on the accomplishment of an exceedingly heavy task. The success of the series owes very much to his artistic efforts.

One would have imagined that there were sufficient guide books already to the cathedrals and important churches, but the general Editor has adopted a new plan. He has tried to infuse a human interest into our mighty minsters, to induce his coadjutors to write on the men who reared them or reconstructed them, the saints, great men, heroes, abbots, heroines and good women, whose monuments and effigies have been placed therein. The writers, while fully describing the architectural features of the buildings in simple language, understood by the people, have refrained from recording every piscina, aumbrey, etc. They give, too, the latest information. Cathedrals and churches receive at various times additions in details, as the present writer has discovered when in revising his book on "The Cathedrals of Great Britain," for subsequent editions he has been obliged to note various alterations, as doubtless the authors of these guides will discover when future editions are required. Mr. Foord is the most voluminous writer of these volumes, and his accounts seem to be inspired by an enthusiastic love of the buildings he describes. Modern authorities have decided to call the seats under the choir stalls misericords, not misereres, as he calls them. We cordially wish a great success to this new series. The books are produced in all the excellent artistic form for which Messrs. J. M. Dent's work is celebrated.

HOW TO LOOK AT OLD CHURCHES. By H. SPENCER STOWELL, Member of the Society of Architects, Archæological Recorder, London Natural History Society, with a Preface by H. V. MOLESWORTH ROBERTS. (Methuen & Co., 1925). 5s. net. AN increased interest is at the present time being taken in the story of the architecture of our parish churches by the general public. The uninstructed layman wants to know something of the many problems which an ecclesiastical building presents to his intelligence. Archæological Societies, rambling societies, as well as motorists, all show a desire for knowledge; and this little book is admirably devised to supply in simple language just the elementary facts which the beginner craves. There are many other books that have been compiled for the use of those who have no previous knowledge on the subject, and this book deserves a place among them. Its

chief value is the very numerous and excellent illustrations from the author's own drawings taken from the several buildings he has himself visited. The letterpress travels over the usual ground, extending from Saxon times to the end of the Gothic period. The author is especially clear in his description of vaulting.

We observe that he has settled the vexed question of the use of so-called "leper's windows" by calling them Sanctus-bell windows, a conclusion that will not meet with universal acceptance. A squint was used not only by a priest officiating at a side altar, but by worshippers in aisles or transepts. Misericords are found not only in cathedrals or churches connected with a cathedral; but in monastic or collegiate churches. We are glad to see that the writer protests against the stripping off of the plaster from the interior of churches-a barbarous mode. This book is admirably adapted for the purpose for which it was written, and even members of archæological societies may find it useful. The list of "books to read" is rather inadequate.

LONDON LIFE IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. BY CHARLES By PENDRILL. (George Allen and Unwin, 1925.) 10s. 6d. net. THE romance of London has inspired many pens which write on many aspects of the great city, and whose wielders wander through the ages and like butterflies light on this or that fragrant flower, or try to tell in several volumes the whole story from its small beginnings to its modern endings. Here is a book which concentrates on one particular age and is, therefore, valuable. It describes in simple language the conditions of life, social and political, of the period of the fourteenth century; the circumstances of trade and finance; what the "freedom" of London actually was; its craft guilds and livery companies with their absurd quarrels supported by sword and buckler rather than by reason; the position of the poor, their pleasures, their pastimes, and the accidents to which they were liable; the tricks of the "sharks" of the period; the administration of justice; and the liberties for which London was famous, and wherein it surpassed all other cities. Mr. Pendrill has worked diligently in his researches into the quaint story of the past among the wonderful series of records unequalled by any other city in the world. Londoners in old time with meticulous care from the thirteenth century onwards, used to write up their

transactions each day, and have handed down to us a wonderful series of Letter Books, as well as the "White Book," the "Red Book," the "Black Book," the Liber Custumarum, and many others. These have, by happy chance, escaped the Great Fire and other accidents of war, riot, and pillage, and thus enable Mr. Pendrill and other diligent scribes to depict for us the aspect and condition of London at various periods of its existence.

We wander with him through the streets, and behold the citizens in their strange and gaudy garb, the cathedral, the shops, the churches, the shows, the stock markets, the pageants and processions. The chapter on Trade and Finance presents many curious features, and the account of trade fights reveals the innate pugnacity of the citizens, and efforts sometimes were made on modern Trade Union lines by workmen for increasing wages, but with no success. Swindlers and swindling existed then as now. Ringing the changes" was then not unknown and the pillory and whipping post were kept busy for knaves and rascals who sometimes escaped the severest penalties of the law by taking sanctuary in some church or in the precincts of St. Martin-le-Grand. The book is illustrated by several curious woodcuts, and there is an excellent reproduction of Aggas' Map of the City.

INTRODUCING LONDON. By E. V. LUCAS with 16 illustrations,

by ERNEST COFFIN. (Methuen & Co., 1925.) 2s. 6d. net. ANY book by Mr. E. V. Lucas always commands attention, and this one is sure to find many readers, especially among foreigners who wish to know what kind of place London is. It is a short book of only 145 pages setting forth much knowledge elemental with which one would fain expect that every dweller in London would be familiar, but for which a stranger would be grateful. The book lacks the usual sparkle of the author's whimsical humour and does not pretend to be more than a guide book. It is a model of compression. To tell the history of London in 150 small pages of large print is a tour de force not easily accomplished. Mr. Lucas knows well every museum and picture gallery in London, and in this book points out just the best things which no one should miss. It is just the book for the guidance of strangers within our gates. By the way, Nell Gwynn was not "the most famous lady of Charles I"! A word of praise must be accorded to Mr. Coffin for his excellent drawings which are aptly chosen and clearly defined.

Obituary Notice.

WILLIAM DALE, F.S.A., F.G.S.

It was with much regret our members heard of the death of Mr. William Dale, F.S.A., F.G.S., of St. Margaret's, Oak Mount Avenue, Southampton, who was known far and wide for his archæological work, particularly in connection with the British Association, the British Museum, and the Hampshire Field Club. Mr. Dale, who had reached the advanced age of 79, had failed in health within the last 18 months, but had maintained almost until the end an active interest in scientific subjects. He died after a brief illness at his Southampton residence.

A native of Suffolk, Mr. Dale went to Southampton in 1886. On his arrival in Southampton he was already a man of scientific attainments, with a special interest in geology. It was only natural, therefore, that he should attach himself to the Hampshire Field Club, which had been founded by the late Mr. T. W. Shore, F.G.S., and four others, in 1885. The early Club minutes show that Mr. William Dale, F.G.S., was elected a member of the Club on April 14th, 1887, without ballot, by reason of his scientific attainments. With characteristic energy he threw himself at once into the work of the Society, and in the following month had been elected hon. general secretary, as a colleague of Mr. T. W. Shore and Mr. Morris Miles, who shared with him the secretarial duties. From the first the work was to Mr. Dale a labour of love. For 37 years he continued in his honorary duties as secretary, and it was because of his love for the work that it was done so thoroughly and so well. Few men can have had a wider range of knowledge of archæology and kindred studies. As a geologist and conchologist, or in field archæology and folk-lore, he was always well-informed and helpful. He was also well versed in numismatics, and in the history of weaving, and had an expert knowledge of musical instruments both ancient and modern. Always ready to impart his knowledge in a lively and interesting way, it is certain that his place

will be hard to fill in antiquarian circles, whether in Hampshire or in London. Mr. Dale was a Fellow of the Geological Society, a Fellow and Member of the Council of the Society of Antiquaries, for which Society he was also county hon. secretary; he was also a Member of the Council of the British Numismatic Society and a frequent exhibitor at its meetings. He was also a Member of the Council of our Association, and regularly used to attend our Congresses, ever ready to speak or lecture. Mr. Dale retired from the post of hon. secretary to the Hampshire Field Club and Archæological Society in April, 1924, and the opportunity was taken of making a presentation of an illuminated address, together with a cheque, in recognition of his 37 years' honorary work. The presentation was made in felicitous terms by Lady Portsmouth, the retiring President of the Club, and at the same time Sir William Portal, Bt., as a past president of the Club, paid a tribute to the happy terms of friendship and goodwill which existed between Mr. Dale and the members of the Field Club.

Though relinquishing some of his work at this time, Mr. Dale continued his arduous and honorary duties an as official lecturer at the British Museum. He was always keenly interested in the Tudor House Museum at Southampton, and in the Winchester City Museum, where the fine Dale collection of pre-historic implements has found a permanent home. He was also a past president of the Southampton Rambling Club.

As a musician he wrote a study of the life and work of Burckhardt Tschudi, the famous Swiss harpsichord maker of the late 18th century, and a friend of Handel; he was also associated with the late Mr. A. J. Hipkins, F.S.A., in the preparation of some of the articles for Grove's "Dictionary of Music and Musicians." He did much honorary work in connection with the exhibition of Ancient Musical Instruments held at the Albert Hall in 1885, arranging all the keyboard instruments and writing a descriptive catalogue; for this work he received the award of a silver medal.

Among the many useful pieces of work in which he had a share, he was largely instrumental in the scheduling of the Bar Gate, Southampton, as an ancient monument; latterly he had been interested in the preservation of the ancient bridges of the county. He was a well-known and welcome figure at meetings of the British Association.

Mr. Dale is survived by his widow, and two sons and two daughters.