The manuscripts were never returned to Des Maizeaux; for seven years
afterwards Mrs. Collins, who appears to have been a very spirited lady,
addressed to him the following letter on the subject of a report, that
she had permitted transcripts of these very manuscripts to get abroad.
This occasioned an animated correspondence from both sides.
SIR, _March 10, 1736-37_.
I have thus long waited in expectation that you would ere this have
called on Dean Sykes, as Sir B. Lucy said you intended, that I might
have had some satisfaction in relation to a very unjust
reproach--viz., that I, or somebody that I had trusted, had
_betrayed_ some of the transcripts, or MSS., of Mr. Collins into the
Bishop of London's hands. I cannot, therefore, since you have not
been with the dean as was desired, but call on you in this manner, to
know what authority you had for such a reflection; or on what grounds
you went for saying that these transcripts are in the Bishop of
London's hands. I am determined to trace out the grounds of such a
report; and you can be no friend of mine, no friend of Mr. Collins,
no friend to common justice, if you refuse to acquaint me, what
foundation you had for such a charge. I desire a very speedy answer
to this, who am, Sir,
Your servant,