LIST OF EMBELLISHMENTS TO THE VOLUME. Those marked (*) are Vignettes. Ancient Municipal Seal of Youghal, co. Cork PAGE 9 Roman Inscription of Claudius Paulinus, found at Housesteads, on the 156 164 *Moulded Brick, exhibiting the Pelham Buckle at Laughton Place, Sussex. *Octagonal Stair-Turret ; and Brick Cornice, covered with Ornamental *Examples of Anglo-Saxon Buckets from Xanten in Prussia; Kingston Down, Kent; the Valley of the Eaulne, Normandy; Wilbraham, in Cambridgeshire; and Envermeu, in Normandy *Anglo-Saxon Handles to bags or purses 374 376 618 619 PREFACE. 4 G3 AGAIN the period has arrived to address a few words to our Friends and Correspondents. And, in the first place, it has been gratifying to us to have to record, during the last half-year, that our successes in the war into which the ambition of Russia so unprovokedly plunged us have been very considerable, and have inflicted a terrible blow on our enemy. The fate of Sebastopol, so long protracted by the obstinate defence of the Russians, has at length by the valour of the allied forces been decided, and that stronghold has fallen into our hands; thus setting at rest the long-disputed question as to the impregnability of this formidable fortress. The hostile armies in the Crimea are now watching each other from their winter quarters; and a few weeks will see them renew their deadly struggle, unless the negotiations which it is said that Austria and Prussia are entering upon will bring about an accommodation, and put an end to the waste of blood and treasure. But, should the war continue, the justice of our cause bids us look forward with hope to the ultimate, though perhaps remote, result, in the triumph of our arms, and an honourable and lasting peace. In the meanwhile it is gratifying to think that our brave troops at the seat of war, far from undergoing the horrors of last winter, now possess all the comforts that a grateful nation can supply. The fall of Kars, after an heroic and obstinate defence by General Williams and the brave Turks under his command, is a drawback on our triumphs, the importance of which we are not disposed to underrate; but it is the only serious reverse we have yet met with, and we hope will soon be counterbalanced by fresh triumphs. The return visit of our gracious Queen to her imperial neighbour and ally is an event of the greatest interest and significance; nor is that of the enlightened and constitutional King of Sardinia to Her Majesty of less importance, and we anticipate great results from the prominent part which the monarch of this (now) small state has taken in the affairs of Europe. It has afforded us pleasure to record the increased attention paid to antiquarian and archæological pursuits, and to see new associations for promoting these objects start up in all our provinces. When these associations were not, our humble endeavours always tended to encourage the preservation of our architectural remains, and the study of archæology in general; and it is with pride and satisfaction that we yet point to our pages as containing an authentic record of the proceedings of these interesting societies. One word more, and we have done :-A time of war is notoriously most unfavourable to literature, which is essentially and entirely of peaceful growth; which flourishes best within the shadow of the olive, and hangs her head at the withering blast of the trumpet; nor amid the general depression have we passed unscathed; but we trust that our readers have found in our pages the same amount of interest and instruction which it has been our lot to afford them and their forefathers for so many years. GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE AND HISTORICAL REVIEW. JULY, 1855. CONTENTS. MINOR CORRESPONDENCE.-Family of Mayo-Tradesmen's Tokens of Yorkshire-Tapestry of the Prodigal Son-The Flagon at Little Gidding-All Bishops not Lords-Archæological Meeting at Peterborough.. .... Mrs. Green's Lives of the Princesses: Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia Vasco Nunez de Balboa .... Medieval London: The City Gates - Ludgate Prison - London Bridge-Guild- ...... PAGE ... 2 3 9 11 19 21 29 34 36 41 43 47 50 54 .... .... Letter of Aaron Burr, on the foundation of Princeton College, New Jersey HISTORICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS REVIEWS.-The Revised Liturgy of 1689, 73; Dis- Registrar-General's Returns of Mortality in the Metropolis-Markets, 111; Meteorological Br SYLVANUS URBAN, GENT. although sombre and melancholy in disposition, and not a man whose character contained any elements of greatness, was affectionately attached to her. She had also some valuable friends in her household; but a taint of her father's foible of profuseness was continually bringing her into trouble. James allowed her four thousand pounds a-year, and payments in the palatinate made her income up to six thousand five hundred pounds per annum; but no income would have kept her out of debt. "Everybody robs her," is the testimony of one of her household, "even to the clothes and jewels she wears; and she gives not of herself or from liberality, but through importunities, complaints, and tears. I have now put things in order, but by the time I have been away a month they will be as bad as ever.' Elizabeth kept up a continual intercourse with the English Court, and especially with her old friends the Harringtons, and all their connections. They frequently went to visit her, and all distinguished English people made it a point to pay their court to the Electress Palatine whenever it was possible. They were sure of a most friendly reception. Elizabeth's heart was ever ready to open to everything English, and all English travellers concurred, on their return home, in spreading her praises, and recounting the kindliness of their reception. This tended of course to maintain her old popularity in England unimpaired. The people were kept continually well informed of every thing which happened to her, and the streets of London blazed as brightly with bonfires, and the bells rang as merrily, when any joyful tidings arrived from the palatinate, as if the incidents alluded to had occurred at home. One point in Elizabeth's character which impresses us very favourably, and which in all her troubles she never lost, was her fondness for animals. Mrs. Green tells us that, as a child, her portrait was taken with a w on one shoulder, a parrot on ther, a little love-bird on her and a monkey and a dog at her letter here published describes yal lady as amusing herself in the morning with her monkeys and her little son. They do make very good sport," says Mrs. Apsley, "and her highness very merry." Sixteen or seventeen little dogs and monkeys seem to have been about her ordinary staff of animal attendants. Above all things she delighted in a fine horse, and, long after she had ceased to have a foot of land of her own to ride over, she was most anxious to keep together an excellent stud, and to exhibit the perfection of her equestrian talents amongst the staid citizens and boors of the United Provinces. But that which was really the ruin of Elizabeth and all connected with her, was her ambition. She had been bred up in the belief that she was to be a queen. Matches of minor dignity had been declined on her behalf simply because James had set his heart upon having all his children married to the highest dignities of Europe. When the troubles of Germany offered an opportunity for the realisation of this long-treasured notion, and the crown of Bohemia was tendered to her husband, she never hesitated in urging his acceptance of it. Many persons in England, amongst them Archbishop Abbot, unfortunately encouraged her weak ambition. She excited herself by the idea that by her husband's taking the offered crown the cause of Protestantism would have been advanced, and that of Romanism depressed; and when her solemn husband hesitated she rallied him, half playfully, half reproachfully, with the remark, that he should not have married a king's daughter if he had not the courage to become himself a king. Mrs. Green enters minutely into the glories of Elizabeth's life as a queen. The splendour of her entry into Prague, the magnificence of her coronation, her influence with the citizens, and the various gifts received by her in anticipation of the birth of the little Prince Rupert, afterwards so well known in the history of our civil wars-fill pages which evidence great research, and will be read with interest. It was at Prague, during her short queendom, that Sir Henry Wotton paid Elizabeth the visit which called forth those exquisite lines, "You meaner beauties of the night." Her short and melancholy sovereignty soon came to an end. The |