Chapter I: Part 1

NOTES AND QUERIES:

A MEDIUM OF INTER-COMMUNICATION FOR LITERARY MEN, ARTISTS, ANTIQUARIES, GENEALOGISTS, ETC.

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"When found, make a note of."--CAPTAIN CUTTLE.

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No. 20.] SATURDAY, MARCH 16. 1850. [Price Threepence. Stamped Edition 4d.

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CONTENTS.

NOTES:-- Page
Alfred's Geography of Europe, by S.W. Singer 313
The First Coffee Houses in England, by E.F.
Rimbault, LL.D. 314
True Tragedy of Richard III. 315
Folk-Lore--Merry Lwyd--Deathbed Superstition 315
Passage in L'Allegro--Milton's Minor Poems 315
Doctor Dobbs--Golden Age of Magazines 316
Use of Beaver Hats in England, by E.F.
Rimbault, LL.D. 317
Extracts from Old Records, by R. Cole 317

QUERIES:--
Queries on Outline 318
Christ's Hospital--Old Songs once popular there 318
Watching the Sepulchre, &c. 318
Minor Queries:--Conrad of Salisbury--Peruse or
Pervise--Cromlech--Meaning of Grummett--Vertue's
MSS.--Loscop--Ormonde House--As Morse caught
the Mare--Dustpot, Forthlot--Tracts attributed to
Eachard--Queen of Hearts--Guildhalls--Vox
Populi--Use of Coffins--Rococo--Howlet the
Engraver--The Bear, &c. 319

REPLIES:--
Letter attributed to Sir R. Walpole 321
College Salting 321
Junius 322
White Hart Inn, Scole 323
Parkership, Porkership, Pokership 323
Replies to Minor Queries:--Coleridge's Christabel--
Sir William Rider--God tempers the Wind--
Complutensian Polyglot--Tickhill--Bishop Blaise--
Sangred--Judas Bell--La Mer des Histoires 324

MISCELLANIES:--
Tale of a Tub--A Genius--Dedications 326

MISCELLANEOUS:--
Notes on Books, Sales, Catalogues, &c. 326
Notices to Correspondents 326
Advertisements 327

* * * * *

KING ALFRED'S GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE.

There is no other printed copy of the A.-S. _Orosius_ than the very imperfect edition of Daines Barrington, which is perhaps the most striking example of incompetent editorship which could be adduced. The text was printed from a transcript of a transcript, without much pains bestowed on collation, as he tells us himself. How much it is to be lamented that the materials for a more complete edition are diminished by the disappearance of the _Lauderdale MS._, which, I believe, when Mr. Kemble wished to consult it, could not be found in the Library at Ham.

Perhaps no more important illustration of the Geography of the Middle Ages exists than Alfred's very interesting description of the _Geography of Europe_, and the _Voyages of Othere and Wulfstan_; and this portion of the _Hormesta_ has received considerable attention from continental scholars, of which it appears Mr. Hampson is not aware. As long since as 1815 Erasmus Rask (to whom, after Jacob Grimm, Anglo-Saxon students are most deeply indebted) published in the _Journal of the Scandinavian Literary Society_ (ii. 106. sq.) the Anglo-Saxon Text, with a Danish translation, introduction, and notes, in which many of the errors of Barrington and Forster are pointed out and corrected. This was reprinted by Rask's son in the _Collection_ he gave of his father's _Dissertation_, in 2 vols. Copenhagen, 1834.

Mr. Thorpe, in the 2nd edit. of his _Analecta_, has given "Alfred's Geography," &c., no doubt accurately printed from the Cotton MS., and has rightly explained _Apdrede_ and _Wylte_ in his Glossary, but does not mention _Æfeldan_; and Dr. Leo, in his _Sprachproben_, has given a small portion from Rask, with a few geographical notes. Dr. Ingram says: "I hope on some future occasion to publish the whole of 'Alfred's Geography,' accompanied with accurate maps."

Rask has anticipated Mr. Hampson's correction respecting the _Wilti_, and thus translates the passage: "men norden for Oldsakserne er Obotriternes Land, og i Nordost Vilterne, som man kalder Æfelder." The mistake of Barrington and Dr. Ingram is the more extraordinary when it is recollected that no people are so frequently mentioned in the chronicles of the Middle Ages as this Sclavonic tribe: citations might be given out of number, in which their contests with their neighbours the Obotriti, _Abodriti_, or _Apdrede_ of Alfred are noticed. Why the Wilti were sometimes called _Æfeldi_ or _Heveldi_, will appear from their location, as pointed out by Ubbo Emmius: "_Wilsos_, Henetorum gentem, ad _Havelam_ trans Albim sedes habentem." (Rer. Fris. Hist. l. iv. p. 67.) Schaffarik remarks, "Die Stoderaner und _Havelaner_ waren ein und derselbe, nur durch zwei namen interscheiden zweige des _Weleten_ stammes;" and Albinus says: "Es sein aber die riehten _Wilzen_ Wender sonderlich an der _Havel_ wonhaft." They were frequently designated by the name of _Lutici_, {314} as appears from Adam of Bremen, Helmond, and others, and the Sclavonic word _liuti_ signified _wild, fierce_, &c. Being a _wild_ and contentious people, not easily brought under the gentle yoke of Christianity, they figure in some of the old Russian sagas, much as the Jutes do in those of Scandinavia; and it is remarkable that the names of both should have signified giants or monsters. Notker, in his Teutonic paraphrase of Martianus Capella, speaking of other Anthropophagi, relates that the _Wilti_ were not ashamed to say that they had more right to eat their parents than the worms.[1] Mone wrote a Dissertation upon the Weleti, which is printed in the _Anzeigen für Kunde des Mittelalters_, 1834, but with very inconclusive and erroneous results; some remarks on these Sclavonic people, and a map, will be found in Count Ossolinski's _Vincent Kadlubek_, Warsaw, 1822; and in Count Potocki's _Fragments Histor. sur la Scythie, la Sarmatie, et les Slaves_, Brunsw., 1796, &c. 4 vols. 4to.; who has also printed Wulfstan's _Voyage_, with a French translation. The recent works of Zeuss, of Schaffarik, and above all the _Geschichte der Deutschen Sprache_, of Jacob Grimm, throw much light on the subject.

On the names _Horithi_ and _Mægtha Land_ Rask has a long note, in which he states the different opinions that have been advanced; his own conclusions differ from Mr. Hampson's suggestion. He assigns reasons for thinking that the initial _H_ in _Horithi_ should be _P_, and that we should read _Porithi_ for _Porizzi_, the old name for _Prussians_. Some imagined that _Mægtha Land_ was identical with _Cwen Land_, with reference to the fabulous Northern Amazons; but Alfred has placed Cwenland in another locality; and Rask conjectures that _Mægth_ signifies here _provincia, natio gens_, and that it stood for _Gardariki_, of which it appears to be a direct translation.

It appears to me that the _Horiti_ of Alfred are undoubtedly the _Croati_, or _Chrowati_, of Pomerania, who still pronounce their name _Horuati_, the _H_ supplying, as in numerous other instances, the place of the aspirate _Ch_. Nor does it seem unreasonable to presume that the _Harudes_ of Cæsar (_De Bell. Gall._ b. i. 31. 37. 51.) were also _Croats_; for they must have been a numerous and widely spread race, and are all called _Ch_arudes, [Greek: Aroudes]. The following passage from the _Annales Fuldensis_, A. 852., will strengthen this supposition:--"Inde transiens per Angros, _Harudos_, Suabos, et Hosingos ... Thuringiam ingreditur."

Mr. Kemble[2], with his wonted acumen, has not failed to perceive that our _Coritavi_ derived their name in the same manner; but his derivation of the word from Hor, _lutum_, Horilit, _lutosus_, is singularly at issue with Herr Leo's, who derives it from the Bohemian Hora, a mountain, Horet a mountaineer, and he places the _Horiti_ in the Ober Lanbitz and part of the Silesian mountains.

Schaffarik again, says that _Mægtha Land_ is, according to its proper signification, unknown; but that as Adam of Bremen places Amazons on the Baltic coast, probably from mistaking of the _Mazovians_? it is possible that _Mægthaland_ has thus arisen. In 1822 Dahlmann (_Forschungen auf dem Gebiete der Geschichte_, t. i. 422.) gave a German version of King Alfred's narration, where the passage is also correctly translated; but as regards the illustration of the names of the people of Sclavonic race, much yet remains to be done.

It is to be hoped that some competent northern scholar among us may still remove, what I must consider to be a national reproach--the want of a correct and well illustrated edition of the _Hormesta_, or at any rate of this singularly interesting and valuable portion of it.

S.W. SINGER.

Feb. 21. 1850.

[Footnote 1: "Aber _Welitabi_, die in Germania sizzent, tie wir _Wilze_ heizen, die ni scáment sih niche ze chedenne, daz sih iro parentes mit mêrem réhte ézen súlin danne die wurme." Albinus, in his _Meissnische Chronicle_, says they had their name from their _wolfish_ nature.]

[Footnote 2: _The Saxons in England_, vol. i. p. 9. note.]

* * * * *

THE FIRST COFFEE-HOUSES IN ENGLAND.

As a Supplement to your "NOTES ON COFFEE," I send you the following extracts.

Aubrey, in his account of Sir Henry Blount, (MS. in the Bodleian Library), says of this worthy knight,

"When coffee first came in he was a great upholder of it, and hath
ever since been a constant frequenter of coffee-houses, especially
Mr. Farres at the Rainbowe, by Inner Temple Gate, and lately John's
Coffee-house, in Fuller's Rents. The first coffee-house in London
was in St. Michael's Alley, in Cornhill, opposite to the church,
which was set up by one ---- Bowman (coachman to Mr. Hodges, a
Turkey merchant, who putt him upon it) in or about the yeare 1652.
'Twas about 4 yeares before any other was sett up, and that was by
Mr. Farr. Jonathan Paynter, over against to St. Michael's Church,
was the first apprentice to the trade, viz. to Bowman.--Mem. The
Bagneo, in Newgate Street, was built and first opened in Decemb.
1679: built by ... Turkish merchants."

Of this James Farr, Edward Hatton, in his _New View of London_, 1708, (vol. i. p. 30) says:--

"I find it recorded that one James Farr, a barber, who kept the
coffee-house which is now the Rainbow, by the Inner Temple Gate,
(one of the first in England), was in the year 1657, prosecuted by
the inquest of St. Dunstan's in the West, for making and selling a
sort of liquor called coffee, as a great nuisance and prejudice to
the neighbourhood, &c., and who would then have thought London
would ever have had near three thousand such nuisances, and that
coffee would have been, as now, so much drank by the best of
quality and physicians." {315}

Howel, in noticing Sir Henry Blount's _Organon Salutis_, 1659, observes that--

"This coffe-drink hath caused a great sobriety among all nations:
formerly apprentices, clerks, &c., used to take their morning
draughts in ale, beer, or wine, which often made them unfit for
business. Now they play the good-fellows in this wakeful and civil
drink. The worthy gentleman, Sir James Muddiford, who introduced
the practice hereof first in London, deserves much respect of the
whole nation."

From these extracts it appears that the use of this berry was introduced by other Turkey merchants besides Edwards and his servant Pasqua.

Anthony Wood in his _Diary_, records, under the year 1654, that--

"Coffey, which had been drank by some persons in Oxon. 1650, was
this yeare publickly sold at or neare the Angel, within the Easte
Gate of Oxon., as also chocolate, by an outlander or Jew."

And in another place he says--

"This yeere Jacob a Jew opened a Coffey-house at the Angel, in the
parish of St. Peter in the East, Oxon., and there it was by some,
who delighted in noveltie, drank. When he left Oxon. he sold it in
Old Southampton Buildings in Holborne, near London, and was living
there 1671."

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

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TRUE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD III.

In _The True Tragedy of Richard the Third_, the following passage--

"His treacherous father hath neglect his word,
And done imparshall past by dint of sword."

is considered by Mr. Baron Field as unintelligible. It seems to me that the correction of it is obvious, and the explanation probable, though not exactly fitting what had been said before, which is merely that Lord Stanley had refused to come to Richard, not that he had actually joined Richmond, much less fought for him. I read--

"And dome imparshall;"

_i.e._ and _doom impartial_, and interpret, "pass'd upon himself impartial judgment," or rather on his son, as is said just before:--

"The father's fact condemns the son to die."

It is possible that doom by dint of sword may mean, to be executed by dint of sword; that is, on the son. The _doom_ in the Scotch court, in the _Heart of Mid Lothian_, is not the verdict, but the punishment.

Immediately before, we have this passage, also described as unintelligible:--

"_King._ Did not your selves, in presence, see the bondes sealde
and assignde?

"_Lo._ What tho my lord, the _vardits own_, the titles doth resign.

"_King._ The bond is broke, and I will sue the fine."

I see no emendation for this but the _vardits own_ to mean, "the party who has the verdict in his favour," and the speech to be a question. The King tries to persuade himself that there is, _ipso facto_, no room for forgiveness. Lovel answers, upon the principle of the rule of law, "Qui vis potest renunciare juri pro se introducto."

C.B.

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FOLK LORE.

_Merry-Lwyd._--My attention has been called to an inquiry in No. 11. p. 173., as to the origin and etymology of the Merry-Lwyd, still kept up in Wales.

I believe that all these mummings may be traced to the disguisings which formed so popular an amusement in the Middle Ages, and that the name applied in Wales to this remnant of our ancient pastimes is nothing more than a compound of our English adjective "merry" and a corruption of the Latin word "Ludi," which these masquings were formerly termed.

Strutt, in his _Sports and Pastimes_, Book iii. chap. 13., speaks of Christmas Spectacles in the time of Edward III., as known by the name of Ludi; and in Warton's _History of English Poetry_, it is said of these representations that "by the ridiculous and exaggerated oddity of the Vizors, and by the singularity and splendour of the dresses, every thing was out of nature and propriety." In Strutt's 16th Plate, specimens will be found of the whimsical habit and attire in which the mummers were wont to appear.

My impression that the Merry-Lwyd was by no means a diversion exclusively Welsh is corroborated by the fact noticed in your Number of the 23rd of Feb., of its being found to exist in Cheshire. And we know that many ancient customs lingered in the principality long after they fell into disuse in England.

GWYNN AB NUDD.

Glamorganshire, March 1. 1850.

_Death-bed Superstition._--When a curate in Exeter I met with the following superstition, which I do not remember to have seen noticed before. I had long visited a poor man, who was dying of a very painful disease, and was daily expecting his death. Upon calling one morning to see my poor friend, his wife informed me that she thought he would have died during the night, and consequently she and her friends unfastened _every lock in the house_. On my inquiring the reason, I was told that any bolt or lock fastened was supposed to cause uneasiness to, and hinder the departure of the soul, and consequently upon the approach of death all the boxes, doors, &c., in the house were unlocked. Can any of your readers tell me whether this is in any way a general superstition amongst the lower orders, or is it confined to the West of England?

R.H. {316}

[This remarkable superstition forms the subject of a communication of the _Athenæum_ (No. 990.) of 17th Oct. 1846: in a comment upon which it is there stated "that it originates from the belief which formerly prevailed that the soul flew out of the mouth of the dying in the likeness of a bird."]

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PASSAGE IN L'ALLEGRO--NOTES ON MILTON'S MINOR POEMS.

The suggestion of your correspondent B.H.K. (No. 18. p. 286.) has been anticipated by Mr. Warton, who, in his 1st edition of _Milton's Poems_, notices a similar interpretation of the passage, as the suggestion of an unknown correspondent. In the 2nd edition this correspondent is mentioned to have been Mr. Headley; and the editor discusses the point in a note of upwards of a page, illustrating it with parallel passages, and an analysis of the context. As the book is one of ready access, I need not trouble you with a quotation; but I may mention that Mr. Gilchrist has added, in a MS. note in my copy, that "Among the poems appended to those of Lord Surrey and Sir Thomas Wyatt, is one of considerable elegance in the same measure as those of Milton, nor is it unlike in its subject: the following lines may throw some light on the present inquiry (p. 200. ed. 1717):--

'On hills then shewe the ewe and lambe
And every young one with his damme;
Then lovers walke and _tell their tale_
Both of their bliss and of their bale.'"

[The passage is at p. 57. of the 1st vol. of Dr. Nott's edition.]

I am glad of the present opportunity of mentioning, for the benefit of all whom it may concern, that my copy of the 1st edition of Warton's _Milton_ is enriched with numerous notes and parallel passages by Mr. Gilchrist; and a copy of the 2nd edition has been similarly, but less copiously, illustrated by Mr. Dunston. I shall be glad if my mention of them should lead to their being made useful--or, if you wish it, I shall be happy to transcribe the notes for occasional insertion in your Journal.

May I be allowed to suggest that similar notifications _to_ intending editors would have some tendency to do the same good results which may be expected from the announcements _by_ intending editors suggested by your correspondent R.R. at p. 243? There must be hundreds of volumes enriched by the notes of scholars, such as those I have had occasion to mention, which are dispersed in private libraries, and might, by means of similar announcements, be made available to the cause of literature.

J.F.M.

[We are much indebted to our valued correspondent for the offer he has so kindly made us of the MS. Notes in question, which we shall gladly receive; and also for his extremely useful suggestion of the advantage of such notifications to intending editors, as he describes.]

_Milton's L'Allegro._--Your correspondent (No. 18. p. 286.) has been anticipated by Headley, who suggested, long ago, that the word _tale_ here implied the _numbering_ sheep. When Handel composed his beautiful air, "Let me wander not unseen," he plainly regarded this word in the more poetical sense. The song breathes the shepherd's tale of _love_ (perhaps addressed to "the milkmaid singing blithe") far more than it conveys a dull computation of the _number_ of "his fleecy care." Despite of that excellent commentator, Tom Warton, who adopted Headley's suggestion, it is to be hoped that readers will continue, though it may be in error, to understand the line as your correspondent _used_ to do: an amatory _tête-à-tête_ is surely better suited to "the hawthorn in the dale," than either mental arithmetic, or the study of Cocker.

J.H.M.

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DOCTOR DANIEL DOVE OF DONCASTER AND HIS HORSE NOBS--GOLDEN AGE OF MAGAZINES.

It appears from the preface to the last edition of _The Doctor, &c._ that the story of Dr. Daniel Dove and his horse was one well known in Southey's domestic circle.

A letter is there quoted from Mrs. Southey (then Miss Caroline Bowles), in which she says:--

"There is a story of Dr. D.D. of D. and of his horse Nobs, which
has I believe been made into a Hawker's Book. Coleridge used to
tell it, and the humour lay in making it as long-winded as
possible; it suited, however, my long-windedness better than his,
and I was frequently called upon for it by those who enjoyed it,
and sometimes I volunteered it, when Coleridge protested against
its being told."

While upon the subject of _The Doctor_, may I direct your attention to the following passage on p. 269. of the one volume edition, which you will admit in many respects accurately describes your "NOTES AND QUERIES"?

"Our Doctor flourished in the golden age of magazines, when their
pages were filled with voluntary contributions from men who never
aimed at dazzling the public, but each came with his scrap of
information or his humble question, or his hard problem, or his
attempt in verse.

"In those days A was an antiquary, and wrote articles upon altars
and abbeys, and architecture. B made a blunder, which C corrected.
D demonstrated that E was in error, and that F was wrong in
philology, and neither philosopher nor physician, though he
affected to be both. G was a genealogist. H was an herald who
helped him. I was an inquisitive inquirer who found reason for
suspecting J to be a Jesuit. M was a mathematician. N noted the
weather. O observed the stars. P was a poet who peddled in
pastorals, {317} and prayed Mr. Urban to print them. Q came in the
corner of the page with his query. R arrogated to himself the right
of reprehending every one who differed from him. S sighed and sued
in song. T told an old tale, and when he was wrong, U used to set
him right. V was a virtuoso. W warred against Warburton. X excelled
in algebra. Y yearned for immortality in rhyme, and Z in his zeal
was always in a puzzle."

Surely, Sir, you have revived the Golden Age of magazines, and long may you flourish.

Q.D.

* * * * *

THE USE OF BEAVER HATS IN ENGLAND.

The notice from Fairholt's _Costume in England_, concerning the earliest use of a beaver hat in England, is not very satisfactory. Beaver hats were certainly used in this country long before Stubbes's time. They were originally, like many other articles of dress, manufactured abroad, and imported here. Indeed, this was a great source of complaint by the English artizan until a comparatively late period. The author of _A Brief Discourse of English Poesy_, n.d. (temp. Eliz.) says:--

"I merveil no man taketh heed to it, what number of trifles come
hither from beyond the seas, that we might clean spare, or else
make them within our realme. For the which we either pay
inestimable treasure every year, or else exchange substantial wares
and necessaries for them, for the which we might receive great
treasure."

"The _beaver_ or felt hats (says J.H. Burn, in his interesting
_History of the Foreign Refugees_, p. 257.) worn in the reign of
Edward III., and for a long time afterwards, were made in Flanders.
The refugees in Norfolk introduced the manufacture of felts and
thrummed hats into that country; and by a statute of 5 and 6 Edward
VI., that trade was confined to Norwich, and all other corporate
and market towns in the country."

"About that time (says a _History of Trade_, published in 1702) we
suffered a great herd of French tradesmen to come in, and
particularly hat-makers, who brought with them the fashion of
making a slight, coarse, mean commodity, viz. felt hats, now called
_Carolinas_; a very inferior article to beavers and demicastors,
the former of which then sold at from 24s. to 48s. a piece."

In the _Privy-Purse Expenses of Henry VIII._, we read, under the date 1532:--

"Item the xxiij day [October] paied for a hatte
and a plume for the King in Boleyn [_i.e._
Boulogue] ... xvs."

And again--

"Item the same day paied for the garnisshing of ij
bonetts, and for the said hatte ... xxiijs. iiijd."

These entries are curious, as the purchase of the hat was made in a foreign country. It was probably something that took the King's fancy, as we can hardly suppose that his majesty had neglected to provide himself with this necessary appendage before he left England.

Several interesting notices concerning hats, and apparel generally, may be seen in Roger Ascham's _Schoolmaster_, 1570, which I do not remember to have seen quoted; but the literature of this period abounds in illustration of costume which has been but imperfectly gleaned.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

* * * * *

EXTRACTS FROM OLD RECORDS.

If you think the insertion of scraps from the mutilated Exchequer records useful, I shall be most happy, from time to time, to contribute a few. The following are extracted from fragments of a book of entries, temp. Charles I.: the book appears to have been a large folio, and each leaf torn into at least four pieces. It is much to be regretted that the work of selection and mutilation was not assigned to more competent persons than the ignorant porters who I am told were entrusted with it.

ROBERT COLE.

_Fragment dated 1640._

John de Critz, Serjeant Painter, p't of
2158. 13, for a debt in the great
wardrobe 60 0 0
{ 200 0 0
S'r James Palmer, Kn't, for the Tapestrie { 362 10 0
makers and painters at Mortlach { 300 0 0
{ 262 10 0
{ 300 0 0

_Fragment dated 1637._

..........hony Vandike Kn't p't of 1200_li._
for......... 300 0 0

..........le Seur Sculpter p't of 720_li._
.................Statues and Images 300 0 0

_Fragment dated 1640._

..........in satisfaction for his greate
Losses by his greate and extraordinary
disbursem'ts vpon assignem'ts and
other charges 4000 0 0

S'r Job Harby and S'r John Nulles,
Kn'ts, for soe much paid to the King
of Denmke for redempion of a greate
Jewell, and to liquidate the accompts
betwixt his Ma'ty and the said King 25000 0 0

Hubrecht le Seur in full of 340_li._ for }
2 statues in brasse, the one of his late } 100 0 0
Ma'ty, and the other of our now } 70 0 3
Souerainge lo: King Charles[3] }

More to him 60_li._, in p't of 120li. for a
bust of brasse of his late Ma'ty, and
40_li._ for carrying and erecting 2
figures at Winchester 100 0 0

Richard Delamair for making divers }
Mathematicall Instruments, and } 100 0 0
other services } 68 0 0

[Footnote 3: Qy. the statue now at Charing Cross.]

* * * * *{318}

QUERIES.

QUERIES ON OUTLINE.

The boundary between a surface represented and its background received two different treatments in the hands of artists who have the highest claims on our respect. Some, following the older painters as they were followed by Raphael and Albert Durer, bring the surface of the figure abruptly against its background. Others, like Murillo and Titian, melt the one into the other, so that no pencil could trace the absolute limit of either. Curiously enough, though for very obvious reasons, the Daguerreotype seems to favour one method, the Calotype the other. Yet, two Calotypes, in which the outlines are quite undefined, coalesce in the Stereoscope, giving a sharp outline; and as soon as the mind has been thus taught to expect a relievo, either eye will see it.

But if you look at your face in the glass, you cannot at once (say at three feet distance) see the outlines of the eye and cheek. They disappear every where, except in the focus common to both eyes. Then nothing is seen absolutely at rest. The act of breathing imparts perpetual motion to the artist and the model. The aspen leaf is trembling in the stillest air. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to Turner's use or abuse of his great faculties, no one will doubt that he has never been excelled in the art of giving space and relative distance to all parts of his canvas. Certainly no one ever carried confusion of outline in every part not supposed to be in the focus of the eye so far.

On the other hand, every portion of a large picture, however severe its execution, acquires this morbid outline wherever the eye quits one detail for another. Is, then, the law governing small and large surface different? Do these instances imply that a definite boundary, a modern German style, is indefensible? or only indefensible in miniature? Or, is such a picture as the Van Eyh in the National Gallery a vindication of the practice in small works?

I can answer that it is not; and this last question I merely ask to avoid all answers on the score of authority. No doubt that strange work is one of the most realising pictures ever painted,--more so than any neighbouring Rembrandt,--whose masses of light and shade were used as a "creative power." I want to know whether there is a right and wrong in the case, apart from every thing men call taste. Whether, whenever a work of art passes from suggestion to imitation, _some_ liberty must not be given at the lines whence the rays are supposed to diverge to the two eyes from two different surfaces. Every advance in art and science removes something from the realms of opinion, and this appears to be a question on which science must some day legislate for art.

J.O.W.H.

* * * * *

CHRIST'S HOSPITAL--OLD SONGS ONCE POPULAR THERE.

Amongst the numerous correspondents and readers of your very interesting little work, there may yet be living some who were scholars in the above institution during the last ten or fifteen years of the last century, coevals, or nearly so, with Richards, afterwards of Oriel College, author of a prize poem, _Aboriginal Britons_, and one of the Bampton Lecturers; Middleton, afterwards Bishop of Calcutta; Trollope, afterwards Master of the Grammar School; Barnes, afterwards connected with the _Times_; Stevens, Scott (poor Scott!), Coleridge, Lamb, Allen, White, Leigh Hunt, the two brothers Le G. Favell, Thompson, Franklin, &c., pupils of old James Boyer, of flogging celebrity.

If so, can any of them furnish me with the words of an old song, then current in the school, relating to the execution of the Earl of Derwentwater in the rebellion of 1715, of which the four following lines are all that I remember:

"There's fifty pounds in my right pocket,
To be given to the poor;
There's fifty pounds in my left pocket,
To be given from door to door."

Of another song, equally popular, less pathetic, but of more spirit-stirring character, can any one supply the remainder?

"As our king lay musing on his bed,
He bethought himself once on a time
Of a tribute that was due from France,
That had not been paid for so long a time.

"Oh! then he called his trusty page,
His trusty page then called he,
Saying, 'You must go to the king of France,
To the king of France right speedily.'"

NEMO.

* * * * *

WATCHING THE SEPULCHRE--DOMINUS FACTOTUM--ROBERT PASSELLEW.

Allow me to offer a query or two respecting which I shall be glad of any information your numerous correspondents may be able to furnish.

1. In Fuller's _History of Waltham Abbey_, pp. 269. 274., Nichol's edition, 1840, we have the following entries from the churchwarden's accounts:

"Anno 1542, the thirty-fourth of Henry viii. _Imprimis_. For
watching the sepulchre, a groat."

"_Item_, for watching the sepulchre, eight pence."

The last entry occurs in "Anno 1554, Mariæ primo," but Fuller adds, "though what meant thereby, I know not." Can any satisfactory information be furnished which will explain the custom here alluded to? {319}

2. In the same work, page 278., a passage occurs, which not only explains the meaning of the term _factotum_, but furnishes matter for another query. The passage is this; speaking of "eminent persons buried" at Waltham Abbey, he says: "we spoil all, if we forget Robert Passellew, who was _dominus fac totum_ in the middle--and _fac nihil_ towards the end--of the reign of Henry III." Some parasites extolled him by allusion to his name, _pass-le-eau_, (that is "passing the pure water,") the wits of those days thus descanting upon him:

"Est aqua lenis, et est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara,
Tu præcellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu,
Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior es tu;
Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus."
_Camden's MSS._ Cott. Lib.

The learned Dr. Whitaker, in his _History of Whalley_, says, that "the word Paslew was of Norman origin (Pass-le-eau), and afforded a subject for some rhyming monkish verses, not devoid of ingenuity, which the curious reader may find in Weever's _Funeral Monuments_, p. 645;" and a question now arises whether the _Passellew_ mentioned by Fuller belongs to the same family as the "Paslews of Wiswall," alluded to by Dr. Whitaker, one of whom, "John, Abbot of Whalley" was executed for the part he took in the "Pilgrimage of Grace." when it is stated that the Paslews of Wiswall bore "Argent a fess between three mullets Sable pierced of the field, a crescent for difference," probably some of your readers will be able to give some particulars respecting "Robert Passelew," and also identify the families if possible.

T.W.

Burnley, Lancashire, Feb. 23, 1850.

* * * * *

MINOR QUERIES.

_Conrad of Salisbury's Descritio utriusque Britanniæ._--A good many years since I had a communication from the Baron de Penhouet, a Breton Antiquary, respecting a work which I have never yet been able to discover. I may ascertain, through the medium of your very useful publication, whether there exists a work under the title of a "Descriptio utriusque Britanniæ," by Conrad of Salisbury, from a MS. of the time of Henry I. I should feel much obliged to any one who would favour me with this information.

JAMES LOGAN.

_Peruse or Pervise--Passage in Frith's Works._--Your correspondent T.J. rightly conjectured that the _peruse_ of a modern reprint of Frith was an error. I have been able since to consult two black-letter editions, and have found, as I suspected, "pervise" and "pervyse."

If your same correspondent, or any other, can help me to correct, or to understand another erroneous clause in Russell's edit. of Frith, vol. iii. p. 227., I shall be still further obliged.

It is probably meant for some old rule in logic, but is printed there, "Ab inferiori ad suis superius confuse distribue." Foxe, however, has "suum" instead of "suis."

H.W.

_Cromlech._--I shall feel much obliged if any of your readers will kindly refer me to any authority for the use of the word _Cromlech_, prior to the sixteenth century, whether in the Welsh or English language.

JAS. H. TODD.

Trin. Coll. Dublin, Jan. 31, 1850.

_Meaning of "Grummett."_--A Constant Reader is desirous of addressing such of your correspondents as are well versed in maritime history,--Mr. Bolton Corney to wit,--on the following subject. In the early ages of our Navy there was a distinct rating, called "Grummett," on board each man-of-war, and he was generally, as may be seen in the Cottonian MSS., placed after the "maryners and gonners." Now, the reader will be highly obliged to any one who will trace the designation to its source, and give information as to what were the special duties of the Grummett, or Gromet.

[Greek: Sigma].

_Vertue's Manuscripts._--Steevens and Malone, in fixing the dates of Shakspeare's Dramas, frequently quote from _Vertue's_ MSS. George Chalmers, in his _Supplemental Apology_, says, "On making some inquiries, by a friend, what manuscript of _Vertue's_ it were, which I saw so often quoted about scenic matters, Mr. Steevens was so obliging as to say, 'The books, from which those extracts were made, with several others lost, belonged to Secretary Pepys, and afterwards to Dr. Rawlinson, who lent them to Mr. Vertue.' When the said MSS. were consulted by the two commentators, they were, I believe, in the possession of Garrick." Chalmers adds, "Much is it to be lamented, that any MS. or book, which furnished an illustration of Shakespeare, and having once been seen, should ever disappear." Every true lover of our great poet will heartily agree with this remark.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_Loscop._--The Patent Roll, 1 Edw. III. part I, membrane 27, contains the exemplification or copy of a grant by Henry I. to his butler William de Albini of--"Manerium de Snetesham cum duobus hundredis et dimidio scil. Fredebruge et Smethedune cum wreck et cum omnibus pertinentiis suis et misteria de Luna cum medietate fori et theloneis et cum ceteris consuetudinibus et portu cum applicacione navium et _loscop_ et viam ipsius aquæ et transitu cum omnibus querelis." I should be greatly obliged to any of your learned correspondents who would explain the word _loscop_. Luna is the town or port of King's Lynn. _Misteria_ {320} may probably be translated "offices." See Ducange (Paris Edit. 1845) under the words misterium and ministerium. _Loscop_ appears to be a word of similar formation to Laudcop and Lahcop, which occur in the Laws of Ethelred (Thorpe's _Ancient Laws_, vol. i. pp. 294, 295.). Can it mean a fee paid on _loosing_ the vessel in order to leave the port?

C.W.G.

_Ormonde House._--Perhaps some of your annotators on Cunningham's _Hand-book of London_, will be so kind as to inform me whereabouts "Ormonde House" stood in St. James's Square; also to state any particulars respecting its history before and after it was occupied by that noble family.

J.G.

_As Morse caught the Mare._--I shall be glad to be informed the meaning of this expression--it is to be met with in the translation of Rabelais. There is also a song sung among the farmers of South Devon, of which the last line of each verse is "As Morse caught the Mare."

R.S.B.

_Dustpot--Forthlot._--In a Manorial Compotus, temp. Hen. V., I find the following entry, under the head of Out-goings:--

"In custodes carucarum et carectarum nil quia per firmarium. Item
pro eorum _duspot_ (xij'd) nil, causa predicta. Item pro eorum
_forlot_ (iiij'd) nil, causa predicta," &c.

I have in vain consulted the glossaries within my reach,--Ducange, Spelman, Halliwell, for the meaning of the terms _dustpot_ and _forlot_ (or, as spelt in another Compotus, _dustpot_ and _forthlot_). They appear to have been customary payments to the servants who had the care of the carts and carriages belonging to the manor, which, at the time of this particular Compotus, were not payable by the lord, because the demesne lands were in farm; and these dues were paid by the tenant. A reference to the _Promptorinm Parvulorum_ (a further instalment of which I rejoice to learn, from Mr. Way's communication, in No. 15., is in a state of progress) has been equally unproductive. The editorial note to the communications inserted in No. 17., on the interpretation of _Pokership_, induces me to send you this query, in the hope of eliciting information, if not from the gentleman you there refer to, at least from some one or other of your numerous readers learned in Archaic words.

I may, at a future period trouble you with some further remarks arising out of the same Compotus.

G.A.C.

_Tracts attributed to Eachard._--The writer of this article has long had in his possession an old volume (among many others of a like kind in his collection) published in 1685; and containing the following tracts:--1st. "The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy,... in a letter written to R.L., 9th edition." This letter is signed T.B. 2nd. "Observations upon the Answer to the Inquiry, &c., in a second Letter from T.B. to R.L." 3rd. "Hobbes' State of Nature, considered, in a Dialogue between Philautus and Timothy;" the "Epistle Dedicatory" is signed, J.E. 4th. "A Letter to his Old Dear Friend R.L. from T.B." 5th. "A Letter to B.D.," the publisher of Mr. Herbert's _Country Parson_, from T.B. 6th. "A Letter to the Author of the Vindication of the Clergy," from T.B. 7th. "A Letter to T.D.," the Author of _Hieragonisticon_, or _Corah's Doom_, from T.B. 8th. "A Letter to I.O. from T.B."

Now, it is mentioned in Dr. Hooke's _Ecclesiastical Biography_ (vol. iv., art. Eachard), that Eachard was the author of these tracts. But the queries I would beg to propose, if any of your correspondents can answer them, are these:--1st. Why does Eachard sign himself T.B.; does that signature allude to any matter in particular? 2nd. Who are meant by the other letters, R.L., B.D., L.O., &c.; and who, if any persons in particular, by Philautus; and Timothy; and who was the author of _Hieragonisticon_.

Perhaps "Philau_tus_" should be rather be "Philau_tos_," and may mean "Hobbes" himself, as a self-sufficient person, and a great admirer or lover of himself. I wish these queries may not be thought too insignificant for your periodical, which to me, and so many others, is of peculiar interest and value.

GEO. WYATT (Clerk.)

Burghwallis, 1850.

_Queen of Hearts._--Permit me to request some explanation of a passage in Miss Strickland's _Life of Queen Elizabeth_ (vol. vii. p. 292.), where we are told that--

"Lady Southwell affirms that the two ladies in waiting discovered
the _Queen of Hearts_, with a nail of Iron knocked through the
forehead, and thus fastened to the bottom of the chair: they durst
not pull it out, remembering that her like thing was used to the
old Countess of Sussex, and afterwards proved a witchcraft, for
which certain persons were hanged."

The author moralises upon this, but does not refer us to any authority, or tell where the affirmation of Lady Southwell is to be found, or where the account of the old countess is given; defects which I hope some of your correspondents will be good enough to supply.

F.R.A.

_Guildhalls._--There are in most villages in this neighbourhood houses which from time immemorial have been called Guildhalls. These are situate among such small populations that they are manifestly unconnected with trade. Will any of your correspondents tell me--

1st. Why are they called Guildhalls?

2nd. For what purpose were they anciently used? {321}

3rd. Are they common in other counties besides Suffolk?

Also: What is the origin of the Friday Streets so common in most villages in this neighbourhood?

A SUBSCRIBER AB INITIO.

Guildhall, Framlingham, Suffolk, Feb. 6. 1850.

_Vox Populi_--_Monody on Sir John Moore._--Can any reader give me the origin of the saying "_Vox Populi, Vox Dei_?"--and has any one of your correspondents ever heard of any doubts being raised as to the original author of the _Monody upon Sir John Moore_, which is now always assigned to the Rev. Dr. Wolfe? I saw it stated in an English paper, published in France some few years back, that Wolfe had taken them from a poem at the end of the _Memoirs of Lally Tottendal_, the French governor of Pondicherry, in 1756, and subsequently executed in 1766. In the Paper I refer to, the French poem was given; and certainly one of the two must be a translation of the other. I have not been able to get a copy of Tottendal's _Memoirs_, or of the Paper I refer to, or I would not trouble you with this Query; but perhaps some one can inform me which is the Merchant here, and which the Jew.

QUÆSITOR.

Reg. Coll. London.

_Use of Coffins._--How long has it been the custom to inter the dead in coffins? "In a table of Dutyes" dated 11th Dec. 1664, and preserved at Shoreditch Church, it is mentioned:--

"For a buryall in the New Church Yard without a coffin, 00 00 08.

"For a buryall in ye Old Church Yard without a coffin seauen pence
00 00 07.

"For the grave marking and attendance of ye Vicar and Clarke on
ye enterment of a corps uncoffined the churchwardens to pay the
ordinary duteys (and no more) of this table."

H.E.

_Rococo._--Would any correspondent of "NOTES AND QUERIES" give the history of this word, or indicate where it is to be found? or, if the history is not known, state when, and by whom, it appears to have been _first_ used?

T.

Oxford.

_Howlett the Engraver._--Can any of your readers furnish me with an account of the "Publications of Bartholomew Howlett," who was an engraver of some note, and about forty-five or fifty years ago resided in London? He was a native of Louth in Lincolnshire, and about forty-five years ago, being then resident (as appears from his book) somewhere in the neighbourhood of the Blackfriars' Road, published by subscription a book containing a series of engravings, entitled "Views in Lincolnshire."

L.L.L.

_The Bear, the Louse, and Religion._--I should be much obliged to any of your correspondents who will inform me where I can find _The Bear, the Louse, and Religion_: a fable. It commences--

"A surly Bear, in college bred,
Determin'd to attack Religion;
A Louse, who crawl'd from head to head,
Defended her--as Hawk does pidgeon.
Bruin Subscription discommended;
The Louse determin'd to support it--"

I know no more. When was it written?--upon what occasion?--who are meant by the Bear and the Louse?

GRIFFIN.

Mar. 5. 1850.

* * * * *

REPLIES.

LETTER ATTRIBUTED TO SIR R. WALPOLE.

There are many reasons, drawn from style and other internal evidence, which induce P.C.S.S. to entertain strong doubts as to the authenticity of the letter attributed to Sir Robert Walpole (and reprinted from Bankes) in No. 19. Among others it seems very unlikely that a prime minister, confidentially addressing his sovereign (and that sovereign George II.!) on a matter of the greatest import, would indulge in a poetical quotation. And it is remarkable that neither the quotation in question, not any thing at all resembling it, in thought or expression, is to be found in any part of Fenton's printed works. P.C.S.S. has carefully looked them over, in the editions of London, 1717, and of 1810 (Chalmer's _Collection_, vol. x.), and he cannot discover a trace of it. He had at first imagined that it might be successfully sought for in Fenton's admirable _Epistle to William Lamborde_ (the Kentish antiquary), where there is a remarkably fine passage respecting flattery and its influences; but nothing at all like the quotation cited in the letter is to be found in that poem, which (_par parenthèse_) seems to have met with much more neglect than it deserves.

P.C.S.S. would further notice the great improbability that Walpole would committed himself _in writing_, even to his royal master, by such a display of perilous frankness, in treating of the private character and principles of his great rival. He must have been aware that the letter would, most probably, at the decease of the king (then advanced in life) have been found among his majesty's papers, and, with them, have passed into the hands of his successor, by whom it would undoubtedly have been communicated to the very individual with whom it so hardly dealt.

P.C.S.S.

* * * * *

COLLEGE SALTING.

The money collected at the Eton Montem, now wisely abolished, was called "salt." In the {322} _Consuetudinarium vetus Scholæ Etonensis_, taken from a MS. in the library of Corpus, Cambridge, and the Harleian MS. 7044, p. 167., and printed by Professor Creasy in his _Account of Eton College_, p. 73. (from whose work I take the extract), the following passage occurs, under the head "Mense Januario." I would remark, that Montem was changed from January to Whit-Tuesday, about a hundred years since:--

"'Circiter festum Conversionis Divi Pauli ad horam nonam quodam die
pro arbitrio moderatoris' (ex consueto modo quo eunt collectum
Avellanas Mense Septembri), itur a pueris ad Montem. Mons puerili
religione Etonensium sacer locus est; hunc ob pulchritudinem agri,
amoenitatem graminis, umbraculorum temperationem, et Apollini et
Musis venerabilem sedem faciunt, carminibus celebrant, Tempe
vocant, Heliconi præferunt. Hic Novitii seu recentes, qui annum
nondum viriliter et nervose in acie Etonensi ad verbera steterunt
_sale primo_ condiuntur, tum versiculis qui habeant _salem_ ac
leporem, quoad fieri potest egregie depinguntur. Deinde in recentes
epigrammata faciunt, omni suavitate sermonis, et facetiis alter
alterum superare contendentes. Quicquid in buccam venit libere
licet effutire, modo Latine fiat, modo habeat urbanitatem, modo
caveat obscoenà verborum scurrilitate, postremo et lacrymis
_salsis_ humectant ora genasque' et tune demum veteranorum ritibus
initiantur. Sequuntur orationes et parvi triumphi, et serio
lætantur, cum ob præteritos labores tum ob cooptationem in tam
lepidorum commilitonum societatem."

It seems that "salting" was a sort of initiation, like that which prevails among our Teutonic brethren, where the "Fuchs" is raised to the sublime degree of a "Brandfuchs," "junge Bursch," "bemorstes Haupt," by successive promotions. Not improbably in after times, especially at the Universities, like "passing the Line," it admitted of being commuted for a money payment. The exact nature of the "salting" at Eton I cannot explain; perhaps your able correspondent, R.O., may afford information on this head.

C.R. SOC.

_College Salting_ (no. 17. p. 261.).--I cannot but think that the asking for salt at the now abolished ceremony of the Eton Montem (whence also, as it is said, "Salt Hill" was named) must have been connected with the "College Salting." The salt, or money, then collected belonged, as is well known, to the head-boy who had "got Montem," as it (alas!) _was_ called, and who was about to enter on his career (of course as a freshman) at Cambridge.

I would gladly, if permitted, draw the attention of your correspondents, who are considering the original subject, to the latter, by placing it in juxtaposition with "College Salting."

G.W.

Hamilton Terrace.

* * * * *

JUNIUS.

The questions asked by your correspondent "P." (No. 18. p. 172.) perplexed by their simplicity. The answer, if answer can be seriously required, was obvious. All that was ever urged in favour of every other claimant was against the claim of Sir George Jackson. Beyond this I know not what reply could be given. Emboldened by silence, "P." now proceeds (p. 276.) to adduce certain evidence which he supposes has some bearing on the question. "I possess," he says, "an unpublished letter by Junius _to_ Woodfall, which once belonged to Sir George Jackson. My query is, 'Is it likely he would have obtained it from Junius, if he were neither Junius himself nor a party concerned?'" What can be the meaning of this, obtain _from Junius_ a letter which Junius had sent to Woodfall? Why, it is obvious that Sir George must have obtained it as "P." obtained it--as all autograph collectors obtain their treasures--directly or indirectly, by gift or by purchase, mediately or immediately from one of the Woodfalls--probably from Henry Sampson Woodfall--probably from George Woodfall, who has recorded the fact that he lent one letter to a Mr. Duppa, which was never returned. "P." then proceeds a step further, and observes--"The manner in which Burke evades the question, as to himself being the author of Junius, makes me think two or three were concerned in these letters." Well, and it made others think so half a century or more since. The three Burkes have often been named--the Burkes again, with the assistance of Samuel Dyer: and Mr. Prior put forth a very reputable argument in favour of the claims of the Burkes, but it was delicate and died young. If your correspondent has nothing to urge in favour of this conjecture, why disinter it? "P.," however, has it in his power to do some service to the cause: let him send you, for publication, an exact copy of the Junius' letter, following carefully the spelling, the capital letters, the instructions, and even the punctuation.

Mr. John Sudlow's conjectures are still more simple. He evidently is not aware that when a public writer assumes a character he is bound to hold to it consistently; and that as "ATTICUS" was then writing on the subject of the national debt, and objecting to the financial policy of the minister, he naturally affected to be a fundholder, to be frightened, and to have, in consequence, removed his property. What a strange notion Mr. Sudlow must have of Steele and Addison, if he has read the _The Spectator_ and _The Tatler_ after this literal fashion. But I will not speculate on his speculations, but come to facts.

It is true that "amongst the letters attributed to Junius, and, in the opinion of Dr. Good, most certainly his production, is one signed Atticus," {323} which your correspondent proceeds to quote, adding that it is "believed to be the first which appeared signed Atticus." This is really a little "too bad." It is known, and ought to have been known to your correspondent before he intermeddled, that Good, though he wrote so confidently in public, had "most certainly" very great doubts in private; that others who have examined the question have no doubt at all; and have, indeed, adduced such strong proofs against Good's conjectures, that the gentleman now engaged in producing a new edition of Good's work speaks, in the first volume, the only one yet published, of Good's "unhesitating affiliation" of these letters, and announces his intention of offering hereafter "strong proof" that the letters signed Poplicola, _Atticus_, and others, "_were not written by Junius_." That there may be persons who _believe_ that the letter quoted was the first which appeared signed Atticus, I cannot deny; but all who are reasonably informed on the subject _know_ that it is not so;--know, as stated not long since in the _Athenæum_, that letters signed Atticus appeared in the _Public Advertizer_ from 1766 to 1773--possibly before and after--and that within that period there were at least thirty-seven letters published, from which Good was pleased to select four.

W.

* * * * *

WHITE HART INN, SCOLE.