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writer has furnished a new Antiquarian Repertory.' The Court Journal," in noticing this work, remarks, "The cause of true religion has too often suffered from the well-meant efforts of its most zealous advocates, and books written with a pious object have been so inartificially contrived, and so made up of dry details, that the serious reader could with difficulty labour through them, while the young and the unreflecting have turned from them with more than cold indifference." These volumes, it is added, "are not of such a character; they embody facts of mighty importance in connexion with the reform commenced by Wickliffe, but with them much amusement is blended."

The courage and determination with which Sir John Oldcastle opposed himself to the tyranny of the corrupt slaves of the Pope must command admiration, but it is here clearly shown that the reform then called for, was by no means confined to matters identified with religion. Grievous abuses, which had nothing to do with the church, but in so far as bishops and other churchmen did not scruple to do a trifle of corruption in all public matters, existed, which called for redress. In every shape and way the people saw themselves oppressed, and the love of mammon was so strong that in almost every case that excited popular indignation, some, whose attention ought to have been fixed on holier objects, were found deeply implicated. This no doubt was one of the causes of the popularity of "the Good Lord Cobham," and eventually of the Reformation. We have contented ourselves with describing what has been attempted. The Naval and Military Ga. zette,' in an elaborate review of the book, gives the following opinion on the execution:

"In the second volume of the work we find the clearest and most impressive condensed view of the proceedings of the memorable Council of Constance, and of everything relating to the trial and execution of the great Bohemian Reformer, John Huss, and of his friend, Jerome of Prague, that we have anywhere seen. It is simply, yet powerfully written. To the antiquary, the student of history, the theological inquirer, the investigator of life and manners, this book will prove equally acceptable."

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the Duke, when the farmer came to meet him as he rode up to the house, "I want to look over the farm a little.” As they went along, "Really," said he, "everything is in a very bad case. This wont do. I see you are quite under it. All your stock and crops wont pay the rent in arrear. I will tell you what I must do ; I must take the farm into my own hands; you shall look after it for me, and I will pay you your wages." Of course there was no saying nay-the poor man bowed assent. Presently there came a reinforcement of stock, then loads of manure; at the proper time, seed, and wood from the plantations for repairing gates and building. The Duke rode over frequently. The man exerted himself, and seemed quite relieved from a load of care by the change. Things assumed a new aspect. The crops and stock flourished; fences and outbuildings were put into good order. In two or three rent days, it was seen by the steward's books that the farm was making its way. The Duke on his next visit said, "Well, John, I think the farm does very well now. We will change again; you shall be tenant once more; as you now have your head fairly above water, I hope you will be enabled to keep it there." The Duke rode off at his usual rapid rate. The man stood in astonishment; but a happy fellow he was when, on applying to the steward, he found that he was actually re-entered as tenant to the farm, just as it stood in its restored condition; I will venture to say, however, that the Duke himself was the happier man of the two.-W. Howitt

POPULATION OF SPAIN.-According to the received opinion, Spain, under the Romans, contained 40,000,000 of inhabitants; but, accounting this a most exaggerated statement, let us assume the population to have been only half the estimated amount, or 20,000,000. At the close of the fourteenth century, according to several Spanish writers, the population was as follows, viz:-States of Castille, 11,000,000; states of Aragon, 7,700,000; kingdom of Grenada, 3,000,800; total, 21,700,800. This estimate, like the former, is probably exaggerated; Laborde thinks that the population at the latter period, cannot have exceeded 16,000,000. Under Ferdinand and Isabella, at the end of the fifteenth century, it amounted, according to the same authorites, to upwards of 20,000,000; but a more probable estimate reduces it to 15,000,000. In 1688 it was 10,000,000; in 1700, at the death of Charles II, 8,000,000; in 1715, under Philip V, 6,000,000; in 1768, under Charles III, 9,307,804; in 1787 and 1788, the last year of the reign of Charles III, 10,143,975. By the census, which was taken in the year 1797 and 1798, it appears that the population then exceeded 12,000,000. It follows, therefore,

that from the time of the Romans until
the year 1715, the population of Spain had
been continually decreasing in the following
proportions, viz.-From the time of the
Romans until the end of the fourteenth
century, a period of about a thousand
years, 4,000,000; from the close of the
fourteenth century until the end of the fif-
teenth century, a period of a hundred
years, 1,500,000; from the end of the fif
teenth century until the year 1688, a
period of less than two hundred years,
nearly 5,000,000; from the year 1688 to the
year 1700, that is, twelve years, 2,000,000:
and from the year 1700 to 1715, fifteen
years, also 2,000,000. On the other hand,
it increased, from the year 1715 to 1768,
a space of thirty-three years, 3,307,804;
from the year 1768 to 1788, twenty years,
836,171; from the last period to the year
1806, rather more than 2,000,000; making
a total increase from 1715 until 1806 of
above 6,000,000. In the Diccionario Geo-
grafico of Minano, the population of Spain
in 1826 is estimated at 13,732,172, which
would give an increase since 1715, that is,
in a hundred and eleven years, of 7,732,172;
and even this estimate has been supposed
to fall below the truth, although it exceeds
that given in the last edition of Antillon.
Taking the census of 1826, however, as
the closest appoximation which has yet
been obtained, the population of Spain,
compared with its superficial extent,
(145,100 square miles), would give about
90 to the square mile, or little more than
half the number upon an equal space in
France and England, countries far inferior
to Spain in fertility of soil, advantages of
climate, and other bounties of nature.

The Gatherer.

Pirates in the East.—The pirates on the Coromandel coast and those of Malabar were celebrated for their daring through the 17th century. In 1686 a small vessel of theirs, mounting only eight guns and manned with 300 men, attacked the 'Phoenix,' of 42 guns, commanded by Captain Tyrrel. The assailants quickly discovered their mistake, but escape being impracticable, they fought till their ship sunk under them, and though boats were immediately sent to their rescue, most of them refused quarter, so that only about seventy were taken alive.

The Title of Colonel. It is not known that there were colonels in the English army earlier than 1598. Anterior to that date it consisted of companies of 100 men each, under a captain, a lieutenant, and an ensign; and the captain seems to have had the appointment of his subaltern officers.

Capital Executions.

-Hollinshed tells

minals suffered the extreme penalty of the law,-nearly 2,000 a year. Sir Thomas More tells that 20 were often hanged on the same gallows at the same time. The average number of executions in Elizabeth's time was 400 annually; and the annual number during the first half of the last century was about 100.

The Old Law of England.-Anciently the criminal in England was punished by horrible mutilations; his hand, his foot, his nose or lips were cut off, his eyes plucked out, his head scalped, or he was branded with a red-hot iron on the forehead, cheek, or arm. The Conqueror would not suffer death to be inflicted for a slight offence; but the mutilated criminal walked about, a standing warning, a living evidence of the "grievous mercy" of the law.

Punishment for Lead Stealing.-By an ordinance of Edward I, any person detected for the third time in stealing lead or silver ore from the Derbyshire mines was to have his hand fastened to a table by a knife driven through it, and there he was to remain in agony, a prisoner, until he freed himself by cutting off his hand.

Inns of Court.-On what pretence is the monopoly of the Inns of Court continued? The public derives no benefit from the perpetuated abuse of these societies. They have no regard to the instruction or discipline of their members; and nobody pretends that they are of service, except as they preserve the gentility of the profession. It is a sort of rank, which men seek after to gain a position above their fellows. But how is it attained? By study? By scholarship? By eating mutton? Not even by that, but by the mere payment of fees.- Westminster Review.

Mahomet.-It is recorded that Mahomet disapproved of a priesthood; he wished every Moslem to have a copy of the Koran and be his own priest; but his successors in the Caliphate of Bagdad and on the throne of St Sophia endowed a permanent establishment.

The Last of his Race.-Such is the national prepossession in Turkey, that when the late Sultan attacked the power of the Janissaries, he escaped death through being the last male of his race. The union of the Caliphate with the kingly power was the amulet which preserved him from destruction. The popular belief that the death of the last Caliph would be the knell of the Ottoman empire, emboldened Mahmoud, withered the strength of his foes, and disarmed the assassins; and this alone empowered him, singly and unarmed, to perambulate the streets of the capital when the exasperated Janissaries would have eagerly shed his blood.

The Grand Jury in Ancient Times.-Orithat in Henry VIII's reign 72,000 cri- ginally the Grand Jury was merely an

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inquest, whose duty it was to find out offences; they were the instruments of accusation, not a shield or protection for the accused. In the words of Lord Somers, "the Grand Jury were the indictors." It seems to be quite clear from a law of Etheldred (L. L. Ethel. c. 5) that a Grand Jury existed among the Saxons, for that law directed that "twelve thanes, with the sheriff at their head, should go and on their oath inquire into all offences, not charging any one falsely, nor wilfully suffering any offender to escape."

Zumalacarregui.-This celebrated Carlist general was as remarkable for brevity in his correspondence as the Duke of Wellington. In writing to his wife he seldom went to greater length than this:-"I am well; keep your mind at ease. Kiss our dear daughter on each cheek."

The Rapier v. the Sword.-In a set duel between two opponents of high courage and great skill, one armed with a rapier, the other with a sabre, the former will in general first prick his antagonist, but he will be cut down at the same moment; for thrusts, even if mortal, rarely disable at the instant. Of this an instance occurred at Culloden to Lord Robert Ker, whose head was cleft by a Highlander, whom he had pierced through with a spontoon, which was yet sticking in his breast.

China Clay of Swan River.-In the 'Swan River News,' Mr H. W. Beverley, the architect, calls attention to the china clay found in the Swan River Settlement. He says it is found near the half-way house on the old road from Guildford to York, and may be had apparently in any quantity. It is exceedingly white and pure, and burns to a brilliant white and extreme hardness; it is in fact a near approach to the Kaolin of China, which has never been found out of that country.

The Floral Games. These celebrated mental exercises were instituted at Toulouse, in the early part of the fourteenth century, in the time of the Troubadours. The prize awarded to the author of the best poetical composition consisted of a golden violet, to which several other prizes were afterwards added by Clémence Isaure. This festival, interrupted by the revolution, was revived in 1806.

Frederick the Great.-The King of Prussia, who acted so grand a part in the affairs of Europe in the last century, wrote a play, It was much applauded, and one of his poetical subjects wrote the following complimentary lines on its success:—

“A monarch to his people dear,
Kindly an opera gives, we hear.
All hands are raised to give it fame;
For, while we envy his great name,
The poet must be happy when

He leads a hundred thousand men."

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St George's Fields.-An ancient urn, filled with human bones, was found many years ago, from which some antiquaries drew the inference that that place had once been a Roman station. Dr Gale, however, gave it as his opinion that it had not been a Roman station, but a cemetery, the Romans being expressly forbidden," by the first in the tenth table" of their laws, to bury in cities, in these words, "Let no person be interred, nor body burnt within the city:" which law it appears they most religiously observed, as their burial grounds were always by the sides of the highways, such as Watling street was in that neighbourhood.

Postilions and their Cattle.-The Prussian postilion rarely converses with his horse, but more rarely uses the whip, except by way of a flourish in terrorem. This could hardly be the case in England, where the horses only see straight before them; but in Prussia their eyes are wholly uncovered, and they watch with great interest every motion of their conductor.

"The Young Idea."-Children who are not well treated in their infancy are ill tempered, cross, and vindictive; they seem to wish to make others suffer the same evil they themselves endure. It may be from imitation or impulse, but it cannot be doubted that kindness begets kindness, as hatred begets hatred.-Mad. B. Riofrey.

Ion.-The Greek name of the violet is Ion. It is traced by some etymologists to Ia, the daughter of Midas, who was betrothed to Atys, and changed by Diana into a violet, to hide her from Apollo. The beautiful, modest flower still retains the bashful timidity of the nymph, partially concealing itself amidst foliage from the garish gaze of the sun.

Registration of Deaths. This practice seems to have commenced in the time of Queen Elizabeth. The books of St Olave contain the following entry:-" November, 1578. A new com'andment from the Quene and her consill, to endite the names, the Christian names, the age, and the disease of every person dyeing within the parish."

A Queen's Breakfast. When Queen Elizabeth visited Cowdray, in Sussex, in 1591, after a flourishing account of the reception of her majesty, in which she was addressed as the "Miracle of Time," "Nature's Glory," "Fortune's Empress," the "World's Wonder!" it is added that on the following day she was "most royallie feasted; the proportion of breakfast was three oxen and one hundred and fortie geese!"

LONDON: Published by JOHN MORTIMER, Adelaide Street, Trafalgar Square; and sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen.

Printed by C. REYNELL, 16 Little Pulteney street, and at the Royal Polytechnic Institution.

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Original Communications.

LINCOLN'S-INN NEW HALL AND

LIBRARY.

AMONG the structures now rapidly rising to add to the dignity and beauty of the British metropolis, the subject of our present engraving is far from being the least in magnitude or importance. As it advances to completion, it presents us with a vivid realization of the architecture of the days of Elizabeth,

"When dames of honour breakfasted on beef."

In its general construction its venerable neighbour will be found to have served as a model. It is formed of red interspersed with veins of blue brick, and dressed with stone. It occupies part of the gardens of Lincoln's inn, ranging along the east side of Lincoln's-inn fields. This erection is by Mr Hardwick, and is in the style of the time of Henry the Eighth.

The old Lincoln's-inn hall, which has been mentioned, was built on the ancient site of the houses of the Bishop of Chester and of the Blackfriars, erected by Ralph Nevil, bishop of that see, about the year 1225. These properties, in the course of time, fell to Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, and he erected a stately mansion as the residence of himself and his successors, in which he is reported to have entertained the study of the law some time before his death, which took place in the year 1310. The house subsequently belonged to the bishoprick of Chichester, having been de mised by Robert Sherburn,bishop of that see, to William Syllard, a student therein, for a term of years, at the end of which, in the year 1536, the prelate's successor in the bishoprick, Richard Sampson, granted the inheritance to the said William Syllard and his brother. The latter, for the sum of 500l., by deed bearing date Nov. 12, 1579, conveyed the house and garden in fee to Richard Kingsmill and other benchers.

In Cooke's Walks through London' we read :

66

The Society of Lincoln's inn is entitled to the following endowment: Christopher Tancred, Esq., of Whixley, in Yorkshire, in the year 1754, bequeathed a considerable property for the education of twelve young men ; four of whom are directed to be instructed in divinity, in Christ's College, Cambridge; four in the study of physic, at Gonvil, or Caius College, in the same University; and four in the study of the common law, at Lincoln's inn, London. The trustees were incorporated by act of parliament in 1761. each of the four persons elected to partake of this bequest in the study of the law, the yearly sum of 50l. is assigned by the will; and this aid (which now exceeds 1007.) is ontinued for three years after they have

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taken the degree of barrister-at-law. The testator's bounty was intended for the use of young men whose scanty means might disable them from prosecuting their studies but, by that perversion of charitable funds which too generally prevails, the sons of bishops, and other lordly beggars, are generally the fortunate holders of the bounty."

The situation of the new hall is most eligible, looking over the noble area of Lincoln's-inn fields on the one side, with the gardens on the other. Its origin is thus accounted for by our contemporary the Polytechnic Review:'

"The benchers being gradually driven out of their old halls by chancellors and vice-chancellors, bethought themselves of building a new one; and, at the same time, have made ample accommodation for dining; they have also provided a drawing room for the benchers, and a library, forming together a fine suite."

The foundation of this building was laid only in June last. That such a pile should have risen in the space of a few months is really, even in these days, when rapid and unlooked-for changes are common, something extraordinary. To accomplish the erection in the shortest time possible, we are informed the workmen have been constantly kept at work night and day. The projectors, with the wishing cap of Fortunatus, seem to have borrowed his purse, and to have made rather free with its contents.

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In a future number of the Mirror' the interior will be noticed.

THE COBBLER AND CHARLES V.-The precedence given, in the pageant processions of Flanders, to the cobblers over the shoemakers, gives curious confirmation to an anecdote related of Charles the Fifth, who was fond of parading the towns incog. Rambling at Brussels in this way, his boot required mending, and he was directed to the nearest cobbler. It was St Crispin's day, and the cobbler refused to work, "even for Charles himself!" but he invited him in to join his merry-making companions; the offer was accepted, and after much free but good-humoured discourse, the emperor departed. Next day, much to his surprise, the cobbler was sent for to court, where, contrary to his fears, the emperor thanked him for his hospitality, and gave him a day to consider what he might ask as a suitable reward. He expressed a wish that the cobblers of Flanders might bear for their arms a boot, with the emperor's crown upon it. This modest request was granted, and he was told to ask another, when he declared his utmost wish to be that the company of cobblers should take precedence of the shoemakers.-Fairholt's Lord Mayor's Pageants.

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