given of the cardinal by historians does not at all justify the eulogistic phrases which fraternal affection has inscribed upon his tomb. The following is the account given of him by Cromerus (De Orige et Rebus gestis Polm, p. 451)—"Fuit Federicus procera statura, aspectu decoro, ac dignitatis pleno, ceterum ingenio nullo, iners, ignavo ocio crapulæ et assiduis compotationibus in fumo et sordibus cum gregalibus suis quibusdam marcescens, et ad extremum morbo Gallico confectus est, teste Mathia Miechoviensi Medico. Unum illud nominis sui monumentum in basilica Cracoviensi reliquit quod thecam calvæ divi Stanislai martyris auream et multis preciosis gemmis distinctam contulit."—Stanislaus Sarnicius (Annm. Polm. Lib. VII. apud Dlugossi), suggests some excuse for his unworthy way of life in the following words:—
"Erat Fridericus aspectu decoro ac dignitatis pleno sed animi mœrore cito consenuit. Cruciabatur enim quod fortuna eum cum fratribus non æquasset regios honores ei denegando. Ideo velut despondens animum inertiæ sese dediderat, in compotationibus turpique luxu ac sordibus cum quibusdam suis marcescens."
As, however, he was the sixth son, and had elder brothers living at the time of his death, his vexation at his not having succeeded to the throne does not seem well founded. If, however, we are to suppose that there is any truth in this statement, the passage taken in conjunction with the third line of the epitaph—"Namque sacer culmen cardo venisset in altum," suggests the idea that his brother Sigismund may have been accustomed to console him by placing before him the prospect of a possible accession to the papacy.
It is somewhat curious to remember that the grandfather of this prince of the church, although an European potentate in the fourteenth century, was a pagan up to the time of his marriage; Jagjel, or Jagello, Duke of Lithuania, not having been converted to Christianity until his marriage with Hedwiga, in 1386.
This memorial possesses some additional interest from its connection with Sigismund, so distinguished a patron of letters and of arts, and himself a worker in metals, if the reliefs in silver over the altar of the chapel built by him in the Cathedral of Cracow, which represent the events of the life of our Saviour, are, as they are said to be, the work of his own hands.
The Rev. Edward Trollope, communicated an account of a Decorative Pavement originally in the church of St. Niçaise at Rheims. (Given in this volume, p. 38.)
Mr. Hawkins desired to call the attention of the Institute to a subject which appeared of urgent importance, and in which every member of a society founded not less for the conservation than the study of all national memorials, must feel a deep interest. There were many who shared with himself the feelings of regret and painful apprehension which the proposed Bill now before Parliament must unavoidably occasion, in contemplating the reckless destruction and devastation of so many parish churches with the cemeteries attached to them, converting the latter, according to the arrangement contemplated by some parties, into public gardens or places of recreation. No provision appeared to have been made for the preservation of monuments or inscriptions in these churches or their burial-grounds; and whilst in many instances such memorials possess a considerable antiquarian or historical interest, their sacrifice, as in other
