Postscript
The following quotation from the Publications of the Surtees Society, vol. lxxvi. p. 321, gives Dr. Stukeley’s opinion of the value of the work done by Maurice Johnson:—
“20th February 1755.—At the Antiquarian Society I gave them Samuel Gale’s MS. of Cornu Ulphi, with the Latin translation by himself, and the copper plate of a Runic inscription relating to it, which they might print if they thought fit. I gave them an account of Maurice Johnson’s death, and the eulogium I wrote of him that morning, in the following terms: On Saturday, 8th February 1755, dyed Maurice Johnson, Esq., of Spalding, Lincolnshire, Councellor at Law, a fluent orator, and of eminence in that profession, but to an extravagant acquisition of riches which he ever had in his power, he preferred the serene sweets of a country life, learned leisure, study, and contemplation. He is one of the last of the founders of the Antiquarian Society, London, begun in the year 1717, the only survivors being Brown Willis, Esq., and Dr. Stukeley. What is singular in Mr. Johnson’s praise is that he is the founder of the Literary Society in Spalding, which memorable transaction happened on 3rd November 1712. This Society, through his unwearied endeavors, interest, and applications of every kind, by his infinite labors in writing, collecting, methodizing indexes, and the like, has now subsisted in great reputation for these 40 years, and excited such a spirit of learning and curiosity in that level part of Lincolnshire, called South Holland, as probably will never be extinguished. By this means they have got an excellent library, and all conveniences for their weekly meeting, have established a most extensive correspondence even to both Indies; are very exact in answering all communications; have made vast collections of MSS. letters, written historys, coins, medals, antiquities of every denomination; fossils, all kinds of natural and artificial curiosities, drawings, surveys, prints and the like. They keep exact minutes of everything that appears before them, have members in every branch of knowledge, try useful experiments and improvements tending to the common benefit or entertainment of mankind. Mr. Johnson was a great lover of gardening and planting, had an admirable collection of flowers, flowering shrubs, fruit-trees, exotics, an excellent cabinet of medals, in which he had great knowledge and judgment. Many years ago, particularly, he made large collections of memoirs of the history of Carausius, which he sent to me last summer, and is still in my custody, as a generous assistance in my work on that head, together with all his coins of that emperor, and one coin especially, which he always took to be Carausius’ son, of which I give a sketch. The face is like that of the young Tetricus, but singular in this, that the legend begins with Cæsar, the name Silvanvs, or whatever else, obliterated, which is the more to be regretted. Mr. Beaupré Bell, a young gentleman of most excellent learning and knowledge in medals, now dead, to the great loss of science, was confident that the coin belongs to Carausius’ son. In general, the antiquities of the great mitred Priory of Spalding, and of this part of Lincolnshire, are for ever obliged to Mr. Johnson’s care and diligence, being rescued and preserved from oblivion thereby. Thus much I thought proper to commemorate concerning the just eulogium of my friend and countryman.”