( **3 ) 
be feen the Date 1390. Part of the Room this 
was found in, was burnt too much to repair again. 
And in taking down the burnt Timbers, being pre- 
fent myfelf, I accidentally faw it, and obferving the 
Date, thought it a Curiofity, that might give to the 
Curious fome Speculation. And as fuch I fend it 
* you, and am glad ’twill be acceptable to fo learned 
a Body of Gentlemen, as the Royal Society. I am, 
SIR, 
Tour mojl obedient 
humble Servant , 
Woodbridge in Suffolk * 
July the 14, 1754. 
- Francis Gulfton. 
Upon confidering the Charadters on this Plank, 
and tnofe of the other two Dates mentioned above, 
together with the Accounts given by learned Men 
of the Time when the Arabian Figures were firfi 
introduced into thefe Parts of the World, and the 
various Forms they have fince received [ See 
Tab. II. Fig. 1.] I was at laft latisfied, that none of 
theie three Dates prove they were ever tiled among 
us, in lefs than an hundred Years after the Reading 
given to the lateft of them. And the Reafons which 
led me into this Opinion, I now beg Leave to offer, 
when ! have firfi briefly inquired into their Origin 
and Antiquity. 
Mell 
