SIR HANS SLOANE. 
25 
Thoresby thus mentions it under the date of 
May 24, 1695. “ Walked to Mr Charlton’s 
chambers at the Temple, who very courteously 
shewed me his museum, which is, perhaps, the 
most noble collection of natural and artificial 
curiosities, of ancient anti modern coins and 
medals, that any private person in the world 
enjoys; it is said to have cost him £7000 or 
£8000 sterling; there is, I think, the greatest 
variety of insects and animals, corals, shells, 
petrifactions, &c. that ever I beheld. But I spent 
the greatest part of my time amongst the coins; 
for though the British and Saxon be not very 
extraordinary, yet his silver coins of the emperors 
and consuls is very noble. He has also a costly 
collection of medals of eminent persons in church 
and state, domestic and foreign reformers. But 
before I was half satisfied, an unfortunate visit 
from the Countess of Pembroke, and other ladies 
from court, prevented farther queries,” See.* 
Obadiah Walker’s treatise on “ Greek and 
Roman History, illustrated by coins and medals, ”f 
is dedicated to “ William Charlton of the Middle 
Temple, Esq.” in which he says, “ your eminency 
in this study, and your plentiful and (not without 
great skill and difficulty"! well chosen treasure, 
* Thoresby’* Diary, vol. i. p. 299. 
t 8vo. 1692. 
