of Sir William Ross, which prevented his signing manymore works than he ever painted. Some are by Janet (otherwise Francois) Clouet, the central figure in a remarkable but little—known family, whose larger work is often attributed to Holbein. No. 212, a miniature, and Nos. 217, 218, 219, and 220, sketches, are by him ; and 306 and 307 are photographs of drawings now in Paris. Among others represented here are Harding. the elder and younger I’etitot, Hilliard. Oliver, and Danckaerts.
Among the most interesting relics in Case B (West Gallery) are some locks of Mary Queen of Scots’ hair, whose diversity of colour accounts for the long contro— versy as to what its real tint was—whether it was dyed or bleached, or whether its difference were to be accounted for by natural fading. In Case (' is the cup of Malcolm Camnore, King of Scotland, which is enamelled in chmuplevé, and is probably twelfth cen— tury work. In the neighbouring cases are relics of Charles 1., James 1., Prince Charles Edward. and Flora Macdonald.
In the Balcony are more miniatures and some engrav— ings. These latter assuredly do not number amongst them any examples of the greater masters of the line, and Audran and Edelinck, or any like them, are only notable by their absence ; but a portrait of Flora Mac— donald, by J. Markluin, in mezzotint, may be interest— ing in a Stuart exhibition, since that form of reproduc- tion has been so commonly attributed to Prince Rupert. 868, by Sir P. Lely, a drawing of Charles 11., is the best piece of work by him in the place, for it even looks distinctly modern in technique.
The books and manuscripts are not very numerous, but include some holograph letters by Charles 1. and Henrietta Maria; while numismatists will find much to look at in Case 0, where the coins and medals have been arranged. Some of the last are by Nicolas Briot, of the same family as F rancois, who lived under the thirteenth Louis. Artistically, the finest is 268, a medallion of Princess Clementina. It is the work of Otto Hamerani. and said to be unique.
MORLEY ROBERTS.
TO OMAR KHAYYAM.
EIGHT centuries unheeded by the West
Now loved within our hearts ! Whose daily strait
Is still to war with wavering unrest,—
To ask, in vain, for aye importunate
The ceaseless \VHY ? whereof we ever wait
The answering BECAUSE that clear and true
Should solve the mystery of Life and Fate—
Omar! the peace you sought, we find in you!
The fabled Paradise, wherein the Blest
Lie lotus—eating, lulled in languorous state,
Measured by later reasonable test,
Seems but at best a doubtful opiate.
Life is but labour, alway to create
Ideals to strive for, better work to do;
Could Heaven itself the stress of Life abate?
Omar! the peace you sought, we find in you!
Incurious. forbear the hopeless quest,
Since nobler he who thus can subjugate
His restless will, than he by fears opprest
“'ho cries amid his doubts ‘ Allah is great.’
‘ Each his own Heaven or Hell.’ Why hesitate?
To—DAY, we are, To-Monno“ who may view?
If but this life to Low: be consecrate,
Omar! the peace you sought, we find in you !
Shall Fate. or we, cry to Life's game ‘Checkmate'?
Nay, Wise men draw it; Fools defeat pursue,
Unconquered though unconquering e'er too late—
Omar! the peace you sought, we find in you !
GLEEsoN WHITE.
