178 Miscellanies. 
the English in tracing our descent from those warring and discor- 
dant nations ; and their antiquities must ever be objects of gratifying 
tesearch to Anglo-Americans. England is rich in splendid local 
_ histories, and that of Sussex is peobiphly one of the most remark- 
able. 
Mr. Mantell has published also an interesting account of the visit 
" of their present majesties to Lewes in October, 1830. ‘The quarto 
is adorned by beautiful engravings of the royal personages. 
We discover, here and there, that Mr. Mantell is not unacquainted 
- with the muses; he like Sir Humphry Davy, exhibits the philos- 
opher and the elegant scholar united, and proves that he is capable 
alike of exploring the most obscure and minute facts in science, and 
of rising into flights of euphonious and elevated verse. This ap- 
pears in the concluding ode of the work just mentioned, contrasting 
the peaceful visit of William IV. in 1830, with the bloody visitation 
of Henry IIL. in 1264, when, after a destructive battle near Lewes, 
finished in its very streets,* this king granted to force, what Wil- 
liam IV. has peacefully conceded—a reform in the national nie ieids 
sentation. 
Mr. Mantell, actively engaged in the very responsible aie of a 
laborious profession, and notwithstanding the interruptions to which 
he is liable from the numerous visits, not only of scientific men, but 
of the gentry, passing to and from Brighton, the modern Baiz, which 
is but seven miles from Lewes, still redeems time from repose, to 
write instructive and interesting works, and to sustain an extensive 
correspondence with scientific men both at home and abroad. The 
fine old town of Lewes, presents many ruins, among the most inter- 
esting of which are those of its Abbey, of the Priory of St. Pancras, 
and of its Castle, all of which were in full glory at the time of the 
visit of Henry II. and afforded protection to that monarch and his 
fugitive followers. The Castle, judging from the views of it in the 
‘History of Lewes, is still an imposing ruin; and Mr. Mantell’s house 
is at the foot of a bank, which is joined by a small garden to another 
tani, on which the castle stands. Its venerable ivied towers hang 
y over, and form the best substitute for an extensive and 
more Slain prospect ; a fit residence for a philosopher and a philan- 
thropist ; for ~— fend of man must rejoice in es * - 
