FATA MORGANA.
Not having met with the following account in any English newspaper, of a phenomenon said to have been witnessed quite recently in Germany, I beg to send you a translation from the Allgemeine Zeitung (generally quoted in England by the name of the Augsburgh Gazette) of February 13, detailing, in a communication from Westphalia, the particulars of a phenomenon, new, perhaps, to your pages, but by no means new to the world.
"Westphalia.—If the east has its Fata Morgana, we, in Westphalia, have also quite peculiar natural phenomena, which, hitherto, it has been as impossible to explain satisfactorily, as to deny. A rare and striking appearance of this description forms now the subject of universal talk and comment in our province. On the 22nd of last month a surprising prodigy of nature was seen by many persons at Büderich, a village between Unna and Werl. Shortly before sunset, an army, of boundless extent, and consisting of infantry, cavalry, and an enormous number of waggons, was observed to proceed across the country in marching order. So distinctly seen were all these appearances, that even the flashing of the firelocks, and the colour of the cavalry uniform, which was white, could be distinguished. This whole array advanced in the direction of the wood of Schafhauser, and as the infantry entered the thicket, and the cavalry drew near, they were hid all at once, with the trees, in a thick smoke. Two houses, also, in flames, were seen with the same distinctness. At sunset the whole phenomenon vanished. As respects the fact, government has taken the evidence of fifty eye witnesses, who have deposed to a universal agreement respecting this most remarkable appearance. Individuals are not wanting who affirm that similar phenomena were observed in former times in this region. As the fact is so well attested as to place the phenomenon beyond the possibility of successful disproof, people have not been slow in giving a meaning to it, and in referring it to the great battle of the nations at Birkenbaum, to which the old legend, particularly since 1848, again points."
J. Macray.
ON THE DESTRUCTION OF MONUMENTAL BRASSES.
Any person might naturally be led to suppose, on seeing the many costly and learned works which, within the last few years, have appeared on the subject of monumental brasses, that their value was now fully appreciated, and that all due care was taken to ensure their preservation, or at least prevent their wanton destruction. But, unhappily, such is far from being the case; and though rubbings of brasses are to be found in every antiquarian society, and in the possession of very many private individuals, the churchwardens and other parties on whom their preservation principally depends, are for the most part wilfully blind to their importance as historical memorials, and with impunity allow them to be mutilated or stolen. In many of our country, and I may also add town churches, are these interesting records of the dead stowed away as useless lumber in the vestry, or hidden by some ugly modern pew. The writer wishes to make known, through the medium of your valuable journal, some instances which have fallen under his own observation, in the hope that those who read may make some exertions to rectify such acts of desecration were they have already occurred, and to prevent their future recurrence.
To begin, then, with the most important as regards the loss incurred by the antiquary, though all show an equal want of good feeling and neglect of things sacred, I will first offer the substance of a few notes taken during a recent excursion to Cobham, Kent. The brasses in this church have long been noted as presenting some of the most interesting early examples of this species of monument, extending from the year 1320 to 1529. They exemplify almost every variety of costume that prevailed during that period, executed with the most artistic skill, and accompanied with the most elegant accessories in the shape of canopies, brackets, and allegorical designs. Imagine, then, the feelings of the antiquary, who, upon approaching the chancel where most of these brasses lie, finds that it is flooded with water! The roof has gradually fallen to decay, and the Earl of Darnley, whose property the chancel is, has refused to repair it. And yet this same nobleman can spend thousands of pounds in adorning his seat, Cobham Hall, the ancient domain of the family, in whose commemoration most of these brasses are laid down. I may also here mention that part of the rood-screen which forms the back of the earl's pew has been glazed, in order, I suppose, to keep out the damp of the chancel, while a portion on the other side has been entirely cut away. This is by far the most flagrant case of neglect which I have ever witnessed; but there are several minor instances which well demand exposure. At Mendlesham, Suffolk, is a fine large figure of John Knyvet, Esq., in armour, almost entirely concealed by a pew passing up the whole length of the brass. Now, for a very little expense, the slab might be removed and laid down again the chancel. At Polstead, in the same county, is a small brass of a civilian and family, date about 1490, hidden in the same manner; and a figure of a priest in the chasuble, lying loose in the vestry. Also at Little Waldingfield is a brass in memory of Robert Appleton and wife, 1526, of which the male figure is covered by a pew. In Upminster Church, Essex, were found, not very long since, during the progress of some alterations, two loose female figures under the flooring of a pew, which are still left to be tossed about in the vestry. One is an elegant figure of a lady in heraldic mantle and horned head-dress, with a dog at her feet, date about 1450, the other about 1630. At St. James's, Colchester, the head of a figure was long left loose, till at last it has been stolen. And, to conclude, pews have lately been built over two brasses at Margate, one of which is an early example of a skeleton. To these instances, which have fallen under my own observation, I doubt not that every collector can add several others of the same description; but these are sufficient to show the wide extent of the evil, and the necessity of correction.