Minor Notes.
The late Judge Talfourd.—Some years since I ventured to request information as to the proper way of pronouncing the Elia, from the talented and kind-hearted Judge Talfourd, whose days have just been brought to a close under such truly awful circumstances. The ready reply which he gave to an unknown inquirer, whilst it illustrates the courtesy and cordiality of his character, may prove interesting to your readers.
Temple, June 15, 1838.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th, and to express my pleasure at finding that you sympathise with me in genial admiration of the delightful person to whom it refers. All I know respecting the signature of Elia will be found at p. 65 of the second volume of Lamb's Letters. It was the real name of a coxcombical clerk thirty years dead, whom Lamb remembered at the South Sea House, and prefixed to his first essay (which was on the "Old South Sea House") in the London Magazine. The editor afterwards used it to distinguish Lamb's articles, and he finally adopted it. The i is short (Elĭa). It is an Italian name.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient and faithful servant,
T. N. Talfourd.
C. W. B.
Authors' Trustee Society.—Authors, as a class, are perhaps the most unfit men in the world to make the most of their own property; and were they ever so competent, it will often happen that their works do not attain to any great value as copyrights till after the poor author is laid in his grave. It is then, when his family are sometimes exposed to severe distress, that more favourable terms might be obtained from publishers; but there is no one left who is capable of acting for the benefit of the widow or children.
A Society might be formed to take charge as trustees of the property of an author in his works, to make engagements with booksellers for the privilege of publishing future editions as they may be required, and to take care that the honorarium for each edition be duly paid into the hands of the person who is entitled to receive it.
No expense would attend the formation of such a Society. Its meetings could be held at scarcely any cost. The advertisements, to announce from time to time what works are open for offers from printers, booksellers, and publishers, would amount to a very small sum in the course of the year—I dare say the Editor of "N. & Q." would insert them gratuitously. But, if necessary, a small percentage on the fees paid would cover all the disbursements of the Society.
L. P. K.
The Old Clock at Alderley.—In the investigation of this very old and curious piece of mechanism by the Rev. Joseph Bockett, in the year 1833, an inscription was found signifying that it was presented to the church of Alderley by the great Sir Matthew Hale. It was copied, verbatim
et literatim, by the said reverend gentleman, and is as follows:
"This is the Guift of the Right Honourable the Lord Cheif Justice Heale to the Parish Church of Alderly. John Mason, Bristol, Fecit, Novēm. 1st 1673."
It appears, by this inscription, to have been presented on his birth-day; which, from his tomb, was found to be November 1. Alderley is the family place of the Hale family to this day.
Julia R. Bockett.
Southcote Lodge.
The Olympic Plain, &c.—The success which has attended the excavations of Dr. Layard at Nineveh, has rekindled the curiosity of the antiquary and the classical scholar with regard to the buried remains of ancient Greece and Rome:
"The Tiber at Rome," Dodwell says, "is supposed to contain a vast assemblage of ancient sculpture; and thoughts are entertained of turning its course, in order to explore its hidden treasures."
The same distinguished traveller remarks (Classical and Topog. Tour through Greece) that—
"It was a favourite plan of the learned Winkelmann to raise a subscription for the excavation of the Olympic plain. If such a project should ever be consummated, we may confidently hope that the finest specimens of sculpture, as well as the most curious and valuable remains, will be brought to light. No place abounded with such numerous offerings to the gods, and with such splendid and beautiful representations in marble and in bronze."
Alpha.
Oxford.
Electric Telegraph.—Might not the telegraph be made serviceable in remote country districts, by connecting detached residences with the nearest police station; to which an alarm might be conveyed in cases of danger from thieves or fire? There are many who would willingly incur the expense for the sake of the security, and no doubt all details could be easily arranged.
Thinks I to Myself.
Irish Law in the Eighteenth Century.—I send, for the information of the readers of "N. & Q.," the following extract from Reilly's Dublin News Letter, Aug. 9, 1740:
"Last week, at the assizes of Kilkenny, a fellow who was to be tried for robbery not pleading, a jury was appointed to try whether he was wilfully mute, or by the hands of God; and they giving a verdict that he was wilfully mute, he was condemned to be pressed to death. He accordingly suffered on Wednesday, pursuant to his sentence, which was as follows: that the criminal shall be confined in some low dark room, where he shall be laid on his back, with no covering except round his loins, and shall have as much weight laid upon him as he can bear, and more; that he shall have nothing to live upon but the worst bread and water; and the day that he eats, he shall not drink; and the day that he drinks, he shall not eat; and so shall continue till he dies."
Is it to be believed that, so late as the 1740, such barbarity (to call it nothing worse) was practised according to law within the limits of Great Britain and Ireland? I would be glad to hear from some correspondent upon the subject.
Abhba.
Gravestone Inscriptions.—In the churchyard of Homersfield (St. Mary, Southelmham), Suffolk, was the gravestone of Robert Crytoft, who died Nov. 17, 1810, aged ninety, bearing the following epitaph:
"Myself.
As I walk'd by myself I talk'd to myself,
And thus myself said to me,
Look to thyself and take care of thyself,
For nobody cares for thee.
So I turn'd to myself, and I answer'd myself
In the self-same reverie,
Look to myself or look not to myself,
The self-same thing will it be."
This stone was some years since taken up, and has remained standing in the church tower. I know not whether the lines be original, but I have never seen them elsewhere.
The following were and may be now in St. Stephen's churchyard, Ipswich, on the stone of one Stephen Manister, clerk to Mr. Baron Thompson, who died in 1731, and by his will desired the following words to be there inscribed:
"What I gave I have, wt I spent I had,
What I left I lost for want of giving it."
G. A. C.