THE prevailing desire for information on heraldry does not appear to have been encouraged by the production of books in proportion to the interest the subject excites, as, amidst the vast range of modern publications very few indeed are found to relate to heraldry. A sufficient reason may perhaps be found in the fear of encountering its boundlessness without the probability of incurring a serious charge of prolixity, by venturing to grasp at once the whole of this extensive subject; another more obvious cause preventing the attempt from being rashly made, is the number of engravings required for its support and illustration, few publishers being willing to risk the great expense attending this very necessary part of the undertaking. It is not to be denied, that the research which unfolds the progress of heraldry in the days of chivalric enterprise, and supplies the means of tracing its history through the different periods of time, would prove a most attractive and entertaining employment of leisure; but the knowledge of its origin, and of the importance it began to acquire at an early epoch, its improvement, and its perfection, with all the circumstances to which heraldry owes its power of pleasing, is only to be found in books very rarely met with in modern libraries. The present attempt was suggested by the author's desire to compress the opinions advanced into a reasonable compass, and bring within a single volume the various illustrations required.* Great facility has been afforded for its prosecution by the liberality of the publisher, and by the additional satisfaction of having all the drawings with which the work is embellished, made upon the wood under the author's own inspection, by his daughter, Sophia Barbara Moule, an advantage which will be best appreciated by those who know the great difficulty of obtaining heraldic drawings. correctly executed, in which the beauty, in a great measure, depends on the character of the different periods of art. In the limited view of heraldry here taken, calculated rather to excite than gratify curiosity, it has not been considered merely with reference to the contents of the shield, or the simple coats of arms, as found on the banners of the Paladins of Europe. The custom of marshalling, in which the arms are blended by family alliances, has been the means of affording some illustrations. The modes of representing heraldry on the baronial and municipal seals, exhibiting no want of invention, and differing from the arrangement on the ancient standards, * In France, where Heraldry meets with great encouragement, two volumes have appeared on the fleur-de-lis alone, by M. Rey, in 1837. Those Rolls of Arms which have been printed, forming the best source of information on English Heraldry, are enumerated in the Rev. J. A. Montagu's excellent "Guide to the Study of Heraldry;" and since that elegant publication appeared, a MS. collection of the arms and quarterings of the Council of the Marchers, chiefly of the time of Elizabeth, has been printed, by the Hon. R. H. Clive, among the "Documents connected with the History of Ludlow," 1841. are here shown. The lordly cognizance and the household badge have both been noticed; these were in constant use from the time of King Richard II. to that of King Henry VII, when the number of the retainers indicated the greatness of the family. The most magnificent display of heraldry was afforded by the splendid ceremonial of the tournament, Where throngs of knights and barons bold In weeds of peace high triumphs hold. The irregular luxuriance of these gorgeous assemblages gave rise to the tenans, and supporters of arms, additional appendages of rank requisite to be known; almost equal splendour was shown in the rich ecclesiastial embellishments used by the higher orders of prelates, and not less interesting is the monkish rebus, rendered venerable by antiquity. Another description of illustration is derived from coins and tokens, the devices on which have an interest in connexion with the subject. The badges of tenure, the badges of trade, and of merchants enriched by commerce, the marks of printers, and even the signs of inns, have been found entitled to inquiry. The examples afforded by this variety of representation furnish models which may prove useful to the artist who wishes to cultivate, successfully, heraldic embellishments. In a professional point of view, the utility of heraldry will be readily admitted; its devices form evidence, in many cases, connected with property and honours, and frequently identify or separate persons of the same name when other means fail-a difficulty constantly occurring. Its use also, without overrating its claims, soon becomes apparent to all who wish to attain any proficiency in |