List 1049, temp. Edward Confessor, is for this reason: we have no traces, at this hour, what form any previous building assumed, while Edward's remains are still visible in considerable portions, as exemplified Plate I. of the First Part of the present Volume, p. 9. Reverting to the few trivial examples of proportions and variations of the Pointed arch, extracted from my work of English Architecture, which Mr. H. has inserted in his History, by way of proof that he pays some attention to his country's arts; it would have better become him, and have given some small credit to his undertaking, if he had favoured the Publick with one or two engravings of an English arch, a door-way, a moulding, or a modicum of foliage, and the like, by his friend and colleague Mr. Smith: but nothing of this sort seems to have suited Mr. Hawkins; copying other men's letterpress and engravings (being the cheapest way of going to work, though not the most honourable) answers all purposes, and is a much easier task. Alluding to the present remains of Malmsbury, it is to be hoped my selection from them, in vol. LXXXIII. Part ii. Plate II. p. 329, will confirm their remote antiquity, and fix them a portion of the first foundation. Mr. Hawkins being willing some how or other to have it understood that he had at least seen a certain number of our Antient Structures, if not made notes, or employed an artist to take sketches from them, therefore reckons up "above 50;" but does not "see any use in citing one of them." Here is an Author for you, who, writing about the "History of the Origin of Gothic (Pointed) Architecture," totally sets aside with contempt and prejudice the mighty and first conceived works of art in this his native land! in contradiction to Mr. Hawkins, I beg leave to state, that I, in every instance, consult books, by way of illustration to the antient objects I mean to lay before the world; but at the sanie time must observe, I give preference to an actual survey of them, and sometimes follow the dictates of my own reason and long experience, in descanting on their several properties. Had the strictures which Mr. Hawkins is pleased to pass upon my pre sent publication of "The Antient Architecture of England" come from a professional hand, I would have bowed with humble contrition for my vain attempt to inform and instruct the Publick; as it is, little apprehension can be felt, when it is considered that a mere Amateur gives sentence. My observations on his book are for the sole purpose of vindicating the abilities of Englishmen; and as he is a person of independent fortune, nothing prejudicial could possibly accrue to him on that account from any refutations brought against it by my said Observations.' But, by unworthy insinuations, he endeavours to sap the very foundation on which my means of existence are raised, seeking to injure me in my profession! However, to shew that little is to be dreaded from such a wordy Scribe (I beg pardon, Author),I despise his pitiful efforts; and, as au apology for the work of Antient Architecture, can only say, the arrangement of it is the result of my studies through life; the specimens are sketched from the real objects, and etched by my own hand. The truth is, I have done my best (not presuming to write a History of Architecture exclusively): to be considered as an illustrator of the Antiquities of the land, is all the reward I aim at. If I have failed in my arduous task, let a kind oblivion be my fate; not a cruel and unwarrantable condemnation, for doing that where no art or science is calumniated; a zealous endeavour to do honour to them has been the prime movement of all my exertions, both in my architectural and literary labours. And so long as I can in any wise be conducive to uphold the same, it will be a matter of indifference, what inconvenience may arise to my own parti cular or private concerns, being sensible I but" do my duty. Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, J. CARTER. Aug. 2. REGARD your Magazine as the Public Office for Literary Inquiries, where an answer may be obtained to any question, learned or curious; and, what is essentially different from most offices, without fee or reward. der this impression, I sit down to request, by your favour, of some Correspondent versed in Bibliographical History; or of yourself, who are pro Un bably bably as competent to answer as most of your Correspondents, whether a small set of Letters, by Arthur Kemp, was ever printed; and who the said Arthur was? They are lent to me, in a very neat MS. transcribed as for the press, with a dedication to "the noble and virtuous Lady, the Lady Walgrave," signed by the Author, and dated" Lond. May 29, 1641." The Letters are Seven in number. 1. Upon the death of her young Son, p. 1. 2 Upon the death of her Daughter, p. 13. 9. To one going to reside as Factor at Constantinople, p. 31. 4. To Mr. Wife, p. 63, upon the death of his 5. Advices concerning Marriage, p. 79. 6. To Lady upon the death of her Husband, p. 179. f. To a Gentleman tormented with the Gout, p. 207. The Letters and Dedication are not ill written, according to the style of the time; but I confess that I have not read them through; being unwilling to go through that in MS. which probably may be to be had in print, and even with corrections and improvements. I have searched in the Censura Literaria for Arthur Kemp, and also in the British Bibliographer, but without success; but I trust that, if you cannot yourself answer my questions, some of the learn ed persons concerned in those works will be kind enough to satisfy my doubts. Should it appear that honest Arthur is a man of any note, and that these Letters are hitherto unpublished, I will then read them with care, and form my opinion how far they deserve to see the light or not. If I were in London, which at present I am not, I would submit the MS. to the inspection of any literary man, who might wish to see it; but, as it is, 1 must content myself with conveying the questions above stated to your Magazine, and begging you to give that ample circulation to them which the established sale of your valuable Miscellany so readily affords. Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, IND A. K. July 19. N answer to the Query in Part i. p. 544, I send you the following information; Sir Thomas Jenner was born at Mayfield, Sussex, and educated under Dr. Gray. He went to Queen's Col lege, in Cambridge, about the year 1657, and from thence in the year 1659 to the Inner Temple. The first of January 1660, he married And Poe (only daughter and heiress of James Poe, esq. son and heir of Leonard Poe, M. D. physician to Queen Elizabeth, King James, and King Charles I.). He came to Petersham, near Richmond, Surrey, about 1677, and 3d Oct. 1683 was made Recorder of London, King's Council, and knighted, and afterwards came up King's Serjeant; 2d Jan. following, on the death of his master, King Charles, he was made one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and 4th June after, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas He died Jan. 1. in the 69th year of his age, and was buried at Petersham. There is a large handsome marble mural monument within side the Church, erected by his youngest daughter (Lady Darnell). It was repaired and beautified, in the year 1797, by his descendant the Rev. John Jenner, D. D. rector of Buckland and Midley, Kent. Yours, &c. PRONEPOS. P: S. The augmented Jenner arms Azure are painted with the heiress Poe' arms on the monument. Sir Thomas had a numerous issue, and one of his sons was named Edward; it is therefore a family-name. The late Sir Francis Fust, bart. of Hill-Court, Gloucestershire, was related to the Jenner family, by an intermarriage with the Poe family; and he always acknowledged Edward Jenner, of Berkeley, to be a relations, Mr. URBAN, Alton, Hants, Aug. 2. T was with the greatest pleasure I observed in the Literary Intelligence in your Number for July, that we are at length likely to have a regular History of this County, which, whether it be considered for its antient or modern state, is inferior in point of interest to few in the Kingdom. During the time of the Romans, Hampshire, inhabited by the Belgæ, was the seat of many of their transactions, and they had no less than six principal stations in it; some of which are at the present time sites of towns, and all are clearly to be discovered. The walls of Silchester, inclosing an area of 100 acres of ground, are still remaining perfect, and form a fence to the land, which is 1814.] Hampshire.-Sword-dancers.-Antiq. Soc. Newcastle. 117 in a high state of cultivation; and some of the Roman military ways are now in existence as the modern turnpike roads. In the Saxon division of the country our county was very conspicuous; it formed part of the Kingdom of Wessex, the capital of which was at Winchester: and Egbert having by conquest united the different Kingdoms of the Heptarchy, was crowned in the Cathedral of Winchester, the first King of all England; and published an edict dated from thence, abolishing all distinctions of Saxons, Jutes, and English, and commanding that all his subjects should in future be called by the latter name only. "Winchester now became the undoubted metropolis of the island; a prerogative," says Milner, "which it had before enjoyed at certain intervals, but which now continued to illustrate it during the space of be tween four and five centuries." It is remarkable that Hampshire has not before met with a regular Historian. As to the Collections in 6 Vols. 4to, usually called Warner's, they contain, with the exception of the translation of Domesday, but few matters of importance. Milner's Winchester, White's Selborne, and Sir Henry Englefield's Walk through Southampton, are valuable descriptions of their respective districts. With respect to the genealogical history of Hants, it is the residence of, and it gives titles to, some of the first families of the Peerage; and among its gentry are some of antient families and very considerable estates. In fine, a good History of the County is greatly wanted; and there can be no doubt that, when the Reverend Projector's intentions are fully known, he will meet with every assistance and encouragement. Yours, &c. TOPOGRAPHUS. Mr. URBAN, Newcastle, July 30. FIND in p. 2, an Answer to S. P. who inquires after the Sword-dan-cers of the Counties of Durham and Northumberland; and you refer him to Ellis's edition of Brand's Antiquities for information. Might I beg of you to announce, that I am preparing for the press a work descriptive of this dance, with its origin, &c. &c. together with the native tuues, or melodies of this dance, and the Christmas pageantry of the North. It is nearly two years since I published a For the information of your Cor- "1. The Society shall consist of Or- of Corresponding and Honorary Mem- Society wwww Society to be held in the Society's room, at six o'clock in the evening, on the first Wednesday in every month; and the Anniversary Meeting at twelve o'clock in the day, at the same place, on the first Wednesday in January." Yours, &c. I Mr. URBAN, JOHN BELL. Aug. 7. SHOULD but unite with many others in the satisfaction it would afford, to be informed, through the channel of your Magazine, by the collectors of, or connoisseurs in, the antient maps of London, from what original "the City of London as in Q. Elizabeth's time," prefixed to Strype's edition of Stowe's Survey, was taken. It has the arms of James I.; but query whether the "Piatzo," in the site of Covent Garden, was then known. It seems rather extraordinary that amidst the numerous reprints of old books, &c. and considering the present mania for topographical information, there have been no republications of the old and scarce Maps and Plans of London. A series of these, in chronological order, with appropriate accounts of them, could not fail to interest the publick, or to reward the industry and enterprize of any person, or persons, that would under take such a Work. It is even greater matter of surprize, that no separate Maps of the Cities of London and Westminster, divided into parishes, have been pub lished. It is a difficult matter for any person walking through many parts of Westminster to know in what parish he is. CIVIS. Aug. 4. ALATE Writer on preserving the sight has emphatically alluded to the destructive influence of "those spheres of coloured fluids which are so ostentatiously placed in the shop windows of chemists and apothecaries, who might be supposed bribed by the oculists and surgeons, to destroy the sight, and break the limbs, of the unfortunate passengers exposed to their influence." He might have included on this occasion (with great reverence be it spoken, Mr. Urban!) the whole body of pickpockets in the Metropolis, wifose manœuvres these lights are admirably calculated to assist. But there exists a still greater nuisance of this kind, and that is the re fracting lamps with lenses, that are used in the parish of St. Anne's Westminster, almost exclusively. It is impossible to walk through that parish at night, without being liable to all the above inconveniences; and it is certain, that none but ignorant parish-officers, or crafty contractors, would have devised such a mode of lighting the streets. It is equally certain, that little, if any, additional light is gained by these lenses. They had been tried so early as King Charles II.'s reign, being particularly describ ed in the interesting and amusing Travels of Mons. Misson in England, and were probably soon disused from the inadequacy to their intended purpose, or from some or one of the causes above adverted to. It is high time that these lamps, with some other modern lights, should be extinguished. Yours, &c. LAMPAS ANTIQUA. HAVING observed in Part ii. vol. LXXXIII. p. 538.) some géneral observations on the beautiful gate, and remains of the Abbey Church, at Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, I am induced to send a few additional remarks, the result of a tour through that part of the country last summer. Though perhaps they may not have been selected with the exactness of an accustomed Antiquary, yet I am induced to hope, that as these buildings are remains of antiquity highly interesting, and, as your Correspondent justly observes, but little noticed, they will perhaps contain some little interest and information; and if they tend to the making known and preservation of such noble works from the wide wasting hand of desolation, they will answer the purpose more imme diately intended. For, while we contemplate and admire these beautiful works of past ages, we too frequently suffer the cruel hand of destruction and wanton mischief to exert its unrelenting fury, and to deprive us of those precious relics of former grandeur, whose beauty and perfection claim our utmost exertion in their preservation. In bringing these buildings again into notice, it is painful to the feelings to be obliged to mention the havock daily and hourly committing on the gate, one of the most enriched and beautiful examples now remaining in the Kingdom. Little comment on the destruction of antient buildings is necessary to those who are capable of estimating their excellence and little will here be offered; but I cannot suppress my feelings of indignation, when an eye-witness to these scenes of wanton mischief, and I am unable by argument on the spot, to stop its progress. No expostulations of mine could induce the juvenile destroyers to quit the roof of the porch which adorns the gateway, and is the entrance to the rooms above. Among other ornaments which are destined to suffer from their situation, is a basso relievo in front, under the ruined pediment, containing three or four figures much injured by time and violence, and every effort was made to separate the stones. From such frequent practice it is painful to remark, that but one stone now remains of the ornamented parapet of the side walls, to convey an idea of what the whole design was originally. Other equally fatal instances of destruction might here be produced; but it is hoped that these mentioned will be sufficient to excite the strenuous exertions of some few individuals, who may have the influence necessary to rescue from total destruction these proud remains of former grandeur, and, by a timely and well-guided exertion, prevent the farther demolition of buildings that have subsisted, and been the admiration of ages. The South or principal front of this Gateway presents three divisions in width and two in height, with a wellproportioned pediment over the centre, which is the widest space; for the greater strength to the walls are four buttresses rising nearly to the cornice under the roof; the two inher have very beautifully enriched niches, with brackets, but no figures. In the centre is the great arch of entrance supported by stout clustered columns on a plinth and bases. Over it, in the second division, is a very handsome window; the arch is a segment of a circle, and the weather cornice reaches to the springing of the tracery, which is very ornamental. Six mullions divide the space, but the compartments are without glass. On each side of this window is an ornamented niche, with figures in good preservation. The pediment likewise contains a niche with a figure, and a small circular window over it. On the right-hand of the arch of entrance, or Easternmost division of the Gateway, is the Porch, a projec tion nearly square, and rising above two-thirds the height of the whole front. This elegant appendage more particularly claims our attention, as it is, I believe, the only instance in the Kingdom, of so magnificent and highly decorated an entrance attached to a gateway; its delicate buttresses, canopies, pinnacles, and ornaments, merit the highest praise, while its graceful proportion, and beautiful execution, surpasses admiration. A great novelty here observable is, that the entrance is not in the front of the porch, but by a door on each side, over each of which are two tiers of niches with ornamental canopies, the lower containing figures: that on the East front the Salutation of the Virgin Mary. These were terminated by a handsome parapet, which, as before noticed, is destroyed to a single stone. The front of the porch is occupied by one large window; the proportion of the arch is nearly that of a triangle, generally considered to be the most elegant; it originally contained very beautiful tracery, but it is now boarded up, and fragments only remain. Over this, in the desolated pediment, is a basso-relievo, and two grotesque projecting figures. On entering to ascend the lofty stone staircase, we behold a most magnificent and highly-wrought niche and canopy; but the destruction before named has extended itself to this, as well as to most of the other decorations. From its sizé and situation we may conclude it has contained a figuré of particular veneration. The roof of the porch is very ornamental, consisting of stout ribs cut into a variety of mouldings, with a boss, or knot of leaves and flowers at each intersection. Such is the present state of this rare and valuable relick of antient architecture. By the proportions, ornaments, and particularly the shape of arches, canopies, &c. it may be given a date as early as Edward III. or that immediately following. Its decorations accord with many distributed about the other parts of the building, though doubtless the wails and buttresses of the Gateway are of an earlier period; the window in the pediment in the East end, when compared with those in front, and contrasted with the light and |
