In these last quoted examples are certainly many stipulations, but they are as nought when compared with what we find on the book-plate of the Cavalier Francesco Vargas Macciucca, who was in the habit of pasting on the fly-leaf of the book, opposite his book-plate, _fifteen_ rules, written in Latin, to be observed by those who borrowed books from his library. If he enforced them, he can have been seldom troubled with a borrower! On the face of them,--since most of them have a blank space left for the owner's name, etc.,--these poetic or prosaic threats against book-stealers and the ill-usage of books do not pretend to be the compositions of those that used them. Jones or Brown went to the nearest stationer or bookseller, and purchased his admonitions all ready composed. But even after the introduction of ready-made admonitions, we find the man of independent mind rebelling against saving his library from spoliation by anybody's words save his own. Such a person was Mr. Charles Clark, of Great Totham Hall, near Witham, in Essex, who can at least claim originality for his composition, which, if lengthy, has occasional gleams of humour. Here it is:-- 'A PLEADER TO THE NEEDER WHEN A READER As all, my friend, through wily knaves, full often suffer wrongs, Forget not, pray, when it you've read, to whom this book belongs. Than one Charles Clark, of Totham Hall, none to 't a right hath better, A _wight_, that same, more _read_ than some in the lore of old _black_ letter; And as C. C. in _Essex_ dwells--a shire at which all laugh-- His books must sure less fit seem drest, if they're not bound in _calf_! Care take, my friend, this book you ne'er with grease or dirt besmear it; While none but awkward _puppies_ will continue to "dog's-ear" it! And o'er my books, when book-"worms" "grub," I'd have them understand, No marks the margin must de-_face_ from any busy "_hand_"! Marks, as re-marks, in books of Clark's, whene'er some critic spy leaves, It always him so _waspish_ makes though they're but on the _fly_-leaves! Yes, if so they're used, he'd not de-_fer_ to _deal_ a fate most meet-- He'd have the soiler of his _quires_ do penance in a _sheet_! The Ettrick _Hogg_--ne'er deem'd a _bore_--his candid mind revealing, Declares, to beg a _copy_ now's a mere pre-_text_ for stealing! So, as some knave to grant the loan of this my book may wish me, I thus my book-_plate_ here display lest some such _fry_ should _dish_ me! But hold!--though I again declare with-holding I'll not brook, And "a _sea_ of trouble" still shall take to bring book-worms to "book." 'C. C.'