Part 3

[We have not been able to find any account of the execution for burning coal noticed by Dr. Bachoffner, which probably took place during the reign of Edward I., when the use of coal was prohibited by proclamation at London in the year 1306. These proclamations are noticed in Prynne's _Animadversions on the Fourth Part of Sir Edward Coke's Institutes_, p. 182., where it is said, that "in the latter part of the reign of Edward I., when brewers, dyers, and other artificers using great fires, began to use sea-coals instead of dry wood and charcoal, in and near the city of London, the prelates, nobles, commons, and other people of the realm, resorting thither to parliaments, and upon other occasions, with the inhabitants of the city, Southwark, Wapping, and East Smithfield, complained thereof twice one after another to the king as a public nuisance, corrupting the air with its stink and smoke, to the great prejudice and detriment of their health. Whereupon the king first prohibited the burning of sea-coal by his proclamation; which being disobeyed by many for their private lucre, the king upon their second complaint issued a commission of Oyer and Terminer to inquire of all such who burned sea-coals against his proclamation within the city, or parts adjoining to it, and to punish them for their first offence by great fines and ransoms; and for the second offence to demolish their furnaces, kilns wherein they burnt sea-coals, and to see his proclamation strictly observed for times to come, as the Record of 35 Edw. I. informs us." On this subject our correspondent should consult Edington's _Treatise on the Coal Trade_; Ralph Gardiner's _England's Grievance discovered in Relation to the Coal Trade_; and Anderson's _Origin of Commerce_.]

* * * * *

Replies.

ADDISON AND HIS HYMNS.

(Vol. v., p. 439.)

Any attempt to divorce Addison from his hymns in the _Spectator_, and to ascribe them to any other writer, is so great a wrench to the feelings of a sexagenarian like myself, that the question must at once be set at rest.

In reply to J. G. F.'s inquiry, these hymns, or a portion of them, were claimed for Andrew Marvell by Captain Edward Thompson, the editor of Marvell's works; but a writer in Kippis's edition of the _Biographia Britannica_ remarks:

"We shall content ourselves with observing, that any man who can suppose that the ease, eloquence, and harmony of the ode, 'The Spacious Firmament,' &c., could flow from Marvell's pen, must be very deficient in taste and judgment."

This claim on Captain Thompson's part was to have been considered under the article "Marvell," but the second edition of the _Biographia_ did not, as we well know, extend beyond the letter F.

But though we cannot concede these hymns to Marvell, he must not be underrated. His downright honesty of character and purpose must ever excite respect. His biographer strangely introduces him to us as "A witty droll in the seventeenth century, the son of a facetious gentleman at Hull." In one respect he resembled our gifted essayist; his style in prose was so captivating that we are told

"From the King down to the Tradesman, his _Rehearsal Transposed_ was read with great pleasure; he had all the men of wit on his side."

To return to the hymns and the just claims of Addison to the whole of them.

In the _Spectator_, No. 453., Addison says,

"I have _already_ communicated to the public some pieces of divine poetry, and as they have met with a very favourable reception, _I shall from time to time publish any work of the same nature which has not yet appeared in print_, and may be acceptable to my readers."

Then follows the hymn "When all Thy Mercies," &c. Coming from such a man as Addison, this {514} must be considered as pretty strong evidence of authorship.

In the _Spectator_, No. 441., when introducing the hymn "The Lord my Pasture," &c., Addison observes--

"As the poetry of the original is very exquisite, I shall present my readers with the following translation of it."

With respect to this composition Bishop Hurd remarks, that Addison's

"True judgment suggested to him that what he drew from Scripture was best preserved in a pure and simple expression, and the fervour of his piety made that simplicity pathetic."

No doubt seems to have crossed the Bishop's mind as to the authorship. Sometimes Addison thought fit to throw a little mystery over these hymns. In _Spectator_, No. 489., after alluding to Psalm cvii. v. 23., "They that go down to the sea," &c. (which Addison says gives a description of a ship in a storm, preferable to any other that he has met with), he subjoins his "divine Ode made by a _Gentleman_ on the conclusion of his travels," "How are Thy servants blest," &c.

The verses 4 to 8 are said to refer to the storm which Allison himself encountered on the Mediterranean, after he embarked at Marseilles in 1700.

The hymn "When rising from the bed of death," _Spectator_, No. 513, "a thought in sickness," is contained in a supposed letter from a _Clergyman_, viz. one of the club, "who assist me in my speculations."

Tickell, in his exquisite elegy, so worthy of its subject, when asking,

"What new employments please the unbody'd mind?"

adds,

"Or mixed with milder cherubim to glow, In _hymns of love, not ill essayed below_."

Were not the very hymns which we are speaking of in Tickell's mind?

Addison's piety, we may well gather from his writings, was, as Mr. Macaulay observes, of a cheerful character. The feeling which predominates in all his devotional papers, is that of gratitude; do we not find it also strikingly developed in his hymns? We all remember the beautiful lines,

"Ten thousand thousand precious gifts My daily thanks employ, Nor is the least a cheerful heart, That tastes those gifts with joy."

Let Bishop Ken and Addison retain their divine hymns--dear as they are, and let us hope ever will be, to man, woman, and child--whilst the English language is read or spoken. How greatly is their sublimity heightened, and their beauty enhanced, when we associate with them the purity of character and the assemblage of virtues which distinguished their excellent authors!

J. H. MARKLAND.

* * * * *

WITCHCRAFT--MRS. HICKES AND HER DAUGHTER.

(Vol. v., p. 394.)

The particulars your correspondent asks for have not been furnished; but on what authority, _to move the previous question_, does the alleged fact of such a trial and execution at Huntingdon in 1716 for witchcraft, stated by Mr. Wills, and adopted by the _Quarterly Rev._, rest? Mr. Wills (_Sir Roger de Coverley_, Notes, p. 126.) mentions also the execution of two women at Northampton for witchcraft just before the _Spectator_ began to be published (March 1, 1710-11), but gives no reference to any original source to support his statement. On the other hand, Hutchinson, the first edition of whose _Essay concerning Witchcraft_ was published in 1718, and the second in 1720, who gives a chronological table of facts, informs us that the last execution in England for witchcraft was that at Exeter of Susan Edwards, Mary Trembles, and Temperance Lloyd in 1682 (vid. _Essay_, p. 41., 1st edit.). He was too painstaking a writer to be in ignorance of cases which had occurred so recently; and he had the assistance, in collecting his materials, of the two chief justices Parker and King, and Chief Baron Bury, to whom the work is dedicated. Through their means he must have been informed of what had taken place on the circuits, if any cases of witchcraft on which convictions had arisen had actually come before the judges. When it is remembered what attention was directed to the trial of Jane Wenham in 1712, who, though condemned, was not executed, and on whose case a great number of pamphlets were written, it can scarcely be supposed that in four years after two persons, one only nine years old (I take the account in Mackay's _Popular Delusions_, vol. iii.), should have been tried and executed for witchcraft without public attention being called to the circumstance. I may add that in the _Historical Register_ for 1716, which notices in the domestic occurrences all trials of interest, there is no mention of such a case; and that in two London newspapers for 1716, which I have in a complete series, though enumerating other convictions on the circuit, I have equally searched without success. As it is a matter of considerable historical interest to ascertain accurately when the last execution for witchcraft took place in England, I should be glad if any of your correspondents would refer me to the authority on which the statements of the trials circ. 1710 and in 1716 are founded. Mr. Wright, I observe, does not notice them, and his words are--

"The case of Jane Wenham is the last instance of a witch being condemned by the verdict of an English jury."--_Narratives of Sorcery and Magic_, vol. ii. p. 326.

JAS. CROSSLEY.

{515}

* * * * *

DODO QUERIES.

(Vol. i., p. 261.)

In answer to MR. STRICKLAND'S third Query, I beg to inform him that among the original authors who speak of the Dodo as a living bird, Johan Nieuhof merits a place. His work is entitled:

"Johan Nieuhofs gedenkweerdige Brasiliaense zee en Lantreize, behelsende alhetgeen op dezelve is voorgevallen: beneffens een bondige beschrijving van gantsch Neerlants Brasil, zoo van lantschappen, steden, dieren, gewassen, als draghten, zeden en godsdienst der inwoonders; en insonderheit, een wijtloopig verhael der merkwaardigste voorvallen en geschiedenissen, die zich, geduurende zijn negenjarigh verblijf in Brasil, in d'oorlogen en opstant der Portugesen, tegen d'onzen, zich sedert het jaer 1640-1649 hebben toegedragen. Doorgaens verciert met verscheide afbeeldingen, na't leven aldaer getekent. Te Amsterdam, voor de Weduwe van Jacob van Meurs, op de Keizersgracht, anno 1682."

This work, although published in six languages, and several times reprinted, adorned with a hundred exquisite engravings, and portrait of the author, seems to be no longer generally known. It was dedicated to Nikolaes Witsen, burgomaster and councillor of Amsterdam; and the licence granted to Jacob van Meurs, the 14th Dec. 1671, by the states of Hollandt en Westvrieslandt, is signed "Johan de Wit."

The copy in my possession consists of two parts in folio, bound together in parchment, furnished with two indexes, which however do not mention all the volume contains, for we look in vain for the name _Dodaers_, _Dodo_, or _Dronte_ in the indexes; and yet we find in the second part, p. 282., a well-executed representation of this bird, and on the following page we read:

"_Dronte of Dodaers._

"Op het eilant Mauritius inzonderheit, houdt zeker vogel van een wonderlijke gestalte, Dronte, en by d'onzen Dodaers genoemt. Hy is van groote tusschen een vogel-struis en Indische Hoen; en verschilt in gestalte, en komt ten deele daer mee over-een, ten aenzien van de veeren, pluimen en staert. Hy heeft een groot en wanstaltigh hooft met een vel bedekt, en verbeelt dat van een koekoek: d'oogen zijn groot en zwart: de hals krom, vet, en steekt voor uit. De bek is boven mate lang, sterk en blaeuwachtigh wit: behalve d'einden: waer van d'onderste zwartachtigh, een bovenste geelachtig zijn, en beide spits en krom. Hy spert den bek leelijk en zeer wijt open, is ront en vet van lijf, dat met zachte en graeuwe pluimen, als die van den struisvogel, bedekt is. De buik en aers is dik, die byna op d'aerde hangt: waerom, en van wegen hunnen loomen gang, deez vogel Dodaers by d'onzen genoemt wort. Aen beide zijden zitten eenige kleine pluymige pennen, in plaetse van vleugels, uit den gelen witachtigh, en achter aen den stuit, in plaetse van de steert, vijf gekrulde penne-veeren van een zelve kleure. De beenen zijn geelachtigh en dik; maer zeer kort: doch met vier vaste en lange pooten. Deze vogel is langzaem van gang en dom, en laet zich lichtelijk vangen. Het vleesch, inzonderheit dat van den borst, is vet en eetbaer. Hy is zoo zwaer, dat hondert menschen aen drie of vier Dronten genoegh t'eeten hebben. Het vleesch van d'ouden is, zoo niet gaer gekookt is, zwaer om te verteeren. Het wort ook ingezouten. Veelijts hebben zy een grooten en herden steen in de mage, die holachtigh en evenwel hart is."

Should MR. STRICKLAND wish further information concerning the work of Johan Nieuhof, I shall ever be happy to oblige him.

J. M. VAN MAANEN.

Amsterdam.

[From our Dutch cotemporary, _De Navorscher_, by whom similar replies have been received from H--G and G. P. ROOS.]

* * * * *

THE HEAVY SHOVE.

(Vol. v., p. 416.)

Like your correspondent MR. CLARK, I too have kept a sharp look-out for this curious piece ascribed to Baxter; but having been unable to track it, I had long since come to the conclusion that its existence was apocryphal.

The Rev. James Graves, in his _Spiritual Quixote_, written to ridicule Moravians and Methodists, notes it "as a very good book of old Baxter's," among several others of questionable identity, forming the library of Geoffrey Wildgoose's grandmother.

When we recollect the temptation offered in the quaint and uncouth titles of the old Presbyterians, we can hardly wonder at their enemies improving upon them; and in this way, it appears to me, we are to account for the respectable name of Baxter being popularly attached to a book which everybody talks about, but which nobody has seen.

It is again mentioned by Richard Cooksey, in his _Life of Lord Somers_, Worcester, 1791, and, taking its existence for granted, the author is astonished that Baxter, whom he extols to the skies, "could so far condescend to the temper and debased humour of the times as to entitle one of his tracts _A Shove_, &c. Commenting upon this, Wilson, in his _History of Dissenting Churches_, London, 1808, is the next who alludes to the book in question, but merely to shift its authorship from "the famous Richard Baxter of Kidderminster" to a more obscure individual of the same name,--described as "an elder (in 1692) of the Particular Baptist congregation worshipping in Winchester House." Of this person he says, "I know nothing excepting that he appears to have been a Fifth Monarchy man, and to have been far gone in enthusiasm."

Although thus doubting that the author of the _Saints' Rest_ wrote such a book as that described, I {516} do not deny that there is a piece bearing the title in existence; but upon it the name of "_William_ Bunyan" figures as the author. A copy of this was in the Theological Portion of the late Mr. Rodd's books, sold by Sotheby & Co. in 1850, and bears the imprint of "London, 1768." This, I am inclined to think, is the only _Shove_ MR. CLARK is likely to meet with; and although I can give no further account of it, I am disposed to consider it the spurious catchpenny of some ignorant scoffer, who, taking his _cue_ from Graves, or rather from some earlier writer who has noticed it, thought it would be a good _spec._, and therefore launched into the world _his_ "_Effectual Shove_."

J. O.

* * * * *

GROUND ICE.

(Vol. v., p. 370.)

Your Querist J. C. E. is informed that the singular phenomenon of the formation of ice in the beds of running rivers has not escaped the notice of scientific observers. M. Arago has devoted a paper to its investigation in the _Annuaire du Bureau des Longitudes_ for 1832 or 1833, in which he specifies the rivers in which it has been observed. Indeed, although from its nature it is likely to escape notice, it is probably of not infrequent occurrence. Ireland, in his _Picturesque Views of the Thames_, quoting Dr. Plot, speaks of the subaqueous ice of that river. Colonel Jackson, in the fifth volume of the _Journal of the Royal Geographical Society_, alludes to its formation in the Neva, in a paper on the congelation of that river; and in the following volume of the same Journal is an article by Mr. Weitz, especially devoted to the ground ice of the rivers of Siberia. More recently, Mr. Eisdale has contributed the result of his researches upon the same subject to the _Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal_, vol. xvii.; and, finally, Dr. Farquharson has made public his observations upon the ground-gru of the rivers Don and Leochal, in Lincolnshire, in the _Philosophical Transactions_ for 1835. There is also an article on the subject in one of the later volumes of the _Penny_ or _Saturday_ Magazines.

That bodies of running, water, the surface of which solidifies when exposed to a diminished temperature, should have a tendency to congelate in their sheltered depths, seems an anomaly which demands inquiry and explanation; and accordingly each of the above-mentioned writers has raised an hypothesis more or less probable, to account for the phenomenon. Dr. Farquharson would attribute it to the radiation of heat from the bottom, as dew is formed by radiation from the surface of the earth; but a consideration of the supervening obstacles to radiation--a body of moving water thickly coated with ice and even snow--destroys the plausibility of his theory. That of Mr. Eisdale, that the frozen _spiculæ_ of the atmosphere falling into the water become _nuclei_, around which the water at the bottom freezes, seems merely frivolous. The explanation of M. Arago is more satisfactory, viz. that the lower currents of water being less rapid in motion than those intermediate, or at the surface, congelation may be expected at a lower temperature (say 32° Fahr.), the process of crystallisation being favoured by the pebbles, fragments of wood, and the uneven surface of the river's bed. After all, however, the phenomenon has been but imperfectly investigated under its various manifestations, and its real cause probably remains yet to be discovered.

WILLIAM BATES.

Birmingham.

For an explanation of this occurrence, I would refer J. C. E. to Whewell's _Astronomy, Bridgewater Treatise_.

UNICORN.

* * * * *

CHARACTER OF ALGERNON SYDNEY.

(Vol. v., pp. 426. 447.)

Your two correspondents C. E. D. (p. 426.) and C. (p. 447.) appear to have read MR. HEPWORTH DIXON'S Query about Algernon Sydney either very hastily or very carelessly. Yet it seems to me plain enough. There is not one word in it about Barillon or Dalrymple; no inquiry about the home life of Sydney. As every one knows a great part of his time was spent abroad, it is probable MR. DIXON thinks that anecdotes and allusions to so conspicuous a person may occur in the cotemporary letters and memoirs of France, Germany, Italy, &c., and he asks for references to any such anecdotes or allusions as may have fallen in the way of readers of "N. & Q." Surely this is explicit. But what has Dalrymple or Mr. Croker to say in answer to a question about Sydney's way of life when abroad? That, as I take it, was the point, and a general discussion as to the character of the author of the _Discourses on Government_ is _à-propos_ of nothing. As the subject has been opened, and as I know of none more interesting in the whole range of English history, I cannot refrain from at least entering one protest against C.'s description of the "illustrious patriot" as a "corrupt traitor of the worst class."

That MR. DIXON is not single in his admiration of the character of Sydney I could quote many "instances," from our late prime minister downwards. But the title "illustrious" can scarcely be denied to a man who, besides being of the best blood in England, played a leading part in the Revolution, and was one of the closest thinkers and most masculine writers our language has to show. What makes a man illustrious? Birth, commanding position, intellect, learning, literary genius? Sydney had them all. But C. thinks {517} he ought not to be called a patriot. What, do his wisdom and moderation in the civil war; his opposition to the extreme measures of Cromwell; his long solitary exile; his glorious death, count for nothing? There is, however, the charge of taking money from the King of France. No doubt this is a very "curious case," and I too shall be anxious to see "what light MR. DIXON may be able to throw on it." The accusation rests on the sole authority of Dalrymple; and Dalrymple is _not_ a man who can be taken on his mere word. He was a violent partisan. He hated the Whigs, and is convicted of having suppressed the truth, when it suited his party or his passions to misrepresent. The Barillon Correspondence should be again examined, and, if possible, further particulars of the money payments to our party leaders obtained.

S. WALTON.

Belgrave Square.

* * * * *

MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS AT ANTWERP.

(Vol. v., p. 415.)

Having visited the interesting city of Antwerp in the autumn of 1846, I can answer the Query of your correspondent C. E. D. from personal inspection. The monument to Mary Queen of Scots is still in existence; and consists of a richly ornamented slab, placed at a considerable height from the pavement, against a pillar in (I think) the southern transept of the church of St. Andrew. I was told on the spot that it was erected by two English ladies, but my informant was silent as to the tradition respecting the head. In the centre of the carvings which adorn the upper part of the monument, is inserted a medallion portrait of the beautiful but unfortunate queen; it is extremely well painted, and represents her in that peculiar costume so familiar to those acquainted with her accustomed style of dress. I inclose a copy of the inscription:--

"MARIA STUARTA, Scot. et Gall. Reg. Jacob. Magn. Britan. Reg. Mater. Anno 1568, in. Angl. Refugii causâ descendens. Cogna. Elisab. ibi regnavit. Perfidiâ senat. et Hæret. post xix. Captivit. Annos. Relig. ergo. cap. obtrunc. Martyrium consumavit. Anno D. N. 1587. Æta. Regy. 45."

The wood-carvings, with which this church abounds (especially those of the pulpit and its accessories), are marvellous efforts of Art.

M. W. B.

Having visited the church of St. Andrew at Antwerp during the autumn of last year, I am able to inform your correspondent C. E. D. (Vol. v., p. 415.) that the monument to which he alludes still exists.

The portrait of Mary Queen of Scots is above the tablet, which was, I believe, erected to the memory of Elizabeth Curle; who, after the execution of her mistress, resided at Antwerp, and was buried in that church.

F. H.

The monument dedicated to the memory of their beloved mistress by the two noble ladies of the household of Mary Queen of Scots, Lady Barbara Mowbray, the wife, and Elizabeth Curle, the sister, of Gilbert Curle, the queen's confidential secretary, still exists in the church of St. Andrew at Antwerp. The history, or rather _story_ of the decapitated head having been borne away by these ladies, and buried at the foot of the pillar on which the monument is placed, which is alluded to by your correspondent, is too apocryphal for belief. There is no reason to suppose that any _head_ of the queen was carried away by these devoted women into exile, excepting in the shape of her portrait painted on copper; which, instead of being interred _beneath_ the monument, is still to be seen placed above the dedicatory inscription. It is true that in the edition of Descamps' _Voyage Pittoresque de la Flandre_, published at _Paris_ and _Rouen_ in 1769, it is stated that the monument was surmounted by "_son buste en marbre_;" but this error was corrected in the _Antwerp_ edition of 1792, where it is correctly affirmed to be "_son portrait peint_."