I have only to add, that I have not seen the original will, or the documentary evidence in the suit in Chancery. Desirous of losing no time in this communication, which is not without interest at the present moment, as it may influence the tribute about to be paid to the memory of the Tredescants by the reparation of their monuments, I have relied on Dr. Hamel's transcripts.
One is gratified to find that the merits of these humble and unpretending lovers of science is at length appreciated, and that, while some of the inhabitants of Lambeth, where they dwelt, are taking effective measures to restore the monument erected to their memory by the unfortunate Hester, a just tribute to their merits has been paid by Dr. Hamel at St. Petersburg! On Ashmole's tombstone in Lambeth Church is inscribed: "Mortem obiit 18 Maii, 1692, sed durante Musæo Ashmoleano Oxonii nunquam moriturus." May not some similar record relate to posterity that it was to the Tredescants we owe the foundation of the first Museum of Curiosities of Nature and Art, as well as the first Botanic Garden?
S. W. SINGER.
Manor Place, South Lambeth.
INEDITED POETRY.
I have now before me an interesting little volume containing "Elegiac Verses" and other poetical effusions, composed by, and in the autograph of, Anne Ellys, wife and widow of a Bishop of St. David's. Most of the pieces are dated, the earliest in January, 1761, the latest February 15, 1763. The MS. is in small 4to. and contains fifteen pieces, eleven of which relate to the death of her husband (which occurred, so far as I can gather from the dates, on January 17th, 1761), and breathe a spirit of deep affection and of fervent piety. So far as I am aware, the poems have never been published; permit me to send you one of the pieces, as it may be deemed worthy of a place in the museum of inedited poetry already collected in your pages, and which I hope to see greatly increased.
"THOUGHTS ON A GARDEN.
"The mind of man, like a luxuriant field,
Will various products, in abundance, yield.
If cultur'd well by skilful gardener's hand,