with the best right) to have been the inventor of the art of mezzotinto. (See a notice of Mr. Diamond's former communication on this subject, in our number for last March, p. 296.) The Count was a man of rank, and being a mere amateur, his works were probably only privately circulated; which may account for their present rarity (and that of the Princess Mary is one of the scarcest), and for the circumstance of his claims to the invention having been hitherto so little known. Mr. Diamond now presented a catalogue of the several plates in mezzotinto known to have been executed by the Count Siegen, Furstenberg, and Prince Rupert respectively, together with their dates as far as can be ascertained.

Dec. 15. Thomas Amyot, esq. Treasurer, in the chair.

Mr. Kempe exhibited a cinerary urn, of plain red pottery, found inclosed within a larger one, of coarser materials, at the Dissenters' burial-ground, in Deverilstreet, Dover-road; the same spot where the mirror and lachrymal bottle, represented in our Nov. number, p. 507, and several other Roman relics, have been exhumed.

Mr. William Hardy, of the Duchy of Lancaster Office, communicated a copy of a charter of King Richard I. granted during the interval between his father's death and his own coronation. His style is Dominus Anglorum and not Rex; he uses the singular Ego, and not the plural Nos; and the document furnishes additional proof that Richard's reign was not considered to begin until his coronation, and that all his regnal years were dated from that solemnity. Henry the Second died on the 7th July 1189, and Richard was not crowned until the 3d of September; so that the chronological importance of this circumstance is very great, as affecting one sixth part of every year of Richard's reign.

Sir W. Betham, F.S.A. and Foreign Secretary of the Royal Irish Academy, presented a printed copy of three papers Îately read by him at that institution, with some additional remarks. They are, 1. On an astronomical instrument of the ancient Irish, in the possession of the Dean of St. Patrick's; 2. On the ring money of the Celta, and showing its similarity to that now current at Sennaar, and generally through Abyssinia; 3. On the identity of the Phoenician and Irish languages, as proved from the ancient names of places in the shores occupied and frequented by the Phoenicians, which are shown by Sir William to be highly appropriate and significant when translated by the usual explanations of the

Irish dictionaries. We shall notice these interesting papers more fully hereafter.

66

John Bruce, esq. F.S.A. communicated (from the Arundel MSS. now in the British Museum) some interesting documents relative to the latter days of Sir Thomas More, which have hitherto been overlooked by his biographers. One is a pathetic petition to the King, in the name of his wife and children, written at the time when the ex-Chancellor had suffer. ed eight months' imprisonment; and when, in consequence of the confiscation of his property, his family were reduced to a state of great deprivation, though he does not appear to have then imagined his life to be in danger; Mr. Bruce thinks it was probably penned by Sir Thomas himself. It appeals forcibly to the "most blessed disposition" of the King, on the ground that the offence for which Sir Thomas was then a prisoner in the Tower was. grown not of any malice or obstinate mind, but of such a long-continued and deep-rooted scruple as passeth his power to avoid or put away." The petition prayed the King, "for the tender mercy of God, to deliver him out of prison, and suffer him quietly to live the remainder of his life, with only such entertainment of living as it should like" his most noble Majesty, of his "gracious almoys and pity to appoint him." The other document was a copy of the indictment preferred against Sir Thomas More. siderable doubt has existed with respect to the exact legal crime for which he was put to death. Such doubts are put an end to by this document, which proves that he suffered under the Statute of 27 Henry VIII. which made it treason to 'imagine, invent, practise, attempt, wish, will or desire, to deprive the King of the title of his Royal Estate,' or to counsel others to do the like. Three facts were alleged by which Sir Thomas was brought within this Statute. I. That he maliciously held his peace' when interrogated as to whether he would accept the King to be Supreme Head of the Church. II. That he counselled Bishop Fisher in his Treason, by writing letters to him whilst in the Tower; and III. That in a conversation with Mr. Solicitor-general Rich, he denied the power of Parliament to make the King the Head of the Church; it being a dignity over which they had no control.

Con

Dec. 22. Mr. Hamilton in the chair.

The Rev. James Basnett Miles, B. C. L. of Queen's College, Oxford, Perpetual Curate of Hannam, near Bristol; the Rev. Samuel Fox, of Morley, near Derby, translator of Boethius; Thomas William Fletcher, of Dudley, co. Worc. esq., and Mr. Charles Roach Smith, of

Lothbury, were elected Fellows of the Society.

Mr. Amyot communicated a drawing, made by a German artist, under the directions of Sir Thomas Reade, the British Consul-general at Tunis, of a very important Punic inscription, cut on a monument or mausoleum, at Thugga, near Carthage. Copies of this inscription had been already published by Sir Grenville Temple and by General Camillus Borgia; but as these copies had been represented by Professor Gesenius, of Halle, to differ materially from each other, the present had been very carefully made, at the request of the Council of the Society, and, though differing from each of the former, Sir Thomas Reade, in the strongest terms, vouched for its perfect accuracy, the stone itself being now in his possession at Tunis. He, at the same time, sent drawings of other inscriptions, selected from more than a hundred observed by him during his journey to Thugga; and states that a very large number of splendid remains, hitherto unpublished, might be copied with great advantage to literature, by a competent person employed for the purpose, in that part of Africa.

The Society adjourned to Jan. 12.

ROMAN COINS FOUND NEAR FAKEN

HAM, CO. NORFOLK.

Mr. URBAN, Lothbury, Nov. 1. THE Roman Coins, of which a descrip. tion is herewith sent, were found a few years since near Fakenham, in Norfolk, by a labourer. They are all of small brass, and generally of the commonest reverses. The mint letters, as may be supposed in a collection of fifteen hundred coins, are combined in a variety of ways, indicating chiefly the mintages of the towns of Arles, Treves, Aquileia, and Lugdunum. None occur among those of the Emperor Constantine of the particular classes assigned to the London Mint, from which we may reasonably infer that the hoard remained in the same state in which it was imported from the continent. Neither does this collection contain any of the coins of the intervening emperors Carausius and Allectus (frequently found throughout this county), which, individually, probably would have been the case, had it been formed of coins current in Britain at the period of Constantine the Great. This part of Norfolk is particularly abundant in coins and other Roman remains. At Wighton (near Walsingham), not long ago, as some workmen were cutting a water-course in a meadow below a rising ground, which the neighbouring people have always

IMP. C. MAXIMIANUS P. F. AUG. Rev. VIRTUTI AUGG. Hercules strangling a lion.

IMP. MAXIMIANUS P. F. AUG. Rev. PAX AUGG. exergue B.

D. N. MAXIMIANO P. F. AUG. Rev. HERCULI CONSERVATORI. (in exergue PLN.

Idem. Rev. GENIO POP. ROM. in exergue PLN.-39 more of this reverse with a trifling variation, such as a small altar by the side of the Genius on some,

and an N in the field on others.

Constantius.-FL. VAL. CONSTANTIUS N. C. Rev. MONETA AUGG ET. NN in field s P. in exergue PTR.

CAES.

DIVO CONSTANTIO PIO (Veiled head.) Rev. MEMORIA FELIX (in exergue PTR. an altar with fire; on either side an eagle.

Idem. Rev. Idem. in exergue PLN.There are 14 more of the two last.

Galerius Maximianus.-IMP. G. VAL. MAXIMIANUS P. F. AUG. Rev. GENIO. POP. ROM; in field SA; in exergue PTR: with 20 similar.

Maximinus.-MAXIMINUS P. F. AUG. Rev. GENIO. POP. ROM: with 90 similar.

IMP. C. GAL. VAL. MAXIMINUS P. F. INV. AUG. Rev. GENIO IMPERATORIS. in exergue AT.

IMP. C. GAL. VAL. MAXIMINUS P. F.

AUG. Rev. Idem. in exergue кTV.

Maxentius.-IMP. C. MAXENTIUS P. F. AUG. Rev. CONSERV: VRB. SUAE. Rome personified and seated in a temple of 6

columns.-24 more with the same legend, but almost all differing in the structure and ornaments of the temples, some of which also contain 2 figures. The marks in the exergues are, AQP-ST-RBS-PT

-ABQ-TT-T.

Idem. Rev. AETERNITAS AUG. N. in exergue Mostt. The Dioscuri with horses and spears.

Idem. Rev. VICTORIA AETERN. AUG. N. in exergue MOSTQ. Victory with wreath and palm branch.

Licinius.-IMP. LICINIUS. P. F. AUG. Laureated head to right. Rev. GENIO POP. ROM; in field sr; in exergue PLN. -90 similar with the exception of some having a star and some TF in the field.

Idem. Rev. GENIO POP. ROM. in exergue PTR.--90 more of the same.

Idem. 39 similar. Rev. Idem. exergue

ATR.

Constantinus.-FL. VAL. CONSTANTINVS NOB. C. Laureated head to the right; bust togated and, on some, in armour. Rev. PRINCIPI JUVENTUTIS. In field SA; in exergue PTR.-Four similar, in exergue PLN and PLC.

FL. VAL. CONSTANTINUS NOB. C. Rev. GENIO POP. ROM. in exergue PLN. About a dozen similar with sc-SA-and A in the field, and in the exergue PLC. Idem. Rev. MARTI PROPUGNATORI; in field sa, in exergue PT.

Idem. Rev. MARTI PATRI PROPUGNATORI (PTR.)

Idem. Rev. MARTI PATRI CONSERVA.

Rev. SOLI INVICTO COMITI.-175 of this type; marks in exergue PARL, MIL, and

TT.

IMP. CONSTANTINUS AUG. Rev. MARTI CONSERVATORI. Head of Mars. Idem. Rev. SOLI INVICTO COMITI. Head of the Sun.-60 of these two.

IMP. CONSTANTINUS P. F. AUG. Rev. SOLI INVICTO COMITI.-There are upwards of 800 of this type, differing from each other only in the exergue marks, which are PTR MSLTARL-RTRMLN and BTR.

EXCAVATIONS AT ROME.

The excavations at the Forum of Rome, ordered by Government, have, it is said, ascertained the precise position of the Tribune, from which the orators harangued the people. It has hitherto been supposed to have been in the centre of the Forum; but it appears now to be proved that it stood at the top of the capitol. All that has now been cleared, appears to agree perfectly with the descriptions of the historians and the ancient medals. The arch of Septimus Severus is on one side, and that of Titus and the Colosseum in front.

MOLIERE'S CHAIR.

It

A large wooden chair has been preserved at Pezenas, in the south of France, which is called Molière's arm-chair. appears that when Molière visited Pezenas, he was accustomed every afternoon to go to a barber's shop in the town, which was the general resort of loungers and newsmongers, and used to sit in this chair while he was being shaved, and that he held a sort of levee in the shop, for some hours. The Municipal Council of Pezenas lately entered into some inqui ries, with a view to prove that this chair was really the one in question, and, the fact having been established, they decided upon sending it to Paris as a valuable relic.

LATIMER'S PULPIT.

In carrying into effect the improvements in the church of St. Helen, Worcester, it has been found necessary to remove the ancient pulpit from which Latimer poured forth his peculiar but effective eloquence. The sacred relic has been purchased by a gentleman of the neighbourhood. It is so connected with the history of the Reformation, that it ought to be preserved in some national depository. The pulpit from which Richard Baxter preached is carefully preserved at Kidderminster, as is the chair of Wickliffe at Lutterworth, and the chair of Bunyan at Bedford.

The French Journals have been of late filled with lamentations and complaints on the subject of the unfortunate expedition against Constantina, the details of which are given under the news from Africa. Regret at the loss of thousands of brave men-a conviction of the increased difficulty of extending, or of even maintaining, the African colony of Francepride deeply wounded by a reverse which ought not to bave been possible, and the demonstration that disorganization and indiscipline pervade the French army— all tend to fill the strictures of the press on the ill-fated expedition with pain, bitterness, and indignation. The Gazette de France states, that two things had been resolved on by government—the recall of Marshal Clausel, and a new expedition.

A society has been formed at Paris on the plan of the London Mechanics' Institution. It was first suggested by the celebrated geometrician, Monge, and the labour of instructing is principally confided to the pupils of the Polytechnic school. Classes are organised to teach the principles of mechanics, optics, and all the branches of natural philosophy; as also, the fine arts, grammar, and languages. Each class is presided over by an advanced member; and the plan is so successful that the society musters at the present time upwards of 1,500 members.

On the 19th of December, the great balloon, which lately left Vauxhall Gardens for the continent, made an ascent from the barracks in the Rue Poissonniere, in Paris, whither it had been conveyed from Weilburg, in Nassau, for the purpose. Six adventurous voyagers entered the car, consisting of a lady named Roscoe, Lord Yarmouth, M. Guy Lussac, of the Academy of Sciences, M. Pilte, a director of the French Gas Company, Mr. Hughes, one of the proprietors, and Mr. Green. The machine, with its living freight, rose gracefully and majestically amid the plaudits of the crowd: but in less than ninety seconds it was nearly obscured by the fogginess of the atmosphere; and before the expiration of two minutes it was entirely veiled from sight. The æronauts descended in perfect safety at a quarter past three, about one mile beyond Vitry.

SPAIN.

The accounts from Spain are of the most unsatisfactory character. There appears not the least prospect of a termination to the civil war. On the contrary, Carlism appears to be every where on the increase the Constitutional leaders either treacherous or rank cowards-and the cause of the Queen in a condition all but desperate. Generals Rodil and Alaix have been removed from their commands, and succeeded by Rivero and Narvaez. Gomez, according to accounts, was continuing his route to the North, and had got as far as Siguenza. The Queen's troops remain far in the rear, the soldiers of Alaix, it is said, having refused to obey Narvaez.

After a lengthened discussion of many days, the Spanish Cortes have passed the 6th clause of the Ministerial proposition, authorising the banishment of conspirators, by a majority of 94 to 53. By this article the Ministers are authorised to exile any suspicious person, without trial, or showing cause, or even producing what they term their moral proofs of suspecting the party as a conspirator, for six months to the islands. The immediate effect of this decree was, to terminate the existence of two Madrid journals, the Corsario and the Tribuno. The latter announced its own dissolution in a sheet edged with black, in which was a formal adieu to the subscribers. M. Calvo de Rosas was the editor, who remarks therein, that it remains to be seen whether the despotism of the Ministers, supported by the majesty of the Cortes, will suffice to quell the civil war, or whether it will not rather quell liberty, and all rational hopes of a better state of things.

According to the latest accounts, Bilboa was closely invested by the Carlists, without any hopes of effectual relief. It appears that on the 5th of Dec. General Espartero, commander of the Queen's forces, made a movement to relieve the town, but Eguia and Villareal being on the watch, seized the opportunity, and gave the Christino general battle. The action lasted the whole of the day, at the close of which, Espartero was forced to retire from all his positions, though he had been protected by the fort of Desierto, the steam-boats, chaloupes, &c.

The news from St. Sebastian, of the

11th of Dec. are by no means favourable. The troops were almost without supplies, wholly without pay, and beginning to mutiny. The most distinguished of the officers were inclined to leave the place. General Evans was preparing to return to England.

PORTUGAL.

The Portuguese Government has at length, issued a decree for the abolition of the slave-trade, imposing imprisonment and heavy fines on persons engaged either directly or indirectly in the trade, and declaring that all Portuguese seamen found on board slave-vessels will be condemned to serve four years in the navy without pay.

TURKEY.

The Turkish Sultan has recently opened in person a bridge 1280 feet in length, and 22 in width, connecting Constantinople with the populous suburbs of Galata and Pera. A road leading to the new edifice from the imperial palace, five miles in length, was constructed in twentyfour hours by a body of twelve thousand workmen.

AFRICA.

The French arms, under General Clausel, have sustained a serious defeat in a late attempt against Constantina,

the capital of the province of the same name, composing the eastern part of the territory of Algiers. He undertook the expedition at the head of 7000 men. Owing, however, to the inclemency of the weather, and the wretched state of the roads, the troops became weary, diseased, and unfit for active service; and on the 22nd Nov. while passing through an almost impracticable defile, exposed to the incessant attacks of the Arabs, they were deprived of nearly the whole of their baggage and provisions. Although some miles from Constantina, they still advanced to the attack, though it was resolutely defended; nor did they give up the effort, until compelled by the fears of starvation and the loss of their remaining ammunition, which was captured by the Arabs, who harassed them at every step, and beheaded all their prisoners. The retreat was most disastrous. Of the 7000 men who accompanied Marshal Clausel, only 1500 returned to the point from whence they had set out, and of those the greater part were either ill or suffering under extreme hunger and fatigue. On the 27th, they would have been wholly destroyed had not the Second Light Infantry formed into square, borne alone the attacks of the enemy, and thus saved the remains of the army.

IRELAND.

Dec. 5. A meeting of the clergy of the archdiocese of Armagh was held for the purpose of petitioning against the system of Education now adopted in Ireland, under the auspices of the Government. The Lord Primate presided. A petition to the House of Lords was unanimously agreed to, to which the names of all the clergy present were appended. The petitioners pray, that "the present system may not be persisted in, but that out of the funds set apart for Education in Ireland a portion, such as your Lordships shall in your wisdom deem suitable may be appropriated for the endowment and support of schools, to be conducted solely on Protestant principles; persuaded that such an arrangement, liable as it should seem to no reasonable objection on the part of Roman Catholics, will be found better suited to the divided state of the religious community in Ireland, than a system which, by exacting a forced compliance or a dishonest compromise, from Protestant parents, cannot fail to introduce laxity of opinion on essential points, or to perpetuate that disagreement and contention of which it has already proved a fertile source."

GENT. MAG. VOL. VII.

INTELLIGENCE FROM VARIOUS PARTS

OF THE COUNTRY.

In a petition lately presented to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, signed by a great number of the inhabitants of the city and county of Worcester, it is stated, that in the city of Worcester alone (from the revenues of the cathedral church of which city a considerable sum will hereafter be placed at the disposal of the Board) there are ten livings, of which three only have houses of residence, and three only an annual income amounting to 2007.; and that within the diocese of Worcester there are numerous livings with an average population of nearly 5000 persons, whose joint average income does not exceed 1201., and where there is no house of residence. On these grounds the petitioners pray that no funds arising from the suppression of ecclesiastical offices in the diocese of Worcester (after due provision made for those places from which those funds are locally derived) may be, in any way, alienated, until the just claims and pressing wants of that diocese be supplied."

The York Public Cemetery.-A report of the committee for conducting this important work has been published, from

N