Chapter 1

Credits: Jon Ingram, Susan Lucy and PG Distributed Proofreaders. Produced from page scans provided by Internet Library of Early Journals.

{177} NOTES AND QUERIES:

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

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

NO. 12.] SATURDAY, JANUARY 19. 1850. [Price Threepence. Stamped Edition, 4d.

* * * * *

CONTENTS.

NOTES:-- Page Passage in Hudibras, by E.F. Rimbault 177 Field of the Brothers' Footsteps 178 Notes on Books and Authors, by Bolton Corney 178 Receipts of the Beggar's Opera 178 Notes on Cunningham's London, by E.F. Rimbault 180 Sewerage in Etruria 180 Andrew Frusius 180 Opinions respecting Burnet 181

QUERIES:-- St. Thomas of Lancaster, by R. Monckton Milnes 181 Shield of the Black Prince, &c. by J.R. Planché 183 Fraternitye of Vagabondes, &c. 183 The name of Shylock, by M.A. Lower 184 Transposition of Letters, by B. Williams 184 Pictures in Churches 184 Flaying in Punishment of Sacrilege 185 Minor Queries:--Pokership or Parkership--Boduc or Boduoc--Origin of Snob--Mertens the Printer-- Queen's Messengers--Bishop of Ross' Epitaph, &c.-- Origin of Cannibal--Sir W. Rider--Origin of word Poghele, &c. 185

MISCELLANIES--including ANSWERS TO MINOR QUERIES:-- Darkness at the Crucifixion--High Doctrine--Wife of King Robert Bruce--The Talisman of Charlemagne --Sayers the Caricaturist--May-Day--Dr. Dee's Petition --Lines quoted by Goethe--Queen Mary's Expectations --Ken's Hymns--Etymology of Daysman, &c. 186

MISCELLANEOUS:-- Notes on Books, Sales, Catalogues, &c. 189 Books and Odd Volumes wanted 190 Notices to Correspondents 190 Advertisements 191

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF A WELL-KNOWN PASSAGE IN HUDIBRAS.

The often-quoted lines--

"For he that fights and runs away May live to fight another day,"

generally supposed to form a part of _Hudibras_, are to be found (as Mr. Cunningham points out, at p. 602. of his _Handbook for London_), in the _Musarum Deliciæ_, 12mo. 1656; a clever collection of "witty trifles," by Sir John Mennis and Dr. James Smith.

The passage, as it really stands in _Hudibras_ (book iii. canto iii. verse 243.), is as follows:--

"For those that fly may fight again, Which he can never do that's slain."

But there is a much earlier authority for these lines than the _Musarum Deliciæ_; a fact which I learn from a volume now open before me, the great rarity of which will excuse my transcribing the title-page in full:--

"Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte, quicke, wittie, and sentencious saiynges, of certain Emperours, Kynges, Capitaines, Philosophiers, and Oratours, as well Grekes as Romaines, bothe veraye pleasaunt and profitable to reade, partely for all maner of persones, and especially Gentlemen. First gathered and compiled in Latine by the right famous clerke, Maister Erasmus, of Roteradame. And now translated into Englyshe by Nicolas Udall. _Excusam typis Ricardi Grafton_, 1542. 8vo."

A second edition was printed by John Kingston, in 1564, with no other variation, I believe, than in the orthography. Haslewood, in a note on the fly-leaf of my copy, says:--

"Notwithstanding the fame of Erasmus, and the reputation of his translator, this volume has not obtained that notice which, either from its date or value, might be justly expected. Were its claim only founded on the colloquial notes of Udall, it is entitled to consideration, as therein may be traced several of the familiar phrases and common-place idioms, which have occasioned many conjectural speculations among the annotators upon our early drama."

The work consists of only two books of the original, comprising the apophthegms of Socrates, Aristippus, Diogenes, Philippus, Alexander, Antigonus, Augustus Cæsar, Julius Cæsar, Pompey, Phocion, Cicero, and Demosthenes.

On folio 239. occurs the following apophthegm, which is the one relating to the subject before us:--

"That same man, that renneth awaie, May again fight, on other daie.

"¶ Judgeyng that it is more for the benefite of one's countree to renne awaie in battaile, then to lese his life. For a ded man can fight no more; but who hath saved hymself alive, by rennyng awaie, may, in many battailles mo, doe good service to his countree.

"§ At lest wise, if it be a poinet of good service, to renne awaie at all times, when the countree hath most neede of his helpe to sticke to it."

Thus we are enabled to throw back more than a century these famous Hudibrastic lines, which have occasioned so many inquiries for their origin.

I take this opportunity of noticing a mistake which has frequently been made concerning the _French_ translation of Butler's _Hudibras_. Tytler, in his _Essay on Translation_; Nichols, in his _Biographical Anecdotes of Hogarth_; and Ray, in his {178} _History of the Rebellion_, attributes it to Colonel Francis Towneley; whereas it was the work of _John_ Towneley, uncle to the celebrated Charles Towneley, the collector of the Marbles.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

* * * * *

FIELD OF THE BROTHERS' FOOTSTEPS.

I do not think that Mr. Cunningham, in his valuable work, has given any account of a piece of ground of which a strange story is recorded by Southey, in his _Common-Place Book_ (Second Series, p. 21.). After quoting a letter received from a friend, recommending him to "take a view of those wonderful marks of the Lord's hatred to _duelling_, called _The Brothers' Steps_," and giving him the description of the locality, Mr. Southey gives an account of his own visit to the spot (a field supposed to bear ineffaceable marks of the footsteps of two brothers, who fought a fatal duel about a love affair) in these words:--"We sought for near half an hour in vain. We could find no steps at all, within a quarter of a mile, no nor half a mile, of Montague House. We were almost out of hope, when an honest man who was at work directed us to the next ground adjoining to a pond. There we found what we sought, about three quarters of a mile north of Montague House, and about 500 yards east of Tottenham Court Road. The steps answer Mr. Walsh's description. They are of the size of a large human foot, about three inches deep, and lie nearly from north-east to south-west. We counted only seventy-six, but we were not exact in counting. The place where one or both the brothers are supposed to have fallen, is still bare of grass. The labourer also showed us the bank where (the tradition is) the wretched woman sat to see the combat."

Mr. Southey then goes on the speak of his full confidence in the tradition of their indestructibility, even after ploughing up, and of the conclusions to be drawn from the circumstance.

To this long note, I beg to append a query, as to the latest account of these footsteps, previous to the ground being built over, as it evidently now must be.

G.H.B.

* * * * *

ON AUTHORS AND BOOKS, NO. 4.

Verse may picture the feelings of the author, or it may only picture his fancy. To assume the former position, is not always safe; and in two memorable instances a series of sonnets has been used to construct a _baseless fabric_ of biography.

In the accompanying sonnet, there is no such uncertainty. It was communicated to me by John Adamson, Esq., M.R.S.L., &c., honourably known by a translation of the tragedy of _Dona Ignez de Castro_, from the Portuguese of Nicola Luiz, and by a _Memoir of the life and writings of Camoens_, &c. It was not intended for publication, but now appears, at my request.

Mr. Adamson, it should be stated, is a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, and has received diplomas of the orders of Christ and the Tower-and-Sword. The _coming storm_ alludes to the menace of invasion by France.

"SONNET.

"O Portugal! whene'er I see thy name What proud emotions rise within my breast! To _thee_ I owe--from _thee_ derive that fame Which here may linger when I lie at rest. When as a youth I landed on thy shore, How little did I think I e'er could be Worthy the honours thou has giv'n to me; And when the coming storm I did deplore, Drove me far from thee by its hostile threat-- With feelings which can never be effaced, I learn'd to commune with those writers old Who had the deeds of they great chieftains told; Departed bards in converse sweet I met, I'd seen where they had liv'd--the land Camoens grac'd."

I venture to add the titles of two interesting volumes which have been printed subsequently to the publications of Lowndes and Martin. It may be a useful hint to students and collectors:--

"BIBLIOTHECA LUSITANA, or catalogue of books and tracts, relating to the history, literature, and poetry, of Portugal: forming part of the library of John Adamson, M.R.S.L. etc. _Newcastle on Tyne_, 1836. 8vo.

"LUSITANIA ILLUSTRATA; notices on the history, antiquities, literature, etc. of Portugal. Literary department. Part I. Selection of sonnets, with biographical Sketches of the author, by John Adamson, M.R.S.L. etc. _Newcastle upon Tyne_, 1842. 8vo."

BOLTON CORNEY.

* * * * *

RECEIPTS TO THE BEGGAR'S OPERA ON ITS PRODUCTION.

Every body is aware of the prodigious and unexpected success of Gay's _Beggar's Opera_ on its first production; it was offered to Colley Cibber at Drury Lane, and refused, and the author took it to Rich, at the Lincoln's-Inn-Fields theatre, by whom it was accepted, but not without hesitation. It ran for 62 nights (not 63 nights, as has been stated in some authorities) in the season of 1727-1728; of these, 32 nights were in succession; and, from the original Account-book of the manager, C.M. Rich, I am enabled to give an exact statement of the money taken at the doors on each night, distinguishing such performances as were for the benefit of the author, viz. the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 15th nights, which put exactly 693l. 13s. 6d. into Gay's pocket. This is a new circumstance in the biography of one of our most fascinating English writers, whether in prose or verse. Rich records that the king, queen, and {179} princesses were present on the 21st repetition, but that was by no means one of the fullest houses. The very bill sold at the doors on the occasion has been preserved, and hereafter may be furnished for the amusement of your readers. It appears, that when the run of the _Beggar's Opera_ was somewhat abruptly terminated by the advance of the season and the benefits of the actors, the "takings," as they were and still are called, were larger than ever. The performances commenced on 29th January, 1728, and that some striking novelty was required at the Lincoln's-Inn-Fields theatre, to improve the prospects of the manager, may be judged from the fact that the new tragedy of _Sesostris_, brought out on the 17th January, was played for the benefit of its author (John Sturm) on its 6th night to only 58l. 19s., while the house was capable of holding at least 200l.

In the following statement of the receipts to the _Beggar's Opera_, I have not thought it necessary to insert the days of the months:--

£ s. d. Night 1 - - - 169 12 0 2 - - - 160 14 0 (Author) 3 - - - 162 12 6 4 - - - 163 5 6 5 - - - 175 19 6 (Author) 6 - - - 189 11 0 7 - - - 161 19 0 8 - - - 157 19 6 (Author) 9 - - - 165 12 0 10 - - - 156 8 0 11 - - - 171 10 0 12 - - - 170 5 6 13 - - - 164 8 0 14 - - - 171 5 0 (Author) 15 - - - 175 18 0 16 - - - 160 11 0 17 - - - 171 8 6 18 - - - 163 16 6 19 - - - 158 19 0 20 - - - 170 9 6 21 - - - 163 14 6 22 - - - 163 17 6 23 - - - 179 8 6 24 - - - 161 7 0 25 - - - 169 3 6 26 - - - 163 18 6 27 - - - 168 4 6 28 - - - 153 3 6 29 - - - 165 2 6 30 - - - 152 8 6 31 - - - 183 4 0 32 - - - 185 8 6

Therefore, when the run was interrupted, the attraction of the opera was greater than it had been on any previous night, excepting the 6th, which was one of those set apart for the remuneration of the author, when the receipt was 189l. 11s. The total sum realised by the 32 successive performances was 5351l. 15s., of which, as we have already shown, Gay obtained 693l. 13s 6d. To him it was all clear profit; but from the sum obtained by Rich are, of course, to be deducted the expenses of the company, lights, house-rent, &c.

The successful career of the piece was checked, as I have said, by the intervention of benefits, and the manager would not allow it to be repeated even for Walker's and Miss Fenton's nights, the Macheath and Polly of the opera; but, in order to connect the latter with it, when Miss Fenton issued her bill for _The Beaux's Stratagem_, on 29th April, it was headed that it was "for the benefit of Polly." An exception was, however, made in favour of John Rich, the brother of the manager, for whose benefit the _Beggar's Opera_ was played on 26th February, when the receipt was 184l. 15s. Miss Fenton was allowed a second benefit, on the 4th May, in consequence, we may suppose, of her great claims in connection with the _Beggar's Opera_, and then it was performed to a house containing 155l. 4s. The greatest recorded receipt, in its first season, was on the 13th April, when, for some unexplained cause the audience was so numerous that 198l. 17s. were taken at the doors.

After this date there appears to have been considerable fluctuation in the profits derived from repetitions of the _Beggar's Opera_. On the 5th May, the day after Polly Fenton's (her real name was Lavinia) second benefit, the proceeds fell to 78l. 14s., the 50th night produced 69l. 12s., and the 51st only 26l. 1s. 6d. The next night the receipt suddenly rose again to 134l. 13s. 6d., and it continued to range between 53l. and 105l. until the 62nd and last night (19th June), when the sum taken was 98l. 17s. 6d.

Miss Fenton left the stage at the end of the season, to be made Duchess of Bolton, and in the next season her place, as regards the _Beggar's Opera_, was taken by Miss Warren, and on 20th September it attracted 75l. 7s.; at the end of November it drew only 23l., yet, on the 11th December, for some reason not stated by the manager, the takings amounted to 112l. 9s. 6d. On January 1st a new experiment was tried with the opera, for it was represented by children, and the Prince of Wales commanded it on one or more of the eight successive performances it thus underwent. On 5th May we find Miss Cantrell taking Miss Warren's character, and in the whole, the _Beggar's Opera_ was acted more than forty times in its second year, 1728-9, including the performances by "Lilliputians" as well as comedians. This is, perhaps, as much of its early history as your readers will care about.

DRAMATICUS.

* * * * *

{180} NOTES UPON CUNNINGHAM'S HANDBOOK FOR LONDON.

_Lady Dacre's Alms-Houses, or Emanuel Hospital._--"Jan. 8. 1772, died, in Emanual Hospital, Mrs. Wyndymore, cousin of Mary, queen of William III., as well as of Queen Anne. Strange revolution of fortune, that the cousin of two queens should, for fifty years, by supported by charity."--_MS. Diary_, quoted in Collett's _Relics of Literature_, p. 310.

_Essex Buildings._--"On Thursday next, the 22nd of this instant, November, at the _Musick-school in Essex Buildings_, over against St. Clement's Church in the Strand, will be continued a concert of vocal and instrumental musick, beginning at five of the clock, every evening. Composed by Mr. Banister."--_Lond. Gazette_, Nov. 18. 1678. "This famous 'musick-room' was afterwards Paterson's auction-room."--Pennant's _Common-place Book_.

_St. Antholin's._--In Thorpe's Catalogue of MSS. for 1836 appears for sale, Art. 792., "The Churchwarden's Accounts, from 1615 to 1752, of the Parish of _St. Antholin's_, London." Again, in the same Catalogue, Art. 793., "The Churchwardens and Overseers of the Parish of _St. Antholin's_, in London, Accounts from 1638 to 1700 inclusive." Verily these books have been in the hands of "unjust stewards!"

_Clerkenwell._--Names of eminent persons residing in this parish in 1666:--Earl of Carlisle, Earl of Essex, Earl of Aylesbury, Lord Barkely, Lord Townsend, Lord Dellawar, Lady Crofts, Lady Wordham, Sir John Keeling, Sir John Cropley, Sir Edward Bannister, Sir Nicholas Stroude, Sir Gower Barrington, Dr. King, Dr. Sloane. In 1667-8:--Duke of Newcastle, Lord Baltimore, Lady Wright, Lady Mary Dormer, Lady Wyndham, Sir Erasmus Smith, Sir Richard Cliverton, Sir John Burdish, Sir Goddard Nelthorpe, Sir John King, Sir William Bowles, Sir William Boulton.--_Extracted from a MS. in the late Mr. Upcott's Collection._

_Tyburn Gallows._--No. 49. Connaught Square, is built on the spot where this celebrated gallows stood; and, in the lease granted by the Bishop of London, this is particularly mentioned.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

* * * * *

SEWERAGE IN ETRURIA.

I have been particularly struck, in reading _The Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria_, of George Dennis, by the great disparity there appears between the ancient population of this country and the present.

The ancient population appears, moreover, to have been located in circumstances not by any means favourable to the health of the people. Those cities surrounded by high walls, and entered by singularly small gateways, must have been very badly ventilated, and very unfavourable to health; and yet it is not reasonable to suppose they could have been so unhealthy then as the author describes the country at present to be. It is hardly possible to imagine so great a people as the Etruscans, the wretched fever-stricken objects the present inhabitants of the Maremna are described to be.

To what, then, can this great difference be ascribed? The Etruscans appear to have taken very great pains with the drainage of their cities; on many sites the cloaca are the only remains of their former industry and greatness which remain. They were also careful to bury their dead outside their city walls; and it is, no doubt, to these two circumstances, principally, that their increase and greatness, as a people, are to be ascribed. But why do not the present inhabitants avail themselves of the same means to health? Is it that they are idle, or are they too broken spirited and poverty-stricken to unite in any public work? Or has the climate changed?

Perhaps it was owing to some defect in their civil polity that the ancients were comparatively so easily put down by the Roman power, which might have been the superior civilisation. Possibly the great majority of the people may have been dissatisfied with their rulers, and gladly removed to another place and another form of government. It is even possible, and indeed likely, that these great public works may have been carried on by the forced labour of the poorest and, consequently, the most numerous class of the population, and that, consequently, they had no particular tie to their native city, as being only a hardship to them; and they may even have had a dislike to sewers in themselves, as reminding them of their bondage, and which dislike their descendants have inherited, and for which they are now suffering. At any rate, it is an instructive example to our present citizens of the value of drainage and sanitary arrangements, and shows that the importance of these things was recognised and appreciated in the earliest times.

C.P.F.

* * * * *

ANDREW FRUSIUS--ANDRÉ DES FREUX.

Many of your readers, as well as "ROTERODAMUS," will be ready to acknowledge their obligation to Mr. Bruce for his prompt identification of the author of the epigram against Erasmus (pp. 27, 28.). I have just referred to the catalogue of the library of this university, and I regret to say that we have no copy of any of the works of Frusius. Mr. Bruce says he knows nothing of Frusius as an author. I believe there is no mention of him in any English bibliographical or biographical work. There is, however, a notice {181} of him in the _Biographie Universelle_, vol. xvi. (Paris), and in the _Biografia Universale_, vol. xxi. (Venezia). As these works have, perhaps, found their way into very few private English libraries, I send you the following sketch, which will probably be acceptable to your readers. It is much to be lamented that sufficient encouragement cannot be given in this country for the production of a _Universal Biography_. Roses's work, which promised to be a giant, dwindled down to a miserable pigmy; and that under "The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge" was strangled in its birth.