"
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.
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