in July, 1842, while excavating for making a sewer in Queen Street, Cheapside, London, and which, if standing erect, would have been fifteen inches, but in its stooping posture the perpendicular height was about eleven inches. It has been described and figured in the Archæologia, vol. xxx. plate xxii. p. 544.

This really fine work of art was put up at 30 guineas, and, after a slight struggle, knocked down to Purnell B. Purnell, Esq., of Stancombe Park, Dursley, Gloucestershire for 125. The Etruscan fictile vases sold for about as many shillings as forty years ago they would have brought pounds, but the miscellaneous articles brought extraordinarily high prices. Two Necklaces of common Venetian beads (Lots 351 and 357) worth about half-acrown each, were eagerly contended for, and the hammer fell at £2. 6s. The second day's sale closed with a struggle for various gold Etruscan fibulæ and ornaments, which went at high prices, and it was understood in the room that an Etruscan gold necklace, with a head of Medusa attached, was bought in at no less a sum than £50.

An

The third day's sale was less attractive. An exceedingly curious Lamp in bronze (Lot 470), of oval form, with four burners issuing from the sides, the handle formed of figures of grotesque animals, and stated to have been found near London Bridge, produced four guineas. There were a few (eight) illuminated Manuscripts, but none sold for extravagant prices. Etruscan gold wreath, composed of masks and foliage worn round the helmet, from the Canino Collection (Lot 529) was secured by T. Crofton Croker, Esq., for £19. 10s. With the disposal of some Shaksperian relics this very miscellaneous sale closed, but they did not appear to be much coveted.

There were some fine and many desirable specimens, with a few of very doubtful character, and some unquestionable forgeries. The Earl Cadogan, Sir Gardiner Wilkinson, Dr. Henderson, and other amateurs of Art and Archæology, seemed to watch the progress of the sale with considerable interest. N.

THE GOLDEN LION, FULHAM, "should not," writes G. W.'s Correspondent, T. C. C. " be confounded with the Golden Lion, Brompton, the exterior decora

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March last, No. XV. p. 19, and the Rev. Dr. Hume, of Liverpool, February, No. XIV. p. 10, are both in an unnecessary "fume" about what easily admits of explanation; if, indeed, the history of an old tobacco pipe required one. Suppose," says T. M. "that I was in a hoaxing humour, and that no such Inn ever existed at Fulham as the Golden Lion?" Now," continues our Correspondent, I may as well suppose that no such person ever existed as T. M., but to prove that such an Inn existed at Fulham as the Golden Lion, I send you a series of twelve sketches which were presented to me by Mr. Henry Warren, the President of the New Society of Watercolour Painters, and which were made of and in it in April, 1836, previous to the old hostelrie being pulled down and replaced by a modern public house bearing the same name. You have my permission to engrave any one or two of these studies, and I have been assured that the oak panneling of some of the principal rooms was purchased by a dealer, and re-sold to the Earl of Ellenborough for the fitting of his Lordship's residence, Southam House, Cheltenham."

Availing himself of this permission, G. W. has caused first to be engraved the Chimney Piece of the back room, ground floor, South side, and opposite the Chimney Piece, back room, first floor, as characteristic specimens of this curious old house.

FORMATION OF THE UNION JACK.

Esplanade, Sidmouth, March 27th, 1852. SIR,-The annexed may possibly be of use to H. M. in your "Current Notes" for March, but I am not able to refer to the work from which it is taken. Yours obediently,

W. G. CLARKE.

THE UNION JACK.

Yarmo, March 29th, 1852.

Az. a cross saltire argent encalved gules; over all a common, cross, the same as first. I believe there are no given rules as to its proportion. This appears to be the best, viz. the breadth three-fourths of the length. But the inclosed, forwarded to H. M., will suffice for all.*

W.

addressed to him at the Publisher's.

G. W.

Perhaps you will permit me to embrace this opportunity of saying a few words on the abstraction of Monumental Brasses from churches, which has attracted the attention of some of your Correspondents lately; one of whom throws the blame almost wholly on "the sectarian soldiers of Cromwell's time."* I am not desirous of defending these men, but I am desirous that modern Churchwardens should not screen their neglect by such an excuse. A slight research among our topographical works will prove, that a very large abstraction and destruction of such memorials has taken place in comparatively recent times. In the introduction to Cotman's " Brasses of Norfolk and Suffolk," he notes that "in 1800 the chancel of Ingham was completely swept of all its beautiful memorials of the Stapleton family. They were sold as old metal, and it was commonly reported by whom they were bought and sold; but nobody sought to recover them; neither minister nor churchwarden cared for any of these things." The beautiful brass (engraved in this same work) of Robert Attelath, Mayor of Lynn in 1374, was about forty years ago "given out of the church by the Churchwardens to a person who sold it for five shillings to a brass founder." The collection of rubbings from Brasses made about the same time and bequeathed to the British Museum by the late Francis Douce, present several since destroyed. The Journal of the Archæological Association narrates the fact of several removed from a country church because their rivets became loose, and "tripped up old women who came to the fore seats in the aisle." I remember several instances of Brasses thus loosened, taken up and thrown in vestries or belfries, until they were sufficiently forgotten to be carried out and sold to the metal-founder. Some few Antiquaries have argued that they are better taken care of in their museums than thus exposed to destruction; and churchwardens being willing "to get rid of the ugly old things," many

the

* See communication from "One of the Executors" of the late Sir Samuel R. Meyrick, printed in "Current Notes" for January last, p. 2.

and good taste, gave it back to the church, and Dawson Turner, Esq., at his expense, had it replaced in its original position." Surely, the soldiers of Crom well have sins enough to answer for, without heaping those of modern Churchwardens on their heads. I am, Sir, yours very truly,

MR. G. WILLIS.

F. W. FAIRHOLT.

MONUMENTAL BRASSES OF LINCOLNSHIRE. The Lincolnshire Architectural Society propose to superintend the publication of the most interesting Monumental Brasses of that County. The work to be comprised in 12 parts, containing about five plates each; and published at intervals of two months: with a small volume of descriptive letter-press at the close of the series.

Brasses from the following churches (among others) will be included in this series:-Barton, Boston, Buslingthorpe, Great Coates, Croft, Covenham, Grainthorpe, Gunby, Hainton, Irnham, South Kelsey, Linwood, South Ormsby, Spilsby, Tattershall, Wrangle, &c.

The Rev. F. P. Lowe, Saltfleetby, Louth, is the Hon. Sec. of the Lincolnshire Architectural Society. But the work will not be issued till a sufficient number of subscribers, at £1 4s, or at about 6d per plate, has been obtained to ensure the Society against any loss.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES, AND THEIR WORKS.

Northampton, March 14th, 1852. SIR,-I am rather amused (see p. 12 "Current Notes" for February last) at the apparent strength of Architectural Science in the Midland Counties. There are, it seems, four Societies, and in one year they publish almost one volume! If four Societies can only produce one "handsome octavo volume" in so long a period, I should suggest their dissolving themselves, and let some one active and competent member do the work. The truth is, half of these Societies are merely architectural Mrs. Harrises-talked about, but seldom or never seen. One liberal man, who would give a couple of hundred of pounds towards a work published by some creditable architect, would beat them all. I am, Sir, yours truly,

MR. WILLIS.

ANTI-SOCIALIST.

THE PILLAR PRINT OF OLIVER CROMWELL. Brompton, April 10th, 1852.

the excellent work by Charles Pye, on the "Provincial Coins and Tokens issued from the year 1787 to 1801, Birmingham, 1801."

rian, who was a celebrated Numismatist in his day, gives The following passage from Thoresby, the Leeds histothe best information I can find on the subject: he says:

"When private persons first obtained liberty of having their own names inscribed on the Tokens, I cannot learn. Sir William Dick had that favour in Charles I.'s time, but that was in Scotland. It seems to have been otherwise in England. I have by me a copy of an order in Council, whereby it appears that only the King's farthing tokens should be current here,* and the privilege of coining them was granted to the Duke of Lennox, and the Marquis of Hamilton, under the Great The passage is obscure, and does not sufficiently give the information wanted, as the great bulk of these tokens were issued during the time of the Commonwealth and the reign of Charles II.

DEAR SIR,-As this famous Portrait seems to be an object of interest to several of your subscribers, I take the liberty of adding my mite of information concerning it. In the March Number of "Current Notes," p. 21, it is stated that Caulfield valued a good impression of it at £36, but your Correspondent remarks, that "this was all very well for a dealer's valuation," adding, that the one sold at the Strawberry Hill sale was bought by a printseller for £7. 15s. That Caulfield was nearly right in his appreciation, I find confirmed by reference to the Catalogue of the 'extensive and choice collection of Prints formed by my uncle, the late Robert Morse, Esq. of Clarges Street, Piccadilly, which was sold by auction by the well-known Dodd, May 15th, 1816, and 27 following days. This portrait (Lot 1335), described as excellent impression and of the utmost rarity," sold for £30 19s 6d. This, it is true, was in the high and palmy time of print-collecting, as the prices of a few others will testify. James I. by W. Pas, sold for £14 3s 6d. Edward Somerset, Earl of Worcester, by Simon Pas, for £9 9s. Edmond Baron Sheffield, for £10. Sir Julius Cæsar, by Elstracke, for £10 10s. Frances Bridges, Countess of Exeter, by Faithorne, for £10. Lot 3602, Strutt's Dictionary of Engravers, illustrated by 2820 prints, exhibiting specimens of the works of 1680 different engravers, bound in 18 vols. sold for £288 15s. Lot 3600, Vandyck's Works, a magnificent collection of engravings after his paintings, for £198; and others in the same proportion. Your obedient servant and collaborateur, Mr. WILLIS. CHARLES EDMONDS.

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an

Seal."

The study of Tradesmen's tokens has met with such that it seems rash to attempt an apology for them; but unmerited contempt from some of our ablest antiquaries, any one who is well acquainted with them knows the from them, and if they continue to be slighted as they fund of amusement and instruction that may be derived have been, many specimens will be irretrievably lost to future antiquaries. A few further remarks on them may be interesting to your general readers.

number of these tokens at less than 40,000, and I think After a careful calculation, I cannot estimate the that number less than the real quantity; from various correspondence with collectors, I always find that they have a large number different to mine. Mr. Akerman has described 2461 in his list of London Tokens only. The great loss to the public compelled the Government to put them down under the severest penalties: very large numbers may be picked out of a collection, which would require a dozen to weigh a modern halfpenny; their paltry intrinsic value, no doubt, prompted many unprincipled shopkeepers to issue them, from the profit they derived from the quantity which would be lost, owing to their small size. There is scarcely a village that had not its local currency. I possess tokens of 684 cities, towns, and villages.

TOKENS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. The notice of Tradesmen's tokens, inserted in the "Current Notes" of Feb. 25th, has attracted more attention than I expected, as besides the letters published in the Notes of March 25th, I have had direct communications from Andover and Downpatrick. In reply to the obliging letter of "K. L." Dublin, I beg to say, that I had seen the engraving of the Cork farthing in Mr. Lindsay's work, but as I did not sufficiently express my meaning, I will now explain what I meant by "the Commonwealth Arms," viz. that the two shields of Arms of England and Ireland were side by side, as shewn on the Token engraved in the "Notes," and cisely in the form they appear on the Coins of the Commonwealth, not separate as on the Cork farthing, one shield on the obverse, the other on the reverse side. They are all scarce: I do not know a single example of these Arms on an English token. Dr. Smith's Catalogue of Irish Tokens was unknown to me; I shall take the first opportunity to procure a copy.

pre

My chief object in writing the notice was to get any information concerning the Tokens of Scotland, whether there are any besides the Royal tokens. The Scotch tokens of the 18th Century, mentioned by your correspondent M. A. M." are well known, and engraved in

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Amongst the different trades and professions which appear on the tokens, that of a Musician is seldom met with the following is an interesting example, and furnishes an early example of Punch

Henry Laude, Newark, says, "Noe want where these are. The cruel sport of cock fighting is on the token of William Docker, of Leeds, drawer. Gateshead has

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a punning coat of arms-a goat's head: to the lovers of Heraldry there is a fund of amusement; besides the Arms of the Trading Companies of London, we have the Arms of Corporations, and families. Many of the Corporations issued their tokens: Wotton-under-Edge has, This farthing token will be owned by the Mayor and Aldermen." The Bristol Corporation farthing is of good size and execution: many different dies were used. is an exceedingly common token, and remarkable, as being the only one issued in that important commercial town. Many names of towns appear on these tokens, which would puzzle a gazetteer to find out: two names occur to me at this moment, OZED and FAIREFAX.

It

SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS.

Gainsborough, March 15, 1852. SIR,-There has gone the round of the papers a paragraph, stating that though individuals of almost every nation appear as characters in one or other of Shakespeare's Plays, yet there never occurs an Irishman. I do not know whether this has been contradicted or not; but it is capable of contradiction, as a distinguished Prelate proved to me by taking down his volume of Shakespeare, containing the Play of Henry V. There in the 3rd Act, Scene 2nd, Fluellen, the Welchman, holds an animated and very characteristic conversation with Capt. Macmorris, an Irishman. The original can be consulted. The Irish peculiarities are well hit off. So much for the charge of omission which has been brought against our great Bard,

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SIR,-I shall be greatly obliged if you will permit me to propound the following queries in your Current Notes:"

1. Is any endeavour being made to complete that which was published at Brussels in 1845? vast work, the "Acta Sanctorum," the last volume of

2. Where can I see a list of the persons on whom it was proposed by Charles the Second to confer the Order of the Royal Oak?

3. Is there any English translation of the "Aurea Legenda" besides the one by Caxton, and has that translation ever been reprinted? E. P.

AUTOGRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY.

March 6, 1852.

SIR,-I have taken some little pains to find out S. S.'s quere (" Current Notes," Feb. p. 15), without further success than to presume (in the absence of a facsimile) that the "Orford" must be the Earl created 1742, there being a "Kendal" title then in existence : extinct 1743. Your correspondent can, without great difficulty, compare it with those mutilated documents, I should say, that have been so frequently dispersed at the various sales from the stock of Messrs. Upcott, Cole & Co., originally in the Exchequer State Paper Office, from whence no doubt it came. Yours,

Mr. WILLIS.

MRS. BODDINGTON.

"MAGOG."