“Otherwise,” continues Nelson, “I can see no reason why a man that is qualified for an employment may not fairly offer himself as a candidate for it, without injury to others that may pretend to it, and if you should want success, it no way diminishes those qualifications you were endowed with, for the discharge of the employment.  If the Sir Robert Cotton you mention be of the Post Office, I believe I can find a way of applying to him,—­I am your faithful friend and servant, Wanley’s ardent desire was not destined to be satisfied, but a still more honourable position was in store for the distinguished scholar and man of letters, for he not only became ultimately custodian of the Harleian manuscripts, but as we shall presently see, he deserved by his zeal, learning, and discrimination to be considered together with Lord Oxford, the joint-founder of the Harleian library.

“Nelson.

“2nd October 1702.”

Thus, it was entirely owing to Wanley that the D’Ewes collection, purchased for 6000 pounds, was secured by Sir Robert Harley, and it formed the basis of what is now one of our greatest national collections of manuscripts.  The acquisition of this celebrated library was the determining point in Wanley’s career and in that of the Harleian library itself.

Sir Symonds D’Ewes, the antiquary, had by his will left all his books and manuscripts to his grandson, another Sir Symonds, but without antiquarian or literary tastes.  Wanley, having discovered that although, according to the antiquary’s will, his collection might not be dispersed, it might still possibly be bought, wrote to Harley and suggested that he should be the purchaser: 

“Sir Symonds D’Ewes, being pleased to honour me with a peculiar kindness of esteem, I have taken the liberty of inquiring of him whether he will part with his library; and I find that he is not unwilling to do so, and that at a much easier rate than I could think for.  I dare say that it would be a noble addition to the Cotton Library; perhaps the best that could be had anywhere at present . . . .  If your Honour should judge it impracticable to persuade Her Majesty to buy them for the Cotton Library—­in whose coffers such a sum as will buy them is scarcely conceivable—­then Sir, if you have a mind of them yourself, I will take care that you shall have them cheaper than any other person whatsoever.  I know that many have their eyes on this collection.  I am desirous to have this collection in town for the public good, and rather in a public place than in private hands, but of all private gentlemen’s studies first in yours.  I have not spoken to anybody as yet, nor will not till I have your answer, that you may not be forestalled.”

The D’Ewes collection was a curiously miscellaneous one, containing much trivial matter side by side with learned treatises, transcripts of important cartularies, monastic registers, public and private muniments of the most varied description.  A list of them is to be found in the Harleian Ms. 775.  No subject seems to have been void of interest for the great antiquary:  he treasured up his school exercises as carefully as he did any ancient Greek or Roman charter, or mediaeval paleographic gem.