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Transcriber's note: A few typographical errors have been corrected: they are listed at the end of the text.
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{437}
NOTES AND QUERIES:
A MEDIUM OF INTER-COMMUNICATION FOR LITERARY MEN, ARTISTS, ANTIQUARIES, GENEALOGISTS, ETC.
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No. 237.] SATURDAY, MAY 13. 1854. [Price Fourpence. Stamped Edition 5d.
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CONTENTS.
NOTES:— Page
"Shakspeare's Rime which he made at the Mytre," by Dr. E. F. Rimbault 439
Rous, the Sottish Psalmist, Provost of Eton College: and his Will, by the Rev. H. T. Ellacombe 440
Original English Royal Letters to the Grand Masters of Malta, by William Winthrop 442
Disease among Cattle, by Thos. Nimmo 445
Popiana, by Harry Leroy Temple 445
Hampshire Folk Lore, by Eustace W. Jacob 446
The most curious Book in the World 446
Minor Notes:—Baptism, Marriage, and Crowning of Geo. III.—Copernicus—First Instance of Bribery amongst Members of Parliament—Richard Brinsley Sheridan—Publican's Invitation—Bishop Burnet again!—Old Custom preserved in Warwickshire—English Diplomacy v. Russian 447
QUERIES:—
Ancient Tenure of Lands, by A. J. Dunkin 448
Owen Rowe the Regicide 449
Writings of the Martyr Bradford, by the Rev. A. Townsend 449
MINOR QUERIES:—Courtney Family—"The Shipwrecked Lovers"— Sir John Bingham—Proclamation for making Mustard—Judges practising at Bar—Celebrated Wagers—"Pay me tribute, or else——"—"A regular Turk"—Benj. Rush—Per Centum Sign— Burial Service Tradition—Jean Bart's Descent on Newcastle— Madame de Stael—Honoria, Daughter of Lord Denny—Hospital of John of Jerusalem—Heiress of Haddon Hall—Monteith— Vandyking—Hiel the Bethelite—Earl of Glencairn—Willow Bark in Ague—"Perturbabantur," &c. 450
MINOR QUERIES WITH ANSWERS:—Seamen's Tickets—Bruce, Robert—Coronation Custom—William Warner—"Isle of Beauty"—Edmund Lodge—King John 452
REPLIES:—
Has Execution by Hanging been survived? by William Bates 453
Coleridge's Christabel, by C. Mansfield Ingleby 455
General Whitelocke 455
PHOTOGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENCE:—Gravelly Wax Negatives— Photographic Experience 456
REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES:—Turkish Language—Dr. Edward Daniel Clarke's Charts of the Black Sea—Aristotle on living Law—Christ's or Cris Cross Row—Titles to the Psalms in the Syriac Version—"Old Rowley"—Wooden Effigies—Abbott Families 456
MISCELLANEOUS:—
Notes on Books, &c. 458
Books and Odd Volumes Wanted 458
Notices to Correspondents 459
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{438}
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{439}
LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1854.
Notes.
"SHAKSPEARE'S RIME WHICH HE MADE AT THE MYTRE."
In the third volume of Mr. Collier's valuable History of Dramatic Poetry (p. 275.) is the following passage, which forms part of a note:
"Mr. Thorpe, the enterprising bookseller of Bedford Street, is in possession of a MS. full of songs and poems, in the handwriting of a person of the name of Richard Jackson, all copied prior to the year 1631, and including many unpublished pieces, by a variety of celebrated poets. One of the most curious is a song in five seven-line stanzas, thus headed 'Shakspeare's rime, which he made at the Mytre in Fleete Streete.' It begins 'From the rich Lavinian shore;' and some few of the lines were published by Playford, and set as a catch."
In Mr. Thoms' Anecdotes and Traditions (published by the Camden Society) is a story of the celebrated Dr. John Wilson, to which the editor has appended an interesting note, adding:
"Wilson was the composer of a glee for three voices, published in Playford's Musical Companion, where the words are attributed to Shakspeare; and the supposition that they were really written by him having been converted into a certainty, by their appearing with Shakspeare's name to them in the MS. Collection of Poetry, copied prior to 1631 by Richard Jackson," &c.
Mr. Thoms then prints the "rime," not inappropriately calling it "A Song for Autolycus," with this remark:
"My late respected friend Mr. Douce once told me, that some musical friend at Chichester, I think the organist, possessed a copy of this song, with an additional verse."
Mr. Thoms' version of "Shakspeare's Rime" was inserted (probably by our worthy Editor himself?) in the first volume of "N. & Q." (p. 23.) with a view of obtaining the additional stanza; a desideratum which I am now enabled to supply. The following copy has two additional stanzas, and is transcribed from a MS. Collection of Songs, with the music, written in the early part of the reign of James I. The MS. was formerly in the possession of Mr. J. S. Smith, the learned editor of Musica Antiqua.
I.
"From the fair Lavinian shore, I your markets come to store; Marvel not, I thus far dwell, And hither bring my wares to sell; Such is the sacred hunger of gold. Then come to my pack, While I cry, What d'ye lack, What d'ye buy? For here it is to be sold.
II.
"I have beauty, honour, grace, Virtue, favour, time and space, And what else thou wouldst request, E'en the thing thou likest best; First, let me have but a touch of thy gold, Then come too lad, Thou shalt have What thy dad Never gave; For here it is to be sold.
III.
"Though thy gentry be but young, As the flow'r that this day sprung, And thy father thee before, Never arms nor scutcheon bore; First let me have but a catch of thy gold, Then, though thou be an ass, By this light Thou shalt pass For a knight; For here it is to be sold.
IV.
"Thou whose obscure birth so base, Ranks among the ignoble race, And desireth that thy name, Unto honour should obtain; First let me have but a catch of thy gold, Then, though thou be an ass, By this light, Thou shalt pass For a knight; For here it is to be sold.
V.
"Madam, come see what you lack? Here's complexion in my pack; White and red you may have in this place, To hide an old ill-wrinkled face: First, let me have but a catch of thy gold, Then thou shalt seem, Like a wench of fifteen, Although you be threescore and ten years old."
That this song enjoyed extensive popularity in the latter half of the seventeenth century, is evinced by the number of printed copies. It is found in Playford's Select Ayres and Dialogues, 1659; in Dr. Wilson's Cheerfull Ayres and Ballads, 1660; in Playford's Catch that Catch Can, 1667; and in many subsequent collections of a similar kind. But in none of these works is the name of the writer of the words given; and all the copies are deficient of the third and fourth stanzas. The point of the satire conveyed in these stanzas was lost after the reign of James I., which may account for their omission.
"Shakspeare's rime," being associated with Wilson's music, is of some importance towards settling the point of authorship. In 1846 I printed a little pamphlet with the following title:
"Who was Jack Wilson, the Singer of Shakspeare's Stage? An Attempt to prove the Identity of this {440} Person with John Wilson, Doctor of Musick, in the University of Oxford, A.D. 1644."
It would be out of place here to dwell upon this publication, suffice it to say, that all the information I have since collected, tends to confirm the hypothesis advanced. One extract from this brochure will show the connexion that existed between Shakspeare and Wilson:
"Wilson was the composer of four other Shakspearian lyrics, a fact unknown to Mr. Collier, when he wrote the article in the Shakspeare Papers: 'Where the bee sucks,' 'Full fathom five,' 'Lawn as white as driven snow,' and 'From the fair Lavinian shore.' They are all printed in the author's Cheerfull Ayres or Ballads, Oxford, 1660. We have now evidence from this work, that Wilson was the original composer of the music to one of Shakspeare's plays. He says in his preface, 'some of these ayres were originally composed by those whose names are affixed to them, but are here placed as being new set by the author of the rest. The two songs, 'Where the bee sucks,' and 'Full fathom five,' have appended to them the name of 'R. Johnson,' who, upon this evidence, we may undoubtedly conclude was the original composer of the music in the play of the Tempest. The song 'Lawn as white as driven snow,' from the Winter's Tale, has the name of 'John Wilson' attached to it, from which it is equally certain that he was its original composer. In my own mind, the circumstances connected with the Shakspearian lyrics in this book are almost conclusive as to the identity of John Wilson the composer with John Wilson the singer. Unless the composer had been intimately acquainted with the theatre of Shakspeare's day, it is not likely that he would have remembered, so long after, the name of one of its composers. Nor is it likely, being so well acquainted with the original composers of the Shakspearian drama, and so anxious as he appears to have been to do justice to their memory, that he would have omitted informing us, who was the original composer of the song in the Winter's Tale, had it been any other than himself. The Winter's Tale was not produced before 1610 or 1611, at which period Wilson was sixteen or seventeen years old, an age quite ripe enough for the production of the song in question."
A reviewer of my little publication in the Athenaeum (Nov. 8, 1846) makes the following remark:
"Let us observe, in conclusion, that Dr. Rimbault is better read in Jack Wilson than Ben Jonson, or we should never have seen Mr. Shakspeare's 'Rime' at the 'Mitre,' in Fleet Street, seriously referred to as a genuine composition. It is a mere clumsy adaptation, from Ben's interesting epigram 'Inviting a Friend to Supper.'"
It is really too bad to be charged with ignorance unjustly. I have on my shelves the works of glorious Ben, three times over: in folio 1616-31; in folio, 1692; and in nine volumes octave (Gifford's edition), 1816; all of which I will freely give to the "reviewer," if he can prove that one line of "Shakspeare's Rime at the Mytre" is taken from the aforesaid epigram. I heartily agree with him in admiration of Jonson's spirited imitation of Martial, which I have transcribed as a pleasant relish towards digesting these rambling remarks:
"INVITING A FRIEND TO SUPPER.
"To-night, grave Sir, both my poor house and I Do equally desire your company: Not that we think us worthy such a guest, But that your worth will dignify our feast, With those that come; whose grace may make that seem Something, which else could hope for no esteem. It is the fair acceptance, Sir, creates The entertainment perfect, not the cates. Yet shall you have, to rectify your palate, An olive, capers, or some better salad, Ushering the mutton; with a short-legg'd hen, If we can get her, full of eggs, and then, Limons, and wine for sauce: to these, a coney Is not to be despair'd of for our money; And though fowl now be scarce, yet there are clerks, The sky not falling, think we may have larks. I'll tell you of more, and lie, so you will come: Of partridge, pheasant, woodcock, of which some May yet be there; and godwit if we can; Knat, rail, and ruff too. Howsoe'er my man Shall read a piece of Virgil, Tacitus, Livy, or of some better book to us, Of which we'll speak our minds, amidst our meat; And I'll profess no verses to repeat; To this if aught appear, which I not know of, That will the pastry, not my paper, show of. Digestive cheese, and fruit there sure will be; But that which most doth take my muse and me, Is a pure cup of rich Canary wine, Which is the Mermaid's now, but shall be mine; Of which had Horace or Anacreon tasted, Their lives, as do their lines, till now had lasted. Tobacco, nectar, or the Thespian spring, Are all but Luther's beer, to this I sing, Of this we will sup free, but moderately, And we will have no Pooly', or Parrot by; Nor shall our cups make any guilty men: But at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met. No simple word, That shall be utter'd at our mirthful board, Shall make us sad next morning; or affright The liberty, that we'll enjoy to-night."
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
* * * * *
ROUS, THE SCOTTISH PSALMIST, PROVOST OF ETON COLLEGE: AND HIS WILL.
Looking over some back Numbers of "N. & Q.," I see an inquiry (Vol. v., p. 81.) after Francis Rous. G. N. will find an account of him in Chalmers's Biographical Dictionary, gathered out of Wood's Athenae; Noble's Memoir of Cromwell, vol. i. {441} p. 409; Lysons' Environs of London, vol. ii.; Granger, vol. iii.
In his will, a copy of which lies before me, proved Feb. 10, 1658, he speaks of "a youth in Scotland, his grandson," and "as the heir of idleness abhorring to give him an estate, but wishing he might be a useful member of Christ and the Commonwealth, he desires his executors to give him 50l. a year so long as he shall be in preparation towards a profession, and as many of his books as may be fit for him."
I shall be much obliged if any correspondent can find out anything farther about the said "youth in Scotland?"
H. T. ELLACOMBE.
Clyst St. George.
P.S.—Why should not "N. & Q." be the publisher of any curious old wills, which might interest the general reader? Allow me to suggest a corner for Testamenta Vestusta. I will begin by sending a copy of the will of Francis Rous.
This my last Will and Testament, I, Francis Rous, Provost of Eaton College, wrote and made March 18th, 1657.
Forasmuch as to put houses in order before our departure is pleasing to the God of order, I do dispose of my affairs and estates in manner following:
There is a youth in Scotland concerning whom (because they call him my grandson) it is perchance expected that I should do some great matters for him; but his father marrying against my will and prohibition, and giving me an absolute discharge before the marriage under his hand, not to expect anything from me if he did marry contrary to my prohibition, I hold myself discharged from the father, and consequently from the son of that father, the son having no interest in me but by the father. And I hold it a good example, for the benefitt of the Commonwealth, that matters of discouragement should be put upon such marriages, being assured that their parents will not disinheritt or lessen them, especially if they have but one son, and that which Solomon saith is to be considered—an understanding servant shall have rule over a son that maketh ashamed, and both that[1], and his son, and his son in Scotland have both made ashamed, the one in his match, the other by a sad mischief of dangerous consequence and fatal; and though his mother is bound to maintain him, yet because I wish he might be a useful member of Christ and the Commonwealth, towards which I think she is not well able to give him an answerable education, I have in this my will taken course for a competent maintenance for him towards a profession, and in it utterly abhorring to give him an estate, as the heir of idleness. Wherefore to the fore-mentioned purpose, I desire my executor to give him 50l. a year, so long as he shall be in preparation towards a profession, or shall really and seriously be in the practice of it; and as many of my books as may be fitt for him in the profession he shall undertake, and shall not be given to Pembroke College, I desire my executor to give unto him: but if he, or a guardian, or any other, shall sue or implead, or call my executor into question to his trouble or cost, I leave it to my executor's choice whether he will pay his maintenance of 50l. per annum, or any part of it.
I give to Mr. Ellford, my pastor at Acton, 20l. I give 5l. per annum for ever to be disposed of in buying Bibles, catechisms, or for encouraging poor children to learn to read and answer in catechising in the parish of Dittisham, in the county of Devon, the place of my nativity and baptism, which sum shall be bestowed according to the direction of the minister there for the time being; and to the present minister I give 20l. I give to the poor of Acton each five shillings; I give to the poor of Westminster, Kensington, Knightsbridge, half a year's rent of that which they used to receive. I give Mr. Bartlett of Windsor 20l. I appoint 100l. to be lent to my nephew William Rous, which he must pay by 10l. a year to my nephew Richard Rous, his son. I give Thomas Rous, of King's College, 6l. for two years. I give Eliz. Rous, of Penrose in Cornwall, 20l. I give Anthony Rous at Eaton School, 5l. a year for seven years. I give to my niece Rudyard, and her sisters Skelton and Dorothy, each 20l. I give to Margaret Baker 10l. I give to a poor Xtian woman in Dartmouth, Mrs. Adams, 10l. To Robert Needler I give a black suit and cloak; the like to William Grantham and 10l. To my niece Portman, now in my house, I give 50l. To my other friends of more ability, I leave it to my executor to give such memorials as he shall think fitt. To the poor of Eaton I give 20l. To each of my servants that are with me at any decease I give black suits and 5l.; and to Peter Fluellen, who is now endeavouring to get a place of removal, 10l. I give to Thomas Rolle of Eaton, and Robert Yard, each 10l. I give to Christian, now the wife of Mr. Johnson, 20l. I give to the young Winnington of Eaton, 10l. I give 40l. per annum out of the Parsonage or Tythe of Great Brookeham in Surrey, to maintain two schollars in Pembroke College in Oxford. I also give 20l. per annum unto one schollar more in the same college, out of a tenement in the Manor of Wootton in Cornwall, during two lives of two Bigfords, and after their decease out of a tenement of mine in Cowkberry, in Devon, for ever. The scholars to be chosen are to be poor, {442} not having 10l. a year, apt to learning, and to be of the posterity of myself or my brother Robert, Richard, or Arthur Rous, or of my sister Nicholl, or my sister Upton; and if no such shall be tendered, then they are to be chosen out of the two highest forms in Eaton College. I give power to my executor to choose them during his life, and desire him, with the advice of my dear kinsman, Mr. Ambrose Upton, Prebend of Xt Church in Oxford, to settle and order all things for the sure and usefull continuance of their allowances to schollars so qualified as before and of good conversation, and that they study divinity, and some time before they be Batchelors of Arts, they make good proof of their studying divinity, and that they continued in their several places but seven years, and then others to be chosen in their rooms. What shall be above 40l. per annum arising out of the tythe of Brookham declaro, and above all rates and taxes, I give unto the minister of that parish; and I give the parsonage to my respected kinsman Samuel Rous, Esq., of that parish, yet so, that if he die before my executor, my executor shall present during his life, and after it shall go to the heirs of the said Samuel Rous, it being to be hoped that their dwelling be there they will be carefull for their own souls. I do make and constitute my dear kinsman Anthony Rous, Esq., of Wootton, in the county of Cornwall, commonly called or known by the name of Colonel Rous, to be my whole and sole executor. And I give and bequeath to him all my lands, tenements, my interest in the parsonage of Great Brookham in Surrey, all my leases, chattels, plate, money, and other goodly whatsoever, as also my copyholds, which shall, according to custom, be made over to him in Acton or Branford, hoping that he will faithfully dispose them according to my will and intention made known to him; and I give him 100l., and lend him 200l. more for seven years, which he may bestow in defence of himself as to law suits, if any be brought as concerning my estate, or if there shall be none to bestow, in some charitable use as he shall think fitt. I desire my body may be interred and put to rest in the chapple of Eaton College, a place that hath my dear affections and prayers that it may be a flouring nursery of piety and learning to the end of the world. And for a profession of any faith, I refer myself to the works which I not long since published in one volume, wherein I have professed a right and saving faith, and hope to continue therein until faith shall be swallowed up of sight, laying hold of the free grace of God in his beloved Son as my only title to eternity, being confident that his free grace, which took me up lying in the blood of irregeneration, will wash away the guilt of that estate, and all the cursed fruits of it by the pretious blood of his Son, and will wash away the filth of it by the spirit of his Son, and so present me faultless before the presence of God's glory with joy.
(Signed) FRANCIS ROUS.
The Right Honorable Francis Rous, Esq., acknowledged this to be his last will and testament, the 12th day of April, 1658[2], in the presence of me, Abel Borsett, endorsed, upon a paper wherein the original will was folded and sealed up, thus, viz., "My last will, attested by Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Borsett."
This will was proved at London the 10th day of February, in the year of our Lord God 1658, before the judges for probate of wills and granting administrations lawfully authorised, by the oath of Collonell Anthony Rouse, Esq., the sole and only executor named in the said will, to whom administration of all and singular the goods, chattels, and debts of the said deceased was granted and committed.
[Footnote 1: This appears to be an error.]
[Footnote 2: It should doubtless be 1657.]
* * * * *
ORIGINAL ENGLISH ROYAL LETTERS TO THE GRAND MASTERS OF MALTA.
(Concluded from Vol. ix., p. 419.)
No. XI.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most illustrious and most high Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:
It having appeared to us a matter of interest, not only to ourselves, but likewise to the whole Christian world, that we also should keep in the Mediterranean sea a certain number of galleys ready to afford prompt aid to our neighbours and allies against the frequent insults of the barbarians and Turks, we lately caused to be constructed two galleys, one in Genoa, and the other in the port of Leghorn; in order to man these, we directed a person well acquainted with such affairs to be sent, as to other parts, so also to the island of Malta, subject to the rule of your highness, in order to buy slaves and procure other necessaries. He having purchased some slaves, it has been reported to us that your highness' collector of customs demanded five pieces of gold of Malta money per head before they could be permitted to embark, under the title of toll; at which proceeding we were certainly not a little astonished, it appearing to us a new proceeding, and one contrary to custom, especially it being well known to us that our neighbours and allies, the Kings of France and Spain, are never accustomed to pay anything under the title of toll {443} for the slaves which they cause yearly to be transported from your island.
We therefore beg your highness, by the good and long friendship existing between us, to grant to us the same privilege in regard to this kind of commerce within the territories of your highness, as is enjoyed by both our said neighbours and allies, which although it ought to be conceded to us simply on account of our mutual friendship and our affection towards your highness and the illustrious Order of Malta, still we shall receive so gratefully, that if at any time we can do anything to please your highness, we shall be always ready to do it, with all attention, and most willingly.
In the meantime we heartily recommend your highness and all the members of the illustrious Order of Malta, as well as all your affairs, to the Divine keeping.
Given from our palace of Westminster on the 12th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1673, and of our reign the 25th.
Your Highness' good Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
No. XII.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most eminent Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:
Most eminent Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
The military order over which your eminence most worthily presides, having always used its power to render the navigation of the sea safe and peaceable for Christians, we in no way doubt that our ships of war, armed for the same purpose, will receive from your eminence every office of friendship. We therefore are desirous of signifying to your eminence by these our letters that we have sent a squadron of our royal fleet to the Mediterranean sea under the command of Sir John Narbrough, knight, to look after the safety of navigation and commerce, and to oppose the enemies of public tranquillity. We therefore amicably beseech your eminence that if ever the above-named Admiral Narbrough, or any of our ships cruising under his flag, should arrive at any of your eminence's ports or stations, or in any place subject to the Order of Malta, that they may be considered and treated as friends and allies, and that they may be permitted to purchase with their money, and at just prices, and to export provisions and munitions of war, and whatever they may require, which, on similar occasions, we will abundantly reciprocate to your eminence and to your most noble Order.
In the mean time we heartily recommend your eminence to the safeguard of the Most High and Most Good God.
Given from our palace of Whitehall the last day of November, 1674.
Your Highness' Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
No. XIII.
Charles the Second by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most eminent Prince the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
Most eminent Prince, our cousin and well-beloved friend—Greeting:
Although we in no way doubt of the sincere readiness of your eminence and of your holy Order of Malta to do everything which might be known to be expedient for our interests, still we could not read your eminence's letters under date of 24th March last, in which such readiness is fully set forth, without the greatest pleasure. Our affection is sharpened and excited by the mention of the good will of our predecessors, the Kings of Great Britain, evinced in every age towards your most illustrious Order, which, as your eminence in your said letters so honourably commemorates, so will we studiously endeavour to imitate, and even to surpass. From our admiral, Sir John Narbrough, knight, and also from other parties, we have heard with how much benignity your eminence lately received him, and caused him and the other officers of our fleet to be supplied with what was requisite for our ships of war, which we consider not less worthy of the piety and valour of your Order than of our friendship; and we on our part, on opportunity presenting itself, will be careful to abundantly reciprocate by every kind of good offices.
It remains to recommend your eminence and the whole of your holy Order militant to the safeguard of the God of Hosts.
Given from our palace of Whitehall the 19th day of May, 1675.
Your Eminence's good Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
No. XIV.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most eminent Prince the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:
Most eminent Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
We know not how it came to pass that our admiral in the Mediterranean sea, Sir John Narbrough, knight, should have given such cause of complaint as mentioned in your eminence's letters addressed to us under date of the 5th of April, as to have refused to give the usual salute to the city {444} of Malta, unless, perhaps, he had thought something had been omitted on the part of the Maltese which he considered due to our dignity, and to the flag of our royal fleet. Be it, however, as it may, your eminence may be persuaded that it is our fixed and established intention to do and perform everything both ourselves and by our officers amply to show how much we esteem the sacred person of your eminence and the Order of Malta.
In order, therefore, that it should already appear that we do not wish greater honour to be paid to any prince than to your eminence and to your celebrate Order, we have directed our above-mentioned admiral to accord all the same signs of friendship and good will towards your eminence's ports and citadels as towards those of the most Christian and catholic kings; and we no way doubt your Order will equally show that benevolence towards us which it is customary to show to the above-mentioned kings, or to either of them.
It only remains to us to heartily recommend your eminence and all your military Order to the safeguard of the Most High and Most Good God.
Given from our palace of Whitehall on the 21st day of June, 1675.
Your Eminence's good Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
No. XV.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most eminent prince the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:
Most eminent Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
Not only by the letters of Sir John Narbrough, knight, whom we appointed in right and power to be the admiral of our fleet in the Mediterranean sea, but also from other sources, we have heard how benignantly your eminence, both by command and example, and all the sacred Order of Malta, have treated him and the other commanders of our ships, so much so that they could not have been better at home, and in our dockyards, than in your port of Malta. This is, indeed, a sign of great friendship, and the more so that our kingdoms and seas are so far distant from the usual navigation of the sacred Order of Malta, that few occasions could be expected to offer themselves to us of reciprocating the friendship of your eminence. Some other mode, therefore, must be sought by which we may testify our gratitude and affection towards your eminence and the other members of your most sacred Order, to do which we shall willingly embrace and studiously search after every opportunity which may offer.
In the mean time we heartily recommend your eminence and all your military Order to the safeguard of the Most High and Most Good God.
Given from our palace of Whitehall the 26th day of January, 1675-6.
Your Eminence's good Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
No. XVI.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Greet Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most eminent Prince the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
Most eminent Prince, our most dear cousin and friend.
Our well-beloved and faithful Sir John Narbrough, knight, latterly admiral of our fleet in the Mediterranean sea, conveyed to us your eminence's letters written under date of the 7th of April last, which being most full indeed of affection and gratitude on your part, we received and perused with equal feelings and satisfaction. The acknowledgments of benefits conferred by us, which your eminence so frequently expresses, causes us also to return similar thanks to your eminence and to the whole of your sacred Order, for all those offices of humanity and courtesy with which you assisted our above-mentioned admiral and other our ships stationed in that sea, of which we shall always preserve the memory indelibly engraved in our hearts. It is equally a source of pleasure to us that our arms have been of help to your eminence and to your Order; and if the expedition had been of no other benefit, we consider it ample compensation in having restored to their homes so many persons celebrated through the whole Christian and Infidel world who were recovered from the power and chains of the barbarians.
May your eminence continue to desire that we should freely divide the glory of rendering peaceful the Mediterranean sea with the illustrious Order of Malta!
May the Most Good and Great God sustain and preserve your eminence with all your religious Order!
Given from our palace of Whitehall the 28th day of October, 1676.
Your Eminence's good Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
No. XVII.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most eminent Prince the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:
Most eminent Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
The thanks which your eminence, by your {445} letters written under date of the 15th of August last, returns to us on account of the fifty knights of your Order liberated by our assistance from the slavery of the barbarians, could hardly be more acceptable to us than the prayers adjoined in the above-mentioned letters for the liberation from the slavery of the Algerines of another member of your holy Order, the German, John Robert A. Stael. We in consequence, in order that we my not appear to be wanting either in the will or in affection towards your eminence, have communicated our orders to our well-beloved and faithful subject, Sir John Narbrough, knight, commanding our fleet in those seas, that if the city of Algiers should be constrained to agree to a treaty of just peace and submission by the force of our arms, assisted by Divine help, he should use every effort in his power, so that the liberty of the said John Robert A. Stael be obtained.
Your eminence is already well aware of the fidelity and zeal of our above-mentioned admiral, and we have no doubt that he will willingly and strenuously observe our orders on that head.
It remains for us to heartily recommend your eminence and the whole of your military Order to the safeguard of the Most High and Most Good God.
Given from our palace of Whitehall the 2nd day of November, in the year of our Lord 1678.
Your Eminence's good Cousin and Friend, CHARLES REX.
WILLIAM WINTHROP.
La Valetta, Malta.
* * * * *
DISEASE AMONG CATTLE.
For some years past, a great many cattle have died from a disease of the lungs, for which I believe no effectual antidote has been discovered. This fact having been mentioned to a German in London, who had formerly been a Rossarzt or veterinary surgeon in the Prussian army, he stated that he had known a similar disease to prevail in Germany; and that by administering a decoction of Erica communis (Common Heath), mixed with tar, the progress of the disease had in many instances been arrested.
In order, therefore, that the British farmer may obtain the benefit of this gentleman's experience, and that he may receive all manner of justice, I beg leave to send you a literal copy of the recipe which he was kind enough to give pro bono publico.
"REMEDY AGAINST THE PRESENT DISEASE AMONG CATTLE.
"Taken Erika communis, and boiled it into water of such quantity, that the water after boiling coloured like beer; generally of a pinte of water 1/4—1/2 lb. Erika communis, and boiling 5 to 6 hours. After it is be done, filled the fluids trough a seive in ather boiler, and mixed the same with 1/20 part of common tear. In order to make a good composition from it, you must boiling the tear and the fluide to a second time of 2—3 hour's and much storret. After then the medecin is to by ready.
"Everry cattle sicke or well must you giving of three times to day, everry time one pot from the said mixture, which you have befor keapet a little warm but not to much heat. Keepet werry much from the fluide of Erika communis not mixed with tear, and give to drinke the cattle a much as possible. Everry cattle liked to drinke such fluide.
"Becom's the tongue stick, black pumpels, or becom's the mouth and palatt red and sort, washe it out with a softe brush deyed in a mixture as follow described: One part of hony, 3 parts of vinaigre, 3 parts of water, and one half part of burned and grinded allumn.
"Becom's the cattle in the legs, generally in the klawes, washed the sores with cold water, that you mixed 1 once white vitriol, and 1 once burned allumn of a pint of water, 3—4 times to day, and keepet the cattle everry time day's and night's in the open air of meadows or lots. Everry cattle become's in the first time that it is driven out the stables to the green feeding of meadow's, &c. a little sickness, generally a little diarrhae, and this is a remedy against the disease as before stated.
"If you continnuit with the firste remedy, you should findet that the cattle becom's a verry slight influence of the said disease."
THOS. NIMMO.
* * * * *
POPIANA.
I. In Roscoe's edition of Pope, vol. iv. p. 465., is this epitaph:
"Well then, poor G—— lies underground, So there's an end of honest Jack: So little justice here he found, 'Tis ten to one he'll ne'er come back."
This must have been running in Goldsmith's heed when he wrote:
"Here lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery freed, Who long was a bookseller's hack: He led such a damnable life in this world, I don't think he'll wish to come back."
II. Epigram on the feuds between Handel and Bononcini:
"Strange! all this difference should be, 'Twixt Tweedle-DUM and Tweedle-DEE!"
The various editors print only these two lines. Where have I seen it printed as follows, in six lines; and whence came the other four?[3]
{446}
"Some say, that Signior Bononcini Compared to Handel's a mere ninny; Others aver, that to him Handel Is scarcely fit to hold a candle: Strange that," &c.
III. In "N. & Q.," Vol. i., p. 245., the following passage occurs:
"In the Imitation of the Second Satire, Book I. of Horace, only to be found in modern editions, there is an allusion to 'poor E——s,' who suffered by 'the fatal steel' for an intrigue with a Royal Mistress."
Query, in what modern editions is this imitation found? I have searched most of them (including the last, and by no means the worst, by Mr. Robert Carruthers) in vain.
IV. It has always seemed to me desirable that a perfect edition of an author like Pope, whose pages teem with proper names frequently repeated, and personal allusions, should be furnished with an Index nominum propriorum, which would enable the reader to refer in a moment to the exact whereabouts of the line wanted. I once took the trouble to make such an Index to Pope for my own use, and add one word of it as a specimen:
Granville's moving lays Past. i. 46 Granville commands, &c. Wind. For. 5 Granville could refuse to sing, what Muse for " 6 Granville sings, or is it " 282 Granville of a former age, Surrey the " 292 Granville's verse recite, the thoughts of God let " 425 Granville's Myra die, till Epist. to Jervas 76 Granville the polite Prol. to Sat. 135
Is this a hint worthy the notice of Mr. Croker, Mr. P. Cunningham, or Mr. John Murray, whose joint labours promise us a new edition of Pope?
V. Roscoe and Croly give four poems on Gulliver's Travels. Why does Mr. Carruthers leave out the third? His edition appears to contain (besides many additions) all that all previous editors have admitted, with the exception of this third Gulliver poem, the sixteen additional verses to Mrs. Blount on leaving town, the verses to Dr. Bolton, and a fragment of eight lines (perhaps by Congreve); which last three are to be found in Warton's edition.
HARRY LEROY TEMPLE.
Garrick Club.
[Footnote 3: These lines are quoted in the fourth edition of the Ency. Britan., art. BONONCINI, and are said to have been written by Swift. Only the last two lines, however, are given in Scott's edition of his Works.—ED.]
* * * * *
HAMPSHIRE FOLK LORE.
Churching.—A woman in this village, when going to church for the first time after the birth of her child, keeps to the same side of the road, and no persuasions or threats would induce her to cross it. She wears also upon that occasion a pair of new boots or shoes, so that the mothers of large families patronise greatly the disciples of St. Crispin. I should much like to know if this twofold superstition is prevalent, and how it first originated.
Bees.—There is not one peasant I believe in this village, man or woman, who would sell you a swarm of bees. To be guilty of selling bees is a grievous omen indeed, than which nothing can be more dreadful. To barter bees is quite a different matter. If you want a hive, you may easily obtain it in lieu of a small pig, or some other equivalent. There may seem little difference in the eyes of enlightened persons between selling, and bartering, but the superstitious beekeeper sees a grand distinction, and it is not his fault if you don't see it too.
When a hive swarms, it is customary to take the shovel from the grate, and the key from the door, and to produce therewith a species of music which is supposed to captivate and soothe the winged tribe. If the bees do not settle on any neighbouring tree where they may have the full benefit of the inharmonious music, they are generally assailed with stones. This is a strange sort of proceeding, but it is orthodox, and there is nothing the villagers despise more than modern innovations of whatever kind.
Charming.—As regards charming, the wife of the village innkeeper who preceded the present one (she now rests in the churchyard), used to whisper away burns. Her form of words, if she had any, is unknown. The mind has great influence upon the body, and the doctor knows it, or he would not give his nervous lady patients so many boxes of bread pills, and sleeping draughts in the shape of vials filled with savoury rum-punch. Doubtless this good woman cured her patients by acting on their imaginations. If the agency of imagination is an incorrect supposition, I see but one way of accounting for the curative powers of whispering, namely, by means of animal magnetism. I trust your medical readers do not question the curative powers of animal magnetism in certain cases; if they do, I would recommend them to read a work entitled Human Magnetism, its Claim to Dispassionate Inquiry, by W. Newnham, Esq., M.R.S.L. It is published by John Churchill, Princes Street, Soho.
EUSTACE W. JACOB.
Crawley.
* * * * *
THE MOST CURIOUS BOOK IN THE WORLD.
The following account of this truly wonderful specimen of human patience and skill is from a rough copy that I took some years ago. I regret that I cannot give any reference, as I made no note of my authority, which has now escaped my {447} recollection. But that is of little consequence, as the book is well known to bibliographists.
Perhaps the most singular bibliographic curiosity is that which belonged to the family of the Prince de Ligne, and is now in France. It is entitled Liber Passionis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, cum Characteribus nulla materia compositis. This book is neither written nor printed! The whole letters of the text are cut out of each folio upon the finest vellum; and being interleaved with blue paper, is read as easily as the best print. The labour and patience bestowed in its completion must have been excessive, especially when the precision and minuteness of the letters are considered. The general execution, in every respect, is indeed admirable; and the vellum is of the most delicate and costly kind. Rodolphus II. of Germany offered for it, in 1640, 11,000 ducats, which was probably equal to 60,000 at this day. The most remarkable circumstance connected with this literary treasure is, that it bears the royal arms of England; but it cannot be traced to have ever been in this country.
I now offer this notice, in the hope that the readers of "N. & Q." may supply farther particulars; such as the time of its commencement or completion, and also whether it is still in France. With respect to the arms of England, which yet present a puzzle to all antiquaries, I beg to submit a conjecture. I think it was intended as a present to our Henry VIII., when he was in such high favour at Rome, for his Defence of the Seven Sacraments, that Leo X. conferred on him the title of "Fidei Defensor," and which all our sovereigns have subsequently retained. But when he threw off the Papal authority, declared himself supreme head of the Church, and proceeded to confiscate its property, the intention of presentation was abandoned. This is at least plausible, as I do not mean that it was originally designed for a present to "bluff Harry," because it was produced before he was born. But the arms were a work for any time; and I think they were executed just before his rupture with the Pope was known. To pay him a compliment afterwards from any part of Catholic Europe was, of course, out of the question.
C. B. A.
* * * * *
Minor Notes.
Baptism, Marriage, and Crowning of Geo. III.—
"Died at his palace at Lambeth, aged seventy-five, the Most Reverend Thomas Secker, LL.D., Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. His Grace was many years Prebendary of Durham, seventeen years Rector of St. James', Westminster, consecrated Bishop of Bristol in 1734, and in 1737 was translated to the See of Oxford. In 1750 he resigned the Rectory of St. James, on his succeeding Bishop Butler in the Deanery of St. Paul's; and on the death of Archbishop Hutton in 1758, was immediately nominated to the metropolitan see, and confirmed at Bow Church, on the 20th of April in that year, Archbishop of Canterbury. His Grace was Rector of St. James's when our present sovereign was born at Norfolk House, and had the honour to baptize, to marry, and crown his majesty and his royal consort, and to baptize several of their majesties' children."—From Pennsylvania Chronicle, Oct. 3, 1768.
M. R. F.
Pennsylvania.
Copernicus.—The inscription on the tomb of the celebrated Copernicus, in the cathedral church at Thorn, in Prussian Poland, supposed to have been written by himself, deserves a place in "N. & Q."
"Non parem Pauli gratiam requiro, Veniam Petri neque posco; sed quam In crucis ligno dederat Latroni Sedulus oro."
FITZROY.
First Instance of Bribery amongst Members of Parliament.—The following extract from Parry's Parliaments and Councils of England, deserves, I think, a corner in "N. & Q.," especially at the present day:
"1571, A. R. 13, May 10.—Thomas Long, 'a very simple man and unfit' to serve, is questioned how he came to be elected. He confesses that he gave the Mayor of Westbury and another four pounds for his place in parliament. They are ordered to repay this sum, to appear to answer such things as should be objected against them in that house, and a fine of twenty pounds is to be assessed on the corporation and inhabitants of Westbury, for their scandalous attempt."
ABHBA.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan.—In the "Life of Sheridan," by G. G. S., prefixed to his Dramatic Works, published by Bohn in 1848, is the following passage (p. 90.):
"At the age of twenty-nine he had achieved a brilliant reputation, had gained an immense property, and was apparently master of large resources."
And in an essay lately published, entitled Richard Brinsley Sheridan, by George Gilfillan, is this statement:
"Young Sheridan had no patrimony, not a shilling, indeed, all his life that he could call his own."
Which of these two contradictory accounts is true?
In the Life by G. G. S. are two glaring slips of the pen or of the press; at p. 8. it is said that Sheridan was born in the year 1771 (1751?), and at p. 44. that The Duenna was brought out on the 21st of November, 1755 (1775?).
WILLIAM DUANE.
Philadelphia.
{448}
Publican's Invitation.—Amongst various other ingenious contrivances adopted by the proprietors of the rosoglio houses (anglice, dram-shops) in Valetta, to attract the custom and patronage of the gallant red-jackets that swarm in our streets at this time, one individual has put forth and distributed among the soldiers the following puzzle, which I send for the amusement of your readers. A very little study will suffice to master the mysterious document.
"THE PUBLICAN'S INVITATION. Here's to Pand's Pen. DASOCI. Alhou Rinha? R. M. (Les Smirt) Ha! N. D. F. Unlet fri. Ends. HIPRE! ign. Beju! Standk. Indan! DEVIL'S PEAKO! F. N. (One.)"
JOHN O' THE FORD.
Malta.
Bishop Burnet again!—The following anecdote occurs in Mrs. Thistlethwaite's Memoirs and Correspondence of Dr. Henry Bathurst, Lord Bishop of Norwich, p. 7.:
"I have heard my father mention the following anecdote of my grandfather, Benjamin Bathurst, Esq., and the Duke of Gloucester (Queen Anne's son), during their boyhood. My grandfather and the Duke were playfellows; and the Duke's tutor was Dr. Burnet. One day, when the Doctor went out of the room, the Duke having as usual courted him, and treated him with obsequious civility, young Bathurst expressed his surprise that his Royal Highness should treat a person, whom he disliked as much as he did the Doctor, with so much courtesy and kindness. The Duke replied, 'Do you think I have been so long a pupil of Dr. Burnet's without learning to be a hypocrite?'"
J. Y.
Old Custom preserved in Warwickshire.—There is a large stone a few miles from Dunchurch, in Warwickshire, called "The Knightlow Cross." Several of Lord John Scott's tenants hold from him on the condition of laying their rent before daybreak on Martinmas Day on this stone: if they fail to do so, they forfeit to him as many pounds as they owe pence, or as many white bulls with red tips to their ears and a red tip to their tail as they owe pence, whichever he chooses to demand. This custom is still kept up, and there is always hard riding to reach the stone before the sun rises on Martinmas Day?
L. M. M. R.
English Diplomacy v. Russian.—A friend of Sir Henry Wotton's being designed for the employment of an ambassador, came to Eton, and requested from him some experimental rules for his prudent and safe carriage in his negociations; to whom he smilingly gave this for an infallible aphorism,—that, to be in safety himself, and serviceable to his country, he should always, and upon all occasions, speak the truth (it seems a state paradox). "For," says Sir Henry Wotton, "you shall never be believed; and by this means your truth will secure yourself, if you shall ever be called to any account; and 'twill also put your adversaries (who will still hunt counter) to a loss in all their disquisitions and undertakings." (Reliquiae Wottonianae.)
ALPHA.
* * * * *
Queries.
ANCIENT TENURE OF LANDS.
(Vol. ix., pp. 173. 309.)
The following paragraphs, containing both Notes and Queries, will doubtless interest your readers
At the last Kent assizes held at Maidstone (March, 1854) a case was tried by a special jury, of whom the writer was one, before Mr. Baron Parke; plaintiffs, "the Earl of Romney and others," trustees under an act of parliament to pay the debts of the borough of Queenborough, county Kent; defendants, "the Inclosure Commissioners of England and Wales." Tradition relates that Edward III. was so pleased with his construction of the Castle of Queenborough, that he complimented his consort by not only building a town, but creating a borough[4], which he named after her honour.[5] The case, in various shapes, has been before the law courts for some time, and was sent to these Kent assizes to ascertain whether Queenborough was either a manor or a reputed manor. In the course of the trial Baron Parke said, that, in despite of the statute Quia Emptores, he should rule that manors could be created when they contained the essentials.
My first Query is, therefore, Have any manors been created in England since the passing of that statute? In my History of Deptford I have alluded to the manor of Hatcham as one of the last manors I supposed to have been created.
The Inclosure Commissioners, as the defendants, had been prayed by the Leeze-holders[6] of {449} Queenborough to inclose sundry lands called Queenborough Common; such inclosure was opposed by the trustees, who claimed under the act of parliament which constituted their existence to be in the position of the mayor[7], &c., and thus, if they were the lords of the manor, to have a veto upon the inclosure of the waste. The plaintiffs relied very much upon the following fact, which I here embalm as a note, and append thereon a query:—During the Mayoralty of Mr. Greet[8], a gentleman who died in 1829, a turbot was caught by a dredger on the Queenborough oyster-grounds: this unlucky fish was immediately pounced upon by the Queenborough officials, and seized for the mayor's behoof as his perquisite, a la sturgeon.
Query, a like instance?
The Jury, after two days' long sitting, decided that Queenborough was neither a manor nor a reputed manor.
A. J. DUNKIN.
Dartford.
[Footnote 4: Parliamentary History, 1765.—On Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1654, an attempt was made to disfranchise Queenborough: the then member, Mr. Garland, suddenly and jocularly moved the Speaker that we give not any legacies before the Speaker was dead. This pleasant conceit so took with the House, as, for that time, Queenborough was reprieved, but was voted for the future to be dismembered, and to be added to the county.—Ap. Burton i. cxi. Archaeological Mine, i. 12. Queenborough was one of the victims included in Schedule A of the act of parliament known as "The Reform Bill."]
[Footnote 5: In our own day Cove has been called Queenstown in honour of Queen Victoria.]
[Footnote 6: Leeze-holders, a right of turning on the coming or Leeze (Celtic, Leswes) twenty-four sheep, which of late years, by a bye-law, has been arranged to substitute either two horses or three bullocks. A Leeze is supposed to contain about seven acres of land of herbage. The common consists of about 240 acres, including roads.]
[Footnote 7: See Hogarth's Visit, &c. to Queenborough. A hearty laugh will repay the trouble. The mayor was then a thatcher: the room remains as it did in Hogarth's day; and as Queenborough was then, so it is now, one long street without any trade.]
[Footnote 8: Of Mr. Greet's mayoralty many humorous tales are told: he was at times popular, but towards the close of his reign most decidedly the reverse. At his funeral the dredgers, &c. threw halfpence into his grave to pay his passage to the lower regions. He, one day, ex officio, sentenced a pilferer to a flogging at the cart's tail, and as executioners did not volunteer, he took off his coat, and himself applied the cat to the bare back of the culprit from one end of the street to the other. Mr. Greet was one of the best friends Queenborough ever had. After his death it plunged deeply into debt, had its paraphernalia and books seized and sold by the sheriff, and now all its property is in the hands of trustees to pay its debts, whilst its poor-rates are, a witness, a late mayor said, nine shillings in the pound. The debt was originally 12,700l.; but as no interest has been paid thereon, it is now 17,000l. The trustees have received about 4,000l., but this sum has been melted in subsequent litigation; for Queenborough men are mightily fond of supporting the law courts.]
* * * * *
OWEN ROWE THE REGICIDE.
Mark Noble, in his Lives of the Regicides, says that Owen Rowe was descended from Sir Thomas Rowe, Lord Mayor of London in 1568. In the Additional Manuscripts (British Museum), 6337. p. 52., is a coat in trick: Argent, on a chevron azure, three bezants between three trefoils per pale gules and vert, a martlet sable for difference; crest, a roe's head couped gules, attired or, rising from a wreath; and beneath is written, "Coll. Row, Coll. of hors and futt." These arms I imagine to have been the regicide's. If so, he was a fourth son. Query, whose? The Hackney Parish Register records, that on Nov. 6, 1655, Captain Henry Rowe was buried from Mr. Simon Corbet's, of Mare Street, Hackney. How was he related to Colonel Owen Rowe? I should feel particularly obliged to any correspondent who could furnish me with his descent from Sir Thos. Rowe.
According to Mr. Lysons (Environs of London, vol. iv. p. 540.), the daughter of Mr. Rowland Wilson, and widow of Dr. Crisp, married Colonel Rowe; adding in a note, that he supposes this Colonel Rowe to have been Colonel Owen Rowe, the regicide. The same statement is found in Hasted's History of Kent (edit. 1778), vol. i. p. 181. I should be glad of some more certain information on this point; also, what issue Owen Rowe left, if any, besides two daughters, whose marriages are recorded in the Hackney Register.
I am likewise anxious to learn whether there exist any lineal descendants of this family of Rowe, which had its origin in Kent; and thence branching off in the sixteenth century, settled and obtained large possessions in Shacklewell, Walthamstow, Low Layton, Higham Hill, and Muswell Hill. Through females, several of our nobility are descended from them.
TEE BEE.
* * * * *
WRITINGS OF THE MARTYR BRADFORD.
The second and concluding volume of Bradford's writings, which I am editing for the Parker Society, is about to be concluded.
Bradford's Treatise against the Fear of Death, with Sweet Meditations on the Felicity of the Life to Come and the Kingdom of Christ, was printed by Powell without a date, by Singleton without a date, and by Wolf 1583,—the last two editions being mentioned by Herbert, the first of Powell by Dibdin from Herbert's MS. additions. If any of your readers could inform me where a copy of any one of these editions is to be found, it would greatly oblige.
I have also never met, after some years' inquiry, with the edition of Bradford's Letter on the Mass, printed by Waldegrave, Edinburgh.
Some of the early editions of Bradford's writings are very rare. I possess his Examinations, Griffith, 1561; and Meditations, Hall, 1562; both of which are scarce: as also the only copy I have ever seen (though imperfect) of the first edition of his Sermon on Repentance, evidently printed in 1553.
His Complaint of Verity is of extraordinary rarity. The only copy I am aware of is possessed {450} by the Rev. T. Corser, of Stand, Manchester; and was purchased (I believe) at Mr. Bright's sale for 17l.
I should be obliged to any one who would supply me with any information about early editions of Bradford's writings.
Every one is familiar with the story that Bradford, on seeing a criminal pass to execution, said, "There goes John Bradford but for the grace of God." Can any one inform me of any early printed authority for that story?
A. TOWNSEND.
Weston Lane, Bath.
[In the British Museum are the following works by John Bradford, bound in one volume, press-mark 3932, c.:—The Hvrte of Hering Masse; also Two Notable Sermons, the one of Repentance, and the other of the Lord's Supper, Lond. 1581. On the fly-leaf is written, "A copy of Bradford's Hurte of Hearyng Masse, printed for H. Kirham, 1596, B. L., was in Mr. Jolley's sale, Feb. 1843. This edition by William Copland for William Martyne without date is scarcer, and I believe earlier.—R. H. BARHAM."]
* * * * *
Minor Queries.
Courtney Family.—I throw an apple of discord to your heraldic, genealogical, and antiquarian, readers. Was there originally more than one family of Courtnay, Courtney, Courtenay, Courteney, Courtnaye, Courtenaye, &c. Which is right, and when did the family commence in England, and how branch off? If your readers can give no information, who can?
S. A.
Oxford.
"The Shipwrecked Lovers."—Can you give me any account of the following tragedy, where the scene of it is laid, &c.? It is printed along with some poems, and appears never to have been acted. The name of the piece is The Shipwrecked Lovers, a tragedy in five acts, by James Templeton, Dublin, 12mo., 1801. I regret that I am unable to give any account of the author, but perhaps some of your Irish readers may be able to do this.
SIGMA.
Sir John Bingham.—In Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, article "Lucan," it is stated that this gentlemen was high in rank in King James's army at the battle of Aughrim, and turned the fortune of the day in favour of William by deserting, with his whole command, at the crisis of the battle. A late number of the Dublin University Magazine repeats this story on the authority of Mr. Burke, and it would therefore be satisfactory to know where the latter found a statement affecting so much the honour of the family in question, one of the first in my native county. The dates of Sir John's birth and marriage are not given, but the ages of several of his children are known, and from them it follows that, supposing the father of the first Lord Lucan not to have married till the mature age of fifty-five or sixty, he was barely of age at the time of the battle, therefore not likely to have been high in command. My countrymen are too much inclined, like the French, to attribute their disasters to treachery, or to any cause but the equal numbers and courage, and superior discipline, of their adversaries: but they have never done so to less purpose than when they ascribe the loss of that battle to a man who was in all probability not born in 1691, and must in any case have been a mere boy at the time. No peerage that I have met with gives the date of his birth, which would at once settle the question. It seems most unlikely, if such were actually the case, that the family, on attaining the peerage, should have revived the title of the gallant Sarsfield (whose representatives they were), and thus challenged public attention, always on the alert on such points in Ireland, to their alleged dishonour and betrayal of the cause for which he fought and fell.
J. S. WARDEN.
Proclamation for making Mustard.—Did Queen Elizabeth issue a proclamation for "the right of making mustard?" And if so, what was the language of such proclamation?
AN ADMIRER.
Judges practicing at the Bar.—A curious disquisition has run through "N. & Q." on the relinquishment of their sees by bishops, but I do not see that any of them are shown to have officiated as parish priests after quitting the episcopate.
Not that this is the point I wish now to put before you and your readers, but I want information on a somewhat kindred subject.
In Craik's Romance of the Peerage there occurs:
"Percy's leading counsel upon this occasion was Mr. Sergeant (afterwards Sir Francis) Pemberton, who subsequently rose to be first a puisne judge, and then Chief Justice of the King's Bench, was thence transferred to the Chief Justiceship of the Common Pleas, and after all ended his days a practitioner at the bar."—Vol. iv. p. 291. note.
Pemberton, it appears, was dismissed from the Common Pleas in 1683; he was counsel for the seven bishops in 1688, as was also another displaced judge, Sir Creswell Leving, or Levinge, who was superseded in 1686.
Are these the only two instances of judges, qui olim fuere, practising at the bar? If not, are they the latest? And farther, if not the latest, does not etiquette forbid such practice now?
W. T. M.
Hong Kong.
Celebrated Wagers.—I should be glad if any correspondent will point out any remarkable {451} instances of the above. The ordinary channels for obtaining such information I am of course acquainted with.
C. CLIFTON BARRY.
"Pay me tribute, or else——."—In Mr. Bunn's late work, Old England and New England, I find this note:
"We all remember the haughty message of the ruler of a certain province to the governor of a neighbouring one, 'Pay me tribute, or else——;' and the appropriate reply, 'I owe you none, and if——.'"
Not being of the totality reminiscent, may I beg for enlightenment? The anecdote sounds well, and I am therefore curious to know who the governors and what the provinces?
W. T. M.
Hong Kong.
"A regular Turk."—We often hear of people bad to manage being "regular Turks." When did the phrase originate? Though not a journal for politics, "N. & Q." will no doubt breathe a wish for the present sultan to be, in the approaching warfare, "a regular Turk."
PRESTONIENSIS.
Benjamin Rush.—I found the following in an old paper:
"Edinburgh, June 14, 1768. Yesterday Benjamin Rush, of the city of Philadelphia, A. M., and Gustavus Richard Brown, of Maryland, were admitted to the honour of a degree of Doctors of Physic, in the university of this place, after having undergone the usual examinations, both private and public. The former of whom was also presented some time before with the freedom of this city."
The Benjamin Rush here referred to subsequently became quite eminent as a physician. He took an active part in the struggle between the American colonies and the mother country, and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. One of his sons was the American minister to London a few years since.
Can any of your readers inform me why the freedom of Edinburgh was conferred upon him? In 1768 he could not have been over twenty-five years of age.
INQUIRER.
Per Centum Sign.—Will you kindly inform me why the symbol % means per centum: viz. 5 %, 10 %, &c.?
JAMES MILLS.
Burial Service Tradition.—About forty years ago, a young man hung himself. When his body was taken to the church for interment, the clergymen refused reading the burial service over him; his friends took him to another parish, and the clergyman of that place refused also; they then removed him to an adjoining one, and the clergyman received him and buried him. The last clergyman said, if any friend of the deceased had cut off his right hand, and laid it outside the coffin, no clergyman then could refuse legally receiving and burying the corpse. Query, is this true?
May I ask your readers for an answer, as it will oblige many friends. The above happened in Derbyshire.
S. ADAMS, Curate.
Jean Bart's Descent on Newcastle.—I find no notice, either in Sykes's Local Records, or in Richardson's Local Historian's Table-book, of the descent made on Newcastle in 1694 by the celebrated Jean Bart, whom the Dutch nicknamed "De Fransch Duyvel." Somewhere or other I have seen it stated that he returned to France with an immense booty. Perhaps some of your north country correspondents can tell us whether any record of his visit exists in the archives of the corporation of Newcastle or elsewhere?
WILLIAM BROCKIE.
Russell Street, South Shields.
Madame de Stael.—In Three Months in Northern Germany, p. 151., 1817, the following, passage occurs among some corrections of the mistakes of Madame de Stael:
"She knew the language imperfectly, read little, and misrepresented the gossip which she heard, either from carelessness or misunderstanding. When she censures Fichte, who she says had received no provocation from Nicolai, for helping Schlegel to write a dull book against him when he was too old to reply, she must have been ignorant of the fact, that Nicolai lived and wrote many years after the publication; and that, whether provoked or not, it is far from dull."
I cannot find any mention of this dispute in Madame de Stael's De l'Allemagne, and shall be glad if any of your readers can direct me to the passage in her works, and also to the joint work of Schlegel and Fichte.
R. A.
Ox. and C. Club.
Honoria, Daughter of Lord Denny.—I should be extremely obliged to any of your correspondents if they could give me the date of the death of Honoria, daughter and heiress of Edward, Lord Denny, who was married to James Hay, afterwards Earl Carlisle, on the 6th of January, 1607. She had issue James, second Earl of Carlisle, who died in 1660. As James Hay, then Baron Hay of Sawley, married his second wife (Lucy, daughter of Henry, Earl of Northumberland) in November 1617, the time of the first Lady Hay's death is fixed between 1607 and 1617.
AUGUSTUS JESSOPP.
N.B.—"Bis dat qui cito dat."
Rectory, Papworth St. Agnes.
Hospital of John of Jerusalem.—Is there any book or manuscript relating to the proceedings of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England, {452} which enters so fully into particulars as to give the names of the members of the society and its officers about the year 1300?
C. F. K.
Heiress of Haddon Hall.—Any one who visits Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, the property of the Duke of Rutland, is shown a doorway, through which the heiress to this baronial mansion eloped with (I think) a Cavendish some centuries ago. I have been informed that in a recent restoration of Bakewell Church, which is near Haddon Hall, the vault which contained the remains of this lady and her family was accidentally broken into, and that the bodies of herself, her husband, and some children, were found decapitated, with their heads under their arms; moreover, that in all the coffins there were dice. My informant had read an authenticated account of this curious circumstance, which was drawn up at the time of the discovery, but he could not refer me to it, and it is very possible that either his memory or mind may have failed as to the exact facts. At any rate they are worth embalming, I think, in the pages of "N. & Q." if any correspondent will kindly supply both "chapter and verse."
ALFRED GATTY.
Monteith.—There is a peculiar style of silver bowl, of about the time of Queen Anne, which is called a Monteith. Why is it so designated? and to what particular use was it generally applied?
P.
Vandyking.—In a letter from Secretary Windebanke to the Lord Deputy Wentworth (Strafford Papers, vol. i. p. 161.), P. C. S. S. notices this phrase, "Pardon, I beseech your lordship the over-free censure of your Vandyking." What is the meaning of this term, which P. C. S. S. does not find in any other writing of the period? Had the costume, so usual in the portraits by Vandyke, become proverbial so early as 1633, the date of Windebanke's letter?
P. C. S. S.
Hiel the Bethelite.—What is the meaning of the 34th verse of the 16th chapter of the 1st Book of Kings? In one of Huddlestone's notes to Toland's History of the Druids, he quotes the acts of Hiel the Bethelite, therein mentioned, as an instance of the Druidical Custom of burying a man alive under the foundations of any building which was to be undertaken?
L. M. M. R.
Earl of Glencairn.—Could you or any of your readers inform me of any particulars concerning the Earl of Glencairn, who, with a sister, is said to have fled from Scotland about 1700, or rather later, and to have concealed himself in Devonshire, where his sister married, 1712, one John Lethbridge, and had issue? Was this sister called Grace? Within late years they were spoken of by the very old inhabitants of Okehampton, Devon, and stories of the coroneted clothes, &c. were current.
LODBROK.
Willow Bark in Ague.—I have seen recently some notices of the use of willow bark in ague. Will some kind correspondent inform me and others interested in the subject, where the information is to be found?
E. C.
"Perturbabantur," &c.—Can any of your readers give the whole of the poem, of which the first two lines are—
"Perturbabantur Constantinopolitani, Innumerabilibus sollicitudinibus"?
These lines are singularly applicable at the present moment.
I am also desirous of knowing the history of this poem.
P.
* * * * *
Minor Queries with Answers.
Seamen's Tickets.—From an old paper, 1768:
"Feb. 8. Died at her house in Chapel Street, near Ratcliff Highway, aged 95, Margaret McKennow, who kept a lodging-house in that neighbourhood many years, and dealt in seamen's tickets. She is said to have died worth upwards of 6000l., and just after she expired twenty-nine quarter guineas were found in her mouth."
What are seamen's tickets?
W. D. R.
Philadelphia.
[The system of paying seamen with tickets instead of cash caused great discontent during the reign of Charles II., and, from the frequent notices respecting it in Pepys's Diary, seems to have given our Diarist great trouble. On November 30, 1660, he says: "Sir G. Carteret did give us an account how Mr. Holland do intend to prevail with the parliament to try his project of discharging the seamen all at present by ticket, and so promise interest to all men that will lend money upon them at eight per cent. for so long as they are unpaid, whereby he do think to take away the growing debt which do now lie upon the kingdom for lack of present money to discharge the seamen." These tickets the poor fellows sold at half price to usurers, mostly Jews; and to so great an extent was the system carried, that in the year 1710 there was a floating debt due to these usurers of ten millions paid by Harley from a fictitious fund formed by the government.]
Bruce, Robert.—Can you tell me the name of the author of the following little work? It is small, and contains 342 pages, and is entitled:
"The Acts and Life of the most Victorious Conqueror Robert Bruce, King of Scotland. Wherein also are contained the Martial Deeds of the Valiant Princes Edward Bruce, Sir James Douglas, Earl Thomas Randal, Walter Stewart, and sundry others. To which is added a Glossary, explaining the difficult {453} Words contained in this Book, and that of Wallace. Glasgow: printed by Mr. A. Carmichael and A. Miller. MDCCXXXVII."
JAMES P. BRYCE.
[This work is by John Barbour (sometimes written Barber, Barbere, and Barbare), an eminent Scottish metrical historian. It has been said that he received his education at the Abbey of Aberbrothock, where he took orders, and obtained a living near Aberdeen. Dr. Henry supposes Barbour to have become Archdeacon of Aberdeen in 1356. It is probable he died towards the close of 1395. His poem has passed through several editions, and is considered of high historical value. The earlier editions are those of Edinburgh, 1616, 1670, 12mo. In 1790, Pinkerton published "the first genuine edition from a MS. dated 1489, with notes and a Glossary." The best edition, however, is that by Dr. Jamieson, with Notes, and Life of the Author, Edinb. 4to. 1820.]
Coronation Custom.—At the coronations of Henry IV. and Richard III. a ceremony was performed which seems to indicate some idea of the elective sovereignty in England. The archbishop stood at each of the four corners of the dais in succession, and asked from thence the consent of the assembled Commons (Heylin, Reform., 1st edit., p. 32.). Did this ever take place at the coronation of English monarchs whose succession was not disputed?
J. H. B.
[In after times this ceremony seems to be that called "The Recognition." Sandford, speaking of the coronation of James II., says, "The Archbishop of Canterbury standing near the king, on the east side of the theatre, his majesty, attended as before, rose out of his chair, and stood before it, whilst the archbishop, having his face to the east, said as follows: 'Sirs. I here present unto you King James, the rightful inheritor of the crown of this realm; wherefore all ye that are come this day to do your homage, service, and bounden duty, are ye willing to do the same?' From thence the said archbishop, accompanied with the lord keeper, the lord great chamberlain, the lord high constable, and the earl marshal (garter king of arms going before them), proceeded to the south side of the theatre, and repeated the same words; and from thence to the west, and lastly to the north side of the theatre, in like manner: the king standing all this while by his chair of state, toward the east side of the theatre, and turning his face to the several sides of the theatre, at such time as the archbishop at every of them spake to the people. At every of which the people signified their willingness and joy by loud acclamations."] |
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