in _Reliquiae Bodleianae_, p. 369.

[226] I have been favoured with this apt illustration by an
anonymous communicator, who dates from the "London University." I
request him to accept my grateful acknowledgments.

[227] Henry Cuffe, secretary to Robert, Earl of Essex, and executed,
being concerned in his treason. A man noted for his classical
acquirements and his genius, who perished early in life.

[228] Chamberlain adds the price of this moderate-sized folio, which
was six shillings. It would be worth the while of some literary
student to note the prices of our earlier books, which are often
found written upon them by their original possessor. A rare tract
first purchased for twopence has often realized four guineas or more
in modern days.

SECRET HISTORY OF THE DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

It is an extraordinary circumstance in our history, that the succession
to the English dominion, in two remarkable cases, was never settled by
the possessors of the throne themselves during their lifetime; and that
there is every reason to believe that this mighty transfer of three
kingdoms became the sole act of their ministers, who considered the
succession merely as a state expedient. Two of our most able sovereigns
found themselves in this predicament: Queen Elizabeth and the Protector
Cromwell! Cromwell probably had his reasons not to name his successor;
his positive election would have dissatisfied the opposite parties of
his government, whom he only ruled while he was able to cajole them. He
must have been aware that latterly he had need of conciliating all
parties to his usurpation, and was probably as doubtful on his death-bed
whom to appoint his successor as at any other period of his reign.
Ludlow suspects that Cromwell was "so discomposed in body or mind, that
he could not attend to that matter; and whether he named any one is to
me uncertain." All that we know is the report of the Secretary Thurlow
and his chaplains, who, when the protector lay in his last agonies,
suggested to him the propriety of choosing his eldest son, and they tell
us that he agreed to this choice. Had Cromwell been in his senses, he
would have probably fixed on _Henry_, the lord-lieutenant of Ireland,
rather than on _Richard_, or possibly had not chosen either of his sons!

Elizabeth, from womanish infirmity, or from state-reasons, could not
endure the thoughts of her successor; and long threw