[144] [The facsimile of that portion of the tapestry which is supposed to
    be a portrait of Harold, and which Mr. Lewis, who travelled with me,
    executed, is perhaps of its kind, one of the most perfect things
    extant.  In saying this, I only deliver the opinions of very many
    competent judges.  It must however be noticed, that the Society of
    Antiquaries published the whole series of this exceedingly curious and
    ancient Representation of the Conquest of our Country by William I. Of
    this publication, the figures measure about four inches in height:  but
    there is also a complete, and exceedingly successful fac-simile of the
    first two figures of this series—­of the size of the originals
    (William I. and the Messenger coming to announce to him the landing of
    Harold in England) also published from the same quarter.  The whole of
    these Drawings were from the pencil of the late ingenious and justly
    lamented THOS.  STOTHARD, Esq.  Draftsman to the Society of
    Antiquaries.]

[145] A complete copy is of rarity in our own country, but not so abroad. 
    It is yet, however, an imperfect work.

[146] There have been bibliographers, and there are yet knowing
    book-collectors, who covet this edition in preference to the Leipsic
    impression of Sir T. More’s Works of 1698; in folio.  But this must
    proceed from sheer obstinacy; or rather, perhaps, from ignorance that
    the latter edition contains the Utopia—­whereas in the former it is
    unaccountably omitted to be reprinted—­which it might have been, from
    various previous editions.

[147] This figure is introduced with pursuivants and dogs:  but great
    liberties, as a nice eye will readily discern, have been taken by
    Montfaucon, when compared with the original—­of which the fac-simile,
    in the previous edition of this work, may be pronounced to be PERFECT.

[148] Something similar may be seen round the border of the baptismal vase
    of St. Louis, in Millin’s Antiquites Nationales.  A part of the
    border in the Tapestry is a representation of subjects from Aesop’s
    Fables.

[149] Of a monument, which has been pronounced by one of our ablest
    antiquaries to be “THE NOBLEST IN THE WORLD RELATING TO OUR OLD
    ENGLISH HISTORY,” (See Stukely’s Palaeog.  Britan. Number XI.
    1746, 4to. p. 2-3) it may be expected that some archaeological
    discussion should be here subjoined.  Yet I am free to confess that,
    after the essays of Messrs. Gurney, Stothard, and Amyot, (and more
    especially that of the latter gentleman) the matter—­as to the period
    of its execution—­may be considered as well nigh, if not wholly, at
    rest.  These essays appear in the XVIIIth and XIXth volumes of the
    Archaeologia.  The Abbe