Chapter L: C. D

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PHOTOGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENCE.

_Multiplying Negatives._--In reply to M. N. S. (Vol. ix., p. 83.) I would suggest the following mode of multiplying negatives on glass, which I have every reason to believe would be perfectly successful:--First, _varnish_ the negative to be copied by means of DR. DIAMOND'S solution of amber in chloroform; then attach to each angle, with any convenient varnish, a small piece of writing-paper. Prepare a similar plate of glass with collodion, and drain off all superfluous nitrate of silver, by standing it for a minute or so on edge upon a piece of blotting-paper. Lay it flat upon a board, collodion side upwards, and the negative prepared above upon it, collodion side downwards. Expose the whole to daylight for a single second, or to gas-light for about a minute, and develope as usual. The result will be a _transmitted positive_, but with reversed sides; and from this, when varnished and treated as the original negative, any number of negatives similar to the first may be produced.

The paper at the angles is to prevent the _absolute_ contact and consequent injury by the solution of nitrate of silver; and, for the same reason, it is advisable not to attempt to print until the primary negative is varnished, as, with all one's care, sometimes the nitrate will come in contact and produce spots, if the varnishing has been omitted. Should the negative become moistened, it should be _at once_ washed with a gentle stream of water and dried.

I have repeatedly performed the operation above described so far as the production of the positive, and so perfect is the impression that I see no reason why the second negative should be at all distinguishable from the original.

I am, indeed, at present engaged upon a _similar_ attempt; but there are several other difficulties in my way: I, however, entertain no doubts of perfect success.

GEO. SHADBOLT.

_Towgood's Paper._--A. B. (Vol. ix., p. 83.) can purchase Towgood's paper of Mr. Sandford, who frequently advertises in "N. & Q." With regard to his other Query, I think there can be no doubt of his being at liberty to publish a photographic _copy_ of a portrait, Mr. Fox Talbot having reserved only the right to paper copies of a _photographic_ portrait. Collodion portraits are _not_ patent, but the _paper_ proofs from collodion negatives are.

GEO. SHADBOLT.

{111} _Adulteration of Nitrate of Silver._--Will any of your chemical readers tell me how I am to know if nitrate of silver is pure, and how to detect the adulteration? _If so_ with nitrate of potash, how? One writer on photography recommends the fused, as then the excess of nitric acid is got rid of. Another says the fused nitrate is nearly always adulterated. I fear you have more querists than respondents. I have looked carefully for a reply to some former Queries respecting MR. CROOKES's restoration of old collodion, but at present they have failed in appearance.

THE READER OF PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS.

* * * * *

Replies to Minor Queries.

_Passage of Cicero_ (Vol. viii., p. 640.).--Is the following what SEMI-TONE wants?

"Mira est enim quædam natura vocis; cujus quidem, _e tribus
omnino sonis_, inflexo, acuto, gravi, tanta sit, et tam suavis
varietas perfecta in cantibus."--_Orator_, cap. 17.

B. H. C.

_Major André_ (Vol. viii., pp. 174. 604.).--The late Mrs. Mills of Norwich (_née_ André) was not the sister of Major André; she was the only daughter of Mr. John André of Offenbach, near Frankfort on the Maine, in Germany; where he established more than eighty years ago a prosperous concern as a printer of music, and was moreover an eminent composer: this establishment is now in the hands of his grandson. Mr. John André was not the brother of the Major, but a second or third cousin. Mrs. Mills used to say, that she remembered seeing the Major at her father's house as a visitor, when she was a very small child. He began his career in London in the commercial line; and, after he entered the army, was sent by the English ministry to Hesse-Cassel to conduct to America a corps of Hessian hirelings to dragoon the revolted Americans into obedience: it was on this occasion that he paid the above-mentioned visit to Offenbach.

Having frequently read the portion of English history containing the narrative of the transactions in which Major André was so actively engaged, and for which he suffered, I have often asked myself whether he was altogether blameless in that questionable affair.

TRIVET ALLCOCK.

Norwich.

P.S.--This account was furnished to me by Mr. E. Mills, husband of the late Mrs. Mills.

_Catholic Bible Society_ (Vol. ix., p. 41.).--Besides the account of this society in Bishop Milner's _Supplementary Memoirs of the English Catholics_, many papers on the same will be found in the volumes of the _Orthodox Journal_ from 1813, when the Society was formed, to 1819. In this last volume, p. 9., Bishop Milner wrote a long letter, containing a comparison of the brief notes in the stereotyped edition of the above Society with the notes of Bishop Challoner, from whose hands he mentions having received a copy of his latest edition of both Testaments in 1777. It should be mentioned that most of the papers in the _Orthodox Journal_ alluded to were written by Bishop Milner under various signatures, which the present writer, with all who knew him well, could always recognise. That eminent prelate thus sums up the fate of the sole publication of the so-called Catholic Bible Society:

"Its stereotype Testament ... was proved to abound in gross
errors; hardly a copy of it could be sold; and, in the end, the
plates for continuing it have been of late presented by an
illustrious personage, into whose hands they fell, to one of our
prelates [this was Bishop Collingridge], who will immediately
employ the cart-load of them for a good purpose, as they were
intended to be, by disposing of them to some pewterer, who will
convert them into numerous useful culinary implements,
gas-pipes, and other pipes."

F. C. H.

_Cassiterides_ (Vol. ix., p. 64.).--Kassiteros; the ancient Indian Sanscrit word _Kastira_. Of the disputed passage in Herodotus respecting the Cassiterides, the interpretation[7] of Rennell, in his _Geographical System of Herodotus_; of Maurice, in his _Indian Antiquities_, vol. vi.; and of Heeren, in his _Historical Researches_; is much more satisfactory than that offered by your correspondent S. G. C., although supported by the French academicians (_Inscript._ xxxvi. 66.)

The advocates for a Celtic origin of the name of these islands are perhaps not aware that--

"Through the intercourse which the Phoenicians, by means of
their factories in the Persian Gulph, maintained with the east
coast of India, the Sanscrit word _Kastira_, expressing a most
useful product of farther India, and still existing among the
old Aramaic idioms in the Arabian word _Kasdir_, became known to
the Greeks even before Albion and the British Cassiterides had
been visited."--See Humboldt's _Cosmos_, "Principal Epochs in
the History of the Physical Contemplation of the Universe,"
notes.

BIBLIOTHECAR. CHETHAM.

[Footnote 7: His want of information in this matter can only be referred to the jealousy of the Phoenicians depriving the Greeks, as afterwards the Romans, of ocular observation.]

_Wooden Tombs and Effigies_ (Vol. ix., p. 62.).--There are two fine recumbent figures of a Lord Neville and his wife in Brancepeth Church, four miles south-west of Durham. They are carved in wood. A view of them is given in Billing's _Antiquities of Durham_.

J. H. B.

_Tailless Cats_ (Vol. ix., p. 10.).--In my visits to the Isle of Man, I have frequently met with {112} specimens of the tailless cats referred to by your correspondent SHIRLEY HIBBERD. In the pure breed there is not the slightest vestige of a tail, and in the case of any intermixture with the species possessing the usual caudal appendage, the tail of their offspring, like the witch's "sark," as recorded by honest Tam o' Shanter,

"In longitude is sorely scanty."

In fact, it terminates abruptly at the length of a few inches, as if amputated, having altogether a very ludicrous appearance.

G. TAYLOR.

Reading.

The breed of cats without tails is well known in the Isle of Man, and accounted by the people of the island one of its chief curiosities. These cats are sought after by strangers: the natives call them "Rumpies," or "Rumpy Cats." Their hind legs are rather longer than those of cats with tails, and give them a somewhat rabbit-like aspect, which has given rise to the odd fancy that they are the descendants of a cross between a rabbit and cat. They are good mousers. When a perfectly tailless cat is crossed with an ordinary-tailed individual, the progeny exhibit all intermediate states between tail and no tail.

EDWARD FORBES.

_Warville_ (Vol. viii., p. 516.).--

"Jacque Pierre Brissot was born on the 14th Jan., 1754, in the
village of Ouarville, near Chartres."--_Penny Cyclo._

If your correspondent is a French scholar, he will perceive that Warville is, as nearly as possible, the proper pronunciation of the name of this village, but that Brissot being merely the son of a prior pastrycook, had no right whatever to the name, which doubtless he bore merely as a distinction from some other Brissot. It may interest your American friend to know, that he married Félicité Dupont, a young lady of good family at Boulogne. A relation of my own, who was very intimate with her before her marriage, has often described her to me as being of a very modest, retiring, religious disposition, very clever with her pencil, and as having received a first-rate education from masters in Paris. These gifts, natural and acquired, made her a remarkable young person, amidst the crowd of frivolous idlers who at that time formed "good society," not only in Paris, but even in provincial towns, of which Boulogne was not the least gay. Perhaps he knows already that she quickly followed her husband to the scaffold. Her sister (I believe the only one) married a Parisian gentleman named Aublay, and died at a great age about ten years ago.

N. J. A.

_W_ is not a distinct letter in the French alphabet; it is simply _double v_, and is pronounced like _v_, as in Wissant, Wimireux, Wimille, villages between Calais and Boulogne, and Wassy in Champagne.

W. R. D. S.

_Green Eyes_ (Vol. viii., p. 407.).--The following are quotations in favour of green eyes, in addition to MR. H. TEMPLE's:

"An eagle, madam,
Hath not so _green_, so quick, so fair an eye."

_Romeo and Juliet_, Act III. Sc. 5.

And Dante, in _Purgatory_, canto xxxi., likens Beatrice's eyes to emeralds:

"Disser: fa che le viste non risparmi:
Posto t' avem dinanzi agli smeraldi,
Ond' Amor già ti trasse le sue armi."

"Spare not thy vision. We have station'd thee
Before the _emeralds_[8], whence Love, erewhile,
Hath drawn his weapons on thee."

Cary's _Translation_.

I think short-sightedness is an infirmity more common among men of letters, authors, &c., than any other class; indeed, one is inclined to think it is no rare accompaniment of talent. A few celebrated names occur to me who suffered weakness of distinct vision to see but the better near. I am sure your correspondents could add many to the list. I mark them down at random:--Niebuhr, Thomas Moore, Marie Antoinette, Gustavus Adolphus, Herrick the poet, Dr. Johnson, Margaret Fuller, Ossoli, Thiers, Quevedo. These are but a few, but I will not lengthen the list at present.

M----A S.

[Footnote 8: Beatrice's eyes.]

_Came_ (Vol. viii., p. 468.).--H. T. G. will find this word to be as old as our language. Piers Ploughman writes:

"A cat
_Cam_ when hym liked."

_Vision_, l. 298.

"A lovely lady
_Cam_ doun from a castel."

_Ib._ l. 466.

Chaucer:

"Till that he _came_ to Thebes."

_Cant. T._ l. 985.

Gower:

"Thus (er he wiste) into a dale
He _came_."

_Conf. Am._ b. i. fol. 9. p. 2. col. l.

Q.

"_Epitaphium Lucretiæ_" (Vol. viii., p. 563.).--Allow me to send an answer to the Query of BALLIOLENSIS, and to state that in that rather scarce little book, _Epigrammata et Poematia Vetera_, he will find at page 68. that "Epitaphium Lucretiæ" is ascribed to Modestus, perhaps the same person who wrote a work _de re militari_. The version {113} there given differs slightly from that of BALLIOLENSIS, and has two more lines; it is as follows:

"Cum foderet ferro castum Lucretia pectus,
Sanguinis et torrens egereretur, ait:
Procedant testes me non favisse tyranno,
Ante virum sanguis, spiritus ante deos.
Quam recte hi testes pro me post fata loquentur,
Alter apud manes, alter apud superos."

Perhaps the following translation may not be unacceptable:

"When thro' her breast the steel Lucretia thrust,
She said, while forth th' ensanguin'd torrent gush'd;
'From me that no consent the tyrant knew,
To my spouse my blood, to heaven my soul shall show;
And thus in death these witnesses shall prove,
My innocence, to shades below, and Powers above.'"

C--S. T. P.

_Oxford Commmemoration Squib_, 1849 (Vol. viii., p. 584.).--Quoted incorrectly. The heading stands thus:

"LIBERTY! EQUALITY! FRATERNITY!"

After the name of "Wrightson" add "(Queen's);" and at the foot of the bill "Floreat Lyceum." I quote from a copy before me.

W. P. STORER.

Olney, Bucks.

"_Imp_" (Vol. viii., p. 623.).--Perhaps as amusing use of the word _imp_ as can be found anywhere occurs in an old Bacon, in his "Pathway unto Prayer" (see _Early Writings_, Parker Society, p. 187.):

"Let us pray for the preservation of the King's most excellent
Majesty, and for the prosperous success of his entirely beloved
son Edward our Prince, that most _angelic imp_."

P. P.

_False Spellings from Sound_ (Vol. vi., p. 29.).--The observations of MR. WAYLEN deserve to be enlarged by numerous examples, and to be, to a certain extent, corrected. He has not brought clearly into view two _distinct classes_ of "false spelling" under which the greater part of such mistakes may be arranged. One class arose _solely_ from erroneous pronunciation; the second from _intentional_ alteration. I will explain my meaning by two examples, both which are, I believe, in MR. WAYLEN's list.

The French expression _dent de lion_ stands for a certain plant, and some of the properties of that plant originated the name. When an Englishman calls the same plant _Dandylion_, the sound has not given birth "to a new idea" in his mind. Surely, he pronounces badly three French words of which he may know the meaning, or he may not. But when the same Englishman, or any other, orders _sparrow-grass_ for dinner, these two words contain "a new idea," introduced purposely: either he, or some predecessor, reasoned thus--there is no meaning in _asparagus_; _sparrow-grass_ must be the right word because it makes sense. The name of a well-known place in London illustrates both these changes: _Convent_ Garden becomes _Covent_ Garden by mispronunciation; it becomes _Common_ Garden by intentional change.

Mistakes of the first class are not worth recording; those of the second fall under this general principle: words are purposely exchanged for others of a similar sound, because the latter are supposed to recover a lost meaning.

I have by me several examples which I will send you if you think the subject worth pursuing.

J. O. B.

Wicken.

"_Good wine needs no bush_" (Vol. viii., p. 607.).--The custom of hanging out bushes of ivy, boughs of trees, or bunches of flowers, at _private_ houses, as a sign that good cheer may be had within, still prevails in the city of Gloucester at the fair held at Michaelmas, called Barton Fair, from the locality; and at the three "mops," or hiring fairs, on the three Mondays following, to indicate that ale, beer, cider, &c. are there sold, on the strength (I believe) of an ancient privilege enjoyed by the inhabitants of that street to sell liquors, without the usual license, during the fair.

BROOKTHORPE.

_Three Fleurs-de-Lys_ (Vol. ix., p. 35.).--In reply to the Query of DEVONIENSIS, I would say that many families of his own county bore fleurs-de-lys in their coat armour, in the forms of _two and one_, and _on a bend_; also that the heraldic writers, Robson and Burke, assign a coat to the family of Baker charged with three fleurs-de-lys on a fesse. The Devon family of Velland bore, Sable, a fesse argent, in chief three fleurs-de-lys of the last, but whether these bearings were ever placed fesse-wise, or, as your querist terms it, in a horizontal line, I am not sure.

J. D. S.

If DEVONIENSIS will look at the arms of Magdalen College, Oxford, he will there find the three fleurs-de-lys in a line in the upper part of the shield.

A. B.

Athenæum.

_Portrait of Plowden_ (Vol. ix., p. 56.).--A portrait of Plowden (said to have been taken from his monument in the Temple Church) is prefixed to the English edition of his _Reports_, published in 1761.

J. G.

Exon.

_St. Stephen's Day and Mr. Riley's "Hoveden"_ (Vol. viii., p. 637.).--The statement of this feast being observed prior to Christmas must have {114} arisen from the translator not being conversant with the technical terms of the _Ecclesiastical Calendar_, in which, as the greater festivals are celebrated with Octaves, other feasts falling during the Octave are said to be under (_infrà_) the greater solemnity. Thus, if MR. WARDEN will consult the _Ordo Recitandi Officii Divini_ for 1834, he will see that next Sunday, the 8th inst., stands "Dom inf. Oct.," _i.e._ of the Epiphany, and that the same occurs on other days during the year.

May I point out an erratum in a Query inserted some time since (not yet replied to), regarding a small castle near Kingsgate, Thanet, the name of which is printed Aix Ruochim; it should be Arx Ruochim.

A. O. H.

Blackheath.

_Death Warnings in Ancient Families_ (Vol. ix., p. 55.).--A brief notice of these occurrences, with references to works where farther details may be met with, would form a very remarkable record of events which tend to support one's belief in the truth of the remark of Hamlet:

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in our philosophy."

A drummer is stated to be heard in C---- Castle, the residence of the Earl and Countess of A., "going about the house playing his drum, whenever there is a death impending in the family." This warning is asserted to have been given shortly before the decease of the Earl's first wife, and preceded the death of the next Countess about five or six months. Mrs. Crowe, in her _Night Side of Nature_, observes hereupon:

"I have heard that a paper was found in her (the Countess's)
desk after her death, declaring her conviction that the drum was
for her."

Whenever a little old woman visits a lady of the family of G. of R., at the time of her confinement, when the nurse is absent, and strokes down the clothes, the patient (says Mrs. Crowe), "never does any good, and dies." Another legend is, that a single swan is always seen on a particular lake close to the mansion of another family before a death. Then, Lord Littleton's dove is a well-known incident. And the lady above quoted speaks of many curious warnings of death by the appearance of birds, as well as of a spectral black dog, which visited a particular family in Cornwall immediately before the death of any of its members. Having made this Note of a few more cases of death warnings, I will end with a Query in the words of Mrs. Crowe, who, after detailing the black dog apparition, asks: "if this phenomenon is the origin of the French phrase _bête noire_, to express an annoyance, or an augury of evil?"

JAS. J. SCOTT.

Hampstead.

"_The Secunde Personne of the Trinitie_" (Vol. ix., p. 56.).--I think it is Hobart Seymour who speaks of some Italians of the present day as considering the Three Persons of the Trinity to be the Father, the Virgin, and the Son.

J. P. O.

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Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.

Mr. Wright's varied antiquarian acquirements, and his untiring zeal, are too well known to require recognition from us. We may therefore content ourselves with directing attention to his _Wanderings of an Antiquary, chiefly upon the Traces of the Romans in Britain_, which has just been published, and of which the greater part has appeared in a series of papers under the same title in the _Gentleman's Magazine_. It is intended to furnish, in a popular form, a few archæological truths which may foster a love of our national antiquities among those who are less likely to be attracted by dry dissertations: and its gossiping character and pretty woodcuts are well calculated to promote this object.

This endeavour to make the study of antiquities popular, naturally calls our attention to a small and very agreeable volume on the subject of what Brand designated _Popular Antiquities_. We refer to the last volume of Bohn's _Illustrated Library_. It is from the pen of Mary Howitt, and is entitled the _Pictorial Calendar of the Seasons, exhibiting the Pleasures, Pursuits, and Characteristics of Country Life for every Month of the Year, and embodying the whole of Aikin's Calendar of Nature_. It is embellished with upwards of one hundred engravings on wood; and what the authoress says of its compilation, viz. that it was "like a walk through a rich summer garden," describes pretty accurately the feelings of the reader. But, as we must find some fault, where is the Index?

We have received from Birmingham a work most creditable to all concerned in its production, and which will be found of interest to such of our readers as devote their attention to county or family history. It is entitled _A History of the Holtes of Aston, Baronets, with a Description of the Family Mansion, Aston Hall, Warwickshire_, by Alfred Davidson, with _Illustrations from Drawings_ by Allan E. Everitt; and whether we regard the care with which Mr. Davidson has executed the literary portion of the work, the artistic skill of the draughtsman, or the manner in which the publisher has brought it out, we may safely pronounce it a volume well deserving the attention of topographers generally, and of Warwickshire topographers in especial.

BOOKS RECEIVED.--_Folious Appearances; A Consideration on our Ways of lettering Books_. Few lovers of old books and good binding will begrudge half a florin for this quaint opuscule.--_Indications of Instinct_, by T. Lindley Kemp, the new number of the _Traveller's Library_, is an interesting supplement to Dr. Kemp's former contribution to the same series, _The Natural History of Creation_.--We record, for the information of our meteorological friends, the receipt of a _Daily Weather Journal for the Year 1853_, kept at Islington by Mr. Simpson.

* * * * *{115}

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TURKS IN EUROPE. By Lord John Russell.

Of SIR WALTER SCOTT'S NOVELS, without the Notes, Constable's Miniature Edition: Anne of Geierstein, Betrothed, Castle Dangerous, Count Robert of Paris, Fair Maid of Perth, Highland Widow, Red Gauntlet, St. Ronan's Well, Woodstock, Surgeon's Daughter, and Talisman.

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

Particulars of Price, &c. of the following Books to be sent direct to the gentlemen by whom they are required, and whose names and addresses are given for that purpose:

THE ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF JOHN FOXE. Vol. I. Edited by Rev. S. Cattley. Seeley and Burnside.

VOLTAIRE'S WORKS. Vol. I. Translated by Smollett. Francklin, London, 1761.

ECCLESIOLOGIST. Vol. V. In numbers or unbound.

Wanted by _E. Hailstone_, Horton Hall, Bradford, Yorkshire.

* * * * *

PENNY CYCLOPÆDIA. from Part CVII. inclusive, to the end.

Wanted by _Rev. F. N. Mills_, 11. Cunningham Place, St. John's Wood.

* * * * *

BIRCH'S GALLERY OF ANTIQUITIES. Parts I. and II.

BURTON'S EXCERPTA HIEROGLYPHICA.

WILKINSON'S MATERIA HIEROGLYPHICA.

Wanted by _Prichard, Roberts, & Co._, Booksellers, Chester.

* * * * *

GENUINE AND IMPARTIAL MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF CHARLES RATCLIFFE, wrote by a gentleman of the family, Mr. Eyre, to prevent the Public being imposed on by any erroneous or partial accounts to the prejudice of this unfortunate gentleman. London: printed for the Proprietor, and sold by E. Cole. 1746.

Wanted by _Mr. Douglas_, 16. Russell Square, London.

* * * * *

Notices to Correspondents.

COL. CHARTERIS _or_ CHARTRES.--_Our Correspondent who inquires for particulars respecting this monster of depravity is referred to Pope's +Works+, edit. 1736, vol. ii. p. 24. of the Ethic Epistles. Also to the following works: +The History of Col. Francis Charteris from his birth to his present Catastrophe in Newgate+, 4to. 1730; +Memoirs of the Life and Actions of Col. Ch----s+, 8vo. 1730; +Life of Col. Don Francisco+, with a wood-cut portrait of Col. Charteris or Chartres, 8vo._

N. _On the "Sun's rays putting out the fire," see_ Vol. vii., pp. 285. 345. 439.

R. V. T. _An excellent tract may be had for a few pence on +The History of Pews+, a paper read before the Cambridge Camden Society, 1841: see also +"N. & Q.," Vol. iii., p. 56., and Vol. viii., p. 127+._