Books in their Inner Library in the same year; a Catalogue of the Books in their Cloister and Refectory in 1395; a Catalogue of the Books in their Chancery in 1416; and another of the Books sent to their College in Oxford in 1422. These catalogues will be succeeded by an account of the books which the convent acquired from their bishops from time to time, from the Conquest downwards, either in their lifetime as presents, or after their death as mortuaries, and by numerous documents to be now for the first time made public, in the shape of early letters, bonds, &c. &c. all of them relative to manuscripts, chiefly those of the monks of Durham, their value and rarity. To these catalogues will be appended a list of the books belonging to the Monks of Hulne, near Alnwick, and other notifications of early libraries. Copious Indexes will follow; and the whole will be preceded by a general Preface, treating at large upon the contents of the volume to which it refers, and taking care to point out with precicision, and somewhat of description, the books mentioned in the Catalogue of the Monks of Durham, which still remain in the library of the Dean and Chapter, their successors. The Monastery of Durham, as must be well known, ranked among the most antient and the most richly endowed of the Benedictine houses in England; and, from its earliest foundation at Lindisfarne, cherished within its cloister a long succession of learned men. It could boast of its poets, its historians, and its divines. To pass by the Saxon period, Symeon and Turgot, Laurence and Reginald, Bolton, Wessington, Coldingham, Graystanes and Chambre, are names of which any such establishment might in its day have been justly proud; and it seems worthy of this Society to publish a Catalogue of the very books from which such men derived their varied information. But besides this, it may be interesting to the members of this Society, and to the literary world at large, to learn that a copy of the New Testament is in existence among the treasures at Durham, which might have been handled by Cuthbert; and that there also remains Bede's own copy, in his own hand-writing, of the four Gospels, a splendid proof of the elegance of his pen, and of his accuracy as a transcriber. It is, however, presumed that other purposes than those of curiosity will be answered by their publication. It may be taken for granted that the opulent church of Durham possessed the best collection of books then to be obtained; and therefore the world will see to what such a collection then amounted in the various departments of literature, and how much

has been gained in later days by the invention of printing.

2. A second publication will consist of the three Durham Historians, Galfrid of Coldingham, Robert Graystanes, and William Chambre. It may be objected that in printing these historians the Society is departing from one of its most important rules, inasmuch as the three are already before the world in Wharton's Anglia Sacra. This objection is easily removed. Any one who has had occasion to refer to Wharton must have observed in every page, over and over again, in the midst of a sentence of interest an abrupt &c. at once checking him in his inquiry, and leaving him in doubt. Upon referring to the preface, he will find Wharton honestly acknowledging that the et cæteras are his and not the author's, and that he had purposely omitted many things in each historian. These declarations led to an inquiry upon the subject; and it has been discovered that Wharton not only omits passages here and there, but occasionally whole chapters of great local and even public interest. He does not, in short, give more than two-thirds of the narrative of each historian; and, what is more, the text of those portions which he has published is so extremely faulty, as in numerous instances totally to pervert the meaning of the author. One single instance of his inaccuracy may be given, as a specimen of the thousands which disgrace his pages. In the first page of the first historian (Coldingham) we have this account of Bishop William de St. Barbara, who died in 1152: "Monachis aut provincialibus molestiam nullam retribuit: nec ecclesiæ possessiones aut ornamenta contulit." The real reading is, "Monachis autem provincialibus molestiam nullam contulit, neque ecclesiæ possessiones aut ornamenta abstulit." The historian pays a compliment to the Bishop for not harassing the monks as his predecessors had done, by depriving them of their possessions, or the ornaments of their church. Wharton gives him the negative virtue of not being one of their benefactors. In the very next page of Wharton there are not fewer than thirty mistakes. It will therefore be at once seen that the Surtees Society does not, in this instance, contemplate the edition of authors already before the world, but an edition of authors whose works have never yet been faithfully published. An appendix of original and hitherto unpublished documents will be subjoined, which are alluded to by the historians, or which illustrate their narrative.

We are further informed (but not offi

cially) that the next year's books will probably be the Poem of Fantosme, and the Northumbrian-Saxon Ritual circa 700.

ROYAL KENSINGTON LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.

The first division of Lectures for the Season 1838-9, is in course of delivery as follows:-Sept. 25, Oct. 2. On the History and Antiquities of the Arabs in Spain, by Rev. Professor Vaughan, D.D.-Oct.9, 16. On the Geology of England, by T. Webster, esq.-Oct. 23, 30. On Poetry, its Nature and Utility, by Wm. Smith, esq. of the Middle Temple.-Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27. On Acoustics, by R. Addams, esq.-Dec. 4. On the Physiology of the Human Voice, by R. J. Pollock, esq. M.R.C.S.-Dec.11. On Paper Making, by E. Cowper, esq. Dec. 18. On Botany, by J. C. Hall, esq.The Second Division will commence on the 4th of February, and will comprise Lectures on the following subjects: Ancient Persia, illustrated by the Ruins of Persepolis; A Comparative View of the State of Society in France and England during the Reign of Louis the 14th; Electricity; Astronomy; Ancient Bal. lads; Music; Bacon and his Predeces

sors.

WESTMINSTER LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.

Aided by warm friends, and adapted to the wants of the neighbourhood, this association has risen rapidly into efficiency;

a large library is already formed (which contains the especial feature of a good

collection of architectural and mathematical works selected by the committee); and the lease of large premises in Great Smith-street, Westminster, has been purchased, their present temporary residence in Little Smith - street being found inadequate to their purposes. The subscription is six shillings quarterly; for which sum the members, besides the use of the reading-room and library, lectures every week, and other advantages, can attend evening classes for the study of the French language, music, literary composition, modelling, and architectural and landscape drawing. The committee propose to erect a commodious lecture-room, reading-room, &c. &c. on the site of the premises purchased, so soon as they can raise sufficient money for the purpose; and this there is every reason to believe, from the disposition manifested by the members, who now amount to nearly 400, will shortly be accomplished. We

wish them success.

On Thursday, the 27th of September, Mr. George Godwin, jun. F.S.A. deliGENT. MAG, VOL. X.

vered a lecture before the members on geology. The object of the lecturer was not so much to lay before them the outlines of the science, although this was not disregarded, as to point out the evidences of design which are so beautifully displayed in the whole structure of the earth. If attention and applause be a criterion, the members were pleased with Mr. Godwin's lectures.

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

The first Matriculation Examination of this newly constituted University will commence on the first Monday in November. The Rev. Connop Thirlwall and Dr. Jerrard have been appointed examiners in classics; Professor Brande, in chemistry; Professor Henslow, in natural history; and George B. Jerrard, esq. and the Rev. Robert Murphy, in mathematics and natural philosophy. The examiners are to receive 2001. each from the University chest.

HUDDERSFIELD COLLEGE.

An institution, founded upon similar principles, and to be conducted upon the same system as the Hull College, has been commenced at Huddersfield. There also, as at Hull, a schism between the liberal churchmen and dissenters on the one hand, and the high church party on the other, has given rise to two establishments-the Huddersfield College and the Huddersfield Collegiate Schools. The directors of the former having obtained subscriptions for a large number of shares (we believe 160), and a proportionate number of pupils having been already nominated, have proceeded to the election of a Principal, when their choice fell on William Wright, esq. M.A. late Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge (the brother of Mr. Wright, third master in the Hull College), who graduated as Wrangler in 1833, and has since for several years been engaged as a junior master in the London University School. The "Rules and Regulations of the Hull College" have been adopted as the basis of those drawn up for the government of the kindred institution in the West Riding.

BLUNDELL'S SCHOOL, TIVERTON.

Aug. 14. At a meeting of the Trustees of this ancient seat of classical and sound learning, when the Earl of Devon and Lord Rolle were present, the prizes were awarded as follow:-The Scholarship of Balliol College, Oxford, to Fred. Temple, son of the late Octavius Temple, esq. late Governor of Sierra Leone; -the Scholarship of Sydney Sussex College, Cam

3 Y

In this charter the place is described as Triueru, and by it Reginald confirms to the "free burgesses thereof all free customs and town rights," which they are therein stated to have had in the time of Richard de Luci. The date of this charter can only be guessed at, but it must belong to the interval between 1140 and 1176, the creation of Reginald to the Earldom of Cornwall, and the time of his decease at Chertsey; and if we regard attentively a phrase in the charter referring to the municipal rights of the inhabitants "quas habuerunt tempore Ricardi de Luci," and connect with it the statement of Roger of Hoveden, and other contemporary authorities, that Reginald and De Luci were at the siege of Leices ter together in the 20th of Hen. II. (1174), we must infer that De Luci must have died previous to the issue of the charter by Reginald, or why should the privileges mentioned be spoken of as existing in the "time of R. de Luci." If this suggestion should be correct, the date of the charter must be restricted to the year 1175. Here it is beautifully written-and, considering that it has survived the dangers of nearly seven centuries, you will agree with me in thinking it worthy of every care and regard. The next original document to which I have the pleasure of referring you is a deed executed in the reign of Henry III. (1262), to settle certain disputes existing between the Lords and Burgesses of Truro and Reginald de Pridius, Lord of Nunneam, now called Newham, in which he consents that his men of the chase at Nunneam shall be talliaged with the men of Treuru, and that they should pay toll, &c. at Treuru. The close approximation of the spelling of the word in this and the former document, will be at once noticed, as well as the almost perfect identity of sound, more especially if we recollect that i was then pronounced, in all probability, by the Normans as the modern French pronounce it, namely, like our acute e. We have in the word Dieu a similar combination of vowels as in the first syllable of the word in Reginald's charter Trieu, imitated and represented by the Treu of the document now referred to. The next change in the writing of the word occurs in an inspeximus charter of Edward III. (1369), where it is called the Ville de Truru; and in a deed of the 13th of Richard II. (1390), conveying a tenement in "Clemens Stret," it is also written Truru. In a beautifully-written and ornamented charter granted in the 3rd year of Henry VII. (1488), the original spelling of the word is revived, being

again written Triueru; but in a receipt given for the payment of a fine to the king of 20l. by 61. 138. 4d. in the 15th Henry VII. (1500), it is for the first time called the Ville de Truro, the word being written precisely as we now write it. From that time to the present, trifling alterations have been made in the writing of the name; the main authorities being almost equally divided between Truru and Truro, Leland and Carew using the former mode, and the latter being employed in the charters of Elizabeth and James II. In the time of Charles and of Anne, it was occasionally written with a final e, a corruption very properly avoided by subsequent writers. From the statements submitted to your consideration, you will observe that the town is no where called Treveru, nor is such a name to be found in any of the inspeximus charters, professing to copy the original charter. The documents to which I have referred you are all original documents, and in no one of them, nor of the others in the possession of the Corporation, is the letter v any where to be found; a circumstance of considerable importance in the consideration of the subject to which I now wish to direct your attention, viz. the Etymology of the word. It is curious, and I hope it may not be uninteresting, to observe the ingenious theories to which this mistake of a single letter has given rise, as we find them recorded in the erudite disquisitions of Borlase, Whitaker, Polwhele, and Hingston, to which I shall briefly advert in the order enumerated. In his Antiquities of Cornwall, Borlase says, " I find this British name written Treuro; in Domesday it is written Treurgen; in Henry II.'s time Treveru; by which it appears that the first syllable of the name is Tre a town, and vor or vur a way, making in the plural vorou; so that Trevorou, corruptly written in Domesday Treurgen, will make Treurou by dropping the v consonant, which the Cornish language often does; consequently the name will signify the town of or on the ways." Now, on this reasoning, I would remark that the Doctor does not say where he finds the name written Treuro, and in none of the documents I have referred to or have seen is it so written or quoted. If in Domesday at all, Borlase is forced to admit that it is corruptly written, and what slender grounds exist for the supposition that Truro is the place described we have before noticed. As to the Treveru of Henry II. time, there is no evidence whatever of it but the blundering attempt to copy the word Triueru, and down to the year 1500 I have shown that the u and not the v was the leading vowel

considers it to be "a genuine original charter."

In this charter the place is described as Triueru, and by it Reginald confirms to the "free burgesses thereof all free customs and town rights," which they are therein stated to have had in the time of Richard de Luci. The date of this charter can only be guessed at, but it must belong to the interval between 1140 and 1176, the creation of Reginald to the Earldom of Cornwall, and the time of his decease at Chertsey; and if we regard attentively a phrase in the charter referring to the municipal rights of the inhabitants "quas habuerunt tempore Ricardi de Luci," and connect with it the statement of Roger of Hoveden, and other contemporary authorities, that Reginald and De Luci were at the siege of Leices ter together in the 20th of Hen. II. (1174), we must infer that De Luci must have died previous to the issue of the charter by Reginald, or why should the privileges mentioned be spoken of as existing in the "time of R. de Luci." If this suggestion should be correct, the date of the charter must be restricted to the year 1175. Here it is beautifully written-and, considering that it has survived the dangers of nearly seven centuries, you will agree with me in thinking it worthy of every care and regard. The next original document to which I have the pleasure of referring you is a deed executed in the reign of Henry III. (1262), to settle certain disputes existing between the Lords and Burgesses of Truro and Reginald de Pridius, Lord of Nunneam, now called Newham, in which he consents that his men of the chase at Nunneam shall be talliaged with the men of Treuru, and that they should pay toll, &c. at Treuru. The close approximation of the spelling of the word in this and the former document, will be at once noticed, as well as the almost perfect identity of sound, more especially if we recollect that i was then pronounced, in all probability, by the Normans as the modern French pronounce it, namely, like our acute e. We have in the word Dieu a similar combination of vowels as in the first syllable of the word in Reginald's charter Trieu, imitated and represented by the Treu of the document now referred to. The next change in the writing of the word occurs in an inspeximus charter of Edward III. (1369), where it is called the Ville de Truru; and in a deed of the 13th of Richard II. (1390), conveying a tenement in "Clemens Stret," it is also written Truru. In a beautifully-written and ornamented charter granted in the 3rd year of Henry VII. (1488), the original spelling of the word is revived, being

again written Triueru; but in a receipt given for the payment of a fine to the king of 20l. by 6l. 13s. 4d. in the 15th Henry VII. (1500), it is for the first time called the Ville de Truro, the word being written precisely as we now write it. From that time to the present, trifling alterations have been made in the writing of the name; the main authorities being almost equally divided between Truru and Truro, Leland and Carew using the former mode, and the latter being employed in the charters of Elizabeth and James II. In the time of Charles and of Anne, it was occasionally written with a final e, a corruption very properly avoided by subsequent writers. From the statements submitted to your consideration, you will observe that the town is no where called Treveru, nor is such a name to be found in any of the inspeximus charters, professing to copy the original charter. The documents to which I have referred you are all original documents, and in no one of them, nor of the others in the possession of the Corporation, is the letter v any where to be found; a circumstance of considerable importance in the consideration of the subject to which I now wish to direct your attention, viz. the Etymology of the word. It is curious, and I hope it may not be uninteresting, to observe the ingenious theories to which this mistake of a single letter has given rise, as we find them recorded in the erudite disquisitions of Borlase, Whitaker, Polwhele, and Hingston, to which I shall briefly advert in the order enumerated. In his Antiquities of Cornwall, Borlase says, " I find this British name written Treuro; in Domesday it is written Treurgen; in Henry II.'s time Treveru; by which it appears that the first syllable of the name is Tre a town, and vor or vur a way, making in the plural vorou; so that Trevorou, corruptly written in Domesday Treurgen, will make Treurou by dropping the v consonant, which the Cornish language often does; consequently the name will signify the town of or on the ways." Now, on this reasoning, I would remark that the Doctor does not say where he finds the name written Treuro, and in none of the documents I have referred to or have seen is it so written or quoted. If in Domesday at all, Borlase is forced to admit that it is corruptly written, and what slender grounds exist for the supposition that Truro is the place described we have before noticed. As to the Treveru of Henry II. time, there is no evidence whatever of it but the blundering attempt to copy the word Triueru, and down to the year 1500 I have shown that the u and not the v was the leading vowel