His music, MS and printed, he gave to the Musicschool, at Oxford. He died at Islington, April 6, 1755; and in the same year was printed, "The Deed of Trust and Will of Richard Rawlinson, of St. John the Baptist college, Oxford, Doctor of Laws; concerning his endowment of an AngloSaxon Lecture, and other Benefactions to the College and University." He left to Hertford College came of Mr. Harris's MS. which was lost by the carelessness of a common carrier. Sure I am that it never arrived at the Bodleian Library, either in Dr. Rawlinson's or any other collection. The papers, &c. which the Doctor desired might not be made public till seven years after his death, were collections for a continuation of the Athenæ Oxonienses, and Hearne's Diaries. These are now open for any one that wishes to consult them. As to the Doctor's mode of collecting, I have nothing to say. It was over with him before I entered upon my business here. We have a MS Catalogue of most of his MSS. &c.; but when it will be printed, I cannot say. The revenue of our press, by some late determinations in Parliament, has sunk very much, and will not admit our undertaking any unsaleable works. Thus, I fear, our Catalogue will remain unprinted, at least for some time." Letter from Mr. Price to Mr. Gough, Nov. 10, 1779. Not two months before his death, Dr. Rawlinson addressed the following letter to the Rev. George North. If "WORTHY SIR, Islington, Feb. 11, 1755. "Excuse this freedom I take in begging the favour of the loan of your priced Catalogue, after this Medal sale is over. the favour is too great, speak freely, and tell me so. I should be glad to know particularly how Symon's Crown, the Pertinax, and gold Alectus go, and by whom purchased. The last went at Lord Oxford's sale, if I mistake not, for 631. 13s. 6d. I should also be glad of the loan, if not to be master, of Wood's MS. And you may be assured of the continuance of my augmenting your Antiquity Print Collections; and let the saying be true on both sides, as it has been on mine, Melius est dare quam accipere. I should be glad to know if there is not some of the Corsican * short-lived Monarch's coin in this Catalogue, though I cannot find it out. I don't see any of the Spintriæ medals struck by Tiberius during his infamous retreat to Caprea's Isle, I have six; and Mr. Addison, in his Travels, mentions ten. In hopes of a favourable answer, directed to London House, As I know you to be the Author of that part of Dr. Mead's Catalogue relating to the Coins, I should be glad to know whether the second part of the Antiquities be your's or Dr. Ward's. I am, reverend Sir, Your humble servant, RI. RAWLINSON." Theodore, King of Corsica. the the estate in Fulham before mentioned; and to the College of St. John the Baptist the bulk of his estate, amounting to near 700l. a year, a plate of Archbishop Laud, thirty-one volumes of Parliamentary Journals and Debates; a set of the "Fodera;" all his Greek, Roman, and English, coins, not given to the Bodleian Library; all his plates engraved at the expence of the Society of Antiquaries, with the annuity for the prize-medal, and another to the best orator. The produce of certain rents bequeathed to St. John's College were, after 40 years' accumulation, to be laid out in purchase of an estate, whose profits were to be a salary to a keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, being a master of arts, or bachelor in civil law; and all legacies refused by the University or others to centre in this College*. To the Hospitals of Bridewell and * The following references to Ballard's Collection of MS Letters in the Bodleian Library may be useful to some future Biographer. on Dr. Richard Rawlinson engages in a Continuation of Wood's Athenæ, II. 1. declines accepting the title of Reverend, 6. Translates Fresnoy's "Method of reading History" into English, 7. draws up the Life of Anthony Wood, and prints it with charges Mr. Tanner a Latin Dedication to Dr. Charlett, 8. loses an estate of 2000l. a year, ibid. with purloining, 9. purchases some of Mr. Ashmole's and Sir William Dugdale's MSS. 11; his Commentary on the three Elizabeths, 14. his great affection to the University of Queen Caroline, 15. Oxford 16. his account of printing-presses in England, 24. 53. 60. discovered by a Bookseller to be the author of the Topographer, 25. purchases a fine statue of M. Aur. Antoninus, and complains of his Sir John Cooke's Collection of Papers, 28. nephew's folly, 33. 49. his remarks on the Bench of Bishops, advises Mr. Bedford to burn particularly of Bp. Gibson, 41. Mr. Hearne's MS Life of himself, 41. 42. gives a very great character of Mr. Baker of Cambridge, and Mr. Anstis, ib. 43. displeased at an advertisement concerning hin in the Daily Gazetteer, 50. purchases Dr. Compton's and Bp. Robinson's highly disgusted at Dr. Huddlesford's being made papers, 51. keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, 175. master of the largest collection of old seals in England, 69. purchases several of Lord his characters of Lerd Oxford and Oxford's curiosities, ibid. methodizes the papers of Bp. Turner and Mr. West, 71. 90. Dr. Turner, president of Corpus Christi college, 77. 87. chases several curious MSS. out of Mr. Bridgeman's Collection, pur 75. Bethlehem, for the use of the incurables of the latter he left 200l. and ten guineas as an equivalent for the monthly coffee which he had received in Bethlehem common room; but, if they did not give up the picture of his father hanging in their hall, in order to its being put up in the Mansionhouse, they were to forfeit the larger sum, and receive only the smaller. This picture, after it had hung up at the Mansion-house for some years, without any companion, in a forlorn neglected state, and received considerable damage, the late Sir Walter Rawlinson obtained leave of the Court of Aldermen (being then himself a member of that body, and president of those hospitals) to restore to Bridewell. It is one of Sir Godfrey Kneller's best performances, and well engraved by Vertue. Constantine, another brother, is mentioned by Richard Rawlinson's will, as then residing at Venice*, to whom he gave the copper-plate of his father's portrait, and all family-pictures, except his father's portrait by Kneller, which was given to 75. his character of Dr. Perry's performance, $0. adds several curious MSS. to his Collection, 83. his remarkable account of his brother's marriage and its consequences, 88. makes new accessions to his MSS. ibid. finishes his History of Eton and King's College, 93. purchased Mr. Chamberlaine's and Mr. Newman's papers, 94. a misunderstanding between the Duke and Mr. Brome's family, 103. 104. 107. Gives some pictures to the Bodleian Gallery and Magdalen College, ibid. purchases a fine wax figure of King Charles II. 110. binds up Mr. Hearne's papers, 2. purchases Mr. Pepys's papers 115. gives some account of his family, 116. a catalogue of his Medals of the Popes given to the Bodleian Cabinet, 137. exclaims against party, 147. purchases a valuable MS. out of Mr. Samuel Gale's sale which formerly belonged to Charles the Ninth of France, ibid. 163. purchases a numerous Collection of Original Letters, &c. ibid. 165. complains of ill treatment from the Antiquary Society ibid. 168. 169. 170. displeased with the Bodleian Librarian, ibid. 176. 179.' declines the task of finishing Mr. Carte's History, ibid. 179. V. 90. XVIII. 87. 89. 94. 102. XIX. 10. Mr. Brome's character of him 27.32. a farther character of him, 33. 34. 36. 38. 41. 43. 50. 53. 54.56. 57. 59. 61. 62. 66. 69. 70. 75. 76. 78. 80. 83. 90. 95. *This gentleman, in the year 1763, Sir Walter Rawlinson met with at Venice, where he had resided many years, and where he died, Jan. 6, 1779. the the Vintners Company, of which his father was a member. He left him also his rents in Paul's Headcourt, Fenchurch-street, jointly with his sisters, Mary Rawlinson and Anne Andrews, for life. In the same will is mentioned another brother, John, to whom he left estates in Devonshire-street, London, and a nephew Thomas. To St. John's College he bequeathed also his diploma, and his heart, which is placed in a beautiful marble urn against the chapel-wall, inscribed: "Ubi thesaurus, ibi cor. RIC. RAWLINSON, LL. D. et ANT. S. S. Olim hujus Collegii superioris ordinis Commensalis. Obiit vi Apr. MDCCLV." His body was buried in a vault, purchased by him in the North aile of St. Giles's church, Oxford, of which he had a plate engraved in his life time, with this inscription: Træði σeαúlóv——Velut in Speculum. Manet omnes una nox-Non moriar omnis. Hoc Dormitorium 8 ped. lat. 8 ped. long. à parochiâ D. Egidi Oxon, concess. 25 Febr. et. facult. Episc. confirmat. 5 Maii J. L. arm. et. assign. A.D. M,DCC,LIV. Pallida mors æquo pulsat pede, Semel est calcanda via lethi. R. RAWLINSON, LL. D. R. & A. SS. When the head of Counsellor Layer, who was executed for being concerned in the Plot of 1722, * Christopher Layer, a young Counsellor of the Temple, was apprehended in the middle of September 1722, and, attempting his escape next day, was overtaken and committed to the Tower. He was examined Sept. 21, before the Privy Council; and, after a trial of 18 hours, in the King's Bench, on an indictment for inlisting men in Essex for the Pretender's service, and corresponding with them, was convicted, and received sentence of VOL. V. KK death. and fixed on Temple-bar, was blown off, and taken up by Mr. John Pearce, an eminent attorney of Tooke's-court, and agent for the Nonjuring party, Dr. Rawlinson purchased it of him at a high price, preserved it as a valuable relic, and directed that it should be buried in his right hand *. His library of printed books and books of prints was sold by auction in the year 1756; the sale lasted 50 days, and produced 11641. There was a second sale of upwards of 20,000 pamphlets, reduced into lots under proper heads, with his most uncommon, rare, and odd books, in the following year, during ten days; which was immediately succeeded by a sale of the Doctor's single prints, books of prints, and drawings, which lasted eight days. death. But, being reprieved from time to time, the House of Commons appointed a Committee to examine him in relation to the conspiracy. He declined making any discovery; and was executed at Tyburn May 17, 1722, and his head fixed upon Temple-bar. In a short speech he justified what he had done, and recommended the interest of the Pretender. His trial was printed some time before his execution. Tindal's Continuation of Rapin, vol. IV. p. 666. "The political principles of Dr. Rawlinson are now merely matter of speculation; but may be ascertained by this peculiar circumstance: When the head of Layer was blown-off from Temple Bar, it was picked up by a gentleman in that neighbourhood, who shewed it to some friends at a public-house; under the floor of which house, I have been assured, it was buried. Dr. Rawlinson, mean-time having made enquiry after the head, with a wish to purchase it, was imposed on with another instead of Layer's; which he preserved as a valuable relique, and directed it to be buried in his hand. Imagine this venerable Antiquary and his companion waking out of their slumber; how would the former be amazed and mortified on his perceiving that he had been taking to his bosom, not the head of the Counsellor, but the worthless pate of some strolling mendicant, some footpad, or some superannuated harlot! There is a memorable story of the same kind relative to the bones of Livy, supposed to have been found at Padua in 1413, but which proved to be the remains of one Halys, who had been a slave to some one of the name of Livius." T. F. † See a vindication of Sir William Dugdale and Dr. Rawlinson in Gent. Mag. vol. LXXX. p. 507. DR. |