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noticed at considerable length by Dr. W. F. Skene and Dr. John Stuart in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. F. R. N. R.

The Lia-fail, or fatal stone of Ireland, the palladium of Scotland. The legendary history commences with the patriarch Jacob, who is said to have rested his head upon it in the plains of Luz; carried by the Scythians into Spain, it was thence transported to Ireland, by Simon Brecus, or Brek, son of Milo, in the time of Romulus and Remus. Its place was the hill of Tara, and upon it the kings of Ireland are supposed to have been crowned. The miraculous power was attributed to it of proving the legitimacy of the royal race by making "a prodigious noise," and being "surprisingly disturbed" whenever a prince of the Scythian line, that is, one of the descendants of Milo, or Milesius, king of Spain, was seated upon it. From Ireland it was removed to Scotland, 330 years before the Christian era, by Fergus, the son of Farquahard. In the year 850, it was placed in the Abbey of Scone, in the county of Perth, by King Kenneth, who is reported to have caused to be inscribed upon it, in Gaelic, an ancient prophecy to this effect :

"If Fate speak sooth, where'er this stone is found,

The Scots shall monarchs of that realm be crown'd."

At Scone it remained till Edward I. dethroned Baliol, in 1296, when the victor sent it to London with the regalia of the Scottish monarch, and presented it the following year "on the morrow of St. Botolph," as well as the regalia, at the throne of St. Edward the Confessor, through whose virtues he had acquired them, and with this fact its authentic history commences, together with that of the

wooden chair, air, which has ever since been its repository.

In the wardrobe account of Edward I., amongst the entries

of the year 1300, we read, "To Master Walter, the painter, for the costs and expenses incurred by him about making one step at the foot of the new chair in which is the stone from Scotland, set up near the altar before St. Edward's shrine, in the Abbatial Church at Westminster, in pursuance of the order of the king, in the month of March; and for the wages of the carpenter and painter for painting the said step, and for gold and divers colours bought for the painting of the same, together with the making of one case for covering the said chair, as appears from the particulars

of the wardrobe books, 17. 195. 7d."

This "stone from Scotland " is described by Mrs.

Brayley as bearing much resemblance to the dun stones, such as are brought from Dundee for various purposes, of an oblong form, but irregular, measuring 26 inches in

length, 16 inches in breadth, and tot inches in thickness,

Tradition intimates, as we have seen, that this stone was originally brought from Egypt, and it is remarkable that the substances composing it accord in the grains with the sienite of Pliny, the same as Pompey's (or more properly, Diocletian's) Pillar at Alexandria; but the particles are much smaller. The legend respecting the patriarch Jacob was most probably coined in the abbey itself, since the most ancient document in which it was so described appears to have been a tablet formerly suspended above the chair, but which has long since disappeared. The lines are printed by Camden, and he himself uses the phrase, "Saxo, Jacobi, ut vocant," "the stone of Jacob, as they

call it."

The prophetic distich, said to have been cut on it by command of King Kenneth, is nowhere to be seen, nor can any trace of such an inscription be found. Buchanan says, "This stone Kenneth removed out of Argyle to Scone by the river Tay, and placed it there enclosed in a chair of wood."

Of Kenneth's chair no remains have been ever heard of, nor does it appear from the historians that Edward brought it to London with the stone, though it is not improbable that he did so, and the mention in the wardrobe accounts of "the new chair," rather supports the belief that the

writer was cognizant of an old one. In that case the distich might have been carved on the Scotch chair. It was not very likely to be copied upon the English one. There is, however, a rectangular groove, or indent, measuring 14 by 9 inches, and from to of an inch in depth on the upper surface of the stone, into which perhaps a metal plate so inscribed might have been fixed with cement or melted lead, and at one corner of the groove is a small cross, slightly cut. Of the very ancient existence of the prophecy there can be no doubt, and the belief in it is said to have reconciled many of the Scottish nation to the union with this country.

"

The chair is of solid oak, and still firm and sound, though much disfigured by wanton mutilations, as well as the hand of time. Immediately under the flat seat, "the stone rests on a kind of middle frame, supported at the corners by four crouching lions on a bottom frame or plinth. All around on a level with the stone, ran formerly a beautiful piece of tracery in quarterly divisions, each containing a heater shield, originally emblazoned; but there are no vestiges of the arms sufficiently distinct to be identified. Of these shields only four out of ten remain: two at the back, and two on the left side. All the rest have been broken away, and even the tracery itself is entirely gone in front, so that the stone is there fully exposed to view. The back is terminated by a high pediment, along each angle of which are five crockets; but these, as well as the moulding whereon they are mounted, are of inferior workmanship to the rest of the chair, and of subsequent addition; along each side of the pediment is a smooth flat division, about three inches broad, which appears to have contained a number of small plates of metal, probably with armorial bearings enamelled

on them. The whole chair has been

completely covered with gilding and ornamental work, much of which may yet be distinguished on a close inspection. On the inside of the back are some faint traces of a male figure in a royal robe, a small portion of the bottom of which, together with a foot and shoe (the latter somewhat sharp-pointed), are still visible; but they were much more so within memory. Below the elbow, on the left side, is distinguishable a running pattern of oak leaves and worms, with redbreasts and falcons on the oaken sprays in alternate order; a different pattern of diapered work is shown on the right side as well as within the tiers of panelled niches

which adorn the outer side and back of the chair.

Within the spandrills connected with the upper tier of arches at the back, small sprigs were formerly depicted on a metallic ground, either gilt or silvered, and covered with

plain or coloured glass, as may yet be seen in three or four

places. The diapering within the panels, as far as can now be traced, was formed of running patterns of vine and oak branches. "It is much to be wished," adds the intelligent writer to whom we are indebted for these minute details, " by every admirer of our national antiquities, that instead of enwrapping this ancient seat in 'cloth of gold,' its pristine character should be so scrupulously restored that it might be used at the times of coronation without an en. velope, as was doubtless originally the case. There is still enough of its decorations to be traced to enable the scientific artist to effect this desirable purpose in a future age to restore it may become impossible, for so wantonly has this chair been disfigured, that even the initials of many persons' names have been cut into its most ornamental parts. Restored to its original state, resplendent with

though

gilding, and emblazoned heraldic charges, its ancient tasteful forms retraced, and its decorations new wrought by a skilful hand, it would become an appropriate adjunct in any ceremony, however gorgeous, and require no adventitious covering to give it lustre and suitableness."

READY RECKONERS (Vol. ii. 299; iii. 11).-Can the following book be styled a Ready Reckoner or not? If so, it is much earlier than that which your correspondent states Professor De Morgan considered to be the first of that class

of publications. "Enchiridion Arithmeticon. A mannuel which is now in the Bib. Imp., Paris. In "Les Arts au

of millions or accounts ready cast up, to shew suddenly thereby the true valiew of any commodity at any price whatsoever, 8vo." I copy this from "A Catalogue of the most vendible Books in England, Orderly and Alphabetically Digested. 1657." By William Loudon, a bookseller in

Newcastle.

Newcastle.

WM. DODD.

[blocks in formation]

Teaching our blessed Lady to read-West Wickham Church, glass; Houghton-le-Daleood, screen; Taverham, font; Callot's Images, Paris, 1636; Tableau de la Croix, Paris, F. Mozot, 1651.

Standing behind our B. Lady and Infant Jesus -Cossey Hall Chapel, window.

Offering fruit to the Infant Jesus in the lap of the Blessed Virgin-Brit. Museum, Add. MS. 17,012.

Triple crown in left hand, book in right-MS. Hours. Infant Jesus on her arm, B. V. Mary before her-Primer, 1516.

B. V. Mary on her knee, Infant Jesus on the knee of the

B. Virgin-MS. Hours.

Carrying our Infant Saviour in one arm and Infant B. V. Mary on the other-Coins of Brunswick.

Standing, holding out her mantle; the B. Virgin with Infant Jesus in front-Horæ. B. M. V., 1508, Simon Vostre. Meeting St. Joachim at the golden gate of JerusalemMissale, Sarisb., 1534; MS. Hours; Der Heyligen Leben Augsburg, 1477, folio; Cossey Hall Chapel, window.

Warrington,

W. H. RYLANDS.

WOOD ENGRAVING (Vol. iii. 20). -The earliest known woodcut is the "Saint Christopher," in the possession of Earl Spencer, with date 1423. It was found pasted on the inside of the right-hand cover of a manuscript volume in the Library of the Convent of Buxheim, near Memmingen, in Suabia. The MS., entitled "Laus Virginis," and finished in 1417, was left (as stated in memo. in MS.) to the convent by Anna, Canoness of Buchaw, who was living in 1427, but who probably died previous to 1435. It is folio size, being 114 inches in length, by 84 inches wide. The engraved portions have been taken off in dark colouring matter similar to printers' ink, after which the impression appears to have been coloured by means of a stencil. The engraver was probably one of the Formschneiders, or figure-cutters of Augsburg, Ulm, or Nuremberg, as we know from the Burgher-book of Augsburg that such work was done there as early as at that date. On the inside of the other cover of the same MS. is pasted a woodcut of "The Annunciation," of a similar size to the "St. Christopher," on the same kind of paper, printed in the same kind of ink, and coloured in the same manner, which was no doubt executed about the same time. Of these, Mr. Noel Humphreys, in his " History of the Art of Printing," says, p. 32, &c.: "The impression

Moyen Age," &c., Paul Lacroix, p. 328, it is mentioned as probably anterior in date. Another representing the Virgin and Child, surrounded by SS. Catherine, Barbara, Dorothea, and Margaret, bearing date 1418, discovered in 1844 at Mechlin, and now in the Royal Library, Brussels. The genuineness of the date of this has been doubted by several competent authorities, and Lacroix, in his "Arts au Moyen Age," p. 328, says, "The composition, which is in a grand style, accords badly with the date." Jackson, in his "History of Wood Engraving," says, referring to the woodcut of S. Christopher, "That this was the first cut of the kind we have no reason to suppose; but though others executed in a similar manner are known, to not one of them, upon anything like probable grounds, can a higher degree of antiquity be assigned. From 1423, therefore, as from a known epoch, the practice of wood engraving, as applied to pictorial representations, may be dated.'

W. II. RYLANDS.

Proceedings of Societies.

SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, Tuesday, January 7, 1873; Dr. Birch, F.R.S., President, in the Chair. The following gentlemen were duly elected members of the society:-Rev. John Finlayson, on, M.A.; Right Hon. William Ewart Gladstone, M.P., D.C.L., F.S.S.; D. Clewin Griffith, Esq., F.R.G.S.; John Henry Gurney, Esq.; Rev. W. Houghton; B. G. Jenkins, Esq.; Charles T. Newton, Esq., M.A., F.R.S.L.; George Warrington, Esq., B.A., F.C.S.; Rev. John Wells, M.A. Two papers were then read :-1. "On some recent Discoveries in South-Western Arabia," by Captain W. F. Prideaux, F.R.G.S.-This paper consisted of a carefully digested summary of the history and geography of the country of the Himyarites, from traditional Arabic literature, and the safer testimony of the coins and bronze inscriptions collected and translated by MM. De Longpérier and Halévy. The first portion of the paper was devoted to an examination of the capital and descent of the Shabean kings, whose seat of empire the learned writer maintained was not, as is generally supposed, at San'a, but at a place described by the poet Algama Dhu Yazan as Dhu Raidan, the PAEIAAN of Greek writers. Captain Prideaux also further endeavoured to identify some of the chief monarchs mentioned on the Himyaritic tablets with those referred to in Dean Vincent's "Periplus of the Erythræan Sea," by the help of the numismatic discoveries of the Duc de Luynes and the Compte de Vogüé. In the second portion of the essay the numerical system of the Himyarites was examined, and several inscriptions translated, and the paper concluded by a reference to the cleverly forged bronze tablets, now in the British Museum, which have only recently been detected by philological criticism. 2. "On the Tomb of Joseph at Shechem," by Professor Donaldson, Ph. D.K.L., F.R.S., B.A. This was a description of the present state of that most interesting and well-authenticated antiquity, derived from a very recent visit to the Holy Land. The learned professor believed that the actual sepulchre was considerably out of repair, and is in no small degree injured by the subsequent erection of two Mohammedan tombs, which are also falling into decay. In the farther side of the building are two memorial tablets, and a third in English, recording the burial of Joseph, is about to be affixed by the order of the late British Consul at Damascus.

of St. Christopher, although dated 1433 (? 1423), is printed in a vault under the present Moslem structure, which is

in regular printing ink, and is therefore not one of the original impressions from the block, as oleaginous printing

ink was then unknown.

The impression was certainly not taken at the time the block was executed, and probably not till long after printing ink, then unknown, had come into general use, when its advantages, combined with those afforded by the press, caused many old blocks to be reprinted from, which had been long thrown aside." And again: "It could not be printed in 1433 (? 1423), from the certainty that wood blocks were invariably printed with distemper colours only." Several other woodcuts have been fixed at an earlier date than the above. For example: one representing the Virgin carrying the infant Jesus in her arms,

THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND met in the Royal Institution on Monday, the 13th January, 1873, at eight o'clock p.m., when the following gentlemen were duly elected fellows of the society:-John Balfour, Esq., of Balbirnie, Charles de Flandre, Esq., Charles Augustus Howell, Esq., Alex. Orrock, jun., Esq., Robert Reid, Esq., M.A., Thomas Spowart, Esq., of Bro Broomhead, James Cunningham, Esq., W.S. The following communications were then read :-(1.) Note on the Jousting Helm of Sir Richard Pembridge, K.G. (who died in 1375), formerly suspended over his tomb in Hereford Cathedral, by Sir J. Noel Paton, Kt., R.S.A., F.S.A. Scot. (2.) Notice of Working Drawings scratched on the walls of the crypt at Roslin chapel, (with sketches from the drawings), by Robert Anderson, Esq., architect, F.S A. Scot. (3.) Notes on Feudalism in Japan, by J. G. Sinclair Coghill, M.D., F.S.A. Scot. (4.) Notice of Standing Stones at Laggangarn, and of Sculptured Stones at Mull of Sunnoness, and Airrelich, Wigtownshire (with rubbings and drawings), by Rev. George Wilson, Glenluce, Corr. Mem. S.A. Scot. (5.) Notice of a Sculptured Slab which formed the lid of a short cist found in clearing away a cairn on Carnwath Moor, in which was an urn of the "Drinking-Cup" shape (both presented to the society's museum). There were exhibited - (1.) By Sir J. Noel Paton, Kt., R.S.A., F.S.A.. Scot. Jousting helm middle of thirteenth century. Jousting helm of Sir Richard Pembridgemiddle of fourteenth century. Jousting helm last quarter of fifteenth century. Jousting helm-end of fifteenth century. (2.) By J. G. Sinclair Coghill, M.D., F.S.A. Scot. Collection of Japanese swords and crests of the Daimios. Complete suit of Japanese armour (presented to the museum). (3) By the Hon. Mrs. Swinton. Seal of Godfray de Ros, found on the banks of the river Nairn. (4.) By W. T. Black, Esq. Collection of photographs illustrating the scenery and antiquities of Italy. The donations were :-(1.) Suit of Japanese armour. (2.) Wedge-shaped stone hammer, 10 inches long, with perfor tion for the handle, found in a field at North Milton, Glenluce. (3.) Collection of flint arrow-heads, flakes, and implements, found at High Torrs, Old Lice, Wigtownshire. (4.) Slab, with rude sculpturings of spirals, triangles, etc., found covering a short cist in a cairn on the farm of Wester Yird Houses, Carnwath Moor. Portion of the clay urn found in the cist above mentioned. (5.) Three human skulls, from "The Ardane's Field," near Boyndie, Banffshire. (6.) Duke of Cumberland medal, silver, reverse Restitutori Quietis. (7.) Letter, dated Bourges, 20th November, 1808, with autograph signature of Napoleon I. (8.) Stone mortar, found in excavating at Drumsheugh. (9.) Registrum Monasterii S. Marie de Cambuskenneth, A.D. 1447-1535. Grampian Club, Edinburgh, 1872. 4to. Presented by the Marquess of Bute. (10) The Legends and Commemorative Celebrations of St. Kentigern, his Friends and Disciples, translated from the Aberdeen Breviary, and the Arbuthnott Missal; with an illustrative appendix. Edinburgh, 1872. 8vo. Privately printed. (11.) A Directory of Church Government, drawn up and used by the Elizabethan Presbyterians. Reprinted in fac-simile from the edition of 1644. (12.) Historical and Architectural Notes of the Parish Churches in and around Petersborough. By Rev. D. Sweeting. London, 1868. 8vo. (13.) Bulletin de la Société Polymathique de Morbihan, Annee 1871. (14.) Report of the Sepulchral Monuments Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London. (15.) The Smithsonian Report. Washington, 1870.

Notices of Books.

We have received the following, which we shall notice in some subsequent number, namely

Lectures on Scotch Legal Antiquities. By Cosmo Innes. Edmons-
ton & Co.

Volume II. of John of Fordun's Chronicle of the Scottish Nation.
Edited by William F. Skene. Edinburgh (Edmonston & Douglas).

The Scottish Branch of the Norman House of Roger. By the Rev.
Charles Rogers, LL.D., F.S.A., Scot. Historiographer to the His-
torical Society. One hundred copies printed for private circula-
tion.

Ottawa, Past and Present. By Charles Roger, author of the Rise of
Canada, &c. Ottawa.

Notices to Correspondents.

Correspondents who reply to queries would oblige by referring to the volume and page where such queries are to be found. To omit

this gives us very unnecessary trouble.

B. D. There is what is called a "Hällristing" at Lissleberg, in

the parish of Tanum. This is cut in the face of a precipitous rock. It contains the figures of four men wi th battle-axes, of the form of the Lochaber axe. The figures are supposed to represent Vikingar.

William and Mary.-Mr. Planché says (see his Regal Records, p. 90), that in return for Mary's affectionate refusal to sit on the throne alone, William insisted that she should have no share whatever in the Government, threatening to depart the kingdom if the Parliament would not consent. It was, therefore, carried in both Houses that the Prince and Princess of Orange should be King and Queen of England, but that the sole power should be vested in William.

F. Thomas. It is of no consequence to us what may be the opinion of the Saturday Review. The writer to whom you refer probably knows as much about the ethnology of the British races as a cow knows about calculating an eclipse.

Saxon. A married lady may not bear her husband's arms on a lozenge-shaped shield. She simply uses her husband's arms; that is, what is contained on the shield, without any of the exterior ornaments. An unmarried lady may bear her paternal coat on a lozengeshaped shield, and a widow may impale her late husband's arms with her own on an escutcheon of this always providing that no one can, with propriety, use arms at all, but such as are descended from persons so entitled by long prescription, from persons who may have procured a grant from one or other of the offices of the three kingdoms, or who may himself have obtained a patent of arms.

J. Jeremiah (Abbey of Deir). Your paper on this subject is

irrelevant and full of contradictions. Our correspondent, to whom

your communication is intended as a reply (see ante, vol. ii. 265), so far from "impetuously attacking the whole Spalding Club, Dr. Stuart included," does not once mention either the the other. His iemarks evidently apply to mention by Professor Cosmo Innes, in his Scotland in the Middle Ages. Besides, to doubt the conclusions of an individual editor would not be to impugn the judgment of the whole club. In imputing ignorance to others one should be careful not to exhibit one's own. The word "creditable" for "credible," in the paper referred to, is an obvious misprint. We do not care about opinions, we want facts, and we strongly object to the argumentum ad hominum as a substitute for the argumentum ad rem. In regard to the "vexed and profound question" relating to the battle of Kaltraez, our correspondent simply means that the whole thing is a myth. You cannot expect to mould every one to your views.

J. S. L.-A "Cresset," according to Mark Antony Lower (see his English Surnames, p. 112), was a kind of portable beacon, used by soldiers during the middle ages. It was formed of wires in the shape of an inverted cone, and filled with a match or rope steeped in pitch, tallow, resin, or other inflammable substance. One of these machines is figured at page 113 of the work referred to.

T. B.-The Pastoral Staff, Mitre, and Ring, are the symbols of the

Episcopal charge. The ring was given to the Bishop tanquam sponso ecclesia.

Herald. Seton's Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland was published by Edmonston and Douglas in 1863. The price of the thick paper copy was two guineas. The work is entirely out of print. A friend informs us that the last copy in the possession of the publishers (a thick paper copy) was sold by them for fifty shillings.

D. Jackson. A volume on Peruvian Antiquities, translated from the Spanish of Mariano Edward Rivero by F. L. Hawks, D.D., LL.D., was published in New York, in 1853.

F.-We do know the title of the book to which refer. We

happen to know that Sir Andrew Fletcher, of Innerpeffer, one of the Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland, purchased the lands of Salton, in East Lothian, in 1669. From him was descended Henry Fletcher, of Salton, whose brother was Sir Andrew Fletcher, of Aberlady. There was another family designed "of Maugan," in the county of Cornwall, and there is now, or was lately, a family named Fletcher, designed of Corsock, Kirkcudbright.

Rev. Geo. Dodds, C. Golding, J. A. Cossins. We have had some difficulty in regard to the illustrations, which has caused delay

NOTICE.

We shall be glad to receive contributions from competent and capable persons accomplished in literature or skilled in archæology, and generally from any intelligent reader who may be in possession of facts, historical or otherwise, likely to be of general interest.

To all communications should be affixed the name and address of the sender; not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

Communications for the Editor should be addressed to the Publishing Office, 11, Ave Maria-lane, E.C.

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1873.

CONTENTS.-No. 47.

MISCELLANEA:-Notes on the Temple Church, 37-Tunbridge Castle and Priory, 40-Freshmen, 41.

NOTES:-Archæological Notes on Faversham Church, 42-The Dane John, Canterbury-Churches in Kent-Teynham Church-Bapchild Church-Ruins of Buckland-Ruins of Stone-Somerton Church, Somerset-Sculptured Fragment found at Castlefield

William Hone's Funeral-Memorial Brasses in Chigwell Church.

QUERIES:-Indian Officers and the Sons of Showmen, 45-English Catholicism - Tirling at the Pin-Glasgow Arms-Reid of Pitfoddels-Author Wanted-Tunag, Tumult-Irish Canni balism-"Tulchane Bishop"-"Young Roscius"-Brace-Folklore, Nightingale and Cuckoo-"Ric Walmsley"-Rose, Thistle, Shamrock, Fleur-de-luce, &c.-East and West.

REPLIES:-Wood Engraving, 47-The Boar's Head-CanadensisEmblem of St. Ann-Merchants' Marks-Church PropertyOdds and Ends, Slang Sayings, &c.-Effigy of Tom PaineBook Inscriptions-Popular Rhymes-Hoax.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS, 48.

Miscellanea.

NOTES ON THE TEMPLE CHURCH. (Continued from page 26.)

""As to the price of the organs, Smith, the organ-maker, absolutely refuseth to set any price upon his organ, but offers to submit the same to the judgment of the treasurers of both societyes, or to such artists as they shall choose,

In other words, the organ made by Harris was placed on one side of the church, and that of Smith on the other; the former played by Draghi, the latter by Dr. Blow and Mr. Purcell. Near a year elapsed before the contention ceased, and Jefferies made his fiat. It was this success that led to Smith's employment at Paul's.'

"And the Hon. Roger North, Attorney-General to James I., who was in London at the time, adds his testimony to the virulence of the contest, and the acrimony exhibited by the friends on both sides, when, speaking of the evils which arise from competition in matters relating to music, he says, And more (ie., ill effects) happened upon a competition for an organ at the Temple Church, for which the two competitors, the best artists in Europe, Smith and Harris, were but just not ruined. -(Memoirs of Music, by the Hon. Roger North, edited by Dr. Rimbault, 1846, p. 120.) Indeed,' says Dr. Burney, 'old Roseingrave assured me that the partisans for each candidate, in the fury of their zeal, proceeded to the most mischievous and unwarrantable acts of hostilities; and that, in the night preceding the last trial of the reed stops, the friends of Harris cut the bellows of Smith's organ in such a manner, that, when the time came for playing upon it, no wind could be conveyed into the wind chest."-Burney's History of Music, c. viii., P. 427.

In 1869, a very important and necessary step was taken towards bringing the choraland congregational service of the Temple Church into unity and accordance. Each member of the congregation who joined audibly in the service had, up to that time, such a version of the responses and hymn tunes, from the existing number, as his memory could supply. But so loose a state of things could scarcely be expected to be allowed to continue, and the two treasurers for the year just named-the Right Hon. J. E. Headlam, M.Р.,

which their mastershippes cannot but think reasonable. and Sir Lawrence Peel-directed the organist to prepare a Hopkins himself. We may particularly mention the noble Canterbury, and the afternoon Geneva." This was clearly "Angels' Song" to hymn 147, adapted from Mendelssohn by dangerous, and the Archbishop of Canterbury prohibited Mr. Hopkins, as being of great beauty; similar adaptations Travers from preaching. Travers petitioned the queen in from the same composer, by Mr. Adolphus Levy, to the council. The latter refused to interfere. Whereupon the

""As to the numbering the organ-pipes and stops, their mastershippes think it below them to trouble themselves therein, because the proposal can have no other ground than a supposition of such fraud in the artist as is inconsistent with the credit of his profession.'

"The Benchers of the Inner Temple, nevertheless, still adhered to their determination, 'to have impartial judges chosen to decide the controversy; while the Middle Temple, satisfied that they had made choice of the better instrument, would not yield, so the contest was further prolonged; and accordingly we find the Benchers of the Inner Temple, in February, 1686, again urging the appointment of indifferent persons by each society to determine which is the best organ.

""At length,' says Burney, 'the decision was left to Lord Chief Justice Jefferies, afterwards King James II.'s pliant Chancellor, who was of that society (the Inner Temple), and he terminated the controversy in favour of Father Smith, so that Harris's organ was taken away without loss of reputation, having so long pleased and puzzled better judges than Jefferies.'

"After its rejection by the societies of the Temple, Harris's organ was divided, a portion of it formed the old organ in the cathedral of Christ Church, Dublin, and the remainder was erected in St. Andrew's, Holborn.

"Reverting, however, to the accounts of the strange contention between Father Smith and Harris, for the order for the erection of the Temple organ; in Malcolm's Londinum Redivivum we find the following:- The most singular occurrence of Smith's professional life was the harmonic contest between his organ, now in the Temple Church, and the one erected by Renatus Harris, son of another German organ-builder, who left his country about the same time that Smith came. The learned antients of the above seat of law wavered in their choice of the artist who should place an organ in their venerable church. The efforts of Smith and Harris were, therefore, brought into and heard by an open court, supported by counsel, who exerted their best abilities in their defence, but a respectable variety of jurors, and Judge Jefferies gave sentence, which was in Smith's favour,

book containing the requisite music, which was accordingly done, and the church was supplied with the number of copies of the "Temple Church Choral Service Book" necessary for the use of the members and visitors. The opportunity was at the same time taken of adding materially to the selection of hymns previously in use. possible improvement in the effect of the congregational portion of the service resulted from this judicious step.

The utmost

We must not omit to mention that the choral service gained a great accession when the Rev. A. Ainger, a few years since, received the appointment as reader to the Temple Church. And here let us say, in passing, that it speaks well for the system of competitive examination, that it should have given to the Temple an afternoon preacher such as Mr. Ainger, and an organist like Mr. E. J. Hopkins. They are both men of whom, in their different spheres, all Templars are proud, and they are men, respect for whom increases with knowledge. We have now the second edition of the Temple Choral Service Book before us. It contains the whole responses of the service in three separate forms, monotone, ferial, and festival, a selection of chants for the psalms, and metrical psalms and hymns. The tunes of the latter, which form the third division of the book, include some of the best English specimens, and also some of the finest German chorales. The selection of hymns is an admirable one, It is not perfect, for we miss a few modern hymns which have, on account of their beauty, become popular in the church; and, on the other hand, one or two instances occur of hymns which are, in the minds of the public, indissolubly united with certain tunes, being adapted to new ones-always, as it seems to us, a mistake. The tune to "Abide with me," and that to "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," illustrate what we mean. We learn, however, from the preface, that in some cases permission could not be obtained to use hymns which had been selected.

These cases, however, are rare; and the selection, taken altogether, and having regard both to the hymns and the music, is superior even to that of "Hymns, Ancient and Modern." It contains many adaptations from the great German composers, and several new tunes by Mr. E. J.

words of Bishop Heber, "Brightest and best of the sons of the morning," and to the Christmas hymn "Hark, the herald angels sing," by Mr. Cummings; an original tune, very simple but very beautiful, by Mr. E. J. Hopkins, to hymn 179, "Just as I am," &c. Another by the same, No. 236, to the words, "God, who madest earth and heaven," and a third, also by the Temple organist, which is likely to become popular, No. 269, "Glory be to Jesus." Perhaps the book contains no more beautiful hymn, words and tune together, than No. 286, "No, not despairingly," by Mr. W. R. Braine. Nor must we omit to mention that Mr. Hopkins has not fallen into the error, too common among recent editors of hymn books, of discarding wholesale the hymns which were favourites with the last generation. In some quarters it seems to be a qualification for admission that a hymn should be two or three centuries old, while that it should have been liked during what corresponds in church architecture to the churchwarden era is sufficient altogether to disqualify it. In a notice of this very hymn-book, for example, we saw the profoundest contempt expressed for the tune "Helmsley," to the words, by Toplady, "Lo, he comes." The taste has changed, no doubt, in hymns as in architecture. But an hymn-book, especially an English church hymn-book, can afford to be catholic. Our churches are specimens of many phases of architecture, and every age has been quite positive that the style then in fashion was in accordance with the immutable laws of taste; but so long

petition was published, and Hooker had to reply to it. The two great points in dispute show how entirely the "great vital truths" of one generation are apt to be looked on as mere curiosities by succeeding ones. We dig them from the great sepulchre of dead and buried controversies merely to suggest a moral. They were, first, that Hooker had declared "That the assurance of what we believe by the Word of God is not to us so certain as that which we perceive by sense; " and, secondly, that he had ventured on the monstrous assertion, "That he doubted not but that God was merciful to save many of our forefathers living heretofore in Popish superstitions, forasmuch as they sinned ignorantly "-a horrible piece of latitudinarianism, which in these days would pass unchallenged. Hooker was gentle enough as well as "judicious," but he could hit out very neatly. Take this, for example, "Your next argument consists of railing and of reasons; to your railing I say nothing; to your reasons I say what follows." The controversy divided the lawyers into two parties: the younger going mostly with Travers. The life in the Temple was too busy for the gentle Hooker: and, in 1591, he petitioned to be removed, and had another living presented to him. His "Ecclesiastical Polity" was written whilst living in the Temple, and was the result of the controversy just mentioned. Hooker's marriage hardly seems to justify the adjective "judicious," which usually accompanies his name. Recovering from an illness, he came to the conclusion that

as the building is suited for its purpose, is useful and beau- it was well he should marry. Instead, however, of looking tiful, we may be allowed to worship either in a classic building out for a wife, he commissioned his landlady to do his duty of Wren, or in one of the latest of Mr. Street's churches. So, for him. She made a selection, and her own daughter

too, with our hymns. The favourites of our fathers, Sicily, Adeste Fideles, Hanover, and others, which Mr. Hopkins has, as we think wisely, included in his selection, may be too florid for the taste which delights in Gregorian chants, but it would be a great mistake to omit them from a collection of hymns intended for an historical church like that of England, still less would it be desirable that they should be excluded from a building which has had so marvellous a history as our Temple Church, and which has heard within it the worship of almost every form of Christian faith.

The master of the Temple has always held a position of honour. The greatest name in the list is undoubtedly that of the "judicious Hooker." In the "Life of Richard Hooker," prefixed to the edition of his works, in 1666, it is mentioned that, in 1585, a Mr. Aloy, master of the Temple, died-a man so well loved, says the biographer, that he went by the name of Father Aloy. His predecessor, and the only one since the Reformation, had been Mr. Ermstead. Hooker succeeded him, being selected thereto on account of his saint-like life. He was then thirty-four years old.* He at once entered into controversy with the lecturer, a Mr. Walter Travers. The latter was a friend of Cartwright, and one of the great leaders of the Presbyterian school, which had given forth Martin Mar-prelate, and

became the wife of Hooker. The marriage was about as unsatisfactory as might have been expected. Hooker's peculiarly gentle character, his simplicity, disinterestedness, and utter unworldliness, combined with his attainments and ability, his sweetness and light, made him a favourite, and within a few years of his death caused his name to be held in a veneration more resembling that of a saint than that of any other modern English divine. Hooker was succeeded by a Dr. Balgey.

Sherlock's name ranks next in the list of those who have

held the mastership of the Temple. He was in many respects a model and a typical Anglican clergyman. Living in violent times, he refused on the one hand to become a violent man, and on the other, to abstain from taking part in the great controversies which were occupying men's minds. His first noteworthy appearance was when, towards the end of the reign of Charles II., an order in council was issued, forbidding the clergy to touch on controverted points of theology. What this meant was, of course, that though they might preach the doctrines of the Church of Rome to their heart's content, they must not venture to attack these doctrines. Sherlock refused compliance, and became unpopular at Court in consequence. In 1688, when James II. issued his Declaration of Indulgence, and ordered

other books and pamphlets which were disturbing the peace it to be read in all churches, the leading clergy of London

met together to consider whether or not they should comply with the royal command. Sherlock was among them, and was one of those who determined not to comply. A little later he was present at a still more important meeting, con

of Elizabeth and the Anglican party. It is said that Travers had hoped to be appointed master of the Temple, and to put his Presbyterian views of church government into practice. He was a man of blameless life, and, even according to his enemies, of great learning. His great vened at the Palace of Lambeth. The famous seven bishops

offence was that he had taken orders at Antwerp. He kept up a correspondence with Beza at Geneva, and with others of his way of thinking in Scotland. Hooker and Travers seem to have preached in opposition to each other. They followed, says the biographer of Hooker, the apostolic example; for as Paul withstood Peter to the face, so did Hooker withstand Travers. "The forenoon sermon spake

• Life of Hooker: Hooker's works, p. 9, edition, folio, 1666.

were there, together with Sherlock and others of the leading city clergy. The petition, as our readers know, was signed only by the bishops, but doubtless they represented the views of Sherlock and his companions. It is sufficient to mention that Stillingfleet, Tillotson, Tenison, and Patrick were there as well as Sherlock, to show that the nonepiscopal part of the meeting had an amount of capacity among them fully equal to that found in the bishops. When the Prince of Orange and Mary accepted the sove

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