SIR GEORGE GREY’S LIBRARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1169, 7 October 1882, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY’S LIBRARY.

The following extract from ‘‘His Inland Home,” by Mr James Grey, having reference to Sir George Grey’s library, will be of interest in view of its now being made a gift to the city of Auckland. Mr Grey says:—“ The library comprises all kinds of literature, and the linguist will find in it ample mnterials wherewith to while away the time. Leaving the books, which are far too numerous for systematic exarninalion, Sir George next showed me a large portfolio containing many original manuscriptsof the Cromwellian period of almost incalculable value, amongst, others, several letters written by Sir Philip Mead owes and the poet Milton. A little book has recently been issued, which alleges that a certain epitaph written by Milton has only just been discovered, but on making a comparison of the handwriting of the original with the handwriting of Sir Philip Meadowes in his possession, Sir George Grey arrived at tho conclusion that the authorship of the epitaph had been wrongly attributed to the poet. To myself and the gentleman who accom panied me Sir George pointed out the great similarity existing between the fac simile of the epitaph and the handwriting of Sir Philip Meadowes. We examined the formation of the charnc ters with a critical scrutiny by means of a powerful glass, and arrived at the same conclusion as Sir George Grev —that there were general and particular proofs by the comparison wo m;<de that the epitaph was written not

by the Latin secretary i Milton), but by the general secret ary of the Commonwealth, Sir Philip Meadowes. When Sir George Gre y left the Cape Colony he presented the Capo Town Library with a collection of books valued at £30,000.