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  • Aug. 23, 1879
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  • A PEEP AT A LOCAL " CURIOSITY SHOP."
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

A Peep At A Local " Curiosity Shop."

A PEEP AT A LOCAL " CURIOSITY SHOP . "

BY A PERIPATETIC BROTHER .

THE devotion of a whole lifetime to tho collection and arrange , meat of objects of art and historical curiosities may bo regarded as a dry and aimless pastime by those who havo failed to acquiro msthotic tastes ; but to tho cnlturcd low such efforts aro suggestive of tho highest possiblo admiration . For my part , I must own to tho possession of but few of the attributes of tho connoisseur , and havo always regarded collectors of every variety as a species of Dryasdust , with no generous blood in their veins , and therefore a set of old

fogies to bo avoided . As a rule collectors aro a bore . Bate-collectors aro seldom received with a grin of wolcomo satisfaction . There are butterfly collectors , coin collectors , picture collectors , and no end of these " snappers-np of ill-considered trifles , " each having a pecnliar sphere , and each redolont of a peculiar and distinct odour of mustiuess . Tho poor old naturalist famed

in tho Ingoldsby Legeuds was of little practical use or ornament , until he fell to ( or rather fell in ) catching eels , and that occupation did not last him long . The geologist who starts off with his bag and hammer is a morose and reticent fellow , except when you get him astride his favourite theme ; and so is the amateur astronomer , who spends his nights star-gazing . Every man , I

snppose , has a hobby ; and provided that hobby is not ridden to death , or is made irksomo to others , very often an advantago arises not merely to the individual immediately interested , but to a wide circle around him of thoso who aro imbued with kindred tastes aud ideas . Now , having given it as my experience that collectors , as a rule , aro as crnsty and capricious as possible upon all questions not

bearing directly on the subject upon which they havo grown insane , lot me introdnco you to ono of a totally different stamp—a raro old specimen of English geniality , good humour , and intelligence How I came across him was in this wise . During the recent barge sailing match from Frith to tho Nore , I noticed upon the bridge of our committee steamer , a ruddy-faced , bustling little man , who

appeared to mo to be doing the work of commodore , secretary , and treasurer , all rolled into ono ; he was hero , thero , and everywhere , giving directions , and seeing that everybody was jolly and comfortable , and everybody seemed to appeal to him on every conceivablo matter connected with tho trip . I dubbed him at once an old Navy man , or a sea-captain who had "weathered many a storm ; " and a

hearty old soul I thought him , who at the ago of sovonty-four could trip up and down tho saloon stairs as li ghtly as a boarding-school miss , or laugh as lustily as any of his "fellow seamen" upon tho bridge . A chat with this , to my mind , Harry Bluff certainly did not prepossess mo with any idea that ho was a member of tho Dryasdust Order , in tho category of which I had

been accustomed to ennmcrato " collectors " of every species before mentioned . My surprise , therefore , was great , when on accepting the invitation of Mr . W . W . Massingham , to smoke a quiet cigar with him at Caroline Villa , Granville Park , Lowisham , I found my sailor friend , who had been as handy at a coil of rope as at the binnacle , surrounded by a perfect mnsonm of exquisite worceaur , in tho accumulation of which ho had spent moro than half a con- '

tury of his life . Where the dickens my friend lived is a puzzle , now I come to think of it , for tho entire houso , from basement to roof , was literally crammed with pictures , bijouterie , old china , historical and theatrical curiosities , articles of vertu , and a thousand and ono other objects of interest , all of which he had industrionsly collected and ingeniously displayed in the various apartments into which Caroline Villa is divided .

It would occupy moro space than yon could afford to allude in detail to tho many objects , possessing such a history of its own , which are stored away in Mr . Massingham ' s bijou museum . But in sauntering through the different departments , I may mention a few , for the information and interest of connoisseurs in such matters . In a cabinet filled with rare and curious old china

was tho identical ring presented b y Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton , tho miniature portrait on which is in a fine state of preservation and is set round with pearls . This souvenir of the hero of Trafalgar is highly prized by its owner , as it should ho . In this cabinet also were four quaint old butter boats , in the shape of ducks , together with a host of curious little knick-knacks : whilst a similar cabinet

on the opposite side contained a complete tea and coffee set in real Chinese porcelain , together with other specimens of china which might well excite the envy of any collector in that particular line . This room is hung around with engravings of great antiqnitv , and possessing many quaint features of which I havo not time to speak in this letter . Passing into an adioiuW room . m « Wf

wnom may Lurator , iu order to avoid repetition , pointed out _ a _ valuable interior b y Jati Stecu , companion to ono sold bv Christie in 18 / 2 Cor tho almost fabulous sum of £ 1071 This picture measures IU inches by lO ! inches , and the subject is an old w < man picking a man ' s pocket whilst ho is helplessly intoxicated . The other , it will bo recollectedwhich fetched so Ju > h a

, price , is ot the tame size , and represented a partv of courtesans stealing a watch from a youth whilst asleep . It would appear to me that if these two rare works could bo brought together , they would be an inseparable pair . Close by this was a splendid paintino- of Mrs . & j ddons , m the character of Cnlista , in the Iragedv of ° the l'air lemtcut , and above tin ' s is a jirand profile of tho r . nk 7 W

x a , * , saw a nne skeicl . b y Jloi . bciis for his grand painting of tho Brazen serpent " -this was purchased at Lord Osborne ' s sale at Am-ignaHons , St .. 1 nl , „' s Wood , sumo time ago , and is vouched for as genuine . W I his is a perfect little gem , by Newton , representinga - Maidot Damascus being taught Christianity , " faced bv the famous picture of " The Smoker , " by Teniers . In this < aonn al * o I noticed a hue old painting of Borgia , Pope Alexander VI ., painted " by

A Peep At A Local " Curiosity Shop."

Katfaello , about 1492 ; near which was a good painting on copper , by Rottenhammer , representing a monk at his devotions . Drnmniond ' s effective painting of " Don Juan and Ha'idee , surprised by her father , " forms a companion object in this collection , as also does a largo picture by Guido , " Tho Suicide of Lucretia , " " Tempting Moments , " representing a cluster of schoolboys pilfering from the sleepy old

applcwoman's stall , is one of Collins's well-known efforts ; and hero , too , aro Albano ' s " Four Elements , " painted in masterly style . A couple of G . Hendrick ' s river scenes , with tho fishing-smacks lying lazily at thoir moorings , and bathed in all the rich hues of a summer sunset , aro hung over Mulready's celebrated painting of " Tho last in , " tho authenticity of which , thongh vagnely doubted , is

nevertheless unhesitatingly challenged by its owuer . Then there is a very old view of Dover , by Powell , tho noted marine painter , showing tho old jetty , the castle , and tho East Cliff , splendidly executed on panel ; a beautiful umbrageous landscape by J . Molntyre ; a fine head by Pombo , a disciplo of Gcorgione , whose stylo of colouring he carefully studied , and imitated with tho greatest success . No master of his

timo ( about 1500 ) displayed greater excellence in this stylo of the art , Hero also is a choice painting , representing tho old Dutch schoolmaster dealing with a refractory pupil , the painter of which is unknown ; a recherche little pieco ponrtraying Cattermolo in tho Fleet Prison , painted by himself ; several paintings by Armfield ; a large one by old Brueghalt , representing a Village Festival ,

on panel ; and . several landscapes and river scenes in watercolours by John Varley . Disposed about the room in every niche and corner are valnablo specimens of antique china , including massive Dresden pieces , representing Neptune drawn by his seahorses , and attended by a tribe of mermaids and his queen , drawn by dolphins , and surrounded by her attendants . Knickuacks of every

species of curiosity are crammed into the apartment , making up , as I have said , a museum , the study of which would occupy more time than is at tho disposal of a casual visitor . Amongst the many other paintings , howovov , I should not omit to call attention to a portrait of the late " Iron Duke , " painted by Count D'Orsay ; the " Miser and his Daughter , " byjMieris ; a portrait of Titian , in water colour ; a moonlit

river scone by P . Pother ; and a grand painting of St . Peters , at Rome , showing the castle of St . Angelo and the bridge spanning the Tiber , which many visitors to tho Crystal Palace would detect as having seen in the picture gallery there a little timo ago . Following my friend to the " upper regions " of his domain , I was shown a fine old river scene , by C . Moreland , which is hung near to

" Tho Farrier , " by tho samo celebrated artist , —a very grand pair of largo paintings , which were formerly hung in Greenwich Hospital ; a grand landscape , by nobbema , setting forth the dense labyrinths of a forest , with tho river meandering through it . A couple of well , executed paintings , by Course , representing Falstaff bragging of his fight with tho men in buckram , and Sir John vindicating Bardolf ' s

nose . Near this is ono of Nieman ' s winter scenes—Colliers off Northflect ; some exquisite enamels , by Tideman ; old views of Greenwich aud Chelsea Hospitals , by Samuel Scott , —the antiquity of which is indicated by the character of tho shipping on tho river j together with a host of smaller paintings , all of which possess features of great interest and attraction to the connoisseur . In an

adjoining room , also literally packed with works of art , is a large painting , by Qnintin Matsys , more than threo hundred years old , which , thongh rather painful in its subject , is treated in masterly stylo , and tho pictnro is reputed to bo of great value . A choico painting , by Iteubens , " Susannah and tho Elders , " also finds a place hero ; as also docs a magnificent painting of Our Saviour in the

Agony of the Cross . Amongst tho gems of this department I was shown a unique painting on ivory of Jupiter and Antispa ; and another recumbent figure , by David ; some enrions old paintings on slate ; a horse-racing sketch in tho early reign of George III . ; a beautiful allegorical painting of " Tragedy and Comedy , " by Loutherbourg . dated 1805 ; a portrait , by Drnmmond , of Mr . Moody in tho

character of Jobson , in tho farce of " Tho Devil to Pay , played at tho King ' s Theatre , Haymarkefc , 1793 ; a large painting of " The Storm in Harvest , " by Westall ; landscape by C . Morland ; " Believing tho Poor , " by Wheatley ; a rough sea scene , by Musin ; and a large sketch of tho offing outsideOstend harbour , with shipping making for the haven before a portending squall . There is also an original painting , by

Snyder , "The Fish Market , " engravings from which may be familiar to your readers ; a sea scene , by Taylor ; a moonlight sketch , painted in the last century , by J . W . Smith ; one or two suggestive pain tings , by W . Etty ; " King Solomon ' s Judgment , " by Reubens ; and very many others . I havo only time to glance cursorily at the many objects of interest

which , if described in detail , would occupy a huge volume , but may incidentally mention that among the curiosities may bo found several boxes made from the timbers of tho Old Victory and the Royal George ; tho infant ' s cap , shoes , aud shirt worn by tho Prince of A Vales ; a slice of the Princess Royal ' s wedding eako ; broad and potato taken from the Queen's table ; the stage jewels worn by Mr 3 .

Siddons , the actress ; several nuggets of Australian gold ; a profuse variety of shells , classified ; George III . ' s Prayer-book , presented to Mr . Massingham's father , in 1789 ; almanacs , dated 1750-1 , from George III . ' s library ; a lock of Edmund Kean ' shair ; model of the old Lyceum Theatre , burnt in Feb . 1830 ; enrions old antique jewels ; Indian silks and filagree ; medallions of the English aud French kin" \ s ;

Garrick ' s sword , used by the celebrated actor in his last performance in tho character of Bon Felix in " The Wonder , " at Driiry Lane , and presented by him to Tom King , who played the part of Lissanlo on that occasion ; autograph letters from kings , statesmen , aud authors of celebrity ; and a host of models , relics , and curiosities , as the auctioneers would say , "too numerous to mention . "

I hesitate to speak of Mr . Massingham ' s collection of theatrical relics aud mementos , farther than to say it is the most extensivo and marvellons in tho world . He has a whole library of scrap books and albums containing information , " complimentary orders , " playbills , and autographs , portraits & c , of all the cm incnt actors and actresses , from the time of Garrick , and oven of an earlier date ; and these are so

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1879-08-23, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 14 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_23081879/page/4/.
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OUR SCHOLARS IN AFTER LIFE. Article 2
THE DEGREE OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR PRIEST. Article 2
ANNUAL DUES. Article 3
MEETING OF THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE Article 3
A PEEP AT A LOCAL " CURIOSITY SHOP." Article 4
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

A Peep At A Local " Curiosity Shop."

A PEEP AT A LOCAL " CURIOSITY SHOP . "

BY A PERIPATETIC BROTHER .

THE devotion of a whole lifetime to tho collection and arrange , meat of objects of art and historical curiosities may bo regarded as a dry and aimless pastime by those who havo failed to acquiro msthotic tastes ; but to tho cnlturcd low such efforts aro suggestive of tho highest possiblo admiration . For my part , I must own to tho possession of but few of the attributes of tho connoisseur , and havo always regarded collectors of every variety as a species of Dryasdust , with no generous blood in their veins , and therefore a set of old

fogies to bo avoided . As a rule collectors aro a bore . Bate-collectors aro seldom received with a grin of wolcomo satisfaction . There are butterfly collectors , coin collectors , picture collectors , and no end of these " snappers-np of ill-considered trifles , " each having a pecnliar sphere , and each redolont of a peculiar and distinct odour of mustiuess . Tho poor old naturalist famed

in tho Ingoldsby Legeuds was of little practical use or ornament , until he fell to ( or rather fell in ) catching eels , and that occupation did not last him long . The geologist who starts off with his bag and hammer is a morose and reticent fellow , except when you get him astride his favourite theme ; and so is the amateur astronomer , who spends his nights star-gazing . Every man , I

snppose , has a hobby ; and provided that hobby is not ridden to death , or is made irksomo to others , very often an advantago arises not merely to the individual immediately interested , but to a wide circle around him of thoso who aro imbued with kindred tastes aud ideas . Now , having given it as my experience that collectors , as a rule , aro as crnsty and capricious as possible upon all questions not

bearing directly on the subject upon which they havo grown insane , lot me introdnco you to ono of a totally different stamp—a raro old specimen of English geniality , good humour , and intelligence How I came across him was in this wise . During the recent barge sailing match from Frith to tho Nore , I noticed upon the bridge of our committee steamer , a ruddy-faced , bustling little man , who

appeared to mo to be doing the work of commodore , secretary , and treasurer , all rolled into ono ; he was hero , thero , and everywhere , giving directions , and seeing that everybody was jolly and comfortable , and everybody seemed to appeal to him on every conceivablo matter connected with tho trip . I dubbed him at once an old Navy man , or a sea-captain who had "weathered many a storm ; " and a

hearty old soul I thought him , who at the ago of sovonty-four could trip up and down tho saloon stairs as li ghtly as a boarding-school miss , or laugh as lustily as any of his "fellow seamen" upon tho bridge . A chat with this , to my mind , Harry Bluff certainly did not prepossess mo with any idea that ho was a member of tho Dryasdust Order , in tho category of which I had

been accustomed to ennmcrato " collectors " of every species before mentioned . My surprise , therefore , was great , when on accepting the invitation of Mr . W . W . Massingham , to smoke a quiet cigar with him at Caroline Villa , Granville Park , Lowisham , I found my sailor friend , who had been as handy at a coil of rope as at the binnacle , surrounded by a perfect mnsonm of exquisite worceaur , in tho accumulation of which ho had spent moro than half a con- '

tury of his life . Where the dickens my friend lived is a puzzle , now I come to think of it , for tho entire houso , from basement to roof , was literally crammed with pictures , bijouterie , old china , historical and theatrical curiosities , articles of vertu , and a thousand and ono other objects of interest , all of which he had industrionsly collected and ingeniously displayed in the various apartments into which Caroline Villa is divided .

It would occupy moro space than yon could afford to allude in detail to tho many objects , possessing such a history of its own , which are stored away in Mr . Massingham ' s bijou museum . But in sauntering through the different departments , I may mention a few , for the information and interest of connoisseurs in such matters . In a cabinet filled with rare and curious old china

was tho identical ring presented b y Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton , tho miniature portrait on which is in a fine state of preservation and is set round with pearls . This souvenir of the hero of Trafalgar is highly prized by its owner , as it should ho . In this cabinet also were four quaint old butter boats , in the shape of ducks , together with a host of curious little knick-knacks : whilst a similar cabinet

on the opposite side contained a complete tea and coffee set in real Chinese porcelain , together with other specimens of china which might well excite the envy of any collector in that particular line . This room is hung around with engravings of great antiqnitv , and possessing many quaint features of which I havo not time to speak in this letter . Passing into an adioiuW room . m « Wf

wnom may Lurator , iu order to avoid repetition , pointed out _ a _ valuable interior b y Jati Stecu , companion to ono sold bv Christie in 18 / 2 Cor tho almost fabulous sum of £ 1071 This picture measures IU inches by lO ! inches , and the subject is an old w < man picking a man ' s pocket whilst ho is helplessly intoxicated . The other , it will bo recollectedwhich fetched so Ju > h a

, price , is ot the tame size , and represented a partv of courtesans stealing a watch from a youth whilst asleep . It would appear to me that if these two rare works could bo brought together , they would be an inseparable pair . Close by this was a splendid paintino- of Mrs . & j ddons , m the character of Cnlista , in the Iragedv of ° the l'air lemtcut , and above tin ' s is a jirand profile of tho r . nk 7 W

x a , * , saw a nne skeicl . b y Jloi . bciis for his grand painting of tho Brazen serpent " -this was purchased at Lord Osborne ' s sale at Am-ignaHons , St .. 1 nl , „' s Wood , sumo time ago , and is vouched for as genuine . W I his is a perfect little gem , by Newton , representinga - Maidot Damascus being taught Christianity , " faced bv the famous picture of " The Smoker , " by Teniers . In this < aonn al * o I noticed a hue old painting of Borgia , Pope Alexander VI ., painted " by

A Peep At A Local " Curiosity Shop."

Katfaello , about 1492 ; near which was a good painting on copper , by Rottenhammer , representing a monk at his devotions . Drnmniond ' s effective painting of " Don Juan and Ha'idee , surprised by her father , " forms a companion object in this collection , as also does a largo picture by Guido , " Tho Suicide of Lucretia , " " Tempting Moments , " representing a cluster of schoolboys pilfering from the sleepy old

applcwoman's stall , is one of Collins's well-known efforts ; and hero , too , aro Albano ' s " Four Elements , " painted in masterly style . A couple of G . Hendrick ' s river scenes , with tho fishing-smacks lying lazily at thoir moorings , and bathed in all the rich hues of a summer sunset , aro hung over Mulready's celebrated painting of " Tho last in , " tho authenticity of which , thongh vagnely doubted , is

nevertheless unhesitatingly challenged by its owuer . Then there is a very old view of Dover , by Powell , tho noted marine painter , showing tho old jetty , the castle , and tho East Cliff , splendidly executed on panel ; a beautiful umbrageous landscape by J . Molntyre ; a fine head by Pombo , a disciplo of Gcorgione , whose stylo of colouring he carefully studied , and imitated with tho greatest success . No master of his

timo ( about 1500 ) displayed greater excellence in this stylo of the art , Hero also is a choice painting , representing tho old Dutch schoolmaster dealing with a refractory pupil , the painter of which is unknown ; a recherche little pieco ponrtraying Cattermolo in tho Fleet Prison , painted by himself ; several paintings by Armfield ; a large one by old Brueghalt , representing a Village Festival ,

on panel ; and . several landscapes and river scenes in watercolours by John Varley . Disposed about the room in every niche and corner are valnablo specimens of antique china , including massive Dresden pieces , representing Neptune drawn by his seahorses , and attended by a tribe of mermaids and his queen , drawn by dolphins , and surrounded by her attendants . Knickuacks of every

species of curiosity are crammed into the apartment , making up , as I have said , a museum , the study of which would occupy more time than is at tho disposal of a casual visitor . Amongst the many other paintings , howovov , I should not omit to call attention to a portrait of the late " Iron Duke , " painted by Count D'Orsay ; the " Miser and his Daughter , " byjMieris ; a portrait of Titian , in water colour ; a moonlit

river scone by P . Pother ; and a grand painting of St . Peters , at Rome , showing the castle of St . Angelo and the bridge spanning the Tiber , which many visitors to tho Crystal Palace would detect as having seen in the picture gallery there a little timo ago . Following my friend to the " upper regions " of his domain , I was shown a fine old river scene , by C . Moreland , which is hung near to

" Tho Farrier , " by tho samo celebrated artist , —a very grand pair of largo paintings , which were formerly hung in Greenwich Hospital ; a grand landscape , by nobbema , setting forth the dense labyrinths of a forest , with tho river meandering through it . A couple of well , executed paintings , by Course , representing Falstaff bragging of his fight with tho men in buckram , and Sir John vindicating Bardolf ' s

nose . Near this is ono of Nieman ' s winter scenes—Colliers off Northflect ; some exquisite enamels , by Tideman ; old views of Greenwich aud Chelsea Hospitals , by Samuel Scott , —the antiquity of which is indicated by the character of tho shipping on tho river j together with a host of smaller paintings , all of which possess features of great interest and attraction to the connoisseur . In an

adjoining room , also literally packed with works of art , is a large painting , by Qnintin Matsys , more than threo hundred years old , which , thongh rather painful in its subject , is treated in masterly stylo , and tho pictnro is reputed to bo of great value . A choico painting , by Iteubens , " Susannah and tho Elders , " also finds a place hero ; as also docs a magnificent painting of Our Saviour in the

Agony of the Cross . Amongst tho gems of this department I was shown a unique painting on ivory of Jupiter and Antispa ; and another recumbent figure , by David ; some enrions old paintings on slate ; a horse-racing sketch in tho early reign of George III . ; a beautiful allegorical painting of " Tragedy and Comedy , " by Loutherbourg . dated 1805 ; a portrait , by Drnmmond , of Mr . Moody in tho

character of Jobson , in tho farce of " Tho Devil to Pay , played at tho King ' s Theatre , Haymarkefc , 1793 ; a large painting of " The Storm in Harvest , " by Westall ; landscape by C . Morland ; " Believing tho Poor , " by Wheatley ; a rough sea scene , by Musin ; and a large sketch of tho offing outsideOstend harbour , with shipping making for the haven before a portending squall . There is also an original painting , by

Snyder , "The Fish Market , " engravings from which may be familiar to your readers ; a sea scene , by Taylor ; a moonlight sketch , painted in the last century , by J . W . Smith ; one or two suggestive pain tings , by W . Etty ; " King Solomon ' s Judgment , " by Reubens ; and very many others . I havo only time to glance cursorily at the many objects of interest

which , if described in detail , would occupy a huge volume , but may incidentally mention that among the curiosities may bo found several boxes made from the timbers of tho Old Victory and the Royal George ; tho infant ' s cap , shoes , aud shirt worn by tho Prince of A Vales ; a slice of the Princess Royal ' s wedding eako ; broad and potato taken from the Queen's table ; the stage jewels worn by Mr 3 .

Siddons , the actress ; several nuggets of Australian gold ; a profuse variety of shells , classified ; George III . ' s Prayer-book , presented to Mr . Massingham's father , in 1789 ; almanacs , dated 1750-1 , from George III . ' s library ; a lock of Edmund Kean ' shair ; model of the old Lyceum Theatre , burnt in Feb . 1830 ; enrions old antique jewels ; Indian silks and filagree ; medallions of the English aud French kin" \ s ;

Garrick ' s sword , used by the celebrated actor in his last performance in tho character of Bon Felix in " The Wonder , " at Driiry Lane , and presented by him to Tom King , who played the part of Lissanlo on that occasion ; autograph letters from kings , statesmen , aud authors of celebrity ; and a host of models , relics , and curiosities , as the auctioneers would say , "too numerous to mention . "

I hesitate to speak of Mr . Massingham ' s collection of theatrical relics aud mementos , farther than to say it is the most extensivo and marvellons in tho world . He has a whole library of scrap books and albums containing information , " complimentary orders , " playbills , and autographs , portraits & c , of all the cm incnt actors and actresses , from the time of Garrick , and oven of an earlier date ; and these are so

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