Mr. Pegge was "led into the investigation," he says, "by a natural and kind of instinctive curiosity, and a desire of knowing what was the antient state of the Court to which he had the honour, by the favour of his Grace William the late Duke of Devonshire, to compose a part." Two more Portions were printed in 1806 by the present Editor. Long, however, and intimately acquainted as he was with the accuracy and diffidence of Mr. Pegge, he would have hesitated in offering those posthumous Essays to the Publick, if the plan had not been clearly defined, and the Essays sufficiently distinct to be creditable to the reputation which Mr. Pegge had already acquired, by the Parts of the "Curialia” published by himself, and by his very entertaining (posthumous) "Anecdotes of the English Language;"-a reputation which descended to him by Hereditary Right, and which he transmitted untarnished to a worthy and learned Son. It was the hope and intention of the Editor to have proceeded with some other Portions of the "Curialia;" but the fatal event which (in February 1808) overwhelmed him in accumulated distress put a stop to that intention. Nearly all the printed Copies of the "Curialia" perished in the flames; and part of the original MS. was lost. A few detached Articles, which related to the College of Arms, and to the Order of Knights Bachelors (which, had they been more perfect, would have formed one or more succeeding Portions) have since been deposited in the rich Library of that excellent College. The Volume now submitted to the candour of the Reader is formed from the wreck of the original materials. The arranging of the several detached articles, and the revisal of them through the press, have afforded the Editor some amusement; and he flatters himself that the Volume will meet with that indulgence which the particular circumstances attending it may presume to claim.-If the Work has any merit, it is the Author's. The defects should, in fairness, be attributed to the Editor. Highbury Place, Dec. 1, 1817. J. N. Extract from Mr. PEGGE'S Will. Having the Copy-right of my little Work called Curialia in myself, I hereby give and bequeath all my interest therein, together with all my impressions thereof which may be unsold at the time of my decease, to my Friend Mr. John Nichols, Printer, with the addition of as much money as will pay the Tax on this Legacy. I also request of the said Mr. John Nichols, that he would carefully peruse and digest all my Papers and Collections on the above subject, and print them under the title of Curialia Miscellanea, or some such description. There is also another Work of mine, not quite finished, intitled Anecdotes of the English Language, which I wish Mr. Nichols to bring forward from his Press. SAMUEL Pegge." |