It is intended to issue, with each alternate part, as heretofore, some pages of critical notices of recent publications. With this in view, books, etc. (to be sent to the Editor, 26, Meridian Place, Clifton, Bristol), are desired; and they will receive, with as little delay as possible, a careful consideration. Works in any way connected with the civil or ecclesiastical history of Gloucestershire or the neighbouring counties particularly welcome. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. “Gloucestershire Notes and Queries" is a good medium for literary and other suitable advertisements, which will be received by the Editor. As the space is limited, an early communication is recommended. The work is published quarterly ; and to secure the insertion of an advertisement in the forthcoming part, it will be well to forward particulars not later than the 1st of March, June, September, and December, respectively. Advertisements of patent medicines and such like will not be accepted on any terms. Scale of charges:-page (same size as circular), £1; half-page, 128.; quarterpage, 6s. 6d.; inch, 5s.; half-inch, 2s. 6d.-in good legible type, well displayed, and across the page. BOOKS FOR SALE. A very few copies of each of the following: 1. Brief Sketches of the Parishes of Booterstown and Donnybrook, in the County of Dublin; with Notes and Annals. Four Parts. Dublin, 1860-74. Sm. 8vo, pp. viii. 488. In neat cloth binding, price 5s., post-free. 2. Monumental Inscriptions in the Parish Church of Cheltenham. Privately printed. London, 1877. 4to. Price 3s. 6d., post-free. Application to be made to the Rev. B. H. Blacker, 26, Meridian Place, Clifton, Bristol Part XLVIII., the concluding portion of Vol. ¡V., price Is., or by post, 15. 1d.= be ready for the 1st of October. The annual subscription for the work, which is published quarterly, (including April double part) is 5s., or by post, 5s. 5d. Communications of a suitable character will be most acceptable. The lean of documents and newspapers, literal copies of monumental inscriptions in churches = churchyards, memoranda of noteworthy facts in any way connected with the county, 14 extracts from scarce books or pamphlets of local interest, or from parish registers a churchwardens' accounts, is invited; and anything entrusted for the purpose will carefully preserved, and returned without unnecessary delay. Correspondents requested not to make use of any contractions in their transcripts, except when a occur in the originals, and to write upon one site only of the paper. Names persons and places should be very distinctly written. All contributions should be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, K necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. The signatures contributors are appended, unless a wish to the contrary may have been expressed. Books, etc., sent for review to the Editor (26, Meridian Place, Clifton, Bristolj, m receive due attention. 46 The binder is requested, in arranging the illustrations of Vol. I., to attend to the directions given for his guidance, p. xvi. Bishop John Talbot's Monument" be found in Part VI., and the "Map of the County of Gloucester” and “ Over Bridg in Part XI. Special covers for the volumes have NOT been provided, the matter of binding *.#2 left to the taste of each subscriber. Vol. I. being out of print, copies can be supplied only as they may turn up for sal from time to time, and then only to purchasers of the second volume. Some odd parti. however, are still on hand. Vol. II., comprising Parts XIII.-XXIV., can be procura from the Editor until further notice, price 18s., or by post, 18s. 6d. Va. II comprising Parts XXV',-XXXVI., price 155., or by post, 155. 6d. Three shillings call offered for copies of Parts II., VII, and IX., and full price for Parts XI., XIV-XVII., and XXII., if fit for binding. A liberal price will be paid for copies of Vol. I. Subscribers will oblige by sending their subscriptions (the receipt of which will be duly acknowledged) to the undersigned; and Post Office and Postal Orders should be mat payable at either BRISTOL or CLIFTON. Thanks are given to the many who hute | promptly replied to (and in sundry cases have even anticipated) applications for payment. and who have thereby prevented much trouble and expense. Others, who, for one reason or another, may be in arrear for more than twelve months, are requested to remit ækalv due at their early convenience. 26, Meridian Place, Clifton, Bristol, July 1st, 1890. (Rev.) B. H. BLACKES ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIBERS. (For lists of Subscribers see the covers of Parts IV.-XLVI.j "Berks Archæological and Architectural Society Journal," Editor of, Reading. "Berkshire Notes and Queries," Editor of, 6, Fulham Park Road, London, W. Hannam-Clark, Frederic, Esq., Hucclecote, near Gloucester. Probably some names which should appear in the lists of subscribers, home, her unintentionally omitted: if so, particulars are requested, which will at once he attended. The names of additional subscribers are likewise desired for insertion in the mi quarterly list. Benson,* whose mitre was by bounty grac'd, Virtues like thine, by Heav'n must be inspir'd. Oft with thy smile he hath beguil'd the hours, JNO. MILLS. 1915.- ABBOT BERKELEY, OF FLAXLEY. (See No. 771.) Mention has been there made of a deed of exchange of livings, in May, 1476, between ". Berkeley, abbas de Flaxley," and Nicholas Rewys, vicar of Westbury. I lately found the corresponding entry in the Bishop of Hereford's registers, where the abbot is styled William Berkeley. Perhaps even this small find may be worth recording. LEONARD WILKINSON. Westbury Vicarage, Newnham. Abbot Berkeley's Christian name does not appear to have been known to Mr. A. W. Crawley-Boevey, Bombay Civil Service, to whom we are indebted for a handsomely printed edition of The Cartulary of Flaxley Abbey, Exeter, 1887.+ EDITOR. 1916. THE FIRST PROTESTANT FREE LIBRARY IN ENGLand.It is stated on so late an authority as that of the writers of the article "Libraries" in the new edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, that Humphrey Chetham's Library, Manchester, established in 1653, may be called "the first free library in England." The following transcript of a document hitherto unpublished will show. that, about forty years before the fine old library yet existing in Manchester was founded, a similar institution took its rise in Bristol, at the instance of a large-minded citizen, who jointly with the then archbishop of York may be considered the originator of the earliest Protestant free library : "Robert Redwood, of Bristol, Gent, by his deed dated March 20th, 1615, in regard to the Reverend Father in God Tobias The good Bishop of Gloucester, whose virtues still endear him to posterity, and are mentioned with admiration. The above gentleman drew the plan of his monument. VOL. IV. + See "Notices of Recent Publications," No. 11, p. 105. RR |