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nounce the descent from a set of happy thoughtless sinners of the earliest ages.

Several respectable families seem to have originated with foundlings, and their names may possibly point out the places where they were exposed. Among these are Townsend, Lane, Street, Churchyard, Court, Stair, Barn, Stables, Grange, Orchard, &c.

Bastards have not only their birth indicated by the surnames, but also the degree, rank, or station of their parents, thus, Misson, Goodyson, Mollyson, Anson, Jennison, Bettison, and Nelson, were called after their mother's name, those of their fathers being unknown. But Misson, and Goodison, were visibly the produce of faux-pas of Miss, and of Goody; whereas, Jenni-son, Nel-son, Bet-son, &c. were the slips of dairy and milkmaids, or other girls in low stations. The like distinction may be traced in illegitimates, whose fathers were unknown. Masterson and Stewardson, shew the children of the Master and Steward; while Jackson, Thompson, and Wilson, were the misbegotten offspring of hinds, servants and labourers. Surnames sometimes help us to guess at the place where the heads of particular families were born; probably the name of Perry was given to some pleasant, brisk, Worcestershire lad, and that of Perkin, to one of a like description, born in one of the cyder counties, of a weaker frame of body.

It seems difficult to account for some extraordinary names; many of them are probably compiled from foreign ones. Such as Bomgarson, Higgenbottom, and divers others. The first is the German name for a treegarden, that is, an orchard, and the latter signifying in the same tongue (Icken-baum) an oak tree.

In process of time, when men began to attach themselves to particular callings, professions, and trades, they likewise began from them to apply surnames of Smith, Butcher, Baker, &c. &c. in the manuer still practised in large public houses, where we may daily hear persons called by the additions of their offices, as John Ostler! Betty Chambermaid! Jenny Cook! Will Drawer! and Sam Boots!

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THE following singular nebulous

appearances were noticed at Dudley, in the evening of Sunday the 24th of September.

The Sun having just descended in a gorgeous robe of empurpled glory, a dark deuse cloud appeared motionless for some time in the South-west. At last the upper portion of it broke into long narrow stripes; which, wh moving in the wind's direction, were slowly followed by similar ones, till the whole hemisphere was covered with them, as regular in line, extending from the Northern to the Southern verge of the horizon, and as equi-distant from each other, as the furrowsin a well-ploughed field; resembling, moreover, both in lustre and form, the stripes which adorn a mackarel fresh drawn from its native element. Never, in a single instance, varying their distance from each other, they proceeded, with an easy simultaneous flow, towards the North-east, till the cloud which supplied them became exhausted: when they assumed a totally different figure, resembling the chequered squares of a chess-board. With these, as before it had been with the parallel lines, the whole face of heaven was covered: when "the Moon, in mellow glory rising," peeped above the hills, as if to admire the grand and novel spectacle. As she attained altitude, the small nebulous masses, losing their late regularity of form and richness of colour, assumed a fleecy whiteness, appearing (as Bloomfield beautifully expresses it) "like flocks at rest" on a boundless plain.

Such a spectacle, at such a time, when one of the finest harvests ever known had "filled our hearts with food and gladness," could not fail to lead the mind to that heavenly Shepherd, who, regarding the wants of all his creatures, "openeth his hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness."

B.

CURIOSO says, he has lately been informed, that the house at Paris in which Voltaire formerly resided is shut up, and has not been opened since his death, pursuant to his Will, and that it was not to be opened until the year 1820. Our Correspondent then inquires if this is really the case?

[subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][graphic][graphic][merged small][subsumed][subsumed]

Mr. URBAN,

Sept. 1.

THE HE accompanying drawings will, I trust, prove interesting to your Readers (see Plate I.)

The first exhibits a view of the venerable remains of Dryburgh Abbey, ey, in Berwickshire, on the banks of the Tweed, about 24 miles from Edinburgh. This Abbey was founded by King David I. Its fine ruins are the property of the Earl of Buchan (the father of British Antiquaries), whose elegant villa, called Dryburgh Abbey, is in its immediate neighbourhood, as seen in the view.

The second is a view of Knill Court (with a prospect of the vale of Radnor), the seat of the family of Walsham, now of Colonel Walsham Garbett, the late Lady Romilly's brother. Lady Romilly and her sisters were born here, and resided here some years with their father, Francis Garbett, esq. Lady Romilly was the eldest daughter; whose lamented death,

M

and the consequent breaking-down of the great mind of her affectionate husband, are fresh in the recollection of your Readers *. She and Sir Samuel were both buried in Knill Church, which is seen in the View. The original drawing from which this is copied was taken in company with Lady Romilly in 1794.

The Parish of Knill, in the Hundred of Wigmore, and county of Hereford, is situated on the very borders of Herefordshire, adjoining Radnorshire: it is two miles and a quarter from Kington, four miles from Pres teigne, and about twenty from the County-town. It is a discharged Rectory, valued in the King's Books at 41. 10s. The Patron is Col. Garbett. The Church is dedicated to St. Michael. The Resident Population in 1801, was 72.

J. W.

* See vol. LXXXVIII. part ii. pp. 465, 466.633., 1

COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY.

OXFORDSHIRE. (Continued from p. 216.)
COLLEGES AND HALLS, continued.

66

:

AGDALEN COLLEGE was founded by William of Waynfleet, Bp. of Winchester, as a Hall, in 1448; and converted into a College in 1457. The great tower of beautiful Gothic architecture, was built in 1492. Of the new quadrangle, one side only is finished. It was built in 1733, from a design of Holdsworth, author of "Muscipula," and is 300 feet long. The Chapel is very elegant: the windows of painted glass: over the altar is a beautiful painting of Our Saviour bearing ring his his Cross," by Moralez; and "The Last Judgment," by Fuller, praised by Addison. In the court is a series of hyeroglyphics sculptured in stone. The great oak at the entrance of the water-walk, noticed by Evelyn, fell June 27, 1789. It was more than 600 years old, and its cubic contents 754 feet. Magdalen was visited by Edward IV. in 1481; Richard III. in 1483; Arthur, Prince of Wales, in 1496 and 1501; Heary, Prince of Wales, matriculated here in 1605; and Fairfax and Cromwell, who dined here and were created Doctors of Civil Law in 1649. Of this College, Prelates, CARDINAL POLE of Canterbury; Bolton of Armagh; CARDINAL WOLSEY, Lee, and Frewen of York; Cooper of Winchester; Longland of Lincoln; Warner of Rochester, Nicholson of Gloucester; LATIMER, and HOUGH Of Worcester (who, whilst President, manfully vindicated the privileges of the Fellows against James 11.); Mayhew of Hereford; HORNE of Norwich; and Hopkins of Derry. Statesmen, Sir Francis. Knollys; and John and George Digby, Earls of Bristol. Classical Scholars, Walton Haddon; and Field Dean of Gloucester. Benefactors to Learning, SIR THOMAS BODLEY; and Dean Colet. Divines, Roper; Lawrence Humphrey (buried in the chapel, 1590); Pierce, and HAMMOND. Martyrologist, Fox. Cosmographer, Heylin. Lexicographer, Coles. Grammarians, LILY; and Robertson. Philologist, Chilmead. Diplomatist, Sir Thomas Roe. Dramatist, Sir Robert Howard. Parliamentarian, HAMPDEN. Physicians, Wotton; and LINACRE. Astrologer, Forman. Traveller and Biographer, Dr. Thomas Smith. Historian, GIBBON. Poets, Wither; ADDISON (who wrote GENT. MAG. October, 1820,

his

his Cato whilst a scholar here); COLLINS; Yalden, Holdsworth, and Hurdis. Tory, SACHEVERELL. Nonconformist, Gale.

of

MERTON COLLEGE, the oldest College in Oxford, derives its name from Walter de Merton, Bp. of Rochester and Chancellor of England, who founded it in 1264. It has three courts, the principal of which is 110 feet by 100. The Library, the most antient in the Kingdom, was founded by Rede, Bp. of Chichester, in 1376. In the Chapel is a beautiful cross commemorative John Bloxham and John Whytton, warden and benefactor. The windows are richly painted; the East window is very handsome. Over the altar is "The Crucifixion," by Tintoret. The first common room in the University was fitted up here in 1661. Merton was the temporary abode of Catharine of Arragon in 1518; Elizabeth in 1592; Henrietta-Maria in 1644; and Alexander Emperor of Russia, and his sister the Duchess of Oldenburgh, afterwards Queen of Wurtenburgh, in 1814. Of this College, Reformer, WICKLIFFE. Prelates, Bradwardin, "Doctor profundus," and Islip of Canterbury; Fitz-James of London; WAYNFLEET of Winchester; Rede, Bickley, and Carleton, of Chichester; Rodburne of St. David's (who built the tower and gateway here); HOOPER of Gloucester; JEWELL and John Earle (author of "Micro-Cosmography," buried in the Chapel, 1665) of Salisbury; Reynolds of Norwich; and Huntingdon of Raphoe. Schoolmen, Duns Scotus, "Doctor Subtilis;" and William Occam, "Doctor Invincibilis." Scholars, Drusius; SIR HENRY SAVILE (cenotaph in the chapel, died 1622); and Farnaby. Geometricians and Astronomers, Henry Briggs, first Savilian Professor (monument in the chapel, 1630), and Bainbridge. Benefactor to Learning, SIR THOMAS BODLEY (buried here in 1613, his monument by Nicholas Stone, cost 2001.) Diplomatist, Sir Isaac Wake. Parliamentarian General, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. Antiquary and Biographer, ANTHONY WOOD (buried in the chapel, 1695); Orientalist, Samuel Clarke, the first Archytypographer of the University. Lawyer, Sir Nathaniel Brent. Roman Catholic, Cressy. Poets, Grimoald; and Heywood. Essayist, SIR RICHARD STEELE. Physicians, Chamber; Owen; HARVEY, discoverer of the circulation of the blood; Goulston, founder of the Goulstonian Lecture; and Dickenson. Critic, Tyrwhitt. Numismatist, Ruding.

NEW COLLEGE was founded by William of Wykeham, Bp. of Winchester, in 1379-80, by the name of " Seinte Marie College of Wynchestre in Oxenford," but its familiar appellation of New College has been ever since retained, although it is the oldest college in the University as to its principal buildings, and the seventh in the order of foundation. Quadrangle 168 feet by 129. The Chapel is the most magnificent in Oxford. Cloisters 106 feet by 105. Anti-chapel 80 feet by 36. Choir 100 by 35. The windows are of painted glass. In the great West window is "The Nativity," below which are "The Seven Cardinal Virtues," executed by Jervais from cartoons by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Here is preserved the superb crosier of the founder, silver-gilt. The Hall is 78 seet by 35. y 35. The Garden-court was finished in 1684. Of this College, Prelates, CHICHELE and WARHAM Of Canterbury; Thomas de Cranley of Dublin (buried in the chapel, 1417); LowTH of London; Bilson of Winchester; Russel of Lincoln, the first perpetual Chancellor of the University; Sherborn of Chichester; Beckington, Lake, and KENN (one of the Seven Bishops) of Bath and Wells; Bisse of Hereford; Lavington of Exeter; Gunning, and Turner (one of the Seven Bishops) of Ely. Statesmen, Sir Henry Sydney; and William Fiennes, Lord Say and Sele. Lawyers, Chief Justice Sir Edward Herbert; and Wood, author of "Institutes." Civilians, Sir Henry Martin; Sir Thonias Ryves; and Dr. Zouch. Martyr, Philpot. Mathematician, Lydiat. Antiquary, Talbot. Biographers, Pitts, and Oldys. Epigrammatists, Bastard; and Owen. Learned Printer, Fowler. Physicians, Baley; and Musgrave. Roman Catholics, Harding; Saunders; and Stapleton. Scholars, Grocyn; James Bond, first Librarian of the Bodleian; and Holmes. Poets, Turberville; Herbert Earl of Pembroke; Sir Henry Wotton; Somervile; and Pitt. Translator, Dr. William Smith. Political Writer, Bruno Ryves, Dean of Windsor. Miscellaneous Writers, Spence; Dr. Gloster Ridley, and his son James.

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