Winchester.
* * * * *
Minor Queries.
_Norwich, Kirkpatrick Collection of MSS. for the History of._--Mr. Simon
Wilkin, in the preface to the _Repertorium_, contained in his fourth volume
of his valuable edition of the works of Sir Thomas Browne, p. 4., having
spoken of the large collections for the History of Norwich made by Mr. John
Kirkpatrick, who died in 1728, and gave the said collections by will to the
mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty of the city of Norwich, in order
that "some citizen hereafter, being a skilful antiquary, may, from the
same, have an opportunity of completing and publishing the said history,"
&c., goes on to say, "the MSS. referred to were some years ago in the
possession of the corporation, but we fear the original intention of the
donor has been lost sight of, and that these valuable MSS. are for ever
lost to the lover of local antiquities." This was printed in 1835. But the
subject ought not to be permitted to drop and rest there. Up to that date,
can it be ascertained that the papers remained in the keeping of the
Corporation? Are they still in their hands, though inaccessible? Can any
information be obtained as to the _when_ and the _how_ they passed out of
their possession? Or, above all, can any clue be found to their subsequent
history and present resting-place? It may be suggested to any patriotic
citizen and antiquary of the fair city of Norwich, that, inasmuch as the
Corporation, by the terms of the will, are only _trustees_ for the
property, the Court of Chancery might be moved to assist in the recovery
thereof.