NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.
If there be any one class of documents from which, more than from any other, we may hope to draw evidence of the accuracy of Byron's assertion, that "Truth is strange, stranger than fiction!" they are surely the records of judicial proceedings both in civil and criminal matters; while, as Mr. Burton well observes in the preface to the two volumes which have called forth this remark, Narratives from Criminal Trials in Scotland, "there can be no source of information more fruitful in incidents which have the attraction of picturesqueness, along with the usefulness of truth." In submitting therefore to the public the materials of this nature—some drawn from manuscript authorities, some again from those works which, being printed for Subscription Clubs, may be considered as privately printed, and inaccessible to the majority of readers—which had accumulated on his hands while in the pursuit of other inquiries connected with the history of Scotland, Mr. Burton has produced two volumes which will be read with the deepest interest. The narratives are of the most varied character; and while some give us strange glimpses of the workings of the human heart, and show us how truly the Prophet spoke when he described it as being "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;" and some exhibit humiliating pictures of the fallibility of human judgment, others derive their chief interest from revealing collaterally "the social secrets of the day,—from the state mysteries, guarded by the etiquette and policy of courts, down to those characteristics of humble life which are removed from ordinary notice by their native obscurity." Greater dramatic power on the part of Mr. Burton might have given additional attraction to his narratives; but though the want of this power is obvious, they form two volumes which will be perused with great curiosity and interest even by the most passionless of readers.
Speaking of the use of Records reminds us that our valued cotemporary The Athenæum has anticipated us in a purpose we have long entertained, of calling the attention of historical inquirers to the vast amount of new material for illustrating English history to be found in Sir F. Palgrave's Calendar of the "Baga de Secretis," printed by him in several of his Reports, as Deputy Keeper of the Records. As The Athenæum has however entered upon the subject, we cannot do better than refer our readers to its columns.
Letter addressed to Lord Viscount Mahon, M.P., President of the Society of Antiquaries, on the Propriety of Reconsidering the Resolutions of that Society which regulate the Payments from the Fellows: by John Bruce, Esq., Treas. S.A.—is the title of a temperate and well-argued endeavour on the part of the Treasurer, to persuade the Society of Antiquaries to return to that scale of subscription, &c. which prevailed at the moment when unquestionably the Society was at its highest point of reputation and usefulness. Originally addressed to the President, and then communicated to the Council, it has now been submitted to the Fellows, that they may see some of the grounds on which the Council have recommended, and on which they are invited to ballot on Thursday next, in favour of a reversal of the Resolution of 1807. Looking to the general state and prosperity of the Society as exhibited in this pamphlet, and comparing the payments to it with those to the numerous Archæological Societies which have sprung up of late years, the proposal seems to be well-timed, and deserving to be adopted by the Fellows as obviously calculated to extend the usefulness and raise the character of the Society. We hope that when the ballot is taken, some of those old friends of the Society to whose former exertions, in connexion with its financial arrangements, the Society owes so much, and who are understood now to be doubtful as to the measure, will put in their white balls in favour of a step which ought clearly to lead to increased exertions on the part of all persons connected with the Society; and which may well be advocated on the ground, that it must lead to such a result.
The lovers of elaborate and highly finished drawings of antiquarian objects are recommended to inspect some specimens of Mr. Shaw's artistic skill, comprising portraits of Mary Queen of Scots, Mary of England, the Pall of the Fishmongers' Company, which will be on view to-day and Monday at Sotheby and Wilkinson's Rooms, previous to their sale by auction on Tuesday next.
BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES
WANTED TO PURCHASE.
BIBLIA SACRA, Vulg. Edit., cum Commentar. Menochii. Alost and Ghent, 1826. Vol. I.
BARANTE, DUCS DE BOURGOGNE. Vols. I. and II. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Edit. Paris Ladvocat, 1825.
BIOGRAPHIA AMERICANA, by a Gentleman of Philadelphia.
POTGIESERI DE CONDITIONE SERVORUM APUD GERMANOS. 8vo. Col. Agrip.
THE BRITISH POETS. Whittingham's edition in 100 Vols., with plates.
REPOSITORY OF PATENTS AND INVENTIONS. Vol. XLV. 2nd Series. 1824.
—— Vol. V. 3rd Series 1827.
NICHOLSON'S PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. Vols. XIV. XV. 1806.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN. No. XI. 2nd Series.
SOROCOLD'S BOOK OF DEVOTIONS.
WORKS OF ISAAC BARROW, D.D., late Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. London, 1683. Vol. I. Folio.
LINGARD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Vols. VI. VII. VIII. IX. XII. XIII., Cloth.
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.
HALLIWELL ON THE DIALECTS OF SOMERSETSHIRE.
SCLOPETARIA, or REMARKS ON RIFLES, &c.
*⁎* Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.