first, he observed that the earliest instance yet known of the English tongue. being used in a Deed, was, that of the indenture between the Abbot and Convent of Whitby, and Robert the son of John Bustard, dated at York, in the year 1343*.

The lecture was concluded by an account of the works of Robert De Brunne and Adam Davie, with a few short specimens of the poetry of both these writers. Of the former it was observed, from Warton, that even such a writer as Robert de Brunne, uncouth and unpleasing as he might be, contributed to form a style, to teach expression, and to polish his native tongue. In the infancy of language, nothing is wanted but writers: at such a period, even the most artless have their use.' Of Adam Davie it was

liament Rolls and Rymer's Foedera, relating to a petition of the Mercers of London in the year 1386, and to the confession of Thomas Earl of Gloucester in 1398. A very curious passage was also read from Tyrrel's History of England relating to the deposition of Richard II.

* Charlton's History of Whitby, p. 247.

mentioned, that, his principal poem, called The Life of Alexander,' was preparing for the press by Mr. Park; the well known editor of the new and

6

enlarged edition of Royal and Noble Authors.'

Mr. ALLEN has just begun a course on natural philosophy, and Mr. HEWLETT on belles lettres. On the 20th Instant Mr. FORSTER Commenced his first lecture on the history of commerce.

Mr. CROWE On dramatic poetry, and Mr. Coleridge on the principles common to the fine arts, have not yet commenced their lectures; nor has Dr. Shaw on 200logy, Dr. Smith on botany, Mr. Craig and Mr. Wood on drawing and perspective, or Mr. Douglas Guest on the state of the fine arts in Spain. These, together with Dr. Crotch's new lectures on music, Mr. Allen's on the history of mechanical inventions, Mr. Dibdin's third course on the history of English literature, and Mr. Davy's on the chemical phenomena of nature, will make the other courses of the present season. The library of reference is daily

improving, and the catalogue completed, both alphabetically and according to the order of sciences and history. It is intended for publication. The mineralogical and geological collections have been increased, and are now arranged in the two rooms which have been fitted up for them over the laboratory,

London Institution.

The Managers are at present occupied in arranging the library belonging to this establishment, which already contains a numerous and well-selected collection of scarce and valuable classical, historical, and miscellaneous books. In the fine arts, in natural history, in bibliography, in parliamentary history, in topography, and the history and antiquities of Great Britain, this library is extremely rich. Here may be found the valuable collection of books made by the deceased Marquis of Lansdown, relating to the French revolution; also a large collection of tracts, having refer

ence to the political and commercial affairs of these kingdoms in upwards of 300 volumes. The principal librarian, PROFESSOR PORSON, is employed in forming a well arranged catalogue of the library; which, when finished, the Managers intend to print. The great difficulty in meeting with a sufficiently spacious room, has hitherto prevented the managers from entering on that part of the plan of this institution which embraces the delivery of lectures on scientific and philosophical subjects.

British Gallery.

THE loan of pictures from different collections, has been attended with more beneficial effects, than the most sanguine projector could have hoped for. Eightyseven artists have been admitted as students, thirty of whom have been in a course of regular attendance. The desire of studying, imitating, and rivaling the noblest productions of the old masters, is becoming a source and principle of exer

tion. Mr. Knight's Rembrandt has been the subject of imitation to Mr. Guest, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Rawlinson, Mr. Reynolds, Miss Hay, Mr. Celli, and Mr. Jones; the first of whom has nearly finished his copy of the St. Ursula of Claude Lorrain, from Mr. Angerstein's collection. The Giovartius of Vandyke, from the same collection, has employed the pencils of no less than twelve artists; Messieurs Agar, Howard, P. Stephanoff, Watts, Rawlinson, Green, Lewis, Chalon, Masquerier, and J. Pocock, and Miss Jackson, and Miss Hay. Rembrandt's windmill, the property of Mr. William Smith, has been imitated by an equal number; Messrs. Green, Reynolds, Lewis, Reinagle, jun. E. A. Spilsbury, Celli, Medlands, Jones, Mason, J. Pocock, Monro, and Miss Hay. Sir Joshua Reynolds's picture of Venus reproving Cupid, has been the subject of studies by Messrs. Watts and Green, and of copies by Miss Jackson and Mr. Tod; and Velasques' portrait of the Infant of Spain, from Lord Grosvenor's collection, has em