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funeral in 1619 (vol. II. p. 539) the same offices were not limited to the Order, but on the contrary were chiefly supplied by Knights Bachelors,-probably those who had held places in the Queen's household; nor are we aware that Baronets as a body have shared in any other public procession since that first mentioned, which occurred so soon after their first institution.—It may also be observed that, on both these occasions, the Nobility had their place in a body, as at the Coronation; whilst, in all recent Royal Funerals but the late King's, only a select few, except those in office, obtain a place, either as pall-bearers, assistants to the chief mourner, or personal friends of the deceased.

The List of Tracts on the Death of Prince Henry, in pp. 504-512, is a highly curious bibliographical curiosity. No less than thirty-two, chiefly poetical, are enumerated and described, and Mr. Nichols remarks that

"This list might have been extended to a still greater length by enumerating the numberless short elegies on Prince Henry

to be found in the collections of Poems and other works of the period; as is done to a small extent in Dr. Birch's Life of the Prince, and in the fourth volume of Restituta. But the preceding list of distinct pubKications is sufficient to show the general grief on this lamentable occasion,-only rivalled at the death of the late equally hopeful Princess Charlotte."

The remainder of this volume is chiefly occupied by the entertainments and festivities which celebrated the three marriages of the Princess Elizabeth to the Palsgrave of the Rhine; of the Favourite Somerset to the divorced Countess of Essex; and of Lord Roxburgh to Jane Drummond, the Queen's favourite Maid of Honour. The Masques are the strangest incongruities; yet were composed by men of eminent talent. The reason of this lies in a small compass. There was no taste for nature or simplicity. The only objects sought were show and ia vention, the merit of which last was deemed to consist in the Fantastic. The Speeches and Dialogues were chiefly meant to illustrate the Dance and Dumb Show. Now, a Dumb Show was a most important part of ancient theatrical performances, and has been admirably used by Shakspeare, particularly in Banquo's line of Kings. Indeed it is often of fine effect, when intelligible, and judiciously

used. But that was not the merit sought in these compositions. They were evidently to be odd, and the more strange they were, the greater was deemed the merit of the author. Wit, humour, or taste, upon principles of judgment or effect, were out of question. Such was the rage for riddle, that even palpable nonsense was patiently endured. In "Chapman's Masque of the Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn, 1612-13,” in the foreseat of a chariot,

advanc't a

As the Chariotere, was strange person, and as strangely habited, half French, half Swizz, his name Capriccio; wearing on his head a paire of golden bellowes, a guilt spurre in one hand, and with the other managing the reignes of the fowre horses that drew it." P. 569.

This extraordinary costume is explained in the following manner:

"These toies, Sir, are the ensigns, that discover my name and qualitie, my name being Capriccio; and I wear these bellows on my head, to shew I can puffe up with glory all those that affect mee; and besides beare this spurre, to shew I can spur-gall

even the best that contemne me." P. 577.

Yet frigid as is this conception, the author could exhibit talent. Witness the following felicity:

"Jests and merriments are but wild wecdes in a rank soile, which, being well manured, yield the wholsom crop of wisdome and discretion at time o' th' yeare."

We shall add another passage, which, as it was written in 1612-13, shows plainly that the grand Rebellion against Charles I. was a thing generally understood to be projected. Plutus replies to Capriccio thus:

"These bellowes you weare on your head, shew with what matter your braine is pufft up, Sir? A religion-forger I see you are, and presume of inspiration from these bellowes; with which yee study to blow up the setled governments of kingdomes."

Whoever compares this passage with the measures taken to distress the unfortunate King, as strongly exhibited in Bates's “ 'Elenchus," will see that Charles was more sinned against than sinning, because he was artfully and unnecessarily placed in difficulties, till driven to madness and desperation.

The scenery and properties of this Masque were contrived by Inigo Jones; its directors and performers were the Master of the Rolls and principal lawyers of the kingdom; and men, whom no persons now regard with a propensity to smile, conceived

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mus."

We shall here leave the "Rationals and Orationals" (see p. 636) of this learned profession, with observing that the expences of this Masque were no less than 1,5361. 8s. 11d. (p. 566), and that on the occasion of this wed. ding, the Lord Montacute bestowed 15,000l. in apparel for his two daughters. By one Chronicler the jewels worn by the King were valued at 600,000l. and those worn by the Queen at 400,000/.; but, allowing for some exaggeration here, Sir John Finett, the Assistant Master of the Ceremonies,

says:

"The King's, Queen's, and Prince's jewells onely were valued that day by his Majesty himselfe (upon occasion of discourse happening to the braverie there appearing) at nine hundred thousand pounds sterling.' P. 546.

Our modern Malcontents speak much of Court and Ministerial profusion. The total charge of the dyets, marriage, provisions, and transportations of this Princess Elizabeth was no less than 53,2941. an expence which for such a purpose (the portion not being included), was never, we believe, incurred by the moderns; but “cumbrous magnificence" was the fashion of the age, and the ladies paid 507. a yard for the embroidery of their gowns.

We shall conclude with the following extract from one of the original letters of Mr. Chamberlain. It describes the magnificence of Sir Francis Bacon when mounting on the wheel of Fortune. For the marriage

of the Earl of Somerset,

"Sir Francis Bacon prepares a Mask which will stand him in above 2000l. and

though he has been offered some help by the House [Gray's Inn], and especially by Mr. Solicitor, Sir Henry Yelverton, who would have sent him 500l. yet he would not accept it, but offers them the whole charge with the honour. Marry, his obligations are such, as well to his Majesty, as to the

great Lord, and the whole House of Howards, as he can admit no partners. In the mean time his House at Gorhambury by St. Alban's is gone, some say to the Earl of Somerset, and others to the Earl of Suffolk. But his bounty is no whit abated, for he feasts the whole University of Cambridge this Christmas, and hath warrants to his friends and acquaintance far and near to furnish him with venison to bestow on the College. He carries a great port as well in his Train, as in his apparel and otherwise, and lives at a great charge; and yet he pretends he will take no fees, nor intermeddle in mercenary causes, but wholly apply himself to the King's affairs."

It appears from other passages that Bacon always took a great interest in the revels of his Inn; and on the above Mr. Nichols has the following note:

"These particulars of the Bacon's great life are too curious to pass without remark. The report that he had parted with Gorhambury was erroneous, though I have not the means of determining whether well or ill-founded. As to his love of stately attendance, he seems in this to have somewhat resembled his great predecessor in the paths of ambition, the haughty Wolsey. Even after his fall, he could not wholly lay it aside, if we credit the following anecdote related in Aulicus Coquinaria. At that period, having been released from the Tower, he was residing in retirement at Gorhambury, when Prince Charles on his way to London, saw at a distance a coach fullowed by a considerable number of people upon horseback, and upon enquiry was told that it was the Lord St. Alban's, attended by his friends; on which his Highness said this with a smile, 'Well, do what you can, man scorns to go out like a snuff'!" P. 705.

7.

A Charge, delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Derby, at the Visitations at Derby and Chesterfield, June 23 and 25, 1825, and published at their request. By the Rev. S. Butler, D. D. F.R.S. &c. Archdeacon of Derby, and Head-master of Shrewsbury School. 4to. pp. 1st Charge, 15. 2d, 16.

THE first Charge of the Archdeacon is a statistical result of a Survey of the Archdeaconry. From the Survey it appears that the number of Churches (excluding four consolidated) are 159, of which the average income is very near 245l.; "a sum which may be considered as not much differing from the average value of Churches throughout the Kingdom."

These 159 livings are served by 135 Clergymen, either as Incumbents or Curates. Only 91 have houses fit for

the residence of a Clergyman, and these are occupied by 60 Incumbents, and 21 Curates. The remaining 10 are served by the Incumbent, resident either in the parish or one adjacent. Of those which have no houses fit for residence, or none at all, the duty is performed by neighbouring Clergymen. Pp. 8, 9.

There were 29 parishes without any school whatever.

A

This is a most vexatious circumstance; but we are sorry in our literary character to affirm, that we do not find the Clergy in general philosophical Statists. The fact is that, where there are not in a parish a body of gentry, the funds for supporting even a Sunday-school are not to be raised, even by an exemplary minister. gentleman has a fear of meanness; an opulent manufacturer or tradesinan has thousands and hundreds pass through his hands, and his poor-rates are trifling. But upon the farmer, the burden of local taxes are severe; and though all of them are ultimately levied upon the consumer, yet, when a tradesman of 500l. per ann. net profit pays only 15 or 20l. per ann. to the poor, and the farmer with the same net profit pays from 100 to 2007., the latter, though the profits of both are equal, will not have equal feelings for the poor; especially where the education of the two parties is widely different. A tradesman knows that, in order to live, he must let live, that he must encourage trade, to support trade; but a farmer has no such ideas: he well knows the people will not starve if they can help it, and partly because he is always in very active exercise, which stimulates indulgence, and partly because he can deal more advantageously when the heart is opened by liquor, he is very liberal to the spirit merchant, perhaps every market-day drinks from ten to twenty glasses of spirits and water,-but call upon that man for liberal benefaction, he knows what he already pays to the poor, and every such benefaction is, in his mind, only an addition to the sum paid. It matters not that such ideas ought not to obtain a place; that a thousand beneficial contingent consequences would result from such benefaction; that a young person of moderate education, and through that, of more elevated sentiment, abhors the infamy of a parish pauper, and that the farmer is,

therefore, "penny wise and pound foolish,"-still facts are as we state them; and to argue that things ought not to be, which actually are, is precisely the same thing as to say that poisons ought not to kill, that bad causes ought not to produce bad effects, a kind of logic which produces mischief only, for it invites mankind to expect cures of diseases by such medicines, as do not apply to the instigating causes.

The next point considered by the learned Archdeacon is neglect of seasonable repair of Churches. Now this is (we speak out boldly) abominable. Every man knows that the repairs of Churches are limited to roof, walls, windows, pulpit, reading-desk, communion table, font, and bells. Of these, only the two first require annual attention, and if any care be taken to prevent injury of the foundation by graves and vaults, the assessment per ann. for keeping these in repair will not be in ninety-nine parishes out of a hundred a farthing per head. But then this is a predial tax. We have heard a farmer say, that even the hire of a chaise to go to a Visitation, added to his share of a Church-rate, four shillings extra; and if you blame him, he will reply to you, that every man shirks all the taxes in his power. In short, every man who is a farmer becomes penurious, because he has so many taxes and rates to pay. It is very true that all these matters are in reality only deductions from the rent, may be and indeed are proper things, yet no persuasion that physic is a very necessary thing, will induce a man to like it, or not to avoid taking it. However, to keep a Church in condition by annual repairs and surveys (as customary in many counties) is so little onerous, that neglect is abominable. The easiest remedy is yearly visits of Rural Deans to redress grievances. An Archdeacon cannot be expected to travel about 1200 miles, as Dr. Butler says that he has done in two summers only.

The last points of the first Charge are dilapidations of Parsonage-houses and Life-assurance. If it be a part

of a man's income to have a house rent-free, the least return which he can make is to keep it in repair. But there are cruel circumstances attached to the present mode of levying dilapidations upon the survivors of the In

cumbent, because the innocent often pay for the guilty. In our judgment, a plan or survey of every parsonagehouse should be made at the institution of every Incumbent by a professional man, appointed by the Bishop, at the expence of such new Incunibent; and such Incumbent be called upon to make a return in particulars every seven years of the good condition of his parsonage-house. It is true that a similar return is made annually to the Privy-council, but it is vague and general. Roofs, walls, staircases, and floors, once in repair, are easily kept so; and if so kept, sums for dilapidations in other respects would be trifling, because they refer only to plastering, papering, and glazing, matters of small expence, where houses have been inhabited by gentlemen.

Life-assurance is a benefit, which speaks for itself; and we are glad to find that the Archdeacon brings into notice a peculiar institution, confined to the Clergy and Academics.

The second Charge touches upon the Mechanics' Institution, and the spread of knowledge among the poor. We are obliged to differ from the Archdeacon. According to our experience, the larger the number of well-informed persons there have been in a parish, the more numerous have been the friends of the Church of England and the moral characters. No man will deny the superiority of the parish of St. George's, Hanover-square, to St. Giles's, yet the quantum of uneducated people lies in the latter. Scotland and Ireland furnish other contrasts. In fact, men cannot be better for being uneducated, but may be so for being instructed. Schoolmasters have been long used in the Navy; also, we believe, in the Army; and, if a poor man takes to a study, which is absurd as to worldly objects, all study makes a man domestic; and we trust and hope, that ultimately greater desertion of ale-houses may be the final result of such pursuits. No human good is unqualified, and greater may be the number of coxcombs, but we shall never find fault with improved seasons, though they may be attended with an increase of butterflies. We may be of opinion, that seditious, immoral, and irreligious writings did greatly aid the French Revolution; but to say that such consequences result from knowledge, as knowledge, is utterly absurd; because

the cause was the dissemination only of bad principles, which may be and have been successfully circulated in Ireland, where knowledge has never been general. Bad men will write bad books to rouse bad followers; but it so happens, that for one man educated in France, there have ever been three in England. In short, knowledge must, in se, be proved to disseminate bad principles, before justifiable alarm can be taken, with regard to that being the agent of political mischief; but it can no more be said to be so, than that, because fire may burn down a house, it is not a blessing to have light in darkness, or warmth in winter.

Here we must take our leave of this eminent Classic with sentiments of sincere respect.

8. The Song of the Patriot, Sonnets, and Songs. By Robert Millhouse. London: printed for the Author. Sold by R. Hunter, St. Paul's Church yard; and by J. Dunn, Nottingham.

per

WE have aforetime noticed the formances of this singularly-pleasing Minstrel. The small work that preceded the present one, was entitled "Blossoms" and never was the promise, which that title implied, more amply realized. We now behold fruits of Genius, with which our readers, like ourselves, cannot but be gratified. From the rich profusion before us, a mere dessert only will be selected, without any particular care: yet such a dessert as will tempt them, if we mistake not, to possess the whole store. What taste so fastidious as not to relish such productions as these?

Intent new forms of government to try,
Ye Britons! who have other states survey'd,
Say, have you found, where'er your search

was made,

That distant realm where you would live

and die!

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Or pace, unawed, the field of mystery.
With heaven-rapt Milton, passing Nature by,
On swift Imagination's eagle wings
View the extremest boundaries of the sky,
And join the hosts that sing the King of
kings,
[springs.
Melting in lays divine from pure ethereal

Full to that greatness have her sous attain'd ;
Dread/ul in War to hurl the Battle's weight;
Supreme in Arts, in Commerce unrestrain'd;
Peerless in magic Song, to hold the soul
enchain'd.

In wealth and power stupendous is our Isle !
Obtaiu'd by Labour's persevering hand:
And heaven-born Liberty extends her smile
To the remotest corners of our land:
The meanest subject feels her potent wand:
Peasant and Peer are by one law control'd;
And this it is, that keeps us great and grand;
This is the impulse makes our warriors bold,
And knits more close the bond our fathers
seal'd of old.

Plenty, from out her never-failing horn,
Showers down profusion on our hills and

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Philosophers, immers'd in thought sublime, Reverting back, thy Sages shall explore; And following Bacon, Locke and Newton, climb

To heights, the human mind ne'er tried before: [shore The youthful Bard shall traverse Fancy's With Spenser, Minstrel to the Fairy throng; Pondering his wild romantic visions o'er, Told in the sweetest harmony of song, While knights and gentle virgins sweep in pomp along.

Or with thy Shakespeare, pride of humankind!

Magician-like, with talisman, untie
Those secret strings the hidden heart which

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goes

To hail the sacred dust, and muse awhile,

Be heard the free-born strain to blanch the tyrant's smile.

These extracts are from "The Song of the Patriot:" a performance that evinces its author not only to be a true Patriot himself, but so capable of "waking to ecstacy the living lyre," as to merit the fostering protection of all who love their country. From the additional Sonnets we must be sparing in our selection,-not from want of choice; but for want of room in our limited parterre for such poetical flowers. The first will plead, "angeltongued," for its own humble parent:

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