(Vol. v., pp. 59. 135.)
It seems to be of so much importance to ascertain the safety of these
manuscripts, that M--N. trusts he need not apologise for stating in "N.
& Q." the result thus far of his inquiry after their present ownership.
In consequence of the recommendation of E. A. G. (Vol. v., p. 135.), Sir
Edward Tierney has been applied to, but he unfortunately knows nothing
of their fate, suggesting, however, a reference to Mr. Woodgate, who was
concerned as solicitor at the time of the sale. Mr. Woodgate has been
written to, and states that the manuscripts were sold with the other
effects of Lord Egmont, but he knows not to whom; he mentions Mr.
Braithwaite as the auctioneer. To apply to Mr. Braithwaite would be only
carrying the inquiry round in a circle, for twenty years ago, as was
stated at page 59, no satisfactory information could be gained there.
All, therefore, that remains is to place on record in this useful
journal the fact of the disappearance of these manuscripts, in the hopes
that some one of its numerous readers may be able now or hereafter to
give some account of their existence. When it is recollected that the
only copies of many of the latest visitations were among these
collections, and that the latter portion of the seventeenth century, to
which these visitations refer, is exactly that period in which
genealogists, from many causes, find the connexion of pedigrees the most
difficult, the discovery of their fate is not without its interest.