an of letters, a student of government, or even a politician of
the day. There is always the possibility in these casual writings of
a purpose deeper than appears to the reader of the present day, of a
meaning which escapes him because the special combination of events
creating the occasion cannot be reconstructed. The "Parliament of
Ladies," which was published in two parts in 1647, has little meaning
to the reader, though they appeared in the year when the Parliament took
notice of the "many Seditious, False and Scandalous Papers and Pamphlets
daily printed and published in and about the cities of London and
Westminster, and thence dispersed [32]into all parts of this Realm, and
other parts beyond the Seas, to the great abuse and prejudice of the
People, and insufferable reproach of the proceedings of the Parliament
and their Army."{1}

To write, print, or sell any unlicensed matter whatsoever would be
liable to fine or imprisonment, and to whet the zeal of discovery
one-half of the fine was to go to the informer. Every publication,
from a book to a broadsheet, must bear the name of author, printer,
and licenser. Neither of Neville's pamphlets of 1647 conformed to the
requirements of this act, which is not, however, positive evidence that
they did not appear after the promulgation of the law. Suppression of
printing has proved a difficult task to rulers, even when supported
by public opinion or an army. The Stationers' Registers show that the
"Parliament of Ladies" and its sequel were not properly entered; nor do
they contain any reference to Neville's "News from the New Exchange,"
issued in 1650.{2}

Nine years passed before he printed a pamphlet which marked his
break with Cromwell--"Shuffling, Cutting, and Dealing in a Game of
Picquet."{3}

1 Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, i. 1021. Though
dated September 30, the act was entered at Stationers' Hall
September 19. Eyre and Rivington, i. 276.

2 It was reprinted in 1731.

3 It is in the Harleian Miscellany, v. 298, and a copy of
the meanly printed original is in the Ticknor Collection,
Boston Public Library.

This little pamphlet was put out in the poorest dress possible,
bespeaking a press of meagre equipment, and a printer without an idea
of the form which even the leaflet can assume in skilful hands. Without
imprint, author's name, or any mark of identification, it indicates a
secret impression and [33]issue--on