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entitled, "The Lyvys of Seyntys, translated into Englys by Osbern Bokenam, Frer Austyn of the Convent of Stokclare." This work is preceded by an interesting Preface by the donor, and is now first printed from a velluin MS. No. 327, of the Arundel Collection, which was completed in 1447.

INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS.

A new society has been formed for the promotion and cultivation of Architecture, and for the purpose of fostering and stimulating the talents of individuals in its advancement. Its members will be both professional and honorary. The professional members are divided into two classes, Fellows and Associates, the former being such architects as have been engaged as principals for at least seven years, paying five guineas for admission and three guineas annually; the latter, persons of less practice, but who have attained the age of twenty-one, and pay three guineas for the first year, and two guineas for every subsequent year. Honorary Fellows will be admitted on the payment of not less than twenty-five guineas; and Honorary Members may be elected for their scientific acquirements, without being expected to contribute to the funds. Of the last class have been elected Dr. Faraday and Mr. Britton. Earl de Grey, the President (who has presented 501.), and Sir T. H. Farquhar, the Treasurer, are also Honorary Fellows. There are upwards of fifty Fellows and thirteen Associates; and sixteen foreigners are Honorary and Corresponding Members. The Vice-Presidents will be always professional gentlemen, and those now chosen are P. F. Robinson, esq., Joseph Kay, esq., and J. B. Papworth, esq.; the Secretaries are Thos. L. Donaldson, esq. and John Goldicutt, esq.; and these form the Council, together with the following ordinary members: Chas. Barry, esq., George Basevi, jun. esq., Edward Blore, esq., Decimus Burton, esq., Charles Fowler, esq., Henry E. Kendal, esq, and Henry Rhodes, esq.

The first meeting took place at the Society's room in King-street, CoventGarden, on the 15th of June. Earl de Grey took the chair, and was supported by the Duke of Somerset, Sir M. A. Shee, Sir Edmund Cust, Sir Henry Ellis, &c. Mr. Donaldson, the Secretary, then read a paper, in which the general views and hopes of the founders of the Society were fully explained; among the e important facts, it was stated, that ary is being formed; that specimens eing procured, models have been ited, and that all things are in pro

press for the establishment of a museum ; that a paper of queries containing the desiderata in every branch of architecture, has been drawn up, and after revision by the members, it is to be distributed throughout the world; this paper is to contain questions as to edifices, in regard to their individual history, destination, size, distribution, and construction; precise information will be required on all sorts of materials; and their applications, failures, and remedies, will offer a wide field of experience; and acoustics and light will be also subjects of investigation. The literature of the art, antiquities, biography, and education, are also included as proper for the attention of correspondents. These questions will be sent to foreign countries, translated into the various languages of Europe, and find admission into the leading periodicals connected with science. the meantime the Council have determined to offer an honorary premium for an "Essay upon the natures and properties of the mode of construction technically called Concrete, and of its application in Great Britain up to this period," for which all persons are invited to compete. The list of benefactions was then read, and the President announced a donation of 7501. in the name of Sir John Soane, and his grandson John Soane, esq. which was received with acclamations.

MONUMENT OF SHAKSPEARE.

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The members of the Shakspearean Club of Stratford-upon-Avon propose to undertake, with the assistance of the public at large, the restoration of the bust and monument of Shakspeare, and of the interior of the chancel which contains it.

The chancel of the collegiate church of Stratford was erected in the fifteenth century, by Thomas Balshall, D.D. Warden of the College. Its large and beautiful windows were originally of painted glass, and its roof was of carved oak. Of the painted glass a small portion only remains, inserted in the eastern window; and the roof of the chancel has been hidden from view by a ceiling of plaster. The architecture is much obscured by repeated coatings of white-wash, and the floor and foundations suffer serious injury from damp.

The monument erected to Shakspeare by his family a few years after his death, representing the poet with a cushion before him, a pen in his right hand, and his left leaning on a scroll, was originally coloured to resemble life; but was thickly covered over with white paint in the year 1793, at the instigation of Mr. Malone. The pen was long since detached by some visiter, and a recent attempt has been

made to abstract one of the fingers of the bust, which was actually broken off, but recovered and replaced. The removal of the coating of white paint, and the renewal of the original colours of the monument, are supposed to be practicable without the chance of injury to the original work.

Near the grave of Shakspeare lie interred the bodies of Anne his wife: of Susannah his eldest daughter, and her husband Dr. John Hall; of Thomas Nashe, esq. the husband of Elizabeth the daughter of Dr. John Hall and Susannah his wife (Elizabeth having afterwards married Sir J. Barnard of Abington, near Northampton, and being there buried.) The inscriptions on some of the gravestones of these members of the poet's family, the stones being on the floor of the chancel, are partly obliterated; and an epitaph, commemorating the excellencies of Shakspeare's favourite daughter, was either worn out or purposely effaced in 1707, and another inscription engraved on the same stone, for a person unconnected with the family of Shakspeare.

The respect due to the memory of Shakspeare, the loss of almost every personal relic of him, the demolition of his house, the destruction of his traditionary mulberry tree, and the alteration and removal of the greater part of his father's residence, concur to make the members of the Shakspearean Club most anxious to preserve every thing connected with his mortal remains from further disrespect.

The sentiments of the numerous visiters of Shakspeare's tomb have been so repeatedly expressed on these subjects, and are so warmly seconded by the feelings of the neighbouring residents, that the Shakspearean Club has resolved to appeal to the educated portion of the community of Great Britain; to eminent literary characters in all countries; and to the admirers of genius throughout the world; to co-operate with them in the sacred task of protecting the tomb from further neglect, and the building which contains it from gradual ruin.

It is proposed to effect these objects by voluntary donations, not exceeding one pound each; the sum thus raised to be laid out under the direction of the Committee, and with the advice of eminent artists. In case of a sufficient amount being subscribed, they would gladly extend their care to the preservation of the house in which Shakspeare's father resided, in Henley-street, the presumed birth-place of Shakspeare; and to the house still remaining at Shottery near Stratford, which was the residence of

Anne Hathaway, afterwards the wife of Shakspeare; and even to the purchase of the site of New Place, the house in which Shakspeare passed the last three years of his life, and in which he died; a spot which, being yet unencroached upon, they are most desirous of guarding from new erections, and consecrating to the memory of him whose name has rendered it in their estimation hallowed ground.

Donations will be received by Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Co. Bankers, London; and a book is prepared by the Committee in which the names and places of abode of the donors will be carefully preserved.

NEWLY INVENTED COMPOSITION STONE.

A recent invention has been made in New York, and secured by patent, which, if all accounts are true, promises to give a new aspect to the face of the country. Mr. Obadiah Parker, a native of New Hampshire, and for many years a resident of Onondaga county, in New York, has, after various experiments, discovered a cement which, from a state of liquid mortar, hardens in eight or ten days into a solid substance, almost as impenetrable as granite, and susceptible of as beautiful a polish as marble. Any colour may be given to it; and it defies the changes of the atmosphere, becoming more dense and hard, and less brittle, the more it is exposed to atmospheric influences. The material is so cheap that entire houses, of any shape or dimensions, fortifications, canals, aqueducts,

&c.,

may be constructed in a few days. It will entirely supersede the use of brick and stone, and effect a complete revolution in architecture.

In England also a patent has been taken out by Mr. Ranger, of London, for making stone from a composition of lime, gravel, &c. The Preston Pilot says, that the system is now in full operation at Lytham, in Lancashire. The process of making, facing, and polishing a stone of five cwt. (after the materials are prepared), does not necessarily occupy more than twenty minutes. It is, however, soft at first, and requires some time to harden before it can be safely placed in the building, but it gradually hardens with time, until it is in a complete state of petrifaction, perhaps much harder and more durable than the ordinary quality of This sort of artificial stone quarry stone. has come into general use at Brighton.

BELGRAVE INSTITUTION.

The sessional meetings were closed this day, June 30th, when Dr. Birkbeck delivered an interesting lecture on elasti

ticity, with particular reference to the history and properties of caoutchouc. The following gentlemen have lectured during the season: Professor Vaughan, on the History and Literature of Ancient Rome, a course of four; Messrs. R. Addams, on Acoustics, two; W. C. Taylor, A. M. on Oriental Literature. two; W. Higgins, F.G.S. on Geology; E. Atherstone, on the study of Elocution from books; R. Mudie, author of the work on "British Birds," on the Philosophy of Natural History, four; Professor Bernays, Ph. D. on General Grammar, two; Dr. Hope, F.R. S. on the Circulation of the Blood, two; J. S. Buckingham, esq. M.P. on the Advantages of Travel; the Rev. H. Stebbing, A.M. F.R.S.L. on the Influence of Italian Literature on early English Literature; Thomas Jackson, esq. B.A. on the Historians of Greece; Dr. A. T. Thompson, on Physical Education.

At the Conversazioni the following papers have been read: on the History of the Romans in Great Britain, by the Rev. G. F. W. Mortimer, A. M.; on the "Ornithorhyncus Paradoxus," by G. Bennett, esq. F.L.S.; on Oriental Customs, by Dr. Holt Yates, F.R.S. A.; on Artificial Light and Light-houses, with experiments, by Mr. H. Wilkinson; on Instruments for drawing Perspective, by Mr. Howlett; and two on Vegetable Physiology, with experiments, by Mr. Day. The Library has lately received considerable additions, and now contains about 2000 volumes.

LITERARY FUND SOCIETY.

June 17. The forty-sixth anniversary of this Society was celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern. The President, the Duke of Somerset, was in the Chair, supported by Lord Teignmouth, the Baron Ompteda, M. Van de Weyer, Asmi Bey; of our own men of science, Sir John Barrow, Drs. Roget, Paris, Sutherland, Lardner, Mr. Murchison, Mr. Amyot, Sir W. Betham, Sir Harris Nicolas, Mr. James, Mr. Lockhart, &c. &c. Dr. Croby, as one of the registrars, enforced the merits of the institution in a very eloquent address; and the company were gratified by excellent speeches from Lord Teignmouth, Mr. Murchison, Mr. Wilkie, &c. &c. The subscriptions amounted to upwards of 5007. of which 501. was a donation from the Duchess of Kent, who had recently been made acquainted with the merits of the Fund. A gratifying letter from Mr. Sharon Turner announced that, in consequence of the renewal of his own pension from his

Majesty, he was enabled to raise his subscription from one to five guineas annually.

NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

The Committee recently appointed to take into consideration the rebuilding of the two Houses of Parliament have published their Report; having arrived at this important Resolution, "That it is expedient that the designs for the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament be left open to general competition."

The style of the buildings is to be "either Gothic or Elizabethan." A lithographic plan is to be made of Westminster Hall and of the premises adjoining, shewing the entire area of the new building, including the space to be gained by an embankment of the river. All Designs are to be executed on one and the same scale, viz. of 20 feet to an inch, to be delivered in to the Office of the Woods and Buildings at Whitehall, on or before the first day of November next. A premium of 500l. is to be given to each of the parties whose Plans shall be recommended by five Commissioners, to be appointed by his Majesty, and shall be considered by them as thy of the reward, but the successful competitor shall not be considered as having necessarily a claim to be entrusted with the execution of the work; but if not so employed, he is to receive an additional reward of 1,000l.

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It is determined that the House of Lords should be capable of containing 300 Peers on the floor; that the same space be allowed below the bar and for the throne as in the late House; but that the new House shall be so much wider as to admit one bench more on each side. That there shall be a lobby of 40 feet by 30, and a hall outside the same. Upwards of eighty apartments are also considered necessary for the various offices, &c. among which are, one 48 feet by 25 for conferences with the Commons; two for private interviews; and four galleries, one for 100 Members of the Commons and distinguished individuals, one for 150 strangers, one for 40 (ladies), and one for 24 (reporters).

With respect to the House of Commons it is proposed that sitting-room be provided for from 420 to 460 Members in the body of the House, and adequate accommodation for the remainder in the galleries, not exceeding 1,200 feet of sitting-room in all; that two Lobbies be provided immediately adjoining the opposite sides or ends of the House; that there should be an outer Lobby for stran

gers desirous of speaking to the Members on their entrance to the House; that there be one or more Galleries at the lower end of the House for the accommodation of 200 strangers, of which a portion in the centre to contain 24 reporters; each of which Galleries should have a separate access, and a Retiring-room at no great distance, for the strangers respectively to occupy when the House is cleared; that accommodation for mem

bers of the other House of Parliament, and distinguished strangers, should be provided within the walls of the House for 100 persons; that there be thirty Committeerooms provided; that the Library be formed of three rooms, each 60 feet long, and wide and lofty in proportion; and that suitable accommodations be provided for the official residence of the Speaker, and offices for the chief Clerk, and other persons connected with the House.

ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES.

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES.

May 28. Thomas Amyot, esq. Treasurer, in the chair.

Sydney Smirke, esq. F, S. A. communicated an account, accompanied by drawings, of various original features of the architecture of Westminster Hall, developed during the repairs now proceeding under the superintendence of his brother Sir Robert Smirke. It has been fully ascertained that the walls of the Hall as high as the cornice or string course within, are of the identical fabric erected by William Rufus. Mr. Smirke passed an unfavourable opinion on the soundness of their structure, the cement not being so strong as in most ancient works, and the stones consisting of rub'ble work, of various kinds, (sometimes very fragile,) specimens of which were laid upon the table. On the remodelling of the Hall by Richard II. the walls were cased with Caen stone, and the massy external buttresses added, which have greatly contributed to their support, and to carry off the weight of the roof. At the same time the upper part of the walls was rebuilt, and perhaps raised; larger windows were inserted; and a Norman colonnade, or triforium, was obliterated, which appears to have run round the original Hall, in the manner of a gallery, from which access might be had to the windows, tapestry might be suspended, or a certain number of spectators might survey the throng below. This remarkable feature of the original structure has been disclosed in several parts, and we have already mentioned an engraving of a portion of it, which has been published in the first number of Britton's " Palace of Westminster." Mr. Smirke exhibited some of the original Norman capitals, which have been found built into the walls; and also an ancient sheath for a knife or a dagger, made of leather stamped with a small pattern of lions and fleursde lis. In a postscript, Mr. Smirke stated the remarkable fact, that it has been ascertained that the walls of St. Stephen's

Chapel, when complete, were raised to a still greater height than the ruins now show them having the addition of a clerestory.

June 11. H. Hallam, esq. V.P.

The following gentlemen were elected Fellows of the Society: Edward Ord Warren, esq. of Horkesley Hall, near Colchester, F. G.S.; Francis Mercier, esq. of Torrington-square; Jabez Gibson, esq. of Walden in Essex; Benjamin Golding, M.D. of St. Martin's-lane, author of a History of St. Thomas's Hospital; and Simon Macgillivray, esq. of Salisbury-street.

John Gage, esq. Director, gave an account of the important discoveries recently made in the largest barrow of the Bartlow Hills, on the confines of Essex and Cambridgeshire. It will be recollected that these barrows consist of two rows, four of a larger size, and three of a smaller, and that two of the latter were investigated by Mr. Gage in 1832, and his observations printed in the 25th volume of the Archæologia.

About two months ago the largest barrow of the whole was very scientifically opened under the superintendence of the land-agent employed by Lord Maynard. A gallery, or passage, level with the surrounding surface, was cut from one side of the mound, and directed immediately towards its centre, to which it arrived after proceeding to the extent of forty feet; and the deposit was immediately found, in the spot where from experience it was expected. The articles of value had been placed in a large wooden chest, and the sweepings of the funeral pyre collected into a coarse earthen vessel, which was laid by its side. The soil had not fallen in upon the chest, although the wood was almost entirely decayed; but every article remained undisturbed in its original position. They are, 1. a large square vessel of glass, which contained the calcined bones of the deceased; 2, a bronze prefericulum, ornamented with a sphinx on its handle; 3. a patera, of

bronze, having a handle terminating in a ram's head; 4. a small vessel of bronze, very beautifully enamelled in a pattern of blue, red, and green, with a moveable handle; it is supposed to be a censer, or vessel for perfumes; 5. a large bronze lamp, with a lid or cover in the form of a leaf; the wick and residuum of the oil remained within, and it is supposed to have been left burning in the sepulchre; 6. a folding chair of iron, tipped and ornamented with bronze, and having some remains of the leather straps by which the seat was attached; 7, 8. two glass bottles, one containing a liquid which Mr. Fara day conjectures may have been a mixture of wine and honey; 9, and 10, two bronze strigils. No coins were found; nor any pottery, except the coarse vessel already mentioned. The whole afforded additional proof that the Romans had sepulchral barrows as well as the Celts; that the Bartlow hills are Roman sepulchres; and that the theory which has attributed their formation to the Danes, and thereby supported the location of the battle of Assandune at Ashdon, and that which has assigned to the same people the erection of the round church towers abounding on the Eastern coast, have been vain and visionary.

June 19. The Society re-assembled after the Whitsuntide recess, for the last time this season, H. Hallam, esq. V.P. in the chair.

The following gentlemen were elected Fellows: Robert Pashley, esq. M. A. resident Fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge; William Wallen, esq. of Spital square, architect; and William Cotton, esq. of the Priory, Letherhead, Surrey.

Mr. Richard Tongue presented two oil-paintings by himself, one representing the Coeton Arthur, near Newport in Pembrokeshire, and the other the Tolmen near Constantine in Cornwall.

Hudson Gurney, esq. V. P. exhibited a dagger found at Messrs. Barclay and Perkins' brewhouse, near the site of the Globe Theatre.

S. C. Northcote, esq. exhibited an earthen vessel, of coarse manufacture, and blackened with fire, found near St. Olave's church in Southwark,

Samuel Woodward, esq. exhibited a copper bulla, lately found at Castle Acre in Norfolk. It is round, about two inches and a half in diameter, embossed on one side with the figure of a man on horseback, in a shirt of mail, holding in his right hand a bow and in his left an arrow; on the other, a similar figure, holding in his right hand a faulchion, and on the left a concave shield. Mr. Woodward presumed it to be Saxon; but many who saw it thought it of Oriental work.

J. Y. Akerman, esq. F.S.A. exhibited two Roman coins lately found by the workmen employed in removing the foundations of old London Bridge. Large conglomerated masses are now continually brought up from the bed of the river, and they are generally found to contain Roman coins. A Commodus in large brass was lately discovered in one of these masses; another contained a gold Valens; while numbers of the small brass of the lower empire are frequently found in them. Among the latter were the two exhibited to the Society: one of Allectus, the assassin of Carausius, the other of Marius, a tyrant in Gaul, who is said to have held the sovereignty in that province for only three days.

A communication from Sir Francis Palgrave was then read, being a letter of Martin Tindal, Fellow of King's college, Cambridge, to Secretary Cromwell.

John Yates, esq. communicated a paper on the invention of Paper made from linen rags; and as early a date as 1263, in Germany, was mentioned.

A further portion was also read of Mr. Repton's collections respecting Female Head-dresses.

The Society then adjourned to the 9th of November.

A Prospectus is in circulation for the formation of an ARCHEOLOGICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL INSTITUTION. The immediate objects are to investigate, describe, and illustrate the antiquities of the various counties in England, Wales, and Scotland, the results to be arranged and classed in chronological order, under the following heads: I. Celtic, or British Antiquities; 2 Roman Roads, Stations, Encampments, and other Remains; 3. Saxon, Danish, and Norman Antiquities; 4. Castles, Monastic, and Ecclesiastical Buildings, &c.; 5. Old Mansions, Crosses, Bridges, &c. Committees are to be formed in the metropolis, and others in the counties, to undertake and direct the separate subjects of inquiry; and it is proposed to commence with the county of Kent.

Several ancient remains have been discovered at Jumieges in France, not far from the Forest of Brotonne. They were found buried nine feet below the surface of the earth under the turf. Amongst other objects were the following:-Two hatchets, supposed to be Celtic, of copper; the point of the blade of a sword, of bronze; a bronze vase of a circular form, the orifice of which is four inches in diameter; and a leaden plate ornamented with figures of dolphins in relief. All these curiosities were sent to the Museum of Antiquities by M.

Doucet.

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