would be afforded by the authorities to a measure of such practical importance. It is highly encouraging to observe in influential quarters sentiments like these, evincing a just regard to the best interests of historical literature.

A question arose in the Court of Exchequer on the 1st December which could not fail to remind us of Tunc tua res agitur, &c.; for the printers of Dickens's monthly historical summary, entitled THE HOUSEHOLD NARRATIVE, were prosecuted at the suit of the Attorney General, as being liable to stamp duty for publishing "news." Mr. Baron Parke, for various reasons derived from certain expressions in the Newspaper Stamp Acts, thought the Crown entitled to judgment; but the other judges were of an opposite opinion. Mr. Baron Platt remarked that the Gentleman's Magazine had exercised the privilege contended for ever since the year 1731, and it was shown that a determinate interval of publication of "twentysix days," had been specified for the special purpose of distinguishing between the newspaper and the chronicle. Judgment was accordingly given for the Defendants.

On the 19th Nov. Lord Campbell and the puisne judges of the Queen's Bench gave a unanimous verdict on a question which had been raised relative to the right of election to the office of WARDEN OF DULWICH COLLEGE. The successful candidate at the election which took place in the month of April last was Richard William Allen, esq.: but three weeks after it had resulted in his favour he found his admission to the office disputed by the Fellows, on the ground that the "Assistants" of the college, who are the churchwardens for the time being of the parishes of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, St. Saviour's Southwark, and St. Giles's without Cripplegate, had no right to join with the Fellows in the election. This interpretation of the statutes was directly contrary to long practice in the matter of elections: and the judges have now declared it to be unfounded. Mr. R. W. Allen is in consequence confirmed as the present Warden; and "the Assistants "will probably continue to exercise a material influence in future elections.

We have heretofore so far endeavoured to interest our readers in the fate of the ancient church of UPTON near Windsor,* which was dismantled and deserted about sixteen years ago, that we are inclined to believe that even those who are unac

quainted with the spot will derive more than ordinary gratification from the intelligence that it has now been perfectly restored in its structure, and reconsecrated to divine worship. We are happy also to state that all the architectural features of this interesting example of the Norman period have been carefully preserved by the architect, Benjamin Ferrey, esq. The rapid increase of the town of Slough-as the inhabitants are now ambitious to designate it (which forms the greater part of the parish)-has led to the demand for additional church accommodation; and after a gallery had been added (about three years ago) to that unhappy performance the new brick church, it was found that the venerable temple of the olden days might still be rendered useful. Fortunately its roofs had been maintained in repair, although the interior was entirely laid waste. There was therefore still an opportunity of renovation. Mr. Ferrey has added a south aisle, which exactly doubles the dimensions of that part of the church west of the tower, and has connected it with the nave by a range of three pointed Norman arches. He has built a round-headed arch under the central tower, which opens the area of the chancel-previously cut off from view by the extreme narrowness of the doorway; and thus a church which had remained for eight centuries in its primitive contracted form has at length been enlarged after the ordinary and legitimate practice of early times. Mr. Ferrey has preserved (with a care which deserves the thanks of every architectural antiquary), at the east end of his new aisle, not only the arch of the old doorway we have mentioned, but also the singular Norman arch of oak (engraved in our Magazine for November, 1847), and the stone arch which stood in the correspondent space south of the doorway. These now serve as frames for the Commandments and Creed. The old rafters of the nave, which were concealed by a ceiling, have been found in good condition and restored to view. The Norman font has been returned from the modern church. A piscina of remarkably early form has been found in the chancel. Another ancient relic discovered is a mutilated sculpture of the Trinity. Remains of painting were seen all over the old walls of the church, but the only subject that could be decyphered (and that obscurely) was the Adoration of the Magi. The patterns which ornamented the stone groining of the chancel were discovered, and have been restored

by Mr. Willement; who has also, at his own expense, placed two windows of stained glass over the communion-table. Mrs. E. T. Champneys, wife of the Vicar, has filled with stained glass the two-light Perpendicular window which lights the pulpit, the design being this text in scrolls:

"We preach Christ crucified, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." Two memorial windows are about to be erected in the chancel by William Bonsey, esq. the Lay Rector. An elaborate carved pulpit has been presented by the Rev. H. W. Majendie, Vicar of Speen; a reading desk by Mr. Ferrey the architect; the communion table and chairs by T. Rawdon Ward, esq., the rails by Mrs. John Gough Nichols, and the carpet by the ladies of Upton. The exterior of the church to the North is unaltered: only it has been found necessary to relieve the tower of its upper portion, (about 120 tons of brick); and a low conical spire, in the early Norman style, has been substituted. The giant stems of ivy, however, have been suffered to remain; and visitors may again repair to Gray's" ivy-mantled tower without a sigh for its approaching ruin, His" rugged elms " and aged yew still stand their ground. On the interior wall of the tower the monument of Sir William Herschel has assumed a more prominent place. The total expense of the restoration has been 16001. of which the greater part has been contributed by the liberality of the clergy of Eton and neighbouring gentry. Her Majesty subscribed 501. the Earl of Harewood 501. the Bishop of Oxford 207. the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere 251. Miss Oakes 1007. the Oxford Diocesan Building Society 1007. the Windsor and Eton Church Union Society, in all, 901. &c. &c. The Church was reconsecrated by the Lord Bishop of Oxford, on the 2d of Dec. His Lordship preached on the occasion, and 1107. was collected at the offertory. The church has now 475 sittings, of which all those in the centre, on each side of the arcade, are free.

At the anniversary meeting of the ROYAL SOCIETY the Earl of Rosse delivered his annual address, after which the Copley medal was presented to Professor Owen for his important discoveries in comparative anatomy and palæontology, published in the Philosophical Transactions; one of the Royal medals to the Earl of Rosse for his observations on the nebulæ, and the second Royal medal to Mr. G. Newport for his paper on the impregnation of the ovum. The meeting then proceeded to the election of council and officers for the ensuing year, and the following were elected: President, The Earl of Rosse,

K.P., M.A.; Treasurer, Lieut.-Colonel Edward Sabine, R.A.; Secretaries, Mr. Samuel Hunter Christie, M.A. and Mr. Thomas Bell; Foreign Secretary, Captain W. H. Smyth, R.N.; other Members of the Council, Mr. William Bowman, Mr. Benjamin Collins Brodie, Mr. Charles Brooke, the Rev. Professor Challis, M.A., William Clark, M.D., Charles Giles Bridle Daubeny, M.D., Sir P. de Malpas Grey Egerton, Bart., the Very Rev. the Dean of Ely, Mr. J. P. Gassiot, Marshal Hall, M.D., Sir John Frederick W. Herschel, Bart., Professor W. Hallows Miller, M.A., Lieut.-Colonel Portlock, R.E., Mr. Edward Solly, Mr. William Spence, Nathaniel Wallich, M.D.

The Rev. Joseph Angust, Professor of the Baptist Theological College, Stepney, has been adjudged the prize of two hundred guineas, offered two years ago, by a gentleman from India, for the best ESSAY ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST. The adjudicators were the Rev. J. Scolefield, of Cambridge University; the Rev. J. Tucker, Secretary to the Church Missionary Society; and the Rev. T. Sale, of Sheffield, all clergymen of the Church of England.

The HAKLUYT SOCIETY has produced the first volume of NOTES UPON RUSSIA, being a translation of the earliest account of that country, entitled Rerum Moscoviticorum Commentarii, by the Baron Sigismund von Herberstein, Ambassador from the Court of Germany to the Grand Prince Vanby Ivanovich, in the years 1517 and 1526. It has been translated and edited, with Notes and an Introduction, by R. H. Major, esq. of the British Museum. The second volume of the same work, and also Captain William Coats's Remarks in many Voyages to Hudson's Bay, from an unpublished MS. edited by John Barrow, esq. of the Admiralty, are now at press.

Mr. Alfred John Dunkin, of Dartford, has issued a Prospectus of a HISTORY OF KENT, which he purposes to issue in monthly numbers; the first of which will appear in March. Hasted's History is to be taken for its foundation; but the whole of the primeval matter will be re-written, in order to include the great discoveries made within the last few years. The author further undertakes that every parish-church shall be personally visited, and its description re-written; and the history of each parish "will also be either re-written up to the present time, or elucidated by foot-notes." Mr. Dunkin invites the correspondence and contributions of all interested in Cantian matters. The book will be issued in 8vo. at the rate of three-pence a sheet; and in royal quarto (seventy copies only) at the rate of

six-pence a sheet, corresponding in size with the author's "Monumenta Anglicana," an important and valuable undertaking, which we shall notice further on another opportunity. Prospectuses of the History of Kent may be obtained on application to Mr. H. Banner at Dartford.

Mr. J. Davidson, of Axminster, is preparing a volume to be entitled BIBLIOTHECA DEVONIENSIS; a catalogue of books relating to the county of Devon, its topography, antiquities, political, local, and family history. The list will contain the result of a careful search in public libraries and some private collections, and will comprise upwards of 1100 notices of volumes, reference being given to the places where the rarer books are to be found. Knowing the utility of such a conspectus of the productions of those who have gone before us, and how laborious and difficult an undertaking a new edition of Gough's British Topography would be, we hope that other counties will find editors for similar Catalogues, of which we have already had two good examples, in Mr. Dawson Turner's volume for Norfolk, and Mr. Russell Smith's for Kent.

Two publications are announced on the Antiquities of Yorkshire. One is a series of engravings representing the discoveries made at the important Roman station of ISURIUM near Aldborough, drawn by Mr. H. Ecroyd Smith, with illustrative letterpress. The other is to be published quarterly, under the title of RELIQUIE ANTIQUE EBORACENSES, collected by Mr. William Bowman, of Leeds, from various parts of the county.

Among the recent publications which have been submitted to our critical perusal are-A Letter to Lord John Russell, on the necessity and the mode of State Assistance in the Education of the People. By the Rev. Sanderson Robins, M.A.We cannot speak too highly of the tone of this pamphlet. It does one's heart good to find an earnest clergyman of the English Church throwing himself into the actual world of want and crime, and determining to know no un-essentials which may obstruct his dealings with that world. He has read and looked abroad for himself,

he is not afraid of standing face to face with the fact of the entire inefficiency, for religious, moral and social purposes, of a great deal of the teaching in National Schools. He has read Miss Carpenter's Book, too, on Reformatory Schools, and sees the truth of her statements. He now comes forward and appeals to Lord John Russell, for the perishing classes, and against those who, for mere form's sake, persist in making difficulties, where with

out them there would not be many. Does Mr. Robins, however, know Mr. Fletcher's pamphlet and plan? On the whole, we think this is one of the best, though not the best, written we have had. We conclude by entreating him to persevere in his exemplary course, and wishing him God speed!

In Bohn's Standard Library, the Fifth volume of Neander's General History of the Christian Religion and Church, translated from the German by Joseph Torrey. This volume carries on the general history of the Church from A.D. 590 to A.D. 814, with a portion of the next period from A.D. 814 to A.D. 1073. The importance of the work is universally known, and considerable pains have been taken with this new edition.

Mr. Bohn's other library volumes which we have recently received are, in the Antiquarian Library, "Vulgar Errors," being the first volume of the Works of Sir Tho mas Browne, reprinted from the careful edition by Mr. Wilkins of Norwich, which was published in 1836; in the Classical Library, Vol. I. of the Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B.A.; in the Scientific Library, Outlines of Comparative Physiology, by Louis Agassiz and A. A. Gould, edited from the revised edition, and greatly enlarged, by Thomas Wright, M.D. This work is illustrated by 390 engravings on wood.

The Rev. C. E. Kennaway's Sermons on the Lord's Prayer are especially adapted for young persons, and form a sequel to his excellent volume of "Sermons to the Young," preached at Brighton.

The Rev. R. Montgomery's Church of the Invisible (which appears in its fourth edition) is intended as "a manual for Christian mourners," leading their thoughts to a future association with those departed saints, who, having passed through this life in God's faith and fear, are still "living unto God, more fervid, loving, and holy than ever."

The Apocalypse, with Notes and Reflections, by the Rev. Isaac Williams, B.D. is a work of some extent, but not so much occupied, as many of its predecessors have been, in reconciling the mysteries of the Book of Revelations to the history of the world, as in collating its expressions with the prophecies of the Old Testament and other parts of Holy Scripture. The author's chief guides are Augustine, Aretas, and other early interpreters.

Mr. J. H. Alexander's Universal Dictionary of Weights and Measures, Ancient and Modern (published at Baltimore, U.S.), is curious and valuable for bringing into one view a vast number of terms of

all nations and periods. They are alphabetically arranged, and in their explanations reduced to the standards of the United States of America, which, since the year 1825, differ from our own in consequence of the alteration we then made in our measures of capacity.

Mr. Philip T. Tyson's Geology and Industrial Resources of California (also published at Baltimore), contains various official reports made to the government of the United States, and several maps, and is probably, on the whole, the most authentic publication hitherto published regarding that country, though got up in a singularly rough and back-woodish style.

A volume of Introductory Lectures delivered at the Opening of the New College, London, is prefaced by an historical notice of the institution, and a description of the new building. This handsome structure, which has been erected in the Finchley Road, half a mile north of the Regent's Park, is in the style sanctioned by the usage of centuries at our ancient seats of learning, and is the production of John T. Emmett, esq. architect, of Hatton Garden. An important feature is a spacious library. The institution itself is the single representative of the three Dissenting colleges of Homerton, Coward, and Highbury; its foundation stone was laid on the 11th May, 1850 (as noticed in our vol. XXXIV. p. 72), and the building was opened on the 1st of October, 1851, with an address by the Rev. John Harris, D.D. the Principal and Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology, which is printed in the present volume. Its subject is the Inspiration of the Scriptures. The subsequent contents of the book, contributed by some of the other professors, are: The Earliest Form of Christianity, by the Rev. John H. Godwin; The Study of the Natural History Sciences, by Edwin Lankester, M.D. F.R.S.; The Study of Mathematics, by the Rev. Philip Smith, B.A.; The Exegesis of the Old Testament, by the Rev. Maurice Nenner; and The

History of Classical Learning, by William Smith, esq. LL.D. These essays furnish sufficient evidence of the magisterial talents devoted to the business of instruction; and the volume concludes with an address to the students on the duties of their preparation for the ministry, by the Rev. Thomas Binney.

The Educational Almanack for 1852, compiled by the Rev. G. H. Farr, is intended to circulate information to schoolmanagers and teachers respecting the various training institutions, particularly those under the superintendence of the Committee of Council on Education. The Normal Schools whose arrangements are particularly described are St. Mark's College, Chelsea; the Chester and Manchester Training College; those of Carmarthen, Durham, Highbury, Battersea, Knellar Hall; for Mistresses, those at Brighton, Warrington, Salisbury, Whitelands, Derby; and several others.

The Order of the Visitation of the Sick, with a series of supplemental services founded thereon, and generally expressed in the language of the Church to which are added, The Communion of the Sick, and the Ministration of Private Baptism of Children in Houses. By the Rev. Robert French Lawrence, M.A. Oxford, 12mo. 1851.-An extremely complete and well-edited work. Its teaching is in conformity with High Church principles.

Letters to a Seceder from the Church of England to the Communion of Rome. By W. E. Scudamore, M.A. 12mo. Rivingtons, 1851.-This is a very able, honest, and admirable work. The case between the High Church party and the Church of Rome was never better pleaded. We do not agree with some things which it contains, but there is enough in this work to open the eyes of any person not absolutely infatuated. We would recommend that the next edition should have a good Index, which would make it valuable as an easy book of reference upon the points between the churches.

The Ecclesiastical and Architectural Topography of England. Part V. HUNTINGDONSHIRE. (J. H. Parker.) 8vo.Having completed, in the first volume of this work, the counties of Berks, Buckingham, and Oxford, forming the Diocese of Oxford, Mr. Parker is now proceeding with the diocese of Ely, which will occupy the second volume. The churches of Bedfordshire have been already published;

we have here those of Huntingdonshire; and those of Cambridgeshire are shortly to follow. The county of Huntingdon has been entirely surveyed for this work by Mr. W. Caveler the architect; his remarks have been compared throughout with those of the Rev. G. R. Boissier, taken some years since, and the few notes which Mr. Rickman left upon this county have been incorporated. We are informed

that "Considering its small dimensions, Huntingdonshire contains a large number of interesting churches, which, from their great merit, entitle the county to a very good position in the Ecclesiastical and Topographical Topography of England. Some of these churches are of great importance, both as to size and beauty, and in consideration of their excellent details are deserving of attentive and careful examination." The total number of churches in the county is 106, of which thirty-six are pointed out as especially interesting. The only supposed Saxon remains are a small portion of masonry and a singlelight window, now forming part of a more modern tower at Woodstone. There is no church entirely Norman, but many have excellent portions of that style, particularly the chancel at Ramsey. A large proportion of the churches have EarlyEnglish features, some of which are of great beauty. A good account is also given both of Decorated and Perpendicular work. Spires form a very important feature, particularly on the Northamptonshire side of the county, and there are also several fine towers. There is much excellent woodwork, but few remains either of painted glass or sepulchral monuments and brasses. The ancient palace of the bishops of Lincoln at Buckden is a perfect and valuable example of domestic architecture. The abbey gateway at Ramsey is also deserving of particular notice. The mansion at Hinchinbrook is a fine building of the sixteenth century, and there is another of about the same date at Leighton Bromswold. A copious "index of styles," arranged under the successive chronological periods of English architecture, points out the more important features of every church; and this Part of the work also supplies the same valuable key to the three counties of Bedford, Berks, and Buckingham.

The History of The Church of Rome to the end of the Episcopate of Damasus, A.D. 384. By EDWARD JOHN SHEPHERD, A.M. 8vo. Lond. 1851.-This is a book which we have, for several months past, been desirous to recommend to the notice of our readers, but various circumstances have combined to prevent our doing so. Mr. Shepherd has constructed his work upon the principle of "merely collecting and arranging the testimony of history" with regard to the thirty-six bishops of Rome who are supposed to have held rule in the imperial city during the period alluded to in his title-page. In proceeding to execute his very sensible GENT. MAG. VOL. XXXVII.

intention, the author was met at the threshold of his work by the Isidorian Decretals, forged in the eighth century with design to give consistency and authority to the lofty claims of the Roman bishops. These decretals, the authenticity of which is now universally rejected, were fabricated in order to afford a colour of proof that in the very earliest ages of the church the Roman prelates were in possession of a supremacy which was universally allowed. Beyond the pretended evidence of these spurious decretals, Mr. Shepherd has not been able, in reference to a great majority of his thirty-six Roman prelates, to find anything more than a mere list of names, stated to be those of the successive occupants of the Roman episcopate. Down to the time of Constantine and the Council of Nice, all that Mr. Shepherd can say is, that "The reader must not feel disappointed and complain that in a book professing to be a History of the Church of Rome he hears of almost every church but the Roman. The fact is, there is no doubt about it, truth has recorded nothing of Rome's earlier centuries. Her ancestral line resembles the pedigree of some of our illustrious families, our Percies or Nevilles. At first there is a succession of nameless names, with here and there an individual emerging into history. After a while these historic characters become more frequent, until at length the family is incorporated into the history of their country. So is it with the Roman church. We have had nameless names, and shall have more, but the historic characters are beginning to appear, and in the next century [the fifth] the Roman Church will be found extending its relations until it becomes interwoven with all the most important events of Christendom."

Such is the state of things during the first four centuries, with two great exceptions ;-the Isidorian Letters make everything clear during the period to which they relate, and the Letters of Cyprian are no less precise in their details nor less explanatory in their information respecting church government and the minutest portions of the hierarchical machinery during another period-the middle of the third century. The Isidorian Letters are given up. All the pomp and circumstance with which they surround papal dignity is mere fraud. Mr. Shepherd now comes forward to contend the same thing with respect to the Letters of Cyprian. He asserts,

"1. That until the middle of the third century there is not the least trace of any intercourse between the bishops of Rome

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