NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.
The steady progress which sound Archæology is making in this country is shown, and the benefits which will accrue from such progress to those who are desirous of investigating the early history of this island and its inhabitants is rendered evident, by the fact, that discoverers of primæval remains no longer endeavour to build upon those remains some strange theories which have no foundation beyond the fancy of those who pen them. On the contrary, Archæologists are now content to give us plain and distinct particulars of the discoveries they make, and to leave to future labourers the task of comparing the different objects, and of evolving from such comparison those trustworthy illustrations of our early history which are so highly to be prized. The truth of these remarks will be seen by a glance at the interesting volume entitled Fairford Graves; a Record of Researches in an Anglo-Saxon Burial-place in Gloucestershire, in which Mr. Wylie narrates, with much clearness and simplicity, the result of a very interesting series of excavations made at Fairford, on the site of a Saxon necropolis, more particularly of those made at the commencement of the past year. These discoveries furnish some very valuable materials towards a more complete history of the Anglo-Saxon civilisation than we yet possess; and Mr. Wylie deserves the thanks of his brother antiquaries for his well-directed zeal on the occasion, and for the judicious manner in which he has told his story. The work is very profusely illustrated; and is one of the best contributions which have recently been made to the history of our primæval antiquities.
We have received, and read with great pleasure, Two Introductory Lectures upon Archæology, delivered in the University of Cambridge, by the Rev. J. H. Marsden. We are not sure that these lectures are not privately printed; and in that doubt should have passed them without notice, had not their merits, as the production of a scholar and a man of taste, seemed to us such as to make it desirable that they should be placed within the reach of all whom they are calculated to interest. They are the first-fruits of Mr. Disney's munificent donation to the University of Cambridge.
We have received the second volume of Bohn's reprint of The Literary Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, edited by H. W. H. Beechey, which completes the work. No President ever filled the Chair of the Royal Academy with greater benefit to the students than did Sir Joshua; and this cheap and useful edition of the invaluable legacy which he bequeathed to them is well calculated not only for their use, but for more general circulation, now that the arts of design are receiving such deserved attention in this country.
The people of Manchester will shortly commence their great experiment of a Free Library, which, it is hoped, will be opened in the course of the present month, probably by Prince Albert. It contains about twenty thousand volumes, consisting of about twelve thousand books of reference and eight thousand to form the library of circulation, which will be lent freely to all persons bringing recommendations or certificates of good character. The books are all well bound and in excellent condition, and the managers have no fears but that they will be returned from circulation in the same state. We shall look with great interest to the result; for it is clear that what is good for Manchester must be good for London, and for all other places where men do congregate.
BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES
WANTED TO PURCHASE.
FABRICII BIBLIOTHECA LATINA. Ed. Ernesti. Leipsig 1773. Vol. III.
THE ANACALYPSIS. By Godfrey Higgins. 2 Vols. 4to.
CODEX DIPLOMATICUS ÆVI SAXONICI, opera J.M. Kemble. Vols. I. and II. 8vo.
ECKHEL, DOCTRINA NUMORUM. Vol. VIII.
BROUGHAM'S MEN OF LETTERS. 2nd Series, royal 8vo., boards. Original edition.
KNIGHT'S PICTORIAL SHAKSPEARE. Royal 8vo. Parts XLII. XLIII. XLIV. L. and LI.
CONDER'S ANALYTICAL VIEW OF ALL RELIGIONS. 8vo.
NEWMAN'S (J. H.) PRESENT POSITION OF THE CATHOLICS IN ENGLAND.
HALLIWELL ON THE DIALECTS OF SOMERSETSHIRE.
SCLOPETARIA, OR REMARKS ON RIFLES, &c.
SOWERBY'S ENGLISH FUNGI. Vol. III.
SUPPLEMENT TO SOWERBY'S ENGLISH FUNGI.
EUROPEAN MAGAZINE. Vols. XXIII. XXIV. and XXV.
POETIC WREATH. Small 8vo. Newman.
GEMS FROM BRITISH POETS. 4 Vols. Tyas.
THE WORKS OF LORD BYRON. Vols. VI. VII. and VIII. 12mo. Murray, 1823.
MALLET'S POEMS. Bell's edition.
MALLET'S PLAY OF ELVIRA. 1763.
JOANNIS LELANDI COLLECTANEA. Vol. V. 1774.
BISHOP PATRICK'S COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE. The Volumes containing Joshua and Judges. Small 4to.
KENT'S ANTHEMS. Vol. I. folio. Edited by Joseph Corfe.
THE MATHEMATICIAN. Vol. I. No. I. 1844.
MACULLOCH'S HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
BACK'S VOYAGE OF THE TERROR, 8vo.
L'HISTOIRE DE LA SAINCTE BIBLE, par ROYAUMONDE: à Paris, 1701.
JOHNSON'S (DR. S.) WORKS, by MURPHY. Trade Edition of 1816, in 8vo. Vol. XII. only.
*⁎* Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES" 186. Fleet Street.