There are, of course, many ways of arranging an autograph collection, but on no account should the specimens be fixed to the album without adding comments on both the subject-matter of the MS. and the identity of the author. The following letter is given as a specimen. The original is to be found in the Royal United Service Museum:-- "LISBURNE, _6th March, 1689_. GENTLEMEN, I have this day written another for the Battering Gunns and Morters to be Sent over hither. But now having the Matter under further consideration doe think it Expedient and necessary for their Majesties Service to send an Express herewith. And it is to direct you Immediately on Receipt hereof to cause Eight guns of Eighteen and Twenty Foure Pounders with all their Equepage, Furniture and Stores with A good Proporcon of Boms to be Shipped on Board a very good, light and Nimble Saylor. And that the Capt. or Master be Ordered to Sayle with them directly for the Lough of Bellfast. For that wee cannot undertake with any sort of Reasonable Accomodacon the Siege of the Fort of Charlemount untill those Gunns arrive here. And with worke I would gladly have furnished before his Majesties coming hither wherefore I pray use all Dilligence and Expedicon in dispatching away thence the said Shipps so Fraighted as is herein afore Expressed. I am, Gentlemen, Your very loving friend and servant, SCHOMBERG." The letter, we must add, is written in a splendidly clear hand by a clerk, and signed by Schomberg. It therefore belongs to class 2 above. Under such a document, we might comment as follows: Note the quaint grammatical forms, also the spelling which clearly shows that orthography was not an exact science two hundred odd years ago. The use of capital letters is also curious. Lastly, we may point out the apparently effeminate ending given to the letter. As to the identity of Schomberg, we might write: "Marshall Schomberg was one of William III's generals who took part in the Irish campaign against James II. He captured Carrickfergus, Belfast, Newry, and Dundalk, although his troops consisted of raw levies. During the Battle of the Boyne he assisted William in gaining a brilliant victory, but was unfortunately slain towards the end of the encounter." * * * * * [Illustration: _Translation._ MY DEAR BROTHER, Not being allowed to die among my troops, it only remains for me to place my sword in the hands of your Majesty. I am your Majesty's good brother, NAPOLEON. SEDAN, _Sept. 1, 1870_. AUTOGRAPH LETTER WRITTEN BY NAPOLEON III TO WILLIAM I OF GERMANY AFTER THE BATTLE OF SEDAN.] As one would expect, the subject-matter of a letter greatly affects its value. The following epistle, written by Lord Dorchester, is therefore of more than ordinary consideration.[22]