by six led horses. At Temple Bar, the city officers took their places in the procession. Upon arrival at the cathedral, they entered by the west gate and the great west door, ranging themselves according to their ranks. The seats were as follows: under the dome, in each archway, in the front of the piers, and in the gallery over the choir. The form of the seats under the dome took the shape of the dome, namely, a circular appearance, and calculated to hold 3056 persons; an iron railing was also placed from the dome to the great western door, within which persons were allowed to stand. The body was placed on a bier, erected on a raised platform opposite to the eagle desk. At the conclusion of the service in the choir, a procession was formed from thence to the grave, with banners, &c. The interment being over, Garter proclaimed the style; and the comptroller, treasurer, and steward of the deceased, breaking their staves, gave the pieces to Garter, who threw them into the grave.

The procession, arranged by the officers of arms, then returned.

For a few days after the public were admitted upon a shilling fee, and permitted to enter the enclosed spot directly over the body, looking down a distance of about ten feet, and were gratified with a sight of the coffin, placed upon a sort of table covered with black cloth. OBSERVATOR.

CUSTOMS DUTIES.

I send a few extracts from the schedule to the act of 12 Charles II. c. 4., being "A Subsidy granted to the King of Tonnage and Poundage and other Sums of Money, payable upon Merchandize exported and imported." Some of them are curious, as showing the demand for articles for which there is now no sale; and many names are mentioned which are now unknown. I should be glad to know what are the various articles which are marked by an asterisk: at present I can only guess:

- letwis tawed.
lewzernes skin.

Gadza of all sorts, the yard.

* Jeate, the lb.

Jews' trumpes, the groce.
Key knops, the groce.
Linen poledavies, the bolt.

lockerams vocat treager grest and narrow.
soultwhich, the 100 ells.

Mestelanes, the piece. Metheglin, the hogshead. Nickerchers of Flanders, the doz. Points of capiton, the groce. Razers, the dicker. Scamoty, the yard. *Skeets for whitsters. Tannets of cruell, the yd, * Tikes vocat. brizell. turnal. Verditor, the cwt. *Wadmoll, the yard.

Outward Rates.

Filozelloes of silk. Seamorse teeth, the lb.

Skins of stag, swan, elke, wolfe, cat and otter, dog, badger, and squirrel.

Stuffs vocat. Perpetuanas. Thrums, the 100. Tuftaffaties, the yd. Virginals, the paire.

The rates outwards are much fewer than those inwards, and, in the present day, in many cases the export has taken the place of the import trade. AGMOND.

HINTS TO AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS.

1. Every book that is worth reading, except, perhaps, a work of fiction, requires an Index; and the more books there are in the world the more requisite it becomes. In certain books a second, or even a third, index is necessary. The old editions

:

of the fathers and schoolmen furnish admirable precedents the three indices attached to St. Thomas's Summa, for instance, afford a fair summa in themselves, supposing one never read a line of the work. The value of a good index, whether as regards time saved, or information gained that might otherwise be lost, cannot be too highly estimated.

2. Some writers rely too much on the knowledge of their readers; one form of this error is that of giving quotations without references.

In certain cases the giving name, place, &c. for each quotation might be objected to in the text, or even in a note; well, let them appear in any case in the index. If Milton be quoted in the text, and you object to giving the reference in the same place, see that the index mentions "Milton quoted, Par. Lost," for instance, such a book and line. Let not the Dictionary of Hackneyed Quotations induce a violation of this rule. In some works a separate "index of authors quoted" (giving exact references) would be desirable; but in every case, if the reference be not given in text or note, it should be given in the index.

3. In making a quotation, use the very words and orthography of the writer cited, giving an accurate reference to volume and page, and, unless the work be a very common one, edition, date, and place of publication should be added. Do not give quotations second-hand if possible.

4. Omission or insufficiency of dates is a common defect and a great source of confusion. Some writers are satisfied with giving a date at the commencement of a chapter, and referring to it, perhaps, throughout the book as "this year." Dates should be printed at the top of every page, and in the margin whenever they change.

5. Running titles are very useless; either have the subject-matter of the current page as the title, or none at all.

6. In mentioning a nobleman or bishop, give the personal as well as the title or official name. The not observing this rule causes much inconvenience.

7. In quoting from foreign writers or the dead languages, as a general rule translate the passage in a note, unless the work be expressly intended for the few.

8. Books should be made as suggestive as possible, and the reader put into possession of all the available sources of information on the subject treated of, so that he can follow it up if so inclined.

In many cases it would be very desirable to append a list of all the books which treat or throw light on the subject; with short notes, if possible, respecting the character and value of each work

in the list.

9. In reprints no alteration should be made without full mention; in every case an account

of all the former editions should be given, and in some instances the number of copies in each edition, and even the month of publication. An author should be preserved in his full integrity, and any the slightest alteration strictly accounted for. The system of suppression and mutilation cannot be too severely reprehended.

Setting out with the principle that as much as possible should be worked up in the text, yet in many cases notes cannot be dispensed with. The matter, however, in these notes ought to be carefully indexed.

10. The days of patrons and fulsome prefaces are gone by, but we still meet with whining prefaces deprecating criticism, and making all sorts of excuses, "hoping the indulgent public will take the writer's peculiar circumstances into consideration," and so forth. The absurdity of this proceeding is evident, as a book stands or falls on its own merits. As a man will not buy bad bread for himself or his family, though the baker "labours under peculiar and unfortunate circumstances," no more will he buy a book, though the author "labours under " an itch for writing, and the "peculiar circumstances" of having nothing to say. It is often said that the preface is the most difficult part of the book to write (even still more so than the title-page), and I think it partly arises from the supposed obligation of writing one in every case, whether wanted or not.

11. I much regret the ancient colophon, and would gladly see it revived.

12. Book margins I have already spoken of (Vol. vi., p. 73.), and need only add that the most important are those in the breadth, viz. the back and front margins.

13. How full of repose and grateful to the eye is the toned and mellow paper of books of the olden time! How painful is the dazzling white of the present day! Surely toned paper could be produced as cheaply as the other, and brought into common use, to the great saving of the eyes and comfort of the mind.

At the conclusion of these rambling "hints," let me crave a receipt for varnishing old books. For instance, when one does not wish to cut down an old tome by rebinding it, and the ordinary means of brightening and polishing fails to affect the worn leather, a varnish is sometimes applied, and with good results. I have some books done in this way, and should be glad to get the receipt for making it.* MARICONDA.

* Mr. Pickering's admirable press anticipates most of my observations, but my wish would be to have thing about book ornaments, initials, head and tail many such as his. I had intended to have said somepieces, borders, &c., but must defer it to another time.

GUANO AND THE LOBOS ISLANDS.

P. C. S. S. presumes that at a time when the Lobos Islands and their product are so much the subject of discussion, it may not be altogether uninteresting to the readers of "N. & Q." to ascertain the date when the knowledge of Guano and its fertilising properties was first introduced to the English public. He believes that the earliest English mention of that substance was in 1670; and that it is to be found in a little work then printed, called the Art of Metalls, translated from the Spanish. Although the title-page of that edition does not mention the name of the translator, he is known to have been Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich. The title was thus:

"The First Book of the Art of Metalls; written in Spanish by Albano Alonzo Barba, Master of Art, born in the Town of Lepe in Andalusia, Curate of St. Bernard's Parish in the Imperial City of Potosi, in the Kingdom of Peru in the W. I., in the Year 1640. Translated into English in the Year 1669: Lond., sm. 8vo., 1670."

At p. 16. is the passage to which P. C. S. S. alludes, viz. :

"Cardanus, amongst his curiosities, makes mention of another kinde of earth, anciently called Britannica (from the country where it is found); they were fain to dig very deep mines to come at it. It was white; and after they had separated the plate it contained, they manured their tilth-fields with the earth, which were put in heart thereby for 100 years after. Out of islands in the South Sea, not far from the city of Arica, they fetch earth that doth the same effect as the last afore-mentioned. It is called Guano (i. e. dung); not because it is the dung of sea-fowls (as many would have it), but because of its admirable virtue in making ploughed ground fertile. And that which is brought from the island of Iqueyque is of a dark gray colour, like unto tobacco ground small. Although from other islands nearer Arica they get a white earth, inclining to sallow, of the same virtue. It instantly colours water whereinto it is put, as if it was the best ley, and smells very strong. The qualities and virtues of this, and of many other simples of the new world, are a large field for ingenious persons to discourse philosophically upon, when they shall bend their minds to the searching out of truth, rather than riches."

P. C. S. S. would be glad of any further information respecting the Terra Britannica to which, in the above passage, Cardanus is said to refer.

P. C. S. S.

INEDITED LETTER OF JOHN FINCH.

As I promised on a former occasion, I send you the letter of Finch preserved among the Additional MSS. of the British Museum, and numbered 17,301. I find that it was described in Thorpe's Catalogue, Part I., 1835, No. 522. It

The subject of the communication is very interesting, and might lead to the inquiry as to where the medals are now preserved. Perhaps they may yet turn up; and in that case the letter will not only be interesting but valuable, as a history of the coins in question. I shall therefore ask whether the subsequent history of these medals is at all traceable ? and whether it should not be given to the world in your pages?

"Sir,

KENNETH R. H. MACKENZIE. "Wye, October the... 170..

"I had not heard of your indisposition till by the return of my servant last Thursday, and indeed I should have been extremely concern'd for itt, had he not inform'd me that you are recouer'd again; I most heartily wish'd you a re-establishment of your good health. I have for some-time design'd communicating to you a surprizing account (at least it is so to me) of some medalls which my Lord Weymouth purchased last winter in town. Not of them, I wrote to my lord, and had the following knowing what credit to give to what I had heard account:-Two amongst them, the most remarkable, are these: A medal of gold (weighing aboue twenty-two ounces, the gold worth 5 lb. per ounce) of Joannes Palæologus, Emp. of Constantinople. On the Reverse is written: 'Opus Pisani pictoris.' This I believe you will allow may probably be a true one, Pisani being famous for hauing engraued very large of seueral great persons, and particularly one of that Empereur; besides that my lord assures me itt is not cast, and is of the finest gold, and not being very ancient itt might easily be preserued. But that which startled me. was the account of an Antoninus, whose diameter is four inches, half an inch, and a twentieth part of an inch; weighing twenty-one ounces, twelve pennyweights, at 4 lbs. 10s. per ounce. On one side are the heads of Antoninus and his Empresse Faustina; on the other Cybele in a chariot drawn by lyons. In the Exergue ETERNITAS.' My lord says, that beside their being of so extraordinary a size, and of the finest gold, that of Antoninus and Faustina is most exquisitely stamp'd: the other by Pisani, rude in comparison of the former. He said that my Lord Pembrook, who is

*

*Here a word seems to have been accidentally omitted.

the best judge he knows, examin'd them nicely, and declared he saw no marks of spuriousnesse; that they are certainly struck, not cast; and concluded itt was not worth any one's labour to counterfeit medalls of that metall and value, for the bare keeping them seven years would make the author a looser. My lord said he agreed with me, that the size might make it doubtful, hauing never read of any so large. Whose they were he knows not, the person who sold them being enjoyn'd secresy; but he guesseth they came out of some great cabinett. He bought at the same time aboue forty more gold medalls (the finest and the best preserved he ever saw) both ancient and modern, as of Galba, Ptolomy, Augustus, Marcellus, Domitian, Licinius, and many of the Greek emperours. These are certainly a noble adition to my lord's collection, though I knew not yett what to think of his Antoninus. Much is said for itt. My Lord Pembrook understands them very well, as does my Lord Weymouth; yett itts bulk makes itt almost incredible that itt should be ancient: for where can itt have been so well preserued and conceal'd? Mr. Evelin, in his book of Medalls, reminds me of a passage in Dr. Burnett's Letters of his Travels in Germany, who speaks of a prodigious piece of forgery discover'd at the siege of Bonne, where he sais, clearing the ground to raise a battery, there was found a cartload of gold imperiall medalls of the finest ducat gold, and of so great a size that some of them weighed two pounds; and that by the rude manner of their sculpture, at first sight euery one concluded them to be false, and to have been counterfeited about four or five hundred years agoe; and he wonders who could be at so expensiue a piece of forgery, for they amounted to the value of aboue one hundred thousand crowns

when found, and, he sais, must have been worth ten times as much when made, supposing them to be but of the antiquity he mentions. If there is any truth in the story, I should belieue these medalls to be ancient (tho' off ill workmanship), and possibly coin'd by some prince in confederacy with, or tributary to, the Romans: and I should be apt to think that my Lord Weymouth's was one of these, if I did not find itt described to be admirably engraved. I should not have troubled you with my conjectures, which will but show my ignorance; yett I could not but giue you an account of the medalls, for I think there is something curious even in the bare description of them, from which I doubt not but you will be able to judge [especially of the Antoninus*] whether the Antoninus be true or false. I must, however, beg your pardon for so tedious a letter, and shall neede itt no lesse for offering you a parcell of such trash, as I fear is most of what I send with itt! but they are all the dupli[c]ates I haue mett with since I

*These words are erased.

saw you. I shall be pleas'd if there are any tollerable amongst them, and desire you will throw away what are not so. I wish they were more and better. I have taken the liberty of describing some of them which are the most defaced, they being, I doubt, hardly worth your examination. The best thing I can do now is to release you, after having desired you will, with my wife's, present my most humble seruices to your lady, and accept them yourself from her and from

66

Sir,

"Your most obliged

and most humble servant, J. FINCH. "Before my letter was done the carried [sic] passed by and left itt, so that I must keep itt till Monday."

May a constant reader offer you a suggestion which will not, I hope, take from the interest of have in my Common-place Book a compartment your entertaining and instructive volumes? I which I have entitled "Epigram Corner," to which I have long been in the habit of committing (with a version or paraphrase of my own) any epigram which takes my fancy. I say "paraphrase," for very often the exact point of the original is quite untransfusible into our language, and the nearest you can come to it is by adapting the witticism to some corresponding modern idea.

decent "Martialia;" of the pointed witticisms of My "Epigram Corner" is now tolerably full of Sir Thomas More; of the oddities of Owen; and of the terse sayings of Buchanan. With your permission I would offer a few of these monthly or weekly, in the hope that others might “do likewise:" and if I and other of your contributors should happen occasionally to try our hands on the same epigram, there might be amusement in comparing the differences with which the same thought strikes on different fancies; and I think it might not be without its interest to discover in how many cases the moderns have made a reputation for "witty" or "smart" sayings, all the point for which has been stolen (gypsy-like) from old Martial, or other ancients, and passed off, disfigured and unacknowledged, as their own offdozen, including that to which your correspondent spring. As a commencement I send you half-aPHILOBIBLON (Vol. v., p. 272.) traced what has Voltaire." If they are acceptable you shall hear one of the happiest repartees of again from

been called 66

A. B. R. "Frustra ego te laudo; frustra me Zoile lædas: Nemo mihi credit, Zoile; nemo tibi."

"You libel me; I laud you; all in vain :

Neither from others credence can obtain."