Replies to Minor Queries.
Portrait of Alva (Vol. ix., p. 76.).—There is a fine portrait of the Duke of Alva in the Royal Museum at Amsterdam, by D. Barendz (No. 14. in the Catalogue of 1848); and Mr. Warden will find a spirited etching of him, decorated with the Order of the Golden Fleece, in the Historia Belgica of Meteranus (folio, 1597), at p. 63. The latter portrait is very Quixotic in aspect at the first glance, but the expression becomes more Satanic as the eye rests on it.
Lancastrienses.
Lord Mayor of London not a Privy Councillor (Vol. iv. passim; Vol. ix., p. 137.).—L. Hartly a little misstates Mr. Serjeant Merewether's evidence. The learned serjeant only said that "he believed" the fact was so. But he was undoubtedly mistaken, probably from confounding
the Privy Council (at which the Lord Mayor never appeared) with a meeting of other persons (nobility, gentry, and others), who assemble on the same occasion in a different room, and to which meeting (altogether distinct from the Privy Council) the Lord Mayor is always summoned, as are the sheriffs, aldermen, and a number of other notabilities, not privy councillors. This matter is conclusively explained in Vol. iv., p.284.; but if more particular evidence be required, it will be found in the London Gazette of the 20th June, 1837, where the names of the privy councillors are given in one list to the number of eighty-three, and in another list the names of the persons attending the meeting to the number of above 150, amongst whom are the local mayor, sheriffs, under-sheriffs, aldermen, common sergeants, city solicitor, &c. As "N & Q." has reproduced the mistake, it is proper that it should also reproduce the explanation.
C.
New Zealander and Westminster Bridge (Vol. ix., p. 74.).—Before I saw the thought in Walpole's letter to Sir H. Mann, quoted in "N. & Q.," I ventured to suppose that Mrs. Barbauld's noble poem, Eighteen Hundred and Eleven, might have suggested Mr. Macaulay's well-known passage. The following extracts extracts describe the wanderings of those who—
"With duteous zeal, their pilgrimage shall take,
From the blue mountains on Ontario's lake,
With fond adoring steps to press the sod,
By statesmen, sages, poets, heroes, trod."
"Pensive and thoughtful shall the wanderers greet
Each splendid square, and still untrodden street;
Or of some crumbling turret, mined by time,
The broken stairs with perilous step shall climb,
Thence stretch their view the wide horizon round,
By scatter'd hamlets trace its ancient bound,
And choked no more with fleets, fair Thames survey,
Through reeds and sedge pursue his idle way.
. . . . . .
Oft shall the strangers turn their eager feet,
The rich remains of ancient art to greet,
The pictured walls with critic eye explore,
And Reynolds be what Raphael was before,
On spoils from every clime their eyes shall gaze,
Egyptian granites and the Etruscan vase;
And when, 'midst fallen London, they survey
The stone where Alexander's ashes lay,
Shall own with humble pride the lesson just,
By Time's slow finger written in the dust."
J. M.
Cranwells, near Bath.
The beautiful conception of the New Zealander at some future period visiting England, and giving a sketch of the ruins of London, noticed in "N. & Q." as having been suggested to Macaulay by a passage in one of Walpole's letters to Sir H. Mann, will be found more broadly expressed in Kirke White's Poem on Time. Talking of the triumphs of Oblivion, he says:
"Meanwhile the Arts, in second infancy,
Rise in some distant clime; and then, perchance,
Some bold adventurer, fill'd with golden dreams,
Steering his bark through trackless solitudes,
Where, to his wandering thoughts, no daring prow
Had ever plough'd before,—espies the cliffs
Of fallen Albion. To the land unknown
He journeys joyful; and perhaps descries
Some vestige of her ancient stateliness:
Then he with vain conjecture fills his mind
Of the unheard-of race, which had arrived
At science in that solitary nook,
Far from the civil world; and sagely sighs,
And moralises on the state of man."
This hardly reads like a borrowed idea; and I should lean to a belief that it was not. Kirke White's Poems and Letters are but too little read.
J. S.
Dalston.
Cui Bono (Vol. ix., p. 76.).—Reference to a dictionary would have settled this. According to Freund, "Cui bono fuit=Zu welchem Zwecke, or Wozu war es gut?" That is, To what purpose? or, For whose good?
Carnatic.
The syntax of this common phrase, with the ellipses supplied, is, "Cui homini fuerit bono negotio?" To what person will it be an advantage? Literally, or more freely rendered, Who will be the gainer by it? It was (see Ascon. in Cicer. pro Milone, c. xii.) the usual query of Lucius Cassius, the Roman judge, implying that the person benefiting by any crime was implicated therein. (Consult Facciolati's Dict. in voce Bonum.)
Hk.
The correct rendering of this phrase is undoubtedly that given by F. Newman, "For the benefit of whom?" but it is generally used in such a manner as to make it indifferent whether that, or the corrupted signification "For what good?" was intended by the writer making use of it. The latter is, however, the idea generally conveyed to the mind, and in this sense it is used by the best writers. Thus, e.g.:
"The question 'cui bono,' to what practical end and advantage do your researches tend? is one," &c.—Herschel's Discourse on Nat. Philosophy, p. 10.
William Bates.
Birmingham.
Barrels Regiment (Vol. viii., p. 620.; Vol. ix., p. 63.).—I am obliged to H. B. C. for his attention to my Query, though it does not quite answer my purpose, which was to learn the circumstances which occasioned a print in my possession, entitled "The Old Scourge returned to Barrels." It represents a regiment, the body of each
soldier being in the form of a barrel, drawn up within view of Edinburgh Castle. A soldier is tied up to the halberts in order to be flogged; the drummer intercedes: "Col., he behaved well at Culloden." An officer also intercedes: "Pray Col. forgive him, he's a good man." The Col.'s reply is, "Flog the villain, ye rascal." Under the print—"And ten times a day whip the Barrels." I want to know who this flogging Col. was; and anything more about him which gained for him the unenviable title of Old Scourge.
E. H.
Sir Matthew Hale (Vol. ix., p. 77.).—From Sir Matthew Hale, who was born at Alderley, descends the present family of Hale of Alderley, co. Gloucestershire. The eldest son of the head of the family represents West Gloucestershire in parliament. The Estcourts of Estcourt, co. Gloucestershire, are, I believe, also connexions of the family of Hale.
Mackenzie Walcott, M.A.
The descendants of Sir Matthew Hale still live at Alderley, near Wotton Underedge, in Gloucestershire. I believe a Mr. Blagdon married the heiress of Hale, and took her name. The late Robert Blagdon Hale, Esq., married Lady Theodosia Bourke, daughter of the late Lord Mayo, and had two sons. Robert, the eldest, and present possessor of Alderley, married a Miss Holford. Matthew, a clergyman, also married; who appears by the Clergy List to be Archdeacon of Adelaide, South Australia. Mr. John Hale, of Gloucester, is their uncle, and has a family.
Julia R. Bockett.
Southcote Lodge.
The Hales of Alderley in Gloucestershire claim descent from Sir Matthew Hale, born and buried there. (See Atkins, p. 107.; Rudder, p. 218., and Bigland, p. 30.) When Mr. Hale of Alderley was High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1826, the judge then on circuit made a complimentary allusion to it in court. The descent is in the female line, and the name was assumed in 1784.
Lancastriensis.
Scotch Grievance (Vol. ix., p. 74.).—The Scottish coins of James VI., Charles I., William, have on the reverse a shield, bearing 1. and 4. Scotland; 2. France and England quarterly; 3. Irish harp.
Edw. Hawkins.
Under this head A Descendant of Scottish Kings asks: "Can any coin be produced, from the accession of James VI. to the English throne, on which the royal arms are found, with Scotland in the first quarter, and England in the second?"
Will you kindly inform your querist, that in my collection I have several such coins, viz. a shilling of Charles I.; a mark of Charles II., date 1669; a forty-shilling piece of William III., date 1697: on each Scotland is first and third. I shall be most happy to submit these to your inspection, or send them for the satisfaction of your correspondent.
F. J. Williams.
24. Mark Lane.
"Merciful Judgments of High Church," &c. (Vol. ix., p. 97.).—The author of this tract, according to the Bodleian Catalogue, was Matthew Tindal.
Ἁλιεύς.
Dublin.
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Vol. ix., p. 105.).—I can refer A. S. to Camden's History of Elizabeth, where, under the year 1588, it related,—
"Neither was the publick joy anything abated by Leicester's death, who about this time, namely, on the 4th day of September, died of a continuall fever upon the way as he went towards Killingworth."
I can also refer him to Sir William Dugdale's Baronage of England, vol. ii. p. 222., where I find it stated that he—
"Design'd to retire unto his castle at Kenilworth. But being on his journey thitherwards, at Cornbury Park in Com. Oxon., he died upon the fourth of September, an. 1588, of a feaver, as 'twas said, and was buried at Warwick, where he hath a noble monument."
But neither in the above writers, nor in any more recent account of his life, have I seen his death ascribed to poison. The ground on which Stanfield Hall has been regarded as the birthplace of Amy Robsart is, that her parents Sir John and Lady Elizabeth Robsart resided at Stanfield Hall in 1546, according to Blomefield in his History of Norfolk, though where he resided at his daughter's birth does not appear.
Ἁλιεύς.
Dublin.
Fleet Prison (Vol. ix., p. 76.).—A list of the wardens will be found in Burn's History of Fleet Marriages, 2nd edit., 1834. Occasional notices of the under officers will also there be met with, and a list of wardens' and jailors' fees.
S.
The Commons of Ireland previous to the Union in 1801 (Vol. ix., p.35.).—Allow me to inform C. H. D. that I have in my possession a copy (with MS. notes) of Sketches of Irish Political Characters of the present Day, showing the Parts they respectively take on the Question of the Union, what Places they hold, their Characters as Speakers, &c., 8vo. pp. 312, London, 1799. Is this the book he wants? I know nothing of its author nor of the Rev. Dr. Scott.
Abhba.
"Les Lettres Juives" (Vol. viii., p. 541.).—The author of Les Lettres Juives was Jean Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis d'Argens, one of the most prolific and amusing writers of the eighteenth century.
His principal works are, Histoire de l'Esprit Humain, Les Lettres Juives, Les Lettres Chinoises, Les Lettres Cabalistiques, and his Philosophie du bons Sens. Perhaps your correspondent may be interested to learn that a reply to the Lettres Juives was published in 1739, La Haye, three vols. in twelve, by Aubert de la Chenaye Des-Bois under the title of Correspondence historique, philosophique et critique, pour servir de réponse aux Lettres Juives.
Henry H. Breen.
Sir Philip Wentworth (Vol. vii., p. 42.; Vol. viii., pp. 104. 184.).—In Wright's Essex, vol. i. p. 645., Sir Philip Wentworth is said to have married Mary, daughter of John, Lord Clifford. I do not recollect that Wright cites authority. I know he has more than one error respecting the Gonsles, who are in the same pedigree.
Anon.
General Fraser (Vol. viii., p. 586.).—Simon Fraser, Lieut.-Colonel, 24th Regiment, and Brigadier-General was second in command under Burgoyne when he advanced from Canada to New York with 7000 men in 1777. He fell at Stillwater, a short time before the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga. He was struck by a shot from a tree, as he was advancing at the head of his troops; and died of his wound October 7, 1777. He was buried, as he had desired, in the redoubt on the field, in the front of the American army commanded by General Gates. During his interment, the incessant cannonade of the enemy covered with dust the chaplain and the officers who assisted in performing the last duties to his remains, they being within view of the greatest part of both armies. An impression long prevailed among the officers of Burgoyne's army, that if Fraser had lived, the issue of the campaign, and of the whole war, would have been very different from what it was. Burgoyne is said to have shed tears at his death. General Fraser's regiment had been employed under Wolfe in ascending the Heights of Abraham, Sept. 12, 1759; where, both before and after the fall of Wolfe, the Highlanders rendered very efficient service. His regiment was also engaged with three others under Murray at the battle of Quebec in 1760. Some incidental mention of General Fraser will be found in Cannon's History of the 31st Regiment, published by Furnivall, 30. Whitehall; but I am not aware of any memoirs or life of him having been published.
J. C. B.
Namby-Pamby (Vol. viii., pp 318. 390.).—Henry Carey, the author of Chrononhotonthologos, and of The Dragoness of Wantley, wrote also a work called Namby-Pamby, in burlesque of Ambrose Phillips's style of poetry; and the title of it was probably intended to trifle with that poet's name. Mr. Macaulay, in his Essay on Addison and his Writings, speaks of Ambrose Phillips, who was a great adulator of Addison, as—
"A middling poet, whose verses introduced a species of composition which has been called after his name, Namby-Pamby."
D. W. S.
The Word "Miser" (Vol. ix., p. 12.).—Cf. the use of the word miserable in the sense of miserly, mentioned amongst other Devonianisms at Vol. vii., p. 544. And see Trench's remarks on this word (Study of Words, p. 38. of 2nd edit.).
H. T. G.
Hull.
The Forlorn Hope (Vol. viii, p. 569.), i.e. the advanced guard.—This explains what has always been to me a puzzling expression in Gurnall's Christian in Complete Armour (p. 8. of Tegg's 8vo. edit., 1845):
"The fearful are in the forlorn of those that march for hell."
See Rev. xxi. 8., where "the fearful and unbelieving" stand at the head of the list of those who "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone."
H. T. G.
Hull.
The true origin and meaning of forlorn hope has no doubt been fully explained in "N & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 569. Richardson's Dictionary does not countenance this view, but his example proves it conclusively. He only gives one quotation, from North's Plutarch; and as it stands in the dictionary, it is not easy to comprehend the passage entirely. On comparing it, however, with the corresponding passage in Langhorne (Valpy's edition, vol. iii. p. 97.), and again with Pompei's Italian version (vol. iii. p. 49.), I have no doubt that, by the term forlorn hope, North implied merely an advanced party; for as he is describing a pitched battle and not a siege, a modern forlorn hope would be strangely out of place.
Is enfans perdus the idiomatic French equivalent, or is it only dictionary-French? And what is the German or the Italian expression?
R. Cary Barnard.
Malta.
Thornton Abbey (Vol. viii., p. 469.).—In the Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 357., may be found not only an historical and architectural account of this building, but several views; with architectural details of mouldings, &c.
H. T. G.
Hull.
"Quid facies," &c. (Vol. viii., p. 539. Vol. ix., p. 18.).—In a curious work written by the Rev. John Warner, D.D., called Metronariston, these lines (as printed in Vol. ix., p. 18.) are quoted, and stated to be—
"A punning Epigram on Scylla as a type of Lust, cited by Barnes."
I have not the Metronariston with me, and therefore cannot refer to the page.
D. W. S.
Christ-Cross-Row (Vol. iii., pp. 330. 465.; Vol. viii., p. 18.).—Quarles (Embl. ii. 12.) gives a passage from St. Augustine commencing,—"Christ's cross is the Christ-cross of all our happiness," but he gives no exact reference.
Wordsworth speaks of
"A look or motion of intelligence
From infant conning of the Christ-cross-row."
Excurs. viii. p. 305.
These lines suggest the Query, Is this term for the alphabet still in use? and, if so, in what parts of the country?
Eirionnach.
Sir Walter Scott, and his Quotations from himself (Vol. ix, p. 72.).—I beg to submit to you the following characteristic similarity of expression, occurring in one of the poems and one of the novels of Sir Walter Scott. I am not aware whether attention has been drawn to it in the letters of Mr. Adolphus and Mr. Heber, as I have not the work at hand to consult:
"His grasp, as hard as glove of mail,
Forced the red blood-drop from the nail."
Rokeby, Canto I. Stan. 15.
"He wrung the Earl's hand with such frantic earnestness, that his grasp forced the blood to start under the nail."—Legend of Montrose.
N. L. T.
Nightingale and Thorn (Vol. viii., p. 527.).—Add Young's Night Thoughts, Night First, vers. 440-445.:
"Griefs sharpest thorn hard pressing on my breast,
I strive with wakeful melody to cheer
The sullen gloom, sweet Philomel! like thee,
And call the stars to listen—every star
Is deaf to mine, enamour'd of thy lay."
H. T. G.
Hull.
Female Parish Clerks (Vol. viii., p. 474.).—Within the last half-century, a Mrs. Sheldon discharged the duties of this post at the parish church of Wheatley, five miles from Oxford, and near Cuddesdon, the residence of the Bishop of Oxford. This clerkship was previously filled by her husband; but, upon his demise, she became his successor. It is not a week since that I saw a relation who was an eye-witness of this fact.
Percy M. Hart.
Stockwell.
Hour-glass Stand (Vol. ix., p. 64.).—There is an hour-glass stand of very quaintly wrought iron, painted in various colours, attached to the pulpit at Binfield, Berks.
J. R. M., M.A.