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of ancient family had found them in the lumber closet among the old [???iments] and
given them to him. The elder
Ireland examined them, as did other
experts, men of note and name -
and - I think honestly, convinced of their genuineness,
exhibited them: - also, securing subscribers,
printed the text, with facsimiles of
some of the documents, including
the pen and ink portrait of Shk. I have
only the 800 issue of this book. Toronto
Univ. Library had a 4th copy, which -
with the Audubon's Birds - were the
two last of its treasures that I consulted
a few days before their total
destruction by fire 14 Feb 1890.
I sometimes wish I had taken them away -
The matter made some noise, & The english literary
world of that day were divided in
opinion as to the honesty of the
whole production, and Edmond Malone,
an Irish barrister of titled family and good means, living in
London, led the sceptics. He eventually

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