In the fourth volume of the Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica are extracts from a book in the possession of the Corporation of Warwick, called the Black Book. These extracts comprehend the celebration of the order of St. Michael, by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, at St. Mary's Church, in Warwick, anno 1571; The "Death and Buriall of the Marques Northampton*, at Warwick, anno 1571; an account of “ Queen Elizabeth's coming to Warwick in 1572;" and an order of Council to the Corporation of Warwick, to assist John Speed in his improvement on Saxton's Maps of Great Britain. The other parts of the Black Book consist principally of Corporation Accompts.

An Historical and Genealogical Account of the noble family of Greville, to the time of Francis, the present Earl Brooke and Earl of Warwick; including the history and succession of the several Earls of Warwick since the Norman Conquest; and some account of Warwick Castle. (By Edmonson.) Lond. 1766. 8vo.

In the Bib. Top. Brit, Vol. IV. is a Memoir on the Story of Guy, Earl of Warwick, by the Rev. Samuel Pegge, M. A. Read at the Society of Antiquaries, May 7, 1767. To the Memoir is prefixed a Print, representing the exact appearance of the statue of Guy, at Guy's Cliff, in the year 1782.

Warwick Castle, a poem, embellished with engravings, from drawings by J. Roe, of Warwick. Stratford-upon-Avon. 1812.

In " Brewer's Descriptions, Historical and Architectural, of splendid Palaces and celebrated Buildings," is an account of Warwick Castle, and a view of that edifice.

The History and Antiquities of the City of Coventry, from the earliest authentic period to the present time; comprehending a description of the antiquities, public buildings, remarkable occurrences, &c. embellished with engravings. Coventry: 1810. Duodecimo. This pleasing compilation was published in Numbers, and contains views of St Michael's Church; the Cross which formerly ornamented Coventry; St. Mary's Hall; and the Whitefriars.

The History of Coventry, from a MS. " in the hands of Thomas Jesson. M. A. Chaplain of Christ Church, Oxford," is printed in Hearne's Fordun, p. 1438.

"Frere John Bredon, Frere minor of the Convent of Coventry, his recantation of his preching and speaking against the Custome of the Cathedrall Church of Coventry, which used to have the apparail of every person deceased: whose corpse was first to be brought into that church." This Recantation was enjoined Friar John by the Lords in Parliament, anno 1446; and is printed at the end of Leland's Collectanea, Vol. V. p. 302-4:

An Account of the many and great Loans, Benefactions, and Charities, belonging to the City of Coventry to which is annexed, a Copy of the decretal order of the Court of Chancery relative to the memorable Charity of Sir Thomas White. Lond. 1733. 8vo.

Y 3

William Parr, brother of Queen Catharine Parr,

A learned

A learned, elegant, and religious Speech delivered unto his most excellent Majestie at his late being at Coventry. By Philemon Holland, Doctor of Physique; the right hon. the Recorder his deputy for the time. When as his royall Majestie was graciously pleased to grant and command the erecting a military garden therein; and, sithens, to enlarge the aforesaid Citie's charter. Together with a Sermon preached in the audience, and published at the request of the worthie Companie of the Practisers of the Military Garden of the said well-governed citie of Coventry. By Samuel Buggs, B. D. sometime Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Lond. 1622.

4to.

In the Bib. Top. Brit. Vol. IV. is "A Narrative of a strange Religious Frenzy at Coventry, in an original Letter from Sir Thomas More. Communicated by Dr. Ducarel, F. R. and A. SS. from a MS. in the Lambeth Library." This frenzy chiefly consisted in a persuasion that he who said over the Blessed Virgin's Psalter every day could not possibly be damned.

In the first volume of "Britton's Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain," is a particular account of the Cross formerly at Coventry, with a view of that fine structure.

An History of Birmingham, by W. Hutton, F. A. S. S. Birming ham printed and sold by Knott and Lloyd. One volume octavo. This lively and entertaining topographical work, which is embellished with several plans and views, has passed through four editions, the last of which bears the date of 1809, and has received considerable additions from the hand of the very respectable author. Mr. T. Knott, jun. of Birmingham, is making arrangements for a fifth edition, continued to the present time, which is to be illustrated with fresh engravings (now executing,) from the hands of native artists.

A Guide, or Directory, for the town of Birmingham, improved through new editions, is published by J. Jabet, of Birmingham.

A true Relation of Prince Rupert's barbarous cruelty against the Towne of Birmingham, &c. Lond. 1642. 4to.

Prince Rupert's burning Love to England, discovered in Birmingham's Flames; or, a more exact and true Narration of Birmingham's Calamities, under the barbarous and inhumane cruelties of Prince Rupert's Forces, &c. Lond. 1643. 4to.

History and Antiquities of Stratford-upon-Avon: comprising a Description of the Collegiate Church; the Life of Shakspeare; and Copies of several Documents relating to him and his Family, never before printed. With a Biographical Sketch of other eminent Characters, natives of, or who have resided in Stratford. To which is added, a particular Account of the Jubilee, celebrated at Stratford in honour of our immortal Bard. By R. B. Wheler. Embellished with eight Engravings.

Mr. Thomas Fisher, of Hoxton, made accurate drawings of the Fresco Paintings recently discovered on the walls of the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Stratford. These have been since executed in outline at the Polyautographic Press of Mr. Volweiler; and the Copies, co

loured

loured after the originals, are now publishing. The completion of this undertaking cannot fail to be much desired by the antiquarian part of the public.

An Account of an Analysis made on the Stratford Mineral Water, comprehending near thirty different Experiments, &c. &c. By Charles Perry, M. D. Northampton, 1744. 8vo.

Some "Short Remarks" on the above Pamphlet, by William Baylies, jun. were published in 1745.

Avon, a Poem, in three Parts, (by Mr. Huckel, who died in 1771) Birmingham, printed by John Baskerville, 1758. 4to.

Welcombe-hills, near Stratford upon Avon. A Poem, Historical and Descriptive, by John Jordan, of Stratford, Wheelwright. Lond. 1777. 4to. A View of the Hills is prefixed.

Hydrologia Philosophica: or an Account of Ilmington Waters, in Warwickshire, with directions for drinking of the same, &c. &c. by Samuel Derham, Bachelor in Physic, lately of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, 1685, Svo.

Manduessedum Romanorum : being the History and Antiquities of the Parish of Manceter (including the Hamlets of Hartshill, Oldbury, and Atherstone) and also of the adjacent Parish of Ansley, in the County of Warwick. By the late Benjamin Bartlett, Esq. F. A. S. Enlarged and corrected under the inspection of several gentlemen resident upon the spot. 4to. Lond. 1791.*

In the Gentleman's Magazine for September and October, 1762, occur Essays towards the Natural History of Sutton Coldfield; and some Remarks on a particular passage in the first of those Essays are contained in Mr. Hutton's History of Birmingham.

"A genuine Translation of the Royal Charter granted by K. Henry VIII. to the Corporation of Sutton Coldfield," was printed in 1763, by Mr. Thomas Bonell, an Attorney in that Town.

"A Letter, wherein part of the Entertainment unto the Queen'z Majesty, at Killingworth Castle, in Warwicksheer, in this soomerz progress, 1575, is signified, from a Freend, Officer, attendant in Coourt, unto his Freend, a Citizen and Merchant of London." Signed at the end by "R. L." (R. Lancham)" Gent. Mercer, Merchant Adventurer, and Clark of the Councel Chamber Door; and also Keeper of the same."

The "Pleasures at Kenelworth Castle, where Q. Elizabeth was entertained," are inserted in the "Whole Works of George Gascoigne, Esq. newly compyled into one volume;" and there is, likewise, a Tract intituled "The Princelie Pleasures of Kenelworth Castle."

"A concise History and Description of Kenelworth Castle, from its Foundation to the present time," was printed in 1777, as a Guide Y 4

to

A large Extract of this interesting Publication is included in the fourth Volume of Mr. Nichols's History of Leicestershire; in which work is, likewise, a Map and Survey of Manduessedum, with part of the fields adjoining, made in October, 1812, by Ralph Thompson, of Witherley.

to the picturesque Ruins of that once stately edifice. This little Tract has gone through several editions. The profits arising from the sale

are applied to the relief of the poor.

An Account of this Castle, with an elaborate ground Plan, and Views, are contained in the fourth Volume of "the Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain." in which Volume is, also, an Account, with two beautiful engravings, of Warwick Castle.

In the second Volume of the same Work are Views of Compton Wyniate House, and of New House, near Coventry.

A Brief Account of the Rise, Progress, and Patronage of the Leamington Spa Charity, instituted for the gratuitous Relief of Invalids; with short Notices respecting the Accommodations of the Village, Rides, Walks, &c. in the Neighbourhood; and General Rules for drinking the Leamington Waters, &c. Birmingham. 1812 A pleasing Trifle from the Pen of Mr. Pratt, embellished with several Etchings by F. Egington of Birmingham, from original Drawings.

A Descriptive Guide to Leamington Priors, containing a brief Account of that celebrated and fashionable Spa, &c. &c. by J. Bisset.

1814.

In the first Part of Vol. V. of the Memoirs of the Literary and Philoshphical Society of Manchester, is "An Analysis of the Waters of two Mineral Springs at Leamington Priors; including Experiments tending to elucidate the origin of the Muriatic Acid. By William Lambe, M. A. late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge."

A Chemical Analysis of these Waters has been published by Dr. Middleton, and some Observations on the same subject have proceeded from the Pen of Dr. Saunders.

"Edge Hill, or the Rural Prospect delineated and moralized, a Poem, in four Books, by Richard Jago, M. A. London 1767." 4to. contains some interesting Descriptions connected with the memorable Battle between the Royalists and the Parliamentarian Forces.

A Local and Literary Account of Leamington, Warwick, Stratford, Coventry, Kenilworth, Hagley, the Leasowes, Birmingham, and the surrounding Country. With Remarks on the Prospect of Universal Peace. A new and enlarged Edition, with some engravings, by Mr. Pratt. 1814. This is an extended Edition of Mr. Pratt's former Work, descriptive of Leamington Spa and the neighbouring places.

Picturesque Views on the Upper, or Warwickshire, Avon, from its Source at Naseby to its junction with the Severn, at Tewkesbury. With Observations on the Public Buildings, and other Works of Art, in its Vicinity, By Samuel Ireland. Lond. 1795.

In the Archæologia are the following Articles relating to this County :

The Knight's Fees contained in the Honour of Warwick, II. 334. The Style of Architecture of Warwick Castle, VI. 345.

Ob

Observations on the Antiquity and use of Beacons, occasioned by the Discovery of an ancient Painting in the Church of Burton Dasset, I. 1-7

Observations on two Jewels discovered at Compton Murdoch, alias Compton Verney, III. 371–375.

An account of Roman Coins discovered within the Manor of Knowle, VII. 413.

The Rates of Wages of all manner of Artificers, Labourers, and Servants, as appointed at the General Quarter Sessions holden at Warwick in the 36th of Charles II. from the original in the Possession of Mr. Nichols, XI. 208-211.

An account of two Urns and a Skeleton, found near Alcester, XVII. 332-333.

In the Register Book of the Royal Society, for 1661, is inserted a Brief Account of the supposed Rain of Wheat in Warwickshire. See Birch's History of the Royal Society, Vol. I. p. 32. This shower principally took place at Tachbrook, near Warwick. On investigation it appeared that the supposed Wheat was really the Seed of Ivy Berries; and the Seed was conjectured to have been dropped by Starlings, which Birds are well known to assemble in great Numbers.

PRINTS AND PLANS.

In Stukeley's Itinerary is a Prospect of Warwick. Stukeley del. Fletcher sc.

Gough mentions "an undated View of the Town, from a Drawing by J. Fish, of Warwick."

Buck engraved, in 1729, a large S. E. View of this Town; and S.E. and N. E. Views of the Castle.

In Edmonson's History of the Greville Family are Plans of the Castle, copied by Grose for his Antiquities.

P. Sandby engraved, in Aquatinta, in 1776, Cæsar's Tower, and Part of Warwick Castle, from the Island; Elevation of the Castle, from the S. E.; The Castle from the Bridge Hill; and the entrance of the Castle, from the Tower Court.

Views of Kenilworth and Warwick, by Smith of Chichester, 1724.

There is a View of Warwick Castle in " Tour."

Gilpin's Northern

Views of Warwick Castle, Kenilworth, and Stoneleigh Abbey, from Drawings by Mr. J. Barber, of Birmingham, 1812.

Four Views in Leamington, etched by W. Radclyffe, from Drawings by O'Neil.