gives the accounts of the property belonging to the Order in England and Scotland. Unfortunately these accounts are very difficult to decypher. I remember, however, looking over it in company with a Scotch gentleman, who had edited various antiquarian works, and with another gentleman from Northumberland. The Scotchman read the MS. with tolerable facility; my friend from the North repeatedly identified certain allusions with property that he knew, and felt much interest in the book. There is also much that is valuable in the statement of the different prices paid for commodities, labour, &c.
In the volumes of Deeds are many curious specimens of ancient tissues of silk; the red and yellow colours are still bright and in beautiful preservation, although six or seven centuries have passed over them. I have been informed that there are papers belonging to the Order in Sicily, Rome, and Constantinople. Applications have been made at the latter place for copies, but I do not know that any have been received, or are likely to be very anxiously sought for. The following letter from James II., although some may possibly regard it as not strictly within the limits of archaeological inquiries, may prove, I hope, not without interest to the members of the Institute ; and as it brings to light facts, which I have not seen alluded to elsewhere, it may be selected as one of the evidences connected with our own country preserved in this depository, well deserving of Publicaton.
A. MILWARD.
Copy of a Letter from James II. of England to the Grand Master of the Order of St. John at Malta, July 13, 1689.
[Duplicata.']
Mon Cousin, — Nous avons rcceu avec une satisfaction extraordinaire votrc obligeaute lettre du 4 d'Avril, dans laquelle outre l'estime et la bonte' que vous temoigncs pour notre jcune fils[1] James, nous observons avec plaisir la passion et le zele que vous avcz de nous scrvir et[2] gratifier en ce rencontre; c'est pourquoi nous nous sentons obligez par touttcs les raisons de justice, aussy bien que par notre inclination particuliTemplate:Subt:e're, de vous en marquer nos reconnoissancos. Ce que nous faisons icy avec toutte la sincerite d'un coeur zelé pour le bien do la Religion, et particulicérement pour la gloire de votre ordre illustre, qui en est im si puissant appuy, et à l'agrandissement du quel nous nous ferons toujours un plaisir singulier de contribuer dans toutes les occasions ; Et, afin que notre fils puisse etre un
