Notitia Britanniæ; or, an Inquiry concerning the Localities, Habits, Condition, and progressive Civilisation of the Aborigines of Britain; to which is appended a brief retrospect of the result of their intercourse with the Romans. By Wm. D. Saull, F.S.A. &c.

The subject before us has already engaged the pens and personal researches of Borlase, Douglas, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, and others, yet there is room to draw the facts which they have ascertained into one comprehensive view, and to add fresh particulars in illustration of the first

tenants of our island.

The learned and ingenious if somewhat imaginative antiquary Whitaker tells us with great appearance of truth that on the first settlement of the Romans in Britain they found in England and Wales upwards of one hundred towns or fortified inclosures, "planted in the centre of their woods, defended by the advantages of position, and secured by a regular rampart and fosse." "The investigation of

such remains forms the subject of the tract before us.

Mr. Saull states that he found the most numerous British settlements interspersed among the moorlands and wolds of Yorkshire, in spots where the spade and plough have not yet been brought into operation; that their sites an element so indispensably necessary are generally found near running water, for existence. The author's first essay was to visit Harewood Dale, which lies on the moors to the left of the road from Scarborough to Whitby; there, at a spot called by the country people the Roases (Rosest), a small eminence rising from a wooded valley,

he discovered 50 or 60 small circular

oblong depressions in the earth, the edges of which were somewhat raised above the adjacent level. These he considered to be the remains of British huts. Dr. Young, the historian of Whitby, states that he had frequently found in the centre of many of these areas of huts ashes, charred wood, &c. evident indications of the fires made by their occupants. The annexed is a ground plan of these hollows.

times accompanied with rows of stones, formerly placed upright, but now for the most part prostrate. In remains of a British township to be found between Danby and Sealing the huts are placed with regularity in streets or lines. Compare these vestiges with those at Merivale Bridge on Dartmoor, Devon, described by Mr. Kempe in Archæologia, vol. xx11. Upright pillars of stone are said to be constantly found in connection with British villages. Might not barrows also be expected?

Plate vi. of Mr. Saull's essay represents a number of circular excavations in the chalk on the hill which forms the east side of Kingly Vale in Sussex; these hollows are accompanied by hillocks, and the whole are considered vestiges of a British village. We doubt the correctness of the scale of this plate; if it be taken from the two figures which appear in the view, the hillocks are at least fifty feet in height, measured by the proportion of these pigmy explorers.

.

Mr. Saull seems to give no sanction to the opinion of our correspondent J. P. that British London was in Moorfields; on the contrary, he finds it, where it might be expected, on the high ground about St. Paul's. He descended into a deep cutting made for sewerage at the west end of Cheapside, and discovered the burnt wood of the hearths of British huts lying on the natural gravel twentytwo feet below the modern surface of the street.

Mr. Saul speaks of flint arrowheads as found in the sepulchres of the aborigines of our island; they afford, indeed, very conclusive testimony of a barbarous population. In interments of the aborigines the bodies were generally, he says, placed north and south, the face we suppose to the south. A remarkable example of this mode of burial has been noticed in our pages at Kyn Gadel, near Laugharne.

There is, we think, no other solution for the remarkable circumstance that rats and mice are found in the barrows of the dead, than that those animals were induced by the food afforded by the dead corpses, or by deposits of corn, or other edible substances, with sepulchral urns, to take up their residence in the hillocks placed over them.

There they bred, reared their young, died, and were succeeded in their habitations by their progeny, for no other reason than that a colony for vermin had been established-just as rabbits are congregated in contiguous burrows.

It is stated that no iron arms or implements are found in the tumuli of Britain before the Conquest, its conquest by the Romans; this is a point highly worthy of decisive proof, although we doubt that it may be capable of being completely reduced to a rule. The bronze tomahawks, popularly called celts, and the beautiful leaf-shaped swords of bronze, which are so frequently discovered in the beds of rivers, in the bogs and morasses of the British Islands, were indeed in all probability the weapons of the British population at an early period, and it may be suspected that both these and their coins had a classic origin: the leaf-shaped sword appears in sculptures decidedly Greek, and their coins simulated the forms and devices to be found on those of Grecian colonies. These are matters worthy of the most careful investigation, and they will obtain it in the progress of archæological science. On the subject of the Roman pottery extant in Britain, nothing very important is offered by Mr. Saull, in addition to the papers which have within a few years past appeared in the Archæologia, and in our own numbers. Mr. Saull's minute and accurate account of the construction of the Roman wall of London we have already spoken of.*

Mr. Saull concludes his pamphlet with the assertion,

"That science recognises none of the petty distinctions of sect, party, or persuasion, its effects on the mind being to establish universal philanthrophy in our communications with our fellow-men, knowing that the higher they advance in intelligence the more perfect and enduring will be that congeniality of sentiment so much to be desired, and so worthy of their strenuous efforts for its accomplishment. If we cannot reconcile all opinions let us endeavour to unite all hearts."

This is the very beau ideal of a liberal philosophy, but we earnestly hope that it is not the intention of the ingenious

* Gent, Mag, for Nov. 1844, p. 505,

essayist to say that the reign of the refinements of the goddess of reason will supersede the great truths for our direction in time, and guidance to the mansions of eternity, to be found in the Bible. If so, we will venture to repeat to him, with a little amplification, the words of his literary friend of the old school whom he quotes in the preface-" We like your

description of British aboriginal settlements very well; but, as to your philosophy, it is that of Voltaire and Rousseau, has been tried and found something worse than mere speculation. Take away the certainty of rewards and punishments which revealed religion announces, the social obligations are dissolved in an overwhelming flood of misery and crime.”

Hore Liturgica: containing, 1. Liturgical Discrepancy, its extent, evil, and remedy, in Two Letters to the Clergy of his Diocese. 2. Liturgical Harmony, its obligations, means, and security against error, whether Popish or Puritanical; in a Charge to Candidates for Holy Orders. By Richard Mant, D.D. Lord Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore, 12mo. The Church, of whose episcopate he forms so distinguished an ornament, is deeply indebted to Bishop Mant, for the promptitude and zeal with which, when the occasion demands it, he is always ready to contribute the results of his extensive learning and research in her service. In the discussions on the subject of rubrical conformity so prevalent just now the clergy naturally look to such individuals as this eminent prelate for advice and assistance to guide them, and in the present instance they will certainly not be disappointed. In the first division of his work the Bishop has pointed out the various cases of discrepancy which exist in the performance of divine service. In the second division, he has shown the manner in which most of these may be obviated and removed. The whole work is drawn up with so much simplicity, clearness, and good sense, with so much kindness and candour, with such an evident desire to promote peace, good will, and harmony, without abating in the least degree either the integrity or authority of the ordinances of the Church, that it would be difficult to find a work more calculated to allay the disquiet and heat existing on the subject of rubrical observances.

Hawkstone; a Tale of and for England in 184-, 12mo. 2 vols.-There are some books which, as soon as they are taken up, arrest the attention and fix it until their contents are gone through. This is the case with the book before us. It is impossible to open it at any part without being convinced of the talent and genius of the author, his singular power of observation, and his extensive information upon all subjects of a social, moral and

religious nature. Whoever the author may be, and we do not know his name, it is very certain that he is a true patriot, a sound churchman, and a sincere and humble Christian. To class this book as a work of fiction, would be doing it an act of injustice, as it possesses far superior claims to any which can belong to a mere tale. Whilst the story is drawn out with great power, and abounds with incidents and scenes of the most striking and imaginative kind, it still must be chiefly regarded as a vehicle for conveying the thoughts and opinions of the author. In the character of Villiers, the hero or chief personage in the work, is delineated the conduct and course of action which ought to be pursued by a firm and consistent friend of his country, and, still more, by a sincere and zealous member of the Church of England, who is desirous to carry out her rules and ordinances in all their bearings; it is by acting up to her admirable and compre hensive scheme for promoting the temporal and eternal welfare of her members that, in the author's opinion, the means are provided for preserving the country from the evils which threaten its security, and for arresting the threatening torrent of profligacy, vice, and irreligion.

It is quite impossible to do justice to such a work in our brief limits, or to notice more than a very few of its more striking points. Among these last are certainly to be classed the singular and very extraordinary proceedings of the Roman Catholics, and more particularly the Jesuits, in this country, which are alluded to in this work. Whether they are only introduced as forming a portion of the story, or whether they are intended to be understood in truth and soberness, we know not. At any rate, they are very startling, and we hope may serve as a warning.

Alphabets, Numerals, and Devices, of the Middle Ages, by Henry Shaw, F.S.A. Royal 8vo. Parts 7, 8, 9, and 10.—This work is not only very beautiful and inter

esting, but moreover very useful; for, on the principle that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, so, if we attempt to imitate the forms of ancient art, it is desirable that we should be correct and exact, as well in justice to the style itself as to ensure our own success. Now, a text-book of genuine specimens of ancient calligraphy was a deficiency and in this respect, therefore, Mr. Shaw's work becomes one of real utility, in the present revived taste for early models of design. The dates he is able to supply to each specimen furnish the principal information that is required, and will render the series, when chronologically arranged, a most interesting study.

The Ecclesiastical Architecture of Great Britain from the Conquest to the Reformation; illustrated by Views, Plans, Elevations, Sections, and Details, &c. By Henry Bowman, Architect. Imperial Quarto. Parts I. to XI.-It is pleasing to observe the improvement in works of this description, as well as the increased share of patronage which they now receive. There are some series of views of churches published from thirty to fifty years ago, which are merely landscape views,-a character which, by the bye, applies to too many of the prints that, with higher pretensions as works of art, are put forward as real views of places in modern publications. Such things may sometimes be very well as souvenirs, but are entirely useless for any architectural or scientific purpose. In a series of views of churches, taken without regard to the prominent

features of architectural interest, a great sameness will ever be found, and very little interest can be maintained. The example of a better mode of treatment has been given by the Oxford Architectural Society, and we have also recently had other valuable works of this kind, particularly the Churches of Yorkshire and of Lincolnshire. The work before us has the advantage of an ample page, which enables the author to maintain a distinctness of detail which a smaller scale would not admit. Plans of the churches are given, exterior and interior views, interesting features of construction or ornament, and several coloured prints of painted windows and tiles. The churches already illustrated are, Norbury, co. Derby; Lambley, co. Nottingham; Castle-Rising, co. Norfolk; Chaddesley Corbet, co. Worc.; Long Ashton, co. Somerset ; and Radford, co. Glouc.; each of them occupying two numbers, excepting the last, which is complete in one. For the first four numbers, Mr. James Hadfield, architect, was associated in the authorship, but he then retired.

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

Antiquitates Tinemuthenses: a History of the Monastery of S. Oswin, King and Martyr, at Tynemouth within the Diocess of Durham. By WILLIAM SIDNEY GIBsoN, Esq. F.S.A. Barrister-at-Law, &c. This work will be highly illustrated, and illuminated with embellishments designed by Mr. Henry Shaw, F.S.A. It is to form two thick quarto volumes, and the price not to exceed Six Guineas.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

Mr. Goldwin Smith, demy of Magdalen College, has been elected to the vacant Scholarship on the foundation of Dean Ireland. Mr. Smith obtained the Latin Scholarship in 1842. There were sixteen candidates. Magdalen College has now two Ireland scholars, Mr. Conington hav. ing been elected last year.

March 10. Dr. Kidd, the Regius Professor of Medicine, having resigned the office of Lecturer in Anatomy, the Dean of Christ Church, in whose gift that appointment is vested, has nominated Henry Wentworth Acland, esq. M.A. Fellow of All Souls (and formerly of Christ Church), to be the Anatomical Lecturer on the foundation of Dr. Matthew Lee.

March 11. Mr. Henry Barnes Byrne, scholar of Oriel College, was elected to the University Latin Scholarship. There were thirty-six candidates.

March 13. The degree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred by decree of Convocation on the Rev. J. Medley, M.A. of Wadham College, who has been nominated to the Bishopric of New Brunswick.

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

Jan. 15.-SMITH'S PRIZEMEN: 1. Ds. Thomson, St. Peter's College, Second Wrangler. 2. Ds. Parkinson, St. John's College, Senior Wrangler.

March 5. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred by Royal Mandate on James Chapman, M.A. of King's College (Bishop of Ceylon, Elect); and on Charles John Vaughan, M.A. of Trinity College (Master of Harrow School).

March 7. Two of the eight scholarships founded by the Rev. William Bell, D.D. Prebendary of Westminster, for the sons or orphans of clergymen, were adjudged as follows to John Llewellyn Davies, and

ROYAL CORPORATION OF THE
LITERARY FUND.

March 12. The annual meeting of the members of this Institution was held in the chambers of the corporation, Great Russell-street, Sir William Chatterton, Bart. in the chair. The report stated that the sum dispensed during the past year to distressed authors and their families was 9557. and that the total amount applied to this purpose since the formation of the Society was 31,1837. Her Majesty had granted the institution the privilege of bearing the imperial crown, with the title of the "Royal Corporation of the Literary Fund." The Marquess of Lansdowne was re-elected President, and the vacancy caused by the death of the Earl of Mount norris was filled by the appointment of the Archbishop of Dublin. Charles Dickens, esq. Fraser Tytler, esq. the Rev. Dr. Mill, Sir Harris Nicolas, Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, William Brockedon, esq. and Edward Gandy, esq. were elected members of the committee.

EGYPTIAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION.

This Society has published the first number of its proceedings for the year 1842, 4to. Alexandria, entitled, Miscellanea Ægyptiaca, Vol. I. Part I. It contains an account of the foundation of the Association; followed by several papers of interest. Among them a Tour to Bubastis, Sebennytus, and Menzaleh, by Sir Gardner Wilkinson; an archæological journey in this direction.-Some interesting Extracts of a Journal of Travels in Abyssinia, 1840-42, by J. G. Bell.-An Excursion in the Eastern Part of Lower Egypt, by M. E. Prisse, written in a lively and instructive manner.-Notes on the Sennar, and Observations on the Climate of Egypt, by Dr. Verdot.

THE PARKER SOCIETY.

Three of the books for 1844 have been delivered; these are-The Two Liturgies, Catechism, &c. of King Edward VI., Sermons of Bishop Latimer, and Works of Bishop Coverdale. The Prayers and other Pieces of Thomas Becon, the fourth and concluding volume, is nearly printed. GENT. MAG, VOL. XXIII.

The books in preparation for 1845, areA Second Series of the Zurich Letters, the Remains of Bishop Latimer, a large volume of Bishop Jewell's Works, and a large volume of Devotional Poetry of tha reign of Queen Elizabeth; or, another volume of Bishop Coverdale's Works.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

A material change has occurred in this society. It had been felt for some years past that the presidential chair should not always be filled by the same individual, however well suited he might be for the position. After mature deliberation this view was adopted by the council, and in consequence Mr. Walker, who had for ten years ably performed the duties of President, signified his intention of retiring from the post. At the annual general meeting he was, however, re-elected, but, on his stating that his intention of withdrawing remained unchanged, an adjourned meeting was held, at which Sir John Rennie was elected president, supported by the following council: Messrs. W. Cubitt, J. Field, J. M. Rendel, and J. Simpson, vice-presidents; Messrs. Brunel, B. Cubitt, Giles, Locke, Lowe, Miller, Mylne, Sibley, Stephenson, and Taylor, members; and Grissell and Murray, associates.

On taking the chair for the first time, on the 4th Feb. Sir John Rennie addressed the meeting. After thanking the members for the honour conferred upon him, and paying a well-merited compliment to Mr. Walker, he remarked, "When we look around us, and see the vast strides which our profession is making on every side, and the deservedly high place it holds in public estimation, we cannot but feel justly proud; for, without the slightest disparagement of the pursuits and duties of other professions, I may confidently ask where can we find nobler or more elevated pursuits than our own, whether it be to interpose a barrier against the raging ocean, and provide an asylum for our fleets, or to form a railway, and, by means of that wonderful machine the locomotive engine, to bring nations together, annihilating, as it were, both space and time; or to construct the mighty steam-vessel which, alike regardless of winds or waves, urges onwards its resistless course; or to curb and bring within proper bounds the impetuous torrent, converting its otherwise destructive waves to our use and benefit, whether for navigation, trade, or domestic comfort; or, again, the drainage of the unwholesome marsh and converting it into fields of waving corn; or illuminating our cities with gas, changing, as it were, night into day; or the fabrication of machinery 3 F