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RADCLIFFE. intend not to fall short of him in my will to do them all possible kind offices. The bills that bear this company will testify my esteem for them ; but as gifts of this nature, if made public, carry a shew of ostentation with them, I must be earnest with you, my good Lord, to keep the name of the donor secret. I have nothing more to intreat from you, than the favour of your making choice of the most deserving persons, and believing that I am, with all possible sincerity, my Lord, " Your Lordship's most obedient " " And most faithful servant, " John Radcliffe. " Be pleased to limit the number to fifty per- sons, that they may have 10/. per head." In 1705, he bought an estate in the county of Buckingham, for 12,000/. Many acts of liberality and charity are recorded of him about this time ; amongst them, a donation of money to Oxford, in the year 1706, towards some public buildings then going on ; but his means were now very ample, his fortune amounting, in 1707, to 80,000/. In conversation with Dr. Sprat, Bishop of Rochester, concerning acts of charity, the pre- late dwelt upon the satisfaction which well-dis- posed men feel, in seeing the result of their good deeds in their lifetime, whereas Radcliffe was a strenuous advocate for posthumous benefactions : nevertheless, in a day or two, he addressed the fol- lowing letter to his Lordship " Bloomshury Square, May 26, 1707. " My good Lord, — The inclosed bills will suffi-