(1068) By Richard Gough, the well-known antiquary.  The second edition, published in 1780, is a far better one.-E.

Letter 361 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Strawberry Hill, June 14, 1769. (page 542)

Dear Sir, Among many agreeable passages in your last, there is nothing I like so well as the hope you give me of seeing you here in July.  I will return that visit immediately:  don’t be afraid; I do not mean to incommode you at Waterbeche; but, if you will come, I promise I will accompany you back as far as Cambridge:  nay, carry you on to Ely, for thither I am bound.  The Bishop(1068) has sent a Dr. Nichols to me, to desire I would assist him in a plan for the east window of his cathedral, which he intends to benefactorate with painted glass.  The window is the most untractable of all Saxon uncouthness:  nor can I conceive what to do with it, but by taking off the bottoms for arms and mosaic, splitting the crucifixion into three compartments, and filling the five lights at top with prophets, saints, martyrs, and such like; after shortening the windows like the great ones.  This I shall propose.  However, I choose to see the spot myself, as it will be a proper attention to the Bishop after his civility, and I really would give the best advice I could.  The Bishop, like Alexander VIII., feels that the clock has struck half-an-hour past eleven, and is impatient to be let depart in peace after his eyes shall have seen his vitrification:  at least, he is impatient to give his eyes that treat; and yet it will be a pity to precipitate the work.  If you can come to me first, I shall be happy; if not, I must come to you:  that is, will meet you at Cambridge.  Let me know your mind, for I would not press you unseasonably.  I am enough obliged to you already; though, by mistake, you think it is you that are obliged to me.  I do not mean to plunder you of any more prints; but shall employ a little collector to get me all that are getable.  The rest, the greatest of us all must want.

I am very sorry for the fever you have had:  but, Goodman Frog, if you will live in the fens, do not expect to be as healthy as if you were a fat Dominican at Naples.  You and your MSS. will all grow mouldy.  When our climate is subject to no sign but Aquarius and Pisces, would one choose the dampest country under the heavens!  I do not expect to persuade you, and so I will say no more.  I wish you joy of the treasure you have discovered:  six Saxon bishops and a Duke of Northumberland!(1069) You have had fine sport this season.  Thank you much for wishing to see my name on a plate in the history.  But, seriously, I have no such vanity.  I did my utmost to dissuade Mr. Granger from the dedication, and took especial pains to get my virtues left out of the question; till I found he would be quite hurt if I did not let him express his gratitude, as he called it:  so, to satisfy him, I was forced to accept of his present;