In the series of "The Antiquary's Books" (Methuen and Co.,
7s. 6d. net) we have English Seals, by J. Harvey Bloom, M.A. Mr. Bloom gives an introductory chapter in which something is said about ancient seals, scarabs, and others, followed by a classi- fication and other matters. Seven styles, we see, each with its own period, are distinguished, the first being " Early Romanesque or Saxon," the seventh "Renaissance," beginning with 1500 A.D. In chap. 1 we have "The Story of the Great Seal." Edward the Confessor was the first Monarch to use this symbol. Among the interesting incidents of the history is the drowning of Roger Malchien, who was lost at sea with the seal round his neck. This was in Richard I.'s time, and that King, with characteristic presence of mind, declared all charters sealed with this seal to be invalid—if we understand Mr. Bloom aright—because it caused the Chancellor's death, and thus replenished the Royal purse. The last recorded incident was the robbery of the Great Seal from the house of Lord Thurlow on March 24th, 1784. He lived in Great Ormond Street, now given over to various institutions A new seal was ready the neat day. In successive chapters, all fully illustrated, our author deals with "Royal Seals of Dignity," " Episcopal Seals" (which may bo seen on " Letters of Orders"), " Seals of Ecclesiastics, not being Bishops," seals of knights and squires, religious houses, Corporations, &c. This will be found, technical as the subject seems at first sight to be, a highly interesting volume.
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