Part 3

Do not think me presumptuous for venturing to give my opinion on poetry; I have studied it from my infancy, and my admiration for it is so enthusiastic, that I feel more strongly than I can reason on the subject. With this passion for poetry, you can more easily imagine than I can describe, the delight that _Odin_ gave me. I have copied many passages from it in my Album under different heads: such as Contemplation; Love of Country; Liberty; Winter; Morning; Meditation on a Future State; Immortality of the Soul; Superstition; Vanity of Life; Jealousy; and many others too numerous to mention. And they are of such transcendent merit, as to be above all comparison, except with Shakspeare or {269} Milton. In the sublimity and harmony of your verses, you have equalled, if not surpassed, the latter; and in originality of ideas and variety, you strikingly resemble the former; but neither call boast of anything superior to your beautiful episode of "Skiold and Nora."

Hitherto, my dear Sir William Drummond, I have looked on you as one of the first scholars and most elegant prose writers of the age; but, at present, permit me to say that I regard you as the _first poet_.

When I have been charmed with the productions of writers, who were either personally unknown to me, or unhappily dead, how have I regretted not being able to pour out my thanks for the pleasure they had afforded me: in this instance I rejoice that I have the happiness of knowing you, and of being able to express, though feebly, the admiration with which your genius inspires me; and of offering up my fervent prayers that you may be long spared to adorn and do honour to the age which is, and ought to be, proud to claim you. In writing to you I abandon my pen to the guidance of my heart, which feels with all the warmth for which _Irish hearts_ are so remarkable. A _poet_ can understand and pardon this Irish warmth, though a _philosopher_ might condemn it; but in addressing you, I forget that I am writing to one of the most eminent of the last class, and only remember that I am talking of _Odin_ to the most admirable of the first.

I am at present reading _Academical Questions_, which, if _I dare_ take possession of, should not again find their way to Chiaja; _Odin_ I shall most _unwillingly_ resign, as I find it belongs to Lady Drummond; but if you have any other of your works by you, will you have the goodness to lend them to me? Pray name what day you will dine with us, accompanied by Mr. Stewart, to whom I owe my best acknowledgments for having lent me _Odin_.

Believe me, My dear Sir William Drummond, to be With unfeigned esteem, Sincerely yours, MARGUERITE BLESSINGTON. Villa Gallo, April 24th, 1825.

The above Letter is copied from the original in my possession.

A. G.

Edinburgh.

* * * * *

Minor Notes.

_The late Judge Talfourd._--Some years since I ventured to request information as to the proper way of pronouncing the _Elia_, from the talented and kind-hearted Judge Talfourd, whose days have just been brought to a close under such truly awful circumstances. The ready reply which he gave to an unknown inquirer, whilst it illustrates the courtesy and cordiality of his character, may prove interesting to your readers.

Temple, June 15, 1838.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th, and to express my pleasure at finding that you sympathise with me in genial admiration of the delightful person to whom it refers. All I know respecting the signature of _Elia_ will be found at p. 65 of the second volume of Lamb's Letters. It was the real name of a coxcombical clerk thirty years dead, whom Lamb remembered at the South Sea House, and prefixed to his first essay (which was on the "Old South Sea House") in the _London Magazine_. The editor afterwards used it to distinguish Lamb's articles, and he finally adopted it. The _i_ is short (_El[)i]a_). It is an Italian name.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient and faithful servant, T. N. TALFOURD.

C. W. B.

_Authors' Trustee Society._--Authors, as a class, are perhaps the most unfit men in the world to make the most of their own property; and were they ever so competent, it will often happen that their works do not attain to any great value as copyrights till after the poor author is laid in his grave. It is then, when his family are sometimes exposed to severe distress, that more favourable terms might be obtained from publishers; but there is no one left who is capable of acting for the benefit of the widow or children.

A Society might be formed to take charge as trustees of the property of an author in his works, to make engagements with booksellers for the privilege of publishing future editions as they may be required, and to take care that the _honorarium_ for each edition be duly paid into the hands of the person who is entitled to receive it.

No expense would attend the formation of such a Society. Its meetings could be held at scarcely any cost. The advertisements, to announce from time to time what works are open for offers from printers, booksellers, and publishers, would amount to a very small sum in the course of the year--I dare say the Editor of "N. & Q." would insert them gratuitously. But, if necessary, a small percentage on the fees paid would cover all the disbursements of the Society.

L. P. K.

_The Old Clock at Alderley._--In the investigation of this very old and curious piece of mechanism by the Rev. Joseph Bockett, in the year 1833, an inscription was found signifying that it was presented to the church of Alderley by the great Sir Matthew Hale. It was copied, _verbatim_ {270} _et literatim_, by the said reverend gentleman, and is as follows:

"This is the Guift of the Right Honourable the Lord Cheif Justice Heale to the Parish Church of Alderly. John Mason, Bristol, Fecit, Nov[=e]m. 1^{st} 1673."

It appears, by this inscription, to have been presented on his birth-day; which, from his tomb, was found to be November 1. Alderley is the family place of the Hale family to this day.

JULIA R. BOCKETT.

Southcote Lodge.

_The Olympic Plain, &c._--The success which has attended the excavations of Dr. Layard at Nineveh, has rekindled the curiosity of the antiquary and the classical scholar with regard to the buried remains of ancient Greece and Rome:

"The Tiber at Rome," Dodwell says, "is supposed to contain a vast assemblage of ancient sculpture; and thoughts are entertained of turning its course, in order to explore its hidden treasures."

The same distinguished traveller remarks (_Classical and Topog. Tour through Greece_) that--

"It was a favourite plan of the learned Winkelmann to raise a subscription for the excavation of the Olympic plain. If such a project should ever be consummated, we may confidently hope that the finest specimens of sculpture, as well as the most curious and valuable remains, will be brought to light. No place abounded with such numerous offerings to the gods, and with such splendid and beautiful representations in marble and in bronze."

ALPHA.

Oxford.

_Electric Telegraph._--Might not the telegraph be made serviceable in remote country districts, by connecting detached residences with the nearest police station; to which an alarm might be conveyed in cases of danger from thieves or fire? There are many who would willingly incur the expense for the sake of the security, and no doubt all details could be easily arranged.

THINKS I TO MYSELF.

_Irish Law in the Eighteenth Century._--I send, for the information of the readers of "N. & Q.," the following extract from Reilly's _Dublin News Letter_, Aug. 9, 1740:

"Last week, at the assizes of Kilkenny, a fellow who was to be tried for robbery not pleading, a jury was appointed to try whether he was wilfully mute, or by the hands of God; and they giving a verdict that he was wilfully mute, he was condemned to be pressed to death. He accordingly suffered on Wednesday, pursuant to his sentence, which was as follows: that the criminal shall be confined in some low dark room, where he shall be laid on his back, with no covering except round his loins, and shall have as much weight laid upon him as he can bear, and more; that he shall have nothing to live upon but the worst bread and water; and the day that he eats, he shall not drink; and the day that he drinks, he shall not eat; and so shall continue till he dies."

Is it to be believed that, so late as the 1740, such barbarity (to call it nothing worse) was practised according to law within the limits of Great Britain and Ireland? I would be glad to hear from some correspondent upon the subject.

ABHBA.

_Gravestone Inscriptions._--In the churchyard of Homersfield (St. Mary, Southelmham), Suffolk, was the gravestone of Robert Crytoft, who died Nov. 17, 1810, aged ninety, bearing the following epitaph:

"_Myself._ As I walk'd by myself I talk'd to myself, And thus myself said to me, Look to thyself and take care of thyself, For nobody cares for thee. So I turn'd to myself, and I answer'd myself In the self-same reverie, Look to myself or look not to myself, The self-same thing will it be."

This stone was some years since taken up, and has remained standing in the church tower. I know not whether the lines be original, but I have never seen them elsewhere.

The following were and may be now in St. Stephen's churchyard, Ipswich, on the stone of one Stephen Manister, clerk to Mr. Baron Thompson, who died in 1731, and by his will desired the following words to be there inscribed:

"What I gave I have, w^t I spent I had, What I left I lost for want of giving it."

G. A. C.

* * * * *

Minor Queries.

_Paintings of Our Saviour._--In Mrs. Jameson's _Legends of the Monastic Orders_, it is stated that "The painter, Andrea Vanni, was among the devout admirers of St. Catherine;" and that "among his works was a head of Christ, said to have been painted under the immediate instruction of St. Catherine; representing the Saviour as she had, in her visions, beheld him. Unhappily this has perished." Also, on the authority of Mr. Sterling, that St. Juan de la Cruz, the friend of St. Theresa, "on one occasion when the Saviour appeared to him, made an uncouth sketch of the divine apparition; which was long preserved as a relique in the Convent of the Incarnation at Avila."

Can any of your readers supply particulars of, or references to, other similar portraitures, especially of any still in existence?

J. P.

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_Heraldic._--Can any of your heraldic correspondents inform me to what families the following coat of arms belongs:--Gules, a fess sanguine between three trefoils slipped proper? There is in this the not very frequent occurrence of a coloured charge upon a coloured field. The only similar instance I now remember is Denham, Suffolk: Gules, a cross vert.

LOCCAN.

_Dedication of Kemerton Church._--The church at Kemerton, Gloucestershire, was, until a few years ago, marked by the authorities with a blank, just as the church of Middleton ("N. & Q.," Vol. v., p. 372.); but it has now been discovered, it would appear, to have been dedicated to _St. Nicholas_. How, or where?

I. R. R.

_Consolato del Mare._--The maritime code of the Venetians derived from Barcelona, observed also by the Genoese and Pisans, was called "Consolato del Mare," A.D. 1200. Why was it so called?

R. H. G.

_Consonants in Welsh._--It has often been asserted that the Welsh language is remarkable for the number of its consonants. Can any of your readers acquainted with that language inform me whether there is a larger proportion of consonants in Welsh than in English? Messrs. Chambers, in a recent number of their _Repository_, say:

"On the road to Merthyr, we heard a drunken Welshman swear; oh for words to describe the effect! His mouth seemed full of consonants, which cracked and cracked, and ground and exploded, in an extraordinary way," &c.

Is this a true representation of the case?

J. M.

_"Initiative" and "Psychology."_--

" ... a previous act and conception of the mind, or what we have called an _initiative_, is indispensably necessary, even to the mere semblance of method."--Coleridge's _Treatise on Method_.

Am I to understand from this sentence that this word was an original adaptation of Coleridge's? If not, when was it first introduced, and by whom?

In the same treatise, Coleridge employs the word _psychological_, and apologises for using an _insolens verbum_. Was this the first occasion of the familiar use of this word? I find _psychology_ in Bailey.

C. MANSFIELD INGLEBY.

Birmingham.

_Atonement._--Can you or any of your readers inform me when the word "atonement" first came into use, and when it was first applied to the work of reconciliation wrought by our Lord Jesus Christ? It is used once only in the New Testament (Romans v. 11.), and there the word does not quite convey the meaning of the original [Greek: katallagê]. The etymology of it seems so purely English, that one would hardly expect to find the present use, or rather adaptation, of the word, so very modern as it appears to be.

J. H. B.

_Sir Stephen Fox._--Chambers' _Journal_, No. 515., Nov. 12, 1853, p. 320., says:

"Charles James Fox, who died in 1806, at the age of fifty-seven, had an uncle who was paymaster of the forces in 1679, the year of the battle of Bothwell Bridge, and his grandfather was on the scaffold with Charles I."

After consulting several books on the subject, I find that this latter statement is just possible; but I cannot learn under what circumstances Sir Stephen Fox accompanied Charles I. to the scaffold. Can any of your readers give me the desired information?

N. J. A.

_"Account of an Expedition to the Interior of New Holland."_--Can any one tell me the name of the writer of a book with the title I have here given? It was edited by Lady Mary Fox, and published, in one vol. 8vo., by Bentley, in the year 1837. I may be mistaken, but I think I can recognise the style of a well-known writer.

ABHBA.

_Darwin on Steam._--Where are the prophetic lines by Dr. Darwin to be found, commencing:

"Soon shall thy power, unrivalled _steam_, from far Drag the slow barge, and urge the rapid car."

UNEDA.

Philadelphia.

_Scottish Female Dress._--When did ladies cease to use hair-powder, face-patches, hoops, and high-heeled shoes? An old lady of about seventy recollects perfectly that her mother wore then all (so, she thinks, did her visitors, who came to a dish of tea) except the hoop, which was reserved for grand occasions. On the introduction of the new-fangled low-heeled shoes, she recollects her mother tottering about on them like a novice on skates, and groaning with pains in her legs, a victim to a change of fashion! At this time, she adds, was in every-day use the _milk tally_ and _bread-nick-stick_. The first, that represented in Hogarth's picture; the second, a stick about a foot long, four-sided, on which each loaf was registered by a notch or nick in the stick; the servant kept a similar _nick-stick_ as a check on the baker; but during the flirtation, common _then_ as _now_ on such occasions, the old lady slyly remarks, the baker often gallantly nicked the check-stick, as well as his own, with a couple of notches for one. Hence, possibly, the decline and fall of the use of this wooden system of book-keeping by double notch. Is any date assigned to the ceasing of the practice of using the wooden tally and nick-stick?

C. D. LAMONT.

Greenock.

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_"The Innocents," a Drama._--Who is the author of a small volume of poetry, published anonymously about the year 1825, and which is very favourably noticed in the _New Monthly Magazine_ for January, 1826, vol. xviii. The title of the volume is, _The Innocents, a Sacred Drama; Ocean and the Earthquake at Aleppo, Poems_.

S. N.

_Waugh of Cumberland._--Can you inform a Waugh, the family arms of Waugh of Cumberland; to whom they were first granted, and why?

A SUBSCRIBER.

_Norton._--Wanted, the origin of, or the sources of information respecting, this name, the appellation of so many villages, &c. in Oxfordshire. A family of the name of Norton, after residing in those districts for many generations, have long moved to London, and are not possessed of the information sought by the inquirer.

N.

_De La Fond._--Can any of your readers explain the following inscription on an engraving by P. Lombart of De La Fond, and its application?

"In effigiem De La Fond, Galli Festivissimi, apud Batavos, Ephemeridum Historicarum Scriptoris, Distichon.

Mille oculis videt hic Fondus mille auribus audit; Plus audit naso, plus videt ille, suo."

A. F. B.

Diss.

_"Button Cap."_--In the north of Ireland there is a belief that just before a war breaks out, the spirit of an ancient warder of Carrickfergus Castle is heard examining the arms stored there, and, if they are not entirely to his satisfaction, he shows his displeasure by making an awful clatter among them. Has old "Button Cap" (for that is his name) been inspecting the arms lately? What is the legend connected with him? If I mistake not, he is said to be the spirit of a warder who was drowned in the castle well in the reign of Elizabeth.

FRAS. CROSSLEY.

_Cobb Family._--Richard Cobb, Esq., and his wife Joan, were painted by Sir Peter Lely between 1641 and 1680. These portraits are now in my possession. Elizabeth Cobb, granddaughter of the above, married, _circa_ 1725, the Rev. Thos. Paget, at that time Fellow of Corpus Christi, Oxford. Thus, Richard Cobb would be born _circa_ 1634, his son _circa_ 1667, and his granddaughter _circa_ 1700. I shall be obliged for any clue to the arms, residence, &c. of this Mr. Cobb.

ARTHUR PAGET.

_Prince Charles' Attendants in Spain._--The assistance of your antiquarian correspondents is particularly requested towards the making out of a complete list of all the persons who were in attendance on Prince Charles on his romantic visit to Spain. Of course it is well known that the Prince and Buckingham started accompanied only by Sir Francis Cottington, Endymion Porter, and Sir R. Graham. Of the members of his household who afterwards joined him, the principal of course are also well known. But of the gentlemen and grooms of the Privy Chamber, pages, &c., I have been unable to discover a complete list, although notices of individuals are occasionally met with. Any references to such notices are much desired.

E. O. P.

_Sack._--What wine was this? Is it still existing and known to the wine trade by any other name? If so, when and why was the name changed?

FALSTAFF.

* * * * *

Minor Queries with Answers.

_Ralph Ashton the Commander._--In an ancient record I met with a year or two ago (two centuries old, I suppose), the name of a Ralph Ashton, "Commander," occurred. The record related to Lancashire, and it spoke of "Isabella, the wife of Ralph the Commander." I believe that a gentleman of this name was commander of the Lancashire forces under the Commonwealth. Will any of your readers oblige me (should they have access to any ancient pedigree of the Ashton family) by saying whether any mention is made of this "Isabella," and what her name was before her marriage to Ralph the Commander?

JAYTEE.

[The pedigree of the family of Ashton, or Assheton, of Middleton, is given in Baines's _Lancaster_, vol. ii. p. 596., which states that Ralph Ashton, Esq., M.P. for Clithero, temp. Chas. I., for the county, 16 Chas. I., died 17th Feb. 1650, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Kaye of Woodsome, co. York. In old documents Isabella and Elizabeth are used for one and the same name.]

_Christopher Hervie._--M. ZACHARY (Vol. ix., p. 184.) obligingly replies to my question as to the quotation--

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

Would he be kind enough to say where I may find any notice of Christopher Hervie? as I have been unable to find mention of him or his work in any biography to which I have access.

W. M. M.

[A biographical notice of Christopher Harvie, or Harvey, is given by Anthony à Wood in his _Athenæ Oxonienses_, vol. iii. p. 538. (Bliss), from which it appears he was "a minister's son of Cheshire, was born in that county, became a batler of Brasen-nose College in 1613, aged sixteen years, took the degrees in Arts, that of Master being completed 1620, holy orders, and at length was made vicar of Clifton in Warwickshire." Wood, however (_Ath. Oxon._, vol. i. {273} p. 628.), attributes _The Synagogue_ to Thomas Harvey, first Master of Kington School in Herefordshire. "There can be no doubt," adds Mr. Bliss, "but a Ch. Harvie was the author of this poem, particularly as Walton contributed some commendatory verses to it, which were repaid by another copy prefixed to the _Compleat Angler_ by Harvie; but whether this was Christopher Harvey, the vicar of Clifton, or some other, remains to be decided. If it was, it is at least singular that Wood, who was so inquisitive in these matters, should have been ignorant of the circumstance." Harvey died before the 4th Sept. 1663, as on that day Samuel Bradwall was instituted to the vicarage of Clifton, void by the death of the last incumbent.--See Sir John Hawkins' edition of _The Complete Angler_, p. 186.; also "N. & Q.," Vol. vi., pp. 463. 591.]

_Dannocks._--Hedging-gloves made of whit-leather (untanned leather), and used by workmen in cutting and trimming fences, are called in this part of Norfolk _dannocks_. Can any of your correspondents say whence the word is derived?

J. L. S.

Edingthorpe.

["It should rather be _Dornecks_," says Forby, "which is the proper Flemish name of _Tournai_, a Frenchified name, long since universally substituted. Two hundred years ago it was celebrated for its coarse woollen manufactures, principally of carpets and hangings, mentioned in some of our old comedies. Probably thick gloves were another article of importation. Our modern _dannocks_, indeed, are of thick leather, and made at home by our own glovers. Dan. _dorneck_."]

_Brass in All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne._--In the Church of All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (an erection dating at some period of the Protestant dark ages), there is a magnificent Flemish brass, of which the incumbent refuses to allow a rubbing to be taken, on the ground that the process would _injure_ it! Can any of your correspondents tell me if it has been engraved, and where?

J. H. B.

[There is a beautiful representation of the very curious plate of brass inlaid on the table monument of Roger Thornton, the celebrated patron of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, temp. Henry IV., and still preserved in the Church of All Saints in that town, engraved in Brand's _History of Newcastle-upon-Tyne_, vol. i. p. 382. Mention is also made by that author of another work containing it, entitled _Monuments in the Churches of St. Nicholas and All Saints_.]

_Imperfect Bible._--A Bible has lately come into my possession in an imperfect state. It is in black letter, 4to., with the capitals commencing the chapters in Roman letters. I wish to know the date and printer. It begins at fol. 7., at the end of the 6th verse of xvth chapter of Genesis, "counted that to him for righteousness." There are a number of engravings representing the instruments used in the temple and tabernacle, at fol. 36. 38. 40. 62. 160. &c. There is no date, but I think it is about 1590 or 1600.

AN IGNORAMUS ON THE SUBJECT.