making the original fair copy, and especially in delineating all the mountains and broken ground of the Highlands; and this advantage has not been neglected in the reduced map. Being anxious that the benefit of this map, should not be lost to the public, We have also asked and obtained his Majesty's gracious permission for its publication; and the small map in the appendix to this report has been reduced from it, shewing particularly the several roads and bridges we have had occasion Antiquities of Westminster; the Old Palace St. Stephen's Chapel (now the House of Commons), &c. &c. with 246 Engravings of Topographical Objects, of which 122 no longer remain. By John Thomas Smith. Large Quarto. pp. 290. Price £6. 6s. For the Author, London 1807. AN enlargement of the present House of Commons having become requisite, for the admission of the additional members, in con We have experienced the most ready attention from the proprietors of the several Islands, who have furnished all the plans they possessed; and these, with the aid of Mackenzie's charts as corrected by Huddart, have been sufficient for a satisfactory delineation of most of the Westesn Isles. Mr. Arrowsmith is Soon to furnish a Memoir shewing the authorities on which the map is constructed, and which therefore renders it unnecessary for us to enter into any further detail of the assis-sequence of the Union of Great Britain and tance received. Ireland; on removing the wainscoting for that purpose in the month of August 1800, it was discovered that the whole inside of the walls of the building had been originally painted with single figures and historical subjects. Many of these were still in such a state of preservation as to admit of being copied and engraven; and the necessary permission having been obtained for that purpose, accurate drawings were therefore made from view; from which drawings the present them on the spot, by Mr. Smith, with that plates have been taken with equal fidelity and exactness. Of these paintings, as well as of the several other ornaments then dis covered, it is the object of the present work to give an account and explanation, together with the history of the building itself, and also of the old palace at Westminster, of which it was a part; but, as the modern appearance of that city is widely different from that which it formerly bore, its ancient state must first be described, in order to the understanding of what will be said hereafter. to mention. Suchave been the authorities for Mr. Arrowsmith's map, and such the patronage, under which it appears. We have taken advantage of that artist's talents in the execution of our plate of the same subject; and we cannot conclude this article better, than by returning our grateful thanks, to the liberality which has conferred on us the favour of permission to enrich our work with a copy of a performauce so honourable to the state of the arts in our nation, and so interesting to the British public, at large. In our map are comprehended 1. All the post towns in Scotland; these have never before been marked in any map, of any kind. 2. The former roads are marked with a single thin line; these mostly extend as far north as Perth, and up the east coast to Inverness. Such is the introductory paragraph to this splendid volume, and it states, in a few words, the occasion of the work, and the intention of the author. In the execution of this intention we are obliged to Mr. Hawkins for a considerable variety of illustrations of the ancient state of the 3. The military roads made by General Royal Palace at Westminster and the Wade are for the most part marked mili- adjacencies, which may mostly be contary road: they are distinguished by dou-sidered as forming a part of its demesnes. ble lines, one line being stronger than the other. 4. The newly planned roads are marked by double lines: both of equal strength. 5. The divisions of the counties are marked in dotted lines, with great accuracy. 6. The principal mountains are delineated: but not so many as to interfere with the primary purpose of the map: or to contuse the situations of the towns and places. Mr. Hawkins goes a little, and but a little, out of his way, to introduce the history of several considerable houses which formerly stood in different parts of the Strand, such as one in which the Duke de Sully lodged, and Durham House, which we well remember. He proceeds from west of Temple Bar to Westminster in an orderly manner, and describes a state of things, or at least of buildings and streets, that was widely different from what this part of the town now exhibits. He explains the term Mews, as denoting place for the seclusion of hawks while they meued or moulted their feathers. He pays considerable attention to Charing Cross; and by the help of a rare book, presents us with a figure of it, but in its dilapidated state. It was made all of white marble, and so cemented with mortar, made of the purest lime, Callis sand, whites of eggs, and the strongest wort, that it defed all batchets and hammers whatsoever. In Henry the Eighth's days it was begged, and should have been degraded.-In Edward the Sixth's time, when Somerset House was building, this cross was in danger; after that, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, one of her footmen had like to have run away with it: but the greatest danger of all it was in, was in the time of King James, when it was eight times begged." Surely court beggars were reduced to great difficulties when so many applied to his Majesty for the property of this ancient structure! It was taken down in 1647, and some of its stones employed as pavement before Whitehall. Proceeding towards the main object of the work, we find some curious remarks on the condition of Westminster at different periods with the history of the disinterment of the bodies of Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw ;-but private history says that Cromwell, at least, anticipated and escaped this intended disgrace: it is certain, that the exposure at Tyburn was soon discontinued, because sundry persons who examined the features of the parties, did not recognise those of that sagacions usurper. Mr. H. takes pains to illustrate the character, situation, and decorations of the famous hall of Rufus, and of the streets and ways adjacent; not forgetting Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise : once sufficiently public houses of resort. Probably, at first, they were distinguished by appropriate signs; and after those signs were removed, the titles were waggishly applied to such as had won, or lost, suits in the courts adjacent; and to those who had conducted them. Hell pump is still in use; but Paradise, we believe, is totally removed: the modern front stands on the site of Purgatory; opposite to which we read on the plate annexed, "Here stood Heaven." The antiquary, guided by Mr. H., will will tread this ground, with pleasure. He will, as it were, survey the old palace, the old chapel, the residences of the old canons, the water courses by which this part of Westminster was made an Island, with various other antiquities perfectly to his taste. They are treated, with much science, and have cost the author much labour; he has recalled past ages to existence, as much as any writer whom we have lately perused, and has spared no pains to render himself master of his subject. But, we acknowledge that we feel our selves more interested in the discovery of oil paintings of a date so remote, and the rather, because we incline to think that they were productions of English artists: and they imply the existence of ideas of magnificence and art, which are much beyond what are usually admitted among us in reference to those times. Tradition has continued the appellation of" The Painted Chamber" to one of the rooms of the old Palace at Westminster. It is known to be as old as the time of Edward the Confessor. The door at the east end of it, is distinguished by an arch turned over it, in a style as masterly as most productions of modern art: it is in our eye a great curiosity, as a mark of Saxon abilities. Tradition, says Howel (Londinopolis p. 356,) affirms, that Edward the Confessor died in this chamber, which we mention, in hope it may serve as a clue to the explanation of that singular transposition in the Bayeux tapestry, which places his solemn removal to St. Peter's Abbey, before his death. (Vide Pan. Vol. III. p. 323.) That he died at Westminster is certain. This chamber has ever retained the name of Painted, or Depeint, or St. Edward's chamber; but the reason of this was never ascertained, till on removing the tapestry which covered the walls, they were found to contain a multitude of large figures, and battles. These are, certainly, as old as 1822, since they are mentioned by a writer of that time: they represented the wars of the bible, and were "painted beyond description, with the most complete and perfect inscriptions in French, to the great admiration of the beholders, and with the grandest regal magnificence." It is likely that these paintings may be dated about twenty years earlier. St. Stephen's Chapel, now used by the who examined them, found much varHouse of Commons for their sittings is nish mingled with them. He supposes, known to have existed in the time of that the red lead mingled with oil was laid King John, who in 1206 granted to Bald- on the stone as a priming: it might be win de London, clerk of his Exchequer, so; but the ruddle as a coarser colour may the chapelship of St. Stephen's Westmin- be thought more likely. The gilding was ster. Some have said that it was founded performed by first giving a coat of ochre by King Stephen 1141, and we do not with oil to the smoothened surface of the incline to controvert that opinion. It stone; on this the gold leaf was placed, was, however, ornamented with great and covered with a white transparent attention by succeeding kings; and Mr. | varnish. The gold leaf was of great puH. refers to Edward I. those sumptuous rity and thicker than that now employed. embellishments of which the remains are The colours mentioned are of the most so truly interesting. He has discovered valuable class, and no doubt, but the bestseveral rolls in which the wages of the of each kind was procured; which conworkmen and the cost of various materials tributes to account for the high state of in this undertaking are recorded; and preservation of many of them. other official expences are noted. These prove beyond denial the use of oil in painting, at that time, which is 150 years before the reputed discovery of that art, by John van Eyck. We find charges for white lead, read lead, oil, red vernish, white vernish, azure, indebas findigo?] sinople [terra sinopica, nearly the present Indian red] vermilion, &c. We find also many hundred [leaves, we presume] of gold, and silver, charged; also several pounds of tin, It appears that the King in 1349, by a mandate directed to all and singular his sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, and ministers, and all his faithful subjects, put into requisition the artists and workmen necessary to forward his buildings; also as much glass as those buildings requried, with carriages to convey it: giving a power to imprison all who resisted. In the next year 1350, John de Alkeshull was appointed to procure in the same manner, by land and water, within liberties or without, except ecclesiastical property, stone, wood, trees, timber, lead, glass, iron, tiles and other necessaries for the king's works, in the palace at Westminster, the Tower of London, and the Castle of Windsor. Artists of every kind were obtained in like manner. Among other inferences, these mandates lead to that of the arts being in general use, not restricted to royalty, and, there fore, though we may copclude the king would do all that could be done to embellish his works to the utmost, yet he did not monopolize the merit of the time. Several scrapings of the colours from the walls have been submitted to chemical analysis, and prove to have been unques. tionably mingled with oil. Mr. Haslam, As to the subjects represented, we may say that there was scarcely an inch of the interior of this fabric which was not decorated with devices of flowers, or other ornaments, the ground of which was painted with vermilion, or ultramarine; or on which gold or silver did not shine. Around the fileze are the arms of the Royal family of England, in lively colours also; of those others of the nobility; below are angels holding expanded draperies richly embroidered. Behind this frieze are pictures in compartments, representing scripture subjects. In fact, the paintings seem to have been generally of Scripture events, and those which being best preserved, Mr. Smith has copied with most distinctness, are, the Nativity, the Appearance of the angels to the shepherds, the Adoration by the shepherds, the Presentation in the temple: and, what he supposes to be the Adoration by the kings. From this opinion we dissent, because, the painting exhibits only two kings, whereas tradition has uniformly reckoned them to be three; because the pavement on which these kings stand (one is kneeling) is ornamented with great care, and is evidently that of a palace, not that of a stable; because the wall of the apartment is which the scene passes, is highly ornamented also in small chequers: in short there is neither ox nor ass in this composition, as there would be in a stable, nor any trace of eastern costume, which there is in the picture of the Presentation. As these performances are entitled to many allowances or account of their age, and the lapse of time since they were executed, we may pronounce them respectable: and when this edifice was in its perfect state it must have ters. combined a blaze of magnificence of which | who had not access to such ancient regiswhich we have at present no instances. The reader must conceive of pillars, and members enriched with carving in various patterns these again further enriched by grounds and interstices painted or gilt: the walls decorated with figures some as large as life, others smaller, but all painted with lively colours, and on the stone. The windows, too, were filled with painted glass, Casting a dim religious light in a multiplicity of devices: he must also add the various stalls and seats, the king's, the queen's, those of the royal family, of the great officers of the household, of the clergy in attendance, the riches displayed on the altar, in the habits, sacerdotal and civil, the solemnity of the service, the music, and in short, whatever of pomp and magnificence his imagination can combine, in order to form some faint idea of this royal and public palace and chapel of the kings of England. It should appear that many of the nobility contributed to the expences, and we can give no better reason for the portraits which appear on the walls, than what arises from the liberality of the heads of those families. The arms other than those of the royal family, also bear witness to this: we might instance those of Henry duke of Lancaster, 1361, William earl of Northampton 1359, Thomas Beauchamp earl of Warwick, Roger Mortimer earl of March, and many other garls and lords. Certainly these were benefactors, each in his place, though the king was the chief, as he also was the patron of the undertaking. We have already hinted that we attach the greater curiosity and value to the ornaments of this chapel, because they appear to have been executed by English artists. The whole number of painters mentioned in the ancient records is seventy sir, of which only two by their names can be suspected of being foreigners. The price paid to the superior artists was seven shillings weekly: others had 8d per day from which price there is a regular descent to 24d per day. It is thought that some of the most capable were procured from among that class of priests, &c. which was accustomed to enrich missals, &c. with illuminations. This article in the work under our consideration will form a valuable addition to lord Orford, VOL. III. [Lit. Pan. Nov. 1907] Our readers will learn with regret, that various parts of the palace of Westminster were consuined by fire, at different periods, so that some parts which might have come down to us, had not such calamity occurred, have perished. This, no doubt, would have been the fate of the whole of the antiquities which occupy the spot, had the infernal plot of Guy Fawkes and his associates taken effect. We have lately seen doubts attempted to be thrown over that incident, and we therefore should not have been sorry if Mr. H. had indulged himself in stating further particulars. We are, however, obliged to him for satisfactory views of the cellars &c. which were hired by the conspirators, and other curicus particulars: such as that of the thickness of the walls (14 feet some, others 9 feet.) It has been but lately discovered that the lady who wrote the letter to lord Monteagle, was his eldest sister, Mary, the wife of Thomas Abington of Hinlip in the county of Worcester. Affection for her husband induced her to take effectual measures to remain unknown, while love to her brother led her to wish his absence from a scene of devastation and inevitable de. struction. "The Parliament of England formerly sat in the Chapter House of the Abbot of Westminster; and this continued till the statute of 1. Edward VI., which gave to the King colleges, free-chapels, &c. whereby the King enjoyed to his own use this ancient free-chapel of St. Stephen's. Since which it has served, by the King's permission, for the House of Commons to sit in."--Such is the information given us by Strype, book vi. p. 354; and we may add, it has continued appropriated to the same purpose ever since. Anciently, as Sir Edward Coke has remarked, both Honses sat together; and the Commons seem to have had no official Speaker, but some member of their body delivered their sentiments. This appears to have been the case in the early part of the reign of Edward III.; but at the latter end of that reign the houses were divided and Sir William Blackstone says, that the statute for defining and ascertain-. ing treason (25 Edw. III.) was one of the first acts of the new-modelled assembly, and the translation of the law proceedings K from French into Latin (36, Edw. III.) was another. We cannot follow our author in his his tory of the endowments, &c. of this stately edifice. The book contains much re'search, and will gratify the curious. We may however say a few words on the damage done to the city of Westminster by the removal of the staple of the King's wool, the weigh-house, &c. from the precincts of the palace. It appears, that an annual rent of £66. 13s 4d. was dimiuished in one year (1376) no less than £59. 14s. 3d.; and the two following years about the same sum, making in three years a loss of £177. 19s. Id. Such were the effects of removing the staple ! We may learn, also, the prices of several articles in ancient times: a large Missal given to St. Stephen's Chapel cost the donor £11. 6s. 8d., a Gradual cost £7.13s. 4d. and a new Ordinal £5. This was in 1410. What an incalculable benefit to the studious is the noble art of printing! daily prayers, all malice, wrath, and uncharitableness, all strife, anger, and evilspeaking. Mr. S. has carefully distinguished Mr. H.'s share in the volume; and Mr. H has detected errors in those parts which do not belong to him. We give no opinion on the merits of the case; but advise the return of the grey goose-quill to its peaceful inkstand, and no further shedding of good Christian ink ; -for, after all, as Falstaff says, "The better part of valour is discretion." Outline of a Plan for the better Cultivation, Security, and Defence of the British West-Indies; by Captain Layman, of the Royal Navy. 8vo. pp. 93, price 2s. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury, London, 1807. Captain Layman was, it appears from this pamphlet, the projector of the scheme for substituting the labour of Chinese servants in the West-India Islands for that of negroes. Indeed, he seems to have a talent at proposals of substitution, for he advises that an African corps be sent from the West-Indies to secure the British possessions in Hindoostan; and the Seapoys of Hindoostan he thinks will be very useful, as well as very happy, in garrisoning the West-India Islands. It must be own We must now close our account of this splendid volume. The plates are exeɛated with some peculiarity of handling; but it answers perfectly well for the nature of the subjects they represent. They have been taken pains with, and display no small dexterity, and good management in their effects. Mr. S. has been favoured to an uncommon degree by the loan of subjects; and indeed the number of persons to whom he makes his acknowledged that this is mutuality of good offices ments proves, that he has met with a patronage which is highly honourable to himself, to the liberality of his friends, and to the general taste of the times. Hitherto our narration has proceeded in peace; but we must not omit to record, for the sake of example to future editors and publishers, that, before the volume could be published, war broke out between Mr. Hawkins, who has unquestionable claim to be considered as author of the work, and Mr. Smith, who was certainly the projector of it. Mr. Smith has prefixed his volley of shot to the volume in the shape of an advertisement, and Mr. II. has tired off a pamphlet, which is by his direction given to subscribers gratis. We merely allude to these conflicts, that we may not be thought ignorant of them; at the same time we advise the combatants to consult the dignity of their respective professious, and to dismiss from their minds, according, we hope, to their on a large scale, that it coincides perfectly with the principle, that all mankind are of one family; and reduces an excursion of three, four, or five thousands of miles, to a family visit to brethren across a few fields and a river. Such is the extent of commercial speculations such are the ideas connected with the spirit of adventure, that not only natives of the island from which an adventure is fitted out, but those of the most distant regions are to be transplanted from their homes to remote soils. The inhabitants of Europe availed themselves of their superiority in arts and arms to subdue the native Americans, these failing they carried the negroe across the great deep, and now to obviate inconveniencies which they apprehend from the introduction of the negro race, they fetch Chinese to Trinidad, and propose, to defend Jamaica against the French by Seapoys! We know that one of these schemes has been |