IGIN OF THE ACADEMY DELLA CRUSCA.

Crusca is an Italian term, signifying _bran_, hence the name Academy
_della Crusca_, or the _Bran_ Academy, which was established at
Florence, for purifying and perfecting the Tuscan language; it was
formed in the year 1582, but scarcely heard of before the year 1584,
when it became noted for a dispute between Tasso and several of its
members. According to its origin, its device is a sieve, and its motto,
_Il piu bel fior ne coglie_; that is, _It gathers the finest flour
thereof_.

In the hall or apartment where the Academy meets, every thing bears
allusion to the name and device: the seats are in the form of a baker's
basket; their backs like a shovel for moving of corn; the cushions of
grey satin in form of sacks, or wallets; and the branches, where the
lights are placed, likewise resemble sacks. This Academy is now united
with two others, viz. the Fiorentina, and the Apatisti, under the name
of _Reale Accademia Fiorentina_.

P.T.W.

* * * * *

ANGLO-SAXON DRESS.

(_For the Mirror_.)

"Among the ornaments," says Mr. Turner, "worn by the ladies, mentioned
in the Anglo-Saxon documents, we read of a golden fly, beautifully
adorned with gems; of golden vermiculated necklaces; of a bulla; of
golden head-bands, and of a neck-cross. The ladies had also gowns; for a
Bishop of Winchester sends us a present, 'a shot gown (_gunna_) sown in
our manner.' Thus we find the mantle, the kirtle, and the gown mentioned
by these names among the Saxons, and even the ornaments of cuffs. In the
drawings of the manuscripts of these times, the women appear with a
long, loose robe, reaching down to the ground, and large loose sleeves.
Upon their head is a hood or veil, which falling down before, was
wrapped round the neck and breast. All the ladies in the drawing having
their necks, from the chin, closely wrapped in this manner, and in none
of them is a fine waist attempted to be displayed, nor have their heads
any other covering than their hoods."

W.G.C.

* * * * *

THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF _NEW WORKS._

* * * * *

ARLINGTON,

_By the Author of "Granby,"_

Is not the most striking novel of the season. This may by some readers
be attributed to the absence of that dashing _caricatura_ style and
constant aiming at antitheses, which, if it relieve the vapidness of the
sto