beth only as the site of the palaces of the two Saxon Kings; but Lambeth might be a general term, including Kennington. We merely state the difficulties, without attempting to elucidate them, any further than to presume, that if the Royal palace at Kennington was the Lambeth palace of Hardicanute and Harold, it was also, in our judgment, that of the Countess Goda; but that Kennington was the Lambeth palace of these Saxon Princes is again questionable, because there is a Church mentioned in Domesday; and Anglo-Saxon Court-houses stood near the Church, or Bell-house, and according to this rule, Lambeth Church being adjacent to the archiepiscopal residence, the Royal palace of Lambeth might have stood where the Primate's mansion is now seated. In our ancient Castles, &c. it is well known that the Hall was the place of assemblage for the household, the great dining chamber for the family, and the guard chamber in general the first floor of the old keep, or of We the gate house, if there was one. cannot, therefore, think that the great chamber (the alla camera major) was ever the guard-chamber, as presumed. P. 197.. The variations of modern and ancient opinion are strikingly exemplified in two particulars; one is, that the lowest table on the East side of the Archbishop's hall is a shovel-board table; and the second, that the size of the hall was adapted to hospitality, and that a Mr. Seymour complained to Henry VIII. that Archbishop Cranmer did not keep hospitality correspondent to his dignity. P. 222. Thus that blundering perversion of Christianity, the taking purity in principle and action to mean war with the innocent pleasures of life, did not then exist. Archbishop Parker's mode of keeping hospitality was this: "In the daily eating, this was the custom: the Steward, with the servants that were gentlemen of the better rank, sat down at the tables in the hall on the right hand; and the Almoner, with the Clergy and the other servants, sat on the other side; where there was plenty of all sorts of provision, both for eating and drinking. The daily fragments thereof did suffice to fill the belfies of a great number of poor hungry people, that waited at the gate; and so constant and unfailing was this provision at my lord's table, that whosoever came, either at dinner or supper, being not above the degree of a knight, might there be entertained worthy of his quality, either at the Steward's or at the Almoner's table. And moreover, it was the Archbishop's command to his servants, that all strangers should be received and treated with all manner of civility and respect, and that places at the table should be assigned them according to their dignity and quality, which rebounded much to the praise and commendation of the Archbishop. The discourse and conversation at meals, was void of all brawls and loud talking, and for the most part consisted in framing men's manners to religion, or to some other honest and becoming subject. There was a monitor of the Hall; and if it happened that any spoke too loud, or concerning things less decent, it was presently hushed by one that cried silence.' P. 224. We find from p. 228, that Archbishop Tenison thought a pint of wine to each person not too much. Our author, speaking of the Gatehouse, mentions a small room adjoining to the Porter's lodge, supposed to have been used anciently as a secondary prison for confining the overflowings of the Lollard's tower. P. 228. This supposition is a mistake. The prison in the Porter's lodge was for offending servants, and low delinquents. Besides Archdeacon Nares's Glossary, the Encyclopedia of Antiquities, &c. &c. Evelyn says (Miscellanies, 568) "I am told that our Mahomed having received his Adjuda de Costo, from the bounty and charity of a great person of more easie belief, is slipt aside for fear of the Porter's lodge." "A room, which juts out over the hall door, is said to have been Archbishop Tillotson's study, from whence he had peepholes into the hall, the court, &c. with glass in them, by which he could see every body that came in and went out of the palace." P. 229. This is an allusion to a very ancient custom of checking misbehaviour by having windows, which looked into the Hall, which windows served also for gratifying curiosity. Queen Elizabeth was often invited to such windows, when on visits in progress, see the dinner parties in the hall.” to From p. 231, it appears, that Archbishop Anselm in the year 1100, called a synod at Lambeth. It should therefore seem, that there was then a palace at Lambeth. Indeed, we are inclined to think, though with the diffidence before expressed, that there were from the first, distinct palaces at Kennington and Lambeth, In the old records concerning the manor of Vauxhall, we have a curious instance of the manner in which our ancestors estimated the price of labour, that is to say, they thought it of no value if the workman was to be maintained, or if they received more in virtue of their tenure from the Lord, than the labour was worth. For instance, in an inquisition taken 20 Ed. I. it was found, that "The works of customary tenants were of no value, because more was taken for the work than it was worth." P. 266. In another inquisition, taken 12 Edw. II. the customary tenants were to "gather and carry the hay from the meadows, and to mow two days in harvest; but this was of no value, for they were to have a meal (prandium) twice a day, even though they did not work." P. 268. From this last record, it appears that "6 fowls were valued at 2d. a piece, and 7 cocks at 14d. each." P. 268. From a Reeve's account, taken 1 Edw. III. it seems, that, estimating the difference in the value of money, certain modern articles, now very cheap, were, comparatively speaking, enormously dear. The items to which we allude, are these, "Also in one new sack bought, 64d."-Also in 61b. of iron bought for the plough, 4d.; in manufacturing the same iron, 4d." P. 270. If we reckon ten times the ancient amount to be the modern worth (as is a common mode of calculation), the price of the sack was 5s. 5d.; the iron 4d. per lb., and the work 4d. per lb. also, in modern money. Formerly, all waste ground near the metropolis, was appropriated to the practice of archery. P. 285. In p. 294 we come to one of those 'monstra horribilia,' a modern Church. The order is Doric, made as light as the Corinthian; the entablature is narrow, the triglyphs and mutules are omitted, and other strange things attempted, which are just as rational as making a Venus out of a Hercules. Of one thing we are satisfied, that a spire is inseparable from Gothic architecture, and that no art or ingenuity can make it harmonize with the Grecian style, It is in se (and can be nothing else) a plain cone. Gilpin notices its insus ceptibility of ornament; and it may be added, that, in good taste, it should be the finish of a tower, rising from the ground, at the west end of a Church, and that it does not look well in the centre of a transept, nor appertains to Churches of large dimensions. Properly speaking, it belongs to the village Church, where, rising among trees, it has a very happy effect, and to no other. It may even be doubted, whether it is a fitting adjunct to a Gothic Church of the florid style, or to any one which has a clere story. In our judgment, it appertains only to a Church of unornamented character, and is utterly dependent for its beauty, upon certain proportions, and the character of its tower. In p. 297 we have the front of the Royal Coburgh Theatre; a thing of tiers of windows, and a fantastic pediment. A Shot Manufactory (p. 313) rears its chimney. Now of the various nuisances to the eye which annoy us in the entrance of cities, these wretched concerns of manufactories are among the greatest. We would bury them all, if we could, in a deep valley, or excavate them under ground, and felt them in with a broad fringe of wood; what with their sheds and barns, and plank palings, and yards full of puddles and mud, and lumber and litter; they form the most complete specimens of the anti-picturesque. Every thing that can be abominable is studiously made such-sheds, like field-hovels, red with pantiles (things which are too restless to continue a week in their places), are made to form a street-front, or an arcade is blocked three parts up with plank; a smart dwelling-house, too, is reared among heaps of rubbish; add to these, a profusion of gawky chimnies, and clouds of annoying smoke, fætid smells, and stunning or creaking noises. That these are very vile things, every Gilpinian will readily admit; and only so, because they are not properly concealed; and might be so cheaply, by a belt of Lombardy poplars and firs, &c. intermixed, and when grown up, intended to succeed the poplars. All very tall buildings unavoidably attract the eye to themselves; and a more horrifying object to the pictu resque world could not possibly ensue, than that long round box, set up right, the Shot Manufactory, at the end of Waterloo-bridge. It really is swindling the eye into a belief, that the bridge was built on purpose for a convenient road to that machine for atomizing lead. An old well, sufficiently deep, to which a descent might be made from above, is the thing which we should substitute; but alas! nobody will attend to us—the sorrows of the picturesque are, like those of vanity, never pitied; and, as poor Mrs. Jordan used to sing, "Nobody's coming to marry me, so the environs of towns and cities might likewise sing, In p. 346 our author acquaints us, that at a place of public entertainment, called Lambeth Wells, Erasmus King, who had been coachman to Dr. Desaguliers, read lectures, and exhibited experiments in Natural Philosophy. This is a curious illustration of " like master, like man." That this world was made for the habitation of mankind, we have no doubt; but we do not think that it was made to be entirely covered with houses. If we, however, do not think so, the Cocknies do, and proceed to extirpate every remain of field and verdure with incredible alacrity. What wonderful changes they have made in a short space of time, appears from the following paragraph. "Previous to the road being made from Westminster to Kennington, the site was fields, with a bridle-way from Newington to Lambeth-palace and stairs. This was of great antiquity, and some old people in Lambeth remember their fathers mentioning that Geo. II. used to cross the water and go along this path, attended by his Courtiers, to hunt in Greenwich Park and Black heath." P. 349. and Borough of Southwark," a subject which promises no small gratification of curiosity; and is also editing a History of London," publishing in Numbers. 91. The History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Exeter. Illustrated by a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Sections, and Plan of that Edifice. Including Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishops of the See. By John Britton, F.S.A. &c. 4to. pp. 152. Longman and Co. THE richness and accuracy of the embellishments, combined with the research and talent displayed in the letter-press, and the elegance of printing, have produced a volume that must give satisfaction to its patrons, and which will not a little contribute to sustain topographical works on the high eminence to which Mr. Britton has in a very considerable degree contributed to elevate them. To the investigator of the remains of what Mr. Britton appositely designates Christian Architecture in this country, the beautiful illustrationsTWENTY-TWO in number, and those of the greatest merit,-will be of great importance: but we could have wished for the benefit of those who are but tyros in the science of architecture, that the accompanying letter-press had been much fuller on so useful and interesting a portion of the work. Description ought to be an anatomy of the complicated structure exhibited in the plates;-a full definition of the parts in detail, -a critique on the work, elucidating the principles of construction, and pointing out the various beauties or defects in parts which either produce a discordant or harmonious whole, as their distribution may. be attended to with more or less taste. The deficiency in the present volume in this respect is not, however, attributable to any ignorance on the part of Mr. Britton,-for we know and appreciate his intimate acquaintance with the art, but to the too prevalent notion that things, whether in reality or in picture,-speak best for thenselves. Experience nevertheless teaches that, unless the one is an exact counterpart of the other, they are both unintelligible. These sentiments we feel will be duly acknowledged to arise from our ardent desire to render every assistance to the uninitiated, and not from any wish to deteriorate from the merit of a book, which we regret to hear will never remunerate the author and proprietors for their liberality; even when the whole impression has been disposed of. We could not help feeling considerably hurt at the necessity for the observations in the Preface on the apathy of the Clergy of this Cathedral, with regard to Topography; but we, as well as every intellectual mind, must tender our thanks to Mr. Britton for having so spiritedly stood forward in defence of Literature. We could scarcely have believed that gentlemen reared in the bosom of Alma Mater, and who perhaps have themselves experienced the painful difficulties attendant upon the acquisition of knowledge, would have considered it creditable to the station in which they move, to imitate the unconcern of ignorance and the meanness of contumely. We acquit Mr. Britton of any thing like personal hostility to any particular individuals, but attribute his spirited conduct to the enthusiasm which he displays in the prosecution of his literary labours. "Were he less zealous and less anxious in the cause, he could view many things with indifference which now operate powerfully on his feelings. It is true that every successful result,-every kind and approving word from the discriminating critic, every new discovery in history, and of beauty in art, tends to sweeten his labour, and brings with it new sources of pleasure; but on the reverse, he is proportionably depressed and mortified when he encounters pride, superciliousness, and chilling neglect." From p. 108, we find that there is this remarkable feature in the windows of this Cathedral:-the tracery, which is of the most elegant description, of each successive window on either side being varied in design from all the others, while the one on the opposite side (with but one exception) exactly corresponds. Specimens of these windows are given in pl. viii. xi. In p. 114, a singular example of ancient art called the "Minstrels' Gallery," is described and represented in pl. viii. xvii. It is on the north side of the nave, projecting from the clerestory, and supported by a bracket cornice. In front it displays a series of 12 quatrefoil-headed niches, in which stand as many figures of angels playing upon musical instruments of different kinds. It may be referred to the reign of Edward III. The clock was probably erected temp. Edw. III.; and the organ, excepting Haerlem, is the largest and finest in Europe. It was built 1664, The number of and rebuilt 1819. pipes about 1600. The literary part has been mostly compiled by E. W. Brayley, F.S.A. whose talents are well known to have contributed much towards perfecting the local History of England, and illustrating its architectural remains. 92. Plain Advice to the Public to facilitate the Making of their own Wills. With Forms of Wills, containing almost every description of Bequest, &c. &c. Pp. 84. W. R. Goodluck. THIS little pamphlet is peculiarly valuable, as being a practical piece of advice emanating from a gentleman who, we understand, held for some years a situation in the Legacy Duty Office, Somerset House. The laws relative to the disposal by will of personal property and of lands; to the publication and republication of wills; of codicils; alterations in, and witnesses to wills, are here clearly explained, in a compendious form, and in a style studiously familiar. But it appears to us, that by far the most valuable, as well as the most original part of this little work, are the "Forms of Wills," which occupy nearly one half of the volume, and which have never before been attempted in print. The object of these Forms, in which will be found almost every possible description of bequest of personal property, is to enable any person of ordinary capacity to make his own will with safety, without any other assistance, except, to use the author's own words, "in cases of very considerable involvement and intricacy." We cannot, ourselves, pretend to be profoundly acquainted with this subject, but as far as we are able to judge, we do not hesitate to express an opinion, that these Forms must prove of very essential service to a numerous class, whether such as wish, for whatsoever reason, to make their own wills without the assistance of a second person, or such as are constantly resorted to (especially in country places), to assist their neighbours in the performance of that important duty. 93. A Letter to Protestants converted from Romanism. By the Rev. Joseph Blanco White, A.M. Pp. 43. AMONG the artifices of that Church against which the powerful artillery of Mr. White has been directed, we have heard of one upon unquestionable authority, which decidedly marks its true character. Unable to answer his arguments, and for the purpose of weakening his authority, for perhaps the testimony of such a convert is the most powerful that can be adduced, a report is in circulation among the Romanists, that Mr. White is a nonexistent personage, a shadow, a mask under which some hostile Protestant levels his animosity against Popery. So absurd a falsehood seems hardly to require a refutation, and we have noticed it merely to exhibit the mode by which the effect of Mr. White's powerful reasoning is attempted to be neutralized. He is again at his post, and affording the benefit of his experience, and the consolations of his example, to those who, like him, have burst the fetters of mental tyranny, but who, in their infant freedom, and in the blaze of that light which has visited them, may require guidance and support, the guidance of one who has trodden the same path, the support of one who has fought the same good fight,' and has been exposed to the same painful ordeal. To strengthen them in the path of Christian duty, and to comfort them under many affecting trials, are the aim and object of this admirable letter. In all plainness of speech, and with arguments drawn from the only true source, he confirms the new converts in the purer faith which they have adopted, and removes the superincumbent rubbish by which Christianity has been overlaid. "Be therefore upon your guard, and prepare yourselves against the seduction of kindness. If at times you should feel dejection and unhappiness stealing over you, do not imagine that, had you continued Romanists against the suggestions of your conscience, you should have escaped those feelings or that, if, giving way to importunate entreaties, you were to relapse into the profession of your former errors, undisturbed peace of mind should be your lot. In such a case, believe me, you could never, again take up the word of God in your hands. You would dread to look at a New By 94. A Summary of the Laws principally affecting Protestant Dissenters. With an Appendix, containing Acts of Parliament, Trust Deeds, and Legal Forms. Joseph Beldam, of the Middle Temple, Esq. Barrister at Law. 12mo, pp. 196. THE recent change of Administration has given hopes to the various denominations of Protestant Dissenters, that amidst other more important alterations in our religious establishments, The circulation of this Letter, print- their demands for the abolition of the ed as it is in a cheap form, is well cal- Corporation and Test Acts, and the culated for distribution in a country Marriage Act, may not be overlooked. where, under the blessing of God, the Very numerous Petitions to the LegisReformation is now going on. As lature to that effect, have been presentsuch an auxiliary, we humbly recom- ed; and the subject will probably be mend it to those influential persons resumed in the next Session of Parwho are interested in this pious labour. liament. The following extract will amply vindicate our praise, and serve as a specimen of the spirit in which the Letter has been written: The summary of the subsisting Laws, now presented to the public by Mr. Beldam, is therefore at least welltimed; it seems ably compiled, and |