ts on the breach. His whole
store of archaeological records became the property of Fairfax at his
death. They are of great historical importance, but at one time they were
strangely neglected. Wood says that all the papers were nearly spoiled in
a damp season, when he obtained leave to dry them on the leads near the
schools; but though it cost him a month's labour he undertook it with
pleasure 'out of respect to the memory of Mr. Dodsworth.'

The Ashmolean books were some years ago transferred to the Bodleian, but
for several generations there was a strange assortment of antiquarian
libraries gathered together in the Museum which Ashmole developed out of
Madam Tradescant's 'closet of curiosities.' Here were the books of the
shiftless John Aubrey, described by Wood as 'sometimes little better than
crazed': and here, according to Wood's dying wish, lay his own books,
'and papers and notes about two bushels full,' side by side with
Dugdale's manuscripts. Dibdin quotes several extracts from Elias
Ashmole's diary, to show the old book-hunter's prowess in the chase. He
buys on one day Mr. Milbourn's books, and on the next all that Mr.
Hawkins left; he sees Mrs. Backhouse of London about the purchase of her
late husband's library. In 1667 he writes: 'I bought Mr. John Booker's
study of books, and gave L140.' Being somewhat of an alchemist, he was
glad to become the owner of Lilly's volumes on magic, and most of Dr.
Dee's collection came into his hands through the kindness of his friend
Mr. Wale. When Ashmole brought out his book upon the Order of the Garter
he became the associate of the nobility; and we will leave him feasting
at his house in South Lambeth, clad in a velvet gown, and wearing his
great chain 'of philagreen links in great knobs,' with ninety loops of
gold.

In noticing the lawyers who have been eminent for their devotion to books
we might go back to very early times. We ought at least to mention
Sergeant William Fletewode, Recorder of London in the reign of Elizabeth,
who bought a library out of Missenden Abbey, consisting mainly of the
romances of chivalry; it was sold with its later additions in 1774 under
the title of _Bibliotheca Monastico-Fletewodiana_. The Lord Chancellor
Ellesmere in the same reign formed a collection of old English poetry,
which became the foundation of a celebrated library belonging to the
Dukes of Bridgewater and afterwards to the Marquis of Stafford. Sir
Julius Caesar, who was Maste