collision with the garrison, with the deplorable results detailed below. No answer appears to this statement.

"And than the saide undersherif with the saide other obedyent persones repayred unto the saide howse wherin the seid Thomas Barbour withe the otheir rebelliouse persones aforesayde withe hym weare their riotouslye assembled to the nombre of xvj persones, and dyd make proclamacion at the yates of the sayde howse (beyng then fast locked and barred withe barres and undersett withe greate logges and trees) in your most gracyouse name that they shuld come owte therof and suffre hym to execute your sayde gracyouse wrytte of restitution; but they that utterlye refused and denyed to doo. So that the saide undersherif was ffayne to entre in at a broken wall besides the yates of the saide howse for to execute your sayde wrytte of restitucion. And then the sayde Thomas Barbour and the other malefactours aforsayde dyd not oulye throwe owte of the sayde howse scalldyng water and greate stones upon the sayde undersherif and

upon such other persones as theder dyd come withe the sayde undersherif in his ayde, butt dyd also shoote dyverse and manny arrowes at them and strooke some of them thorowe the sleves of their cootes, some of the arrows lighte upon their staffes in mennes hondes, and dyverse escaped the shoote of the arrowes withe greate dawnger; butt emongste otheir they dyd stryke oone of them called Nicholas Allcock oone weaver into the hedd, upon the whiche shoote and stripe the saide Nicholas dyd lye att the mercye of God specheles a great season and likelye to dye and nott to escape, as the surgyans dyd than sey and testyfie, onles the mercye of God relevyd hym, withe manny otheir dawngers of lyves that the saide Thomas Barbour and his rebelliouse adherentes dyd putt the sayd sherif and his compenye in, and specyallye at the entrynge in to the sayde howse, as by ffoyneng owte at wyndowes and doores withe spittes, picheforkes, and otheir weapons defensible, to the perilouse example," &c.

Yours, &c.

MR. URBAN,-As to the proposal of a General Catalogue of Printed Books in the British Museum, arranged according to subject, it is confessedly a most desirable addition to the New Reading Room. But there appear to me to be several serious difficulties attending its accomplishment.

I. The Catalogues are various :1. The General Printed Catalogue, with MS. Additions.

This is arranged, like all the others, under the names both of authors and subjects. Thus many subjects will be found without the name of the author, as is the case in hundreds of pamphlets during the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was inexpedient and even dangerous to give a name. They are chiefly political and theological. Here also will be found the immense collection of pamphlets, sermons, broadsides, &c. written and collected during the Civil Wars, from 1640 to 1660, and commonly known, though erroneously, under the title of "The King's Pamphlets." These are arranged in this Catalogue under both author and subject. Thus a battle or event at Bath will be found under Bath, and again perhaps under the name of the General who commanded at it. Again, the biographical particulars relative to Burton and his works will be found under Burton. Some others perhaps under Anglia, Ecclesia, Parliament, or Carolus I. This Catalogue has a distinct set of pressmarks,, by which alone the books can be found.

J. B.

2. The New General MS. Catalogue.

Bound in blue, with general divisions of subject,--as Biblia, Great Britain, Periodical Publications, &c. With indexes to the several general divisions. This has only been commenced within the last few years, and is a decided improvement on the former Catologue. It is continually increasing. This is also distinguished by a distinct set of press-marks.

3. The King's Library Catalogue. This has a distinct set of press-marks. Tickets should be headed " King's Library."

4. The Grenville Library Catalogue.

This is in two parts, and has numerous manuscript additions. Both parts are required for reference. There are indexes to both. This has a distinct set of pressmarks. Tickets should be headed "Grenville Library."

5. The King's Pamphlets Catalogue.

This is in manuscript, and recently made. The collection consists of the pamphlets which belonged to the library of George III. and came into the Museum with the "King's Library," but were kept separate, and never catalogued till recently. They have a separate set of pressmarks. Tickets should be headed "King's Pamphlets."

Now here several difficulties present themselves:

By what means could a Catalogue ac

cording to subject be constructed; which should distinguish

1. Subject and title, without author's

name.

2. Subject and title, with author's name. 3. The collection, library, and catalogue in which the book is to be found. If more than one, which they are.

4. The various press-marks of the several catalogues where the book is to be found.

5. The heading required for the ticket. Watt, in the construction of his Bibliotheca Britannica, found the first and second of these difficulties, and it led him to the expedient of his two volumes of Subjects, and his page-numbers and letters of

reference to his two volumes of Authors.

This was the only plan which could be pursued; but he had to deal with a General Catalogue. Here, however, we have to deal with five distinct and separate Catalogues of as many separate and distinct libraries or collections, kept thus distinct by the wills of the donors; and which, therefore, cannot be combined into one collection, of which a general catalogue, either of subjects or authors, or both, might be made. Hence the necessity of a separate set of press-marks for each catalogue, and the advantage to the reader in heading the ticket with the name of the library where the book is to be found, in saving of time in the search for it; since the ticket will immediately go to the library to which it belongs. This especially concerns particular editions; since that required may exist in only one out of

the five libraries.

I have purposely omitted to notice the Folio Catalogue, Letter A, printed in 1841, as it was a confessed failure, and is never used.

It appears to me that there is no way out of this difficulty, except it be one too complicated for popular use. For example, take the subject of Agriculture. Suppose a reader to require the same book by the same author, with or without a name, but of various editions. He would have to make out tickets with different pressmarks, from a general catalogue of subjects, each of which must be distinguished by some mark, initials, or name, for the several libraries in which they are to be found. Now this would only add to his embarrassment; and yet, as the Museum Library is arranged, it would be unavoidable.

As to the general arrangement of subjects in such a Catalogue, that of the Encyclopedia Metropolitana might be adopted, which is accessible to all, and the divisions might be printed on a guide board, and hung up on the wall over the catalogues.

General Catalogue according to Subject.

Having now stated what I conceive would be the difficulties of the undertaking, I shall proceed to consider more in detail the desiderata of readers, and what means there are under existing circumstances of satisfying these demands.

Though the readers at the Museum are so numerous, they may be divided into two grand classes: 1. Literary; 2. Scientific. Some, and perhaps many, attend simply for amusement, but for such the Institution was not originally intended, I therefore omit them in my enumeration.

1. Literary. These are of various kinds, and they demand a supply of books of several descriptions in all languages and of all dates. History, Chronology, Geography, Biography, Topography, Voyages and Travels, Belles Lettres, Poetry, Biblical Literature, and an ample stock of Maps, Plans, Prints, Dictionaries, and Grammars.

2. Scientific. These again require books in all languages and of all dates, on every branch of science, even to the most minute discoveries of modern date. To these will have to be added all Periodical Scientific Publications, British and Foreign, with Scientific Biography, and a large supply of Plates, Drawings, Music, and Dictionaries.

The Catalogue to satisfy these demands. 1. In its first grand division it should be literary, and classified in something like the departments I here enumerated.

2. It must be in manuscript, to admit of daily accruing additions.

3. Each separate subject should have one or more volumes devoted to it. This is already partly done in the new manuscript catalogue, which may remain as it is at present; but additional volumes would have to be formed from the contents of the other catalogues, in the same manner, and their contents entered into the general indexes already existing.

4. A printed guide board should be attached to this division, stating the several volumes in which the departments would be found. Thus: Vols. Suppose.

Division I.

LITERATURE.
History
Chronology
Geography
Biography
Topography

Voyages and Travels
Belles Lettres
Poetry

Biblical Literature
Maps and Plans
Prints
Dictionaries
Grammars

This appears a large Catalogue, but it will be found rather under than over the number required.

The board should be printed in large

capitals, for distant view; under it should be placed a date box, with moveable cards. E. G. B.

Yours, &c.

MR. URBAN,-I think that the change of the present Alphabetical Catalogue at the British Museum for a Classified one, as proposed by Dr. Bell in your last Magazine, is one that ought to be considered with great care and much deliberation before it is put into execution. If I understand Dr. Bell's letter, he proposes that a classified catalogue should entirely supersede the present one. Now, although I consider that a good catalogue, on the plan suggested by Dr. Bell, would be a very acceptable acquisition to the Reading Room, and much desired by many readers, yet I believe the majority of those who frequent the Museum would prefer the catalogues at present in use to those arranged by classification of subjects.

Dr. Bell lays some stress upon the difficulty experienced by a person searching

for a book by an author of whose name he knows only the pronunciation, and not the orthography. But in a classified index a difficulty occurs as great, if not greater, than this, for many works bear titles so at variance with their contents, that a person knowing the title, but not the nature of the work, would be utterly at a loss in searching a classified catalogue.

Most frequenters of the Museum, who are engaged in genealogical and biographical pursuits, are continually looking for works published by a particular author; but if those works are upon various sub. jects, of which the inquirer is ignorant, it is vain to endeavour to discover them in any catalogue compiled on any system other than the alphabetical. N. R.

Yours, &c.

Stoke Newington, 6th Aug. 1855. MR. URBAN,-Absence from town prevented my seeing your number for July until this morning, and I am sorry to find in its pages a somewhat incorrect account of some proceedings relative to certain contemplated improvements in Boston Church. The substance of this statement originally appeared in a provincial journal of small circulation,-the "Boston and Louth Guardian ;" but as the correct account was given in the "Stamford Mercury," a paper of at least ten times the circulation of the former, the misstatement was judged unimportant; but, when the "London Illustrated News" copied the paragraph from the Guardian, this was giving it so great a circulation, that I strove to counteract it, by addressing a note dated May 10th to that paper, which, however, the Editor was not pleased to insert. I then took no further notice of the matter, considering that the Illustrated News," although a journal of great present circulation, can only be regarded as one of ephemeral notoriety; but now that the incorrect account has been embalmed in the pages of the "Gentleman's Magazine," justice to myself as well as others requires that it should be contradicted.

Many citizens of Boston, Massachusetts, now visit the parish church of St. Botolph in Boston, Lincolnshire; prompted to do so, no doubt, in a considerable degree, by the fact of the Rev. John Cotton

having so long officiated therein, and from Boston in Old England being regarded to some extent as the parent town of Boston in New England. Several of these visitors have expressed surprise that no memorial of Mr. Cotton is to be found in the church at old Boston, and more than one intimated a desire to contribute towards the erection of such a memorial.

When the funds (about £10,000) collected for the repairs of St. Botolph's church had been exhausted by those repairs, it was found that some portions of that spacious edifice were still needing reparation-among others a very elegant side chapel, now used as a vestry. In a conversation upon the subject with a gentleman holding a high position in Boston church, in July 1854, it was suggested, that this chapel would be a very excellent locality in which to place a memorial of Mr. Cotton, and it was thought probable that the descendants and friends of that excellent man in New England would assist in promoting such a design. In consequence of this conversation I wrote to the Hon. Edward Everett, of Boston, Massachusetts, requesting his opinion upou the subject. His prompt reply led us to calculate upon some assistance from New England, and a subsequent letter announced that upwards of 1,200 dollars had been subscribed at Boston for the object in view. A meeting was then held by the vicar and churchwardens of Boston, Lin

colnshire, to decide in what the direct memorial to Mr. Cotton should consist, and what other repairs the chapel should receive. Part of the plan agreed upon, consists in the restoration of a very handsome window, at the west end of the chapel, and filling the same with stained glass, with suitable inscriptions, &c. commemorative of the Rev. John Cotton, and the events with which his name is associated. This idea was communicated to our friends in the United States, and approved of by them; but it is altogether incorrect to state, that they expressed a wish, or hinted anything whatever, respecting the mode in which the Cotton memo

rial should be carried out, or the money which they had so kindly subscribed should be expended. Since then I have been advised that 1,850 dollars (about 3701.) has been subscribed in New England towards the Cotton memorial, and the work will shortly be proceeded with.

Your paragraph states that Mr. Everett's father is an Episcopal minister in Boston, Massachusetts, and that I lately received a letter from him. I have the best authority possible for stating, that Mr. Everett's father was not an Episcopal minister, and that he has been dead 53 years. Yours, &c. PISHEY THOMPSON.

Before the close of the Session, the sum of 15,000l. was voted by the House of Commons, at the suggestion of the Royal Commissioners, for the temporary erection of a building in Kensington Gore, for the reception of the national pictures and other works of art and manufactures scattered about the metropolis, until the colossal plan of a new National Gallery can be satisfactorily carried out. It is to be constructed of iron, and to cover an acre of ground. A vote of 10,0007. has also passed for the purchase of new pictures, to be repeated annually; and the following appointments, in connection with the new system of management of the National Gallery, have been ratified: Sir Charles Eastlake as Director (salary 1,0007.), Mr. Wornum as Curator (salary 7507.), and Mr. Otto Mündsler as Travelling Agent (salary 3001.) The following noblemen and gentlemen continue to act as trustees under the new system, viz. :-the Earls of Ripon and Aberdeen, the Marquess of Lansdowne, Mr. Samuel Rogers, the Duke of Sutherland, the Earl of Ellesmere, Lord Monteagle, Sir James Graham, Lord Overstone, Lord Ashburton, Mr. W. Russell, and Mr. Thomas Baring.

The estimated cost of the new Irish National Gallery is 11,000l., of which Government contributes 3,0007.; this, and the same sum next year, making 6,0001.

in all. The remaining 5,000l. is made up of the subscriptions to commemorate the public services of Mr. Dargan.

It has been announced in the House of Commons by Mr. Wilson, that the British Museum is to be opened to the public every day in the week, excepting Sunday; and that "measures had been taken to complete the Catalogue of Books as speedily as possible." We should be glad to know what measures, and what sort of catalogue.

A Commission on Decimal Coinage is confided to the hands of Lords Monteagle and Overstone and Mr. Hubbard, late Governor of the Bank of England. Instructions for their guidance are in course of preparation, and will shortly be published.

The result of the first examination for appointments in the East India Civil Service has been made known. The number of candidates who offered themselves for examination was 113. Of these there came from Cambridge University, 32; Oxford, 19; London University college, 6; King's college, 2; Harrow school, 1; other schools, 13; Trinity college, Dublin, 14; Queen's college, Cork,5; Queen's college, Galway, 2; other Irish schools, 2; Scotch Universities and Colleges, 12; other Scotch, 3; and two more educated abroad. The examination lasted for twelve

days, and the numbers of the successful candidates were-from Oxford, 8; Cambridge, 6; London University, 2; King's college, London, 1; Queen's college, Cork, 1; Queen's college, Galway, 1; Edinburgh University, 1; making a total of 20. The highest of the candidates obtained 2,254 marks; and the London University claimed him as her alumnus. The lowest of the successful candidates had 1,120. The three best English scholars were elected; the seven best classical scholars; the two best in modern foreign languages; the best in natural science, and two of the best in moral science (three were equal), but not the best nor the second in mathematics.

In a new appeal on behalf of the Wellington College, a clear and satisfactory statement is given of the past operations of the committee. It appears that a sum is available, deducting all expenses, of 109,000l. Originally it was intended to admit 100 boys, but further consideration has led the committee to propose 200 boys for the opening of the college. For this purpose an appeal for additional subscriptions is made, and has already been generously responded to, the list including the following sums, in addition to former subscriptions:-the Queen, 500l.; Prince Albert, 2507.; the King of the Belgians, 2507.; the Court of Directors of the East India Company, 5007.; Lord Hardinge, 100.; the Earl of Derby, 5007.; the Duke of Wellington, 2007.; and other sums, amounting to several thousand pounds. The immediate object of the subscription is to complete the building of the college without incurring debt. An admirable site has been purchased, on the line of the Reading and Reigate Railway, about two miles from Sandhurst. The estimate for the building and its complete furnishing is 55,000l. Towards this sum the balance in hand is 29,0007., the bulk of the funds being invested on mortgage, at 4 per cent., to provide an annual revenue for the expenses of the college. The sum of 26,000l. is therefore required towards the estimated 55,000l., exclusive of the annual sum that may be needed for extending the benefit of the college to the full number of 200 boys. The total average expenses per head would probably be under 501., or less than 10,0007. a-yeara sum which might well be included in the annual votes of Parliament, while we doubt not that the 26,0007. now asked from the public will be readily subscribed, and thus a great military school, worthy of the nation, and of the name of Wellington, be auspiciously established.

In the metropolitan school of science applied to mining and the arts, at the Museum of Practical Geology, courses of

lectures and practical demonstrations will be given on the following subjects during the session 1855-6, which will commence on the 1st of October :-Chemistry, by A. W. Hoffmann, Ph. D., F.R.S.; Metallurgy, by John Percy, M.D., F.R.S.; Natural History, by T. H. Huxley, F.R.S.; Mineralogy and Mining, by W. W. Smyth, M.A.; Geology, by A. C. Ramsay, F.R.S.; Applied Mechanics, by Robert Willis, M.A., F.R.S.; Physics, by G. G. Stokes, M.A., F.R.S.

The trustees appointed by the committee of the Edward Forbes Memorial Fund have presented to the Government School of Mines a bronze medal, to be competed for annually by students of the second year, and to be awarded to the one who shall be found most competent to apply the knowledge he has acquired in natural history to palæontology and geology. The first medal has been awarded to Mr. F. Drew, who last year obtained the Duke of Cornwall's Exhibition. The Duke of Cornwall's Exhibition, granted to the School of Mines by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, has this year been awarded to Mr. Charles Gould, a son of the eminent ornithologist.

Ten

Sir John Herschel has been elected one of the Foreign Associates of the Académie des Sciences, in room of the late M. Gauss, the distinguished mathematician. names were presented by a committee for this election, Airy, Ehrenberg, Herschel, Liebig, Mohler of Göttingen, Müller of Berlin, Murchison, Owen, and Plana of Turin. Of fifty-two members present, forty voted for Herschel.

The Chair of Natural Philosophy in the Queen's college, Cork, vacated by the return to Trinity college of Prof. Shaw, who resumes his duties as Fellow and Tutor, has been conferred upon Mr. England, the Professor of Engineering.

M. Claudet, F.R.S. of Regent-street, has received a royal warrant appointing him Photographer in Ordinary to the Queen.

Mr. Best, late of the Panopticon in London, has been appointed by the Town Council of Liverpool organist to St. George's Hall, the salary being 300l. per annum, exclusive of his services at special concerts in the hall.

Mr. Bell's statue of Walpole has been placed on its pedestal in St. Stephen's Hall in the new Palace of Westminster. It is a fine figure; and presents the burly statesman with an expression of that powerful superciliousness which characterised his face, his mind, and his system of government. This statue is the seventh now erected three other commissions are in hand. Mr. Baily is working at the