Part 2

"The army that follows the Messiah, we are told, amounts to 144,000; and there are a few passages in the Revelation of St. John, that denote the place where they are to be assembled. One is, 'I saw them harping with their harps.' Another, 'I saw them standing on a sea of glass, having the harps of God.' Another is, 'That they were clothed in fine linen, white and clean.' Another is, 'And he gathered them together in a place, in the Hebrew tongue, called Armageddon.' Now, what respects the harp and the fine linen, peculiarly applies to Ireland; and not at all to Russia, Denmark, or Sweden. The sea of glass I think must be an island. And I believe the word Armageddon in the Hebrew tongue, and Ardmah or Armagh in the Irish, mean the same thing. At all events, there is great similitude in their sounds; and St. Patrick thought proper to make the city of Ardmagh, which is the old name, the seat of the church government of Ireland. But besides these sacred passages of Scripture, there are some very particular circumstances attending Ireland. She has never had her share in worldly prosperity, and has only since 1782 begun to rise; and I know no instance in history of any nation beginning to prosper, without arriving at a summit of some kind, before it became again depressed. The four great empires rose progressively west of each other; and Great Britain made the last toe of the image, being the last conquest the Romans made in the west. Now, Ireland lies directly west of it, and is therefore in exactly the same progressive line, and it never was any part of the image, nor did the Roman arms ever penetrate here. The arms of Ireland is the harp of David, with an angel in its front. The crown of Ireland is the apostolic crown. Tradition has long spoken of it as a land of saints; and if what I expect happens, that prediction will be fulfilled. But what I rely on more than all, is our miraculous exemption from all of the serpent and venomous tribe of reptiles. This appears to me in the highest degree emblematic, that Satan, the Great Serpent, is here to receive his first deadly blow."

I had an idea of sending you some extracts from Mr. Dobbs's poem on _The Millennium_, but I fear I have already trespassed too far on your valuable space.

HENRY H. BREEN.

St. Lucia.

* * * * *

SIR WALTER SCOTT AND HIS QUOTATIONS FROM HIMSELF.

Your correspondent A. J. DUNKIN (Vol. viii., p. 622.) asks who was the author of the couplet,--

"Oh! for a blast of that dread horn, On Fontarabian echoes borne."

In reply to which Query you refer him to the juvenile efforts of Frank Osbaldiston in the delightful novel of _Rob Roy_.

You might have referred him likewise to a corresponding passage in the sixth canto of _Marmion_, sec. xxxiii., from which the accomplished poet and novelist repeated _inadvertently_ his own verses:

"O for a blast of that _dread_ horn, On Fontarabian echoes borne, That to King Charles did come," &c.

I say "inadvertently" from any own knowledge. A few months after the well-known occurrence at a public dinner in Edinburgh, when Sir W. Scott openly declared himself the author of the _Waverley Novels_, the writer of these lines was staying at Abbotsford on a visit. On one occasion, when walking with Sir Walter about his grounds, I led the conversation to his late revelations; and while expressing some wonder at the length of time during which the secret of the authorship had been kept, I ventured to say that I for one had never felt the smallest doubt upon the matter, but that the intrinsic evidence of these several works, acknowledged and unacknowledged, had long ago convinced me that they were written by one and the same author. Among other points I quoted _the very lines in question_ from the elegy on the death of the Black Prince in _Rob Roy_, which I reminded Sir Walter might also be found in their sixth canto of _Marmion_. "Ah! indeed," he replied, with his natural expression of comic gravity, "that _was very careless_ of me! I did not think I should have committed such a blunder!"

We kept up the like strain of conversation during the whole ramble, with a good deal of harmless pleasantry. In the course of our walk Sir Walter stopped at a particular point, and leaning on his staff like his own "Antiquary," he pointed out some ancient earth-works, whose undulating surface indicated the traces of a Roman or Pictish encampment. "There," said he, "you {73} will perceive the remains of a very good camp." "Yes, Sir," said I, in the words of Lovel, "I do see something _like a ditch indistinctly marked_." Sir Walter burst into a hearty fit of laughter, saying, "Ay, my friends do call it the _Kairn of Kimprunes_."

I trust your readers will forgive me for recording these trivialities; but MR. DUNKIN'S Query recalled them to my mind so forcibly after the lapse of many years, that I venture to obtrude them upon your notice.

Before I conclude this paper, I may be permitted to make reference to a series of letters addressed to Richard Heber, Esq., M.P., by Mr. Adolphus, son of the historian of the reign of George III. In the conversation referred to, Sir Walter Scott mentioned these letters in terms of high approbation,--terms not undeserved; for a more elegant, ingenious, and convincing piece of literary criticism never issued from the press.

At that time I had not seen it; but in reference to the passage in question, the coincidence of which in the poem and the romance has not escaped the critic's acuteness, Mr. Adolphus makes the following remarks:

"A refined speculator might perhaps conceive that so glaring a repetition could not be the effect of inadvertence, but that the novelist, induced by some transient whim or caprice, had intentionally appropriated the verses of his great cotemporary. I cannot, however, imagine any motive for such a proceeding, more especially as it must appear somewhat unhandsome to take possession of another man's lines for the mere purpose of exhibiting them in a ridiculous light. Nor does it seem to me at all unlikely that the author of _Marmion_, supposing him to be also the author of _Rob Roy_, should have _unconsciously repeated himself_ in this instance, for we find him more than once apologising in his avowed works for having, in the haste of composition, snatched up expressions, and even whole lines, of other writers."

The anecdote above recorded proves the justice and refinement of the critic's speculation.

A BORDERER.

* * * * *

THOMAS CAMPBELL.

In a small 8vo. volume before me, entitled _The History of the Stage: in which is included the Theatrical Characters of the most celebrated Actors who have adorned the Theatre, &c.; with the Theatrical Life of Mr. Colly Cibber_ (Lond. 1742), I notice a very remarkable similarity of thought and expression between its author and the late Thomas Campbell. The dramatic author writes thus:

"But with whatever strength of nature we see the poet show at once the philosopher and the hero, yet the image of the actor's excellence will still be imperfect to you, unless language could put colours into words to paint the voice with.

"The most that a Vandyke can arrive at is to make his portraits of great persons seem to think; a Shakspeare goes farther yet, and tells you what his picture thought; a Betterton steps beyond them both, and calls them from the grave to breathe and be themselves again, in feature, speech, and motion. When the skilful actor shows you all these powers at once united, and gratifies at once your eye, your ear, your understanding,--to conceive the pleasure arising from such harmony you must have been present at it; 'tis not to be told you."

Now compare this passage with the following lines from Mr. Campbell's "Valedictory Stanzas to J. P. Kemble, Esq.," composed for a public meeting held June, 1817:

"His was the spell o'er hearts Which only acting lends, The youngest of the Sister Arts, Where all their beauty blends: For ill can Poetry express Full many a tone of thought sublime; And Painting, mute and motionless, Steals but a glance of time. But by the mighty actor brought, Illusion's perfect triumphs come,-- Verse ceases to be airy thought, And Sculpture to be dumb."

SERVIENS.

* * * * *

FOLK LORE.

_Legends of the Co. Clare_ (Vol. viii., p. 436.).--The Lake of Inchiquin, one legend of which has been already published in "N. & Q.," is said to have been once a populous and flourishing city, and still on a calm night you may see the towers and spires gleaming through the clear wave. But for some dreadful and unabsolved crime, a holy man of those days whelmed all beneath the deep waters. The "dark spirit" of its king, who ruled also over the surrounding country, resides in a cavern in one of the hills which border the lake, and once every seven years at midnight, he issues forth mounted on his white charger, and urges him at full speed over hill and crag, until he has completed the circuit of the lake; and thus he is to continue, till the silver hoofs of his steed are worn out, when the curse will be removed, and the city reappear in all its splendour. The cave extends nearly a mile under the hill; the entrance is low and gloomy, but the roof rises to a considerable height for about half the distance, and then sinks down to a narrow passage, which leads into a somewhat lower division of the cave. The darkness, and the numbers of bats which flap their wings in the face of the explorer, and whirl round his taper, fail not to impress him with a sensation of awe.

FRANCIS ROBERT DAVIES.

_Slow-worm Superstition_ (Vol. viii., pp. 33. 479.).--I believe that the superstition alluded to is {74} not confined to one country, nor to one species of reptile. I remember to have heard some countrymen in Cornwall, who had killed an adder, say that it would not cease to writhe until the sun had gone down. Like many other so-called superstitions, it is probably founded on a close observation of a natural phenomenon; and I feel quite sure that I have seen in print, although I cannot now call to mind where, that it is to be accounted for by the fact, that in these cold-blooded animals the nervous irritability does not cease until checked or destroyed by the chilling dews of evening.

HONORÉ DE MAREVILLE.

Guernsey.

* * * * *

THE VELLUM-BOUND JUNIUS.

(Vol. v., pp. 303. 333. 607.; Vol. viii., p. 8.)

I have no doubt that it will be satisfactory to some of your readers to know that I have in my possession a copy, "vellum bound in gilt," of _Junius_, printed for Henry Sampson Woodfall, 1772, 2 vols. This copy has been in the family library for about sixty years. There are no marks by which it can be traced to its original owner. I imagine it must have been purchased by my grandfather, Sir Thomas Metcalfe, after his arrival from India about 1788; this is, however, merely a conjecture, in default of any more probable theory. Of the authenticity of this copy I have no doubt; I mean that it is now in the same condition as when it was first issued by the bookseller. The binding is evidently of an old date, the gilding is peculiar, and the books correspond exactly with the orders of Junius as given to Woodfall in Note No. 47., Dec. 1771, and although neatly bound, are, as Woodfall mentions in No. 64., not highly finished. Are there many copies of this edition, or may I congratulate myself upon possessing _the_ one ordered by Junius? It is quite possible that my grandfather possessed this copy some years before his return from India; and I may mention that I also have a great many political pamphlets and satires, chiefly in poetry, of different dates, from 1760 to 1780, such as _Catiline's Conspiracy_; _The Diaboliad_; _Ditto_, with additions, dedicated to the worst man in the kingdom (Rigby), and containing allusions to all the most celebrated characters of Junius; _The Senators_, _La Fête Champêtre_, and many miscellanies. These, however, are perhaps well known. I have also a pamphlet containing an alleged unpublished canto of the _Faerie Queene_ of Spenser, and a great many religious tracts from 1580 to 1700. Some of the political poems are published by Almon. Among other curious stray sheets, is a list of all the gentlemen and officers who fell in the cause of Charles I., and Mr. Richard Brown appears amongst the number. I hope to communicate more fully upon some future occasion, and must conclude with an allusion to the claims of Francis as the author of _Junius_. Strong as the proofs may be in his favour in England, I believe that in India there is testimony no less important; and I have been informed, by one who spoke with some authority, that the letters of Francis upon record in this country bear no resemblance _whatever_ to those of Junius. This assertion, however, is far too vague to satisfy any of your readers. I hope some day to be able to confirm it by examples. The India House might furnish the private correspondence between Francis and Hastings, which would be extremely interesting.

T. METCALFE.

Delhi.

* * * * *

Minor Notes.

_The Scotch Grievance._--Can the demand of Scotchmen, with respect to the usage of the royal arms, be justified by the laws of Heraldry? I think not. They require that when the royal arms are used in Scotland, the Scotch bearings should be placed in the first quarter. Surely it is against all rules that the armorial bearings, either of a person or of a nation, should be changeable according to the place where they are used. The arms of the United Kingdom and of the sovereign are, first and fourth, England; second, Scotland; third, Ireland. The Scotch have therefore the option of using these, or else the arms of Scotland singly; but to shift the quarterings according to locality, seems repugnant to the principles of the science. Queen Anne and George I. bore, in the first quarter, England impaling Scotland: is it to be supposed that, for Scotch purposes, they bore Scotland impaling England? Can any _coin_ be produced, from the accession of James VI. to the English throne, on which the royal arms are found with Scotland in the first quarter and England in the second?

A DESCENDANT FROM SCOTTISH KINGS.

_Walpole and Macaulay._--That well-known and beautiful conception of the New Zealander in some future age sitting on the ruins of Westminster Bridge, and looking where London stood, may have been first suggested by a thought in one of Walpole's lively letters to Sir H. Mann:

"At last some curious native of Lima will visit London, and give a sketch of the ruins of Westminster and St. Paul's."

ANON.

_Russian "Justice."_--Euler, in his 102nd letter to a German princess, says:

"Formerly there was no word in the Russian language to express what we call _justice_. This was certainly a very great defect, as the idea of justice is of very great importance in a great number of our {75} judgments and reasonings, and as it is scarcely possible to think of the thing itself without a term expressive of it. They have, accordingly, supplied this defect by introducing into that language a word which conveys the notion of justice."

This letter is dated 14th February, 1761. _Statne nominis umbra?_ An answer is not needed to this Query. But can nothing be done to rescue from destruction the precious analytical treasures of Euler, now entombed in the archives of St. Petersburgh?

T. J. BUCKTON.

Birmingham.

_False Dates in Water-marks of Paper._--Your correspondent H. W. D. (Vol. ix., p. 32.) on the subject of the water-mark in paper, is, perhaps, not aware that, within the last few years, the will of a lady was set aside by the heir-at-law, her brother, on account of the water-mark, she having imprudently, as it was surmised, made a fairer copy of her will on paper of a later date. The case will be in the recollection of the parties employed in the neighbourhood of the Prerogative Court.

L.

* * * * *

Queries.

MR. P. CUNNINGHAME.

Can any of your correspondents communicate information respecting a Mr. P. Cunninghame, who was employed in the Heralds' Office in the years 1768-69, and who appears to have left his situation there in order to enter the church? Mr. Cunninghame, from a MS. volume of his letters now before me, had friends and correspondents of the names of Towne, Dehane, Welsh, Cockell, Bawdwen, Wainman, Haggard, Hammond, Neve, Gathorne, Innes, Connor, &c., and relations of his own name resided at Deal. One of his letters is addressed to his cousin, Captain George Cunninghame, General Majoribanks' regiment, in garrison at Tournay, Flanders.

Two gentlemen of the names of Bigland and Heard (probably Sir Isaac Heard, who died a few years since at a very advanced age) were his superiors in the Heralds' Office at the time of his being there. A former possessor of this MS. volume has written in it as follows; and so warm a tribute of praise from a distinguished scholar and late member of this university, has induced me to send you his remarks, and to make the inquiry suggested by them.

"I esteem myself fortunate in having purchased this volume of letters, which I met with in the shop of Mr. Robins, bookseller, at Winchester, in January, 1808. They do credit to the head and the heart of the author. He seems to have been a man whose imagination was lively, and whose mind was capacious, as well as comprehensive. His remarks on different subjects betray reading and reflection. His mental powers, naturally vigorous, he appears to have cultivated and improved by as much reading as his employments and his agitation of mind would allow. I wish that he had committed to this volume some specimens of his poetry, as it would have been more than mechanical, or partaking of common-place, for he writes in a style at once vigorous, lively, and elegant, and gives proofs of a correct taste. He had a manly spirit of independence, a generous principle of benevolence and a prevailing habit of piety. The first of these qualifications did not in him (as it is too frequently apt to do) overleap the bounds of prudence, or the still more binding ties of duty, as is exemplified in the excellent letters to his father, and Mr. Dehane. It is to be hoped that he entered into that profession from which he was so long and so perversely excluded; a profession suited to his genius and inclination, which would open an ample field for his benevolence, and which would receive additional lustre from the example of so much virtue and so much industry exerted in the cause of truth. It is to be hoped that he gained that competence and retirement to which the wishes of the interested reader must follow him, regretting that he knows not more of a man, who, from those amiable dispositions and those eminent talents, pourtrayed in this correspondence, would indeed--

'Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way.' R. F."

J. MACRAY.

Oxford.

* * * * *

WAS SHAKSPEARE DESCENDED FROM A LANDED PROPRIETOR?

MR. KNIGHT has on two occasions, the latter in his _Stratford Shakspeare_ just published, called attention to what he concludes is an oversight of mine in not drawing any conclusion from a deed in which certain lands are mentioned as "heretofore _the inheritance_ of William Shakspeare, Gent., deceased." These words are supposed by MR. KNIGHT to imply that the lands in question came to Shakspeare by descent, as heir-at-law of his father. This opinion appeared to me to be somewhat a hasty one: believing that no conclusion whatever is to be drawn from the phrase as there used, and relying on the ordinary definition of _inheritance_ in the old works on law, I did not hesitate, some time since, to declare a conviction that the lands so mentioned were bought by Shakspeare himself. As the question is of some importance in the inquiry respecting the position of the poet's ancestry, perhaps one of your legal readers would kindly decide which of us is in the right. I possess an useful collection of old law-books, but there are few subjects in which error is so easily committed by unprofessional readers. In the present instance, however, if plain words are to be relied upon, it seems certain that the term _inheritance_ was applied, to use Cowell's words, to {76} "every fee simple or fee taile that a man hath by his purchase." (See _The Interpreter_, 1637.)

J. O. HALLIWELL.

* * * * *

Minor Queries.

_"To try and get."_--The word _and_ is often used instead of to after the verb _to try_: thus, in Moore's _Journal_ (June 7, 1819), "Went to the theatre to try _and_ get a dress." What is the origin of this erroneous mode of expression?

UNEDA.

Philadelphia.

_Fleet Prison._--Where can a list of the officers of the Fleet Prison, especially the under officers, and more especially the tipstaffs, A.D. 1696, and shortly previously and subsequently, be seen?

J. K.

_Colonel St. Leger._--Where can I find an account of the celebrated Colonel St. Leger, the friend and associate of George IV. when Prince of Wales? In what year did he die? What age was he when his picture, now in Hampton Court, was painted by Gainsborough?

W. P. M.

Dublin.

_Lords' Descents._--Is a MS. collection of Lords' Descents, by Thomas Maisterson, Esq., made about the year 1705, now extant?

T. P. L.

_Reverend Robert Hall._--Who was Robert Hall, a preacher of some celebrity in the time of James II.?

P. P. P.

_"Lydia, or Conversion."_--Can any of your correspondents inform me who is the author of the following excellent drama, published nearly twenty years since:--_Lydia, or Conversion; a Sacred Drama inscribed to the Jews by a Clergyman of the Church of England_: London, 8vo., 1835, published by Rivingtons, and Hatchard & Son?

A. Z.

_Personal Descriptions._--Is Sir Walter Scott's description of Saladin taken from any ancient writer, or is it a fancy sketch? If the latter, I think he has fallen into error by describing in Saladin the features of a civilised Arab, rather than the very peculiar and unmistakeable characteristics of the Koordish race.

In a novel now publishing in _Ainsworth's Magazine_, styled the "Days of Margaret of Parma," the celebrated Duke of Alva is described as a very tall man. I have never seen a portrait or read a description of his person, but had formed a very different idea of it from the circumstance that Count Tilly, who was certainly a short man, was said to be a striking counterpart of him in face, figure, and dress, a resemblance which added not a little to the terror and aversion with which Tilly was regarded by the Protestants of Germany. Can any of your correspondents refer me to a description of Alva?

J. S. WARDEN.

_"One while I think," &c._--Whence are the following lines:

"One while I think, and then I am in pain, To think, how to unthink that thought again."

W. M. M.

_Lord Bacon._--Has the very discreditable attack made on the moral character of the great Lord Chancellor Bacon, by his cotemporary Sir Simon D'Ewes, and related by Hearne the historian at the end of his _Life and Reign of King Richard II._, been investigated, and either established or disproved by later historians?

CESTRIENSIS.

_Society for burning the Dead._--Wanted information as to the "Society for burning the Dead," which existed a few years ago in London. A reference to any reports or papers of them would oblige

D. L.