| RefNo | MS/790/145 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Edmund Prideaux, Rome, [Italy], to Martin Folkes, Queens Square near Ormond Street, London, England |
| Creator | Prideaux; Edmund (1693-1745); artist and antiquarian |
| Recipient | Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher |
| Date | 17 December 1739 |
| Description | Prideaux sends Folkes an account of the latest stage on his grand tour. He has met with the Pope who gifted him an antique gold medal from the collection of Cardinal [Alessandro] Albani and a silver one depicting the Trevi Fountain. Prideaux has met with Dr Irwin and Murray and Laprotti and attributes their generous assistance to Folkes' friendship. He is yet to meet with Pere Ravillias.
Letter continues under the date 20 December. Discusses getting a medal struck by Hamerani [Otto Hamerani, Master of the Mint at Rome] now that Laprotti has secured a license for it from Cardinal [Neri Maria] Corsini. He also intends to have some medals struck to give to Folkes' friends in Rome. There are so may English people in Rome that there are not enough antiquaries to act as guides for them. Folkes' old servant John is in Rome with Sir Erasmus Phillipps. Prideaux has been acting as a guide for a young man from Oxford, apart from which he spends all his time drawing and writing. He saves the sights inside palaces and churches for windy days. Relates a story about the Pope who counteracted the rumour to that a comet signified the imminent end of his ponitficate with a tale that he had studied the stars as a chld and predicted a comet would mark the halfway point of his reign. Prideaux has been to see natural curiosites at Naples and ascended Mount Vesuvius to make drawings of the mouth. He has got two prints of Cardinal [Pietro] Ottoboni. Reports that there are many English virtuossi in Rome including William Hamilton, Sir Roger Newdigate, Sir Jo. Roydon and Sir Boucher Wrey. Talks about currency in Rome, reporting tht silver is scarce and everything paid in bills. Prideaux wishes Folkes were with him to explore the remains of old Rome, he has seen all the antiquities and visits Campo Vilino daily and the Colosseum, Capital and Rotunda very often. Sends respects from himself and Humph [Humphrey Prideaux] to all those at Caen.
In a post script confirms that all money of Prideaux's should be handled whrough Mr Jackson and on page three includes a summary of his account with Folkes and sends his regards to those at Chancery Lane. Reports that "Mr A-n at Turin is in a very odd way" and Prideaux did no wish to see him in such a state so did not visit. He describes him as delusional, "not in his right head". |
| Extent | 4p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8378 | Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher | 1690 - 1754 |