Chapter 4

"_A Frog he would_," _&c._--I am in my sixth decade, and pretty far on in it too; and I can recollect this jingle as long as I can recollect anything. It formed several stanzas (five or six at least), and had {46} its own tune. There was something peculiarly attractive and humorous to the unformed ear and mind in the ballad, (for as a ballad it was sung,) as I was wont to hear it. I can therefore personally vouch for its antiquity being half a century. But, beyond this, I must add, that my early days being spent in a remote provincial village (high up the Severn), and the ballad, as I shall call it, being _universally known_, I cannot help inferring that it is of considerable antiquity. Anything of then recent date could hardly be both generally known and universally popular in such a district and amongst such a people. Whether it had a local origin there or not, it would be difficult to say but I never heard it spoken of as having any special application to local persons or affairs. Of course there are only two ways of accounting for its popularity,--either its application, or its jingle of words and tune. If I may venture a "guess," it would be, that it had originally a political application, in some period when all men's minds were turned to some one great politico-religious question; and this, not unlikely, the period of the Cavaliers and Roundheads. We know how rife this kind of warfare was in that great struggle. Or again, it might be as old as the Reformation itself, and have a reference to Henry the Eighth and Anna Boleyn.

"The frog he would a-wooing go, Whether his mother would let him or no,"

would not inaptly represent the "wide-mouthed waddling frog" Henry--"mother church,"--and the "gleesome Anna" would be the "merry mouse in the mill." It may be worth the while of gentlemen conversant with the ballad literature and political squibs of both the periods here indicated, to notice any traces in other squibs and ballads of the same imagery that is employed in this. It would also be desirable, if possible, to get a complete copy of these verses. My own memory can only supply a part, or rather disjointed parts: but I think it probable that it may be easily obtained by persons resident in the counties bordering on North Wales, especially in Shropshire or Herefordshire, and perhaps in Cheshire or Staffordshire.

I should not have thought of troubling you with my own reminiscences as an answer to an antiquarian question, but for the fact that even these go further back than any information that has been sent you.

T. S. D.

Shooter's Hill, June 7.

_Cavell_ (Vol. i., p. 473.).--To cast cavells, _i.e._ to cast lots, is in constant every-day use in Northumberland. The Teutonic derivation given is correct.

W.

_To endeavour Ourselves--The Homilies._--Perhaps your correspondents G. P. (Vol. i., p 125.), and C. I. R. (Vol. i., p. 285) may, from the following passages, conclude that "ourselves", is the object of the verb "endeavour."

"He did this to this intent, 'that the whole clergy, in the mean space, might apply themselves to prayer, not doubting but that all his loving subjects would occupy themselves to God's honour, and so endeavour themselves that they may be more ready,'" &c. &c.--Heylin, _Hist. of the Reform. from an Act passed in Edward VI.'s Reign_, 1548.

"Let us endeavour ourselves, both inwardly in our hearts, and also outwardly with our bodies, diligently to exercise this godly exercise of fasting."--_Homily on Fasting_ (end).

"Only show yourselves thankful in your lives, determine with yourselves to refuse and avoid all such things in your conversation as should offend his eyes of mercy. Endeavour yourselves that way to rise up again, which way ye fell into the well or pit of sin."--_Hom. on the Resur._ (near the end).

"From henceforth let us endeavour ourselves to walk in a new life."--_Hom. of Repentance_, Pt. 2. (end).

There are many other similar passages in the "Homilies". I have also noticed the following Latimer's Sermons:--

"The devil, with no less diligence, endeavoureth himself to let and stop our prayers."--Vol. i. p. 829. Parker Soc. edit.

"Every patron, when he doth not diligently endeavor himself to place a good and godly man in his benefice, shall make answer before God."--Vol. ii. p. 28.

"Let them endeavour themselves." [I have forgotten the reference in this case, but it is in vol. i.]

"How much, then, should we endeavour ourselves to make ready towards this day, when it shall not be a money matter, but a soul matter." (ii. p. 62)

As I am engaged on a work on the "Homilies," I should feel very grateful for any allusions to them in writers between 1600 and 1650, and for any notices of their being read in churches during that period. Can any of your readers inform me where the fullest account may be found of the state of preaching in England prior to the Reformation?

THOMAS COX.

Preston, May 25. 1850.

_Three Dukes_ (Vol. ii., p. 9.).--The verses themselves called them "three _bastard_ dukes;" but the only bastard duke I can find at that time was the Duke of Monmouth; all the other creations of the king's bastards were subsequent to that date. And even if, by poetical licence or courtly anticipation, they could be called _dukes_, they were all too young to have any share in such a fray. I must further observe, that _Evelyn's Diary_ is silent as to any such events, though he is, about that time, justly indignant at the immoralities of the Court. The "park" referred to, but not named in the verses, is the {47} disreputable place called "Whetstone Park," near Holborn.

C.

_Christabel_ (Vol. i., p. 262.).--After a long hunt among Manx and Highland superstitions, I have just found that the passage I was in search of belongs to "the Debateable Land."

"'Reverend father,' replied Magdalen, 'hast thou never heard that there are spirits powerful to rend the walls of a castle asunder when once admitted, which yet _cannot enter the house unless they are invited, nay, dragged over the threshold_? Twice hath Roland Groeme been thus drawn into the household of Avenel by those who now hold the title. Let them look to the issue.'"--_The Abbot_, chap. 15., ad fin., _and note_.

C. FORBES.

Temple, April 15.

_Derivation of "Trianon"_ (Vol. i., p. 439.; vol. ii., p. 13.).--Your correspondent AREDJID KOOES is certainly right: Trianon was the _name of a village_, which formerly stood on the site of these two chateaux. (See Vatout, and all the histories of Versailles.) I would take this occasion of suggesting, that it is essential to the value of your work that your correspondents should be careful not to _lead_ us astray by mere _guesses_. What authority has your correspondent J. K. R. W. (Vol. ii., p. 13.) for asserting that "_trianon_ is a word meaning a _pavilion_?" And if, as I believe, he has not the slightest, I appeal to him whether it is fair to the public to assert it so confidently.

C.

* * * * *

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC.

We recently called attention to Mr. Colburn's new Edition of _The Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn_. We have now to announce from the same publisher an inedited work by Evelyn, entitled _The History of Religion_, to be printed from the original MS. in the Library at Wotton. The work, which it is said contains a condensed statement and investigation of the natural and scriptural evidences, is the result of an endeavour on Evelyn's part to satisfy himself amidst the startling manifestations of infidelity, fanaticism, and conflicting opinion by which he found himself surrounded.

Sir Fortunatus Dwarris has just put forth a privately printed Letter to J. Payne Collier, Esq., in which he endeavours to solve the great political Query of George the Third's time. His pamphlet is called _Some new Facts and a Suggested New Theory as to the Authorship of the Letters of Junius_. Sir Fortunatus' theory, which he supports with a good deal of amusing illustration by way of proof, is, that Junius, to use the language of Mark Tapley, was "a Co.," "that the writer was one, but the abettors were many," that Sir Philip Francis was the head of the Firm, but that among the sleeping partners were Lords Temple, Chatham, and George Sackville, the three Burkes, Colonel Barre, Dyer, Loyd, Boyd, and others.

It can scarcely be necessary to remind our Archaeological friends that the Annual Meeting of the Institute at Oxford will commence on Tuesday next. The selection of Oxford as the place of meeting was a most happy one, and from the preparations which have been made, both by the Heads of Houses and the Managers of the Institute, there can be little doubt of the great success of this Oxford Congress of Archaeologists.

Messrs. Sotheby and Co. will commence on Monday, the 24th of this month, the Sale of the second portion of the valuable stock of Messrs. Payne and Foss, including an excellent collection of Classics, Philology, History, and Belles Lettres,--a recent purchase from the Library of a well-known collector,--and about fifteen hundred volumes bound by the most eminent binders. The sale of this portion will occupy nine days.

We have received the following catalogues:--John Russell Smith (4. Old Compton Street), A Rider Catalogue of Second-hand Books; John Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue, No. 7. for 1850, of Books Old and New; William Heath's (29-1/2. Lincoln's Inn Fields) Select Catalogue of Second-hand Books; and Bernard Quaritch's (16. Castle Street, Leicester Square) Catalogue No. 17. of Books, comprising Architecture, Fine Arts, Dialects, and Languages of Europe and Asia; and Cole's (15. Great Turnstile) List No. XXVI. of very Cheap Second-hand Books.

* * * * *

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE.

(_In continuation of Lists in former Nos._)

ARCANA OF SCIENCE. 1829. ANDREW STEWART'S LETTERS TO LORD MANSFIELD ON THE DOUGLAS CASE. About 1793. NEWMAN ON THE ARIANS. LAWSON ON THE HEBREWS. WESTPHALII MONUMENTA INEDITA RER. GERMANICARUM. BIRCHERODIUS DE CORNIBUS ET CORNUTIS, 4to. Hafniae.

_Odd Volumes._

The first volume of THE WORKS OF ALEXANDER POPE, ESQ. London, printed in the year 1772. No publisher named.

The third volume of THE WORKS OF SHAKSPEARE, in Ten Vols. Edinburgh, printed by Marten and Wotherspoon. 1767.

Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, _carriage free_, to be sent to Mr. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

* * * * *

Notices to Correspondents.

CHAUCER'S TOMB. _Will_ J. W. P., _who has forwarded to us a contribution to the Restoration of Chaucer's Monument, favour us with his name and address?_

TITLE-PAGE AND INDEX TO VOLUME THE FIRST. _The preparation of the Index with that fulness which can alone render it useful, has taken more time than was anticipated. It will, however, be ready very shortly._

_Covers for the First Volume are preparing, and will be ready for Subscribers with the Title-Page and Index._

* * * * *

NEW WORKS IN GENERAL LITERATURE {48}

* * * * *

I.

MEMOIRS OF THE DUKES OF URBINO (1440 to 1630). By JAMES DENNISTOUN, of Dennistoun. With numerous Portraits, Plates, Facsimiles, and Woodcuts. 3 vols. square crown 8vo. 2l. 8s.

II.

SIR ROGER DE COVERLEY. From "The Spectator." With Notes, &c., by W. H. WILLIS; and Twelve fine Woodcuts from drawings by F. TAYLER. Crown 8vo. 15s.; morocco, 27s.

III.

Mrs. JAMESON'S SACRED and LEGENDARY ART; or, LEGENDS of the SAINTS and MARTYRS. New Edition, complete in One Volume; with Etchings by the Author, and Woodcuts. Square crown 8vo. 28s.

IV.

Mrs. JAMESON'S LEGENDS OF THE SAINTS AND MARTYRS, as represented in the Fine Arts. With Etchings by the Author, and Woodcuts. Square crown 8vo. 28s.

V.

THE CHURCH IN THE CATACOMBS: a Description of the Primitive Church of Rome. By CHARLES MAITLAND. New Edition, with Woodcuts. 8vo. 14s.

VI.

Mr. MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from the Accession of James II. New Edition. Vols. I. and II. 8vo. 32s.

VII.

JOHN COAD'S MEMORANDUM of the SUFFERINGS of the REBELS sentenced to Transportation by Judge Jeffreys. Square fcap. 8vo. 4s. 6d.

VIII.

AN INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH ANTIQUITIES. Intended as a Companion to the History of England. BY JAMES ECCLESTON. With many Wood Engravings. 8vo. 12s.

IX.

Mr. A. RICH'S ILLUSTRATED COMPANION to the LATIN DICTIONARY and GREEK LEXICON. With about 2,000 Woodcuts, from the Antique. Post 8vo. 21s.

X.

MAUNDER'S TREASURY OF KNOWLEDGE and LIBRARY of REFERENCE: a Compendium of Universal Knowledge. New Edition. Fcap. 8vo. 10s.; bound 12s.

XI.

MAUNDER'S BIOGRAPHICAL TREASURY; a New Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Biography; comprising about 12,000 Memoirs. New Edition, with Supplement. Fcap. 8vo. 10s.; bound, 12s.

XII.

MAUNDER'S SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY TREASURY: a copious portable Encyclopaedia of Science and the Belles Lettres. New Edition. Fcap. 8vo. 10s.; bound, 12s.

XIII.

MAUNDER'S HISTORICAL TREASURY: comprising an Outline of General History, and a separate History of every Nation. New Edition. Fcap. 8vo. 10s.; bound, 12s.

XIV.

MAUNDER'S TREASURY OF NATURAL HISTORY, or, a Popular Dictionary of Animated Nature. New Edition; with 900 Woodcuts. Fcap. 8vo. 10s.; bound, 12s.

XV.

SOUTHEY'S COMMON-PLACE BOOK. FIRST SERIES--CHOICE PASSAGES, &c. SECOND EDITION, with Medallion Portrait. Square crown 8vo. 18s.

XVI.

SOUTHEY'S COMMON-PLACE BOOK. SECOND SERIES--SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. Edited by the REV. J. W. WARTER, B.D., the Author's Son-in-Law. Square crown 8vo. 18s.

XVII.

SOUTHEY'S COMMON-PLACE BOOK. THIRD SERIES--ANALYTICAL READINGS. Edited by Mr. SOUTHEY's Son-in-Law, the Rev. J. W. WARTER, B.D. Square crown 8vo. 21s.

XVIII.

SOUTHEY'S COMMON-PLACE BOOK. FOURTH AND CONCLUDING SERIES--ORIGINAL MEMORANDA, &c. Edited by the Rev. J. W. WARTER, B.D., Mr. SOUTHEY'S Son-in-Law. Square crown 8vo. [Nearly Ready.]

XIX.

SOUTHEY'S THE DOCTOR. &c. Complete in One Volume, with Portrait, Bust, Vignette, and coloured Plate. Edited by the Rev. J. W. WARTER, B.D., the Author's Son-in-Law. Square crown 8vo. 21s.

XX.

SOUTHEY'S LIFE and CORRESPONDENCE. Edited by his Son, the Rev. C. C. SOUTHEY, M.A.; with Portraits and Landscape Illustrations. 6 vols. post 8vo. 63s.

* * * * *

LONDON:

LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS.

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Printed by THOMAS CLARK SHAW, of No. 8. New Street Square, at No. 5. New Street Square, in the Parish of St. Bride, in the City of London; and published by GEORGE BELL, of No. 186. Fleet Street, in the Parish of St. Dunstan in the West, in the City of London, Publisher, at No. 186. Fleet Street aforesaid.--Saturday, June 15. 1850.