panels,
alternately square and oblong. Each of the former contains a small figure
painted in colours on a black ground; each of the latter a shield, or some
heraldic device. The inner surface of these doors is similarly divided
into panels, on each of which is painted an open book. Above the
cupboards, just under the flat ceiling, is a series of more or less
imaginary landscapes, doing duty as a frieze. Over the fireplace is a very
beautiful piece of decoration consisting of a large oval shield with
various coats of arms painted on it. It is set in an oblong panel, in the
spandrels of which are painted seated figures of Prudence, Justice,
Temperance, Fortitude, with their emblems and suitable mottoes[463].

In 1629, the following entry occurs in what is called "the Church Book" of
Cartmel, in Lancashire:

14 July, 1629. It is ordered and agreed upon that the
churchwardens seate in the body of the churche shall be
enlarged both in the wideness and in the deske that the
bookes given unto the church may bee more convenientlie
laid and chained to remain there according to the
directions of the donors[464].

The will of Humphry Chetham, a wealthy merchant of Manchester, dated 16
December, 1651, directs L200 to be spent on certain specified books,

to be, by the discretion of my Executors, chained upon
Desks, or to be fixed to the Pillars, or in other
convenient Places, in the Parish Churches of
_Manchester_ and _Boulton in the Moors_, and in the
Chapels of _Turton_, _Walmesley_, and _Gorton_, in the
said County of _Lancaster_[465].

The bookcase at Gorton[466] is a cupboard of oak, 7 ft. long by 3 ft. high
and 19 in. deep, raised upon four stout legs, 22 in. high. On opening the
doors, the interior is seen to be divided into two equal parts by a
vertical partition, and again by a horizontal shelf. The shelf and the
partition are both 9 in. deep, so as to leave a considerable interval in
front of them. The bars--of which there is one for each division--rest in
a socket pierced in a small bracket screwed to each end of the case, in
such a position that the bar passes just in front of the shelf. A flat
piece of iron, nailed to the central division, carries a short hasp, which
passes over the junction of the bars, and is there secured by a lock. By
this arrangement no person could withdraw either bar without the key. The
chains, of iron, tinned, are of the same type as those