Lumley was one day perched on the topmost step of a library
ladder, looking over a black letter volume of Hollinshed, from the
well filled shelves of his pupil. Suddenly he paused, and his
antiquarian instincts were aroused by the sight of a sheet of paper,
yellow and time worn. He seized it with the eagerness of a book-
worm, and in so doing dropped the volume of Hollinshed alarmingly
near the wig-covered head of his youthful pupil, who with closed
eyes, and open mouth, lay reclining on a sofa below. The book,
grazing the curls of the young lord's wig, he sprang up from his nap,
alive and sound, though somewhat startled.
{Hollinshed = Raphael Holinshed (d. 1580), famous writer of British
historical chronicles, used by Shakespeare as source for some of his
plays}
"Hang it Lumley, what a rumpus you keep up among the books! You
well nigh drove that old volume into my head by a process more
summary than usual."
The learned tutor made a thousand apologies, as he descended the
ladder, but on touching the floor his delight burst forth.
"It was this paper, my lord, which made me so awkward--I have
lighted on a document of the greatest interest!"
"What is it?" asked the pupil looking askance at letter, and tutor.
"An original letter which comes to hand, just in time for my lives of
the tragedians--the volume to be dedicated to your lordship--it is a
letter of poor Otway.
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