To your list of parochial libraries may be added one in Swaffham Church,
Norfolk, bequeathed to the parish by one of the Spelman family. It contains
several hundred volumes, and among them some of the Elzevir classics. About
seven years ago I visited Swaffham, and found this collection of books in a
most disgraceful state, covered with dust and the dung of mice and bats,
and many of the books torn from their bindings. It would afford me great
pleasure to hear that more care is taken of such a valuable collection of
books. There is also a smaller library, in somewhat better preservation, in
the vestry of St. Peter's, Mancroft Church, in the city of Norwich.