are treated with an air of ridicule; I shall therefore set this _important affair_ in its true light, and produce authorities "sufficient to convince the most obstinate incredulity; and first, I shall beg leave to transcribe a passage from _Thomas Walsingham_, (see _Nicholson's_ Historical Library,) a _monk_ of _St. Alban's_, and Regius Professor of History in that monastery, about the year 1440. This writer is well known among the historians for his _Historia Brevis_, written in Latin, and published both by _Camden_ and Archbishop _Parker_. But the tract I am quoting is in English, and entitled, OF WONDERFUL AND SURPRISING EVENTYS, and, as far as I can find, has never yet been printed. The eighth chapter of his fifth book begins thus:-- "'Ryghte well worthie of Note is thilke famous Tale of the _All-Soulen_ Mallarde, the whiche, because it bin acted in our Daies, and of a suretye vouched into me, I will in fewe Wordys relate. "'Whereas _Henrye Chicele_, the late renowned Arch-Bishope of _Cantorburye_, had minded to founden a Collidge in _Oxenforde_ for the hele of his Soule and the Soules of all those who peryshed in the Warres in _Fraunce_, fighteing valiantlye under our most gracious _Henrye_ the fifthe, moche was he distraughten concerning the Place he myghte choose for thilke Purpose. Him thynketh some whylest how he myghte place it withouten the eastern Parte of the Citie, both for the Pleasauntnesse of the Meadowes and the clere Streamys therebye runninge. Agen him thynketh odir whylest howe he mote builden it on the Northe Side for the heleful Ayre there coming from the fieldis. Now while he doubteth thereon he dreamt, and behold there appearyth unto him one of righte godelye Personage, saying and adviseing him as howe he myghte placen his Collidge in the Highe Strete of the Citie, nere unto the Chirche of our blessed Ladie the Virgine, and in Witnesse that it was sowthe and no vain and deceitful Phantasie, wolled him to laye the first Stone of the foundation at the corner which turnyth towards the _Cattys-strete_, where in delvinge he myghte of a Suretye finde a schwoppinge Mallarde imprison'd in the Sinke or Sewere, wele yfattened and almost ybosten. Sure Token of the Thrivaunce of his future Collidge.