ing, that it would be an easier task for me to write a long article for our Transactions, than to satisfy my feelings in thanking you in suitable terms for the hearty manner in which you have been pleased to drink my health, in connection with that of my brother historian, and for your cordial wishes of success to us in our topographical pursuits. To the title of an antiquary I certainly venture to lay some claim; but I very honestly confess to you that, when I consider the advantages and facilities of access to unpublished, and in many instances unexplored records, which I have possessed, I can only look upon myself as an idle antiquary at the best. A brief enumeration of a few of these facilities and advantages may not be uninteresting to many whom I have the honour to address; but, at all events, it will be peculiarly suitable to the occasion which has called us together, and will prove the charge which I have made against myself, of remissness in my vocation.

"In the first place-in the LIBRARY of the Dean and Chapter of Durham,(of which I have the honour to bear the key, and in which it will at all times afford me great pleasure to receive you or any of your friends, on purposes of literature or curiosity,) to pass by the numerous manuscripts, many of them far above a thousand years old, which have no peculiar tendency to illustrate our public or local history, but which afford, nevertheless, so many excellent specimens of the arts of writing and illuminating at their early period; there are here presented the united topographical treasures of Hunter, Randall, and Allan, men who devoted their long lives to the illustration of the the county and diocese of Durham; and each, in his time, gave permanency to many a valuable record now lost or destroyed. This rich collection of topographical lore, liberally purchased by the Chapter at different times, has lately been catalogued for the purposes of reference, and is accessible under certain proper rules and conditions, with which he who is influenced by right motives and a public purpose will find it easy to comply. I say nothing of the inspiration which an antiquary must feel upon contemplating the numerous collection of Roman altars and inscriptions which the Library contains, or of the assistance which he may receive in his studies from the valuable printed books of which it can boast, but proceed to

"The TREASURY; a treasury indeed, of stores so varied, that I find it no easy matter to give even a brief outline of its

ntents. I think of an unbroken series of royal charters, with perfect seals, extending from the time of William the Con

queror to Henry VIII., consisting of not merely one such document under each reign, but of many; of a similar series of deeds and seals (splendid in execution), of archbishops of York and bishops of Durham for the same period; of deeds and seals of almost every see and monastery, not only in England, but in Scotland and Ireland, and of an immense mass of documents proceeding from laymen of every rank, from the prince to the peasant, during the five first centuries after the Conquest. Of this latter class, many appear to have been deposited here as in a place of safe custody, during the wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Their owners, doubtless, died on the field of battle, during that long and memorable period of internal strife, and for some reason or other they were never reclaimed. There is also a box of very valuable original let ers, chiefly during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, many of them from kings or members of the royal family; some of them upon matters of general interest; and to most of them copies of the answers are preserved. I need not enlarge upon the light which such documents as those I have been enumerating must of necessity cast, not only upon the private history of individuals of name and fame, but upon the public history of the kingdom. To the northern topographer they present an inexhaustible mine of precious stores; and to the public historianto the inquirer into our ancient manners, and customs, and laws-they can supply abundant matter, not less new than valuable. It is from this repository, most liberally thrown open to him, that Mr. Surtees has enriched his History of Durham, with matter to which he was the first topographer who ever enjoyed an unlimited access. From this repository are engraved all the splendid seals with which that book is embellished; and the guardians of these treasures have the satisfaction of knowing that their names will go down to posterity, in close connection with the most magnificent specimens of County topography of which England can boast, and of which they have been the chief promoters. But with the Treasury I have not yet done. Here is also preserved an immense collection of yearly rolls of receipts and expences, not only of the more important functionaries of the convent, from a period anterior to the year 1300, but of all its interior officers, including annual returns of a similar nature, from all the cells scattered over the north of England, which were accountable to Durham as the mother church. Nothing can exceed the accuracy with which these documents are drawn up; and certainly, nothing can exceed the minute and valuable

information which they afford, whether in a statistical or philological point of view. Setting aside the interest which they are capable of exciting in the mind, by letting us at once into all the private history and amusements of the most opulent and dignified body of ecclesiastics in the kingdom, for the long period of two centuries and a half before the Reformation, they furnish us not only with the price of corn and cattle, and the leading conveniences and necessaries of life, but they descend to the cost of even the most trifling articles. So minute are they in their statements, that I could undertake to ascertain from them not only the price of an ox or a bushel of corn, but the cost of any one article of domestic consumption, however apparently trifling, in any given year of the period over which they extend. 1 have spoken of the philological information which these rolls afford, and upon this point I must for a moment dwell. They profess to be kept in Latin, and so they are; but in almost every line, especially under the head of disbursements, there is such an admixture of the genuine English words and phrases of their day, used apparently in consequence of the difficulty of expressing in Latin those words and phrases (in many instances peculiar to the north), that their value becomes enhanced in a twofold degree, by the light which they throw upon our mother tongue, at a time when there is a great lack of such sterling information. I have already brought to light from this repository, by the kind permission of the Chapter, the Account Rolls of the priory of Holy Island. Those of the Proctor of Norham, and the officers of the monastery of Coldingham, are now engaging my attention; and to all of these I confidently refer for the truth of my

statements.

"In the CONSISTORY COURT, to which we next come, and with which I have the honour to be officially connected, are preserved the wills, inventories, administrations, and marriage-bonds of this diocese, from an early period, together with a very valuable series of depositions taken in matters ecclesiastical, from the reign of Mary downwards. Here, again, are documents of immense value to the local historian, abounding with information relative not only to the genealogy, but to the habits, and feelings, and manners-to the very virtues and vices of our ancestors; and while, on this latter head, there is much in the books of deposition, especially, which may be charitably left to slumber in the volumes in which it is contained, there is much which, under a careful hand, might be brought forth with advantage, in illustration of the public and private history of the north of England.

There is, for instance, a long series of depositions on the subject of the rebellion of the earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland in 1569, which have never yet seen the light; and there are depositions which, in their date and minuteness, at once take us back three centuries, and place us at once in the very centre of the domestic privacy and virtues of the families to which they refer. To the infinite credit of the officers of the Consistory Court, there has been no period within the last twenty years, (I speak from personal and grateful experience, long before I became officially connected with it,) when he who had a public and not a private object in view, was called upon to pay one farthing for the information of which he stood in need; and it gives me great pleasure to state, for your information, that the same liberality is persevered in to its fullest extent.

The

In the LIBRARY OF BISHOP COSIN, at which we next arrive, are preserved the manuscript collections of Mickleton and Spearman, in upwards of a hundred volumes (I speak from memory), abounding with the most valuable topographical information relative to the counties of Durham and Northumberland; for the purchase of which, at a considerable price, and for a comprehensive Catalogue of their contents, compiled by Sir Henry Ellis, at his expense, the memory of the late Bishop of Durham will always be justly dear to the northern historian, for whose especial use they were brought back to Durham, by that munificent patron of local and general literature. manuscripts which this library previously possessed are not numerous, but among them may be found two of the highest local interest; the first, the original, for such I verily believe it to be, of SYMOVN DUNELMENSIS, a book which deserves to be printed in its literatim state, as it now stands, not only as a very valuable specimen of the contractions in use at that early period, but as a test to which the various editions of this most important author may be applied. It might probably appear, that serious mistakes have been made by his different editors, in their elongation of his words; but at all events, be this as it may, at the present day, when we have type ad annessim, I, for one, should be delighted to see Symeon under his own hand. An edition of this character, and from this self-same MS., was in contemplation a few years ago, under all the encouragement which the name and sanction of the late Bishop of Durham could give: but his death put a stop to the proceeding. The second, a very early transcript of the Philobiblon of Richard Bury, Bishop of Durham, and

Lord High Chancellor of England during the reign of Edward the Third, on the subject of books, their value and their importance to the world. Bury may be fairly classed as the first bibliomaniac upon record, in the best and wisest sense of the word, not only in the north of England, but in England at large; and it may be of importance to state, that there is in Bishop Cosin's Library an early copy of his singular treatise, which has never been collated. Over Chaucer and Lidgate, and the early MS. copies of those portions of their works which this Library contains, equally unknown to the editors of these authors, I pass hastily, and proceed to

"THE EXCHEQUER,-the place in which are preserved the records of the see of Durham in its temporal capacity, from the reign of Edward the Second to the present time, in Books, Close Rolls, Inquisitions post mortem, Proceedings in Chancery, and Halmot Courts, and every other department of the Palatinate franchise; but, most especially, a long series of yearly Account Rolls of the great and inferior officers of the see, extending downwards, with a few interruptions, from the time of Bishop Beck, who died in 1311. Here, again, is a rich mine of unexplored treasure, illustrative of the public and private history of the Bishops of Durham in long succession, and of their ecclesiastical and military transactions. Here, too, are Fabric Rolls, referring to the castles of Durham, Bishop-Middleham, Stockton, Auckland, and Norham, especially the latter, which, as it was situated upon the very march of Scotland, stood frequently in need of repairs. The particulars which these rolls afford, relative to armour and ammunition, sent to Norham from time to time, are beyond measure interesting, and will form a prominent feature, under Norham, of the work in which I am engaged.

"I come now to documents of another nature. I need not dwell upon the gratification it affords me to mention here publicly, in the presence of so many scientific gentlemen capable of appreciating the value of the discovery, that, in the course of inquiries after other objects, it has been my good fortune to meet in this repository with not one, but many rolls of the fifteenth century, expressly confined to mining or smelting operations within the manors of the see. Some treat of lead, others of iron, others of coals, and each developes the plan then in use for getting at those minerals, and turning them to profit. Never was there a time when the public attention in the North of England was more intensely directed to mining speculations than the present. Art and machinery are now apparently at their high

est pitch. How interesting must it be, by way of contrast, to consider the simple plans of our ancestors, as they are brought to light by these records, and meditate upon the improvements and discoveries which have since been made from time to time, till we have arrived at perfection. I see opposite to me one gentleman, in particular, who has devoted a long life to scientific pursuits (the Rev. W. Turner). He, for one, knows the value of such data as these in tracing the progress of science. I beg pardon, Mr. Chairman, for having so long occupied the attention of the Society, but I was anxious to convict myself of remissness in my occupation, and to supply evidence against myself for the purpose. I can only promise, however, if my health is spared to me, to make a better use of my time. I thank you, with great sincerity, for the honour you have done me in drinking my health, and for the great patience with which you have listened to me."

66

The health of Robert Surtees, Esq. the Historian of the County Palatine of Durham, was next drunk with enthusiasm. Mr. Raine briefly returned thanks for Mr. Surtees, who was absent. *

PYRAMID OF CHEOPS.

At the Duke of Sussex's first conversazione was exhibited a magnificent model of the great Pyramid of Cheops, composed of 43,000 pieces of cork, together with a vertical section, in which it was shown that the pyramid was built not only upon, but round a rock, which it is stated rose to the height of 130 feet in the centre of the Pyramid, and has on its apex what is called the Queen's Chamber. The Pyramid was originally covered with plaster or mortar, which made the surface even, and thus rendered the ascent so difficult, as to be accounted by the ancients as a great feat. This having now fallen off, the ascent is comparatively easy.

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GREEK TOMB.

A tomb, contiguous to the high road, near the village of Boudgia, was recently opened. It is a sarcophagus, formed of a single stone of curious form and workmanship, and supposed to belong to the second or third century. It measured 64 feet long, by 14, and its depth equal to its width. The skeleton it contained was in excellent preservation.

It was on this very day, (Wednesday, Feb. 5th,) that Mr. Surtees, having been for nearly a week unwell, took a last solemn farewell of his Library, and retired to his bed-room to die. This melancholy event took place on the Tuesday following, (see p. 410).

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Feb. 20. The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the King's Speech, Mr. Littleton brought forward an important motion, relating to TITHES in IRELAND. After some preliminary remarks, the Hon. Member proposed that the composition and commutation of tithes should entirely cease after the 1st of November; that his Majesty should, after that period, be empowered to impose a land-tax, which land-tax should be redeemable; and that so much of it as remained unredeemed at the end of five years should become a rent-charge on the land, abating one-fifth from the amount of the present valuation of tithes the charge to be collected from the occupying tenant, and the tenant to be entitled to deduct the same from his rent.-Mr. H. Grattan moved, as an amendment, that compensation should be made to persons having vested interests in tithes, by means of a land-tax to be regulated by Parliament. After some discussion, the House divided, when there were for the amendment, 42; for the original motion, 219.

Feb. 21. The Marquis of Chandos called the attention of the House to the present distressed state of the agricultural interest. His Lordship proceeded to observe, that last year the Government had thought proper to appoint a Committee, and the report which had been drawn up went along with him in establishing the fact of the existence of distress among the agricultural classes. He knew land, which fifteen years ago let at 35s. an acre, and was now reduced so low as 78. and 14s. His Lordship proceeded to show that the agriculturist was more heavily taxed than the trader, especially through the operation of the poor laws; and contended that it was not fair, after relieving the householder from the house tax, that we should require the farmer to continue paying the window and the malt tax. The abolition of the malt tax was the relief for which he applied. He implored the House not to separate without assuring the farmers that their case should not be neglected, and concluded by moving a resolution, declaring that due regard should be paid to the distressed state of agriculture, in any reduction of taxation that might be proposed. The Chancellor of the Exchequer admitted the existence of distress in the agricultural districts, and expressed him

self most anxious for their relief. The most effectual way of relieving agriculture, however, was not by removing the malt tax, but by lightening the burdens of the manufacturer, so as to increase the demand for agricultural produce. For these reasons, his Lordship concluded by expressing his determination to resist the motion. After considerable discussion, the House divided, when the resolution of the Marquis of Chandos was negatived by a majority of 206 to 202.

Sir E. Knatchbull moved that the order of the day for appointing a Committee to consider of the charges preferred by Mr. O'Connell against Baron Smith, should be discharged.—Mr. Robinson seconded the motion. Mr. Stanley opposed it, as he did not consider that the appointment of a Committee would fix any charge upon Baron Smith.-Mr. Shaw (of Dublin) strongly opposed the motion, as an unwarantable interference with the independence of judges.-Mr. O'Connell declared his determination of resisting the present motion, and trusted the House would do the same, unless it were prepared to stultify its proceedings. The debate ran to considerable length, and finally terminated in a division, which left Ministers in a minority of 6, the numbers being, for the motion, 161; against it, 155.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Feb. 25. Lord Dacre and other Lords presented petitions from different bodies of Dissenters, praying to be relieved from existing disabilities, and some of them for the separation of Church and State.

The Duke of Richmond, after noticing the great increase of county rates throughout the country, and the necessity of adopting inquiry into that subject with a view to reform, proposed the appointment of a Select Committee for the purpose. The motion was agreed to.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, the same day, Lord J. Russell obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the relief of persons dissenting from the Church of England in regard to the celebration of Marriages. The noble Lord stated that the mode of procuring a licence was to be the same as at present, and the licence having been granted, notice of that fact was to be sent to the clergyman of the parish, and the Dissenting Minister, on

marrying the parties, would record the marriage in his registry. The proposed Bill would be equally applicable to Roman Catholics as to Protestant Dissenters, and, in future, parties married in England by Roman Catholic priests, would not have it in their power to separate, either from caprice or interest.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Feb. 26. On the motion of Mr. Ferguson, the Bill for extending the FRANCHISE OF WARWICK to Leamington Priors was read a second time; after which, Mr. Benett moved the second reading of the LIVERPOOL FREEMEN DISFRANCHISEMENT BILL, which called forth an extended discussion, Lord Sandon having moved as an amendment that it be read a second time that day six months. The amendment was negatived on a division, the numbers being, for it, 38; against it, 190. The Bill was then read a second time.

Feb. 27. Sir W. Ingilby rose to move that the House resolve itself into a Committee, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of partially or totally repealing the DUTY on MALT. The annual amount of the malt tax (28. 7d. per bushel) was 4,845,000l. To raise a sum to cover this amount, he proposed to put a tax of 6s. on every barrel of strong beer brewed by the public brewers, which would amount to 1,500,000l.; and an additional tax on all foreign wine, excepting Cape. He should also propose an additional tax of 2s. 6d. on gin, which would realise the sum of 2,500,000l. His next proposition was that each proprietor of the London hells should pay 10001. for a licence. He also proposed an ad valorem tax on titles-from the Duke down to the Knight-which he calculated would produce 120,000Z. The Hon. Member's speech, which was highly humourous, was received with bursts of laughter.-Lord Althorp opposed the motion, as one calculated to lead to no good results. On a division there appeared for the motion, 170; against it, 271.

On the motion of Mr. Sinclair, a Select Committee was appointed to inquire into the right of Church patronage in Scotland.

Mr. S. Rice brought in a Bill to abolish Tithes in Ireland, and to substitute a land-tax in lieu thereof.-Read a first time.

Feb. 28. The House went into a Committee of SUPPLY, when it was stated that the Army estimates were the lowest that had been presented since the Irish Union, there being a reduction of 8000 men, and a total saving of 305,000l. After some discussion, the estimates were agreed to.

an

Mr. Buckingham brought forward a motion for a Select Committee to inquire into the practicability of devising some plan as a substitute for forcible impressment. Sir J. Graham moved, as amendment, for leave to bring in a Bill, the chief features of which are to be a general registration of merchant seamen, and the selection of a certain number of them for the service of his Majesty's navy by ballot, instead of by forcible impressment still, however, reserving the power of forcible impressment in cases of extreme emergency. On a division, there appeared for the original motion, 130; for the amendment, 218.

March 5. On the second reading of the BOROUGH of STAFFORD DISFRANCHISEMENT BILL, there appeared for the motion, 167; against it, 5.

Mr. Brougham obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the general Registry of Deeds; and Mr. Murray brought in a Bill for the repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Act.

March 6. Mr. Hume brought forward a motion for the repeal of the CORN LAWS. The mode in which the Hon. Member proposed to accomplish his object, was to commence with a duty of 10s. to be lowered one shilling each year till the trade became free. He concluded by moving, that the House do resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House to consider of the corn-laws, and of substituting, instead of the present graduated scale of duties, a fixed and moderate duty on the import at all times of foreign corn into the United Kingdom. Sir James Graham opposed the motion, on the ground that it would prove the ruin of the whole mass of agricultural labourers. -Mr. E. Buller was favourable to the motion, and thought that the intention of the corn-laws had totally failed. The debate was then adjourned.

Lord Althorp moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the repeal of the HOUSE TAX. He stated that the extent of the relief this Bill would afford to the public, amounted to no less a sum than 1,170,0007., and that he should give relief to 62,000 houses that contributed to the house and not to the