SIXSix Months ago I sent to Dr. Lister a large Account of the Texture and Figure of an old Roman Shield of the Parma Kind, that I had then newly procured; I have since got another Curiosity relating to their Plasticks, 'tis part of the Bottom (which consisted of several such Pieces for the Conveniency of Baking) of an old Roman Coffin, that was lately dug up in their Burying-Place out of Boutham-Bar at York, (whence I had the Bricks and Urns mentioned in the last November Transactions) 'tis of the Red Clay but not so fine as the Urns, having a greater Quantity of course Sand wrought in with the Clay; as to the Form (which is entire as it was at first moulded) 'tis Fourteen Inches and an half long, and (311) about Eleven broad at the narrower End, and nigh Twelve and an half at the broader; this was the lowest part, for the Feet and the rest were proportionably broader till it came to the Shoulders; 'tis an Inch thick besides the Ledges, which are One broad and Two thick, and extend from the bottom of either side to within Three Inches of the top, where 'tis wholly flat, and somewhat thinner for the next to lye upon it, which several Parts were thus joyn'd together by some Pin, I presume, for at the end of each Tile is a Hole that wou'd receive a common Slate-Pin, these Edges are wrought a little hollow, to receive the Sides, I suppose, and at the Feet are Two contrary Notches to fasten the End-piece, this Bottom I should conclude to have consisted strictly of Eight such Parts, from a like Character 8 imprest upon the Clay by the Sandapilarius's Finger before its Baking, but that I somewhat doubt whether Numeral Figures be of that Antiquity in these European Parts, tho' I see no reason to conclude that because the Romans used the Numeral Letters upon their more durable Monuments, that they were utterly Strangers to these Figures, which (notwithstanding the common Opinion of their Novelty here) the learned Dr. Wallis thinks as old at least, as the Times of Hermannus Contractus, An. Dom 1050. and produces an unexceptionable Testimony of their Use here in England An. 1133. Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 154.) I got also some Scars of broken Urns, dug up in Mr. Giles's Garden, which are of the finest blew Clay I have seen, with which was found a Roman Shuttle, about Three Inches and an half long, but not one broad in the very middle, the hollow for the Licium being but one fourth of an Inch in the broadest Place, shews that it was either for Silk or very fine Linnen, perhaps their Asbestinum or Incombustible Winding-Sheets. I have also lately procur'd a Roman Pottle from (312) Aldbrough, which is of the Red Clay, but much courser than the York Urns: I was well pleased to find it whole, that I might observe the difference betwixt their Congius (of which I take this to be strictly the half) and our Gallon, and this comes the nighest Mr. Graves's Computation, containing Three Pints and an half the Winchester Measure.

A Crow with White Feathers in the Wings. Don. Hen. Gyles. The Head of a Wood Pecker; the Bill but two Inches, yet the Tongue above six, though now shrivel'd and dry; these they dart forth to catch Insects. Some very beautiful Feathers of curious Colours, from the East-Indies, perhaps of the Tomineio's or Sun-Birds. Don. Tho. Garraway, Leod.

I know not where better to place what relates to the Artillery of Heaven, viz. a Piece of sturdy Oak Thunder-struck, shivered into very small Fibres at Plompton (near Knaresborough ) whence it was sent me by Rob. Plompton Esq;. A Pewter Candlestick, in several Places melted and run into small Lumps by Lightning at the Quarry-Hill in Leedes, 27 June 1700. A Piece of a Tin Vessel burnt through at the same Time, yet a Bit of Straw-Work that was by it, not so much as singed. (Vide Phil. Trans N° 264.) The Stick that was fired by Lightning in the Hand of John Seynor, as he was riding over Bramham-Moor to Leedes Market, 12 Dec. 1710, in a severe Storm of Thunder, Lightning and Hail, as offered to be deposed upon Oath before John Dodgson Esq; Mayor of Leedes, who gave it to me. A Piece of Bell-Metal from Southwell, when that stately Minster was burnt by Light ning 5 Nov. 1711, brought thence and given me by Mr. John Hough. Hither also must be referred a Mass of Nails strangely soldered together, taken out of the Ruins of the City of London after the general Conflagration 1666. Don. Hen. Gyles. A Piece of Cieling Ceiling of the Hall in this House, just under the Musæum, burnt to a perfect Cinder in the Night, when the Family were asleep, yet no further Damage done, kept as a Memorial of a watchful Providence. Also Part of an Hour-Glass taken out of the Fire when the Rape-Oil Mill at Leedes Bridge was burnt 3 Oct. 1708. It is bended like Parchment, five or six distinct Lares upon each other; the inmost thinnest, and gradually thicker to ¼ Inch; given me by Mr. William Barstow, whose Courage and Activity in suppressing the Flames (which might have endangered much of the Town) was very commendable.

The History of ----- found at or near Yorke; it is good Workmanship, but not enough remaining to express the Story; sent by Mr. Gyles the famous Glass-Painter. An antique Head in Marble that belonged to the Virgin Mary's Shrine at York Minster; sent me by Mr. Sam. Carpenter the Statuary. John the Baptist's Head in a Platter, with this Inscription in old Letters, Inter nat: Mulier nō: sur: (surrexit) maj: Johē: Bapt: It is in Metal, twenty Inches in Circumference. The Heads of Otho and Vitellius in Plaister, from Aldburgh. Don. D. Eliz. Aldburgh. The first twelve Roman Emperors, done in Plaister by R. Th. Cardinal Wolsey's Head very well performed in Wood, found in the Ruins of the Archbishop's House at Cawood. Don. D. Jo. Etty Architect. The Head of King Charles I. seems to be black Marble, but is of the Lancashire Canal-Coal. The Present of the Lady Thornton. Lewis le Grand in Plaister, inscribed, Lud XIIII D G Fr: et Nav: Rex. Sir Paul Rycaut, the Learned Consul, in Wax, very curiously done at Hamburgh, K. Solomon's Judgment upon the Two Harlots, wherein are about a Dozen Figures in less than three Inches Diameter. Another half a Yard in Circumference, both of Metal and very well performed. The History of Elijah under the Juniper-Tree, supported by an Angel, 1 Kings 19. It is well performed in Wood by the celebrated Mr. Grindlin Gibbon, when Resident at Yorke, six Inches in Length, and four in Breadth. The same History wrought from it in Silk-work, by Mrs. Catharine Thoresby (my Mother-in-Law). A Mould for the History of our First Parents in Paradice, well designed, bought of the Executors of the said ingenious Mr. Gyles, together with an Excellent Statue of our Blessed Saviour, as bound to a Pillar in order to be scourged, so admirably express'd, that I confess, I cannot look upon it without Concern, and yet dread not the Scandal of Superstition. These are each a Foot high.

The Head of a Crosier's Staff; it is of Copper gilt and enamel'd, in the Form of a Serpent, the Scales of a changeable Blew, very natural, but so is not the Head, which being designed for Shew on both Sides, has a Face and two Eyes on each Side. Don. D. Sam. Smith. Part of a Priest's Habit, concealed at the Reformation in a double bottom Ark near a Chantry in Leedes: It has three Pictures of St. Peter, &c. delicately wrought in Silver and Silk of divers Colours; part of the said Vestment fell into the Hands of one who burnt it merely for the Silver's Sake, though she had too much before; but this, and a Manuscript found with it, were preserved by my Father. The Pix, or huel-bozhusel-bozhuel-boxhusel-box (a little Iron Locket) from Kirkstal Abbey for the Eucharist, or haliᵹe huelhalige husel, as I apprehend from Linwood's Const. Prov. but am since told by a Person of Honour, that it was for preserving the Relicks, which Party having been at Rome, with the last Ambassador that was sent from the Crown of England to the Pope, may well be presumed very knowing in these Matters; however it comes under the more general Notion of huel-fauhusel-fatu, or Vasa Sacra; (Wheelock's Bede, p. 98.) As also doth the Foot of a Lamp, or leoh-æleoht-faet; it is of Copper engraved in Branches, with this Inscription in old Letters, (The S in Jesus like C) Ihc. Nazarenus, rex Judeorum fili Dei Miserere mei. The Figure of St. Anthony in Padua, in an Oval Copper very well per formed in Bass-Relieve, embracing and kissing our Saviour, who in the Form of a lovely Child, sits upon his Book; (see Patrick's Reflect. p. 322.) Don. Jo. Boulter Arm. The Picture of St. Anthony the Hermit, with his Bell, Book and Pig, the Prayer to him for Cure of the Inflammation commonly called St. Anthony's Fire, may be seen in the Horæ beatæ Mariæ, before-mentioned, p. 84. b. This came from a Religious House in Derbyshire, and was given me by the Rev. Mr. Jackson Rector of Addel: It is painted upon Glass, as is also the Holy Banner, with Spes mea in Deo est; the Crown of Thorns, and other Fragments of Crucifixes, from the Windows of the Parish Church at Leedes. But what is most remarkable is a small Quarry from York-Minster, (Don. Hen. Gyles,) wherein a Goose in a Religious Habit is carrying the Crosier's Staff, &c. the Procession is made up of the like Fowls: This seems to have been made in Hatred of the Monks, whom the Secular Clergy abhorred for encroaching upon their Rights, and being now repossessed thereof, recriminate, &c.

Copper-Plates. The noted Gate-House at Wærton, engraved by Hollar, and inserted in Thoroton's Hist. of Nottinghamshire (pag. 98.) Don. D. Jo. Boulter Arm. Lambeth-House or Pallace, etched by Mr. Will Lodge of Leedes. Also some Italian Ruins, with a distant Prospect of Rome, by the same ingenious Gent. St. George and Dragon, and other two of uncertain Hands. The Picture of Mr. Henry Gyles, the famous Glass-Painter at Yorke, wrought in Mezzo-Tinto, by the celebrated Mr. Fran. Place, when that Art was known to few others. Bought, with other Curiosities, of Mr. Gyles's Executors. Ticho Brahe's System very well engraved upon Wood for the Printing-Press. A Dye from the Mint for coining Brass-Pennies, when private Tradesman had Liberty of inserting their Names and Device (this is Beware of the Beare 1670, round that Animal) upon their currant Monies. Don. D. Jac. Dawson. One Stamp inscribed, White Clothiers Seale. Another Faulty to mark the Delinquents.

The Misery of War, admirably express'd in most noble Painting upon a Copper-Plate, near two Foot broad, and 2 ½ in Length, every Figure merits a Comment; the various Passions being express'd with so particular a Pathos, as is surprizing. Belshasar's Feast, excellently painted upon Board. It seems to be an Original, as the former indisputably is. The Heads of K. Henry 4. and K. Hen. 5. Charles 5. Emperor, and his Son Philip, King of England and Spain. Queen Mary, and Q. Elizabeth, K. James I. and Q. Anne; his Son-in-Law Frederick K. of Bohemia, and Q. Elizabeth, Mother to the Princess Sophia. The Duke of Alva, Oliver Cromwell, quondam-Protector; Mr. Pym, and Tho. Lord Fairfax, the General. Wicliffe, Tindal and Knox (Don. D. S. Wainwright); Dr. Donne, Mr. Marvel, Mr. Bowles, and Mr. Wales. Old Tho. Par, and Mr. Henry Giles, the noted Glass-Painter; all these in Oil-Colours upon Wood or Cloth. Sir Tho. Gascoigne in small upon Copper. Not to mention Family-Pieces, though some are of good Workmanship, particularly one in Miniature to be worn upon the Breast.

Other Collections of Prints, Histories, Maps, &c. shall for Brevity's Sake be wholly waved, (except some Prospects betwixt Rome and Naples, both delineated and etched by the learned and ingenious John Evelyn Esq; who presented them to me with his Picture engraved by the noted Nanteil, and are not to be met with, save in private Hands.) But Designs drawn by the Pens of ingenious Gentlemen ought to be particularly valued. Of these I have some Originals of the noted Hollars; others by the late ingenious Tho. Kirke Esq; and a Map of Skireake by his Clark, Mr. John Marsh. Several Prospects from the Via Appia, &c. taken by Mr. Will Lodge of Leedes, in his Journey to Rome, and presented to me by the late worthy Hen. Watkinson L L D, and Chancellor to four Archbishops of Yorke, who was also a Native of this Town: Other Prospects by the said ingenious young Gentleman, particularly Yorke, Leedes, Durham, Newcastle, Berwick, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glascow, &c. The Tables of Entrochi and Astroites, the Multangular Tower and Roman Wall inserted in the Phil. Trans. The best Draught of the Monument at London, was both delineated and etched by him: He drew also the noted Bridge in Languedoc three Stories high of Arch-work, which is rare to be had, though printed. Mr. Hen. Gyles's Historical Draught for Windows. Tinmouth Castle and Light-House, by that excellent Artist Mr. Fran. Place of Yorke, who has performed that Cathedral most accurately; as also both the Churches and Prospect of Leedes. Some Math ematical Bodies by the curious Pen of the incomparable Mr. Sharp, as he is stiled by the Publisher of some of his accurate Performances (b)(b) (a) Math. Tables contrived after a most comprehensive Way, p. 55., which "are sufficient to exhibit the Circumference of the Globe of the Earth, so truly as not to err the Breadth of a Grain of Sand in the whole." These Artists are only mentioned last, because still surviving. A Draught also of Moses and Aaron, and the Giving of the Law, as painted with exquisite Art in the Parish Church of Leedes, by Mons. J. Permentier.

That great Naturalist Dr. Lister distinguisheth the Roman Urns (Phil. Col. N° 4.) into three different Sorts, viz. 1. Such as are of a blewish Clay Colour, having a great Quantity of coarse Sand wrought in with the Clay: 2. Others of the same Colour, having either a very fine Sand mix'd with it, full of Mica, or Cat-Silver, or else made of a Clay naturally sandy: 3. Red Urns of fine Clay, with little or no Sand. These, as another celebrated Author rightly observes, are all of a very handsome Make and Contrivance, and are one of the many Instances that are at this Day extant of the Art of that People, of the great Exactness of their Genius, and Happiness of their Fancy. (Dr. Woodward's Letter to Sir Chr. Wren annexed to the 8th Vol. Of Leland's Itinerary, pag. 13.) Of the first Sort, here are Fragments of the Theca Nummaria, found full of Coins near Fleet in Lincolnshire, An. 1701, of which see Phil. Trans. N° 279. Of the second are those of an Urn found at Yorke in Mr. Gyles's Garden in Micklegate (not Midselgate, as misprinted in the said Phil. Col.) Of the third Sort (viz. the Red) there seem to be two Degrees, if not distinct Sorts, a coarser, which yet are red quite through, and the finer sort, which are wash'd over with a Kind of Varnish of a bright Coral Colour, and for Distinction are called the Coralline Urns. To these mentioned by the Learned Doctor, may be added some that are clear white, of which I have Part of the Rim of a very large Vessel that I brought from Ribchester Com. Lane. 1702. A Piece of a Vessel containing three or four Gallons, found at Aldbrough 1707; and others of different Forms that I gathered at Burgdunum in this Neighbourhood, which seem to be made of that Sort of white Clay, since made Use of for Tobacco-pipes, of which we have some at Wortley in this Parish, of which see, pag. 196. Some of these of the white Clay are wash'd over with the blew Colour, as appears when they are broken, and some with a dark Colour; as are also some of the coarser Blew, with Red.