CHAPTER XI 

 THE SPORING OF THE FERN 



"We have the receipt of fern-seed 

 We walk invisible." 



King Henry the Fourth. 



WHEN Falstaff, of delightsome though not of 

 blessed memory, had perpetrated a number of 

 lawless deeds, without either fear or reproach, he 

 boasted that he and his cronies "had the receipt 

 of fern-seed." 



The fine dust which borders the matured fronds 

 of the common bracken was supposed to confer 

 magic powers upon whomsoever should gather it 

 with proper ceremonies, at the stroke of twelve, on 

 midsummer's night. Chief of these, and most 

 useful to gentlemen like Falstaff, with great appe- 

 tites and slender purses, was the power of becom- 

 ing invisible at will. 



The experience of four more centuries has 



taught us that uncriticised appropriation of other 



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