-? o 



2 4 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present. 



were offered for this small volume — Mr. Edmonds being, 

 before liis public announcement of the astounding dis- 

 covery, the bearer of a blank cheque from his prin- 

 cipals. But Sir Charles was able to resist temptation, 

 and the volume still holds its supremacy at Lamport, 

 the chief attraction of a library replete with similar 

 treasures, many of which were brought to light on the 

 same auspicious day. 



So great is the estimation in which this copy of the 

 Passionate Pilgrime is held by members of the learned 

 army of book- worms — on account of the remarkable 

 history of its production, its excessive rarity, and fine 

 condition, that though himself no very absorbed student of 

 our great poet, its mere possession has caused Sir Charles 

 to be known in literary circles as '' Shakespeare Isham." 

 What this diminutive gem might fetch under the 

 hammer of tbe auctioneer, it would be difficult to say, 

 but at a time when three early Bibles — one the famous 

 Mazarine Bible — realize nearly ten thousand pounds, 

 and a bookseller can see his way to giving four thousand 

 nine hundred and fifty pounds for a book — Psalmorum 

 Codex — printed in 1459, scarcely any sum would seem 

 too extravagant for the acquisition of this great rarity. 

 Nor was this the only " curio '' that was dug out of these 

 literary quarries. Upwards of a dozen other poetical 

 tracts of the Elizabethan era, hitherto unrecorded and 

 consequently unknown, were now brought to light, all in 

 most beautiful and perfect condition, some bound in the 

 fine vellum of the period, while others were uncut, just as 

 they came from the printers. 



In addition to rare plants and books, Lamport Hall is 

 full of costly old Italian cabinets, Palissy ware, and other 



