Oh! may the Power who gave us thee

Awhile on earth to blossom,

To show how much of heaven may be, Within a human bosom ;

Long with thee bless our loving eyes, A beam of glory given;

The polar star of Paradise,

To guide our souls to Heaven.

CROMWELL'S PARENTAGE.

To the Editor of the Mirror.

SIR,-The interesting notitia of the opinions of Cromwell, as emanating from various writers, recorded in number 949 of the Mirror, induces me to forward some particulars of his family, not generally known. Cromwell's mother was daughter to Stewart of Rothsyth, in the Shire of Fife, in Scotland, -the situation of Rothsyth Castle is almost opposite to Hopeton House, on a rock near the sea. The family of Rothsyth passed into England, at the time of the accession of James VI., and the barony of Rothsyth became the property of the Earl of Hopeton.

Robert Cromwell, the father of the Protector, although, by the means of his elder brother, Sir Oliver, made a Justice of the Peace, in Huntingdonshire, was possessed of a very slender estate, much of his support being derived from a brewhouse in Huntingdon, managed chiefly by his wife, sister to Sir Robert Stewart, of the city of Ely, Knt., who bequeathed to his nephew, afterwards Lieutenant-General and Protector of the Commonwealth of England, his estate of about five hundred pounds per annum, in the Isle of Ely.

AN ANGLO-Scot.

EARLY ENGLISH MUSIC-PRINTERS.
BY EDWARD F. RIMBAULT,
ORGANIST OF EGLISSE SUISSE.

(For the Mirror.)

common employment, as will sufficiently appear from the two following, copied from the title-pages of different publications; thus we have the "Bass Viol and Flute" in one instance; and in another, the "Golden Viol;" these instances might of course be readily multiplied, but as they are all of somewhat the same nature, the two given are sufficient for our present purpose.

It is a fact, perhaps as interesting as any in the whole range of Typographical history, that our early music-printers did not, as night have been supposed from the imperfect date of the art at such an early period of its existence, print from stamped or engraved plates, in imitation of the mode of printing from cut blocks, but actually from moveable type; so that the music type could be put up and printed at the same time, and nearly with as little trouble, as the common letter-press type itself; and this must have been a very considerable advantage at this early period of the art of music-printing, as may readily be conceived.

This method of printing musical compositions was introduced about the latter end of the fifteenth century, and continued to be used as the ordinary mode of printing music till the commencement of the eighteenth century; about which period a very considerable alteration was made, as will be subsequently explained.

The first musical characters (according to Mr. Ames) that issued from the press in England, are to be found in an exceedingly curious work, by Ralph Higden, which is known to the antiquarian portion of the literary world under the name of the " "Polychronicon." This interesting work was translated by Treviso, and given to the world about the year 1495, from the press of the celebrated "Wynken de Worde," who was a man of remarkable character, and one to whose exertions the press owes many of its improvements; he was then settled in Westminster. It is not known whether Wynken de Worde printed any other work besides this in which musical characters were used; I have not seen any other, nor either am I aware of any musical author mentioning to the contrary; and this I think may be regarded as a curious circumstance, because he was one of the most extensive as well as one of the best printers of his time; and it may be imagined that if any other musical work had been issued from his press, it would have been known to some of the musical historians, who are, however, quite silent on this point.

There appears to be a blank in the

The series of our modern English Chronicles may, perhaps, be considered as commencing with John de Trevesa's translation of Hegdon's Polychonicon, first printed by Caxton in 1482-but the muWynken de Worde's reprint being, in many respects,

sical characters do not occur in Caxton's edition,

very different.

history of music-printing for a consider able period, namely, from the year 1495, which was the date of the publication of the "Polychronicon" of Wynken de Worde, up to the year 1550; in which year a printer, of the name of Richard Grafton, published à very curious and interesting work, entitled, A Boke of Common Praier, noted:" during this interval, however, some few books are known to have been published; but as they are both few, and of a very trifling nature, and not from the press of any printer of note, we may look upon this period as blank.

This 'Boke of Common Praier' is the composition of John Marbeck, organist of the Chapel Royal, Windsor, and is considered valuable on several accounts, as it is nearly one of the earliest books of the kind printed in England, in which musical notes are introduced; and it contains the rudiments of our present cathedral service, so that we are able to trace, with considerable ease and precision, the various changes that have been introduced into the religious ceremonies and services of this country, from the period just mentioned, through all its gradations and improve ments, up to the present time. The titlepage of this work contains the following statement of its content and meaning." In this boke is contayned so much of the order of Common Praier as is to be sunge in the Churches, wherein are used only four sortes of notes." Of the notes contained in this book, the annexed diagram is a specimen, taken

ters occur, which, indeed, is clearly demonstratied from other sources.

The next printer who appears to have employed himself in printing musical compositions, is one William Serres, of whom, however, little is known; in the year 1553, he published the work of Dr Tye's, which was of a religious cast, as most of the musical works of this period were, under the singular title of the "Actes of the Apostles, translated into English metre, and dedicated to the Kinges most excellent Majestie, with notes to each Chapter to synge, and also to play upon the lute, very necessary for students after their studie to fyle their wittes ; and also for all Christians that cannot synge, to read the good and godly storyes of the lives of Christ and his Apostles."

Dr. Christopher Tye, the author of the above work, was tutor to the young king, Edward the Sixth, to whom the book is dedicated; it was composed expressly for the Royal Chapel, it being well known that both Henry the Eighth, his son Edward, and Queen Elizabeth, were lovers of music, which they patronised to a very considerable extent during their respective reigns. That such a curious title should have been given to a book of a serious character, may perhaps appear strange to the people of a more refined age, who are accustomed to the brief but elegant titles which are now given to such works, in lieu of the quaint titles of our forefathers.

The curious phrase used in the text, namely, to "fyle their wittes," will be understood to mean, that they should learn music as an extra accomplishment, which it was desirable all students should know after

We can therefore readily perceive that the notes or characters used in this book had not long been introduced, insomuch that they were, at the time of its publication, not commonly known, or otherwise there would not have been any necessity for this explanatory note; so that even these few words of themselves, without any further evidence, tends to prove that this book was unquestionably one of the earliest in which musical charac

The idea of recommending a book of music to "all Christians that cannot synge," will be considered as a specimen of the mode in dulged themselves in making puns, even which the writers a few centuries ago in concerning the most grave and severe topics; and doubtless this curious phrase would now

• Mr. Reeves, in his History of English Law, queting from Fortescue, has the following curious extract, concerning Law students of the time of Henry the Sixth, viz.: "A Student could not reside in the Inns of Court for less than twenty-eight pounds per annum, aud proportionally more if he had a servant, as most of them had. For this reason the students of the law were generally sons of persons of quality. Knights, barons, and the greatest nobility of the kingdom, often placed their children here, not so manners, and to preserve them from the contagion of much to make the laws their study, as to form their vicious habits; for, says the same author, all vice was there discountenanced and banished, and every dancing, singing, history, sacred and profane, and thing good and virtuous was taught there-music, other accomplishments."

be regarded as a good piece of pious humour, but which at that period no doubt recommended the sale of the work, precisely as in our own times a well-chosen motto or title conduces to the same end; for it is well known to be an old fancy of authors, that they invari ably write the best, when they have fallen upon some title that suits their fancy.*

After these works had been issued from the press, and had become common, we find that they were the means of increasing the demand for musical works of different kinds; for within a very few years from the date of the last-mentioned work, others were printed and circulated; but not being of any particular importance, it is unnecessary to mention them in this brief article.

(To be continued.)

TRANSIT OF LETTERS IN
ENGLAND.

THE post-office system of England, perfected as it has been of late years, is vastly superior to that of any other country.

The mention of the office of chief postmaster of England, occurs in 1581. In 1635, Charles I. directed his "post-master of England for foreign parts" to open a communication by running posts, between London and Edinburgh, Holyhead, Exeter, Ireland, &c. In 1653-4, the post-office revenues were farmed by the council of state and Protector at 10,000l. per annum. In 1656, the parli

ament made some enactments for the erection of a new General Post-office, which was established at the Restoration in 1660, and from that period has only changed by a perpetual growth of activity and usefulness, The mail for letters was first conveyed by stage-coaches; on the 2nd August, 1785, and in 1789, by royal mail coaches.t

In order to form some idea of the magnitude, and great facility of transacting business at the General Post-office at the present time, we give the following extract from a recent parliamentary report :

"There are employed at present at the

Inland-office of the General Post-office in

London, 84 clerks, 50 sub-sorters, 241 letter carriers, and about 30 messengers-in all, 405 persons.

The operations of the Post-office, be

It is a well-known fact, that one of our principal booksellers always stipulated, while purchasing a copyright, that he should write the title.

The procession of the mail-coaches which took place annually on the Sovereign's birthday, forming, perhaps, the most pleasing exhibition of the day, was dispensed with on Thursday, the 23rd inst. for the first time since the mail-coaches were established. The omission is accounted for by the great diminution in their numbers, occasioned by the transmission of many of the mails by rail-road, and the altered hours of conveyance, in consequence of which the evening display of the splendidly-horsed coaches would have been exceedingly meagre compared with former years.

longing to the despatch of letters, or the evening work, as it is called, consist in

"1st. Facing the letters, and stamping them, to show the date of their receipt. Stamping is performed with a hand-stamp, at the rate of 200 letters per minute.

"2. Sorting, according to the different mail routes; in doing which 54 persons are employed. Mr. Bokenham states, that sorting is done at the rate of 30 letters a minute. Sir Edward Lees says, that 60 is the lowest number that a sorter ought to sort.

"3. Examining and taxing the letters; in which business 21 persons are employed for one hour and a quarter each. Taxing is performed at the rate of 33 in a minute.

"4. Re-sorting, according to the different post towns.

"5. Telling: that is, making out the bills for the unpaid letters, against the dif ferent deputy-postmasters. Twenty tellers are thus employed for somewhat less than one hour and a quarter each.

"In the evening there are also the newsdirections all one way, the second is to sort. papers to sort. The first step is to put the The 241 letter-carriers, and the 50 subsorters, in all about 290, are employed upon this duty.

consists in unloading the mails, and deliver"The morning duty of the Post-office ing the letters, that is to say, in

"1. Opening the bags, of which there are 700, and in checking the Deputy-post masters' accounts for paid letters; 15 permines a bag in one minute and a half; 10 sons are thus employed; one person exaings of unpaid letters, made by the deputyclerks are employed in examining the taxpostmasters.

"2. Sorting; 50 sorters are thus employed for two hours.

"3. Telling, that is, making out bills against every letter-carrier. Ten tellers, assisted by three check-clerks, are employed in this business during an hour.

whom there are 241, are to return by a 4. Delivering; the letter-carriers, of certain time, and are to pay the money charged against them to the receiver-gene ral; also 50 sub-sorters, who are in a situa tion between clerks and letter-carriers, assist in the early delivery of general-post letters."

The Gatherer.

The River Thames.-The Parks have been fitly called the lungs of the Metropolis; because they afford opportunity to our overgrown population "in crowded city pent,' to breathe the fresh air, and recruit their health. But the Thames is as much enti tled to the appellation as the Parks; because, in consequence of the current created in it,

twice a day, by "the flux and reflux of the tide, the river is thoroughly washed out every twelve hours, the back-going current as often carrying with it to the open sea, all the drainage of a population of a million and a half of people, and twice every twentyfour hours bringing up fresh air and clear water.

The funeral obsequies of a great Chancellor of Venice, were performed in the afternoon of January 22, 1766, with the same pomp and ceremony as observed for a Doge. The secular clergy of Venice walked in procession, carrying in their hands lighted waxcandles, from St. Mark's church, through St. Mark's place, to the church of St. John and St. Paul; these were followed by the school, or confraternity of St. Mark, who carried large wax-tapers upon single stands of immense size. There was carried instead of the corpse, an image of the deceased, taken in wax, and exposed upon a bier, attended by the mourners dressed in long black cloaks, ending in the point of a cone, high above their heads. The Vice-Doge, accompanied by the six counsellors, and the three Capi di Quaranta, and all the Secretaries, each with a noble Venetian upon his right hand, closed the procession. The image was deposited upon a magnificent catafalco, or scaffold, which extended from the bottom to the top of the church, and was illuminated with wax candles. The solemnity concluded with an oration in Latin in praise of the deceased. W. G. C.

Players in 1580.-The following curious document is, we hear, among the modern discoveries of the State Paper Office :"Warrant to the treasurer of her Majestes chamber to pay unto ye Erle of Sussex men for a play exhibited before her Majestie on St. Johnes day at night, 10%. The like summes to Erle of Leycester's servaunts for a playe on St. Stephens daie. To the Erle of Derbyes men for a playe on New Yeres daie. To the master of the children of Powles for a playe on Twelfe daye at night, 33 Jan. 1580.1."-" Warrant to the treasurer of her Majestes chamber to paie unto the servauntes of the Erle of Leicester, for a play by them presented before the Queen upon Shrove Tuesday at night, 5l. 13s. 4d.; and for their attendaunce otherwise by waie of reward, 3. 6s. 8d. Like sommes to servauntes of the Lord Chamberlaine for a a play by them presented before the Queen uppon Candlemas daie at night. Like sommes to be payed the master of the children of the chappels for a playe presented before the Queen upon Shrove Sunday last at night. 13 Feb. 1580.1."

A Frenchman's Opinion of the Duke. "Wellington is an isolated character in England;-no one can determine his position-no one is able to assign to him his actual

place among the nobility. He is the poli tical hero of the Tories, as he is the military hero of the age. With the Whigs (to whom he causes great embarrassment) he is a man that cannot be attacked-a person whom they neither can nor will touch; they fear him, but honour and respect him."-Périg non's Twenty Days in London.

Macklin, in December, 1774, made Foote an offer of his services for the ensuing sum mer, by telling him-"I think, Sam, I have yet abilities to entertain the public."-" It may be so, Charles," said Foote, "but not at my expense."

The Trustees of the National Gallery have directed that the Gallery should continue open till six o'clock, during the months of June, July, and August. Three splendid paintings have been purchased of Mr. Beck. ford, and placed in this Gallery: they are St. Catherine, by Raffael; the infant Baptist presented to the infant Christ, by Garofalo; and St. Francis adoring the infant Saviour, said to be by Mazzolino di Ferrara.

At Aberconway, Caernarvonshire, there is a tomb-stone, with the following curious inscription.-"Here lieth the body of Nicho las Hookes, of Conway, Gent., who was the one-and-fortieth child of his father, William Hookes, Esq. by Alice his wife, and the father of seven-und-twenty children. He died the twentieth day of March, 1637."

Court of Chancery.--The tapestry, with the armorial insignia of Charles the Second, put up in the Court of Chancery in Westminster Hall, on the restoration, in 1660, continued there till November, 1762, when the arms of George III. placed there in its it was taken down, and new tapestry, with

stead.

Amongst the Egyptian curiosities, exhi bited by Mr. Williams, in his late lecture at the Society of Arts, on the Ancient Agriculture of the Egyptians,' was one of a birdflapper, two or three thousand years old; with such instruments the Egyptian boys, like our own in many parts of the country, went out in the morning, and by the clack of the simple instrument alluded to, they frightened the feathered depredators from the fields and fruit gardens.

A True Prophet.-An Hibernian, who was tried and convicted during the last Western Circuit for a burglary, on being asked his age, as usual, by the Clerk of the Court, replied, he believed he was pretty well as old as ever he'd be! and declined giving any other answer. He was executed on the following Wednesday.