fellow say he was brother to such-a-one,
Mrs, Brown, in the North ; he came the next morning to read
the Gazette at Leeds, where Mr. Eouth got him apprehended,
for that such-a-one's brother had slain a man, and was fled; he
denied all, but being sent to Newcastle Assizes, it was proved
upon him, and he was executed for it : it is said he died
penitent." In 1709, Thoresby not' only "observed the Spa course"
himself, but tried the cold bathing of St. Peter's well for his
youngest child, Eichard :— -

* " During the season for drinking tho water at our Leeds Spa," ho writes
iibout the same time in 170,').

ADDITIONAL NOTE.
April 8, — " Was late at church, and fetched out by a
messuage from the bone-setter (Smith, of Ardsley), who posi
tively affirms that one part of the kneebone of my dear child
Eichard, has slipped out of its, proper place; he set it right
and bound it up ; the Lord give a blessing to all endeavours !
We had made use of several before, who all affirmed that no
bone was wrong, but that his Ump proceeded rather from some
weakness, which we were the rather induced to belieVe, because
warm weather, and bathing in St. Peter's Well, had set him
perfectly on his feet without the least halting, only this severe
Winter has made him worse than ever."
When in the foUowing July, Thoresby again drank of the
Quarry Hill Spa, the boy went along , with him to St. Peter's
bath. The remembrance of the two is still preserved in com
bination by the St. Peter's Spa baths, which maintain their
existence despite the adverse surroundings of a neighbourhood
fallen from its once higher estate, and become the reverse
of attractive. A cry of " Holbeck Spa " (a kindred water),
familiar to the streets of Leeds some years ago, can now be
only adverted to as a cry of other days !

I 3sriD E :k:.

PAGE.
Adel 4-20, 434, 435
Afrates, George - 12 n.
Allanson, Francis 27, 31, 35, 36, 37, 41 n.
Arms in Travelling 124
Arthington, Cyril, ol Arthing
ton - 419, 434
Asselby, William - 6
Atkinson, Edward, Mayor of
Leeds 50, 213 aud n., 262
 Elizabeth 50
 • WiUiam, gunsmith to
Faurfax 68™., 165
Ayksith, Lord of Dent 2
Auckland, Matthew
Bannister, George
Barden, John
 • Catherine
Barwiek, Lady
Bass-RockBathurst, Charles, his funeral
Baynes, Captain Adam
¦  Rev. Adam

11
119
4,5 5
89
126no
25-39 25
156 12&177182355
346 58
302 )!.

Beeston Murder
Berwiok-on-Tweed Beverley
Beavot, Richard
Bishopthorp -
Blackstone-Edge -
Blackwell Hall
Bland, Nathaniel -
Blythman, Jasper, Recorder of
Leeds r21, 354
 William 1'21
Bolton, William, of Harewood 309
Boulter, Mr. 357
Boyse, Elkanah - 56, 85
 Joseph 85, 133, 103
 Matthew - 46, 85, 151
Bradley, Thomas, D.U, 183
Bramham Moor, Brass Instru
ments found near - 437
Bramhope Chapel 1 -"i "» « .

Brearcliffe, John, of Halifax, 156 ;
his death . 177
Brickwork in Leeds 62
BridUngton . 175
Brough, Dr. WiUiam, Letter to
John Harrison 43, Add, Note
Broughton-in-Craven,Ums found at 438
Buckingham, Duke of - 49, 50 n.
Bugden -
Buxton -
Calder Bridge
Calls, Garden in
CambridgeCamden's Britannia
Carlisle -
Chapeltown Moor

371,

186117 329144
96, 381
380 and n.
130
-53,153,164, 197
Add. Note, 201
Charles the Second, King 57, 95, 247
Charters of Incorporation 13, 21 n.,
41, 223 and n.
Cheke, Sir John, Priest 9
Chester- 148
 Muringers at - -148 7).
Cholmley, Richard, of Sprustey - "'i'i
Churchill, Awnsham - 375 and n.
Clayton, John, Recorder of Leeds 39
Clifton, Coins found at 426

Comets -
Cooke, Alexander, Vicar of Leeds
 Anue-
 Marmaduke, D.D., Vicar
of Leeds
 Robert, Vir.ir of Leeds

102 12
13

50
1-2
433
114,

Cookridge, Coins found at
Copgrove, St. Mongah's Well
197, Add. Note
Corlass, Mr., Lady Banvick's
Chaplain
Corporation Addresses

301 ,

Cosin, Dr.

- 89, 90
118, 2M, 248,
302 n., UC3, 365 16

¦ Praj er-Book annotated by 16 n.

INDEX.

PAQE.
Courten, William, alias Charl
ton- 386 and «., 387
Cromwell, Oliver - - - 191 n.
Cutler, Sur John 369 and n., 384
Dauby, Thomas, Mayor of
Leeds 50 and n.
De Hominio - ¦ 181, 388
Dickenson, John - - 52
'  Thomas - 62, 56
Dixon, Eev. Bright - 379
 Bryan 48 n., 104, 151, 163, 207
Dodsworth, Roger 6, 8
 Thomas - 8
 Matthew 12 n.
Dolben, Archbishop 187 and n., 217
Drighlington, Archbishop Mar-
getson's School at - - - 133
Drought of 1681 111
Dugdale (Norroy), holds his Court
in Leeds 1, 8
Durham Cathedral 91 and n. , 170, 1 71 n.
Dyneley, Eobert - 156 n.
Earthquake at Leeds - - 211
 at HuU, &c. 422
Eastland Company - - 221 and n.
Edinburgh - 126, 128
Bel Pie House 381
Eglinton, Earl of - . - 131, 164, 220
Eland - 146 and n.
Elcock, Aid. Francis, of York 195, 211
SLUerton Abbey - - . - 5, 6
 Agnes - - 4, 5
 Matthew 5
Epitaphs copied by Thoresby, 56
63, 93, 95, 116, 121, 1-25, 126,
127, 128, 130, 147, 148, 151,
164, 176, 185 - 186
Evelyn, John - 404, 411
Fairfax, Charles, of Menstone 2
 Henry 87, 89
 Thomas, 1st Lord - 68 n.
 Ferdinando, 2nd Lord 2, 17
 Thomas, Srd Lord 2, 17, 68
aud n.
 Henry, 4th Lord, elected
Member for Yorkshire
68, 109; visited by
Thoresby, 87, 97, 130 ;
funeral of ¦ - . 260, 201 )i.

PAGE,
Fairfax, Thomas, 5th Lord 249
Farnley Wood Plot 53, 197, Add. Note
Fenton, Thomas 112,154, 312, 346 andn.
Fitz-Peter, William - 5
Floods - - - 91,107
Fountain's Abbey - 170
Fox's Martyrs - 195 and n.
Frost of 1Q84 - 219
Fry, Samuel, of Dorsetshire - 211
Gale, Dean of York 357 and n., 358 n.
Garnet, Eev, Robert - - 9
 John - - 41
Grarraway's Coffe House in Leeds 356
Gascoigne, J ohn, of Parhngton 369
 Sur Thomas 88 n.

 WiUiam 405, 406 and n.
Gibson, Edmund, Bishop of London 299
 John, Mayor of Leeds 354 and n.
Gilpin, Dr, - - 293 and n.
Gipton Cold Spring - - 132
Gisborough 173
Glasgow - 127
Goodrick, Sir John ¦ 18, 428
Grantham 185
Greatrakes,Valentine, the Stroker 407
Gunpowder Plot - 102
Gunter, John, LL.B. - 155, 182
Hackney Church, Thoresby Monu
ment in • 4, 7
Hamburgh Company 221
Hardresse, Elinor - 4 and n,
 Sir Thomas - 4 and n.
 Sir WiUiam ' 4 n.
Harrison, John 10, 13, 14, 18, 21 and n.,
43 Add. Note
Harrogate - 69, 88, 113, 153, 155,
197 Add. Note, 211
Harewood 169, 171, 369 and n.
Hatfield 186
 Captain John - 198 and n.
Hawcaster Rig 393
Headley, Alderman Martin 214, 230
Helaugh . 182, 230
Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles
the First, lands in Yorkshire
Henry, Matthew -
Heywood, Oliver, 45, 48, 51, 70,
109 and n,, 168, 315; his
funeral

17
313

358

INDES.

Hickes, Marmaduke, Mayor of
Leeds, 82, 119 ; his death
Hickson, Elkanah, 89 aud a., \iZ;
his death
Hickson, Robert, 92 ; death and
funeral of r
HighgateHUUard, Christopher
Hilton, Baron
Hoddesden

350350 109
190 and n.
163 171 98
Hook, Dr., Vicar of HaUfax 89
Hopkinson M.S.S, 132
Hopton of Armley - 220 and n.
Hough, John 335
Howe, John, Nonconformist Min
ister 281 andn,, 312
HuU - 62, 66, 176
 Earthquake at 422
Humphrey, John, Nonconformist

KettleweU, Eev. John
 Robert

P.iUE. 9w. 9

Minister -
Hunslet, service at
Hunting Huntingdon Hustler, Sir WiUiam
Ibbetson, Family of
 Samuel, 319 ;

30G 154106
191 and n.
173, 175 and n.
319
his death

344
Idle, EUzabeth 75
 .Jeremiah - 75
 Lucy - 75
 Michael - 75, 81
 Richard 75
 Susan - 84, 86
 Thomas, 75 ; funeral of 79
lUingworth, James, B.D. 146
Ingleby, Sir WiUiam, his death 169
and 170 n.
Ingram, Sir Arthur - 16
Irish, alarm of '262
Iveson, Anthony, M.A. 108 aud n.
 Aldresse - -350 /i.
Jennison, Sir Ralph 114
Johnston, Dr. Nathaniel 81 and «., 178
179)1., 388; his death 389
Kaye, John, M.A., 45 ; his death 199
Kempe, Mr 436
Kundal - 329
Kennet, Bishop of Peterborough 10, 16 /; ,
Kershiiw, John, Eector of Eipley 228
Kettlewell, Flood at 12S

KlUingbeok, John, B.D., Vicar of
Leeds - 271
Kinardsey 430
Kirk of Cookridge 125, 160, 421, 433
KirkstaU Abbey 194, 394 and n., 39:<
Knaresborough 69, 88, 115, IS'j
Lake, John, D.D,, Vicar of
Leeds 41, 50, 229, 261 ,/.
Lambert, John 158
Langley, Timothy 13 ».
Lawson, Godfrey, Mayor of
Leeds 46 and n.
Layton, Hemy, of Rawdon 219
Lazenby, Alderman - 357 .ind n.
Ledstone Hall 151
Leeds, Heraldic Visitation, 1, 8 ;
Grammar School, 9, 10, 13, 46 ;
Incorijoration, 13 ; attacks on,
17 ; Plague, 20 ; Aldermanio
succession, 21 n., represented
in CromweU's ParUaments,
29, 34; Hearth Money, 40;
Petition from, 41 n. ; effect of
Uniformity Act, 41; briok-
¦work in, 62 ; Tavern, 122 ;
Dancing School, 183; Cloth
Market removal, 222; alarm
in 1688, 202; WiUiam the
Third and Queen Mary pro
claimed, 266 ; Waterworks,
338 ; Queen Anne ptoclaimed, 365
 Arms of 50 n.
 Duke of 413
 Manor of, - 3.j I
 Spa 413, 443 Add. ^'..te
Leicester - 227 aud n.
Le Neve (Norroy), letters from,
5,246; shuws Doomsday Book
to Thoresby 430
Linen Coriioration 337 and n.
Lister, Dr. Martin, of York, 2,
160, Vy.i ; his Letter in PhUo
sophical Collections, 392 ;
Letter to Thoresby - o'.l.-)
Lloyd, Edward 390, 391 and u.
Lud-c, Alice 159
 — WiUiam, engraver 158

31

INDEX.

PAGE.

Lowther, Sir John

- 332 and m.

Lucas, John - - •

11

Lutterworth -

226

Lynn (Regis)

94

MaUory, Edmund, an Irish
Giant - - 140, 193
Manchester - 147, 149, 220, 231
Manlove, Timothy 290, 294 and
»., 304, 312 and »., 341; his
death 353 and n.
Manton, Dr, , Funeral of, 55 ; his
Works - 195 and n.
Marsden, GamaUel, Death of 111
 Jeremiah, other-wise
Ealphson ... 53
Marston Moor, Battle of 17, 1 31, 217, 405
Mass House at Pontefract - - 251
Megg, Andrew - - 12 n.
Micrometer - - 406 and n.
Midgley, Robert 417 and n.
Milner, B., of Amsterdam 63, 115,
357 and n.
 John, B.D., Minister at
St. John's, 42; Vicar of
Leeds, 45; Non-juror, 268, 416
 WiUiam - 22 m., 63, 343
Molesworth, Eobert, Viscount 425
Monmouth, Duke of, at White-
haU, 96; Title, 128; Eebel
lion - 249 andn.'
Moore, John, D.D., Bishop of
Ely - - - 55, 413 and n.
Morris CastUion - - 87
Neale, Archbishop of York, Letter
to John Harrison 14
 George, M, D, ,103, 197, Add, Note
Nevile, Gervase, of Holbeok 119
Newark Castle - - 98 and 99 n.
Newcastle - - 82,124,171
Newmarket, Charles the Second
and Duke of York at - - 95
Nicholson, Bishop ot Carlisle 299
and n., 332, 358
Ninth Legion - 427 and n.
 Standard-Bearer of 399, 428
Nonconformist Address to James
the Second 258 and n.
 Meeting at Wake
field - 275

PAGE.
Nonconformists, Proceedings
against - 46, 48, 140, 151, 184, 210
Norwich - - 95
Nottingham 227
Oxford 224, 390
Paganel's Charter - 370
Paradise, Mechanical Exhibition 85, 188
ParUamentary Elections 29, 34, 68, 108,
249, 265
Peak, Derbyshire - - 117
Pearson, Archdeacon • 298
Pembroke, Ann Clifford, Countess of 130
 Eari of 413
Peterborough - 220
Pewter Coinage 424
Pierce Bridge, Eoman Altar from 170, 393
Plaxton, George, Vicar of Berwiok-
in-Elmet 430
PoUtical Events 64, 67, 70, 107, 118, 126,
135, 139, 203, 247, 258, 266, 343, 360
Potter, Alderman Thomas 348
 Mrs Mary 349
Preston, Edward, the runner 201
PuUen, Dr. Samuel - - 13
 Joshua - - 18
Putland, Thomas, Letter from - 425
Eaynar, Mrs 99
Eed Hall, Leeds - - 21, 301
 ShadweU - - 159 n.
Eipon ToUs ¦ - 351 and n.
Eipponden, Flood at - - 442
Elvers, Earl - - 347 and n.
Robinson, Henry, Vicar of Leeds,
14, 17, 41; his monu
ment, 219 ; his son 200
 Matthew, M.D. 106
Eock, in Northumberland 69, 81, 83, 125
Rodes, WiUiam, of Great Hough
ton - - - 252
 Mrs. EUzabeth - 253
Rope-Dancer - 123 and n.
Eoyal Oak - - - 431
Euns-ffick - - 173 and n,
SalkeUd, Mr., of Cumberland 325, 331'
Sampson, Dr. - - 385 and n.
Sancroft, Archbishop, Consecra
tion of - 55
SavUe, Shr John - - 12, 21 n.
 Sii' Henry - 13

INDEX.

PAGE.
SavUe, Sir Henry, Arms of - 50
Saxton, Peter - 17, 23, 145, 146 n.
Scarborough - - 175
Scotch Covenant, Declaration
against - 342
Scott, Colonel - - 256 and n.
Scroop, Lord, of Bolton 8, and n.
Scudamore, Thomas - - 150
Setcha - 94
Sharp, Archbishop of York 120, 188, 298
 Abraham 289
 John - - - - -289
 Thomas, Minister at Mill
HiU, 61 and «,, 76, 80, 90 and
n., 169, 283 ; his wiU, 285 and
n ; his death - - 286
Sheepscar Beck - - 318, 319 n.
Sheffield - 116
 Sir WiUiam, Priest 10
Small-pox - - 353
Smart, Peter - 91 n.
Sorocold, George, engineer - 338
Spademan, John, M, A. 234 and n.
Spanheimius - - 415
Skelton, Jeremiah - 406
Stage Coaches 66, 95, 184, 191
Stage Plays - - 85, 100
Stanmore - - 333
Sterne, Richard, M, P. - 185
Stittenham - 87
Stockton - - 172
Storms - - . 68, 91, 434, 439
 of haU - 440
Stretton, Eichard 45, 47, 49, 61,
77, 166, 191; his imprison-
ment,206- 259 n.
Strype, Eev, John - 19
Styles, Eev. WiUiam - 19, 23, 25
Sunderiand - - 172
Swillington - - 17
Sykes, Family of - - - 242
 Arms of - - • • 245
 Eichard, 243, 255 ; his death 323
Tanner, Thomas, author of Noti
tia - 416 and n.
Temple, Sir William 67, 95
Thoresby, Agnes 8
 Alice (Roman CathoUc^ 103
 Arms of 6, 7

PAGE.
Thoresby, Christopher - ' 5
 Elinor 4
 Genealogy - 2
 George, of West Cotting-
'with, 4; his death 21
 George 4, 6
 George, uncle of the
Topographer, 22, 40;
his death - 72
 George, brother of the
Topographer - - 42, 43
 Henry, Bencher of Lin
coln's Inn - 4
 Hugh 4
 Jeremiah, brother of the
Topographer, 346, 352 ;
354; his death 356
 .Tohn - 5
 John, Alderman of Leeds,
4, 31, 36 ; his death 40
 John, Archbishop of York
 John, Father of the To
pographer, 1 ; memoirs
of, 19 and n., 385 n.;
his marriage, 21; in
dicted under Conven
ticle Act, 48 n. ; his
letter to Ealph, 51 ; his
death, 71; his WUl 74
 Joseph, ParUamentarian
Captain, of Sykehouse,
22; letters to Captain
Adam Baynes, 26, 38;
his death, 72; his Will,
72 n., 143 n.; his family 143
 Joshua - 61
 Manor of 4
 Paul, 4; letter by, 22
and 77. , 27, 40 and n.
 Ealph, of Woolhouse 4
 Ealph, Parliamentarian
Ensign- • - 30
 ¦  Ealph, his birth, 8 ;
schooling, 9; taken to
London, 51 ; return,
59 ; voyage to Holland,
62 ; return home, 66 ;
travels to Durham and
Northumberland, 69,

PAGE.
Thoresby, Ealph (continued) :
81,83,91,105,170; to
London, 84, 92, 184
(by Cambridge), 381;
411 ; Derbyshire, 115,
252 ; Scotland, 123 ;
Lancashire and Che-
shSxe, 147 ; Cumber
land, 327; Windsor and
Oxford, 224, 390; his
marriage, 245 ; agent
for Lord Wharton's
Charity, 277; his first
Communion in the
Church of England,
304; finaUy quits the
Nonconformists, 312 ;
his partnershij) in
Sheepscar OU MU1,320 ;
enters the Corporation
as Common - CouncU-
man, 341; arrested for
debt, 347; give business
up, 359 ; elected Fellow
of the Eoyal Society 401
 Robert, of Thoresby,
Dent and Sedberg 4
 Sir Adam 2
 Thomas - 4
 Timothy, brother of the
Topographer 43
 Timothy, uncle of the
Topographer, 40 and
», ; his death 72
Thornton, Richard, Eecorder of
Leeds 301
Thorp, Baron Francis - 155 and n.
Thurresby, WUliam - 6
TUlotson, Archbishop, 55 ; his
burial - - 383 and n.
Taysteke, John de, Poem by 3
Thwing, or Thweng, Trial of 88 and «,

PAGE.
Todd, Rev. Eobert - 16, 41
Torre, the antiquary 353 and ?!,
Travel, dangers of 129, 329, 346, 382
Usedale 129 '
Waddington of Gledhow 131
WaUier, Dr. Obadiah 371 and n., 385
Wasse, I'homas 12 n.
Waterhouse, Jonas, Ex-Vicar of
Bradford - 89
Waterworks in Leeds 338
Welwyn - 190 and ft,
Wentworth, Sk Thomas 13
Went vorth - Woodhouse, HaU-
storm at - 440
Wharton, PhiUp, Lord 277
 Sir Ealph 98 and n.
Wheat, supposed showers of 112
Whitaker, Thomas, Nonconform
ist Minister - 216 and n., 230
Whitby - 174
Whitehaven- - 330
Whyte, Francis, Eecorder of Leeds 72
WUloughby, of Parham 92,
WUkmson, Captain 138, 189
 • Christopher, Parson
of Armley - 368 and n.
Windsor 224, 390
Wisbeach 94
Wispelaer, Mr. , a Flemish Roman
CathoUc - - 89
Wood, Sir John 13
Woodhouse, John, Nonconformist
Minister 305
Wren, Sir Christopher 412, 436
his son 430
York 144, 155
 Dancing School at 195
 Plague at ' 2,30
 Roman Inscription 427
 Mint at • 362
 Duke of, 57, 95, 98, 125 ;

succeeds to the Crown -

247

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