Preaching in Nave only.—Prayers and Preaching distinct Services—In Ely Cathedral the old and proper custom of sermons being delivered in the nave only is still maintained. And this observance has doubtless led to the continuance of another, which is a sufficient answer to those who object to the length of our service, as it shows that formerly in practice, as still in principle, prayers and preaching were distinct services. In the morning of Sunday there is no sermon in either of the parish churches in Ely, but prayers only; and those of the respective congregations who wish to hear a sermon remove to the cathedral, where they are joined by the ecclesiastics and others who have "been to choir". Consequently, any one may "go to sermon" (I use the language of the place) without having been to prayers, or to prayers in one of the parish churches, or the choir, without necessarily hearing the sermon.
I think it would be very interesting, if your widely scattered correspondents would from time to time communicate in your columns such instances of any variation from the now usual mode of celebrating divine service as may fall under their personal observation.
B.H.B.
Miscellaneous
NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, &c.
It has been frequently, more frequently, perhaps than justly, objected to the Shakspeare Society, that few of its publications bear directly upon the illustration of the works of the great dramatist. That the Council would gladly publish works more immediately in connection with Shakspeare and his writings, if the materials for them could be found, is proved by the fact of their having just published the Remarks of Karl Simrock on the Plots of Shakspeare's Plays, which that gentleman, whose name is honoured by all lovers of early German poetry and romance, appended to the third volume of the Quellen der Shakspeare, a collection of Novels, Tales, &c., illustrative of Shakspeare, which Simrock collected and translated in conjunction with Echtermeyer and Henschel, and which somewhat resembles Mr. Collier's Shakspeare's Library. The translation of these remarks, made for the Society, was placed in the hands of Mr. Halliwell, and forms, with the notes and additions of that gentleman, a volume containing much new and curious information upon a very interesting point in Shakspearian literature.
Messrs. Sotheby and Co., of Wellington Street, will sell on Monday, July 8th, and six following days, a very Choice Cabinet of Coins and Medals, the property of a Nobleman; and on Monday, July 15th, and five following days, an extensive Assemblage of Historical, Theological, and Miscellaneous Books.
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, of 191. Piccadilly, announce a Sale of Splendid Engravings by British and Foreign Artists on Monday next.
We have received the following Catalogues:—William Nield's (46. Burlington Arcade) Catalogue No. 3. of Very Cheap Books; Edward Stibbs' (331. Strand) Select Catalogue of a Collection of Books just purchased from a celebrated literary character.