18 EARLY HISTOHY OF THE NAUTICAL ALMANAC. 



very clearly and distinctly written ; his signature particularly so. 

 I have lately found preserved between the leaves of an old 

 volume of astronomical tables, formerly belonging to him, an 

 excellent sample of his autograph, consisting of a certificate of 

 good character in favour of his eldest son, Eichard Hawkin 

 Hitchins, B.D.,*on his nomination to the Bectory of Baverstock, 

 Wilts. It is addressed to John, Lord Bishop of Exeter, and 

 dated June 23rd, 1804. The certificate is certainly in the 

 hand-writing of Malachy Hitchins, and contains the original 

 signatures of "Phil. Webber, Rector of Mawnan ; Greorge 

 Ooryton, Minister of Penzance ; Thos. Trevethan, Yicar of 

 Shebbear ; and Malachy Hitchins, Vicar of St. Hilary." 



* Curate of Falmouth 33 years. (" Biblio Cornub.") The following is from 

 a Catalogue of Oxford Graduates, — " Richard Hawkin Hitchins, Exeter College, 

 B.A., March 19, 1787.— M.A., June 12, 1789.— B.D, June 20, 1799." 



