occurred, to blast the hopes of the poet, for Tiberius was inexorable. The Fasti display more than one attempt to propitiate Germanicus, but without any known result. Another question is, whom did he mean by the satirical appellation of Ibis? That Egyptian bird, whose habits have obtained for it the epithet of foul-mouthed, was chosen by Callimachus as an emblem of his adversary,and retained as such by his avowed imitator Ovid. Besides, such a mode of writing was exactly to his taste,-"positis pro nomine signis," as he says to a faithful friend, whom he has forborne to name. (T. i. v. 7.) As the expression "Cinyphiam pressit humum" (1. 224.) denotes African birth, the grammarian Hyginus, whom "nonnulli Alexandrinum putant," (Suet. Gramm. 20) has been supposed to be meant. But Merkel infers, from the cognomen of Poenus, that Manilius the astronomical poet, was intended, and that the verba canina (denounced in 1. 234) answer to the Stoic philosophy which exhibits itself in his poem (p. 400). He also thinks that the subject was hushed up, through fear of the Ibis himself, as an informer, or of Tiberius; an argument which applies more forcibly to his silence concerning the cause of banishment. Properly speaking, this poem is not a satire, but an invective. It is interesting, as Ovid's first attempt of the kind, at the age of 50 (see 1. 1-5); but so much of it is occupied with historical references, that the author seldom appears. To the imprecations with which it abounds, the horrid fate of Sotades might have been added. That the oppressor hoped to obtain a confiscation of Ovid's property, in which, however, he was disappointed, appears to be inferrible (Ibis, 1. 18; Trist. ii. 129)

Those who are curious on the subject of the bird which has given a name to two satires, the one Greek and the other Roman, will find an essay on the subject in Cuvier's "Theory of the Earth," pp. 299329, of Professor Jameson's translation, 5th edition, illustrated by three engravings. There is also a communication on the "Mummy of the Egyptian Ibis," in Gent. Mag. Aug. 1836, p. 145, from Mr. W. H. Rosser, who had lately unwrapped one, and obtained a fine and perfect specimen. Neither, however, notices the poetical claims of the bird to distinction. But after Oberlin's note on the word IBIS, in his Clavis, the student will be glad to know, where he can find the zoological part of the subject more copiously treated."

We have left ourselves little room to notice peculiarities of translation or editorship, and fortunately there is little to say. The version appears to be generally correct, without servility; for instance, at

1. 2 of the Ibis, the word inerme is well translated inoffensive. But at Tristia, ii. 19, Teuthrantus should be Teuthras. Mr. Riley retains 1. 131-2 of the Ibis, which Oberlin has bracketed, and Merkel rejects. At Tristia ii. 148, he reads fata, where Merkel prefers facta. He has ably avoided some of the dangers by which a translator of the Fasti is beset. Of the fragment of the Halieuticon he has made as much as its mutilated state allows.

1.

Theology. The demand in this department must be great, when the supply is so ample of minor publications, to say nothing of the larger ones. We must therefore be brief in our miscellaneous notices. Christian Tilles, by S. H. Syng, D.D. 12mo. pp. 207. The author is rector of St. George's Church, New York, and well known in this country as the biographer of Bedell, a worthy American namesake of the celebrated Bishop, whose excellencies Burnet has so well pourtrayed. This volume contains a series of "Practical Meditations on Christian appellations, such as Heirs of God, Little Flock, Salt of the Earth, &c." The idea appears new, and it is certainly well executed; and, for its size, the work is one of some importance.-2. The Faithful Promiser. Square 32mo. pp. 127. This is a series of comments on various Scriptural Promises. The style reminds us of Quarles's "Judgment and Mercy," which Dr. Dibdin revived by reprinting it after being long forgotten. The preface briefly recommends their use in the hour of meditation, or the season of sorrow."-3. Sunday Readings. By T. Sworde, M.A. Post 8vo. pp. 381. These are Sermons on the first Lessons; that on "The Egyptian Taskmaster" is excellent, and the subject is well applied, by way of contrast, to Christian obedience. The last sermon, "On the hardening of Pharoah's heart," ends too abruptly, but contains some striking remarks.-4. A Treatise on the Peculiarities of the Bible. By E. D. Rendell. Post 8vo. pp. 552. Many parts of this work have formed public discourses, which several friends of the author have desired to see in print. He mentions, that they have been useful in preventing scepticism. But to us, some of the professed solutions rather seem to shift the difficulties than to remove them.-5. Sermons by the late Archdeacon Vickers. Fcp. 8vo. pp. 334. It is a trite observation, that preaching and publishing sermons are very different things, and the difference is increased in the case of posthumous ones, which are selected, not by the author, but by friends. We have no wish to call the judgment of the editors in question, but the nineteenth sermon (on Regeneration)

suggests one remark. The author appears embarrassed by his subject, and being avowedly unable to render it plain, takes refuge in mysteriousness. This shows the necessity of forbearance in disputation; and a suitable lesson may be learned from one of Sallust's fragments: "Castris collatis, pugna tamen ingenio loci prohibebatur."-6. Scenes in the Life of Christ. By the Rev. H. Christmas, M.A. 8vo. pp. 191. These discourses are animated, but at p. 84-5 the author goes too much into detail, we think, on the attributes of our Lord's humanity, and treads a step or two beyond the point where we conceive it fittest to stop. There is a good remark of Bishop Watson's, not inapplicable to the subject, on Luke, x. 22, "That no one but the Father and the Son is capable of comprehending the sonship of the one, or the paternity of the other." (Life, vol. ii. p. 353) We need hardly add, that many will be surprised at finding Watson recede so far from the opinions of Gilbert Wakefield, against which he was then contending.

Sir Philip Sidney, and other Stars of the Sixteenth Century. By S. S. S., a.thor of "Life, and other Poems," &c., 12mo. This "Life and Times," though a small volume, is very richly fraught with the history, biography, and literature of the period selected, accompanied by reflections well suited for juvenile readers. The author, who is a lady, does not cite her authorities; but she has evidently drawn upon the reservoirs of Hallam, and Warton, and Disraeli, and such others as are best able to supply the most substantial information, though possibly it has been derived in some measure through the more ordinary conduit-pipes of the Pictorial History of England, &c. There are a few mistakes, such as in pp. 90, 91, that "The see of Winchester was reduced to little more than a title; the Bishopric of Durham dissolved; the public library at Oxford stripped of all its books and MSS."-statements which, however partially founded in fact, are calculated to convey false ideas without further information, since all these institutions not only recovered from their spoliations, but became perhaps richer than before in comparison with their fellows. We are sorry also to see many typographical errors, not only in Latin quotations, &c., but particularly in proper names. With these drawbacks, we consider the book a very pleasing introduction to the literature and manners of the Elizabethan age.

The Child's In-Door Companion; or, Stories for Rainy Days. By S. S. S.-This is a book by the same author of still smaller size, and for children of a smaller growth.

It is full of short stories, chiefly in rhyme, and well suited for the comprehension and instruction of the denizens of the nursery.

Obsolete Words and Phrases in the Bible and Apocrypha (including those in the Contents of Chapters and Marginal Readings), and also in the Prayer Book, familiarly explained. By the Rev. John Booker, A.M. Vicar of Killurin, Diocese of Ferns, Wexford. 12mo.—A good design, and reasonably well executed. Though the changes in the English language have been far fewer since the era of the Autho. rised version of the Holy Scriptures, and the compilation of the Book of Common Prayer, than in earlier periods of its career, and though it is certain that these standards have themselves contributed to its permanent condition, they still contain some words and many forms of expression which are nearly if not entirely obsolete, except as they may occur in the performance of divine worship; and whilst the greater part of these may be generally understood, they are obviously subject to partial misapprehension. A manual helping to explain them must therefore be serviceable. We think, however, that Mr. Booker has included several which are neither unintelligible nor even unusual: possibly this may arise from his residence in a remote district of the sister island; whilst perhaps there are still some obscure expressions that he has overlooked.

His

The Birth of the War-God: a Poem by Kalidasa. Translated from the Sanskrit into English Verse, by Ralph T. H. Griffith, M.A. of Queen's College, Oxford, Boden Sanskrit Scholar, author of " Specimens of Old Indian Poetry." 8vo.-The poet Kalidasa lived at the court of the King of Oujein about the time when Virgil and Horace were shedding an undying lustre on the court of Augustus. drama of Sakontala was translated by Sir William Jones, and has long enjoyed a European celebrity; and that of "The Hero and the Nymph" is one of the best in the Hindu Theatre of Professor Wilson. The present is an unfinished or imperfect poem, it is said once consisting of twentytwo cantos, of which only seven remain. An edition was published by the Oriental Translation Fund, under the care of Prof. Stenzler. Mr. Griffith's translation is elegant and graceful; yet it will scarcely have attractions for any other readers but those who already take an interest in the language and mythology of the original.

Mr. Rutherford's Children. By the Authors of" The Wide, Wide World,” and "Glen Luna."-Fathers and mothers may

look long before they find a prettier, gayer, more unexceptionable book than this. To our fancies it is about the pleasantest child's book we have opened for many a day. Sinning against grammar, we are sorry to say, very often-abounding in the ineffably vulgar slip-slop of words and phrases, which is almost as indigenously American as the nasal twang with which its men, women, and children deliver themselves it has merit and beauty enough to conquer every disadvantage, and to make us-old people as we are the better and happier for our fireside reading. What a charm there is in the sweet, childish, unselfish character of Chryssa! how carefully discriminated from that of Sybil, yet with how little appearance of art! Women who can write thus are blessings to mothers. We know not which to admire most-the light, hearty, innocent gaiety of the whole, the loving joyousness which seems to come from minds at peace with themselves, or the thoughtful acknowledgment throughout of claims, serious and manifold, which no one may evade-of first duties, never to be forgotten, never to be dispensed with. How nearly allied may be the sources of the grave and the gayhow harmoniously the gifts of both may be blended-let such a book as this shew!

Louisa von Plettenhaus, or the Journal of a Poor Young Lady. Translated from the German. Edinburgh.-A very touching little sketch of the troubles and humiliations of a proud and poor family. In style it resembles Miss Bremer. It is really worth both the pains of translating and the handsome style of its printing.

Work: plenty to do, and how to do it. Second series. Equally good with the first.

Saturday and Sunday, Thoughts for both. Glasgow.-These are short sermons or essays on many subjects. They are published in three separate parts also: 1. Aims and Ends; 2. Spare Moments; 3. Green Leaves; but are here collected into one very pleasing and sensible volume, impressive without exaggeration. They have already had a circulation of many thousands, not undeserved, nor likely to be diminished by the present elegant edition.

Charles Roussel. 18mo. pp. 185.-This tale, which is meant to show the advantages of industry and honesty, is "adapted from the French" of M. Porchat, author of "Three Months under the Snow." (See May, p. 524.) It is edited by the Rev. T. T. Haverfield, Rector of Goddington, Oxon, formerly (as we remember) Fellow

of Corpus Christi college, whose name is a sufficient passport to any volume that bears it on the title-page. In condescending to superintend publications for the instruction of youth, he has abdicated a loftier position of authorship for one of extensive usefulness.

The Monthly Volume. Successful Men of Modern Times. 18mo. pp. 192.-This is an interesting compendium of biography in various departments, mercantile, artistic, scientific, literary, &c. It contains, among others, an account of the late Dr. Lee, whose recent death has drawn attention to his meritorious career. We would particularly refer juvenile readers to the fact, that his first decided inducement to study, to which his subsequent advancement may be traced, arose out of following an uncongenial occupation, on account of his mother's poverty (p. 116). Let the clerk "who pens a stanza when he should engross," attentively consider this.

The Happy Resolve. 18mo. pp. 52.This little book professes to be "a tale from real life," and therefore has its importance, on Johnson's principle, that every life if written would be useful. It exemplifies the insufficiency of inadequate mo. tives even for good conduct, and the disappointment which they eventually cause, till replaced by higher and better induce

ments.

Avillion and other Tales. By the Author of" The Head of the Family," in 3 vols. -If Miss Mulock disappoints the public by the present compilation, she does not deceive them; and she has the means of putting them into good temper with her by writing one of her most effective novels. We are glad to believe these tales to be no novelties, as there are few things less agreeable than to witness the decline of power in one as yet so young in years and mind.

Ailieford. By the Author of "John Drayton and the Melvilles." 3 vols.This is a highly wrought and very beautiful fiction. We have seldom read one calling out so deep an interest. The characters are well drawn and the tone high.

Fly Leaves; or, Scraps and Sketches, Literary, Biographical, and Miscellaneous. (John Miller.) 12mo.-Mr. Miller, who is a bookseller in Chandos-street, Trafalgarsquare, has for some time past added a value to his Catalogues (which he publishes periodically, under the title of Miller's London Librarian and Book-Buyers' Gazette), by appending notes on anti

quarian and historical subjects, specimens of old poetry, biliographical notices of scarce books, memorials of old London, and miscellaneous scraps of curious information, which are now collected in this pleasant series of "Fly Leaves." Among so many matters new and old, it is impossible for us to say what proportion of the

book is original. There is enough, however, we see, to give a permanent value to this nice little tome, which is very neatly edited, with a classified table of contents and an index. We hope that Mr. Miller will continue to avail himself of his literary advantages to the same good purpose.

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Nov. 24. J. P. Collier, esq. V.P. in the chair.

The following gentlemen were elected Fellows of the Society: James James, esq. solicitor, of Aylesbury; Hugh Edmonstone Montgomerie, esq.; Matthew Digby Wyatt, esq. architect; Herbert Ingram, esq. of Loudwater, Herts; and George James John Mair, esq. architect, of Upper Bedford-place.

Thomas Chapman, esq. F.S.A. exhibited some beautiful examples of flint spear heads, arrow-heads, and implements of the primæval period, found by Mr. Samuel Anderson, of Whitby, in British tumuli in Yorkshire. Some of them resembled rude combs, and were probably made for that use; but it had been suggested that they were instruments used for tattooing, although it is not recorded of the Britons that they punctured their skins to effect that object.

Mr. Akerman read extracts from a letter addressed to him by Monsieur Troyon, of Bel Air, giving an account of the discovery at Torny, near Puyerne, of a stone sepulchre containing several skeletons, one of which had on the arms enormous jet bracelets. M. Troyon observed that the only bracelets of a similar description had been found in the counties of Båle and Berne, in tumuli of the late Helvetic period, prior to the Roman conquest. He was desirous of ascertaining whether bracelets of the same kind had ever been found in England.

W. M. Wylie, esq. communicated an account of his visit, in the autumn of the present year, to the Frank cemetery at Envermue, in company with the Abbé Cochet, the government inspector of arts and monuments for the department of the Seine Inférieure. Many skeletons were exhumed, and found to be accompanied by the usual relics deposited with the dead. Mr. Wylie observed on the very cognate character of the Frank and AngloSaxon interments, which differ simply as different tribes of the great Germanic

population, and urged, in conclusion, the importance of a diligent comparison of the sepulchral usages of the two nations.

J. Payne Collier, esq. V.P. presented to the Society eighteen additional fac-similes of leaves from his annotated folio Shakspeare, executed by Mr. Netherclift in his most careful manner.

Dec. 1. The Viscount Mahon, President, in the chair.

Augustus Stafford Jerningham, esq. of the 17th Lancers, William Batchelor Diamond, esq. of Henley-in-Arden, Thomas Love Duncombe Jones Parry, esq. of Madryn, co. Carnarvon, and Wm. Chapman Harnett, esq. of Russell-square, were elected Fellows. Other business was set aside for the purpose of discussing the Revised Statutes, the new clauses of which are described in our Magazine for July last, p. 69, and are further noticed in the Notes of the Month of our present number. On the ballot being taken, there appeared for their adoption-Ayes, 101; Noes, 4.

Sir Henry Ellis was then elected Director, in the place of Lord Viscount Strangford resigned, and the following Resolution was passed unanimously :—

Resolved, That the Society desire to return their warm and cordial thanks to Sir Henry Ellis for his forty years of most valuable and able co-operation in the business and superintendence of their publications; in the confidence that he will carry the same zeal and ability to the office of Director, and the hope that health and strength may be vouchsafed to him in that office for many years to come."

Dec. 8. John Bruce, esq., Treasurer, in the Chair.

Octavius Morgan, esq., M.P., presented an impression from an engraved plate of the signs of the Zodiac, forming a portion of the Astronomical Dial of a magnificent clock, made in 1589, by Isaac Habrecht, a celebrated machinist of Strasbourg, in imitation of his great work the famous clock in the cathedral of that city. The clock from which the impression was taken was made for Pope Sixtus V., and has

recently been purchased by Mr. Morgan. The engravings upon it are supposed to be the work of Virgil Solis.

Robert Cole, esq. F.S.A. presented, as a contribution to the Society's collection of Proclamations, one for the encouragement of Piety and Virtue, dated 1 June, 1787; also a transcript of a manifesto of the Pretender, dated from Plombiers, the 29th Aug. 1714.

Benjamin Williams, esq. F.S.A., communicated tracings of some notaries' marks of the fourteenth century, which he had found affixed to legal instruments in Britany.

George Steinman Steinman, esq. F.S.A. communicated an account of Charles the Second's sojourn at Bruges from April 1656 to Feb. 1658, during his exile, extracted from the archives of that city. This included a list of noblemen and gentlemen in the suite of Charles, and the rations allowed them. Also some particulars relating to Charles's admission into the fraternity of archers and great crossbow-men, a society which exists to the present day. The book containing the monarch's signature, and that of his brother Henry, Duke of Gloucester, is still preserved at Bruges, and on the visit of our Queen Victoria, with the Prince Albert and King Leopold, in 1843, their names were added as members of the ancient archer fraternity of Saint George.

A description of the field of the Battle of Blore-heath, by Richard Brooke, esq., F.S.A., was then read. Mr. Brooke had explored the spot more than once in the hope of acquiring some information of a local character, but failed to learn whether any relics had ever been dug up on the site of this memorable battle, which has become greatly changed, the locality being now inclosed and cultivated, though still bearing the name of Blore-heath. only existing memorial of the battle is a square pedestal, surmounted by a cross, marking the spot on which Lord Audley is said to have fallen.

The

Dec. 15. Sir Rob. H. Inglis, Bart. V.P. Augustus Woollaston Franks, of the Department of Antiquities in the British Museum, and George Henry Vertue, esq., publisher, of Finsbury Square, were elected Fellows of the Society.

Sir Henry Ellis, Director, exhibited a cast from the golden seal of Henry VIII., appended to the counterpart of the treaty made with Francis I. in 1527, now in the Hotel Soubise at Paris. The correspond. ing golden seal of Francis I. in the Chapter-house at Westminster, has been engraved in Rymer's Foedera, vol. xiv. p. 227. Henry's seal presents the King seated on his throne, with this legend

Henric. 8. D.G. Angliæ et Fraciæ R. Fidei Defesor et D'n's Hib. On the reverse, the arms of England, surrounded by the order of the Garter, a border round the whole, containing this motto

Ordine junguntur et perstant foedere cuncta, corresponding to that on the seal of Francis

Plurima servantur fædere, cuncta fide. J. Y. Akerman, esq. Sec. communicated a drawing of a skull which had been forwarded to him by M. Troyon, of Belair. This skull had been found in the ancient tombs of that locality, of which an account has been communicated to the Society of Antiquaries of Zurich. It is remarkable for the depression of the frontal bone, evidently by artificial means. M. Troyon states that crania of similar form were found some years ago in Hungary, and that Dr. Gosse, of Geneva, had discovered one or two of the same description near the mountain of the Salive. Professor Retzius, of Stockholm, had given his opinion that the depression had been produced by artificial means; a practice, according to Herodotus, observed by the ancient Scythians. As these discoveries are extremely rare in Europe, and as they very clearly belong to a period of invasion, M. Troyon was led to conclude that these remarkable skulls may be ascribed to Scythians brought to the locality where they were discovered as prisoners by the Burgundian settlers and conquerors. Mr. Akerman observed that the inquiry might be assisted by our ascertaining, by means of the relics found with the remains, the probable status of the individual interred, and that he had written to M. Troyon with that object.

Mr. J. Byles exhibited a fibula of the late Roman or Anglo-Saxon period, found at Boxmoor, Herts. It is of circular form, and bears a device resembling a coin.

Aug. W. Franks, esq., also exhibited a fibula of circular form, bearing the sedent figure of Rome, as on the coins of the Lower Empire, with an unintelligible arrangement of letters around the figure, but evidently an attempt to imitate the legend INVICTA. ROMA. AETERNA. This device, and the size of the fibula, which measures 2 inches in diameter, will remind the numismatist of the large silver medallion of Priscus Attalus (A.D. 409), preserved in the British Museum.

Sir Henry Ellis communicated transcripts of four letters written by Nehemia Wharton, a subaltern officer of the Earl of Essex's army, in the autumn of 1642, detailing the movements of a portion of that army in the counties of Warwick and Northampton, shortly before the battle