_Manuscript of Bede_ (Vol. iii., p. 180.).--The volume in question is
entered in the Catalogue of Thoresby's MSS., No. 10. in the _Ducatus
Leodiensis_, p. 72. 2d ed. 1816. The greater part of these MSS. came into
the hands of Ralph Thoresby, Jun., and, together with the coins, were
disposed of by public auction in March, 1764, by Whiston Bristow, sworn
broker. The MSS. were sold on the third day, but the volume containing Bede
does not appear among them. The opinion formed by J. M. of the age of this
MS. is certainly erroneous, and being on _paper_ it is more probably of the
_fifteenth_ than the _twelfth_ century. The period of William Dadyngton,
Vicar of Barton, might decide this.
[mu].
_MS. of Bede_ (Vol. iii., p. 180.).--Your correspondent will find a
description of this MS. in the catalogue of Thoresby's Museum, at the end
of his _Ducatus Leodiensis_, edit. 1715, fol., p. 515. He will also, in
Thoresby's _Correspondence_, 1832, 8vo. vol. ii. p. 39., see a letter from
Dr. John Smith, the editor of Bede's _History_, respecting this manuscript,
the original of which letter is in my possession.
After many dismemberments, what remained of Thoresby's Museum, including
his manuscripts, was sold in London in March, 1764, by auction. Mr. Lilly,
the bookseller of Pall Mall, had a priced catalogue of this sale; and your
correspondent, if anxious to trace the pedigree of his MS. further, can, I
have no doubt, on application, get a reference made to that catalogue.
I take the present opportunity of mentioning that, as Mr. Upcott's sale,
when I became the purchaser of the Thoresby papers, including his MS.
diaries, his Album, and upwards of 1000 letters to him, a very small number
of which were printed in the collection, in two volumes, edited by Mr.
Hunter, one of the diaries, from May 14, 1712, to September 26, 1714, which
was sold with the lot, was after the sale found to be missing. It
subsequently came into the hands of a London dealer, by whom it was sold to
a Yorkshire gentleman, as I understand, but whose name I have not yet been
able to trace. Should this meet his eye, I will venture to appeal to his
sense of justice, entirely ignorant as I am sure he has been of the
"pedigree," to use your correspondent's expression, of his MS., whether he
will allow it to be longer separated from the series to which it belongs,
and which is incomplete without it. I need hardly say, I can only expect to
receive it on the terms of repaying the price paid for it, and which I
should embrace with many thanks.