Chapter V: Part V: "A Dissertation57 on the ancient Establishment and

Function of the Serjeant at Arms."

[56] The History of Somerset House was with Mr. Pegge a favourite
subject; and to this, with the exception of the two concluding
pages, he had put the finishing hand.

[57] Announced by the Author in his Introduction to Part III. and by
himself very nearly completed for the press.

The further continuation of that interesting work was broken off by the melancholy accident mentioned in page v.

In the early part of his life Mr. Pegge was a considerable proficient in Musick. He composed a complete Melo-Drama, both the words and the musick in score, which still remains in MS. Many Catches and Glees also, and several of the most popular Songs for Vauxhall Gardens were written and set to music by him.

His Muse was very fertile; and though his modesty forbade the avowal, he was the Author of some occasional Prologues and Epilogues which were favourably received by the Publick: a Prologue, particularly, spoken by Mr. Yates at Birmingham in 1760, on taking the Theatre into his own hands; an Epilogue spoken by the same excellent Actor, at Drury Lane, on his return from France, and another Epilogue, filled with pertinent allusions to the Game of Quadrille, spoken by Mrs. Yates, at her Benefit, in three different seasons, 1769, 1770, and 1774. He was the Author also of a pathetic Elegy on his own Recovery from a dangerous Illness; and of some pleasant Tales and Epigrammatic Poems.

His other acknowledged writings were,

1. "An Elegy on the Death of Godfrey Bagnall Clerke, Esq. (late one of the Representatives in Parliament for the County of Derby), who died Dec. 26, 1774.[58]"

2. "Memoirs of Edward Capell, Esq."[59]

3. "Illustrations of the Churchwardens' Accompts of St. Michael Spurrier Gate, York," in the "Illustrations of the Manners and Expences of Antient Times, 1797."

4. "On a Custom observed by the Lord Lieutenants of Ireland." (Antiquarian Repertory, Edit. 1809, vol. IV. p. 622.)

5. "Historical Anecdotes of the French Word Carosse." (Ibid. p. 642.)--The two last mentioned Tracts are re-printed in the present volume.

[58] Of this Elegy Mr. Pegge printed only a few copies to be given
to particular Friends; but, by his permission, it was re-printed for
sale by Mr. Joseph Bradley, of Chesterfield.

[59] See the "Illustrations of Literature," vol. I. p. 427.

Mr. Pegge also superintended through the Press the greater part of his Father's "History of Beauchief Abbey;" but died before it was completed.

His only Son, the present Sir Christopher Pegge, was admitted a Commoner at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1782; took the Degree of B. A. there in 1786; was elected Fellow of Oriel College in 1788; resigned his Fellowship in 1790, and was re-admitted of Christ Church, having been appointed, through favour of the Dean and Chapter, Dr. Lee's Reader in Anatomy (which situation he resigned in 1816, an asthmatic complaint having rendered change of residence adviseable); took the Degrees of M. A. and M. B. 1789, and that of M. D. 1792. He was elected one of the Physicians to the Radcliffe Infirmary in 1791 (which he resigned in 1803); F. L. S. 1792; F.R.S. 1795; and Fellow of the College of Physicians 1796; received from his Majesty the Honour of Knighthood in 1799, and the Dignity of Regius Professor of Physic in 1801.

Sir Christopher Pegge married, in 1791, Amey, the eldest daughter of Kenton Couse, Esq. of Whitehall; by whom he has issue one daughter, Mary, married in 1816 to the Rev. Richard Moore Boultbee, of Merton College, Oxford (second son of Joseph Boultbee, Esq. of Springfield House, near Knowle, Warwickshire), and had a daughter, born Dec. 9, 1817.