The Lords of the Treasury were not willing to recommend to Parliament a larger annual grant than ten thousand pounds, ‘for the purchase of books of all descriptions,’ but so far they were disposed to proceed, [Sidenote: _Treasury Minutes_, 1845.] ‘for some years to come;’ and they strongly inculcated upon the Trustees ‘the necessity, during the continuance of such grants, of postponing additions to the other collections under their charge, which, however desirable in themselves, are of subordinate importance to that of completing the Library.’ MANUSCRIPTS ADDED IN THE YEARS 1849, 1850. In 1843, an important series of modern Historical MSS., relating more especially to the South of Europe, was purchased from the RANUZZI family of Bologna. The papers of the Brothers Laurence HYDE, Earl of Rochester, and Henry HYDE, Earl of Clarendon, were also secured. Additions, too, of considerable interest, were made to the theological and classical sections of the MS. Department, by the purchase of many vellum MSS., ranging from the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries. In 1849, the most important acquisitions related to our British History. About three hundred documents illustrative of the English Wars in France (1418 to 1450), nearly a hundred autograph letters of WILLIAM III, and an extensive series of transcripts from the archives at the Hague, were thus gathered for the future historian. In 1850, a curious series of Stammbücker, three hundred and twenty in number, and in date extending from 1554 to 1785, was obtained by purchase. These Albums, collectively, contained more than twenty-seven thousand autographs of persons more or less eminent in the various departments of human activity. Amongst them is the signature of MILTON. The acquisitions of 1851 included some Biblical MSS. of great curiosity; an extensive series of autograph letters (chiefly from the Donnadieu Collection), and a large number of papers relating to the affairs of the English Mint. In the year last-named Sir Frederick MADDEN thus summed up the accessions to his Department since the year 1836: ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │Volumes of Manuscripts 9051│ │Rolls of Maps, Pedigrees, &c. 668│ │Manuscripts on Reed, Bark, or other material 136│ │Charters and Rolls 6750│ │Papyri 42│ │Seals 442│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ [Sidenote: TABULAR VIEW OF THE ACCESSIONS TO THE MSS. DEPARTMENT FROM 1836–1851.]