THE two ancient documents illustrated in this paper are from the Surrenden Collection, of which, by the kindness of Sir Edward Bering, I have been, for many years, allowed the unrestricted examination; his generous confidence has even permitted me, during that time, to retain its choicest specimens in my own custody for literary purposes. The best return that can be made for this confidence, and the most agreeable to Sir Edward Bering, is to put our native county in possession of all the abundant materials for its history which this Collection has developed; I shall therefore, under the sanction of our Council, from time to time supply our annual volume with the most interesting selection which I can make from the charters and other documents thus entrusted to my care. 
   It is evident, from private correspondence, and little notes jotted here and there in family day-books and accounts, that Sir Edward Dering, the founder of the Surrenden Library, devoted himself, at a very early age, to literary pursuits, and laid, while very young, the foundation of that scholarship which distinguished him among the country gentlemen of his age. In his private accounts, soon after he came of age, we have proofs that he was commencing the formation of his library, even during his father's lifetime. There are constant entries of considerable sums expended in the purchase of books, running through a period of ten or twelve years, during which time, if we may judge from the mutilated catalogues yet remaining, and the character of the volumes