Chapter 2

At a time when the readers of "N. & Q.," and the world at large, have been hearing of the gift of a bell to a village church in Normandy, so pleasantly and readily made by the princely house of Russell, far exceeding the modest solicitation of the cure for assistance by way of a subscription, in remembrance of the Du Rozels having left their native patrimony in France to share the fortunes of the Conqueror in Old England, the following particulars may not be uninteresting.

Mr. Wiffen, when compiling his elaborate _Historical Memoirs of the House of Russell, from the Time of the Norman Conquest_, had occasion to make some inquiries respecting a statement put forth by a M. Richard Seguin, a rich dealer in merceries and wooden shoes at Vire, in the department of Calvados; who, it appears, had a mania for appropriating the literary labours of others as his own, and, in fact, is stigmatised as a _voleur litteraire_ by M. Querard, in his curious work entitled _Les Supercheries Litteraires Devoilees_. Mr. Wiffen wished to ascertain M. Seguin's authority for affirming in some work, the name of which is not given by M. Querard, but which is probably the _Histoire du Pays d'Auge et des Eveques Comtes de Lisieux_, Vire, 1832, that the Du Rozels were descended from Bertrand de Briquebec. M. Seguin's reply is contained in the following letter from M. Le Normand of Vire, to whom Mr. Wiffen had written, requesting him to obtain M. Seguin's authority for his statement:

"J'ai vu M. Seguin, et je lui ai demande d'ou provenaient les renseignements dont il s'etait servi pour dire dans son ouvrage que les Du Rozel descendaient des Bertrand de Bricquebec. _Il m'a repondu qu'il l'ignorait_; qu'il avait eu en sa possession une grande quantite de Copies de Chartres et d'anciens titres qui lui avaient fourni les materiaux de son histoire, _mais qu'il ne savait nullement d'ou elles provenaient_."--_Historical Memoirs, &c._, vol. i. p. 5. n. 1.

The fact appears to be, that M. Seguin had obtained possession, through marriage, of a quantity of MSS., and was in the habit of printing them as his own works. Some of them had belonged to an Abbe Lefranc, one of the priests who were murdered in the diabolical massacre of the clergy in the prisons of Paris in September, 1792; and others of the MSS. had been the property of a M. Noel Deshayes, Cure de Compigni, whose _Memoires pour servir a l'Histoire des Eveques de Lisieux_, were published by Seguin as his own, but altered and disfigured under the title of--

"Histoire du Pays d'Auge et des Eveques Comtes de Lisieux, contenant des Notions sur l'Archeologie, les Droits, Coutumes, Franchises et Libertes du Bocage et de la Normandie; Vire, Adam, 1832."

The MS., however, from which Seguin printed his forgery, turns out to have been but a copy; the original having since been discovered by M. Formeville in the library of the Seminaire of Evreux, and is now about to be published by that gentleman (see _Supercheries_, tom. iv., Paris, 1852). By a just retribution, M. Formeville is one of the literary men to whom Sequin refused to point out his original authorities. M. Querard quotes some {417} passages, in juxtaposition, from Seguin's pretended work and from the original MS., to show how the latter had been altered and corrupted in the printed copy. M. Seguin was quite illiterate, and has committed the most egregious blunders in his _chef d'oeuvre de plagiat_, as his _Histoire du Pays d'Auge_ is termed by Querard. Many other authors, besides Mr. Wiffen and M. Formeville, wrote to Seguin for his authorities on various subjects, but he never pointed out a single one. Full details are given of his literary thefts by M. Querard and his coadjutors. When the original work of M. Deshayes appears, in its genuine state, as promised by M. Formeville, the world will then learn what was really stated respecting the descent of the Du Rozels from Bertrand de Briquebec; although the amiable and accomplished Mr. Wiffen is no longer living to avail himself of the information. Seguin died in 1847.

JOHN MACRAY.

Oxford.

* * * * *

FERDINAND CHARLES III., DUKE OF PARMA.

Englishmen might, perhaps, feel even more horror than they will do at the assassination, on Mar. 26, of the Duke of Parma, if they were reminded that he was the representative and lineal descendant of Charles I., and as such possessed a claim, by hereditary descent, on our Crown, superior to that of our gracious Queen, who is only lineally descended from James I.

I subjoin his pedigree:

Charles I.== _____________| | Henrietta Maria==Philip Duc d'Orleans. ____________________| | Anna Maria==Victor Amadeus II., Duke of Savoy and King of | Sardinia. |____ | Charles Emanuel III., King of Sardinia, 1730== ____________________________________| | Victor Amadeus III., King of Sardinia== _______________________________| | Victor Emanuel, King of Sardinia, 1802== ____________________________________| | Maria Theresa==Charles II., Duke of Parma. _______________| | Ferdinand Charles III., Duke of Parma, born January 14, 1823, married, November 10, 1845, Louisa Maria Theresa of Bourbon, daughter of the late Duc de Berry, and was assassinated March 26, 1854.

It is rather a singular circumstance, that the Duchess of Parma should have been the wife of the hereditary heir to the throne of England, and the sister of the hereditary heir to the throne of France,--her husband, the Duke of Parma, having been the representative of the House of Stuart,--and her brother, the Count de Chambord, being the representative of the House of Bourbon.

E. S. S. W.

* * * * *

ORIGINAL ENGLISH ROYAL LETTERS TO THE GRAND MASTERS OF MALTA.

(_Continued from_ Vol. ix., p. 267.)

Through the great kindness of my old friend at this island, Frederick Sedley, Esq., and the continued and constant assistance of Dr. Vella, I am now enabled to forward correct translations of the seven remaining letters bearing the autograph of Charles II. Mindful of the space which will be required for their insertion in "N. & Q.," I shall confine myself to a few preliminary remarks.

The first letter in the following list is the earliest in date, as it is of the greatest interest. In it we have, for the first time, found a curious statement recorded by an English monarch, making known that he not only built his galleys for the protection of trade in this sea in different ports of the Mediterranean, _and purchased the slaves to man them of the Order of Malta_, but also complaining to the Grand Master for permitting the collector of customs to charge an export toll of "five pieces of gold per head," which he considered an unjust tax on this _kind of commerce_, and the more especially so, because it was not demanded from his neighbours and allies, the Kings of France and Spain. That the Knights of St. John made their prisoners slaves, disposing of some to the wealthy residents or natives of the island, and employing others in the erection of their dwellings, palaces, and fortifications, is well known.

Historians have stated that when Dragut landed at Malta, in July, 1551, with Sinam, his admiral, who was in joint command, they went to the summit of Mount Sceberras to reconnoitre before an attack should be made on the convent. When employed on this service, Sinam, who was opposed to any hostile movement, pointing to the castle, thus remarked, "Surely no eagle could have chosen a more craggy and difficult place to make his nest in. Dost thou not see that men must have wings to get up to it, and that all the artillery and troops of the universe would not be able to take it by force?" An old Turkish officer of his suite, addressing Dragut, thus continued,--"See'st thou that bulwark which juts out in the sea, and on which the Maltese have planted the great standard of their order? I can assure thee that whilst I was a _prisoner with them, I have helped to carry the large stones of which it is built_, and am pretty sure that before thou canst make thyself master of it, thou wilt be overtaken by the winter season; and probably likewise prevented from succeeding by some powerful succours from Europe." There can be little doubt that this remark was {418} feelingly made, and that the aged Turk who uttered it had experienced, during his residence as a prisoner at Malta, all the horrors of slavery. That no consideration was given to the comfort of a slave, and little value set on his life, will be briefly shown by the following anecdote:--On the 13th of April, 1534, an accusation was made against an English knight of the name of Massimberg, to the effect that he had unwarrantably drawn his sword and _killed four galley slaves_; and being convicted of the crime on the 18th of May of the same year, he was asked why judgment should not be given against him. Massimberg thus replied, "_In killing the four slaves I did well, but in not having at the same time killed our old and imbecile Grand Master I did badly._" This plea not being _considered satisfactory_, he was deprived of his habit; but two days afterwards, that is, on the 20th May, 1534, he was reinstated in the Order, though for a time not permitted to enjoy his former dignity of a commander. This knight was also accused of having stolen a slave from a Maltese; but this accusation he stoutly denied, giving, in proof of his innocence, that the man _bore on his shoulder a brand, or mark_, by which he could be easily known as belonging to him. (Vide Manuscript Records of the Order.)

The next letter in the following list to which I would briefly call attention is that under date of June 21st, 1675, in which His Majesty Charles II. refers to a misunderstanding which had taken place between his admiral, Sir John Narbrough, and the Order of Malta. The nature of this difficulty is well explained by giving a correct copy of the admiral's letter to the Grand Master, which I have taken from the original now on file in the Record Office of this island. It reads as follows:--

To the most eminent Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

Most eminent Sir,

After the tender of my humble service, with my hearty thanks for the manifold favours vouchsafed unto my Master, the King of Great Britain, &c., and for your highness' extraordinary kindness manifested to myself--and, most eminent sir, since your favour of _product_, I have sent on shore one of my captains to wait upon your highness with the presentment of this my grateful letter, and withal to certify to your eminence _that I did, and do expect, a salute to be given by your highness to my Master's flag which I carry_, correspondent to the salutes which you give to the flags of the King of Spain and the King of France, which are carried in the same place, _it being the expectation of the King my Master_.

Formerly your eminence was pleased to make some scruple of my command as admiral, which I humbly conceive your highness is fully satisfied in, since you received the last letter from the King of Great Britain.

Sir, I have, since my arrival at your eminence's port, often employed the Consul Desclaous to wait upon your highness _concerning the salutes_, but have not received any satisfactory answer thereto, which I now humbly desire may be returned unto me by my officer; and withal, that your eminence will be pleased to honour me with your commands wherein I may serve you, which shall be most cheerfully embraced, and readily performed by,

Most eminent Sir, Your highness' most humble And faithful Servant, JOHN NARBROUGH.

On board His Majesty's Ship Henrietta, Malta, October 17, 1675.

That the complaints of Sir John Narbrough, with reference to the Grand Master's refusal to salute the English flag, were, in the end, satisfactorily explained and removed, will be seen by the following extracts taken from the _Diary of Henry Teonge_, published in London in 1825. The reverend writer was serving as chaplain on board H. M. S. "Assistance" at the time (1675-76) his notes were written.

"_August 1, 1675._--This morn wee com near Malta; before wee com to the cytty, a boate with the Malteese flagg in it coms to us to know whence wee cam. Wee told them from England; they asked if wee had a bill of health for prattick, viz., entertaynment; our captain told them he had _no bill but what was in his guns' mouths_. Wee cam on and anchored in the harbour betweene the old towne and the new, about nine of the clock; but must waite the governour's leasure to have leave to com on shoare, which was detarded _because our captain would not salute the cytty, except they would retaliate_. At last cam the Consull with his attendants to our ship (but would not com on board till our captain had been on shoare) to tell us that we had leave to com on shoare six, or eight, or ten, at a time, and might have anything that was there to be had; _with a promise to accept our salute kindly_. Wherupon our captain tooke a glasse of sack, and drank a health to King Charles, and fyred seven gunns: the cytty gave us five againe, which was more than they had don to all our men of warr that cam thither before."

"_August 2._--This cytty is compassed almost cleane round with the sea, which makes severall safe harbours for hundreds of shipps. The people are generally extreamly courteouse, but especially to the English. A man cannot demonstrate all their excellencys and ingenuitys. Let it suffice to say thus much of this place: viz. Had a man no other business to invite him, yet it were sufficiently worth a man's cost and paines to make a voyage out of England on purpose to see that noble cytty of Malta, and their works and fortifications about it. Several of their knights and cavaliers cam on board us, six at one time, men of sufficient courage and friendly carriage, wishing us {419} good successe in our voyage, with whom I had much discourse, I being the only entertainer, because I could speak Latine; for which I was highly esteemed, and much invited on shoare again."

"_August 3._--This morning a boate of ladys with their musick to our ship syd, and bottels of wine with them. They went severall times about our ship, and sang several songs very sweetly; very rich in habitt, and very courteous in behaviour; but would not com on board, though invited; but having taken their friscs, returned as they cam. After them cam, in a boate, four fryars, and cam round about our ship, puld off their hatts and capps, saluted us with congjes, and departed. After them cam a boat of musitians, playd severall lessons as they rowed gently round about us, and went their way."

"_August 4._--This morning our captain was invited to dine with the Grand Master, which hindered our departure. In the mean time wee have severall of the Malteese com to visit us, all extreamly courteous. And now wee are preparing to sail for Tripoly. Deus vortat bene.

"Thus wee, th' 'Assistance,' and the new Sattee, Doe steare our course poynt blanke for Trypoly; Our ship new rigged, well stord with pigg, and ghoose a, Henns, ducks, and turkeys, and wine cald Syracoosa."

The Rev. Mr. Teonge, having returned to Malta on the 11th of January, 1675-6, thus continues:--

"This morning wee see the famous island of Malta; coming under Goza, a small island adjoyning to Malta, wee discover a sayle creeping closse to the shoare; we hayle her with a shott--she would not budge; we sent a second, and then a third, falling very neare her; then the leiuetenant cam aboard us, and payd for the shott; it proved a pittifull Frenchman."

"_January 12._--A little after one a clock wee are at anchor in Malta harbour, _and have many salutes_. But we have no prattick by reason of the plague, which is begun heare."

"_January 15._--This morning wee warp out of the harbour with six merchantmen and a doggar, which wee are to convoy towards the strait's mouth. Here also wee took in two mounths' provisions and fresh water. And as wee goe out wee meete six gallys of Malta coming in in all their pompe, and they salute us, and wee them, and part. And heare at Malta (which was very strainge to mee), at this time of the year, wee have radishes, cabbiges, and excellent colly flowers, and large ones for a penny a-piece."

On the 29th January, 1675-6, the reverend writer again returned to Malta, and made under this date the following note:--

"This day David Thomas and Marlin, the coock, and our master's boy, had their hands stretched out, and with their backs to the rayles, and the master's boy with his back to the maine mast, all looking one upon the other, and in each of their mouths a mandler spike, viz., an iron pinn clapt closse into their mouths, and tyd behind their heads; and there they stood a whole houre, till their mouths were very bloody, _an excellent cure for swearers_."

"_February 4._--This day dined with us Sir Roger Strickland, Captaine Temple, Captaine Harrice, and one gentleman more. Wee had a gallant baked pudding, an excellent legg of porke, and colliflowers, an excellent dish made of piggs' petti-toes, two roasted piggs, one turkey cock, a rosted hogg's head, three ducks, a dish of Cyprus burds, and pistachoes and dates together, and store of good wines."

"_February 5._--God blesse those that are at sea! The weather is very bad."

"_February 11._--Sir John Narbrough cam in from Trypoly, and four more ships with him. The noble Malteese _salute him with forty-five gunns_; he answers them with so many that I could not count them. And what with our salutes, and his answers, there was nothing but fyre and smoake for almost two hours."

The great length of this communication prevents my taking other extracts from a "Diary" which contains much interesting information, and is written in a quaint and humorous style.

WILLIAM WINTHROP.

La Valetta, Malta.

* * * * *

Minor Notes.

_Whipping a Lady._--The following is from a MS. Diary of the Rev. John Lewis, Rector of Chalfield and Curate of Tilbury:

"August, 1719. Sir Christopher Hales being jilted by a lady who promised him marriage, and put him off on the day set for their marriage, gave her a good whipping at parting. Remember the story."

Is there any corroboration of this?

E. D.

_Mother of Thirty Children._--An instance has come under my notice of a woman, whose maiden name was Lee, born in Surrey; married, first, Berry, with whom she lived thirty years, and had twenty-six children (four times twins): all survived infancy. Married, secondly, Taylor, by whom she had four children. Died at Stratford, aged eighty-four. Within a few weeks of her death, was as upright as a young woman. At the time of her death, there were one hundred and twenty-two of her descendants living. She lived most of her married life near Whitechapel and Radcliffe, and was buried in the Brickfield burying-ground. She had sixteen boys and fourteen girls.

LEYTON.

_"Ought" and "Aught."_--I regret to observe that _ought_ is gradually supplanting _aught_ in our language, where the meaning intended to be conveyed is "anything." Todd's _Johnson_ gives authorities, but may they not be errors of the press? I am aware that use has substituted _nought_ for _naught_ in the sense of "not anything", the latter now expressing only what is "bad," and convenience may justify that change, _nought_ being not otherwise used. Let me add that I am the more {420} in fear for our old servant _aught_, who surely has done _nought_ worthy of excommunication, from observing that such a writer as the Rev. Chevenix Trench has substituted _ought_ for _aught_ to express "anything." If convenience is allowed to justify our having _nought_ and _naught_, it surely claims that we should keep _aught_ and _ought_ each for its appropriate signification in writing, impossible as it is to distinguish one from the other in speech.

[Upsilon].

Nilbud.

_Walton._--The following note is written on the fly-leaf at the end of Hieron's _Sermons_, 1620:

"Mr. Gillamour.--I pray you be entreated to lend my wife what silver you think fittest upon this or other bookes to supplie our present wants, soe as I may have them againe when I restore it to you; you shall doo mee a greate curtesie, and I shall be very thankfull to you.

Yours to his power to be co[=m]anded, JOHS' WALTON, Cler."

I have no information as to either party, and no date is affixed to the request.

E. D.

_Salutations._--The parting salutations of various nations are strikingly alike. The _vale_ of the Latins corresponds with the [Greek: chaire] of the Greeks; and though Deity is not expressed distinctly in either, it was doubtless understood: for who can be kept in health without, as the ancients would say, the will of the gods? The Greek word perhaps has a higher signification than the Latin; for it was not a mere complimentary salutation, says Macknight: "St. John forbids it to be given to heretical teachers, Eph. ii. 10, 11." The French, on taking leave, say "Adieu," thus distinctly recognising the providential power of the Creator; and the same meaning is indeed conveyed in our English word, "good-bye," which is corruption of "God be with you." The Irish, in their warmth of manner and love of words, often extend the expression. A well-known guide, upon my leaving one of the loveliest spots in Wicklow, shook hands with me heartily, and said, in a voice somewhat more tremulous through age than it was when Tom Moore loved to listen to it: "God Almighty bless you, be with you, and guide you safely to your journey's end!" This salutation, when used thoughtfully and aright, has not only a pleasant sound, but deep meaning.

E. W. J.

Crawley.

_Good Times for Equity Suitors._--Having lately met with the following particulars in Bishop Goodman's _Diary_, I send them for insertion, if you think fit, in "N. & Q.:"

"Then was the chancery so empty of causes, that Sir Thomas More could live in Chelsea, and yet very sufficiently discharge that office; and coming one day home by ten of the clock, whereas he was wont to stay until eleven or twelve, his lady came down to see whether he was sick or not; to whom Sir Thomas More said, 'Let your gentlewoman fetch me a cup of wine, and then I will tell you the occasion of my coming;' and when the wine came, he drank to his lady, and told her that he thanked God for it he had not one cause in chancery, and therefore came home for want of business and employment there. The gentlewoman who fetched the wine told this to a bishop, who did inform me."

ABHBA.

_The Emperor of Russia and the Order of the Garter._--The Emperor of Russia is a knight of the Order of the Garter. Now, according to the statutes of the Order, no knight ought to take up arms against another, or in any way assist anybody so to do.

In illustration of this, we find it stated in Anstis' _Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter_, who quotes from Caligula, L. 6., in _Bib. Cott._, that when the French king wished to borrow a sum of money from Henry VII., to employ in the war with the King of Naples, the answer was: