5: 7 9 2' on PortugaL c.^ 



and there is besides a great difficulty in reading 

 ancient manuscripts ; and it would not be well to 

 trust to another for selecting the materials for an 

 authentic history. The writer must, therefore, 

 resolve to submit to the drudgery of reading and 

 selecting these himself, if he hopes to corripose 

 a work that fhall be fully deserving the public 

 approbation. 



In the second place, that he may obtain the ne- 

 cefsary manuscripts, he ought to have a friend at 

 court with permifsion for him to search the Torre 

 do Tomhoy the convents of Alcobapa, Batatha^ 

 S. Domi?igos, and other places in which are to be 

 found materials for the history of Portugal. For 



these reafons, I would advise Mr to 



undertake a voyage to Portugal, and to cultivate 



an acquaintance with VAhhe C a, who is e- 



stceincd by the Due de Lafoens*, who could lay 

 open to him all the archives in the nation ; — he 

 i« a learned tnan, and has great credit at court. 

 But before he leaves London, he ought to pur- 

 chafe the Bihliotheca Portugueza de Diego Bar-' 

 hosa ; and also at London he might buy other 

 books concerning our hiftory, which, though sin- 

 gular, are not to be had at Lilbon* This book, 

 whicli is a species of dictionary, will inform him 

 where to look for manuscripts, and give hi-.n be- 

 eides some idea of the authors and their works. 



1 have communicated your letter to Don 



* T!iis is Don John Braganza, duke ofLafotns, second uncle to 

 I preoent nwjegtv. 



