The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 20, No. 577 | Page 9

"Item--Two maces for St. Edmund.
"Item--Three small crowns for St. Katherine.
"Item--A cross and staff for St. Nicholas."
The orthography of this extract has been modernized, but the idiom (if
any) has been retained.
JUVENIS.
* * * * *
ANCIENT CHAIR.
This curious relic is traditionally called the Prior's Chair, and belonged
to the priory of Southwick, which formerly stood near Portsmouth, in
Hampshire. It is made of oak, its several parts being fastened together
with small wooden pegs. On the back of the chair, within a square
panel, is carved an animal somewhat resembling a buck, which was
probably the armorial bearing of the prior; as it was anciently, and is

now, the custom to carve or paint on chairs placed in halls or other
conspicuous places, the crest or arms of the proprietor. Above the panel
are two mitres, and on each side of the arms of the chair is a rose,
ornamented with rays issuing from its centre. This ancient specimen of
furniture is extremely interesting as a specimen of the mechanical
ingenuity of the age in which it was constructed, and as the only vestige
of the establishment to which it was annexed. Upon part of the Priory
buildings being taken down, a few years since, the Chair with other old
furniture found on the premises, was sold by auction, when it was
rescued from the hands of a person who was bidding for it as a smoking
chair, by a gentleman, who allowed a drawing to be taken of it. Of the
Priory of Southwick very scanty information is to be obtained: no
mention of it is to be found in the Monasticon: but Sir Robert Atkyns,
in his history of Gloucestershire, says that it was founded by Henry I.
and dedicated to St. Mary. It was for canons regular of the order of St.
Augustine. The last prior surrendered this convent on the 7th of April,
1539: it was valued in the catalogue of religious houses at 257l.
[Illustration]
* * * * *
ANTIQUE KNIFE-HANDLE.
[Illustration]
This was found about 20 years since, at the manorhouse of Lake, near
Amesbury, in Wiltshire. The handle consists of two figures, a warrior
and a female: it was probably the haft of a small knife or dagger, is
made of brass, and considering its great antiquity, is in good
preservation. The features of the figures are the parts mostly injured by
wear; the female holds in the right hand a small bag or purse, the
custom of carrying which fell into disuse in the days of Queen
Elizabeth. This ancient haft is, however, most likely of an age
considerably anterior to the above reign, and from the costume in
general, and the simple cross hilt of the sword attached to the warrior's
side, it may not unjustly claim a date coeval with the Crusades.

ANCIENT BELL.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: (Handle.)]
This Bell, as the motto (God save the Queen, 1560,) explains, is of the
age of Elizabeth. The handle is of considerably older date, and probably
belonged to a mass-bell, as it bears the effigies of a devotee, holding
her beads, and a cross. Indeed, the prayer for the Queen, on the Bell, in
English, would indicate its subsequent age. This curious relic was a few
years since in the possession of the Rev. Mr. Crutwell, a name
distinguished in topographical and antiquarian literature.
* * * * *
FALCONRY TENURE.
The manorial rights of Comberton, in the county of Cambridge, were
formerly held by the lord, being the keeper of the king's falcons. A
record of the year 1374 says, that the manor was held "by the service of
carrying a goshawk at coronations."--JUVENIS.
* * * * *

THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.
FUNERAL OF SIR WALTER SCOTT.--BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
(Abridged from Tait's Edinburgh Magazine.)
When we arrived at the ford, which gave its fancied name to the poet's
dwelling, we found the silver Tweed sparkling merrily along, as if all
things were as they were wont to be. The young woods before us, and
the towers, and gables, and pinnacles of the mansion, were smiling
beneath the mellowing rays of the September sun, as if unconscious
that the master-spirit which called them into being had for ever fled

from them. The sound of wheels came on the ear at intervals, rushing
from different directions, and indicating the frequent arrival of
carriages; yet when we, availing ourselves of the open doors, had taken
our well-known way through the garden, and passed beneath the Gothic
screen that might have vied with the Beautiful Gate of the Temple itself,
and on into the courtyard in front of the house, we were surprised to
find it deserted and lonely. Before any one came to interrupt us, we had
leisure to gaze