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Article Reviews. ← Page 2 of 2 Article A PALEOGRAPHICAL SOIREE. Page 1 of 1 Article Literary, Art, and Antiquarian Notes. Page 1 of 1 Article Literary, Art, and Antiquarian Notes. Page 1 of 1
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Reviews.
admitting that he has won a laurel wreath in the great " Olympian games " of Poiesis . We can mention iavourably " Fulgencius , " "The Peace ofthe Hills , " "The Revenge of thc Men of Arran , " "A Ballad of Ariadne , " "Richard in Prison , " "The Victor , " "Now and Then , "
"Life's Lights , " "Through a Glass Darkly , " "A Last Race , " "Esther , " and many more . "At the Back of an Opera Box " ought not to appear in a second edition . It is quite a la Waithman , and far too " strong meat for babes . "
TITE KNEPH , No . 2 . This is anew journal , edited by Bro . Kenneth Mackenzie , in support of the "Ancient and Primitive Rite , Swedenborgian Masonry , " and other similar bodies . We wish we could hail its appearance with unqualified satisfaction , but we cannot for the following reasons , though we freely admit , as indeed must be patent to all , that it has as much
rig ht to express its views as we have to express ours . But we cannot think the leaning shown to that idle and hurtful body " Adoptive Masonry " wise , or the patronage of the " Debris " of Cagliostro ' s charlatanism likely to redound to the good of Masonry , or the advance of Masonic archieology . ' The statement that Swedenborg altered Masonic systems is historically most doubtful , and least of all we
think the attack on "Craft Masonry" is neither fair nor courteous . No one knows better than Bro . Mackenzie , that English Craft Masonry is not a "Convivial Club "in any sense , and we are sorry to note this tendency to assail Craft Masonry for no apparent reason , except to exalt the superior intellectual claims of so-called Swcdenborgian and alleged A . and P . Masonry . " People with glass houses should never throw stones "isa good old adage ,
and it is just possible that some of our Craft writers might have a good deal to say about the claims of these so called superior Bodies . We speak openly and fairly , because we wish well to Masonic journalism , and shall be quite ready to welcome the " Kneph" heartily if only it suppresses these little blots , both on its editorial and archaeological deliverances . To claim for a Rite , whose date is 1 SG 4 , that it is superior to all other Rites in the world , is indeed absurd . " Verbum sat sapienti . " We shall look for No . 3 .
A Paleographical Soiree.
A PALEOGRAPHICAL SOIREE .
On Wednesday last Mr . Bernard Quaritch assembled a small circle of those whose taste lies in old MSS . to a very good dinner , and a most pleasant evening . He exhibited the following MSS ., which were indeed of great beauty , rarity , and excellence , and were greatly admired by the " experts" present . The list of manuscripts is as follows :
Catalogue 332 . Valued at Ciceronis Lailius , Sec . IX jC'So livangelistarium . Carolingian MS . Many pages written in gold on purple , Sec . IX . ... ... 1000 Evangelia Grace . Richly illuminated , Sec . XI . ... 200 Apocaly ' ptic-e Visiones . Italian MS ., with exquisite miniatures , Sec . XIV 750
Passion de Nostra Seigneur . Paintings in grisaille A . D . 1350 120 Roman de la Rose & Testamentde Jehan de Meung . Paintings in grisaille , A . D . 13 S 0 4 S 0 Wyclyf's English 'Testament . The only existing perfect copy that was written in Sec . XIV ., A . D . 1390 _ ¦•¦ _ •¦ IOOO Biblia Latina . The Bentivoglio Bible , with
miniatures , A . D . 1395 , -6 a Lydgate ' s Sege of Troy- Probably written and illuminated by his own hand , A . 11 . 1425 1720 Horae B . V . M . Prayerbook of thc Lords Dc Grey of Ruthin , A . D . 1450 120 Psalterium S . Mich . Mont . Olivet , Italian MS ., A . D .
14 S 0 joi Oflicium B . V . M . Italian MS ., formerly called ( he Borgia Prayerbook , A . D . 1500 ... ... 2 . ° o Psalterium . Italian MS ., with paintings attributed to Sinibaldo of Perugia , A . D . 1500 275
Mrs . Moxon ' s ) Album . With autograph poems and letters by Lamb , Keats , Wordsworth , Landor , etc ., 1826-73 125 Catalogue 333 . Prayerbook and English Poems of the great Talbot , first Earl of Shrewsbury ( the Hero of Shakespeare and Voltaire ) , 1425-33 ... ... looa
Fifteen MSS . ... __Total Value 4 , 7810 Mr . Bernard Quaritch stated in an interesting introductory address that Dr . Leeson had told him that he , Dr . Leeson , had discovered Freemasonry in the " Roman dela Rose , " and on Lydgate's monument in Westminster Abbey . We may observe that Mr . Bernard Ouaritch ' s catalogue of manuscripts , No . 332 , deserves careful perusal hy all who arc interested in MSS . The party dispersed reluctantly , having spent a most agreeable and instructive evening .
Bro . A . Dickinson , one of the newly-elected members of the Common Council for the Ward of Farringdon Without , was , at a banquet given at the Green Dragon Hotel , Fleet-street , on Friday week last , presented by a number of his friends and supporters with his official gown . Among the company present were many members of the Craft , including Bros . Dwarbcr , J . Esson , Skelton ,
J . Fortescue , and hredenck Dickinson . The Rig ht Hon . Hugh ( J . E . Childers , M . P ., Her Majesty ' s Minister of State for War , distributed the prizes to those who have recently gained commissions at the late Army Medical Examinations conducted at Netley Hospital , on Monday , in the presence of a large and brilliant assemblage .
Bro . K . P . Sp ice has sent ; i donation of live pounds to the Yarmouth Lifeboat Catastrophe Fund . A pigeon shooting match , which partook of an international character , was decided at the Union Gun Club Grounds , Hendon , on Monday afternoon , between
Mr . Scott and Dr . Carver , the respective champions of England and America . The stakes were £ 200 a-side , each competitor to shoot at one hundred birds , and a fairly even contest throughout resulted in the success (; f Dr . ( . ' arvcrhy our birds .
Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.
Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes .
According to the Academy , since 1871 a German Commission has been engaged in revising Luther's translation of the Bible . The " New Testament was finished some years ago . In September next the Commission will finish thc third and last reading , after which the new text
is to be printed . M . Taine has completed thc third volume of his great work on the French Revolution . It will be published at the end of March , under the title "La Conquete lacobine . "
The Royal Academy elected three more Associates last week—Messrs . J . Brett and A . Gow , painters , and Mr . W . Burges , architect . In May an Academician will bc chosen . A proposed monument to Edgar Allan Poe is
amongst the last news from literary America . A great dramatic performance on the 17 th of this month is spoken of , and Mdlle . Bernhardt , Miss Genevieve Ward , M . Salvini , Mr . Jefferson , and other dramatic stars are to be asked for their assistance .
RARE BOOKS .- —At the sale ot a select portion of the Earl of Clare ' s books at Messrs . Sotheby , Wilkinson , and Hodge ' s , 13 , Wellington-street , London , the 155 lots produced £ 1850 . Lot 93 , Shakespeare ' s Poems , first edition , T . Cotes , 1 G 40 , i 6 mo ., fine copy , brought £ 52 . Lot 143 , Walpole ' s ( Horace ) "Anecdotes of Painting , " first edition , five volumes , brilliant impressions of the numerous
portraits , Walpole's own copy , with many of his manuscript additions , and 11 of his autograph letters , 4 to ., "Strawberry-hill , " 17 C 2-71— £ 1 75 . Lot 152 , Scott ' s "Guy Mannering , " 3 vols ., 4 to ., the original autograph manuscript , perfect , and in fine condition , sold for £ 390- These three lots were bought by Mr . Henry Stevens for America . ROYAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL I NSTITUTE . — On
Thursday week the usual monthly meeting of this institute was held at the society's rooms , in New Burlingtonstreet , Mr . James Hilton in the chair . Mr . F . C . J . Spurrell made a few remarks on some curious implements , of various ages , from the river-drift at Ightham , in Kent , which were exhibited . Mr . J . Park Harrison read a paper on sundry incised outlines of fish and other early Mason , ' marls in
the crypt of Gloucester Cathedral ; Mr . J . G . Waller offered some observations on thc sepulchral brass of ] ohn de Northwode and loan , his wife , from the church of Minster , in the Isle of Sheppey ; the Baron de Cosson read a paper , by Mr . William Huyshe , descriptive of an ancient tilting helmet from Petworth Church , and another of the
time of Henry VII ., from Wimbornc Minster , Dorset ; and Mr . Burgess described a curious helmet , of ancient date , brought from Constantinople . Among the various objects of interest exhibited were the several helmets above mentioned ; a bronze mortar and pestle , by Mr . E . Peacock ; a crystal g lobe used for divination , by Mrs . Lovell ; and a pair of silver-mounted and inlaid pistols , by Mr . H . R . H . Gossclin .
Thc Athenamm says that thc sub-committee ppointed by the Social Science Association to draft a Copyright Bill on the lines of thc measure introduced by Lord John Manners have completed their labours . Mr . G . W . Hastings , M . P ., has charge of this question . The Austrian Museum isorganisingan exhibition
of drinking vessels which is expected to bc ready by the beginning of May . It is intended to show the connection of the art of every land . No inconsiderable portion of the decorative art of the middle ages found the expression of its strength in this direction , so that if the exhibition be as representative as the programme leads us to hope it will be of a highly interesting character .
The Aihencvuni says that recent excavations for buildingoperations at Messrs . Tyler ' s premises , 2 , Newgatestreet , London , have resulted in a very rich find of Roman antiquities , which , from the occurrence of coins of Claudius and Nero , may be attributed to an earljjpcriod in the City ' s
history . Three large and capacious leaden cylinders , or situlcv , with chariots and other designs in relief on the outer surfaces , have been found , each enclosing a very perfect and beautiful glass urn of considerable dimensions . Combs , stili , horns , and a bronze spur with rowel points have been found .
Christmas at a London post office is well known , to be a busy time , but fevv people form an adequate idea of the enormous and yearly increasing extra strain on the officials . We learn from thc City Press that during the Christmas season there were 111 millions of extra letters , exclusive of " registered , " the latter class numbering 183 , 124—some 25 , 594 above the usual amount—while the extra nostaire was estimated at £ 55 , 902 . On Christmas
Eve alone there were 240 sacks of extra registered letters , while during the whole of that night 1324 men were full y occupied , whereas in ordinary times some 196 are busy until midnight . By 10 . 30 a . m . on Christmas Day the letters filled 1000 sacks over and above the usua . quantity . Some 178 extra hands were engaged from December 22 nd , and the largest number of men employed at one time in the office was 254 . ' .
J lie well - known Belg ian Artist Eugene Vorbocckhnvcn , who died on the 1 gth ult ., aged eighty-three , at Brussels , first studied with his father , a nofed sculptor , for years . He ultimately , however , left the chisel for the brush , and it is as an animal painter ( particularly cattle ) that he gained for himself universal admiration . He was a wonderfully productive artist . Among hisbest known works
are : " Le Convoi de Chevaux attaque par les Loups , " which is in the Gallery of thc King of the Belgians , "Souvenir d'Ecosse , " " L'Etalon Arabe , " "Rubens a Cheval , " Sec , also " Campagne de Rome , " and " Moutons surpris par l'Orage , " which belong to the Musee Royal of Brussels . M . Verboeckhoven was member of the Royal Academy of Belgium , of the Commission of Directors of the Royal Museums of Paintings and Sculpture of
Belgium ; of the Royal Academy of Antwerp , Ghent , and St . Petersburg ; Commander of the Orders of Leopold , of Francis Joseph of Austria , Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honour of France , of the Merit of St . Michael of ' Bavaria , of Christ of Portugal . He also possessed thc " Croix de Fer , " which he received for his patriotic services during the Belgian Revolution of 1 S 30 . M . Verboeckhoven was buried with military honours , and his funeral was largely attended by men of rank and mark .
Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.
Bro . Baker , of St . Blazey , is about to re-publish in a pamphlet form ( with the permission of the author , Bro . Emra Holmes ) articles on Fowey , under the title of "An Unknown Watering Place . " A Portuguese Pompeii has been unearthed within the last few years , near Braga , in the north of the Kingdom . These ruins , called Santerem and Citania , cover entire hills , the most important being the Citania di
Briteiros , supposed to be of Celtic origin , according to Nature . Here the circulars walls , streets , monuments , and many houses have retained their typical form , and show a somewhat advanced state of art and industry . The sculptures and inscriptions covering their monuments are said to resemble those of India and China , thus suggesting that the tribes who builtthe cities had emigrated from Turan . The Citania lay buried for twenty-one centuries .
The Athenamm says : — "The Duke of Manchester , we understand , is shortly about to deposit his valuable collection cf family papers in the Public Record Office , for use and consultation by historical students . The papers are at present in the custody of the Commissioners on Historical MSS ., to whom Mr . L . O . Pike , of the Record Office , has made an exhaustive report on the contents of the documents , which will be printed in the forthcoming eighth report of the Commissioners . "
The Athenceum says that Mr . Thomas Arnold has in the press , for publication in the Rolls Series of Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain , an edition of "The Historical Works of Simeon of Durham . " Mr . Richard Hewlett , who has lately discovered among the MSS . of Sir Charles Isham , and elsewhere , much additional
matter in illustration of the early history of the Franciscan Order , has been commissioned by the Master of thc Rolls to edit a second volume of " Monumenta Franciscana . " The first volume under that title was issued in the Rolls Series in 1 S 5 S , under the editorship of the late Professor Brewer .
THE POST OFFICE . —The public office at St . Martin's-le-Grand ( old building ) , which used to close at eight p . m ., is now open until ten p . m ., both for postal and telegraph business . It may be useful to state also that the office in Fleet-street , opposite Fetter-lane , is open ] until twelve midnight .
WESTMINSTERSCHOOL . —The Right Hon . Lyon Plavfair , M . P ., has succeeded the President of the Royal Society as their nominee on the governing body of this school , and Mr . Granville R . H . Somerset , Q . C , has also been elected a member of the body . The " Westminster studentships at Christ Church , Oxford , are to be converted into scholarships under the new statutes . Vacancies on the foundation and ' school exhibitions will be competed for as usual in Easter week . »
CAUGHT IN THE SHOW . —The Pester Lloyd reports that during the snow storms a fortnight ago , a band of miners in the Ruzhanya district , in Hungarian Wallachia , while on the road from their work , were overwhelmed by a sudden drift , which completely buried fifty-one of them . When relief arrived , six were found to be dead ; twentyfive were still living , but unconscious . The remaining twenty were more or less seriously injured , and unable to move without assistance .
The Statue of Minerva , lately found at Athens , has now been minutely described to the Paris Acaddmie des Inscriptions , lt was found in a small tiled recess of an underground room , apparently belonging to the Roman epoch . Chiselled out of beautifully polished Paros marble , the small statue is in admirable preservation , the face in particular , while the eyes , lips , hair , & c , are coloured .
The goddess wears the Attic helmet , surmounted by a sphinx , a long tunic hangs down to her feet , as well as a super-tunic clasped round the waist by a belt of snakes , the j ^ Egis , bordered by serpents , guards her breast , and below hangs the Gorgon ' s Head in the shape of a lunar disc . Thc left hand rests on a shield , also adorned with
Medusa ' s head , while a serpent appears underneath , and in her right hand she holds a Victory with closed wings , clasping a garland in cither hand . This Victory is somewhat stiff , as if strictly imitated from a very ancient model , and is held in such a manner that it is supposed Minerva was offering it to Athens .
Bro . Judd , of the firm of Messrs . Judd and Co ., is about to issue , in one handsome volume , portraits of the Lord Mayor , Aldermen , Sheriffs , and the whole of the members of the Court of Common Council . The portraits will be in lithography , and a specimen of the scries is a
remarkable example of the art , equal , in fact , to line engraving or mezzotint . Altogether the work will contain 23 s portraits , and to add to its permanent value and unique character , it is intended , when the number of copies subscribed for has been worked off , to efface the stones . The title of the work is the " City Parliament . "
The Christmas issue of the Freemason comes to hand in enlarged forin , sixteen pages being added which present an agreeable variety of sketches , essays , stories , and poetry appropriate to the season and inviting to the ireneral reader . Several of the articles have a Masonic
flavour that makes them all the more attractive to members of the Craft . The same number contains a Masonic summary for 1 SS 0 , which is alike instructive and interesting . We arc glad to learn of the increased prosperity of the Freemason—a prosperity that is richly merited . —Freemason ' s Repository for January .
TREFFRY MEMORIAL . —The committee have selected Messrs . Fouracre and Watson to undertake the memorial to the late Bro . Dr . Treffry . The whole of the clerestory windows tn to be filled with pictures of the Cornish Saints , Sec . One of the windows is to be Masonic , with the figures of King Solomon , Hiram King of Tyre , and Hiram the Builder , called in the Lutheran Bibles Hiram Abiff . Another window will contain figures of St .
Fimbarrus , St . Nicholas , and St . Catherine , the patron Saints of Fowey a . nd its Church . St . Veep , St . Winnow , St . Sampson , St . Austolus , St . Blasius , and others more or less connected with Fowey , in the immediate neighbourhood , will find a place in the sacred structure , and when thc work is complete and the nine windows with their twenty-seven lights are filled with the gorgeous-tinted figures of mcdiieval saints , it is believed that the Treffry memorial will make Fowey Church unique of its kind , and add greatly to the beauty of an already beautiful and beautified edifice .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
admitting that he has won a laurel wreath in the great " Olympian games " of Poiesis . We can mention iavourably " Fulgencius , " "The Peace ofthe Hills , " "The Revenge of thc Men of Arran , " "A Ballad of Ariadne , " "Richard in Prison , " "The Victor , " "Now and Then , "
"Life's Lights , " "Through a Glass Darkly , " "A Last Race , " "Esther , " and many more . "At the Back of an Opera Box " ought not to appear in a second edition . It is quite a la Waithman , and far too " strong meat for babes . "
TITE KNEPH , No . 2 . This is anew journal , edited by Bro . Kenneth Mackenzie , in support of the "Ancient and Primitive Rite , Swedenborgian Masonry , " and other similar bodies . We wish we could hail its appearance with unqualified satisfaction , but we cannot for the following reasons , though we freely admit , as indeed must be patent to all , that it has as much
rig ht to express its views as we have to express ours . But we cannot think the leaning shown to that idle and hurtful body " Adoptive Masonry " wise , or the patronage of the " Debris " of Cagliostro ' s charlatanism likely to redound to the good of Masonry , or the advance of Masonic archieology . ' The statement that Swedenborg altered Masonic systems is historically most doubtful , and least of all we
think the attack on "Craft Masonry" is neither fair nor courteous . No one knows better than Bro . Mackenzie , that English Craft Masonry is not a "Convivial Club "in any sense , and we are sorry to note this tendency to assail Craft Masonry for no apparent reason , except to exalt the superior intellectual claims of so-called Swcdenborgian and alleged A . and P . Masonry . " People with glass houses should never throw stones "isa good old adage ,
and it is just possible that some of our Craft writers might have a good deal to say about the claims of these so called superior Bodies . We speak openly and fairly , because we wish well to Masonic journalism , and shall be quite ready to welcome the " Kneph" heartily if only it suppresses these little blots , both on its editorial and archaeological deliverances . To claim for a Rite , whose date is 1 SG 4 , that it is superior to all other Rites in the world , is indeed absurd . " Verbum sat sapienti . " We shall look for No . 3 .
A Paleographical Soiree.
A PALEOGRAPHICAL SOIREE .
On Wednesday last Mr . Bernard Quaritch assembled a small circle of those whose taste lies in old MSS . to a very good dinner , and a most pleasant evening . He exhibited the following MSS ., which were indeed of great beauty , rarity , and excellence , and were greatly admired by the " experts" present . The list of manuscripts is as follows :
Catalogue 332 . Valued at Ciceronis Lailius , Sec . IX jC'So livangelistarium . Carolingian MS . Many pages written in gold on purple , Sec . IX . ... ... 1000 Evangelia Grace . Richly illuminated , Sec . XI . ... 200 Apocaly ' ptic-e Visiones . Italian MS ., with exquisite miniatures , Sec . XIV 750
Passion de Nostra Seigneur . Paintings in grisaille A . D . 1350 120 Roman de la Rose & Testamentde Jehan de Meung . Paintings in grisaille , A . D . 13 S 0 4 S 0 Wyclyf's English 'Testament . The only existing perfect copy that was written in Sec . XIV ., A . D . 1390 _ ¦•¦ _ •¦ IOOO Biblia Latina . The Bentivoglio Bible , with
miniatures , A . D . 1395 , -6 a Lydgate ' s Sege of Troy- Probably written and illuminated by his own hand , A . 11 . 1425 1720 Horae B . V . M . Prayerbook of thc Lords Dc Grey of Ruthin , A . D . 1450 120 Psalterium S . Mich . Mont . Olivet , Italian MS ., A . D .
14 S 0 joi Oflicium B . V . M . Italian MS ., formerly called ( he Borgia Prayerbook , A . D . 1500 ... ... 2 . ° o Psalterium . Italian MS ., with paintings attributed to Sinibaldo of Perugia , A . D . 1500 275
Mrs . Moxon ' s ) Album . With autograph poems and letters by Lamb , Keats , Wordsworth , Landor , etc ., 1826-73 125 Catalogue 333 . Prayerbook and English Poems of the great Talbot , first Earl of Shrewsbury ( the Hero of Shakespeare and Voltaire ) , 1425-33 ... ... looa
Fifteen MSS . ... __Total Value 4 , 7810 Mr . Bernard Quaritch stated in an interesting introductory address that Dr . Leeson had told him that he , Dr . Leeson , had discovered Freemasonry in the " Roman dela Rose , " and on Lydgate's monument in Westminster Abbey . We may observe that Mr . Bernard Ouaritch ' s catalogue of manuscripts , No . 332 , deserves careful perusal hy all who arc interested in MSS . The party dispersed reluctantly , having spent a most agreeable and instructive evening .
Bro . A . Dickinson , one of the newly-elected members of the Common Council for the Ward of Farringdon Without , was , at a banquet given at the Green Dragon Hotel , Fleet-street , on Friday week last , presented by a number of his friends and supporters with his official gown . Among the company present were many members of the Craft , including Bros . Dwarbcr , J . Esson , Skelton ,
J . Fortescue , and hredenck Dickinson . The Rig ht Hon . Hugh ( J . E . Childers , M . P ., Her Majesty ' s Minister of State for War , distributed the prizes to those who have recently gained commissions at the late Army Medical Examinations conducted at Netley Hospital , on Monday , in the presence of a large and brilliant assemblage .
Bro . K . P . Sp ice has sent ; i donation of live pounds to the Yarmouth Lifeboat Catastrophe Fund . A pigeon shooting match , which partook of an international character , was decided at the Union Gun Club Grounds , Hendon , on Monday afternoon , between
Mr . Scott and Dr . Carver , the respective champions of England and America . The stakes were £ 200 a-side , each competitor to shoot at one hundred birds , and a fairly even contest throughout resulted in the success (; f Dr . ( . ' arvcrhy our birds .
Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.
Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes .
According to the Academy , since 1871 a German Commission has been engaged in revising Luther's translation of the Bible . The " New Testament was finished some years ago . In September next the Commission will finish thc third and last reading , after which the new text
is to be printed . M . Taine has completed thc third volume of his great work on the French Revolution . It will be published at the end of March , under the title "La Conquete lacobine . "
The Royal Academy elected three more Associates last week—Messrs . J . Brett and A . Gow , painters , and Mr . W . Burges , architect . In May an Academician will bc chosen . A proposed monument to Edgar Allan Poe is
amongst the last news from literary America . A great dramatic performance on the 17 th of this month is spoken of , and Mdlle . Bernhardt , Miss Genevieve Ward , M . Salvini , Mr . Jefferson , and other dramatic stars are to be asked for their assistance .
RARE BOOKS .- —At the sale ot a select portion of the Earl of Clare ' s books at Messrs . Sotheby , Wilkinson , and Hodge ' s , 13 , Wellington-street , London , the 155 lots produced £ 1850 . Lot 93 , Shakespeare ' s Poems , first edition , T . Cotes , 1 G 40 , i 6 mo ., fine copy , brought £ 52 . Lot 143 , Walpole ' s ( Horace ) "Anecdotes of Painting , " first edition , five volumes , brilliant impressions of the numerous
portraits , Walpole's own copy , with many of his manuscript additions , and 11 of his autograph letters , 4 to ., "Strawberry-hill , " 17 C 2-71— £ 1 75 . Lot 152 , Scott ' s "Guy Mannering , " 3 vols ., 4 to ., the original autograph manuscript , perfect , and in fine condition , sold for £ 390- These three lots were bought by Mr . Henry Stevens for America . ROYAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL I NSTITUTE . — On
Thursday week the usual monthly meeting of this institute was held at the society's rooms , in New Burlingtonstreet , Mr . James Hilton in the chair . Mr . F . C . J . Spurrell made a few remarks on some curious implements , of various ages , from the river-drift at Ightham , in Kent , which were exhibited . Mr . J . Park Harrison read a paper on sundry incised outlines of fish and other early Mason , ' marls in
the crypt of Gloucester Cathedral ; Mr . J . G . Waller offered some observations on thc sepulchral brass of ] ohn de Northwode and loan , his wife , from the church of Minster , in the Isle of Sheppey ; the Baron de Cosson read a paper , by Mr . William Huyshe , descriptive of an ancient tilting helmet from Petworth Church , and another of the
time of Henry VII ., from Wimbornc Minster , Dorset ; and Mr . Burgess described a curious helmet , of ancient date , brought from Constantinople . Among the various objects of interest exhibited were the several helmets above mentioned ; a bronze mortar and pestle , by Mr . E . Peacock ; a crystal g lobe used for divination , by Mrs . Lovell ; and a pair of silver-mounted and inlaid pistols , by Mr . H . R . H . Gossclin .
Thc Athenamm says that thc sub-committee ppointed by the Social Science Association to draft a Copyright Bill on the lines of thc measure introduced by Lord John Manners have completed their labours . Mr . G . W . Hastings , M . P ., has charge of this question . The Austrian Museum isorganisingan exhibition
of drinking vessels which is expected to bc ready by the beginning of May . It is intended to show the connection of the art of every land . No inconsiderable portion of the decorative art of the middle ages found the expression of its strength in this direction , so that if the exhibition be as representative as the programme leads us to hope it will be of a highly interesting character .
The Aihencvuni says that recent excavations for buildingoperations at Messrs . Tyler ' s premises , 2 , Newgatestreet , London , have resulted in a very rich find of Roman antiquities , which , from the occurrence of coins of Claudius and Nero , may be attributed to an earljjpcriod in the City ' s
history . Three large and capacious leaden cylinders , or situlcv , with chariots and other designs in relief on the outer surfaces , have been found , each enclosing a very perfect and beautiful glass urn of considerable dimensions . Combs , stili , horns , and a bronze spur with rowel points have been found .
Christmas at a London post office is well known , to be a busy time , but fevv people form an adequate idea of the enormous and yearly increasing extra strain on the officials . We learn from thc City Press that during the Christmas season there were 111 millions of extra letters , exclusive of " registered , " the latter class numbering 183 , 124—some 25 , 594 above the usual amount—while the extra nostaire was estimated at £ 55 , 902 . On Christmas
Eve alone there were 240 sacks of extra registered letters , while during the whole of that night 1324 men were full y occupied , whereas in ordinary times some 196 are busy until midnight . By 10 . 30 a . m . on Christmas Day the letters filled 1000 sacks over and above the usua . quantity . Some 178 extra hands were engaged from December 22 nd , and the largest number of men employed at one time in the office was 254 . ' .
J lie well - known Belg ian Artist Eugene Vorbocckhnvcn , who died on the 1 gth ult ., aged eighty-three , at Brussels , first studied with his father , a nofed sculptor , for years . He ultimately , however , left the chisel for the brush , and it is as an animal painter ( particularly cattle ) that he gained for himself universal admiration . He was a wonderfully productive artist . Among hisbest known works
are : " Le Convoi de Chevaux attaque par les Loups , " which is in the Gallery of thc King of the Belgians , "Souvenir d'Ecosse , " " L'Etalon Arabe , " "Rubens a Cheval , " Sec , also " Campagne de Rome , " and " Moutons surpris par l'Orage , " which belong to the Musee Royal of Brussels . M . Verboeckhoven was member of the Royal Academy of Belgium , of the Commission of Directors of the Royal Museums of Paintings and Sculpture of
Belgium ; of the Royal Academy of Antwerp , Ghent , and St . Petersburg ; Commander of the Orders of Leopold , of Francis Joseph of Austria , Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honour of France , of the Merit of St . Michael of ' Bavaria , of Christ of Portugal . He also possessed thc " Croix de Fer , " which he received for his patriotic services during the Belgian Revolution of 1 S 30 . M . Verboeckhoven was buried with military honours , and his funeral was largely attended by men of rank and mark .
Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.
Bro . Baker , of St . Blazey , is about to re-publish in a pamphlet form ( with the permission of the author , Bro . Emra Holmes ) articles on Fowey , under the title of "An Unknown Watering Place . " A Portuguese Pompeii has been unearthed within the last few years , near Braga , in the north of the Kingdom . These ruins , called Santerem and Citania , cover entire hills , the most important being the Citania di
Briteiros , supposed to be of Celtic origin , according to Nature . Here the circulars walls , streets , monuments , and many houses have retained their typical form , and show a somewhat advanced state of art and industry . The sculptures and inscriptions covering their monuments are said to resemble those of India and China , thus suggesting that the tribes who builtthe cities had emigrated from Turan . The Citania lay buried for twenty-one centuries .
The Athenamm says : — "The Duke of Manchester , we understand , is shortly about to deposit his valuable collection cf family papers in the Public Record Office , for use and consultation by historical students . The papers are at present in the custody of the Commissioners on Historical MSS ., to whom Mr . L . O . Pike , of the Record Office , has made an exhaustive report on the contents of the documents , which will be printed in the forthcoming eighth report of the Commissioners . "
The Athenceum says that Mr . Thomas Arnold has in the press , for publication in the Rolls Series of Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain , an edition of "The Historical Works of Simeon of Durham . " Mr . Richard Hewlett , who has lately discovered among the MSS . of Sir Charles Isham , and elsewhere , much additional
matter in illustration of the early history of the Franciscan Order , has been commissioned by the Master of thc Rolls to edit a second volume of " Monumenta Franciscana . " The first volume under that title was issued in the Rolls Series in 1 S 5 S , under the editorship of the late Professor Brewer .
THE POST OFFICE . —The public office at St . Martin's-le-Grand ( old building ) , which used to close at eight p . m ., is now open until ten p . m ., both for postal and telegraph business . It may be useful to state also that the office in Fleet-street , opposite Fetter-lane , is open ] until twelve midnight .
WESTMINSTERSCHOOL . —The Right Hon . Lyon Plavfair , M . P ., has succeeded the President of the Royal Society as their nominee on the governing body of this school , and Mr . Granville R . H . Somerset , Q . C , has also been elected a member of the body . The " Westminster studentships at Christ Church , Oxford , are to be converted into scholarships under the new statutes . Vacancies on the foundation and ' school exhibitions will be competed for as usual in Easter week . »
CAUGHT IN THE SHOW . —The Pester Lloyd reports that during the snow storms a fortnight ago , a band of miners in the Ruzhanya district , in Hungarian Wallachia , while on the road from their work , were overwhelmed by a sudden drift , which completely buried fifty-one of them . When relief arrived , six were found to be dead ; twentyfive were still living , but unconscious . The remaining twenty were more or less seriously injured , and unable to move without assistance .
The Statue of Minerva , lately found at Athens , has now been minutely described to the Paris Acaddmie des Inscriptions , lt was found in a small tiled recess of an underground room , apparently belonging to the Roman epoch . Chiselled out of beautifully polished Paros marble , the small statue is in admirable preservation , the face in particular , while the eyes , lips , hair , & c , are coloured .
The goddess wears the Attic helmet , surmounted by a sphinx , a long tunic hangs down to her feet , as well as a super-tunic clasped round the waist by a belt of snakes , the j ^ Egis , bordered by serpents , guards her breast , and below hangs the Gorgon ' s Head in the shape of a lunar disc . Thc left hand rests on a shield , also adorned with
Medusa ' s head , while a serpent appears underneath , and in her right hand she holds a Victory with closed wings , clasping a garland in cither hand . This Victory is somewhat stiff , as if strictly imitated from a very ancient model , and is held in such a manner that it is supposed Minerva was offering it to Athens .
Bro . Judd , of the firm of Messrs . Judd and Co ., is about to issue , in one handsome volume , portraits of the Lord Mayor , Aldermen , Sheriffs , and the whole of the members of the Court of Common Council . The portraits will be in lithography , and a specimen of the scries is a
remarkable example of the art , equal , in fact , to line engraving or mezzotint . Altogether the work will contain 23 s portraits , and to add to its permanent value and unique character , it is intended , when the number of copies subscribed for has been worked off , to efface the stones . The title of the work is the " City Parliament . "
The Christmas issue of the Freemason comes to hand in enlarged forin , sixteen pages being added which present an agreeable variety of sketches , essays , stories , and poetry appropriate to the season and inviting to the ireneral reader . Several of the articles have a Masonic
flavour that makes them all the more attractive to members of the Craft . The same number contains a Masonic summary for 1 SS 0 , which is alike instructive and interesting . We arc glad to learn of the increased prosperity of the Freemason—a prosperity that is richly merited . —Freemason ' s Repository for January .
TREFFRY MEMORIAL . —The committee have selected Messrs . Fouracre and Watson to undertake the memorial to the late Bro . Dr . Treffry . The whole of the clerestory windows tn to be filled with pictures of the Cornish Saints , Sec . One of the windows is to be Masonic , with the figures of King Solomon , Hiram King of Tyre , and Hiram the Builder , called in the Lutheran Bibles Hiram Abiff . Another window will contain figures of St .
Fimbarrus , St . Nicholas , and St . Catherine , the patron Saints of Fowey a . nd its Church . St . Veep , St . Winnow , St . Sampson , St . Austolus , St . Blasius , and others more or less connected with Fowey , in the immediate neighbourhood , will find a place in the sacred structure , and when thc work is complete and the nine windows with their twenty-seven lights are filled with the gorgeous-tinted figures of mcdiieval saints , it is believed that the Treffry memorial will make Fowey Church unique of its kind , and add greatly to the beauty of an already beautiful and beautified edifice .