THOMAS GUY. 
3G9 
John Hughes, the poet, who was a performer at Britton’s concert, has 
commemorated him in the foilowing lines, inscribed beneath his 
engraved portrait : 
Though mean ihy rank, yet in thy humble cell 
Did gentle Peace, and Arts unpurchased dwell. 
Well pleas’d Apollo thither led his train, 
And music warbled in her sweetest strain. 
Cyllenius, so fable tells, and Jove, 
Came willing guests to poor Philemon’s grove. 
Let useless Pomp behold, and blush to find 
So low a station — such a liberal mind. 
The singularity of Britton’s mode of life, and the contrast between 
his station and his connexions, caused a variety of opinions to pre- 
vail concerning him and his meetings. He was taken for an atheist, 
a Jesuit, a sectary, and a conjurer, and his concerts were thought to 
be meetings for seditious or magical purposes. He was, however, a plain 
honest man, of an ingenious countenance and cheerful temper, and a sin- 
cere votary of the arts and studies in which he engaged. He appears 
rather to have been a general virtuoso, than a real proficient in any 
other branch, yet he played upon the viol-de-gamba at his own con- 
certs; and the noted antiquary, Thomas Hearne, has attested his real 
skill in rare books and old manuscripts. He sold a large collection 
of these some years before his death, the printed catalogue of which, 
Hearne says, he has often looked over with wonder ; and another 
collection of books and music, being the chief property he left behind 
him, was sold by his widow. 
The circumstances of his death were as extraordinary as those of 
his life, if the story may be credited. A ventriloquist was introduced 
into his company by an acquaintance, who was lord of mischievous 
jests. This man, in a voice apparently coming from a distance, 
announced to poor Britton his approaching end, and bid him prepare 
for it by repeating the Lord’s Prayer on his knees. Britton, whose 
mystical and magical books had probably made him credulous, obeyed 
the injunction, went home, took to his bed, and actually died in a 
few days. This was in September, 1714. He was buried, with a very 
respectful attendance, in Clerkenwell church-yard. 
Thomas Guy. 
This person, the founder of Guy’s Hospital, was the son of Thomas 
Guy, lighterman and coal-dealer in Horseleydown, Southwark. He 
was put apprentice, in 1660, to a bookseller in the porch of Mercers’ 
chapel, and set up trade with a stock of 2001. in the house that forms 
the angle between Cornhill and Lombard-street. The English Bible 
being at that time very badly printed, Mr. Guy engaged with others 
in a scheme for printing them in Holland, and importing them ; but 
this being put a stop to, he contracted with the university of Oxford 
for their privilege of printing them, and carried on a great Bible trade 
many years to considerable advantage. Thus he began to accumulate 
money, and his gains rested on his hands ; for, being a single man 
