and Controversies concerning Baronies by writ and other honours,' 1734, fol., much of the volume being based on the collections made by Gregory King [q. v.], Lancaster herald. 3. 'The Life and Glorious Actions of Edward, Prince of Wales, commonly called the Black Prince,' 1740, which, with the 'History of John of Gaunt,' published in the same year, was written for the uncompleted 'English Baronage' of 1727. 4. 'Genealogical Account of the Ancient Family of Harley,' 1741. 5. 'Memoirs of the Antient and Noble Family of Sackville,' 1741, consisting simply of those leaves detached from the copies of the 'Peerage' of 1741 which contain the history of the Sackvilles. 6. 'Letters and Memorials of State in the Reigns of Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, King Charles I, part of the Reign of King Charles II, and Oliver's Usurpation, faithfully transcribed from the originals at Penshurst Place in Kent, and from his Majesty's Office of Papers and Records of State,' 2 vols. fol. 1746, published by subscription. To the 'Sydney Papers,' as this work is commonly called, Collins added 'genealogical and historical observations,' and ' memorials of the actions of the Sydneys,' with Sir Philip Sydney's 'defence of Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester.' 7. 'A History of the Ancient and Illustrious Family of the Percys,' 1750. 8. 'Historical Collections of the Noble Families of Cavendish, Holies, Vere and Harley, and Ogle, with . . . prints of the principal persons, engraved by Mr. George Vertue from original pictures drawn by the most eminent painters,' fol. 1752. The Countess Dowager of Oxford, widow of the son and successor of Harley the statesman, contributed to the printing of this volume, which contained a great deal about her ancestors. 9. 'Historical Collections of the Family of Windsor,' 1754, 'printed for the author.' 10. 'A History of the Noble Family of Carteret, … inscribed to … John, Earl Granville,' 1756, privately printed.
[Collins's Works, especially the Prefaces; notice of him in Gent. Mag. for April 1799; Nichols's Lit. Anecd.; Letters of Eminent Men addressed to Ralph Thoresby, 1832; Lowndes's Bibl. Man. (Bohn), 1864.]
COLLINS, CHARLES ALLSTON (1828–1873), painter and author, second son of William Collins, R.A. (1788–1847) [q. v.], was born on 25 Jan. 1828, and showed at an early age inherited gifts in art, which encouraged his father to permit him to study in the schools of the Royal Academy. On completing his education as a student, he attached himself to the once famous 'Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood,' and produced pictures which, after attracting general attention at the Royal Academy, took their place among the deservedly valued possessions of collectors of works of art. But it was in the modest and sensitive nature of the man to underrate his own success. His ideal was a high one; and he never succeeded in satisfying nis own aspirations. The later years of his life were devoted to literature. In 1860 he married Kate, the younger daughter of Charles Dickens. He was the author of the series of essays (first published in 'All the Year Round') called 'The Eye-witness;' a work distinguished by subtle observation and delicate sense of humour. 'A Cruise on Wheels,' 'A Sentimental Journey,' and two novels, showing rare ability in the presentation of character, steadily improved his position with readers and gave promise of achievement in the future, never destined to be fulfilled. The last years of his life were years of broken health and acute suffering, borne with a patience and courage known only to those nearest and dearest to him. He died on 9 April 1873, in the forty-fifth year of his age.
[Private information.]
COLLINS, CHARLES JAMES (1820–1864), journalist and novelist, was connected with the London press for more than twenty years, having been on the parliamentary staff of the 'Sun,' 'Daily Telegraph,' and 'Standard.' He projected and edited the 'Racing Times,' and at one period was editor of the 'Comic News.' He died at Brixton on 31 Dec. 1864.
He was author of 'Kenilworth,' a burlesque, and other dramas of a similar character, and of the following novels:
- 'The Life and Adventures of Dick Diminy,' London [1854] 12mo, reprinted under the title of 'Dick Diminy, or the Life and Adventures of a Jockey,' London, 1855 [1875], 8vo.
- 'Sackville Chase,' 3 vols. London, 1863 and 1865, 8vo.
- 'Matilda the Dane, a Romance of the Affections,' London, 1863, 8vo.
- 'Singed Moths, a City romance,' 3 vols. London, 1864, 8vo.
- 'The Man in Chains,' 3 vols. London v 1864, 8vo.
[Times, 3 Jan. 1865; Gent. Mag. ccxviii. 258; Cat. of Printed Books in Brit. Mus.]
COLLINS, DAVID (1756–1810), lieutenant-colonel and colonial governor, was the eldest son of Major-general Arthur Tooker Collins, of Pack, in the King's County, by his wife Harriet Fraser, and the grandson of Arthur Collins, the antiquary. Born on 3 March 1756, he received his education at Exeter grammar school, and in 1770, when
