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Mr. Marryat's account of the manufactories in more recent times of porcelain at Chelsea, Bow, Derby, Worcester, Wales, Bristol, and other places, comprises a good deal of curious information, which, if not altogether novel, is useful and in place.

The "Glossary of Terms" will be valuable to the antiquary. The discovery at Salona (p. 251), proving that amphora were used for funereal purposes, can be paralleled by examples in our own country. The Greybeard (p. 252) may be further illustrated by Mr. Chaffers's paper in the Archæological Society's Journal, vol. v. The definition of the Terra Sigillata (p. 290) may probably be modified by comparison with the views put forth in our Magazine for February, 1845. It is also an error to say this kind of pottery is never found in tombs. Tiles (p. 291) were, among other uses, applied by the Romans to the construction of

tombs. At Etaples, in the Pas de Calais' and at Lingfield, in Surrey, encaustic tiles are used for sepulchral inscriptions and heraldic designs. Under the head Kiln the curious discoveries of the late Mr. Artis in our own country should be noticed. The small bottle on p. 234 (fig. 72) belongs to the period of Roman domination in Egypt. Specimens analogous to 73 on the same page, having three small bottles or cups joined together, are also found among collections of Roman pottery.

The volume closes with a large collection of fac-similes of potters' marks, got together chiefly by the author himself. These stamps will be found of great use to the collector, as they will assist at once in deciding the parentage of pottery when locality is questionable or unknown, and they add considerably to the value of this interesting and very beautiful work as a book of reference.

THE COLLEGE PLATE AT OXFORD.
(With two Plates.)

WHATEVER works of ancient art in the precious metals were in existence in this country in the early part of the seventeenth century had a narrow escape from destruction during the arbitrary requisitions which attended the struggle between Charles the First and his Parliament. And this was more particularly the case at the University of Oxford, which suffered in succession from both parties. We are informed by Anthony à Wood that on the 14th Sept. 1642, the Lord Say, then newly made Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire by the Parliament's authority, came from his house at Broughton near Banbury, and, having taken up his lodging at the Star inn, went the same night, late, with a guard of soldiers, and torches, to New College, to search for plate and arms; then to Queen's, where a guard of soldiers was set all night, not suffering any one to pass the gates. The next morning he visited Magdalene and other colleges on the like business, and the trunks of Dr. Fell, Dean of Christ Church, having been discovered in the house of GENT. MAG. VOL. XXXIV.

Mrs. Weeks, the widow of a brewer in the parish of St. Ebbe's, were carried off to the Star. The same night they found the plate of Christ Church hid in the walls behind wainscoting and in the cellar, and carried it away, in a great cowle, between two men, to the

said inn.

Wood adds, that on the 21st Sept. the colleges had their plate restored, with the exception of Christ Church, and its Dean, and University. The plate of these parties was carried away by Lord Say; but that of the other colleges was given back to them, on the condition it should be forthcoming at the Parliament's appointment, and not in the least employed against them.

But the university was presently placed under other influences; for at the close of the following month, after the battle of Edge Hill, the king established his court at Oxford.

On the 3d Jan. 1642-3, there came into Oxford twelve or more carts, partly laden with the goods of Prince Rupert and partly with the implements of the royal mint, then removed Ꮓ

from Shrewsbury. The moneyers also brought some store of silver with them, but this furnished only a brief supply, for on the 10th of the same month the king's letters were issued to all colleges and halls for their plate to be brought to New Inn, where the mint was established, there to be turned into money. This requisition was generally complied with,* and was soon after extended from the colleges to most housekeepers and private persons. The officers charged with this business were Sir William Parkhurst, knight, and Thomas Bushell, late farmer of the mines royal in the principality of Wales. We were lately favoured with a sight of the inventory of the plate taken from Wadham college, and the receipt given for its delivery. The several pieces were enumerated under the two classes of white plate and gilt plate, and their total value is estimated in the receipt, of which we were permitted to take the following copy:—

Jan. the 26, 1642. Reed of the Warden & fellowes of Wadham Colledg Oxford, in plate by them lent for his Maties use & service, vizt In white plate In Guilt plate.

wht wht

lb. oz. d. 100 01 15

have little doubt that some member or members of the Institute most versed in ancient art will hereafter supply more detailed notices of their dates and character. On the present occasion we can do little more than make a cursory and hasty enumeration of the most remarkable objects.

At ALL SOULS' COLLEGE are preserved a large number of articles of ancient plate, of which the most celebrated is the salt-cellar, which is said to have belonged to the founder, Archbishop Chichele. Besides this, there are several other fine salt-cellars, cups, and tankards; a pair of silver-gilt chalices, paten, and alms-dish; and a box of very rich fragments of jewellery preserved under the name of "the founder's jewels."

One fragment is more than usually interesting as a specimen of heraldic enamelling. It resembles the curved lid of a modern water-ewer. On its inner surface is an impaled shield, viz. Gules, semée of trefoils and two barbels addorsed or (Barr); and Or, a lion rampant sable. ( ) The other surface is diapered fretty in five divisions, the first of the coat of Navarre; the second those of Grenada and Barr, 023 04 00 placed alternately; the third of France and Navarre; the fourth of the lion rampant and barbels, placed alternately; the fifth of France. A knob is enamelled with France and Navarre.

WM. PARKHURST.
THOMAS BUSHELL.

In the King's letter which called for the contribution, promise was made that the plate should be duly replaced: but this condition, it is almost needless to add, was never fulfilled.

But though the colleges no doubt lost on this occasion the bulk of their ordinary and most useful plate, they seem to have succeeded in preserving many of the most precious relics, either by secreting them, or by redeeming them for contributions in money. Some of these are well known for their great beauty and curiosity, whilst others have been recently drawn forth from a long repose by the visit of the Archæological Institute to the university,-upon which occasion these ancient treasures were shewn with great courtesy, and examined with much admiration. We

At CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE were exhibited the silver-gilt salt-cellars and cups of the founder, Bishop Fox, of most elegant design and exquisite workmanship; a solid gold cup and paten; a chalice, paten, and a pair of almsdishes; a large and massive silver punch-bowl; a dozen silver-gilt spoons of antique design; and various cups and tankards, some of which are assigned to an older date than the foundation of the college. One of the saltcellars is engraved in Skelton's Oxonia Illustrata, plate 73; and the chalice in Shaw's Specimens of Ancient Furniture. The latter, which was also given by the founder Bishop Fox, is of silvergilt, and six inches in height. The knob in the centre of its stem is en

* Wood says, "whereupon all sent except New Inn;" but the mint being at New Inn that community had no occasion to send. It may be suspected with great probability that the word "except " is a misprint for some other word or words.

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