Deus and Dominus noster occur upon coins of Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Geta, Aurelian, Carus, Dioclesian, Maximian, and Constantine, Justinian, like Augustus and Tiberius, refused this title, which his successors adopt ed. The title became distinctive of Sovereigns. Pope Benedict III. gave it to the Emperor Lotharius, "Dominum nostrum piissimum Hlotarium;" and Landolfo Sagace attests, that the Kings of France were called "Domini." Genti Francorum moris est Dominum, i. e. Regem, secundum genus principari; an appellation which, in the French language, has many synonyms, Sire, Messire, Sieur, Monsieur, Seigneur, Monseigneur, &c. Gregory Leti, in his Ceremonial Historique, tom. IV. p. 529, says, that the Kings of England did not take the title of Sire, before limited to the Kings of France, until after the coronation of the English Henry VI. nor the Kings of Spain before Philip II. was King of England. As to the title of Monseigneur, it was confined to the Dauphins, as Monsieur was to the King's eldest brother. After the title of Dominus was given to Sovereigns, Cancellieri quotes some example of their being simply stiled Domnus, as Domnus Hugo Rex, &c. He afterwards puts a question, whether the word Domna is a title, or a proper name. In proof of the latter, he says that it was the proper name of Julia Domna, wife of Severus; and that it was a very common name in Syria, as appears from the holy women of that name in the Lives of the Saints. He says besides, that Constantine was the first Emperor who took continually the prænomen of Dominus, as his mother Helena was the first who took the honorary title of "Domina." This he proves by the inscription, which the Neapolitaus erected to her, "Piissima et elementissimæ Dominæ nostræ Augusta Helena Matri semper Aug. Constantini," But he observes, that no Empress was more vain of it than Theodora, wife of Justinian, who, according to Procopius, said "that she did not wish to live a single day, when she was not styled Domina by those who saluted her. The title was equally ascribed to the sisters of Emperors, noble matrons, women of consideration; and, in the middle age to wives of Counts, Barons, and other Officers. (See Ducange and Charpentier.) Bollandi (Jan. 8) mentions S. Dominica, called S. Cyriaca. At Rome, the Church of the Navicella still retains the name of S. Mary in Domnica, or Dominica. From Domna, besides Dominica, is derived the diminutive Domnula, quoted in the letters of Salvian, and the Analecta of Ma billon. In the Lives of the Saints is that of S. Domnolus. In the Gallia Christiana, mention is made of the translation of the relicks of S. Domnolinus. In the Bollandists are the Lives of Saints Domnion or Domnionus, S. Domneonus. The Author of the verses in honour of Gregory VIII. is called Domnizon. In Tuscany is a town called S. Domnino, the name of a Subdeacon, a native of it; and in the Acts of the Martyrs by Ruinart, is that of S, Domnina. Senators and Magistrates of various towns were likewise called Domini. Cardinal Garampi has given an authentic register of the Thirteenth Century, from the Chancery of Perouge, where there is a diploma of the year 1242, which puts the title of Dominus before the proper name of Coun sellors. In the antient Statutes of Rome, compiled in 1246, are the names of twelve Senators, preceded by the title of Dominus. In the account of the finding and translation of the heads of S. S. Peter and Paul, under Urban V. the Senator of Rome is called "Maguificus Vir Dominus;" sometimes instead of Dominus we read Dopnus, an effect of the variety of pronunciation. Dopno Leone IV. occurs, and in a charter of 1326, is Bernardus de senareto Dompnus alti Braci; whence it appears that the title of Don is derived from Dompous. The Biscayans and Cantabrians gave this title to the Saints whom they invoked, like other Nations, as we have already seen. They used to say Andra Done Maria, Jeann Done Miguel, Jeann Done Peri, that is to say, Lady Saint Mary, Lord St. Michael, Lord Saint Peter: the word Done being equivalent among them to that of Saint. Among the Kings of Spain, the first found with the appellation of Don is Roderick, the 33d King. The Asturians gave it to their Kings Pelagius and Theodimer, at the commencement of the Eighth Century; and and it was under John the Third, King of Castille and Leon, who ascended the throne in 1406, that the custom was introduced of giving the title of Don to the eldest sons of Dukes, Marquisses, and Counts, provided they were rico hombre, i. e. rich men, which was then of higher consideration than being an Hidalgo, i. o. Gentleman. Further, the Cantabrians or Biscayans, believing at the beginning of the Fifteenth Century, that the title of Don did not suit Seeulars, confined it to Bishops, Priests, and Religious, a custom which still exists in the Dioceses of Pampeluna and Bayonne, where they give it even to simple clerks, as well as to the buns, whom they call Donne or Duenas. The cominon people, notwithstanding, did not like to renounce this qualification; and the title, degenerating by degrees, passed to the dregs of the people, and even to the Jews, who before their expulsion, assumed it, in spite of the Bull Quominus of Paul IV. dated from the year 1555, which forbids them to suffer the term Dominos to be applied to them by poor Christians. At that time the great were contented with the single title of Sennoria. It cannot be doubted but the arrival of the Spaniards in Italy, at first under King Ferdinand, afterwards under Charles V. rendered the title of Don common in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, not only in reference to Ecclesiasticks, but also to Lay-men, and even persons in a state of servitude. Cancellieri next treats of the word Sire among the French, Ser in Italy, Sar-rab among the Hebrews, and Dominus, Dominatio, given to the Doge of Venice. He explains the Senioraticum, and the Messer and Ser of the Italians; and treats of the words Voseigneurie, Vous, Majestè, Serenite, and Excellence. Be gives the reasons why Abbots were called Domni among the Monks. The Rule of Benedict (chap. 3) in speaking of Abbots, says, "Let the Abbot, who is presumed to fill the office of Chris, be called Dominus and Abbas. In the life of S. Mayeul by Odilon, we read, the Domnus and Abbas is honoured by all. Pere Martene, in his Commentary upon the Rule of Benedict says, "It is suspected that the title Domnus might come from Nonnus. When the Synod of Aix decreed that Præpositi, i. e. Priors, should be called Nonni, every one will perhaps suspect that Priors, despising the word Nonni, assumed that of Domini, which belonged to the Abbot only, for the sake of honour, or ambition, or some other cause.' This word Nonni has probably given place to the Nonno and Nonna, which in Italy, grandsons and grand-daughters give to their grandfathers and grandmothers: and from Donna is derived the Na, which the people of Languedoc prefix to the names des Demoiselles nobles ou roturieres, as, Na viceza, Na castellozzo. They used sometimes to say Ma for Na, whence they have made Madame even for the wives of the people. In fact, Charpentier produces a writing of the date of 1377, where it is said, "The said Philippot came to his said Mother, weeping and crying, Madame, Madame, for God's sake, my brother wishes to kill me," &c. Cancellieri examines in the last place the right of Priests and Monks to the title of Don, in which he confutes Muratori, who disputes it. (tom. 2. Antiq. Ital. Diss. 23, col. 345.) He further shows, that this title is better suited to the Clergy than Abbè, or Abbate, the mere result of an abuse. Many elaborate and interesting authorities are necessarily omitted in this sketch, which conveys but a faint idea of the literary wealth of this indefatigable Italian. *** In Vol. LXXXV. Part I. p. 25,. we inserted an ingenious fiction,professing to be a Journey of Discovery across the Blue Mountains. We have now the pleasure of communicating the Official Account of the Tour of the Governor of New South Wales over the Western or Blue Mountains, extracted from "The Sydney Gazette; or New South Wales Adventurer." The description of that hitherto but partially explored Country will be read with considerable interest, not only as an object of curiosity, but from a consideration of the important advantages which this rising Colony may hereafter derive from the discoveries now made.-EDIT. GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL ORDERS. "The Governor desires to communicate, for the information of the Publick, the result of his late tour over the Wes tern, or Blue Mountains, undertaken for for the purpose of being enabled personally to appreciate the importance of the tract of country lying Westward of them, which had been explored in the latter end of the year 1813, and the beginning of 1814, by Mr. G. W. Evans, Deputy Surveyor of Lands. To those who know how very limited a tract of country has been hitherto occupied by the Colonists of New South Wales, extending along the Eastern Coast to the North and South of Port Jackson only 80 miles, and Westward about 40 miles to the foot of that chain of mountains in the interior which forms its Western boundary, it must be a subject of astonishment and regret, that, amongst so large a population, no one appeared within the first 25 years of the establishment of this Settlement, possessed of sufficient energy of mind to induce him fully to explore a passage over these mountains: but, when it is considered that, for the greater part of that time, even this circumscribed portion of country afforded sufficient produce for the wants of the people, whilst, on the other hand, the whole surface of the country beyond those limits was a thick, and in many places, nearly an impenetrable forest, the surprise at the want of effort to surmount such difficulties must abate very considerably. "The records of the Colony only afford two instances of any bold attempt having been made to discover the country to the Westward of the Blue Mountains. The first was by Mr. Bass, and the other by Mr. Caley, and both ended in disappointment a circumstance which will not be much wondered at by those who have lately crossed those mountains. "To G. Blaxland and W. Wentworth, esqrs. and Lieut. Lawson, of the Royal Veteran Company, the merit is due of having, with extraordinary patience and much fatigue, effected the first passage over the most rugged and difficult part of the Blue Mountains. "The Governor, being strongly impressed with the importance of the object, had, early after his arrival in this Colony, formed the resolution of encouraging the attempt to find a passage to the Western Country, and willingly availed himself of the facilities which the discoveries of these three Gentlemen afforded him. Accordingly, on the 20th of November, 1813, he entrusted the accomplishment of this object to Mr. G. W. Evans, Deputy Surveyor of Lands; the result of whose journey was laid before the publick, through the medium of the Sydney Gazette, on the 12th of February, 1814. "The favourable account given by Mr. Evans of the country he had ex plored, induced the Governor to cause a road to be constructed for the passage and conveyance of cattle and provisions to the interior; and men of good character, from amongst a number of convicts who had volunteered their services, were selected to perform this arduous work, on condition of being fed and cloathed during the continuance of their labour, and being granted emancipation, as their final reward, on the completion of the work. "The direction and superintendance of this great work was entrusted to W. Cox, esq. the Chief Magistrate at Windsor; and, to the astonishment of every one who knows what was to be encountered, and sees what has been done, he effected its completion in six months from the time of its commencement, happily without the loss of a man, or any serious accident. The Governor is at a loss to appreciate fully the services rendered by Mr. Cox to this Colony, in the execution of this arduous work, which promises to be of the greatest public utility, by opening a new source of wealth to the industrious and enterprising. When it is considered that Mr. Cox voluntarily relinquished the comforts of his own house, and the society of his numerous family, and exposed himself to much personal fatigue, with only such temporary covering as a bark but could afford from the inclemency of the season, it is difficult to express the sentiments of approbation to which such privations and services are entitled, "Mr. Cox having reported the road as completed on the 21st of January, the Governor, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie and that Gentleman, commenced his tour on the 25th of April, over the Blue Mountains, and was joined by Sir J. Jamieson at the Nepean, who accompanied him during the entire tour. The following Gentlemen composed the Governor's suite: Mr. Campbell, Secre tary; Capt. Antill, Major of Brigade; Lieut. Watts, Aide-de-camp; Mr. Redfern, Assistant Surgeon; Mr. Oxley, Surveyor General; Mr. Meehan, Deputy Surveyor General; Mr. Lewin, Painter and Naturalist; and Mr. G. W. Evans, Deputy Surveyor of Lands, who had been sent forward for the purpose of making further discoveries, and rejoined the party on the day of arrival at Bathurst Plains. "The commencement of the ascent from Emu Plains to the first depot, and thence to a resting-place, now called Spring Wood,' distant twelve miles from Emu Ford, was through a very handsome open forest of lofty trees, and much more practicable and easy than was was expected. The facility of the ascent for this distance excited surprise, and is certainly not well calculated to give the traveller a just idea of the difficulties he has afterwards to encounter. At a further distance of four miles, a sudden change is perceived in the appearance of the timber and the quality of the soil the former becoming stunted, and the latter barren and rocky. At this place the fatigues of the journey may be said to commence. Here the country became altogether mountainous, and extremely rugged. Near to the 18th milemark (it is to be observed, that the measure commences from Emu Ford), a pile of stones attracted attention: it is elose to the line of road, on the top of a rugged and abrupt ascent, and is supposed to have been placed there by Mr. Caley, as the extreme limit of his tour; hence the Governor gave that part of the Mountain the name of Caley's Repulse.' To have penetrated even so far, was at that time an effort of no small difficulty. From hence, forward to the 26th mile, is a succession of steep and rugged hills, some of which are almost so abrupt as to deny a passage altogether; but at this place a considerably extensive plain is arrived at, which constitutes the summit of the Western Mountains; and from thence a most extensive and beautiful prospect presents itself on all sides to the eye. The town of Windsor, the River Hawkesbury, Prospect Hill, and other objects within that part of the Colony now inhabited, of equal interest, are distinctly seen from hence. The majestic grandeur of the situation, combined with the various objects to be seen from this place, induced the Governor to give it the appellation of The King's Table Land.' On the South-west side of the King's Table Land, the mountain terminates in abrupt precipices of immense depth, at the bottom of which is seen a glen, as romantically beautiful as can be imagined, bounded on the further side by mountains of great magnitude, terminating equally abruptly as the others; and the whole thickly covered with timber. The length of this picturesque and remarkable tract of country is about 24 miles, to which the Governor gave the name of 'The Prince Regent's Glen.' Proceeding hence to the 33d mile on the top of a hill, an opening presents itself on the S. W. side of the Prince Regent's Glen, from whence a view is obtained particularly beautiful and grand. Mountains rising beyond mountains, with stupendous masses of rock in the foreground, here strike the eye with admiration and astonishment. The circular form in which the whole is so wonderfully disposed, induced the Governor to give the name of Pitt's Amphitheatre' (in honour of the late Right Hon. W. Pitt) to this first branch from the Prince Regent's Glen. The road continues from hence, for the space of 17 miles, on the ridge of the mountain which forms one side of the Prince Regent's Glen, and there it suddenly terminates in nearly a perpendicular precipice of 676 feet high, as ascertained by measurement. The road constructed by Mr. Cox down this rugged and tremendous descent, through all its windings, is no less than three-fourths of a mile in length, and has been executed with such skill and stability as reflects much credit on bim. The labour here undergone, and the difficulties surmounted, can only be appreciated by those who view this scene. In order to perpetuate the memory of Mr. Cox's services, the Governor deemed it a tribute justly due to him, to give his name to this grand and extraordinary Pass; and he accordingly called it' Cox's Pass.' Having descended into the valley at the bottom of this Pass, the retrospective view of the overhanging mountain is magnificently grand. Although the present Pass is the only practicable point yet discovered for descending by, yet the mountain is much higher than those on either side of it, from whence it is distinguished at a considerable distance, when approaching it from the interior; and in this point of view it has the appearance of a very high distinct hill, although it is in fact only the abrupt termination of a ridge. The Governor gave the name of 'Mount York' to this termination of the ridge, in honour of his Royal Highness the Duke of York. "On descending Cox's Pass, the Governor was much gratified by the appearance of good pasture-land, and soil fit for cultivation, which was the first he had met with since the commencement of his tour. The valley at the base of Mount York he called the Vale of Clwyd,' in consequence of the strong resemblance it bore to the vale of that name in North Wales. The grass in this vale is of a good quality, and very abundant; and a rivulet of fine water runs along it from the Eastward, which unitęs itself, at the Western extremity of the vale, with another rivulet containing still more water. The junction of these two streams forms a very handsome river, now called by the Governor Cox's River;' which takes its course, as has been since ascertained, through the Prince Regent's Gien, and empties itself into the River Nepean; and it is CON conjectured, from the nature of the country through which it passes, that it must be one of the principal causes of the floods which have been occasionally felt on the low banks of the river Hawkesbury, into which the Nepean discharges itself. The Vale of Clwyd, from the base of Mount York, extends six miles in a Westerly direction, and has its termination at Cox's River. West of this River the country again becomes hilly, but is generally open forest land, and very good pasturage. Three miles to the Westward of the Vale of Clwyd, Messrs. Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson, had formerly terminated their excursion; and when the various difficulties are considered which they had to contend with, especial ly until they had effected the descent from Mount York, to which place they were obliged to pass through a thick brush wood, where they were under the necessity of cutting a passage for the baggage horses, the severity of which labour had seriously affected their healths, their patient endurance of such fatigue cannot fail to excite much surprise and admiration. In commemoration of their merits, three beautiful high hills joining each other at the end of their tour at this place have received their names in the following order; viz. "Mount Blaxland,"-" Wentworth's Sugar Loaf," and "Lawson's Sugar Loaf." A range of very lofty hills and narrow valleys alternately form the tract of country from Cox's River, for a distance of 16 miles, until the Fish River is arrived at; and the stage between these Rivers is consequently very severe and oppressive on the cattle. To this range the Governor gave the name of "Clarence Hilly Range." Proceeding from the Fish River, and at a short distance from it, a very singular and beautiful mountain attracts the attention, its summit being crowned with a large and very extraordinarylooking rock, nearly circular in form, which gives to the whole very much the appearance of a hill, or fort, such as are frequent in India. To this lofty hill Mr. Evans, who was the first European discoverer, gave the name of "Mount Evans." Passing on from hence the country continues hilly, but affords good pasturage, gradually improving to Sidmouth Valley, which is distant from the Pass of the Fish River 12 miles. The land here is level, and the first met with unencumbered with timber; it is not of very considerable extent, but abounds with a great váriety of herbs and plants, such as would probably highly interest and gratify the scientific botanist. This beautiful little valley runs North-west and South-east, between hills of easy ascent, thinly covered with timber. Leaving Sidmouth Valley, the country becomes again hilly, and in other respects resembles very much the country to the Eastward of the Valley for some miles. Having reached Campbell River, distant 13 miles from Sidmouth Valley, the Governor was highly gratified by the appearance of the country, which there began to exhibit an open and extensive view of gently rising grounds and fertile plains. Judging from the height of the banks, and its general width, the Campbell River must be on some occasions of very considerable magnitude; but the extraordinary drought which has apparently prevailed on the Western side of the mountains, equally as throughout this Colony, for the last three years, has reduced this River so much, that it may be more properly called a Chain of Pools, than a running stream, at present. In the reaches or pools of the Campbell River, the very curious animal called the Paradox, or Water-mole, is seen in great numbers.-The soil on both banks is uncommonly rich, and the grass is consequently luxuriant. Two miles to the Southward of the line of road which crosses the Campbell River, there is a very fine rich tract of low lands, which has been named Mitchell Plains. Flax was found growing in considerable quantities. The Fish River, which forms a junction with the Campbell River a few miles to the Northward of the road and bridge over the latter, has also two very fertile plains on its banks, the one called "O'Connell Plains," and the other "Macquarie Plains," both of very considerable extent, and capable of yielding all the necessaries of life. At the distance of seven miles from the bridge over the Campbell River, Bathurst Plains open to the view, presenting a rich tract of champaign country of 11 miles in length, bounded on both sides by gently rising and very beautiful hills, thinly wooded. The Macquarie River, which is constituted by the junction of the Fish and Campbell River, takes a winding course through the Plains, which can be easily traced from the high lands adjoining, by the particular verdure of the trees on its banks, which are likewise the only trees throughout the extent of the Plains. The level and clean surface of these Plains gives them at first view very much the appearance of lands in a state of cultivation. It is impossible to behold this grand scene without a feeling of admiration and surprise, whilst the silence and solitude which reign in a space of such extent and |