Chapter C: Edwards

_Burton's Parliamentary Diary._--The sale of _clergymen for slaves_ is alluded to in vol. iv. of Burton's _Diary_. This has received elucidation at p. 253. of your present volume.

_Tobacconists._--At p. 320, vol. i., of Burton's _Parliamentary Diary_ it is stated, that

"Sir John Reynolds said he had numbered the House, and there were at
rising at least 220 present, besides _tobacconists_."

What and who were the persons designated as tobacconists?

P. T.

_"The Owl is abroad."_--On what ground is the fine base song, "The Owl is abroad," attributed to Henry Purcell? Dr. Clarke has done so in his well-known selections from Purcell's works; and Mr. G. Hogarth, in his _Memoirs of the Musical Drama_, speaking of Purcell's _Tempest_, says:

"There is a song for Caliban, _The Owl is abroad, the Bat and the
Toad_, which one might suppose Weber to have imagined."

Is it not really the property of John Christopher Smith, the friend of Handel? Amongst the few books of printed music in the _British Museum Catalogue_ is _The Tempest, an Opera, composed by Mr. Smith_, in which is the base song in question. On the other hand, I do not find it in Purcell's _Tempest_. If, as I imagine, it belongs to Mr. Smith, it seems peculiarly hard that the credit of the composition should be taken from him, to be given to one who stands in no need of it.

A. R.

_Scandal against Queen Elizabeth._--The following note occurs in vol. iv. p. 135. of Burton's _Parliamentary Diary_:--

"Osborn,--see his works (1673), p. 442,--says, 'Queen Elizabeth had a
son, bred in the state of Venice, and a daughter, I know not where or
when;' with other strange tales that went on her I neglect to insert,
as fitter for a romance than to mingle with so much truth and integrity
as I profess."

Is this rumour any where else alluded to? and if so, upon what foundation?

P. T.

_Letters of Horning._--What is the meaning of "letters of horning," a term occasionally, though rarely, met with in documents drawn up by notaries? And, _a propos_, why should "notaries public," with regard to the noun and adjective, continue to place the cart before the horse?

MANLEIUS.

_Cromwell Poisoned._--At p. 516. vol. ii. of Burton's _Parliamentary Diary_ it is stated, in a note upon the death of Oliver Cromwell, that his body exhibited certain appearances "owing to the disease of which the Protector died, which, by the by, appeared to be that of poison." The words, "Prestwich's MS." are attached to this note. Is there any other authority for this statement?

P. T.

* * * * *

Replies.

COLLAR OF SS.

(Vol. ii., pp. 89. 194. 248. 280. 330. 362.)

The dispute about the Collar of SS., between MR. J. GOUGH NICHOLS and ARMIGER, is, as Sir Lucius O'Trigger would say, "a mighty pretty quarrel as it stands;" but I have seen no mention by either writer of "the red sindon" for the chamber of Queen Philippa, "beaten throughout with the letter S in gold leaf:" or the throne of Henry V. powdered with the letter S, in an illuminated MS. of his time, in Bennet College Library, Cambridge. I fancy there will be some difficulty in reconciling these two examples with the theory of either of the disputants. When ARMIGER alludes to the monument of Matilda Fitzwalter, "who lived in the reign of King John," I presume he is aware that the effigy is not of that period. I do not think any of the seekers of this hidden signification can be said to be even _warm_ yet, much less to burn.

J. R. PLANCHE.

_Collar of SS._--As I conceive that the description of this Collar by your correspondent C. (Vol. ii., p. 330.) is not strictly correct, I forward you drawings of two examples: No. 1. from the monument of Sir Humphrey Stafford (and which is the general type); No. 2. from that of the husband of Margaret Holand, Countess of Somerset (Gough's _Funeral Monuments_). The latter example might have been called a Collar of 8, 8, were it not that that name is less euphonious than SS. The collar was worn by several ladies. (See the work above quoted.)

B. W.

[The figures in the example No. 1. forwarded by B. W. cannot possibly
have been intended for {394} anything but SS.; while, on the other
hand, those in No. 2., as he rightly observes, are more like figures 8,
8, than the letters SS.]

While the origin of the Collar of Esses is instructively occupying your correspondents, allow me to direct your attention to the enclosed paragraph extracted from the _Morning Post_ of the 18th instant, from which it appears that Lord Denman's collar has been "obtained" (_Qy._ by purchase?) by the corporation of Derby for the future use of their mayor. I wish to know, can a _Quo warranto_ issue to the said mayor for the assumption of this badge? and if not, in whom does the power reside of correcting this abuse, if such it be?

"THE GOLD CHAIN OF THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND.--On Wednesday
week, at a meeting of the corporation of Derby, the mayor stated that
the chain he then had the honour to wear was the one worn by the Lord
Chief Justice of England, and that it had been obtained from Lord
Denman by the corporation for all future chief magistrates of the
borough. We understand the corporation obtained the chain upon the same
terms as it would have been transferred to Lord Campbell, if his
lordship had taken to it from his noble predecessor."--(_Quoted from
Nottingham Journal, in Morning Post_, 18th Oct. 1850.)

F. S. Q.

The inclosed paragraph, extracted from the _Morning Post_ of last Saturday completes the history of the municipal collar of the corporation of Derby, concerning which I recently proposed a Query. The right to purchase does not, however, establish the right to wear such a decoration.

"THE INSIGNIA OF MAYORALTY.--Considerable excitement prevails just now
in many municipal corporations respecting the insignia of mayoralty. At
Derby the mayor has recently obtained the gold chain worn by Lord
Denman when Lord Chief Justice. In reference to a question whether or
not the chain was a present, a correspondent of the _Derby Mercury_
says, 'I am sorry to admit, it was a bargain; it cost 100l., and is
paid for. The chain is the property of the corporation, and will grace
the neck of every succeeding mayor. The robes did not accompany the
chain; they are bran new, gay in colour, a good cut, and hang well;
they are private property, consequently not necessarily transferable.
Every mayor will have the privilege of choosing the shape and colour of
his official vestment, and can retain or dispose of it as he may deem
proper. It was suggested that the robes should be the property of the
corporation, but a difficulty arose, from the fact, that mayors differ
as much in their bodies as they do in their minds, so that one measure
would not conveniently fit all. Economically speaking, the suggestion
was a valuable one, but the physical difficulty was insurmountable. It
has been hinted that a wardrobe of habiliments for different sized
mayors might be kept on hand at the Town-Hall, but as the cost would be
great, and the arrangement would partake too much of the customary
preparation for a fancy ball or masquerade, it was thought
objectionable. The Liberal corporation have, therefore, very properly
resolved on throwing no obstacle in the way of Free Trade, and it is
their determination to enable all mayors, in the selection of their
vestures, to buy in the cheapest market and sell in the
dearest.'"--_Morning Post_, Oct. 26. 1850.

F. S. Q.

As I was the first to open the fire on the very puzzling subject of the SS. Collar, which has led to more pleasant and profitable, though _warm_ discussion, than ever any person could have expected, it seems now to be time for some to step forward as a moderator; and if I be allowed to do so, it will be to endeavour to check the almost _uncourteous_ way in which our ARMIGER friend has taken up the gauntlet on the question.

If, Sir, you admit _severe_ and sneering criticism, it will, it may be feared, tend very considerably to mar the influence and advantage to be drawn from your useful pages, which are intended, I conceive, for calm, friendly and courteous interchange of useful information. Without vituperating the _lucubrations_ of MR. JOHN GOUGH NICHOLS, or sneering at those who "pin faith on his dicta," which have much merit (Vol. ii., p. 363.), it would be surely possible for ARMIGER to advance his own views with good temper and friendly feeling.

I have also a word to say to MR. NICHOLS on his remarks on MR. ELLACOMBE'S view. He imputes to MR. E. ignorance of the "real formation of the collar." He could only mean that the S hook or link gave _the idea_ of such an ornamental chain; and I believe he is correct: which ornament the taste of the workman would adopt and fashion as we now have it, with the insertion of another link both for the comfort of the wearer, and for variety in the construction.

A series of SSes (SSS) by themselves would certainly be a galling badge, whatever honour might be considered to be conferred with it.

B. (original), in future SS., as my initial has been usurped by some unknown friend.

October. 30. 1850.

_Collar of Esses._--I am glad to see the interest shown by your correspondents upon this curious subject, and the various opinions expressed by them as to the actual formation of the collar; the signification of the letter, if a letter be intended (of which I think there can be no reasonable doubt); and the persons who were privileged to wear it. The first two questions will for ever occasion discussion; but allow me to suggest that one step towards the solution of the third, would be a collection in your pages of the names of those persons who, either on their monumental effigies or brasses, or in their portraits or otherwise, are {395} represented as wearing that ornament; together with a short statement of the position held by each of these individuals in the court of the then reigning monarch, seeming to warrant the assumption. Some notices of this sort have been already given, and your antiquarian correspondents will readily supply others; so that in a little time you will have obtained such a list as will greatly assist the inquiry. It may serve as a commencement if I refer to the atchievement of Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, in the reign of Richard II., a representation of which is given in _Archaeologia_, vol. xxix. p. 387., where the Collar of Esses is introduced in a very peculiar manner.

EDWARD FOSS.

[As we think the origin and probable meaning of the Collar of Esses
have now been discussed as far as they can be with advantage in the
present state of our knowledge, we propose to adopt Mr. Foss's
suggestion, and in future to limit our columns to a record of such
facts as he points out.]

* * * * *

DANIEL DE FOE.

Having been much interested with Daniel Defoe's description of a _Gravesend Tiltboat_ in the year 1724, as recorded by ALPHA in Vol. ii., p. 209., I think some of your readers may be pleased to learn that it is quite possible that "it may be a plain relation of matter of fact," as De Foe was engaged in the business of brick and tile making near Tilbury[1], and must consequently have had frequent occasion to make the trip from Gravesend to London. That De Foe was so engaged at Tilbury we learn from the following Proclamation for his apprehension, taken from the _London Gazette_, dated St. James's, January 10, 1702-3:--

WHEREAS Daniel de Foe, alias Fooe, is charged with writing a scandalous
and seditious pamphlet, entitled _The Shortest Way with the
Dissenters_. He is a middled siz'd spare man, about forty years old, of
a brown complexion, and dark brown-coloured hair, but wears a wig; a
hooked nose, a sharp chin, grey eyes, and a large mole near his mouth;
was born in London, and, for many years an hose-factor in Freeman's
Yard, Cornhill, and is now owner of the brick and pantile works near
Tilbury Fort, in Essex. Whoever shall discover the said Daniel de Foe
to one of Her Majesty's principal secretaries of state, or any one of
Her Majesty's justices of the peace, so as he may be apprehended, shall
have a reward of fifty pounds, which Her Majesty has ordered
immediately to be paid on such discovery."

He soon gave himself up; and having been tried, he stood in the pillory with great fortitude: for soon after he published his poem, entitled _A Hymn to the Pillory_, in which are the following singular lines:--

"Men that are men, in thee can feel no pain,
And all thy insignificants disdain;
Contempt, that false new word for shame,
Is, without crime, an empty name;
A shadow to amuse mankind,
But never frights the wise or well fix'd mind--
Virtue despises human scorn,
And scandals innocence adorn."

Referring to a design of putting the learned Selden into the pillory for his _History of Tithes_, he says smartly:--

"Even the learned Selden saw
A prospect of thee thro' the law;
He had thy lofty pinnacles in view,
But so much honour never was they due.
Had the great Selden triumph'd on thy stage,
Selden, the honour of his age,
No man would ever shun thee more,
Or grudge to stand where Selden stood before."

This original poem ends with these remarkable lines, referring to himself:

"Tell them, the men that placed him here,
Are scandals to the times,
Are at a loss to find his guilt,
And can't commit his crimes."

De Foe, however, was afterwards received into favour without any concessions on his part, and proceeded straight onwards in the discharge of what he deemed to be his duty to mankind. He certainly was an extraordinary man for disinterestedness, perseverance, and industry.

W. CRAFTER.

Gravesend.

[Footnote 1: Traces of these tile-works are still discoverable in a field some three or four hundred yards on the London side of Tilbury.

[Wilson, in his _Life of Defoe_, vol. i. pp. 228. et seq., gives some
interesting particulars of Defoe's share in these pantile works, and of
his losses in connexion with them. Pantiles had been hitherto a Dutch
manufacture, and brought in large quantities into England; the works at
Tilbury were erected for the purpose of superseding the necessity for
such importation, and providing a new channel for the employment of
labour.--ED.]

* * * * *

"ANTIQUITAS SAECULI JUVENTUS MUNDI."

(Vol. ii., pp. 218. 350.)

T. J. and his Dublin friend (Vol. ii., p. 350.), appear to refer, one to the Latin version, the other to the original English text of Lord Bacon's _Instauration_; and, oddly enough, the inference to which either points, as a reason for disbelieving in the previous existence of the phrase "Antiquitas" &c., extends not to the authority consulted by the other. Thus, the circumstance of "_ordine retrogrado_" being printed also in Italics, is true only in respect of the _English_ text; while, on the other {396} hand, "_ut vere dicamus_" is an expression to be found only in the _Latin_.

But it may be doubted whether the originality of the phrase "Antiquitas saeculi juventus mundi" is, after all, worth speculating upon. In the sense in which Lord Bacon used it, it is rather a naked truism than a wise aphorism. It does not even necessarily convey the intended meaning; nor, if unaccompanied by an explanation, would it be safe from a widely different interpretation. A previous correspondent of "NOTES AND QUERIES" had termed it "this fine aphoristic expression;" and yet, when Lord Bacon himself expands the thought into an aphorism, he does so without recurring to the phrase in question, which is a tolerably fair proof that he did not look upon it as a peculiarly happy one. (_Novum Organum_, lib. 1., Aphorismus LXXXIV.)

T. J. infers that if the phrase were a quotation it would have been preceded by "ut dictum est" rather than by "ut dicamus"--but even if it had been introduced by the first of these forms, it does not appear that it would thereby have been proved to be a quotation; because there are instances wherein Lord Bacon directly refers to the source from which he professes to quote, and yet prefers to give the purport in his own words rather than in those of his author. Thus, in citing one of the most exquisite and familiar passages of Lucretius, he introduces it by the prefix, "_Poeta elegantissime dixit_." And yet what follows, although printed in italics with every appearance of strict quotation, is not the language of Lucretius, but a commonplace prose version of its substance. (_Sermones Fideles_, De Veritate.)

With reference to Lord Bacon's works, there are two Queries which I wish to ask.

T. J.'s friend mentions a rare translation into English by Gilbert Wats, Oxford, as existing in Primate Marsh's library. Query, _Of what_ is it a translation?

In Lord Bacon's life, by William Rawley, it is stated that his lordship was born in a house "infra plateam dictum _Le Strand_ juxta Londinum."

Query, Was the Strand ever known as _Le Strand_, similarly to Adwick-_le-street_ in Yorkshire?

A. E. B.

* * * * *

Replies to Minor Queries.

_Sir Gammer Vans_ (Vol. ii., pp 89. 280.).--The story related by S. G. is the same that I inquired after, and I admire the accuracy of his memory, for his version is, for the greater part, _literally_ the same that I heard in Ireland sixty years ago. A few passages, as that about _hipper switches_, I do not recollect; and one or two that I remember are wanting--the one, that the narrator was received in "a little _oak_ parlour" of, I forget what, different character; the other, that Sir Gammer's "mother," or "aunt, was a justice of peace, and his sister a captain of horse." I find that Goldsmith's allusion is to this last passage, with some variation. Tony Lumpkin tells Marlow that Hardcastle will endeavour to persuade him that "his mother was an alderman and his aunt a justice of peace." (_She Stoops to Conquer_, A. i. _sub fine_.) I have not been able to find the allusion in Swift; nor can I see how it could have been a _political_ satire. It seems rather to be a mere tissue of incongruities and contradictions--of Irish bulls, in short, woven into a narrative to make folks laugh; and it is much of the same character as many other pieces of ingenious nonsense with which Swift and Sheridan used to amuse each other.