But there are ftill three ideas which lay claim to the word Furrow:

The trench made by the plow;

The collateral drains;

And the crofs drains;

which the Writer will diftinguish, when distinction is neceffary, by

The Plow-Furrow;

The Inter Furrow;

The Crofs-Furrow.

• How unthankful foever the office of Innovator may be, the Reader will be able to judge from this Note, that it is not the most delightful task in the world; for the Writer has fcarcely introduced or altered any word throughout thefe MINUTES and the Digest, which has not coft him a train of ideas bearing some resemblance to thofe above registered.

As a proof of the ambiguity of this term, it is clearly the Plit, which is meant both by Mortimer and Dryden; and which even Dr. JOHNSON (being no Farmer) mistakes for a "fmall trench."

It is allowed that a real ambiguity here occurs, and that fome new terms are neceffary-nor is Mr. Marshall the first who has felt this difficulty. Lord Kaims complains of it in his Gentleman Farmer, and has invented the term furrow-flice to denote that part of the mould turned over by the plow, which is by Mr. Marshall called plit. Mr. Anderfon, in the Effays relating to Agriculture and rural Affairs, likewife diftinguishes the trench made by the plow in working, from the interval between the ridges, calling the first a thurrow, and the last only a furrow; yet we doubt if fucceeding authors will be pleafed with either these names, or those invented by Mr. Marshall; because, where men are not awed by the reverence they have for the established jus et norma loquendi, every one endeavours to find out a more analogous term than that of his predeceffors, which he adopts without referve, if he thinks he has made that discovery. Were the Writer of this Article to become the author of a book on agriculture, it is poffible he would adopt the following words in preference to any of the former, as he thinks they have at least a greater claim to fimplicity.

In fome of our northern counties the provincial word to denote the trench made by the plow in going, is not furrow, but fimply fur. May not this have been the original word from which the others have been derived? The earth turned out of the fur by the plow in its going, which is left lying along the fide of the ridge in rows, has naturally been denominated furrows. Would not these two terms, if always used in the above fense, prevent intirely the neceffity of Lord Kaims's furrow flice, and Mr. Marshall's plit, and have lefs the appearance of nor velty? If the word fur was the original word to denote any trench made by the plow, it would naturally come to be ap

$ 4

plied

plied to the intervals between the ridges, because these openings are literally furs. Perhaps there would be no impropriety in now diftinguishing them by an appropriated term from the temporary furs made by each draught of the plow; nor does any one seem more analogous than the obfolete word through, as thefe open furs may be ftrictly called thuroughs, that is, trenches going through (i. e. thurough) the field from one end to the other. This example is given to fhow, that when a fpirit of innovating begins, it is impoffible to fay where it will end.

But if new terms must be invented, they ought always to be defined in a confpicuous place, at the beginning or end of the book, which readers could eafily confult when they were at a lofs for the meaning. Where these innovations are numerous, it is not one reader in an hundred who can retain at once the exact meaning of every term and it is a moft difagreeable task to be hunting through a volume in fearch of the place where each of these words have been defined.

Before we take leave of this Author, we fhall add another remark, viz. that his genius feems to point much more toward improvements in the practical department of agriculture than in the fcientific. This we look upon as a fortunate peculiarity both for the Writer himself and for the Public; because the fuccefs of a farmer depends much more on his accuracy in the practical department than on his knowledge in the fcientific branches of that art, although the first, in the eye of most modern improvers, is held in such a subordinate light when compared to the last, that it is generally thought beneath the attention of a man of genius. Our Author will not be denied a place among men of genius, and therefore we hope his example will help to make that branch of agriculture be more attended to than it has hitherto been.

We conclude with recommending this performance to the particular attention of every man who intends to begin farming, and we doubt not that if they read it with the caution we have advised, they will find themselves much benefited by it.

ART. II. The Antiquarian Repertory: A Mifcellany, intended to preferve and illuftrate feveral valuable Remains of old Times, Adorned with elegant Sculptures. 4to. 4to. 2 Vols. 11. 18 sq Boards. Blyth, &c.

TH

HIS collection, which has been published in separate parts, now makes its collective appearance in two volumes, ate tended with a great number of engravings, that confiderably enhance the value of the performance, and will not a little add to the Reader's entertainment,

The

The Editors obferve, that it has long been the fashion to laugh at the ftudy of antiquities, and to confider it as the idle amusement of a few humdrum, plodding fellows, who, wanting genius for nobler ftudies, bufied themselves in heaping up illegible manuscripts, mutilated ftatues, obliterated coins, and broken pipkins:' This account is in fome measure true, and the laugh has in a degree been juftified by the abfurdity and folly into which the profeffed antiquarian, as he is vulgarly ftyled, and fometimes even ingenious men, have been betrayed. But it must be acknowledged, that to condemn indifcriminately this branch of learned inquiry, is not the character of the prefent age, which has been well difpofed to encourage and assist it.

It will be expected that the Authors of the prefent work fhould fpeak highly of this ftudy. Accordingly they infift that, without a competent fund of antiquarian learning, no one will ever make a refpectable figure, either as a divine, lawyer, statesman, foldier, or even a private gentleman; and that it is the fine quâ non of feveral of the more liberal profeffions, as well as many trades, and is befides a ftudy to which all perfons in particular inftances have a kind of propenfity, every man being, as logicians exprefs it, " Quoad hoc," an antiquarian.'

In fuch views do these gentlemen labour to prove the importance of cultivating this part of fcience; in fome respects, no doubt, the study of antiquities hath proved useful and important and it will certainly contribute to render thofe who are proficients in it more entertaining to others, while they alfo find it an agreeable amufement for themselves.

We come now to the account which was given of the work before us, by the Editors themselves, at its first publication, in periodical numbers, viz. This collection is meant as a repofitory for fugitive pieces, refpecting the history and antiquities of this country. In the courfe of it care fhall be taken to admit only fuch views as may be depended on, and have never before been publifhed, and which, at the fame time that they please the eye, fhall reprefent fome remains of antiquity, fome capital manfion, or ftriking profpect. The por traits fhall introduce to the public acquaintance only fuch perfons as have figured in fome eminent ftation, or been remarkable for their abilities, ftations, or accidents in life. And the letterprefs thall convey either original effays, or extracts from books, whofe price and scarcity have rendered them acceffible only to a few.

The firft of thefe volumes, accordingly, opens with an account, a curious account, as it is not improperly termed, of the ordinances used at tournaments, as alfo the etiquette refpecting battles in lifts, or legal duels, copied by the late ingenious William Oldys, Norroy King of Arms, from a MS. marked I. 26,

in

in the library of the College of Arms, or Herald's Office, London. These ordinances, ftatutes, and rules, are faid to have been made and enacted by John Erle of Worcestre constable of England by the Kinges commandement at Windefore the 14th day of May in the vith. yere of his noble reigne, to be obferved and kepte in all manner of Juftes of peace Royall, within this Realme of England &c;' but it is rather remarkable, that the Editor has not mentioned what King's reign it was, in which they were appointed. We fhall only infert, from this Article, one paffage concerning the fees belonging to the Officers of Arms Alfo what nobleman fo ever he be that entreth into the faide feeld or Juftes, the firfte tyme, he ought to give the Officers of Armes 6 crownes of Golde for the marshallinge of his armes, that tyme & no more.'

In

Bolton-Hall, fituated in the beautiful valley of Wenfley-dale, Yorkshire, furnishes a very pleafing print. The house is faid to have been finished in 1678. However worthy of notice it may be in other refpects, the following paragraph will ever render it remarkable and valuable to the friends of freedom: this retirement lived, during the agitated reign of James the Second, that Marquis of Winchefter, who, by feigning a temporary indifpofition for political purposes, contributed fo much towards effecting the Revolution. Even now near the mansion, in the deep folitude of a woody dell, is to be feen the ruin of a houfe, which the Marquis built, and to which he used occafionally to retreat, in the awful hours of night, to enjoy that taciturnity, and to cultivate that character he then found it fo convenient and neceffary to affume.'

Of Ely-Houfe, Holborn, or rather its ruins, we have a pretty engraving, which is properly placed in these volumes, with a fhort hiftory of the building. The most striking object in this view is the chapel, which is yet ftanding; part of the back of the cloifters may likewise be seen; as is also a small part of the great hall *.

John Selwyn, under-keeper of the park at Oatlands in Surry, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, is introduced into this collection: his monument, confifting of feveral plates formerly placed on his grave-ftone, is preferved in the chancel of the church at Walton on Thames; they are now nailed against the wall. The monument confirms a traditionary ftory, told by an ancient fexton of that place, which is as follows: John Selwyn was extremely famous for his ftrength, agility, and skill in horfemanfhip, fpecimens of all which he exhibited before the Queen, at a grand ftag-hunt in that park, where attend

6

An elegant street is now building, on the fcite of these venerable premiles.

ing, as was the duty of his office, he in the heat of the chace fuddenly leaped from his horfe, on the back of the ftag, and not only kept his feat gracefully in fpite of every effort of the affrighted beaft, but drawing his fword, with it guided him towards the Queen, and coming near her prefence, plunged it in his throat, fo that the animal fell dead at her feet.' He is accordingly portrayed in one part of the monument riding on the ftag, and in the act of ftabbing it: an act which, we would hope, the tenderness of the Queen could not approve.

By a long additional account, which follows the above Article, of the rules, oaths, &c. ufed at tournaments, it appears that these ordinances were framed in the reign of Richard [we fuppofe] the Third.

Many of our Readers are, no doubt, acquainted with the little anecdote of John Selwyn, juft now related; to fome, perhaps, it will be new and amufing;- -as may be the account which is given, in another Article, of the perverfion of words and proper names. Henry VIII. having taken the town of Bullogne in France, had the gates of the place brought to Hardes in Kent, where they are faid now to remain. The action was highly magnified by the flatterers of that reign, and it became, Porto-bello like, fays this Writer, a popular fubject for figns, and the port or harbour of Bullogne, called Bullogne Mouth, was accordingly fet up at a noted inn in London; the name of the inn long out-living the fign and fame of the conqueft, an ignorant painter, employed by a no less ignorant landlord, to paint a new one, reprefented it by a bull and a large gaping human mouth, anfwering to the vulgar pronunciation of Bull and Mouth. The fame piece of history gave being to the Bull and Gate, originally meant for Bullogne Gate.

The barber's pole is not allowed by thefe Writers to originate from the word poll or head, which feems highly probable, but is supposed an indication that the mafter of the fhop could breathe a vein as well as mow a beard, alluding to the ftaff which every village practitioner puts into the hand of a patient undergoing the operation of phlebotomy. The white band encompaffing the staff was meant to reprefent the phillet.-The Yeomen of the Guard used to wait at table at all great folemnities, and were ranged near the buffets; this procured them the name of Buffetiers, not very unlike in found to the jocular appellation of Beef-eaters.-A Cordwainer feems to have no affinity to the occupation it is meant to exprefs, that of a fhoe-maker. But Cordonier, originally fpelt Corduanier, is the French word for that trade, the beft leather ufed for fhoes coming originally from Cordua, in Spain. Spanish leather fhoes were once famous in England. May not the origin of the Bell Savage be added to thefe derivations?

In