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(anonymous) editor's address is remarkable: "The story of Balaam and Jehosaphat, written by S. John Damascene, a Greek father, hath been sufficiently applauded, and, indeed, it has its peculiar beauties and excellencies. Dr. Patrick, Bishop of Ely, wrote a much more voluminous work under the title of the Pilgrim, but the colouring is very faint, and it wants all that simple plainness which so pathetically strikes the heart," &c.

A writer in the last monthly account of the Church of England Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, after announcing the translation of this popular work into Hebrew, thus proceeds: "The most industrious scholars have laboured to trace in earlier books any hints, allusions, or even phrases, which might possibly have afforded a groundwork for the Pilgrim's Progress.' Curious coincidences have been thus elicited; but it avails nothing to select some few and unconnected words or single ideas from Dante and Spenser, the former of which Bunyan could not possibly have read as it was not then translated into English, and the latter was very unlikely to come into his hands. (We might go back to Peter de Blois in the twelfth century for the term Vanity Fair, who inveighs against the 'vanitatis nundinæ' in one of his letters.) His personages and occurrences were pourtrayed from actual daily life, and had he depended upon others for materials to be arranged, or even a subject to be developed, he would never have conceived so clearly, nor therefore have described so vividly, his varied and truthful details. For the formation of his bold and homely diction we are indebted to the author's long perusal of our national version of the Bible, his black-letter 'Book of Martyrs,' and his worm-eaten Luther on the Galatians.' The main outline, therefore, is the patriarchal state of pilgrimage spiritualized; the characters are those of common experience in all ages, and the feelings expressed were those of his own greatly exercised passions as led on from sin to holiness by the Spirit of God." The translator has succeeded in producing a work acceptable to many of the scattered nation, and which is already in the GENT. MAG. VOL. XXI.

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hands of Christian Hebrews within the holy city Jerusalem, if not beside the waters of Jordan and Tiberias, with other localities of that land of promise; and far may it spread to the Euphrates, to central Asia, or wherever else the people of Israel are found; may prosperity attend its march, and may the pious call of the author to such as delight in the teaching or elucidation of allegories, and who likewise desire to understand their own state of progress as pilgrims, be abundantly answered in Israel!

I shall close this communication by stating that some years since I had the pleasure of carefully examining for several hours the identical copy of Fox which cheered the long years of Bunyan's imprisonment in Bedford jail.

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His numerous marginal notes were continued throughout the whole three black-letter folio volumes, and were all extremely characteristic of the writer, whose hand-writing was not difficult to read, and superior to what his station in life warranted; at the commencement of each volume the autograph of John Bunyan" appeared in large capitals. No doubt was ever expressed of these having been his companions in prison; and I have also seen a massy oak chair with his initials I. B. 1672,* carved, or rather embossed, upon its heavy frame, which certainly appeared a proper and capacious receptacle for the sturdy and

ingenious dreamer," as he is designated by Cowper. Several other memorials of this extraordinary man are kept with great care in the town. of Bedford. F. M.

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tion; and through the instrumentality of the commissioners of sewers, or rather of their servants the "navigators," (who are much more anxious to preserve them than their superiors themselves,) these silent records of past ages find their way into private museums and collections.

Rapid strides are being made towards the completion of the drainage of the metropolis, and probably in the course of a few years there will be no occasion for the extensive excavations at present necessary for the purpose of forming sewers; consequently, I think that, although of late many remains of Roman London have been discovered, they ought in every instance to be recorded while we yet have the advantage of such aid to antiquarian research.

From the numerous fragments of this ware which have been observed on the sites of Roman cities and towns, it has been reasonably conjectured that it is the identical Samian spoken of by Pliny and other authors as used by the Romans at their meals, and for other domestic purposes; it is indeed expressly stated that the ware made of Samian earth, and which came from the island of Samos, was much esteemed by them to eat their meals out of, and to display upon the board;* that it was in common use we have authority enough, in fact we find it proverbial, in the same manner as we at the present day make use of the simile " as brittle as glass."

"M. Placidè pulta." "P. Metuis credo, ne fores Samiæ fient."+

Again,

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traced innumerable vestiges of potteries, throughout the Upchurch marshes, and along the banks of the Medway, but all of the coarse black

ware.

We have historical evidence to prove that the Samian was transported into foreign countries, and that most nations under heaven used them at their tables;† and there is little doubt but that they were of foreign manufacture. Similar fragments are found at Rome and its vicinity, and indeed throughout Europe, some apparently from the same moulds. Two of these Samian bowls are engraved in Montfaucon, and are placed among the "Batterie de Cuisine," and speaking of the ware he says, "C'est fort creux, et peut avoir servi à mettre des sausses ou de la bouillie."

"At tibi læta trahant Samiæ convivia

testæ,

Fictaque Cumana lubrica terra rota."§ It is very likely the appellation of Samian was given indiscriminately to all whatever colour or make, for the Savessels in common use at the table, of mian "fictilis fidelia," mentioned by several authors, was a jug or pitcher of white ware, in which the wine was put out of the larger amphora.

"Tumet alba fidelia vino."||

It held about a gallon, and was often filled with the favourite beverage mulled wine.

"Mulsi congialem plenam tibi faciam fideliam."¶

The "pocula Saguntina," and drinking-cups from Surrentum, Asia, and Pollentia may be included.

The general forms of the bright red Samian are bowls and dishes or pateræ of various sizes, and of considerable thickness, to bear the constant wear to which it was subjected in being so repeatedly moved on and off the board; unlike the Athenian vases, which were for ornament only, and the chief excellence of which consisted in their extreme lightness. Some colouring matter must have been used to give it the beautiful coralline appearance it now (even after the lapse

*Collectan. Antiq. C. R. Smith.
+ Pliny.
§ Tibullus.
¶ Plaut.

Vol. 5, p. 124 and 144.
Pers.

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"Ex luto Samio in rubrem colorem vertente,"

and it is extraordinary that it should still retain the uniform high polish on its surface. In examining the numerous specimens I possess, there appears such a similarity in the colour, scarcely varying a shade, that it is probable these red vessels were transported from one particular spot, and that the knowledge of the art in colouring and manufacturing them was confined to the potters of the island of Samos.

Pottery was looked upon with greater veneration and respect than vessels of gold or silver, and generally used at their sacrifices. Tertullian speaks of the Samian vessels as still in use at their religious ceremonies; and Plautus, "Ad rem divinam quibus est opus Samiis vasis utitur."t

It was the custom among the Romans to give an entertainment to commemorate the death of their friends, at which a display of plate or earthenware, according to the cir

cumstances or distinction of the deceased, was placed about the room; and we find Cicerot speaking of the stoic Quintus Tubero, who, on the death of Africanus, furnished out a dining room, in which were placed wooden beds with goatskin covers, and a sideboard of Samian vessels, as if they had been commemorating the death of Diogenes the cynic, and not the great Africanus.

The Romans doubtless in their entertainments made a great display of the more precious metals, but the Samian ware was in general use among all classes.

Quibus divitiæ domi sunt, scaphis et cantharis

Batiolis bibunt: at nos nostro Samiolo poterio

Tamen vivimus."§

It is said that Agathocles, king of Sicily, used these Samian vessels always at his feasts; his partiality to them no doubt arose from the circum

* Pitiscus.

Captiv. Act 2, sc. 2.

Pro Murena.

§ Plaut. Stich. A. 5, sc. 4.

stance of his father having followed the trade of a potter.

"Fama est fictilibus cænasse Agathocle a rege,

Atque Abacum Samio sæpe onerasse luto."*

A strong cement called signina was made from fragments of Samian pottery, which were ground into powder and tempered with lime; this red cement is seen on some tesselated pavement (found last year in Wood Street) between tessera of baked white clay. Pavements were also made of powdered tiles mixed in the same manner, so likewise was the mortar, which gave it that red appearance to which Fitzstephen alludes, when, speaking of some part of the Tower of London which then stood, he saysThe mortar is tempered with the blood of beasts.'

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Some of the patterns with which this ware is decorated are exceedingly beautiful and interesting, illustrating their mythology, and the different games they were accustomed to celebrate gladiatorial combats; conflicts between men and beasts; field sports; and musicians represented playing on the plectrum, double flute, and instruments many of which are now unknown. In many the pigmies are seen warring against their inveterate enemies the cranes, who invaded their corn fields. The patterns formed of the vine, its tendrils, leaves, and fruit, are tastefully grouped. On others are seen basso relievos of the heathen deities, Mercury, Apollo, Venus, &c., modelled from existing statues.

In general, the ornaments are raised from the surface of the bowl; the clay

* Ausonius,

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in the first instance was shaped by being thrown on the wheel, and the figures afterwards moulded in relief on the exterior; in a few instances these figures appear to have been cast in a mould previous to their being affixed to the bowl. Mr. C. R. Smith possesses a beautiful specimen of this variety.

The potters' names are in most cases impressed across the centre at the bottom of the interior of the vessel; and it is remarked that many discovered in London correspond with others found in different parts of England, and even in France. Among the names on the annexed list are several which agree exactly, even in the peculiar monogram and precise formation of the type adopted by one particular artificer. VTALIS (Vitalis), this stamp has been found on Samian pateræ from Crooked Lane, Queen Street, Cheapside, and in a tumulus on the Bartlow Hills. OF RVFIN has been observed on the same ware from Lombard Street, Crooked Lane, Lad Lane, and other parts of the city.

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It is probable these larger ornamented vessels were used to place the meat and substantial part of the meal in, while the small plain Samian cups of the same red ware were those described as the salinum or salt-cellar, and acetabulum or vinegar-cup, which were put on the board to dip the lettuce and viands into, or to hold pickles, sauces, &c. to give a relish to the other portion of the repast. The acetabulum was used as a measure, about the same as the modern " cup full;" the cyathus or ladle held of a pint, the acetabulum of a pint, the urna about three gallons four pints, and the amphora about seven gallons, The Romans divided the sextarius or pint into twelve equal parts, called cyathi, therefore their calices or cups were called sextantes, quadrantes, trientes, &c. according to the number of cyathi they contained. Another circumstance connected with these cups may not be unworthy of notice, as it shows the antiquity of thethimble rig" of the present day. The use of the acetabulum for this purpose is distinctly mentioned; they placed three of these cups on a table with three legs, and underneath each

were put stones or other objects, which were removed from one to the other by sleight of hand, or abstracted altogether, to the great astonishment and amusement of the spectators, who found the stones under different cups from those which they expected. These persons were called acetabularii, because they played with the acetabulum.

In the following list I have confined myself entirely to those stamps in my own possession, and which are all impressed on the red Samian ware, and the places where they were found are printed in italics.

Aistivi. M. Creed-lane.

Aeterni. M. reversed, Lad-lane. Borilli. M. Queen-street, and C. R. Smith's list.*

list.

Crani. Bishopsgate-street, C. R. Smith's

Ceria. Ditto.

Cai M. S. reversed, Queen-street.
Decimi. Lad-lane.

Jul. Numidi. Lad-lane.

Of. Jucun. Creed-lane and Queen-street.
Latinian. F. Queen-street.
Lupei. M. Lad-lane.
Miccio. Creed-lane.

Of. Murra. Bishopsgate-street, Lom-
bard-street,† Crooked-lane.‡
Onativi. Queen-street.
Ocirni. Lad-lane.
Omom. Lad-lane.
Officin. Queen-street.

Of. Passi. Bishopsgate-street.

Of. Prim. Lad-lane, Reculvers, Crookedlane.

Patna. Bishopsgate-street.

Of. Patrici. Queen-street, C. R. Smith's list.

Pater. Bishopsgate-street.

Of. Rufin. Lad-lane, Crooked-lane, Lombard-street.

Ropusi. F. F. Queen-street. Secundus. Queen-street, Lombard-street, Crooked-lane, C. R. S. list. Silvinus. F. Lad-lane. Sympho. Bishopsgate street. Turtunn. Queen-street. Tauri. Queen-street.

Vitalis. M. S. F. Lad-lane, Crookedlane, Bartlow hills.§ C. R. S. list. Vitalis P. P. Bishopsgate-street. Of. Vita. Lad-lane. Xivi. Queen-street.

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*Archæol. 1831.

+ Archæol. by Mr. Forster, 1786. Archæol. Mr. Kempe, vol. xxiv. Archæol. vol. 25.

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MR. URBAN, Sept. 22. NEAR the Market Cross of the decayed town of Tickhill, in the West Riding of York, is an ancient timber-built house, called St.Leonard's Hospital, now divided into mean tenements, and long since alienated from it its original destination'; but the front facing the street possesses, in my estimation, sufficient interest to be recorded in your repository, particularly as I have not met with any print of it, although it has been an object of my inquiry since I first saw it in 1814. It is said in Hunter's South Yorkshire, i. 244, that the hospital of St. Leonard existed as early as 1225, when the sad condition of the brethren inhabiting it was recommended by Archbishop Walter Gray to the charity of all good people. The quaint inscription over the doorway-Bis mad Jon Leftwul, which in modern orthography would be

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