1779, September 17.—Memorandum endorsement by John Robinson. “Covers in which the 24 Bank Notes of 500l. each were enclosed with his Majesty's Docquet thereon, and which were delivered by his Majesty to Lord North this day and given by Lord North to J[ohn] R[obinson] and which were sent to Mr. Drummond by me on the 18th and placed to the credit of my private account B—, and which sum was for twelve months of the additional 1.000l. per month from July, 1778, to June, 1779, inclusive.”

In my despatch No. 12 I mentioned that M. Rivadavia had promised me some materials for the formation of a general report upon the state of this Government. I have lately received through him several notices thereupon, which have enabled me to draw up the paper which I have the honor to enclose, and which will be found to contain a general summary of the rise and progress of this State since the first declaration of its independence in 1810.

By the next packet I hope to be able to send you the report upon commercial matters to which I have alluded in the same despatch.

1188 Gift in free alms by Simon son of Nicholas and Isabel his wife to Reading Abbey of the whole land which Thomas son of Alan sometime gave them in the vill of Ufton [Nervet] (Huffinton'). To be held freely by rendering annually to the said Thomas and his heirs 1d at Easter and to Richer Neirnut, lord of the fee, and his heirs ys sterling at Michaelmas for all custom, demand, suit and secular service, saving such foreign service as pertains to the said tenement, which the abbey will acquit. Warranty and sealing with their seals.

• Acknowledgements 4

• Editorial note 4

• Introduction 5

• The Letters 7

• Index 157

244 Gift in free alms by Roger de Cressy to Reading Abbey of 13d annual rent in Chearsley on the feast of St James [25 July] to provide a light annually before the relics of St James

[/9 × 1246; ? early 13th cent.]

Bf94r; Cf48r

Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis presens scriptum inspecturis Rogeru's de Cressy, salutem in domino. Noveritis me karitatis intuitu et pro salute anime mee et animarum omnium antecessorum et successorum meorum dedisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse abbati de Rading(ia) et monachis eiusdem loci deo servientibus .xiii. nummatos redditus mei in Certeleia quos Willielmus films Rad(ulf)i de Certel(eia) mihi solebat reddere per annum, habendos et percipiendos prefatis abbati et monachis ad festum sancti Jacobi apostoli in puram et perpetuam elemosinam ad usum annul luminarii coram reliquiis sancti Jacobi in eadem ecclesia repositis. Volo ergo et legaliter ac firmiter precipio quod, si prefatus W(illelmus) sive heredes sui defecerint in solutione prefati redditus ad prefatum terminum, liceat prefatis abbati et monachis distringere sufficienter per manus suas prefatum W(illelmum) sive heredes suos super tenementa que de me tenent quousque satisfecerint prefatis abbati et monachis de prefato redditu et de expensis suis circa prefatum redditum recuperandum factis. Et ego Rogerus et heredes mei warantizabimus prefatis abbati et monachis prefatum redditum contra omnes homines et feminas. Et in testimonium huius facti mei, presenti carte presens sigillum meum annosui. T(estibus).

The beautiful valley of the Axe lies in south-east Devonshire, about four miles west of Dorset. The red marl and brown and sterile summits of the green sand-hills mark the situation with unmistakable signs. A real Devonshire valley cannot be confounded with any other; nor can its climate. Mild in winter, when southern Italy has frost and snow, and when Greece is not to be traversed from the same causes, its curative influence at length begins to be appreciated.

Friday 15 January The official Coronation Programme was issued today. It would be idle to pretend that the change of monarchs has not taken the fire out of the national interest in the Coronation. King George VI and his consort are popular enough in a quiet way, but they do not arose any great enthusiasm. In society itself, the Queen is definitely unpopular. As Duchess of York she was regarded as a rather quiet, uninteresting, highly domesticated person, a little too Scots, if anything. But as Queen she is a little derided as lacking in glamour.