ADVERTISEMENT.

On issuing the twelfth and concluding number of the Monumental Effigies of Great Britain to the Subscribers and the Public, Mrs. Bray (age 41) is desirous to explain the reasons which have constrained her to publish the Introduction and Historical Descriptions, written by her brother, Alfred John Kempe (age 47), Esq. F.S.A. in a separate form, and to charge for it accordingly.

Since Mr. Charles Stothard's decease, who not only executed the drawings but the etchings from them himself, the work has been placed in a very different position, and Mrs. Bray has been obliged to employ artists, at a very heavy expense, for the purpose of furnishing the plates, twelve in each number.

The completion of the Monumental Effigies in a manner respectful to her late husband's great talents, and satisfactory to the Subscribers, has ever been her primary object; and, long as the interval may seem that has elapsed between Mr. Stothard's decease and such completion, the undertaking has never stood still.

With respect to the Head-plates for the different Monuments, Mr. Stothard, had he survived, would no doubt have added many more to those which he published; but, except in the instance of the tomb of Sir Robert de Shurland, he left behind him no materials available to pursue his intention. His practice in drawing the elevation of Monuments for the Head-plates, was merely to take the just admeasurements, and sketch the mouldings and architectural parts, reserving the putting such materials together for a future opportunity. To these drawings, made only for his own information, there were not any memoranda in writing appended, indicating to what tombs they should be applied: consequently (the overwhelming increase of expense out of the question) it became impossible to appropriate them to the purpose for which they were made. It is, however, fortunate that in the head-plates will be found distinct examples of the variation in altar-tombs, from the thirteenth to the early part of the fifteenth century.

The Introduction and Historical Descriptions for the Monumental Effigies, will be found to consist of upwards of one hundred and twenty pages of letter press, elegantly printed, and embellished with a Frontispiece, etched by the late Mr. Charles Stothard, after an original design by his father; his Portrait, by Chalon, engraved by Cooper; a View of the inscribed Coffin-lid of Matilda, Queen of William the Conqueror; the elevation of the Tomb of Sir Robert Shurland, at Minster Church, Sheppy; and various wood-blocks, not here particularized.

The Price of the Introduction and Historical Descriptions will, therefore, be the same as that of the Numbers containing the Effigies;—Large Paper, £1. 15s; Small Paper, £1. 5s.

A very limited edition of the work has been struck off.

"Old Moniments, which of so famous sprights

The honour, yet in ashes, do maintain."

SPENSER, "Ruines of Rome."

"His yron cote all overgrowne with rust.

Was underneath enveloped with gold.

Whose glistring glosse, darkned with filthy dust.

Well yet appeared to have been of old

A worke of rich entayle and curious mould."

IBID. "Faery Queen," Canto VII. stanza 4.