s at a
very early period.

However, my present object is only to inquire for any other instances of
the custom of offering a white bull in honour of a Christian saint. Perhaps
some of your correspondents would elucidate this singular oblation.

I am not able to refer to Col. Hamilton Smith's work on the mythology and
ancient history of the ox, which may possibly notice this kind of offering.

W. S. G.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

* * * * *

NEWSTEAD ABBEY.

The descent of property, like the family pedigree, occasionally exhibits
the most extraordinary disruptions; and to those who may be ignorant of the
cause, the effect may appear as romance. I have been particularly struck
with the two interesting papers contained in the April number of the
_Archaeological Journal_, having reference to the Newstead Abbey estate,
formerly the property of Lord Byron's family, which, amongst other matters,
contain some severe remarks on the conduct of one of its proprietors, the
great uncle and predecessor of our great poet, and having reference to
dilapidation. Mr. Pettigrew, in his paper, states that--

"Family differences, particularly during the time of the fifth Lord
Byron, _of eccentric and unsocial manners_, suffered and even aided the
dilapidations of time. The castellated stables and offices are,
however, yet to be seen."

And Mr. Ashpitel adds that--

"The state of Newstead at the time the poet succeeded to the estate is
not generally known: '_the wicked lord_' had felled all the noble oaks,
destroyed the finest herds of deer, and, in short, had denuded the
estate of everything he could. The hirelings of the attorney did the
rest: they stripped away all the furniture, and everything the law
would permit them to remove. The buildings on the east side were
unroofed; the old Xenodochium, and the grand refectory, were full of
hay; and the entrance-hall and monks' parlour were stable for cattle.
In the only habitable part of the building, a place then used as a sort
of scullery, under the only roof that kept out wet of all this vast
pile, the fifth Lord Byron breathed his last; and to this inheritance
the poet succeeded."

It is not necessary for me to refer to the lofty expression of the poet's
feelings on such his inheritance, nor to the necessity of his parting from
the estate, which appears now to be happily restored to its form