of love, should employ their means; but rely on the discretion as well as the zeal of each individual to employ those resources to the utmost, which may arise from his peculiar situation. The term therefore, "Parochial Subscription," does not affect to prescribe any precise method of obtaining the object. The Secretary is empowered to circulate a general application; and it is earnestly, though respectfully requested, that all, particularly the Clergy, to whom this application may be made, will not only in their own persons contribute to the permanency of so invaluable a blessing, but that they will with kind and active assiduity, procure additional support. within the province of their influence and connections. "The Committee, in accordance with the first object of the Parent Society, most fervently congratulate the country on the general establishment of Sunday Schools, and on the late munificent National Institution for educating the children of the Poor in the doctrines and discipline of the Church of England. And they feel authorised in bringing to its recollection the close affinity this Society bears to those important and excellent undertakings; since the promotion of religious education has ever been a distinguished benefit procured by the cheap and gratuitous distribution of books from its fund. "To complete these desirable objects, the Committee recommend parochial subscriptions from those who are not, as well as from those who are, Members of the Society; and that an active inquiry be made in the several Parishes, as to the want of Bibles, New Testaments, and Books of Common Prayer; and that the same be reported at any subsequent quarterly meeting. "The Committee call on their opulent Christian Brethren with the humnility, but at the same time' with the earnest zeal, which befits their profession, heartily entreating them to become fellow-labourers in this effort to diffuse the knowledge of salvation, and afford, the means of everlasting happiness to the indigent and labouring classes. "Three Members of the Committee resident in or near Coventry; three in or near Rugby; and three in or near Southam, are appointed to assist the Secretary and Treasurer in their kind exertions; and a certain number of Bibles, Testaments, and Books of Common Prayer, are deposited with these gentlemen." GENT. MAG. September, 1812. Mr. URBAN, Sept. 1. SEND you a representation (see Plate II.) of the Talbot Inn (or rather Tabard Inn, as it was originally called), in Southwark; remarkable for being the lodging-house of Geoffrey Chaucer and the Pilgrims on their way to Canterbury; a circumstance commemorated by the following inscription over the Gateway: "THIS IS THE INN WHERE GEOFFREY CHAUCER, KNIGHT, AND NINE AND TWENTY PILGRIMS, LODGED IN THEIR JOURNEY TO CANTERBURY IN 1383." The rooms still exist in which they are stated to have been entertained; and till lately there was some antient tapestry in the house representing a procession to Canterbury. A well-painted. Sign by Mr. Blake represents Chaucer and his metry Company setting out on their journey. The exterior of the building has probably been altered; but the substantial oak beams, foorings, &c. bear strong evidences of great antiquity, and give authority to the tradition. The White Hart Tavern in Bishopsgate-street is nearly co-eval with the above Inn; bearing the date" 1400.” Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, P. Sept. 1.. Tis lamentable to perceive a contempt frequently expressed, by many literary characters of the present day, for the exertions of those who have principally directed their attention and abilities to the re-publishing and correcting scarce works of eminent Authors of the last centuries. Indeed, from the occasional sneers and sarcastic allusions of some Pseudo-criticks, we might be led to suppose that all the genius and talent 'connected with English Literature. had been elicited since the Restoration, and that nothing worthy of the name had existed before. But, however we may be disposed to smile at the homeliness of phrase and coarseness of metaphor, sometimes exhibited in the writings of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, they frequently contain passages as truly eloquently: arranged, and forcibly illustrated, as any of the works of Antiquity. The literary productions of the present day generally possess those qua lifications lifications of which the early writers were destitute; but they, in their turn, are totally deficient in the beau- ` ties which abound in their predecessors and inasmuch as the display of vivid Genius is superior to that of Taste, so must the beauties of the early writers be allowed to be superior to those of the moderns. The latter indeed possess an easy flow of diction, a refinement of language, a delicacy of expression, and an arrangement of facts; but in the higher requisites, they are generally defective. We look in vain for the genius and imagery of Taylor, the conciseness and depth of Bacon, the majesty and invention of Milton, or the luxuriance and fancy of Spenser. The difference between the two æras seems chiefly to be, the one deals in Ideas, the other in Words; the former displays Genius, the latter Cultivation. The early writers have formed a rich and exuberant soil, which requires only the skilful hands of the Moderns, to render it productive of every thing necessary to the ornament and improvement of the literary world. These sentiments are not confined to a few, who might be supposed to be attached to the writings of their ancestors, from their having been early committed to their perusal, and in consequence having left a favour able impression on their mind: they are the opinions of all who have had patience and opportunity to examine the stores of the early centuries; but many of those who decry these exploratory pursuits, probably never have perused those writings which are to be procured only in old and scarce editions, and are ignorant of their beauties. They would shrink with dismay from the ponderous folio of Jeremy Taylor, though it displays one of the most inventive minds that ever committed its excursions to paper each page is a constellation of dazzling figures and imagery. They would read with surprize, in some of the early and almost-forgot ten dramatic writers, as much originality of thought displayed in a single scene, as there is in a whole season of modern dramas. Let them read the "Muses' Looking Glass" and "Jealous Lovers" of Randolph, with many others that might be enumerated, and they will be convinced of the correctness of this assertion. Some late re-publications of this nature have agreeably surprized those who had been unacquainted with them; who had condemned them for fashion, or, perhaps, because their language was not so refined as what they had been accustomed to. Even with respect to diction, they may be submitted to modern writers as examples worthy of imitation. Our great Lexicographer, Dr. Johnson, in his Preface to the English Dictionary, makes the following observations: "I have studiously endeavoured to collect examples and authorities from the Writers before the Restoration, whose works I regard as the wells of English undefiled, as the pure sources of English diction." "The writers of the Elizabethan age furnish expressions fully adequate to the conveyance of our ideas with elegance and ease." If such are the treasures deposited in these works, which are dispersed in so many directions, that but few are capable of perusing them, is it not benefiting the literary world to re-publish them? and are not the warmest thanks due to those individuals who have the judgment and ability to appreciate and amend the writings of our predecessors in English Literature? If profit was their object, they would more readily obtain it, by directing their attention to the passions and feelings of the day, endeavouring to humour the prejudices of many, instead of indulging the inclinations of few. If dulness was their province, many modern writers afford an ample field, where they could freely range in wire-drawn rhapsodies, till the leaden influence of the goddess lulled them to rest. But, no! animated by a desire to benefit Literature, they have hitherto persevered in their labours, undismayed by the sneers of the ignorant. May the approbation of their country still encourage them to proceed, till they have preserved every grain of sterling English intellect and fancy from the destroying hand of Time; and, engrafting it with the refinement of the present age, exhibit a fertile field of intellectual variety and splendour, not to be surpassed by the proudest displays of Greece or Rome! I have been led to the preceding reflections by perusing Mr. Dibdin's regret at the frequent expressions of contempt for the memory of Hearne. It is, indeed, a matter of true regret, that a scholar like Hearne, who spent the the greater part of his life in painful research into the MS writings of our ancestors, who rescued many valuable works from threatening oblivion, and published them for the benefit of the literary world, should ever, by that world, meet with an inconsiderate reflection or reproach. But we have derived the advantages resulting from their labours, in the vast stock of ideas, they have furuished us, and we despise the hands by which we receive the benefit.. In addition to Mr. Dibdin's testimonies in favour of this eminent Antiquary, I transcribe the two following by Mrs. Elstob, the Saxonist, written in a copy of Phillips's "Theatrum Poetarum," 1675, in a small and neat hand: "Also William Vallans, the writer of the Tale of the Swans; for the reprinting of which we are obliged to that ingenious and most industrious Preserver and Restorer of Antiquities, Mr. Thomas Hearne, of Edmund Hall, Oxford. "ELIZ. ELSTOB." "Peter Langtoft, a Poet that lived in the time of Edw. II. wrote a History of England from Brute to K. Edw. II. which was continued by Robert of Brune to the end of Edw. III. and published by the learned and ingenious Mr. Hearne, in the year 1725." Permit me, at the same time, to request information whether there is any intention of completing the republication of the above scarce and valuable work, the first volume of which was published by Sir Egerton Brydges in 1800. Mr. URBAN, THE E. Sept. 1. HE following Addenda to the History and Antiquities of Cotterstock, Northamptonshire, drawn up chiefly by the late Mr. Gough, and inserted in Gibson's "History of Castor," cannot fail of being acceptable to your Antiquarian Readers. The curious may be supplied with them in a size to place in "Bridges's History," by Mr. Bell of Oundle. M. GREEN. "Almost in a line East from Weldon, in 1736, a servant of Mr. Campion, of Cotterstock, ploughing on the edge of that lordship, adjoining to Glapthorn, on a head land commonly called the Gilded Acre, turned up se`veral little stones or tesselæ, of which informing his master, he, with an intimate neighbour, opened the ground, and found a pavement 20 feet square, very little defaced, the border seven feet wide, consisting of red, light blue, and grey stones about one inch and a quarter square; the work within the margin 10 feet square, consisting of white, red, and blue tesselæ, of as many different stones, in beautiful reticulated and other patterns, and in the centre four hearts, their points to the corners. The country people soon pulled it in pieces, except about a yard square taken up by a neighbouring Nobleman. In the stratum of loose earth, West of this pavement, were several fragments of urns, some oyster shells, and some large nails. A bed of ashes lay near this spot, with the horns and bones of some beast. The adjoining fields were scattered over with small stones and pieces of tiles, and some fragments of urns; and a large freestone was taken up and converted into a watering trough; and other foundation stones. The neighbouring wood is called Hall Wood. Five or six coins of Valentinian were found among the rubbish thrown off the pavement, which was supposed to reach further West*. It was engraved by Vertue for the Society of Antiquaries. graved from a correct drawing by In 1798 another pavement, enMr. John Selby, to whose father the site belongs, was found on the same acre with the former, and nearly in the centre of the field, and adjoining to it some other pavements, but of very inferior work, and much broken. Three coins, engraved in the History of Castor, p. 283, were the most perfect among a quantity of others of the lower empire found with it. Near the pavement were two large bogs, but only one of them on Mr. Selby's land, on draining which it was found to be a cistern made of oak planks, and paved at the bottom, six feet square by seven or eight deep, entirely filled with rubbish, among which was a large pair of horns of the stag kind, and sculls of other animals, and pipes of wood, which appear to have communicated with the other bog, which probably may have been another cistern. The water is of a mineral kind. The Church of Cotterstock, dedicated to St. Andrew, consists of a nave * Antiquary Society's Minites. Stukeley's Carausius, I. 169.-Brit. Top. II. 48. In Gibson's "Castor," p. 282. on |