Notes and Queries, Number 24, April 13, 1850

W.R.F.

A Chip in Porridge.—What is the origin and exact force of this phrase? Sir Charles Napier, in his recent general order, informs the Bengal army that

"The reviews which the Commander-in-Chief makes of the troops are not to be taken as so many 'chips in porridge.'"

I heard a witness, a short time since, say, on entering the witness-box—

"My Lord, I am like a 'chip in porridge'; I cansay nothing either for or against the plaintiff."Q.D.

Temple Stanyan.—Who was Temple Stanyan, concerning whom I find in an old note-book the following quaint entry?

"Written on a window at College, by Mr. Temple Stanyan, the author of a History of Greece:—

"Temple Stanyan, his window.God give him grace thereout to look!And, when the folk walk to and fro',To study man instead of book!"A.G.

Tandem.—You are aware that we have a practical pun now naturalised in our language, in the word "tandem." Are any of your correspondents acquainted with another instance?

Σ.

"As lazy as Ludlum's dog, as laid him down to bark."—This comparison is so general and familiar in South Yorkshire (Sheffield especially) as to be frequently quoted by the first half, the other being mentally supplied by the hearer. There must, of course, be some legend of Ludlum and his dog, or they must have been a pair of well-known characters, to give piquancy to the phrase. Will any of your readers who are familiar with the district favour me with an explanation?

D.V.S.

Anecdote of a Peal of Bells.—There is a story, that a person had long been absent from the land of his nativity, where in early life, he had assisted in setting up a singularly fine peal of bells. On his return home, after a lapse of many years, he had to be rowed over some water, when it happened that the bells struck out in peal; the sound of which so affected him, that he fell back in the boat and died! Can any of your readers give a reference where the account is to be met with?

H.T.E.

Sir Robert Long.—"ROSH." inquires the date of the death of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Long, who founded, in 1760, a Free School at Burnt-Yates, in the Parish of Ripley, co. Yorks., and is said to have died in Wigmore Street, London, it is supposed some years after that period.

Dr. Whichcot and Lord Shaftesbury.—It is stated in Mr. Martyn's Life of the First Lord Shaftesbury, that Dr. Whichcot was one of Shaftesbury's most constant companions, and preached most of his sermons before him; and that the third Earl of Shaftesbury, the author of the Characteristics, is said to have published a volume of Whichcot's sermons from a manuscript copy of the first Lord Shaftesbury's wife. Can any of your readers give any further information as to the intimacy between Whichcot and Shaftesbury, of which no mention is made in any memoir of Whichcot that I have seen?

C.

Lines attributed to Henry Viscount Palmerston.—Permit me to inquire whether there is any better authority than the common conjecture that the beautiful verses, commencing,—

"Whoe'er, like me, with trembling anguish bringsHis heart's whole treasure to fair Bristol's springs,"

were written by Henry Viscount Palmerston, on the death of his lady at the Hot-wells, June 1 or 2, 1769. They first appeared p. 240. of the 47th vol. of the Gentleman's Magazine, 1777.

They also have been attributed to Dr. Hawkeworth, but his wife survived him. There is a mural tablet under the west window of Romsey Church, containing some lines to the memory of Lady Palmerston, but they are not the same. Perhaps some of your correspondents are competent to discover the truth.

INDAGATOR.

Gray's Alcaic Ode.—Can any of your readers say whether Gray's celebrated Latin ode is actually to be found entered at the Grande Chartreuse? A friend of mine informs me that he could not find it there on searching.

C.B.

Abbey of St. Wandrille.—Will "GASTROS" kindly allow me to ask him a question? Does the Chronicle of the Abbey of St. Wandrille, which he mentions (No. 21. p. 338.), include notices of any of the branches of that establishment which settled in England about the time of the Conquest; and one of which, the subject of my query, formed a colony at Ecclesfield, near Sheffield?

I feel an interest in this little colony, because my early predecessors in this vicarage were elected from its monks. Moreover, some remains of their convent, now incorporated into what is called "the hall," and forming an abutment which overlooks my garden, are affording an appropriate domicile to the curate of the parish.

ALFRED GATTY.

Ecclesfield, March 26. 1850.

Queries as to "Lines on London Dissenting Ministers" of a former Day.—Not having made Notes of the verses so entitled, I beg to submit the following Queries:—

1. Does there exist any printed or manuscript copy of lines of the above description, in the course of which Pope's "Modest Foster" is thus introduced and apostrophised:—

"But see the accomplish'd orator appear,Refined in judgment, and in language clear:Thou only, Foster, hast the pleasing artAt once to charm the ear and mend the heart!"

Other conspicuous portraits are those of THOMAS BRADBURY, ISAAC WATTS, and SAMUEL CHANDLER. The date of the composition must be placed between 1704 and 1748, but I have to solicit information as to who was its author.

2. Has there been preserved, in print or manuscript, verses which circulated from about 1782-1784, on the same body of men, as characterised, severally, by productions of the vegetable world, and, in particular, by flowers? The bouquet is curious, nor ill-selected and arranged. One individual, for example, finds his emblem in a sweet-briar; another, in a hollyhock; and a third, in a tulip. RICHARD WINTER, JAMES JOUYCE, HUGH WASHINGTON, are parts of the fragrant, yet somewhat thorny and flaunting nosegay. These intimations of it may perhaps aid recollection, and lead to the wished-for disclosure. It came from the hand, and seemed to indicate at least the theological partialities of the lady1 who culled and bound together the various portions of the wreath.

W.

Dutch Language.—"E. VEE" will be indebted to "ROTTERODAMUS," or any other correspondent, who can point out to him the best modern books for acquiring a knowledge of the Dutch language,—an Anglo-Dutch Grammar and Dictionary.

Horns.—1. Why is Moses represented in statues with horns? The idea is not, I think, taken from the Bible.

2. What is the reason for assigning horns to a river, as in the "Tauriformis Aufidus."

3. What is the origin of the expression "to give a man horns," for grossly dishonouring him? It is met with in late Greek.

L.C.

Cambridge, March 27.

Marylebone Gardens.—In what year did Marylebone Gardens finally close?

NASO.

Toom Shawn Cattie.—I find these words (Gaelic, I believe, from Tom John Gattie) in an old Diary, followed by certain hieroglyphics, wherewith I was wont to express "recommended for perusal." I have lost all trace of the recommender, and have hunted in vain through many a circulating library list for the name, which I believe to be that of some book or song illustrating the domestic life of our Western Highlanders. Can any of your readers assist me in deciphering my own note?

MELANION.

Love's Last Shift.—In the first edition of Peignot's Manuel du Biblioplide, published in 1800, the title of Congreve's "Mourning Bride" is rendered "L'Epouse du Matin." Can any of your readers inform me whether it is in the same work that the title of "Love's Last Shift" is translated by "Le dernier Chemise de l'Amour?" if not, in what other book is it?

H.C. DE ST. CROIX.

Cheshire-round.—"W.P.A." asks the meaning of the above phrase, and where it is described.

Why is an Earwig called a "Coach-bell?"—Your correspondents, although both kind and learned, do not appear to have given any satisfactory answer to my former query—why a lady-bird is called Bishop Barnaby? Probably there will be less difficulty in answering another entomological question—Why do the country-people in the south of Scotland call an earwig a "coach-bell?" The name "earwig" itself is sufficiently puzzling, but "coach-bell" seems, if possible, still more utterly unintelligible.

LEGOUR.

Chrysopolis.—Chrysopolis is the Latin name for the town of Parma, also for that of Scutari, in Turkey. Is the etymological connection of the two names accidental? and how did either of them come to be called the "Golden City?"

R.M.M.

Pimlico.—In Aubrey's Surrey, he mentions that he went to a Pimlico Garden, somewhere on Bankside. Can any of your correspondents inform me of the derivation of the word "Pimlico," and why that portion of land now built on near to Buckingham House, through which the road now runs to Chelsea, is called Pimlico?

R.H.

April 1. 1850.

Zenobia.—I have read somewhere that Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, was of Jewish origin, but am now at a loss to retrace it. Could any of your correspondents inform me where I have read it?

A. FISCHEL.

Henry Ryder, Bishop of Killaloe.—"W.D.R." requests information in reference to the paternity of Henry Ryder, D.D., who was born in Paris, and consecrated Bishop of Killaloe in 1692.

Belvoir Castle.—In the Harleian Miscellany, vol. iv. p. 527., is a Pindaric Ode upon Belvoir Castle, which Mr. Nichols reprinted in his History of the Hundred of Framland. Can any of your readers inform me who was the author of this very singular production?

T.R. Potter.

St. Winifreda.—Can any of your readers refer me to any history or recent discoveries relative to St. Winifreda?

B.

Savile, Marquis of Halifax.—It is stated in Tyers's Political Conferences (1781), that a Diary of his was supposed to be among the Duke of Shrewsbury's MSS.; and when Mr. Tyers wrote, in the hands of Dr. Robertson. Can any of your readers give information about this Diary?

C.

Salt at Montem.—Will you allow me, as an old Etonian, to ask the derivation of "salt," as it used to be applied to the money collected at Eton Montem for the Captain of the Colleges? Towards investigating the subject, I can only get as far as Salt Hill, near Slough, where there was a mount, on which, if I remember rightly, the Captain waved a flag on Montem day. A brief account of the origin of Montem would be interesting; and it is especially worth noting now that the pageant is suppressed.

A.G.

Ecclesfield, March 14, 1850.

Ludlow's Memoirs.—"C." is anxious to learn if the manuscript of Ludlow's Memoirs is known to exist, or to receive any information as to where it might probably be found.

Ludlow died at Vevay, in Switzerland, in 1693, and the Memoirs were published at Vevay shortly after.

There is no will of Ludlow's in Doctor's Commons.

Finkle or Finkel.—I should be glad if any of your numerous correspondents could give me the derivation and meaning of the word Finkle, or Finkel, as applied to the name of a street. There is a street so designated in Carlisle, York, Richmond in Yorkshire, Kendal, Sedberg, Norwich (in 1508 spelt Fenkyl, and in 1702 Fenkel), and, I believe, in many other of our more ancient cities and towns. In the township of Gildersome, a village some few miles from Leeds, there is an ancient way, till lately wholly unbuilt upon, called Finkle Lane; and in London we have the parish of St. Benedict Finck, though I do not imagine that the latter is any way synonymous with the word in question. The appellation of Finkle is, without doubt, a descriptive one; but the character of the lane so styled in Gildersome seems to negative the idea that it has any reference to the peculiarity of trade or class of persons carried on or inhabiting the locality distinguished by this title.

W.M.

Cowgill, March 13. 1850.

Coxcombs vanquish Berkeley, &c.—In Lewis's Biography of Philosophy (vol. iv. p. 7.) occurs the following quotation:—

"And coxcombs vanquish Berkeley with a grin."

Who is the author of this line? for I cannot find it in Pope, to whom a note refers it.

R.F. Johnson.

Derivation of Sterling.—What is the derivation of Sterling? Some authors say from "Easterling," a race of German or Dutch traders; but is it not more likely from "steer," a bull, or ox, viz. a coin originally stamped with a figure of that animal? Of this, and parallel cases, we have many instances among the ancients. I find also, that, in a decree issued in the time of Richard I., the word is used, and explained by "peny" as a synonym. Now peny or penny is clearly from pecunia, and that from pecus, so that we have the two words brought side by side, one through the Latin, and the other through the Saxon language.

R.F. Johnson.

Hanging out the Broom.—In some parts of England a singular custom prevails. When a married woman leaves home for a few days, the husband hangs a broom or besom from the window. When, how, and where did this originate, and what does it signify?

R.F. Johnson.

Trunck Breeches.—Barba Longa.—Mercenary Preacher.—In reading Smith's Obituary, edited by Sir H. Ellis for the Camden Society, I find the following entries:—

"1640. May 29th, old Mr Grice, in Aldersgate St, who wore trunck breeches, died."

"1646. Ocr 1. William Young, Chandler, within Aldersgate, a discreet Juryman, and Barba Longa, died."

"Fer 21., old Mr Lewis, the Mercenary Preacher, buried."

Can any of your correspondents explain the meaning of "Trunck Breeches," "Barba Longa," and "Mercenary Preacher?"

X.Y.Z.

Suffolk, March 4.

Apposition.—Can any one give me a little information upon the following passage?—

"Quin age, te incolumi potius (potes omnia quando,Nec tibi nequiequam pater est qui sidera torquet)Perficias quodcunque tibi nunc instat agendum." Hieronym. Vid. Christ. lib. i. 67.

I want to know in what case te incolumi is; and, if in the ablative absolute, can any one bring a parallel construction from the writers of the Augustan age, where the law of apposition appears to be so far violated?

A.W.

Pamphlets respecting Ireland.—"J." wishes to be informed where copies may be found of the following pamphlets, described in Ware's Irish Writers, under the head "Colonel Richard Laurence," and "Vincent Gookin, Esq.," son of Sir Vincent Gookin, who, in the year 1634, published "a bitter invective, by way of letter, against the nation." Vincent Gookin's pamphlet is dated London, 1655, 4to. Any particulars relative to his family and descendants will oblige.

The title of Col. R. Laurence's book is,—

"The interest of Ireland in the first Transplantation stated; wherein it set forth the benefit of the Irish Transplantation: intended as an Answer to the scandalous seditious Pamphlet, entitled 'The Great Case of Transplantation Discussed.' London, 1655."

The author of the pamphlet was Vincent Gookin, Esq., Surveyor-General of Ireland. He did not, at first, put his name to it; but when Laurence's answer appeared, he then owned himself as the author of it, and published a pamphlet under this title:—

"The Author and Case of Transplanting the Irish into Connaught Vindicated from the unjust Aspersion of Colonel Richard Laurence and Vincent Gookin, Esq. London, 1655."

Portrait of Sir John Poley.—Perhaps some of your numerous correspondents can answer whether the portrait of Sir John Poley in Bexstead Hall, alluded to No. 14. p. 214., has been engraved.

J.

February 5.

"Tace is Latin for a candle."—Whence is this expression derived, and what is its meaning? I met with it, many years ago, in a story-book, and, more lately, in one of the Waverley Novels, in which particular one I do not just now recollect. It seems to be used as an adage, coupled with an admonition to observe silence or secrecy.

W.A.F.

Poins and Bardolph.—Can any of your correspondents skilled in Shakspearian lore inform me whence Shakspeare took the names Poins and Bardolph for the followers of Prince Hal and Falstaff?

C.W.S.

Flemish Work on the Order of St. Francis.—Can any of your correspondents tell me any thing about, or enable me to procure a copy of, a book on the order of St. Francis, named, Den Wijngaert van Sinte Franciscus vâ Schoonte Historien Legenden, &c. A folio of 424 leaves, beautifully printed. The last page has,—

"Gheprent Thantwerpen binnen die Camer poorte Int huys vâ delft bi mi, Hendrich Eckert van Homberch. Int iaer ons heeren M.CCCCC. efi XVIII. op den XII. dach vâ December."

The only copy I ever saw of it, which belonged to a friend of mine, had the following note on a fly-leaf in an old and scarcely legible hand:—

"Raer boeck ende sêer curieus als gebouwt synde op de Wijsen voor meesten deel op de fondamenten van den fameus ende extra raer boeck genoempt Conformitatis Vita S. Francisci cum Vitá Jesu Christi, de welch in dese diehwils grateert wordt gelijck gij in lesen sult andesvinden maer onthout wer dese latijn spreckwoordt, Risum teneatis amici."

Jarlzberg.

Le Petit Albert.—Can any of your correspondents give me any information respecting a book entitled Secrets Merveilleux de la Magie Naturelle et Cabalistique du Petit Albert, et enrichi du fig. mystérieuses, et de la Manière de les faire. Nouvelle Edition, cor. et aug. A Lion, 1743. 32mo.? The avertissement says,—

"Voici une nouvelle édition du Livres des merveilleux Secrets du Petit Albert, connu en Latin sous le titre d'Alberte Parvi Lucii, Libellus de Mirabilibus Naturæ Arcanis. L'auteur à qui on l'attribue, a été un de ces grands-hommmes qui par le peuple ignorant ont été accusez de magie. C'étoit autrefois le sort de tous les grands esprits qui possédoient quelque chose d'extraordinaire dans les sciences, de les traiter de magiciens. C'est peut-être par cette raison, que le petit trésor est devenu très rare, parceque les superstitieux ont fait scrupule de s'en servir; il s'est presque comme perdu, car une personne distinguée dans le monde a eu la curiosité (à ce qu'on assure) d'en offrir plus de mille florins pour un seul exemplaire, encore ne l'a-t-on pu découvrir que depuis peu dans la bibliothêque d'un très-grand homme, qui l'a bien voulu donner pour ne plus priver le public d'un si riche trésor," &c.

Who was Albertus Parvus? when and where was his work published?

Jarlzberg.

English Translations of Erasmus' Encomium Moriæ.—An English translation of The Praise of Folly (with Holbein's plates), I think by Denham, Lond. 1709, alludes to two previous translations; one by Sir Thomas Challoner, 1549; the other it does not name. I should like to know whose is the intermediate translation, and also what other translations have been made of that curious work?

Jarlzberg.

Symbols of the Four Evangelists.—St. Matthew an angel; St. Mark, a lion; St. Luke, an ox; St. John, an eagle. It is on account of its being a symbol of the Resurrection that the lion is assigned to St. Mark as an emblem; St. Mark being called the historian of the Resurrection. (This title he probably obtained from his gospel being used on Easter Day.) The reason why the lion is taken as a symbol of the Resurrection is to be found in the fabulous history of the animal; according to which the whelp is born dead, and only receives life at the expiration of three days, on being breathed on by its father.—What are the reasons assigned for the other three Evangelists' emblems?

Jarlzberg.

Portrait by Boonen.—Can any of your correspondents state the precise time when Boonen, said to be a pupil of Schalcken, flourished? And what eminent geographer, Dutch or English, lived during such period? This question is asked with reference to a picture by Boonen,—a portrait of a singular visaged man, with his hand on a globe, now at Mr. Peel's in Golden Square; the subject of which is desired to be ascertained. It may be the portrait of an astrologer, if the globe is celestial.

Z.

Beaver Hats.—On the subject of beaver hats, I would ask what was the price or value of a beaver hat in the time of Charles II.? I find that Giles Davis of London, merchant, offered Timothy Wade, Esq., "five pounds to buy a beaver hat," that he might he permitted to surrender a lease of a piece of ground in Aldermanbury. (Vide Judicial Decree, Fire of London, dated 13. Dec. 1668. Add. MS. 5085. No. 22.)

F.E.

REPLIES

BLUNDER IN MALONE'S SHAKSPEARE

I regret that no further notice has been taken of the very curious matter suggested by "Mr. Jebb" (No 14. p. 213.), one of the many forgeries of which Shakspeare has been the object, which ought to be cleared up, but which I have neither leisure nor materials to attempt; but I can afford a hint or two for other inquirers.

1. This strange intermixture of some John Shakspeare's confession of the Romish faith with William Shakspeare's will, is, as Mr. Jebb states to be found in the Dublin edition of Malone's Shakspeare, 1794, v. i. p. 154. It is generally supposed that this Dublin edition is a copy (I believe a piracy) of the London one of 1790; but by what means the three introductory paragraphs of John Shakspeare's popish confession were foisted into the real will of William is a complete mystery.

2. Malone, in a subsequent part of his prolegomena to both of those editions (Lond. v. i. part II. 162., and Dublin, v. ii. p. 139.), printed a pretended will or confession of the faith of John Shakspeare, found in a strange, incredible way, and evidently a forgery. This consisted of fourteen articles, of which the first three were missing. Now the three paragraphs foisted into William's will would be the kind of paragraphs that would complete John's confession; but they are not in confession. Who, then, forged them? and foisted them—which Malone had never seen—into so prominent a place in the Dublin reprint of Malone's work?

3. Malone, in his inquiry into the Ireland forgeries, alludes to this confession of faith, admits that he was mistaken about it, and intimates that he had been imposed on, which he evidently was; but he does not seem to know any thing of the second forgery of the three introductory paragraphs, or of their bold introduction into William Shakspeare's will in the Dublin edition of his own work.

It is therefore clear that Mr. Jebb is mistaken in thinking that it was "a blunder of Malone's." It seems, as far as we can see, to have been, not a blunder, but an audacious fabrication; and how it came into the Irish edition, seems to me incomprehensible. The printer of the Dublin edition, Exshaw, was a respectable man, an alderman and a Protestant, and he could have no design to make William Shakspeare pass for a papist; nor indeed does the author of the fraud, whoever he was, attempt that; for the three paragraphs profess to be the confession of John. So that, on the whole, the matter is to me quite inexplicable; it is certain that it must have been a premeditated forgery and fraud, but by whom or for what possible purpose, I cannot conceive.

C.

HINTS TO INTENDING EDITORS

Beaumont and Fletcher; Gray; Seward; Milton.—By way of carrying out the suggestion which you thought fit to print at page 316, as to the advantages likely to arise from intimations in your pages of the existence of the MS. annotations, and other materials suitable to the purposes of intending editors of standard works, I beg to mention the following books in my possession, which are much at the service of any editor who may apply to you for my address, viz.:—

1. A copy of Tonson's 10 vol. edit. of Beaumont and Fletcher (8vo. 1750), interleaved and copiously annotated, to the extent of about half the plays, by Dr. Hoadly.

2. Mr. Haslewood's collection of materials for an edit. of Gray, consisting of several works and parts of works, MS. notes, newspaper cuttings, &c., bound in 6 vols.