Chapter C: H. Cooper

{523}

_Johnny Crapaud_ (Vol. v., p. 439.).--When the French took the city of Aras from the Spaniards, under Louis XIV., after a long and a most desperate siege, it was remembered that Nostradamus had said:

"Les anciens crapauds prendront Sara.
The ancient toads shall Sara take."

This line was then applied to that event in this very roundabout manner. Sara is Aras backward. By the ancient toads were meant the French: as that nation formerly had for its armorial bearings three of those odious reptiles, instead of the three flowers de luce which it now bears. (Seward's _Anecdotes_, vol. i. p. 78.) Nostradamus died in 1566.

C. B.

_Juba Issham_ (Vol. v., p. 435.).--The signature is two names. The first needs no explanation; Juba, in _Cato_, is the lover of Marcia: the second may merely mean that the first is assumed, or false. We have such a surname as Isham, but it is spelt with one _s_ only.

C. B.

_Optical Phenomenon_ (Vol. v., p. 441.).--The circumstance mentioned by your correspondent is only one instance of a very familiar fact, that sight is rendered clearer by diminishing the quantity of rays, which might confuse one another. Some for that purpose look between two fingers brought near. Others nearly close their eyes, &c.

C. B.

_Bishop of London's House_ (Vol. v., p. 371.).--In the _Wards of London_, by H. Thomas, 1828, vol. i. p. 7., we are told that--

"The great fire of London having destroyed the Palace of the Bishop of
London, which was near St. Paul's Cathedral, this house [Peter House,
which stood on the west side, about the middle of Aldersgate Street]
was purchased for the city mansion of the prelates of the diocese, one
of whom only resided there, Bishop Henchman, who died there, and was
buried at Fulham, A.D. 1675. It was then called London House, and,
being subsequently deserted, was let out into private tenements until
1768; when it was entirely destroyed by fire while in the occupation of
Mr. Seddon, an upholsterer and cabinet-maker."

A large brick building now covers the site, and retains the name of "London House." It is occupied by Mr. H. Burton, builder.

In the work above quoted I find no mention of a residence of the Bishops of London in Bishopsgate. I therefore conclude that the one I have alluded to, is that respecting which your correspondent wishes to learn.

TEE BEE.

"_Inveni Portum_" (Vol. v., pp. 10. 64.).--"Actum ne agas" is generally a safe motto, and a particularly safe one when so learned a scholar as MR. SINGER has preceded. However, it may do no harm to mention, that since the Query occurred in the "N. & Q." I have met with two quotations of a very analogous kind.

The first is given as a quotation, and may be found at the end of George Sandys' _Divine Poems_, 1648,--"Jam tetigi Portum ---- valete." The second may be found amongst the _Poems_ of Walter Haddon, and refers to something more ancient still:

"_In obitum N. Pointzi Equitis,_
_Ex Anglico clarissimi viri Th. Henneagii._

Per medios mundi strepitus, cæcosque tumultus,
Turbida transegi tempora, Pointzus eques.
Nullus erat terror, qui pectora frangere posset,
Mens mea perpetuo quod quereretur, erat.
_Nunc teneo portum, valeant ludibria mundi_,
Vita perennis ave, vita caduca vale."

RT.

Warmington.

_"Cane Decane," &c._ (Vol. v., p. 440).--I cannot inform your correspondent who was the author of the punning couplet--

"Cane Decane, canis; sed ne cane, cane Decane,
De cane, de canis, cane Decane, cane."

But I think that he has injured the spirit of the original in his "_free_ translation."

_Decanus_ means a "Dean," not a Deacon: and the word _canis_, which is both masculine and _feminine_, was often used by the poets in a _metaphorical_ sense. It seems to me that the author was alluding to some aged _dignitary_ of his day, who had been in the habit of singing songs upon _the ladies_. I therefore submit to you my _more free_ translation:

1.
"Dean Hoare!
You sung, of yore,
O'er and o'er,
Molly ashore.

2.
Now, shut the door;
And of such lore
Sing no more,
Dean Hoare!"

BAVIUS.

These lines are cited by Mr. Sandys in the Introduction to his _Specimens of Macaronic Poetry_, and are there attributed to Professor Porson.

WILLIAM BATES.

Birmingham.

_Fides Carbonarii_ (Vol. iv., pp. 233. 283.).--In reply to QUERIST as to this saying, E. H. D. D. states that it originated in an anecdote told by Dr. Milner, or some other controversial writer. A coal-porter being asked what he believed, replied, "What the church believes:" and being asked what the church believed, replied, "What I believe."

Now I find the same meaning given by Henry {524} de Bellingen, in his _Etym. des Prov. Français_, printed at the Hague, 1656. His words, as quoted by Leroux de Lincy, are as follow:

"On fait un conte qui a donné l'origine à ce proverbe. Un charbonnier
estant enquis par le diable de ce qu'il croyait, luy respondit:
'Toujours je crois ce que l'église croit.' De là est venu que lorsqu'on
a voulu marquer qu'un homme avait une foi ferme, mais sans science, on
a dit: 'La foi du charbonnier.'"

Also, in P. J. Le Roux's _Dictionnaire Comique_, 1750:

"_La foi du charbonnier._ Quand on parle d'une foi implicite, qui fait
croire à un Chrétien en général tout ce que l'église croit."

In Landais' _Dictionary_, 4to.:

"_La foi du charbonnier_, foi simple et aveugle qui ne raisonne pas."

PHILIP S. KING.

_The Book of Jasher_ (Vol. v., p. 415.).--I have a translation of a work thus named. It was published by Noah and Gould, 144. Nassau Street, New York, 1840. The publisher's preface mentions Illive's work as "a miserable fabrication;" claims, as the original of his own, a book "said to have been discovered in Jerusalem at its capture by Titus," and preserved at Venice, 1613. It also speaks of the "owner and translator" as resident in England. I have a vague idea that I heard from New York, at the time I received my volume, that the Duke of Sussex had possessed a copy of the Book of Jasher, and that some steps had been taken towards the translation by order of His Royal Highness. I mention this merely to lead inquiry: I cannot trust my memory as to the verbal expression of a friend so many years ago.

I have long wished the Book of Jasher to obtain a fair hearing, and a more critical examination than I am qualified to make; and I shall be happy to lend it to your correspondent L. L. L. in furtherance of what I think an act of justice.

F. C. B.

_Sites of Buildings mysteriously changed_ (Vol. v., p. 436.).--Perhaps W. H. K. may deem the following account of the foundation of Bideford _Bridge_ near enough to his purpose:

"Before whose erection the breadth and roughness of the river was such,
as it put many in jeopardy: some were drowned, to the great grief of
the inhabitants, who did therefore divers times, and in sundry places,
begin to build a bridge; but no firm foundation, after often proof
being found, their attempts came to no effect. At which time Sir
Richard Gornard was priest of the place, who (as the story of that town
hath it) was admonished by a vision in his sleep, to set on the
foundation of a bridge near a rock, which he should find rowled from
the higher grounds upon the strand. This he esteemed but a dream; yet,
to second the same with some art, in the morning he found a huge rock
there fixed, whose greatness argued it the work of God; which not only
bred admiration, but incited him to set forwards so charitable a work:
who eftsoons, with Sir Theobald Grenvile, knight, lord of the land, an
especial furtherer and benefactor of that work, founded the bridge
there, now to be seen, which for length, and number of arches,
equalizeth, if not excelleth, all others in England," &c.--Risdon's
_Survey of Devon_, s. v. BIDEFORD.

The traditions relating to St. Cuthbert and the foundation of Durham Cathedral are too well known to find a place in "N. & Q."

J. SANSOM.

_Wyned_ (Vol. v., pp. 321. 474.).--Read _joined_ for _wyned_: "divers parcels of joined waynescott, windowes, and other implements of household," _i. e._ wainscot of joiner's work. I have no doubt this is the true reading, having once made the very same mistake myself in reading and printing an inventory of this period.

SPES.

_Sweet Willy O_ (Vol. v., p. 466).--This song was written by Garrick for the jubilee in honour of Shakspere, which was held at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1769, and was sung on that occasion by Mrs. Baddeley. It is printed in _Shakespeare's garland_, 1769; in the _Poetical works of David Garrick_, 1785; and in the _History of Stratford_, 1806.

BOLTON CORNEY.

* * * * *

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.

We have received from Messrs. Rivington, four volumes of their new and complete edition of _The Works and Correspondence of The Right Honourable Edmund Burke_, and we do not know that a more valuable contribution could be made to our stores of historical and political literature, than this handsome collection of the writings of one whom Sir Robert Peel pronounced "the most profound of the philosophic statesmen of modern times." Dear to all lovers of literature as must be the memory of Burke, the friend of Johnson, who declared, "he was the only man whose common conversation corresponded with the fame which he had in the world," and of Goldsmith, who complained that--

"He to party gave up what was meant for mankind;"

and that he

... "too deep for his hearers still went on refining,
And thought of convincing, while they thought of dining;"--

the present aspect of the political world compels us to look at him rather as a politician than as a man of letters. Considering, therefore, not only the profoundly philosophical character of his political works, but also the elevated tone of political morality which is displayed in the writings of Edmund Burke--a wisdom and a morality rendered still more attractive by the unrivalled eloquence with which they are enunciated--the present handsome and cheap collection of {525} those writings is alike creditable to the enterprise of the publishers, and well calculated to exercise a beneficial influence upon the political condition of the country. It would indeed be well if all who aspire to seats in the new parliament would fit themselves for such positions by a study of the writings of Edmund Burke.

Mr. Willis has just issued a neat reprint of what has now become a very scarce volume, _The Poetry of the Anti-Jacobin_, a work which may be regarded as a model of political satire. It is accompanied by occasional notes elucidating allusions now become obscure through lapse of time, and the blanks in the text have been filled up with the names of the various persons introduced or alluded to. Some attempt has also been made to identify the various authors by whom the several articles were written; but we are surprised to find this so imperfectly executed, for when the editor speaks of the authorship being in many cases mere matter of conjecture, it is clear that he did not know of the very curious, and, we may add, authentic list, furnished to the third volume (p. 348.) of this journal by Mr. Hawkins of the British Museum; who has also given a history of the work, and of the manner in which it was conducted, which ought to have been made use of.

BOOKS RECEIVED.--_Legal Iambics in Prose, suggested by the present Chancery Crisis_, a quaint discourse, in which there is no small learning and humour, and to which may be applied, with some variation, Gay's well-known Epilogue:

"Our pamphlet has a moral, and no doubt
You all have sense enough to find it out."

_An Essay upon the Ghost Belief of Shakspeare_, by Alfred Roffe, is a little pamphlet well deserving perusal, in which the author--who holds that ghost belief, rightly understood, is most rational and salutary--endeavours to show that it must have had the sanction of such a thinker as Shakspeare.--_Rome in the Nineteenth Century, containing a complete account of the Ruins of the Ancient City, the Remains of the Middle Ages, and the Monuments of Modern Times_, by Charlotte A. Eaton. _Fifth Edition_, Vol. I., the new issue of Bohn's _Illustrated Library_, with its thirty-four engraved illustrations, will be found a very useful and instructive guide to the "Eternal City."--_The Heroides, the Amours, Art of Love, &c., of Ovid, translated_ (with the judicious exception of the more questionable passages, which are left in the original Latin), forming the new volume of Bohn's _Classical Library_. In his _Standard Library_ we have now the fifth and concluding volume of what has been well described as "the enthralling Biographies of Vasari." Thus for considerably less than one pound has the English lover of Art the means of possessing one of the most interesting and instructive works on the subject of his favourite study ever produced. The work deserves, and, we trust, will meet with a very wide circulation.

* * * * *

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE.

BOOTHBY'S SORROWS SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF PENELOPE. Cadell and Davies. 1796.

CHAUCER'S POEMS. Vol. I. Aldine Edition.

BIBLIA SACRA, Vulg. Edit., cum Commentar. Menochii. Alost and Ghent, 1826. Vol. I.

BARANTE, DUCS DE BOURGOGNE. Vols. I. and II. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Edit. Paris. Ladvocat, 1825.

BIOGRAPHIA AMERICANA, by a Gentleman of Philadelphia.

POTGIESERI DE CONDITIONE SERVORUM APUD GERMANOS. 8vo. Col. Agrip.

THE BRITISH POETS. Whittingham's edition in 100 Vols., with plates.

REPOSITORY OF PATENTS AND INVENTIONS. Vol. XLV. 2nd Series. 1824.

---- Vol. V. 3rd Series. 1827.

NICHOLSON'S PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. Vols. XIV. XV. 1806.

JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN. No. XI. 2nd Series.

SOROCOLD'S BOOK OF DEVOTIONS.

WORKS OF ISAAC BARROW, D.D., late Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. London, 1683. Vol. I. Folio.

LINGARD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Vols. VI. VII. VIII. IX. XII. XIII., cloth.

FABRICII BIBLIOTHECA LATINA. Ed. Ernesti. Leipsig, 1773. VOL. III.

THE ANACALYPSIS. By Godfrey Higgins. 2 Vols. 4to.

CODEX DIPLOMATICUS ÆVI SAXONICI, opera J. M. Kemble. Vols. I. and II. 8vo.

ECKHEL, DOCTRINA NUMORUM. Vol. VIII.

BROUGHAM'S MEN OF LETTERS. 2nd Series, royal 8vo., boards. Original edition.

KNIGHT'S PICTORIAL SHAKSPEARE. Royal 8vo, Parts XLII. XLIII. XLIV. L. and LI.

CONDER'S ANALYTICAL VIEW OF ALL RELIGIONS. 8vo.

HALLIWELL ON THE DIALECTS OF SOMERSETSHIRE.

SCLOPETARIA, or REMARKS ON RIFLES, &c.

GEMS FROM THE BRITISH POETS, 4 Vols., Tyas, may be had on application to the Publisher.

*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, _carriage free_, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

* * * * *

Notices to Correspondents.

REPLIES RECEIVED.--_Newtonian System--Portrait of Earl of Northumberland--Solmonath--Thomas Fauconberge--Nelson Family--Poems in the Spectator--Pardons under the Great Seal--Cheshire Cat--Meaning of Royde--Dodo Query--Men of Kent and Kentish Men--Swearing on a Skull--St. Christopher--Deferred Executions--Frebord--Corrupted Names of Places--Cane Decane--Poem on the Burning of the Houses of Parliament--Meaning of Penkenol--Ralph Winterton--Bee Park--Plague Stones--Lines on Woman--Ring Finger--Sneezing--Binnacle--Rhymes on Places--Martinique--Richard Baxter--Nashe's Terrors of the Night--Anthony Babington--The Miller's Melody--Irish Titles of Honour--Epitaphs--Emaciated Monumental Effigies--Oasis--Sweet Woodruff--University Hoods--Exeter Controversy._

W. B. (Birmingham) _is thanked. Our columns are at present too crowded to allow of our availing ourselves of his kind offer._