Part 3

_Cowper._--There is an affectation in the present day for pronouncing words, not only contrary to established usage, but in defiance of orthography. The Bar furnishes one example, and "polite society" the other. By the former, a judge on the bench is called, instead of "My _Lord_" and "His _Lordship_," "My _Lud_" and "His _Ludship_;" and in the latter, _Cowper_ is metamorphosed into _Cooper_. Now, I fancy that "My _Lord_" is a vast deal more euphonious than "My _Lud_" and _Cowper_, as Shakspeare has it, "becomes the mouth as well" as _Cooper_. We don't speak of getting milk from the _coo_, but from the _cow_; and _Cow_ being the first syllable of the poet's name should not be tortured into _Coo_, in compliment to a nonsensical fastidiousness, whoever may have set the example. As _Cowper_ the poet has been hitherto known, and by that name will be cherished by posterity. John Kemble, the great actor, I remember, tried to alter the pronunciation of _Rome_ to _room_, and was laughed at for his pains, though he had the authority of a pun of the bard's own for the change: "Old _Rome_ and _room_ enough." But Shakspeare was but an indifferent punster at the best, as is proved by Falstaff's refusing to give a _reason_ on compulsion, even though "_reasons_ were as plentiful as blackberries;" corrupting _raisin_ into _reason_, for his purpose, which is as far-fetched as any instance of the kind on record, I think. But I digress, and beg pardon for running so away from the _cow_.

JOHN BULL.

Lord Campbell, in his entertaining Lives of the _Chief Justices_, says, in paragraph introductory to the life of Sir Edward Coke:

"As the name does not correspond very aptly with the notion of their having come over with the Conqueror, it has been derived from the British word 'Cock' or 'Coke' a 'Chief;' but, like 'Butler,' 'Taylor,' and other names now ennobled, it much more probably took its origin from the occupation of the founder of the race at the period when surnames were first adapted in England. Even in Queen Elizabeth's reign, as well as that of James I., Sir Edward's name was frequently spelt 'Cook.' Lady Hatton, his second wife, who would not assume it, adopted this spelling in writing to him, and according to this spelling, it has invariably been pronounced."

Lord Campbell, who seems rather fond of such speculations, however, in the case of Lord Cowper does not give the etymology of the name. But he gives a letter written from school by the subsequent chancellor, in which he signs his name "William Cooper." However, elsewhere, in a note he speaks of the propensity evinced by those who have risen to wealth and station to obliterate the trace of their origin by dropping, adding, or altering letters and among them he mentions "Cowper" as having its origin in "Cooper." Mr. Mark Antony Lower, too, in his _Essay on English Surnames_, classes Cowper among the surnames derived from trade. Possibly, therefore, notwithstanding the alteration, the original pronunciation has been continued.

TEE BEE.

Replies to Minor Queries

_Voce Populi Halfpenny_ (Vol. iv., pp. 19. 56.).--I have _four_ varieties of this coin:

1. The one which J. N. C. describes, and which is engraved by Lindsay, in his work on the coinage of Ireland, and is considered the rarest type.

2. A precisely similar type, with the exception that the "P" is _beneath_, instead of being _on the side_ of the portrait.

3. A more youthful portrait, and of smaller size than the preceding, and a trifle better executed. It wants the "P" altogether, and has for "MM." a small quatrefoil. The engrailing also very different.

4. A totally different, and older portrait than any of the preceding. "MM." and engrailing the same as No. 3., and it also wants the "P."

The reverses of all four appear to differ only in very minute particulars. Pinkerton, in his _Essay on Medals_, vol. ii. p. 127., after stating that the Irish halfpence and farthings were all coined in the Tower, and then sent to Ireland, there being no mint in that country, remarks--

"In 1760, however, there was a great scarcity of copper coin in Ireland; upon which a society of Irish gentlemen applied for leave, upon proper conditions, to coin halfpence; which being granted, those appeared with a very bad portrait of George II., and 'VOCE POPULI' around it. The bust bears a much greater resemblance to the Pretender; but whether this was a piece of waggery in the engraver, or only arose from his ignorance in drawing, must be left in doubt. Some say that these pieces were issued without any leave being asked or obtained."

E. S. TAYLOR.

I would have referred J. N. C. to either Pinkerton or Lindsay, where he would find a full account about his Irish halfpenny, but as he may not possess a numismatic library, perhaps you will allow me to trouble you with the extracts. Pinkerton says:

"In 1760 there was a great scarcity of copper coin in Ireland upon which a society of Irish gentlemen applied for leave, upon proper conditions, to coin halfpence; which being granted, those appeared with a very bad portrait of George II., and 'VOCE POPULI' around it. The bust bears a much greater resemblance to the Pretender; but whether this was a piece of waggery in the engraver, or only arose from his ignorance in drawing, must be left to doubt."

Pinkerton does not here specially refer to the type, where "the letter P is close to the nose:" but if J. N. C. can turn to Lindsay's _Coinage of Ireland_, 1839, he will find his coin engraved in the fifth supplementary plate, No. 16., and in the advertisement, p. 139., the following remarks on it:

"This curious variety of the 'voce populi' halfpence exhibits a P before the face, and illustrates Pinkerton's remark that the portrait on these coins seems intended for that of the Pretender: it is a very neat coin, perhaps a pattern."

BLOWEN.

_Dog's Head in the Pot_ (Vol. iii., pp. 264. 463.).--The sign is of greater antiquity than may be expected. See _Cocke Lorelle's Bote_:--

"Also Annys Angry with the croked buttocke That dwelled at ye synge Of ye dogges hede in ye pot. By her crafte a breche maker."

THOS. LAWRENCE.

Ashby de la Zouch.

"_O wearisome Condition of Humanity_" (Vol. iii., p. 241.).--As no one has hitherto appropriated these fine lines, as to the author of which your correspondent inquires, I may mention that they are taken from the "Chorus Sacerdotum," at the end of Lord Brook's _Mustapha_. (See his Works, fol. 1633, p. 159.) The chorus is worth quoting entire:

"_O wearisome condition of humanity! Borne under one Law, to another bound: Vainely begot, and yet forbidden vanity; Created sick, commanded to be sound:_ What meaneth Nature by these diverse Lawes? Passion and reason self division cause. Is it the mark or majesty of power To make offences that it may forgive? Nature herself doth her own self defloure To hate those Errors she herself doth give. For how should Man think that he may not do If Nature did not fail and punish too? Tyrant to others, to herself unjust, Only commands things difficult and hard, Forbids us all things, which it knows is lust, Makes easy pains, impossible reward. _If Nature did not take delight in blood, She would have made more easy ways to good._ We that are bound by vows and by promotion, With pomp of holy sacrifice and rites, To teach belief in good and still devotion, To preach of Heaven's wonders and delights; Yet when each of us in his own heart looks, He finds the God there far unlike his Books."

I should like to see a collected edition of the works of the two noble Grevilles, Fulke and Robert, Lords Brook; the first the friend of Sir Philip Sidney, the second the honoured of Milton. The little treatise on _Truth_ of the latter, which Wallis answered in his _Truth Tried_, is amply sufficient to prove that he possessed powers of no common order.

JAMES CROSSLEY.

_Bunyan and the "Visions of Heaven and Hell"_ (Vol. iii., pp. 70. 89. 289. 467.).--The work referred to by your correspondents is so manifestly not the Composition of John Bunyan that it is extraordinary that the title-page, which was evidently adopted to get off the book, should ever have imposed upon anybody. The question, however, put by your correspondents F. R. A. and N. H., as to who G. L. was, has not yet been answered. The person referred to by these initials is the real author of the book, who was George Larkin, a printer and author, and great ally and friend of the redoubted John Dunton, who gives a long character of him, in his _Life and Errors_, in his enumeration of London printers. (See _Life and Errors_, edit. 1705, p. 326.)

"Mr. Larkin, Senior--He has been my acquaintance for Twenty years, and the first printer I had in London. He formerly writ a _Vision of Heaven_, &c. (which contains many nice and curious thoughts), and has lately published an ingenious _Essay on the noble Art and Mystery of Printing_. Mr. Larkin is my _alter ego_, or rather my very self in a better edition."

The book itself was first published about 1690, and went through many editions in the early part of the last century.

JAMES CROSSLEY.

_Pope's Translations or Imitations of Horace_ (Vol. i., p. 230.; Vol. iv., pp. 58. 122.).--I am much obliged to MR. CROSSLEY for having corrected the error (for which I cannot account) in the _title_ of the pamphlet in question, which was certainly not by "_the author of the Critical History of England_," and certainly was by Dennis, as is marked by Pope's own hand in the copy now before me. As MR. CROSSLEY puts hypothetically the correctness of my quotation, I subjoin the whole passages.

"After having been for fifteen years as it were an imitator, he has made no proficiency. His first imitations, though bad, are rather better than the succeeding, and this last Imitation of HORACE the most execrable of them all."--P. 7.

Again:

"An extravagant libel, ridiculously called an imitation of Horace."--P. 11.

And again:

"Of all these libellers the present Imitator is the most impudent and incorrigible."--P. 15.

MR. CROSSLEY says he has a fragment of the "Imitation of the second satire of the first book of Horace," published by Curll in 1716. This, which I never saw, nor before heard of, would solve the difficulty; and I respectfully request MR. CROSSLEY to favour us with a transcript of the title-page, which is the more desirable, because all Pope's biographers, and indeed _he himself_ (to Spence), have attributed his first imitation of Horace to a _much_ later date, certainly subsequent to 1723. The imitation, therefore, of that satire of Horace, printed in 1716 by Curll, is valuable as to Pope's history, and great curiosity and as MR. CROSSLEY states that _Lady Mary_ is not mentioned in that edition, I am curious to know how Pope managed the _rhyme_ now made by _her name_.

MR. CROSSLEY adds that this imitation was reproduced in "folio, printed by J. Boreman about 1734, with some alterations from the former edition." Would it be trespassing too much on your space and his kindness, to request him to give us a few specimens of the alterations, particularly the "change of _initials_" which MR. CROSSLEY mentions. MR. CROSSLEY seems to think that this poem was not reprinted after the folio in 1734, till it appeared in a supplement to Cooper's edition in 1756. This is a mistake. It was published by Pope himself, with his other imitations of Horace, in the collection of his works by Dodsley in 1738; and though only entitled "_in the manner of Mr. Pope_,", excited very natural surprise and disgust. His having deliberately embodied it in the general collection of his works, is Warton's only excuse for having reproduced it.

C.

_Prophecies of Nostradamus_ (Vol. iv., p. 86.).--In accordance with the wish of your correspondent SPERIEND, I have examined the series of early editors of this celebrated astrologer in the Bibliothèque Nationale, and the following is the result of my inquiries.

The _earliest_ edition of the _Prophecies of Nostradamus_ is not to be found in any library in Paris, but was published in 1555 (so says the latest account of the prophet, by M. Eugène Bareste) but contains little more than three centuries (or cantos, as they might be called) of prophecies; each century containing a hundred quatrains. The next edition, which before the French Revolution belonged to the Benedictines of St. Maur, is entitled:

"Les Prophéties de M. Michel Nostradamus, dont il y en a trois cens qui n'ont encore jamais esté imprimées. Adjoustées de nouveau par ledict Autheur. A Lyon, chez Pierre Rigaud, rue Mercière, au coing de rue Ferrandière. Avec permission."

It has, in MS., on the title-page, "1555 et 1558." M. Bareste says of this edition:

"On prétend qu'elle est de 1558; mais nous ne le pensons pas, car elle a été probablement faite l'année même de la mort de l'auteur, c'est à dire, en 1566."

However, as there is no known edition between 1555, the date of the first, and 1566, this doubtless is the earliest containing the ninth century; and at No. 49. of this century is to be seen the following quatrain:

"Gand et Bruceles marcheront contre Anvers, Sénat de Londres mettront à mort leur Roy; Le sel et vin luy seront à l'envers, Pour eux avoir le regne en desarroy."

I can find no edition of Nostradamus dated 1572; but in the editions of 1605, 1629, 1649, and 1650, the prophecy is given as above, almost letter for letter, so that there can be no doubt it was not first known in that form in 1672. As to the number of this quatrain agreeing with the year of King Charles's death, it is most probably an accident; for out of the nine hundred and odd quatrains composing the twelve centuries (the 7th, 11th, and 12th being imperfect), and which are nearly all regularly numbered, it is, I believe, the only one in which this singularity occurs. On the fly-leaf of a copy of Nostradamus in the _Bibliothèque de Ste Geneviève_ (dated 1568, but really printed in 1649), I found, in an old handwriting, a couplet that may be new to the English admirer of the astrologer:

"Falsa damus cum Nostra damus, nam fallere nostrum est Et cum nostra damus, non nisi Falsa damus."

If SPERIEND wishes for more information on the subject of the life and works of Nostradamus, I should recommend him to look at the work I have quoted above, which treats very fully on all matters connected with this "vaticinating worthy." It is entitled _Nostradamus, par Eugène Bareste_: Paris, 1840, and will doubtless be found in the British Museum.

H. C. DE ST. CROIX.

I have an edition of 1605 of these prophecies, _Revueës et corrigées sur la coppie imprimée à Lyon, par Benoist Rigaud_, 1586, but without place or printer's name. It contains (century nine, stanza 49.), the quatrain quoted by SPERIEND.

The following quatrain may be thought to apply to Cromwell (century eight, stanza 76.):

"Plus Macelin que Roy en Angleterre, Dieu obscur nay par force aura l'empire: Lasche sans foy sans loy Seignera terre, Son temps s'aproche si près que je souspire."

The edition of 1605 does not contain the line quoted by SPERIEND, "Sénat de Londres," &c., nor any address "A mes Imprimeurs de Hongrie;" but, in addition to the ten centuries contained in the edition of 1568 (the _original_ edition), it contains the eleventh and twelfth centuries; also 141 stanzas of additional "Presages, tirez de ceux faicts par M. Nostradamus en années 1555 et suivantes jusques en 1567:" and 58 "Predictions Admirables pour les ans courans en ce Siecle, Recueillies des Memoires du feu M. Nostradamus, par Vincent Seve, de Beaucaire en Languedoc, dès le 19 Mars, 1605, au Chateau de Chantilly."

My edition is not mentioned by Brunet nor in any of the French Catalogues that I have been able to consult.

R. J. R.

_Thread the Needle_ (Vol. iv., p. 39.).--The following is an extract from a review in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ of Dec. 1849, of the Life of Shirley; it may be interesting as explaining some part of the verse in the game of "Thread the Needle:"

"Lord Nugent, when at Hebron, was directed _to go out by the needle's eye_, that is, by the small gate of the city; and in many parts of England, the old game of thread the needle is played to the following words:

"'How many miles to Hebron? Three score and ten. Shall I be there by midnight? Yes, and back again. Then thread the needle,' &c.

"Now this explains and modifies one of the strongest and most startling passages of Scripture, on the subject of _riches_; for the camel can go through the needle's eye but with difficulty, and hardly with a full load, nor without stooping."

The above was copied out from the magazine on account of its explaining the camel and the needle's eye: it does not tell much upon the Query concerning the game of "Thread the Needle;" but it may be interesting, and so is sent with pleasure by

E. F.

P.S. A friend suggests, could the game have come from the Crusades?

A line of players, the longer the better, hold hands and one end of the line, which thus becomes almost a circle, runs and drags the rest of the line after it through the arch made by the uplifted arms of the first couple of the other end of the line--a process nearly enough resembling _threading a needle_. There are subsequent evolutions by which each couple becomes in succession the _eye of the needle_.

C.

_Salmon Fishery in the Thames_ (Vol. iv., p. 87.).--Those of your readers who know that I am connected with Billingsgate market would look to me for the reply to R. J. R.'s Query. I must therefore inform them that only thirty or forty years back salmon were taken in rather large quantities in the Thames; but since the introduction of steam-boats and the increase of traffic, the fish have gradually, I might say suddenly, disappeared, for during the last twenty years very few salmon indeed have been taken: those that found their way to market have realised high prices; not that Thames salmon was ever esteemed for its flavour, but only for its extreme rarity of late years.

The hindrance to salmon taking the Thames is the steam-boat and other traffic, which, agitating the water, frightens them (they being a very timid fish), and stirs up the mud, which chokes them; for there is no doubt that ever after a salmon enters a river, it lives by suction. It is possible that one or two salmon a season even make up our river now, for becoming frightened, and rushing on having back and head nearly out of water, and the tide with them, they would get a long way in a night, and possible reach clear water above bridge with life, but in a very weak state. I believe that, under the most favourable circumstances, salmon would not again frequent the Thames in any large quantities, it being too southern; and there is no doubt but that the fish have been fast decreasing of late years, for some of the best rivers in the north are now without salmon.

BLOWEN.

Billingsgate.

_Entomological Query_ (Vol. iv., p. 101.).--The insect which J. E. found on the _Linaria minor_ is probably either the _Euphitecia Linariata_ or _E. Pulchellata_. The former species is known to feed on Toad flax, and there is little doubt that the latter does also. If J. E. found any of the caterpillars he may identify them by referring to Westwood's _British Moths_, vol ii. p. 59., where the caterpillar of _Euphitecia Linariata_ is engraved and described as "yellow or greenish, with dark chesnut spots on the back and sides."

B. P. D. E.

_School of the Heart_ (Vol. iii., p. 390.).--The editor of the _Christian Poet_ referred to in a paragraph signed S. T. D. has not the _School of the Heart_ by Quarles at hand, and cannot now examine whether the two small pieces quoted in the former volume under the name of _Thomas Harvey_ from SCHOLA CORDIS _in forty-seven emblems_, 1647, belong to one or the other writer. The only authority, from which he recollects to have gathered them, he believes to be Sir Egerton Brydges' _Censura Literaria_, or his _Restituta_, which are very voluminous and miscellaneous, and are at present beyond his research. From internal evidence, he thinks the two poems are not by Quarles, though not unworthy of him in his best vein.

J. M. G.

Hallamshire.

P.S. Since the foregoing note was written, I have found the copy of Sir E. Brydge's _Restituta_, from which I copied the extract of _Schola Cordis_, in the _Christian Poet_.

"_Schola Cordis_: or the Heart of itself gone away from God, brought back again to Him, and instructed by Him. In 47 Emblems. 1647. 12mo. pp. 196."

Inscribed, without a signature,

"To the Divine Majestie of the onely-begotten, eternall, well-beloved Son of God and Saviour of the World, Christ Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords; the Maker, the Mender, the Searcher, and the Teacher of

The Heart: the Meanest of his most unworthy Servants offers up this poore Account of his Thoughts, humbly begging pardon for all that is amisse in them, and a gracious acceptance of these weak endeavours for the Advancement of his Honour in the Good of others."

The third edition, dated 1675, ascribes these emblems to the author of _The Synagogue_, annexed to Herbert's _Poems_. This, according to Sir John Hawkins, in his notes on Walton's _Angler_, was _Christopher Harvie_: but Wood, in his _Athenæ_, positively affirms that the author of _The Synagogue_, in imitation of the divine Herbert, was _Thomas Harvey_, M.A., and first Master of Kingston School in Herefordshire. To _him_, therefore (adds Sir Egerton Brydges), we may presume to assign it, until a stronger testimony shall dispossess him of a tenure, which reflects honourable reputation on the copiousness of his fancy and the piety of his mind.

_Fortune, Infortune, Fort une_ (Vol. iv., p. 57.).--I agree with MR. BREEN that this inscription on the tomb of Margaret of Austria, in the beautiful church of Brou, is "somewhat enigmatical," a literal translation failing entirely to make sense of it. But perhaps MR. BREEN may be willing to accept the interpretation offered by a writer in the _Magasin Pittoresque_ for 1850, where, describing the monuments in the church of Notre Dame de Brou (p. 22.), he says:

"Cette légende bizarre est assez difficile à expliquer, si l'on ne regarde pas le mot _infortune_ comme un verbe. Avec cette hypothèse, la devise signifierait: 'La fortune a rendu une personne très-malheureuse?' Cette explication est d'autant plus plausible que la vie de Marguérite d'Autriche fut affligée de bien de revers. Destinée à regner sur la France, elle est répudiée par Charles VIII., son fiancé; elle épouse le fils du roi d'Aragon, qui la laisse bientôt veuve avec un fils qu'elle a aussi la douleur de perdre peu après; enfin, remariée à Philibert le Beau, elle le voit mourir au printemps de son âge."

There is little doubt, I think that the inscription was meant to typify the misfortunes of Margaret; but the preceding solution is still, in a grammatical point of view, unsatisfactory. If _fort_ could be transposed to _fait_, the reading would be simple enough; but in these cases we are bound to take the inscriptions as we find them, and the Rebus in stone was the especial delight of the sculptors of the fifteenth century.

D. C.

St. John's Wood, July 28. 1851.

_Ackey Trade_ (Vol. iv., p. 40.).--Ackey weights were, and I believe are, used on the Guinea Coast for weighing gold dust: 1 ackey=20-{1/32} grains Troy. The _Ackey Trade_ must be, I suppose, the African gold dust trade.

W. T.