Austin's [Augustine] "City of God," and from Gregory and Jerome; and amongst these are many passages that appear to be comments of the king himself. In its present form, the book comes to us in a debased Saxon of the twelfth century. But Professor Wülker has shown that it is very closely allied with Alfred's "Boethius," and that the two books must be from the same hand. There is a very striking parallel in Chapter XVII. to the famous chapter of the same number in "Boethius," already quoted.' It only remains now for someone to take up the study of the book, and to investigate carefully the fascinating question whether this may not be the long lost Handbook or commonplace book whose origin Asser describes, or, at least, one of its successors.

"On a certain day we were both of us sitting in the king's chamber, talking on all kinds of subjects, as usual, and it happened that I read to him a quotation out of a certain book. He heard it attentively with both ears, and addressed me with a thoughtful mind, showing me at the same time a book which he carried in his bosom, wherein the daily courses and psalms, and prayers which he had read in his youth were written, and he commanded me to write the same quotation in that book. Hearing this, and perceiving his ingenuous benevolence, and devout desire of studying the words of divine 1 "A Royal Economist," p. 221.

wisdom, I gave, though in secret, boundless thanks to Almighty God, who had implanted such a love of wisdom in the king's heart. But I could not find any empty space in that book wherein to write the quotation, for it was already full of various matters; wherefore I made a little delay, principally that I might stir up the bright intellect of the king to a higher acquaintance with the divine testimonies. Upon his urging me to make haste, and write it quickly, I said to him:

"Are you willing that I should write that quotation on some leaf apart? For it is not certain whether we shall not find one or more other such extracts which will please you, and if that should so happen we shall be glad that we have kept them apart.'

"Your plan is good,' said he.

"I gladly made haste to get ready a sheet, in the beginning of which I wrote what he bade me; and in the same day I wrote therein, as I had anticipated, no less than three quotations which pleased him, and from that time we daily talked together, and found out other quotations which pleased him, so that the sheet became full, and deservedly so, according as it is written, 'The just man builds upon a moderate foundation, and by degrees passes to greater things.""

Any one who has experience of how a common

7

place book grows, will see the points of likeness between this account of Alfred's note-book and the "Blooms of King Alfred.” If we think of the quick-witted king and his learned priest sitting together, reading, discussing, translating, comparing memories, scintillating in the contact of minds, it is not difficult to understand how this book, as well as Alfred's adaptations of the classics for his people, assumed their present form.

The preface of this royal note-book has the charm and truth of the poetic imagination which crystallises Alfred's thought, and makes his sayings memorable. It is quite in the manner of some of the insertions in "Boethius." Alfred describes himself as in a wood full of comely trees, fit for spears and stud shafts, and helves to all tools, and bay timbers and bolt timbers. "In every tree I saw something which I needed at home, therefore I advise everyone who is able, and has many wains, that he trade to the same wood where I cut the stud shafts, and there fetch more for himself, and load his wain with fair rods, that he may wind many a neat wall, and set many a comely house, and build many a fair town. of them; and thereby may dwell merrily and softly so as I now have not yet done. But He who taught me, to whom the wood belonged, (?) may He make me to dwell more softly in this temporary cot, the while I am in this world, and also in the everlasting

home which he has promised us through St Austin, St Gregory, and St Jerome, and through many other holy fathers: as I believe also for the merits of all these He will make the way more plain than it was before, and especially enlighten the eyes of my mind, so that I may search out the right way to the everlasting home and the everlasting glory, and the everlasting rest which is promised us through those holy fathers. May it be so.

"It is no wonder though men swink in timberworking, and in the carrying and building; but every man wishes, after he has built a cottage on his lord's lease by his help, that he may sometimes rest him therein, and hunt, and fowl, and fish, and use it every way under the lease, both on water and on land, until that he earn bookland and everlasting heritage through his lord's mercy.

May

"So do the Wealthy Giver who wields both these temporary cottages and the Eternal homes! He who shaped both, and wields both, grant me that I be meet for each, both here to be profitable and thither to come!" This is the wisdom and piety of the man of deeds, who thinks of words as standing for real things, and much like needful tools: to whom also spiritual conceptions are so sharply defined, and clearly conceived, that it is as natural to speak of this life as a cottage built on a lease as of the eternal life as the many mansions of my Father.