[222] Lansdowne MSS. 888, in the former printed catalogue, art. 79.
[223] Coins are the most dangerous things which can be exhibited to
a professed _collector_. One of the fraternity, who died but a few
years since, absolutely kept a record of his pilferings; he
succeeded in improving his collection by attending sales also, and
changing his own coins for others in better preservation.
[224] It is probable that this story of Gough's pocketing the
fore-finger of Edward the First, was one of the malicious inventions
of George Steevens, after he discovered that the antiquary was among
the few admitted to the untombing of the royal corpse; Steevens
himself was not there! Sylvanus Urban (the late respected John
Nichols), who must know much more than he cares to record of
"Puck,"--has, however, given the following "secret history" of what
he calls "ungentlemanly and unwarrantable attacks" on Gough by
Steevens. It seems that Steevens was a collector of the works of
Hogarth, and while engaged in forming his collection, wrote an
abrupt letter to Gough to obtain from him some early impressions, by
purchase or exchange. Gough resented the manner of his address by a
rough refusal, for it is admitted to have been "a peremptory one."
Thus arose the implacable vengeance of Steevens, who used to boast
that all the mischievous tricks he played on the grave antiquary,
who was rarely over-kind to any one, was but a pleasant kind of
revenge.