42 CONNECTION OF BATH WITH THE 



things that had been. Not one of these books is now 

 known to be in existence. May the Hbrary which we 

 have formed on the same site meet a better fate. [9] 



I must recall the assertion that every book which 

 once formed the library of Bath has perished. One 

 book remains : it is known as the Red Book of Bath, 

 and is now deposited in the library of that noble 

 family who derive their principal title of honour from 

 this place. [10] It relates to the possessions of the 

 Abbey. Few in these days have seen it ; and it is 

 said to be guarded with a watchful jealousy for which 

 there can now be no good reason, its contents, what- 

 ever they may be, having become, through lapse of 

 time, only matter of historical and topographical 

 importance, or perhaps the mere playthings of anti- 

 quarian curiosity. If it contain that Chronicle of the 

 Abbey which Leland consulted, — for the monks of 

 Bath, like those of other towns, had their historians 

 as well as philosophers, — the publication of that 

 portion of its contents would connect in a manner 

 not unworthy the name of Thynne, already established 

 in the curious literature of England, its noble pos- 

 sessor with the historical literature of the present age, 

 and add another flower to the literary garland of the 

 city with which they are so remarkably connected. 



Perhaps I have delayed too long upon the literary 

 honours of Bath in the elder time. We now dismiss 



