MASTER WORSLEY'S BOOK OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE.
Master Worsley's Book of the Middle Temple. Edited by Arthur Robert Ingpen. (The Chiswick Press. 30s.)—Charles Worsley (1670-1739), member of a family now represented by the Earl of Yarborough, was called to the Bar in 1696, and became Treasurer of the Society in 1733. He wrote his " Book" in his year of office. This was edited in 1896, but since that time the original MS. has been discovered, and it has been thought well to take advantage of this fact. The excellent introduction which Mr. Ingpen has thus been called upon to write amply justifies the decision. Master Worsley thought that the two Temples were originally one Society. It was a convenient theory as tending to put an end to the struggle for precedence, a struggle which led to some unseemly disputes,—e.g., a great quarrel in 1620 because the Master administered the Sacrament to all the members of the Inner House before dignitaries belonging to the Middle. It seems generally agreed that the origin of the two was distinct. Along with this it is agreed that all the four Inns are equal. Mr. Ingpen corrects, illustrates, and extends the matter furnished by his original. There are also some excellent plans and maps, and representations of buildings and articles of plate.
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