1. He was favoured with the inspection of the ample collections of printed books and manuscripts at Holkham, the magnificent seat of Mr. Coke-they were made by the late earl of Leicester, the maternal uncle of Mr. Coke's father. As a catalogue of the manuscript collection is preparing for publication, under the direction of Mr. Roscoe, the Reminiscent will not now notice it, except by stating generally, that all men of learning, particularly biblical scholars, and those who are engaged in the study of the history or antiquities of this country, will find it extremely interesting on account both of the number and the value of the articles which it contains. Sic siti lætantur lares,—the literary lares are never so well pleased, as when they preside over a literary collection so extensive, made with so much skill, and communicated with so much liberality.

In the printed collection, the writer found many works, which he wished he had seen before he sent the Memoirs to the press. The manuscript collection contains several articles of great importance to the history of the period which is the subject of them. Four of these he will specify:-1. An immense collection of Reports made to the See of Rome, by her nuncios and other agents in different parts of Europe; several of these relate, directly or indirectly, to the concerns of the British dominions:- 2. Among these is the Report of Signor Gregorio Panzani, mentioned in the Historical

Memoirs*; it places the authenticity of that document beyond controversy:-3. An historical collection, "De Haresis Anglicanæ in"trusione et progressu, et de bello Catholico, ad "annum 1641, in Hibernia cæpto, exindeque

per aliquos annos gesto commentarius," in 7000 pages in folio. It was compiled by an Irish roman-catholic priest, from the papers of the nuncio Rinuccini, and, like Rushworth's "Historical Collections," consists of state papers and documents, introduced or connected by succinct narratives. It is mentioned by Carte; he praises the compiler for his impartiality: -4. Rinuccini's own Report of his Nunciature. This is written in the Latin language, and Mr. Coke has obligingly permitted an English translation of it to be made for the Reminiscent. It is of extreme value to this important part of the Irish history.

Holkham abounds in paintings and sculpture by the most celebrated masters. How little are these generally known! This confirms Mr. Gibbon's remark, that, if her excellent monuments of art were, as is the case in most foreign countries, brought into her capital, England would be astonished at her own treasures.

2. Subsequently also to the impression of the Historical Memoirs, the Reminiscent obtained from Denmark some important information relating

* Vol. ii. p. 331.

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to the unfortunate Mary of Scotland and Earl Bothwell, her third husband.

S. He has also obtained some important documents respecting the History of Ireland during the last half century: they will enable him, if he should feel so disposed, to present to the public, a succinct history of a confederacy which now engages their attention,-the Orange Association.

4. A transalpine traveller has also procured for him several valuable papers respecting certain recent Negociations at Rome, in which both the catholic clergy and the catholic laity of Great Britain are much interested.

From these subsequent acquisitions, the Reminiscent is willing to believe that he could frame a volume both interesting and useful: but whether he will attempt it, what form it will receive, and at what time it will be presented to the public, is now uncertain.

WHATEVER this additional volume may be, it will not be a necessary appendage to the Historical Memoirs, or be essentially connected with them. Such, therefore, as "the Historical Me"moirs' now are, they have received their writer's last care; in this state they now finally stand before the public, and wait their sentence. With Dr. Johnson* the Reminiscent can say,

* In the admirable conclusion of his preface to his Dictionary.

"that he has lived, until, most of those, whom "he could have wished to please, have sunk into

oblivion;" but, with Dr. Johnson he cannot say, "that he dismisses his work with frigid tran"quillity, insensible alike of fear and hope:" he acknowledges his hope that his pages will be approved by the good, the informed, and the candid: he owns that their censure will afflict him, and that their approbation will be a source to him of high and abundant gratification.