The Faussett Collection has, as our readers are probably aware, become the
property not of the public, but of a private individual, Mr. Joseph Mayer,
F.S.A., of Liverpool, who, with praiseworthy liberality, has resolved to
make the Collection as useful as possible to the public. He has therefore
determined to publish, under the title of _Saxon Antiquities from the
Kentish Tumuli_, Mr. Faussett's copious MS. accounts of the opening of the
Barrows, and of the discoveries made in them; accompanied by numerous
illustrations of the more important objects themselves, especially of the
world-renowned Gold Brooches, which exhibit such exquisite specimens of the
artistic skill of our ancestors. The work will appear under the editorship
of Mr. C. Roach Smith, who will illustrate Mr. Faussett's discoveries by
the results of kindred investigations in France and Germany. The
subscription price is Two Guineas, and the number of copies will, as far as
possible, be regulated by the list of subscribers.
A few months since _The Athenaeum_ announced the discovery at Lambeth, some
time previously, of a number of documents of the Cromwellian period. This
announcement attracted the attention of some French literary man, probably
M. Guizot, who appears to have made some inquiries on the subject, which
resulted in a paragraph in the _Journal des Debats_, not, indeed,
contradicting the fact of the discovery, but denying its importance. Can
any of our readers throw light upon this matter? Had our valued
correspondent DR. MAITLAND still held office at Lambeth, there would
probably not have been any doubt left as to the value or worthlessness of
any MSS. discovered under the archiepiscopal roof,--albeit, found as we
have understood these to have been, not in the department of the librarian,
or, indeed, of any of the officials, but in some out-of-the way tower. Have
these documents been examined? If so, what are they? If not, why does not
the Society of Antiquaries send a deputation to the archbishop, and request
his permission to undertake the task. Probably their labour would {387} not
be thrown away. At all events, the doubt which now exists, whether valuable
but unused materials for a most important period of our history may not be
mouldering at Lambeth, would be removed; and future Carlyles be spared
useless journeys and wasted hours to rediscover them.
A publishing Society, somewhat similar to the Camden, has been established
in the United States, under the title of _The Seventy-six Society_, for the
publication and republication of books and papers relating to the American
Revolution.
BOOKS RECEIVED.--_Gibbon's Rome, with Variorum Notes_, Vol. III., _Bohn's
British Classics_. The third volume of this cheap and excellent reprint of
Gibbon extends from Julian's expedition against the Persians to the
accession of Marcian.--_The Book of the Axe, containing a Piscatorial
Description of that Stream, &c._, by George P. R. Pulman. A pleasant
semi-piscatorial, semi-antiquarian, gossiping volume, welcome at this
season, when the May-fly is looked for on the waters; illustrative of the
fishing spots and historical localities of the far-famed Axe.--_Tasso's
Jerusalem Delivered, translated into English Spenserian; with a Life of the
Author_, by J. H. Wiffen, the new volume of Bohn's _Illustrated Library_,
forms a fitting companion to Wright's _Dante_, so recently noticed by us.
* * * * *