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Paradise was a name given to the library or study; and in the de-scriptions of ancient houses, “great and little paradise” frequently occur.At Wressil Castle, Yorkshire , an ancient seat of the Percys, there was“ one thyng,” says Leland, “ I likid exceedingly yn one of the towers;that was a study caullid Paradise, wher was a closett in the middle, ofeight squares lattised about; and at the toppe of evry square was adeske ledged to fit books on, and cofers within them, and these seemedas yoined hard to the top of this closett; and yet by pulling, one or alwold cum downe briste higthe in rabattes, and serve for deskes to laybookes on.” Speaking of Leckinfield, another seat of the Percys, headds, “ I saw in a little studying-chaumber ther, caullid Paradise, thegenealogy of the Percys.”

Chaucer ’s Clerke of Oxenford had twenty books clad in black andred,

“ ©n sfielbt's al cottcfittr at fit's betfots fietre;

W* press gcoberetr fottfi a faltring retie.” *

* Falding was a kind of coarse cloth, or linsey-woolsey.