Wytham Abbey, Earl of Abingdon; Sitwood Park, Sir James Sibbald, bart.; Basildon Park, Sir Richard Borough, bart. Members to Parliament. For the County 2, Abingdon 1, Reading 2, Produce. Barley, Wheat, Beech-trees, Peat. POPULATION. Hundreds, 20; Parishes, 148; Markel-towns, 12; Houses, 22,667. Families employed in Agriculture, 13,409; in Trade, 7,584; in neither, 4,058 total, 25,051. Towns containing not less than 1000 Inhabitants, viz. Houses. Inhabit. Wantage Houses. Inhab. 1,046 1,024 506 HISTORY. Total-Towns, 10; Houses, 7,242; Inhabitants, 37,297. A. D. 871, at Ashdown, Danes defeated and their King Bacseg slain by Ethelred and Alfred. To commemorate this victory, it is supposed that the White Horse," the standard of Westsex, was cut on the hill of that name. 1153, at Wallingford, the Convention which assigned the Crown to Stephen for life, but with succession to Henry Plantagenet. 1349, April 23, at Windsor, Order of the Garter instituted by Edw. III, 1887, at Radcot-bridge, Robert de Vere, Marquis of Dublin, favourite of Richard II. defeated by Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, Henry Earl of Derby (afterwards Henry IV.), and the Barons. 1643, April, at Caversham-bridge, the Earl of Forth, with the van of Charles the First's army, repulsed in an attempt to relieve Reading, by the Earl of Essex. 1643, Sept. 3, at Newbury, indecisive battle between Charles I. and the Earl of Essex. The Earls of Sunderland and Caernarvon, with the amiable Lord Falkland, were slain on the King's side. 1644, Oct. 27, at Newbury, indecisive battle between Charles I. and the Parliamentarians under the Earl of Manchester and Sir Wm. Waller. 1644, Donnington Castle heroically and successfully defended in two sieges against the Parliamentarians by Colonel Sir John Boys. ALFRED, Wantage, 849. BIOGRAPHY. Banks, John, miscellaneous writer, Sunning, 1709. Barnard, Sir John, patriotic Alderman of London, Reading, 1685. Blagrave, John, mathematician, Reading, about 1550. Butler, Joseph, Bp. of Durham, author of "Analogy of Religion," Wantage, 1692. Chandler, Samuel, dissenter, Hungerford, 1693. Coates, Charles, historian of Reading, Reading (died 1813). Dickenson, Edmund, physician, Appleton, 1624. EDWARD III. Windsor, 1312. Fell, John, Bp. of Oxford, Longworth, 1625. Foster, John, master of Eton, classical scholar, Windsor, 1731. Godwin, Thomas, Bp. of Bath and Wells, Wokingham, 1517. Hearne, Thomas, Antiquary, Littleford Green, White Waitham, 1680. HENRY VI. Windsor, 1421. Hungerford, Sir Thomas, 1st Speaker of the House of Commons, 51 Edward III. Hungerford. LAUD, WILLIAM, Abp. of Canterbury, Reading, 1573. Lloyd, William, Bp. of St. Asaph, one of the seven imprisoned Bishops, Tylehurst, 1627. Mason, 1 Mason, Sir John, statesman, Abingdon, about 1500. Mayew, or Mayo, Richard, Bp. of Hereford, Chancellor of Oxford, Hungerford, 15th Century. Moore, Edward, author of "World," "Gamester," "Fables," Abingdon, 1712. More, Sir Francis, lawyer, East Hildesley, 16th century. Morland, Sir Samuel, ecclesiastical historian, about 1620. Reading, William of, Abp. of Bordeaux, Reading, temp. Henry III. Wallingford, John of, historian, Wallingford (flourished 1195). White, Sir Thomas, benefactor, Lord Mayor of London 1553, Reading. Wynchcombe, John, "Jack of Newbury," wealthy patriotic clothier, Newbury (flourished temp. Henry VIII.) MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. Simon Aleyn, who died in 1588, was the "Vicar of Bray" of proverbial versatility. In the Little Park, Windsor, stoodTM" Herne's Oak," the scene of the exposure of "Sir John" in Shakspeare's" Merry Wives." At Windsor the accomplished Earl of Surrey composed his Sonnets to the "fair Geraldine." Cooper's Hill is the theme of Denham, and Farringdon Hill of Pye. Near Binfield was the residence of Pope's boyish days, and here his "Windsor Forest" was composed: the river Lodden is the subject of his fable of Lodona in that poem. "Molly Mog" of Gay's ballad was the daughter of John Mog, landlord of the Rose Inn, Wokingham; and, in despite of her charms, died, in 1766, a spinster. Mr. URBAN, Aug. 9. S you obligingly inserted in the A Gentleman's Magazine a communication of mine relative to the mundane Lotos of the Hindoos, in which I mentioned the name of Mr. Wilford; I have thought it right, on my return home, to transmit to you for insertion what that gentleman says on the subject. The following he gives as an extract from the Brahmanda Purana: "When this flower was produced by Vishnou, then from his navel sprang the worldly Lotos, abounding with trees and plants; then the dimensions of this worluly Lotos became obvious to the sight. Round it are four great islands or countries. In the middle, like the germ, is Meru thus called; a great mountain of various colours all round. Round it are four larger countries, and many smaller ones. The circumference of the germ (carnica) is 90,000 yojanas: the stamma, filaments, or chives (eesarajala) extend lengthwise to the number of 100,000. The four petals are 80,000 yojanas long, and as many broad. I am now going to describe this great and wonderful germ (carnica), drupe, or pericarp-Bhagwie says, it is square; Galava, that it is hollow; Gramya, that it is like an egg with the broad end below; Urdhrein, like three twisted locks This and other parallel passages are Mr. Wilford's authority for the following statements, which I give in his own words: "They often represent the physiological mysteries of their religion by the emblem of the Lotos; where the whole flower signifies both the earth and the two principles of its fecundation. The germ is both Meru and the Linga: the petals and filaments are the mountains, which encircle Meru; and are also the type of the Yoni: the four leaves of the calix are the four vast regions toward the cardinal points: and the leaves of the plant are the different islands in the ocean round Jambu. The whole floats upon the waters, like a boat."Asiat. Res. vol. VIII. pp. 273, 274. "There is another division of the old Continent, extracted chiefly from the Bhagavata, the Brahmanda, and the Brahma, Puranas; which represent the world under the emblem of a Lotos floating on the ocean. There the whole plant plant signifies both the earth and the two principles of its fecundation. The stalk originates from the navel of Vishnou sleeping at the bottom of the ocean: and the flower is described as the cradle of Brahma or mankind. The germ is both Meru and the Linga: the petals and filaments are the mountains which encircle Meru, and are also the type of the Yoni: the four leaves of the calix are the four vast dwipas or countries towards the four cardinal points. Eight external leaves, placed two and two in the intervals, are eight subordinate dwipas or countries." -Asiat. Res. vol. VIII. p. 308. At p. 376 of the same volume, Mr. Wilford gives a delineation of the mundane Lotos, which fully explains his description of it. I have now only once more to express my regret on account of the inaccuracy of language into which I have fallen: an inaccuracy, however, which I hope may be pardoned; both on account of the magnitude of my work, and on account of my not having professed any knowledge of Botany; which science, in fact, it has never fallen in my way to study. The error, however, will be easily rectified, if the possessors of my Treatise on the Origin of Pagan Idolatry will take the trouble to substitute the word germ or pericarp for the word petal, wherever this latter word occurs in connexion with mount Meru; which I believe may be in about half-a-dozen places. In conclusion I need scarcely observe, that the classical reader will be struck with the ck se resemblance between the self-moving cars of the gods in the Indian mount Meru, and the wheeled tripods instinct with life which Homer places in the house of Vulcan, Iliad. xviii. 368–377. This is one of the many points which establishes the connexion between the mythologies of Greece and Hindostan. G. S. FABER. Yours, &c. An Account of the several Libraries public and private, in and about London. (Continued from p. 216.) [From the Collections of Mr. John Bagford *, concerning the History of Printing, in the British Museum.] Tcollection of books relating to HE Heralds' Office hath a good Heraldry, Arms, Ceremonies, as Co ronations, Marriages, Funerals, Christenings, &c. Visitations of several Counties in England. During the late Civil War, they lost many of their best books, which fell into the hands of some that should have had the honour and justice to have returned them: they have been supplied by some choice MSS. that were the Earl of Arundel's, by the Duke of Norfolk. They had an antient Nonnius on vellum, a Robert of Glouces ter, an old Rhymer who flourished in the reign of Henry II. It is a Chronicle of England from its first inhabiting to his time, and is the only antient copy of it in England. It were to be wished they had all the French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Flemish books on the like subject. The books are kept in cases or cupboards with shutters, and locked up very neat. Particular persous also belonging to the Office have good collections relating to their faculty. There is a Catalogue put out by Thomas Gore, esq. of all the books of Heraldry, printed at Oxford, 4to, 1674. In the Prerogative Office is a large collection of books, written on vel lum, containing the Wills of our aucestors, with Calendars for the ready finding of names. In the Commons the Bishops' Registers are each kept in their peculiar office. Parish Churches have their Regis ters of Burials, Christenings, and Marriages and in the Hall of each Company are Registers of those they bind and make free; their Masters, Wardens, &c.; and Charters granted to them by several Kings and Queens. It is to be supposed that there are several records, books, and charters of the office of the Hospital of the Charter-House, by what Mr. Herne mentions in his account of its foundation. Christ's Hospital, formerly the Grey Friars, hath a neat Library for the use of the Masters and Scholars; besides their collection of mathematical instruments, maps, globes, ships with all their rigging, for the instruction of lads designed for the sea; and in their counting-house is the picture of Edward VI. their founder, done by the famous Holbein; and in their great hall is a noble representation of * This Mr. John Bagford, with Mr. Talman and Mr.Wanley, began thè present Antiquarian Society in 1707. James James II. on his throne, with a great many of the Nobility, Privy Coun sellors, the Chancellor, Lord Mayor and Aldermen, the Governors and other officers of the House, the Boys and Girls on their knees, &c. done all after the life by the famous Siguor Verrio; a very curious piece. Both Merchant Taylors' and Mercers' Chapel School have Libraries, as well as St. Paul's School. Gresham College has a noble Library; but it belongs not to the foundation as a College, but to the Fellows of the Royal Society. These books, for the most part, were collected by the noble and learned Antiquary the Earl of Arundel; and most of them (I mean the MSS.) were collected by him in Germany, when he was Ambassador to the Court of Vienna; the journal whereof is written by one Crown, of his own retinue, but imperfectly. In this expedition he bought up all the valuable books, statues, medals, pictures, and some libraries, and some pieces of the remains of that at Heidelburg. I had once a catalogue in manuscript of all the curious MSS. and printed books collected by him in Germany, besides what was presented to him by the Duke of Saxony, being a collection of the draughts of his medals, gold, silver, and copper, drawn by hand, and curiously performed in costly volumes, with rare antique MSS. on several subjects, and, if I mistake not, there is an antient MS. of Vitruvius, seldom seen in Catalogues. This Library was presented them by the Duke of Norfolk; and, if a Catalogue were taken of it agreeable to its merit, it would outshine many in Europe. In the year 1687, Mr. Marmaduke Foster took a Catalogue of it, and indeed no man fitter with respect to the printed books, and he took great pains in it; but before it was printed, they thought fit to have it contracted, which was done by one who knew little of the matter, so that we have not Mr. Foster's Catalogue; but he was deficient in the knowledge of antient MSS. as appears by two Irish MSS. which he says were in the Pict language in an account of those two MSS. I often visited him whilst he took a Catalogue, to stick on each press, containing the books there; and I took the opportunity to turn over many of them, and found they deserved a better Catalogue. They are MSS. intermixed with printed books, and the MSS. are alone in the general Catalogue printed at Oxford; but neither have done them justice. I am the more earnest in this point, because it is not my opinion only, but of those far superior to me in judg ment. We see that in France, Italy, and Germany, they extol and magnify many trivial collections; and if we had encouragement given us here, we have as noble collections, and might find as able peus to illustrate them. What rare books in noble collections are, as it were, imprisoned by the capricious humours of many ill-natured persons, like the dog and ox in Esop! It is very detrimental to the honour of the Nation, as well as injurious to learning here, for persons to have rare and useful books in their possession, not to exhibit Catalogues of them to the world, and to permit the curious to have access unto them.-Gresham College Library is in a spacious gallery on the right hand of the quadrangle, in convenient cases on each side, and is to be seen by any curious inquirer. In the Physicians' College in Warwick-lane is a fine collection of books, relating not only to their own profession, but Divinity, History, &c. In Austin Friars, in the remaining part of the Conventional Church now made use of by the Dutch and Fle mish, first allowed in the reign of Edward VI. at the entrance, over the door, is their Library, containing a great many books in Divinity, Controversies, &c.; also many original Letters in MS. of the first Reformers: most of their books are in the Dutch language. The Commandments at the Altar are said to be performed by Sir Peter Paul Rubens. The French Church, situated in Threadneedle-street, is mentioned by Minshull for subscribing to his Dictionary, but this was before the dreadful Conflagration; and what collec tious they have made since, I know The Jews, in their newly-erected Synagogue near Duke's-place, have a collection of books relating to the ceremonial of their worship, the Talmud, and other Rabbinical learning. There are their rolls, whereon the Pentateuch is written on fine calves' leather. This, though a fine building, is not comparable to that at Amsterdam. The Quakers have been some years collecting a Library, but where erected I have not heard. The Baptists, at their Meeting in Barbican, have a Library. At Mile-end is a Library curiously chosen, erected by a person that spared for no cost; it is for the use of......[Qu. whom?] At Dulwich College, erected by one Alleyn, who formerly had been a strolling player, is a Library, having a collection of Plays given by one Cartwright, bred a bookseller, and afterwards turned player; he kept a shop at the end of Turnstile-alley, which was first designed for a 'Change for vending Welsh flannels, frizes, &c. as may be seen by the left side going from Lincoln's-Inn-fields; the House, being now divided, remains still turned with arches. Cartwright was an excellent actor, and in his latter days gave them not only plays, but many good pictures, and intended to have been a further benefactor with money, and been buried there, but was prevented by a turbulent woman. There is a fine view of London, taken by John Norden in 1603; at the bottom is the Lord Major's Show. I could never see another. There being so many able and wealthy men of the Company of Stationers, it were to be wished they would erect a Library in their Hall, which is so near the grand passage of the City; and it would redound much to their honour, having got their estates by learning. This would soon be done, if every one of that numerous Society would give but one book of a sort; in five years it would be a good Library; and half a dozen of all the pamphlets that come cut weekly, for the use of such as wanted them and would present bound books for them, but still to keep one for the use of the Library. One Mr. Tomlinson with great pains and care made such a collection from 1841 to 1660; and King Charles I. wanting a particular pamphlet, and hearing Tom linson had it, took coach and went to his house in St. Paul's Church-yard, to read it there, and would not borrow it, but gave him 107. There are several hundred volumes, bound uniform in folio, quarto, and octavo, so well digested, that a single sheet may be readily found by the Catalogue, which was taken by Mr. Foster, and is 12 vols. in folio. This collection deserves to be publicly reposited*. The Apothecaries not long since had a design to collect all sorts of Dispensatories and books relating to Botanicks, as Herbals, &c. The Barber-Surgeons have collected such books as relate to Anatomy at their Hall in Monkwell-street. There is also that admirable piece of Heary VIII. sitting on his throne, and giving the Master and Wardens their charter, painted by the famous Hans Holbein. (To be continued.) Mr.URBAN, Furnival's Inn, Oct.7. p. 194, A. B. L. makes inquiry relative to the Duttons of the county of Chester, whose privileges are recognized and excepted out of the several Acts of Parliament passed against Vagrants, Debauchees, Whores, Whoremongers, Fencers, Players of Interludes, Bear-wards, Fiddiers, Minstrels, Jugglers, Egyptians, &c. &c. The following Grant was made to the Dutions, 4 Henry III. ann. 1220: Sciunt, quod ego Johannes Constabu lurius Cestriæ dedi Hugoni de Dutton & hæredibus suis Magistratum omnium Leccatorum & Meretricum in, e. Suivo jure meo mihi & hæredibus meis. In Shaw's Justice (a book in many respects far superior to Burn's Justice,) A. E. L.. will find, under the head "Vagrant," the reason why the above Grant was made to the Duttons.. I believe (for I cannot immediately tura to the book referred to) that Hugo de Dutton, with a few Minstrels and Fiddlers, by an ingenious contrivance successfully repelled an irruption of the Welsh, who at that period were unsubdued. Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, THE JOHN CRISP. Aug. 29. HE many serious accidents that have, and are daily occurring from the present system of traveling *It is now, by the munificence of his present Majesty, reposited in the British Museum. EDIT. |