Notes And Queries, Issue 234.

Footnote 2:(return)

One note may be thought to be characteristic. In the table occurs, "Many think their sins are pardoned, because it is but little they are guilty of." The general has interlined, "A pistol kills as well as a cannon."

"CONSILIUM DELECTORUM CARDINALIUM."

I have before me a copy of this very interesting document, together with an Epistole Joannis Sturmii de eadem re, ad Cardinales cæterosque viros ad eam Consultationem delectos, printed at Strasburg ("ex officina Cratonis Mylii Argentoraten.") A.D. 1538. The report of the Committee had reached Sturmius in the month of March, 1537-8; and his critique, addressed especially to Contarini, bears the date "tertio Non. Aprilis." As it is a somewhat scarce pamphlet, two or three extracts may not be unacceptable to the readers of "N. & Q."

He then passes to other topics, where he has to deplore the little sympathy evinced by the Cardinals for Luther and his party, e.g. on the subject of indulgences:

Had Mr. Woodward's remarks come sooner under notice, they should have received, as well deserving, a quicker reply. It is in one sense rather annoying that he should have mistaken so widely the publication under question, and spent so much time in confirming what few, if any, now doubt, of the Papal origin of the Consilium Delectorum Cardinalium. (See Gibbings' Preface to his Reprint of the Roman Index Expurgatorius, p. xx.) The title of the tract (so to speak) commonly attributed to the same quarter, but the justice of which is questioned, is, Consilium quorundam Episcoporum Bononiæ congregatorum, quod de ratione stabiliendæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Julio III. P.M. datum est. This is the Consilium to which Mr. Woodward's attention should have been confined; and which he will find in the same volume of Brown's Fasciculus, to which he has referred me on the real Consilium, pp. 644-650. It appears in English also, translated by Dr. Clagett, in Bishop Gibson's Preservative, vol. i. p. 170. edit. 8vo.; and is also included (a point to be noticed) in the single volume published of Vergerio's Works, Tubingen, 1563.^[3]

Mr. Woodward has no doubt frequently met, in Protestant authors, with the quotation from this supposed Bologna Council (Consilium being taken for Concilium), recommending that as little as possible of the Scriptures should be suffered to come abroad among the vulgar, that having proved the grand source of the present calamities. Now the very air of this passage, and of course of many others rather less disguised, is of itself sufficient to prove that this Bologna Council is a piece of banter; the workmanship, in fact, of Peter Paul Vergerio. Would any real adherent of Rome so express himself? "N.& Q." (Vol. ix., p. 111.) supplies a ready answer, in the communication from F. C. H. on the so-called Catholic Bible Society.

Would a real adherent of the Papal Church again express himself in the following unimpassioned manner?

Mr. Woodward will, I apprehend, readily agree that these sentences come from no one connected with the Roman Church. And they are quoted in the hope that Protestants will cease to cite this supposed Bologna Council as any valid or genuine testimony to Romish proceedings and sentiments.

PHOTOGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENCE.

Mounting Positives.—If the print and the mounting paper, or Bristol board, are both made equally damp, and the back of the picture covered with thin paste, they adhere without any unevenness; and if the print is on the fine Canson's paper, the appearance is that of an India proof. They should remain until perfectly dry in a press.

Mounting of Photographs, and Difficulties in the Wax-paper Process.—May I request a little additional information from your correspondent Seleucus, Vol. ix., p. 310., respecting the mounting of photographs? Does he mean merely the painting the edges, or the smearing of the photograph all over its back with the Indian-rubber glue, prior to sticking the proof on the cardboard? If the former, which I apprehend he does, Seleucus will necessarily have the unsightly appearance of the picture's buckling up in the middle on the board being bent forward and backward in different directions? May I take the liberty of asking him in what respect the plan proposed is superior to that of painting over the edges with mucilage of gum arabic, containing a little brown sugar to prevent its cracking, allowing it to dry, and prior to the placing it on the card, slightly moistening it; a plan superior to that of putting it on the board at first, as all risk of a portion of the gum oozing out at the edges is thereby avoided.

I have long been in the habit of mounting prints and photographs in a way which prevents their buckling, keeps the paper underneath quite smooth, and in other respects is so perfect, that it positively defies the distinguishing of the picture from the paper on which it is mounted. I am not certain that my plan is applicable to the mounting on card-board, as it cannot be wetted and stretched, thinking it useless to make use of such a costly material when a tolerably thick drawing-paper will more than serve the same purpose at a very considerably less expense, seeing that the photograph thus mounted bears a much closer resemblance to that of a good and costly print. A good plain or tinted sheet of drawing-paper, 30 inches by 22, may be obtained at the artists' colour shops for sixpence, sufficiently large for two drawings, 9 inches by 11, allowing a sufficient margin.

After various trials, the plan I have found decidedly the best is the following:—Soak the drawing-paper in a vessel of water for ten minutes, or until it appears by its flaccidity to have become perfectly saturated; put it at once into an artist's stretching frame, brush over the back of the photograph with rather thin and perfectly smooth paste, allow it a few minutes to imbibe a portion of the moisture of the paste, and then lay it smoothly down on the damp paper now on the stretching frame, of course carefully pressing out all air bubbles as you gradually, beginning at one side, smooth down the pasted picture. It should remain in a dry place (not placed before a fire) until the whole has become quite dry, about ten or twelve hours. It may then be taken out of the frame, cut to the desired shape, and a single or double line nicely drawn around the picture, at a distance suitable to each individual's taste, by the help of sepia-coloured ink and a crowquill pen, both of which may also be bought at the artists' colour shop. Should it be required to be still more nicely mounted, and to appear to have been one and the same paper originally, the back edges of the picture should, previous to laying on the paste, be rubbed down to a fine and knife-like edge with a piece of the finest sand-paper placed on a wine cork, or substance of a similar size. The drawing-paper should be of the same shade and tint as the ground of the photograph.

A novice in the wax-paper process (having heretofore worked the collodion and calotype, from its very desirable property of keeping long good after being excited, i. e. the wax paper), I am very desirous of getting over an unexpected difficulty in its manipulation; and if some one of the many liberal-minded contributors to your justly wide-spread periodical, well versed in that department of the art, would lend me a helping hand in my present difficulty, I should feel more than obliged for the kindness thereby conferred.

My wax-paper negative, much to my disappointment, occasionally exhibits, more or less, a speckled appearance by transmitted light, which frequently, in deep painting, impresses the positive with an unsightly spotted character, somewhat similar to that of a bad lithograph taken from a worn-out stone. I should wish my wax-paper negative to be similar in appearance to that of a good calotype one, or to show by transmitted light, as my vexatious specimen does when viewed on its right side by reflected light. As the most lucid description must fall far short of a sight of the article itself, I purpose enclosing you a specimen of my failure, a portion of one of the negatives in question. Would immersion, instead of floating on the gallo-nitrate solution, remedy the evil? Or should the impressed sheet be entirely immersed in the developing fluid in place of being floated? And if in the affirmative, of what strength should it be? I have thus far tried both plans in vain.

[The defects described by our correspondent are so frequent with manipulators in the wax-paper process, and which Dr. Mansell has called so aptly a "gravelly appearance," that we shall be glad to receive communications from those of our numerous correspondents who are so fortunate as to avoid it.]

The New Waxed-paper, or Céroléine Process.—The following process, communicated to the French paper Cosmos by M. Stephane Geoffroy, and copied into La Lumière, appears to possess many of the advantages of the wax-paper, while it gets rid of those blemishes of which so many complain. I have therefore thought it deserving the attention of English photographers, and so send a translation of it to '"N. & Q." As I have preserved the French measures—the litre and the gramme—I may remind those who think proper to repeat M. Geoffroy's experiments, that the former is equal to about 2 pints and 2 ounces of our measure; and that the gramme is equal to 15.438 grains, nearly 15½.

I send you a complete description of a method for either wet or dry paper, which has many advantages over that of Mr. Le Gray.

I assure you it is excellent; and its results are always produced in a manner so easy, so simple, and so certain, that I think I am doing great service to photographers in publishing it.

1st. I introduce 500 grammes of yellow or white wax into 1 litre of spirits of wine, of the strength usually sold, in a glass retort. I boil the alcohol till the wax is completely dissolved (first taking care to place at the end of my retort an apparatus, by means of which I can collect all the produce of the distillation). I pour into a measure the mixture which remains in the retort while liquid; while it is getting cool, the myricine and the cerine harden or solidify, and the céroléine remains alone in solution in the alcohol. I separate this liquid by straining it through fine linen; and by a last operation, I filter it through a paper in a glass funnel, after having mixed with it the alcohol resulting the distillation. I keep in reserve this liquor in a stopper-bottle, and make use of it as I want it, after having mixed it in the following manner.

2nd. Next I dissolve, in 150 grammes of alcohol, of 36 degrees of strength, 20 grammes of iodide of ammonium (or, of potassium), 1 gramme of bromide of ammonium or potassium, 1 gramme of fluoride of potassium or ammonium.

I then pour, drop by drop, upon about 1 gramme of fresh-made iodide of silver a concentrated solution of cyanide of potassium, only just sufficient to dissolve it.

I add this dissolved iodide of silver to the preceding mixture, and shake it up: there remains, as a sediment at the bottom of the bottle, a considerable thickness of all the above salts, which serve to saturate the alcohol by which I replace successively the saturated which I have extracted by degrees in the proportions below.

3rd. Having these two bottles ready, when I wish to prepare negatives, I take about 200 grammes of the solution No. 1. of céroléine and alcohol, with which I mix 20 grammes of the solution No. 2.; I filter the mixture with care, to avoid the crystals which are not dissolved, which always soil the paper; and in a porcelain tray I make a bath, into which I lay to soak for about a quarter of an hour the papers selected and cut, five or six at a time, till the liquor is exhausted. Taken out, hung up by the corner, and dried, these papers, which have taken a uniform rosy tint, are shut up free from dust, and kept dry. With regard to the sensitizing by nitrate of silver, the bringing out of the image under the action of gallic acid, and fixing the proof by hyposulphite of soda, I follow the usual methods, most frequently that of Mr. Le Gray.

I add only, if I have any dissolved, 1 or 2 grammes of camphorated spirits to 1 litre of the solution of gallic acid.

Allow me, Sir, to say a few words on the great advantages I have always remarked in preparing my negatives by this method.

All those who use papers waxed by Mr. Le Gray's process, know how many, how tedious, and how difficult are the operations before the sensitizing by nitrate of silver. They know too how much care is necessary to obtain papers uniformly prepared and without spots, in the midst of such long operations, in which there are so many opportunities for accidents. In fact, one must be always upon one's guard against the impurities of the wax obtained from the shop; against the dust during the impregnation of the paper; and, while using the iron, against the over-heating of the latter, and against the bad quality of the paper used to blot.

Photographers know also how much wax they lose by this process, and how much it costs for the quantities of paper necessary to dry it properly. They know likewise how difficult and tedious it is to soak a waxed paper which has been previously in a watery solution. On the contrary, by the method I have described, the iodizing and the waxing is done by one single, simple, and rapid process; the saturation is, as may be conceived, very uniform, and very complete, thanks to the power of penetration possessed by the alcohol; and that marbled appearance of the ordinary waxed proofs, which is so annoying, cannot be produced by this method, thanks to the character of the céroléine: this body is, in fact, of a remarkable elasticity.

The solution of céroléine in the alcohol is more easy to prepare, and comparatively costs little; and the remains of stearine and of myricine can either be sold again, or, in any case, may be used to wax fixed proofs.

The solution of which I have given you the formula, is photogenic to a very high degree; in fact, used with papers, either thin or stout, it gives, after the first bath of gallic acid, blacks of an intensity truly remarkable; which it is impossible to obtain to the same degree with Le Gray's paper, and which other papers scarcely take after having been done a second time with the acetic acid, or the bichloride of mercury. At the same time, it preserves the lights and the half-tones in a way that surprises me upon each new trial (I have not yet been able to obtain one clear proof by gallic acid, with the addition of nitrate of silver). The transparency of the proofs is always admirable, and the clearness of the object yields in nothing to that of the proofs obtained by albumen.

The paper, prepared in the manner I have described, is also very quick as compared with Le Gray's paper—at least one fourth quicker; and preserves its perfect sensitiveness in the same proportion of time, three days in twelve. Thus, it is at the same time quicker and less variable. This comparative rapidity may be very well understood, by remembering that the céroléine is an element much softer than its compound; and possesses a photogenic aptness which is peculiar to itself, which science will, no doubt, soon explain.

To succeed in the preparation of the céroléine, it is important to work with wax of the best quality; this is not easy in Paris, where they sell, under the name of wax, a resinous matter which is only wax in appearance. It will be well to observe, with the greatest care, the smell and the look of a fresh cut.

[This article reached us after our preceding note was in type. We shall be glad to hear from any correspondents who have tried this process how far they find it to be one deserving of attention.]

Replies to Minor Queries.

Origin of Clubs (Vol. ix., p. 327.).—Johnson's definition of club, as "an assembly of good fellows, meeting under certain conditions," will apply to a meeting held two centuries earlier than that established by Sir Walter Raleigh at the Mermaid, in Friday Street. In the reign of Henry IV., there was a Club called "La Court de bone Compagnie," of which Occleve was a member, and probably Chaucer. In the works of the former are two ballads, written about 1413, one a congratulation from the brethren to Henry Somer, on his appointment as Sub-Treasurer of the Exchequer; and the other a reminder to the same person, that the "styward" had warned him that he was—

" . . . . for the dyner arraye

Ageyn Thirsday next, and nat it delaye."

That there were certain conditions to be observed by this Society, appears from the latter epistle, which commences with an answer to a letter of remonstrance the "Court" has received from Henry Somer against some undue extravagance, and a breach of their rules. They were evidently a jovial company; and such a history as could be collected of these Societies would be both interesting and curious. We have proof that Henry Somer received Chaucer's pension for him.

Dr. Whichcote and Dorothy Jordan (Vol. ix., p. 351.).—The sentence which Mr. Leigh Hunt couples with Mrs. Jordan's laugh, as among the best sermons he ever heard, your correspondent Ξανθος will find in the collection of Moral and Religious Aphorisms of Dr. Whichcote, first published by Dr. Jeffery in 1703, and which were re-published by Dr. Salter in 1753. It is to the following effect:

It is possible that Mr. Leigh Hunt may have found it in the little Manual of Golden Sentences, published by the Rev. John Hunter, Bath, 1826, 12mo., where it occurs at p. 64., No. xlvi.

With respect to Dorothy Jordan's laugh, to those of your readers who, like myself, have heard it, and treasure it among their joyous remembrances, no comment will be wanting.

"Paid down upon the Nail" (Vol. ix., p. 196.).—Your correspondent Abhba mentions Limerick, on the authority of O'Keefe the dramatist, as the place where this saying originated; from the fact of a pillar, with a circular plate of copper upon it, having stood in a piazza under the Exchange in this ancient city: which pillar was called "the nail." Permit me to remark, Bristol also claims the origin of this saying: vide the following paragraph in No. 1. p. 4. of the Curiosities of Bristol, published last September:

I should infer that, from the fact of Bristol having been at the time of the erection of these pillars (some centuries ago) by far the most important place in the British empire (London only excepted), it is more likely to have originated this commercial saying than Limerick.

"Man proposes, but God disposes" (Vol. ix., pp. 87. 202.).—I regret that I am unable to afford Mr. Thomas any information respecting the Abbot Gerson, to whom the authorship of the De Imitatione has been attributed, beyond what is contained in the preface to the edition which I before quoted. The authority there cited is a dissertation, entitled Mémoire sur le véritable auteur de l'Imitation de Jésus-Christ, par G. de Gregory, Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, etc., Paris, 1827. The contents of this work are thus described in that preface:

I have been informed that an interesting article upon the question of the authorship has recently appeared in a very recent number of a Roman Catholic Review; I believe Brownson's American Quarterly.

H. P. wishes for some other quotations from De Imitatione Christi, in order to test the claims to originality of that extraordinary work; I therefore now supply another—"Of two evils we ought always to choose the least,"—because I strongly suspect that it is even some centuries older than the time of the author, Thomas à Kempis. It will be found in b. III. ch. xii. of the English translation.

Roman Catholic Patriarchs (Vol. viii., p. 317.).—The following, with the signature W. Fraser, appeared in "N. & Q.":

The Archbishop of Lisbon has the title of Patriarch of the Indies; but it does not appear that he has any defined jurisdiction, being only an inferior patriarch, and with a title little more than honorary. His grand vicars, however, are archbishops; and his seal has, like those of other patriarchs, the tiara encircled with two crowns only. This patriarchate was created by Pope Clement XI., by his constitution In supremo Apostolatus. Afterwards, in the year 1720, the same Pope conferred upon the Patriarch of Lisbon the exclusive right of anointing the Kings of Portugal at their coronation on the right arm, which had previously been the privilege of the Archbishop of Braga.

The primate of Portugal has the style of "patriarch," but I do not know of any privileges or authority that he has beyond those appertaining to the rank of archbishop or cardinal, when he happens to be one, as at present.

Classic Authors and the Jews (Vol. ix., p. 221.).—In Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography a few references are given, under the words "Herodes," "Hyrcanus," &c., to classical authors who refer to the Jewish people, their country and customs. Probably many more will be given in the Dictionary of Geography, under the words "Palestine," "Jerusalem," &c., when the work is completed. To suppose that the classical authors allude but seldom to the Jews is a mistake. Roman writers of the post-Augustan period abound in allusions to them. I can supply B. H. C. with a few. The Histories of Tacitus refer to them in almost every page, and book v. especially contains an account of their origin, institutions, chief city, and temple. Juvenal also has frequent allusions to their customs and habits, e. g. Sat. iii. 14., xiv. 101. &c.; see also Horace's Satires, I. iv. 143., I. v. 100., and I. ix. 70., with Macleane's notes on the two latter passages; Pliny, V. xiv. 15., XIII. iv. 9., XXXI. viii. 44.; Quint., III. vii. 21.; Just., xxxvi. 2. I am not aware of any work which gives all the passages in classical authors referring to the Jews.

In answer to your correspondent B. H. C., I beg to say that I have found out the following passages in classic authors bearing on Judea and the Jews, all of which I have authenticated myself, except where I had not the book at hand:

Tacitus. Annales, ii. 85.; xii. 23. 54.; xv. 44.

Ditto. Historiæ, i. 10.; ii. 1. 4, 5. 78. 79. 81.; v. passim.

Horace. Satires, i. 4. 143.; i. 5. 100.; i. 9. 70.

Juvenal. Satires, ii. 14.; vi. 158-160, 537-547.; xiv. 96-106.

Persius. Satires, v. 180-189.

Martial, iv. 4.

Suetonius. Tiberius, 36.; Augustus, 76.; Claudius, 25.; Vespasian, 5. &c.; Julius Cæsar, 84.

Pliny, v. 14, 15, 16. &c.; vii. 15.; xxviii. 7.

Dio Cassius, lx. §6.; xxxvii. §17.

Lucan, ii.

Mawkin (Vol. ix., p. 303.).—An attempt to explain the origin of the word maukin, or malkin, may be seen in the Philological Museum, vol. i. p. 681. (See also Halliwell's Dict., in Malkin and Maulkin.) The most probable derivation of the word is, that malkin is a diminutive of mal, abbreviated from Mary, now commonly written Moll. Hence, by successive changes, malkin or maukin might mean a dirty wench, a figure of old rags dressed up as a scarecrow, and a mop of rags used for cleaning ovens. The Scotch maukin, for a hare, seems to be an instance of an animal acquiring a proper name, like renard in French, and jack for pike in English.

Mantelpiece (Vol. ix., p. 302.).—French, Manteau de cheminée. German, Kamin Mantel. This is the moulding, or mantle, that serves to hide (screen) the joint betwixt the wall and the fire-stove.

Mousehunt (Vol. ix., pp. 65, 135.).—A short time ago I was informed by a gamekeeper, that this little animal is found in the Holt Forest. He told me that there are three kinds of the weasel tribe in the woods: the weasel, the stoat or stump, and the mousehunt or mousehunter, which is also called the thumb, from its diminutive size. It feeds on mice and small birds; but my informant does not think that it attacks game.

White of Selbourne mentions that such an animal was supposed to exist in his neighbourhood:

As I can completely join in with the praise your correspondent Mr. Tennyson awards to Mr. Fennell's Natural History of Quadrupeds (except as regards some of its woodcuts, which I understand were inserted by the publisher in spite of the author's remonstrance), I feel induced to protect Mr. Fennell from the hypercritical commentary of your correspondent J. S.s. (p. 136.).

In the passage quoted and commented on, had Mr. Fennell used the word beach, it would certainly have referred to the sea; but the word "shore," which he there uses, applies to rivers as well as seas. Thus Spenser, speaking of the river Nile, says:

"... Beside the fruitful shore of muddy Nile,

Upon a sunny bank outstretched lay,

In monstrous length, a mighty crocodile."

The passage, therefore, in Mr. Fennell's work does not seem to me to be incorrect, as it may have reference to the shore of the Tweed, Ettrick, Yarrow, or some other rivers in Selkirkshire.

May I take the present opportunity of inquiring through your truly useful columns, when Mr. Fennell's work on the natural history of Shakspeare, advertised some few years since, is likely to appear?

"Vanitatem observare" (Vol. ix., pp. 247. 311.).—The quotation of R. H. G. is no more to be found in the Canons of Laodicea than in those of Ancyra. Indeed the passage has more the appearance of a recommendation, certainly excellent, than of any grave decree of a council. It can hardly be supposed to bear any other meaning than that Christian females ought not to indulge vanity, or take occasion to be vain of their works in wool, spun or woven; but to refer all their talent to the Almighty, who gives to them the skill and ability to work. Here is evidently an allusion to the skill and wisdom given to Beseleel and Ooliab:

And Christian women are reminded that all their skill in such work is the gift of God. The learned Benedictine Rupertus has a comment upon this passage of Exodus, so apposite that its substance may appropriately conclude this Note:

The passage which your correspondent R. H. G. quotes from the Council of Ancyra, A.D. 314, is not to be found in the canons of that Council, which are printed in their original Greek, with several Latin translations, in Labbe's Concilia, vol. ii. p. 513. The meaning of the sentence does not seem very abstruse; but before any suggestion is made for its interpretation, it will be desirable to ascertain to what Council it belongs.

Divining Rod (Vol. viii., pp. 350. 400.).—Your correspondents do not tell us what was discovered in the places to which the rod pointed in the hands of the ladies named; but although they cannot for a moment be suspected of wilfully deceiving, may there not have been, as in table-turning, an unconscious employment of muscular force? I have long since read, and have tried with success, the following mode of producing the effect:—Holding the rod in the usual position, one branch of the fork in each hand, and grasping them firmly, turn your hands slowly and steadily round inwards, i. e. the right hand from the right to left, and the left from left to right—the point of the rod will then gradually descend till it points directly downwards.

Orange Blossoms (Vol. viii., p. 341.).—The compliment of Captain Absolute to Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals, contains, I have no doubt, the allegorical reason of the employment of these flowers on bridal occasions; and in that view they seem highly appropriate, at least in our colder climates—where we often see many "flowers" still on the parent stem, while the "fruit" has attained its full perfection.

"Hip, hip, hurrah!" (Vol. viii., pp. 88. 323. 605.).—Allow me to correct two mistakes with reference to the notes on this subject. The note ascribed to Dr. Burney, in a copy of Hawkins's History of Music, in the British Museum, is in the handwriting of Sir John Hawkins, as are all the other notes scattered through the five volumes. These MS. notes have been included in the recent reprint of this valuable work. In the hurry of transcribing, Mr. Chappell (as your correspondent A. F. B. suggests) misread the MS. note. In future we must read "hop drinkers," and not "hep drinkers."

Belgium Ecclesiastical Antiquities (Vol. vii., p. 65.).—The inquiry of Ajax has only been recently brought under my notice. In reply, I refer him to Recueil Héraldique et Historique des Familles de Belgique. This is the finest work on the antiquities, civil, military, and ecclesiastic, of that country: it was printed at Antwerp by Rapell fils, and is in five large 4to. volumes. I saw a copy sold in Malines for about 3l.: it is now become more scarce, and probably could not be obtained under 4l.

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.

The Faussett Collection has, as our readers are probably aware, become the property not of the public, but of a private individual, Mr. Joseph Mayer, F.S.A., of Liverpool, who, with praiseworthy liberality, has resolved to make the Collection as useful as possible to the public. He has therefore determined to publish, under the title of Saxon Antiquities from the Kentish Tumuli, Mr. Faussett's copious MS. accounts of the opening of the Barrows, and of the discoveries made in them; accompanied by numerous illustrations of the more important objects themselves, especially of the world-renowned Gold Brooches, which exhibit such exquisite specimens of the artistic skill of our ancestors. The work will appear under the editorship of Mr. C. Roach Smith, who will illustrate Mr. Faussett's discoveries by the results of kindred investigations in France and Germany. The subscription price is Two Guineas, and the number of copies will, as far as possible, be regulated by the list of subscribers.

A few months since The Athenæum announced the discovery at Lambeth, some time previously, of a number of documents of the Cromwellian period. This announcement attracted the attention of some French literary man, probably M. Guizot, who appears to have made some inquiries on the subject, which resulted in a paragraph in the Journal des Débats, not, indeed, contradicting the fact of the discovery, but denying its importance. Can any of our readers throw light upon this matter? Had our valued correspondent Dr. Maitland still held office at Lambeth, there would probably not have been any doubt left as to the value or worthlessness of any MSS. discovered under the archiepiscopal roof,—albeit, found as we have understood these to have been, not in the department of the librarian, or, indeed, of any of the officials, but in some out-of-the way tower. Have these documents been examined? If so, what are they? If not, why does not the Society of Antiquaries send a deputation to the archbishop, and request his permission to undertake the task. Probably their labour would not be thrown away. At all events, the doubt which now exists, whether valuable but unused materials for a most important period of our history may not be mouldering at Lambeth, would be removed; and future Carlyles be spared useless journeys and wasted hours to rediscover them.

A publishing Society, somewhat similar to the Camden, has been established in the United States, under the title of The Seventy-six Society, for the publication and republication of books and papers relating to the American Revolution.

Books Received.—Gibbon's Rome, with Variorum Notes, Vol. III., Bohn's British Classics. The third volume of this cheap and excellent reprint of Gibbon extends from Julian's expedition against the Persians to the accession of Marcian.—The Book of the Axe, containing a Piscatorial Description of that Stream, &c., by George P. R. Pulman. A pleasant semi-piscatorial, semi-antiquarian, gossiping volume, welcome at this season, when the May-fly is looked for on the waters; illustrative of the fishing spots and historical localities of the far-famed Axe.—Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered, translated into English Spenserian; with a Life of the Author, by J. H. Wiffen, the new volume of Bohn's Illustrated Library, forms a fitting companion to Wright's Dante, so recently noticed by us.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES WANTED TO PURCHASE.

The Works of Dr. Jonathan Swift. London, printed for C. Bathurst, in Fleet Street, 1768. Vol. VII. (Vol. VI. ending with "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift," written in Nov. 1731.)

The Volume of the London Polyglott which contains the Prophets. Imperfection in other parts of no consequence.

*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

Particulars of Price, &c. of the following Books to be sent direct to the gentlemen by whom they are required, and whose names and addresses are given for that purpose:

Ancient Commerce of Hindostan, forming Vol. VII. of "Maurice's Indian Antiquities, 1796."

Wanted by the Rev. H. Atlay, B.-Casterton, Stamford.

Wanted by Lieut. Bruce, Royal Horse Artillery, Chatham.

Wanted by Mr. J. G. Nichols, 25. Parliament Street.

Plans or Maps of Ancient London, and Representations of Remarkable and Interesting Objects connected therewith—large size (such as Old St. Paul's, Paul's Cross, Old London Bridge, &c.).

Wanted by Mr. Joseph Simpson, Librarian, Literary and Scientific Institution, Islington, London.

Notices to Correspondents.

We must beg the indulgence of many Correspondents for omitting to reply to them this holiday week.

T. L. N. For the authorship of the Latin verse on Dr. Franklin, see our 5th Volume, pp. 17. 140. 549. 571.; and Vol. vi., p. 88.

M. W. Try a weaker solution of pyrogallic; that is, make the ordinary 3-grain to the ounce solution, and use one-third of that and one-third of plain water, and the results will probably be what you desire. The bath will keep for a long time, if kept free from dust, &c.

The extent which Photography occupies in our present Number will, we are sure, excuse us, in the eyes of several Correspondents. for the omission of their communications.

Our Eighth Volume is now bound and ready for delivery, price 10s. 6d., cloth, boards. A few sets of the whole Eight Volumes are being made up, price 4l. 4s.—For these early application is desirable.

"Notes and Queries" is published at noon on Friday, so that the Country Booksellers may receive Copies in that night's parcels, and deliver them to their Subscribers on the Saturday.

COLLODION PORTRAITS AND VIEWS obtained with the greatest ease and certainty by using BLAND & LONG'S preparation of Soluble Cotton; certainty and uniformity of action over a lengthened period, combined with the most faithful rendering of the half-tones, constitute this a most valuable agent in the hands of the photographer.

Albumenized paper, for printing from glass or paper negatives, giving a minuteness of detail unattained by any other method, 5s. per Quire.

BLAND & LONG, Opticians and Photographical Instrument Makers, and Operative Chemists, 153. Fleet Street, London.

THE SIGHT preserved by the Use of SPECTACLES adapted to suit every variety of Vision by means of SMEE'S OPTOMETER, which effectually prevents Injury to the Eyes from the Selection of Improper Glasses, and is extensively employed by

OTTEWILL'S Registered Double Body Folding Camera, adapted for Landscapes or Portraits, may be had of A. ROSS, Featherstone Buildings, Holborn; the Photographic Institution, Bond Street; and at the Manufactory as above, where every description of Cameras, Slides, and Tripods may be had. The Trade supplied.

SMEE'S BINOCULAR PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.—A full account of the mode of taking these extraordinary Likenesses in "Smee on the Eye," just published, price 5s.

PHOTOGRAPHY.—HORNE & CO.'S Iodized Collodion, for obtaining Instantaneous views, and Portraits in from three to thirty seconds, according to light.

Portraits obtained by the above, for delicacy of detail rival the choicest Daguerreotypes, specimens of which may be seen at their Establishment.

Also every description of Apparatus, Chemicals, &c. &c. used in this beautiful Art—123. and 121. Newgate Street.

IMPROVEMENT IN COLLODION.—J. B. HOCKIN & CO., Chemists, 289. Strand, have, by an improved mode of Iodizing, succeeded in producing a Collodion equal, they may say superior, in sensitiveness and density of Negative, to any other hitherto published; without diminishing the keeping properties and appreciation of half-tint for which their manufacture has been esteemed.

Apparatus, pure Chemicals and all the requirements for the practice of Photography. Instruction in the Art.

THE COLLODION AND POSITIVE PAPER PROCESS. By J. B. HOCKIN. Price 1s., per Post, 1s. 2d.

WESTERN LIFE ASSURANCE AND ANNUITY SOCIETY.

Trustees.—W. Whateley, Esq., Q.C.; George Drew, Esq., T. Grissell, Esq.
Physician.—William Rich. Basham, M.D.
Bankers.—Messrs. Cocks, Biddulph, and Co., Charing Cross.

POLICIES effected in this Office do not become void through temporary difficulty in paying a Premium, as permission is given upon application to suspend the payment at interest, according to the conditions detailed in the Prospectus.

Specimens of Rates of Premium for Assuring 100l., with a Share in three-fourths of the Profits:—

Now ready, price 10s. 6d., Second Edition, with material additions, INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT and EMIGRATION: being a TREATISE ON BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETIES, and on the General Principles of Land Investment, exemplified in the Cases of Freehold Land Societies, Building Companies, &c. With a Mathematical Appendix on Compound Interest and Life Assurance. By ARTHUR SCRATCHLEY, M.A., Actuary to the Western Life Assurance Society, 3. Parliament Street, London.

Age	£	s.	d.	Age	£	s.	d.
17	1	14	4	32	2	10	8
22	1	18	8	37	2	18	6
27	2	4	5	42	3	8	2