to the Record
Office in the Tower, to collect materials for his work of
"THE ORDER OF THE GARTER." In May following, Hollar
accompanied the author to Windsor, to take views of the
castle. In the winter of 1665, Ashmole composed a "good part
of the work at Roe-Barnes (the plague increasing)." In May,
1672, a copy of it was presented to King Charles II.: and in
June, the following year, Ashmole received "his privy-seal
for 400_l._ out of the custom of paper, which the king was
pleased to bestow upon him for the same." This, it must be
confessed, was a liberal remuneration. But the author's
honours increased and multiplied beyond his most sanguine
expectations. Princes and noblemen, abroad and at home, read
and admired his work; and Ashmole had golden chains placed
round his neck, and other superb presents from the greater
part of them; one of which (from the Elector of
Brandenburgh) is described as being "composed of ninety
links, of philagreen links in great knobs, most curious
work," &c. In short, such was the golden harvest which
showered down upon him on all sides, on account of this
splendid publication, that "he made a feast at his house in
South Lambeth, in honour to his benefactors of the work of
THE GARTER." I hope he had the conscience to make HOLLAR his
Vice-President, or to seat him at his right hand; for this
artist's _Engravings_, much more than the author's
composition, will immortalize the volume. Yet the
artist--died in penury! These particulars relating to this
popular work, which it was thought might be amusing to the
lover of fine books, have been faithfully extracted from the
'forementioned original and amusing Diary. _The Order of the
Garter_ was originally sold for 1_l._ 10_s._ See _Clavel's
Catalogue_, 1675, p. 31.]

LYSAND. I observed it had a "glorious aspect," as bibliographers term
it.

LIS. But what has become of Ashmole all this while?

LYSAND. I will only further remark of him that, if he had not suffered
his mind to wander in quest of the puzzling speculations of alchemy
and astrology--which he conceived himself bound to do in consequence,
probably, of wearing John Dee's red velvet night cap--he might have
mingled a larger portion of common sense and sound practical
observations in his writings.

But a truce to worthy old Elias.