formation was given; and as an illustration of the state of agriculture in the parish nearly a century ago the following is worthy of record: "In Decr. 1795, a jury was impanelled to report what quantity of grain and potatoes was in all the parishes, when it was found there were, in Kirk Michael, of rye, 13 bolls, 7 kishens; barley, 863 bolls, 2 kishens; oates, 1,233 bolls, 5 kishens; potatoes, 1,323 bolls, 14 kishens; pease, 84 bolls, 15 kishens; wheat, 30 bolls, 9 kishens." As to the price of grain: in 1773, the £5 to be spent in barley at Bishop Hildesley's burial bought 122 kishens-that is, about 1 a boll; and in 1822, 'Price of a Boll of Barley left to ye Poor by Patrick Nelson B'renny, 1 Is. od.'"-The Rev. W. Kermode exhibited and remarked upon some remains of cinerary urns that had been found in the neighbourhood of Ballaugh.-The Rev. R. Brearey exhibited some fine celts, which came from the same neighbourhood.

Obituary.

BENJAMIN FILLON. Died May, 1881.

The

This distinguished historian, archeologist, and numismatist died at Paris at the end of May. To his researches Michelet and Louis Blanc were both indebted for documents, but it is chiefly on account of his remarkable discoveries in ceramic history that his name will live. Some of the most exquisite specimens of the potter's art have for years gone by the name of "Henri Deux Ware." About eighty pieces are known to be in existence, and each of these is valued at an enormous sum-in fact, to be the possessor of one of these pieces is in itself a distinction. Until lately neither the artist who designed the ware nor the place where it was manufactured were known. riddle was solved by M. Fillon. M. Jacquamart has written:-" Guided by a happy conformity of facts, and by that intuition peculiar to true archaeologists, M. Fillon repaired to Oiron, persuaded beforehand that he should find there the real and irrefragable elements of the history of the pottery of Henry II., and, as he anticipated, proofs of every kind accumulated before him, and the discovery was made." Since the publication of M. Fillon's pamphlet on the subject in 1862, this poterie de luxe has been known as Oiron Ware. M. Fillon also discovered Bernard Palissy's manuscript, Le Devin de la Grotte des Tuileries, which is now in the National Library, Paris. He made important collections of objects of art, ancient jewelry, and prehistoric arms, some of which were shown at the Exhibition of 1870.

MAXIMILIEN Paul Émile liTTRÉ.
Born February 1, 1801, died June 2, 1881.

It is not often that the scientific and literary careers are united so intimately in one man as was the case with M. Littré, whose recent death is a loss not merely to France but to all Europe. Before the pub

lication of the Dictionnaire de la Langue Française, which has covered his name with glory, he had already attained to a European fame. His edition of the works of Hippocrates, which contained the original and a translation, occupied him for thirty years, and proved his life-long interest in the study of medicine, although circumstances had prevented him from taking his doctor's degree and from practising in the profession he had originally chosen. As one of those who carried on the continuation of the Benedictine Histoire Littéraire de France, as a contributor to the Journal des Savants, and as a brilliant writer in the Revue des Deux Mondes, he was preparing for years for the great work of his life. It is hardly possible to mention the French Dictionary without enthusiasm, and it must ever remain a marvel of labour. The scientific method which he had learnt early in life stood him in good stead, and as he also possessed immense learning and good taste, he managed in a comparatively short time to produce for France the finest linguistic dictionary ever published. Of his political and religious views we need not speak here, and it is only necessary to say that he was a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres and also of the Académie Française.

GEORGE ROLLESTON, M.D., F.R.S.

Born 1829, died June 16, 1881.

Although Dr. Rolleston's fame was chiefly scientific (as a most eminent biologist) his loss will be deeply regretted by the archeological world. He was a leader among the small band of men who feel a vital interest in the antiquarianism (so to speak) of science. Twenty years ago this party hardly existed, but now it has grown to be an ever-increasing power. His death will leave a gap in Oxford society, and in scientific circles generally the absence of his striking figure will be keenly felt. Dr. Rolleston was born at Maltby, in Yorkshire; was educated at Gainsborough and Sheffield, and, after a distinguished career at Oxford (he was placed in the First Class in Classics in 1850), became a Fellow of Pembroke College in 1851. After studying medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, he went to Smyrna as assistant physician to the British Civil Hospital during the Crimean war. On returning he was appointed assistant-physician to the Children's Hospital in London, in 1857; and in the same year was recalled to Oxford to succeed Dr. Acland as Lee's Reader in Anatomy at Christ Church, when that gentleman became Regius Professor of Medicine. In 1860 he was appointed to the newly. founded chair of anatomy and physiology as the first Linacre Professor. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1862, and Fellow of Merton College in 1872. He filled the office of member of the Council of the University until his death. He represented Oxford in the General Medical Council, and was at the same time one of the most active and valuable members of the Oxford Local Board. He was the author of an outline of zoological classification, based upon anatomical investigation, and entitled The Form of Animal Life, and he also contributed to Canon Greenwell's British Barrows. His writings are, however, chiefly to be found in the Transactions of

The ancient parish church of Wedmore, after having undergone thorough restoration, has been reopened. The restoration of the church has been carried out under the direction of Mr. Ferry, and care has been taken to preserve and restore all that is old and interesting, without adding anything which can be designated modern architecture. The principal work interesting to antiquaries, includes new roofs to the nave and chancel, relaying and levelling the floors, replacing of open oak benches for the old high-backed pews, stripping the walls of their whitewash and yellow-ochre coverings, and exposing to view the native stone, which has been carefully pointed.

The City Corporation have purchased from the executors of the late Mr. J. W. Baily, his collection of Roman, Romano-British, Medieval, and other antiquities found in the City from 1863 to 1872. The chairman of the Library Committee stated that the committee had taken great pains to ascertain the intrinsic and historical value of the relics, and they could testify that this was the most valuable collection of antiquities connected with the City ever found. They were all labelled and numbered, together with the best description obtainable. There were 2, 100 articles in the collection, including hundreds of Roman and Saxon coins. Among the members of the Corporation who spoke strongly in support of the purchase, were Mr. E. Dresser Rogers, Mr. Judd, and Sir J. C. Lawrence.

An Exhibition of Ecclesiastical Art will be held at Newcastle-on-Tyne, during the Meeting of the Church Congress, from Obtober 3 to 8. The Exhibition will include articles of every description used in the building and adornment of churches, or in connection with the services thereof-stone and wood carving, stained glass, brass and metal work, gold and silver plate, bells, embroidery, tapestry, organs and harmoniums, church chairs, mosaics, &c., a large gallery being set apart for the display of cartoons, designs, pictures, architectural drawings, &c. It has been decided to admit also all kinds of school appliances, books, &c., useful in the furtherance of education. There will be also an extensive loan collection of pictures, photo graphs, designs (old and new), embroidery, carvings, and objects of ecclesiastical art generally. Applica tions for space, or permission to exhibit, should be addressed to Mr. J. Hart, Manager, Ecclesiastical Art Exhibition, 33, Southampton Strand, London, W.C.; or G. J. Baguley, Esq., 45, Carliol Street, Newcastle.

The Council of the Society of Arts have just erected six new memorial tablets on houses which are of historic interest, as having been occupied by celebrated men. These china plaques will now be found on the front of 15, Buckingham Street, Strand, where Peter the Great lived for a short time; on 25 Arlington Street, for many years the residence of the famous Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole; on 14, Savile Row, where Sheridan lived; on 35, St. Martin's Street, Leicester Square, for some time Sir Isaac Newton's home; on 36, Castle Street, Oxford Street, where James Barry, the painter, received the statesman, Burke; and on 30, Leicester Square, a new

which stands on the site of Hogarth's home. With regard to the tablet to Peter the Great, in Buckingham Street, we may note the suggestion of the Builder that the opposite house, supposed to be the one that Samuel Pepys lived in for some years, should be marked by the Society.

A remarkable instance of the revival of old customs

occurred on May 2, at Whitelands Training College, when prizes, given by Mr. Ruskin (which consisted of twenty-seven volumes of his works, handsomely bound), were presented to students by the hand of the May Queen. After a service in the chapel, the students, wearing garlands, and each carrying a bunch of flowers, assembled in the training-room, for the purpose of selecting the " Queen of the May." The Principal (the Rev. J. P. Faunthorpe) read a part of Tennyson's "May Queen," and then the Queen was chosen by the votes of all the students from amongst the juniors. She retired to be arrayed in her queenly robes, and the students arranged themselves on each side of the corridor awaiting her re-appearance as Queen. She was preceded by six girls carrying the gifts, and accompanied by three maids-of-honour. The students then closed up, and formed the procession back to the training-room, where the Queen herself received an elegant gold cross, with a May blossom design on it, and a gold chain, also presents from Mr. Ruskin.

Some remarkably high prices were given for English coins at a five days' sale of the collection of Mr. Halliburton Young, of Lee, Kent. A penny of Alfred sold for £15 15s.; a penny of Edward the Elder, £55s. ; a penny of Athelstan, £5 7s. 6d. ; a penny of Hardicanute, struck at Exeter, £7 7s. ; a penny of Henry I., struck at Southwark, £5 10s. ; a groat of Edmund I., £5 10s.; a gold noble of Henry IV., 14 5s.; a shilling of Henry VII., £12; the "Setim" groat of Henry VII., 12, a rare coin, the only other being in the British Museum; a gold double rial of Henry VII., £26; a George noble of Henry VIII., £25 Ios. ; a noble or rial of Mary, gold, £20 10s.; a silver crown-piece of Elizabeth, £7 2s. 6d. ; a pattern penny of Elizabeth, £5 5s. ; a pattern halfpenny of Elizabeth, £5 5s.; a portcullis crown of Elizabeth, 12; a gold rial of Elizabeth, £13 10s. ; a silver crown of James I., £7 7s. ; a fifteen-shilling piece of James I., £14; a silver pound-piece of Charles I., Oxford, £37; a half-crown, Charles I., Exeter, £32; a Commonwealth half-crown sold for L27; a shilling, pattern piece, of fine work, £35 10s. ; and a two-shilling piece of Cromwell, £25.

Some interesting coins have lately been discovered along the Kaffrarian coast opposite the spot where the East Indiaman the Grosvenor was wrecked in August, 1782. There is little doubt that the coins formed part of the cargo of the vessel, or of the personal effects of some persons on board. Among the coins is one of silver, evidently one of the native pieces of money in use in India before the English conquest. There is another coin of gold, in an excellent state of preservation, apparently a sequin of the Venetian Republic. On one side is represented the figure of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice, handing a long cross-headed staff to the Doge, who kneels before him

arrayed in the ducal robes, and wearing the wellknown biretta. Behind the figure of the saint is the inscription "S. M. Venet." Above the head of the Doge is the inscription "Dux," and behind is the abbreviated name "Joan Cornal"-the Senator who presided over the Republic at the time when the coin was issued. On the other side of the coin is a figure, probably intended for that of Christ, enclosed in an oval border of stars, around which is the following inscription, "Duca. sit. I. XPI. dat. q. tu. régis. isti."

But we, in our turn, are not without a rhyme upon them, though not written by ourselves. I do not know whether you are aware that to this day, just as the English call the Irishman 'Paddy,' and the Welshman 'Taffy,' so in a certain province of France the name for an Englishman is God-dam,' taken from their proverbial habit of swearing, and this is what the Frenchman says of the Englishman :

"The Englishman is a very bad man,

He drink the beer and he steal the can; He kiss the wife and then beat the man. And the Englishman is a very God-dam.' Mr. J. Arthur Elliott (late Coldstream Guards), writing to the Times with reference to the recent celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the regiment of Grenadier Guards, says :-"The Grenadier Guards was first raised in the year 1657, when the loyal English who shared King Charles's exile were formed into six regiments, the first of which was called the Royal Regiment of Guards.' This force was subsequently disbanded through the inability of the King to maintain it, but in the year of the Restoration, 1660, the 'Royal Regiment of Guards' was reenrolled and united with the 'King's Regiment of Guards,' raised by Colonel Russell, an old loyalist officer, for the purpose of escorting the King of England. Thus the Grenadier (a title accorded to it after Waterloo) or 1st Regiment of Foot Guards has 221 years of existence, dating from 1660, when on its arrival in London it was brigaded with Monk's Coldstreamers (raised in 1650) and the Scots Fusiliers, the three famous regiments having now been a brigade of Guards for the long period of 221 years. 'Tria Juncta in Uno' is the motto of the Brigade of Guards, and for all practical purposes it is one regiment, though each corps has immortalized itself in its own way in every great battle where the honour of our country was at stake." A subsequent writer points out that the Royal Regiment of Guards was not disbanded by Charles II., but that it was quartered at Dunkirk under Lord Wentworth.

The parish church of St. Mary, Bitterley, was reopened after restoration on May 24. The church is a substantial stone building with a square tower, and is believed to date from the latter half of the thirteenth century. One or more of the bells was cast in the reign of Edward I. The land on this side of the Clee Hill then belonged to, or was held under, Walter de Clifford (father of "Fair Rosamond "), as the inhabitants at that time had to pay a fee from every house to Walter de Clifford's foresters of a hen at Christmas, and five eggs at Easter. The restoration is, we are assured, properly done, making the present church identical in shape and accommodation with the original church. But to accomplish this how much interme. diate history has been destroyed? The north wall has been entirely rebuilt, the north aisle and large arch have been removed, and the floor has been lowered two feet. The square tower has been rebuilt from the foundation with a spire, and the roof covered with oak shingles, and the fine Norman arch between the tower and nave has been restored, and a porch added. The stone font in this church is one of the oldest in

the county. The cross in the churchyard is one of the finest relics of its kind in the county, being symmetrical and proportionate, and having the remains of fine sculpture at the top. It stands on a base formed of three steps, in which is a square pediment, from which the graceful shaft springs. This cross is said to have been saved from the vandalism of Cromwell's soldiers by being buried in the churchyard.

The work of restoration at St. Albans Abbey is still in progress, both at the western and eastern ends of the fabric. At the extreme east the stone mullions and tracery are just finished for the large window of painted glass which is about to be presented to the Lady Chapel by the Corporation of London. The western front-the work of the Abbots de Cella and Trumpington-which has long been in an unsatis factory and almost dangerous state, is being rapidly "restored" by Sir Edmund Beckett, who, it is hoped, will proceed upon the old lines. The Early English entrance porches are, we understand, to be preserved intact, or at all events to be restored stone by stone; but the great perpendicular west window, the work of Abbott Wheathamstead, is about to give place to a new window of a decorated pattern, the cost of which will be borne by Sir Edmund Beckett. The Law Times states that Earl Cowper, acting under the advice of the Attorney-General, has submitted to pay the subscription of £500 which he had promised towards the restoration. It appears the Earl had promised this sum to the Faculty Commit. tee in 1877. He had paid no portion of it until the Committee had not only done the work, to which he did not object, but had also restored the original high roof, in regard to which a controversy had occurred, when he had taken an active part against the Faculty Committee. Lord Cowper then refused to pay any of his subscription on that ground, and so pleaded in his defence to the action.

It is proposed to start a Pali Text Society on the model of the Early-English Text Society, in order to render accessible to students the rich stores of the earliest Buddhist literature now lying unedited and practically unused in the various

MSS. scattered throughout the public and university libraries of Europe. The Society looks forward to publishing the whole of the texts of the Pali Pitakas. Prof. Fausböll, having completed the Dhammapada, is already far advanced with his edition of the Jataka book, the longest of the texts of the Sutta Pitakas; and Dr. Oldenburg has the Vinaya Pitaka well in hand. The project has been most heartily welcomed by scholars throughout Europe. It is proposed to include in the Society's series those of the more important of the earlier Jain and uncanonical Buddhist texts which may be expected to throw light on the religious movement out of which the Pitakas also arose. Analyses in English of the published Texts, Introductions to them, Catalogues of MSS., Indices, Glossaries, and Notes and Queries on early Buddhist history, will appear from time to time in the Society's publications. The subscription to the Society will be one guinea a year, or five guineas for six years, due in advance; and no charge will be made for postage. Those who wish to join in this important undertaking should at once send their subscriptions to the hon. secretary (Mr. U. B. Brodribb, 3, Brick Court, Temple, E.C.), as the work cannot proceed until a certain sum is in hand.

The work of exploring the Roman Villa near Brading is now proceeding with undiminished interest and spirit. One of the new chambers excavated has at its south-western corner an apse of 6 ft. diameter, and at its north-eastern end a deep pit or well. This seems to have been formed without steining out of the hard sandstone, is about 4 ft. in diameter, and has been excavated to a depth of 25 ft. At a depth of 14 ft. the skeleton of a young person was discovered, which presented in several bones the appearance of severe injury during life. The well also yielded a large number of tiles, in perfectly unbroken condition, of various sizes from 8in. to 22 in. square. These had probably formed part of the flooring of the room. Many are marked with designs formed by drawing a comb along the surface of the tile when soft or by the fingers of operators. One tile, 17 in. square, after having been elaborately ornamented by a comb along the sides and diagonally across, and then with a circle round the centre, was turned by the workman while still soft on to his right hand, and bears deeply impressed over the elaborate pattern a cast of that hand. Another, one of the 22 in. size, was walked over by the naked feet of one workman and the hob-nailed sandals of others, and in like manner bears a cast of both feet, from the ball of the great toe to that of the heel. The series of coins from Severus (A.D. 222) to Constans (A.D. 350) has been rendered complete by the discovery of one of Magnentius (A.D. 250), who was the only missing Emperor of the series. These conclusively fix the approximate dates of the erection and occupation of the buildings.

Correspondence.

HOPE CHURCH, DERBYSHIRE.

As one of the quaintest and oldest churches in the Peak of Derbyshire is in imminent danger of being

subjected to a process of "restoration," which, if carried out, will destroy for ever the greater part of its historical interest, a brief account of it may be acceptable to the readers of THE ANTIQUARY.

So widespread has been the destruction committed by churchwardens, "beautifiers," bucolic meddlers, and (I am ashamed to add) by clergymen, who, in order to introduce some novelty which may rouse the flagging energies of waning congregations, have not scrupled to make holocausts of priceless memorials of antiquity, that an unrestored or an unmutilated church is fast becoming a rarity. Until quite recently, however, there might have been found a few churches in the less frequented parts of Derbyshire which remained free from stained deal and blue slates. Amongst those few Hope Church is still uninjured. It is a church which possesses that nameless charm of antiquity which can hardly find expression in words. To a faithful student of history, it is a place to reveal visions of a village Hampden, of a Roger de Coverley, and of the stout-hearted yeoman of the dales,

"cui pauca relicti

Tugera raris erant, nec fertilis illa juvencis.”

It is a place in which are blended together the memories and associations of many ages. It suggests, in a moment, that solemn service of the ancient Church which Cardinal Newman has called the "evocation of the Eternal.” A grim picture of Death at the north wall of the nave reminds the beholder of Puritan severity or Calvinistic gloom.

In the chancel is a monumental brass, bearing a full-length figure of Henry Balguy, Esq., in a pointed hat, doublet, and breeches, having a pen in the right hand and a book in the left. It also bears a shield, charged with the arms of the family, namely, Or, three lozenges, azure. Upon it is the inscription :

A MVNDO ABLACTANS OCVLOS TAMEN IPSE