178 Miscellanies. 



the English in tracing our descent froiTL those warring and discor- 

 dant nations ; and their antiquities must ever be objects of gratifying 

 research to Anglo-Americans. England is rich in splendid local 

 histories, and that of Sussex is probably 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 

 ahke 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 III. in 1264, when, after a destructive batde near Lewes, 

 finished in its very streets,* this king granted to force, what Wil- 

 liam IV. has peacefully conceded — a reform in the national repre- 

 sentation. 



Mr. Mantell, actively e,ngaged in the very responsible duties 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 Bai®, 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 Lewesj 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 IlL 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 fool of a bank, which is joined by a small garden to another 

 bank, on which the castle stands. Its venerable ivied towers hang 

 immediately over, and form the best substitute for an extensive and 

 more distant prospect ; a fit residence for a philosopher and a philan- 

 thropist ; for every friend of man must rejoice in viewing the ruined 



* With his rei^olted barons,"" 



