Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 105, November 1, 1851 / A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

When found, make a note of. —CAPTAIN CUTTLE.
VOL. IV.—No. 105.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1. 1851.
Price Threepence. Stamped Edition, 4 d.
NOTES:—
QUERIES:—
REPLIES:—
MISCELLANEOUS:—
This day two years, on presenting to the public, and to the Literary Men of England the first number of NOTES AND QUERIES, as a medium by which much valuable information might become a sort of common property among those who can appreciate and use it, we ventured to say, We do not anticipate any holding back by those whose 'Notes' are most worth having, or any want of 'Queries' from those best able to answer them. Whatever may be the case in other things, it is certain that those who are best informed are generally the most ready to communicate knowledge and to confess ignorance, to feel the value of such a work as we are attempting, and to understand that, if it is to be well done, they might help to do it. Some cheap and frequent means for the interchange of thought is certainly wanted by those who are engaged in Literature, Art, and Science; and we only hope to persuade the best men in all, that we offer them the best medium of communication with each other.
How fully these anticipations have been realised, how all the best men have come forward, we acknowledge with feelings of gratitude and pride. May we now hope that, in thus forming one fresh bond of union among the lovers and professors of Literature in this country, we have contributed towards a recognition of Literature as an honorable profession, and hastened the time when the claims of Literature, Science, and Art to some of those honorary distinctions hitherto exclusively conferred upon the Naval, Military, or Civil Servants of the Crown, will be admitted and acted upon. For as we hold with Chaucer:
That he is gentil who doth gentil dedes;
so we would have those men especially honoured, whose gentil dedes in Literature, Science, and Art tend to elevate the minds, and thereby promote the happiness of their fellow-men.