( ) 
Dr. Wallis informs us, that we had the Figures 
from Spain, into which Nation they were brought 
by the Moors ; the Moors had them from the 
Arabians ; and the Arabians from the Indians. 
And it was the Doctor’s Opinion, that they were 
firft brought into England about the Year 1130; 
for that the firft Inftance of their Ufe which he had 
met with, was a Date upon a Chimney-piece, which 
Date was 1 3 3* the Character which the 
Romans made ufe of to exprefs 1000, being mix’d 
with Figures, as Dr. Wallis obferves, was often 
done at their firft coming in \ fince that in Thilofo • 
phical Tranfaflions , N° 4 166, is mentioned a Date 
1090. all in Figures. About twelve Months ago 
I produced a Date upon a Chimney-piece at Widgel- 
Hall in Hertfordjbire , which was 1 6, the jQT 
for the 1000, being here again mix’d with Figures. 
And I now produce a ftili earlier Inftance of the 
Ufe of Figures in England , Q fee Tab. I. Fig. 2. ] 
which is a Draught of an Infcription over a Gate-way 
at Worcejler , built, as ’tis believ’d, in the Reign of 
King (JEtigat, and is this 0 ) 1 $. (nine Hundred Seven 
ty-five) which is 158 Years before the Date of 
Dr. /fWAVs, 4 1 Years before that Iproduced laft Year, 
and is now 760 Years ftanding. It is a great pity 
(I think) but it fo happened, that the Shape of the 
Figures in this Date were altered from what they are 
here Ihewn to be of, about two Years ago, when the 
Gate was new chipp’d and beautified ; and at the 
fame Time the modern ones 97J were then painted 
in their Room, as they are now to be feen ; the 
Ground is Gold, and the Figures black. The 
Account of this Date I had given me lately by 
1 Mr. Jofeph 
