Hence there is a walk, or drive, for a mile or two on a delicious terrace, commanding the little valley and the house; and another through the wood, which, by a gate, communicates with the pleafure-grounds of Mamhead.

Having now fcribbled over my paper, I must conclude; giving you hopes however, Mr. Urban, that you may poffibly hear again from INCOGNITA.

Mr. URBAN, King's College, June 8.

MANY doubts hay ng been long entertained with refpect to carex capitata of Hudfon, whether it be the Linnæan plant, or only an accidentally fertile one of C. dioica, you would probably oblige your botanical readers by engra ving a sketch of C. dioica, which I have the pleasure to fend you (pl. I. fig. 2); it would then appear decided, I hope, to the fatisfaction of them all, that the latter opinion is founded in fact. C. capitata of the Linnæan Herbarium is a different plant, and not a native of England. C. dioica is common on Hinton and Teverfham moors, near Cambridge; and the fertile variety frequently grows among many individuals

in their ufual state.

THE

R. RELHAN.

Mr. URBAN, July 2. HE account of the island of St. Jona, or Icolmkill, which you have given vol. XXV. p. 61, and vol. XLIV. p. 520; and of its cathedral, vol. XLV. p. 166; will receive an agreeable illuftration by the inclofed view of that island, which was drawn by Mr. Lilliman in 1761, and has lately been prefented to me by a gentleman of high rank in literature. See plate 1. fig. 3.

I am forry to add that, "at prefent, this once celebrated fchool of learning is deftitute of a schoolmaster; and this feminary of holy men wants a minifter to affift them in the common duties of religion *."

M. GREEN.

Conclufion of the Obfervations on the Decifions refpecting Founders' Kin at All Souls College, Oxford, from p. 519. D OES then an Archbishop of Canterbury, in thefe days, exercife that power which the Pope, in these days, is afhamed to exercife-abfolution for breaking an oath Had his Grace faid, "I am willing to comply with your request; I am willing to interpret

* See Gough's Camden, vol. III. p. 715.

the ftatutes in your own way, and to fay, that, though the founder expreffly gave a preference to bis relations, you may prefer your own; but how, my reverend brothers, can you, the present members, get rid of the oath you have taken? I, a Proteftant archbishop, cannot abfolve you from that; but I will do this; I will, as vifitor and interpreter, abolish the oath in future, and then your fucceffors will not feel their confciences hurt by fwearing to one thing and doing another; they will be unfackled by any refraint, and by the irkfome fiuation of being obliged to take the trouble of enquiry into the claims of their founder's kin."

It does not, however, appear that the Archbishop had this regard to the confciences of his reverend brothers, or that they had any regard to them themfelves. It appears that, on the next opportunity, in fpite of their oath, they elected a stranger in exclufion of a rela tion; and that, on an appeal to the chancellor of the university, he was fo abfurd as to think that interpretation of a ftatute is one thing, abolition is ano ther, and that oaths are facred things,

and he ordered them to choose the relation.

The members of the college, determining to carry their point, appealed from this decifion of the chancellorto whom? (ab eodem d eundem, I think they call it) to the vifitor who had indulged their former application. Did he reverfe his own order? It is idle to ask the question.

It appears that the members of the college perfift in choofing ftrangers in prejudice to relations; that the matter has been again argued; and that the prefent archbishop, or rather, as it feems, his affeffors, have confirmed the fentence of the former archbishop, and excluded the relation from partaking of the provifion exprefly provided for him.

Here 1 muft obferve the curious argument made ufe of by the prefent members of the college: "We have other laws befides the ftatutes of Chichele-the late archbishop (who knew better than our founder what was that founder's intention) has told us, that we are not obliged to pay any regard to claim of confanguinity, and we are unbackled by any other reftraint." If any member of the college fhould condefcend to notice thefe ftrictures, perhaps he will fay, "You do not ftate fairlywe are still to choose twenty (or ten) of

the

the kindred." I fhould reply, What binds you? your oath? That oath is, that you will obey your founder's fatutes that you will give preference to all his relations. Is it the late archbi fhop's interpretation? what hinders another interpretation, that by the founder's kin were not meant the kindred of Chichele, but the kindred of the Archbishop of Canterbury for the time being, who is, as you fay, co-founder, i. e. founder?

Now let us come to the prefent decifion.

I must refer to your page 197, rather than quote the whole, which is of fome length; but will obferve that it ftates, that power is given to Chichele's fucceffors, as archbishops, to make statutes (before, a power of interpretation only was claimed), and conftruing this power to be to make flatutes, not repugnant to the ftatutes of Chichele-but to adapt his flatutes to the time, to reconcile as far as may be the whole of fuch ftatutes, and the general plan of his foundation, and the integral and feparate parts of it, and thereby, give fability to the whole body of the ftatutes-judging the late archbishop's injunction a good execution of his power, and that the fame is prudent and neceffary, in refpect of the rapid increase of thofe of the blood of the founder baving a direct tendency to exclude the order of scholars from the foundation, and confequently all probation of fellows in the faid college, contrary to the plain intent of Chichele-they confirm the decree of exclufion.

That is, the more fcholars there are in the university who are of Chichele's kindred, and want the affillance of his foundation, the fewer fhall partake of it. Is it poffible for any thing to be more contrary to the plain intent of the founder, as a plain man of common-fenfe would understand his intent?

Is it poffible?-but I forbear

If I mifconceive the bufinefs, or if it has been imperfectly flated, I fhall be glad to be fet right; in the mean time, having taken up fo much of your valuable room, I will only add a few words by way of conclufion.

I am a member of the Church of England, as fincere a well-wisher to the Conftitution as now established in Church and State as any man can be; but, if the benefactions of the founders of our colleges and feminaries of learning may be thus taken away by an interpretation of plain exprefs ftatutes of thofe foun

ders; if thofe fatutes are only to be obferved fecundum ordinationum feriem*; if any one can determine that a plain exprefs oath is to be taken, not according to the literal meaning, but according to an interpretation put upon it; let me intreat, let me adjure, all those who are concerned, to confider whither lead! A. B. fuch adjudications may

Mr. URBAN,

FRO

Grove, Barnard Cafile, Durham, March 12. ROM my knowledge of the charader of Mr. Savage, who is a worthy man, and with a hearty defire of contributing fuch information as is in my power, to affift his modeft and humble attempt towards a History of Howden, I will beg leave, through the channel of your valuable publication, to convey the following hints.

Dr. Burton's MSS of his Monafticon Eboracenfe being now in my hands, through the diftinguished liberality and favour of Edward Conftable, efq. of Burton Conftable, in Holderneffe, with permiffion to tranfcribe and publish the fame; I will extract thence fuch matter as may feem material, and be confiftent with the limits which you grant to your correfpondents on the like occafions.

"In the days of Edward the Confeffor, the manor, church, and lands, of Howden, were wrefted from the monaftery of Peterborough †, and, being in the king's hands, King William the Conqueror gave the faid church of Howden, with all its chapels, lands, and appurtenances, to William Karilepho, Bishop of Durham, who immediately after conferred the fame on the monks of Durham for ever t." The manor and its privileges the prelate retained.

The gift of this manor, &c. made to the fee was by charter, and confirmed by the bulla of Pope Gregory §. Wil

Perhaps the meaning of this is not very

liam Rufus, accufing William, Bishop of Durham, of joining in confpiracy with his diffident barons, or at least of abetting them, in various circumstances, wafted Howden, Welton, and fundry other poffeffions of the fee in Yorkshire, feized them into his own hands, and foon afterwards bestowed them on Adonis (Comes Campaniæ), and Alanus (Comes Richmont 2), his favourites.

This manor did not continue long alienated from the fee of Durham, King Henry I. by his charter making rettitution thereof, with other lands of which the Bishop of Durham had been diffeized 3. Bishop Flambard was a great favourite with King William Rufus, but in difgrace with his fucceffor until the compromife with Duke Robert took place, when he was received into favour4.

By feveral records it is flated, that the Bishop of Durham fhould hold all pleas within the liberty of Howden, which he held within his county palatine, pleas of the Crown excepted; and that he fhould have there return of writs, and other franchifes 5.

In the pleas of Quo Warranto the bifhop claimed, in the 8th king Edward I, that he had a right to exercife in this li berty all fuch junfdiction as the king held elsewhere, except in pleas of the Crown; infifting that the ficceffots of St. Cuthbert held all royal liberties and franchises therein from the time of the grant.

Bishop Lewis Beaumont demifed to certain foreign merchants, called in the records Alienigenis, but of what country not easily determined, his manors of Allerton, Howden, and Richall, for a term of ten years 6.

Bp. Nevil, by commiffion, appointed juftices of the peace in Howden hire, and granted to Thomas Quix ey, his ferjeant at law and privy counfellor, the franchifes of Howden and Howdenthire for life, with a fee of 13l. 65. 8d7.

In the Valor, taken in the time of King Henry VIII, Howden ftands thus: "Inter Recorda, &c. penes Rm R's de valoribus temporalium & fo. Dun. 26 Hen. VIII-Temporalia de Hoveden. Sit manerii cuin red, & firmis tam lib'or tenen. quam tenent. ad volunt, d'n'i in diverfis villis & villatis p. ann. 28ol. Iis. Id. P'quifit. cur. ibm co'ib's annis 40s.-vend Faggot. 205.-Granor, reddit. 345. 4d.—Tot. 2841. 155. id. Reddit. refolut. d'no regi excun' de Howd' & Howd'fhire & folut. p. manus vic. Ebor. 31. 148 —Pro food. Joh'is de Balliv. 70s.-Restori S. Martini in campis pro nofpicio d'ni Lond' 45.8 '

Bhop Barnes demited to Queen Elizabeth, for a term of ninety years, the manor of Howden, with its feveral rights and appendages, together with the park, les groves, and three water corn-mills, at 34s. 8d. yearly rent; and alfo demifed to the queen the ntheries, fhores, paffages, and ferry-boat at low

2. m 22.

lb'm MS.

8 Ib'm MS.

den

rated. After the word De comes in the fracture of the stone, and not one letter of the proper name is left except the laft and tranfverfe line of an H, and the character A, which are perfectly diftinct. It is alfo to be observed, that the Saxon character was generally in ufe in 1260, and very little in 1405.

Leland, unfortunately for us, does not tranfcribe the infcription. Mr. Gough fays, that the vifcera Walteri Skirlaw were under a ab* infcribed fepeliuntur fub boc faxo, &c. This could not be the fame ftone defcribed by Johnston, 1670 (that being the general date given to his MS. by Burton), who gives us the words de Kirkbam quondam Dunolm. &c. perfect; and it is to be prefumed he read the infcription before the ftone was broken. Johnston places this monument at the North-welt pillar of the steeple, where we found the coffin-formed tone which is before defcribed. Where Mr. Burton found the infcription viscera Jordani de Methuam I cannot conjecture; there was no fuch monument at the North pillar when I was in the church about four years ago; and he only gives the word vifcera in his MS. in large characters, Jordani de Metbuam is in the common character in which his book is written, and perhaps was fupplied by conjecture or misinformation.

I have trefpaffed very much upon you, Mr. Urban, knowing your Maga zne has always been open to juftification as well as information; and am forry to fee your liberality fo greatly abufed, under pretence of a defire "to refcue Mr. Savage from the vagaries of upfart Antiquaries, who feem to delight," as your correfpondent D. H. infinuates,in new fpeculations, and unfounded affertions, and bring difcredit on the fcience of Antiquity by the flousithes of pedantic language." Thefe farcafms are illiberal, and pointed too perfonally, but merit nothing more than contempt from your much obliged conftant reader,

Mr. UREAN,

W. H.

June 13. F you think the following hints may

As age advances, the faculties are gradually impaired, particularly the fight and hearing. As much of the enjoy ments of life depend on them, ingenuity has been happily employed in contri ving the means of lengthening the happinefs they afford. The means invented in fupplying the defects of the eves have been attended with fuccefs. The means of giving relief in deafness have not been attended with equal fuccefs. The trumpet ufed for this purpose, though it affords fome relief, is attended with fome inconveniences. Some relief is obtained by putting the hands behind the ears, and raising the external parts into a cavity which may collect the impulfes of the air, and direct them to the ear.

In old age, when the mind is limited in its purfuits, the view of approaching death naturally turns the thoughts to religion; and in that line the attendance on the public worship in church becomes not only a duty, but affords the mind relief under the infirmities of age, by its reliance on the divine protection. In this cafe, an impaired hearing becomes fenfible of the effect of a very fmall difference in the distance of the fpeaker, whofe voice is much more dif tin&t when in the reading-desk than in the pulpit. We do not in general reflect how much the voice or any noise extends on a level. Of this Dr. Frank

lin, that ingenious obferver of Nature in all her operations, informed me of an inftance. Some years ago the inhabitants of Philadelphia had a new bell imported from England. In order to judge of its found, the bell was raised on a triangle in the great ftreet of that city, and ftruck, as it happened, on a market-day, when the people coming to market were furprised at hearing the found of a bell at a greater distance from the city than they ever heard any bell before. This circumftance excited the attention of the curious; and it was dif covered that the found of the bell, when ftruck in the street, reached nearly double the diftance it did when raised into the fteeple. From London to Windfor-caftle there is but little diffe

in your extensive publication.

*This flub and infcription were no where to be found, or any intelligence gained of it, with the ailiftance of the beforementioned gentleman, and others about the church, when we were there.

the cause that, as it is reported, a centinel on Windfor-terrace counted St. Paul's clock in London ftrike thirteen inftead of one o'clock in the morning. The centinel, hearing the clock striking more than one, excited his curiofity fo much, that he did not attend to his be