DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

Charta, out of the twenty-six barons who signed it, only three could write their names, and the others affixed their marks. In fact, for many generations to come, the great bulk of the nation, though dimly and unconsciously progressing towards civilisation and learning, knew but one science—that of waging war upon and slaying each other. In 1275 we first notice the existence of book- sellers. Stationarii they were called, the origin of the modern term stationer. In 1357 a manuscript was purchased by the Earl of Salisbury for a sum equivalent to 66/. 13s. 4d.; but to estimate the costliness of this investment, it may be well to show the prices that ruled at that time. This very identical sum of 66/. 13s. 4d. was the pay of Henry Percy, keeper of Berwick Castle, one of the great fortresses of the kingdom. The pay of the King’s Surgeon, a mighty personage at Court, was 51. 13s. 4d. a-year, with an extra fee of Ls. a-day when in attendance. Master carpenters re- ceived 4d. and their assistants 2d. a-day. Fifty years later, in 1425, the library of the King of France, which on the conquest of Paris was brought to England, and consisted of 853 volumes, was valued by its former owner at 2220/., or at a fraction over 21. 12s. 04d. per volume. We have now arrived at an epoch when three great events occurred almost simultaneously, and by