Notes and Queries, Number 40, August 3, 1850

Nanah, the prophet of the Sikhs, was born 1419. Supposing him fifty when he published his Ordinances, it would bring us to 1469, or 23 years before the discovery of America by Columbus. In these Ordinances he forbade the use of tobacco to the Sikhs; but found the habit so deeply rooted in the Hindû that he made an exception in their favour. (Masson's Beloochistan, vol. i. p. 42.) Should this be true, the Hindû must have been in the habit of smoking long before the discovery of America, to have acquired so inveterate a predilection for it.

If the prophecy attributed to Mahomet be not a fabrication of after times, it is strongly corroborative, and goes to show that he was himself acquainted with the practice of smoking, viz.

"To the latter day there shall be men who will bear the name of Moslem, but will not be really such, and they shall smoke a certain weed which shall be called tobacco."—See Sale's Koran, ed. 8vo. p. 169.

Query. Is tobacco the word in the original? If so, it is a stumbling-block.

Lieut. Burns, in his Travels, has the following curious statement:

"The city of Alore was the capital of a great empire extending from Cachemere to the sea. This was conquered by the Mahomedans in the seventh century, and in the decisive battle they are reported to have brought fire, &c., in their pipes to frighten the elephants."

Lieut. Burns conjectures that they must have smoked bang, &c., tobacco being then unknown.

Buchanan's account of the cultivation and preparation of tobacco in Mysore, carries with it a conviction that these elaborate processes were never communicated to them by Europeans, nor brought in any way from America, where they have never been practised. They strike one as peculiarly ancient and quite indigenous.

The rapid dissemination of tobacco, as also of forms and ceremonies connected with its use; its already very extensive cultivation in the remotest parts of the continent and islands of Asia, within a century of its introduction into Europe, amounts to the miraculous; and particularly when we see new habits of life, and novelties in their ceremonies of state, at once adopted and become familiar, to such otherwise unchangeable people as the orientals are known to be. Extraordinary also is the fact that the forms and ceremonies adopted should so precisely coincide (in most respects) with those in use among the American Indians, and should not be found in any of the intermediate countries through which we must suppose them to have passed. Who taught them the presentation of the pipe to guests, a form so strictly observed by the Red Men of America, &c.? But the "narghile," the "kaleoon," the "hookah," the "hubble-bubble," whence came they? They are indigenous.

Great stress is laid on the silence of Marco Polo, Rubruquis,—the two Mahomedans, Drake, Cavendish, and Pigafelta; also of the Arabian Nights, on the subject of smoking,—and with reason; but, after all, it is negative evidence: for we have examples of the same kind the other way. Sir Henry Blount, who was in Turkey in 1634, describes manners and customs very minutely without a single allusion to smoking, though we know that twenty years previously to that date the Turks were inveterate smokers. M. Adr. Balbi insists likewise on the prevalence of the Haïtian name "tambaku" being conclusive as to the introduction of tobacco from America. This, however, is not exactly the case: in many countries of the East it has vernacular names. In Ceylon it is called "dun-kol" or smoke-leaf; in China, "tharr"—Barrow says, "yen."

The Yakuti (and Tungusi?) call it "schaar." The Crim Tartars call it "tütün." The Koreans give it the name of the province of Japan whence they first received it. In the Tartar (Calmuc and Bashkir?) "gansa" is a tobacco-pipe. In America itself tobacco has many names, viz. "goia," "gozobba" or "cohobba," "petun," "y'ouly," "yoly," and "uppwoc." Are there any proofs of its growing wild in America? At the discovery it was every where found in a state of cultivation. The only mention I have met with is in Drake's Book of the Indians3, where he says it grew spontaneously at Wingandacoa4, and was called by the natives "uppewoc." Does not this very notice imply something unusual? and might not this have been a deserted plantation?

The Indians have always looked to Europeans for presents of tobacco, which they economise by mixing with willow-bark, the uva-ursi, &c., and there are some tribes totally unacquainted with its use. M'Kenzie says, the Chepewyans learnt smoking from Europeans, and that the Slave and Dogrib Indians did not even know the use of tobacco.

In mentioning the silence of early visitors to the East on the subject of smoking, I might have added equally the silence of the Norwegian visitors to America on the same subject.

A.C.M.

Exeter, July 25. 1850.

The tobacco-plant does not appear to be indigenous to any part of Asia. Sir John Chardin, who was in Persia about the year 1670, relates in his travels, that tobacco had been cultivated there from time immemorial. "Honest John Bell" (of Antermony), who travelled in China about 1720, asserts that it is reported the Chinese have had the use of tobacco for many ages. Rumphius, who resided at Amboyna towards the end of the seventeenth century, found it universal over the East Indies, even in countries where Spaniards or Portuguese had never been. The evidence furnished by these authors, although merely traditional, is the strongest which I am aware of in favour of an Asiatic origin for the use of tobacco.

Mr. Lane, on the other hand, speaks of the "introduction of tobacco into the East, in the beginning of the seventeenth century of our era," (Arabian Nights, Note 22. cap. iii.), "a fact that has been completely established by the researches of Dr. Meyer of Konigsberg, who discovered in the works of an old Hindostanee physician a passage in which tobacco is distinctly stated to have been introduced into India by the Frank nations in the year 1609." (Vide An Essay on Tobacco, by H.W. Cleland, M.D. 4to. Glasgow, 1840, to which I am indebted for the information embodied in this reply to Z.A.Z., and to which I would beg to refer him for much curious matter on the subject of tobacco.)

My own impression is, that the common use of hemp in the East, for intoxicating purposes, from a very early period, has been the cause of much of the misconception which prevails with regard to the supposed ante-European employment of "tobacco, divine, rare, super-excellent tobacco," in the climes of the East.

J.M.B.

"JOB'S LUCK," BY COLERIDGE

These lines (see Vol. ii., p. 102.) are printed in the collected editions of the poems of Coleridge. In an edition now before me, 3 vols. 12mo., Pickering, 1836, they occur at vol. ii. p. 147. As printed in that place, there is one very pointed deviation from the copy derived by Mr. Singer from the Crypt. The last line of the first stanza runs thus:

"And the sly devil did not take his spouse."

In the Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1848, there is a poem by Coleridge, entitled "The Volunteer Stripling," which I do not find in the collected edition above mentioned. It was contributed to the Bath Herald, probably in 1803; and stands there with "S.T. Coleridge" appended in full. The first stanza runs thus:

"Yes, noble old warrior! this heart has beat high,When you told of the deeds which our countrymen wrought;O, lend me the sabre that hung by thy thigh,And I too will fight as my forefathers fought."

I remember to have read the following version of the epigram descriptive of the character of the world some twenty or thirty years ago; but where, I have forgotten. It seems to me to be a better text than either of those given by your correspondents:

"Oh, what a glorious world we live in,To lend, to spend, or e'en to give in;But to borrow, to beg, or to come at one's own,'Tis the very worst world that ever was known."J. Bruce.

ECCIUS DEDOLATUS

Mr. S.W. Singer, for an agreeable introduction to whom I am indebted to "Notes and Queries," having expressed a wish (Vol. ii., p. 122.) "to see and peruse" the rare and amusing satire, entitled Eccius dedolatus, authore Joanne-francisco Cottalembergio, Poeta Laureato, I shall willingly forward to him a quarto volume which contains two copies of it, at any time that an opportunity may present itself. In the meanwhile, he may not have any objection to hear that these are copies of distinct impressions; neither of them intentionally recording place or printer.

Four separate and curious woodcuts decorate the title-page of one exemplar, which was certainly printed at Basil, apud Andream Cratandrum. The topmost woodcut, dated 1519, is here misplaced; for it should be at the bottom of the page, in which position it appears when employed to grace the title of the facetious Responsio of Simon Hess to Luther. The second copy is in Gothic letter, and has typographical ornaments very similar to those used at Leipsic in the same year. A peculiar colophon is added in the Basle edition; and after the words "Impressum in Utopia," a quondam possessor of the tract, probably its contemporary, has written with indignation, "Stulte mentiris!" The duplicate, which I suppose to be of Leipsic origin, concludes with "Impressum per Agrippun Panoplium, Regis Persarum Bibliopolam L. Simone Samaritano et D. Juda Schariottide Consulibus, in urbe Lacernarum, apud confluentes Rhenum et Istrum."

Professor Ranke, referred to by Mr. Singer, was mistaken in assigning "March, 1520," as the date of Eccius dedolatus. The terms "Acta decimo Kalendas Marcii" are, I believe, descriptive of Tuesday, the 20th of February, in that year.

Perhaps Mr. Singer may be able to communicate some tidings respecting the Apostolic Prothonotary Simon Hess, of whom I have casually spoken. Natalis Alexander (Hist. Eccles., viii. 105. Paris, 1699) attributes the humorous production which bears his name ("Lege et ridebis," declares the original title-page) to Luther himself, amongst whose works it may be seen (tom. ii, fol. 126-185. Witeb. 1551); and it is a disappointment to read in Seckendorf, "Hessus Simon. Quis hic fuerit, compertum mihi non est." (Scholia sive Supplem ad Ind. i. Histor., sig. 1. 3. Francof. 1692.)

R.G.

Replies to Minor Queries

Hiring of Servants (Vol. ii., p. 89.).—It was provided by several old statutes, the first of which was passed in 1349, that all able-bodied persons who had no evident means of subsistence should put themselves as labourers to any that would hire them. In the following year were passed several other acts relating to labourers, by one of which, 25 Edward III. stat. i. c. i., entitled, "The Year and Day's Wages of Servants and Labourers in Husbandry," it was enacted that ploughmen and all other labourers should be hired to serve for the full year, or other usual terms, and not by the day; and further,

"That such labourers do carry openly in their hands, in market towns, their instruments of labour, and be there hired in a public place, and not privately."

For carrying into effect these provisions, it would be necessary to have certain days, and a fixed place set apart for the hiring of servants. In the former particular, no days would be so convenient as feast days: they were well known, and were days commonly computed from; they were, besides, holidays, and days for which labourers were forbidden to receive wages (see 34 Edw. III. c. 10. and 4 Henry IV. c. 14.); so that, although absent from labour, they would lose no part of the scanty pittances allowed them by act of parliament or settled by justices. As to the latter requirement, no place was so public, or would so naturally suggest itself, or be so appropriate, as the market-place.

Thus arose in our own land the custom respecting which W.J. makes inquiry, and also our statute fairs, or statutes; thus called on account of their reference to the various "Statutes of Labourers." I was not aware that any usage to hire on all festivals (for to such, I take it, your correspondent refers) still existed in England. As to France, I am unable to speak; but it is not improbable that a similar custom in that country may be due to causes nearly similar.

Arun.

George Herbert.—J.R. FOX (Vol. ii., p. 103.) will find in Major's excellent edition of Walton's Lives the information he requires. At p. 346. it is stated that Mrs. Herbert, the widow of George Herbert, was afterwards the wife of Sir Robert Cook, of Highnam, in the county of Gloucester, Knt., eight years, and lived his widow about fifteen; all which time she took a pleasure in mentioning and commending the excellences of Mr. George Herbert. She died in the year 1653, and lies buried at Highnam; Mr. Herbert in his own church, under the altar, and covered with a gravestone without any inscription.

And amongst the notes appended by Major to these Lives, is the following additional notice of Herbert's burial-place. The parish register of Bemerton states that

"Mr. George Herbert, Esq., parson of Inggleston and Bemerton, was buried the 3rd day of March, 1632."

"Thus he lived and thus he died," says Walton, "like a saint, unspotted of the world, full of almsdeeds, full of humility, and all the examples of a virtuous life, which I cannot conclude better than with this borrowed observation:

"'—All must to their cold graves;But the religious actions of the justSmell sweet in death, and blossom in the dust.'"

Altered from a dirge written by Shirley, attached to his Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles, Lond. 1659, 8vo. See Percy's Reliques of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 284.

J.M.G.

Worcester, July 22.

Lord Delamere (Vol. ii., p. 104.).—In Mr. Thomas Lyte's Ancient Ballads and Songs, 12mo. 1827, is a ballad, taken down from tradition, entitled Lord Delamere. It begins as follows, and though different from the opening lines given by Mr. Peacock, I am inclined to think that it is another version of the same ballad:

In the parliament house,A great rout has been there,Betwixt our good kingAnd the Lord Delamere;Says Lord DelamereTo his Majesty full soon,Will it please you, my liege,To grant me a boon?

After nine more stanzas, the editor remarks,

"We have not, as yet, been able to trace out the historical incident upon which the ballad appears to have been founded, yet those curious in such matters may consult, if they list, Proceedings and Debates in the House of Commons for 1621 and 1622, where they will find that some stormy debatings in these several years have been agitated in Parliament regarding the corn laws, which bear pretty close upon the leading features of the above."

Edward F. Rimbault.

Execution of Charles I. (Vol. ii., p. 72.).—P.S.W.E. is referred to An exact and most impartial Accompt of the Indictment, Arraignment, Trial, and Judgment (according to law), of twenty-nine Regicides, &c., 1660.

Therein he will find minutes of the trial and conviction of one "William Hulett, alias Howlett," on the charge of having struck "the fatal blow." How far the verdict was consistent with the evidence (or, indeed, the whole proceedings of that court with the modern sense of justice), abler judges than I have long since determined.

On behalf of the prisoner Hulett, witnesses ("not to be admitted upon oath against the king") deposed that the common hangman, Richard Brandon, had frequently confessed (though he had also denied) that he had beheaded the king. One of these depositions, that of William Cox, is so remarkable that I am induced to transcribe it. If it be true, "Matfelonensis" is certainly justified in saying, "We need hardly question that Richard Brandon was the executioner."

"William Cox examined.

"When my Lord Capell, Duke Hamilton, and the Earl of Holland, were beheaded in the Palace-yard, in Westminster, my Lord Capell asked the common hangman, said he, 'Did you cut off my master's head?' 'Yes,' saith he. 'Where is the instrument that did it?' He then brought the ax. 'Is this the same ax; are you sure?' said my Lord. 'Yes, my Lord,' saith the hangman, 'I am very sure it is the same.' My Lord Capell took the ax and kissed it, and gave him five pieces of gold. I heard him say, 'Sirrah, wert thou not afraid?' Saith the hangman, 'They made me cut it off, and I had thirty pound for my pains.'"

William Franks Mathews.

Charade (Vol. ii., p. 120.).—I think I can answer Mr. Gatty's Query as to the authorship of the charade in question. A schoolfellow of mine at Charterhouse wrote the following:

"What's that which all love more than life,Fear more than death or mortal strife;That which contented men desire,The poor possess, the rich require,The miser spends, the spendthrift saves,And all men carry to their graves?"

This was taken from the original copy, and it was certainly his own invention while at school, and was written about five years ago. I have not seen him since, and do not like therefore to give his name.

While on the subject of charades, can any of your correspondents inform me of either the authorship or the answer of the following:

"Sir Hilary charged at Agincourt—Sooth! 'twas a fearful day!The Rufflers of the camp and courtHad little time to pray.'Tis said Sir Hilary utter'd thereTwo syllables, by way of prayer—The first to all the young and proudWho'll see to-morrow's sun;The next, with its cold and quiet cloud,To those who'll meet a dewy shroudBefore to-day's is gone:And both together to all bright eyes,That weep when a warrior nobly dies."

I quote from recollection, so perhaps have omitted part, but believe it to be pretty correct. I heard it at the same time as the one quoted in No. 31., and believe both to be hoaxes, as no answer I have heard (including that given in No. 35.) can be considered satisfactory. The former charade was attributed at the time to the late Archbishop of Canterbury, and it was reported that a reward of 100l. was promised for the correct answer, and I know that a clergyman sent him an answer with that belief. Among the answers suggested was "Tapir," taken in its various significations, which I think was as near the mark as "Church," as given in No. 35.

I have never heard any answer suggested to Sir Hilary's dissyllabic prayer.

B.H.C.

Discursus Modestus (Vol. i., pp. 142. 205.).—Such of your readers as have been making inquiries and suggestions respecting Discursus Modestus will be glad to hear that a copy exists in the British Museum. Its title is as follows:

"A Sparing Discoverie of ovr English Iesuits, and of Fa. Parson's proceedings vnder pretence of promoting the Catholick Faith in England: for a caueat to all true Catholicks, ovr very louing brethren and friends, how they embrace such very uncatholike, though Iesuiticall deseignments. Eccles. 4. Vidi calumnias quæ sub sole geruntur, et lachrymas innocentium, et neminem consolatorem.—Newly imprinted, 1601."

At the end of the Preface are the initials W.W., making it clear that Watson, the author of Important Considerations and the Quodlibets, was the writer, and accounting for the connection which seemed to exist between the Discursus and the Quodlibets.

The two passages quoted by Bishop Andrewes (Resp. ad Apol. pp. 7. 117.) are to be found in p. 13. But the question now arises, from what earlier book the quotations are taken, as they both appear in the Sparing Discovery in Latin, and not in English? Did the Jesuits publish a work containing such statements? or are we to accept them as their opinions only on the authority of so bitter an opponent as Watson?

James Bliss.

"Rapido contrarius orbi" (Vol. ii., p. 120.) is in one of the finest passages in Ovid:

"Nitor in adversum nec me qui cætera vincitImpetus, et rapido contrarius evehor orbi."C.B.

"Isabel" and "Elizabeth."—At pages 439. and 488. of Vol. i., "Notes and Queries," are questions and answers on the names of "Isabel" and "Elizabeth."

The following, from the Epigrammaton Joannis Dunbari, Lond. 1616, may amuse some of your readers:

"AD. FREDERICUM PRINCIPEM PALATIN. RH."Selectam Elector sibi quando elegit Elisam:Verè Electoris nomine dignus erat.""AD ELISHABETHAM EIUS SPONSAM."El Deus est, ish vir, requiem Beth denique donat:Hine meritò Elisabeth nobile nomen habet.Scilicet illa Deo est motore, et Principe primo,Principis una sui lausque, quiesque viri."Scotus.

Hanap (Vol. i., p. 477.).—"A cup raised on a stem, either with or without a cover." (Arch. Journ. vol. ii. 1846, p. 263., where may be found an interesting account of old drinking vessels, &c., many of them curiously named.)

Jarltzberg.

Cold Harbour (Vol. ii., p. 60.).—There is a place bearing that designation at Gosport, running along side of Portsmouth harbour, between the town of Gosport and the Royal Clarence Victualling-yard. I am at present aware of none other.

J.R. Fox.

Miscellaneous

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC

The "Percy Society" has just issued The Anglo-Saxon Passion of St. George, from a manuscript in the Cambridge University Library. It is a work highly creditable to the Society; and in the interesting Introduction prefixed to it by the Editor, the Rev. C. Hardwick, M.A., Fellow of St. Catharine's Hall, he has gratified our national prejudices by showing the favour which the Saint from whom we take

"Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George"

enjoyed in England before the Norman Conquest. Mr. Hardwick's brief notice of the Anglo-Saxon allusions to Saint George is complete and most satisfactory.

Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, of 191. Piccadilly, will sell, on Tuesday and Wednesday next, the Miscellaneous Collections of the late Rev. J. Sundius Stamp, including several thousand Autograph Letters of ever period and class. We need scarcely add that the autographs are classed and catalogued with Messrs. P. and S.'s usual tact.

We have received the following catalogues:—Bernard Quaritch's (16. Castle Street, Leicester Square) Catalogue of Italian and French Books; William Brown's (130. and 131. Old Street, St. Luke's) Catalogue of Books connected with Wesleyan Methodism.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE

THE NEWE LIFE OF VIRGINEA, DECLARING THE FORMER SUCCESSE AND PRESENT STATE OF THAT PLANTATION; being the Second Part of Nova Britannia. Published by the Authoritie of His Majestie's Councell of Virginea. London; imprinted by Felix Kyngston, for William Welby, dwelling at the Signe of the Swan in Paul's Churchyard. 1612.

[A liberal price will be given for a copy in good condition.]

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

Volume the First of Notes and Queries, with Title-page and very copious Index, is now ready, price 9s. 6d., bound in cloth, and may be had, by order, of all Booksellers and Newsmen.

The Monthly Part for July, being the second of Vol. II., is also now ready, price 1s.

Our valued Correspondent at Cambridge is assured that we could afford some a satisfactory explanation of the several points referred to in his friendly remonstrance.

CAMBRIAN ARCHÆOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

THE FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING will be held at DOLGELLAU, August 26th to 31st, 1850.

President.—W.W.E. Wynne, Esq., F.S.A. John Williams, Llanymowddwy, Mallwyd, W. Basil Jones, Gwynfryn, Machynileth, General Secretaries.

ROCHEFOUCAULD'S MAXIMS, WITH NOTES.

Just published, in Fcp. 8vo. Price 4s. 6d. cloth.

MORAL REFLECTIONS, SENTENCES, AND MAXIMS of Francis Duc de la Rochefoucald. Newly translated from the French. With an Introduction and Notes.

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THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE AND HISTORICAL REVIEW.

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