Ixxii. CHESIL BEACH AND FLEET MEETING. 



and the pamphlet lying outside. The most important steps in the evolution of 

 our present English Bible are six in number and are here illustrated, five of them 

 by the first editions respectively of the Bibles referred to. First, we have the 

 first English Bible of all, published by Miles Coverdale in 1535, which stands out 

 in importance from all the rest, and on which all the others are more or less 

 founded. Secondly, Thomas Matthew's Bible of 1537, the real author being John 

 Rogers, the first martyr under Queen Mary. This bears on its title page the 

 words " Set forth by the King's most gracious lycence," and is therefore the first 

 authorised edition. Thirdly, the Great Bible of 1539, from which our Prayer 

 Book Psalms are taken, they having been inserted in the first Prayer Books and 

 remained without alteration. Of this I have not the first edition to show you, 

 but the edition of November, 1540, which is very similar. Fourthly, the 

 Genevan or Breeches Bible, which was very popular, and passed through very 

 many, nearly 100, editions, large and small. Out of eight I possess I exhibit 

 the first edition of 1560, a rare book, though some of the editions are compar- 

 atively common. This is the first Bible divided into verses. Fifthly, the Bishop's 

 Bible, first edition, 1568, and, sixthly, the present Authorised edition, of which 

 I exhibit a fine copy of the first issue of 1811. I have various other early 

 Bibles and Testaments, amongst which I would mention one of the earliest 

 Testaments of Tindale of 1536, in another case, an interesting little 

 book with wood cuts, which most of these Bibles also possess. 

 There are a few early printed books from 1468 onwards, and MSS., 

 including one of Isaiah of about 1225, a little book of statutes in the original 

 binding, of about 1330, a beautifully-executed Book of Hours, about 1400, 

 unfortunately cut down, some old deeds from the first year of Edward II., 

 including a series of the pictorial ones from Charles II. to Victoria. I have 

 placed labels to many of the books, &c., which give further particulars. There 

 are several cabinets of china in different rooms, which contain, in most instances, 

 small specimens which illustrate the different English factories existing in the 

 18th century. There are specimens also illustrating a considerable number of the 

 Continental factories of that period, of which many, especially German and 

 Dutch ones, were very short lived. The secretaire in the corner of the dining- 

 room contains, amongst other things, a set of dessert plates and some other pieces 

 painted and decorated by Mrs. Richardson and there is also a vase of hers in the 

 large cabinet in the same room. I mention this, as some of those present have 

 kindly expressed a wish to see them. There is a good piece of Urbino majolica, 

 about 1530, over the mantelpiece, and a dish by the celebrated potter Palissy in 

 the large cabinet of about the same date. In the hall an interesting old inscribed 

 Italian dish hangs (date about 1460) ; and a beautiful jewelled Sevres jug ; and 

 some Chelsea and other china are in the drawing-room. On the landing on the 

 first floor is some old English pottery which is very quaint and grotesque, com- 

 prising puzzle jugs, a fuddling cup of 1743, a large Fulham jug of 1727, both with 

 inscriptions, a Staffordshire "dog of Fo," a few slip ware articles (the finest 

 being, however, a dish hanging in the hall), an owl jug, and other things. In the 



