Notes On Literature, Science And Art.

such matters to wish for their publication in a more compendious form . The result has been that Mr . Cox undertook to rewrite and extend the articles , commencing with those in the Eastern Division of the county , for publication in book form . The work is to consist of three volumesthe

, first of which , treating of the Hundred of Scarsdale , which may be said to form the ecclesiastical Deanery of Chesterfield , has just been issued . It is a neat volume of 512 large 8 vo . pages , printed on tinted paper , illustrated with thirteen heliotype

and numerous other engravings , a glance at which is sufficient to convince a stranger that Derbyshire is rich in the handiwork of our ancient operative Masons . The book is " dedicated to the Rev , J . H . Jenkins , B . A ., vicar of Hazlewood , as a

small expression of the high esteem and affection with which he is regarded by the author . " Although articles on all the churches described in this volume , with the exception of one or two of the less important ehapelries , appeared in the local paper just named , Mr . Cox informs us that nearly two-thirds of the pages are

entirely new or completely re-written . " It has been my aim , " he says , " to gather together , in a condensed and available form , all that relates to the early history of the ancient churches and ehapelries of the county , excluding as rigidly as

possible , that which had no immediate bearing on the subject . It was found necessary in many cases , not only for the elucidation of arms and monuments , but also in connection with the history of the advowsons , to pay some little attention to the memorial

records of the different parishes . In these cases , although the published volumes of Pilkington and Davies , of Lysons and Glover ( together with numerous other works incidental to the history of the county ) , were always consulted , yet no

statement has been accepted simply on their authority , but the basis of their assertions has been sought out , to be verified or corrected , and numerous fresh particulars have been brought to light which had escaped their observation . For

this purpose the very extensive publications issued by the Record Commission , commencing in the year 1800 , has been thoroughly searched . " Of those , generally

to be found only in our public libraries , Mr . Cox was fortunate enough to secure a nearly complete set for himself , that had belonged to the late Master of the Rolls , Lord Itomilly , with valuable manuscri pt corrections . Transcripts and abstracts of

the Close , Patent , Fine , Pipe , Charter , Quo Warranto , and Hundred Rolls , Inquisitions , ancl every available source of information , has helped to swell the stream of curious and useful knowledge which Mr . Cox has brought to every uiiud anxious to quench

its thirst thereat . To those who have personally visited the churches of Derbyshire , Mr . Cox ' s mass of historical and antiquarian matter must be perfectly delightful ; while for those who , like myself , have scarcely set foot in one of them

, but have often wished to do so as the rapid railroad tantalized me with a hasty glance , ancl then whisked me away to gaze for a moment in like manner at others ; to those who love to read of former times ancl

former men ; to all who have the least liking for the noble art of architecture , as every true Craftsman ought to have , although as a speculative Mason he may only apply the working-tools to his morals ; to every man or . woman of true taste in the country , books like this by Mr . Cox

are sure to give great pleasure , both from the immense information they contain and the very agreeable manner in which they are written . Of the Lambeth Library , rich in manuscripts very valuable for the local historian , Mr . Cox remarks : — "It is

singular that comparatively so little use is made of this fine library ancl its unique collection of manuscripts , especially as it is now open to the public on three days in the week ; " and he gladly acknowledges his " indebtedness to MrSWKersham

. . . , M . A ., the courteous librarian . " OfElias Ashmole ' s Church Notes , taken in Derbyshire in 1662 , Mr . Cox observes : — "I had the pleasure of a leisurely inspection of those latter Notes at the house of Mr .

John Joseph Briggs , of King ' s Newton , who possesses a manuscript copy . This gentleman , who so generously p laced Ins library at my service , will perhaps pardon me for congratulating him on the possession of so unique a series of local literature . Not only does Mr . Briggs possess a copy of Elias Ashmole ' s Visitation , but also of