hunting; the latter having left an important record in the shape of a formal deed granting to the monks the sum of £36. 9s. 1d. from the newly reclaimed land in the Forest, on account of damages caused by deer, and of special expenses incurred by the frequent royal visits. The only important public event with which the abbey seems to have been associated, was the insurrection of Hubert de Burgh in 1234. With the exception, therefore, of the royal visits and the stirring events connected with the insurrection, its course seems to have been of an uneventful character. Amongst other matters of local interest, the burning of Neweham (Newnham) is specially referred to in a deed executed with the monks by Galfrid Hugelin. In the notes there is a tolerably full account of the possessions and privileges of the monks; while the cartulary contains a full account of the principal private gifts and benefactions made to the abbey until the middle of the thirteenth century, when that document was probably written. "The notes," writes the author, "may be left to speak for themselves. That they contain many imperfections I am well aware; but I have, at all events, collected a large amount of very interesting materials; and in attempting to give a connected account of the various scattered references to the Cistercian monastery of Flaxley, I have done my best to supplement the very meagre accounts of this house which are given in the county histories and in Dugdale's Monasticon . . . . . The publication of the Flaxley cartulary makes, it is hoped, a useful addition to the existing materials for a new county history, and will doubtless attract much interest and attention."

We congratulate the author on his performance. He has produced a valuable volume; and (what is sometimes forgotten) he has candidly acknowledged his literary obligations. The illustrations, which are by his brother, add materially to the pleasure and value of the letterpress; and Messrs. Pollard and Co. have added one more to the number of their well-printed works. The impression of the volume, it may be well to add, has been "limited to 45 copies royal 4to, and 100 copies demy 4to.”

Life Aboard a British Privateer in the Time of Queen Anne. London: Chapman and Hall. 1889. Sm. 8vo, pp. viii. 144.

When Captain Woodes Rogers, in the year 1708, arranged for his privateering expedition from Bristol to the South Sea, he doubtless expected to meet with many strange adventures. He did not, however, imagine that an incident in his celebrated voyage would be the origin of what is the most popular and wide-spread piece of romantic fiction. It is generally allowed that Alexander Selkirk, the Scottish mariner, was the original of Defoe's immortal castaway; but only a few readers, comparatively speaking, are aware of the real facts connected with the rescue of the lonely colonist. In 1712 Captain Rogers published his Cruising Voyage round the World, etc., and this has been reprinted in some measure, with notes and illustrations, by Mr. Robert C. Leslie, under the title of Life Aboard a British Privateer in the Time of Queen Anne, London, 1889. "I have," says Mr. Leslie, "in the following extracts, quoted from Rogers's journal as closely as possible, adding only a short connecting link here and there, where required."

On the 2nd of August, 1708, Captain Rogers's expedition left Bristol, consisting of the "Duke," burden about 320 tons, having 30 guns and 117 men; and the "Duchess," burden about 260 tons, having 26 guns and 108 men; both being well furnished with all necessaries on board for a long voyage. The Cove of Cork was reached on the 7th, and here several seamen were shipped in place of some who had come from Bristol, who, being ordinary fellows, and not fit for our employment," were summarily dismissed. At length, on the 1st of the month following, the expedition departed in company with some other vessels bound for foreign parts; but on the 6th Captain Rogers parted from the rest of the fleet, and set sail for Madeira. Here it was intended to lay in a supply of wines, as, though the men were but meanly clad, "good liquor to sailors is preferable to clothing!"

On

the 18th they took their first prize off Grand Canary, a small Spanish ship with forty-five passengers on board, including four "fryars," one of whom was a "good honest old fellow." But we have neither space nor time to follow minutely the varying fortunes of the expedition. After touching at St. Vincent and one or two other places, the coast of Brazil was reached. Cape Horn was safely doubled after a few weeks, during which nothing very special occurred; and on January 15th, 1709, the ships entered the South Sea. Several of the men were suffering from scurvy, and it was determined to make with all speed for the island of Juan Fernandez. Of its exact position, however, they were unaware, their charts not agreeing as to its longitude and latitude, and being a small island, they were very much afraid of missing it. Their usual luck, however, did not in this instance fail them, and on January 31st, at seven o'clock in the morning, they made the island, on which they discovered Alexander Selkirk.

It would be a pleasure to give in Captain Rogers's language his account of Selkirk's rescue, but we must refrain. It was no doubt the reading of this simple, but deeply interesting narrative which led Defoe to plan his famous literary conception, Robinson Crusoe; and we shall conclude our rather lengthy notice in the pithy words of Selkirk's discoverer:-" We may perceive by this story the truth of the maxim, that necessity is the mother of invention, since he found means to supply his wants in a very natural manner, so as to maintain his life, tho' not so conveniently, yet as effectually as we are able to do with the help of all our arts and society. It may likewise instruct us how much a plain and temperate way of living conduces to the health of the body and the vigour of the mind, both which we are apt to destroy by excess and plenty, especially of strong liquor, and the variety as well as the nature of our meat and drink; for this man, when he came to our ordinary method of diet and life, tho' he was sober enough, lost much of his strength and agility." Somersetshire Archæological and Natural History Society's Proceedings, 1888. Vol. XXXIV. (N. S., Vol. XIV.). Taunton: T. M. Hawkins. 1889. 8vo. pp. viii. 88, 152.

We have here an account of the Society's fortieth annual meeting, with the presidential address of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The meeting was held at Wells on August 28th and following two days; and while Rodney Stoke Church, Cheddar Cliffs, Caves, and Church, Pilton Church and Church House, Croscombe Church and Manor Court, and other objects of interest were visited, special attention was of course given to Wells Cathedral. In part ii. are the following papers :—

I.

The Documentary Evidence relating to the Early Architecture of the Cathedral. By the Rev. Canon Church, F.S.A.

2. The Early Architecture of the Cathedral. By Edward A. Freeman, M.A., D.C.L., etc.

3. Hoard of Roman Coins discovered at East Harptree. By the Rev. Prebendary Scarth, M.A.

4. The Seals of the Bishops of Bath and Wells. By W. H. St. John Hope, M.A.

5. Brief Notes on the Heraldry of the Glass and other Memorials in Wells Cathedral. By the Rev. Henry W. Pereira, M.A., M.R.I.A.

6. Wells Palace. By Edmund Buckle.

7. Wells Cathedral. By the Rev. Canon Church, F.S.A.

8. The De Chedder Family of Bristol and Cheddar. By William George. 9. A Glastonbury Relic. By the Rev. James A. Bennett, F.S.A., Hon. Secretary.

There are likewise obituary notices of Mr. Thomas Serel, Mr. Henry Badcock, and Lord Viscount Portman; and two short notes, one on a "Bronze Figure from Crucifix, found at Shepton Mallet"; and the other on the "Discovery of Saxon Sun Dial on the South Porch of North Stoke Church." The library catalogue, we are glad to learn, will soon be published.

This Society, like our own, is doing really good work; and in both cases the list of members is well sustained.

The Survey and Rental of the Chantries, Colleges and Free Chapels, Guilds, Fraternities, Lamps, Lights, and Obits, in the County of Somerset, as returned in the 2nd year of King Edward VI., A.D. 1548. With an Introduction. By Emanuel Green, F.S.A. Printed for Subscribers only. 1888. 4to, pp. xxiv. 372.

This is the volume for 1888, being the second issued by the Somerset Record Society. Of the two documents now printed, the Survey must be known to those who have had occasion to work among such records. It is here given as a transcript with all abbreviations-a plan considered the best in such cases, as no question can arise as to any changes or omissions; and being in English the abbreviations can easily be read. The other document, the Rental, the original of which is in Latin, has been unknown to students, and now appears for the first time. Being often mentioned in the Survey, its discovery was most fortunate, for, though similar returns have doubtless been made for other counties, this one of Somerset seems to be the only one extant. It is most probably unique, and by publication is rendered safe from accidental destruction. We congratulate the Record Society on the good work already done.

As to future publications the Hon. Secretary has reported, that Kirkby's Quest, which will form the third yearly volume, is in a very forward state; and also that materials are ready for another volume on Chantries, and for one on Parish Accounts of the pre-Reformation period. Steps are being taken to produce two Glastonbury Custumals and Rentals of the thirteenth century, which, taken in connection with that of A.D. 1189 printed by the Roxburgh Club, and with Abbot Bere's of the fifteenth century, all of them dealing with the same manors, will supply an unusually complete and instructive series. These works, it is to be observed, are in addition to some mentioned in the Society's first annual report.

History of the Deanery of Bicester, Oxon. Compiled by the Rev. James C. Blomfield, M.A., Rector of Launton and Rural Dean. Parts I.-IV. 1881-88. 4to.

The intention of the author is to publish the history of each of the twentyeight parishes in the rural deanery of Bicester; and so far he has been able to give, with the early history of the deanery, full accounts of six of the parishes. Part I. (pp. iv. 80) comprises the "Early History of the Deanery; Part II. (pp. iv. 212), the "History of Bicester, its Town and Priory"; Part III. (pp. 96), the " History of Cottisford, Hardwick, and Tusmore"; and Part IV. (pp. 160), the "History of Middleton and Somerton." Having accomplished so much, though far short of what he hopes in time to do, he can well apply to himself the lines of Wordsworth

"A hope has cross'd me in the course

Of this self-pleasing exercise, that ye

My zeal to his would liken, who, possess'd

Of some rare gems, and pictures finely wrought,
Unlocks his cabinets, and draws them forth

One after one, soliciting regards

To this and this."

We have read with care the first part of this work, and have derived from it no small amount of pleasure and instruction; and we might, with benefit to our readers, make many quotations from Mr. Blomfield's pages. But to refer them to the work itself is, we think, a better plan; and we rest assured that if they follow our example in studying the history through its varying stages, they will find that they have received an ample recompense for all the time and attention bestowed upon it. "Thus far," writes the author when bringing this first part of his work to a close, "the history of this district has been attempted in outline. From the point here reached it broadens and deepens into the various details of the separate histories of its twenty-eight parishes.

These will fill up and finish the picture, of which we have given here the first sketch, each and all shewing how the old order changeth, giving place unto the new,' and adding another to the many proofs already existing, that each distinct locality is, in its changes, social, political, and religious, but a representation of our whole fatherland."

The account of Bicester naturally takes the lead as the first of the series; and occupying more than two hundred large pages, it would seem to be exhaustive, and to have left nothing undone. As an excellent model of a history of an important parish, it has our hearty commendation. Parts III. and IV. are drawn up on the same plan, and are, we think, equally well done. We shall be pleased to see the succeeding portions.

The maps and plates are all in every way satisfactory, and the typography is particularly good and uniform throughout, though three different presses have been brought into requisition. Parts III. and IV. are from the office of

Mr. Arrowsmith, of Bristol.

Ellesmere, Shropshire. A Paper by the Rev. John Peake, Vicar; with an Account of the Parish Church by the Rev. Charles Merchant, Curate. With twelve Illustrations. Shrewsbury: "Eddowes's Journal Office." 1889. 8vo, pp. 48.

Within less than fifty pages we have a comprehensive history of Ellesmere, the combined work of the vicar of the parish and his curate. In January of this year the paper was read before the Field Club at Ellesmere, and when bringing his subject to a close, the writer thus expressed himself :-"I have scampered through the history of our little town, at all events in its main features. But the scarcity of early records has made it difficult to revive a history which has not many remarkable events to distinguish it, and which has had no local historian like Gough, of Middle, or Garbett, of Wem, to illustrate some portion of it. Even Philip Henry in his voluminous Diary makes but scanty reference to Ellesmere. I must apologise for the length of my story as it is. The Ellesmere of the past had its chief interest in days of feudal warfare as a fortress on the Welsh Border. What the Ellesmere of the future may be rests with ourselves. We must do our best to support and maintain its native industries, and advance and expand its rising intelligence, and then its future history may be more stirring and more eventful than it has been in the days gone by." Mr. Merchant has added a brief, but interesting account of the parish church, and there are twelve good illustrations. The pamphlet is a reprint from Eddowes's Shrewsbury Journal, with alterations and additions.

A Short Sketch of the Work carried on by the Ancient Protestant Episcopal Moravian Church (or Unitas Fratrum'- United Brethren') in London and District, from 1728. With twenty-three Sketches in twelve plates. Printed for the Author by Goodall and Suddick, Leeds. 1889. 4to, pp. 12.

To "E. M. C." we have already acknowledged ourselves indebted for several very interesting publications; and here we have another of the same kind, which will be found equal, we feel assured, to any of its predecessors. The writer of this narrative gladly owns his obligations to Bishop Holmes's History of the Brethren's Church, Benham's Memoirs of James Hutton, a pamphlet prepared by Bishop Hassé for the 125th anniversary of the London Congregation, and a paper entitled History of the Moravian Chapel, 32 Fetter Lane, London; and he certainly has made good use of the materials at his command. The pen and ink sketches are proofs of the skill of the amateur by whom they have been executed; they are of present buildings, and of such old places as can be traced and verified. It is intimated that the present pamphlet completes the series of Moravian Chapels, Preaching Houses, Schools, &c., in England and Scotland.

Andrew Brice, and the Early Exeter Newspaper Press; and, Who wrote the "Exmoor Scolding and Courtship?" By Thomas N. Brushfield, M.D. [1888.] 8vo, pp. 64.

Dr. Brushfield, whose name is well known to the readers of Gloucestershire Notes and Queries, has reprinted these papers from the Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art, 1888, vol. xx., pp. 163-214, 400-409; and his pamphlet is full of interesting and curious information. Brice, author of the Topographic Dictionary, etc., and a printer and journalist all his days, after a busy life in Exeter, died there in November, 1773, at the age of 83 years. As to the authorship of the "Exmoor Scolding and Courtship," the conclusion arrived at is, that Brice must have been one of the authors, and that Benjamin Bowring, great-grandfather of the late Sir John Bowring, was the other. "Whether the primary idea of the dialogues originated with them, or was obtained from some itinerant like Peter Lock, may be conjectural, but the latter is not altogether an improbability." A careful study of what Dr. Brushfield has written will reward the reader.

A List of Parish Churches retaining special Mediaval Features, Glass, Vestments, Plate, etc. Compiled by Henry Littlehales. London: Rivingtons. 1889. 12mo, pp. 44.

"The following notes, though very far from exhaustive, will, I hope," the author writes, "give a fair idea of some of the most interesting contents of the parish churches of this country. . . . Brevity has been a special aim, and may perhaps in some cases have been carried too far; but it has appeared to me that the knowledge of a church containing something not ordinarily met with, might be of more value by itself than with an extended description." The names of the churches are classed (why not alphabetically?) under counties, and the object of the list is to be commended; but additions and corrections are undoubtedly required. "Its scope," as a critic has remarked, “is_too extensive, and the information given too meagre." Mistakes, moreover, have been made. Why is Rampisham Church, which is in Dorsetshire, and has a cross with an ample base and remains of a canopy," placed under Gloucestershire? Why is St. Donat's, which is in Glamorganshire, and has a "churchyard cross," placed under the same heading? The author "shall be very grateful for any additions and corrections which may be sent, which, in the event of another edition being called for, will be inserted."

66

The Church of St. Werburgh, Dublin. By the Rev. Samuel C. Hughes, M.A., LL.D., Rector of the United Parishes of St. Werburgh, St. John, and St. Bridget. Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, and Co. 1889. 12mo, pp. 156.

The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Dublin. By the same. Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, and Co. 1889. 12m0, pp. 136.

Ireland is not as well provided as England with good parochial histories; and every addition to the list should be very gladly welcomed. Dr. Hughes has furnished two, the third parish under his charge having been attended to in this respect by the late incumbent, the Rev. William George Carroll. The books before us are of small dimensions; but they are closely packed with details, and will be found, if we are not greatly mistaken, to give general satisfaction.

St. Werburgh's parish having been attached until lately to the chancellorship of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, much information respecting its incumbents may be found in Monck Mason's History of St. Patrick's and Archdeacon Cotton's Fasti Ecclesia Hibernica; some of which details are given here in an abbreviated form, with the addition of new matter. The rest