248 Mr. W. B. Donfie [April 25, 



or insult. The militia, the Bashi-Bozooks, are allowed to depart 

 unarmed to their homes. The medical corps, and other non- 

 combatants, are to be released and be free to serve again in any other 

 army. A certain number of foreign officers, and the subjects of 

 states not at war with Russia, are to be allowed to depart, on 

 condition of not serving again during the continuance of the war." 

 On the 27th, General AVilliams and his staff dined with the Russian 

 general. Even in their desperate circumstances, the capitulation 

 was received by the army with great lamentation. 



Dr. Sandwith left Kars on November 30, and arrived in 

 London on the 9th of January, 1856. 



[H. S.] 



WEEKLY EVENING MEETING, 



Friday, April 25. 



Sm Benjamin Collins Brodie, Bart. D.C.L. F.R.S. 



Vice-President, in the Chair. 



W. B. Donne, Esq. 



On the Works of Chaucer^ considered as Historical Illustrations 

 of England in the \Ath Century. 



Mr. Donne commenced his discourse with some remarks on the 

 changes which the language and literature of England had under- 

 gone since the age of Edward III. 



In the period of time which elapsed between Chaucer's birth 

 and death, 1328 — 1400, occurred some of the most striking and 

 stirring events in English history. It includes the reigns of 

 Edward III. and Richard II., and the opening scenes of the usur- 

 pation of the House of Lancaster. It comprises Edward's French 

 and Scottish wars — his league with Jaques van Artevelde and the 

 men of Ghent— so important at the time and in its consequences 

 to English commerce and manufactures, — the battle of Crecy, 

 where the Black Prince won his spurs, the battle of Poictiers, 

 where he approved himself a soldier fit to stand by Caesar and give 

 direction. Chaucer may possibly have been among the crowd that 

 welcomed that prince when he rode beside John of France through 

 the streets of London to the palace of Westminster ; he may have 

 been among the spectators of the banquet at which Edward enter- 

 tained the three captive majesties of France, Scotland, and Cyprus. 



