XXVI. Description of a Tablet, from the Arundelian Collection. In a Letter to the Secretary

Extract

I Take the liberty of sending you the included for the inspection of the Society. I purchased it out of what was called the Arundel collection, which was sold at the conclusion of the sale of the dutchess of Portland's museum in the year 1786. From the letter which accompanied this little tablet (if it may be so called), it appears, that it was found in Essex, but unfortunately we are not informed in what part of the county. This, therefore, prevents the attaining any clue to discover who was the original owner, though I should conceive it highly probable that it belonged to some religious house. Though the letter contains no date, the names of lord Oxford and Mr. Wanley, which are mentioned in it, are so well known to the Society, that the period when it was found may well be conjectured.