Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 2.djvu/652

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io* s. n. DEC. 31,

Mr. Buxton Forman's library edition, and are com pelled to concede that it is in its line, which is the best, unsurpassable. It is, however, a delight to have the entire poetry of Shelley in a handsome, commodious volume of over one thousand pages, which can be held without fatigue in the hand, and will rest comfortably in the portmanteau or dressing-bag. Type arid paper are excellent, and the volume, externally and internally, has every- thing that gladdens the soul of the lover of beautiful books. So fine is, indeed, the paper that the volume does not even appear thick. Meanwhile, in other and, as some will hold, more important respects it is no less commendable. It contains every accessible line of the poet, every ascertained poem or fragment of verse that has appeared in print. It has a well-selected type that will satisfy and not weary the reader, some judicious textual notes, a table of first lines, much biblio- graphical information, the introductions of Mrs. Shelley, and, in fact, everything that the student, or even the enthusiast, can desire. The frontispiece reproduces the famous portrait of Shelley in the Bodleian, and there are two facsimiles, both of them from ' Prometheus Unbound.' Some slight change in the disposition of the poems has been made, but nothing at which the reader of taste will cavil. ' Queen Mab ' thus heads the ' Juvenilia.' Mr. Hutchinson's preface is excellent. For the man with limited space for books the edition is, as we started by saying, ideal.

.A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage, Baronetage, &c., for 1905. By Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms. Edited by Ash- worth P. Burke. (Harrison & Sons.) FOR the sixty-seventh edition of * Burke's Peerage ' Mr. Ashworth P. Burke is responsible, as he has been for some preceding editions. Under his care- ful and erudite supervision the work maintains its position and its authority. Both of these are sub- ject to perpetual assault on the part of rivals, but issue" forth, as it appears, the stronger from every conflict. The fact remains that though the state- ments on which rests, here and there, a descent have enough that is legendary to beget in some quarters a certain amount of scepticism, the evidence gener- ally is unassailable, and the work wins entire acceptance from those best qualified to speak. Like its predecessors, Burke for 1905 is a complete directory to every living person holding honours from the Crown. To the latest editor it is due that the key to the work which occupies 168 pages, and comprises an immense number of entries furnishes a complete guide to precedence. A study of this is to be commended to those of our readers who have attempted nothing of the kind. They will there find the Duke of Norfolk and his Duchess standing in numerical order 1,000 and 1,001, while Lord Halsbury is 994 and his Countess 6,211. Lord Roberts stands in order 5,212 and Lady Roberts 6,212; and Sir John Fisher, who has begun his career in the Admiralty, is 23,105. All the special features of the best of existing peerages in any country are preserved. The armorial bearings remain admirable as works of art, and are, of course, absolutely authoritative. How closely up to date is the volume is proved by the inclusion of the three new bishops nominated on the 14th inst. It is interesting to find that the year now expiring witnessed the creation of no new peerage, not even a promotion in rank, a circum-

stance without a precedent in any corresponding period for over a quarter of a century. A warm welcome to the establishment during the year of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood in the Lord Chancellor's department, is accorded by the author, who expresses his wonder that the creation of such an office has been so long delayed. It is futile in the case of those interested in genea- logical pursuits to dwell upon the value of a work that remains unique and may be counted as an institution. Three generations of a family have contributed to its establishment, and further genera- tions of heralds and genealogists will aid to keep it on the same level. For the purposes of history as for those of social life, Burke remains indispensable.

published by Mr. Elliot Stock very shortly. The history is compiled from the minute-books of the Society, extending from 1617 to our own day, and supplies much curious and hitherto unpublished information about the ancient customs and rules of the Society. A description is also given of the building in Blackfriars, and an account of the many artistic objects and other treasures which it con- tains. It will be fully illustrated by black-and- white sketches from the pen of the author.

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VALTYN (" The tree of knowledge is not that of life"). Byron, * Manfred,' Act I. sc. i.

H. W. UNDERDOWN ("Bayswater "). The deri- vation of Bayswater was discussed at 9 th S. i. 13, 55, 154,293; ii. 18.

F. S. S. (Mass., U.S.). You should apply to his publishers.

CORRIGENDUM. P. 52, col. 2, 1. 8 from foot, for ' decerne " read decernce.

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