Volume 18 — No. III. THE AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE FABLES
Reading edition
I doe hereby promise to pay John Dryden, Esquire, or order, on the 25th of March, 1699, the sume of two hundred and fifty guineas, in consideration of ten thousand verses, which the said John Dryden, Esquire, is to deliver to me Jacob Tonson, when finished, whereof seaven thousand five hundred verses, more or lesse, are already in the said Jacob Tonson’s possession. And I do hereby further promise and engage my selfe to make up the said sume of two hundred and fifty guineas, three hundred pounds sterling, to the said John Dryden, Esquire, his executors, administrators, or assigns, att the beginning of the second impression of the said ten thousand verses. In witnesse whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this twentieth day of March, 1698-9.
Jacob Tonson.
Sealed and delivered, being first stampt pursuant to the acts of Parliament for that purpose, in the presence of Benj. Portlock, Will Congreve.
March the twenty-fourth, 1698.
Received then of Mr Jacob Tonson the sum of two hundred sixty-eight pounds fifteen shillings, in pursuance of an agreement for ten thousand verses to be delivered by me to the said Jacob Tonson, whereof I have already delivered to him about seven thousand five hundred, more or less: he the sayd Jacob Tonson being obliged to make up the foresayd sum of two hundred sixty-eight pounds fifteen shillings, three hundred pounds, at the beginning of the second impression or the foresayd ten thousand verses.
I say, received by me, John Dryden.
Witness, Charles Dryden.
The following receipt is written on the back of Jacob Tonson’s Agreement, dated March 20, 1698-9.
June 11, 1713. Received of the within-named Jacob Tonson, thirty-one pounds five shillings, which, with two hundred sixty-eight pounds fifteen shillings paid Mr John Dryden the 24th of March 1698, is in full for the copy of a book intituled “Dryden’s Fables,” consisting of ten thousand verses, more or lesse: I say received as administratrix to the said John Dryden, of such effects as were not administered to by Charles Dryden.
Ann Sylvius.
Witnesses, Eliz. Jones. Jacob Tonson, Junr.
Paid Mr Dryden, March the 23d, 1698.
L. s. d.
In a bag in silver 100 0 0
In silver besides 21 15 6
66 Lewis d’ores at 17s. 6d. 57 15 0
83 Guyneas at 1 1 6 89 4 6
268 15 0
250 Guyneas at L. 1 1s. 6d. are 268 15 0
L. s. d.
268 15 0
31 5 0
300 0 0