102 ANTIQUE rVORY TABLET. 



that the entire subject of the sculpture can be explained by that 

 singular Tale. It must be observed that those Romances vary 

 considerably in the incidents and details, in the numerous versions, 

 or texts, of this popular literature ; and the interpretation of the 

 subjects sculptured or delineated is, in many instances, full of 

 difficulty. — I hope, however, before long to offer you some explan- 

 ation which may deserve your consideration, and regret my in- 

 ability to supply it at the present moment. 



I remain, dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



ALBERT WAY. 



Thomas Q. Couch, Esq., 

 Bodmin. 



WoNHAM Mange, Eeigate, 

 August 11, 1865. 



My dear Sir, 



You will be desirous to know what has become of your 

 curious Ivory Tablet. I sent it, about a fortnight since, to Mr. C. 

 Tucker, from whom I had received it. He Avas about to join in 

 our Congress at Dorchester, having undertaken the charge of our 

 Temporary Museum, in which we usually have many mediaeval 

 works of art, sculptures in ivory, &c. I hoped that amongst the 

 learned in such relics who resort to our Annual Meetings, Mr. 

 Tucker might find some one more able than myself to explain the 

 subjects; and, with such a purpose, I ventured, in reliance on 

 your kind approval, to place it in his care. I have not yet heard 

 from him ; but as all concludes to-morrow, he will probably return 

 to Exeter, and convey back with him this interesting Ivory. If 

 you would have the goodness to give him one line (Marlands, 

 Exeter), or to myself, your wishes shall be attended to in regard 

 to its being restored to you. 



Montfaucon, in his great work on Antiquities, has given en- 

 gravings of a complete set of Ivory Tablets, such as that of which 

 yours was one of the covers, — it may be, rather earlier in date. 

 The subjects are, as on yours, of Romance ; two, if not all, being 

 from the Lay of Aristotle. These Tablets were united by two 

 laces, top and l)ottom, in the angle of the covers, and consisted of 

 four leaves, forming, with the two covers, ten waxed surfaces or 



