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MIDDLESEX ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

On the 26th ult., the London and Middlesex Archæological Society held their second evening meeting in Mr. Gambart's French Gallery, No. 121, Pall Mall. The meeting was numerously attended, and the papers read were of considerable interest. The Society, from the already printed long list of names of Members of wealth, position and worth, men of probity and talent in their several pursuits, will from the constant accession of applications and elections soon be a Legion, and outnumber several existing institutions. One thing that greatly added to the refinements of the assembly, was the unusually large number of ladies, who were introduced by the members; these appeared in the evening costume of the better class of society, and their elegance and gayness of colours refreshened the sombre, quiet and unobtrusive garb of Antiquaries, Architects, Clergy, and men of Science. After the reading of the papers was concluded, an entertainment to the ladies followed, and the evening seemed passed in full enjoyment by every one present.

Some sober calculators mooted among themselves how this entertainment was provided? because the annual contribution of Ten shillings, by each member, is not likely in the present undefined position of the Society, to go far in this matter; the Society are yet without any certified or established place of meeting; nor is it clearly understood whether the papers and communications of the Members are to be printed or not. Let these questions be determined, and many more adherents will be found. The introduction of ladies by the members will unquestionably add much to the popularity of these meetings, and conduce greatly to the appearance and elegance of the purposes of the Society; but then, some consideration must be shown to the lady visitors, by the adding or appending translations of quotations by the learned readers of papers. The reverend author of a paper on the early British History before the landing of Julius Cæsar, finished the rounding of many of his paragraphs by quoting the language of the monkish writers, and reciting in their Latin, the facts as he found them related by the historians long ages since numbered with the dead. These passages were beyond construing by the novel or story-reading of some of the gaily dressed evening associates of the members of this Society, and several were observed, to bow their heads and smile to one another, at the recital of so much heathen Greek to them. To be understood by all, translations must follow, or many will leave the assembly as wise as they came, or at best only half informed.

EPITAPH ON A PHYSICIAN.

Hâc sub humo, per quem tot jacuêre, jacet.

Which may be thus translated

A grave for him is here provided,
Thro' whom so many of us lie dead.

EULOGIUM ON ENGLISH VALOUR.

The following lines are from England, a Poem, by R.
White, Esq., of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, recently printed
in that town for distribution among the Author's friends:
Full throbs mine ardent breast to learn,
That in each sea throughout the world,
Surrounding nations may discern

Aloft thy naval flag unfurl'd.
So while above the ocean wide
Thou dost maintain supreme command,
Thy meanest son has cause of pride

That he was born in such a land!
Thy blood within thy people's veins

Their ancient warlike lineage shows,
Which all its former force retains,

And with renewing freshness flows;
Brave is the tide as when of old

It urged to flight the arrowy show'r
That with effect so deadly told

At Cressy and at Agincourt.
The battles which at sea were won

With Nelson, let our annals tell;
And those on land with Wellington
Re-echo to thy praise as well.
On Alma's heights who led the van?
Or nobler still, what battle field
May vie with that of Inkerman,

Where British valour last was seal'd?
Thy dauntless sons this spirit nerves

All rude aggression to withstand,
And hence thy name their zeal preserves
Inviolate on sea or land.

Thy standard floats triumphantly

O'er climes that earliest hail the light;
And regions homage pay to thee

Where latest fall the shades of night.

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No. LXIV.]

"Takes note of what is done-
By note, to give and to receive."-SHAKESPEARE.

PRINCE CHARLES'S SOJOURN AT LEIcester.

In 1604, Charles, Duke of York, subsequently the unfortunate King Charles the First; then a puny unhealthy child of four years of age, was brought to London from Scotland in the care of Lord Fyvie, afterwards Earl of Dunfermline. On his way hither, he passed through Leicester, and the borough manuscripts record the following notices of his entertainment by the town authorities.

The first is a letter addressed to the Right Worshipful the Mayor, or in his absence to the Aldermen of the

same.

Sr.-I ame to advertis you that on Wednesday the xvth of this instant, Duke Charles, the King's Mats. second sonne, wth my Lo: of ffyvie, Lo: Prsedent of the Sessions in Skottland, who hath charge of his Grace, entendeth to bee at Lecester, whear thaye mean to rest Thursday all day, and on Friday after dinner to goe forwards on their jornye, ffor wch cause theise are in his Mats. name to require you to make choyce of a sufficient house for the lodgine of the Dukes Grace wth the Lo: Predent, whear ther must be xij bedds, with all nessicaries for a kytchine, and yt their bee iij hogsheads of beare layed in the same house, for the wch you shall have satisfaction; for pewter and lininge, [linen] his Grace must bee furnished wth from you; before his cominge their shalbee one sent for the makinge of p'vision, vnto whom I would, if hee find it full, he maye have your assistance. Thus, not doutinge of yor care herein, I byd you hartelie fare well, Yor lovinge ffrend,

ffrom Worsop, the ix of August, 1604.

JOHN CRANE.

[APRIL, 1856.

trumpeters. The Prince remained until after dinner on Friday, and then departed for Dingley.

As on former occasions the attendants on royalty evinced the disposition to make the most of their opportunity, without respect to the rights of property, for these manuscripts record that after their departure the Corporation had to pay "for certain Flanders fruit dishes, which with divers sorts of banquetting dishes were sent to the Duke, but of which fruit dishes some of Duke's officers and followers." them were broken,* and the rest carried away by the A portion of the pewter and linen that had been borrowed for the Duke's use was also abstracted by the royal attendants, of whom Scott, (Fortunes of Nigel,) quoting from the proclamations of the period, terms them "a beggarly rabble," and "an importunate crowd of disrespectful suitors." Some one with singular audacity actually stole one of the bolsters belonging to the Recorder's bed! Leicester, April 9. WILLIAM Kelly.

*To many persons this extract from the borough records will afford much to interest them. The garniture for the bouffet and the table in England, was at this period, for the most part silver and pewter; gold and glass rarely, and The richly embossed both more for ornament than use. cream coloured ware, dishes and plates, with perforated borders, erroneously termed by most dealers, "Elizabethan ned-ware," have no reference to that period; the English made pottery of that time, being black earthenware pots, in general use at ale houses, and commonly in domestic usethe red earthen pots, with a partial green glaze are ascribed to an earlier date. Oriental porcelain was then rarely to be found even on the tables of royalty—the deficiency was made up by importations from the continent, and the coarse stone bottle ware of Cologne; with the coarsely glazed dishes of Flanders, now more generally designated Delft ware, were brought into requisition, hence the appellation before made of "Flanders fruit dishes." By others, whose discernment has shown them the embossed ware is really not so early as the time of Elizabeth; it is asserted that they were manufactured at Stratford-le-Bow, in the reign of Anne, and hence obtained

The Mayor immediately despatched a messenger to Sir William Skipwith, to procure the use of his town mansion for the Prince and his train, which being obtained, in accordance with long customary arrangements, the walls of the rooms were decorated with green boughs, and the floors strewed with rushes and green leaves, for perfume and coolness during the warm weather. Pewter and linen were borrowed, and bedding and furniture were moved to Sir Thomas Skipwith's house, from the Recorder's chamber at the Town-Hall.

The Prince arrived on Wednesday the 15th, and during his stay, the Corporation presented to him and his retinue a banquet, or as we should now term it a dessert, with several gallons of sack and other wines and a sugar-loaf. Rhenish and claret wine was presented to Mr. Grimes, who had the charge of the king's horses, and twenty shillings were given to the King's

VOL. VI.

the distinction of "Queen's ware." This assertion is, however, as vague as the former, they are from the Staffordshire potteries, some of it, early in the last century; and the characteristics of the earlier fabric will be perceptible by the dark coarse colour of the clay. It was not till the aspiring energy of Josiah Wedgwood, so far improved the fineness and colour of this cream coloured manufacture that soon after her marriage he obtained the patronage of Queen Charlotte, when in compliment to her he named it "Queen's ware," and multiplied an infinity of articles in pottery of all denominations, forms and sizes, for the most part impressed with his name.-ED.

F

OXFORDSHIRE HISTORICAL MEMORANDA.

A correspondent (G. H. Barnett, Esq.) having kindly forwarded some original papers pertaining to the manor of Glympton, for selection of memoranda for "Current Notes," the following extracts have been considered as affording some interest.

The first, an autograph letter of Sir John Sedley, Knt. and Bart., sheriff of Kent, 1621. He married Elizabeth, only daughter and at length heir of Sir Henry Savile, Knt., Provost of Eton College. The letter addressed to Mr. Wheat, relates to the Sedley property in Glympton, and to an annuity on Mrs. Pollard's life, the particulars of which Sir John Lentall knoweth punctually.

He adds

Your seruaunt can giue you some notice of my howse att Aylesford which is the only commod yous seate in England; and I am very willinge to sell itt: if a wiseman, whoe is not very auaritious vew it: I knowe he will have it. Thus commendinge my best respects vnto you, I rest your very louinge frende,

This 14 Nou: Anno doi. 1633.

JOHN SEDley.

Charles the First, in May, 1634, issued writs to the ports and maritime counties, for the providing a fleet for maintaining the sovereignty of the Narrow Seas. This affair of the ship-money was the commencement of the King's troubles; and the writs, in 1635, were enlarged

and extended to the inland as well as the maritime counties. These created a general disgust, and were everywhere opposed, although the entire sum purposed to be levied by these writs amounted but to 236,000. The following is the substance of the paper addressed to the Sheriff of Oxford:

Instructions from the Privy Council to the High Sheriff of Oxford, dated from Whitehall ye 12th of August, 1635; requiring him, the Mayor, and Head officers of the Corporate Towns in Oxfordshire to assess themselves for the raising of 35007, the charges for providing a ship of 350 tons, to be furnished with men, munitions, tackle, victual, and other requisites to be set forth for the safeguard of the Seas and the defence of

The Sedley family were seated at Aylesford, in Kent. Sir William Sedley, of the Friars in Aylesford, Knt., was created a baronet, May 22, 1611. He purchased from Sir John Gerrard, Knt., Lord Mayor of London, 1601, the manor of Southfleet; hence his son, Sir John, on inheriting both houses, was desirous of disposing of the latter. He was, however, unsuccessful, as Sir Charles Sedley, his son, was born at Aylesford in 1639. He married Catharine, daughter of John Earl Rivers, and from this marriage was an only daughter, Catharine, who became the mistress of King James the Second, eternised in Dr. Johnson's maledictory line

And Sedley cursed the form that pleased a King. Sir Charles Sedley, the dramatist and wit, died August 20, 1701, when the title of Aylesford and Southfleet became

extinct.

Sir John Sidley, or Sedley, died August 13, 1638. probably at Southfleet. The baptismal register at Aylesford

dates only from 1653.

the Realme, at the charges of the said County. The Privy Council suggested the assessments to be thusthe Cytie of Oxford may well beare one hundred pounds; Henley, sixtie pounds; Banburie, fortie pounds; Chippinge Norton, thirtie pounds; Burford, fortie pounds; Woodstocke, twentie pounds, and the residue to be assessed upon the rest of the County, according to their judgment.

The following relates to the mischiefs caused by the conflicting powers of commanders among the Royalists. Diuers complaints have been this day made, amongst others one by Mr. Wheat of this county, that the carts bringing in provisions of corne and other victualls for the mayntenance of the Garrison here, at Oxford, are taken for other imployments, contrary to the King's express agreeconcerneth, are desired to take this into their consideration, ment and proclamation. The cart-takers and others who it and what preiudice this may bring to the King's most importune service at this time and in this place. April 17, 1644.

RO. HEATH.

The signature is that of Sir Robert Heath, Chief Justice, K.B., then attending upon the King. He died

in 1649.

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To ye Chiefe Comander of his Maties Forces at Godstow. Whereas we haue receiued a Warrant this present Monday from the High Constable of Wootton Hundred; These are to lett you vnderstand that since the 28th of May last we have been so ouerburdened with his Maties forces of horse and dragoons vnder the Comand of Prince Maurice, the Lord Cleeueland, the Lord Wayntworth; and last the Lord Wilmott and the Lord Wayntworth, our charges being so great for theyr entertainment, that we are vtterly disabled to prouide Sustenance for our poore families, except we may haue reliefe from some neighbouring towns which haue not quartered att this time; besides our store of wheate and mault, which shaulde haue kepte our houses till haruest, they have spent and wasted vpon theyr horses and carried away and imediately vpon theyr departure came the parliament forces who swept the remainder. Wherefore, We do most earnestly request that we may be freed and excused from the Charge imposed upon vs by this Warrant, and so soone as God shall enable vs, we shalbe ready and willing to do the best we can for the supplieing of his maties souldiers.

A receipt, dated June 5, 1657, acknowledges twenty shillings having been paid by William Wheate, Esq. for a license for retailing wines in the parish of Glympton, in the Hundred of Woodstock. The rent for this license was for the half year ending Dec. 25, 1656. The yearly license was charged at forty shillings, receiveable by the agents for granting wine licenses, for the use of his Highness and the Common Wealth.

under a certain penalty, allowed to be grown in EngTobacco during the time of the Commonwealth was, land, but at length was interdicted; the prohibition continued after the restoration, but the mandates against

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After our hearty Comendacons, His Matie being wearied with continuated Complaints, That notwithstanding the frequent Directions and Comands of this Board from time to time (amongst others) to the Sheriffe of the County of Oxford requiring their care and industry in the destroying all the Plantacons of Tobacco in their respective Counties (which are soe strictly grounded upon the Act of Parliament, prohibiting the Planting, setting or sowing of Tobacco in England, and his Maties proclamations) yet by renewed Informacōns, cannot but observe his Clemency abused, and the stubbourne Spirits of non-Conformists improved, And that contrary to his Royal Comands they continue in digging up new grounds, and the people resolved to persist in their disobedience of planting this yeare; which upon deliberate Consultacōn evidently appeares will tend to the great prejudice of his Maties fforraigne plantations and customes, and hindrance of the Navigation of this Kingdome. Of which insolence and contempt his Matie is very sensible; And therefore hath Comanded us to will and require you the now Sheriffe of the County of Oxford, That forthwith without any manner of Connivance or favour to any person whatsoever, you cause all such Tobacco soe planted, sett, sowen, curing or cured, within the said County of Oxford to be burnt, plucked up, and utterly destroyed, according as by the said Act, his Maties proclamation, and our former Letters is enioyned; And we doe also require and authorize you, and hereby Comand you to be ayding and assisting to Clement Dowle, Esq., Collector of his Maties Customes in the port of Gloucester, and to such other person or persons as hee shall thinke fitt to imploy in the destroying of such Tobacco in that County, according to the tenor of our Comission to him given in that behalfe, And so not doubting of your more than ordinary Care herein, Wee bid you farewell.

From the Court at Whitehall the 20th of June 1666.
Your very loving ffriends,

Clarendon

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CHARLES THE FIRST AT CARISBROOKE CASTLE.

Some years since I sketched the window within the ruins of Carisbrooke Castle, from which the King in 1648, vainly attempted to escape; and forward it as an illustration, with some references to contemporaries respecting that event.

Sir Thomas Herbert simply mentions that the King, from some aggravations, designed an escape, horses being provided near the castle, and a vessel made ready for his transportation, but by a corrupted corporal in the garrison took not effect. Ashburnham appears to have suggested the King's escapement, if he would engage some person to assist him out of the castle to the waterside, where a boat would be ready to receive him; with horses at Netley Park, to convey him to the place, where a ship was provided to carry him off.† Ashburnham states the fact, that the King, by putting his head forward, instead of sideway, through the bars of the win

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dow (shewn in the vignette), mistook the way of measure, according to the rule, that where the head can pass the body may; by which error, when he attempted to pass, he stuck fast; and being in great extremity, he, with long and painful struggles, got back again without notice by any man, but him who waited to attend him, had he, by means of the window, lowered himself down. Clarendon, in his manuscripts, has two relations, one in accordance with the preceding, which was suppressed in all editions of his "History of the Rebellion," prior to 1826; the other is a totally different version; that the King had a file and a saw to enlarge the aperture for his escape, which he laboured to effect; but on resolving to go forth, discovered more persons than he suspected were privy to his purpose, and so shut the window and retired to his apartment. Clarendon here affecting to treat the King's being "stuck fast" in the window as a mere fiction

Among the letters between Colonel Hammond and the Committee at Derby House, one dated April 6, 1648, refers particularly to the King's attempt about a fortnight before, and that his breast was so big the bar would not give him passage; and that aqua fortis had been sent from London to assist the King in moving a bar as an obstacle. Another letter, dated April 15, de

Memoirs, edit. 1815, 8vo. p. 115. + Narrative, vol. ii. pp. 124-126. Hist. of the Rebellion. Oxford, 1704, fol. vol. iii. p. 179.

tails the King's purposes with the aqua fortis; but by another, dated April 22, it is stated the aqua fortis had been spilled by the way, by accident, but that a saw, for the royal use, had been taken from a plain fat man about four o'clock on the preceding day. The time assigned for the King's escape was May-day at night, but sooner if opportunity served.

Charles remained at Carisbrooke till December the first, in that year, when, by order of the army under Fairfax, he was taken to Hurst Castle, in Hampshire. Penzance, April 10. HENRY WILLIAMS.

THE LATE W. H. SCOTT, M.D., EDINBURGH,

Numismatic Science and its followers have sustained an irreparable loss in the late William Henry Scott, M.D., who died at Edinburgh, much lamented, on the fourth of October last, in his twenty-fourth year. It is difficult to imagine, how it was possible, in so short a life, to acquire so varied an amount of knowledge, as Dr. Scott possessed; but his mind from his earliest years was directed to historical and philological researches, which his never failing memory enabled him, whenever it was required, to embody and utilize with undeviating accuracy. His earliest perception of the use of Coins in verifying history, and tracing the progress of society, was perseveringly followed amid all the delays and interruptions of impaired health and a toilsome course of education, to which a sense of duty alone induced him to adhere; but when free to exercise his great acquirements, he combined them with surprising adroitness in furtherance of a design, to which he had proposed to devote his life had Providence permitted it, by granting him time, but of this, he always spoke doubtfully, and with exemplary resignation.

Having decyphered thirty or more languages, with no other aid, than that derived from books, which he had collected with much acumen and sagacity; his purpose was to compare all the alphabets of ancient and modern times, and as far as possible, the languages, the remains of numismatic art and other records, with the general history of the world as deduced from a widely extended course of inferential reasoning based on known facts; nor is there any cause to doubt, that from his rapid powers of calculation and combination, he would have fully accomplished his self imposed task. Much of the partly arranged material remains, though frequently retarded by enervating sickness, but the master spirit that had conceived the glorious plan is no longer a dweller on the earth.

A member of the Royal Asiatic Society of France, and of other learned societies abroad and at home, he maintained an interesting and instructive correspondence with savans of many countries, most of whom were personally unknown to him, but whose invariable kindness made him feel a sincere confidence in their association and friendship; among these his unseen and kind correspondents in Ireland, Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Sainthill were ever near his heart. One thing may fairly be

said in his praise, when he received continental letters from persons usually considered as competent authorities, consulting him on abstruse points in oriental language or history, his diffidence was manifest, and his hesitation unequivocal; he was wanting in the presumption to direct or inform men so much older than himself; these were with him difficulties, not easily overcome, while on all occasions, the results of his erudition were, when asked for, freely at the service of his friends, and invariably advanced by him in the gentlest and kindest manner- -qualities which never failed him, even in any of the more depressing vicissitudes of health.

As a Numismatist, Dr. Scott's character will be better understood, by the following encomium from his valued friend, Mr. Lindsay, so well known to the numismatic world.

"To exhibit a proper estimate of the acquisitions and powers of my lamented friend in the definement of either science, Numismatology, or Archæology, would require far greater abilities than I possess, and a far more extensive acquaintance with the subjects so ably discussed by him. In the several branches of numismatic lore which relate to the British Islands, or to the continent of Europe, we have many eminent writers, sufficiently able and conversant to describe the coinages of their respective countries; and to appreciate the researches of their brother numismatists; but Dr. Scott had this singular merit, not only was he intimately acquainted with these ordinary facts; but he aimed at far more important objects, and his general success was such as to excite the admiration and approval of those who had themselves laboured in the embarrassments attending researches into the ancient coinages of Central Asia.

A wide field for the students of archæology has been presented in little more than twenty years by the labours and observations of Colonel Tod, Dr. Honigberger, Sir Alexander Burnes, Mr. Masson, and the French generals Allard and Ventura, in the northern provinces of India; and in the more western parts of Asia, by Messrs. Layard, Botta, Rich, Major Rawlinson, and others, but the majority of those persons being deficient in the knowledge or taste, constituting the indispensable requirements of a numismatist, their progress has been unsatisfactory and barren of results, yet, here it was, that the great talents of Dr. Scott, shone forth, and his zeal for his favourite study enabled him to take the lead, while his acquirements in the ancient and for the most part dead languages of Asia, withdrew as it were the veil that enshrouded the prospect we had so long and so ardently desired to explore; unhappily, notwithstanding what he had achieved, much remains to be elucidated and explained, and while grateful for the light with which the splendour of his researches has enriched us, his premature death leaves a hiatus which it is feared will long remain unsupplied.

I feel a degree of pleasure in directing the reader's attention to a slight abstract of what this highly talented writer has done for the advancement of numis

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