The following extract from the account of Magdalen College Chapel, (vol. i. p. 213.) will have an interest with every reader. "In this elegant chapel. the original style of building still predominates, but in the screen and pannelling, pat up about the year 1740, which last covers the east wall, formerly of great beauty, we have those Grecian orna ments which were generally adopted in the seventeenth and eighteenth cen. turies. The body is enlightened by ten windows, painted with figures of the apostles, fathers, saints, &c. in claro obscuro. The west window, containing the last judgment, was executed after a design of Christopher Schwarts, ori. ginally prepared for the wife of Wilham, Duke of Bavaria, as appears by a print engraved by one of the Sade lers. After being damaged by the high wind in 1703, it was restored in 1794 by Egginton to its pristine beauty. Eight of the lateral windows were removed from the ante-chapel in 1741, and two new ones next the altar added by the younger Price, who died in 1765. The eight fine windows now in the ante-chapel, put up in 1797, were executed from designs of Egginton, and are filled with the college arms, scripture history, and portraits of St. John Baptist, St. Mary Magdalen, Kings Henry III. and VI. the founders of Magdalen, New College, Corpus Christi, and Cardinal College, now Christ Church, the two last of whom had been fellows of this college, admirably drawn and coloured. The present altar was constructed in 1740, and corresponds with the modern alterations in the interior of this chapel. The altar-piece by Fuller, representing the last judgment, has not been fortunate in attracting universal admiration. As an imitation of Michael Angelo, it falls far short of the sublime, although sometimes wild imagination of that great artist; nor is the colouring harmonious, or natural. Some of the figures, however, are correctly drawn; and he has at least imitated the temper of Michael Angelo with success, in introducing, among the damned, the portrait of an høstler at the Greyhound Inn, near the college, who had offended him; Mr. Addison has honoured Fuller's painting with an elegant Latin poem, in which he seems to praise the genius that ought to have predominated in such a subject. Thus painting was placed here about the year 1630. "Underneath is a noble picture of our Saviour bearing his cross, which was long supposed to have been painted by Guido, or in the opinion of Mr.. Byres of Rome, a very competent judge, by Ludovico Caracci; but it is now given to Moralez, styled El Di vino, a Spanish artist who flourished in the sixteenth century, and whose works are rare in this country. Sher. win's beautiful print from it is well known, and Egginton made a copy for the east window of the church of Wanstead in Essex. It remains to be added that this picture was brought from Vigo in 1702, by the last Duke of Ormond, and afterwards fell into the hands of William Freeman, Esq. of Hamels in Hertfordshire, who gave it to the College. He gave also a new organ, and was in other respects a considerable benefactor." Christ Church occupies a larger portion of letter press than any college in the second volume. The account opens with the following reflections on Wolsey's biography. "An impartial life of Cardinal Wol. sey, who was, in its first stage at least, the undoubted founder of this magnificent establishment, is still a desideratum in English biography. Cavendish is minute and interesting in what he relates of the Cardinal's domestic history, but defective in dates and arrangement, and not altogether free from partiality, which,however, in one so near to the Cardinal may perhaps be pardoned. Fiddes is elaborate, argumentative, and, upon the whole, useful as an extensive collector of facts and authorities; but he wrote for a special purpose, and has attempted, what no man can effect, a portrait of his hero free from use vices and failings of which it is impossible to acquit him. Grove, with all the aid of Cavendish, Fiddes, and even Shakspeare, whose drama he regularly presses into the service, is a heavy and injudicious compiler, although he gives so much of the Cardinal's contemporaries, that his volumes may be consulted with advantage as a series of general annals of the time. But Cavendish, on whom all who have written ou the actions of Wolsey, especially our modern historians, have relied, has been the innocent cause of some of their principal erro.5. Cavendish's work renamed remained in manuscript, of which several copies are still extant, until the civil wars, when it was first printed under the title of "The Negociations of Thomas Wolsey, &c. 4to. 1641." and the chief object of the publication was a parallel between the Cardinal and Archbishop Laud, in order to reconcile the public to the murder of that Prelate. That this object might be the better accomplished, the manuscript was mutilated and interpolated without shame or scruple, and no pains having been taken to compare the printed edition with the original, the former passed for genuine above a century; nor until within these few months has the work been presented to the public as the author left it*.” The facts of Wolsey's life are thrown together by Mr. Chalmers with great compactness. The Cardinal's intimacy with Erasmus is touched with the pen of a master. "It is yet more in proof," Mr. Chalmers says, "having been of the most liberal kind, and accompanied with a corresponding liberality of sen. timent, that he became acquainted with Erasmus, then at Oxford, and joined that illustrious scholar in pro. moting classical studies, which were peculiarly obnoxious to the bigotry of the times. The letters which passed between Wolsey and Erasmus for some years imply mutual respect and union of sentiment in all matters in which literature was concerned; and their love of learning and contempt for the monks, although this last was excited by different motives, were points in which we perceive no great disagree continued ment. Yet, as Erasmus to live the life of a mere scholar, precarious and dependent, and Wolsey was rapidly advancing to rank and honours, too many and too high for a subject, a distance was placed between them which Wolsey would not shorten and Erasmus could not pass. Hence, while a courteous familiarity was preBerved in Wolsey's correspondence, Erasmus could not help betraying the feelings of a client who has received little more than promises from his patron; and when Wolsey fell from his high state, Erasmus joined in the opinion that he was unworthy of it. For this he is severely censured by Fiddes, and ably defended by Jortin." * In Dr. Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical Biography, Vol. I. To go farther into the history of the different colleges here, would be superfluous. The accounts of all are written with the same care, and proper compression. At the close we have the history of the principal public buildings attached to the university. The schools, with the Bodleian Library the Theatre-the Ashmolean Museum--the Clarendon Printing-House -the Radcliffe Library-the Observatory-the Physic Garden-and St. Mary's, or the University Church. After enumerating the exertions of Sir Thomas Bodley in restoring, or rather re-founding the public library of the University in 1597, Mr. Chalmers proceeds to notice the numerous additions to its contents by other persons as well during the founder's life as afterward. "It would require a volume," he observes, "to enumerate the many important additions made to this library by its numerous benefactors, or to give even a superficial sketch of its ample contents in every branch of science. Among the carliest benefac tors were, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex; Thomas Sackville, Lord Buck· hurst and Earl of Dorset; Robert Sidney, Lord Sidney of Penshurst: Vicount Lisle and Earl of Leicester; George Carey, Lord Hunsdon; Wil liam Gent, Esq.; Anthony Browne, Viscount Montacute; John Lord Lumly; Philip Scudamore, of London, Esq. and Laurence Bodley, younger brother to the founder. All these contributions were made before the year 1600. la 1601, collections of books and manuscripts were presented by Thomas Allen, some time fellow of Trinity College; Thomas James, first librarian; Herbert Westphaling, Bishop of Hereford; Sir John Fortesque, Knt.; Alexander Nowell, Dean of St. Paul's; John Crooke. Recorder of London, and Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; and Nicholas Bond, D.D. President of Magdalen College. The most extensive and prominent collec tions, however, are those of the Earl of Pembroke, Mc. Selden, Archbishop Laud, Sir Thomas Roe, Sir Kenelm Digby, General Fairfax, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Barlow, Dr. Rawlinson, Mr. N. Amand, Dr. Tanner, Mr. Willis, T. Hearne, aud Mr. Godwin. The last collection bequeathed, that of the late eminent and learned antiquary, Richard Gough Gough, Esq. is perhaps the most perfect series of topographical science ever formed, and is particularly rich in topographical manuscripts, prints, draw ings, and books illustrated by the manuscript notes of eminent antiquaries." Among the more beautiful of the embellishments we cannot forbear noticing the view of Oxford prefixed to the first volume, with the engrav ings of Oriel College, Lincoln, AllSouls, the old Gate Magdalen College, Brase Nose, Corpus Christi, Christ Church Cathedral, Hall, and Hall Stair-Case, Hertford College Chapel, and Radcliffe's Library, and St. Mary's Church. Another work to which the commendation of the reader cannot be refused is the "Trip to Coutham, a Watering Place in the North Extremity of Yorkshire," by W. HuUTTON, F. A. S. a veteran antiquary, now at the age of eighty-five. The route is from Alfreton, by Barnsly, Wakefield, Leeds, Harewood, Ripley, Ripon, Northallerton and Stokesley; and is enlivened by numerous episodes. Coa tham, we find, though not supplied with all the amusements which are found at watering places nearer the metropolis, has still its "little modern circulating library," and expects to advance in these refinements with the credit of the spot. The volume is accompanied by a portrait of the author, a map of Cleveland, and three other engravings. But the most splendid of all the works which have appeared is "The History of Ancient Wiltshire,” by Sir RICHARD COLT HOARF, Bart. Part I. It is somewhat singular, Sir Richard Hoare observes, that amongst our numerous writers on the subject of English topography, no one should have employed his pen in the description of Wiltshire; and that a county so abundant in British and Roman antiquities, and so interesting in a more modern point of view,should have been so very imperfectly illustrated; for if we except the writings of Dr. Stukely and others on our celebrated temples at Abury and Stonehenge, nothing important has been added to the ample store of county history which our topographical libraries have collected. Sir Richard Hoare's present researches commence with the earliest period of British history, and are to terminate with the Roman era. In his arrangement he divides the county of Wilts into different stations, from which as from head quarters he makes as many digressions as distance and time will allow of for one day; and in naming them he anglicizes a Latin word and calls them Iters. The following is the list of stations proposed. 1. Stourton. 2. Warminster. 3. Hey tesbury. 4. Wily. 5. Amesbury. 6. Everly. 7. Salisbury. 8. Fovant. 9. Hendon. Of these the first three, only, are comprised in the present part. In an introduction which follows the preface, Sir Richard Hoare makes some general observations on the early population of the western parts of Europe. He concludes them with remarking that at the period when Julius Cæsar wrote his Commentaries Gaul was divided into three parts, of which the Belga inhabited one, the Aqui tani another, and a people called in their own language Celle, and in ours Galli, the third. The Celta were separated from the Aquitani by the river Garonne, and from the Belge by the Marne and Seine. These all differed from each other in their language, customs and laws. "But in the time of the Greek historian Polybius who was born a century before Cæsar, the country near Narbonne, which was afterwards included within the limits of Aquitania, was inhabited by Celtæ, Narboni vicina (ellæ habitant, et inde ad montes quos dicunt Pyrenæos.' Thus we see the province of Aquitania inhabited by Celtic tribes, scarcely more than a century before the time when Cæsar allots it to the Aquitani." The population of Britain in its origin, Sir Richard Hoare, of course, ascribes to the neighbouring continent of Gaul. He enters pretty minutely into the history, as far as it is authentically detailed of the Cassiterides, or Scilly Islands, and affords abundaut proof that a very extensive commerce was carried on with them first by the Phenicians, secondly by the Romans, and thirdly by the inhabitants of Gaul, With respect to the precise era of the first colonization of Britain, Sir Richard Hoare acknowledges we have no certain data. Richard of Cirencester indeed places it about the year of the world 3000, and adds that the Belge arrived in the year 3650; but Cæsar's is the first testimony which places places our history on any thing like a solid foundation. From Cæsar and Tacitus Sir Richard Hoare gives the more interesting particulars concerning the way of life and habits of the Britons: assimilating the testimonies of the historians to the apparent traces of those Britons who resided upon the Wiltshire downs. "In treating of their towns and tumuli," he ob. serves, “ I shall have an opportunity of marking the strong resemblance between them and the Feuni” (of Tacitus.) The numerous and diversified mausolea of their dead, are every where apparent on the high grounds throughout England; but the habitations of the living have hitherto escaped unnoticed, and their discovery and investigation have, fortunately, been reserved for us. To the learned Dr. Stukely we are much indebted for mauy interesting particulars respect ing the stone temples at Abury and Stonehenge; but practical experience has shewn us in how imperfect and unsatisfactory a manner his researches on barrows were conducted. He has said but little on the fortresses and earthen works of the Britons, and the sites and remains of their towns have totally escaped his observation. These will form a very prominent feature in my work, and must naturally excite the curiosity of the historian, and of every lover of antiquity. To the general eye of observation, our Wiltshire downs appear as unin. teresting as the moors in Yorkshire, or the fens in Lincolnshire: bleak, desolate, and shelterless; and affording only a scanty subsistence to the nu merous flocks that are pastured on them: yet on these apparently barren and uninteresting spots we find the traces of an extensive Eritish and Roman population; and the modern agriculturist confesses the superior excellence of those districts heretofore inhabited, and which are still decidedly marked by a ve.dant and more fertile soil." Sir Richard Hoare next proceeds to some apropriate remarks on earthen works, (in the form of camps, circles, and ditches,) and Tumuli or Burrows ; and that a correct idea may be formed of these last he has thought proper to describe them by a series of engravings taken from existing specimens in the neighbourhood of stonehenge; representing, 1. The Long Barrow. 2. The Bowl Barrow. 3. The Bell Barrow. 4. The Druid Barrow. 5. Druid Bar. row, second class. 6. The Pond Barrow. 7.The Twin Barrow. 8. The Cone Barrow. 9. The Broad Barrow: with varieties of the Long and Druid Barrows. "The nature of our Barrows,* he adds, “having been hitherto so very imperfectly described, I have thought it necessary to enter rather minulely into the subject. Many of my readers will be astonished to see so great a variety of design in the sepulchral memorials of the Ancient Britons: and will regret, with me, that their history cannot be more satisfactorily ascertained. In the engravings, I have marked the decided forms, and the most prominent varieties, but many more of the latter might have been given." On the most antient modes of burial it is hardly necessary to follow Sir Richard Hoare here. The reader will find his remarks those of a sound antiquary, who relies for information on facts and the testimonies of historians. "My present researches," he says at the close of the introduction, “ will be confined to my own county; though it is both my wish and intention to trace at some future period, the connection between the Wiltshire tumuli and those of other counties. By in. vestigating the barrows in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and by extending our enquiries to the opposite shores of Britanny and Normandy, much real information might be gained, and we might then hope by the assistance of our spades and pick-axes to ascertain many important facts, and to prove with some degree of certainly, the original colonization of our island." On ST0URTON and its neighbourhood Sir Richard Hoare makes a few remarks, and affords some curious information on the singular excavations called Pen-Pitts. Having in his mist Iter from this station, mentioned the detached objects of antiquity in its immediate neighbourhood, he enters upon the wide and connected range of chalk-hills which extend across Wiltshire into the counties of Hants and Dorse; more particularly noticing the barrows on Jackheath, Chorunge, and Keesley Bowns. Many of these appear to have been opened and examined no longer ago than 1807. Remnants of a similar kind form the principal discoveries in the third iter. The The iter from WARMINSTER, the second station, are four in number. The second illustration of Brattou Castle, contains a curious account of the battle of Eddington fought in the year 878 between King Alfred and the Danes. HEYTESBURY, the third station, has also four iters diverging from it. We should be very glad would our limits allow a more explicit detail of the contents of " Antient Wiltshire;" especially as it is so rich in original information. The plates adorning it, which are both numerous and well executed, refer principally to the contents of tumult and antient encampments. CHEMISTRY. "Rudiments of Chemical Philoso"phy in which the first Principles of "that useful and entertaining Science are familiarly explained and illus"trated by N. MEREDITH," is the only work on this subject which we have to notice. It is neatly and perspicuously written, and will be found a useful inauual for those who are entering on the study of chemistry. MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c. Vaccination is still a subject canvassed in pamphlets. "A Correspondence with the Board "of the National Vaccine Establish. "ment" and "a Letter in reply to the "Surgeons of the Vaccine Institution, "Edinburgh," by THOMAS BROWN, Surgeon, Mussleburgh, will perhaps be acceptable to the anti-vaccinists. Mr. Brown considers vaccination as a temporary preventive only. “Ă Practical Treatise on Tinea "Capitis Contagiosa and its Cure, with "an Attempt to distinguish this Dis"ease from other Affections of the according to their Origin and Treat"ment; including an Enquiry into "the Nature and Cure of Fungi Hæ"matodes and Nævi Materni. The "whole exemplified by Cases. By "W. COOKE, Surgeon." On the subject of the scald-head Mr. Cooke has taken a review of opinions both ancient and modern, adding the result of personal attention to the disease. The remedies recommended differ but little from those commonly employed; there is only some variation in the mode of applying them.. The plan for the arrangement of cutaneous diseases is judicious. They MONTHLY MAG. No. 208. are distributed into six classes, the first includes "Those appearances which arise from local and contagious diseases of the skin, viz. tinea capites contagiosa, and scabies." 2. Those that are primarily local, and not contagious, and which are supposed to arise from a peculiar and disordered action of the vessels of the skin, viz. the various species of sarcomatous aud cncysted tumours, fungi. hæmatodes, nævi materni, warts, corns, the cutaneous ulcer, and that which has been considered cancerous, or more properly phagedenic. 3. Those that accompany and are characteristic of some constitutional and contagious disease, viz. variola, rubeola, vaccina, scarlatina, varicella,» and syphilis. 4. Those that depend upon morbid, structure, disordered action of some internal organ or surface, upon an acrimonious state of the blood, or upon an increased or diminished strength in the vis vita, which have been generally known under the terms lepra, elephantiasis, alphos, psoriasis, scorbutus, erysipelas, urticasia, miliaria, gutta rosea, crusta lactea, porrigo, herpes, pete.. chiæ, carbunculus, &c. &c. to which. may be added, the state of the skin in gout, acute rheumatism, and jaundice.. 5. Those that are induced by external and simple stimuli, such as incised, lacerated and contased wounds, Lurns, scalds, chilblains, and the bites and stings of various insects and animal.. culæ. 6. Those that are excited by the external and specific stimuli, viz. the bite of a mad dog and rattle snake. "The Considerations respecting the "Expediency of establishing an Hos. "pital for Officers on Foreign Service by "DR. FAULKENER,' deserves the attention of the legislature; they were suggested by the writer's experience during the late occupation of Walcheren. The details of a similar establishment adopted by the French are given in a letter from M. Boudriot. We have also to notice some "Cursory Remarks on Corpulency," by a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. CLASSICAL LITERATURE, The only work that we have to notice in this division of our retrospect at present, is the new and enlarged edition of "Elementa Linguæ Græcæ; novis, 4 R plerumque, |