The History of Axminster Church, in the County of Devon. By James Davidson. Exeter, 12mo. pp. 100. THE able author of a memoir on "The British and Roman Remains in the vicinity of Axminster," (noticed in Gent. Mag. vol. cIII. i. 521,) has here furnished the public with another division of the history of that Town; containing the annals and description of its Church. Whilst in the present

be

fabric and its monuments there is nothing of a very remarkable character, its history is certainly such as for interest and high antiquity can boasted by few parochial churches. The very name of the town is derived from the circumstance of its having grown up around a church, which existed early in the Christian annals of the West-Saxons :

"Mention is made of the church of Axminster as early as 786, which was more than twenty years before the establishment of the bishopric of Crediton for the ecclesiastical government of the county of Devon. This church was therefore an emanation from the diocese of Sherborne, and the term minster being added to the previous name of the place, proves of itself that a structure of some consequence existed here at that period. We have no record of the precise date of this ancient establishment; but historical facts render it probable that Cynehard, an Anglo-Saxon prince, who was buried in the church in 786, was himself the founder of it. He was a descendant from the great Cerdic, and aspired to the throne of Wessex; in imitation therefore of the piety of his ancestors and contemporaries, he would probably endeavour to gain the favour of the clergy and the affection of the people, by the erection of a church in a place which was the principal town of the extensive demesnes belonging to the Anglo-Saxon royal family in this neighbourhood. His death oc* Qu. if not rather "the minster on the river Axe?" But we are not aware what grounds Mr. Davidson has for stating that this was already "the principal town of the extensive demesnes belonging to the Anglo-Saxon royal family in this neighbourhood."—R£v.

GENT. MAG. VOL. V.

curred at Merton, in Surrey; and his friends must have had some strong inducement for bringing his body from so great a distance for interment at Axminster, passing by the burial-places of his family at Winchester and Sherborne."

hard's body was brought to Axminster, Mr. Davidson supposes that Cyne

because that was the church he had of churches within the walls of the temfounded, and the interment of founders ple was a custom then recently introbones filled with lead, were found in 1748, duced by Archbishop Cuthbert. Some near the west door. Now, other human bones filled with lead in like Pagnell, at Gravesend, and at Badwell manner have been found at Newport Ash in Suffolk; and it was the opinion of both Dr. Hunter and Dr. Fo

thergill, that the lead was poured into the medullary canal after the marrow had been consumed by time; and the latter physician suggested, with every appearance of probability, that it was a method adopted to preserve relics. Mr. Davidson, therefore, comes to the conclusion that the bones found in Axminster church were those of Cynehard; which had been taken up at some period subsequent to their original interment, and then filled with lead to distinguish them from those of ordinary mortals.

In the year 937, King Athelstan directed the bodies of seven of his earls, slain in the battle of Brunanburgh, to be buried at Axminster; and formed the church into a collegiate establishment, by the appointment of seven priests, who were to pray for the souls of those earls, and of their brave companions who fell by his side. He bestowed at the same time upon it a portion of his royal demesne; which, after the lapse of nine centuries, remains an appendage of the church at the present day, under the name of the manor of Prestaller,—that is to say, of all the priests. This is one of those instances of ecclesiastical property which, as Mr. Davidson justly remarks, has a priority of title to almost any other; and a diversion of which, from what

H

ever quarter it might emanate, could only be characterized as a spoliation and outrage.

At the Norman Conquest the college of priests had been reduced to a single incumbent.

The next stage in the history of this

indented ornaments; the whole bounded by a torus and cavetto studded with flowers of four leaves, and resting on corbels now defaced. The summit of the whole is or. namented with a well-executed, though small, crowned head of the Anglo-Saxon

king. The shafts are without bases, and rest on a square block pedestal. The outer piers have their angles cut into cylinders, and their faces relieved with upright chevron mouldings."

The advowson was contested for a

considerable time between the Crown, the pristine lord of the manor of Axminster, the Abbat of Newenham, who had acquired the manor through the lords Briwere, the Bishop of Exeter, who had occasionally exercised the patronage on lapse, and the Prebendaries of York, the conjoint Rectors; but, after much litigation, which is described at length by Mr. Davidson, it settled in the last named, who have latterly transmitted the patronage to their lessee. The Prebendaries of Warthill and Grendale are still the

impropriate Rectors; and the present owner of the lease of the entire Rectory is the Rev. W. D. Conybeare, by the will of the late Rev. J. J. Conybeare, prebendary of Warthill.

With respect to the fabric of Axminster church,-its general appearance at the present time is a combination of the latter periods of Pointed architecture, as shown by the frontispiece, which is neatly etched by Mr. Davidson's own hand: but our author

It seems this doorway was called Saxon by King and Carter, the latter of whom engraved it in his "Ancient Architecture ;" and Mr. Davidson thinks it would have been larger and

are not satisfied of the soundness of this opinion; nor do we rely upon the opinions of Carter or King in the esti

mation of architectural dates. We are

perfectly convinced that many churches and parts of churches in England are anterior to the Conquest: yet we rather imagine these highly-sculptured doorways belong to what perly styled the Norman period. may be

pro

Of the other architectural features Mr. Davidson gives a minute and particular description, through which we have not space to follow him. There are three stone stalls and an ornamented piscina in the chancel; and considerable architectural and heraldic the author has faithfully particularized. sculpture in various parts, all which Two early effigies, which rest under

arches formed in the north wall of the chancel, he attributes to Alice, wife of Reginald de Mohun, the heiress of Lord Briwere, who died about 1257; and to Gervase de Prestaller, the priest before mentioned. The former is sin

gular, from holding a figure of the Virgin between her hands; it is a subject which ought to be engraved.

With copies of all the sepulchral inscriptions, and a passing notice of every object of the least curiosity or antiquity, Mr. Davidson completes his undertaking, which is altogether highly creditable to his taste and antiquarian ther what he says of two yew-trees in knowledge. We shall only notice furthe church-yard. An old one, which was 7 ft. 1 in. in girth in 1802, is only 5 in. more in 1835; but it is supposed to have been injured by the injudicious lopping of some of its branches. Another planted in 1794, which was only 8 ft. 5in.

high in 1802, is now 26 ft. 6 in. high, and 2 ft. 6 in. in girth. Its branches extend 22 ft.; those of the old tree 54 ft. After noticing the two opinions that yew-trees were planted in churchyards to furnish bows for the parish, or as befitting the melancholy scene of death, Mr. Davidson forms the conclusion that

"The statute Ne rector prosternat arbores in cemiterio,' (35 Edw. I.) seems to place the question beyond conjecture, and to prove that trees were planted to protect churches from the wind. The yew was no doubt preferred on account of the closeness of its foliage, and the unyielding resistance of its branches."

Select Specimens of Gothic Architecture. By William Caveller, Architect. Part I. 4to. 1835.

WHAT an inexhaustible treasury of

ancient art exists in one of the most admirable of our ancient churches, is evinced by the publication of the present work. When we read the author's announcement that his plan would comprise the finest examples of Gothic Architicture which had been omitted or only partially pourtrayed in previous works, and found that he had resorted alone to Westminster Abbey for all the subjects given in this the first portion of his publication, we felt that an author making such a choice must either degenerate into commonplace, or be possessed with that rare discrimination and taste, which can find out beauties which a thousand other eyes had glanced over without discovering their claims to admiration.

Westminster Abbey is familiar to most persons. Whether it is regarded as a mere curiosity, or scrutinized by the eye of taste, the ensemble of the building is appreciated by the most casual observer; but what a rich treat is afforded to him who descends from the contemplation of the magnificent whole to the examination of the niches, the screens, the elaborate pannelling, the superb monuments, and the vast storehouse of ancient ornament which he sees every where around him; a small portion of which has been selected for illustration in Mr. Caveller's work.

The subjects which our author has selected are, 1. a Door in the Cloisters; 2. the Tomb of Queen Eleanor; 3. that of Aymer de Valence; 4. a Window

in the Cloister opposite the Chapterhouse; 5. the Canopy above the Tomb of Edward III.; 6. a Mosaic Pavement in the Chapter-house; 7. the Monumental Chapel of Henry V.; 8. Screen in St. Edward's Chapel; 9. Islip's Chapel; 10. Niche from St. Erasmus's Chapel; 11. various Bosses and Finials. All the subjects, except the first, were drawn by Mr. Cavaller, and are ably engraved in outline by various engravers of merit. The first subject, the door leading into the south aile of the Choir from the Cloisters, is from a drawing by Mr. Mackenzie, and it shews how much this gentleman has improved as an architectural draughtsman since he executed a view of the same doorway for his publication, conjointly with Mr. Pugin, of Specimens of Gothic Architecture.

The Cloister Window is a very interesting specimen of tracery of an early date. It is useful to compare this window with the tomb of Aymer de Valence, in common with which it possesses a rather singularly formed quatrefoil. The execution in both cases is rather superior, and we should be inclined to assign the two examples to one date. The elegant waving lines of the tracery are deserving of much admiration. The execution of such works as these plainly evinces that the occasion of the reconstruction of the Abbey Church, in the thirteenth century, had collected together the most consummate workmen of the period.

The Canopy above Edward the Third's Tomb is a delightful morceau. It is to be wished that the author had shewn, by a drawing, how easily the deficient work in front of the Canopies might be supplied. From the remaining fragments, it would seem that a projecting member, composed of two ribs uniting in an angle in the centre, was executed in the front of each ca

nopied arch. The absence of this component portion of the design very much alters its character, and, if intended to be imitated, would be of necessity restored. The destruction of these tasteful portions of the Canopy may be accounted for, by the supposition that the projections were found to be in the way of some coronation erections, and were therefore sawn off by the workmen; affording oue of the

many examples of mutilation which the venerable Abbey has undergone, through uncontrolled carelessness and ignorance.

The Mosaic Pavement from the Chapter-house shews a very early example of the ornamental tiles so prevalent in many churches. The present pavement is doubtless coeval with the structure. The author incidentally notices the capital of the central pillar in the desecrated pile, and mentions his inability to give it as one of his specimens, in consequence of the incumbrances which now occupy this once splendid room. Let us hope that, at a period when so much money has been nationally and individually bestowed on the Fine Arts, the Chapterroom of Westminster will be remembered, and that we shall see it cleared of the records, and restored to its pristine elegance.

Obscured by the splendour of Henry the Seventh's mausoleum, and almost overlooked amidst the crowd of architectural beauties of the church, is the Monument and Chapel of the Conqueror of Agincourt. The darling hero of the best historical play of our great dramatist the admired and loved in every shade of his varied character, whether at Gadshill or at Harfleur, in his gay and joyous hours at the Boar's Head, his serious moments at his dying father's pillow, or in his magnanimous conduct to the intrepid Gascoyne, the character of this sovereign has been rendered by the poet the theme of deserved popularity. His tomb has met with far different treatment. The mutilated effigy, deprived of its head by the cupidity of some plunderer, who loved the crown for the value of its materials,-the chivalric relics of the warrior, unheeded among the miscellaneous mass which filled the Chantry chapel, where once resounded in choral strains the mass for the soul of the hero, -all conspire to read a lesson on the utter vanity of the highest earthly acquire

ments.

The architectural features of this singular chapel are ably displayed in the present work. One of the plates has been cancelled by the author, in consequence of its defective execution; but, judging by the specimens given, we have little doubt that some beauty

will be displayed of the much-neglected, but curious and picturesque structure, when it appears, as promised, in the second part.

The niche from St. Erasmus's Chapel, is one of the most elaborate examples of tabernacle work we have ever witnessed. The taste of the artist who designed, and the skill of the artisan who executed this admirable composition, are of the highest order.

The plates are accompanied with brief notices in letter-press; which, however, in general, leave the engravings to tell their own tale. We would venture to suggest to Mr. Caveller the propriety of extending his descriptions, by giving some scientific information on each of the subjects; the more necessary, as the plate containing the detail of Henry the Fifth's Chapel evidently requires some further explanation than that which is given. Mr. Caveller should also be careful to distinguish restorations from the original work. This remark is intended to apply to the monument of Aymer de Valence.

We can recommend the present volume to any one who may wish to consult authentic examples of beautiful detail in the Pointed style. The author announces that his Second Part will comprize the several relics appurtenant to the ancient chapel of St. Stephen, the fate of which now hangs on a thread. These subjects are preeminently beautiful, and replete with interest; and we trust the public will duly appreciate every exertion which may be dedicated to the developement of their merits.

The Family Topographer. By Samuel Tymms. Vol. V. Midland Circuit, and County of Chester. 1835.

IN the present volume as many as eight of the English Counties are ably illustrated by the author, on the same compendious plan as that on which the preceding ones have been arranged. The Midland Circuit comprises the counties of Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton, Notts, Rutland, and Warwick, all of which are highly interesting to the student of English Topography. In addition, Cheshire is given, being the only one of the Counties comprised within the limits of the Chester Circuit that lies within the

Realm of England, the other portion of the Circuit being included in the Principality.

One very pleasing feature of the work is that which points out the several ancient Fonts which are known to exist in each county; as well as the most interesting of the Churches, whether on account of their architectural merits or their antiquity. In addition to which, the principal of the ancient Mansions in the several Counties are enumerated. The utility of this part of the plan will be appreciated by every antiquarian tourist. Without a guide of this kind, he may often pass unheeded some object of interest, which on his return he feels disappointed that he had overlooked.

We give a few extracts from the miscellaneous observations appended to each County.

"Chatsworth, Derby.-The exquisite carvings, generally believed to have been executed by Grinling Gibbons, appear principally to have been done by Samuel Watson, a native artist."-p. 31.

In Fenny Bentley church, in the same county, is a monument to one of the heroes of Agincourt, Thomas Beresford, Esq.

The organ at Stanford church, Leicestershire, belonged to the banquetting-room at Whitehall, and was sold by order of Oliver Cromwell.-p. 29.

Our ancestors had some very odd modes of punishment. In Ashby de la Zouch church is a finger pillory, a severe penance to the unlucky wight, who, fixed in such an instrument, had to endure the gaze of the congregation. At Grimsby, in Lincolnshire, that very ungallant instrument the cucking stool was used as late as 1780; but at Congleton, in Cheshire, prevention was preferred to punishment: at that place remains a bridle, to restrain the scolding propensities of the softer sex.

Is the following extract to be understood literally, or does it refer to copies of well-known subjects?

"At Boughton House, near Kettering (Northamptonshire), are several of the Cartoons of Raphael."

Many interesting localities connected with the early history and pranks of our immortal Dramatist are pointed out;

and who would omit to visit any of the spots which were ever honoured with the foot of a Shakspeare? Bidford was a favourite convivial retreat. Charlecote and Justice Shallow will never be forgotten; and even Fulbroke Park, where the memorable deer-stealing took place, is not to be passed unnoticed; but, above all, Shottery, with the cottage where our merry Bard, in his youthful days, wooed and won Anne Hathaway, would make us live our young days over again, at least in imagination. We thank Mr. Tymms for pointing out these spots; they produce more pleasing feelings, to our antiquarian tastes, than gigantic Birmingham, with its smoke and its politics.

The next volume will contain the Northern Circuit; and we anticipate, from the importance of the Counties will not be the least interesting of the comprised within it, that the volume

series.

Spiritual Despotism. By the Author of the Natural History of Enthusiasm. 1835.

WE do not know who the author of this work is, nor what religious opinions he holds, nor in what division of the sectarian congregations he is to be found; but he is a man, if not of deep learning, yet of considerable knowledge, an elegant and vigorous writer, if not always in the best taste. There is much judicious observation in his book, on subjects connected

both with the welfare of the Establishment, and with the constitution of the Dissenting Institutions; and some wholesome advice as to the true and best means of supporting their due and just influence; of healing their unchristian and uncharitable animosities, and of reforming the abuses which time and negligence have created.

With regard to the Dissenters, as relates to their opinions and feelings towards the National Church, they cannot be considered as one undivided body, speaking one consentient opinion-some wish it maintained in its present form, subject to the correction of what they consider evils that have grown up in it :-some urge its entire separation from the State :—and some