These volumes represent some of the results of a lifelong
labour. Mr. Jackson, of whom we would gladly have heard something, was a diligent contributor to the " Transactions " of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, and to various periodicals, on topics of local and often historical interest. The first paper is on " Grammar School Statutes," and is a specimen of the wide knowledge which the writer brought to his task. Further on we find extracts with comments on " The Diary of a Westmoreland Lady." This lady was Anne Clifford, born in 1590, and married in 1609 to Richard Sackville, Lord Backhurst. She was one month over nineteen years ; he wanted one month to twenty. Two days afterwards he became Earl of Dorset. He died in 1624. She married six years afterwards Philip Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, the notorious Chancellor of Oxford in the Commonwealth time. She kept her diary up to the day before her death (March 21st, 1676). A very interesting document it is, though concerned with commonplace subjects, though the lady herself was described as knowing " how to dis-
course of all things from Predestination to Slea Silk." Her de- scription of her own physical and mental perfections is a curious
piece of self-appreciation. Among the pedigrees are those of the Richmonds of Highhead, the Blakeneys of Distington, the Curwens, Chaloners, Threlkelds, Dudleys, Hudlestons, all North-Country houses of repute. Calder Abbey, Cockermouth Castle, Egremont Castle, and Whitehaven, are among the places treated of. But it is quite impossible to give an adequate idea of these two volumes. They should find a place in all antiquarian libraries.
Previous page
