Anecdotes of Heraldry. By C. N. Elwin, M.A. (Bell and
Dahly.)—All sciences have their votaries, those which are obsolete are honoured by devotees. Mr. Elwin is one of the devotees of heraldry. It is a study which in his judgment elevates the mind, by turning our attention from sordid considerations to the high and noble exploits by which the fortunate possessor of armorial bearings won the right to use them. To which we reply that a man may be a first-rate herald without ever- troubling himself about that part of the subject which, according to Mr. Elwin, is its chief recommendation. The ancedotes collected by Mr. Elwin are curious and generally new, and the book is a pretty little volume, like all issued by Messrs. Bell and Daldy. Surely, however, the author is mistaken in calling the bear and ragged staff the badge of Neville. Lord Warwick, the Kingmaker, when he married the heiress of Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, adopted his wife's title and cognizance in preference to his own. The badge of the Nevilles was. the pied bull.
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