COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID. 89 



est to mention that this ware is being imitated in Spain at the present time, and a 

 good many examples of these imitations are to be found in the shops in Madrid ; and 

 though the character of the work lends itself easily to imitation, there are essential 

 differences between the old and the new. 



It should be stated that in addition to the classes of objects described above, the 

 exhibition contains a very large and important collection of charters, illuminated 

 manuscripts, and printed books. Among the latter is a considerable series printed 

 on vellum; the former include a number of early charters of the orders of the 

 Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, the Holy Sepulcher, Santiago, and of Calatravas, 

 an early manuscript of the treatise on astronomy by Alfonso the Wise, believed to 

 be the original, besides many other important works from the National Library and 

 other public institutions. 



