1831.] Family of Seymour.-Antient Gravestones. I had once hoped that in this secluded village, endeared, notwithstanding all my difficulties, by a thousand tender recollections, I should have ended my days; but Heaven and the patron of the living have willed it otherwise, and in less than a month I must prepare for other scenes and new vicissitudes. For the last month I have been confined by a low typhus fever, the result of long-continued anxiety, from my inability to procure a fresh appointment, without which I must inevitably resort for support to the parish which I have so long served. Even in this degraded situation it will be a consolation, if you will permit my example to stand recorded in your pages as a caution to those young men who, unsupported by fortune or interest, may feel disposed to embrace the clerical, or any other profession, in which one or the other is necessary, to enable them even to maintain existence with comfort! U.G. Mr. URBAN, IN a note, p. 498, of your Magazine for last June, regret is expressed that some members of the Duke of Somerset's family have adopted the name of St. Maur; but I confess I see no cause whatever of regret on this occasion; as St. Maur is the real and original name which has been corrupted to Seymour. There were two families bearing the name of St. Maur, totally unconnected with each other, though each held possessions in Wilts and Somerset; but they bore different arms. The St. Maur from whom the Somerset Seymours are descended, came into England probably with William the Conqueror; and were first settled at Pentrow Castle in Monmouthshire, which was given them for services, by Robert Fitz-Hamon the Norman knight and conqueror of Glamorganshire; as a proof of which, the two ends of a label over a window at Pentrow still remain, representing two wings conjoined in lure, tips downwards, and which arms the Duke of Somerset still bears. "Rogerus de S'to Mauro, dominus de Pentro," flourished about 28 Edw. I.; and we find before him Willelmus (20 Hen. III.) and another Rogerus Lord of Woundy 55 Hen. III. GENT. MAG. August, 1831. 137 They bore afterwards the name of Seymour, but were still Lords of Pen. tro and Woundy. Rogerus Seymour who died 8 Hen. V. married Matilda, daughter and one of the heirs of William Sturmy, or Esturmy, of Wolf Hall (near Great Bedwin, co. Wilts), and by this marriage came into possession of the noble forest of Savernake and other property in the neighbourhood of Wolfhall, now inherited by the Marquess of Ailesbury. See the pedigrees of the three families of St. Maur, Esturmy, and Seymour, in the Modern History of Wilts, Hundred of Mere, p. 116. The other family of St. Maur were seated at Beckington near Frome, co. Somerset, where the old manor house still bears the name of " Seymour's Court;" and in the church of that parish there are the effigies in brass of John and Elizabeth Seynt Maur, bearing the date of 1485. The tomb at Higham Ferrars, engraved in your June number, belonged to Laurentius St. Maur of this branch. VERAX. Mr. URBAN, Aug. 21. THE sculpture on the gravestones discovered in Christ Church,Cork (Supplement, p. 598), appears to be of an earlier date than the reigns of Elizabeth and her successor. Is it not probable that inscriptions of that period have been cut on more ancient stones? The latest cross I have met with is engraved on a monument to "Thomas Leaver, preacher to King Edward the Sixte, who died in July 1577," in Sherburn Hospital, engraved in Hutchinson's Durham, vol. ii. p. 595; and this, it is but fair to say, agrees with the description of the crosses in question by your Correspondent, in the early part of this letter, being not only similar in form, but being also posterior to the Reformation. A difficulty, however, arises upon the sculptures with which some of the stones are enriched; for instance, that under date of 1592, which is ornamented with carvings of apparently an earlier period. I cannot conceive how the emblems of the passion, and the five (not seven) wounds, would have been allowed in a Protestant cathedral at that period; and the more so, as such subjects were then fre 138 Gardiner Family.-CLASSICAL LITERATURE. quently destroyed by zealots of the Protestant persuasion. From this circumstance I should judge that the relatives of Richard Walshe and his wife, have appropriated to the defunct a monument of an older period. The sixth gravestone described by your Correspondent, is apparently open to the same objection. The skeleton reminds me of another monument engraved in Mr. Hutchinson's work, vol. iii. p. 58; in this a skeleton* is represented in brass, exactly in accordance with the monument described by R. S. It is difficult to come to any satisfactory conclusion on subjects like the present, from mere verbal description unassisted by drawings, but if the form of the gravestones and the style of the sculptures warrant the supposition that they are of the date which the inscriptions give, they are curious, as showing to what a comparatively recent period the old usages and customs of the nation were retained in the more distant parts of the English territories. Mr. URBAN, E. I. C. Aug. 4. AN article commencing at page 577, part i. of your Magazine for 1821, contains some particulars relative to the truly respectable but unfortunate royalist, Sir Thomas Gardiner, Knt. Recorder of London, Solicitor General, &c., and to his two eldest sons, who were respectively slain in the civil war.-Permit me to trouble you with a few additional particulars as to this gentleman, &c. His third son, Michael,-whose baptismal register it most likely was that gave rise to an erroneous family tradition mentioned in the said article, and likewise subsequently alluded to, at page 482 of the second part of your volume for the * Several other instances are enumerated in Gough's Sepulchral Monuments.-EDIT. [Aug. succeeding year,-died also in the lifetime of his father; for, as appears from the will of the latter, he was not living in April 1650. Although Sir Thomas Gardiner was resident at Cuddesden, in Oxfordshire, for several years, and died there in 1652, he nevertheless was not one of that old tribe of De Gardinos or Gardiners, more than a dozen of whom (and of these, no less than four in hamlets of the said parish of Cuddesden), are mentioned among the 'liberè tenentes" in the "Hundred Rolls" of Oxfordshire, compiled in the early part of Edward the First's reign. I have reason to believe that they bore for their arms (see in a Visitation of 1634 this coat, allowed to be an "ancient" one, in reference to an Oxfordshire ancestor of parties at that time removed into an adjoining county, Worcestershire,) Azure, between three griffins' heads erased Argent a chevron Ermine: and the most considerable persons of this said old tribe, were, as appears from the Hundred Rolls, Post Mortem Inquisitions, Kennett, &c. joint holders (participes) with the De Greys, of properties at Cogges, Somerton, Feringford, &c. which had belonged to Robert, the last male representative of the ancient Oxfordshire barony of De Arsic. The Rev. Michael Gardiner, Sir Thomas's father, who married Margaret Browne, and died incumbent of Greenford Magna in Middlesex, about 1630, was of the family of "London and Hertfordshire Gardiners" (Citizens and Fishmongers :)— pedigrees of whom are printed in the valuable work of your lately deceased and justly esteemed friend Mr. Clutterbuck;-but, as respects this particular branch, Mr. C. did not extend his notices beyond Henry, the eldest son of the said Michael and Margaret. A CONSTANT READER. CLASSICAL LITERATURE. MR. URBAN, R. S. Y. Aug. 7. THAT comment on XI Canons of Dawes, which first appeared in the Museum Criticum, No. IV. Oct. 1814, has since been reprinted in the second and third editions of the Theatre of the Greeks, 1827 and 1830. I had often wished for an opportunity of leisure, to bestow on that article a complete revisal, and to render it as correct in all points for the practical purpose intended, as the nature of the subject will allow. But a different and more comprehensive design, under the title of Attic Formulæ (in which some progress is made), has diverted my attention from the XI Canons of Dawes for the present. Still however, in connection with the subject, I cannot deny myself the 1831.] CLASSICAL LITERATURE.-Greek Moods.-Dictionaries. 139 pleasure of thus acknowledging my obligation to Dr. Arnold of Rugby, for a very clever and acute note in his late edition of Thucydides, iii. 22, vol. i. p. 446. Under the VIth of those Canons I spoke of the following passage from the Hecuba, 1120-1126, as "singularly aukward;" from the use of the subjunctive mood, followed by that of the optative, in a series of objects after the leading verb "Edewa, which expresses the past fear (so pretended) of Polymestor. *Εδεισα μή σοι πολέμιος λειφθεὶς ὁ παῖς Τροίαν ἀθροίσῃ, καὶ ξυνοικίσῃ παλιν γνοντες δ' Αχαιοὶ ζῶντα Πριαμιδῶν τινα, Φρυγῶν ἐς αἶαν αὖθις αἴροιεν στόλον, κάπειτα Θρήκης πεδία τρίβοιεν τάδε λεηλατοῦντες· γείτοσιν δ ̓ εἴη κακὸν Τρώων, ἐν ᾧπερ νῦν, ἄναξ, ἐκάμνομεν. But here Dr. Arnold very satisfactorily shows, that the peculiar character of such a sentence has created a canon of its own. The transition from the one mood to the other suggests that the consequences are not contemporaneous but successive. "The subjunctive mood indicates the immediate, and the optative the remote consequence, the second being a consequence upon the first. To mark this gradation, different moods are employed; and the subjunctive is thus used, even where the principal verb is in the past tense, because otherwise the distinction intended could not be marked." For the first intimation of such a distinctive use of the moods, Dr. Arnold refers to Hermann, Notes on Viger, n. 350: who besides referring to Seidler for a remark ad Euripid. Elect. 59 (similar to the paragraph here quoted from the Hecuba), quotes two congenial passages from Herodotus also. Dr. Arnold appeals to three such passages in Thucydides, pointed out by himself. J. T. is very right: but the student, knowing that these English words have decidedly different meanings, as we must not say to till God, or to worship a field, does not readily know how to reconcile colo with all of them, or by which of them to render it. : Now, if colo has one radical meaning, and yet means to worship, to fill, to deck, &c., it is clear that radical meaning must comprehend all the others and so it is; since colo means to give very great attention to. Example-To give very great attention to God,—to worship him. To the landto till it. To one's person-to deck it. To music-to practise it, &c. Arceo, again, is said to mean both to keep off, and to hold fast, which is right; though these meanings seem to clash for the radical meaning of arceo is to keep in any state one may wish, by any power, physical or moral, so that to keep in a state of distance, of possession, of obedience, or otherwise, is evidently arcere. Sententia means judgment, advice, thought, resolution, a wise saying, a decree, a wish, &c. Now we know that sententia means radically any feeling, expressed or not expressed; and this meaning comprehends all the others, as judgment-feeling of a Judge expressed; advice—of a friend expressed; resolution-a feeling confirmed; a wise saying-feeling of a wise man expressed; decree-feeling of a king expressed, &c. Where a word has not a decided equal in the explaining language, the definition of its meaning should, I think, be given something in the manner of the foregoing examples. W. BARNES. Mr. URBAN, July 19. TAUROMENIUM,* mentioned by Cicero in his celebrated oration against Caius Verres, is renowned for the magnificence of its theatre. Its construction was of brick. The spectator entered through the arches of a corridor, and from this place, the reverberation of sound was so great, as to dispense with the use of the harmonic vases. These echeia were made of brass, or earthenware, and suited to the size of the building. In theatres of a larger size, a vase was introduced, to correspond with every sound in the disdiapason. But in those of a lesser size, the vases were tuned in harmo * In modern times called Tauormina. '140 Theatre at Tauormina.--The Hebrew Language. -nic proportions of fourths, fifths, -eighths, and their replicates. The echeia were originally introduced into Italy by Mummius; and in the remains of the amphitheatre at Nismes, there are numerous excavations under the seats, which were probably used for the echeia.* In the theatre of Tauromenium there are niches in the wall, bounding the seats; and in number thirty-six. These probably served as a socle for the columns supporting the gallery; and probably also acted as a repository for statues. Time, that great innovator of all things, has spared two apartments, situated to the right and left of the proscenium; and which, with their roofs, are now in entire preservation. During the years 1748-1749, columns of beautiful foreign marble were dug out of the ruins of this theatre. The antiquary will readily discover, by a reference to the celebrated rules of Vitruvius, that this celebrated theatre is Roman. "If a square be inscribed in a circle, the circumference of which determines the range of the lowest rank of seats; the spot where the pulpitum begins shall be determined by a side of the square, if the theatre be Greek." "Again, if an equilateral triangle be inscribed in a circle, the side opposite the angle which touches the middle of the seats, shall determine where the pulpitum begins, if the theatre be Roman." The pulpitum in the theatre corresponds with the side of an equilateral triangle; and therefore the building is Roman. The following inscription, recording a victor at the Pythian games, is preserved in a Church in a square of Tauormina. O AHMOE TON TAPOMENITAN An inscription, in preservation at Rome, bears strong testimony to the former greatness of the city of Tauromenium. ΤΗΝ . ΕΠΙ . ΠΑΣΗ . ΑΡΕΤΗ . ΣΩ. ΦΡΟΣΥΝΗ . ΤΕ . ΔΙΑΠΡΕΠΟΥΣΑΝ . ΙΟΥΛΙΑΝ . ΒΑΣΣΙΛΛΑΝ . ΒΟΥΛΗ ΚΑΙ . ΔΗΜΟΣ . ΤΗΣ . ΛΑΜΠΑΣΙΑΣ . ΠΟΛΕΩΣ . ΤΑΥΡΟΜΕΝΕΙΤΩΝ . ΑΝΕΘΗΣΑΝ. "The senate and people of the splendid city of the Tauromenians, erected this in honour of Julia Vassilla, pre-eminent for her prudence, and other virtues." [Aug. Tauormina is situated upon a bold promontory, commanding an extensive view of the mount of Etna, and the shores of Sicily, in perspective, as far as Catania. The city is surrounded by hills, famous for the luxuriant grapes which they produce, and for the extent and beauty of the prospects. The effect at moonlight of the summit of Etna appearing at one moment shrouded in clouds, and at another illuminated in the pale beams of night, is singularly beautiful. TEMPLARIUS. Yours, &c. The Etymology and Syntax of the Hebrew Language, in continuation of the Elements thereof. By HYMAN HURWITZ. "BY Hyman Hurwitz!" Then we know at once what a literary treat we may expect. The author of Vindicia Hebraicæ, an inestimable work in defence of our authorised version of the Sacred Volume, and for which the two Universities would not be dishonoured in conferring a high honour upon him; the elegant translator and selector of Hebrew tales from rare and rabbinical records, this very liberal and very erudite writer has ushered into the world a work upon the most ancient and most important language in the habitable globe; (we wish, by the way, that our excellent Bishops would insist more upon an acquaintance with it, and ordain none that had not some knowledge of it). It has been affirmed, by one who knew as little of Hebrew as he did of Coptic, "That Hebrew roots are often found To flourish most in barren ground;" but what a contradiction to this assertion is the admirable performance now before us. Profundity of science, richness of imagery, elegance of diction, diversity of subject, and diligence of research, characterise it throughout. Here the reader will find the maxim of the Venusian poet fully exemplified, "Lectorem delectando pariterque monendo." In the most interesting manner, Hebrew, Greek, French, Italian, Latin, and English, are all employed, and in their most popular poems, &c. Servetur ad imum qualis ab incepto processerit," says Horace. We shall end then as we began, "The Etymology and Syntax of the Hebrew Language" were written by "HYMAN HURWITZ." -1831.] [141] REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides. By James Boswell, esq. A new Edition, with numerous Additions and Notes, by John Wilson Croker, LL.D. F.R.S. 5 vols. 8vo. THERE is scarcely a department in the literature or science of our country that cannot boast of some illustrious character, who, distinguished by superiority of genius, has been the ornament of learning, the pride of compatriotism, and the cynosure of the circle in which he moved. Such individuals, having devoted their lives to the study and enrichment of that peculiar branch of knowledge in which they have risen to eminence, have deservedly acquired contemporary honours, and secured immortal fame. In the bright galaxy of our own illustrious countrymen shines a Newton, whose profoundly sublime discoveries, "through Nature up to Nature's God," perdurably stand as the proud mementos of a towering and exalted mind. In physics we have a Boyle, in metaphysics a Locke, and in poesy a Pope-the pride and ornament of English literature; in architecture we have a Wren, in chemistry a Davy, and in mechanics a Watt, whose names stand unrivalled in their respective pursuits, and will be transmitted with honour to the latest posterity. To crown all, we have in English literature a Johnson, the subject of these memoirs, who, as the architectus verborum and (to adopt his own grandiloquential combinations) the 'Apxypaμμatikodidáσ kaλos of our native tongue, may rank as the great prototype of philological learning, who has given authority, weight, and dignity to the language in which he wrote. Addison and Pope certainly communicated a smoothness and beauty to our phraseology unknown to their predecessors; but Johnson, in addition, imparted a Latinity of expression, a dignified classicality, a sesquipedalian majesty to his native language, which all previous writers had attempted in vain. He was, moreover, the first individual who attempted the gigantic task of embodying our language into a lexicographic shape; a similar undertaking occupied the French academy upwards of forty years. It is true, there are some imperfections and omissions in his Dictionary; but if we consider the circumstances attending the compilation (an entire foundation to lay, comparative penury, and destitution of national patronage, with a scanty remuneration for his labours,) we can only wonder at the successful result. But to discuss the learning and talents of Johnson would now be supererogatory. They have long been before the whole world; and the readers of our early volumes, to which, in his younger days he was a principal contributor, must be acquainted with the powerful productions of his pen. Mr. Boswell's Life of the great lexicographer must also be perfectly familiar to all who feel the least interest in the biographical literature of our country. It is well known that he was for many years the intimate friend and constant companion of Johnson; and who, with the intention of subsequently publishing his memoirs, took extraordinary pains in committing to paper all the incidents that arose, and all the conversations that took place on every occasion during his intercourse with Johnson. Not only did he commit to paper at night the conversation of the day, but even in general society he would occasionally take notes of any thing remarkable. Boswell first published his work in 1791, and so great was the demand that a second edition was brought out in 1793. In 1799 a third edition was produced under the editorship of Malone, a fourth in 1804, a fifth in 1807, and a sixth in 1811, all under the same superintendence. Mr. Chalmers published a seventh in 1822; and in 1826 an anonymous editor in Oxford produced another. With the advantages of all preceding editions Mr. Croker, ex-secretary of the Admiralty, has occupied his leisure hours in producing the voluminous work now before us, the publication of which, he informs us, was undertaken at the suggestion of Lord Stowell, the friend and executor of Dr. Johnson. Mr. Croker is not unknown to the literary world. His first attempt, we believe, was a poeti |