ley, and my own picture, in enamel, to her dear daughter Margarette. All my manuscripts, negociations, commissions, and all papers whatsoever, whether of my public employments or private studies, I leave to my Lord Harley and Mr. Adrian Drift, my executors, or either of them, having first burned such as may not be proper for any future inspection. Whereas the estate of Down-Hall in Essex, of which I am and stand at present possessed, is, at my death, to revert to my Lord Harley, and to his heirs; according to the purport and intent of certain writings drawn up by Mr. Cliver Martin of the Middle Temple: I declare that the said estate does, and ought accordingly to revert to my Lord Harley and to his heirs, lest from any want of words in those writings, or from any failure, or expressions omitted in the form of the writings, the least doubt or inquietude may arise to my Lord Harley. I mention this, though, at the same time, I believe it to be superfluous. I Will and Desire, that the sum of one thousand pounds be set apart in favour and to the use of Mrs. Elizabeth Cox, and that an annuity or rent-charge be purchased with the said sum, to be paid by half yearly payments to the said Elizabeth Cox, during her natu ral life; but I would have the said thousand pounds, i. e. the annuity to be purchased with that sum, to be paid solely to her order, in half-yearly payments as aforesaid, and not to be in the disposal or at the power of any husband which she may marry. And as my Lord Harley will be juster towards all with whom he deals, and kinder to my friends, than any man whom I leave behind me in the world, I beg that he will be pleased to grant to the said Elizabeth Cox such annuity, leaving the sum to be determined by his appointment and pleasure. I leave to Mr. Adrian Drift the sum of one thousand pounds, to be employed and disposed of a: his discretion, hoping that his industry and management will be such, that he will not embezzle or decrease the same. I leave to Mrs. Anne Durham the sum of three hundred pounds, to be paid within one year of my decease, and by her to be employed for the enlargement of her stock, and the support of that trade and calling wherein I have already placed her, and in which I wish her prosperity. I remit to my dear friend and old companion, Richard Shelton, Esq. all bonds, notes, or obligations, by which he stands any way indebted to me: and I leave to his son, George Shelton, the sum of three hundred pounds, in such manner as that he may receive fifty pounds per ann. for six years, in order to maintain him during that time at the university, or to help him in any trade or employment, as his father may judge proper. I leave to my well-beloved and dear cousin, Catherine Harrison, the sum of one hundred pounds, with which she will be pleased to buy mourning. I leave to my servants each one year's wages and mourning; and to John Oeman or Newman, the sum of fifty pounds, over and above such wages. I likewise leave the sum of fifty pounds, over and above such wages, to Jane Ansley. And in case this shall (as I reckon it will) amount to more than will pay and satisfy my debts and legacies already given, I leave the rest and residue to Mr. Adrian Drift and Mrs. Elizabeth Cox above mentioned, to be equally divided between them. Thus, wishing health, honour, and happiness, to dear Lord Harley and his family, and to all my friends in general: Peace on earth, and good will towards men; I recommend my soul and body to the eternal and everlasting God who gave me my being: Deus es, instaura plasma tuum. This Will, written with my own hand, I sign and seal the 9th of August, An. Dom. 1721. M. PRIOR. Signed, sealed, and declared to be the last Will and Testament of Matthew Prior, in the presence of Us, who saw him seal and subscribe the same. Mr. Prior's funeral was, according to his desire in his Will, exactly performed. A very neat monument, with the busto he mentions, is erected to his memory, and the following inscription thereon, composed by the reverend and learned Dr. Friend, master of Westminster-school, viz. Sui temporis historiam meditanti Operis simul, & vitæ, filum abrupit, Ætat 57. H.S. E. Vir eximius Serenisssimis Regi Gulielmo Reginæq; Mariæ Deinde Magnæ Britianniæ legatis, Qui anno 1697 pacem Reswicki confecerunt. Tum iis, Qui apud Gallus annis proximis legationem obierunt; Ecdem etiam anno 1697 in Hibernia Secretarius, Nec non in utroq; honorabili confessu Eorum Qui anno 1700 ordinandis commercii negotiis. Quiq; anno 1711 dirigendis Portorii rebus Præsidebant, Commissionarius; Ab Anna Felicissimæ memoriæ regina De pace stabilienda; (Pace etiamnum durante, Diuq; ut bonijam omnes sperant duratura) Cum summa potestate legatus. MATTHEUS PRIOR, armiger, Qui Hos omnes, quibus cumulatus est, titulos Humanitatis ingenii, eruditionis, laude Superavit. Cui enim nascenti faciles arriserant Musæ, Hunc puerum schola hic regia perpo!ivit, Juvenem in collegio Sti. Joannis Cantabrigiz optimis scientiis instruxit: Virum deniq; auxit; & perfecit Multa cum viris principibus consuetudo; Ita natus, ita institutus A vatum choro avelli nunquam potuit, Sed solebat sæpe rerum civilum gravitatem Amoniorum literarum studiis condire: Et cum omne adeo poetices genus |