"and thanks to men Of noble mind, is honorable meed."
To those thanks we will add our promise, that no effort shall be wanting to carry on this paper in the same spirit in which it was commenced, and to add, if possible, to its utility and interest. And by way of setting an example to our correspondents--
"every word to spare That wants of force, or light, or weight or care"--
we will, with these thanks and this promise, bid our friends fall to on the Banquet of Pleasant Inventions spread out for them in the following pages.
In "NOTES AND QUERIES" (Vol. i., p. 198.) is inserted from Chambers' _Edinburgh Journal_ an account of a manuscript volume said to have been found on the person of the Duke of Monmouth at the time of his arrest; which was exhibited by Dr. Anster at a meeting of the Royal Irish Academy, November 30, 1849, accompanied by some remarks, which appeared in the _Proceedings_ of the Academy, vol. iv. p. 411., and which furnish the substance of the article in Chambers above mentioned. In a subsequent number of the "NOTES AND QUERIES" (Vol. i., p. 397.), the authenticity of the volume is somewhat called in question by MR. C. ROSS, on account of certain historical entries not appearing in it, which are printed by Welwood in his _Memoirs_[1], and stated to have been copied by him from "a little pocket-book" which was taken with Monmouth, and afterwards delivered to the King. Dr. Anster replied to this in the _Dublin University Magazine_ for June, 1850 (vol. xxxv. p. 673.), and showed by references to the _Harleian Miscellany_ (vol. vi. p. 322., ed. 1810), and Sir John Reresby's _Memoirs_ (p. 121. 4to., 1734), that more than one book was found on the Duke of Monmouth's person when captured. In the former of these authorities, entitled _An Account of the Manner of taking the late Duke of Monmouth: by his Majesty's command_, printed in 1685, and perhaps compiled from information given by the king himself, the following statement is made:--
"The papers and books that were found on him are since delivered to his Majesty. One of the books was a manuscript of spells, charms, and conjurations, songs, receipts, and prayers, _all written with the said late Duke's own hand_. Two others were manuscripts of fortification and the military art. And a fourth book, fairly written, wherein are computes of the yearly expense of his Majesty's navy and land forces."