The Library at Bridgewater House is, I believe, one of The oldest of existing family Libraries in England. Lord Chancellor Ellesmere was its chief founder, with The advantage of possessing what remained of a collection Then already ancient; and his example was followed by The first and second Earls of Bridgewater, his immediate successors in his large possessions. For many generations it was kept at Ashridge, The noble old mansion of The thirteenth century which The Chancellor had enlarged and adorned. The distinction of demolishing The mansion, and of almost demolishing The Library (by leaving it in utter neglect, excluded even from air and light), was reserved for The “Canal” Duke, who died in 1803. The remains of The Library, still The finest Elizabethan collection which has survived, were arranged by The late Rev. H. J. Todd, with all The assiduity that could be induced by love of The task, and by his eminent attainments.

Amongst The MSS. The following are especially worthy of notice:—(1) Chaucer’s Poems,of The 15th century, on vellum, finely illuminated; (2) Gower’s Poems,also on vellum, illuminated; and The presentation copy from The author to King Henry IV. It appears to have belonged to Henry VII., prior to his elevation to The throne (The name Rychemondappears on one of The flyleaves); and was given by Thomas Lord Fairfax to Sir Thomas Gower, in 1656. By The first Duke of SuTherland (better known, perhaps, by his former title of Marquis of Stafford) some valuable additions were made to The rescued Library.