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NOTES AND QUERIES, no s. vm. SEPT. 21, 1907.
Fonts and font inscriptions are fully treated, and
the Greek palindrome which reads, "Wash my sin,
not my face only," is said to anpear on many
examples. The leaden fonts in England of different
periods are reported as twenty-seven, but we do
not find a mention of the one at Penn Church,
Bucks, where there is also, it might be noted under
'Royal Arms,' a fine hatchment of Queen Anne.
It is obvious that it would require nothing less than
a learned syndicate to cover the whole contents of
the churches of England. With an eye to a new
edition. Dr. Cox and his associate will be glad to
receive corrections of what is already an unusually
rich store of information.
' Church Libraries ' are the subject of an interest- ing chapter. Hereford Cathedral has 2,000 volumes, of which "1,500 are chained ; this is probably the largest collection of chained books in "existence." There is an interesting library at Langley Marish, given by Sir John Kidderminster, and housed in a small room built in 1623.
To the expert in architecture the chapter on ' Screens and Rood-lofts ' will be fascinating. The authors lend no credence to the idea that the chief use of the loft over the screen was to supply a place from which the Gospel might be read. " Pulpitum " means, it appears, sometimes a rood-loft, and some- times a pulpit. Of pulpits of pre-Reformation date this book is the first to give a list. A feature of the volume is the firm way in which the authors speak about the frequent desecration or wholesale de- struction of beautiful things belonging to churches. Thus in Suffolk a fine Carolean pulpit " was actually ejected by ignorant authorities as 'in- harmonious with its surroundings.' Fortunately the rural dean recognized its comeliness and in- trinsic value (which is very considerable), rescued it out of a loft, and eventually placed it in Chediston church."
The illustrations are, as a rule, very satisfactory. Many of them are well executed by V. M. M. Cox. The style of the book is clear, but occasionally clumsy. It is larger than other members of the series, though sold at the same modest price. Painted glass, wall paintings, floor tiles, and iron- work had to be omitted for lack of space ; but a hint is given that these subjects may be discussed in another volume, which will, we hope, duly see the light. There ought to be a large public for a book such as this. It has taken six years to pro- duce, but the time spent cannot be regretted.
Ightham: the Story of a Kentish Village and its Surroundings. By F. J. Bennett, F.G.S. (Home- land Association.)
THIS is a far more elaborate affair than the well- known " Handbooks " of the Association which publishes it for the author. No fewer than six writers assist Mr. Bennett in his survey of a charm- ing district, and the result is an admirable piece of local history and archaeology. Among the numerous illustrations are several of Palaeolithic remains ; indeed, the study of flint implements and early monuments is here carried far beyond the imme- diate range of Ightham, which is fortunate in possessing so keen an antiquary as Mr. Benjamin Harrison.
Geology is fully treated, and there is an interest- ing chapter on ' The Formation of the Wealden Anticline and the Denudation of the Weald.' It is well worth while to master a few details of
scientific terminology in order to realize the curious-
problems of English river-courses.
Place-names are discussed at some length, and the remarkable buildings of the district are dis- cussed. The most important of these is the beautiful Ightham Mote, one of the finest houses of its kind in England. There are illustrations pro- vided of this, of course, but we do not think that the best point of view has been chosen. A larger plate would have been more satisfactory. We possess a water-colour a reminder of a visit many years since which gives a good idea_ of the beauties which man and nature have combined to produce in this favoured spot. The account here supplied includes references to other articles.
' Walks round Ightham ' occupy a chapter, and the illustration of ' The Steps to Oldbury Camp " shows that, apart from its archaeological associa- tions, the place itself is attractive. A map of the district on the scale of two miles to one inch is enclosed in a pocket at the end of the volume. The editor regrets that a botanical article is not in- cluded, "owino; to the failure of assistance in that direction." We hope that this detail may be added to a subsequent edition, for the flowers available should include some rare specimens. At Wrotham, close by, the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalix) was abundant in former days ; but we dare say that the march of civilization, which is unfortunately coincident with the advent of the tripper and depredator, has destroyed all traces of it at the present day.
If the Homeland Association can arrange for more volumes like this, it will be doing a real ser- vice to the increasing class who take a keen interest in their own country. That little is known by the average educated man of districts, even in the home counties, at all off the main roads, we are well aware.
THE Handbook to the Roman Wall, by the late J. Collingwood Bruce, has reached a fifth edition, which is revised and corrected by a competent antiquary, Mr. Robert Blair. The previous edition was out of print, and the excavations made since 1895 fully justify the new issue, which is well pro- vided with illustrations. Mr. R. C. Bosanquet has contributed notes on the camp at Housesteads. The ' Handbook ' is published by Messrs. Andrew Reid & Co. of Newcastle, and Messrs. Longman in London.
History in Fiction (English). By Ernest A. Baker.
History in Fiction (American and Foreign). By
the same. (Routledge & Sons.) THESE little books, which are clad in the neat blue of the modern firm of Routledge, are guides to the best "historical romances, sagas, novels, and tales." Mr. Baker's name will be familiar to our readers as that of a diligent student in the bypaths of fiction, and the pages before us show an admirable width of erudition, which should be of use to many students. In several cases brief descriptions of novels are added, and we notice that the merits of recent books, such as Mr. PickthalPs ' Said the Fisherman,' are recognized, as well as the virtues of acknowledged classics now dignified by time. A full ' Author, Title, and Subject Index ' adds much to the value of the volumes, and renders ready reference an easy matter.
The 'Arabian Nights' are included, Kingsley's ' Heroes,' Hawthorne's ' Tanglewood Tales,' and a
