In the Museum of Thomas Bateman, Esq., of Youlgrave, Derbyshire, is a horn-book, discovered in the wall of an old house at Middleton, in March 1828. On the front, printed on paper, is the alphabet, etc., as shown in the woodcut-

Zavedefghijklmnopq

ris invwxyz (t. àêîôü

PAKSTUWú xpz.wm

The woodcut illustrations are of the same size with the original horn-book.

affixed to a thin piece of oak with a short handle, and protected "to save from finger wet the letters fair," by a piece of transparent horn, secured by small tacks. An equestrian figure of King Charles the First, with the crown of martyrdom, embossed on leather constitutes the back, and when first found, a narrow strip of thin brass was attached to the edge of the horn.

It was probably a Royalist Memorial disseminated soon after the decapitation of that Monarch, January 30, 1649. The initials T. II. were possibly placed there

Mr. Westwood at a meeting of the Archæological Institute, June 1, 1849, exhibited three horn-books. One of the time of Charles the First; another with a figure of Charles the Second, and the third, an "abece" of later date, not covered with horn but varnished.* Two of these horn-books were again exhibited at a meeting of the Archæological Institute, in the Museum of the Taylor Gallery, at Oxford, in the following year. They were there understood to belong to the collection of Sir Thomas Phillips, of Middle Hill, Broadway, Worcester

shire.

Archæological Institute Journal, Vol. VI., p. 414.

M

The horn-book was not always printed on paper, and attached to a thin piece of oak; they were at times printed on the horn, or the face of the printed paper glued or pasted to the back of the horn to be read through it.

Why the horn-book, a single leaf, should bear the appellation of a book has at times been questioned, but it once decided a cause when the late Lord Erskine was at the bar. The Court doubted the propriety of calling a printed sheet a book, when it could not be established by fact. "Yes, my Lord,” replied Erskine as counsel, "by the common horn-book."

THE BIOGRAPHER OF CAMOENS.

John Adamson, the third son of Cuthbert Adamson,* Lieut. R.N., by his second wife Mary, daughter of John Huthwaite, Esq., of Seaton Delaval, was born in High Street, Gateshead, in the house now occupied as the Fulwell Lime Office, on Thursday, Sept. 13, 1787. In early life he was sent to Lisbon on a mercantile course, which he subsequently abandoned, and on returning was articled to an attorney at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. His literary turn of mind appears while in Portugal to have diverted him from the pursuit of trade to that admiration and appreciation of Portuguese literature, which in later years was in his labours successfully developed. His first publication in 1808, duod., was a translation of the Tragedy of Nicola Luiz, entitled Dona Ignez de Castro; with some Remarks on her History. It was printed at Newcastle, and was favourably received.

In 1811, his legal attainments obtained for him the permanent appointment of Under Sheriff of Newcastle, this he retained till the passing of the Municipal Reform Bill in 1836, rendered that office no longer tenable. In 1811, he became a Member of the Literary and Philosophical Society in that town, and in 1825, accepted the office of Honorary Secretary, which he held till his decease. How well his endeavours and purposes were disposed towards the progress of that institution is evidenced by the extent and excellency of its library in its several departments.

The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-uponTyne was established Feb. 11, 1813, and Mr. Adamson, who had laboured successfully in its constitution, became their Treasurer and Secretary, and to their

The Adamson Family were in the sixteenth century considerable landowners in the County of Durham. The wills of many of them are deposited in the registry of Durham, and prove them to have been substantial yeomen. The earliest will, dated in 1582, is that of Margaret Adamson, widow, of Eldon, in which neighbourhood they would seem chiefly to have been settled. Surtees states that a great portion of the Redworth estate, as well as a part of the Whitworth property was acquired by purchase from the

Adamsons.

he was a frequent contributor. He was also a Member of the London Society of Antiquaries, and among other papers in their Archæologia, was the author of a paper illustrative of the Stycas and their varieties, discovered in a bronze vessel at Hexham, in Northumberland. Unable to appropriate sufficient time from the hours his other avocations demanded, he was assisted by the late Trotter Brockett, junior; the result of their co-operation was a lucid paper on a very diffi cult subject, greatly redounding to their credit. Mr. Adamson was also a Fellow of the Linnean Society; a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Science, Lisbon; a member of the Royal Society of Literature, and of various other distinguished societies at home and abroad.

That portion of his literary labours which will perpetuate his name, is his Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Luis de Camoens, printed in 1820, in 2 vols. In his acknowledgments to friends, he notices in particular those specially due to "Mrs. Cockle who obligingly versified his prose translations of those pieces which bear her initial.” To this lady he seems to have paid the utmost deference, and to have spoken with great diffidence of his labours on that work. Mrs. Cockle's copy of the book, on large paper, is before the writer, and has prefixed a long and interesting letter to her, from Mr. Adamson, in reference to her co-operation, and the topics of the day.

DEAR MADAM,-I send you herewith the second and third chapters of my Life of Camoens, to which I can add nothing having consulted every authority. I have de

tained the first and second on account of some new matter. It is very kind of you to take the trouble to look over the MS., there are many errors I am afraid in it, not being much accustomed to composition above what is usual in an attorney's office. I feel extremely diffident on the occa sion, and therefore beg you will alter any sentence or enlarge on any passage you think you can amend, for all which I shall feel grateful. The other chapters you shall have, and between us I hope we shall be able to make the work acceptable. I am sure it will be correct, and that very much research has been made and pains taken to render it so. I will consult some of my literary friends in London about it, for I am almost sick of the idea of publishing it here, there are so many trifling publications coming out and have appeared, this is entre nous. I shall go to London about the 8th of next month, and hope this time to get to Paris. You must come for a few days before go, that we may consult, and I must work hard this month.

The work was published in London by Messrs. Longmans, and has long been, in the language of Paternoster Row,-out of print. It was ably and most favourably reviewed by Southey, in the Quarterly Review, for May 1822.

Disposed towards collections of Natural History, he formed an extensive one of shells and fossils; of the former, in elucidation of its objects, and for conveying information to others, he published in 1823, the result

of his inquiries and observations in a work, entitled Conchological Tables; this too has long since been disseminated, and copies are now not obtainable. The collection was a few years subsequently disposed of in London, as from the frequency of importations from almost unknown portions of the globe by scientific and wellinformed naval commanders, what specimens in that department of science were once rarities, were rapidly becoming common and greatly reduced in value, a shell that at one time was not procurable for less than ten guineas, was from these causes in many instances estimated as dear at ten shillings; hence, to arrest further loss, he availed himself of an offer made to him for its purchase; he sold it, and presented his fossils to the Museum of the Natural History Society of Newcastle. In 1836, Mr. Adamson printed privately Bibliotheca Lusitania, a Catalogue of his collections in Portuguese Literature, this he presented to friends, and for years latterly, being without a copy, has often complained of his inability to obtain one. Subsequently, in the years 1842 and 1846, he printed privately Lusitania Illustrata: Illustrations of the Traditions and Minstrelsy of Portugal. The translations were by Mr. Adamson, but the versified form in which they appear was by his valued friend the Rev. R. C. Coxe, Vicar of Newcastleupon-Tyne.

On the morning of Monday, April 16, 1819, an oak beam within the chimney of Mr. Adamson's library, at his residence in Westgate Street, ignited and caused the entire destruction of his books, manuscripts, and choice collections on local and other antiquities. The whole was insured, but he was not disposed to press matters with the Insurance Office, and he arranged with them to accept twelve hundred pounds, a sum less than half of the cost, to say nothing of his rarities in Portuguese literature which had been presented to him by the Portuguese and Prussian governments, and various distinguished individuals: all were consumed.

The late Mr. Quillinan having at his death left in MS. a translation of the first Five Books of Camoens' Lusiad, which his daughters were desirous of publishing to add to their father's previous literary distinction, Mr. Adamson induced Mr. Moxon to publish it, but on finding that a loss of fifty pounds on the printing charges was unliquidated by a deficiency in the sale, he at once paid that sum, to preclude any anxiety in their minds. Independently of his business as a solicitor, Mr. Adamson was Secretary of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company, and also held other important situations, to all of which he rendered satisfactory attention; but the year 1855 appears to have been one of great personal infirmity and pain. In a letter to the writer, dated June 12, expressive of his desire to obtain certain desiderata in Portuguese literature to replace the loss occasioned by the fire, he expresses a fore-telling of what too soon happened

Having been sadly afflicted with the severest fit of gout I ever experienced, which has annoyed me for upwards of four months, and under which I am still suffering, and

almost crippled, I have been setting my things in order; and making a Catalogue of several curious and rare books which escaped the fire that consumed my Library.

He recovered sufficiently to effect his long-desired visit to the metropolis, and on Sept. 12th he called on the writer, and observed,—“ I have long wished to have a day with you, to-morrow is my birth-day, when I shall complete my sixty-eighth year, and I am determined you, my friend here, the Manager of the Newcastle Railway, and myself shall have an agreeable day to-morrow at the Crystal Palace." He would hear of no excuse, no avoidance of the pleasure that he had promised for himself, but insisted on the writer's being with him, early in the morning to breakfast, and start in good purpose to Sydenham. While there he seemed to experience considerable pain in the chest, which he appeared vainly to suppress. He admitted he felt great pain, but wished no one to observe it. At dinner, on wishing him many happier returns of the day, he thanked the writer for these kindly expressed wishes, but observed, he "had no desire to see another, and perhaps," said he, "you will also think as I do, that I have lived long enough, when I can see around me three-andtwenty grand-children." We parted, not without silent forebodings that his pains were more acute than he allowed them to appear; and he returned home on the morrow. On the evening of the 24th he became seriously ill, and he expired on Thursday, the 27th ult., at his house, No. 9, Victoria Terrace, Jesmond Road, Newcastle.

Long, very long, may his Memory be revered!

FOUNDATION STONE OF BLENHEIM PALACE.

In a common-place book of the late William Upcott, in my possession, is the following extract from some contemporary Diary, of the year 1705.

Woodstock, June 19. Yesterday being Monday, about six o'clock in the evening, was laid the first stone of the Duke of Marlborough's house, by Mr. Vanbrugge, and then seven Gentlemen gave it a stroke with a hammer, and each of them threw down a guinea. Sir Thomas Wheate was the first, Dr. Bouchel the second, Mr. Vanbrugge the third, I know not the rest. sorts of musicke, three morris-dances, one of young fellows, one of maidens, and one of old beldames. There were about a hundred buckets, bowls and pans filled with wine,

There were several

punch, cakes and ales. From my Lord's house, all went

to the Town-hall, where plenty of sack, claret, cakes, etc., were prepared for the gentry and better sort; and under the Cross, eight barrels of ale, with abundance of cakes, were placed for the common people.

The stone laid by Mr. Vanbrugge was eight square, finely polished, about eighteen inches over, and upon it inlaid in pewter were these words:―

IN MEMORY OF

THE

BATTEL OF BLENHEIM,

JUNE 18, 1705.

ANNA REGINA.

The battle of Blenheim was fought August 3, 1704. EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

GRANT OF TOWN ARMS TO IPSWICH.

The accession of Queen Elizabeth as a Protestant monarch was a source of much gladness to the people of England, and in that particular no town displayed more loyalty than that of Ipswich. The Queen, conscious of their good feeling, visited them on more than one occasion, and the charters which had been confirmed to them by King Edward the Sixth, July 8, 1548, she again confirmed by an inspeximus dated at Westminster, Sept. 23, 1560. In 1561, some notice of the Queen's purpose to again visit the town having been announced, assessors were named on June 10, in that year, to assess all the inhabitants to the charges of the Queen's entertainment on her next coming, and all who did not pay their assessments were to be disfranchised. At the close of July, the Queen was at Colchester, and went thence to Ipswich, and was entertained there from Wednesday, August 6, till the following Sunday. The amount of each day's charges are thus recorded

This sum may be said to have been solely expended on the festivities of that occasion. The poor were scarcely remembered, and the entry of Elemosina, or doie, is only four shillings!

The governing authorities of the town, having obtained a confirmation of their charters and privileges, appear to have thought of their armorial honours, and required from William Harvey,* then Clarenceux, a patent, which was granted in the following terms:

To all and singular as well Kings Heralds and Officers of Armes as Nobles, Gentlemen, and others which these presents shall see or hear, WILLIAM HERVYE Esquire otherwise named Clarencieux principal Heralde and Kinge of Armes of the Southe East and West parties of this Realme of Englande sendeth our comendacions and greeting; Forasmuch as auncyentlye from the beginninge the renowne of aunciente Cytes and Towns corporat hath ben comended to the Worlde by sundrye Signs and Tokens in shelds called Armes which are none other things than demonstracions of the good desert and lawdable art and costomes of the inhabitants of the same, Among the which I the sayde Clarencieulx, Kinge of Armes have at this present

• William Harvey, created Norroy by patent, dated Feb. 2, 1551, succeeded Thomas Hawley, Clarenceux, who died August 21, 1557. His being raised to that office is thus noticed : Nov. 21, 1557. The Queen (Mary) set a crown upon the head of Mr. Norroy, king-at-arms, and created him Clarenceux, with a cup of wine, at St. James's, her Grace's place." He died at Thame, in Oxfordshire, Feb. 27, 1567.

specially noted the right worshipful and well disposed persons the Bayliffe and Burgesses of the Town of Lypswiche who hath well and worshipfully guided and behaved themselves in all humble obedience towards theyr prince and countrye from the beginning, so that they by theyr severe orders and couragious proceedings have rather augmented the estate and comen wealth of theyr sayd towne than otherways decayed the same, whereby they have well merited and deserved to be in all places of Honour and Worship accepted and receyved, and to have, use and beare suche signes and tokens in shelds called Armes, as shall be mete and convenyent for a further declaration of their comendable proceedings herein. And whereas at this present John Gardyner and Jeffrey Gylbert bayliffs of the sayde Towne of Iypswiche beinge uncertaine of the auncient armes belonging to theyr said Towne and Corporacion and not willing to do any thing preiudiciall to anye manner of person or persons hath instantly requyred me the saide Clarencieulx Kinge of Armes to make a searche in the register and recordes of myne offiyce and to assigne unto them theyr right auncient armes, Whereupon considering theyr request so iuste and reasonable I have accordlye made searche in my sayde registers and records, and have founde the antiquitye thereof so that I could not without theyr greate preindyce alter or change the same, but accordinge to my callynge in office ratifye and confirme theyr sayde aunciente armes as followeth (that is to say) Partye par pale gules and azure, in the first a lyon rampant regardant gold armys and langues azure; in the second, thre demy botes of the third. And for a testimony and further encrease of theyr wourthyness I have granted and assigned unto them for an augmentacion of theyr sayde armes, healme and creaste two supporters, that is to say, upon the healme, a demy lyon golde supportinge a shyppe sable, on a wreath argent and sable manteled gules dobled argent; and for theyr supporters, two horses of the sea argent, commonly called Neptune's Horses maynde and fynned golde, supportinge the owlde and auncyent armes belonging to theyr Towne and Corporacion as more playnelye aperith depicted in this, which armes healme and creste with the two supporters I the sayde Clarencieulx Kinge of Armes by power and authoryte to myne office anexed and granted under the Great Seale of England have ratefyed and confirmed given and granted and by these presents do ratefy and confyrm give and graunte unto the said John Gardener and Jeffrey Gylbert at this present bayliffs of the sayde Towne of Iypswiche and to theyr successors for evermore by the name bayliffs burand crest to use and beare and show in sheld and bangesses and comonaltye, and the same armes healme ners or bannar rowles standerd or standerds pennon or pennons pencell or pencells to theyr honour and wourshippe at theyr lybertye and pleasure without impediment lett or interrupcion of any person or perIn Witness whereof I the sayde Clarencieulx Kinge of Armes have hereunto subscribed my name

sons.

and sealed the same with the seale of myne offiyce, and the seale of myne armes the xxijnd daye of August in the yeare of our Lorde God 1561, and in the third yeare of the Reigne of our most dread Sovereigne Ladye Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queene of England Fraunce and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.

W. HERVEY als. Clarencieux,
King of Armes.

The original of this grant is now wholly unknown to the Corporation of Ipswich. For many years the Corporation papers were heedlessly thrown about the Council-chamber, no care was taken of them; and as all the townspeople had access to them, any person could take what he pleased. The original grant is believed to have been lost to the town many years since. J. J. H. Lee-road, Blackheath, Oct. 7.

FLY-LEAF RHYMES.

On the fly-leaves of mathematical and other works, which passed from Nicholson's circulating library at Cambridge to the students in the several colleges, were frequently inscribed, in their leisure moments, many occasional witty allusions. The following have been noticed by the writer

Robin o'Bobbin o' Bilbury Staines,

Than three score men has got more brains;

For three score men have been hang'd for theft,
While Robin o'Bobbin o'Bilbury's left.

Another, appears to have been written, possibly by some waggish pupil, on the botanical propensity of his

tutor

A little garden little Jowett made,

And fenced it with a little palisade: Would you know the taste of little Jowett, This little garden won't a little show it. Joseph Jowett, LL.D., was Professor of Civil Law at Cambridge, where he died in November, 1813, in his sixty-third year. J. D.

PORTRAIT OF TOM D'URFEY. Prefixed to the Pills to purge Melancholy, is a finely engraved portrait of D'Urfey, by Vertue, but it is a front face, the object being to divert the attention from the prominency of the Nasal organ. At Knowle House in Kent, is a painting of the Steward's room, with three persons, portraits of the Earl of Dorset's steward, his chaplain and D'Urfey, from this a Mezzotinto, a private plate was done, and in the Strawberry Hill Catalogue, p. 225, no. 81, is described as "a humourous printa Toping Meeting of a Parson, a Burgher Master's Steward, and a Poet." Walpole so misrepresented the facts, though Cole, Add. MSS. Brit. Mus. 6391; has there recorded D'Urfey "never forgave the Earl of Dorset for having his picture done, as he was so ugly he never would sit for it." The writer of the Notes to the Effigies Poeticæ, observes in reference to this portrait-we never saw a human countenance which so entirely resembled a mask as this, and yet it is a strong resemblance of the author.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

RUNDALE TENURE IN LANDS.

Can any Correspondent of Current Notes say what was the origin of the Rundale system of tenure in lands? The practice prevailed formerly in Yorkshire, and may do so still; the word balk, however, is well known in that county as implying a ridge of greensward left by the plough in ploughing, or by design by different occupancies in a common field. Downpatrick, Oct. 3. J. A. PILSON.

SHAKESPEARE'S CHAIR.

The chairs of distinguished men have long been pictorially transmitted to after ages as objects of curiosity and interest. In reference to England's dramatic bard, every relic has been venerated with intense feeling, and since the asserted house of his birth at Stratford-uponAvon has been visited as a shrine by those who have admired his transcendant genius, there has constantly been pointed out a particular chair as that which Shakespeare used. These chairs have, however, been fabricated from time to time to suit the exigency of demand, and the public have been grossly deceived. The Empress Catharine heard that Shakespeare's Chair' remained at Stratford-upon-Avon, she was determined to possess it, and accordingly directed Count Woronzow to secure it, even at the price of Five Hundred pounds. It is almost nugatory to observe, the

6

the memory of her predecessor the Czar Peter, with almost The Empress was a zealous collector, and cherished

a frenzied veneration. She had read or had been informed, that while in London, when he landed from Deptford, at the Tower Stairs, there was a public-house in Great Tower Street, at which he used to stop and refresh himself, and that, in compliment to his visits there, the Czar's Head was