Chapter 4

There are many errors, no doubt, to be found in Gibbon. I will mention one which may be entertaining, though I dare say Mr. Milman has found it out. In chap. 47. (and _see_ note 26.), Gibbon was too happy to make the most of the murder of the female philosopher Hypatia, by a Christian mob at Alexandria. But the account which he gives is more shocking than the fact. He seems not to have been familiar enough with Greek to recollect that [Greek: haneilon] means _killed_. Her throat was cut with an oyster-shell, because, for a reason which he has very acutely pointed out, oyster-shells were at hand; but she was clearly not "cut in pieces," nor, "her flesh scraped off the bones," till after she was dead. Indeed, there was no scraping from the bones at all. That they used oyster-shells is a proof that the act was not premeditated. Neither did she deserve the title of modest which Gibbon gives her. Her way of rejecting suitors is disgusting enough in Suidas.

C.B.

_Public Libraries_.--In looking through the Parliamentary Report on Libraries, I missed, though they may have escaped my notice, any mention of a valuable one in _Newcastle-on-Tyne_, "Dr. Thomlinson's;" for which a handsome building was erected early last century, near St. Nicholas Church, and a Catalogue of its contents has been published. I saw also, some years ago, a library attached to _Wimborne Minster_, which appeared to contained some curious books.

The Garrison Library at _Gibraltar_ is, I believe, one of the most valuable English libraries on the continent of Europe.

W.C.T.

Edinburgh, March 30. 1850.

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NOSCE TEIPSUM,--AN EXCEPTION.

(_FROM THE CHINESE OF CONFUCIUS, OR ELSEWHERE._)

I've not said so to _you_, my friend--and I'm not going-- _You_ may find so many people better worth knowing.

RUFUS.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS.

NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC.

Mr. Thorpe is preparing for publication a Collection of the Popular Traditions or Folk Lore of Scandinavia and Belgium, as a continuation of his _Northern Mythology and Superstitions_, now ready for the press.

Mr. Wykeham Archer's _Vestiges of Old London_, of which the Second Part is now before us, maintains its character as an interesting record of localities fast disappearing. The contents of the present number are, the "House of Sir Paul Pindar, in Bishopgate Without," once the residence of that merchant prince, and now a public-house bearing his name; "Remains of the East Gate, Bermondsey Abbey;" which is followed by a handsome staircase, one of the few vestiges still remaining of "Southhampton House," the residence of the Wriothesleys, Earls of Southampton. A plate of "Street Monuments, Signs, Badges, &c.," gives at once variety to the subjects, and a curious illustration of what was once one of the marked features of the metropolis. "Interior of a Tower belonging to the wall of London," in the premises of Mr. Burt, in the Old Bailey, presents us with a curious memorial of ancient London in its fortified state; it being the only vestige of a tower belonging to the wall in its entire height, and with its original roof existing. The last plate exhibits some "Old Houses, with the open part of Fleet Ditch, near Field Lane;" and the letter-press illustration of this plate describes a state of filth and profligacy which we hope will soon only be known among us as a thing that _has been_.

We have received the following Catalogues:--Messrs. Williams and Norgate's (14. Henrietta Street) German Catalogue, Part I. comprising Theology, Ecclesiastical History, and Philosophy; John Petheram's (94. High Holborn) Catalogue, Part CX. No. 4. for 1850, of Old and New Books; John Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue, Number Four for 1850 of Books Old and New; and E. Palmer and Son's (18. Paternoster Row) Catalogue of Scarce and Curious Books.

* * * * *

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE.

(_IN CONTINUATION OF LISTS IN FORMER NOS._)

DEAN MILNER'S LIFE OF JOSEPH MILNER.

PECK'S CATALOGUE OF THE DISCOURSES WRITTEN BOTH FOR AND AGAINST POPERY IN THE TIME OF JAMES II. 4vo. 1735.

LETTER TO SIR JAMES M'INTOSH in Reply to some Observations made in the House of Commons on the Duel between Sir Alexander Boswell and James Stuart, Esq., of Duncarn.

_ODD VOLUMES._

PARISH CHURCHES. by BRANDON. Parts 1. and 2.

HOMER: OPERA. Glasgow. 1814. Vol. IV. Large paper, uncut.

MOYEN AGE MONUMENTALE DE M. CHAPUY. Paris. 1841, &c. (C.W.B. wishes to complete his set.)

***Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, _carriage free_, to be sent to MR. BELL. Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

* * * * *

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

W.R.F. and T.P. are assured that the omissions of which they complain have arisen neither from want of courtesy nor want of attention, as they would be quite satisfied if they knew all the circumstances of their respective cases.

NOTES AND QUERIES may be procured by the Trade at noon on Friday; so that our country Subscribers ought to experience no difficulty in receiving it regularly. Many of the country Booksellers are probably not yet aware of this arrangement, which enables them to receive Copies in their Saturday parcels. Part V. is now ready.

ERRATUM. By a provoking accident, some few copies of the last No. were worked off before the words "Saxoniæ," "Saxonia" and "audactes," in p. 365. col. 2. were corrected to "Saxoni_ce_" and "audacte_r_."

* * * * *

THE EDINBURGH REVIEW,

No. CLXXXIV., is Published THIS DAY.

CONTENTS:

1. NATIONAL OBSERVATORIES--GREENWICH. 2. SYDNEY SMITH'S SKETCHES OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY. 3. SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE METROPOLIS. 4. LANDOR'S POETRY. 5. THE POLYNESIANS--NEW ZEALAND. 6. BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL TAXATION. 7. THE VILLAGE NOTARY--MEMOIRS OF A HUNGARIAN LADY. 8. LEWIS ON THE INFLUENCE OF AUTHORITY IN MATTERS OF OPINION. 9. AGRICULTURAL COMPLAINTS. 10. GERMANY AND ERFURT.

London: LONGMAN AND CO. Edinburgh: A. AND C. BLACK.

* * * * *

Now Publishing,

THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE AGES. By HENRY BOWMAN and JOSEPH S. CROWTHER, Architects, Manchester. To be completed in Twenty Parts, each containing Six Plates, Imperial folio. Issued at intervals of two months. Price per Part to Subscribers, Proof, large paper, 10s. 6d.; Tinted, small paper, 9s.; plain, 7s. 6d. Parts 1 to 7 are now published, and contain illustrations of Ewerby Church, Lincolnshire; Temple Balsall Chapel, Warwickshire; and Heckington Church, Lincolnshire.

On the 1st of July next, the price of the work, to Subscribers, whose names may be received after that date, will be raised as follows:--Proofs, tinted, large paper, per Part 12s.; tinted, small paper, 10s. 6d.; Plain, 9s.

"Ewerby is a magnificent specimen of a Flowing Middle-Pointed Church. It is most perfectly measured and described: one can follow the most recondite beauties of the construction, mouldings and joints, in these Plates, almost as well as in the original structure. Such a monograph as this will be of incalculable value to the architects of our Colonies or the United States, who have no means of access to ancient churches. The Plates are on stone, done with remarkable skill and distinctness. Of Heckington we can only say that the perspective view from the south-east presents a very vision of beauty; we can hardly conceive anything more perfect. We heartily recommend this series to all who are able to patronize it."--_Ecclesiologist_, Oct. 1849.

"This, if completed in a similar manner to the Parts now out, will be a beautiful and valuable work. The perspective of St. Andrew's, Heckington, is a charming specimen of lithography, by Hankin. We unhesitatingly recommend Messrs. Bowman and Crowther's work to our readers, as likely to be useful to them."--_Builder_, Sept. 29. 1849.

"The fourth and fifth parts of Messrs. Bowman and Crowther's 'Churches of the Middle Ages' are published, and fully support our very favourable impression of the work. As a text-book, this work will be found of the greatest value."--_Builder_, Jan. 19. 1850.

London: GEORGE BELL, 186. Fleet Street.

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SOCIETY OF ARTS PRIZE PATTERN.

12 CUPS AND SAUCERS. 12 COFFEE CUPS. 6 BREAKFAST CUPS AND SAUCERS. 12 PLATES. 2 CAKE PLATES. 1 SUGAR BOX. 1 BOWL. 1 MILK JUG. 6 EGG CUPS.

Packed in small hamper, ready for delivery, in buff earthenware, 21s. the set; in white china, 2l. 12s. 6d. the set. Post-office Orders from the country will be immediately attended to.

JOSEPH CUNDELL, 21. Old Bond Street.

* * * * *

Now ready, containing 149 Plates, royal 8vo. 28s.; folio, 2l. 5s.; India Paper, 4l. 4s.

THE MONUMENTAL BRASSES of ENGLAND; a Series of Engravings upon Wood, from every variety of these interesting and valuable Memorials, accompanied with Descriptive Notices.

By the Rev. C. BOUTELL, M.A., Rector of Downham Market.

Part XII., completing the work, price 7s. 6d.; folio, 12s.; India paper, 24s.

By the same Author, royal 8vo., 15s.; large paper, 21s.

MONUMENTAL BRASSES and SLABS; an Historical and Descriptive Notice of the Incised Monumental Memorials of the Middle Ages. With upwards of 200 Engravings.

"A handsome large octavo volume, abundantly supplied with well-engraved woodcuts and lithographic plates; a sort of Encyclopædia for ready reference.... The whole work has a look of painstaking completeness highly commendable."--_Athenæum_.

"One of the most beautifully got up and interesting volumes we have seen for a long time. It gives in the compass of one volume an account of the History of those beautiful monuments of former days.... The illustrations are extremely well chosen."--_English Churchman_.

A few copies only of this work remain for sale; and, as it will not be reprinted in the same form and at the same price, the remaining copies are raised in price. Early application for the Large Paper Edition is necessary.

By the same Author, to be completed in Four Parts,

CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS in ENGLAND and WALES: an Historical and Descriptive Sketch of the various classes of Monumental Memorials which have been in use in this country from about the time of the Norman Conquest. Profusely illustrated with Wood Engravings. Part I. price 7s. 6d.; Part II. 2s. 6d.

"A well conceived and executed work."--_Ecclesiologist_.

* * * * *

MATERIALS for making RUBBINGS of MONUMENTAL BRASSES and other Incised Works of Art.

Heel Ball, in cakes, at 8d. and 1s. each.

White paper, in rolls, each 12 yards in length, and s. d. 57 inches wide 6 0 47 do. 5 0 40 do. 4 0 23 do. 1 6 do. do., a thinner quality 1 0

Also, RICHARDSON'S METALLIC RUBBER, in cakes, price 1s. 6d.: Double cakes, 2s. 6d.

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London: GEORGE BELL, 186. Fleet Street.

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Just Published, 2 vols. 8vo., 20s. cloth,

THE WORKS OF VIRGIL, TRANSLATED (in blank verse). The first four Pastorals, the Georgics, and the first four Æneids, by the Rev. RANN KENNEDY. The last six Pastorals and the last eight Æneids by CHARLES RANN KENNEDY. Dedicated to H.R.H. the Prince Albert.

London: GEORGE BELL, 186. Fleet Street.

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Preparing for immediate Publication, in 2 vols. small 8vo.

THE FOLK-LORE of ENGLAND. By WILLIAM J. THOMAS, F.S.A., Secretary of the Camden Society, Editor of "Early Prose Romances," "Lays and Legends of all Nations," &c. One object of the present work is to furnish new contributions to the History of our National Folk-Lore; and especially some of the more striking Illustrations of the subject to be found in the Writings of Jacob Grimm and other Continental Antiquaries.

Communications of inedited Legends, Notices of remarkable Customs and Popular Observances, Rhyming Charms, &c. are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully acknowledged by the Editor. They may be addressed to the care of Mr. BELL, Office of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

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Printed by THOMAS CLARK SHAW, of No. 8. New Street Square, at No. 5. New Street Square, in the Parish of St. Bride in the City of London; and published by GEORGE BELL, of No. 186. Fleet Street, in the Parish of St. Dunstan in the West, in the City of London, Publisher, at No. 186. Fleet Street aforesaid.--Saturday, April 18. 1850.