Bombay.
* * * * *
Minor Notes.
_Smith's Obituary._--One of the publications of the Camden Society for the
year 1849 is the _Obituary of Richard Smyth_ (extending from 1627 to 1674),
edited by Sir Henry Ellis. It is printed from a copy of the Sloane MS. in
the Brit. Mus., No. 886., which is itself but a transcript, later than
Smyth's time. The editor states that "where the original manuscript of the
obituary is deposited is not at present known."
I am glad at being able to supply the information here wanted. The original
manuscript is in the _University Library_ at Cambridge, marked Mm. 4. 36.
It consists of twenty-nine leaves, foolscap folio; and, except that the
edges and corners of the leaves are occasionally worn by frequent perusal,
is otherwise in excellent condition. It is well and clearly written, but
the latter part of it marks the alteration of the hand by the advancing
years of the writer. There are many variations in {390} the orthography,
and some omissions, in the Camden Society's publication, but perhaps not
more than may be accounted for by supposing the Sloane copy to have been
made by a not very careful transcriber.
Here again is seen the valuable use which might be made of your excellent
publication. Had a "Hue and Cry" been made in the "NOTES AND QUERIES" after
the original MS. of this obituary, information might have been immediately
given which would have added greatly to the value of this number of the
Camden Society's publications.