The first era of Norman prelates, 1115-1280, is designated by the authors the era of small bishops, and is thus contrasted with the second era, 1280-1414, the era of great bishops :

"In passing from Bishop de Carew and his predecessors to the line of prelates, who successively occupied the see during the remainder of the thirteenth century, and the whole of the fourteenth, we are at once struck by the remarkable contrast subsisting between them. Instead of the ambitious and unscrupulous ecclesiastics who were intruded into the bishopric during the first century after the conquest, or the active and vigilant, but otherwise undistinguished, pastors who succeeded them, we suddenly meet with a series of bishops apparently no less sedulous in their official duties, but differenced (?) from them by their prominent civil positions, and evincing, both by that fact and by other indications, the higher reputation to which the see had at this time attained." (p. 298.)

"Of the prelates included in the second era, one is said to have been a cardinal, two became archbishops; two, perhaps three, held the office of Lord Chancellor; three, that of Lord Treasurer-two of them more than once; three were Keepers of the Privy Seal; one was Master of the Rolls; three were Chancellors of the University of Oxford. All but two held distinguished civil positions of one kind or another; most of them are among the principal benefactors of their church and diocese; more than one have a historical reputation. It is evident that the see, from some cause or other, was regarded as one of the highest ecclesiastical positions in the realm; and it would seem, among other things, that its endowments had considerably increased in value since the time that Giraldus regarded it as unworthy of his acceptance in a pecuniary point of view, and even since the days of Thomas Wallensis, when it was considered, according to Browne Wallis, 'a miserable poor thing.""

Similarly, the great bishops are contrasted with those of the third era, 1414-1536:

"During the next 122 years not less than fourteen bishops held the see in succession. One of these was translated to it, and four were translated hence to other places; three or four more enjoyed it for so extremely short a period, that we must conclude some of them to have been appointed in extreme old age. Among these was the only one who ever acquired any general celebrity, which was earned previously to, and quite independently of, his connexion with the diocese. We speak of the great canonist Lyndwood." (p. 306.)

"We can do no more than point out the contrast between this and the preceding era, as we have already indicated that existing between the latter and the one which went before it. To explain either is beyond our power. We have already intimated our belief that the see advanced in wealth towards the close of the thirteenth century; it must certainly have declined in public estimation about the beginning of the fifteenth. One fact only we will notice as a curious coincidence, without attempting to trace any connection between it and a problem which we confess ourselves unable to solve. The transition from the first to the second era nearly synchronizes with the final subjugation of the principality by Edward I.; while the third commences soon after the complete degradation of the Welsh people, in consequence of the rebellion of Owen Glyndwr, which lasted until their emancipation in the twenty-seventh year of Henry VIII." -(pp. 306-7.)

The Reformation gives us a new era-one which is most conspicuously marked as that at which the bishops ceased to have the same local connection with the see as heretofore. In the history of the first era is included an interesting account of Giraldus Cambrensis, and his appeal from the archbishop to the pope; but although extremely interesting, there is nothing novel to call for particular notice.

In discussing the changes which took place at the time of the Norman succession, and the previous condition of the Welsh Church, occur some remarks on the celibacy (?) of the Welsh clergy, which we subjoin, as revealing a strange and startling state of things:

"One of the most striking characteristics, as compared with the medieval system, is the apparently general absence of clerical celibacy. Bishop Sulien, as we have seen, had a large family, and was succeeded by one of his sons, according to what we are informed

was the general practice of the clergy. For the benefices appear, in many instances, to have passed regularly from father to son, not only in the parochial cures, which must have had very much the character of a modern family living, but even in the cathedral itself. Against this system Giraldus inveighs most vigorously. The canons' sons, he tells us, married the canons' daughters, and the cathedral had altogether the appearance of a family party." (p. 273.)

"It seems clear from the open and avowed character of the succession-system, which would seem to have existed from a very early date in the British Church, that these liaisons of the clergy were regarded as real and legitimate marriages previous to the change which we are now contemplating. Yet it appears to have been discouraged by the laws of the country, as the son of a priest, born after his ordination, was regarded as illegitimate, and had no share of his father's property. In the time of Giraldus, marriage indeed was altogether forbidden, but concubinage was extremely common. That author gives vent to a great amount of pious indignation against the state of things which he found in existence. They have midwives, he says, and nurses, and cradles, under the very shadow of the cathedral. But it may be questioned whether, even at that time, the so-called concubines of the Welsh clergy were not legally and formally, as they certainly were in every practical sense, their wedded wives.

"This license was by no means confined to the inferior clergy, but was assumed by more than one of the Norman bishops of St. David's, though doubtless under a less respectable name than that of wedlock."—(Ibid.)

It is worthy of observation that considerable attention appears to have been devoted by the Chapter to the Cathedral School. Some extracts from original documents, appended as notes, are very curious. In these the prebendaries have the prefix of "Mr.," yet some of them could not have been Masters of Arts; and the inferior clergy have the usual clerical prefix of "Sir."

Some interesting notices of the church furniture and literature are also given, (p. 343) —

"It. for 3 sawter bocks for ye church 4s. 8d.

It. for 3 bocks of Jenevia salmes

--

5s."

This was in 1565. Six years later we find :

Elis ap Howel, Because he being Sextene in the Cath' churche of S. Dauids, of long tyme did conceall certain vngodly popish books: as masse books, hympnalls, Grailes, Antiphon's, and suche like (as it were loking for a day): m' Chautor dep'vid hym of the sextenship and the flees thereunto belonging, Jn the phs of m' Richard Ed chaŭcellour and other &c. And the said m' Chanter on the day of this instant July, caused the said ungodly books to be canceld and torne in pieces in the Vestrie before his face, Jn the pñs of m' Chaucell" & other vt suprà. &c."

Probably our readers will agree with us in wishing that the indignation of the worthy m' Chaucellour had been vented upon the Jenevia salmes, even if, to save his conscience, he had locked up the "ungodly books," and left them for the present age to judge of their value.

We close our notice with a glance at the Liber Communis, from the archives of the chapter, part of which is appended in extenso, and throws much light on the daily life of the olden time. From it we learn that in 1384 the wages of a labourer ranged from 2d. to 3d. per day; masons had 4d.; carpenters, 4 d. to 6d. From the occurrence of such names as Jak. Hakker, and Joh. Carpentarius, carpenters; Henry Smyth, blacksmith; Jak. Lokyer, locksmith; and the imposing title of Christianus Glaziarius, glazier-it would appear as if hereditary surnames had not yet completely established themselves.

It is impossible to speak too highly of the manner in which the authors have done their work. Besides the learning and ability which they so eminently possess, they have brought to bear on the subject an amount of industry and patient research such as we have seldom seen equalled, and the result is one of the best and most interesting works of the kind published.

SIR ROBERT PEELa.

THE late Sir Robert Peel, anxious that his public conduct in connection with certain important questions should stand right in his country's history, thought it necessary to bequeath to posterity the materials by which it might arrive at an independent and impartial verdict.

By a codicil dated 24th March, 1849, he devised to Lord Mahon and Edward Cardwell, Esq., M.P., all the unpublished letters, papers, and documents, whether of a private or of a public nature, in print or in manuscript, of which he died possessed. He says:

"Considering that the collection of letters and papers referred to in this codicil includes the whole of my confidential correspondence for a period extending from the year 1812 to the time of my decease; that during a considerable portion of that period I was employed in the service of the crown; and that when not so employed I took an active part in parliamentary business,-it is highly probable that much of that correspondence will be interesting, and calculated to throw light upon the conduct and character of public men, and upon the political events of the time."

Among the numerous MSS. thus committed to the charge of the trustees, those which engaged their earliest and most especial attention were two narratives or memoirs drawn up by Sir Robert Peel, in his own handwriting, and placed together: the first on the Roman Catholic Question, the other on the Corn-Laws. Besides these two there is a third, which in the order of time stands between them,-a Memoir drawn up probably at a much earlier period, and though of no great length, yet of high interest and value. It relates to the circumstances that attended the formation of his first ministry in 1834 and 1835, and comprises the letters that were despatched to him at Rome.

The volume now published is occupied with the Roman Catholic Question; that is, the removal of the Roman Catholic Disabilities, or, as it was popularly termed, Catholic Emancipation. The materials consist of confidential documents and correspondence, connected by memoranda and a narrative, by which Sir Robert Peel proposed to connect these documents, &c.; it is upon the latter, however, and not upon the narrative or memoranda, that he relies for the explanation of his motives and the vindication of his conduct. He says:

"It is my firm conviction that not one of these documents was written with a view to publication. They relate and observe upon occurrences as they took place from day to day, and they faithfully reflect the feelings and impressions to which such occurrences gave rise."

Such a statement is calculated to excite more than ordinary interest in this publication, since it is but seldom that we are permitted to enjoy the confidence of the great movers and actors in such important matters; and the interest thereby excited is not personal merely, but assumes a high historical importance, which nothing less than the extreme anxiety of the author to vindicate himself from calumny could have afforded us.

To correctly appreciate what follows, we must consider the position in which Sir Robert Peel stood at the time this volume opens. He had en

"Memoirs by the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P., &c. Trustees of his Papers, Lord Mahon (now Lord Stanhope), and the Cardwell, M.P. Part I., The Roman Catholic Question, 1828-9." Murray, 1856.)

GENT. MAG. VOL. XLVI.

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Published by the Rt. Hon. Edward (London: John

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Home interesting murs off the are and Iterature are also given (p.32,

S Danids, of long is mase sympnails, Grailes, teater chke depvid hymn of the watap and the Sees there: heang 2 the pès fm Richard Ed

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day of this instant July, caused the said mody books & * and are in pieces in the Vistrie before his face, Ju the pis futbal & ther it suprà de."

Probably our readers will agree with us in washing that the indignation of the worthy m' Chaucellour had been vented upon the Jenevia salmes, even if, to save his conscience, he had locked up the ungodly books," and left them for the present age to judge of their value.

We close our notice with a glance at the Liber Communis, from the archives of the chapter, part of which is appended in extenso, and throws much light on the daily life of the olden time. From it we learn that in 1884 the wages of a labourer ranged from 2d. to 3d. per day; masons had 4d, carpenters, 4 d. to 6d. From the occurrence of such names as Jak. Hakker, and Joh. Carpentarius, Henry Smyth, blacksmith:

SIR ROBERT PEEL".

THE late Sir Robert Peel, anxious that his public conduct in connection with certain important questions should stand right in his country's history, thought it necessary to bequeath to posterity the materials by which it might arrive at an independent and impartial verdict.

By a codicil dated 24th March, 1849, he devised to Lord Mahon and Edward Cardwell, Esq., M.P., all the unpublished letters, papers, and documents, whether of a private or of a public nature, in print or in manuscript, of which he died possessed. He says:

"Considering that the collection of letters and papers referred to in this codicil incindes the whole of my confidential correspondence for a period extending from the year 1812 to the time of my decease; that during a considerable portion of that period I was employed in the service of the crown; and that when not so employed I took an active part in parliamentary business,-it is highly probable that much of that correspondence will be interesting, and calculated to throw light upon the conduct and character of public men, and upon the political events of the time."

Among the numerous MSS. thus committed to the charge of the trustees, those which engaged their earliest and most especial attention were two narratives or memoirs drawn up by Sir Robert Peel, in his own handwriting, and placed together: the first on the Roman Catholic Question, the other on the Corn-Laws. Besides these two there is a third, which in the order of time stands between them,-a Memoir drawn up probably at a much earlier period, and though of no great length, yet of high interest and value. It relates to the circumstances that attended the formation of his first ministry in 1834 and 1835, and comprises the letters that were despatched to him at Rome.

The volume now published is occupied with the Roman Catholic Question; that is, the removal of the Roman Catholic Disabilities, or, as it was popularly termed, Catholic Emancipation. The materials consist of confidential documents and correspondence, connected by memoranda and a narrative, by which Sir Robert Peel proposed to connect these documents, &c.; it is upon the latter, however, and not upon the narrative or memoranda, that he relies for the explanation of his motives and the vindication of his conduct. He says:

"It is my firm conviction that not one of these documents was written with a view to publication. They relate and observe upon occurrences as they took place from day to day, and they faithfully reflect the feelings and impressions to which such occurrences

Such a statement is calculated to excite more than ordinary interest in this publication, since it is but seldom that we are permitted to enjoy the confidence of the great movers and actors in such important matters; and the interest thereby excited is not personal merely, but assumes a high historical importance, which nothing less than the extreme anxiety of the imself from calumny could have afforded us.

what follows, we must consider the position in time this volume opens. He had en

Bart., M.P., &c. Published by the hope), and the Rt. Hon. Edward 1828-9." (London: John