28 in July, 1842, while excavating for making a sewer in Queen Street, Cheapside, London, and which, if standing erect, would have been fifteen inches, but in its stooping posture the perpendicular height was about eleven inches. It has been described and figured in the Archæologia, vol. xxx. plate xxii. p. 544. This really fine work of art was put up at 30 guineas, and, after a slight struggle, knocked down to Purnell B. Purnell, Esq., of Stancombe Park, Dursley, Gloucestershire for 125. The Etruscan fictile vases sold for about as many shillings as forty years ago they would have brought pounds, but the miscellaneous articles brought extraordinarily high prices. Two Necklaces of common Venetian beads (Lots 351 and 357) worth about half-acrown each, were eagerly contended for, and the hammer fell at £2. 6s. The second day's sale closed with a struggle for various gold Etruscan fibulæ and ornaments, which went at high prices, and it was understood in the room that an Etruscan gold necklace, with a head of Medusa attached, was bought in at no less a sum than £50. The third day's sale was less attractive. An exceedingly curious Lamp in bronze (Lot 470), of oval form, with four burners issuing from the sides, the handle formed of figures of grotesque animals, and stated to have been found near London Bridge, produced four guineas. There were a few (eight) illuminated Manuscripts, but none sold for extravagant prices. Etruscan gold wreath, composed of masks and foliage worn round the helmet, from the Canino Collection (Lot 529) was secured by T. Crofton Croker, Esq., for £19. 10s. With the disposal of some Shaksperian relics this very miscellaneous sale closed, but they did not appear to be much coveted. An There were some fine and many desirable specimens, with a few of very doubtful character, and some unquestionable forgeries. The Earl Cadogan, Sir Gardiner Wilkinson, Dr. Henderson, and other amateurs of Art N. and Archæology, seemed to watch the progress of the sale with considerable interest. THE GOLDEN LION, FULHAM, "should not," writes 66 66 66 March last, No. XV. p. 19, and the Rev. Dr. Hume, of same name. one or two of these studies, and I have been assured that the oak panneling of some of the principal rooms was purchased by a dealer, and re-sold to the Earl of Ellenborough for the fitting of his Lordship's residence, Southam House, Cheltenham." Availing himself of this permission, G. W. has caused first to be engraved the Chimney Piece of the back room, ground floor, South side, and opposite the Chimney Piece, back room, first floor, as characteristic specimens of this curious old house. FORMATION OF THE UNION JACK. Esplanade, Sidmouth, March 27th, 1852. SIR,-The annexed may possibly be of use to H. M. in your "Current Notes" for March, but I am not able to refer to the work from which it is taken. Yours obediently, Mr. WILLIS. W. G. CLARKE. St. George's red cross on a white ground, and St. Andrew's white cross (diagonally) on a blue ground. In 1800, St. Patrick's red cross, on a white ground, was added. The flag should be constructed to shew the three crosses distinctly. that T.M. in "Cur- 20, Az. a cross saltire argent encalved gules; over all a common cross, the same as first. I believe there are no given rules as to its proportion. This appears to be the best, viz. the breadth three-fourths of the length. But the inclosed, forwarded to H. M., will suffice for all.* W. have disappeared this way. Let me, however, record one instance of honourable restitution. The effigy of an armed knight, of the Bacon family, (temp. Edw. I.) in Gorleston Church, Suffolk, engraved by Cotman, "in 1810 was gone, and supposed to be irretrievably lost; but at the sale of Mr. Craven Ord's curiosities, it was H. M. will find the drawing so kindly forwarded purchased by John Gage, Esq., who, with correct feeling addressed to him at the Publisher's. G. W. THE UNION JACK AND MONUMENTAL BRASSES. 11, Montpelier Square, Brompton, March 28th, 1852. SIR,-Your Correspondent, H. M. will find a very curious history of the origin and formation of the Union Jack in Brayley's "Graphic Illustrator:" it is written by the late Sir Harris Nicolas, and the "absurd arrangement" of the National Flag elucidated by nine heraldic woodcuts. Perhaps you will permit me to embrace this opportunity of saying a few words on the abstraction of Monumental Brasses from churches, which has attracted the attention of some of your Correspondents lately; one of whom throws the blame almost wholly on " the sectarian soldiers of Cromwell's time."* I am not desirous of defending these men, but I am desirous that modern Churchwardens should not screen their neglect by such an excuse. A slight research among our topographical works will prove, that a very large abstraction and destruction of such memorials has taken place in comparatively recent times. In the introduction to Cotman's "Brasses of Norfolk and Suffolk," he notes that "in 1800 the chancel of Ingham was completely swept of all its beautiful memorials of the Stapleton family. They were sold as old metal, and it was commonly reported by whom they were bought and sold; but nobody sought to recover them; neither minister nor churchwarden cared for any of these things." The beautiful brass (engraved in this same work) of Robert Attelath, Mayor of Lynn in 1374, was about forty years ago "given out of the church by the Churchwardens to a person who sold it for five shillings to a brass founder." The collection of rubbings from Brasses made about the same time and bequeathed to the British Museum by the late Francis Douce, present several since destroyed. The Journal of the Archæological Association narrates the fact of several removed from a country church because their rivets became loose, and " tripped up the old women who came to the fore seats in the aisle." I remember several instances of Brasses thus loosened, taken up and thrown in vestries or belfries, until they were sufficiently forgotten to be carried out and sold to the metal-founder. Some few Antiquaries have argued that they are better taken care of in their museums than thus exposed to destruction; and churchwardens being willing to get rid of the ugly old things," many 66 * See communication from "One of the Executors" of the late Sir Samuel R. Meyrick, printed in "Current Notes" for January last, p. 2. and good taste, gave it back to the church, and Dawson Turner, Esq., at his expense, had it replaced in its original position." Surely, the soldiers of Crom well have sins enough to answer for, without heaping those of modern Churchwardens on their heads. I am, Sir, yours very truly, MR. G. WILLIS, F. W. FAIRHolt. MONUMENTAL BRASSES OF LINCOLNSHIRE. The Lincolnshire Architectural Society propose to superintend the publication of the most interesting Monumental Brasses of that County. The work to be comprised in 12 parts, containing about five plates each; and published at intervals of two months: with a small volume of descriptive letter-press at the close of the series. Brasses from the following churches (among others) will be included in this series:- Barton, Boston, Buslingthorpe, Great Coates, Croft, Covenham, Grainthorpe, Gunby, Hainton, Irnham, South Kelsey, Linwood, South Ormsby, Spilsby, Tattershall, Wrangle, &c. The Rev. F. P. Lowe, Saltfleetby, Louth, is the Hon. Sec. of the Lincolnshire Architectural Society. But the work will not be issued till a sufficient number of subscribers, at £1 4s, or at about 6d per plate, has been obtained to ensure the Society against any loss. ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES, AND THEIR WORKS. Northampton, March 14th, 1852. SIR,-I am rather amused (see p. 12 "Current Notes" for February last) at the apparent strength of Architectural Science in the Midland Counties. There are, it seems, four Societies, and in one year they publish almost one volume! If four Societies can only produce one "handsome octavo volume" in so long a period, I should suggest their dissolving themselves, and let some one active and competent member do the work. The truth is, half of these Societies are merely architectural Mrs. Harrises-talked about, but seldom or never seen. One liberal man, who would give a couple of hundred of pounds towards a work published by some creditable architect, would beat them all. I am, Sir, yours truly, MR. WILLIS. ANTI-SOCIALIST. THE PILLAR PRINT OF OLIVER CROMWELL. the excellent work by Charles Pye, on the "Provincial Coins and Tokens issued from the year 1787 to 1801, Birmingham, 1801." rian, who was a celebrated Numismatist in his day, gives The following passage from Thoresby, the Leeds histothe best information I can find on the subject: he says: "When private persons first obtained liberty of having their own names inscribed on the Tokens, I cannot learn. Sir William Dick had that favour in Charles been otherwise in England. I have by me a copy of an I.'s time, but that was in Scotland. It seems to have order in Council, whereby it appears that only the King's farthing tokens should be current here, and the privilege of coining them was granted to the Duke of Lennox, and the Marquis of Hamilton, under the Great DEAR SIR,-As this famous Portrait seems to be an object of interest to several of your subscribers, I take the liberty of adding my mite of information concerning it. In the March Number of "Current Notes," p. 21, it is stated that Caulfield valued a good impression of it at £36, but your Correspondent remarks, that "this was all very well for a dealer's valuation," adding, that the one sold at the Strawberry Hill sale was bought by a printseller for £7. 15s. That Caulfield was nearly right in his appreciation, I find confirmed by reference to the Catalogue of the extensive and choice collection of Prints formed by my uncle, the late Robert Morse, Esq. of Clarges Street, Piccadilly, which was sold by auction by the well-known Dodd, May 15th, 1816, and 27 following days. This portrait (Lot 1335), described as an excellent impression and of the utmost rarity," sold for £30 19s 6d. This, it is true, was in the high and palmy time of print-collecting, as the prices of a few others will testify. James I. by W. Pas, sold for £14 3s 6d. Edward Somerset, Earl of Worcester, by Simon Pas, for £9 9s. Edmond Baron Sheffield, for £10. Sir Julius Cæsar, by Elstracke, for £10 10s. Frances Bridges, Countess of Exeter, by Faithorne, for £10. Lot 3602, Strutt's Dictionary of Engravers, illustrated by 2820 prints, exhibiting specimens of the works of 1680 different engravers, bound in 18 vols, sold for £288 15s. Lot 3600, Vandyck's Works, a magnificent collection of engravings after his paintings, for £198; and others in the same proportion. Your obedient servant and collaborateur, Mr. WILLIS. CHARLES EDMONDS. 66 Seal." The passage is obscure, and does not sufficiently give unmerited contempt from some of our ablest antiquaries, TOKENS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. The notice of Tradesmen's tokens, inserted in the "Current Notes" of Feb. 25th, has attracted more attention than I expected, as besides the letters published in the Notes of March 25th, I have had direct communications from Andover and Downpatrick. In reply to the obliging letter of "K. L." Dublin, I beg to say, that I had seen the engraving of the Cork farthing in Mr. Lindsay's work, but as I did not sufficiently express my meaning, I will now explain what I meant by "the Commonwealth Arms," viz. that the two shields Amongst the different trades and professions which of Arms of England and Ireland were side by side, as appear on the tokens, that of a Musician is seldom met shewn on the Token engraved in the "Notes," and pre- with the following is an interesting example, and cisely in the form they appear on the Coins of the Com-furnishes an early example of Punchmonwealth, not separate as on the Cork farthing, one Ishield on the obverse, the other on the reverse side. They are all scarce: I do not know a single example of these Arms on an English token. Dr. Smith's Catalogue of Irish Tokens was unknown to me; I shall take the first opportunity to procure a copy. My chief object in writing the notice was to get any information concerning the Tokens of Scotland, whether there are any besides the Royal tokens. The Scotch tokens of the 18th Century, mentioned by your correspondent "M. A. M." are well known, and engraved in WOOD LA N VNCH The word "here" is ambiguous; I suppose "in Scotland" is intended. Henry Laude, Newark, says, "Noe want where these are." The cruel sport of cock fighting is on the token of William Docker, of Leeds, drawer. Gateshead has a punning coat of arms-a goat's head: to the lovers of Heraldry there is a fund of amusement; besides the Arms of the Trading Companies of London, we have the Arms of Corporations, and families. Many of the Corporations issued their tokens: Wotton-under-Edge has, This farthing token will be owned by the Mayor and Aldermen." The Bristol Corporation farthing is of good size and execution: many different dies were used. It is an exceedingly common token, and remarkable, as being the only one issued in that important commercial town. Many names of towns appear on these tokens, which would puzzle a gazetteer to find out: two names occur to me at this moment, OZED and FAIREFAX. 66 SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS. Gainsborough, March 15, 1852. SIR,-There has gone the round of the papers a paragraph, stating that though individuals of almost every nation appear as characters in one or other of Shakespeare's Plays, yet there never occurs an Irishman. I do not know whether this has been contradicted or not; but it is capable of contradiction, as a distinguished Prelate proved to me by taking down his volume of Shakespeare, containing the Play of Henry V. There in the 3rd Act, Scene 2nd, Fluellen, the Welchman, holds an animated and very characteristic conversation' with Capt. Macmorris, an Irishman. The original can be consulted. The Irish peculiarities are well hit off. So much for the charge of omission which has been brought against our great Bard, 66 March 6, 1852. SIR, I have taken some little pains to find out S. S.'s quere ("Current Notes," Feb. p. 15), without further success than to presume (in the absence of a facsimile) that the Orford" must be the Earl created 1742, there being a "Kendal" title then in existence : extinct 1743. Your correspondent can, without great difficulty, compare it with those mutilated documents, I should say, that have been so frequently dispersed at the various sales from the stock of Messrs. Upcott, Cole & Co., originally in the Exchequer State Paper Office, from whence no doubt it came. Yours, Mr. WILLIS. MRS. BODDINGTON. "MAGOG." 29th March, 1852. SIR,-Perhaps some of your readers will kindly afford me some information relative to Mrs. BODDINGTON, authoress of The Gossip's Week, Reminiscences of the Rhine, Sketches of the Pyrenees, and a volume of Poems, published by Longman & Co. in 1839? Yours obediently, W. 66 THE ARCTIC SEARCHING EXPEDITION.-No less than twenty Flags have been presented to Captain Sir Edward Belcher, designed and embroidered by the fair fingers of his relatives and friends. Previous to the sailing of the Assistance," they were displayed on the quarter-deck of that ship, for the inspection of the distinguished visitors who repaired on board to take leave of this distinguished, gallant, and enterprising officer. The following list of their devices and mottoes may not be an uninteresting record :— The flag, said to have been presented, with the motto, TO CORRESPONDENTS. ORIENTALIS.-In type; must stand over. PILGRIM'S BADGE, Venice, 26th February, 1852.-Ditto. 1. Black pouncing eagle, white ground, scarlet border. AN ARTIST.-Doorway in Woking Church, Surrey, must, Motto, on scarlet ground, "HOPE ON-HOPE EVER." E. M. 4. White bear, blue ground. Motto, "BEAR AND FORBEAR." C. M. and will, be considered. R. B., New York, 19th March.-Received, and will be Literary and Scientific Obituary. "Annals ANDERSON, Rev. Christopher. Gaelic Scholar, 5. Spade, ice-saw, pickaxe, bright green ground. Motto, BROWN, Samuel, Captain Sir. Inventor of Chain Cables, on black scroll, "PERSEVERE AND PROSPER." 6. Gold star, crimson ground, "LEAD THOU US ON." 7. White dove, blue ground. S. C. M. E. B. "GO FORTH IN FAITH." 8. Gold star, blue ground. Motto, 66 FAITHFUL AND TRUE. Bridges and Piers of Suspension. Vanbrugh Lodge, BUCHANAN, Alexander of Govan. Lyric Writer in Glas- GAY, Madame Sophie. Journalist. Paris. 4th March. "I WATCH FOR YOUR RETURN." 17. White centre, scarlet border. Motto, in purple, 66 BY FAITH AND COURAGE." 18. Star, white and silver, blue ground. Motto, 64 NEVER DESPAIR. VICTORY FOLLOWS THE BRAVE." F. M. H. 19. Greek oak wreath, "BLANCHE" in centre, maize ground. Motto, "BRIGHT EYES FOR BRAVE HEARTS." B. T. 20. An eagle on rock, breaking his chain, light blue; in the four corners, the initials H. D.-I. D.-S. D. and U. D., light blue ground. Motto, 64 ADVERSA REPELLO VIRTUTE." RAUPACH, Ernest. Dramatic Writer. Berlin. 18th March. SEDDELER, M. Military Encyclopedia. St. Petersburgh. SHOBERL, Frederick, jun. Printer. 51, Rupert Street, |