from this early song. About a century ago St. Cecilia's day was observed in a special manner by the Magdalen choir; and Addison and Yalden (of whom the former was fellow, the latter successively chorister, demy, and fellow of the college), both wrote odes, which were set to music and sung on the occasion."

With respect to the ceremony (or rather mummery) of the Boy Bishop, we must confess ourselves incredulous as to some things that are generally believed on the subject, as well as differing entirely from the arguments which Mr. Millard (p. 58) advances in its defence. We have always doubted

the supposition that the small episcopal effigy in Salisbury cathedral represented a Boy Bishop, and think it more probable that it was placed to mark the spot where the heart of some bishop of the diocese was deposited, whose body had been interred elsewhere.

It will not, we trust, be for the revival of empty ceremonials, much less of indecent mummeries, that attention will now be drawn to this youthful class of the ministers of divine things. Mr. Millard points out the abuses of the present system to be, 1. The practice which allows singing-men and boys to give their services to two or more choirs in the same day, producing a wearisome repetition; 2, rehearsals in a consecrated building, associating with it recollections of light talking, angry words, or punishment; 3, the custom of sufferring choristers to prostitute their musical powers to secular or convivial purposes; and 4, the utter abandonment of many boys as soon as their voices are broken. The remedies proposed are more efficient supervision, greater attention to the requirements of sound moral and religious instruction, and such provision for the support of the boys in their maturer years as may form a fitting sequel to their early dedication to God's service.

"At a time when the demand for clergy is so great and so rapidly increasing that our bishops are impelled to fill up the ranks of the ministry with national schoolmasters, district visitors, and various classes of literate persons,' what claim to this service can be so prominent as that of choristers, who in the outset of life are ranked among ecclesiastical persons? The flower of the order in physical and intellectual qualifications should be secured at once for eventual ordination.

Those who seem to want a sufficient call to the highest functions of the church, may serve her by meeting the numerous demands for missionary and lay instruction. Others may continue to serve in choir as adult singers; but the moral condition of such ought to be an object of far greater solicitude than it is now.'

In this latter remark we entirely concur. The divine declaration THOU

CANST NOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON

should be more practically enforced on some of the gentlemen whose company is so acceptable in the tavern hall, and they should be required to make a decided choice either for the sacred or

the secular path.

A Hand-book of Irish Antiquities, Pagan and Christian: especially such as are easy of access from the Irish Metropolis. By William F. Wake

man. 12mo.

THERE is a double source of congratulation as to the improved spirit of the age derivable from this book: be discussed in a truly scientific spirit, on the one hand that antiquities should and on the other that Irish antiquities in particular should be fairly described without exaggeration or extravagant hypothesis. In this sensible path Dr. Petrie has led the way, and the present author is proud to class himself as Dr. Petrie's pupil.

The arrangement of this little volume is systematic. The First Part treats of Pagan Antiquities, in five chapters, 1. Cromlechs; 2. Pillarstones; 3. Sepulchral mounds, cairns, &c.; 4. Raths or Duns; 5.; Stone Circles.

The Second Part describes Early Christian Antiquities, in five chapters, 1. Oratories; 2. Early Churches, &c.; 3. Churches; 4. Crosses, &c. ; 5. Round Towers.

In the Third Part are arranged Anglo-Irish Remains, 1. Abbeys, &c.; 2. Fonts; 3. Castles, &c.; 4. Town Gates, Walls, &c.

Lastly, the work concludes with miscellaneous notices of Weapons, Ornaments, Urns, and other relics of ancient art. So successful has the Royal Irish Academy been in the formation of its Museum, that the author remarks that a few hours' examination of the truly national collection of antiquities preserved in that repository

"will afford an inquirer a more correct knowledge of the taste, habits, and manufacturing skill of the ancient Irish, than may be obtained by mere reading, even should he devote years, instead of days, to the attainment of his object." Ireland has indeed the advantage of England in this respect; and it is a great reflection on our patriotism that, in the vast range of the British Museum, amidst all manner of savage monstrosities, we have as yet no "truly national collection of antiquities."

Mr. Wakeman's Hand-book is illustrated with a large number of wellexecuted wood-cuts. We would only remark that a false scale must be given to some of the monuments, which represents them with a grandeur such as no work of art can possess. The Cairn of Dowth (p. 31) looks like a conglomeration of a hundred Silbury's, far surpassing the pyramids; and so the Cairn of New Grange and the Rath of Downpatrick are made by the figures to appear like natural eminences of great height and extent.

The Doctrinal Puritans, No. XV.pp.108. 12mo. This volume contains Brookes's "Remedies against Satan's Devices," and the treatise entitled "Heart's Ease in Heart's Trouble." The former is stated by Mr. Bradley, in his preface to the author's "Select Works," to have been printed sixty times. Other writers have touched on the subject, but there is no specific treatise, to our recollection, in which it is fathomed and explored so thoroughly, and a work of the kind is indispensable in every religious library. A few omissions of classical allusions and other passages have been made. The history of the second treatise possesses some interest, as, owing to the preface being

signed "J. B.," it has been attributed to the celebrated John Bunyan. Indeed, one modern edition exhibits his name in the title-page, but this is supposed to be an assumption, for the purpose of insuring a larger circulation, though possibly made We under an idea of its being correct. have been informed, that when the matter was lately investigated, with a view to republication, the conclusion adopted was, that Bunyan was not the author. The writer mentions that the work was composed in retirement, with the intention of leaving a portion of his labours to his children and friends. He says, "None need be afraid to buy or read it, for there is not a word of the state or church matters about it. I daily pray for the prosperity of both, but think it not my duty to meddle with either but in subjection.' Although some of Bunyan's writings were composed in retirement (but in a compulsory sense) these expressions are hardly reconcileable with the circumstances of his life. There is another sentence which would remind us more of his style, if there were not many of his contemporaries, who were "If you capable of pointing it as well. find some passages (in your opinion) too often repeated, be not offended till you find them too powerful in your hearts." Altogether this little volume is a multum in parvo of the kind.

The Monthly Volume. No. 28, pp. 192. -This useful little miscellany is now in its third year of publication. The number before us is entitled Comparisons of Structure in Animals with respect to the Hand and Arm It describes the anterior limbs of quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, and fishes, and the fourth chapter is devoted to the "equivalents of the hand as an organ of touch." We recommend it as an appendix to the common natural histories, which prepare the mind for such a subject, and ought to be followed up by it, as the opportunity is now afforded.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

June 17. The Camden medal for the best exercise in Latin hexameter verse, subject "Iona Insula," has been awarded to A. F. Birch, of King's college.

The Members' Prizes for dissertations in Latin have been adjudged as follows:Bachelors of Arts.-Subject, "De Arturo Britannorum Principe, utrum aliquid veri memoriæ traditum sit," to A. Elwyn, Trinity college.

Undergraduates.

"In cultu divino quænam sint Musicæ partes," A. W. Headlam, Trinity college.

The Chancellor's Gold Medal for English heroic verse was awarded to G. J. Cayley, of Trinity college.-Subject, "The Death of Baldur."

June 24. The Chancellor's prizes for 1848 have been awarded as follow:

English Essay.-" Respective Effects of the Fine Arts and Mechanical Skill on

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

May 22. The anniversary meeting of this society was held, W. J. Hamilton, esq. President, in the chair.

The Report of the Council was unanimously adopted, and gold medals awarded to Capt. Wilkes, U.S.N. and Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak. They were dedelivered to the Hon. G. Bancroft, the American Minister, on behalf of the former, and to Captain Rodney Mundy, the friend and representative of the latter. The President's address adverted to the various events of the past year connected with the progress of geographical science.

ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.

May 13. The twenty-fifth anniversary meeting was held, Professor Wilson in the chair. The report congratulated the members on their having obtained possession of a house better adapted to the wants and purposes of the Society than that which they had previously occupied. Want of space had compelled them to refuse many offers of valuable presents to their library and museum; and they had, therefore, taken the house in New Burlington Street in which they now met for the first time. To meet the increased expenditure consequent upon this removal, the President and Council of the Society had memorialized the Court of Directors of the East India Company, and the Court had responded by increasing their annual grant from one hundred to two hundred guineas. The Council referred, amongst other means contemplated for enlarging the operations and extending the influence of the Society, to the expectation they enter

tained of being able to have occasional evening lectures upon subjects connected with the literature, arts, and sciences of Asia.

The report gave a statement of the changes among the members during the past year; and brief notices of the most distinguished among the deceased associates. The interpretation of Babylonian, Assyrian, and Median inscriptions, appears to have made but little advance, notwithstanding the exertions of several learned savants. The most successful of the investigators, Major Rawlinson, has been a good deal checked in his labours by ill health; but he has succeeded in copying some additional portions from the rock at Behistun, and hopes are entertained that he will shortly transmit a paper on the Babylonian inscriptions. Mr. Layard's Inscriptions from Nineveh will be published under the auspices of the British Museum.

The report of the Oriental Translation Committee followed. The necessity of discharging heavy liabilities incurred in the publication of expensive works, extendpublication of the usual number of new ing over several years, had prevented the

works. A second volume of Prof. Garcin de Tassy's "Histoire de la Littérature Hindoui, &c." had been issued; and another book containing translations by Dr. Stevenson of the "Kalpa Sutra," and "Nawa Tatwa," two important works of the Jains, is nearly ready for delivery. Mr. Bland's" History of Persian Poetry is making satisfactory progress; but the Committee regret that the limited funds at their disposal have compelled them to decline the acceptance of several other works.

The Committee for Publishing Oriental Texts reported the completion of the Festal Letters of Athanasius, edited by the Rev. W. Cureton, from a MS. of the fourth century, obtained for the British Museum from the Nitrian Monastery of Saint Mary, Deipara. The publication of this MS., important in itself, obtains additional interest from the fact of its being a palimpsest; the laborious investigations of the editor having been rewarded by the recovery of a nearly complete copy of the Gospel of St. Luke, and probably the most ancient known copy of the Iliad of Homer. "The History of the Atabegs," edited by Mr. Morley, from the Rauzatus Safá, with engraved plates of all the known coins of the Atabegs and elucidations thereof by Mr. Vaux, will soon be ready for delivery. The Tuhfat ul Alnar, forming the first portion of Jami's Khamsah, edited by Prof. Falconer, will also be soon published. The Committee reported that they had been gratified by

offers of assistance from Prof. Garcin de Tassy and the Rev. G. Hunt.

At a ballot for new members of the Council all the officers were re-elected; and the following were elected into the Council in the place of those retiring by

rotation-G. W. Anderson, esq., H. Borrodaile, esq., Major-Gen. J. Caulfeild, Sir T. E. Colebrooke, W. Ewer, esq., J. Ewing, esq., R. H. Holland, esq., and W. Platt, esq.

INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS. March 20.

in the chair.

Samuel Angell, esq. V.P. Mr. T. H. Wyatt read a paper "On the History, present Condition, and proposed Restoration of Llandaff Cathedral." This paper has since been published in "The Builder" of April 15 and April 29. It describes the efforts of the late Dean, the Very Rev. J. Bruce Knight, commencing in 1843, and carried on by his successor Dean Conybeare. Under the care of Mr. John Prichard, an architect residing at Llandaff, the Lady Chapel was restored and refurnished, and a new east window, by Mr. Willement, introduced. After this, Mr. Wyatt was associated with Mr. Prichard in the subsequent restorations.

The floor of the presbytery and side aisles has been lowered to its original level (about 2 feet 8 inches); the mass of stonework which choked up the arches of the choir and presbytery has been removed; the reredos or screen, and Bishop Teilan's tomb brought into view; the whole of the plaster knocked off the walls up to the level of the Italian cornice, thus exposing the fine Norman chancel arch, the curious Norman remain in the south wall, and the Norman string running under the clerestory. All these interesting portions were previously lost sight of in the "stately and beautiful Roman room," formed by the repairs made about a century ago. The stonework of the Norman arch, and of the piers and arches, has been scraped and repaired; the walls cleared of roughcast, and pointed with dark mortar. Four new windows of Decorated character have been introduced. Another is being introduced in the north wall of the aisle, and two new windows at the east end of both aisles. An open Decorated parapet has been placed over the wall of the south aisle, and a close one is now in progress in the north wall. The wooden Ionic fittings of the choir for the present remain untouched, but are recommended to the attention of any architect about to build or furnish an assize court. The available funds at the disposal of the Dean and Committee will, it is hoped, enable the architects to put a new roof over the whole

of the presbytery, choir, and nave, as far as the Roman inclosure, the material to be oak and the covering lead; and further works are under consideration.

It was announced that the Council of the Institute would in January next award the Royal Gold Medal to the author of some literary publication connected with architecture; that the Silver Medals of the Institute will be awarded to the authors of the best essays on the following subjects:-1. On the peculiar characteristics of the Palladian School of Architecture, and a comparison and contrast of its elementary principles and details with those of ancient Roman art; 2. On the best manner of covering the roofs and forming the flats and gutters of buildings, the nature of the several materials used in various parts of the country for these purposes, their most effectual and economical application, the inclination to be given to the different parts, and the other practical precautions to be adopted to prevent snow and rain penetrating into the building: and that the Soane Medallion will be awarded to the best design for a building to serve as a national repository and museum for the illustration and exhibition of the productions of the industrial arts, with all suitable accessories, and accommodation for the delivery of lectures, and for the purposes of chemical and other expe.

authors of equivalent talent, who may not have left writings in MS. or type,-or continuations of works in the same style.

3. Publications of works (either of text or plates) by modern authors, English or foreign, which may be approved by the Society.

4. Publications of the many very valuable essays and hints which are scattered in various miscellanies.

5. A digest of the theoretical books, arranging each division of an author's works under the appropriate article of the dictionary.

6. A polyglossary, or table of synonyms of technical words in the different languages of Europe, and in the different counties of Great Britain.

7. A complete dictionary of archi

tecture.

At a meeting held on the 4th of May it was resolved that the amount of subscription be one guinea per annum, paid in advance, and due on the 1st of May in each year. Mr. Wyatt Papworth, architect, was appointed Honorary Secretary, and Mr. Donaldson accepted the office of Treasurer.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL (LATE CAMBRIDGE CAMDEN) SOCIETY.

May 9. The ninth anniversary meeting of this Society was holden in the School-room of Christ Church, Albanystreet, London. The President (Archdeacon Thorp) took the chair.

The Rev. B. Webb, Hon. Sec., read the report, which stated that the number of members had not decreased, and that the Bishops of Cape Town and Brechin had been added to the list of patrons. A year of comparatively small expenditure had enabled the committee to pay off the Society's existing obligations. Rooms had been engaged for the Society at the new house of its publisher, 78, New Bond Street, to which the collections of the Society will be removed. The report next adverted to the publications of the Society, and to the fact that no new grant for restorations had been made during the past year. Friendly intercourse was continued with sister associations of a similar nature, and the Society reckoned some of its best friends and saw the most gratifying results of its labours in the United States and the English Colonies.

The Bishop of Fredericton, in moving the adoption of the report, spoke very highly of the exertions of the Society, pointed out how it might most effectually benefit his own diocese, and gave a most vivid description of his own difficulties and comparative success in church-building. The meeting granted, by acclamation, a

donation of 101. to the Fredericton Cathedral Fund.

The election of the new committee then took place, and the following gentlemen were chosen :-A. J. B. Hope, esq. M.P. M.A. Trin. Coll. Camb., Chairman of Committees; J. D. Chambers, esq. M.A. Oriel Coll. Oxf., Treasurer; the Rev. B. Webb, M.A. Trin. Coll. Camb., the Rev. J. M. Neale, M.A. Trin. Coll. Camb., Sir Stephen R. Glynn, Bart. M.A. Ch. Ch., Oxf. Honorary Secretaries. F. H. Dickenson, esq. M.A. Trin. Coll. Camb. The following were subsequently added to the number:-Sir Charles Anderson, Bart., M.A. Oriel Coll. Oxf., J. J. Bevan, esq. M.A. Trin. Coll. Camb., J. S. Forbes, esq. M.A. Christ's Coll. Camb., Rev. G. H. Hodson, M.A. Fellow of Trinity Coll. Camb., C. W. Strickland, esq. M.A. Trin. Coll. Camb. The auditors for the next year were to be-A. S. Eddis, esq. M.A. late Fellow of Trin. Coll. Camb. and the Rev. W. U. Richards, M.A. Exeter Coll. Oxford.

A long and erudite paper was then read by the Rev. J. M. Neale, one of the Secretaries, on "The Narthex, considered with a view to its restoration in Colonial Churches."

ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE ARCHDEACONRY OF NORTHAMPTON.

May 9. The annual meeting of this Society was held in the Agricultural Hall, Oakham, under the presidency of the Marquess of Northampton.

In opening the business, the noble Marquess said he congratulated the Northamptonshire Architectural Society on visiting Rutlandshire; he had seen that day some interesting churches-indeed, the county of Rutland could boast of some of the most interesting churches in England, particularly the one at Oakham, though he was sorry to say that that edifice was not in that state of repair which ecclesiologists could wish. He hoped, however, that the present visit of the Society would have a beneficial effect in this respect.

The Rev. H. Green read an introductory paper explanatory of the purposes which the Northamptonshire and Rutlandshire Architectural Society, which had been established since 1844, has in view. One object of this Society is, partly by meetings like the present, but more especially by publications in which the different churches in Northamptonshire and Rutlandshire were represented and described, to point out those most worthy of attention, and those best deserving imitation. Another object, and an important one, is to afford assistance and advice in the building and restoration of churches in the