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THE above curious cut, with the subjoined explanation of it, we copy from the second volume of the Rev. T. D. Fosbrooke's learned and laborious work, "The Encyclopædia of Antiquities," just completed in two vols. 4to.

"When our Anglo-Saxon kings dined, the poor sat in the streets, expecting the broken meat, &c., which was collected by the almoner: a custom prevailing also in other countries. Edward I. relieved 666 every Sunday, besides many on saints' days; and 13 (representing Christ and his apostles) was a favourite number for relief at one time, or

placing in alms-houses. The AngloSaxons fared chiefly on salt meat, and drank ale, mead, and occasionally wine, continuing their orgies till the evening. The ladies dined with them; but they parted the men and women, as at present, the men being uncovered, the women covered. The tables were oblong or oval, with cloth, knife, spoon, bowl, dish, and bread upon them, as shewn in the cut. cup of horn was presented to every one, out of which they drank to one another. Two persons eating off the same plate was looked upon as a particular mark of amity. Festivals were given to the people on religious

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accounts, which, on great occasions, were kept up the whole day, and accompanied with music. The old chroniclers mention dining-rooms and rooms up-stairs, or retiring chambers; the use of forms, not chairs; invitations of guests for particular days, and to pass the night; at table the chief visitors were placed in the middle, the next in rank on the right and left: one dish was always set apart for alms."

Such are a few of the particulars given by Mr. Fosbrooke, in illustration of the print, which was copied from an ancient piece of tapestry. They who wish to see the subject more largely discussed, should refer to Mr. S. Turner's 66 History of the Anglo-Saxons," 4 vols. 8vo. 1799

1805.

MR. HONE.

As this gentleman has recently attracted a considerable share of public attention, by the publication of that amusing periodical work, "The Every-Day Book," we imagine our readers will peruse with some little interest the following scraps of information relative to his previous acts and opinions :

In February, 1824, Mr. Hone published a pamphlet entitled "Aspersions Answered: an explanatory statement addressed to the public at large, and to every reader of the QUARTERLY REVIEW in particular." It has this motto from Dr. V. Knox, "Truth will ultimately prevail, even though he who uttered it should be destroyed."

In a preliminary notice to the reader, he says, "A notion prevails with that I am usually engaged many in preparing something or other for the press-and few are persuadable to the contrary.

Why am I ask'd what next shall see the light? Heavens! was I born for nothing but to write ?-POPE.

I now declare publicly, what I have frequently affirmed in private, that,

with the exception of finishing one work at my entire leisure, I withhold my pen from every purpose but that of cataloguing books. I am induced to activity by duty to my family; and perhaps, I am qualified for the business of a book auctioneer."

Certain remarks in the public newspapers, respecting Mr. Hone's brother, a barrister, in consequence of some proceedings amongst the Members of the Bar, may be remembered. That brother is now gone out to Van Diemen's Land as Master-General in the law courts there; it is a Government appointment under the Privy Seal. In consequence of those remarks, the brother wrote to Mr. W. Hone; and the barrister's letter first saw light in this pamphlet: it runs thus:

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My dear William,-You have called my attention to the following passage in the circular, which, to my great regret,has lately appeared in some public newspapers, namely, So far is Mr. Hone from adopting his brother's religious or political opinions, that he actually abandoned his societyafter having made the most affec tionate and earnest, though unavail, ing, protests against his proceedings. You consider that this passage is open to the construction, that I abandoned ligious opinions or conduct on your your society in consequence of irrepart, during the time we were associated; you ask me to explain that part of the circular, which I do the more readily on account of the anxiety you express concerning it.

"In our former familiar conversations, you have sometimes questioned parts of the text of the Old and New Testament, and controverted certain doctrines; this led to the differences which usually arise in discussions between persons of opposite theological principles: however, I did not understand you to reject Christianity, or to deny or impugn the genuineness Testament as a whole. Since your or authenticity of the Old or New trials, numerous imputations of irreligion have, as you are aware, been publicly urged against you; but, if

t be inferred that, as your brother, and from my private knowledge of your sentiments on religious subjects, during our intercourse within that period, I knew those imputations to be true, the inference is erroneous; yet your silence under them for the last three years or more, induced me, in common with many other persons, to conclude that you admitted the charge, and hence, during the latter period, I have abstained from having any further intercourse with you, although my brotherly regards were far, very far, from being extinguished. "I have thus made a short point of my explanation, instead of going into the subject or minutiæ.

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I would now add a few words to this, which is, probably, the last letter which I shall have occasion to write

to you before I leave England, preparing, as I am, to depart ere long for a very distant part of the world; I anticipate with, I assure you, the keenest sensations, the moment when I shall have to say farewell to you for, at least, some years: as future events are wisely kept from our knowledge, it may, possibly, prove a final parting in reference to this world; and at such a time it is my heart's desire that we, who are the children of the same parents, should take leave as brethren-each, as he hopes for forgiveness from the FATHER of MERCIES, frankly forgiving the other every wrong that he may consider his brother to have done him in any way whatever. This will afford peace of mind to both, and, though personally far apart, we may yet remain one in heart and affection, and if preserved to meet again in this life, which I earnestly pray may be the case, I trust that each may learn that the other has been walking in the path of rectitude, and reaped the full reward of honourable conduct. The immense distance at which, in a few months, we shall be placed from each other, will prevent either of us from practically ministering to the necessities, if any, mental or pecuniary, of the other nevertheless, one thing may be done, we may entreat Him, who

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has been our Protector from our infancy to manhood, to further us with his continual help, and thus be assured of weathering every storm.

"Before I close my letter, I would remark, that it has hitherto been my most studious endeavour to avoid every thing that might have the semblance of an attack upon your character or reputation, and I much regret that the diction of the circular should be liable to have such a construction put upon it,or be considered in that light by yourself or your friends, as I can truly affirm that it was never so intended. Of course I had my own opinion of the nature and tendency of your public acts, nor have I concealed that opinion at such times as it became necessary for me to avow it, though even then I did not forget our near relationship, nor could it possibly have escaped attention, that on these occasions a brother's feelings were creating a painful conflict in my mind.

"Numerous arrangements for my departure have unavoidably prevented me from writing to you ere this; and, in conclusion, I would express a hope, that nothing I have said will be deemed by you as recrimination: that is far from my intention. Neither have I ventured to offer any thing in the shape of advice, as it might be deemed surplusage and obtrusivel you know my heart and views, and: think that I know yours;-each may therefore conclude what would be the counsel of the other; and, if there be a reciprocal determination to continue to act with truth and integrity, we and our families must ultimately be benefited, and our happiness and theirs will be promoted and secured.

Believe me, my dear William, your ever affectionate brother,

66 JOSEPH HONE.

40, Chancery-lane, Oct. 23, 1823."

Religion (continues Mr. H. in his pamphlet) is a subject on which, more than on any other, the best men differ verbally, and agree practically. My brother would never have fallen in with the gross imputations

of irreligion urged against me, after all intercourse ceased in July, 1820, if a little Biblical inquiry had enabled him fully to comprehend the object and limits of mine, when I incidentally alluded to topics connected with it during our previous intimacy. Nor, if he had studied my character, could he have been induced to conclude that my silence imported admission of the imputations. Separated in boyhood, our intercourse throughout life has only been occasional, and seldom lasting for more than a few months, after lapses of years. Varying in temper, opinion, and construction of mind, there are few points of contact between us. He has seen me bear the proud man's coutumely,' the insult of rude ignorance, the sarcasm of malice, the hired censure, of the sycophantic critic, whose preferment depends on the prostitution both of knowledge and conscience, and the virulence of the venal newspaper; he mistook my patience for weakness, and my forbearance for inanity."

The following are the concluding remarks of the pamphlet, in allusion to his acquittal, when prosecuted for blasphemy, in 1817:-

"Never from that hour has a word escaped ny pen or lips, either publicly or privately, in dishonour or dispraise of any individual opposed to ine. I buried my resentments in the grave of the prosecution; I even halTowed the ashes of the slain, by not exulting in the conquest. But the forgiveness of enemies was a principle not comprehended by mine. While laid at my feet by the blows they had sustained from my single hand, they charged me with weakness and incapacity, because I did not spittle on them. They now impugn the integrity of my jurie, whom I knew not, nor saw, till they were in the jury box, and in whom I so little confided, that, a week before, I had moved the court to set them aside. They call my success an escape: I call it an instance of the power of truth upon the human heart and understanding; an exemplification of a golden rule tought to me in my childhood, that

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"From the day that I publicly solicited and challenged my prosecutors, my jurymen, and every individual in court, to adduce a single line or saying of mine, tending in the least degree to degrade religion; from that hour to this, neither did or could any one, not even the most vindictive of my enemies, in their fiercest heats, bring a fact of the sort against me.

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"I was brought up in religious habits; but these are surfaces, not principles. They were worn off by circumstances in early youth, when chewing the cud of sweet and bitter fancy.' I wondered at the world and at myself; and theory after theory arose as the waves, weltering and disappearing. Ardently seeking for truth, I conversed with books rather than men, and hewed out principles as I could, here a little and there a little. It is said, that many persons commence religious at first, they don't know why, and with a blind zeal persist in a religion which is they know not what. I am not among that number; for it was by patient research and painful process that I arrived at that clear evidence for the

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truth of Christianity, which, if sincerely and diligently sought, is found to be irresistible. My religion is the religion of the New Testament. As taught and exemplified by CHRIST himself, it is the perfection of all knowledge, which is, and which was, and which is to come.' It is infinite wisdom, it is a pure principle--a mental illumination."

ANCIENT INNS.

To take mine ease in mine inn," is a proverbial phrase which Shakspeare has placed in the mouth of Falstaff, and which implies a degree of comfort that has always been the peculiar attribute of an English house of entertainment. That it was not less felt and enjoyed in former times than our own, is very apparent from the accounts of varrious old writers, particularly Harrison and Fynes Moryson; the former writing towards the close of the sixteenth, and the latter at the commencement of the seventeenth century. These descriptions, which are curiously faithful and highly interesting, paint the provincial hostelries of England as in a most flourishing state, and according to Harrison, indeed, greatly superior to those which existed in the metro polis.

Those townes," says the historian," that we call thorowfares, have great and sumptuous innes builded in them, for the receiving of such travellers and strangers as passe to and fro. The manner of harbering wherein, is not like to that of some other countries, in which the host or good man of the house dooth challenge a lordlie authoritie over his ghests, but clean otherwise, sith every man may use his inne as his owne house in England, and have for his monie how great or little varietie of vittels, and what other service himselfe shall thinke expedient to call for. Our innes are also verie well furnished with naperie, bedding, and tapisserie, especialls with naperie; for beside the linnen used at the tables, which is commonfie washed dailie, is such and so much as belongeth unto the estate, and calling of the ghest. Ech commer is sure to lie in cleane sheets, wherein no man hath beene lodged since they came from the landresse or out of the water wherein they were last washed. If the trayeller have an horse, his bed dooth cost him nothing, but if he go on foote he is sure to paie a pennie for the same; but whether he be horse.

man or footman, if his chamber be once appointed he may carrie the kaie with him, as of his owne house, so long as he lodgeth there. If he lose ought whilest he abideth in the inne, the host is bound by a generall custome to restore the damage, so that there is no greater securitie anie where for travellers than in the great inns of England." He then, after enumerating the depredations to which travellers are subject on the road, completes the picture by the following

additional touches :

"In all innes, we have plentie of ale, biere, and sundrie kinds of wine, and such is the capacitie of some of them, that they are able to lodge two hundred or three hundred persons, and their horses at ease, and thereto with a verie short warning make such provision for their diet, as to him that is unacquainted withall, may seeme to be incredible. And it is a world to see how ech owner of them contendeth with other for goodness of intertainment of their ghests, as about finesse and change of linnen, furniture of bedding, beautie of rooms, service at the table, costlinesse of plate, strength of drinke, varietie of wines, or well using of horses. Finallie, there is not among them so much omitted as the gorgeousness of their verie signes at their doores, wherein some doo consumę thirtie or fortie pounds-a meere vanitie in mine opinion-but so vaine will they needs be, and that not onelie to give some outwerd token of the innekeeper's welth, but also to procure good ghests to the frequenting of their houses, in hope there to be well used."

"As soone as a passenger comes to an inne," remarks Moryson, “the servants run to him, and one takes his horse and walkes him till he be cold, then rubs him down and gives him meat. Another servant gives the passenger his private chamber, and kindles his fire; the third pulls off his bootes and makes them cleane; then the host or hostess visits him; and if he will eat with the hoste, or at a common table with others, his

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