Part 4

"But little is known of this delicate fish," says Mr. Yarrell, "beyond what has been published by Sir William Jardine, Bart., in the 3rd volume of the _Edinb. Journal of Nat. and Geog. Science_, and by Dr. Knox. The Vendace is only known in the lochs in the neighbourhood of Lochmaben, in Dumfriesshire. Sir W. Jardine says, 'The story that it was introduced into these lochs by the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots, is mentioned by Pennant in his description of the Gwyniad, (and it is likely that his information was derived from this vicinity,) and is still in circulation. That the fish was introduced from some continental lake, I have little doubt, but would rather attribute the circumstance to some of the religious establishments which at one time prevailed in the neighbourhood, and which were well known to pay considerable attention both to the table and cellar. The introduction must have taken place by means of spawn: the fish themselves could not be transported alive even a few miles. They are not confined to the castle loch, but are found in several others, some of which have no communication with that where they are thought peculiar. In general habits, the Vendace nearly resemble the Gwyniad, and indeed most of the allied species of the genus."

Mr. Yarrell gives representations of two magnified specimens of their food.

JARLTZBERG.

MACARONIC POETRY.

(Vol. v., p. 166.)

Perhaps some of the correspondents of "N. & Q." who take an interest in this style of composition are not acquainted with the two following productions, which appeared at Oxford several years ago, the author of the first being an accomplished first-class man, and, I think, a member of Worcester College:

1. "Viæ per Angliam ferro stratæ." (The Railroads);

2. "Poema Canino-Anglico-Latinum, super adventu recenti serenissimarum Principum." (The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria.)

The perusal of MR. CORNISH'S curious communication (Vol. v., p. 251.) also reminds me of the subjoined clever and amusing verses which were written by a talented friend and schoolfellow, whose premature decease occurred about two years ago, and which appear to be well worthy of publication. It will be seen that the words, which are all Latin, are quite unconnected and unmeaning, but when separated or united they become converted into our own language, or rather into a mixture of English and Irish. I have thought it absolutely necessary to annex a key.

MI MOLLE ANNI.

_An Irish Ballad._

O pateo tulis aras cale fel O, Hebetis vivis id, an sed "Aio puer vello!" Vittis nox certias in erebo de nota olim,-- A mite grate sinimus tonitis ovem: "Præ sacer, do tellus, hausit," sese, "Mi Molle anni cano te ver ægre?" Ure Molle anu cano te ver ægre. Vere truso aio puellis tento me; Thrasonis plano "cum Hymen" (heu sedit), "Diutius toga thyrso" Hymen edidit;-- Sentior mari aget O mare nautis alter id alas! Alludo isto terete ure daris pausas anas. "O pater hic, heu vix en" ses Molle, and vi? Heu itera vere grates troche in heri. Ah Moliere arti fere procaciter intuitis! Vos me! for de parte da vas ure arbuteis. Thus thrasonis planas vel huma se, Vi ure Molle anu cano te ver ægre. Betæ Molle indulgent an suetas agile,-- Pares pector sex, uno vimen ars ille; "Quietat ure servis Jam," sato heras heu pater, "Audio do missus Molle, an vatis thema ter? Ara mi honestatis, vetabit, diu se,-- O mare, mi dare, cum specto me: Ago in a væ æstuare, vel uno more illic, O mare, mi dare, cum pacto ure pater hic." Beavi ad visu civile, an socia luse, Ure Molle an huma fore ver ægre.

_Key._

MY MOLLY AND I.

O Paty O'Toole is a rascally fellow, He beat his wife's head, and said, "I hope you are well, O!" With his knocks, Sir, she has in her body not a whole limb,-- A mighty great sin I must own it is of him. "Pray say, Sir, do tell us, how is it," says he, "My Molly and I cannot ever agree?" Your Molly and you cannot ever agree: Very true, so I hope you will listen to me; The _rason_ is plain, "O come, Hymen" (you said it), Do ye tie us togather. So Hymen he did it. Since your marriage to Mary now 'tis alter'd, alas! All you do is to _trate_ your dear spouse as an ass. "O Patrick! you vixen," says Molly, and why? You hit her a very great stroke in her eye. Ah Molly! her heart I fear _proke_ as 'twere in two it is! Woes me! for departed away sure her beauty is. Thus the _rason_ is plain, as well you may see, Why your Molly and you cannot ever agree. Be to Molly indulgent and _swate_ as a jelly,-- Pay respect to her sex, you know women are silly: "Quite at your service, I am," say to her as you pat her, "How d'ye do, Misses Molly, and what is the matter? Arah, my honey! stay, 'tis, wait a bit, d'ye see;-- O Mary, my _dary_, come _spake_ to me: A-going away is't you are, well you no more I'll lick, O Mary, my _dary_, come _pack_ to your Patrick." Behave, I advise you, and so shall you see, Your Molly and you may for ever agree.

E. N.

Replies to Minor Queries.

_Cooper's Miniatures of Cromwell_ (Vol. iv., p. 368.; Vol. v., pp. 17. 92. 189. 234. 255.).--Eight years ago I saw, at the house of my friend, A. Macdonald, Esq., since deceased, but then living in Hyde Park Square, three miniatures, which were said to be by Cooper, of Cromwell and his two daughters. The miniatures of the women were, I thought, stiff and harsh; but that of their father (of which only the head was finished) appeared to me to be the finest painting of the kind that I ever saw. I examined it through a strong magnifying glass, when the face exhibited all the truth and force of a portrait. A high value was set upon it; but I do not know whether it was sold, or where it is.

ALFRED GATTY.

[We take this opportunity of stating that we have availed ourself of General Fox's invitation, and examined the beautiful miniature of Cromwell, described by him in our Number for the 6th instant, and so considerately left by him at Colnaghi's, for the inspection of all who are interested in the subject. The General having placed beside it the volume of Carlyle's _Cromwell_, containing the engraving from Cooper's miniature in the possession of Archdeacon Berners, we are bound to agree with him that the Archdeacon's may be "better painted;" but General Fox may certainly congratulate himself upon being the possessor of a work of very high art, as well as of great historical interest; and one which we are extremely pleased to have had the opportunity of examining. It will, we believe, remain on view until the 31st.]

_The Vellum-bound Junius_ (Vol. iii., p. 262.).--Your correspondent MR. HAGGARD tells us, that from the time he read the private correspondence between Junius and Woodfall he has examined all book catalogues that came in his way, in the hope of finding a copy, or the copy, "bound in vellum"--so bound by Woodfall, for and at the express desire of Junius. Of course the edition so bound was "the author's edition," as Junius calls it, the edition of 1772, printed by H. J. Woodfall. At last, says MR. HAGGARD, "_the long-wished-for object appeared at the Stowe sale_;" but though, he bid eight pounds, he was not so fortunate as to obtain it. Thus far all is simple and clear enough. But then MR. HAGGARD subsequently informs us (Vol. iii., p. 307.) that the reason of his "being so desirous to procure this copy" was, because it was "not only bound in vellum, but was printed on that article"--that is, as I understand it, because it was _not_ the copy bound by Woodfall for Junius. I am at a loss to reconcile these statements. However, as I observe by the periodicals that MR. HAGGARD'S first statement is getting into circulation, and that it now assumes this form--that the vellum-bound copy of Junius presented by Woodfall to Junius was sold at the Stowe sale, I think it right to state, that the Stowe copy, printed on and bound in vellum, was, as I am informed on good authority, not the edition of 1772--not a Woodfall edition at all--but the common illustrated edition, printed more than thirty years after, by Bensley, for Vernor and Hood.

V. B. J.

_Sept_ (Vol. v., p. 277.).--Dr. Ogilvie's derivation is absurdly far-fetched. _Sept_ is notoriously from the Latin _septus_ or _septum_, _inclosed_, _an inclosure_, and it is applied to one kindred or family living in or round the inclosure in which they herded their cattle. See Spenser's _Ireland_; see also Cole's _Dictionary_:

"SEPT, an inclosure; the multitude of the same name in Ireland."

In ancient Rome certain classes of voters were called _Septs_, from the _septa_ or _inclosures_ in which they were arranged.

C.

_Many Children_ (Vol. v., p. 204.).--I am indebted to the Rev. J. Sanford, orderly preacher at the Rolls chapel, for the subjoined curious statement, which you may add, if you please, to the instances of female fecundity already recorded in your pages.

The Marchese Frescobaldi, the representative of one of the most ancient Florentine families, is still possessed of a portrait of his ancestress, Dionora Salviati, wife of Bartolomeo Frescobaldi of the same house. She gave birth to fifty-two children, never less than three at a time; and there is a tradition in the family that she once had six, and that twelve were reared. The portrait was painted by the celebrated Bronzino, who died in 1570, and has recorded the remarkable circumstance in the following inscription placed under the picture, and in some degree has thus made himself responsible for the authenticity of the story:--

"Dionora Salviati moglie di Bartolomeo dei Frascobaldi, fece 52 figli, e mai meno di tre per parto, come riferesce Gio. Schenzio nei libri delle osservazioni amirabili, cioe nel libro quarto de Parto a carta 144."

BRAYBROOKE.

Relative to extraordinary births, I may mention that within half a dozen miles of this city, and not more than six weeks since, a poor woman gave birth to four children, two of each sex, and all, with the mother, doing well. Some millions are born without such, as I may term it, a phenomenon.

In a very late Brussells paper I find it stated, that in nine years the wife of a tradesman had twenty-four children, three on each delivery,--"chose désespérante (it is added) pour le mari, qui désirait transmettre son nom, car c'étaient toutes des filles." Mercier, in his _Tableau de Paris_ (1786) quotes _L'Histoire de l'Académie des Sciences_ of the preceding century for a similar fact, where it is asserted that a baker's wife had twenty-one children in seven years, three at each birth, and that he had again three children at a birth by a servant maid.

J. R. (Cork)

_Hog's Norton_ (Vol. v., p. 245.).--Your correspondent who writes from Ashby-de-la-Zouch will, it is probable, be surprised to find that _Hog's Norton_ is almost in his own immediate neighbourhood. In Curtis' _Topographical History of Leicestershire_ (printed, by-the-bye, at Ashby), he subjoins to the modern names of places the ancient names as found in _Domesday Book_, Inquisitiones post mortem, &c. It appears that _Norton juxta Twycross_ was in other days "Nortone, Hoggenortone, Hog's Norton." There is, then, no doubt as to which of the many Nortons in England is Hog's Norton: but whether there is now, or ever was, an organ in the church; or whether a Mr. Pigge, or any number of _pigs_, played on one there, I know not.

S. S. S.

_Cromwell's Skull_ (Vol. v., p. 275.).--Your correspondent J. P., who inquires in your last respecting the identity of a certain skull with that of Oliver Cromwell, will find valuable information on the subject in an article in the fifth volume of the _Dublin Quarterly Journal of Medical Science_ (1848), entitled--

"Historical Notes concerning certain Illnesses, the Death, and Dis-interment of Oliver Cromwell, by W. White Cooper, F.R.C.S."

This article is very ably written, and throws much light on a vexed question.

ANTIQUARIUS.

Athenæum.

_Eliza Fenning_ (Vol. v., pp. 105. 161.).--It is long after the "N. & Q." are published that I get sight of a number, or I should have urged (what may probably have been already done) the very great importance of obtaining from the workhouse, or wherever else in Suffolk or Essex it can be obtained, an authentication of the report by Turner, that he was the poisoner of the family in Chancery Lane, for which crime Eliza Fenning was executed. One would hope that a question of so much and such serious monument would not be permitted to remain undetermined, if by any possibility it can be cleared up.

I well knew the medical man who attended the case, and gave evidence at the trial,--he was cruelly assailed afterwards by some who had taken a prejudice against him, and no doubt suffered in his practice in consequence.

T. D. P.

_Hexameter on English Counties_ (Vol. v., p. 227.).--The lines referred to by M. are to be found in Grey's _Memoria Technica_ and Lowe's _Memories_, p. 172., and runs thus:

"Nor cum-dúr: we La-yórk: che-de-not-line: shrop sta-le-rut norf: Hér-wo-wa-nórtha: Bed-hunt-cámb-suff: mon-gl-óxfo-buck-hart-ess: Som-wilt-bérk-Middlesex: corn-dev-dors-hámp-Surrey-Kent Suss."

"Such as are contiguous southward are joined, as in we la: Such as are contiguous westward are hyphened, as che-de."

C. S. P.

_Fairest Attendant of the Scottish Queen_ (Vol. v., p. 152.).--Your correspondent who inquires about an attendant of the Scottish queen who disappeared when she was in England, will find a notice of the same person in the appendix to Tytler's _History of Scotland_, reign of Queen Mary. There is a letter there from the English ambassador at Paris to his Court, with an account of the Queen Dowager's visit to France: he mentions that King Henry had been captivated by one of the ladies in Mary's train, who, it was reported, was with child to him. The frail fair one left with her mistress, but returned shortly thereafter. I think she must be the person referred to in the _Grey Friars' Chronicle_.

J. F.

Belfast.

_Ecclesiastical Geography_ (Vol. iv., p. 276.).--AJAX, who asks the name of some work on this subject, may perhaps find his wants supplied in _Geographia Ecclesiastica, &c._, "Auberto Miraeo auctore."

D. ROCK.

_Llandudno, on the Great Orme's Head_ (Vol. v., pp. 175. 235.).--MR. WM. DURRANT COOPER, in "N. & Q.," has quite mistaken the subject of my inquiry. I am well aware of the cavern, or old copper mine, supposed to have been worked by the Romans; but the place I inquire about is of a different description, in every respect, and is only six feet across, and eight or ten feet high, and fitted up as a place of worship, with a font, altar, seats, &c. I hope some one who has seen it will be able yet to throw some light on the subject.

L. G. T.

Lichfield.

"_Wise above that which is written_" (Vol. v., pp. 228. 260.).--Professor Scholefield, in his valuable _Hints for an improved Translation of the New Testament_ (p. 64. 3rd edit.), renders the words τὸ μὴ ὑπὲρ ὃ γέγραπται φρονεῖν (1 Cor. iv. 6.), "not to be wise above that which is written," and supports this rendering by clear and (to my mind) satisfactory argument.

C. P. PH***.

_Nightingale and Thorn_ (Vol. iv., pp. 175. 242.; Vol. v., p. 39.).--The origin of this fancy has not yet been reached. The earliest mention of it that I have met with is by Gascoigne:

"And thus I sing with pricke against my brest, Like Philomene...."--_Steele Glas_, v. 145.

Again, in _The Spanish Tragedy_:

... "Haply the gentle nightingale Shall carol us asleep ere we be ware, And, singing with the prickle at her breast, Tell our delight."

And in _The Two Noble Kinsmen_:

"O for a pricke now like a nightingale, To put my breast against."--_Act III. Sc. 4._

C. P. PH***.

_Friday at Sea_ (Vol. v., p. 200.).--H. M. S. "Wellesley," bearing the flag of the Earl of Dundonald, on leaving Plymouth for the West Indies, got under way on _Friday_ the 24th of March, 1848; and, after she had got outside the breakwater, she was recalled by the Port-admiral, and did not leave again until the next day: it was to take in the mail-bags, but the firm belief of the men was, that the gallant admiral purposely left something behind to avoid going to sea on such an unlucky day as Friday.

W. B. M.

Dee Side.

I heard it stated the other day, in conversation, that the ill-fated Amazon commenced her voyage on a Friday. Can any of your readers say with certainty if this was the fact?

W. FRASER.

_Latin Names of Towns_ (Vol. v., p. 235.).--I transcribe, for the benefit of your readers, the full title of the largest Geographical Dictionary which I know to contain the information M. asks for. Dr. William Smith's _New Dictionary of Classical Geography_ may be expected to supply the desideratum, in regard to places known to the Greeks and Romans, but will not, I presume, take up all the names in Baudrand's _Dictionary_. Its title-page reads as follows:

"Novum Lexicon Geographicum, in quo universi orbis oppida, urbes, regiones, provinciæ, regna, emporia, academiæ, metropoles, flumina et maria, _antiquis et recentibus nominibus appellata_, suisque distantiis descripta, recensentur. Illud primum in lucem edidit Philippus Ferrarius Alexandrinus, totius servorum coetus supremus Præsul, S. T. D. atque in Ticinensi Academia publicus Metaphysices et Mathematices Professor.

"Nunc Vero Michael Antonius Baudrand, Parisinus, prior commendatarius de roboribus, de novo mercato, et de Gessenis, hanc ultimam editionem, ita emendavit, illustravit, dimidiàque parte auctiorem fecit, ut Novum Lexicon jure optimo dicatur.

"Accesserunt sub finem Dominici Magri, Melitensis, Theologi, Cathedr. Viterb., &c., appendices et correctiones: atque in has M. A. Baudrand notæ."

The work is very useful, but of course no longer new. It is in two thin folios, and was printed at Eisenach in MDCLXXVII., by John Peter Schmidt.

O. T. D.

_Gospel Trees_ (Vol. ii., p. 407.; Vol. v., p. 157.).--BURIENSIS, in a recent Number, says that he has somewhere read of a tree called the "Gospel Elm." May, in his _Guide to Stratford-upon-Avon_, published about twenty years since, gives the following description of an elm, which is probably the one referred to by your correspondent. After describing the hamlet of Bishopton, he writes:

"In varying our return to Stratford, pursuing thus the path along the Henley road, we pass at the town's entrance the now decaying 'Gospel Tree,' that still indicates the boundary of the borough in this direction, towards the 'Dove house close.' In a perambulation of the boundaries, made here on the 7th of April, 1591[3], this elm--judging from its now decayed and weather-beaten aspect--is the one there noted as seated on the boundary in this direction, whence the line is therein stated as continuing, to 'the two elms in Evesham highway.' Such a perambulation was anciently made yearly, during Rogation week, by the clergy, magistrates, and burgesses; not omitting, for evidence' sake, the boys of the grammar school, who then doubtless received, as still is customary, some _sensitive_ reminiscences of local limitation."--May's _Guide to Stratford-upon-Avon_, p. 92.

[Footnote 3: "Presentment" in the possession of R. Wheler, Esq.]

The author gives a very plausible reason for the tree's peculiar name, in the ensuing remark:

"When the bound mark was a tree, as in the present instance, a passage of Scripture was read beneath its branches, a collect was recited, and a psalm was sung. Hence its sacred designation, long retained, but now well nigh forgotten."--_Ibid._ p. 93.

SOUTHAMIENSIS.

_Gospel Oaks_ (Vol. v., p. 209.).--Near the hamlet of Cressage, co. Salop, is a very old oak tree, under which tradition says the first missionaries of the Gospel to this land preached. The name of the hamlet, _Cressage_, is, I have been told, a contraction of _Christ's Oak_.

There is also, near Dudley, a place called _Round Oak_; and on the road between Walsall and Lichfield, near the latter, may still be seen the old _Shire Oak_.

At _Stanford's Bridge_, co. Worcester, is a place called the _Apostles' Oak_; and in the parish of _Hartlebury_, in the same county, is a tree bearing the name of the _Mitre Oak_. Both these places, and also a _Rock_, have contended for the honour of being the scene of the conference of St. Augustine and the British bishops, A.D. 603. (Nash, vol. ii. p. 399.)

J. N. B.

West Bromwich.

"_He that runs may read_" (Vol. v., p. 260.).--In Cowper's _Tirocinium_, v. 80., are these lines:

"But truth, on which depends our main concern, That 'tis our shame and misery not to learn, Shines by the side of every path we tread With such a lustre, _he that runs may read_."

LOUISA JULIA NORMAN.

_Wild Oats_ (Vol. v., p. 227.).--I think I can give a clue to the Query of BEAU NASH respecting the origin of this phrase. In Kent, if a person has been talking at random, it is not uncommon to hear it said, "you are talking _havers_," or _folly_. Now I find in an old dictionary that the word _havers_ means _oats_; and therefore I conclude, that the phrase "to sow your wild oats" means nothing more than "to sow folly."

RUBY.

_Portrait of Mrs. Percy_ (Vol. v., p. 227.).--The picture of Mrs. Percy holding in her hand the scroll, mentioned by W. S. G., _is_ still in the house of Ecton. I have made the inquiry from the present Mr. Isted of Ecton's sister-in-law, who lives within three miles of the place.

L. M. M. R.

_Traditions of a Remote Period--The Chamberlaine Family_ (Vol. v., p. 77.).--As an instance of the "few links" required to connect the present time with a remote period, I may mention that a grand-aunt of mine who lived far into the year 1843, remembered perfectly her "uncle Chamberlaine,"[4] who was an officer in King James II.'s army, and who fought at Aughrim and at Limerick, thus connecting in her own person the days of the "Monster Meetings" with those of the Revolution of 1688. She remembered many of the old soldier's anecdotes of the stirring times in which he lived, and I now regret having been so careless as not to have taken any Note of them. He was, I believe, the last of his race. I hold his commission, signed by the celebrated Tyrconnell, and also many old deeds, some of which are prior to the reign of Richard II., and of which he was said to be very careful, though on examination they have proved to be of no value, except as antiques.

[Footnote 4: Her grand-uncle.]

As a descendant I should be much gratified if some of your correspondents could give me any information as to the family of Chamberlaine, when they came into Ireland, and who is now the chief representative of that name?

T. O'G.

Dublin.

_St. Bartholomew_ (Vol. v., p. 129.).--The parish church of Wednesbury, co. Staffordshire, is dedicated to that saint; where, in the east window, is a full-length figure: it is however of modern date.

J. N. B.

West Bromwich.

_John Rogers, Protomartyr; Descendants inquired for_ (Vol. v., p. 247.).--The pedigree in my private collection ends thus:

"[5]Rev. John Rogers of Beminster, Dorsetshire, from 1796 to 1810, when he removed to Tisbury, Wiltshire, where he died in 1815, aged 57, leaving two daughters, viz.