Early Visitations.
—In Noble's College of Arms, it is stated, p. 25., that—
"Henry VI. sent persons through many of the counties of England to collect the names of the gentry of each; these lists have reached our time. It is observable, that many are mentioned in them who had adopted the meanest trades, yet were still accounted gentry."
Where are these lists to be found?
H. WITHAM.
[Noble's statements upon such points are extremely loose. We know not of any such lists, but would refer to Grimaldi's Origines Genealogicæ, under "Rolls and Visitations," where, in all probability, something may be found in reference to the subject, if there ever were any such lists.]
Replies.
WRITTEN SERMONS.
(Vol. iii., pp. 478, 526.)
Perhaps the publication of the following document may lead to a solution of the question sent by M.C.L. (Vol. iii., p. 478.). It is a copy of a letter from the Duke of Monmouth, as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, intimating to the clergy the displeasure of Charles II. at their use of periwigs, and their practice of reading sermons. His Majesty, it will be found, thought both customs equally important and equally unbecoming. Of the latter, it is stated that it "took beginning with the disorders of the late times, and that the way of preaching without book was most agreeable to the use of the foreign churches, to the custom of the University heretofore, and to the nature and intendment of that holy exercise." It will surprise many of your readers to find that the reading of sermons was considered to be a mere puritanical innovation.
"The Duke of Monmouth, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, to the Vice-Chancellor and University.