Evening star., 1938-01-09

Inc collectlon includes, too, the drSt
American edition of Shakespeare and
brings us up to such q modern exhibit
as the pioneer talking book Of Shakes
peare's plays, recorded by John
knight, the actor, and inscribed by
him.
Fascinating, if bit gruesome, is
the case devoted to the subject of
Wltchcraft, and one may follow the
black arts from the earliest forms of
playing cards Of all countries to the
modern autographed book on magic
written by John Mulholland and in
scribed by the author. Perhaps no
more absorbingly interesting item on
this subject exists anywhere than the
16th-century copy of Nostradamus.
In this book, which is contemporary
edition, the famous astrologer predicts
such events as the London fire and
the Papal plot. These events are, in
fact, pictured on the cover Of the VOL
ume, printed In that early day long
before the events themselves trans
pired, and curiously enough, history
has borne out these predictions.
Nostradamus was respected beyond all
seers, and queens and kings sought
his guidance. Rafael's Manual of
Astrology is another item on this sub
1ect, and interesting because Rafael
was the famous 19th-century astrologer
who counseled and predicted for Bis
marck and the Emperor of Germany
during the Franco-Prussian war.
Cotton Mathers Wonders Of the
Invisible World" q 18th century dream
book, the Nuremburg Chronicle Of
1893. describing the burning of
witches. and King James horribly cruel
suggestions In his own words, with
respect to testing unfortunates as pos
sible witches, are among the addi-
tional books on the subject.
THE Dickens case Is q treat to all
lovers Of the work of this great
English novelist, for they will find
here various personal items belonging
to the writer. as we'll as some of his
famous dummy books" from his
library at Gad's Hill Place.
Then there is a case of Empire
Builders" case on Crime" case
on Sports" and Law" and other
cases devoted to pioneer books Of
America and Europe. Most sensa-
tional, as might be expected. is the
crime exhibit, where one may look
on such gruesome items as the sigma
ture and death warrant for Catherine
des Hayes. infamous for her poison
plots in 1887, and known for her
last exploit in furnishing drug to
Nine. de Montespan for the purpose Of
distracting that monarch's attention
from other charmers-an exploit that
cost Des Hayes her head and
Montespan her reputation.
Here. too, is the grisly list of
Samson, headman of the French
revolution, recording in his own hand
the monies due him for executions.
He it was who beheaded the King and
Queen, Danton Robespierre, Charlotte
Corday and hundreds Of others. His
family were executioners for genera
tions.
4AC SueO0AoPA "a 1OnlOt1l, WHO
invented the frishtful instrument Of
death that bears his name; letters of
Jesse James in which he defends his
own character, and various and sundry
books representing the great literary
forgeries Of history form part Of this
collection.
But II this crime exhibit be the
most gruesome, the exhibit of the
manuscripts Of the poets Is, to this
writer. the most charming and ir-
resistible Of them all. And here, gem
amidst priceless gems, are the words
Of the immortal Sacrifice" of Emer-
son. penned by that incompatible
poet in his own hand. One must be
dead indeed to beauty who does not
thrill to that scrap Of paper on which
Is scribbled the newborn lines. "Tis
mans perdition to be safe, when for
thA kF1aEh hA oa11ht In die