Great Seals of English Sovereigns, from Edward the Confessor to Queen Victoria.

The East Table contains, in its several compartments, seals: (a.) of ecclesiastical dignitaries, chiefly Archbishops and Bishops of different sees of England and Wales, from the close of the eleventh to the eighteenth century; (b.) of Abbats and Abbeys of England; and (c. d.) of Nobles, Knights, and Ladies of rank, from the eleventh to the sixteenth century."

E. MAUNDE THOMPSON.

* For a more detailed description of the exhibition in this Department see "A Guide to the Autograph Letters, Manuscripts, Original Charters," etc., 1878; price 2d.

19

DEPARTMENT OF PRINTS AND DRAWINGS.

EXHIBITION IN THE KING'S LIBRARY.

INTRODUCTION.

THE primary object of the present Exhibition of Prints in the King's Library is to illustrate English History—so far as the scanty materials allow-by arranging in chronological order a collection of portraits of eminent Englishmen, together with a few representations of events in which these men were concerned.

'The series begins with apocryphal portraits of the early kings, Arthur, Egbert, Alfred, &c., and the consorts of some of them; other portraits, as ancient as these, are copied from coins; the portraits of later monarchs are surrounded by those of their eminent contemporaries, including statesmen, soldiers, and divines.

The series terminates with likenesses of Charles the First and his family, and of a large number of distinguished persons of both sexes who lived in his reign; among them is a remarkable interesting double portrait of Charles and Donna Maria of Spain, the object of his romantic visit to Madrid, here represented with their hands joined, while Christ bestows a benediction on their union.

This exhibition serves to illustrate the progress and condition of British art at various periods, by including the works of native engravers and of foreigners who lived in this country. It is noteworthy that although our forefathers largely used the services of able foreigners, they were not wholly dependent on their aid, or without native artists of merit. For instance,

the visitors will notice William Roger's fine contemporary print of Queen Elizabeth, representing her in magnificent state robes; this was executed by a man who understood the highest qualities of his art, and was able to engrave with the utmost clearness of line and brilliancy of effect; his prints hold their place with any work that was produced abroad at the same time. It is noteworthy that this is an unique impression from the plate, taken before it was reduced in size, and that it was discovered on the continent as recently as 1870, until which date the name of the engraver had remained unknown, because in the later states of the print that notice has been cut away along with part of the composition.

The names of other able English engravers, such as Payne, Glover, Marshall, and Cecill, will be found in this collection, and their works will prove that during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the history of English art was not so blank as some authorities would have us believe it to have been.

A portrait of the greatest rarity, to which attention should be drawn, is that of Queen Elizabeth, which was engraved by Johann Rutlinger, probably a German, whose name does not occur in any biographical dictionary of engravers or essay on art.

The prints representing historical events are few, but among them are The Gunpowder Conspiracy; James the First and Prince Henry sitting in Parliament; with the alteration substituting Prince Charles for Henry after the death of the latter; and the visit of Queen Henrietta Maria to Prince William of Nassau.

GEORGE WILLIAM REID.

I. PORTRAITS AND HISTORICAL PRINTS.

II. WATER-COLOUR DRAWINGS.

III. PLAYING-CARDS.

SCREEN I.

1. Arthur, King of Britain.

Succeeded Ambrosius in the government, in the year 508, and was crowned at Caerleon; died in 542; buried at Glastonbury. Engraved by G. Yeates.*

2. Egbert, King of the West Saxons.

The first sole Monarch of all England, was crowned at Winchester in 828; died February 4, 837, and was buried at Winchester.

Drawn from a silver coin and engraved by G. Vertue.

3. Alfred the Great.

Was the fourth son of Ethelwolf, born at Wantage, in Berkshire, 849; succeeded his brother Ethelred in 872; was crowned at Winchester: died at Farringdon in Berkshire, October 28, 900. Engraved by G. Vertue.

4. Canute the Dane.

Upon the death of Edmund, in 1016, was recognized as King of all England, crowned at London; died at Shaftesbury, November 12, 1036, and was buried at Winchester.

Drawn from a silver coin and engraved by G. Vertue.

5. William I.

Surnamed the Conqueror, son of Robert sixth Duke of Normandy, born 1027. He was crowned at Westminster, December 25, 1066; died September 9, 1087; and was buried at Caen, in Normandy.

Engraver unknown; published by P. Stent.

6. William I. (See No. 5.)

Engraved by R. Elstracke.

7. William II.

Surnamed Rufus, third son of William I.; was born in Normandy, 1057; crowned at Westminster, September 27, 1087; accidentally killed by Sir Walter Tyrrell, while hunting in the New Forest, 1100.

Engraved by R. Elstracke.

* When the term engraved is used without any other definition, it is to be understood that engraving in the line manner is intended.

8. William II. (See No. 7.)

Engraved by C. Warren.

9. Henry I.

Youngest son of William the Conqueror, born at Selby in Yorkshire, 1070; crowned at Westminster, August 5, 1100; died in Normandy, December, 2, 1135, and was buried at Reading. Engraved by R. Elstracke.

10. Henry I. (See No. 9.)

One of the set of equestrian portraits of Kings, "Printed and sould by Ro. Walton."

11. Stephen.

The third son of Stephen Earl of Blois, and grandson of William the Conqueror, was born at Blois in the year 1105; crowned at Westminster, December 26, 1135; and died October 25, 1154.

Engraved by [R. Elstracke].

12. Stephen.

(See No 11.)

Engraved by Worthington from a drawing by G. Vertue. 13. Henry II.

Surnamed Plantagenet; the eldest son of Geoffrey Plantagenet, and grandson of Henry I., born at Mans in Normandy, 1133; crowned at Westminster, December 17, 1154; died, July 6, 1189, and was buried at Fontverard.

Engraved by [R. Elstracke.]

14. Henry II. (See No. 13.)

One of the set of equestrian portraits of Kings, "Printed and sould by Ro. Walton."

15. Richard I.

Surnamed Cœur de Lion, the third, but eldest surviving son of Henry II., was born at Oxford, 1157; crowned at Westminster, September 3, 1189; and died April 6, 1199.

Engraved by [R. Elstracke.]

16. Richard I. (See No. 15.)

"Are to be sold by Comp. Holland."

17. John.

The sixth and youngest son of Henry II., was born at Oxford, December 24, 1166; crowned at Westminster, May 27, 1199; died October 19, 1216; and was buried at Worcester.

Engraver unknown, "sould by Rob. Peake."

18. John. (See No. 17.)

Engraved by R. Elstracke.

19. Henry III.

The eldest son of John, was born at Winchester, October 1207;