Chapter 2

"About that time (says a _History of Trade_, published in 1702) we suffered a great herd of French tradesmen to come in, and particularly hat-makers, who brought with them the fashion of making a slight, coarse, mean commodity, viz. felt hats, now called _Carolinas_; a very inferior article to beavers and demicastors, the former of which then sold at from 24s. to 48s. a piece."

In the _Privy-Purse Expenses of Henry VIII._, we read, under the date 1532:--

"Item the xxiij day [October] paied for a hatte and a plume for the King in Boleyn [_i.e._ Boulogue] ... xvs."

And again--

"Item the same day paied for the garnisshing of ij bonetts, and for the said hatte ... xxiijs. iiijd."

These entries are curious, as the purchase of the hat was made in a foreign country. It was probably something that took the King's fancy, as we can hardly suppose that his majesty had neglected to provide himself with this necessary appendage before he left England.

Several interesting notices concerning hats, and apparel generally, may be seen in Roger Ascham's _Schoolmaster_, 1570, which I do not remember to have seen quoted; but the literature of this period abounds in illustration of costume which has been but imperfectly gleaned.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

* * * * *

EXTRACTS FROM OLD RECORDS.

If you think the insertion of scraps from the mutilated Exchequer records useful, I shall be most happy, from time to time, to contribute a few. The following are extracted from fragments of a book of entries, temp. Charles I.: the book appears to have been a large folio, and each leaf torn into at least four pieces. It is much to be regretted that the work of selection and mutilation was not assigned to more competent persons than the ignorant porters who I am told were entrusted with it.

ROBERT COLE.

_Fragment dated 1640._

John de Critz, Serjeant Painter, p't of 2158. 13, for a debt in the great wardrobe 60 0 0 { 200 0 0 S'r James Palmer, Kn't, for the Tapestrie { 362 10 0 makers and painters at Mortlach { 300 0 0 { 262 10 0 { 300 0 0

_Fragment dated 1637._

..........hony Vandike Kn't p't of 1200_li._ for......... 300 0 0

..........le Seur Sculpter p't of 720_li._ .................Statues and Images 300 0 0

_Fragment dated 1640._

..........in satisfaction for his greate Losses by his greate and extraordinary disbursem'ts vpon assignem'ts and other charges 4000 0 0

S'r Job Harby and S'r John Nulles, Kn'ts, for soe much paid to the King of Denmke for redempion of a greate Jewell, and to liquidate the accompts betwixt his Ma'ty and the said King 25000 0 0

Hubrecht le Seur in full of 340_li._ for } 2 statues in brasse, the one of his late } 100 0 0 Ma'ty, and the other of our now } 70 0 3 Souerainge lo: King Charles[3] }

More to him 60_li._, in p't of 120li. for a bust of brasse of his late Ma'ty, and 40_li._ for carrying and erecting 2 figures at Winchester 100 0 0

Richard Delamair for making divers } Mathematicall Instruments, and } 100 0 0 other services } 68 0 0

[Footnote 3: Qy. the statue now at Charing Cross.]

* * * * *{318}

QUERIES.

QUERIES ON OUTLINE.

The boundary between a surface represented and its background received two different treatments in the hands of artists who have the highest claims on our respect. Some, following the older painters as they were followed by Raphael and Albert Durer, bring the surface of the figure abruptly against its background. Others, like Murillo and Titian, melt the one into the other, so that no pencil could trace the absolute limit of either. Curiously enough, though for very obvious reasons, the Daguerreotype seems to favour one method, the Calotype the other. Yet, two Calotypes, in which the outlines are quite undefined, coalesce in the Stereoscope, giving a sharp outline; and as soon as the mind has been thus taught to expect a relievo, either eye will see it.

But if you look at your face in the glass, you cannot at once (say at three feet distance) see the outlines of the eye and cheek. They disappear every where, except in the focus common to both eyes. Then nothing is seen absolutely at rest. The act of breathing imparts perpetual motion to the artist and the model. The aspen leaf is trembling in the stillest air. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to Turner's use or abuse of his great faculties, no one will doubt that he has never been excelled in the art of giving space and relative distance to all parts of his canvas. Certainly no one ever carried confusion of outline in every part not supposed to be in the focus of the eye so far.

On the other hand, every portion of a large picture, however severe its execution, acquires this morbid outline wherever the eye quits one detail for another. Is, then, the law governing small and large surface different? Do these instances imply that a definite boundary, a modern German style, is indefensible? or only indefensible in miniature? Or, is such a picture as the Van Eyh in the National Gallery a vindication of the practice in small works?

I can answer that it is not; and this last question I merely ask to avoid all answers on the score of authority. No doubt that strange work is one of the most realising pictures ever painted,--more so than any neighbouring Rembrandt,--whose masses of light and shade were used as a "creative power." I want to know whether there is a right and wrong in the case, apart from every thing men call taste. Whether, whenever a work of art passes from suggestion to imitation, _some_ liberty must not be given at the lines whence the rays are supposed to diverge to the two eyes from two different surfaces. Every advance in art and science removes something from the realms of opinion, and this appears to be a question on which science must some day legislate for art.

J.O.W.H.

* * * * *

CHRIST'S HOSPITAL--OLD SONGS ONCE POPULAR THERE.

Amongst the numerous correspondents and readers of your very interesting little work, there may yet be living some who were scholars in the above institution during the last ten or fifteen years of the last century, coevals, or nearly so, with Richards, afterwards of Oriel College, author of a prize poem, _Aboriginal Britons_, and one of the Bampton Lecturers; Middleton, afterwards Bishop of Calcutta; Trollope, afterwards Master of the Grammar School; Barnes, afterwards connected with the _Times_; Stevens, Scott (poor Scott!), Coleridge, Lamb, Allen, White, Leigh Hunt, the two brothers Le G. Favell, Thompson, Franklin, &c., pupils of old James Boyer, of flogging celebrity.

If so, can any of them furnish me with the words of an old song, then current in the school, relating to the execution of the Earl of Derwentwater in the rebellion of 1715, of which the four following lines are all that I remember:

"There's fifty pounds in my right pocket, To be given to the poor; There's fifty pounds in my left pocket, To be given from door to door."

Of another song, equally popular, less pathetic, but of more spirit-stirring character, can any one supply the remainder?

"As our king lay musing on his bed, He bethought himself once on a time Of a tribute that was due from France, That had not been paid for so long a time.

"Oh! then he called his trusty page, His trusty page then called he, Saying, 'You must go to the king of France, To the king of France right speedily.'"

NEMO.

* * * * *

WATCHING THE SEPULCHRE--DOMINUS FACTOTUM--ROBERT PASSELLEW.

Allow me to offer a query or two respecting which I shall be glad of any information your numerous correspondents may be able to furnish.

1. In Fuller's _History of Waltham Abbey_, pp. 269. 274., Nichol's edition, 1840, we have the following entries from the churchwarden's accounts:

"Anno 1542, the thirty-fourth of Henry viii. _Imprimis_. For watching the sepulchre, a groat."

"_Item_, for watching the sepulchre, eight pence."

The last entry occurs in "Anno 1554, Mariæ primo," but Fuller adds, "though what meant thereby, I know not." Can any satisfactory information be furnished which will explain the custom here alluded to? {319}

2. In the same work, page 278., a passage occurs, which not only explains the meaning of the term _factotum_, but furnishes matter for another query. The passage is this; speaking of "eminent persons buried" at Waltham Abbey, he says: "we spoil all, if we forget Robert Passellew, who was _dominus fac totum_ in the middle--and _fac nihil_ towards the end--of the reign of Henry III." Some parasites extolled him by allusion to his name, _pass-le-eau_, (that is "passing the pure water,") the wits of those days thus descanting upon him:

"Est aqua lenis, et est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara, Tu præcellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu, Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior es tu; Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus." _Camden's MSS._ Cott. Lib.

The learned Dr. Whitaker, in his _History of Whalley_, says, that "the word Paslew was of Norman origin (Pass-le-eau), and afforded a subject for some rhyming monkish verses, not devoid of ingenuity, which the curious reader may find in Weever's _Funeral Monuments_, p. 645;" and a question now arises whether the _Passellew_ mentioned by Fuller belongs to the same family as the "Paslews of Wiswall," alluded to by Dr. Whitaker, one of whom, "John, Abbot of Whalley" was executed for the part he took in the "Pilgrimage of Grace." when it is stated that the Paslews of Wiswall bore "Argent a fess between three mullets Sable pierced of the field, a crescent for difference," probably some of your readers will be able to give some particulars respecting "Robert Passelew," and also identify the families if possible.

T.W.

Burnley, Lancashire, Feb. 23, 1850.

* * * * *

MINOR QUERIES.

_Conrad of Salisbury's Descritio utriusque Britanniæ._--A good many years since I had a communication from the Baron de Penhouet, a Breton Antiquary, respecting a work which I have never yet been able to discover. I may ascertain, through the medium of your very useful publication, whether there exists a work under the title of a "Descriptio utriusque Britanniæ," by Conrad of Salisbury, from a MS. of the time of Henry I. I should feel much obliged to any one who would favour me with this information.

JAMES LOGAN.

_Peruse or Pervise--Passage in Frith's Works._--Your correspondent T.J. rightly conjectured that the _peruse_ of a modern reprint of Frith was an error. I have been able since to consult two black-letter editions, and have found, as I suspected, "pervise" and "pervyse."

If your same correspondent, or any other, can help me to correct, or to understand another erroneous clause in Russell's edit. of Frith, vol. iii. p. 227., I shall be still further obliged.

It is probably meant for some old rule in logic, but is printed there, "Ab inferiori ad suis superius confuse distribue." Foxe, however, has "suum" instead of "suis."

H.W.

_Cromlech._--I shall feel much obliged if any of your readers will kindly refer me to any authority for the use of the word _Cromlech_, prior to the sixteenth century, whether in the Welsh or English language.

JAS. H. TODD.

Trin. Coll. Dublin, Jan. 31, 1850.

_Meaning of "Grummett."_--A Constant Reader is desirous of addressing such of your correspondents as are well versed in maritime history,--Mr. Bolton Corney to wit,--on the following subject. In the early ages of our Navy there was a distinct rating, called "Grummett," on board each man-of-war, and he was generally, as may be seen in the Cottonian MSS., placed after the "maryners and gonners." Now, the reader will be highly obliged to any one who will trace the designation to its source, and give information as to what were the special duties of the Grummett, or Gromet.

[Greek: Sigma].

_Vertue's Manuscripts._--Steevens and Malone, in fixing the dates of Shakspeare's Dramas, frequently quote from _Vertue's_ MSS. George Chalmers, in his _Supplemental Apology_, says, "On making some inquiries, by a friend, what manuscript of _Vertue's_ it were, which I saw so often quoted about scenic matters, Mr. Steevens was so obliging as to say, 'The books, from which those extracts were made, with several others lost, belonged to Secretary Pepys, and afterwards to Dr. Rawlinson, who lent them to Mr. Vertue.' When the said MSS. were consulted by the two commentators, they were, I believe, in the possession of Garrick." Chalmers adds, "Much is it to be lamented, that any MS. or book, which furnished an illustration of Shakespeare, and having once been seen, should ever disappear." Every true lover of our great poet will heartily agree with this remark.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_Loscop._--The Patent Roll, 1 Edw. III. part I, membrane 27, contains the exemplification or copy of a grant by Henry I. to his butler William de Albini of--"Manerium de Snetesham cum duobus hundredis et dimidio scil. Fredebruge et Smethedune cum wreck et cum omnibus pertinentiis suis et misteria de Luna cum medietate fori et theloneis et cum ceteris consuetudinibus et portu cum applicacione navium et _loscop_ et viam ipsius aquæ et transitu cum omnibus querelis." I should be greatly obliged to any of your learned correspondents who would explain the word _loscop_. Luna is the town or port of King's Lynn. _Misteria_ {320} may probably be translated "offices." See Ducange (Paris Edit. 1845) under the words misterium and ministerium. _Loscop_ appears to be a word of similar formation to Laudcop and Lahcop, which occur in the Laws of Ethelred (Thorpe's _Ancient Laws_, vol. i. pp. 294, 295.). Can it mean a fee paid on _loosing_ the vessel in order to leave the port?

C.W.G.

_Ormonde House._--Perhaps some of your annotators on Cunningham's _Hand-book of London_, will be so kind as to inform me whereabouts "Ormonde House" stood in St. James's Square; also to state any particulars respecting its history before and after it was occupied by that noble family.

J.G.

_As Morse caught the Mare._--I shall be glad to be informed the meaning of this expression--it is to be met with in the translation of Rabelais. There is also a song sung among the farmers of South Devon, of which the last line of each verse is "As Morse caught the Mare."

R.S.B.

_Dustpot--Forthlot._--In a Manorial Compotus, temp. Hen. V., I find the following entry, under the head of Out-goings:--

"In custodes carucarum et carectarum nil quia per firmarium. Item pro eorum _duspot_ (xij'd) nil, causa predicta. Item pro eorum _forlot_ (iiij'd) nil, causa predicta," &c.

I have in vain consulted the glossaries within my reach,--Ducange, Spelman, Halliwell, for the meaning of the terms _dustpot_ and _forlot_ (or, as spelt in another Compotus, _dustpot_ and _forthlot_). They appear to have been customary payments to the servants who had the care of the carts and carriages belonging to the manor, which, at the time of this particular Compotus, were not payable by the lord, because the demesne lands were in farm; and these dues were paid by the tenant. A reference to the _Promptorinm Parvulorum_ (a further instalment of which I rejoice to learn, from Mr. Way's communication, in No. 15., is in a state of progress) has been equally unproductive. The editorial note to the communications inserted in No. 17., on the interpretation of _Pokership_, induces me to send you this query, in the hope of eliciting information, if not from the gentleman you there refer to, at least from some one or other of your numerous readers learned in Archaic words.

I may, at a future period trouble you with some further remarks arising out of the same Compotus.

G.A.C.

_Tracts attributed to Eachard._--The writer of this article has long had in his possession an old volume (among many others of a like kind in his collection) published in 1685; and containing the following tracts:--1st. "The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy,... in a letter written to R.L., 9th edition." This letter is signed T.B. 2nd. "Observations upon the Answer to the Inquiry, &c., in a second Letter from T.B. to R.L." 3rd. "Hobbes' State of Nature, considered, in a Dialogue between Philautus and Timothy;" the "Epistle Dedicatory" is signed, J.E. 4th. "A Letter to his Old Dear Friend R.L. from T.B." 5th. "A Letter to B.D.," the publisher of Mr. Herbert's _Country Parson_, from T.B. 6th. "A Letter to the Author of the Vindication of the Clergy," from T.B. 7th. "A Letter to T.D.," the Author of _Hieragonisticon_, or _Corah's Doom_, from T.B. 8th. "A Letter to I.O. from T.B."

Now, it is mentioned in Dr. Hooke's _Ecclesiastical Biography_ (vol. iv., art. Eachard), that Eachard was the author of these tracts. But the queries I would beg to propose, if any of your correspondents can answer them, are these:--1st. Why does Eachard sign himself T.B.; does that signature allude to any matter in particular? 2nd. Who are meant by the other letters, R.L., B.D., L.O., &c.; and who, if any persons in particular, by Philautus; and Timothy; and who was the author of _Hieragonisticon_.

Perhaps "Philau_tus_" should be rather be "Philau_tos_," and may mean "Hobbes" himself, as a self-sufficient person, and a great admirer or lover of himself. I wish these queries may not be thought too insignificant for your periodical, which to me, and so many others, is of peculiar interest and value.

GEO. WYATT (Clerk.)

Burghwallis, 1850.

_Queen of Hearts._--Permit me to request some explanation of a passage in Miss Strickland's _Life of Queen Elizabeth_ (vol. vii. p. 292.), where we are told that--

"Lady Southwell affirms that the two ladies in waiting discovered the _Queen of Hearts_, with a nail of Iron knocked through the forehead, and thus fastened to the bottom of the chair: they durst not pull it out, remembering that her like thing was used to the old Countess of Sussex, and afterwards proved a witchcraft, for which certain persons were hanged."

The author moralises upon this, but does not refer us to any authority, or tell where the affirmation of Lady Southwell is to be found, or where the account of the old countess is given; defects which I hope some of your correspondents will be good enough to supply.

F.R.A.

_Guildhalls._--There are in most villages in this neighbourhood houses which from time immemorial have been called Guildhalls. These are situate among such small populations that they are manifestly unconnected with trade. Will any of your correspondents tell me--

1st. Why are they called Guildhalls?

2nd. For what purpose were they anciently used? {321}

3rd. Are they common in other counties besides Suffolk?

Also: What is the origin of the Friday Streets so common in most villages in this neighbourhood?

A SUBSCRIBER AB INITIO.

Guildhall, Framlingham, Suffolk, Feb. 6. 1850.

_Vox Populi_--_Monody on Sir John Moore._--Can any reader give me the origin of the saying "_Vox Populi, Vox Dei_?"--and has any one of your correspondents ever heard of any doubts being raised as to the original author of the _Monody upon Sir John Moore_, which is now always assigned to the Rev. Dr. Wolfe? I saw it stated in an English paper, published in France some few years back, that Wolfe had taken them from a poem at the end of the _Memoirs of Lally Tottendal_, the French governor of Pondicherry, in 1756, and subsequently executed in 1766. In the Paper I refer to, the French poem was given; and certainly one of the two must be a translation of the other. I have not been able to get a copy of Tottendal's _Memoirs_, or of the Paper I refer to, or I would not trouble you with this Query; but perhaps some one can inform me which is the Merchant here, and which the Jew.

QUÆSITOR.

Reg. Coll. London.

_Use of Coffins._--How long has it been the custom to inter the dead in coffins? "In a table of Dutyes" dated 11th Dec. 1664, and preserved at Shoreditch Church, it is mentioned:--

"For a buryall in the New Church Yard without a coffin, 00 00 08.

"For a buryall in ye Old Church Yard without a coffin seauen pence 00 00 07.

"For the grave marking and attendance of ye Vicar and Clarke on ye enterment of a corps uncoffined the churchwardens to pay the ordinary duteys (and no more) of this table."

H.E.

_Rococo._--Would any correspondent of "NOTES AND QUERIES" give the history of this word, or indicate where it is to be found? or, if the history is not known, state when, and by whom, it appears to have been _first_ used?

T.

Oxford.

_Howlett the Engraver._--Can any of your readers furnish me with an account of the "Publications of Bartholomew Howlett," who was an engraver of some note, and about forty-five or fifty years ago resided in London? He was a native of Louth in Lincolnshire, and about forty-five years ago, being then resident (as appears from his book) somewhere in the neighbourhood of the Blackfriars' Road, published by subscription a book containing a series of engravings, entitled "Views in Lincolnshire."

L.L.L.

_The Bear, the Louse, and Religion._--I should be much obliged to any of your correspondents who will inform me where I can find _The Bear, the Louse, and Religion_: a fable. It commences--

"A surly Bear, in college bred, Determin'd to attack Religion; A Louse, who crawl'd from head to head, Defended her--as Hawk does pidgeon. Bruin Subscription discommended; The Louse determin'd to support it--"

I know no more. When was it written?--upon what occasion?--who are meant by the Bear and the Louse?

GRIFFIN.

Mar. 5. 1850.

* * * * *

REPLIES.

LETTER ATTRIBUTED TO SIR R. WALPOLE.

There are many reasons, drawn from style and other internal evidence, which induce P.C.S.S. to entertain strong doubts as to the authenticity of the letter attributed to Sir Robert Walpole (and reprinted from Bankes) in No. 19. Among others it seems very unlikely that a prime minister, confidentially addressing his sovereign (and that sovereign George II.!) on a matter of the greatest import, would indulge in a poetical quotation. And it is remarkable that neither the quotation in question, not any thing at all resembling it, in thought or expression, is to be found in any part of Fenton's printed works. P.C.S.S. has carefully looked them over, in the editions of London, 1717, and of 1810 (Chalmer's _Collection_, vol. x.), and he cannot discover a trace of it. He had at first imagined that it might be successfully sought for in Fenton's admirable _Epistle to William Lamborde_ (the Kentish antiquary), where there is a remarkably fine passage respecting flattery and its influences; but nothing at all like the quotation cited in the letter is to be found in that poem, which (_par parenthèse_) seems to have met with much more neglect than it deserves.