Chapter C: Forbes

_Barlaam and Josaphat_ (Vol. iii., pp. 135. 278.).--I do not know of any English translation of this work. If any Middle Age version exists, it should be published immediately. A new and excellent _German_ one (by Felix Liebrecht, Münster, 1847) has lately appeared, written, however, for Romish purposes, as much as from admiration of the work itself. It would be well if some member of our own pure branch of the Church Catholic would turn his attention to this noble work, and give us a faithful but fresh and easy translation, with a literary introduction descriptive of all the known versions, &c.; and a chapter on the meaning and limits of the asceticism preached in the original. In this case, and if published _cheap_, as it ought to be, it would be a golden present for our youth, and would soon become once more a _folk-book_. The beautiful free _Old Norwegian_ version (written by King Hákon Sverresson, about A.D. 1200) mentioned in my last has now been published in Christiania, edited by the well-known scholars R. Keyser and C. R. Unger, and illustrated by an introduction, notes, glossary, fac-simile, &c. (_Barlaams ok Josaphats Saga._ 8vo. Christiania, 1851.) The editors re-adopt the formerly received opinion, that the Greek original (now printed in Boissonade's _Anecdota Græca_, vol. iv.) is not older than the eighth century, and was composed by Johannes Damascenus. But this must be decided by future criticism.

GEORGE STEPHENS.

Stockholm.

_Witte van Haemstede_ (Vol. iii., p. 209).--It may be of use to the editors of the "NAVORSCHER" to know that _Adrianus Hamstedius_ became pastor of the Dutch church in Austin Friars, London, in the year 1559. He succeeded Walterus Delaenus, and resigned his office, one year after his appointment, in favour of Petrus Delaenus, probably a son of the before-named Walterus.

I cannot answer the question as to whether there still exist any descendants of _Witte van Haemstede_; but as late as 1740, _Hendrik van Haemstede_ was appointed pastor to the Dutch congregation in London. He held the office until the year 1751, when Henricus Putman succeeded him.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_The Dutch Church in Norwich_ (Vol. iii., p. 209.).--The editors of the "NAVORSCHER" will find the early history of this church in Strype's _Annals of the Reformation_; Blomefield's _History of Norwich_; and in Burn's _History of the Foreign Refugees_. Dr. Hendrik Gehle, the pastor of the Dutch church in Austin Friars, who is also the occasional minister of the Dutch church at Norwich, would be the most likely person to furnish information as to its present state.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_Fest Sittings_ (Vol. iii., p. 328.).--_Festing_ is, I presume, without doubt, a Saxon word. A "Festing-man," among the Saxons, was a person who stood as a surety or pledge for another. "Festing-penny" was the money given as an earnest or token to servants when hired.

In the word _sittings_ there _might_ be some reference to the _statute-sessions_, which were courts or tribunals designed for the settlement of disputes between masters and servants.

R. VINCENT.

_Quakers' Attempt to convert the Pope_ (Vol. iii., p. 302.).--I beg to refer B. S. S. to the _Correspondance inédite de Mabíllon et de Montfaucon avec l'Italie_ ... edited by M. Valéry, Paris, 1846, vol. ii. p. 112. In a letter from the Benedictine Claude Estiennot to Dom. Bulteau, dated Rome, September 30, 1687, he will read:

"Ce qu'on a dit ici des quakers d'Angleterre n'est ni tout-à-fait vrai
ni tout-à-fait faux. Il est certain qu'il en est venu _un_ qui a fort
pressé pour avoir une audience de Sa Sainteté et se promettait de le
pouvoir convertir à sa religion; ou l'a voulu mettre an PASSARELLI;
monseigneur le Cardinal Howard l'a fait enfermer au couvent de
saint-Jean et Paul et le fera sauver sans bruit pour l'honneur de la
nation."