has necessarily and immediately diffused cial Restraints of Ireland Considered." the blessings of peace through every part printed at Dublin 1779. The author of of Europe." On the 23rd appears Wilkes's this anonymous publication was the Hon. comment on it. "The infamous fallacy of Hely Hutchinson. It was consigned to the whole sentence is apparent to all man- the hangman, and is now so scarce that kind, for it is known that the King of the late Mr. Flood, in a speech made in Prussia did not only approve, but actually the House of Commons, said he would dictated as conqueror, every article of the give 1,000l. for a copy. terms of peace. No advantage of any kind has accrued to the magnanimous prince from our negotiations, but he was basely deserted by the Scottish Prime Minister of England." Wilkes was arrested, but released on his privilege of Member of Parliament, and went to France. The House of Commons expelled him and ordered the obnoxious publication to be burnt by the hangman at the Royal Exchange. This was carried into effect on December 3rd, but the mob was so incensed at the indignity shown to their champion that they drove the authorities from the field. "Several other persons," says Malcolm, "had reason to repent the attempt to burn that publicly which the sovereign people determined to approve, who afterwards exhibited a large jackboot at Temple Bar, and burnt it in triumph unmolested, as a species of retaliation." What happened after this may be given in the words of Lord Mahon :

66

"It was also observed and condemned as a shallow artifice, that the House of Lords, to counterbalance their condemnation of Wilkes's violent democracy, took similar measures against a book of exactly opposite principles. This was a treatise or collection of precedents lately published under the title of Droit le Roy [or a digest of the rights and prerogatives of the Imperial Crown of Great Britain, by a member of the Society of Lincoln's Inn. Jan. 1764."] The Peers, on the motion of Lord Lyttelton, seconded by the Duke of Grafton, voted this book a false, malicious, and traitorous libel, inconsistent with the principles of the Revolution to which we owe the present happy establishment;' they ordered that it should be burnt by the hands of the common hangman, and that the author should be taken into custody. The latter part of the sentence, however, no one took pains to execute. The author was one Timothy Brecknock, a hack scribbler, who twenty years afterwards was hanged for being accessory to an atrocious murder in Ire

land." t

In several cases the Vice-Chancellors of the two universities were required to burn books that had been condemned by authority, but one or two instances may be given in which obnoxious books were committed to the flames by the University of Oxford, without any such monition. The indignation caused by the discovery of the Rye House Plot, and the triumph for the time of the Tory party, led to many works being very summarily dealt with which denied in any way the divine right of kings. On the day on which Russell was beheaded for his supposed complicity in the plot, the University ordered the works of Buchanan, Milton, and Baxter to be burnt in the School Quadrangle.

In 1690 Arthur Bury, Rector of Exeter College, published a book called "An historical Evidence of the naked Gospel,” in which he advocated what were considered Socinian views. The heads of houses held a meeting, and six of them were nominated a committee for examining the book. They had no difficulty in picking out passages which were pronounced to be contrary to the doctrines of the Church of England. On the 19th of August the book was burnt in the School Quadrangle. Trelawney, Bishop of Exeter, visitor of the College, suspended the author from the rectorship, but he was soon afterwards restored.

In 1693 the second volume of that most valuable work Anthony a Wood's "Athenæ Oxonienses was burnt in the Theatre Yard by the apparitor of the University, in pursuance of a sentence of the University Court. The charge against the biographer was that he had been guilty of a libel against the memory of the Earl of Clarendon.

Hearne's Diary, under the date October 3, 1713, will supply us with another instance:

This work is sometimes quoted as the "There having been no Terræ filius speech, last instance of a book having been this last act, quite contrary to what the Statutes "burnt," but apparently not quite accur- direct (occasioned by the contrivance of the ately. One other instance, of somewhat Vice-Chancellor and Proctors), there hath been later date, may be given-"The Commer-one since printed, in which the Vice-Chancellor

• Anecdotes of London, 1808, p. 282.

↑ History of England vol. v. p. 175.

and some other heads of Houses, are severely reflected on, nay ten times more severely than ever happened at the theatre or elsewhere when

the Terra Filius was allowed to speak; which | ing a certain sure way to publish it and make hath so nettled the Vice-Chancellor and others, it more known." that on Thursday, in the afternoon, both he and other heads of Houses met in the Apodyterium,

and resolved that it should be burnt.

And ac

cordingly, yesterday, at two o'clock in the afternoon, there was a convocation in which the Vice-Chancellor was continued for another year, and the speech was proposed to be burnt. And accordingly the said speech was burnt, which act, however, is only generally langhed at, it be

exhausted the subject, for the materials Here we pause; not because we have we have left unused are very extensive, but because we hope we have said enough to induce some one, with sufficient leisure and access to libraries, to give us what we say again is a great desideratum in English bibliography — an English Peignot.

1

THE Révue Universelle says that the Ger- to light "the receipt-book of Esculapius, or man Confederation, in acquiring an extended the missing scrolls of Livy," those curiosities, frontier from France, has traced it, not upon a if found, would have little value compared with topographical plan, but, in all probability, on "the sword which Camillus flung into the a geological map edited at Berlin. In fact, it is scales to make up the price of Rome." Such a to be observed that the new boundaries between relic would have a peculiar interest for BrenFrance and Germany absorb, for the benefit of nus, King of the Gauls, who has hitherto been the Confederation, all the rich deposits of the supposed to be the hero of this incident. We mines of oolitic iron in the basins of the Moselle agree with the Telegraph that "some of Hanand the Meurthe, with the exception of the nibal's African javelins may be there deep Longwy group. Save this, which has been re-adown," and underneath them " spear blades served, Germany has made herself mistress of of the Fabii; ' but we must withhold our the major portion of the best part of the most opinion as to the chances of finding "the pot important mineral beds in France. These beds in which Tiberius cooked his great turbot," and extend under the vast plateau which forms the content ourselves with a hope that this vessel, enst of the departments of Moselle and Meurthe, if brought to light, will be distinguishable from and crop out in the valleys from Longwy, in the pot in which Domitian cooked his great turthe north, as far as Pont-Saint-Vincent (Meur-bot the only one with which we can claim to the), in the south, and comprise a full quarter have any acquaintance. The art treasures of the mineral riches of France. The new de- which may be reclaimed from the bed of the termination of frontier will have the effect of river will doubtless be valuable, but whether introducing into the productive industry of Ger- they will contain, as the Telegraph expects, many, according to the statistics of 1867, " goddesses diviner even than Milo's Venus," "twenty-three blast furnaces, producing 205,- our want of acquaintance with the works of 000 tons of metal; 9,000 hectares of iron coun- that sculptor forbids us from hazarding a surtry, yielding 500,000 tons of ore; fourteen mise. But a comparison of such goddesses with works manufacturing 127,000 tons of iron; and the "Venus of Milo," or, in other words. "the 22,000 hectares of coalfield concessions, yielding Melian Venus," will, perhaps, afford us almost 180,000 tons of coal." as trustworthy a means of estimating their merit. On the whole, however, the article of the Telegraph is deserving of high commendation, and contains a very varied, if not very weil digested, mass of classical and historical learning. We have Polycrates and Jason, Genseric and Gregory the Great, besides many other proper names, in little more than a single column; besides many passages sparkling with the beauties peculiar to this journal.

THE proposed examination of the bed of the Tiber will doubtless bring to light many objects of interest, but we hardly dare to hope that the results of the search will equal the scholarly anticipations of the Daily Telegraph. Whatever may be thought of the probabilities of bringing

CHAPTER XLIII.

THE SWORD IN THE SCALE.

would not however have him know I had overheard any of their talk. It would have been more straightforward to allow THE next morning Charley and I went the fact to be understood, but I shrunk as usual to the library, where later in the from giving him occasion for accusing me day we were joined by the two ladies. It of an eavesdropping of which I was innowas long before our eyes once met, but cent. Besides I had no wish to encounter when at last they did, Mary allowed hers Clara before I understood her game, which to rest on mine for just one moment with I need not say was a mystery to me. What an expression of dove-like beseeching, end could she have in such duplicity? I which I dared to interpret as meaning-had had unpleasant suspicions of the truth Be just to me." If she read mine, sure- of her nature before, but could never have ly she read there that she was safe with suspected her of baseness. my thoughts as with those of her mother. Charley and I worked late in the afternoon, and went away in the last of the twilight. As we approached the gate of the park, however, I remembered I had left behind me a book I had intended to carry home for comparison with a copy in my possession of which the title-page was gone. I asked Charley therefore to walk on and give my man some directions about Lilith, seeing I had it in my mind to propose a ride on the morrow, while I went back to fetch it.

I stepped quietly into the further room, whence I returned, making a noise with the door-handle, and saying

"Are you there, Miss Coningham? Could you help me to find a book I left here?"

There was silence; but after the briefest pause I heard the sound of her dress as she swept hurriedly out into the gallery. I advanced. On the top of the steps, filling the doorway of the armoury in the faint light from the window, appeared the din form of Brotherton.

Finding the door at the foot of the stair "I beg your pardon," I said. "I heard leading to the open gallery ajar, and a lady's voice, and thought it was Miss knowing that none of the rooms at either Coningham's." end of it were occupied, I went the nearest way, and thus entered the library at the point farthest from the more public parts of the house. The book I sought was however at the other end of the suite, for I had laid it on the window-sill of the room next the armoury.

As I entered that room, and while I crossed it towards the glimmering window, I heard voices in the armoury, and soon distinguished Clara's. It never entered my mind that possibly I ought not to hear what might be said. Just as I reached the window, I was arrested, and stood stock-still: the other voice was that of Geoffrey Brotherton. Before my selfpossession returned, I had heard what follows.

"I am certain he took it," said Clara. "I didn't see him, of course; but if you call at the Moat to-morrow, ten to one you will find it hanging on the wall."

"I knew him for a sneak, but never took him for a thief. I would have lost anything out of the house rather than that sword!"

"Don't you mention my name in it. If you do, I shall think you well, I will

never speak to you again."

And if I don't, what then?"

Before I heard her answer, I had come

"I cannot compliment your ear," he answered. "It was one of the maids. I had just rung for a light. I presume you are Mr. Cumbermede."

I

"Yes," I answered. "I returned to fetch a book I forgot to take with me. suppose you have heard what we've been about in the library here?"

"I have been partially informed of it," he answered stiffly. But I have heard also that you contemplate a raid upon the armoury. I beg you will let the weapons alone."

I had said something of the sort to Clara that very morning.

"I have a special regard for them," he went on; "and I don't want them meddled with. It's not every one knows how to handle them. Some amongst them I would not have injured for their weight in diamonds. One in particular I should like to give you the history of -just to show you that I am right in being careful over them. Here comes the light!"

I presume it had been hurriedly arranged between them as Clara left him that she should send one of the maids, who in consequence now made her appearance with a candle. Brotherton took it from her and approached the wall.

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Why! What the devil! Some one to myself. I had no time for indignation has been meddling already, I find! The I must meet Geoffrey at once. I very sword I speak of is gone! There's

yet.

"Hold your tongue, sir," said his father |ing descriptions which corresponded exsharply. actly to the weapons on which they were found. With a little trouble he had succeeded in supplying the numbers where they were missing, for the descriptions are very minute."

"Mr. Brotherton," I said, "I offered to tell the story to Sir Giles - not to you."

"You offered!" he sneered. "You may be compelled - under different circumstances by and by, if you don't mind what you're about." "Come now Sir Giles.

He spoke in a tone of perfect self-posses

sion.

"Well, Geoffrey, I ask again, what has no more of this!" said all this to do with it?" said his father. If Mr. Cumbermede will allow you to look at the label attached to the sheath in his hand, for fortunately it was a rule with Mr. Close to put a label on both sword and sheath, and if you will read me the number, I will read you the description in the book."

Thereupon I began at the beginning, and told him the story of the sword, as I have already given it to my reader. He fidgeted a little, but Geoffrey kept himself stock-still during the whole of the narrative. As soon as I had ended Sir Giles said. “And you think poor old Close actually carried off your sword! Well, he was an odd creature, and had a passion for everything that could kill. The poor little atomy used to carry a poniard in the breast-pocket of his black coat - as if anybody would ever have thought of attacking his small carcass! Ha! ha! ha! He was simply a monomaniac in regard of swords and daggers. There, Geoffrey! The sword is plainly his. He is the wronged party in the matter, and we owe him an apology."

"I believe the whole to be a pure invention," said Geoffrey, who now appeared perfectly calm.

66

Mr. Brotherton!" I began, but Sir Giles interposed.

"Hush! hush!" he said, and turned to his son. 66 'My boy, you insult your father's

guest."

"I will at once prove to you, sir, how unworthy he is of any forbearance, not to say protection from you. Excuse me for one moment."

He took up the candle, and opening the little door at the foot of the winding stair, disappeared. Sir Giles and I sat in silence and darkness until he returned, carrying in his hand an old vellum-bound book.

"I daresay you don't know this manuscript, sir," he said, turning to his father. "I know nothing about it," answered Sir Giles. "What is it? Or what has it to do with the matter in hand?"

I handed the sheath to Sir Giles, who began to decipher the number on the ivory ticket.

"The label is quite à new one," I said.

"I have already accounted for that," said Brotherton. "I will leave it to yourself to decide whether the description corresponds."

Sir Giles read out the number, figure by figure, adding

"But how are we to test the description? I don't know the thing, and its not here."

"It is at the Moat," I replied; "but its future place is at Sir Giles's decision."

"Part of the description belongs to the scabbard you have in your hand, sir." said Brotherton. "The description of the sword itself I submit to Mr. Cumbermede."

"Till the other day I never saw the blade," I said.

Likely enough," he retorted dryly, and proceeding, read the description of the half-basket hilt, inlaid with gold, and the broad blade, channeled near the hilt, and inlaid with ornaments and initials in gold.

"There is nothing in all that about the scabbard," said his father.

66

Stop till we come to the history," he replied, and read on, as nearly as I can recall, to the following effect. I have never had an opportunity of copying the words themselves.

"This sword seems to have been expressly forged for Sir -,'" (He read it Sir So and So.) "whose initials are to be found on the blade. According to tradition, it was worn by him, for the first and only time, at the battle of Naseby, where he fought in the cavalry led by Sir Marmaduke Langdale. From some accident or other, Sir