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In a fleur-de-lis having the picture of the Virgin Mary, two sapphires, valued at 657.; eight rubies ballaces, valued at 26l. In the cross next to the fleur-de-lis, four sapphires, valued at 361.; six rubies ballaces, valued at 187. In the cross next to the fleur-de-lis, four sapphires, valued at 367. ; six rubies ballaces, valued at 187. In another fleur-de-lis and cross, four sapphires, valued at 237.; seven rubies ballaces, valued at 42l. In another fleur-de-lis and cross, six sapphires, valued at 627.; eight rubies ballaces, valued at 50l. In another fleur-de-lis and cross, four sapphires, valued at 187.; eight rubies ballaces, valued at 40%. Total value Twenty eight diamonds in the crown, valued at 61. each

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Two emeralds, valued at

Two hundred and thirty-two pearls, valued at 15s. each

Twenty-one rubies, valued at Seven pounds and six ounces of gold, valued at 40l. per pound, with six ounces abated for stones

-£380

rim, is another Maltese cross, in the middle of which is a large unpolished ruby, which once graced the coronet of the chivalrous Black Prince; and underneath this, in the circular rim, is another immense sapphire. The arches enclose a cap of deep purple, or rather blue velvet; and the rim of the crown, at its base, is clustered with brilliants, and oramented with fleurs de-lis and Maltese crosses equally rich. There are many other precious gems-emeralds and rubies, sapphires, and small clusters of drop pearls of great value. The following estimate of the value of the different jewels contained in this magnificent diadem has been published. Twenty diamonds round the circle, 1,500l. each

Two large centre diamonds, 2,000l. each

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Fifty-four smaller diamonds at

the angle of the former

£30,000

4,000

168

100

5

174

Four crosses, each composed of twenty-five diamonds

12,000

16

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280

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This crown was of considerable antiquity, and had been made in imitation of the one made for King Edward the Con fessor. On the restoration of Charles II, it was thought right to re-produce the state crown. One was accordingly made, which was only worn by that king on his return from the Abbey to Westminster Hall, a part of the ceremonial which was last repeated at the coronation of George IV. Since the time of Charles, a rich crown, embellished with diamonds, has been prepared for every succeeding king or sovereign queen to wear on that occasion. When William IV was crowned, the whole ceremonial took place in the Abbey. The like course was followed in the case of her present Majesty; and no banquet has been given in the Hall since 1821. From Westminster Abbey Queen Victoria returned direct through Charing cross to St James's palace. Proceed we now, having shown the price of this important article in former reigns, to describe that worn by her Majesty on her coronation, June 8, 1838,-of which our cut this week gives a faithful representation, copied from the 'London Polytechnic Magazine,' and furnished to that interesting publication by Rundell and Bridge. "It is composed of hoops of silver, which are completely covered and concealed by precious stones, surmounted by a ball covered with small diamonds, having a Maltese cross of diamonds on the top of it. In the centre of this cross is a magnificent sapphire. In front of the crown, above the

Eighteen smaller diamonds contained in the same

Pearls, diamonds, &c., on the arches and crosses

Also one hundred and forty-one

diamonds

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10,000

500

3,000

300

£111,900

"It will be observed, the value of the sapphires and rubies has not been included

and we have reason to believe that, were it possible to re-collect and again bring together such precious gems, the estimate just given would fall much below their intrinsic value. The old crown made for George III weighed upwards of seven pounds; but notwithstanding this gorgeous display of jewellery, independent of the gold cap, the present crown only weighs nineteen ounces and ten pennyweights. It measures seven inches in height from the gold circle to the upper cross; and its diameter at the rim is five inches."

Anciently, according to Seldon, the kings of the Saxon race in England had a crown like those of other nations, which at that period was only a plain fillet of gold; but King Egbert first introduced the circle or fillet with points or rays, resembling the crown worn by the emperors of the East; and King Edward, surnamed Ironside, topped the points with pearls. William the Conqueror is said to have had his circle flowered, but Sandford writes the corone

had on the circle points of leaves, their points being much higher than the leaves, and each of them topped with three pearls, and their cap or tiara with a cross pattée, as appears on the seal of that monarch. The crown worn by William Rufus was only enriched by points pearled at their tops, and not accompanied by flowers. The crown of Henry I appears to have been adorned with fleurs-de-lis, only a little raised, as is seen on his great seal and coin. Maud, Queen of England, had her crown enriched with leaves and points, the leaves or flowers being higher than the points; and the successors to King Edward III had their crowns variously enriched with points and fleurs-de-lis, placed alternately some higher than the others. King Edward III enriched his crown with fleurs-de-lis and crosses pattée. Edward IV had a close or arched crown, heightened with fleurs-de-lis and crosses pattée, and arched on four bars. Edward V and Richard III bore the same as King Edward IV. Henry VII and VIII had their crowns composed in like manner with two arches, embellished with pearls, &c., and this form of the grand distinguishing ornament of royalty has been continued with little variation down to the present date.

ONE RISEN FROM THE DEAD. In the reign of Henry VIII, when religious controversies ran high, many of the disputants gave out that they had been favoured with extraordinary revelations. Of these, one of the most remarkable is that described by John Darley, as it may be found in the Cotton MS.,' E. iv, fol. 129. Many had agreed with friends to revisit them after death, but failed to keep their promise. Here is an instance to the contrary. Put into modern orthography, it runs thus :

"I, John Darley, monk of the Charter house, beside London, had in my time license to say service with a father of our religion, named Father Raby, a very old man, who fell sick, and, when lying on his death bed, and after he had been concealed, and had received all the sacraments of the church in the presence of all the convent, and when they were all departed, I said to him, "Good Father Raby, if the dead come to be quick again, I beseech you to come to me. And he said 'Yea.' He died the same night, which was the cleansing day last past, 1533. After I thought no more of him till St John the Baptist's day last past.

"Item.-On that day, at five of the clock in the afternoon, I being in contemplation in our entry in our cell, suddenly he ap peared unto me in a monk's habit, and said to me, 'Why do ye not follow our father?' (alluding, it has been supposed, to a former

prior, who had been hanged and quartered at Tyburn). And I said, 'Wherefore?' He said For he is a martyr in heaven and next, to the angels.' And I said to him, 'Where be all our other fathers who died as well as he?' He answered and said, 'They be well, but not so well as he.' Then I said to him, Father, how do ye?' And he answered and said, 'Well enough.' And I said, 'Father, shall I pray for you?' And he said, 'I am well enough, but prayer both from you and others does good,' and so suddenly vanished away.

"Item.-On the Saturday next, after five of the clock in the morning, in the same place in our entry, he appeared to me again with a long white beard, and a white staff from his hand lifting it up, whereupon I was afraid, and then leaning upon his staff said to me, 'I am sorry that I lived not to be a martyr.' And I said, I think ye be as well as if ye were a martyr.' And he said, 'Nay, for my Lord of Rochester (Bishop Fisher, who had been beheaded) and our fathers were next unto the angels in heaven.' And then I said,

Father, what else?' And then he answered and said, 'The angelles of pease de de lament and mourn without mesure,' and so vanished away.'

999

PARLIAMENTARY WAGES. IN former days, in what many people are in the habit of calling "the good old times," when the "wisdom of our ancestors" is supposed to have been in full play, the propriety of giving wages to members of parliament was fully recognized. Of late the march of virtue has been so rapid that it has been assumed honour alone ought to be sought by those who aspire to a seat among the representatives of the people. So fastidious have we become that even the remote idea of taking a place has been scouted; and the man who, like Sir Francis Wronghead, desired "to serve his sovereign as well as his country," has been deemed a sordid person, unworthy of the important trust which he coveted, and which was reserved to be the bright distinction of worthies who were animated by disinterested patriotism alone

This was, perhaps, too much to expect from mere men who, however anxious for the general weal of the country, must naturally feel disposed to take special care of themselves. Mr Buckingham sought popularity, and gained it. How would his Sheffield constituents have been shocked had it been hinted that he had an eye to his own interest! that he, in any shape whatever, would consent to accept of pay or reward! That gentleman, nevertheless, is of opinion that he ought to profit by what he has done as a legislator as well as those he avowed it was his great object

to serve, and in consequence a statement was some time since published of the benefits derived by publishers from a bill brought in by Mr Buckingham when he was in parliament. It set forth that that gentleman, being "about to establish a new Literary Institute, of which the property, as well as the direction, is to be placed in his own hands, subject to the control of trustees, an essential part of that undertaking will be a well-selected library of reference, but not of circulation. It would be in the power of the publishers of the kingdom, with very little sacrifice on their parts, to form, by a contribution of books and engravings from their own stocks, in the relative proportion of the respective benefits derived by them from Mr Buckingham's Act, such a library as would make a munificent recognition of his services, would be more appropriate than any other kind of reward."

·

Some kind of reward, it will be seen, it was assumed, as a matter of course, was due to a senator who had performed what he considered a public duty, "and," says the Athenæum,' "there was appended to the statement' a printed list of 250 publishers' names and addresses, with two 'stand and deliver' columns, headed, Number of Volumes,'' or Money.'

This is rather rude to liken the appeal described, to the demand of a highwayman. It more strongly resembles the sending round the hat for the conjuror of a publichouse parlour. It bears not the character of the threatening bearing of the highwayman, so much as that of the blushing solicitation of the mendicant.

It did not succeed to the extent of the M.P.'s wishes. His wages were not duly paid, and in consequence Mr Buckingham has come forward in person, and opened the new year with the following circular to those connected with the publishing trade:

"London, January 1, 1844. 4 Hanover square. "Sir,-Messrs Fisher and Co. have communicated to me the result of their correspondence with the principal publishers of the kingdom, on the subject of my parliamentary labours for their relief from the tax of five copies of every work issued from the press, which, by my Copyright bill of 1835, has been saved to the trade to the extent of about 5,000l. annually. It is not for me, of course, to decide whether this service was of any value to your house or firm individually, or to say whether, if it were, any recognition, or even admission of it, as a fact or otherwise, should be either asked or granted. This is rather the province of others than myself: but as it is quite possible, in the hurry of business, that a printed statement, such as was issued by Messrs Fisher and Co. on the subject, may not have been read by the principals of the firms to which it was addressed, I may be permitted, perhaps, to ask whether

such a document has ever reached your hands, and whether your decision upon it was, that it was not entitled to any acknowAs there are ledgement or consideration. it, and have communicated their sentiments some who have thought more favourably of accordingly, it is desirable that mere silence should not be misinterpreted into dissent or disapprobation, but that, as far as may be practicable, the opinions and feelings of the publishers generally should be known on the subject: and as I feel my honour and reputation in some degree involved in the issue, I shall esteem it a favour if you will do me the kindness to say, in a line by post, whether the proposition of Messrs Fisher and Co., as to a recognition of the services adverted to, in the mode suggested by them, appears to you in any degree to be worthy of

your support.

"I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
"J. S. BUCKINGHAM.”

The bill which reduced the number of

This

copies of every new work delivered, free of charge, to the Universities, &c., was reduced from eleven to five, is admitted to have been a very desirable measure, but the question is whether, beside the glory of being the author of it, and the satisfaction public, the originator has a right to a of performing faithfully his duty to the raises the question, whether or not memfurther pecuniary or other reward? bers of parliament ought to take wages, as formerly. Should that be decided in the affirmative, it will then be open to consideration, whether they had better receive them, like other employées, as they go on, or be at liberty to call for them at any think, would be the preferable course. subsequent period? The former, many "Pay as you go," is the best policy. Then we know exactly what is to pay, and the claim is settled at once.

NELSON.

A POETICAL QUIZ.

AN heroic poem has been sent to the 'Mirror' office, entitled 'Nelson,' and dated November 6, 1843, by Charles Claude Hamilton, of Crebilly Antrim. We do not remember to have heard of this august personage before, but we must do him the justice to say he has a great talent for irony, and we have seldom seen ridicule carried to a more merciless extent than in this performance. The writer's imagination is equal to the subject of his verses, and indeed equal to anything. This will be instantly seen from his first couplet, which runs thus

"Nelson, so stationed on this pillar high,

Gains admiration from all passers by!" This is a flight of fancy that can hardly be surpassed, but it must not be supposed that Charles Claude Hamilton, of Crebilly

Antrim, is not equally at home in matters of fact; proof of that is afforded in the two succeeding lines :—

"Since erst he climbed the pinnacle of fame, This exaltation adds not to his name."

That the exaltation of this lump of stone, called a statue, adds not to the name of the hero of the Nile, every one must confess, though it was hardly necessary for Charles Claude Hamilton to come from Crebilly Antrim to communicate the important fact.

The great lexicographer could speak sneeringly of a man to whom

"I laid my knife and fork across my plate," would pass for a worse. What would he have said had his ear been gratified with lays like these

"Nail mine to the mast,' he cries, 'for closer fight.'

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"By Thesiger's truce to claim their ships his own."

"And his eye fires when once proud Villeneuve sails."

Really, had it been Dr Johnson's happy lot to meet with such a poet, he would have said of him, bating the old maxim, "Poeta nascitur non fit," that he was born to sing the glories of a statue like that of Nelson.

This is probably the settled opinion of Charles Claude Hamilton of Crebilly Antrim himself, for having rhymed over the admiral's whole life, from his chasing the bear while a lad to his fall at Trafalgar, he thus sublimely glorifies the image which surmounts the recently-erected column :"This granite statue's deckt with all the

stars

Of orders worn by Nelson in his wars;
The costume is correct, and grand the look
As when the hero Don Cordova took;
We think bold Fearney still collects the
swords

Of Spaniards bowing to their captors 'words;
The vacant sleeve is slung, the rigid cheek
Proves the lost sight, nor there expression

seek;

But the right eye its energy displays,
And fancy paints the wound that closed his
days;

The manly limbs, and the heroic air,
Are true to life, nor faults the face impair.
York sees not Nelson from his aerie high,
Nor Nelson views that Prince athwart the
sky.

As when our mids must oft the masts ascend,
Whose tops unto the low'ring clouds do
tend;

So have our admirals, with patriot flame,
Mast-headed Nelson on this shaft of fame."
When we are told as a fact that
"Fancy paints the wound that closed his
days,"

we of course admit that is a most important
feature in the sculpture; and for the mo-
mentous intelligence that the Duke of

York's column does not see Nelson's, nor
Nelson's the Duke of York's, our thanks
are due most especially to Charles Claude
Hamilton, of Crebilly Antrim.

It is to be hoped Mr Baily will be gratified by the honours thus rendered. Such an erection as he has favoured us with in Trafalgar square is worthy to be sung by such a heaven-inspired bard as Charles Claude Hamilton, of Crebilly Antrim; and we do not know that we could recommend the latter a fitter subject for his muse, unless we were to direct his attention to that magnificent work of art, the obelisk, in St George's fields!

LAST MOMENTS OF REMARKABLE
CHARACTERS.-No. VIII.
THE following details of the martyrdom of
John Huss present some passages not very
generally known:—

"He saw the stake at which he was to die, and the wood by which he was to be consumed; and as he approached the fatal pile, he sank on his knees, and addressed his thoughts to the great Arbiter of all, praying that his courage might not forsake him in this last and most important passage of his life. He further strengthened himself by repeating sentences from the second and thirty-seventh Psalms. There are thoughts there expressed-especially in the thirty-seventh Psalm-most appropriate. Truly might he say with the Psalmist

"I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

""But I trusted in thee, O Lord! I said, thou art my God!'

"And justly might he add

"Let me not be ashamed, O Lord! for I have called upon thee; let the wicked be ashamed.

"Let the lying lips be put to silence, contemptuously, against the righteous.' which speak grievous things, proudly and

"Happily he might also exclaim

"Oh! how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

from before thine eyes; nevertheless, thou
"For I said in my haste, I am cut off
when I cried unto thee.'
heardest the voice of my supplications

"He repeated with affecting emphasis, as a parting prayer, the solemn declaration

666

"Into thy hand I commit my spirit thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth!'

"Notwithstanding the efforts made by the priests to excite the people to unhallowed rage, that they might regard the destruction of a good man as a grateful

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