out his original authorities. M. Quérard quotes some

passages, in juxtaposition, from Seguin's pretended work and from the original MS., to show how the latter had been altered and corrupted in the printed copy. M. Seguin was quite illiterate, and has committed the most egregious blunders in his chef d'œuvre de plagiat, as his Histoire du Pays d'Auge is termed by Quérard. Many other authors, besides Mr. Wiffen and M. Formeville, wrote to Seguin for his authorities on various subjects, but he never pointed out a single one. Full details are given of his literary thefts by M. Quérard and his coadjutors. When the original work of M. Deshayes appears, in its genuine state, as promised by M. Formeville, the world will then learn what was really stated respecting the descent of the Du Rozels from Bertrand de Briquebec; although the amiable and accomplished Mr. Wiffen is no longer living to avail himself of the information. Seguin died in 1847.

John Macray.

Oxford.

FERDINAND CHARLES III., DUKE OF PARMA.

Englishmen might, perhaps, feel even more horror than they will do at the assassination, on Mar. 26, of the Duke of Parma, if they were reminded that he was the representative and lineal descendant of Charles I., and as such possessed a claim, by hereditary descent, on our Crown, superior to that of our gracious Queen, who is only lineally descended from James I.

I subjoin his pedigree:

It is rather a singular circumstance, that the Duchess of Parma should have been the wife of the hereditary heir to the throne of England, and the sister of the hereditary heir to the throne of France,—her husband, the Duke of Parma, having been the representative of the House of Stuart,—and her brother, the Count de Chambord, being the representative of the House of Bourbon.

E. S. S. W.

ORIGINAL ENGLISH ROYAL LETTERS TO THE GRAND MASTERS OF MALTA.

(Continued from Vol. ix., p. 267.)

Through the great kindness of my old friend at this island, Frederick Sedley, Esq., and the continued and constant assistance of Dr. Vella, I am now enabled to forward correct translations of the seven remaining letters bearing the autograph of Charles II. Mindful of the space which will be required for their insertion in "N. & Q.," I shall confine myself to a few preliminary remarks.

The first letter in the following list is the earliest in date, as it is of the greatest interest. In it we have, for the first time, found a curious statement recorded by an English monarch, making known that he not only built his galleys for the protection of trade in this sea in different ports of the Mediterranean, and purchased the slaves to man them of the Order of Malta, but also complaining to the Grand Master for permitting the collector of customs to charge an export toll of "five pieces of gold per head," which he considered an unjust tax on this kind of commerce, and the more especially so, because it was not demanded from his neighbours and allies, the Kings of France and Spain. That the Knights of St. John made their prisoners slaves, disposing of some to the wealthy residents or natives of the island, and employing others in the erection of their dwellings, palaces, and fortifications, is well known.

Historians have stated that when Dragut landed at Malta, in July, 1551, with Sinam, his admiral, who was in joint command, they went to the summit of Mount Sceberras to reconnoitre before an attack should be made on the convent. When employed on this service, Sinam, who was opposed to any hostile movement, pointing to the castle, thus remarked, "Surely no eagle could have chosen a more craggy and difficult place to make his nest in. Dost thou not see that men must have wings to get up to it, and that all the artillery and troops of the universe would not be able to take it by force?" An old Turkish officer of his suite, addressing Dragut, thus continued,—"See'st thou that bulwark which juts out in the sea, and on which the Maltese have planted the great standard of their order? I can assure thee that whilst I was a prisoner with them, I have helped to carry the large stones of which it is built, and am pretty sure that before thou canst make thyself master of it, thou wilt be overtaken by the winter season; and probably likewise prevented from succeeding by some powerful succours from Europe." There can be little doubt that this remark was

feelingly made, and that the aged Turk who uttered it had experienced, during his residence as a prisoner at Malta, all the horrors of slavery. That no consideration was given to the comfort of a slave, and little value set on his life, will be briefly shown by the following anecdote:—On the 13th of April, 1534, an accusation was made against an English knight of the name of Massimberg, to the effect that he had unwarrantably drawn his sword and killed four galley slaves; and being convicted of the crime on the 18th of May of the same year, he was asked why judgment should not be given against him. Massimberg thus replied, "In killing the four slaves I did well, but in not having at the same time killed our old and imbecile Grand Master I did badly." This plea not being considered satisfactory, he was deprived of his habit; but two days afterwards, that is, on the 20th May, 1534, he was reinstated in the Order, though for a time not permitted to enjoy his former dignity of a commander. This knight was also accused of having stolen a slave from a Maltese; but this accusation he stoutly denied, giving, in proof of his innocence, that the man bore on his shoulder a brand, or mark, by which he could be easily known as belonging to him. (Vide Manuscript Records of the Order.)

The next letter in the following list to which I would briefly call attention is that under date of June 21st, 1675, in which His Majesty Charles II. refers to a misunderstanding which had taken place between his admiral, Sir John Narbrough, and the Order of Malta. The nature of this difficulty is well explained by giving a correct copy of the admiral's letter to the Grand Master, which I have taken from the original now on file in the Record Office of this island. It reads as follows:—

To the most eminent Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

Most eminent Sir,

After the tender of my humble service, with my hearty thanks for the manifold favours vouchsafed unto my Master, the King of Great Britain, &c., and for