ABSTRACT
The provenance of the engraved silver plate is unknown, but John Taylor thrice refers to De Quincey’s composition of the Latin inscription for the plate presented to the Rev. Joshua William Brook, curate of East Retford, Nottinghamshire, 1819–27. Although John Taylor’s brother James had moved from East Retford to Bake well in 1801, his father maintained the family home in East Retford. When Rev. Brook became chaplain to Viscount Galway in 1821, he moved from the parish yet continued as curate of East Retford. His departure was the occasion for the presentation plate with its expression of gratitude.
