Add MS 4234

BIRCH'S BOWER COLLECTIONS Collection by Thomas Birch of papers, letters, etc., relating to Archibald Bower, lapsed Jesuit, author of the History of the Popes, etc., and Keeper of Queen Caroline's library (d. 1766); circa 1746-1758. The principal contents are:-

(1) 'Proposals for printing ... the History of the Popes'; 25 Mar. 1747. With Preface. Printed. ff. 1-8.

(2) Bower's account of the Holy Inquisition at Macerata and his escape from Italy in 1732, in the autograph of Edmund Law, Master of Peterhouse, etc., followed (f. 23) by a copy, with an addition, in Birch's autograph; circ. 1750. Cf. Bower and Tillemont compared, 1757, p. 89. ff. 9- 3 7 b.

(3) The above account compared with another narrative by Bower (see art. 6); circ. 1750. ff. 38-40b.

(4) Six letters of Bower to Father Sheldon al. Elliott Brown, Provincial of the Jesuits in England; 1746, 1747; preceded (f. 41) by 'Mrs. (Hannah) Hoyles narrative concerning Mr. Bower taken from her own mouth ... June 1, 1756'. Printed as Six letters from A-d B-r etc. by John Douglas in 1756. ff. 41-48b.

(5) 'Extracts of the Papers of Father Sheldon ... siez'd at his lodgings in Wild Street, London in Novemb. 1745'. Copied by Birch from extracts made by T. Waite, circ. 1750. ff. 49-6 1 b.

(6) 'Mr. Bower's Account of his Escape from ye Inquisition'; circa 1750. At the end the writer says 'The Dean of Durham had this from his own Mouth', and it is endorsed by Birch 'This paper was found in the Library of the Revd Mr (? Francis) Folkard a clergyman near Otley in Suffolk, Given me by Mr. Wetstein, Aug. 11. 1756'. Printed as A Faithful Account of Mr. Bower's Motives etc., by Richard Barron, 1750. ff. 62-63b.

(7) Letters from Sir Henry Bedingfield, of Oxborough, co. Norf., to Birch, with the latter's draft replies; Feb. 1756-28 Apr. 1757. ff. 64-83b.

(8) Correspondence of Sir George Lyttelton (afterwards (1756) Baron Lyttelton) with Sir H. Bedingfield; 11-18 Feb. 1756. Copies. ff. 86-88b.

(9) John Douglas, D.D. (Bishop of Salisbury 1791), to Birch; 12 Feb., 16 Apr. 1756. ff. 89-90b, 91.

(10) Dr. Edmund Law to the same; 16 June 1756. ff. 104-105b.

(11) Note of information received by Birch from Dr. J. Douglas concerning Bower; 1756. ff. 106-107b.

(12) Extracts from the 'Six Letters', with notes on Bower in Birch's autograph; circ. 1755-1758.

(13) Archibald Bower to — Merill 'Bookseller to Cambridge'; London, 31 Jan. 1754. Autograph. ff. 125-126b. Paper; ff. 165. Folio. Circ. 1746-1758.

Archibald Bower, church historian: Papers rel. to his connection with the Jesuits: circ. 1746-1758.

includes:

• ff. 9-22 Edmund Law, DD, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge afterwards Bishop of Carlisle: Account of the escape of A. Bower from the Holy Inquisition at Macerata transcribed by: circ. 1750.
• ff. 9-40b, 62-63b Macerata, Italy: Accounts of the Inquisition there, and of A. Bower's escape: circ. 1750.
• ff. 9-40b, 62-63b Inquisition: Accounts of the escape of A. Bower from the Inquisition at Macerata: circ. 1750.
• ff. 41-42b Mrs Hoyle: Narrative conc. A. Bower: 1756.
• ff. 43-61b, 108-124 passim Henry Joseph Sheldon, called 'Elliot Brown'; Provincial of the Jesuits in England: Letters to, from A. Bower, with extracts from his papers: 1745-1747.
• ff. 64-80, passim Sir Henry Arundell Bedingfield, 3rd Baronet: Letters to T. Birch: 1756-1758.
• ff. 68, 141 Sir Henry Arundell Bedingfield, 3rd Baronet: Letters to A. Bower: 1756.: Copies.
• f. 84 John Brown, DD, Vicar of Newcastle on Tyne: Correspondence with T. Birch: 1756, 1760.
• ff. 86-88 Sir Henry Arundell Bedingfield, 3rd Baronet: Correspondence with Sir G. Lytteiton: 1756.: Copies.
• ff. 86-88 George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton: Correspondence with Sir H. Bedingfield: 1756.: Copies.
• ff. 89, 91 John Douglas, DD; Bishop of Salisbury: Letters to T. Birch: 1756-1764.
• f. 99 John Davidson, Scottish antiquary: Correspondence with T. Birch: 1754-1764.: Partly copies.
• f. 102 Reverend John Duncombe, poet and historian; son of William Duncombe: Letter to T. Birch: 1756.
• f. 104 Edmund Law, DD, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge afterwards Bishop of Carlisle: Letters to T. Birch: 1737-1762.
• ff. 106-107b John Douglas, DD; Bishop of Salisbury: Information conc. A. Bower: 1756.: Copy.
• f. 125 Archibald Bower, church historian: Letter to - Merrill: 1754.
• ff. 127-133 Archibald Bower, church historian: Receipts signed by: 1748-1749.
• ff. 143, 149, 151, 153, 161, 163 Newspapers Great Britain and Ireland: 'The Public Advertiser': 1754-1763.
• f. 145 Newspapers Great Britain and Ireland: 'The London Chronicle': 1758.
• ff. 155, 157, 159 Newspapers Great Britain and Ireland: 'The Evening Advertiser': 1756.
• f. 165 Archibald Bower, church historian: Epitaph: 1766.