SSOR DE MORGAN states that Mrs.
Barton was married in 1718; the watch therefore denies this; but when she
married Conduit ought, if possible, to be found out by register, which
might prove the watch date untrue; but the watch declares she was Mrs.
Conduit in 1708. She was then of course twenty-eight years of age: thus we
come to a {591} plainer conclusion that when she lived with Halifax, or
whatever other arrangement they made, a position which is said to have
occurred between 1700 and the time of Halifax's death in 1715, she was
really Mrs. Conduit, and not Catherine Barton. And thus we are brought to
think that if there is any private marriage in the case, it is between the
lady and Mr. Conduit; at all events she went back to her husband, if the
watch is true.

As to an apology for Newton, I look upon it in a very different light:
first, I should say he had no clear right to interfere in the matter, as
the lady was married; and supposing he had, he could have done no more than
expostulate. He lived in a world of his own studies, and did not choose to
be interrupted by quarrels and scandals. And it is certainly a proper
addition to say, that the public morals of that age are not to be judged by
the present standard. All these account very well for Newton's silence on
the subject; but to settle the matter, some search might be made in the
registers of the parishes where they resided, in order that the subject may
be fully explained.

WELD TAYLOR.

* * * * *

INSCRIPTIONS IN BOOKS.

(Vol. viii. pp. 64. 153. 472.)

In the famous _Rouen Missal_, called St. Guthlac's book, is the following
inscription in the handwriting of Robert, Bishop of London, and afterwards
Archbishop of Canterbury, who was formerly head of the monastery of
Jumieges, to which the book belonged, and where, in 1053, he died:

"Quem si quis vi vel dolo seu quoquo modo isti loco subtraxerit, animae
suae propter quod fecerit detrimentum patiatur, atque de libro
viventium deleatur, et cum justis non scribatur."

John Grollier had on all his books inscribed:

"Portio mea, domine, sit in terra viventium;"

and underneath:

"Io. Grollierii et Amicorum."

Henry de Rantzan wrote a decree for his library, of which here is the
fulminatory clause:

"Libros partem ne aliquam abstulerit,
Extraxerit, clepserit, rapserit,
Concerpserit, corruperit,
Dolo malo,
Illico maledictu