COPPÉE'S LA GRÈVE DES FORGERONS' (10 S. xii. 469). In 1887 a prize of three guineas was offered in The Journal of Education for the best translation of the above poem. The prize was awarded in the number of the Journal for November, 1887, and I was fortunate enough to find myself the prize-winner. Only a small portion, however, of my translation was quoted in the Journal. The version which was printed as a whole was that by the editor himself, Mr. F. Storr, and this is no doubt the excellent one to which M. C. D. alludes.

Mr. Storr's translation was subsequently published (I think about 1895) in a work entitled Essays, Mock Essays, and Character Sketches,' reprinted from The Journal of Education, and edited by himself (W. Rice, 86, Fleet Street, or Whittaker & Co., Paternoster Square).

My own version was privately printed, and if M. C. D. would like to have a copy, I shall be happy to post him one for his acceptance on hearing from him.

I may add that a prize was offered in The Practical Teacher (1898 or 1899) for the best translation of the same poem, but I

do not know with what result.

C. LAWRENCE FORD, B.A. 21, Sydney Buildings. Bath. [MR. ALECK ABRAHAMS also refers to Mr. Storr's

version.]

BHANG CUCA (10 S. xii. 490).-Bhang is Indian hemp, the same thing as hashish, a powerful narcotic, of which the extract fluid, solid, or powdered-can, I believe, be got of any chemist. But if G. B. wants the Indian preparations as used in the East, that of course is quite another thing, and I cannot say where they can be obtained. I have seen and smoked the powdered bhang or hashish brought from Morocco by travelling Moors. The name given to it there is keyf, which really means intoxication."

Cuca or coca is the Peruvian name for a herb known in other South American

5. Blemmyes. This people has been identified with the modern Barabras. Their fabulous appearance is described in Shakespeare:Men whose heads

Do grow beneath their shoulders.

'Othello,' I. iii. The words are illustrated in Knight's pictorial edition by an engraving taken from Hondius's Latin translation of passages from Raleigh's 'Voyage to Guiana.'

6. Silphium. The juice from the root and stem of this plant, which was highly valued as a drug and condiment, formed the staple trade of Cyrene. The plant, which figured on the coins of that city, was umbelliferous, and has been variously identified. Ancient representations are said to bear a close resemblance to the Narthex asafetida. It has been pointed out that a preparation of asafetida is used as a relish in India at the present day. According to Heinrich Stein (note on Herod., iv. 169), the Cyrenaic plant is now common in a degenerate form, and is called by the Arabs drias.

The fourth-century anonymous Greek Life of Antony may throw light on the other words. EDWARD BENSLY. University College, Aberystwyth.

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, &c.

The Gilds and Companies of London. By George Unwin. (Methuen & Co.)

THIS is a further addition to the series of "Antiquary's Books," published under the general editorship of the Rev. Dr. Cox. The volume is based on a study of printed and unprinted sources concerning the foundation and history of the Livery Companies, and forms an outline of the development of the Gilds and Companies of London from the days of Henry Plantagenet to those of Victoria. Whilst not losing sight of individual peculiarities, the author has endeavoured to lay stress on the significance which the Gilds and Companies as a whole have had for the constitutional history of the City, and for the social and economic development of the nation at large.

In addition to the actual history of the City Companies, an attempt has been made to find the genesis of the idea of these organizations, the collapse of the Roman Empire being taken as a starting-point. The growth throughout Western Europe of the purely feudal system, and subsequently the germination and formulation of the collective idea, are next described. We quote the author as follows:

"In order to produce steady and coherent progress the upward thrust of the new life and the downward pressure of the old formula are both needed. But the upward thrust must be stronger than the downward pressure....This process of interaction can nowhere be studied to better advantage than in the birth, life, and development of the Gild, and of those kindred organizations which have succeeded to its functions. We can there watch in all its phases that transformation of social forces into political forces which is the very essence of what we call progress. We see class after class constituting itself a social force by the act of self-organization. Then, as the new social force gains political recognition, the voluntary association passes wholly or partly into an organ of public administration."

In order to secure a comprehensive groundwork, it has been found necessary to refer to the contemporary development of Gilds in Continental cities, amongst others Bruges, Paris, and Florence; likewise to the general trend of the collective idea amongst Teutonic nations. As an example

of feudal opposition we may mention that a law of Charlemagne of 779 decrees that persons shall not presume to bind themselves by mutual oaths in a Gild (Geldonia). A later decree of 821 warns the lords in Flanders and other maritime ports to restrain their serfs from sworn confederacies on pain of incurring a fine themselves.

ac

To follow the fortunes of the Gilds through their chequered careers is not possible on count of limitations of space. Suffice it to say that their history and development are traced with no uncertain hand by the author. Incidentally it appears that the presence of aliens is not, as some imagine, a modern problem. London in the fourteenth century was considerably troubled in this respect :

"This alarm had scarcely subsided before another serious cause of dissension arose between

A rumour

the Londoners and the Government. sprang up that it was intended to solve the difficulties created by the City's hostility to foreigners by making another port the seat of foreign trade. It was said that a wealthy Genoese merchant then staying in London had offered to make Southampton the greatest port in Western Europe, if the King would grant him the use of a castle there as his depot. The indignation of the extremists in the anti-alien party at this prospect passed all bounds, and the unfortunate Italian was struck down in the open street before his inn by the hand of an assassin named Kirkeby."

We recommend this book to all who are interested in the history of Gilds and similar fraternities, or in the development of the City of London. Indeed, the history of the Gilds and that of the City are inextricably interwoven.

Mr. Unwin's style is lucid and convincing, and his work has evidently not been lightly undertaken, but is as complete as a keen appreciation of his subject can make it.

Whitaker's Almanack, 1910. (Whitaker & Sons.) Whitaker's Peerage, 1910. (Same publishers.)

THE editor of the world-renowned 'Almanack ' does not rest on his laurels, but still works hard at making improvements and additions; and in the volume for the new year are to be found many fresh articles. These include the latest triumphs of aerial navigation, the export of British capital, the Imperial Press Conference, the break-up of the Poor Law, and a review of Social Progress. The statistics in the last are of great interest. The death-rate, which stood at 227 for 1851-5, had dropped in 1907 to 15′0. The birth-rate, which was 33.9 in 1851-5, had declined to 26-3 in 1907. A similar decline in the birth-rate is noticeable in the case of most European countries. As regards wages and prices, the net result shows an apparent increase of 40 per cent. in wages since 1860, while the general level of prices was about 24 per cent. lower. The prices given do not fully represent the changes in the cost of living, since they do not include rent, which has probably risen on an average since 1860. reference to local debt in 1874-5, the amount was nearly 93,000,000l., representing 168. 1d. per pound of rateable value, or 31. 188. 3d. per head of population; while in 1905-6 the amount had increased to 483,000,000l., representing 21. 78. 7d. per pound of rateable value, or 147. 28. 10d. per head of population. It is pointed out, however, that a large portion of the capital debt belongs to undertakings producing revenue.

In

'Whitaker's Peerage' also contains important additions. A concise account of the Coronation ceremonies has been inserted, the section on Indian titles extended, and the Indian Companions given. There is, besides, a description of Court dress for laymen. Under the Baronetage mention is made of the grant of a baronetcy to a female-Dame Mary Bolles, of Osberton, Notts (1635 in the Scottish Baronetage)," and it is stated that "this is not quite the only one." There are some amusing references to the past in the account of the Knightage. The awkwardness of King James on the occasion of his conferring a knighthood on Kenelm Digby nearly caused an accident. This was only prevented by the Duke of Buckingham; otherwise the King would have thrust the sword into Digby's eye.

Another awkward incident is related in The Book of the Court.' The lady of a certain City knight was once presented to the old Princess Amelia, who was very deaf. The Princess, not aware that she was merely a knight's lady, was about to salute her as if the daughter of a peer, to the great horror of the Gentleman Usher in Waiting, who, shocked, at such a violation of etiquette, exclaimed, loud enough to be heard by all present, Don't kiss her, your Royal Highness; she is not a real lady."

Transactions of the Baptist Historical Society: October. (Baptist Union Publication Department.)

THE work of this new Society continues to fulfil the promise it gave on its formation, and this part contains further valuable contributions of general historical interest. It will be news to many that the practice of the washing of feet was formerly observed by some Baptists. This is shown in a letter of Daniel Dobel of Cranbrook, Bishop or Messenger of the General Baptists in Kent." The letter bears date February 14, 1771. In it the writer asks his correspondent if he practises the washing of feet, and states that he has done so for upwards of forty years.

66

There is a letter of Andrew Fuller's in reference to the appearance of Dr. Carey's portrait in The Baptist Magazine. Marshman in his life of Carey, Marshman, and Ward, published by Longmans in 1859, states that Carey considered the publication of this portrait a "violation of the engagement on which he had consented to sit to the artist [Horne], but he desired that a copy of it should be sent to each of his relatives and he would bear the expense. Strange to say, Marshman's book contains no portrait.

;

The impartiality with which the Society publishes records relating to Baptists is shown in an Militant Baptists, 1660-72,' who by article on their treasonable conduct justified "the callousness of Charles in so lightly breaking his words as to indulgence"; and "astonishment is expressed at the lenient conduct of Parliament. At the present day it is needless to say that no more loyal subjects are to be found than the members of the Free Churches, and in the absence of set forms of prayer, the sovereign is prayed for on Sundays.

There is a good deal of curious information in the articles on The Baptist Licences of 1672,' and Old Wisbech Records,' the latter showing that some "Baptized Believers" held the then rare doctrine of universal redemption.

The Rev. James Stuart of Watford contributes a letter of Robert Hall's in reference to the publication of his sermon on the occasion of the death of Dr. Ryland, for the benefit of Ryland's family. Hall considers that the proposal to print ten

thousand is too venturesome.

The short notes at the end of the part are of value. One tells how the Jewish invasion in the east of London " is depleting ancient buildings of their Christian worshippers, and they are being converted into synagogues or sold for secular purposes.' It is suggested that a pastor of a surviving church should organize a personally conducted tour round this district, and finish with a tea in his schoolroom for the pilgrims. Perhaps our old friends the Norwood Ramblers will make a note of this.

BOOKSELLERS' CATALOGUES.—JANUARY. MR. P. M. BARNARD'S Tunbridge Wells Catalogue 33 is devoted to Italy and the Italian cities, including Aldine Press and Dante Literature. There are nearly a thousand items, arranged under cities, with the exception of those which cannot conveniently be thus grouped. These are to be found in a general list.

Mr. Barnard sends from his Manchester address Catalogue 7. We note the Decameron' translated by Rigg, 2 vols., and portfolio with extra plates, 1906, 31. 3s. (a special copy with all the plates coloured by hand); the Gadshill Dickens, 34 vols., new, 71.; the Life of Darwin' by his son, 3 vols., new, 148.; Douglas Freshfield's 'Caucasus,' 2 vols., 4to, new, 10s.; Hakluyt's Voyages,' 12 vols., 77.; Aikin's Manchester,' including the rare plan, 4to, 1795, 21. 2s.; and the first published edition of Queen Mab,' 1821, 168. 6d.

Messrs. Lupton Brothers of Burnley have in their Christmas Catalogue a copy of the Edition de Luxe of La Fontaine issued by the Society of English Bibliophilists, 2 vols., 51. This edition was limited to 35 copies, and as a guarantee that the book would not be reprinted in this form, one of the original copperplates was presented to each subscriber. The Little Bell' is the plate with this copy. There are works under Biography, Costume, Derbyshire, and Yorkshire, Heraldry, Railways, &c. Under Discussions are those in which Bradlaugh, Cooper, Dr. Cumming, Robert Owen, Holyoake, Maguire, and others took part. Under American Literature is Stedman and Hutchinson's work in 11 vols., 27. 10s.

of Engravings of the English School contains Messrs. James Rimell & Son's Catalogue 210 Landscape, 1796, 81. 188. 6d. Under Constable under Bartolozzi a portrait of Miss Wallis in Lord Duncan is 81.; Cosway's portrait of Mrs. is The Cornfield,' 167. 168. Copley's Victory of Duff, beautifully printed in colours, 187. 188. Dance's Garrick as Richard III.,' 4l. 158. Downman's Miss Farren and Mr. King as Sir Peter and Lady Teazle,' 101. 108.; Gainsborough's 167. 168.; Gillray's The Village Train,' and Boys and Dogs' and 'Cottage Children,' The Deserted Village,' 51. 158.; and Hogarth's is the portrait of Mrs. Arbuthnot, engraved by 'Election Day,' set of 4, 31. 10s. Under Hoppner Reynolds, proof impression, 941. 108.; and under Huck is a set of 12 mezzotint engravings illustrating dramatic incidents in the history of England, 107. 10s. Among the Morlands are 'The FarmGypsies' Tent,' yard,''The Fisherman's Hut,' 'Guinea-pigs,' &c. are works under Opie and Reynolds. Romney's Mrs. Jordan as the Country Girl' is 157. Under Rowlandson and under Turner is Vauxhall, 10l. 108. ; Picturesque Views,' 60 plates, 281. Indeed, the entire Catalogue is full of treasures.

There

6

Catalogue 130 sent us by Herr Ludwig Rosenthal is issued in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of his business, which we recently mentioned. It includes 40 illustrations, and notices of many fine and rare books and autographs. There are nine items of which only one complete copy is known, including, or in addition to, that noted; and a glance through the Cata