In connection with the country of Wilts, I will first mention the literary collections of the late Edward Poore, Esq., of North Tidworth, which I examined, with much satisfaction, on my visits to him there, in the year 1798 and 1799. Mr. Poore was a man of considerable attainments, and corresponded with many distinguished characters, both at home and abroad. He travelled over many parts of the continent, and his letters and notes relating to public and private occurrences and persons were remarkably curious and interesting. I have long lost all trace of them, and should be glad to ascertain where they are likely to be found.
An immense boon would be conferred on the cause of Architecture and Archæology by the recovery of Inigo Jones's Sketches and Drawings of Ancient Castles. These, together with his Plans, Views, and Restorations of Stonehenge, probably descended to his nephew, Webb. The latter were engraved, and published in Webb's volume on Stonehenge; but the Sketches of Castles have never yet been published. On the ground of Inigo Jones's intimacy with Lord Pembroke, I was referred to the library at Wilton as a probable despositor of his drawings, but without success; as I am informed, they do not form a part of that valuable collection. Perhaps I may be allowed to correct the error which so commonly ascribes the erection of Wilton House to Jones. In the Natural History of Wiltshire, by John Aubrey, which I edited in 1847 (4to.), it is clearly shown that the mansion was built in 1633 by, or from the designs of, Solomon de Caus, architect, who was probably aided by his brother Isaac, and that it was rebuilt in 1648, after an extensive fire, by Webb, who, as is well known, married a niece of Inigo Jones. The latter celebrated architect recommended the employment of these parties, and probably approved of their designs, but had no further share in their production. His advice, however, to the Earl of Pembroke, was the means of preserving the famous Porch at Wilton, ascribed to Hans Holbein, which gives him a peculiar claim to the gratitude of all architectural antiquaries.
I possess a large collection of the manuscript journals, papers, drawings, and correspondence of Dr. Stukeley. To the kindness of my old friend Dr. Ingram, President of Trinity College, Oxford, I also owe a large Bronze Medal, with a medallion portrait of Stukeley on the obverse, and a view of Stonehenge on the reverse. This is evidently a cast from moulds, and rather crudely executed, and I am induced to regard it as unique. I shall be much gratified if any of your correspondents can furnish me with a clue to its history, or to the name of its maker. I would here venture to suggest some inquiry into the biography of Charles Bertram, of Copenhagen, who furnished Dr. Stukeley with the manuscript of the Itinerary of Richard of Cirencester, which has led to so much curious discussion. It would be interesting to learn whether Bertram's papers were bequeathed to any public library at Copenhagen.
Sir James Thornhill was in the habit of making sketches and descriptive memoranda in his various travels and excursions. Some years ago one of his pocket-books was lent to me, in which he had not only written notices of the places visited, but made very clever pen sketches of several objects. Whilst in my possession, I copied many pages, and also traced some of the drawings. Among the latter is a Market Cross at Ipswich, long since destroyed, also the Sessions House and the Custom House of Harwich, with various antiquities, &c., at Ryswich, Delph, Tournay, Brussels, and the Hague. I have often regretted that I did not copy the whole volume, as it contained many curious facts and anecdotes. I have tried in vain to ascertain the name and address of the possessor. He was a country gentleman, and lodged in Southampton Row, Russell Square. The volume is dated 1711, and contains full accounts of buildings and works of art. He says, "Killigrew told King Charles that Ipswich had a large river without water, streets without names, and a town without people."
In July, 1817, I published a small volume entitled Antiquarian and Architectural Memoranda relating to Norwich Cathedral, in which were two copper-plates, a ground-plan of the church, and a view of the west front; with woodcuts of the font, and of the Erpingham gateway, both engraved by John Thompson. The plates and cuts were sold by auction (by Mr. Southgate of Fleet Street), with the stock of the work, and have been resold by the purchaser. I have sought in vain to re-obtain the woodcuts, and shall be gratified to find that it is still practicable.
After many years' search for the documents, &c., referred to in this and my preceding letter, I am still reluctant to abandon their pursuit. That valuable collections are sometimes protected from destruction, in obscurity, for years, is shown by the loss and recovery of the well-known collection of Architectural Designs and Drawings by John Thorpe, now in the Soane Museum. That singular and interesting series was in the possession of the Earl of Warwick, in the latter part of the last century. In 1807 I applied to his lordship for permission to examine it; but he informed me that Richard Cumberland, the author, had borrowed it many years before, in order to submit it to Lord George Germaine, and that it had not since been heard of. Thus, from before 1785, when Lord George Germaine died, the drawings were lost until about thirty years afterwards, when I purchased them for Sir John Soane, at the sale of the library of —— Brooke, Esq., of Paddington (probably a relative of the Earl of Warwick), into whose possession they had unaccountably passed.
JOHN BRITTON.