ained unfinished. In 1646, the statues and figures of gilt copper,
of exquisite workmanship, were sold. James the Second converted this
building into a Popish chapel, and mass was publicly performed here.
The ceiling was painted by Verrio, and the walls were finely ornamented
and painted; but the whole having been neglected since the reign of
James the Second, it fell into a complete state of decay, from which,
however, it was some years ago retrieved by George the Third, who had it
magnificently completed (under the direction of the late James Wyatt,
Esq.) in accordance with the original style, and a _mausoleum_
constructed within, as a burial-place for the royal family.

Windsor Castle, as the reader may recollect, was magnificently re-built
by William of Wykeham, who was Clerk of the Works to Edward the Third,
in 1356. Little now remains of Wykeham's workmanship, save the round
tower, and this has just been raised considerably. Wykeham had power
to press all sorts of artificers, and to provide stone, timber, and all
necessary materials for conveyance and erection. Indeed, Edward caused
workmen to be impressed out of London and several counties, to the
number of five or six hundred, by writs directed to the various
sheriff's, who were commanded to take security of the masons and
joiners, that they should not leave Windsor without permission of
the architect. What a contrast are these strong measures with the
scrutinized votes of money recently made for the renovation of the
Castle!

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF THE WORD ALBION.

(_To the Editor._)

To the elucidation of the word Britannia, contained in your 486th
number, I beg to add the opinion of the same author on the subject
of Albion:--

"Albion (the most ancient name of this Isle) containeth Englande and
Scotlande: of the beginning (origin) of which name haue been sundrie
opinios (opinions): One late feigned by him, which first prynted the
Englishe Chronicle,[1] wherein is neither similitude of trouth, reasone,
nor honestie: I mean the fable of the fiftie doughters of Dioclesian,
kyng of Syria, where neuer any other historic maketh mencion of a kyng
of Syria, so named: Also that name is Greke, and no part of the language
of Syria. Moreouer the coming of theim from Syria in a shippe or boate
without any marynours (mariners) thorowe (through) the sea called
_Mediterraneum_, into the occean, and so finally to finde this He, and
to i