caps with horns; many ludicrously shew their tongues; there are also, on the heads, caps and feathers; some are entirely composed of shells and sea-weeds; and not a few exhibit the features made out with foliage, &c. Interiors. Arched heads on pilas ters leading to stairs; balusters to them more complex. Chimney-pieces, plain mantle and jambs, either with a plain or enriched surrounding moulding, kneeded or otherwise. General cornice; an accumulation of mouldings, wainscot pannelling partakes of the like additions. It is as well to remark, that while the mouldings to the pannels in general give a new idea by a receding distribution of them, those pannels over chimneypiece retain their old protruding direction; one instance in particular has within its lines a looking-glass, gilded, with scrolls and foliage, since called a chimney-glass.

Queen's-square. It will be necessary first to notice the Statue of Anue (neglect and wanton mutilations daily preparing it, like the neighbouring externals of Henry's Chapel, for hearth-stone venders and consumers): the attitude is certainly majestic ; a swell-fronted pedestal, with side grounds and profile scrolls, much foliaged, support the statue. Her hair is full in curls flowing down her shoulders; on her head a small crown'; neck bare, rich collar of the Order of the Garter, stays braided with clusters of jewels; half sleeves festooned, lower part of the arms bare, holding the globe and sceptre, (sceptre lately destroyed); outer robe with ermine, brought forward in drapery cordons depending from the an excessive rich brocaded petticoat. The statue, until of late, occupied a conspicuous situation on the East side of the square, but now we find it huddled up in a corner, as who should say "we have heard enough of the marvels of your domination, and as your memorial becomes lost to common observance, so let the historicals thereunto attached, die and be forgotten!" The houses making out a third class are still of the same fashion as those preceding, but possess a superior consequence by the enlarged degree of their elevations, though not so Imuch in point of decoration, except the door-ways, such presenting a very

waist;

rich and singular form. Plan; hall with grand staircase, back ditto. Front one room, and two ditto in back front. Elevation; feur stories and dormers, plain strings. Door-way, plain architrave, Doric pilasters on each side compartmented, in which are elaborate scroll ornaments; these pilasters support a projecting canopy in an architrave, frieze, and cornice; from the architrave depends two arches with corbells: this canopy is profusely embellished in all its parts, with heads, foliage and flowers; the mouldings full of enrichments. The canopy in profile gives one corre sponding arch. Key-stones to the windows carry on the series of heads as before; plain general block cornice as before; also pedimented dor mers. Interior: hall; arched head on pilasters as the pass to the back rooms, &c. scroll foliage brackets to stairs, supporting the balusters, with an accumulation of small lines, in twisted columns, vase necks, &c. In entablature to landing of principal floor, much foliage. John Carter has laid before us a drawing made by him some years ago, from a large and fine original picture of Rubeus, of the triumph of Silenus (figures as large as life): it then occupied one side of the stair-case to the last house West, on the North side of the square. This picture is not at present in the same situation. Description; an ass whereon the drunken companion of Bacchus is riding, has fallen down, the unwieldy rider is likewise falling; but a Bacchante is supporting him in her arms, two Bacchants and a boy ditto are hoisting up the braying associate, ridiculously enough. In the distance two dancing Bacchantes, one with a thyrsus and the other with a tamborine: a Bacchaut is seen climbing a tree. In the extreme distance is

Bacchus in procession, as preceding his inebriated votary.

Upon a comparison of the old fitting-up of the rooms to the several houses (some of them having been much modernized) it is to be concluded, that great ornamental detail was never manifested; the chimney. pieces, a plain mantle and jambs, enriched mouldings round them, obtruding ditto to pannels over them, and receding ditto to the wainscotting; plain cornice, &c. In fact, a similar appearance to what is observ

ed

Doric pilaster frontispiece on pedes tals, to which a flight of steps; between pilasters, half door-way; above the entablature, compartments and pedestals, scrolls, &c. Side divisions, windows in one story, compartments, angle Doric pillars and parapet in continuation.

East side. Similar great parts, but simplified into one story of windows, compartments, angle Doric pilasters, and parapet in continuation.

To the windows and upper compartments key-stones, and sills of three mouldings. There is no appearance of a roof; such, we were informed, was taken down some time back: suppose now a lead flat. On the angles over the several pilasters were vase necks and balls (destroyed).

Materials; general walls, pilasters, rustics, entablatures, pannels, &c.

LITERARY

red bricks, of most delicate execution: smaller dressings, as bases, sills, strings, keystones, cappings, circular cornices, scrolls, &c. stone. Door-way, North, wood.

Work to the offices in their pier entrances, garden walls, with pilaster breaks, pedestals, arched door-passes, windows, compartments, strings, cornices, &c. correspondent to the school-room, but simplified in the detail, although the same careful and diligent hand is visible in every particular. At the termination of the garden, West, a saloon garden seat; with double Doric pilasters, entablature, and pedestal course above, enclosing an arched entrance to a semirecess coved, with baluster seats, &c. Thus every accommodation was prepared with equal attention and skill. AN ARCHITECT.

Theo-mania; or Historical Anecdotes of Religious Insanity and Delusion, from the earliest ages of the Christian Church to the pretended Mission of JOANNA SOUTHCOTT; including an impartial Memoir of the Life, Character, and Writings of that extraordinary Woman. By the Rev. Mr. NIGHTINGALE, Author of "The Portraiture of Methodism."

Alexis and Katharine, a Russian Poem, translated from the Original MS. of the Author, who fell in the Battle before Dresden. With Geographical Notes..

Preparing for Publication :

A new edition of the Life of King Robert Bruce, by John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen; and of the Acts and Deeds of Sir William Wallace, by Henry the Minstrel; from the MS. of both in the Advocates Library; with Biographical Sketches, Notes, and a Glossary; by Dr. JAMIESON.

A Memoir of the Expedition employed in the Conquest of Java, with a Survey of the Islands forming the Oriental Ar chipelago; with maps and views.

Some Account of the Life, with ori ginal Letters, of the Rev. T. ROBINSON, late of Leicester. By Rev. T. VAUGHAN.

An enlarged Correspondence between Protestants and Roman Catholics, on

the Translation, Dispersion, and Free Use of the Scriptures: including Letters from the Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord Clifford, Right Rev. Bishops Poynter and Milner, Rev. Peter Gandolphy, Ant. Rich. Blake, and Charles Butler, Esq. With Select Notes from the Rheims Testament and Doway Bible, shewing the Genuine Principles and Policy of the Church of Rome in the Nineteenth Century. By WILLIAM BLAIR, Esq.

An Anatomical and Physiological Examination of the Brain, as indicative of the Faculties of the Mind. By Dr.SPURZ

HEIM.

The Principles and Practice of the Court of Chancery, in two large octave volumes. By Mr. MADDOCK, Barrister.

The Second Volume of "Studies in History," which will contain the "History of Rome, from its earliest Records to the Death of Constantine, in a Se-ries of Essays, accompanied with Moral and Religious Reflections, references to original Authorities, and Historical Questions, which are so constructed as to include the substance of each Essay. By the Rev. T. MORELL, of St. Neot's.

The Descent of Liberty; a Mask, in allusion to the close of the War. By Mr. LEIGH HUNT.

Post Roads in France, with the va rious Routes to the principal Towns and Cities in Europe; being a Translation of the Etat des Postes.

Three

T is a circumstance of proud exIulation

the person of one illustrious Peer are united taste, wealth, hereditary honour, and, above all, old English probity and liberality. That such a Nobleman, with skill and discernment to appreciate their value, and generosity to give for them a liberal remuneration, should possess the most choice collection of early printed Books that has hitherto fallen to the lot of any individual, is, we repeat, an honour to that Country of which Earl Spencer is himself so bright an ornament. Of the abilities of the intelligent and indefatigable Compiler of the three beautiful Volumes now before us, the Publick have already had abundant demonstration of his present labours, we shall not give any opinion till our Readers have perused his judicious Introductory Preface:

“The Library, of which a very important portion is described in the following pages, has long maintained a distinguished reputation throughout Europe. It has been entirely formed by the present Noble Owner within a space of time not exceeding 24 years; and the foundation of that department of it, which these volumes describe, may be said to have been laid by the purchase of the Collection of the late Count REVICZKY. But, since the acquisition of that Collection, many rare and valuable impressions of Classical Authors have been obtained; and many copies, once the property of the Count, have been exchanged for others of which the condition was more desirable.

"The greater portion of his Lordship's Library is deposited at Althorp*; in a suite of apartments which contain not fewer than 45,000 volumes. The choice, condition, and splendour of the entire Collection, are probably unrivalled. The Publick will, therefore, expect

* “ Althorp Park, Northamptonshire; the residence of Earl Spencer's Ancestors for the last three centuries."

GENT. MAG. September, 1814,

that an attempt to make them acquainted with some of the Principal Treasures of such a Collection, should be particu. lar and exact. Such, indeed, are the objects of the present Work; which is exclusively confined to an account of See Books printed in the Fifteenth Century, 345 and to some of the more important First Editions in the Sixteenth Century.

"Such a work, if executed with copiousness and precision, cannot fail to be interesting to the Bibliographer, to the Scholar, and to the Lover of Antient Literature and the Fine Arts. I have, therefore, endeavoured to give a full and faithful description of each edition, according to its critical or bibliographical importance; and have not only consulted the principal Writers who have described it, but have attempted to correct their errors, to reconcile their differences, and to supply their deficiencies, when necessary and practicable: and occasionally to illustrate these descriptions by means of Fac-similes* and Embellishments, so as to impress the volumes, thus described, more strongly upon the memory of the Reader.-In these three departments, it is presumed that the present Work is more splendid and complete than any similar one with which the Publick are acquainted.

"To escape errors, or avoid omissions, in a publication of this nature, is, perhaps, impossible; but every care has been taken to prevent the occurrence of either. Each volume described has been twice examined; first, during the composition of the MS. and, the second time on comparing it with the proofsheets. Every authority also (some thousands in number) has, in like manner, undergone a double examination.

"The Collector of rare and valuable Books printed in the XVth Century must be aware of the importance of having such books carefully collated. No pains, therefore, have been spared in

ascertaining the number of the leaves, and the order of the signatures. The latter attempt has never before, to my knowledge, been accomplished in regard to foreign publications. But, notwithstanding every effort to be accurate, I am far from supposing that the work is faultless in these particulars. It may, however, boast of a comparatively near approach to accuracy.

"In respect to the description of the condition of each copy, it may be safely affirmed, that such description is equally honest and particular. A Collection of Books, so splendid and uncommon as is the present, will not easily have its lustre dimmed by the unavoidable introduction of a few indifferent copies. In regard to those Editions where the names of printers, the places, and the dates are omitted, all that can be reasonably expected is, to state probable conjectures.

"The Study of Bibliography in this country is, perhaps, in its infancy; but it is daily acquiring strength and extension. However deficient have been my former efforts to give it interest, I presume to hope that these Volumes may make atonement for past errors; as they frequently contain descriptions of Works never before described, and enlarged and corrected accounts of many which have been but superficially or erroneously noticed.

"Of a Library, justly considered by one of the most celebrated of modern Bibliographers, to be the richest private collection in Europe *, it was proper that the Catalogue of so material a portion as is contained in these Volumes should be equally splendid and accurate. If I have failed in the attempt to render it justice, it has not been from a deficiency of zeal in the cause of Bibliography; since one third of my life has been devoted to this congenial, and, I will add, useful, although laborious pursuit. In the present instance, the Noble Owner of the Collection has uniformly aided me by an examination of my MS.; by suggesting many improvements, and by supplying many important corrections. The freest access to his Library, and the most liberal use of the Volumes described, have been always granted. The failures, therefore, are entirely my own. "I have other obligations to acknowledge. The Manuscript Memoranda of the late Count REVICZKY, and those of

"Bibliothèque probablement la plus belle et la plus riche de toutes celles que possède actuellement aucun particulier. RENOUARD, Annales de l'Imprimerie des Alde, vol. III. p. 8."

the late Bishop of ELY (the former supplied by Earl Spencer, and the atter by the late learned Author of thm,) have been occasionally of material service to me. The observations of the Count, although less luminous and concise than those of the Bishop, are more extensive; and were intended by their Author to form the chief materials of a new edition of the Catalogue of his own Library.

"But I should be wanting in a due regard to the memory of a distinguished character, if I omitted this opportunity of paying a feeble tribute of respect to that of the late Dr. THOMAS DAMPIER, Bishop of Ely: a Prelate not less beloved for his frank and affectionate disposition, than respected for his classical and philological attainments. In bibliographical knowledge he had few superiors: his discernment being quick and accurate; and his conclusions correct and instruc tive. His Lordship lived to examine only a few of the printed sheets of the present Work; offering his friendly aid to superintend the whole of the remainder. What, therefore, has been lost to me in this respect, by his decease, can be easily conceived; but the remembrance of his good opinion, and of his encouragement to proceed as I had begun, has constantly served to cheer me in the progress of my labours.

My acknowledgments are also due to the ingenious Artists who have so effectually contributed towards the splendour of this publication; and still more to the celebrated Printer in whose Office it has been executed. Those who are able to appreciate the care and skill requisite to render volumes of this nature beautiful and accurate, will readily admit that the present are executed in a manner worthy of the high reputation of the Shakspeare Press.”

After a minute examination of these instructive and uncommonly elegant Volumes, we are at a loss which most to admire the extent the taste and erudition of the Ediand magnificence of the Collection tor-or the fidelity and beauty which are so conspicuous in the various facsimiles, and indeed in every other department of the Typography.

This important Work is divided under the following heads or depart