Chapter 4

_Theophania_.--I send you a copy, _verbatim et literatim_, of the title-page of an old book in my possession, in the hope that some one of your correspondents may be able to furnish me with information respecting its author. I believe the work to be a very scarce one, having never seen or heard of any other copy than my own.

"Theophania; or severall Modern Histories Represented by way of Romance; and Politickly Discours'd upon: by an English Person of Quality.

"Stat. Theb, Nec divinam Sydneida tenta Séd longe sequere, & Vestigia semper adora.

"London, printed by T. Newcomb, for Thomas Heath and are to be sold at his Shop in Russel-street, near the Piazza of Covent Garden, 1655."

HENRY KERSLEY.

_Ancient MS. Account of Britain_.--I find the following note in Cooper's _Thesaurus Linguæ Romanæ et Britannicæ_, Impressum Londini, 1573, under the word _Britannia_:--

"About 30 yeares since it happend in Wilshire, at Juy church, about twoo miles from Salisbury, as men digged to make a foundation, they founde an hollowe stone covered with another stone, wherein they founde a booke, having in it little above xx leaves, (as they sayde) of verye thicke velume, wherein was some thing written. But when it was shewed to priestes and chanons, which were there, they would not read it. Wherefore after they had tossed it from one to another (by the meanes whereof it was torne) they did neglect and cast it aside. Long after, a piece thereof happened to come to my handes; which notwithstanding it was al to rent and defaced, I shewed to mayster Richarde Pace, then chiefe Secretarie to the kinges most Royall maiestie, whereof he exceedingly reioysed. But because it was partly rent, partly defaced and bloured with weate which had fallen on it, he could not find any one sentence perfite. Notwithstanding after long beholding, hee showed mee, it seemed that the sayde booke contayned some auncient monument of this Ile, and that he perceyved this word _Prytania_ to bee put for _Brytannia_. But at that time he said no more to me."

Cooper's conjecture founded on this is that Britain is derived from the Greek word Prytania, which, according to Suidas, "doth," with a circumflexed aspiration, "signifie metalles, fayres, and markets." "Calling the place by that which came out of it, as one would say, _hee went to market_, when he goeth to Antwarpe," &c. Has this been noticed elsewhere?

J.G.

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NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.

The announcement recently made in _The Athenæum_ of the intention of the Government to print in a neat and inexpensive form, a series of Calendars or Indices of the valuable historical documents in the State Paper Office, cannot but be very gratifying to all students of our national history--in the first place, as showing an intention of opening those documents to the use of historical inquirers, on a plan very different from that hitherto pursued; and, in the next, it is to be hoped, as indicating that the intention formerly announced of placing the State Paper Office under the same regulation as the _Record Offices_, with the drawback of fees for searches, is not to be persevered in.

To the citizens of London, to its occasional visitants, as well as to the absent friends and relatives of those who dwell within its walls, Mr. Archer's projected work, entitled _Vestiges of Old London, a series of finished Etchings from original Drawings, with Descriptions, Historical Associations and other References_, will be an object of especial interest. The artistical portion will, we believe, be mainly founded on the collection of drawings in the possession of William Twopeny, Esq., while the literary illustrations will be derived entirely from original sources, and from the results of careful observation and inquiry.

It is said to have been a rule with Charles Fox to have every work bound in one volume if possible, although published in two or three. The public have long felt the convenience of such an arrangement; and the great booksellers have very wisely gratified their wishes in that respect. The handsome "monotome" edition of _The Doctor_ is doubtless well known to our readers. The success of that experiment has, we presume, induced Messrs. Longman to announce the _Complete Works of the Rev. Sydney Smith_, and _Mr. Macaulay's Critical Essays_, in the same cheap and convenient form. We believe, too, that another (the sixth) edition of that gentleman's _History of England from the Accession of James II._, is on the eve of publication.

Those of our readers who take an interest in that widely spread and popular subject, _The Dance of Death_, will remember that one of the most exquisite works of art in which expression is given to the idea on which this pictorial morality is founded, is the Alphabet Dance of Death--so delicately engraved on wood, (it is sometimes said by Holbein, who designed it,) but really by H. Lutzelburger, that the late Mr. Douce did not believe it could ever be copied so as to afford any adequate impression of the beauty of the original. A German artist, Heinrich Loedel, has, however, disproved the accuracy of this opinion; and the amateur may now, for a few shillings, put himself in possession of most admirable copies of a work which is a masterpiece of design, and a gem in point of execution, and of which the original is of the extremest rarity. There are two editions of this Alphabet; one published at Gottingen, with an accompanying dissertation by Dr. Adolf Ellisen; and the other at Cologne, with corresponding borders by Georg Osterwald.

The revised and much enlarged edition of Dr. Lingard's _History of England_, handsomely printed in ten large octavo volumes, is, we understand, nearly ready for publication.

Mr. M.A. Lower, whose _Curiosities of Heraldry_ and _English Surnames_ are no doubt well known to many of our readers, is preparing for publication a Translation, from a MS. in the British Museum, of _The Chronicle of Battel Abbey from the vow of its Foundation by William the Conqueror, to the Year 1176, originally compiled in Latin, by a Monk of the Establishment._

Mr. Thorpe, 13. Henrietta Street, has just issued "A Catalogue of most choice, curious, and excessively rare Books, particularly rich in Early Poetry, Mysteries, Pageants, and Plays, and Romances of Chivalry." This Catalogue is also extremely rich in Madrigals set to Music, by eminent Composers of Queen Elizabeth's reign--and contains an unrivalled series of Jest Books, and also of Song Books.

* * * * *

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE

(_In continuation of Lists in former Nos._)

M'CULLUM'S OBSERVATIONS ON H.R.H. THE DUKE OF KENT'S SHAMEFUL PERSECUTION SINCE HIS RECAL FROM GIBRALTAR, &c. London, 1809. [Ten shillings will be given for a clean and perfect copy.]

DALTON'S (EDWARD) DOUBTING'S DOWNFALL. [Ten shillings, if a pamphlet, twenty shillings, if a book, will be given for a clean and perfect copy.]

HOLLOWAY'S LETTER AND SPIRIT. Oxon. 1543.

PHILLIP'S DIVINE VISIONS OF ENGELBRECHT. Northampton. 1780.

KENNET, A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE BURNING. 1718.

BORDELION (ABBE) GOMGAM, OC L'HOMME PRODIGIEUX. 2 vols. Amsterdam.

LINGUET. PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAYS ON MONACHISM. 1776.

PRIESTS UNMASKED. 6 vols. 1767.

ENCHIRIDION LEONIS PAPÆ.

MACNAB'S THEORY OF THE UNIVERSE. 1818.

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

* * * * *

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS

A.B. _will not be surprised at our omitting his quotations from Eugene Aram's curious account of the Melsupper _and Shouting the Churn, _when he learns that they are already to be found in Brand's_ Popular Antiquities (vol. ii ed. 1849), _and in Hampson's Medii Ævi Kalendarium_ (vol i). _We have no doubt some of our correspondents will furnish_ A.B. _with a list of Eugene Aram's published writings._

S.T.P. _There would be no objection to the course proposed, if a sufficient number of subscribers should desire it, except that it could not take a retrospective effect._

_Will_ MELANDRA _enable us to communicate with him by letter?_

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED. _--J.U.G.G.---G.H.B. ---J.R.W.---R.V.---M.A.L.---P.C.S.S. ---H.W.---B.W.---Hermes.---J.H.T.---Archæus.---J.I.---W.---R.H.--- E.V.---Alpha.---Arthur Griffinhoof, jun.---Clericus.---Hibernicus. ---G.H.B.---Etoniensis.---J.R.P.---A Bibliopolist--P. O'C.---C.F.---F.E.---E.V.---S.W.S._

_We have again to explain to correspondents who inquire as to the mode of procuring_ "NOTES AND QUERIES," _that every bookseller and newsman will supply it,_ if ordered, _and that gentlemen residing in the country may be supplied regularly with the Stamped Edition, by giving their orders direct to the publisher,_ MR. GEORGE BELL, 186. _Fleet Street, accompanied by a Post Office order for a Quarter (4s. 4d.)._

_An neat Case for holding the Numbers of_ "NOTES AND QUERIES," _until the completion of each volume, is now ready, price 1s. 6d., and may be had_, by Order, _of all Booksellers and Newsmen_.

_We are again compelled to omit many Notes, Queries, and Answers to Queries, as well as Answers to Correspondents._

NEW WORKS

Nearly ready.

I. MODERN STATE TRIALS, revised and illustrated. By WILLIAM CHARLES TOWNSEND, Esq. M.A. 2 vols. 8vo.

II. IMPRESSIONS of CENTRAL and SOUTHERN EUROPE: being Notes of Successive Journeys. By WILLIAM EDWARD BAXTER, Esq. 8vo.

III. NORWAY in 1848 and 1849. By THOMAS FORESTER, Esq. With Illustrations, &c. by Lieut. BIDDULPH, Royal Artillery. 8vo. Map, Plates, &c.

IV. The SOCIAL CONDITION and EDUCATION of the PEOPLE in ENGLAND and EUROPE. By JOSEPH KAY, Esq. M.A. 2 vols. post. 8vo.

V. Mr. C.D. YONGE'S LATIN GRADUS, for the use of Eton, Westminster, Winchester, Harrow, and Charterhouse Schools; King's College, London, and Marlborough College. Post 8vo. [On January 14th.

VI. REASON AND FAITH; their Claims and Conflicts. By HENRY ROGERS. Reprinted (with Additions) from THE EDINBURGH REVIEW, No. CLXXXII. Fcap. 8vo.

VII. HISTORICAL MEMOIRS of CARDINAL PACCA. Translated form the Italian by Sir GEORGE HEAD. 2 vols. 8vo. [On January 20th.

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XV. FRUITS from the GARDEN and the FIELD. With Illustrations designed and printed in colours, by OWEN JONES. Imperial 8vo. 31s. 6d.

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XVII. MOORE'S POETICAL WORKS. Complete in One Volume; with Portrait and Vignette. Medium 8vo. 21s.; morocco, 42s.

XVIII. Mr. M'CULLOCH'S GEOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. New Edition (1849); with Six large Maps. 2 vols. 8vo. 4l.

XIX. The ARTISAN CLUB'S TREATISE on the STEAM ENGINE. Edited by J. BOURNE, C.E. New Edition, with Plates and Woodcuts. 4to. 27s.

XX. Miss ACTON'S MODERN COOKERY BOOK. New Edition; with numerous Additions. Plates and Woodcuts. Fcap. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

London: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, and LONGMANS.

* * * * *

OLD LONDON ILLUSTRATED

Now ready. Part I. containing 6 Plates, imp. 4to.

VESTIGES of OLD LONDON: a Series of finished Etchings from Original Drawings, with Descriptions, Historical Associations, and other References, by J. WYKEHAM ARCHER. Price 6s.; India Proofs, 10s. 6d.; coloured after the Original Drawings, 12s.

DAVID BOGUE, Fleet Street.

* * * * *

On Saturday, the 29th ult., was published, fcap. 8vo., price 5s.

THE POOR ARTIST;

or, SEVEN EYE-SIGHTS AND ONE OBJECT.

"Science in Fable."

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1. Paternoster Row.

* * * * *

GRAY'S ELEGY IN A COUNTRY CHURCH-YARD. Each Stanza illustrated with an Engraving, from 33 Original Drawings by the most eminent Artists. Post 8vo. Price 9s. cloth.

A Polyglot Edition of this volume, with inter-paged Translations in the Greek, Latin, German, Italian, and French Languages. Price 12s.

And, of uniform size.

THE BARD. BY GRAY. With Illustrations by the Hon. Mrs. JOHN TALBOT. Post 8vo. 7s.

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1. Paternoster Row.

* * * * *

[Footnote 1: The successor of the Sir Edward Dering, from whose _Household Book_ the Rev. Lambert B. Larking communicated the interesting entries in No. 9. p. 130.]

[Footnote 2: Flag-ship at the taking of Porto-Bello.]

[Footnote 3: Uyt den Hoogduitschen Exemplar overgezien, en op veele plaatzen Gecorrigeert, en met schoone Kopere Figuuren vercierd.]

* * * * *

Printed by THOMAS CLARK SHAW, of No. 8. New Street Square, at No. 5. New Street Square, in the Parish of St. Bride, in the City of London and published by GEORGE BELL, of No. 186. Fleet Street, in the Parish of St. Dunstan in the West, in the City of London, Publisher, at No. 186. Fleet Street aforesaid.--Saturday, January 12. 1850.