50. Sculptured Stones in the North of Scotland.
—Some time ago Patrick Chalmers, Esq., of Auldbar, in the county of Forfar, obtained drawings of all the sculptured stone obelisks in Angus, and got them lithographed for the members of the Bannatyne Club. The work has excited considerable attention among historical students in this country as well as abroad, and certainly has laid a foundation for correct comparison of these with other similar remains of a symbolical nature in other parts of the country. In Aberdeenshire there is a considerable number of these obelisks, which, either from the more primitive state of the people, or the hardness of the granite, are much less elaborate than those in Angus. None, however, can exceed the obelisks in Easter Ross for beauty of execution. It is singular that no monument of this class has been found south of the Forth. The Spalding Club (Aberdeen) proposes to obtain drawings of all the stones of this description in the North of Scotland; and the artist who depicted the Angus stones so accurately and well for Mr. Chalmers has commenced his labours. Circulars have been sent to the clergy of about 240 parishes in the North, asking for information as to the locality of any sculptured stones in their districts, but as yet answers have been obtained from only about 150. It is probable that where no return has been made, there is no stone of the description alluded to; but it would be desirable to know that the Spalding Club had exhausted the matter.
ABERDONIENSIS.
51. Prophecies of Nostradamus.
—In a little work I am meditating on the subject of English Popular Prophecies, I shall have occasion to introduce a notice of this celebrated astrologer, whose successful prediction of the Great Rebellion, and consequent English popularity, almost entitle him to a place among our native vaticinating worthies.
The curious prefiguration of the fate of Charles I. stands thus in the original edition of the Prophesies: Lyons, 1572, under the head, "A mes Imprimeurs de Hongrie:"
"Senat de Londres mettront à mal leur Roy."
In the only other edition to which I have the opportunity of referring, London, 1672, "Translated and commented upon by Theophilus de Garencieres," it is much amplified:
"XLIX.
"Gand et Bruxelles marcheront contra Anvers.