Percy Herbert Lord Powis is a noble author overlooked by Horace Walpole; a loyal sufferer unnoticed by David Lloyd; a Welshman omitted from the useful Biographical Dictionary of the Rev. Robert Williams; and a Roman Catholic who was apparently unknown to Dodd.

The early history of Ludlow has been so well detailed by Mr. Eyton in his Antiquities of Shropshire, and has been so elaborately illustrated by Mr. Wright in his volume specially devoted to the subject, that I need not enlarge on its general history in endeavouring to elucidate the recently discovered remains of the Priory of Austin Friars. I cannot, however, refrain from quoting the graphic description of Churchyarde, who, writing in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, thus describes Ludlow:—

The Town doth stand most part upon an hill,

Built well and fair, with streets both large and wide,

The houses such where strangers lodge at will,

As long as there the Council liste abide.

Both fine and clean the streets are all throughout,

With condits cleere and wholesome water springe,

And who that list to walk the Town about,

Shall find therein some rare and pleasant thinge;

But chiefly here the ayre so sweet you have,

As in no place you can no better crave.

The intimate connection which existed between chivalry and feudalism in the early age of both these institutions has not been sufficiently observed. Those who have set themselves to write the history of chivalry have been attracted by its romantic side, and have neglected the more substantial aspect which it presents when considered in relation to the political fabric. Our legal antiquaries, on the other hand, have sparingly recognised the influence of chivalry in the early history of the feudal establishment; and, while it was impossible to banish knight's service and tenure in chivalry from any account of the feudal system, they have been rather disposed to regard feudal knighthood as a legal fiction, and to disconnect the chivalry of tenure from the chivalry of arms.

The subject on which I have the honour to address you is the correctness of the method of interpreting Hieroglyphics originated by Dr. Young and developed by Champollion. This method, after having long been generally accepted by scholars, is now seriously attacked, and the learning of the assailant demands as serious a defence. The question is one of much graver importance than at first appears. The immediate results of the interpretation of the hieroglyphic inscriptions seem meagre and uninteresting, but it will be found that these results have been largely used by almost all inquirers into the primaeval period of the world's history. To abandon them is nothing less than to go back at least thirty years in this province of historical inquiry. If we have erred let us frankly acknowledge the fault and retrace our steps, but let this not be done without a careful consideration of the evidence before us.

Having in the course of last autumn received permission to examine and make sketches from the vast collection of pictures at Windsor Castle, I gladly availed myself of this opportunity, to examine as thoroughly as possible the very fine and authentic series of early portraits which some of the private apartments contain.

Early in February last I received from His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir John Young, Bart., K.C.B., Governor-General of Australia, a note to the effect that, in consequence of the lowering of the level of Drumkeery Lough, near Bailieborough, on his property in the county of Cavan, a Crannoge had been discovered; and also that several articles had been obtained belonging to the former occupants thereof. On receipt of this information, I communicated with Major Dalton, the brother-in-law of Sir John Young, now residing at Bailieborough Castle, and, availing myself of his invitation and hospitality, I had an opportunity of examining this ancient Irish habitation.

However interesting it may be to be acquainted with the time and circumstances of the birth of an eminent person, it is more instructive to ascertain when, where, and how he died. A man's career is then complete, his actions can be freely reviewed and recorded for the information of posterity, and nothing more can justly be added to the acts of his life on which to found his reputation. In more than one sense, therefore, is there truth in the words of Solomon, “A good name rather than good perfume, and a day of death rather than a day of birth.” (Eccl. vii. 1.) The case of the great painter Holbein strikingly illustrates this saying. His powers and reputation as an artist far transcended, even in his royal master's judgment, the accidental distinctions of rank and fortune; and the true date of his death is far more important to his posthumous reputation and to posterity than the date of his birth.

Whatsoever may have been the real character of the Edifices of Roman London —that most unsettled and open question—it seems to be an indisputable fact, that there must have been within the city many dwellings in which were to be found ornamental pavements, varying in character and beauty, perfection and intention—no less than in the difference of the localities in which they have been brought to light. There was once in the history of the metropolis, a wonderful opportunity for ascertaining what Genuine Reliques of Londinium really existed in London: but at that unparalleled time the exigency of rebuilding a ruined city was so pressing, and the taste and understanding for antiquities so exceedingly limited and low, that almost nothing was done in respect of their discovery, their record, or their preservation. In all these particulars Dr. Woodward, John Strype, Thomas Hearne, and John Bagford, were Antiquaries incomparably in advance of their age; notwithstanding all the want of knowledge and the countless mistakes which may be charged upon them by their successors, whom they have really instructed.