NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
Mr. Rees of Llandovery announces for publication by subscription (under the auspices of the Welsh MSS. Society), a new edition of The Myvyrian Archæology of Wales, with English translations and notes,
nearly the whole of the historical portions of which, consisting of revised copies of Achan y Saint, historical triads, chronicles, &c. are ready for the press, having been prepared for the late Record Commission, by Aneurin Owen, Esq., and since placed by the Right Hon. the Master of the Rolls at the disposal of the Welsh MSS. Society for publication. As the first volume consists of ancient poetry from the sixth to the fourteenth centuries, much of which, from its present imperfect state, requires to be collated with ancient MS. copies of the poems, not accessible to the former editors; in order to afford more time for that most essential object, it is proposed to commence with the publication of the historical matter: while the laws of Howel Dda, having been recently published by the Record Commission, will not be included; by which means it is expected the original Welsh text and English translations of the rest of the work can be comprised in four or five volumes, as the greatest care will be paid to the quantity of matter and its accuracy, as well as typographical excellence, so as to ensure the largest amount of information at the least expense. We need hardly say that this patriotic undertaking has our heartiest wishes for its success.
The Rev. J. Forshall, one of the editors of the recently published Wickliffe Bible, has just edited, under the title of Remonstrance against Romish Corruptions in the Church, addressed to the People and Parliament of England in 1395, 18 Ric. II., a most valuable paper drawn up by Purvey, one of Wickliffe's friends and disciples, for the king, lords, and commons, then about to assemble in parliament. As presenting a striking picture of the condition of the English Church at the time, when combined efforts were first made with any zealousness of purpose for its amendment and reform; and affording a tolerably complete sketch of the views and notions of the Wickliffite party on those points of ecclesiastical polity and doctrine, in which they were most strongly opposed to the then prevailing opinions; this publication is an extremely valuable contribution to the history of a period in our annals, which has scarcely yet received it due share of attention: while the great question which is agitating the public mind renders the appearance of Purvey's tract at this moment peculiarly well-timed. Mr. Forshall has executed his task in a very able manner; the introduction is brief and to the purpose, and the short glossary which he has appended is just what it should be.
The Camden Society has lately added a very important work to its list of intended publications. It is the St. Paul's Domesday of the Manors belonging to the Cathedral in the year 1222, and is to be edited with an introduction and illustrative notes, by Archdeacon Hale.
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson (191. Piccadilly) will sell, on Monday next and four following days, a selection of valuable Books, including old poetry, plays, chap-books, and drolleries, and some important MSS. connected with English County and Family History.
Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson (3. Wellington Street, Strand) will sell on Monday the valuable collection of English coins and medals of Abraham Rhodes, Esq.; on Wednesday and Thursday, a valuable collection of engravings, drawings, and paintings, including a very fine drawing of Torento by Turner; and on Friday and two following days, the valuable assemblage of Greek, &c. coins and medals, including the residue of the Syrian Regal Tetradrachms, recently found at Tarsus in Cilicia, the property of F. R. P. Boocke, Esq.
Books Received.—Angels the Ministers of God's Providence. A Sermon preached before the University of Dublin on Quinquagesima Sunday, 1851, by the Rev. Richard Gibbings, M.A.—The Legend of Saint Peter's Chair, by Anthony Rich, Jun., B.A. A clever and caustic reply to Dr. Wiseman's attack on Lady Morgan, by a very competent authority—the learned editor of the Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary and Greek Lexicon. Dr. Wiseman pronounced Lady Morgan's statement to be "foolish and wicked." Mr. Rich has shown that these strong epithets may more justly be applied to Dr. Wiseman's own "Remarks."—Supplement to Second Edition of Dr. Herbert Mayo's Letters on the Truths contained in Popular Superstitions may be best characterised in the writer's own words, as "a notice of some peculiar motions, hitherto unobserved, to the manifestation of which, an influence unconsciously proceeding from the living human frame is necessary," and a very startling notice it is.
Catalogues Received.—Williams and Norgate's (14. Henrietta Street) Catalogue No. 2. of Foreign Second-hand Books, and Books at reduced Prices; W. Nield's (46. Burlington Arcade) Catalogue No. 5. of Very Cheap Books; W. Waller and Son's (188. Fleet Street) Catalogue, Part 1. for 1851, of Choice Books at remarkably low prices.