wich Men . . . preserved in the
Free Library at Norwich" (33 pp.), and "Short List of Works relating to
the Biographies of Norfolk Men and Women, preserved in the Free Library
at Norwich" (34 pp.).

Mr. Rye's donations have been both numerous and valuable. In 1905-06 he
presented his collection of prints, comprising about 700 portraits and
nearly 7,000 views, which included the well-known Smith Collection.
During the years 1911-16 his donations became more extensive, and were
crowned by his promise made to the Committee in 1916 that he would
bequeath his valuable Norfolk manuscripts and the remainder of his
printed books, of which copies were not in the Library. Some of the more
important manuscripts which he has given to the Library are the
following: Friar Brackley's Armorial Manuscript, circa 1460--a paper
volume of 142 pages, with 75 coloured drawings of arms of the Pastens and
Mautbys and their matches, being the oldest Norfolk Armorial manuscript
known; Collection of original manuscripts relating to the Carpenters'
Company of Norwich, 1594; Rev. F. Blomefield's Original Entry Book for
his "History of Norfolk," 1733-6; Norfolk Pedigrees, compiled by Peter Le
Neve--a volume (86 pp.) of Norfolk pedigrees, with the arms in colours,
and an index of names. For these and other gifts the Committee provided
an oak exhibition case in the Reading Room in February, 1912. In May
1916 the Council placed on record its appreciation of, and grateful
thanks for, Mr. Walter Rye's munificence to the Library.

At the close of 1911 the Committee, having a considerable balance in
hand, resolved to bid for a number of items at the auction sales of Dr.
Augustus Jessopp's Library and the Townshend Heirlooms. At these sales
many interesting and valuable documents relating to the history of
Norfolk and Norwich were purchased for about 92 pounds, including fifteen
of Dr. Jessopp's note-books and an "Address from the Gentry of Norfolk
and Norwich to General Monck" in 1660, bearing the signatures of about
800 persons. The latter manuscript was published in facsimile by Messrs.
Jarrold and Sons in 1913, the volume also including an introduction by
Mr. Hamon Le Strange, F.S.A., biographical notes and index by Mr. Walter
Rye, a catalogue of the collection of books in the Library on the Civil
War period by the City Librarian, and several portraits.

The Committee received in 1915 an intimation of a munificent bequest of
500 pounds by the la