ROBERT POCOCK. 249 



reference (p. 247) was due, and who, in his Preface, 

 referring to Pocock and these his labours in the same 

 field, writes : 



" The late Mr. Robert Pocock some years since cir- 

 culated proposals for a History of Dartford which his 

 death, and then the dispersion, if not destruction, of his 

 collections prevented ever being fulfilled." 



In the preceding preface grateful allusion is made 

 by Pocock also to Mr. Charles Clarke, F.S.A., who in 

 the History of Gravesend is mentioned also as a literary 

 person settled at that town ; but in neither statement 

 did it appear, as the fact was, that Pocock had equally 

 and laboriously devoted himself to the acquisition of 

 antiquarian details for his friend in connexion with 

 Rouen and other towns in Normandy a friendly 

 assistance which was well repaid by Mr. Clarke in 

 aiding Pocock's researches into the earlier historical 

 transactions connected with the county of Kent. 

 Another kind friend (a friend departed during the 

 work) finds mention and acknowledgment, to whom 

 Pocock had opened some of his trials, viz. : The Rev. 

 Mark Noble, Incumbent of Banning, Kent, F.S.A., who 

 wrote to Pocock, in September, 1826, in reference to 

 the projected History of Dartford and Wilmington, as 

 follows : 



" DEAE SIR,- I shall answer your letter as methodically 

 as I can. I am extremely hurt that you have been 

 in any distress. The best consolation I know is the 

 Book, which is given us in mercy to comfort us here 

 and lead us to where only true joys are to be found. I 

 applaud your intention of writing an history of Dartford 



