excellent writers had been preserved.
If there had been, in every shire of England, but one
SOLEMPNE LIBRARY, to the preservation of those noble works,
and preferment of good learning in our posterity, it had
been yet somewhat. But to destroy all, without
consideration, is, and will be, unto England, for ever, a
most horrible infamy among the grave seniors of other
nations. A great number of them, which purchased those
superstitious mansions, reserved of those library-books some
to serve the _jakes_, some to scour their candlesticks, and
some to rub their boots: some they sold to the grocers and
soap sellers; some they sent over sea to the book-binders,
not in small number, but at times whole ships full, to the
wondering of the foreign nations. Yea, the Universities of
the realm are not all clear of this detestable fact. But
cursed is that belly which seeketh to be fed with such
ungodly gains, and shameth his natural country. I know a
merchant man, which shall at this time be nameless, that
_bought the contents of two noble libraries for forty
shillings price_; a shame it is to be spoken! This stuff
hath he occupied in the stead of grey paper, by the space of
more than ten years, and yet he hath store enough for as
many years to come!" Preface to _Leland's Laboryouse
Journey_, &c., 1549, 8vo. Reprint of 1772; sign. C.]

PHIL. But what can be said in defence of the dissolute lives of the
monks?

LYSAND. Dissoluteness shall never be defended by me, let it be shewn
by whom it may; and therefore I will not take the part, on this head,
of the tenants of old monasteries. But, Philemon, consider with what
grace could this charge come from HIM who had "shed innocent blood,"
to gratify his horrid lusts?

LIS. Yet, tell me, did not the dissolution of these libraries in some
respects equally answer the ends of literature, by causing the books
to come into other hands?

LYSAND. No doubt, a few studious men reaped the benefit of this
dispersion, by getting possession of many curious volumes with which,
otherwise, they might never have been acquainted. If my memory be not
treacherous, the celebrated grammarian ROBERT WAKEFIELD[311] was
singularly lucky in this way. It is time, however, to check my
rambling ideas. A few more words only, and we cease to sermonize upon
the Reformation.

[Footnote 311: "This R