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MINOR CORRESPONDENCE.

The Compendium of County History will be resumed in our next volume.

A Correspondent states, in reply to a question in vol. LXXXIX. i. 587, "Mr. Porter was a man of a clear head and good understanding. He was, when a boy, a climbing chimney sweeper; he became a master, and kept a very large number of boys, to whom he was a most kind and benevolent master. At one time he engaged in a brewery in St. Giles's, but soon quitted it, and became a builder in Marylebone, in which he acquired considerable property. He deserves a further memorial."

T. A. in reply to MENTOR, p. 300, thinks it very probable that the family of the Souths he mentions, may be of the same family with the Sir Francis South mentioned in p. 578 of our last Volume; both from the similarity of the arms of the two families, and their having belonged to the same county. T. A. recommends a search to be made at the Heralds' College, and by inspecting the Arms and Pedigree of the Family of Sir F. South, probably some elucidation of the matter may be the result of the enquiry.

C. observes, "Long Wool has been for an average of 10 years preceding at 20s. per todd of 28lbs. ; and rents, taxes, and poor-rates, about one half what they are now; therefore, unless by a protecting price against importation, charging the Foreigner much the same increased tax we bear in England, it would be clearly impossible for the Grazier to pay his way; as at 40s. per todd now he will do no better than he did 22 years ago at 20s."

A Correspondent says, that "some of the Knevett family were residents in Cheshire. In the old Church of Malpas is registered, John Knevett of the Ash of Tussingham, gent. buried Sept. 30, 1673. The following names are painted on a board in the Church. Edward Knevett, Alderman of London,, left to the use of the poor 10l. per ann. for ever. John Knevett of Tush, gent. left 101. per ann. for ever. There are no dates on the boards. There was also a Mr. Robert Knevett, who possessed a very capital estate at Nantwich, Cheshire. There was a marriage of Sir Hen. Knevett of Horsley, with Anne, daughter of Sir Musgrave, of Hayton Castle, Cumberland, who appears to have been her second husband; her first I suspect was Sir F. Weston. The situation of these families, by tracing the dates, particularly the defective period of the generation of Rich. Standish and Eliz. Leigh his wife, which is rather difficult to

exemplify, renders a probability that, by a strict investigation, the wished-for information may be gained."

G. H.W.remarks, "Spenser dedicates his Prosopopoia' to the Lady Compton and Mountegle ;-query, was this Peeress Elizabeth Spencer, wife of Lord Compton, afterwards Earl of Northampton? if so, how was she entitled to the addition of ' and Montegle ? Spenser in this dedication speaks of the affection and duty' which he is bound' to bear the house from whence Lady Compton sprung; her father, Sir John Spencer, was a rich citizen;-query, whether of the same family as Spencer of Althorp? The Countess of Derby (a Spencer of Althorp) is said to have patronized the Poet, her presumed relation."

H. AN proposes the following questions:-1. Whether there has been any description of the Temple of Jupiter Ammon in Libya? or has any traveller been to view its ruins (if any does exist), since the time of Alexander.-2. Whether there are any Memoirs of Mrs. Eliz. Draper (the Eliza of Sterne), and whether her husband or herself were natives of England or Bombay? as the Magazine for March, 1805, announces the death of Daniel Draper, in St. James's-street, aged 77, formerly second of the Council at Bombay.-3. Whether General Gunning, the husband of Miss Minafie, the Novelist, was brother of the celebrated Countess of Coventry, and the Duchess of Argyle?

S. Y. requests an account of the two following Books; the former of which was written against Sir J. Browne's Religio Medici, and the latter against his Vulgar Errors: 1. Medicus medicatus, or the Physician's Religio cured by a lenitive or gentle potion, &c. 12mo. By Alexander Ross, 1645.-2. Eudoxa, sive Questionum quarundam examen probabile, 8vo. By Dr. John Robinson, 1656.

A CONSTANT READER inquires where he may obtain a copy of the old song of St. George and the Dragon ?

VIATOR is referred to p. 495 for the last part of his communication which has come to hand.

In our SUPPLEMENT, which will be pubJished on the First of August, many interesting articles will appear; among others the Description of the Ruins of Fountains Abbey ; on establishing a Fund for Lawyers' Orphans and Widows; on attaching Lands to Cottages; Criticisms on Passages in Shakspeare; Anecdotes of the Antient Arabs; Antient Sculpture in Paris; Benefits of General Education, &c. &c.

Mr.

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THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE,

THE

For JUNE, 1820.

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

OF REGAL CROWNS. HE approaching Royal Coronation renders every thing very interesting which relates to it. The Crown itself affords a subject of no small entertainment, as will be found by the following notes: which for brevity are much restrained.

It is derived from the Latin Corona, and that from Cornu, a hornbecause the antient Crowns were pointed in the manner of horns, which both the Jewish and Pagan nations esteemed as symbols of power and dominion, and to these protection is frequently added in the Holy Scriptures. See particularly the Prophe

cies.

In Pagan Theology, Crowns were given only to the Gods, and on the authority of Pliny, we find that Bacchus was the first who was crowned: others have accorded this honour to Saturn; and Diodorus ascribed it to Jupiter after his victory over the Ti

tans.

Most writers agree that it was rather a religious than a civil ornament, and granted to Kings because they were high priests also; but the case above-mentioned of Jupiter after his victory, was decidedly a part of his civil regalia.

We may look back with some admiration at the studied simplicity of the Crowns in antient times; when we find that a mere Bandelet encircling the head, and tied behind, and subsequently a wreath of Laurel, was deemed sufficient to adorn the greatest Victor; and to place him with the highest dignity before the loudest acclamations of his admiring followers! The Vine, the Bays, the Olive, the Oak, &c. afforded their willing branches to signalize the utmost bravery in the field, as well as the most splendid victory in the Olympic Games, and the imperishable honours

so universally celebrated in the Republic of Letters.

It may be readily supposed that the Victor's Crown in the day of battle was hastily snatched from the nearest wood, and placed upon his brow amid the shout of eulogy, which could not be restrained, or suspended for a more costly and deliberate or

nament.

Chaplets were also adopted for every favourite, and also for every victim at the altar of propitiatory sacrifice.

The High Priest of the Jewish Dispensation wore a crown about his Mitre, or the lower part of his bonnet, tied behind his head. Crowns seems to have been very generally worn, Ezek. xxiv. 17. 23.-Deut. vi. 8.-Isa. Ixi. 10.—Cant. iii. 11. It was customary to wear crowns of flowers on festival and other joyful occasions.

The Crown, Mitre, and Diadem, Royal Fillet, and Tiara, are frequently confounded. David took the Crown from the God Moloch, or Melcom, which was of gold, and enriched it with jewels, and it was then placed on his own head, 1 Chron. xx. 2. and 2 Sam. xii. 30; or rather it was suspended over his head, for it weighed a talent; unless he took out the jewels for his own Crown.

The Amelekite, who valued himself on killing Saul, brought that Prince's Diadem, or Royal Fillet, to David, 2 Sam. i. 10. The Diadem was placed on the head of young King Josiah, when he was presented to the people, 2 Chron. xxiii. 11.Crowns of pure gold seem to have been the highest dignity, Baruch. 6. Esth. ii. 17. Ezek. xvi. 12. 1 Mac.

x. 20.

Kings used several Diadems when they possessed several Kingdoms. Solomon having conquered Syria, made

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How highly a crown of gold was esteemed an emblem of the greatest dignity, may be seen by the only true and faithful ONE as having many, Rev. xix. 12.

Although it seems Crowns were very general, yet there was always a difference in form or matter between the Crowns of Kings and those of private persons. The Diadem of Kings was generally a white fillet, bound about their foreheads; the extremities being tied behind the head, fell down on the neck behind. Sometimes they were of gold tissue, adorned with jewels.

Crown, figuratively signifies honour, joy, reward. Except that of our blessed Redeemer, which was of of Thorns; but whether of White Thorn or Buckthorn, is not yet decided among Critics. Calmet. See the Coronation in Abyssinia, Bruce, ii. 278. and that of Israel, Ps. xxiv. much alike.

In after times Crowns were more generally granted by the voice of the people in acclamation; and then be came of such inestimable value that they were regarded as the highest reward of merit; and as they excited a general emulation to deserve them, they were at length bestowed by the Romans with no small profusion, for military atchievements: here we find the oval crown of myrtle, which was granted to generals who had conquered slaves or enemies not worthy of Roman valour, and who were entitled to the honours of the lesser triumph called ovation.

The Naval or Rostral Crown was granted to the Captain who first grappled, or the Soldier who first jumped on board, an enemy's ship; and its ornaments were those of prows.

The Vallaris, or Castrensis, was a circle of gold raised with pikes or pallisades; given to him who first leaped into an enemy's camp, or forced the pallisades.

The fourth was a Mural Crown, made of gold, indented, given to the first who mounted the wall, and placed the Roman Standard there.

The fifth was a Civic Crown of green oak; to him who saved the life of a citizen in battle or assault:

Cicero in Catiline's Conspiracy, and afterwards Augustus Cæsar, wore this Crown.

The Triumphal Crown was like that of the antients of Laurel or Bay, which were in more polished times made of gold.

There were several others which seem to have originated at the moment of the act worthy of reward, but we do not find them enriched until the time of the Emperors, who had four Crowns, of laurel, of rays, of precious stones, and a cap or bonnet; the first of which was worn by Julius Cæsar, granted to him by the Senate, and continued to his successors; Justinian was the first who preferred that of the bonnet.

Hence they have been handed to the subsequent and present periods of the European Dominions. We do not find any Crowns among the African, or American, or Indian Chiefs.

In Europe the bonnet and the ornaments seem to be generally blended; the English Crown is adorned with four Crosses, in the manner of those of Malta; it is covered with four Diadems, which meet at a little globe supporting a cross: and the bonnet of rich crimson velvet stands within. The circuit band at the basis is adorned with many very precious stones, and that particularly in the front of the forehead, being a large ruby of great value, unpolished!

The Electoral Crown is a scarlet cap, turned up with ermine, and closed with a semicircle of gold, covered with pearls: rising to the summit, where there is a globe supporting

a cross.

The Grand Turk bears over his . arms a turband enriched with pearls and diamonds under two coronets, one of pyramidal points, and the uppermost is surrounded with crescents.

The Princes of the English Blood Royal, and the Nobility, are all bonoured with coronets. That of the Prince of Wales, is of one arch, adorned with pearls, in the centre of which is a ball and cross, encircled with ermine: and in addition to this he wears a plume of three ostrich feathers, with the motto Ich dien, 1 serve — this device originated with Edward the Black Prince after the battle of Cressy, where having killed John King of Bohemia, he took such a plame

from

1820.] Various Coronets.-Antient Crowns of England.

from his head, and placed it on his

own.

The other Princes wear coronets, consisting of crosses and leaves, as Dukes.

A Duke's Coronet consists of gold, bordered with ermine, and enriched with pearls and stones, encircled with eight large leaves of parsley or strawberry.

A Marquis wears four strawberry leaves and four pearls on pyramidal points, of equal height.

An Earl has eight pyramidal points with a large pearl on each of them, placed alternately with as many strawberry leaves lower than the pearls.

The Viscount has only pearls without any limited number placed on the circle.

A Baron has only six pearls, set at equal distance on the golden border of ermine, not raised, which distinguishes him from the Earl, and are limited, to shew him to be inferior to the Viscount. The eldest sons of Peers above the degree of a Baron, use the Coronet of their father's second title; and none of the younger sons use any coronet. Rees's Cyclop. Some alterations having been made in the King's Crown, will render it not only more splendid, but suitable to his present title, omitting the fleurs de lys. The benevolence of our Monarch is such, that he will not require on the morning of this celebrity any voice to remind him, as Philip of Macedon required-remember thou art

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THE ANTIENT CROWN OF ENGLAND. HE Kings of the Saxon race in that

of other Nations, which at that time was only a plain fillet of gold, but King Egbert first fixed on 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 pearl.

William the Conqueror is said to have had his circle flowery ; but Sandford says, the coronet had on the circle points and leaves, the points being much higher than the leaves, and each of them topped with a cross pattée, as appears on the seal of that Monarch.

The Crown worn by William Ru

485

fus was only enriched with points, pearled at their tops, and not accompanied with flowers.

The Crown of Henry I. was 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 and flowers being higher than the points; and their successors to King Edward III. had their Crowns variously enriched with points and fleurs-de-lis placed alternately, sometimes the one higher than the other.

King Edward III. enriched his Crown with fleur-de-lis and crosses pattée.

Edward IV. had a close or arched Crown, heightened with fleurs-de-lis and crosses pattée, and arched with four bars.

Edward V. and Richard III. bore the same as King Edward IV.

Henry VII. and VIII. had their Crowns composed of fleurs-de-lis and crosses pattée, with two arches, embellished with pearls, &c. and this form has been since continued.

The Crown of England, with which the Kings of England are crowned, is called, "St. Edward's Crown," made in imitation of the antient Crown said to be worn by that Monarch, kept in the Abbey Church of Westminster till the beginning of the Civil Wars in England, when, with the rest of the regalia, it was stolen and sold in 1642.

This very rich Imperial Crown of Gold was made against the Coronation of Charles II. and is embellished with pearls and precious stones, as rubies, sap

phires, and has a mound of gold on the top, enriched with a fillet of gold, embellished also with precious stones.

It is

Upon the mound is a cross of gold, embellished with precious stones, and three very large oval pearls, oue fixed on the top, and two others pendant at the ends of the cross. composed, as all the Imperial Crowns of England are, of four crosses pattée, and as many fleurs-de-lis of gold, placed on a rim or circlet of gold, all embellished with precious stones.

From these crosses arise our circular bars or arches, which meet at the top in form of a cross; having at their intersection a pedestal, on

which is fixed the mound, already mentioned.

The Cap within the Crown is of purple velvet, lined with white taffeta, and turned up with ermine. This continues invariably the same for the purpose of Coronation; but the jewels and precious stones are taken out of the Crown of State, fixed in collets, and pinned into this Crown; and when the Coronation is over, they are taken out, and in their room are substituted mock stones to represent the real ones.

The Crown of State, so called because it is worn by the King whenever he goes in State to the Parliament, was made instead of another, which was sold and destroyed in 1642, against the Coronation of King Charles II. and worn only by that King in his return from Westminster Abbey to Westminster Hall. Since that time there is a very rich Crown, embellished with diamonds, made for every succeeding King, or Sovereign Queen, to wear for that day only at the Coronation dinner in Westminster Hall. This is very rich, being embellished with several large diamonds, and a great quantity of pearl; but it is most distinguished by a very large ruby, set in the middle of one of the four crosses, and estimated at the value of 10,000l. and also by the mound's being one entire stone of a sea-water green colour, known by the name of an "agmarine." The Cap is of purple velvet, lined and turned up like the former.

The Queen Circlet of Gold, worn by her Majesty in proceeding to her Coronation, is richly adorned with large diamonds, with a string of pearl round its upper edge.

The Cap is purple velvet, lined with white taffeta, and turned up with ermine richly powdered.

The Queen's Crown, with which every Queen Consort is crowned, was made for Catharine, Queen of King Charles II. and originally called "St. Egitha's Crown," in commemoration of Egitha, Queen Consort of King

Edward the Confessor. It is a rich imperial crown of gold, set with very valuable diamonds, intermixed with other precious stones and pearls. It is composed of crosses and fleurs-delis, with bars or arches, and a mound and cross on the top of the arches,

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Common Prayer Book, 1549 and 1552, "Edward VI. In the Litany of his no mention of any body but Edwarde the Sixte thy Servaunt, our King and Governour.' That it maie please thee to kepe Edward the Sixte thy Servaunt, our Kyng and Governor.'

"James I. 1613. 'Queen Anne, Prince Henry, and all the King and Queen's royall progeny.'

"1613.- Queen Anne, Prince Charles,

Fredericke the Prince Electour Palatine,

and the Lady Elizabeth his wife.'

Queen Mary, Fredericke the Prince Elec

"Charles I. 1627. Our gracious

tor Palatine, the Lady Elizabeth his wife, with their Priucely Issue.' 1637, Edinburgh : — Our gracious Queen Mary, Prince Charles, and the rest of the Royall Issue.'

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"Charles I. 1638. • Our gracious Queen Mary, Prince Charles, and the rest of the Royal Progeny.'

"Charles II. Bill and Barker. Sans Mary the Queen Mother, James Duke of date. -'Our gracious Queen Catherine, York, and all the Royal Family.'

"James II. 1687. Our gracious Queen Mary, Catherine the Queen Dowager, their Royal Highnesses Mary Princess of Orange, and the Princess Anne of Denmark, and all the Royal Family.' "James II. 1687.

'Catherine the Queen

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