Professor Cooke's Lecture.

Yesterday evening in the lecture room of Boylston Hall, Professor Cooke delivered the second of his series of lectures on English History, dwelling especially on the places connected with the Norman conquest.

Professor Cooke briefly outlined the career of William the Conqueror. He first described and illustrated Falaise, the birth-place of William. Then he spoke of Caen and Rouen, the two capitals of Normandy. The views of the old churches in these places were excellent. Professor Cooke called especial attention to the different styles of architecture, and throughout his lecture contrasted the old Norman and Gothic designs of the abbeys and monasteries with the more modern style of the additions. His remarks on the various resting places of the Norman Dukes as well as the English Kings were very humorous.

Rouen came next and the view of the old Norman city rising from the river was exceedingly picturesque. In this city to the lasting disgrace of both the English and the French, Joan of Arc was burned.

Bayeux was shown to give an idea of an old Norman town. It is perhaps as little changed as any other. Here is the famous tapestry, a half yard wide and some two hundred long, which Queen Matilda and her maids are said to have worked. It describes the events of William's reign and ends abruptly with the battle of Hastings.

Crossing the Channel Professor Cooke next spoke of Hastings and the death of Harold, and showed Battle Abbey, built by William to commemorate his victory. The other points of interest in the neighborhood were briefly touched upon.

Winchester with its ruins and historical associations followed. A charming view of a portion of the Dean's grounds about the summer house of Charles the Second was most acceptable.

Professor Cooke closed his lecture with the Towers of London, one of the best preserved of the early English castles.