386 
tory, and, we are sorry to area 
that a tedious perusal provoked the lat- 
ter. This learned author possesses: all 
the advantages above enumerated, and 
the public are entitled to expect greater 
excellence from him, than fronithe ge- 
nerality of topographers: but when an 
author sacrifices his public duty, to his 
private partialities, then his writings 
abound with theory instead of fact, and 
dissertation instead of description. The 
works of Stukeley, Rowland, Borlase, 
King, Gough, and afew others, arenotori- 
ousexamples of this. In the writings of the 
latter antiquary, are displayed an exten- 
sive knowledge of his subject, much 
reading and research, but a deficiency 
of that taste and judgment which adorns 
and enhances works of genius and. ta- 
lent. Like many enthusiatic antiquaries, 
Mr. Gough has been often the dupe of 
imposture, and given currency to fabri- 
cated stories. Some of these have been 
confuted in the Gentleman’s and Euro- 
pean Magazines; and others will be de- 
tected by future topographers. ‘Though 
we wish to guard our readers against 
the fallacious statements of Mr. Gough, 
yet we readily and gladly allow him 
much merit in the execution of his 
« British Topography,”’ and his splen- 
did, ponderous, and expensive ‘ Sepul- 
chral Monuments.” ‘The latter will 
prove a lasting memento of his persever- 
ance and research, and also of his ex- 
centricity and credulity. 
In the History and Antiquities of 
Pleshy, we expected a long account of 
some curious, or important remains, 
which characterize this part of Essex ; 
but the reader will readily judge of our 
disappointment, when we inform him 
that not forty pages are strictly appropri- 
ated to local description. Nearly the whole 
of the volume is occupied with anecdotes 
of, and observations on the life of 
‘Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Glou- 
cester, sixth son of Edward the third, 
high constable of England, and who cc- 
casionally resided at Pleshy castle. ‘This 
noblemen is made the hero of the vo- 
lume, and as all heroes are generally 
drawn with every advantage of light and 
shade; sois this of Mr..Gough’s. Con- 
trary to the evidence of all our English 
historians, he is here represented as a 
« patriot, a magnanimous and generous 
councillor,” &c.; and his. merits and vir- 
tues are the theme of 144 quarto pages, 
In the small portion of this work 
which bears any relation to the title, is 
BRITISH TOPOGRAPHY AND ANTIQUITIES, 
is stated that Pleshy was “ no inconsidets . 
able roman station.’’ Unfortunately for 
the antiquarian discrimination of its 
author, neither the character of the cas- 
trametation, the discoveries made, the 
roads, or remains, will justify the asser- 
tion. If antiquaries thus indiscriminately 
appropriate encampments, or fragments 
of antiquity to the Romans, we may as 
well give up research and investigation, 
and unequivocally pronounce the cha- 
racter and era of all ancient remains, 
Having said thus much of our author 
in general terms, we now bring him be- 
fore the reader in the following extracts 
from the preface, which is the best part 
of the work, being written with more 
care, and containing more unequivocal 
information than all the subsequent part 
of the volume. 
<« Tt is impossible,” says Mr. Gough, ** to 
view the site of PLesuy, or to trace its his- 
tory, without entering into that of its lords ; 
and the history of Tuomas or Woopsrock 
is a history of the first twenty years of the 
unfortunate reign of his nephew,” (Richard 
IL) “and a key to the misfortunes which 
overwhelmed him in the two last. We be- 
hold, in Gloucester, astern inflexible patriot, 
who, if he panted for the fields where so 
much glory had been won from France by 
his futher and brother, was far less blame- 
able than those whose ambition engaged the 
country in expeditions of conquest against 
Portugal and Aquitaine, and wasted the hard 
gotten treasare in unjustifiable claims to 
other sovereignties; while the war with 
France and Scoiland was still on their hands, 
and rebellion adyanced in the centre of the 
capital. The minor king's high conceit of 
his own abilities, were heightened by the 
flattery of favorites, and drowned in empty 
arade, which s:wallowed up his: revenues. 
‘hese favourites were Alexander Neville, 
archbishop of York; Robert de Vere, earl 
of Oxford, a young man of spirit, misapplied 
in debauchery ; Richard de la Pole, son of 
a rich merchant of Hull; and judge Tresi- 
lian, who never wanted reasons to counte- 
nance the king’s wishes. These preyed 
upon the king’s liberality, and were amply 
rewarded for their insinuating counsels, while 
those who managed public affairs, and bore 
the weight of government, were lightly re- 
compensed. Not that Richard wanted libe= 
rality whenever it was called upon, but he 
was inspired with jealousy against his best 
friends, and recurred to the basest expedients 
to deliver himself from their remonstranees, 
Lancaster's conduct had not ingratiated him_ 
with the people, while the firm patriotism of 
Gloucester, recommended him powerfully to 
them, and while he, on the other hand, sup 
ported their remonstrances. It is easy 
conceive how such a man must ‘be looke 
