armorial bearings, and curious medallions 'Quoniam suscepisti me, exaltabo Te, Ps. 29' (7) J. Gulston, 1768; (8) the Honble. Robert Price, Esq., one of the Barons of Her Ma'ties Court of Exchequer, 1703; (9) Guiliel: Parry, S.T.B., Coll. Jesu Oxon Socius. 1725; and (10) Scrope Berdmore, S.T.P. Coll. Mert. Custos 1790. I have other less interesting specimens with dates. To the already quoted appropriate devices I may add that of Johannes Michael a Loen, 'Scientiæ ipsæ, ignorantiæ nostræ testes.'

"Book-plates may actually be valuable as works of art; and it is perhaps to be wondered at that great etchers and engravers have not more frequently exercised their peculiar talent on such lighter efforts of their art in hours of comparative leisure and relaxation. The results would at least have been more carefully preserved, and better known to the cultured world, than those of many other such efforts, and Dibdin might have added another chapter to his 'Bibliographical Decameron.' A few such are in my collection-e.g., a clever etching of a table with books and writing materials, by -I believe a well-known amateur etcher of the last century for the 'Earl of Aylesford, Packington, Warwickshire,' and a remarkably beautiful engraving of a kneeling female figure pointing to the name of 'Anna Damer. Beneath, Agnes Berry invt et delt Londini 1793. Franciscus Legat Sculpsit.""

Another correspondent, Mr. George J. Gray, of Pembroke Street, Cambridge, writes as follows:

"None of the former writers on this subject have mentioned as having in their possession a book-plate dated so early as 1703. I have one of that date which may perhaps interest them. It is that of the Right Hon. Francis North, Baron Guilford, 1703. Two leopards holding up a shield, surmounting is the baron's coronet and helmet; underneath the shield is the motto, Animo et Fide.' I have also the book-plate of Petrus de Havilland, a shield encircled by two branches, within which are three castles, and 'Dominus Fortissima Turris' underneath. Also, Lieut. Colonel Thomas Fiott de Havilland, a shield, one-half of which contains three castles, while

the other half is divided into two sections, one containing three small castles and three lions' heads, the other three daggers, while on the top of the shield is a castle with flag, and above that, 'In Hac Vexillum Statuo,' and underneath shield, 'Dominus Fortissima Turris,' like Petrus de Havilland's bookplate. I have also that of Sir John Anstruther, of that ilk, baronet, two eagles or hawks standing on the motto, Perïïssem Nisi Perïïssem,' upholding a shield wherein are three points, on the top of which is a helmet, with two arms holding up a battle-axe.

I see that mention is made of taking the book-plate from the book. I, myself, have found one underneath another-for instance, in a copy of Dyer's Cambridge, 1814.' İ soaked off the book-plate of Rev. George Williams, and underneath I found the bookplate of John Adams, who was the second President of the United States of America, and died in 1826. It is a shield divided into two, with a blank space left in the middle; the two sides have half an eagle and half a lion, with wings, in each, on hind legs; above the shield is an eagle with wings outspread, and flowers are scattered round the shield. I do not know whether collectors of book-plates find out all about the person to whom the book-plate belonged to or not, but I, myself, collect as much information as I can about them, and neatly write it on the mount underneath the book-plate. I should like to know whether there is a proper way to mount bookplates, as I am about to mount my own, and of course should like to mount them properly. I have several other curious bookplates, &c., which I should be happy to describe if this one short notice is satisfactory." Mr. Gray adds that he has acquired a still earlier specimen, that of the Right Honourable Thomas Wentworth, Baron of Raby and Collnell, of his Maiefties Own Royal Reg of Dragoons, 1698. Supporters: A lion and a dragon. Shield: three lions' faces, a chevron, and a baron's coronet, with a dragon surmounting it; beneath, the motto, "En dieu est Tovi."

Mr. E. J. Barron, of 10, Endsleigh Street, Tavistock Square, sends us the following communication on this subject:

"Mr. Hamilton remarks (see vol. i. p. 118) that he has never seen a book-plate of Robert

Southey. I have a little izmo volume of poems by Matilda Belham, Lond: 1808,' which I purchased in 1844 shortly after the dispersion of the Laureate's library. On the upper part of the half-title page, in his beautifully neat handwriting, are the words 'Robert Southey, London, March 15, 1808, from the Authoress,' and pasted underneath is what I doubt not was his book-plate. It is a woodcut engraved probably by Bewick, the shield resting against a rocky, wooded background is-Sa., a chevron, arg., between three crosslets of the same. The helm is on one side of the shield with the crest a mailed hand grasping a crosslet, and hanging over the other side of the shield is a ribbon with the motto, 'In labore quies.'

“Let me add to what Mr. Hamilton has said on the subject, that collectors cannot be too careful in damping off book-plates, where there is any indication of another plate being beneath, as the under one will generally be found to be the most interesting. I have a quaint Augsburg book-plate 'Ex Bibliotheca Collegii Evangelici, Aug. Vindel,' representing an open-air discourse in the court, I presume, of the college. This I was very careful in removing, noticing that it covered apparently another plate, and was well repaid for my trouble, for beneath it I found a most interesting heraldic book-plate, with the inscription, 'Andreas Beham Der Elter, Anno Domini 1595,' and the mottoes, 'Omnia a Deo,' 'Cum bonis ambula,' 'Ora et Labora.' Among mottoes I may mention that of Sir Arthur Helps, Auxilia Auxiliis;' 'Solamen in Solitudine,' 'Ex libris Francisci Perrault 1764;' 'Vive ut vivas,' (Vivian); while a clergyman heads his plate with a reference to Psalm xxxvii. 21."

in collecting them. It is very pleasant to see a collection, and to hear from the maker of it an account of his most interesting plates; and even a mere description of it with a running commentary of remarks and suggestions, and the thoughts which the memories of distinguished men thus brought before us give rise to, is full of interest. For the last few years I have been hoping to see a Handy Book of Book-plates, and as I have recently heard that a writer in THE ANTIQUARY has a book of this kind in hand, or rather is collecting materials for its publication, may I suggest how much such a work would be facilitated if collectors would bring together the mass of information which is now scattered abroad, and only known to individuals? For example, a list of dated plates would be desirable, and probably would be much longer than at first might be expected. I will commence with a list of English plates having dates between the years 1700 and 1750.

1701. Earl of Essex (two sizes).
1702. Baron Hervey, of Ickworth.
Lord Halifax.

99

Richard Towneley, Esq.
Ambrose Holbeche, Esq.

Sir John Percival, Bart. Thomas Knatchbull, Esq. 1703. John Penn, of Pensylvania. Sir Edward Northey, Knt. Baron Guilford.

must have been engraved in 1708-18, the period when he was Dean. In this way a second and longer list of plates might be made, and added to, or united with, those with printed dates. The above list is of course very imperfect, but if collectors would kindly supply other similar lists, a very useful index would soon be formed.

"In the various notes on the subject of book-plates which have lately appeared, there does not seem to be any reference to what may be termed different editions. These sometimes arise from family changes, and sometimes show curious modifications in customs or feelings of the time. The bookplate of Lady Drury is an example of a change in family circumstances, which at the same time fixes very nearly its date. Sir Thomas Drury, of Overstone, Bart., died in 1759, leaving a widow, Martha, second daughter of Sir John Tyrell, Bart., of Heron, Essex. This lady evidently was a lover of books, for she had a book-plate engraved in which the arms of Drury alone are shown, on a widow's shield, with the motto, non sine causa, and the name "Lady Drury." This must have been engraved after the death of her husband, and therefore after 1759; at this time Lady Drury had a brother alive, Sir John Tyrell, fifth and last Baronet; he died without issue male in 1766; and then his sister, Lady Drury, became co-heiress of the Tyrell family. On this she had a new book-plate engraved, in which the bearing of the Tyrells is impaled with that of the Drurys; she died in 1768, consequently this second plate must have been engraved in 1766-8.

"The book-plates of the family of Longe, of Spixworth, in Norfolk, show curious modifications. Of the larger plate with supporters there are two editions; in the first the supporters, which are full-length figures of Ceres and Bacchus, are practically wholly devoid of garments, the motto being sine cerere et Baccho friget Venus. In the second issue, which is identical in most other points with the first, the figure of Ceres is fairly clothed from the neck to the ankles.

"A considerable number of book-plates are commonly called artistic or pictorial, these may or may not be at the same time heraldic. They may be fairly divided into those which are pretty, and those which are suggestive, in

the latter an appropriate motto or inscription often forming an essential part. The old plates of Dr. M. Griffith and of Evan Lloyd, are certainly pretty, and the same may be said of the more modern ones of William Dobie, Robert Liddell, and Esther M. Benson. As types of the suggestive plate, the beautiful ones of C. Walter Thornbury and Mary Barbara Hales, may be mentioned. A Collector' will I trust pardon me if I observe that the book-plate of my good old friend James Yates, F.R.S., which he mentions (see p. 77), is of the suggestive class, and is designed to represent the pure spring of knowledge, from which the thirsty wayfarer is invited to take a draught, freely offered to all-a favourite idea with Mr. Yates, and one which he has right nobly carried out by his will.

"Not the least interesting part of a bookplate is its motto, and it is probable that the after life of many a young man has been influenced by the silent voice of an old family motto thus prominently brought before him in the library of a past generation. On these, and the changes which have been made in many old mottoes, a very interesting chapter might be written. It would have been well for the unfortunate Dr. Dodd if, at the right moment, one of his own book-plates had caught his eye, and he had read the motto Wise and Harmless. Perhaps, too, it had been well for John Wilkes had he remembered the motto on his book-plate, Arcui meo non confido, at those times when he was all too ready to use his bow, and to trust to it alone.

"In conclusion, one word to collectors, never take a book-plate out of a book of any value if by so doing you destroy all evidence of ownership; I have just recovered a very interesting memorandum relating to Joseph Banks, which, indeed, might have been of some value, from seeing a lady's name "Dora" on the title-page, and an old bookplate of Hugesson in the cover, which at once led to the knowledge that the book must have belonged to Dorothea Hugesson, who married Sir Joseph Banks, and that the MS. notes referred to her celebrated husband."

Another correspondent, "J. H. F.,” writes :—

"In addition to the book-plates your corre

A good book is a good friend; he who would injure the one, deserves not the respect of the other.

"I have heard of an Irish book collector

who would never lend a book to anybody, and was so afraid of their getting abstracted from his library that he inserted in the covers of all his volumes a book-plate stating This Book is stolen from the Library of Timothy Kelly, Esq., Cork.' Everybody who may have purchased any portion of his library would soon remove the book-plate and probably destroy it, thus rendering it something surpassing scarce and curious."

Another correspondent, "W. B.," writes

from Addiscombe :

"I have read with much interest the articles in THE ANTIQUARY upon Bookplates.' I, also, am a collector, and though my possessions are not very numerous I think I have some that are uncommon.

"Of dated specimens (which we are told

in your pages are rare) I possess five specimens-viz., Henricus Gaudy Coll, Reginal. Cantabr., July 1665,' with the motto Hog age Ruit hora; John Selby Serjeant-at-Law, 1703,' with some handsome scroll-work; White Kennett, D.D., Bishop of Peterborough, 1720,' showing the arms of the see and his own on one shield, which leans against an altar formed entirely of books (this specimen is a rather large one, five inches by four); 'Robert Foulkes, D.D., Canon of Christ Church, Oxon, 1724;' and 'Scrope Berdmore, D.D., Custos, Merton College, 1790.'

"Of celebrated characters, I have a Bishop Burnet; a David Garrick (a scroll bearing his name, adorned with the bust of Shakspeare, a tragedy mask, a clown's staff, &c., with the motto from Menogiana as referred to in vol. i. of THE ANTIQUARY, p. 117); a Sir Stamford Raffles; and one of the Rt. Hon. John Hookham Frere, of Roydon, the friend of Byron, and himself a poet, author of 'Whistlecroft,' &c., and conjointly with Canning of the 'Needy Knife Grinder.'

"Of picture specimens I shall mention two -(1) a Dutch plate of 'I. G. M.' engraved by Fruytiers, with a Latin motto, and a galliot in full trim heavily ploughing the sea; (2) the plate of James Hews Bransby (within the present century), showing an agricultural scene with a ploughman and a sower, and the motto beneath it, 'Breve et irreparabile tempus.' As I have more than one plate

engraved by Fruytiers, I should be glad to

be informed who he was and when he 'flourished.'

armorial plates of the Rt. Hon. J. Sulivan, "Of miscellaneous ones, I possess the Under Secretary at War, 1805; the Hon.

Effingham, very handsome in garland work; wards Earl of Buckinghamshire, circa 1740; Lord Berwick, 1792; Baron Hobart, afterand the Rt. Hon. Lord Mansel, the title of which house became extinct in 1750.

Richard Howard, afterwards fourth Earl of

"Besides these I possess several foreign specimens, one Swedish, or Norwegian, of Yon Troil, and a large plate of 'Leopold Octavius S.R.I. Comitatis de Turre, Vallis Saxine,' &c. &c., engraved by Filosi."

Russia in the Year 1670.

A

By An Eminent Traveller.

N eminent person," who resided at the "Tzar's" Court at Moscow for nine years in the seventeenth century, has left us a by no means uninteresting account of some of the domestic and religious eccentricities of the Russians at a time when their civilization resembled (far more than it even now does) a semi-respectable barbarism. The impressions formed during his term of office appear to have been jotted down without order or system, and rather in a haphazard manner, characteristic of a writer whose ready perception of the ridiculous and intense love of fun were scarcely kept in check by the solemn dignity of his official duties. The original design seems to have been to have printed the MS. under the title of "Ivan Vasiloidg," but, as the friend says who completed the work, "an acute and unkind disease put a period to that and his life.

But it cannot be insignificant of the frivolous inanity which prevailed to a great degree at the time when our author wrote (the 8th year of Charles II.), that regardless of the terrible struggle yet fresh in the minds of every nation of Europe, a man of education could be found to devote his time and intellect to the recollection and relation of such a marvellous mass of gross absurdities. There is a touch of inimitable cynicism in the lines in which our facile friend prefaces his lively trochure :

O utinam Ars mores animi depingere posset !
Pulchrior in terris nulla tabella foret.

"The people" he proceeds to describe as "jealous and suspicious, devoted to their own ignorance and education, which is altogether illiterate and rude in civil as in ecclesiastical affairs; they look upon learning as a monster and fear it no less than a ship of wildfire. Consequently their government is but poor and contemptible, monarchical and arbitrary. In its direction and dispensation their want of written laws has been supplemented by precedents; this 'lex non scripta' principle is ever represented by money, for a precedent established or a bribe will in any Court gain the day." He then proceeds to have a sharp cut at the practice of the

Common Law at home, for, comparing English clerks with the Russian, he says: "They write rolls at great length to no purpose. All business takes the form of a petition, which, rolled up like a wafer, is held out to the Boyar, or judge, and if he happen to be in a good temper, he hands it to his Diac, or clerk, who must be bribed for a remembrancer. Murder can easily be bought off with money; slave or wife killing are venial offences, beneath the notice of the Imperial Majesty; but the acme of absurdity in

criminal law is reached when it is stated that though a thousand witnesses prove a man guilty of homicide, he cannot be convicted unless he confess the deed. This confession, however, may be procured by an exquisite persuasion, called the strappado, in the first instance; in the second, whipping, at which their hangmen are elegant adepts, being qualified in six or seven lashes to save the accused the trouble of walking to the gallows, by immediate death. If, however, the wretch persist in his assertions of innocence (for it may be he has nothing to confess) they let him loose, set his shoulders, and let him rest twenty days, only to repeat the former torment, varying it possibly by pulling out a rib or two with a pair of hot pincers, and so usque ad nauseam.' The punishment of coiners is conducted on the principle 'neque enim lex justior ulla est quam necis artifices arte perire sua,' some of the molten coin being poured down the throat. But if to kill wife or servant be a venial offence, to aim at a bird under Royal protection is a crime of far more serious moment. A fellow was once known to take a shot at a jackdaw in the Imperial Court, but not being an adept at the art of precision, the bullet glanced and fell into one of the apartments of the palace for this slight error of judgment he lost his left leg and right hand." While thousands are now on their way to Siberia, it may not be uninteresting to relate the expedients resorted to for the purpose of shortening their journey. Having been weakened by secret torments, and started a few hundred versts on the way, numbers were softly and considerately popped under the ice. Hanging seems at the present day to be in greater favour than it was two or three hundred years ago with the Russian executioner, for