braries. Antient writers speak of the Danes as having made a complete desolation of every monument of literature and religion in these parts: the Saxons, too, had been here before, and they came at first not as revivers, but as destroyers: and whatever honours Popery may claim in subsequent periods, by her creations, yet our alterations from Popery to Protestantism introduced much disorder and confusion. Eighty years after the foundation of Duke Humphrey's Library at Oxford, not a single book remained of the old Library*. Caius, who has preserved the titles of the books left in the two public Libraries at Cambridge in 1574, confesses they had been plundered of a great part; and, though he speaks of privileges granted by antient Kings, he appeals to none directly, nor could he to any authentic, higher than Henry III. Fuller, in his History of Cambridge, has given, after Caius, an account of the furious disputes about privileges, that had subsisted long before, between the Townsmen and Scholasticks of Cambridge, together with the entire destruction made of the University Records by the former; and such Records 'as the Scholasticks would have been most willing to preserve, the Townsmen would have been most willing to destroy. Some of our most flattering testimonies, therefore, must have been made up of conjectures, traditions, and antient histories, accessible to every one; or of impostures, and fragments of no

account.

I have included antient histories, because, in questions of this kind, it is Do uncommon thing for Writers to speak of Archives, which, while they do reach to later occurrences, do not to such as are remote. Here they take up antient Authors: but where are their Archives?

The first public instrument relating to this UNIVERSITY, that can be spoken of as undoubtedly authentic, is of the 13th year of Henry III. A. C. 1229.

Splendid, therefore, as our History might have appeared, if introduced with a Spanish Prince, brought into this Island by our King Gurguntius, and founding a British University, and decorated in front with the names

*Reliqui Bodleianæ,

of Kings and Popes; I leave these uncertainties for others to shape into what forms they please; as also to Oxford Historians, to manage their tale of Greek Philosophers, coming into this Country with King Brutus, and instituting an Academy at Greekland near Oxford *. For I cannot help observing how pleasantly the Oxford Assertor, after convicting the Cambridge Orator of having trifled, sets about trifling himself. But enough of trifles; for stultum est absurdas opiniones refellere; "It is foolish to aim at too much accuracy in confuting trifles."

We can lay little stress on any literary occurrences in this antient Town till the time of Sigebert, which, according to the Venerable Bede, was about the year 637.

Olim Granta fuit titulis urbs inclyta multis,

sita est,

Vicini à fluyii nomine nomen habens: Saxones hanc belli deturbavere procellis, Sed nova pro veteri non procul inde [secutus, Quam Felix Monachus Sigeberti jussa Artibus illustrem reddidit atq. scholis. Hæc ego perquirens gentis monumenta

Britannæ

dence of the facts?

Any person who considers the great number of quotations, amounting to some thousands, from the Greek and Latin Fathers, and many of them of great length, which Dr. Priestley has collected, arranged, and interpreted, with some mistakes; and avery small may naturally enough expect to meet share of candour might be sufficient to pardon them. The present charge of ignorance against this Writer is grounded on an alleged mistake of the meaning of a Greek epithet, which has more significations than one; and, if the mistake were real, it would scarcely be of the weight of a feather. Are not all Translators lia

Oxon. Historiola, ex Libro Procura

torum.

ble

Let your Correspondent read with attention this vast collection of quotations, not with the paltry view to find mistakes, but to examine with seriousness and impartiality the evidence they contain, and then let him conscientiously draw the legitimate inference from them after which, let him lay the result of his diligent inquiry before your Readers, and we shall be happy to afford it the consideration it deserves. Truth can be no loser by it.

:

The sentiments of Ignatius may be pretty clearly ascertained from what this venerable sufferer for his religion said, when he appeared before the Emperor Trajan. His words are very remarkable: You err (says he) in that you call the evil spirits of the heathens, gods: for there is but one God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and one Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, whose kingdom may I enjoy. Any sentiment in the Epistles, inconsistent with this solemu declaration, must necessarily be suspected of having undergone some alteration, and cannot be implicitly admitted as genuine. And, let me ask, are these words of this excellent man the language of an Arian, a Trinitarian, or a Unitarian? Let the Reader judge.

I beg leave, Mr. Urban, to add a word or two to a Parish Priest, who (p. 538.) looks upon it as a duty to support the antient faith, and esta blished Institutions of our Country. Of course, it was once a duty to resist the introduction of Christianity, as well as the progress of the Reformation, in this Country. And had this resistance, which was actually exerted, prevailed, we, the inhabitants of this highly-favoured Isle, might now have been bigoted Papists, or even idolatrous Heathens. Also, had this duty been regarded as paramount in former times, we of this day, instead of living under a free Government, in which the people themselves have a share through their Representa tives, might have been groaning under the tyranny of a single Despot,

who, like William the Conqueror, should have disposed of our lives, and liberties, and property, by his own arbitrary will and pleasure. But our glorious Ancestors understood their duty better than the Parish Priest; and to their noble exertions we owe the important improvements that have been made in our Civil and Religious Institutions. May we, and our poste rity, have the wisdom, the virtue, and the fortitude, to improve by, as well as to admire, their emnient example.

The doctrine of the Parish Priest, whose instruction, I have the satisfaction to hear, is more conformable than your Correspondent's to that of the zealous and benevolent Apostle, who exhorts us to prove all things, to hold fast that which is good, and to go on to perfection. And though it be true that absolute perfection is what cannot be attained by any human endeavours, yet it is equally true (as he has often told us, and I have listened to it with delight,) that it is our duty always to aim at it, as the best means of improvement, either in Art, in Science, or in Morals.

Accept the thanks of an individual, Mr. Urban, for your interesting account of Improvement in the Art of Printing, (p. 341.) which is highly gratifying to

Yours, &c. A SUSSEX FREEHOLDER.

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 18.

Charles

Charles I. "was," says Noble, in his Lives of the Regicides, " of an antient family." He was seated at Stank in Yorkshire (still in the possession of the Harewood family), and married the daughter of Sir William St. Quintin, bart. Mr. Banks seems to lay too much stress upon "epigrams" and "epitaphs" as deciding points of Family Antiquity. He talks, too, of the Kingdom of Ireland, though his book is dated 1807. By Lord Shirebourne, he probably means Lord Sherborne.

A constant Reader & Subscriber.

THE HE antiquated and now improper style of "Kingdom" of Ireland occurs rather frequently in Mr. Banks's Extinct Baronage. In vol. II. p. 109, he speaks of Bligh, Earl of Darnley, in Scotland. What be states of the Howard Family in p. 276, is a fact; but is not the mention introduced in a way rather uncourteous, when treating of a family whose claims to respect are founded on a basis so much stronger than bare an tiquity? I do not mean to combat the. truth of Mr. Banks's statement; I only object to the sneering way in which it is brought forward. The House of Howard may yield to many families in point of mere antiquity; but few can compare with them in high rank, celebrity, and alliance, for such a

G. H. W.

Lee, Jan. 18. HAVE a copy of " Epigrammatum Joannis Owen Cambro-Brittani, Oxoniensis, Editio Postrema. Lugd. Bat. Ex Officina Elzeviriana, Anno 1628," 12mo.

The number of Epigrams in this work, which is divided into several books, amounts to more than sixteen hundred, some of which have much of the true epigrammatic point about them; others, as may well be expected from their number, little be

sides the forced conceit of the time.

The Latinity, as far as I am qualified to form a judgment, is good; at any rate, as much so as the quaintness of some of the subjects will allow. The book came to me, with others, from a deceased relation, a member of the family of Owen, of Orielton in Pem GENT. MAG, January, 1815.

brokeshire; and under the following Epigram,

An Petrus fuerit Roma sub judice lis

est,

Simonem Romæ nemo fuisse negat,' I find, in my late friend's writing, the note, "This Epigram cost Owen a fortune."

I had formed an opinion that these Epigrams were the early productions of the celebrated Dr. John Owen, the Nonconformist, the friend and favourite of Cromwell, and who, during the time of the Commonwealth, was preferred to the Deanery of ChristChurch, Oxford, and was also ViceChancellor of that University; but I learn from Middleton's Biographia Evangelica, that the Doctor was born in the year 1616, and therefore at the time of the publication in question (which, as we see, was not a first edition), could only have been about twelve years of age, and, of course, not its Author.

I shall hold myself greatly obliged to any of your Correspondents who can favour me, through your excellent Miscellany, with some account of their real Author, and any observations that may occur respecting this, or any other of his works. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

THE

W.

Jan. 19. HE following account of a curious Volume on Cookery, may be amusing to some of your Readers.

"The Accomplisht Cook, or the Art and Mystery of Cookery: Wherein the whole Art is revealed in a more easie and perfect Method than hath been publisht in any Language. Expert and ready Wayes for the Dressing of all Sorts of Flesh, Fowl, and Fish, with variety of Sauces proper for each of them and how to raise all manner of Pastes; the best Directions for all sorts of Kickshaws; also the tearms of Garving and Sewing. An exact account of all Dishes for all Seasons of the Year, with other A la mode Curiosities. The Third Edition, with large Additions throughout the whole Work; besides two hundred all manner of bake't Meats (either Figures [on Wood] of several Forms for Flesh or Fish), as Pyes, Tarts, Custards, Chessecakes, and Florentines, placed in Tables, and directed to the Pages they appertain to.. Approved by the fiftyfive Years Experience and Industry of Robert May, in his Attendance on seve

ral

ral Persons of great Honour. London, printed by J. Winter, for Nath. Brooke, at the Angel in Cornhill neer the Royal Exchange, 1671.”

To this volume, which contains nearly 500 pages, is prefixed Robert May's Portrait, with the following

verses:

"What! wouldst thou view but in one All hospitalitie, the race

[face

Of those that for the Gusto stand,
Whose tables a whole Ark comand
Of Nature's plentie, wouldst thou see
This sight, peruse May's booke, 'tis hee."
And the work is inscribed

"To the Right Honourable my Lord Montague, my Lord Lumley, and my Lord Dormer; and to the Right Worshipful Sir Kenelme Digby; so well knwn to this nation for their admired hospitalities.

"Right Honourable, and Right Worshipful,—He is an alien, a meer stranger in England that hath not been acquaint ed with your generous housekeepings; for my own part, my more particular tyes of service to you, my honoured Lords, have built me up to the height of this experience, for which this Book now at last dares appear to the world: those times which I attended upon your Honours were those golden days of peace and hospitality, when you enjoyed your own, so as to entertain and relieve others.

"Right Honourable, and Right Worshipful, I have not only been an eyewitness, but interested by my attendance; so as that I may justly acknowledge those triumphs and magnificent trophies of Cookery that have adorned your tables; nor can I but confess to the world, except I should be guilty of the highest ingratitude, that the onely structure of this my Art and Knowledge, I owed to your costs, generous and in`imitable expences; thus not onely I have derived my experience, but your Countrey hath reapt the plenty of your bumanity and charitable bounties.

"Right Honourable, and Right Worshipful,-Hospitality, which was once a relique of the gentry, and a known cognizance to all ancient houses, hath lost her title through the unhappy and cruel disturbances of these times, she is now reposing of her lately so allarum'd head on your beds of honour: in the mean space, that our English World may know the Mæcenas's and Patrons of this gene

rous Art, I have exposed this Volume to the publick, under the tuition of your names; at whose feet I prostrate these endeavours, and shall for ever remain your most humbly devoted servant, ROBERT MAY *. "From Sholeby in Leicestershire, Sept. 29, 1664."

A Preface addressed "To the Master Cooks, and to such young Practitioners of the Art of Cookery, to whom this Book may be useful," is followed by " A short Narrative of some Passages of the Author's Life," signed W. W.

Then is given a whimsical account of "Triumphs and Trophies in Cookery, to be used at Festival Times, at Twelfth Day, &c. accompanied by two Copies of Verses, signed James Perry and John Town, on their lov ing Friend, Mr. Robert May, his incomparable Book of Cookery." After of Carving and Sewing," are given "The most exact, or à la Mode Ways "Bills of Fare for every Season in the Year; also how to set forth the Meat in order for that service; as it was before Hospitality left this Nation."

Should this communication prove acceptable, I may, in my next, send you some diverting extracts. Yours, &c. B. N.

Mr. URBAN,

N

Jan. 5.

man is more ready to acknow. ledge your conciliating disposition, or more willing to respect your award than myself; but I must beg leave to appeal against two observations in your Note on Mr. Storer's last letter. These, I am persuaded, were penned with the haste which is unavoidable in a periodical publi cation.

You say, Mr. Urban, that you have "no wish to extol any one Artist to the prejudice of another." For this the whole world will give you full credit. You add, "we recommend them all to adhere to the pencil and the graver, and not to use the pen, except in describing their various productions." This advice, in itself, is perfectly good; but it is not applicable to the case in question. Mr. Britton, who, I believe, once ranked

himself as an Artist, whatever he may be now, did not confine the use of his pen to the description of his own productions. He first advanced pretensions which the publick were very far from being disposed to admit. When these were questioned, he chose to level an attack against persons, who (to pay them no compliment) are at least as well acquainted with Antiquities as himself. This was combined with insinuations, calculated to prejudice the reputation, and depreciate the labours of others, whom he did not venture to name. I appeal to your candid judgment, whether such conduct indicates the liberal ambition of a scholar, or the sordid avi dity of a monopolist.

You call the phrase, which bas justly occasioned so much animadversion, an unguarded expression." On this I must beg leave to say, that your good nature has induced you to give it a far more favourable construction than it deserved. It first found its place on the cover of one of his Numbers; it was next given, in less qualified terms, in your Magazine; and finally it was introduced, under a new shape, in the reply to Mr. Storer, and corroborated by an insinuation, calculated to shew, that all opposition to Mr. Britton was hopeless. Can this, Mr. Urban, be suffered to pass with the indulgence which is allowed to an unguarded expression?

I am neither Author nor Artist; but I think it my duty to lend my humble aid in rendering justice to those who are wantonly attacked, and consequently are entitled to the privilege of self-defence. Had Mr. B. not obtruded himself a second time on public notice; had he not even challenged animadversion; you, Sir, would never have been troubled with any correspondence of mine soil according with the liberal purposes for which your Magazine was intended. fake Yours, &c.

AN INHABITANT OF SALISBURY.

ttt We have without hesitation inserted this Letter, and hope it will put an end to an unpleasant controversy. Our own expression, written (currente calamo) with the most conciliatory intention, was far too general, if it implied They are the Correspondents who write. Yours we anxiously covet; and we only re

a wish that Artists would not

quest them to be tender in depreciating their Rivals. We have paid our respects to Mr. Storer in p. 57; and shall be equally glad to notice any similar pub

lication.

Allhallows Church, Tower-Street.
Mr. URBAN,
Jan. 20.

W to J. Carter, who will readily
E shall resign our charge over

make one of the party, as the invita tion sets forth (Vol. LXXXIII. Part I. p. 528.), to review the Church after its repairs.'

So says the" Architect," same Vol. Part II. p. 36; of course, when the repairs were completed, and the Church opened for Divine service on New Year's Day last, I took the earliest opportunity of visiting the spot, which was on the 11th instant.

"Architect's" notes on the improvements to be done, (same Vol. Part I. "" p. 333.) Cieling to give place to a new one, in a better character; windows, more immediately the East one, re-constructed; monuments removed; old grave-stones broke up, and the whole pavement to be re-laid."

Same Vol. p. II. p. 36. "the Architect" observes, the cicling is already giving way to a new one; new string to the lower story; on North side of Church a new door-way," &c.

On application to the Rev. Henry White for permission to examine the edifice, I met with every attention necessary for that purpose, he sending orders to the inferior officers of the Church to attend me on the occasion.

SURVEY. Cieling" an entire new one, worked in fir timber and stucco; old ditto, chesnut, and although, as ἐσ specified," without any truss whatever, it maintained its position for three centuries at leastas for modern cielings, of fir and stucco, every one knows the date of their probable existence! No doubt various reasons may be adduced why the new cieling is preferable to the former; (though the "Specification" in flat compartments, with intersectsets forth, the cieling to be formed ing timbers and mouldings resembling the original,") but, it is apprehended, in no wise satisfactory to Antiquaries, supposing for an instant such personages deserving of respect or consideration. The distribution

of