1823.]

Portland Vase.-Samuel Lysons, Esq.

in too metaphysical a manner. It seems probable that the subjects represent the progress of initiation into the mysteries; and was very likely originally used to hold the holy water for the lustration of the candidate for the office of Priestess; the progress of whose initiation I conceive to be here represented.

The first compartment represents a female figure reclining on a heap of stones in a languid and apparently dying posture, holding in her hand an inverted torch. On each side are two figures, one male, the other female, who regard her with fixed attention, but without affording her any assistance. The female appears to hold in her left hand a rod or sceptre. This I conceive to represent the initiation into the Lesser Mysteries, which are thus described in Universal Hist. VI. p. 3:

"A certain number of young women were brought up at the expence of the Republic, with all possible care, in order to be employed in the ceremonies performed at Eleusis. They were kept confined in the Thesmophorion, a public building in Athens, appropriated to that use, and narrowly watched by persons set over them to guard their virtue. After this they went in procession to Eleusis, and there passed a whole day at the feet of the statue of Ceres, in fasting and prayer."

I think it is probable that this ceremony is here intended for the following reasons: 1. The figure is a female apparently exhausted by watching and fatigue, as her attitude implies, and as is represented by the inverted torch she holds in her hand, the flame of which is just expiring, thus symbolizing the exhausted state of nature. She is attended by two figures, who appear to act as her guards, the office being pointed out by the female bearing a rod or sceptre as an ensign of au thority. Both also appear to be watching her, and guarding the approaches to the temple.

2.

The second compartment in the same manner represents the Priestess fully initiated into the sacred Mysteries, which is denoted by her being accompanied by a serpent, the antient symbol of Wisdom and Immortality. She is here seated on a rock at the entrance or vestibule of the temple, accompanied by the Hierophant. She is leading a candidate forward for initiation, whose looks are directed towards the Hierophant, who appears

303

to be in the act of speaking, and regards the candidate with fixed attention, who holds a portion of his robe in his hand, to signify his lingering attachment to the gross interests of humanity. The Cupid above is emblematical of the hopes and wishes of the mind, which outstrips in thought the energies of the body, and points to the Hierophant as the revealer of the mysteries in which it longs to participate.

The figure in the medallion at the bottom of the Vase appears to represent the Priestess in her robes of office in the attitude of silence, to caution the candidate to preserve inviolate the mysteries into which he is about to be initiated.

As in a subject of so dark and mysterious a nature, conjecture can be the only guide to explanation, I have ventured to propose the above solution, which bears some analogy to the ceremonies observed in the celebration of the Eleusinian Mysteries, as far as they have been described by the antient historians. E. G. B.

Mr. URBAN, Westminster, Aug. 15.

THE Paitled "Royal Let-
HE public papers having inserted

ters," professing to give an account of
the discoveries of some State Papers,
Royal Letters, &c. in the Tower of
London*, I am induced to communi-
cate the following remarks and parti-
culars; and the more so, as these dis-
coveries are not of a recent date, but
were begun by the late celebrated Anti-
quary Samuel Lysons, esq. during the
time he was Keeper of the Records
there. He was appointed to this of-
fice on the decease of another learned
Antiquary, Thomas Astle, esq. in De-
cember 1803 (see LXXXIX. ii. p. 274.)

In the above volume you have stated the discoveries by Mr. Lysons of the Records, &c. in the White Tower, which had lain mouldering for ages, almost wholly unknown, and thus probably would have lain, had it not been for the indefatigable research of Mr. Lysons. As the duties of his office had been limited to but one assistant in the time of his predecessor, Mr. Lysons, on occasion of the above discoveries, obtained a competent and efficient establishment of six assistants, all of whom he kept in constant and active employ. He also obtained additional chambers in the building, and

304

Mr. Lysons.-Toads perfectly harmless.

under his directions were begun a copious Calendar to the Chancery proceedings, and other works, which promised to be of great public utility.

Mr. Bayley, in his valuable "History of the Tower of London" (reviewed in vol. xcI. ii. pp. 425, 525, 618), says,

"On Mr. Lysons being appointed to an office so congenial to his inclination and studies, he wholly retired from the Bar, and passed the remainder of his days in the diligent fulfilment of his public duty, and the ardent pursuit of his various literary labours, enjoying the intimacy and friendship of the first and greatest characters of his day; and, finally, leaving a space in society which few are qualified to fill."

prema

He had begun numerous other works, of the benefit of which the world will be deprived by his ture and much-to-be-lamented death. In printing an Index to the early Bills and Answers in Chancery, with specimens illustrative of the early practice of that Court prefixed, he had made considerable advance, and the work will now be completed and published under the direction of the Commissioners on the Public Records. In his other designs he made but trifling progress, for his capacious mind grasped at more than he or any other individual could possibly accomplish.

When we view collectively all the productions of his pen, his pencil, and his graver, it is astonishing how any person, with his numerous other avocations, could have done so much.

It is more to be wished than expected, I fear, that the Rev. D. Lysons would complete the works of his lamented Brother; particularly their joint herculean labour, the "Magna S. T.

Britannica."

Mr. URBAN,

Sept. 22.

H between Sir Joseph Banks and AVING read the correspondence the Rev. Samuel Hopkinson, inserted in p. 11, relative to the Toad, whether it be a hurtful animal or not, I feel so convinced that the case of the labourer mentioned by the Rev. Gentleman, was not such a one as to establish the hurtful qualities of this, as I conceive, innocent although calumniated animal, that I am desirous to state my reasons to the contrary, especially as Sir Joseph Banks has not, in my opinion, taken a complete view of the

[Oct.

case. I have no doubt but that the inflammatory attack of the labourer's nose was solely occasioned by the repeated application of intense cold while in a state so very susceptible to hurtful impressions from this cause. We know that stones, during frosty weather, become reduced to a very low temperature, and that they are at that time very powerful conductors of heat, every one who touches them becomes immediately convinced. Bearing this in mind, then, we can readily appreciate the great transition which the labourer's nose underwent, whenever he applied his thumb and finger to it in the manner described. The frequent repetition of these sudden transitions from heat to cold during the day, could not fail to be very hazardous, and indeed it would have been a greater matter of surprise had the man felt no bad consequences resulting, than that inflammation should come on, for it will be recollected that his

nose was from the catarrh hotter than the rest of his face. The abscesses

which formed, and the consequent discharge of matter, appear, from the account, not at all to differ from that which every day comes under the observation of a surgeon, in consequence of common inflammation. Had the man been seen by a surgeon instead of a farrier, I have no doubt the Rev. Gentleman's poisonous belief would have been changed, and Sir Joseph would not have had occasion to enter the lists in defence of his pet. For my part, I consider Toads as perfectly harmless as Sir Joseph Banks does, and can corroborate his statement from

personal experience; having repeatedly, like him, applied them to all parts of my face, and even put them in my bosom when a lad, to convince my prejudiced companions of their innocuous qualities.

Wishing, therefore, to be of some service to this unjustly-abhorred race, whose sufferings will be increased if there be any converts to the Rev. Gentleman's conclusions, (especially as Mr. Martin's Bill does not protect them, on account of their not coming under the genus "other cattle,") I beg the insertion of these few lines in your valuable, and, as the Edinburgh Quarterly justly adds, truly gentlemanly and amusing Magazine.

Yours, &c.

BUFON-AMICUS.

Mr.

1823.] Silver Medal found near Bossal House, co. York.

"In order to explain the Medal in question, it will be necessary first to settle whether the group on the face of it be symboli- As the water into wine, so shall the Cross. cal, or merely historical.