Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 8.djvu/527

 11 S.VIL JUNE 28, 1913.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

519*

his own estate, but outside it, and, to the great joy of his eldest daughter, as it would " make this place more lively," he made a turnpike road from Gosport to Winchester, through Botley.

In Mr. Melville's second volume we have an account of his prosecution by the Government on account of his strictures on the flogging of English militiamen by German mercenaries, of the coolness with which he bore his two years' imprisonment, and of his release in July, 1812, Avhen he was entertained at dinner by six hundred of his admirers under the presidency of Sir Francis Eurdett.

It was not until 1832 that his ambition to sit in Parliament was fulfilled when he was returned for Oldham. It is curious to read that John Bright, who was a candidate, secured only 153 votes. Attendance at the House affected his health. He spoke in favour of the repeal of the malt duties on the 10th of March, and on the 12th of May presented petitions for the repeal of the " cursed " Poor Law Act. On the 25th he made " a powerful speech supporting Lord Chandos's motion, on Agricultural Distress, in which he urged Parliament to take the matter in hand. This was his last appearance. The following morning he went to Normandy Farm, never again to leave it alive."

Hard at work to the last, within a few days of his death he was dictating from his bed articles for the Register, and on the day before he died he insisted on being carried round his farm to see how work was progressing. On the afternoon of the following day, the 18th of June (there is a slight slip here, " July " being given), he peace- fully passed to his rest.

At the end of the second volume is the Biblio- graphy of first editions which was so carefully compiled by Mr. Melville, and appeared in ' N. & Q.' during July and August of last year. The volumes contain many illustrations, including J. R. Smith's fine portrait of Cobbett and ten of Gillray's caricatures. There are also portraits of O'Connell, Peel, and William Windham, and a picture of the tomb at Farnham. The paper, print, and entire get-up of the two handsome volumes are creditable to printer and publisher alike.

The Loss of Normandy (1189-1204) : Studies in the History of the Angevin Empire. By F. M. Powicke. (Manchester University Press.)

HISTORICAL students have for some years been made aware that Prof. Powicke was engaged in the study of the Angevin Empire by the publication of a remarkable series of papers on various sub- jects connected with it, and the fruit of his labours is now before them in this valuable volume, which combines in a marked degree the acumen of the scholar with the practised skill of the expositor and writer. The book is furnished with every apparatus for study, and is very fully documented. In his first chapter the author recounts the early history of the Counts of Anjou, and, with the aid of an orographical map, shows the commanding position of Tours between the He de France and Normandy on one side and Aquitaine on the other, while hinting at the influence of the Chansons du Geste in nourishing that idea of a united France which lay behind the life work of Philip Augustus. From this we pass on in the second chapter to a consideration of the diversities in the political

condition of the various parts of Henry II. 's empire, and the way in which he attempted to> insist .on the unity of such differing states as Anjou, Aquitaine, and Gascony. A study of the administration of Anjou, of Poitou, of Angouleme,. and of Gascony winds up the chapter, and indicates the way in which the government of a manor by an. absent lord was extended to these wide dominions.. The third chapter, which treats of the administra- tion of Normandy, will be of the greatest value to students of the origin of English institutions,, especially of English law. In many respects Normandy was more advanced in civilization, than England ; the power of the duke was greater and more direct, and the rights of his subjects, as against him restricted. The next three chapters tell the story of the war between Philip Augustus, and Richard and John and of the final loss of. Normandy in a very clear and well-written^ narrative. Chap. vii. describes the building, and uses of the Norman Castle, with especiati reference to the part it played in war, and an appendix gives some detailed particulars as to- the cost of Chateau-Gaillard. The war and finance of the Norman State is the next subject of consideration, and here we see the transforma- tion of the direct feudal relation between duke and barons into a less personal one, where the King: is served by mercenary armies and supported by- non-feudal finance. Philip also relied upon, mercenaries and Jews and money payments instead of feudal services. When Normandy felt into his hands he continued its law and institutions and respected its customs. The last and most- valuable chapter is that on the effect of the loss of Normandy on the history of England. Prof. Powicke has little of absolute novelty tew say on the matter, and so much the better ; but he brings out to the full certain consequences oai law and feudalism not generally dwelt upon. His final conclusions and hints are well worth study, and he ends : " It is sufficient to remind ourselves that when the Normans became French they did a great deal more than bring the national epic to> a close. They permitted the English once more to become a nation, and they established the- French state for all time."

BOOKSELLERS' CATALOGUES. JUNE.

MR. WILLIAM BROWN'S Edinburgh Cata- logue 206 opens with Alken's ' Hints to all would- be Meltonians.' the original issue, rare, folio, caJf,. 1825, 111. 10*. Under Blake is Blair's ' Grave,' with Blake's designs, 2 vols. in 1, folio, morocco, 30Z. This copy is from the library of Sir Theodore Martin. A Boccaccio, 1506, quarto, levant, is III. 15s; the first edition of all the three parts of ' Hudibras,' morocco extra, 25Z. ; and the Centenary Edition of Carlyle, 30 vols., new half morocco, 9L 15s. There is a fine copy, in the twelve original parts, of Pierce Egan's ' Life in London,' with the Cruikshank plates, 65Z. ; also- Combe's ' Napoleon,' first edition, uncut, with the original label preserved, 21Z. A choice Dickens item is the Library Edition, presenta- tion set from the author, 18 vols., 287. 10s. Under Shirley is the first edition of his poems, 1646,. 12mo, levant by Riviere, 327. There are some fine portraits and prints, including a half -length in oval of the Duchess of Argyle (one of the beautiful Miss Gunnings), mezzotint after Read,. 1771, 38Z. 10s.