162 THE IRISH PEOPLE. 



i.e., Bauern, which the centuries have left intact. 

 The untrammelled freedom of Diirer's spelling comes 

 out strongly, even in these words from his pen. 

 ' Ireland, behind England,' is a quaint geographical 

 note of the great master's making ! 



" On the top of the sheet is Diirer's true mono- 

 gram. There are two reproductions of this sketch 

 in the Zeiclinungen von Albreclit Diirer, one in 

 colour, one plain. Dr. F. Lippmann certifies to the 

 accuracy of the copies, except in the matter of 

 some shades of red and blue, which are printed a 

 little lighter than the original colours. With the 

 plain version he has absolutely no fault to find. 

 The publisher permits the reproduction of this leaf 

 out of a most precious book a leaf that must 

 deeply interest Irisih people who have thought of 

 a journey to Vienna as the only means of satisfying 

 their legitimate curiosity respecting men of their 

 race, who left an honoured name in their own land, 

 but no portraits nothing to tell of their ' outward 

 figure and presentment.' ' How can that be 1 ' asked 

 a learned young custodian in the Director's office 

 of the Vienna Museum. Then I told him how it 

 had long been a punishable offence for ' the mere 

 Irishry ' to keep books and documents. ' But you . 

 have priceless manuscripts illuminated,' he still 

 objected. ' Yes, the Book of Kells, which has been 



