abbatum Monasterii Sancti Albani usque Dominum Hugonem Abbatem ibm' cum quodam processu in consistorio Eborac' de Ecclesiis Monasterii Sancti Albani, De studio et prioratui de Tynemutha pertinentibus. Domini Abbatis. (In another hand) De exercitu Walliæ.

Breviarium secundum usum Ecclesiæ cujusdam Cathedralis in Scotia, ut videtur; a small thick volume of 349 leaves of vellum in the original oaken boards, somewhat gnawed by mice. The use of this MS. is not recognized, but it appears to have belonged to a church which had a bishop and a dean, an altar of the apostles, one of St. Stephen and one of St. Thomas of Canterbury. The Kalendar contains the names of many Scottish saints; and against 17th of May is written, "Conflictus

66

brechin, anno domini 1452;" against the 7th of June, by the same hand, "Coronacio jacobi primi apud Sconam "in die dominica anno domini Mccccxxiiij." This deeply interesting volume has been noticed by the Bishop of Brechin in his recently published work (Kalendars of Scottish Saints, &c.)

The Holy Gospels in Greek. An 18mo. MS. in 2 vols., of the early part of the 13th century, containing the Epistle of Eusebius to Carpianus, and the Canons of the four Gospels. In the first volume there is this note in a modern hand:-" Ex libris Jacobi Verschoyle," and on the last leaf of the second vol. the name Jo. Jones,' in handwriting of an older date. This MS. was bought for Lord Bute at the sale of the late Marquis of Hastings' library.

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An exposition in English verse of the Gospels from the 1st Sunday in Advent to the 25th after Trinity. An octavo MS. of the 14th century, on 160 leaves of vellum. In the Narratio de quodam usurario, a quarter of wheat is mentioned as being sold for five shillings. On a paper leaf at the beginning is written, "This Book is the property of the Rev. Thomas Fisher, rector of Little Torrington, July 22, 1768."

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usum

Hora Beatæ Mariæ Virginis, secundum Ecclesiæ Sarisburiensis: a fragment of a fine small 4to. MS. of English execution, about the 14th century. On the last page there is the rare introduction of English words in the Latin text.-" Jhu Mercy, Jhu Mercy, Jhu ladi sone Seynt Mari mercy, Jhu saviour of alle ye worlde mercy." On a leaf at the commencement in modern handwriting is the name " Whit. Bulstrode," and in handwriting of the 17th century, "Rogerus Grenewill est novus possessor hujus libri.'

Hora Beatæ Mariæ Virginis,-a small quarto of French execution on vellum, with miniatures and floriated borders.

Hora Beatæ Mariæ Virginis,- -a small quarto in vellum of the beginning of the 16th century, and of Flemish execution.

Manuale precum ad usum Fratrum et Sororum Monasterii Syonensis. A quarto volume on vellum, containing 42 leaves. Two others are wanting. In the commemorations of Founders and Benefactors the names specially mentioned are those of Richard, Duke of York, and his wife Cecilye, Henry V. and Edward IV., and their Queens, Sir Henry Fitzhugh and Sir Thomas Fisshborn. The directions for the prayers for the sick and dying, and for commemorations, are in English, and written in red letters.

In addition to these Church MSS., Mr. J. Godwin, Lord Bute's librarian, has favoured me with a note of three others in Lord Bute's library at Cardiff. They are

1. Missale Romanum,-a French MS. of the 15th century, on 700 pages of vellum, illuminated throughout with initial letters in gold and colours, 9 initial miniatures, and two full page paintings. In the Calendar appears the name Gulielmus Bitaricensis Archiepisco"pus," and at the end there is a special service in commemoration of St. Robert, founder of the Cistercian order. As Saint William of Bourges belonged to this order, it is not improbable that the volume was executed for a Cistercian monastery in that diocese. It is bound in blue morocco, and is in a beautiful state of preservation.

2. Missale secundum usum Sanctæ Ecclesiæ Aquensis. A folio MS. on 870 pages of vellum, bound in morocco, From a colophon at the end it appears that the volume was presented to the Cathedral of Aix-la-Chapelle by Dr. John Martin in 1466. It is a monument of mediæval art, painted in the Low Countries in the style and at the period of Hemling, and not unworthy of his hand. At the commencement of the canon of the mass are two exquisite miniatures occupying the entire pages. That on the left represents the First Person of the Trinity seated, the left hand resting on a globe, the right raised in the act of blessing; at the corners the emblems of

the four evangelists. The opposite page presents a painting of the Crucifixion with Saint John and the Blessed Virgin at the foot of the cross. Both paintings are surrounded by a rich ornamental border. The Canon is also enriched with three miniatures representing the Elevation of the Host, the Elevation of the Chalice, and the Crucifixion. There are twenty-five smaller miniatures forming the larger initial letters, and the first page is a fine specimen of illuminated work.

3. Liber obitus Doma Habtreholme et Tyrwhitt in Com. Ebor. A MS. on vellum of the early part of the 16th century, with the litanies of the churches of York and Sarum. The arms of the families, for a member of whom the volume was executed, are illuminated throughout. MSS. of this class are of the rarest occurrence, especially when connected with the province of York.

A folio of 213 leaves of vellum in the old oak boards covered somewhat recently with calf leather and comprising two MSS :

1. The book of the Fraternity or Gild of the Holy Trinity of Luton in Bedfordshire, containing the annual accounts of the Masters and Wardens of the House from 19 Hen. VIII. to the feast of St. Michael next after the accession of King Edward VI.

2. A MS. entitled on the last page of the previous MS., "Heare followeth the Courte Rolls of the Mannor of "Luton from the xth yeare of Edward the 4th to the "5th & 6th of the Raigne of Kynge Phillipe & Queene

66

Marye." This heading is substantially repeated on the 1st page of the second MS. with the addition "to the "first of Elizabeth." There is only one roll belonging to the reign of Edw. IV., two to Henry VII. and there are a few during the early part of Henry VIII., but from the 25 of Henry VIII. the series appears to be nearly if not quite complete, and is of considerable interest with reference to the history and topography of Luton and its hamlets. The rolls comprise lists of homagers, presentments, admissions, &c., chiefly in Latin but with an occasional mixture of English. Now and then we meet with a quaint entry:-Juratores predicti volunt quod servi adulti istius parochie non debent ludere ad troculas et ad discos sub pena incarserationis in cippis per spatium unius diei et noctis.

The Book of the Fraternity or Gild of the Holy Trinity is an especially interesting MS. as throwing light on the history of prices and wages, and the magnificence of the feasts of our ancestors. The book is writter in English in ordinary hands of the former half of the 16th century, and the accounts are arranged under the following heads :-Receipts; Payments; Allowances to the Wardens for wages, Masses, &c. ; stondyng Dyrges, Dyrges of Casweltes, Expensis at the ffest; miscellaneous items; Payments; Reparacions. At the end of each year the accounts are balanced and the surplus entered thus. (Folio 9):

"All thyngs content and payd. Left styll in the Box "lxiijiij-viijd ob."

Then follows a memorandum of the goods handed over by the outgoing wardens to their successors.

The heading "Payments occurs twice in the yearly account. The first entry under this head relates to "The owt Rentys," or rents paid by the fraternity for lands held by them, of which the yearly average is about 358. The second includes items which throw an interesting light on the history of the guild and the ritual and ancient state of Luton Church. For example :— Item payd to ij lernyd men of the law' for our charter over seyng at London and for Thomas Manynham costes. Fo. 7.

Item payd for pentynge of the clothe before the trinite and the frynge and the settynge up therof.

iiij. iiij.

visl. vid.

Item payd for a boke at London to wryte} ij".

the constiticeones in. Item payd for the constitecions wrytynge bowthe in Englis and Laten. Item payd for mendynge of the awter

iiij.

clothe of the brother auter. Fo. 24. Item payd for wryttyng of a cowpy of the olde charter.

Item to Wyllyam Barbour for makyng of the trenyte lyght and the Standarttes ageynst the brotherhed day.

Item for keveryng of the Register*
Item payd for an awter clothe ij. ells and
di in lenght and the makyng therof.
Fo. 87.

Item payd for hollooyng of the same clothe.

Item payd for harnes for a sogear. Fo.

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ij $1.

vi".

ij".

ix.

xijd.

viij d.

xviij.

xx d

xxiij d.

ij a.

via.

156b. Item payd to the same sogear in money ij. via. Under the heading Allowances to Wardens," a year's payment for "Jhu's masse & our lade masse is set down at 8s. (folio 72 b); and under "Stondyng Dyrges," or payments for the annual dirges of benefactors, in respect of houses and lands, there are such entries as the following;- Payd for John Attwell's dyrge for the howse that Thomas Wye holdys—ij. vij. "Item for Syr Joh'n Lamberts d. p'st for iiij acres of "land in Maynden feld-ij". ixd." (folio 62 b). "Dyrges "of Casweltes," or payment for dyrges of persons apparently recently deceased, vary from 2s. 1d. to 2s. 7d. It is unnecessary to point out the genealogical value of such entries.

To the

dum:-" Xchurch Hants, August 24, 1780. "Right Honble the Earl of Bute, with Gustavus "Brander's most respectful compliments."

Registerium sive liber fundatorum magistrorum custodum fratrum et sororum fraternitatis sive gilde sancte et individue Trinitatis ac beatissime virginis Marie ecclesie perochialis de luyton in com. Bedford. A small folio MS., embracing the period from 1475 to 1546, written in bold black letter by various hands during the latter part of the 15th century, and the first half of the 16th, and illustrated with numerous illuminations, which exhibit the progress of this department of art during the 70 years over which the register extends.

It is the same MS. of which mention is made in the Book of the Fraternity, but its present binding of olive green morocco is of the date of James I., with the royal arms impressed on the sides. It contains genealogical information relating to families of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and other counties, and coupled with the Book of the Fraternity offers a rich mine to local antiquarians. Notices of this MS. have appeared in Dr. Ingram's Memorials of Oxford, and in Shaw's History of the chapel in Luton Park. In the Topographica Britannica, Vol. IV., Nos. 3 and 4, page 53, Gough says that "this curious manuscript was purchased August 3,

2. Poetry, pedigrees, &c. collected from various Welsh authors, and in that language, by W. Salesbury of Llanrwst, in the time of Queen Elizabeth. The plays are a transcript from the original MS. given to the Bodleian Library by James Button, Esquire, of the county of Worcester, in 1615, and were printed at the Oxford University press, with a translation by Edwin Norris, 2 vols., 8vo. 1859. The poems, &c. have not been printed. Arguments concerning monopolies in Printing," and a treatise "concerning the printing of Bibles, by W. K." A MS. written in 1667, one vol. 8vo. bound in the original vellum, and probably the work of William Kilburne, author of "Dangerous errors in several late printed Bibles." (1659.)

A folio entitled "Genealogie de l'illustre maison paper "de Joigny justifiée par titres histoires et autre bonnes "et certaines preuves. Par le sire D'Hosier gentil"homme ordre de la Maison du Roy et genealogiste "et armoriste de sa Majesté." It is a transcript in 1717 from the original vellum MS. made by the elder D'Hozier for Louise de Bellbrune* in 1638 with additions, bringing the genealogy of the house of Blondel down to 1717. Ricordi del M. Andrea Spinola per il buon Governo "della Repca di Genoua." The original autograph MS. apparently intended for publication. Two thick vols. fol. on paper.

66

Chinese Latin Dictionary, probably compiled by one of the Jesuit Missionaries to China in the early part of the 18th century, 609 leaves, 4to. unfinished. The name of a former possessor" Hugh Campbell, 1743,” is written in the volume.

A list of authors who have written in the French and Italian languages, arranged alphabetically with some notices of their works, 8vo. circa 1770.

Leritiere de la branche aisnée et de la terre. Note to the MS.

A copy of the Koran in Arabic, in the original oriental binding, large 8vo.

"A Journall from London to York upon a Survey on "the River of Ouze, wth a new Draught of it and the "Humber from York to ye Main Sea wth ye Soundings, "&c. Never done before, showing how far it is navi

66

gable and where it wants to bee improved," with other papers having reference to the same subject, and also "Memoires upon Removeing ye Shoalls in ye River "Thames, &c.," by Thomas Surbey, 1699. A folio on paper, with plans and estimates. The writer was assisted in his survey by John Atty and Benedict Horsley. The journal contains some particulars of local interest, and the estimate of expenses is valuable as showing the prices of materials and the rate of wages. For example, under the head "Memoires of materialls, &c. at York," there are the following entries:

"Lyme is at 28. and 28. 2d. per quarter Delivered at ye Place of Building."

"The Best of oak timber from 20 to 60 or 70 foot in a piece may be had for 16d. per foot, and ordinary at 12d. per foot Delivered."

64

Carpenters, Masons and Bricklayers have in Somer from 28. to 20d. per day, and in winter from 20d. to 16d. per diem."

"Labourers demand 18d. per day in Somer and take 12d. in winter. They commonly Dig cellars by measure at 8d. per yard and carie away ye rubish."

Similar particulars are given under the "Memoires " at Nottingham, Derby, &c.

A journal kept by Captain Bart Sharpe in his journey over the Isthmus of Darien and expedition into the South Seas in 1680-1, with Captain Wood's description of the Straits of Magellan. A folio vol., presented by William Hack to Lord Somers of Evesham, whose arms are emblazoned at the commencement. Printed with some variations in the 4th volume of Dampier's voyages. Lond. 1729.

A volume of travels in Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and Italy by Hugh Bethell, entitled "Some memorialls of my travells as well from the

66

66

beginning of 1637 (that I first went to Hambourgh as a marchant) untill the latter end of 1649 (that I left "that place to settle in England), as also from the latter "end of 1660 that I began my new travells upon pleasure until the 25 of Sept. 1667 that I returned to England." Folio.

66

66

A journal of the planting, &c. executed at Mountstewart from the first laying out of the gardens. By my Father. May 1st 1737. A small quarto MS., holograph, by the 3rd Lord Bute, the statesman.

The following MSS. also claim Lord Bute for their author.

1. Observations on various plants. A MS. in quarto, bound in rough calf, and dated Canewood, 1753. Some of the notes are dated 1754. The greater part of the volume is blank.

2. Observations on plants, made at Canewood and elsewhere: oblong 4to. From a note at page 2 it appears that these observations were intended for the use of Dr. Hill, the great botanist, but he died before they were completed.

66

3. Botanical tables, with observations in MS., made at Canewood. 4to. This is apparently the other book" referred to in page 2 of the oblong volume of observations on plants.

66

4. A list of plants arranged under certain classes; two leaves only of a 4to. copy book, the remainder being blank.

5. An abstract or description of the habits of our plants according to Hudson, Haller, and Hill. Apparently written by the Earl of Bute, but unfinished. 8vo.

6. A MS. note-book of about 12 leaves respecting Sweden, its constitution, &c. 12mo.

Catalogue of the medals, medallions, and coins in the collection of the Earl of Bute. 83 pages. 1765.

Leonis Imperatoris, Constantinopolitani, vaticinia, Francisco Barocio mendis expurgata ac primum jam Latino sermone donata. A small folio of the 16th century on vellum with 24 large and curious paintings, illustrating the prophecies of Leo, written for presentation to Jacob Foscarini, of Venice, whose portrait and arms are on the 6th and 7th pages. It is in the original Venetian binding with the Foscarini arms in the centre of each side.

A small quarto of 26 leaves of vellum written in the early part of the sixteenth century, and entitled, "Sensuit ung livret et traicte comment ung Prince ou "chef de guerre quel ordre ou train il doit tenir pour

66

conquister ung pays ou passer ou traverser le pays "des ennemys, compose par messire berault stuard, "chevallier de l'ordre du roy noustre sire, son conseiller "et chambellant ordinaire, et seigneur daubigny, en "allant par luy en ambassade pour le roy au Royaulme "descoce ou il mourut, pour confirmer les anciennes "alliance du dit seigneur appelle avec luy a reddiger et

66

escripre ledict livret et tracte Maistre estienne le jeune "natif dudict aubigny son segretaire et chappellain "ordinaire." On the first leaf is a fine illumination of the author dictating to his secretary; on the recto of the second leaf there is a large and fine representation of the court of Francis I., a portrait of the King seated in the centre surrounded by his councillors, heralds, &c. Three other illuminations represent the siege of a town, the defence of a town, and a captured town being set on fire.

A volume of heraldry and pedigrees containing "the names of the Five Conquerors of this Island with "theire armes ; "the names of the Saxons that "devided this Island into seaven Kingdoms,' "with their arms, and "the names and armes of all such "noblemen as were in the tyme of Edward the Con"fessor before the conquest, or hath byne since created "from the yeare [the year not stated] unto this present "1606," with a continuation to 1621. This is an anonymous copy of the baronage (or armory of nobility) commenced by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux, who died in 1592, and continued by Robert Glover, Somerset, and others. A small folio, beautifully written on paper, with 624 numbered shields of arms in their proper colours. It contains notices of the kings and the nobility.

A catalogue of the peers and peeresses of England, rankt according to their first creation for ye better distinguishing their antiquity. Taken March ye 25th 1713, 12th Queen Anne, and carried on to the 2nd of George 1. A MS. on 9 pages of vellum. Sm. 8vo.

A collection of arms taken out of Guillim Ashmole and other eminent heralds, containing the arms of the King (George II.), the Royal Family, and the peers and peeresses of England; the arms of the peers and peeresses of Scotland; the arms of the peers and peeresses of Ireland; the arms of the baronets of England; the arms of the Knights of the Garter from their first institution by King Edward III.; and the arms, crosses, banners, &c. of the religious and military orders in the world, with a short account of their institution. (This account is wanting.)

A printed book, 18mo., containing the arms of the royal and noble families of England and Scotland, with explanations in MS.

A Treatise concerning armes, and other precepts and rules necessary to be known by the nobilitie and gentrie of England. 1 vol. 4to. Paper. "Charles Mawsen ejus Liber, 1713." Contains the arms of various noble houses, bishops, &c.

66

Proceedings of the most noble Order of the Garter, and documents relating to the same between 1623-84.

L'ordre du St. Esprit. A folio MS. on paper, containing the arms of the various knights of the order carefully coloured. Circa 1750.

Astrology, and the use of the Astrolabe, translated from the Latin of John de Monteregio by an English astronomer of the 15th century, who commences his preface:-"Ihesus, Marya, Be the lef of God y hope to do his plesance, and to gefe mynd and understanding to other of my nation.' A quarto MS. on paper of the latter part of the 15th century, in the old

A small quarto of the 16th century on vellum, bound in old olive morocco, and entitled:-" Ad sanctissimum "D. N. Sixtum Quintum Pont. Max. In dedicatione "Obelisci Vaticani, et ejus præclarissimi gestis, Licen "tiati Ludovici Alonso Maldonado, Natione Hisp., "Patria Segovien, Epigrammata." The MS. contains 22 paintings to illustrate the epigrams and a miniature portrait of Pope Sixtus V., whose arms are impressed on both sides of the binding.

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wrapper.

Lapis Philosophicus sive Liber verè aureus de perfectissima Lapidis Philosophiee ratione inventione et confectione, cum indice copiossissimo terminorum hujus artis et rerum scitu dignissimarum ordine alphabetico descripto. A paper quarto, 1626.

Organum Astronomicum, by Joahnnes Temporarius. A MS. on paper (109 leaves) of the early part of the

MARQUIS OF 18th century. Illustrated with numerous diagrams, carefully drawn and coloured. One vol. 4to.

BUTE.

NORTHAMP

TON.

Processus Chemici, a Latin MS. on paper. Circa 1740. Bound in 2 vols. 4to.

An account of a self-acting Hydraulic Apparatus: the original MS. by Mr. Thom, dedicated to the Marquis of Bute. Written on 13 leaves folio, and illustrated with diagrams, &c. Circa 1820.

An exact journal of the weather and the winds, the variations of the barometer, &c., during some parts of the year 1721. Made in Gt. St. George-street (no place named). In one vol., sm. 4to.

Probleme tres fameux pour trouver la Longitude sur la mer. By Leonard Christoffle Sturm. 1718. A quarto of 48 pages on paper, in paper covers.

An exact journall of the variations of the Barometer and the Thermometer kept at Whitehall from Oct. 10 1716, to Dec. 3, 1721. 5 vols. 8vo. Bound in rough calf.

Observations made at Kew Observatory between June 5, 1720, and Dec. 29, 1725.

A folio entitled "A supplyment to my course of "Dialing in Schola Martis, 1731." Par Jacq. Douglas, general aux armes de sa Majeste Britanique.

A collection of fifty original Chinese drawings, beautifully coloured by native artists, illustrative of the scenery and natural history as well as of the domestic life of China. Mounted and bound in one vol. Atlas folio. Catalogue of English portraits, belonging to James West, Esq. Folio MS. 1771.

A report concerning the joining of the rivers Forth and Clyde. By J. Smeaton. 1767.

Compleat Treatise of the Construction of Mills. By L. C. Sturm. Apparently unfinished. One vol. fol.

Fundamenta Rei Herbariæ. Quarto, on paper. 1698.

In concluding this report I wish to express to Mr. John Godwin, Lord Bute's librarian, my grateful sense of his courtesy during my inspection, and to thank him for the advantage I enjoyed in his intimate knowledge of the MSS. and of whatever could throw light on their history.

R. B. KNOWLES.

THE MOST HONOURABLE THE MARQUIS OF NORTHAMPTON MARQUIS OF Has liberally sent for examination a heraldic manuscript which for beauty can hardly be surpassed or even equalled. It shows the genealogy of the noble house of Howard from A.D. 970 to A.D. 1638. It appears that the volume was formerly lent to Mr. Howard of Corby Castle, who in the preface to his rare work, intituled Memorials of the Howard Family (fol. 1834), acknowledges the loan and the services which it rendered. But he gives no indication of the rare beauty of the volume which he thus used.

The volume measures, in its binding, about 16 inches by 12 inches. It is bound in red velvet; in the centre of each side is the shield (of 8 quarters) of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel (ob. 1646), surrounded by the Garter and surmounted by his coronet. These, as also the large and bossed ornaments at each of the eight corners, and the clasps, are of metal, heavily gilt. The volume commences with the title,The genealogie of the princelie familie of the Howards, exactly deduced in a right line from the xvth yeere of the raigne of King Edgar, sole monarch of England in the yeere of our redemption DCCCCLXX., before the Norman conquest 96 years, to this present xiiijth yeere of the raigne of our dread Soveraigne Charles, by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c., MDCXXXVIII.

Collected and disposed by the industry of Hen. Lilly, Rouge Dragon.

This volume consists of 271 leaves of thick vellum, of which the first and last leaves and a few of the intermediate leaves are blank.

After the title-page the pedigree begins with Howard a Saxon, and is continued in a right line to p. 47, which shows Thomas Howard as eldest son of Henry Howard, who was the second son and successor of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, who died in 1646, and to whose shield, crests, supporters, mantling, and titles, p. 50 is dedicated.

At p. 52 Thomas Howard, Lord Howard of Walden (so created in 1579), who was a younger son of Thomas 4th Duke of Norfolk, and his descendants, are shown, down to p. 56.

At p. 60 and thence to p. 64, Lord William Howard of Naworth (who is said to be living anno 1637), and his descendants, are shown.

At p. 68 are shown the wives and children of Lord MARQUIS OF Edmund Howard, third son of Thomas Duke of Nor- NORTHAMPfolk; one of the children being Catherine Howard, wife of King Henry VIII.

At p. 72 appears Thomas Howard, Viscount Bindon (third son of Thomas Duke of Norfolk), and his four wives, and his children by the first three, and their issue. This pedigree ends on p. 74.

At p. 76 a pedigree begins with Thomas Howard (the victor at Flodden), and the list of his descendants ends at p. 81.

The next three leaves are blank.

Pages 88-130 are occupied with careful coloured drawings of tombs, effigies in stone, marble, alabaster, brass, and stained glass; and copies of inscriptions in the churches of Farffeild, co. Norfolk, Midleton, co. Norfolk, East Winch, co. Norfolk; the private chapel of Tendring Hall, in the parish of Stoke-Neyland; the church of Stoke-Neyland, co. Suffolk; Weeting church, co. Norfolk; Long Melford church, co. Suffolk; Lambeth church, co. Surrey; Framlingham church, co. Suffolk, and Dover Castle church, co. Kent.

Pages 136-510 (except a few blanks) are occupied with careful copies (or abstracts) of deeds, wills, and fines, and extracts from Domesday Book, the Pipe Rolls, the Close, Patent, and Plea Rolls, and Inquisitions; the old English chroniclers, and manuscripts in private hands;* and copies of a few more monumental inscriptions. The seals to many of the documents are beautifully copied with pen and ink. Red ink numerals over names in these copies and abstracts refer to corresponding numbers in the pedigrees. The documents support the pedigrees.

Pages 531-537 contain an alphabetical index of

names.

A finer heraldic volume than this need not be wished for. The drawings and their colourings are of the first class, and the last in the volume are as carefully done as those at the beginning.

The title-page is architectural. Two Corinthian columns guard an arch in which is written the title (given above). The arch is surmounted by the shield of Howard supported by two angels. Each of the columns is flanked by two niches, containing full length miniatures of a Duke, an Earl, a Viscount, and a Baron.† In the centre of the pediment is a Queen seated (probably intended for Catherine Howard); to the right of her are the Ducal arms, Mowbray in the 1st quarter; to her left the arms of the Earl of Arundel with quarterings. To the left of one pedestal is the crest of Howard surrounded by the Garter, and surmounted by an Earl's coronet; to the right of the other pedestal are the arms of Howard (gules, a bend between six cross crosslets ficheés argent), surrounded and surmounted in like manner. Between the pedestals of the two columns is a picture of a band of armed horsemen pursuing retreating cavalry. The winged cherub's head above the battle piece is the only thing to detract from the perfection of this title-page.

The armorial bearings throughout (one hundred and ten shields, in the pedigrees, besides many more on the copies of tombs and glass windows) are of perfect workmanship, and their gold and colours are undimmed. As the pedigrees show the wives and daughters of the Howards, so the shields show the armorial bearings of the wives and of the husbands of the daughters. In the monuments the artist has given the shades and veinings of the stone and marble; and the texture of the Purbeck marble is admirably represented. The copies of the brasses in Lambeth Church are marvellous.

The tradition is that this volume was executed by order of a Howard. From the date on the title-page (1638), and the fact that a whole page is devoted to the "atchievement" of Thomas Earl of Arundel and the enumeration of his titles, it may be concluded that it was executed for that Earl. He died in 1646, a troublous time. I cannot believe that this man, who was so proud of his ancestry, would have hesitated to pay well for it; he being a good patron of art. After completion in 1638 the volume may well have remained with Lilly for the purpose of being supplemented; and after the Earl's death, his executors may well have hesitated to

Among others, register of the monastery of Sibbun, co. Suffolk; the notes of Glover, Somerset Herald; a MS. in the custody of Samuel Roper of Lincoln's Inn; the book of the priory of Lewes; the Red Book of the Exchequer; evidences of the Earl of Oxford in the custody of Fabian Phillips; the evidences of Sir John Peyton; original deeds at Arundel House; the Register of St. Alban's Abbey; an old roll of charters in the library of Simon D'Ewes; the book of the monastery of Ramsey in the Exchequer; an old MS. in the possession of Sir John Biron, K.B.

At the time of the execution of this volume, a coronet for a Baron had not been invented.

+ His lineal male descendant is the present Duke of Norfolk.

TON.

MARQUIS OF WESTMINSTER.

ALFRED J. HORWOOD.

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE MOST HONOURABLE THE MARQUIS OF WESTMINSTER, AT EATON HALL, Co. CHESTER. Although Eaton Hall was undergoing very extensive alterations, his Lordship most liberally requested Mr. Allen, his agent there, to allow an inspection of his MS. volumes for the use of the Commissioners; and I have to thank Mr. Allen for the great facilities which he gave me for examining them.

The volumes are upwards of 50 in number, and below I have given a notice of each. Of the 3rd (Piers Plowman) a rather full notice is given because it seems to differ from the texts lately published by the Early English Text Society.

There is a fine copy of the chronicle of Henry of Huntingdon; Statutes of the realm from Magna Charta to Edw. III.; a copy (made in 1629) of the celebrated Scrope and Grosvenor roll; collections for Cheshire history and pedigrees; copy of Secretary Cecil's negotiation with France in 1597; notices of Walter and Robert Devereux, Earls of Essex, Sir Walter Raleigh, Mary Queen of Scots, Geo. Villiers, Duke of Buckingham; copies of Lord Bacon's letters; curious account of a visit to the nunnery at Little Gidding. Treatises by Sir C. Cornwallis; cases in the Star Chamber, tempp. James I. and Charles I.; a Description of Ireland; copies of Letters and Instructions by Henry VIII. and Wolsey to various ambassadors, and of their replies; copy of letter of Bishop Williams regarding the place for the Communion Table, and other matters noticed below.

The Muniment Room was not open; but Lord Westminster kindly directed a copy of the Calendar of deeds (made by William Beamont, Esq., of Warrington) to be sent to me in order that I might thence extract points of interest. This Calendar briefly describes 645 documents, of which 600 are before the reign of James I. From the introductory notice which Mr. Beamont has prefixed to the Calendar, the remarks below on the calendared charters will be drawn.

Besides the deeds calendared by Mr. Beamont, Lord Westminster has a series of charters formerly belonging to Reading Abbey; these are of extreme interest. Copies of them are given in the 20th and 22nd volumes of the Archæological Journal, accompanied by illustrative remarks from the pen of Mr. Albert Way.

The manuscript volumes will be first noticed. Nine are on vellum; the others are paper.

Small folio, vellum, 15th century. Speculum humane Salvacionis. 87 leaves; bound in blue velvet, with silver mountings. Begins, Incipit prohemium cujusdam nove compilacionis. The work is in 45 chapters, and has a table of three pages at the end. The text seems to be the same as that of the block book.

Small folio, vellum, 15th century. Augustinus de doctrina Christiana; in four books; bound in violet velvet, with silver mountings. Begins, Libros de doctrina Christiana cum imperfectis: Ends, quantulacumque potui facultate disposui.

Folio, vellum, 15th century. The vision of Piers Plowman (76 leaves). Begins,

In a somer seson whan soft was pe sonne

I shop me in to a shrowedes as I a shep were.
In abite as an hermite unholy of werkes

I went wide in pe world wondres to here.

fo. 2. b. Passus primus.

Now what the mountayne be menep & pe merk dale

And all pe feld full of folk & I shall 3ow faire shewe.

Ends, 4. b. Now have I told ye what treup is pat no tresour is bettre

I may nolengre dwell, now loke ye to oure lorde.
Secundus passus de visione.

3it kneled I on knes & criede here of grace. Ends, 7. a. Bope wepe and wrong whan she was a tired. Passus tertius.

Now is mede pe mayde no mo of hem alle. Ends, 10. b. And make of a lawe a laborere suche love

shal arise Quartus passus.

Cessep now quod pe king I soffre 3ow no longere.

Ends, Et alibi velud s

And I waked perwip witles nere honde. surgentium civitatis, &c. Octavus et ultimus passus dowel.

fo. 43. Alas pat richesse shal reyne & robbe mankinde. Ends, 48. To begge or to borowe but of God one.

Explicit ultimus passus de dowel et incipit primus passus de dobeter.

Here is none such I saide pat some tyme ne borwep.

52. Cursus resurrectionis ad vitam eternam : amen. Secundus passus de dobeter.

Leve liberum arbitrium est quod I beleve as I hope. Ends, What he higte & whedre he wold and wyghtlyche he us tolde.

53. b. Tertius passus.

I am spes a spie quod he & spere after a knyght. Ends, And went away as he wynde & per wip I awaked. 59. b. Quartus passus.

Wolleward & whole hede went I forth after. Ends, There may no grisly gost glide per it shadowep. Cap. XXIII., 65. b. Primus passus de dobest.

And as I wente by pe way as I was pus awaked. Ends, 76. And sip he gradde after grace til I gan wake. Explicit tractatus III. Piers Plowman nomi

natus.

In a later hand follows:

And when I wyllerly awakyd I wrote all thys dreame

And theys mervallys that I met on Mawlverns hyllys

In a seson of somer as I softe nappyd

For the people after ther power wold prefere after diwell

That the tresure most tryed & triacle at neede.* Now God graunt us hys grace to make a good end And bryng us all to the blysse as he bowghte us on the roode. Amen. R. H. On the last leaf is the autograph of Richd. Grosvenor (17th century).

Small folio, vellum, 14th century. Summa Canonum secundum Raymundum [de Pennaforti], double columns, 162 leaves.

Begins, Quoniam ut ait Jeronimus.

*The words in italics are written on an erasure, but by the same hand.