pected in an Auvergne peasant-girl of the sixteenth century.

Bertrand de la Vigne subsequently plays a very conspicuous part in the book. He is the object of a somewhat unaccountable attachment on the part of Colette's lame aunt, poor Marcelline; and is brother to one of the two martyrs, who, in the course of the tale, suffer for their faith at Le Puy. It is principally through his influence that Colette and her relations become associated with the reformers; and he is also greatly instrumental in making Magdaleine de St. Nectaire, after her great afflic tion, so staunch a friend to the party she had before but weakly served.

There is in our story quite the orthodox proportion of love-affairs. Marcelline is in love with Bertrand de la Vigne, and Colette has two suitors; whilst Colette's elder brother, Christophe, although always the lover of the pretty Gabrielle Grégoire, is no little smitten by the charms of the beautiful and noble Magdeleine de St. Nectaire, who, in her turn, is betrothed to a young gentleman of her own rank,-the handsome Seigneur Guy de Miremont.

Why the book should be called "The good Old Times," considerably puzzles us. Good men there were in the times, grand heroes as ever walked the earth, but it was the very badness of the times-the cruelty, and oppression, and persecutionthat called forth their greatness. No period of history seems to us to merit less the title which the author has given to her book; in fact, the title looks almost like a burlesque, so at variance are all the doings of those terrible days with the ideas we are wont to indulge in of "the good Old Times."

The Ruins of Kenilworth: an Historical Poem. By WILLIAM READER. (London: Dean and Son; and W. Reader, 47, Mariastreet, Hackney-road.)-Mr. Reader's poem will be well received by many. The large stores both of tradition and history connected with the noble ruins of that castle which Sir Walter Scott has set before us in the days of its magnificence, are sure to re-awaken and revive the interest that was originally called into existence by the novel of the Great Unknown." Born in the immediate neighbourhood of the scene and subject of his poem, the author's first impressions of the ruins were deep and vivid, and stimulated him to those prolonged inquiries and thoughts which, in their ultimate accumulation, are now presented to the world. He has evidently laboured long and diligently on a pleasing theme.

We are less disposed to approve of the form of Mr. Reader's work. The mighty

Minstrel himself found his metre pall upon the public ear after the charm of novelty was lost, and no inferior hand should presume upon obtaining more success. His curious stores of knowledge would have been well appreciated-and, if we may judge by the example of the copious notes, well written-in prose; and we are content to hope that his easy versification and accurate rhymes will abate nothing from the popularity which is undoubtedly his due.

Doctor Antonio: a Tale. By the Author of "Lorenzo Benoni." (Edinburgh: Constable and Co. Small 8vo.)-If any of our readers wish to know something of Sicily and Naples, we can recommend this book to them, on the same ground that we would recommend De Foe's "History of the Plague;" for, like that work, "Doctor Antonio" under the garb of fiction gives a more vivid description of real life in Italy than we can get to find elsewhere. If the author be an Italian, he writes marvellously good English-if he be not an Italian, he possesses a marvellous acquaintance with Italy, and has produced a most fascinating work. Our praise must not be confined to the descriptions given of oppressed humanity in that lovely part of the world, but must also extend to the plot, the persons, and the scenery; while to such as delight in horrors, the work will afford as much "amusement" as the defunct "Terrific Register" used in our early days. Lest we should be thought to overrate this latter quality, we will quote the account of a little event which occurred in the year 1836, immediately after the cholera had caused a most dreadful havoc-so dreadful, that it was rumoured the government were poisoning the people:

"Mario Adorno, one of those who bad writhed most violently under the loss of Sicilian independence, took advantage of the prevailing excitement to bring about an insurrectionary movement in Syracuse, where he shortly after proclaimed the constitution. Catania immediately followed the example, raised the Sicilian standard, tore down the statues of the Bourbons, and formed a provisional government. Partial risings also took place in the valley of Messina, and in the small towns adjacent to Palermo, where a belief in the poisoning plot was deeply rooted. Furnished with unlimited sovereign power, and accompanied by a strong body of troops, Del Carretto was sent to Sicily, less to conquer than to reap the fruits of victory, for by the time he landed all revolution was over. In fact, the news of his expedition having reached the Catanians, they, finding themselves unsupported, of their own accord effected a counter-revolution. All those most compromised sought safety in flight, with the exception of Mario Adorno, who was taken and shot. The ab ence of all resistance in no way induced the destroyer of Bosco to forego one cruelty in his power. Courts-martial were established everywhere, and citizens sent by thousands to prison. Several hundreds were con

demned to death, and no less than a hundred underwent the penalty. At Bagheria, a boy of fourteen years of age was shot. Executions took place to the sound of military music. Such, indeed, was the rage for killing, that once, after one of these direful exhibitions, when the corpses were counted over, one more than the appointed number was found."

For these ignoble acts, the "conqueror" was rewarded with the insignia of San Gennaro, while the unfortunate Sicilians lost every trace of the few liberties they before possessed.

The Paragreens on a visit to the Paris Universal Exhibition. By the Author of "Lorenzo Benoni" and "Doctor Antonio." (Edinburgh: Constable and Co. Fcap.8vo.) -We presume that this work is intended to exhibit the versatility of the author's genius, for he is as much at home in the French capital as in Sicily, or even at Eden-lodge, Peckham, whence Mr. Paragreen, wife, son, and three daughters set out for the French Exhibition. How they travelled, how they passed their first night in Paris, how they explored the "Exposition," are each and severally told in the most picturesque manner, with the assistance of Mr. Leech's clever illustrations.

Memoirs of James Hutton; comprising the Annals of his Life, and Connection with the United Brethren. By DANIEL BENHAM. (London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 12mo.)-This is a singularly interesting volume, whether we regard it as the life of a pious, untiring, worthy man, or as a chapter in the history of the eighteenth century, or as the best account yet given of the birth, rise, and progress of the Moravians in England. In any one of these respects, it is well worth read ing; but the special interest of the book is in the description of the early Moravians, their primitive manners, and their undoubted piety.

Mr. Hutton was born in 1715, and, by the mother's side, was third cousin of Sir Isaac Newton; he was educated at Westminster School, apprenticed to a bookseller, and was afterwards in business for himself;-was awakened by John Wesley, in 1738 formed an acquaintance with the United Brethren, and continued in communion with them up to the time of his death, in 1795. All the particulars of this very interesting life are fully detailed by Mr. Benham, who has spent some years in preparing materials for the book. We

should also mention that it has an excellent index, which is almost always the sign of a painstaking author or editor.

Plain Sermons preached to a Country Congregation. By the Rev. J. J. BLUNT, D.D. (London: John Murray. 8vo.)The greater part of the so-called plain sermons which come before our notice, are thought, are frequently without any plan the reverse of plain; containing but little or system, and have nothing to attract: but the sermons contained in this volume are really plain, thoughtful discourses, which may be easily understood by illiterate persons, such as are usually found in country congregations. They were preached in the village church of Great Oakley, in Essex, of which parish the late learned professor was rector, and are now printed from his manuscript, without any but merely verbal alterations. As models to young clergymen called to serve in country parishes, they will be invaluable.

We are sorry to find that The Midland Counties Historical Collector, which has been published monthly, at Leicester, during the last eighteen months, is about to cease, for want of sufficient encouragement. It has not only reported the proceedings of several local archæological societies, but has also diffused the know. ledge of many interesting and valuable historical documents, some of which have been published for the first time, and others have been derived from rare books. We regret that the antiquaries of the midland counties should lose such a medium of intercommunication; but we learn at the same time that, at a recent meeting of the Leicestershire Architectural and Archæological Society, it was proposed that that association should in future withdraw from its present connexion with the joint publication of the Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, and other Architectural Societies, and print annually a volume of their own papers and proceedings. If this should result in an annual volume equal in character and importance to that of the Sussex society, the cause of archæology in the midland districts will be materially advanced; and we know that there are Mr. Thompson, the Leicester historian, and many fellowlabourers well qualified to fill such a volume. We have not recently heard what progress Mr. Potter has made with his projected History of Leicestershire.

once growing there. Mr. Gibson had caused the ground here to be trenched, in the course of which several fragments of Norman sculpture had been found. One of these fragments has a rude head of the Saviour bearing His cross. The arrowhead exhibited was probably not earlier than the fifteenth century, but the coin was evidently an early attempt of our Anglo-Saxon forefathers at a stamped money. The obverse bears a diademed head, imitated from the Roman coins after the days of Constantine; a cross before it in the field. The reverse has a figure standing, in a long habit, holding in each hand a staff surmounted by a cross. Many analogous coins are without the Christian symbol, but many of them bear types which appear to indicate that they were struck after the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. They are, for the most part, found in the district once forming the heptarchic division, Mercia, and were probably issued by royal authority, under the superintendence of some prelates.

Mr. J. Jackson Howard communicated an account by Mr. Ventress, of Newcastleupon-Tyne, of the Bells in the tower of St. Nicholas in that town.

Mr. Hunter read "Notices of the old Clockard or Bell-tower of the Palace of Westminster." The erection of this tower, and the placing in it, not one, but three bells, was the work of Edward the Third, when he made extensive repairs and improvements in the palace, which in his reign, and long before and after, was the residence of royalty. It was considered an appurtenance to the chapel of St. Stephen. Stow gives a vague account of this tower, and does not describe its precise situation. The bells were said to weigh 30,000lbs., but when taken down the whole three were found to weigh less than 20,000lbs. The tower was built in 1365-6, the 39th and 40th year of Edward the Third. The surveyor of the king's works was William Slaford, and from his accounts Mr. Hunter has extracted many interesting items, The expense of the clock and bells is, however, not given; nor have we anything respecting them until the reign of Henry the Sixth, when Thomas Clockmaker received for his salary, for keeping the clock and bells in a state of efficiency, 13s. 4d. a-year.

pressions from a seal appended to a grant from Matilda, relict of Simon Traunceys, citizen of London, dated 33rd Edw. III., bearing a shield charged with a chevron between 3 billets impaling a saltire between 4 crosses crossletts: legend

SIGILLVM MATILDE TRAVNCEYS.

As the saltire is given by heraldic writers to the family of Traunceys, Mr. Howard thinks it probable that the engraver of the die may have reversed the coat.

Mr. G. R. Corner then read a paper on the remains of an Anglo-Norman building formerly existing in the parish of St. Olave, Southwark, supposed to have been the Prior of Lewes' hostelry; with reference to a paper by the late John Gage Rokewood, Esq., Director of the Society, in Archæologia, vol. xxiii. p. 299, and to another paper by C. E. Gwilt, Esq., in Archæologia, vol. xxv. p. 604.

Mr. Corner submitted to the Society copies of two letters patent, of 12th Hen. VIII. and 1st Edw. VI.; the latter being a confirmation of the first, whereby licence was granted to Richard Panell and three others, to convey to James Denton Clerk, rector of the parish of St. Olave, and his successors, a messuage, two workshops, and a certain parcel of land, in the parish of St. Olave the King, adjoining to the house of the Prior and convent of Lewes towards the east and south; part thereof for the purpose of a churchyard, and to apply the rents and profits of the residue for repairing and adorning the parish church of St. Olave.

The house conveyed to the parish by virtue of those licences was used by the parish for a vestry-hall; and the free school of the parish was afterwards established and held there; and the land was converted into a churchyard, called the Flemish Churchyard. The crypt described by Mr. Gage Rokewood was under the vestry-hall and school, in Churchyard-alley; and the crypt described by Mr. Gwilt was somewhat to the south-east of it, in Walnut-tree-court, at the end of a lane called Carter-lane; where, Stow says, the hostelry of the prior of Lewes was situated, and where, in his time, was an inn, which had for its sign the Walnut-tree. From those documents and other corroborative evidence, Mr. Corner inferred that the crypt described by Mr. Gage Rokewood was not

The Rev. J. Pemberton Bartlett, local secretary for Hampshire, exhibited two bronze celts and a bronze spear-head of the ordinary types, found in Ireland.

Mr. J. Jackson Howard exhibited im.

that the vaulted chamber described by Mr. Gwilt was part of that edifice. And from the evidence afforded by entries in the parish books, it appeared that the vestry-hall and schoolhouse had been called Jesus'-house, and belonged to a brother

hood or religious guild of Jesus, founded in St. Olave's Church at some period, and existing there until the Reformation; of which fraternity Richard Panel and the other conveying parties were probably the wardens and assistants. As to the original purpose of the building, Mr. Corner conjectures that it might possibly have been the Guild or Town Hall of the ancient vill or town of Southwark, now called the guildable manor, granted to the Corporation of London by King Edward III.; the boundary of which ran on the south side of the Prior of Lewes' house: and from certain deeds relating to the parish property, dating back from 9th Henry IV., it appeared that there was a house in St. Olave's called the Gate-house, probably the building in question, which stood as nearly as possible in a line from the original London-bridge, crossing the Thames, as it did, somewhat lower than the last bridge, erected in the reign of King John, viz. from Botolph's Wharf to the Bridgeyard; and if the original High-street of Southwark was continued from the bridge southward, the building in question would have stood at the gate of the town. The paper was illustrated by a map of the guildable manor, or ancient town of Southwark, shewing the boundary, and the sites of the house of the Prior of Lewes and of Jesus'-house, and the other localities referred to.

Dec. 18. Joseph Hunter, Esq., V.-P., in the chair.

Richard Meeson, Esq., of Grays, Essex, Mr. John James, of Bradford, Yorkshire, and the Rev. William Calvert, rector of St. Antholin's and one of the minor canons of St. Paul's, were elected Fellows.

Frederic Ouvry, Esq., Treasurer, exhibited and read descriptions by W. S. Walford, Esq., of two instruments for the addition of four priests to the college of Wimborne Minster, of the date 1355. One of these documents bore the following seals, appended by silk cords, alternately red and green: viz. the seals of Robert Wyvill, Bishop of Salisbury; the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury; Richard Bury, rector of Shapwick; those of three of the canons, and that of the Sacristan. To the other was appended the seal of Hugh Pelegrini, Treasurer of the Church of Lichfield, and Nuncio of the Pope and Apostolic See in England. The addition of these four priests has been sometimes confounded with the foundation of Brembra's Chantry. Under Shapwick, Hutchins speaks of the church as having been appropriated to Brembra's Chantry in 1354; but these instruments clear up the obscurity in which the sub

ject has hitherto been involved. The Secre tary read a communication from Sir Henry Ellis, Director, addressed to the President, introducing the narrative of Sir William Swan, the English minister at Hamburg in 1678. It appears to have been, in those days, the practice of foreign princes who had been admitted to the Order of the Garter, to celebrate St. George's-Day with a fête. Sir W. Swan was invited to Dresden, and entertained at the court of the Elector, when the fête was celebrated with unusual splendour: 28,000 rockets contributed to heighten the effect; some of them were upwards of 200lbs. weight. They had been kept for an extraordinary occasion for twenty years; the Elector having, as he informed Sir W. Swan, made the greater part of them himself! The fête concluded with an oration in high Dutch, delivered by the Vice-Chancellor Von Oppeln, in praise of the Garter, beginning and ending with the time-honoured motto,HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE." The meetings of the Society were adjourned over the Christmas recess, to Thursday, January the 8th.

ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.

Dec. 5. John M. Kemble, Esq., in the chair.

Mr. J. Le Keux gave an account of recent discoveries at Sherborne Abbey Church, by which the remains of the ladychapel, the position of which was previously unknown, have been brought to light in the course of the work of restoration now in progress, through the munificent donation by Mr. Wingfield, the present possessor of Sherborne Castle. The lady-chapel appears to have been a structure beautiful in its proportions and details: it was probably destroyed when the great changes in the fabric took place, early in the fifteenth century. The arched entrance, of fine architectural character, was blocked up, and the lady-chapel converted to some secular uses: at the present time it forms part of the residence of the head-master of the King's School, the lower part being wainscoted, so that all remains of the original arrangement of the building are concealed; but fortunately, in the upper chambers the groining, Purbeck shafts, capitals of columns, and other elaborate details, which shew traces of polychrome decoration, remain visible. The rooms are actually dormitories for the servants, and the finely sculptured foliage has been rudely broken away to allow the bedsteads to fit in more closely. Part of the chapel had been demolished, but the foundations have been traced, and Mr. Le Keux