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Public Record Office.—Asks him to explain why his edition of Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle has not yet been completed.

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Transcript

Public Record Office
17 March 1874.

Dear Sir,

On 6 Decr 1872, I was desired by Lord Romilly, then Master of the Rolls, to call your attention to the long time during which the Chronicle you are Editing had been in hand: and to state that it was absolutely necessary the work should be completed by the end of the current financial year, 31 March 1873.

Your Chronicle however having not yet been finished, and another financial year expiring on 31 March, it will be necessary for me to bring the matter before the present Master of the Rolls {1}. I shall be ready at the same time to place before him any explanation of the delay which you may send to me before the 31st instant.

I am, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
T. Duffus Hardy

W. Aldis Wright Esqre | &c. &c.

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{1} Sir George Jessel.

Public Record Office.—The circular (Add. MS b. 74/11/10) had no special reference to Aldis Wright. It will be sufficient if his manuscript is in the printer’s hands by 31 March.

(Headed ‘Circular’.)

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Transcript

Public Record Office
9 Decr 1872

My dear Mr Wright,

I need hardly say that the Circular had no special reference to yourself.
It will be quite sufficient if you place your manuscript in the Printer’s hands by the 31st March next, as you mention.

Excuse haste & | Believe me to be
Sincerely yours
T. Duffus Hardy

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Gives an account of the progress of his edition of Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle.

(Headed ‘Circular’.)

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Transcript

Trinity College Cambridge
7 December 1872

My dear Sir,

I am not surprised that the Master of the Rolls should enquire about the Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester which I have undertaken to edit. But I am surprised at receiving a summary notice that it must be completed by the end of the present financial year, if by ‘completed’ be meant printed and published. If however it be taken to mean ‘made ready for press’, I can undertake to have it in that condition by the time specified. To shew that, although I have been engaged upon it for upwards of four years, my time has not been misspent I may state that I have made full collations of six MSS. with the Cotton MS. which I propose to make the basis of my text. I am now only waiting for an opportunity of collating Add. MS. 19677 in the British Museum, but as this is a work of ten days at least and I have not been able to get any holiday for the whole of the year I have hitherto been unable to finish it. My intention was to have devoted the last Long Vacation to the preparation of the book for press but this was frustrated by the Royal Commission for Inquiring into the property of the Universities and Colleges which has thrown upon my hands as Bursar the gratuitous task of drawing up a report of the property belonging to Trinity College, thus completely destroying the only leisure which I can look forward to with any certainty in the course of the year.

I trust that the Master of the Rolls will understand that I have not for any purposes of my own neglected work which I have undertaken for him, and I beg that you will assure him of my desire to have it completed by the date assigned, if by ‘completed’ I am to understand ‘ready for press’. By ‘ready for press’ I mean in such a state that the printers can straightway print off text and notes; for the Glossary which is one of the most important parts of the book cannot be completed till the text is in type.

If the Trustees of the British Museum had the power to transfer their MSS. for a time to such public places as the Bodleian at Oxford or the University Library here for the purpose of being consulted and collated it would be a great advantage to many who like myself could secure a leisure hour or two now and then but cannot spare the time necessary for examining them in London. This plan has for a long time been in operation here and has now been adopted at Oxford and I have never heard that the privilege has been abused. I would not ask the British Museum authorities to lend their MSS. to private persons as we do, but to deposit them for a time in one of the University Libraries. Had this been possible, Robert of Gloucester would have been ready three years ago.

Believe me, my dear Sir,
Yours truly
W. Aldis Wright

Sir T. Duffus Hardy

Public Record Office.—Aldis Wright’s edition of the Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester must be completed by 31 March 1873.

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Transcript

Circular

Public Record Office

6 December 1872.

Dear Sir

I am desired by the Master of the Rolls to call your attention to the “Metrical Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester”, which you have had in hand as Editor upwards of four years. I am at the same time to state that it is absolutely necessary the work should be completed by the end of the current financial year, 31st March, 1873.—If you are unable to do this, the Master of the Rolls wishes you to state your reasons.

I am, Dear Sir,
Yours truly,
T. Duffus Hardy

W. Aldis Wright, Esq., &c., &c.

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In the hand of an amanuensis, except the signature.

Public Record Office.—The Treasury have approved the Master of the Rolls’ recommendation that Aldis Wright should edit Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle. Discusses terms, etc.

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Transcript

Public Record Office
5 February 1868.

Sir

I am directed by the Master of the Rolls to inform you that he has proposed to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury that you should edit the under-mentioned work, and their Lordships have approved of his recommendation. If you wish for any further information or assistance, and will call here at your convenience, I shall be happy to give it.

I inclose copies of the General Directions to Editors {1}. I presume you are aware that £8. 8. 0 per sheet is paid to Editors on the Completion of each volume, which you will perceive will not be paid for beyond 500 pages. Be kind enough to let me know, as soon as possible, the title by which you wish you work to be announced

I am, Sir
Your obedient Servant,
T. Duffus Hardy

Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester

Wm Aldis Wright, Esq., M.A., &c., &c.

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Sent with Add. MS b. 74/1, 3–4.

{1} In the margin is written ‘General Directions | Order 1 Novr 1862’.

Offering a photograph of a Greek manuscript of the Athanasian Creed in St Mark's Library, Venice to the College, with explanation of its source; copy of a letter by Rawdon Brown on 'the remaining seven photographs'.

Re. Milman's memoir of Thomas Babington Macaulay.

Public Record Office, Rolls House, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.—Sends official papers authorising Aldis Wright to prepare an edition of Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle.

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Public Record Office, Rolls House,
Chancery Lane, London, W.C
5th Feby 1868 {1}.

My dear Mr Aldis Wright

Herewith you will receive the official announcement that the Master of the Rolls {2} has proposed that you should edit Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle, and the approval of the Treasury of his Lordships† recommendation. The papers sent with this will give you all the information you will require; if it be not sufficient Luard will, I am sure, tell you all he knows, and if that will not do, you must call on me the first time you come to London, & here learn all I can communicate on the subject.

Ever faithfully yours
T. Duffus Hardy

[Direction on envelope:] W. Aldis Wright Esq. | Trinity College | Cambridge.

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Sent with Add. MS b. 74/11/2–4. The envelope was postmarked at South Kensington Museum; London, W. (‘Official Paid’); and Cambridge, all on 5 February 1868. Printed on the envelope are the words ‘On Her Majesty’s Service’ and ‘Science and Art Department, South Kensington.’

{1} The first two figures of the year are printed.

{2} Lord Romilly.