throne or seat, and instructed him to demand a subsidy of two-tenths for the ensuing year, or else twelve pence in the pound on all merchandize sold in the realm, and one penny of every house that burnt fire, and of every Knight's fee one pound of silver. This demand the Duke also seconded, saying, that one of the two points ought to be yielded, as the enemy (France) had proclaimed war, and would invade the realm. The Knights and Commons, though mostly made at the pleasure or will of the Duke, hesitated, and desired time to debate thereon. The Duke had found some of the former Parliament not conformable as he had expected, on which account he had most arbitrarily prevented them sitting in this present. There were, however, twelve whom he could not remove or bribe. . A day being fixed for their answer, a debate arose who should be the prolocutor or Speaker (for no such office then existed in the House of Commons). "The majority named Maister Hungerford, a Knight in great intimacy with the Duke, and at that time his steward;" but the twelve patriots and their friends endeavoured to appoint Sir Peter Delamere, a Knight of Herefordshire, who was to have objected to this large subsidy; but the former party, by their numbers and by their threats, overawed them, and the Court carried their point. Soon after this, under some pretence, Sir Peter for his boldness was, by the Duke's order, arrested and sent to prison, where he remained two or three years. Thus it was that the first Speaker of the House was Sir Thomas Hungerford. After all the contest, the answer the Commons made was not exactly to the Duke's wishes: They were wil ling to aid their Sovereign, not by granting on every house one penny, but of every person, man, or woman, above 14 years of age, one groat throughout England; so that the money were lodged in the hands of certain Earls, and Barons, till it was ascertained how such a sum should be spent. The Clergy also granted a groat per head. By this and the cruel usage to Sir Peter, the Duke grew very unpopular, and four years after his beautiful paJace of the Savoy was attacked by the [Jan. populace, ransacked, and burnt to the ground. N. B. This is copied from an edition of Stow's Annals. A very few years before this, the same Thomas de Hungerford was living at Salisbury as special attorney to Bp. Wyvel He was also escheator for Wilts. In the year 1537 we find him Mayor of Salisbury, or according to another account, 1300. The fine monument of him in Farley Castle in Knight's armour, was probably erected by Walter, Lord Hungerford, his son, to his memory; for he was not there interred, but in the parish church, which is contrary to what is said in Dugdale's Baronage. Some have asserted that he was a warrior, being accoutred as a Knight, and at the battle of Cressy; but that is hardly possible. It was about 1382 that he bought the castle and manor of Farley Montfort, which became the chief residence of the Hungerfords during a lapse of more than 300 years. As he was now become steward and confidant to that great Prince, John of Gaunt, who had a strong castle at Trowbridge, not three miles from Farley, and the Duke's Court of the Duchy of Lancaster held there as it is at this day, it was necessary that Sir Thomas should have his chief residence near it. It is probable that his son Walter was a page in the service of the Duke, and accompanied him to Spain, but there is no certain record of it. He set a great value on a cup of silver, with a cover bordered with gold, and on it a knop of gold, with which cup the most noble prince John Duke of Lancaster was often served, and in which he used to drink as long as he lived. This cup he kept in his possession till death, and in his will leaves it to the Viscompt Beamont, being the uncle of Margaret Botreaux his son's wife, and lineally descended from the Dukes of Lancaster. It seems to be admitted by Sir R. Hoare, that the Hungerfords for several generations had no arms of their own, and that this Walter (a page probably in the household of the Duke), being among the ignobiles, might have given to him the arms he used. On a black velvet cloth 3 silver plates in chief, and a knife and fork passant Or, laid parallel, might do very well for a page. 1824.] West Gate, Canterbury.-Curfew Bell. This is not suggested on any authority, but is stated as one way of accounting for his arms as honourable to himself. Stow mentions his great intimacy with Prince Henry, being about his age, who loved a joke. In the archives of Salisbury there was, a few years ago, a letter from Sir Walter Hungerford, written a few days after the battle of Agincourt, describing the number, name, and quality of the principal captives, a copy of which I took from one in the hands of Mr. Fort of Alderbury. Mr. Alderman Cooper told me it was sent by Sir Walter Hungerford to the Mayor and Corporation. H. W. Mr. URBAN, RE Jan. 6. EADING in your last Magazine the fates both of Ostenhangerhouse and the ancient one at Chislehurst, it reminded me of a letter which I lately received from a gentleman residing in that county, in which, among other intelligence, he writes, "I am sorry to say that the Corporation of Canterbury talk of taking down that fine gate" (the West gate, which is the city prison), "if the jail, which is in a bad state, cannot be repaired; but I hope this is only rumour. The Canterbury Antiquaries are all dead or fast asleep!" I wish it may be only rumour: yet I fear that the motive is the same as in the case of the three curious portcullised arches in the town wall serving as a bridge over the river, which the Rev. Mr. Gostling informs us, in his excellent account of that city, were sacrificed in consequence of "somebody having found out it would be good economy to demolish them, as the materials might save some expense in the new work at King's bridge; the experiment therefore was tried accordingly!" Your zeal for the preservation of our venerable remains of antiquity is evinced by your readiness in giving admission to communications of threatened destruction. May it yet save this noble gate; not hid in an obscure corner, but, as Mr. Gostling observes, "standing open to a very long and wide street,' a gate that has been a favourite subject with artists, Mr. Dighton in particular; whose highlyfinished South view of it from the river, in water-colours, taken in 1809, is in my possession. 11 The prevention of occasional stoppages is perhaps the only advantage that would be gained by its removal; but this, independent of the loss of so great an ornament to the city, would be dearly purchased, as, in addition to the heavy expense of taking down so large a structure, the bridge, which must necessarily be widened, would greatly increase the sum. I trust, therefore, that the Corporation will pause, before they prosecute their design. G. W. L. Mr. URBAN, Leicester, Jan. 7. FANCY your Correspondent" Viator," xc. ii. p. 506, will find that the custom of ringing the "Curfew" bell is more general than he imagines. In this place it is regularly rung at eight o'clock in the evening, at the Churches of St. Mary and St. Margaret. The foundations of both these Churches were deeply indebted to Norman munificence; and I have an idea it would turn out, were a sedulous enquiry instituted, that in many instances where an immemorial custom of ringing the Curfew has prevailed, the establishments wherein it has been retained have been considerably indebted to the Conqueror's influence or regard, exerted either personally or through his baronial favourites. At St. Mary's, the third bell is rung as the Curfew, and at St. Margaret's, the seventh. At the former Church also, the fourth bell is rung at six o'clock in the morning during the winter months, and at five during the summer. The eighth bell is also rung at the same time at St. Margaret's, and the day of the month used to be tolled, as alluded to by your Correspondent; but this practice has been discontinued for many years. The customs, &c. as to ringing in cases of deaths and burials are much the same here as stated by your Correspondent to be prevalent at Dorchester. There is no distinction, however, made here between the rich and the poor; the largest bell belonging to the Church of the parish in which the party dies, being tolled at every funeral. With respect to the "Curfew," I differ from "Viator" in considering the recollection of its origin as an unpleasing retrospect under present circumstances. On the contrary, I view it as a most gratifying reflection to every English mind, that what once only 12 Publication of Evidence before Coroners desirable. only proclaimed the arbitrary will of a foreign Conqueror, is now the welcome summons for rest and enjoyment to those numerous classes of mechanics and labourers which are their country's boast, and no inconsiderable supporters of her consequence and strength. Instead of this knell being as it once was, the dreary signal for darkness and despair for brooding over lost liberties, and cursing the galling yoke of a foreign potentate-it is now the glad signal for the husbandman or the mechanic to "trim the cheerful hearth," and surrounded by those pledges of affection upon which no adequate value can be placed, to return his thanks to heaven for the blessings he enjoys under the mild and beneficent sway of a thoroughly-English Monarch, giving effect to a Constitution, the pride of the land over which it sheds its genial influence, and the admiration of surrounding states. A custom instituted as a badge of subjection and slavery, is now kept up for a most useful purpose; and a Constitution, lacerated and disjointed by foreign pride, revenge, and intrigue, has now, as far as the necessary innovations of time have rendered practicable, re-assumed that form, and the exercise of those functions, which the wisdom of our Saxon ancestors projected and gave effect to. J. STOCKDALE HARDY. (Jan. the last 20 years, scarcely further back, conducted by that officer, the attendant beadle, the witnesses, and the jury. It was very unusual for any other person to enter the room where they sat, except as an indulgence of the Coroner himself: he examined and made his notes of the evidence, which he detailed to them, after viewing the body of the deceased. In referring to the books describing the practical duties of this officer, I believe there will not be found any expressions which practically allude to an audience, or that any strangers were usually present; the parties most interested were ap prised of the verdict, and if it was of wilful murder, it became instantly known by the Coroner issuing his warrant for the apprehension of the perpetrator, and by another warrant for the burial of the corpse in all cases. The public curiosity, or its lively interest, was in those days content to wait the result of the verdict before they expected any satisfaction concerning the event of the death. But in modern times this benevolent interest has become more active; and what formerly excited the attention of a neighbourhood, a merely local regard to the welfare and fate of those who had lived within one small circle, is now diffused so far and wide, that scarcely an individual, dying by any cause out of the natural course of human weakness, fails to become the immediate topic of inquiry and debate in the most distant parts, and even A QUESTION of considerable amongst the most occupied concerns importance seems at present to agitate the public mind, arising from some observations which were made by a venerable and learned Judge on the Winter Home Circuit, in which it has been reported as his opinion, that no one has a right to take notes with a view to publication, of the evidence sworn before a Coroner's Jury, except the Coroner himself, and the controversy seems daily to swell, in consequence of the public remaining in ignorance of the result of their investigation. The subject does not rest here, but involves a great moral question, which on the just principles of national faith and character must never be suppressed-but this shall be noticed hereafter. The taking and publishing these notes is entirely of modern date. The Coroner's inquiry was, until within of our united empire. This may be justly called a benevolent interest in behalf of our fellow creatures, and so highly to be appreciated, that it seems to be sanctioned by our national love of liberty, our Christian faith, and our watchful regard for each other! Now since the period above alluded to, the public journals have increased almost in a ten-fold ratio; and they whose business it is "to catch the daily manners as they rise," and to point their assiduous exertions so as to meet the public wish, and to augment rather than check its generosity, have, after considerable efforts and at enormous expence, brought to perfection a mode of engaging great numbers of able reporters, whose talents and time are devoted to all such researches; thus detailing all that passes on every occasion calculated to gratify the 1824.] Publication of Evidence before Coroners desirable. the awakened curiosity, or the benevolent concern of the public. In this part of their engagement a very serious responsibility attaches to them for the accuracy of their reports-to mislead, to misrepresent, or to injure either the public or the parties more immediately interested, involves consequences of the last importance; and besides the renown of an established character for correctness, the love of fame, and safety for themselves, render it their best interest to be faithful. It is on all these views, that reporters have of late years found their way into Coroner's Courts, and Police Offices, are accommodated in the sittings of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy and Lunacy, follow the learned Judges in their Circuits, in their arguments in Courts, and trials at Nisi Prius, and are present in every public assembly, except those at Church! Hence the question has been started, whether in one case they have done good or harm? If by publishing the evidence before a Coroner they have given to the presumed murderer a knowledge of the testimony by which he is to be prosecuted, they have in this done no more than the Statute Law of the land prescribes for the trial of treason, except the substance of the evidence; and in this, if he has the full scope of preparation for his defence, it is no more than the liberal regard legally due to every one who stands charged at the bar of justice by the criminal judicature of the country. The arm of retributive justice is not half so vindictive as the love of lenity and forbearance is preponderating in favour of any criminal. The arm of the law is not willingly uplifted; but reluctantly spreads its power to avenge evil, and to shew a severe example to those in danger of temptation. If Courts of Justice, and the evidence by which their judgments are governed, were to be held in secret, it would be a manifest inconsistency with their execution of that judgment which is necessarily public. Great part of the injustice of the Inquisition rests in its secret investigation and as secret punishment. Criminals are justly censured for "seeking darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil;" but in this case the precept would unhappily be reversed, and 13 would justly accuse tribunals of the secret measures which we condemn. Justice can never be so sincerely venerated, and her decrees be regarded with awe, as when she publicly administers every part of her responsible duties. She has always regarded the claims of the public to a knowledge of her various measures, as a principle of benevolence as well as right; and though, as we have noticed already, the wish was not formerly so much awakened as in these times of increased sensibi lity, yet it is not on that account to be supposed that her latent claim did not exist, or that upon any particular occasion it was not as active and vigilant as now. Inaccuracy, misrepresentation, hurry, or ignorance, in any of these reports, are after all but human frailties; very aggravating, it must be allowed, but yet not sufficient to suppress the general practice, which would at once relax the mutual spirit of our nature, and consign the inte rests of each other to supineness and negligence. If it be a duty to "bear each other's burdens," it becomes a concurrent duty to declare what they are, and to keep alive the love of political freedom as connected with moral union. It is said that not less than 30,000 copies of some of the daily journals were lately circulated on some parts of the narrative relative to the murder of Mr. Weare, previous to the trial of the persons accused: -this must be considered as a great proof of the lively interest taken by the publick, and affords a strong contrast to the fears, which I freely confess that I have entertained, of a change in our national character, when I have reviewed the increase of depravity: all ranks of society are deeply affected with benevolent concern in similar cases-not with the levity of idle curiosity, but with a grave compassion for the sufferers, and a love of participating in the fate of their fellow-creatures. Thus, the publicity of the evidence, though some errors may sometimes be discovered in reports, appears to be of too grave an importance, as well politically as morally, to be in any case suppressed, except in some where decency would veil it from the public eye rather than let it spread to do greater mischief. It is needless to dwell farther on this subject; some of your 14 Original Letters of Linnæus. YOU To the Editor of the Gentleman's Magazine. DEAR SIR, Moreton, Jan. 9. YOU, I believe, are one of the three only surviving acquaintance of my much to be respected parents. Of you I clearly recollect hearing them speak with regard soon after my mind began to expand and act. Approaching fast towards the eve of 70, you will, I am persuaded, be foremost to gratulate me on the recollection of some events full 65 years ago. This alone, were there no circumstances in the general tenour of your useful and exemplary life, is quite enough to render you valuable in my esteem, and is, truly, an additional inducement to communicate the inclosed literal relics of the celebrated Naturalist, (before whose day the works of our Creator were to the eye of man a chaotic mass,) through your periodical publication, to the general notice of your various readers, however widely dispersed throughout the earth. They were kindly entrusted to my inspection, if my memory fails not, about four or five years after they were written to Mr. Marmaduke Tunstal*, some of whose pictures are now in my possession. Was it possible to doubt their authenticity, the channel through which they came to hand, as well as the unique peculi arity of the style, would set that point at rest. These, dear Sir, are what I received from an honest literary man, who has long ago been taken from us to meet the reward of his integrity in another world. They remain as they were, not verbally only, but in a strict literal sense, unaltered. They will, doubtless, amuse the philosophic reader, and if they shall haply contribute to enliven his curiosity, in a degree even inferior to mine, the intention of your most obedient will be highly gratified. SAMUEL HOPKINSON. [Jan. devotissima mea reddo pro litteris; et affectum tuum sincerum, quem nullâ ratione, quod doleo, demereri possum. Animæ tuæ candidissimæ hæc debeo unicè. Nihil magis exoptavi, quam videre aliquod documentum rei naturalis ex orbe antarctico per D. Banks et Solandrum allatum, sed votum meum omninò frustraneum fuit. Tu, V. G. primus me ed beare voluisti, mittendo tam numeuti sanctissima. Quantum pro his debeo rosa Conchilia, quam ipse deberes æstimari effari profectò nequeo, sed pietate et cultu omni dum vixero te prosequar. Occurrunt hæc pleraque exceptis duobus aut tribus conchiliis in Mari Mediterraneo et proximis Africa: sed, unicus trochus erat valdè singularis, et fortè a nullo anteà visus, Trochus Tunstalli, a me dicendus. Dum in eo sum, ut adornem novam editionem tomi Imi systematis, quem typographus efflagitat a me, magnoperè exoptarem allegare ornithologiam tuam, quam dicis te liberali manu ad me misisse; sed meo magno cum dolore nondum excepi: quæso, dicas mihi si rescribas, sit titulus epistolæ societati Reper quem exoptatissimum opus misisti? et gia Scientiarum Upsaliæ, cujus omnes literas ipse aperio, et certiùs eas obtinebo. Ter vale. Upsaliæ, 1772, Aug. 13. Viro nobili et generoso No. 12, Welbeck-street, London. Tetraonas Scoticos Marem et Feminam pulcherrimè præparatos et asservatos, undè abundè constitit mihi distinctas esse species a Tetrasnib. Lagopodibus. Ornithologiam tuam Britannicam. Insecta quatuor Orasiliensia, omnium pulcherrimè delineata et rarissima. 1. Curculio a me visus. 2. Curculio rostro lanato admodùm sin gularis et novus. ad quoddam genus sit referendus: si no- oro. 5. Curculio imperalis aureo splendore nobilis. Pro his omnibus et singulis nequeo alia referre, quam diù vixero animum devotissimum qui te omni pietate colat. Vive diu felix et sospes. Affectum meum quæso declares communi nostro amico Dno Pennant. Upsaliæ, 1773, Oct. 13. [Addressed as the former.] Carol. a Liunè. Accepi tandem exoptatissima dona tua, et valdè ex iis lætatus fui. Tetrones istæ rarissimæ, |