Comments in refutation of pretensions advanced for the first time, and statements in a recent work "The Stirlings of Keir and their family papers"

WITH DRUMPELLIER'S EXPOSITION, &c. 7
somewhat like make-weights, of whom there are not few in the same col-
lection ; while there might have been, besides, a separate index materiarum,
or what is essential or deserving notice, historical, legal, or genealogical.
The mere index of names and places at the end of the Keir Performance,
though certainly, in its way, so far useful and serviceable, being of course
limited and restricted, does not meet or advance the objects in view.
A strange mode of reference or quotation, too, may be observed through-
out the work. A writ or muniment is there Jirst quoted by its number
before the page whei'eiu it is contained, though, in order to expiscate the
former, you certainly must Jirst find the latter. This seems against all
reason and propriety — really, borrowing rather a homely illustration, like
putting the cart before the horse.
It is remarkable that the French, though deemed more prone to light and
superficial works, however lively and original, and flights of imagination,
besides the Germans and Italians, supply us with the best examples and rules
to be adopted in graver matters like the present, apparently out of their beat
and sphere. They might here, as the beau ideal, have been submitted to
the attention of the Keir compilers ; in support of which, reference may be
made to the elaborate and valuable histories of Montmorency and Laval in
16'23 (besides later ones), of ChastiUon previously in 1621, and of Dreux in
1631, all by Du Chene ; to which may be added the Histoire Genealogique
de la maison d'Auvergne in 1708, by the distinguished antiquary Balu-
zius, as well as those of a still higher class of the princely houses of Brittany,
Burgundy, and Dauphiny, not to add Lorraine, familiar to French authorities,
all before the middle of last century, and some considerably so.'''
The preceding are especially interesting and well digested. In the closing
portion or volumes, besides engravings of seals and portraits of the leading
* Perhaps, under such a superior category, among many antiquarian attractions are the
the liest and fullest history is that of the Royal legal vouchers for the marriage, in 140.5, of
House of Portugal (immeasurably before An- Beatrix, daughter of .John, king of Portugal, to
selme's of the Maison Koyale de France in 172G), Thomas, earl of Arundel in England. She was
by Sousa, that was published at Lisbon from 1 735 sister of the first Duke of Braganza, ancestor of
to 1749, the time spent in the compilation. It that royal and imperial house. Brunei styles the
comprises fourteen folio volumes, the last being above, filling in all twenty volumes, " Ouvrage
a useful index, unfolding the vai-ious alliances capital dans son genre," and hence a good model
and royal ramifications with all deserving atten- to be adopted. Every one of the performances
tion. But further still, there are six other folio quoted have pedigrees or genealogical tables,
relative volumes containing the ever-delightful indispensable to a speedy apprehension of the
/'roy«sor7'?'eMt'eA', precisely as in France ; and contents, with portraits of the most distin-