We strongly recommend, that whatever hours of leisure are permitted by the duties of officers, whether military or naval, they would consider them as so many invaluable opportunities of acquiring that knowledge (knowledge is power) which, possibly, future opportunities may enable them to render effectual in saving the lives of thousands; to ensure success where others would droop under despondency; an to do themselves and their country both service and honour, by the conduct of operations committed to their charge.

Third Report of the Committee for managing the Patriotic Fund, established at Lloyd's Coffee-house, 20th July,

1803.

The following introduction to this volume describes so clearly the nature of the institution, that we cannot do better than submit it to our readers.

March 1st, 1806.

The committee for managing the Patriotic Fund, on presenting to the public the third report of their proceedings, remark, with great satisfaction, that the confidence in British valour, and British liberality, which they expressed in the preface to their last report, is amply justified. Trophies of prouder fame, than the former annals even of Britain can boast, have been added to her naval renown; and her gratitude to her brave defenders has been worthy of their transcendent achieve

ments.

On the day appointed by a pious and revered Sovereign, the nation, by a solemn act of homage, devoutly offered up their thanksgivings to that Almighty Power," whose arm alone giveth the victory:" and the eloquent zeal of the ministers of religion added a new impulse to patriotism, which has been felt by every class of the community, and manifested in contributions of unexampled liberality to this institution.

In proportion as the gratuities from this fund have been more extensively diffused, observation and experience have more strongly confirmed their beneficial effects. The distressed widow, the destitute orphan, the afAlicted relative, have found relief, support, or consolation. The soldier and sailor, unfit for active service, have been enabled to retire in comfort to their former habits and connections; whilst honorary marks of distinction, the just reward of living valour, or tribute to departed worth, stimulate the gallant mind to new exertions, and excite the rising generation to emulate the heroism of their fathers.

Imitations of this plan have been attempted by the enemy, rather desirous of its effects than actuated by its principles. A subscription was opened at Madrid, for the relief of the widows and orphans of those who had fallen in the battle of Trafalgar; but an exhortation soon appeared in the official gazette of the Spanish government, engrafting upon it a plan for repairing the damages sustained by their navy on that memorable day. After the battle of Austerlitz, contributions were

levied on the inhabitants of Austria and Moravia, to provide gratuities for those who had been wounded, and a maintenance for the widows and orphans of those who had fallen, on their plains, under the banners of their invader. These specimens of Spanish policy, and French exaction, present a striking contrast to the offerings of British benevolence, which have spontaneously flowed into this fund.

By the statement of the receipt and expenditure, annexed to the present report, it will be seen that the subscriptsons and dividends amount to 338,6931. 11s. 8d., exclusive of 21,2001. three per cent. consols, subscribed in stock. The sums received have been regularly invested in government securities, bearing interest, excepting only so much as has been necessarily reserved to answer the daily demands.

The sums paid and voted amount to 105,2761. 2s. 4d.; by which relief has been afforded to 2140 officers and privates wounded or disabled, and to 570 widows, orphans, parents, or other relatives of those killed in his Majesty's service: honorary gratuities have also been conferred in 153 instances of successful exertions of valor or merit.

A considerable number of claims, arising from various actions, are still expected; par-. ticularly from the relatives of more than 400 of the brave men who fell in the late glorious engagements off Cape Trafalgar and Ferrol: the cases laid before the Committee continue to become more numerous, in proportion as the mode of application, and the certainty of relief, are more generally known and under

stood.

This voluminous report will shew how much additional labour has lately devolved on the committee. They have, however, cheerfully devoted a considerable portion of their time to the various duties of the great trust they have undertaken; satisfied that they are employed honourably to themselves, and usefully to their country, whilst promoting the objects of this institution.

The proceedings of the committee on the various cases which solicited relief, are giveu in their order, from March 12, 1805, to February 28, 1806.

In conformity to the resolution of the 11th inst. the committee of treasury presented the

Lloyd's, 28th February, 1806.

A list of subscribers to the general purposes of this charity, forms a considerable, and truly honourable portion of this volume: which we are happy to see greatly

The difference between the amount voted, and the amount actually paid, arises from the circumstance of many of the ships to whose officers and crews gratuities are due, being on foreign stations; and from the whole of the annuities granted (estimated in the amount voted at their actual value) remaining chargeable on the long annuities, instead of being purchased and transferred into the names of the parties.

increased in bulk, by the addition of a noble number of subscriptions, donations, collections, &c. from all parts of Britain, and from almost all kinds of societies, religious and civil. We confess, that it raises in our minds very powerful emotions of a pleasing and grateful nature. Long may British sailors have such sympathising patrons throughout the land, to reward their exploits, and to compensate their privations; and long may such liberal patrons have British sailors of equal courage and gallantry, to manifest their sense of public sympathy, by persevering and resolute protection!

The History of the Town of Malmesbury, and of its ancient Abbey, the remains of which magnificent edifice are still used as a Parish Church; together with memoirs of eminent natives, and other distinguished characters who were connected with the Abbey or Town; to which is added an Appendix. By the late Rev. J. M. Moffatt, of Malmesbury. Tetbury, Goodwyn; Rivingtons, London. Svo. pp. 250. Price 7s. 6d. boards. 1805.

GENERAL History comprising the fate of kingdoms, empires, and extensive re gions of the globe is, confessedly, a study supremely interesting; nor is it less instructive. It opens the mind to knowledge, discovers the causes of things, and when properly improved in passing through the mind of the writer, it impresses the mind of the reader with great advantage and effect. History is a relation of worldly vicissitudes: and the history of a city, a town, or even a sequestered village, demonstrates the same truth, as that which we learn from events connected with more extensive communities. The work before us, furnishes an additional instance of greatness in decay, and we read of what the abbey was, with sentiments strongly contrasted by those we feel on inspecting its present remains, which are barely a quarter of what it once included.

The name of the town is derived by conjecture from a variety of original appellations, and antiquaries have shewn their skill in compounding this name from two, when one would not serve their turn. We are surprized, however, that the most simple has been hitherto overlooked, and that the following para

graph has not afforded a hint on the subject

The author of " Eulogium Historiarum" (as quoted by Camden) reports, that Malmesbury, and the castles of Lacock and Tetbury, were built by Dunwallo Mulmutius, king of the Britons, and by him Malmesbury was called Caer Bladon; that when the town had been destroyed by wars, there arose out of its ruins a castle, as historians record; that at the same time, the Saxon petty kings had their palace at Caerdurburge, (Brokenborough) at present a village, about a mile from Malmesbury. It appears, that the ancient name of the river, which flows by this place, was Bladon.

Is the variation difficult from Mulmutius, taking away the Latin termination, Mulmuts, to Malmes-the term bury raises no difficulty. It may be thought, It may be thought, then, that as Mulmuts gave no name to his new building, but that of the "Castle on the river Bladon," the people might give it his name, Mulmuts' byrig:" i.e. this might be the popular appellation, which has survived all others imposed at different periods.

Malmesbury was burnt by the Danes in 878, but recovered from this calamity; ́and heroically assisted King Athelstan, in 939, for which the town received special favours in a new charter.

We collect from the register, that there was a royal garrison in this place in 1643.

Tradition has preserved the following anecdote of King Charles. That he passed

eester, and spent part of a night in a building called "the Banqueting-House, "on the eastern side of the town. Having received intelligence that a detachment of the parliamentary forces was approaching, the King in the course of the night rode to Cirencester behind Prince Rupert: Cirencester had been taken by that Prince not long before this occurrence. The Prince, apprized of the King's danger, hastened from thence to Malmesbury to rescue him. This anecdote partly corresponds with a passage in the life of Lord Clarendon, viz. that King Charles, in 1643, lodged at Malmesbury one night.

We confess, that although we expected to find in this volume the history of the origin of a monastry, we did not expect to find that of the origin of the monastic life; but the writer, it seems, had learning, and why should he not shew it? The following is a more particular history. of the institution of this abbey, than most religious houses can produce as their origin. About 630, Meyldulph, a Scot, a man of

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singular piety and strict holiness of life, being persecuted in his own country, left it, and travelled from place to place till he came to Malmesbury, then called Ingelburne, which had been a town of note for many ages, and was at that time defended by a castle. Taken with the pleasantness of the spot, he obtained a piece of ground at the foot of the castle hill, where he raised an hermitage. Being a learned man, he established a school for his support. In process of time he collected a number of persons disposed to live under regular discipline, and built a small monastry. The members of this society were so indigent, that with much difficulty they procured their daily sustenance. After long consultation between Meyldulph and Aldhelm, a monk of the same place, it was determined to put this religious house under episcopal jurisdiction. An application was made to Lutherius, Bishop of Winchester, and Primate of the West-Saxons. By means of this prelate, the abbey was raised from a low to a magnificent estate. It is probable that Kenewalch, a king of Wessex, (over whom Lutherius had great influence) and Etheldred, king of Mercia, contributed to

wards the erection of the edifice. The town of Malmesbury, which belonged to Lutherius, was given by him to the abbey.

The deed of Lutherius has this remarkable circumstance attached to it, that it was done in public by the side of the river Bladon." Sept. 8, 675.

What was the humble construction and materials of the original monasteries of England, may be inferred from the efforts made by King Edgar for their re-construction.

abbey, and it is supposed, that by him the King Edgar gave Escote to Malmesbury conventual church was rebuilt. This is probable from his deed, which relates to the

ejection of the secular priests from Malmesbury, and to the restoration of the regulars, in which he expresses himself to the following effect -"That having often attentively

considered what return he should make to God for the extraordinary prosperity he enjoyed, he came to this resolution; that he would restore the sacred monasteries, which being composed of rotten shingles and wormeaten boards, divine service was neglected in them, and they were almost deserted. That having expelled the illiterate clerks, who were subject to no rule of religious discipline, he had in most places constituted as pastors, persons of the holy order, &c. and had issued gifts from his treasury for the repairing of the ruined edifices. That he had appointed Ælfric, a man eminently skilled and pratised in ecclesiastical matters, to preside over the famous abbey of Malmesbury And that for the welfare of his soul, and for the honour of our Saviour, Mary his mother, mo

ther of God, and always a virgin; the aposiles Peter and Paul, and Aldhelm the holy bishop, he had restored to the use of the monastery the lands, meadows, and woods, which in the time of the clerks came unjustly into the hands of Athelnoth, who had been convicted of the fraud by his wise men in his presence.'

William the Conqueror became a benefactor to Malmesbury. His charter contains heavy anathemas and curses against those of whatever degree or quality who should infringe or diminish the same, and a blessing to such as should increase or improve these gifts. But it is well known, that he was far from uniting zeal for religion with justice and humanity, which indeed he is said to have bitterly lamented in a dying hour.

The abbey, which was thus richly endowed, was built in the form of a cross. A very stately structure.

William of Worcester, in the reign of Henry VI, travelled through several parts of England; was at Malmesbury, and measured this church. These were the dimensions, according to his manuscript, preserved in Bennet-college library, in the University of Cambridge:

"The length of the whole church of the monastery of St. Aldhelm of Malmesbury, with the choir, contains one hundred and seventy-two of my steps, and its breadth forty-two steps.

The length of the chapel at the east end, dedicated to the blessed Mary, is thirty-six steps; the breadth of the same chapel fourteen steps.

The length of the cloister severy way. Each side of the cloisters contains about sixty-four steps.

"The breadth of the principal nave of the church beyond the wings is twenty-two steps."

steeland, who in the reign of Henry VIII

visited Malmesbury, speaking of the abbey church, says, "It is a right magnificent thing; had two steeples. One that had a mightie high pyramis, and felle daungerously, in hominum memoria, (in the memory of man) and sins was not re-edified; it stode in the middle of the transeptum of the chirch, and was a marke to al the countrie aboute. The other yet stondeth, a great square toure at the west ende of the chirch."

The number of monks who resided in this abbey, of course varied at different periods. The rule observed in it was that of St. Benedict.

At the dissolution of monasteries, in 1535, the abbot of Malmesbury was one of those who peaceably resigned their charge. Amidst the general devastation suffered by religious buildings, Malmes

was

bury" abbey chirch," says Leland, made a paroche church;" of this Mr. Stump, a rich clothier, " was the chef causer and contributer."

Not above one fourth of the original building is now standing; but the remains offer materials for learned remark, and some of the sculpture is good. Addison pronounced the porch to be the most complete work of the kind he had ever seen. We next meet with " some account of the different modes of architecture used in religious edifices, from the time that the Saxons embraced christianity:" with a few previous thoughts on the architecture of the Romans; of which, in our opinion, much might have been spared. This is followed by descriptions of antiquities in and near Malmesbury. The market cross is as remarkable as any.

:

Dismissing the religious institutions of the place, the writer, in his sixth section, attends to the temporalities of Malmesbury and we learn, that the borough is among the most ancient in the kingdom, and dates its incorporation from Edward the Elder, about 16. The charter was confirmed by Athelstan in 939.

The burgesses of Malmesbury, in early times, seem to have risen into considerable importance, as a trading company. We find that they had a Merchants' Guild, under the government of an alderman and two stewards. The Register Book of the convent of Malinesbury contains several deeds and conveyances between the abbot and couvent, and the members of this guild; from whence it farther appears, that there was a pretty close connexion between the monastery and the corporation.

It is worthy of remark, that the reformation does not appear to have met with any material opposition at Malmesbury.

No alterations seem to have taken place in the state of the corporation during the reigns of Edward VI. and Queen Mary, In the following reign, the burgesses were probably possessed of considerable property and interest, derived from a successful application to the woollen manufacture. It has been discovered, that in Queen Elizabeth's time, a considerable addition was made to the landed possessions of this body corporate: in all probability, the most important acquisition of land which it could boast of, since the donation of its great benefactor, King Athelstan.

This ancient corporation has undoubtedly undergone considerable alterations in its internal polity since its first establishment; notwithstanding which there are still some

customs remaining, which point to those days of yore, when symbolic ceremonies superseded parchment conveyances.-The memory of their great benefactor, King Athelstan, ís also still kept up by an annual feast which bears his name, when the capital burgesses and their families are entertained at the expence of the corporation.

Malmesbury has always been noted as a clothing town.

Leland is the earliest author who gives any particular information relative to the state of trade in this town. He informs us that when he visited Malmesbury, (towards the middle of the sixteenth century) every corner of the vast houses of office which had belonged to the abbey were full of looms to weave cloth in, that it was intended to make a street or two for clothiers, in the back vacant ground of the abbey; and that about three thousand cloths were annually made in this place. Camden says, that in Queen Elizabeth's reign, Malmesbury was in good repute on account of the clothing trade.

But this manufacture was discontinued about 1750. It is, however, resumed within these ten or twelve years, and furnishes employment to great numbers of the lower classes. The other manufactures are, at present, brewing, tanning, lace-making, gardening, dressing of leather, making of gloves, parchment, glue, &c. Very few buildings for purposes of charity. The poor's rate in 1664 was £18 7 2; in 1801, £400; in 1806, greatly increased.

We are afterwards presented with a list of the abbots of Malmesbury, and much miscellaneous information. The last section contains biographical notices of eminent persons connected with the town.

It appears, that the author of this compilation had not the satisfaction of seeing it published: but, having prepared the materials, while they were at the press he died. We presume that the editor is his son; and think he has, in publishing this volume, very properly discharged a part of his filial duty. He appears, however, to have kept back some articles, which he proposes to comprise in a supplement. This detention we think illjudged, as these authorities would probably have completed a work, which now has the air of containing too much research for general readers, yet not enough for antiquaries.

Our wishes are extremely favourable to authentic history of every kind, and to the topographical history of our country especially. We know the labour

Own

it requires in preparation; the constant anxiety it produces that nothing surreptious may degrade its execution; the local reputation of the place, as well as the personal reputation of the author, is committed in such an undertaking; and after every exertion has been made, some omissions will be discovered and blamed, with reason or without. Captious critics may spy out defects; readers for amusement may complain of redundancies; those whose taste is gratified by elegant writing, only, may affect disgust with the stile; while a limited circulation is all which an author hopes for from his subject, and his expected reward can bear no proportion to his past labour. It is true, that in undertakings of this kind

The labour we delight in physicks pain; and the enjoyments of the antiquary be fore he appears in public, have been a species of reward exclusively his own.

No blame of any kind attaches to Mr. Moffat for the size in which he has chosen to print; but we wish that this matter were determined by an established convention among writers; as we confess, that the shelves of our library, under the title "Topography," have rather a heterogeneous appearance: they contain books of all dimensions, from the noble royal (quarto and octavo) to the demy, twelves, and even eighteens. How much more pleasant would the prospect have been, were this branch of English history printed uniformly, suppose in 8vo. demy.

Several plates are attached to this volume, representing sundry antiquities. A good plan of the abbey, and of the town, would have formed a very desirable addition.

Popular Ballads and Songs, from Tradi

tion, Manuscripts, and scarce Editions; with Translations of similar Pieces from the ancient Danish Language, and a few Originals by the Editor. By Ro bert Jamieson, A.M. F.A.S. 2 Vois. 8vo. pp. 772. Price 21s. Edinburgh, Constable; London, Cadell and Davies, 1806.

Ballads, which have retained popularity among a larity among a considerable body of people, and have been handed down by oral communication from seniors to juniors, generation after generation, may reasonably be supposed to inculcate senti ments, interesting by their sympathy with the general principles of the human mind. Or, may we attribute their preservation to