And whereas John Goodwin, late of Coleman Street, London, clerk, hath also published in print, a book intituled, The Obstructors of Justice, written in defiance of his said late Majesty. And whereas the said John Milton and John Goodwin are both fled, or so obscure themselves that no endeavours used for their apprehension can take effect, whereby they might be brought to legal tryal, and deservedly receive condign punishment for their treasons and offences.

Now to the end that our good subjects may not be corrupted in their judgements, with such wicked and traiterous principles as are dispersed and scattered throughout the beforementioned books, we upon the motion of the Commons in Parliament now assembled, doe hereby streightly charge and command all and every person and persons whatsoever, who live in any city, burrough or town incorporate, within this, our kingdom of England, the dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, in whose hands any of those books are, or hereafter shall

be, that they, upon pain of our high displeasure, and the consequence thereof, do forthwith, upon publication of this our command, or within ten days immediately following, deliver or cause the same to be delivered to the mayor, bailiffs, or other chief officer or magistrate, in any of the said cities, borroughs or towns incorporate, where such person or persons so live, or if living out of any city, borrough or town incorporate, then to the next justice of peace adjoining his or their dwelling or place of abode; or if living in either of our universities, then to the vice-chancellor of that university where he or they do reside.

And in default of such voluntary delivery, which we do expect in observance of our said command that then and after the time before limited, expired, the said chief magistrate of all and every the said cities, borroughs or towns incorporate, the justices of the peace in their several counties, and the vice-chancellors of our said universities respectively, are hereby commanded to seize and take all and every the books aforesaid, in

whose hands or possession soever they shall be found, and certifie the names of the offenders into our Privy Council.

And we do hereby also give special charge and command to the said chief magistrates, justices of the peace and vice-chancellors respectively, that they cause the said books which shall be so brought unto any of their hands or seized or taken as aforesaid, by vertue of this our proclamation, to be delivered to the respective Sheriffs of those Counties where they respectively live, the first and next assizes that shall after happen. And the said Sheriffs are hereby also required, in time of holding such assizes, to cause the same to be publicly burnt by the hand of the common hangman.

And we do furher streightly charge and command that no man hereafter presume to print, vend, sell, or disperse any the aforesaid books, upon pain of our heavy displeasure, and of such further punishment as for their presumption in

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that behalf may any way be inflicted upon thei by the laws of this realm,

Given at our Court at Whitehall, the thirteenth day of August, in the twelfth year of our reign 1660.

Destruction of Libraries in the Time of Henry VIII. at the dissolution of the Monasteries.

It is a circumstance well known to every one at all conversant in English History, that the suppression of the lesser monasteries by that rapacious monarch, Harry the VIII. took place in 1536. Bishop Fisher, when the abolition was first proposed in the convocation, strenuously opposed it, and told his brethren that this was fairly showing the king how he might come at the great monasteries. "And so, my lords," concluded he, "if you grant the king these smaller monasteries, you do but make him a handle, whereby he may cut down all the cedars within your lebanons." Fisher's fears were buore out. by the subsequent acts of Henry, who, after

quelling a civil commotion occasioned by the suppression of the lesser monasteries, immediately abolished the remainder, and on the whole suppressed 645 monasteries, of which 28 had abbots who enjoyed seats in Parliament, Ninety colleges were demolished, 2374 chantries and free-chapels and 110 hospitals. The havoc that was made among the libraries, cannot be better described than in the words of Bayle, bishop of Ossory, in the preface to Lelands "New year's Gift to King Henry the VIII "

"A greate nombre of them whyche purchased those, superstycyouse mansyons (monasteries) reserved of those librarye bookes, some to serve theyr jakes some to scoure theyr candlestyckes, and some to rubbe theyr bootes. Some they solde to the grossers and sope sellers, and some they sent over see to ye booke bynders, notin small nombre, but at tymes whole shyppes full to y wonderynge of foren nacyons. Yea y Universytees of thys realme are not alle clere in thys detestable fact. But cursed is that bellye whyche