42 A CONTINENTAL TOUR. 



naturally inimical to that nation, he endeavoured, by every 

 device in his power, to elude their rapacity, and to prevent 

 the manuscripts from being seen by the savans who visited 

 Leyden. One professor was appointed by Bonaparte, and 

 took up his residence in the city, with the avowed and 

 express purpose of procuring whatever was rare or curious, 

 for the adornment of the capital of the great nation. The 

 keys were frequently demanded from our friend for the 

 purposes of investigation, and the demand was as often 

 eluded by him, under the pretence of their being in the 

 charge of some professor or other, who was either confined 

 by sickness or under the necessity of residing a few 

 days in the country. In this manner the matter was 

 fortunately delayed until the great and unexpected 

 revolution took place, which rendered such precautions 

 unnecessary ; and the chief actor in the scheme, who 

 seems passionately fond of the black letter, has happily 

 survived to enjoy the fruits of his resolute and praise- 

 worthy conduct." 



A PIOUS FRAUD. 



"Antwerp, August 1. — By the by, the most ingenious 

 piece of devotion of which I have heard for some time, 

 took place here not long since, as I was informed by an 

 ingenious merchant of the city with whom I supped the 

 other evening. A respectable woman with an infant in 



