Lady Penelope Darcy, daughter and co-heir of Thomas, Earl Rivers. It is related of this beautiful and wealthy lady that her hand was sought in marriage by three suitors, who had determined to fight as to which should marry her. This fact coming to her knowledge, she positively forbade them to fight, under pain of her great displeasure, laughingly remarking that if they would only have patience to wait, she would marry them all in turn.' Strange to say, she fulfilled her promise, as she married— Ist, Sir George Trenchard, of Wolverton; 2ndly, Sir John Gage, of Firle; and 3rdly, Sir William Hervey, of Ickworth-the very gentlemen who had determined to fight for her. The Hengrave estate, still in possession of this family, was inherited through this lady."

The Parage is prefaced by a series of short chapters on "Titles, Orders, and Degrees of Precedence and Dignity." In works like these such chapters should be most carefully written and printed, as they are of course regarded as the best possible authority. The portion of the chapter upon the "Heir-apparent," treating of the early rank and privileges of this illustrious personage, is not so well written as it should be. And this is a great pity. Antiquarian research upon matters within the scope of such works as these should be turned to account by their editors. For many a long year it has been well known by those who have gone at all into the subject that the popular story of the motto, "Ich Dien," being won from the King of Bohemia at the battle of Cressy is all a myth. The late Sir Harris Nicolas put the matter in its true light, and told how the motto and the feathers came from the Prince's mother, Philippa of Hainault. We recollect, too, that some few years ago the Illustrated London News re-produced this correction of the story in an amended form, and yet our editor gives almost the old version, with a "perhaps," on the authority of Carter! Again, at p. xxv., where the stile of the Black Prince as Duke of Cornwall is given professedly in the original language, it is so full of blunders that it never could have passed under the eye of any competent person. Of course these are small matters-"outside," as it were, the general contents of the book; but they might as well be amended. We may here mention that the fullest account of the great and remarkable privileges conveyed by the creation of the Dukedom of Cornwall is to be found in the report of a trial at Bar, "Rowe versus Brenton," in which the quasi-regal position of the Duke was assailed. The trial took place some forty years ago, and occupied the time and attention of many of the great lawyers of the time-Brougham, Follett, Tindal, Scarlett, and others.

The Register and Magazine of Biography. March, 1869.

THE March number of this periodical opens with an account of Emanuel Swedenborg, his extraordinary fancies, and incoherent and demented theological extravagances. Swedenborg, in early life, was a man of versatile genius and great ability; but his scientific writings are scarcely touched upon in this notice, which relates chiefly to his fancied communications with the unseen world and his ridiculous notions of heaven and hell. The paper seems scarcely suited for the pages of a periodical of the class of the Register.

There is also a memoir of the Right Hon. Hugh Elliot, abstracted from the life of that gentleman by the Countess of Minto; and a most interesting account of “The Art Benefactions of the late Mr. Felix Slade." Among the obituary memoirs are found biographies of the young Prince Royal of Belgium, the Marquis of Anglesey, the Marquis de Moustier, Sir Charles Slingsby, Bart., who was lately drowned in the Ure while hunting; Sir John Kingston James, Bart.; and Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis. Of literary men may be mentioned Sir Henry Ellis, K.H., F.R.S. and F.S.A.; Joseph Hodgson, Esq., F.R.S.; Arthur Ashpitel, Esq., F.S.A.; George Smith,

Esq., F.S.A.; the Rev. J. C. Cumming, M.A.; the Rev. John Louis Petit, F.S.A.; and Ernest Jones, Esq.

We are glad to notice that it has been found necessary to enlarge this periodical.

Collections, Historical and Archæological, relating to Montgomeryshire. London: J. Russell Smith. 1868.

NOTHING is more remarkable in the present era than the great interest taken in historical and archæological studies. Irrespective of the old learned societies, many associations have of late years been formed, having for their object, generally, the promotion of a sound knowledge upon these subjects, not only by practical investigation and examination of antiquarian remains and the publication of descriptive and critical essays on antiquarian and historical subjects, but, also, by discovering and printing ancient and forgotten MSS., many of which may be found in private libraries, which, in the ordinary course of private enterprise, would not be undertaken. It would be easy to mention many societies which are rendering essential service to historical literature in this manner. The sources of information are inexhaustible. Notwithstanding our negligence in respect to our national records in times past, perhaps there is no European country even now so rich in its archives. Every facility is afforded for the investigation of these only sources of our history; opening up a field for the labour of an unlimited number of students.

It is gratifying to know that besides the associations of a general character above referred to, there is scarcely a county in which has not been established a local society for the special purpose of elucidating its history and antiquities. The advantages of this are obvious. Local knowledge creates local interest and produces unity of action, energy, and zeal. It fosters also a love for local antiquarian remains which leads to a care for their preservation. Among such societies a club has recently been formed, called the "Powys Land Club," having for its object the publication of historical and archæological papers relating to Montgomeryshire. It is quite a club of amateurs, limited to 100 members, but the first volume of its papers which has been recently delivered to the members shows that the club is doing the work it has proposed to itself exceedingly well. This volume contains papers of great interest and value. Among them may be mentioned three papers by the Hon. and Rev. G. F. O. Bridgeman, M.A., on "The Princes of Upper Powys," "The Ancient Lords of Mechain," and "The Welsh Lords of Kerry and Arwystli ;" also a very able and instructive account of "The Feudal Barons of Powys," by Morris Charles Jones, Esq., in which, with much learning and research, he traces the descent of the Charletons, Lords of Powys—the Greys, Lords of Powys—and the Lords Tiptoff and Powys, until the Barony fell into abeyance. With respect to the abeyant Barony he gives a full account of the several claims which have been made and the evidence adduced, with much genealogical information respecting the descendants of the later Barons. The work is enriched with several valuable pedigrees.

We congratulate the members of the club upon the success which they have already achieved, and hope they will continue to prosper in the good work which they have undertaken.

A few copies of the first volume are offered for sale to the public, the proceeds to be devoted to an illustration fund for future papers.

A London Romance. In 3 Vols. By CHARLES H. Ross. London: Tinsley Brothers. 1869.

THIS novel is hardly an ambitious work. Mr. Charles Ross has borrowed his notions of a romance from neither of the opposite schools of Scott, the historical, nor Dumas,

the terrible; but yet has produced a story that while it treats of everyday circumstances, and everyday people, may fairly lay claim to its title. A tale of love, disappointment, misery, and crime-told for the millionth time-it still comes with a freshness and interest, and conveys to us most truthfully many phases of character in that humble middle rank of life where nature is untrammelled by the artificial. A vein of humour, not unworthy of Dickens, with effective touches of sentiment, give zest to the story, and our sympathies are engaged throughout. We think, however, the second volume might have been condensed. The heroine's first visit to the opera, and a description of the inhabitants of a new suburban town vainly struggling for subsistence, are powerfully graphic. Altogether the varied threads of incident are so skilfully woven that the fabric deserves conspicuous notice, and we have no doubt that this young author will eventually make for himself a position among the best novelwriters of the day.

Calendar of Treasury Papers, 1556-7-1696, preserved in her Majesty's Public Record Office. Prepared by JOSEPH REDINGTON, Esq., one of the Assistant Keepers of the Public Records. Under the direction of the Master of the Rolls, and with the sanction of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury. London: Longmans and Co. THIS is an addition to what has now become quite a long series of most valuable books of reference. It is the first referring to the set of documents treated in it-the first work of the Editor-and its contents are quite of a special character. In our own time Treasury Papers, similar in every respect, we doubt not, to those calendared in this volume must be, we are sure, an encumbrance by their very mass. When the time shall come for their being calendared what a task it will be! In the present work the whole reign of Elizabeth supplies but five papers; James I., but one; Charles I, three; the Commonwealth, one. It is not till the reign of Charles II. is reached that we have anything like a collection. The reason for this is twofold. First, the wide range of the collection known as the "State Papers, Domestic," has swept within it a large number of what should be fairly considered "Treasury Papers ;" and secondly, neglect and wilful destruction have done their work. On this latter point the evidence is only too direct and conclusive. The first Assistant Keeper of Records called in some years ago to report on these papers, when speaking of the treatment they had received, accounted for the meagreness of the collection in these terms:-"First, many of the papers in the loft were examined, and the bundles broken up some years ago for the purpose of making a collection of 'Select Papers ;' second, that a serious purpose was long entertained to destroy a large proportion of the old papers, and selections to a great extent were made with that view; and third, that the loft was, until recently, used as the laundry of the building, and the disordered state of the papers piled up against the stack of chimneys, was such as led me to suspect that some of them had been taken to light the fires of the stove and copper boiler which formerly were fixed there until they were deemed unsafe for the building.”

After some further hints at the loss the collection had sustained by dispersion and otherwise, Mr. Redington says:-"The principal part of the papers included in this Calendar were removed from a back kitchen, in the Treasury Chambers, in June, 1856." Of their contents, we are told that they consist chiefly of applications to the Treasury for recompense of services rendered to the State; grants of money and pensions; appointments to offices; petitions for relief of various kinds; together with reports and papers bearing upon such applications.

All such matters were, in the earlier history of our country, within the direct personal prerogative of the Sovereign, and we need scarcely tell our readers that the

form of such a prerogative is still kept up, though the superintending power is now the House of Commons. A most interesting essay might be written upon this great change. It meets us at every turn in going through such a collection of papers as this; considered, as it must be, in connexion with the Calendars that have preceded it, and those which are in progress. Our limits would not allow us to attempt any such essay, but we cannot forbear the expression of a feeling of regret that the preface to this Calendar does not in any way touch upon what would be a very instructive task, and contribute to the interest of the papers treated of.

In every respect, however, as regards the actual work upon the papers themselves, and the illustrations they afford of events, and manners, and customs, this Calendar is entitled to rank with the best that have been issued. Still-there is no doubt about it-the interest of the collection treated of is not equal to those of earlier periods. And the reason is obvious. As we approach our own times, the sources of information have multiplied so vastly that no one collection is of equal value to what it had been. Each has spread itself out into divisions and sub-divisions, which, with the increase in population and wealth, have in their turn become as extensive as the original. Hence the herculean labour involved in writing a good historical work dealing with a period later than the 15th century.

The Treasury Papers" here calendared afford (among other subjects) many illustrations relating to the Fine Arts, to Biography, to the Administration of Colonial Affairs, to the Affairs of Ireland, Topography, Trade and Commerce, Travelling, and the State of the Roads. The editor has carefully set out most of the important papers under these heads in his preface, and shown their bearing upon the subjects they refer to. Those relating to Sir Christopher Wren, to the finances of the country, the affairs of Ireland, and the state of the roads, are full of curious particulars. A certain Walter Butler presents a characteristic petition, complaining that, "being importuned by Major McGullycudy, and several others of the Irish officers, to solissitt thire Maties in thire behalf, for a compedency to keep them from starving," on consideration of received 2s. 6d. out of each pound to be allowed them, cannot get his per-centage, owing to a "difficulty" with some one who wanted to be on the list. Petitioner goes to head-quarters, and prays "their Lordships" to order the said officers to pay ye petr the said halfe croune in the pound out of thire Maties bounty, if any there be, and that the same may be stopt for ye petrs use in the hands of any paymaster that shall be ordered to pay them."

It is to be regretted that the final decisions upon many of the papers are not recorded; in many cases there is nothing to show what the result of such an application as this had been.

One of the most curious historical points illustrated by the contents of the present Calendar is the pecuniary embarrassments under which the Government of William III. had to struggle. Chancellors of the Exchequer have always had more or less of difficulty in making both ends meet, but for an Auditor of the revenue to have received no salary for fifteen years and a half seems monstrous. And this state of things prevailed throughout the civil and military employments and extended to subordinate officers. Honesty and principle, under such circumstances, could scarcely be expected.

In the last page of his preface the editor indicates that the "Circumlocution Office" of Dickens had almost its parallel in 1696. In that year the commissioners for registering seamen proposed that the Lords of the Admiralty would please to move the Lords Justices to direct the Lords of the Treasury to order the Custom House officers not to permit vessels to be cleared except on certain conditions.

UNDER

NDER THE

CROWN.

MAY, 1869.

Little France: a London Story.

BY CHAS. H. ROSS AND AMBROSE CLARKE.

CHAPTER X.--In which Papa Deuxtemps' ship goes to pieces on a rock, and Papa Deuxtemps' hopes go down.

THERE is on record the case of a certain idle gentleman, a lounger and loiterer upon the smooth paths and pleasant byways of life, who took great pleasure, at odd times, in wandering Citywards to gaze listlessly and at his ease upon the restless throng of hard-workers passing to and fro before him. In the autumn time he would betake him to the open space before the Royal Exchange, and, provided with a pennyworth of walnuts, select some comfortable corner where he ran no great risk of being pushed against or trodden on, and there enjoy himself amazingly.

Who are they all? Where are they all going, and on what errand ? How do they all live? Who among West-end dwellers visiting these busy regions for the first time has not asked himself these or similar questions? But if the answer is difficult to find in that case, how much more so in this other. Have you ever wandered about among the narrow City lanes, and come upon sleepy nooks and corners where blades of grass sprout up between the stones in the roadway-where poor little stived-up, smoke-begrimed patches of garden ground are locked up with rusty railings-where still linger the traces of longdisused graveyards, in which the mounds have sunk level with the surrounding earth, and time has rubbed away from the crumbling headstones the names of the forgotten dead? In such localities have you never found quaint dwelling-houses with a sort of air indicative of better days departed, but now let out in chambers and offices, and,

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