Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/23

Rh go far to answer this purpose. As some readers may not know the nature of an Ordinary of arms, I will mention that it is a comprehensive catalogue or collection of arms, arranged by their blazon, (i. e. descriptions, for cuts would be much too costly,) so that any particular coat required can be easily found, and with it the name of the family who bore it. This, it will be seen, differs conversely from those collections by which the name being known, the arms can be found; for here the arms being known, the name could be ascertained. The only Ordinary in print, I believe, is that of Glover, who was Somerset Herald temp. Eliz.; which, with some additions, or, as it is called, augmented and improved, has been given in the first volume of Edmondson's Complete Body of Heraldry, (2 vols. folio,) and in the first volume of Berry's Encyclopædia Heraldica, (4 vols. 4to.,) but never separately published: in the former it occupies, indexes included, 128 pages; in the latter 224. Both of those are expensive works, and from their size ill adapted for ready reference. Whereas an improved edition of this Ordinary, confined as it is and ought to be to the medieval period, or nearly so, might be comprised in a moderate sized volume, convenient for use, and reasonable in price.

From the materials which have been brought to light within the last few years, and by the extended means of correspondence and collection now in the power of the Archæological Institute, much authentic information for the purpose might be obtained. Seals, sculptured architectural decorations, effigies, brasses, and other sepulchral monuments, rolls of arms, painted glass, mural paintings, carvings, illuminations, and the like, would furnish numerous examples of arms and heraldic usages, of the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, to verify, correct, and enlarge the Ordinary, as well as to enrich the Manual; indeed all the authorities collected for the latter would be valuable contributions towards the preparation of the former. With the view of increasing yet further the materials for these purposes, I would invoke the assistance of the provincial Societies. Among the best services that they could render to their respective districts, would be the obtaining and preserving authentic copies of all armorial bearings and inscriptions within their localities, which were executed previously, say, to the accession of Queen Elizabeth, or the Revolution of 1688. These it woidd be a great