The steady progress which sound Archæology is making in this country is
shown, and the benefits which will accrue from such progress to those
who are desirous of investigating the early history of this island and
its inhabitants is rendered evident, by the fact, that discoverers of
primæval remains no longer endeavour to build upon those remains some
strange theories which have no foundation beyond the fancy of those who
pen them. On the contrary, Archæologists are now content to give us
plain and distinct particulars of the discoveries they make, and to
leave to future labourers the task of comparing the different objects,
and of evolving from such comparison those trustworthy illustrations of
our early history which are so highly to be prized. The truth of these
remarks will be seen by a glance at the interesting volume entitled
_Fairford Graves; a Record of Researches in an Anglo-Saxon Burial-place
in Gloucestershire_, in which Mr. Wylie narrates, with much clearness
and simplicity, the result of a very interesting series of excavations
made at Fairford, on the site of a Saxon necropolis, more particularly
of those made at the commencement of the past year. These discoveries
furnish some very valuable materials towards a more complete history of
the Anglo-Saxon civilisation than we yet possess; and Mr. Wylie deserves
the thanks of his brother antiquaries for his well-directed zeal on the
occasion, and for the judicious manner in which he has told his story.
The work is very profusely illustrated; and is one of the best
contributions which have recently been made to the history of our
primæval antiquities.
We have received, and read with great pleasure, _Two Introductory
Lectures upon Archæology, delivered in the University of Cambridge_, by
the Rev. J. H. Marsden. We are not sure that these lectures are not
privately printed; and in that doubt should have passed them without
notice, had not their merits, as the production of a scholar and a man
of taste, seemed to us such as to make it desirable that they should be
placed within the reach of all whom they are calculated to interest.
They are the first-fruits of Mr. Disney's munificent donation to the
University of Cambridge.
We have received the second volume of Bohn's reprint of _The Literary
Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds_, edited by H. W. H. Beechey, which
completes the work. No President ever filled the Chair of the Royal
Academy with greater benefit to the students than did Sir Joshua; and
this cheap and useful edition of the invaluable legacy which he
bequeathed to them is well calculated not only for their use, but for
more general circulation, now that the arts of design are receiving such
deserved attention in this country.
The people of Manchester will shortly commence their great experiment of
a _Free Library_, which, it is hoped, will be opened in the course of
the present month, probably by Prince Albert. It contains about twenty
thousand volumes, consisting of about twelve thousand books of reference
and eight thousand to form the library of circulation, which will be
lent _freely_ to all persons bringing recommendations or certificates of
good character. The books are all _well bound_ and in excellent
condition, and the managers have no fears but that they will be returned
from circulation in the same state. We shall look with great interest to
the result; for it is clear that what is good for Manchester must be
good for London, and for all other places where men do congregate.