for

"If turf, and plantations, and cattle have any delights 1881.

you,

I should be most happy to do the honour of this place to you at any time.

"Edward Thomason, Esq."

"Sir,

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Kensington Palace, 23rd July, 1831.

"Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria have received with much interest the prospectus of the series of Medals you sent me to lay before their Royal Highnesses, evincing, as it does, the native talent brought forward.

"I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, enclosing your prospectus of an undertaking which unites every thing that is good with every thing that is useful, particularly in that part of the education of children where the foundation of their future conduct is to be laid; and I do not hesitate in stating, as my my humble opinion, that the completion of such a work will render more beneficial service to this country than anything that has been given to the world since the translation of the Bible itself; for, as you very justly

1831. remark, that medals speak all languages,' so you have accomplished a pleasing method of introducing the most important epochs of the Bible to all nations and all capacities. If I had received it before this day (Saturday), I should have endeavoured to have an article about it in this week's Spectator,' but that must be postponed.

"I wrote a hasty letter of introduction to you by General Santada, a very intelligent man, from Mexico, who is travelling for his amusement over England and Scotland.

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Pray present our united and very best remembrances to Mrs. Thomason, and

"With reference to Sir Robert Peel's note to you of the 14th July, 1830, I am directed by Lord Melbourne to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 12th instant, on the subject of your being allowed to wear certain foreign orders of merit, that you should apply to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for this per

1831. mission, through the Ministers of the countries from the Governments of which you have obtained these orders. "I am, Sir,

"Your obedient servant,

Son Phillies

"Edward Thomason, Esq., Birmingham."

"Dear Sir,

"Oxton, Exeter, 26th August, 1831.

"I have many apologies to make for not having sooner acknowledged the receipt of your handsome series of medals, illustrative of the Scripture History. The more I dwell on them, the more I am delighted with the skill, taste, and feeling which pervades the whole; and all to whom I have shewn them are at the same time delighted and proud that the conception and execution of such a work should have emanated from Birmingham.

"I should have had the pleasure of enclosing a draft for the amount, but I had no items of some few things Mrs. Beaumont Swete and myself purchased at your establishment which were not paid for.

"We feel exceedingly obliged by your kindness and attention when we were at Birmingham, and regretted much that being pressed for time (which, indeed, was not our own), prevented our availing ourselves of letter of introduction, but I shall never pass through your your town again without claiming the privilege of an old acquaintance to make myself known to you again; and

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should anything bring you so far South as Devon, I 1831. I trust you will do me the favour of letting me know, should you be in my vicinity.

"I shall be obliged if you will favour me with the particulars of my debt to you, and your banker in London, to whom it may be paid.

"I remain, dear Sir,

"Yours very faithfully,

Ihn Beaumont Swite

"Edward Thomason, Esq., Birmingham."

The five volumes, containing the sixty silver Bible Medals, were so much admired after my presenting them at the levee, that I struck off a series of them in very rich gilt for my private collection, which I kept in my library. Lady Granville called at my establishment, to inspect my manufactory. Along a gallery in the great vase room was the private way to my library, and I begged her ladyship would do me the favour to go and look at this recently finished rich gilt series. She was much astonished, and remarked that she little thought that she should have lived to see the Word of God impressed on gold. After examining the series some time, her ladyship exclaimed, "O that I had invented and done a work like this, my soul should live!"

No other individual is in possession of a similar gilt series, except my esteemed friend, Sir William Ingilby, Bart., of Ripley Castle.