In Thomas Baker's preface to The funeral Sermon of Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby, Lond. 1708, pp. lv, lvi, we read: ‘Having open'd the Foundation, I shall reserve the Account of its Growth and Progress to a larger Design, which possibly may one day see the Light, or if it should not (as there are some Arcana Collegii in every Society, not so proper o to be made publick) I will either leave it to the Society, or in such hands, as being above mean and little Ends, I am well assured, will never prostitute it to Mercenary Designs. From thence will appear, how from such small Beginnings, in a few Years, by good Conduct and prudent Management of a faithful Executor and liberal Benefactor, as well as of a careful, active Master, I do not mean Mr. Percy, it grew, or rather run up, almost to the present height wherein it stands; and it will afford a different View of Things, from what we have hitherto had. And either I am much deceiv'd, or from the short Specimen I have already given in this one Society, it will appear, that our common Accounts are full of Mistake; and so, no doubt, they are in other Societies, in those that have held an Intercourse with the old House, and particularly at Peter House, that was originally founded upon it, I can be pretty positive; and this I mention to excite those of other Houses to look into their Foundations, and not to sit down under common Mistakes and vulgar Opinions.’