The Book of the Court gives a formal account of
the origin, 'duties, and privileges of all the great officers of the Court, from the Sovereign to the Page ; including the several ranks of nobility, baronets, the different orders of knighthood, ambassadors, members of Parliament, &c. ; with the style and title and order of prece- dence of each respectively ; and progiammes of the various Court ceremonials, from the simple act of conferring knighthood to the gorgeous pageant of a coronation. The compiler, Mr. IVILLIAn Tnoms, F.A.S., relieves the dryness of official minutia) with some amusing anecdotes, and curious extracts from ancient rolls; and prefaces the volume with an introductory sketch of the rise and progress of state ceremonial. The compilation bears evident marks of haste : the author admits its imperfections, and solicits information to render a future edition more complete. Neverthe- less, it contains a body of infilmation not before existing in a col- lected shape, which neophytes at Court will find very useful.
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