22 
evidences of what have just been quoted from Drake are 
abundant. Let one illustration suffice. On fol. 157 one or 
two lines are struck out. The author on further consideration 
has determined to let them stand, and has written on the top 
margin of the page, “ Print what is here struck out.” This 
copy ultimately became the property of Christopher Sykes, 
Esq., from whom it was purchased in April 1881, by the 
Trustees of the British Museum, in which institution the 
volume is now preserved—Egerton MSS., 2578. Upon one of 
the first pages of the work there is the following inscription, 
written by Drake's own hand:—“This manuscript was the 
work of Sir Thomas Widdrington, Knight, and as I apprehend, 
tor several reasons, which I have given in the preface of my 
Eboracum , is the original .—Francis Drake, August 14, 1736.” 
Not seldom has the regret been expressed that this valuable 
manuscript has not been published. The author of Eboracum 
wrote: “ What remains is only to recommend it to the present 
proprietory of the other copies that they would print it ; since 
one of them is offered for sale, and since no injunction from 
the author obliges them now to the contrary.” 
Widdrington’s method of work, in one respect at least, 
leaves nothing to be desired, and furnishes an example to all 
those giving attention to the study of historic subjects. For 
his information he goes, whenever possible, to original docu¬ 
ments. Of course, as one of the pioneers in topographical 
work, he was compelled to take this course. The Public 
Records (then in the Tower of London), 1 the Archives of York 
Minster and the City Corporation, the ecclesiastical documents 
then lying in St. Mary’s Tower (York), the evidences of York¬ 
shire families—the Vavasours, the Fairfaxes, the Slingsbys 
and others—the Bodley MSS., the Cotton MSS., and other 
original sources, are laid under contribution for his work. 
It must be remembered also that, at the time Sir Thomas 
was making his collection, many of the works with which we 
are familiar had not been put into type, and could only be 
consulted by him in manuscript form. Doomsday Book was 
1 Many references will be found to the Charter Rolls, Patent Rolls, Close 
Rolls. Exchequer Rolls, Statue Rolls, etc. 
