The inquiries which led to the purchase of the D’EWES’ Collection were the occasion of making fully known to Robert HARLEY a model librarian in the person of Humphrey WANLEY. [Sidenote: HUMPHREY WANLEY; HIS LIFE, LETTERS, AND JOURNAL.] The latter portion of WANLEY’S life was wholly devoted to the service of the Harleian Library, and his employment there was a felicity, both for him and for it. His journal of the incidents which occurred during the growth of the collection given to his care is the most curious document in its kind which is known to exist. That journal illustrates the literary history and the manners of the time, not less amusingly than it exhibits the personal character of its writer, and the fidelity with which he worked at his task in life. WANLEY was the son of a country parson, little known to fame, but possessing some tincture of learning, and was born at Coventry, on the 21st of March, 1673. In his youth he attracted the favourable notice of his father’s diocesan, William LLOYD, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (and afterwards of Worcester), by whom he was sent to Edmund Hall at Oxford. That hall he soon exchanged for University College, on the persuasion of Dr. Arthur CHARLETT, by whose influence he was afterwards made an Underkeeper of the Bodleian Library. He took no degree, but won some distinction, whilst at Oxford, by the services which he rendered to Dr. MILL in collating the text of the New Testament. On leaving the University, WANLEY went to London, where he became Secretary to the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. He translated OSTERVALD’S _Grounds and Principles of the Christian Religion_; and compiled a valuable Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts preserved in the chief libraries of Great Britain. The last-named labour gave proof of much ability. It was a sample of the work for which its writer was best fitted. As Speaker of the House of Commons, HARLEY took a considerable part in organizing the Cottonian Library, when it became a public institution under the Act of Parliament. WANLEY proffered to the Speaker, on this occasion, some advice about the necessary arrangements; became well acquainted with HARLEY’S bookishness, and saw how eagerly he would welcome opportunities for the improvement of his own library, as well as of that newly acquired by the Public. [Sidenote: THE D’EWES COLLECTIONS AND THEIR HISTORY.]