_Crabbe MSS._--In some second-hand book catalogue the following is
inserted, viz.,--
"1353. Crabbe (Rev. Geo., _Poet_), Poems, Prayers, Essays, Sermons,
portions of Plays, &c., _5 vols. entirely autograph, together with a
Catalogue of Plants, and Extracts from the second Volume of the
Transactions of the Linnean Society, 1795 (this volume only contains a
few Autograph Verses in pencil at the end). An Autograph letter of 4
pages to the Dean of Lincoln, dated_ TROWBRIDGE, March 31, 1815. _A
curious Anonymous letter from 'Priscian' to Mr. Murray, dated_ Dec.
8th, 1833, _on the Orthography of the name of the Birthplace of the
Poet, and which the writer observed in the View of the Town of
Aldeburgh in the frontispiece to the Prospectus Mr. M. has just issued,
&c., interspersed with some portraits and scraps, in 6 vols. 4to. and
8vo., dated from 1779 to 1823, 8l. 8s._"
This is a note underneath:
"The following portion of a Prayer, evidently alluding to his troubles,
occurs in one of the volumes bearing date Dec. 31, 1779: 'A thousand
years, most adored Creator, are in thy Sight as one Day. So contract in
my Sight my Calamities! The Year of Sorrow and Care, of Poverty and
Disgrace, of Disappointment and wrong, is now passing on to join the
Eternal. Now, O Lord! let, I beseech thee, my Afflictions and Prayers
be remembered; my Faults and Follies be forgotten.' 'O! Thou who art
the Fountain of Happiness, give me better Submission to thy Decrees,
better Disposition to correct my flattering Hopes, better Courage to
bear up under my State of Oppression,'" &c.
Can any of the reader of "N. & Q." tell me who possesses this? I should
very much like to know.