Minor Queries Answered.
Hieroglyphics of Vagrants and Criminals.
—In one of the recent deeply interesting Sanitary Reports of Mr. Rawlinson to the General Board of Health—reports which frequently contain scraps of antiquarian, among a mass of more directly utilitarian information—there is passage which opens up a curious subject, upon which, possibly, some of your readers may be able to furnish illustrations from their literary stores. I allude to that portion of his Report on the Parish of Havant (Southamptonshire), in which he states:—
"There is a sort of blackguard's literature, and the initiated understand each other by slang terms, by pantomimic signs, and by hieroglyphics. The vagrant's mark may be seen in Havant, on corners of streets, on door-posts, and on house-steps. Simple as these chalk lines appear, they inform the succeeding vagrants of all they require to know; and a few white scratches may say 'be importunate,' or 'pass on.' The murderer's signal is even exhibited from the gallows; as, a red handkerchief held in the hand of the felon about to be executed, is a token that he dies without having betrayed any professional secrets."
This is a curious subject; and I think it would prove interesting to many readers, if any illustration could be afforded of the above strange and somewhat startling statements.
J. J. S.
[Beloe, in his Anecdotes of Literature, vol. ii. pp. 146-157., has left us some curious notices of this kind of vulgar literature, of English pure and undefiled from the "knowledge box" of Thomas Decker. But the most complete Lexicon Balatronicum et Macaronicum was published in 1754, enriched with many "a word not in Johnson," and which leaves at a respectful distance the glossorial labours of Spelman, Ducange, Junius, and even the renowned Francis Grose and his Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. It is entitled The Scoundrel's Dictionary; or, an Explanation of the Cant Words used by Thieves, Housebreakers, Street Robbers, and Pickpockets. To which are prefixed some Curious Dissertations on the Art of Wheedling; and a Collection of Flash Songs, with a proper Glossary, 8vo., London, 1754.]
Muggleton and Reeve.
—I wish to obtain some accurate information as to John Reeve and Rodowick Muggleton, the founders of the sect called Muggletonians, which appears to have been in existence up to the end of the last century. Mr. Macaulay calls Muggleton "a drunken tailor," but gives no reference. The article "Muggletonians" in the Encyclopædia Britannica is extremely meagre, both in matter and length. Is there any authentic portrait of Reeve or Muggleton? Any information on these points, or indication as to where it may be found, will greatly oblige
R. S.
Highgate.
[Our correspondent will find the information he requires in the following works: "The New Witnesses proved Old Hereticks," by William Penn, 4to. 1672. "A True Representation of the Absurd and Mischievous Principles of the Sect commonly known by the name of Muggletonians," 4to. 1694. Muggleton's Works, with his portrait, 1756. "A Complete Collection of the Works of Reeve and Muggleton, together with other Muggletonian Tracts," 3 vols. 4to. 1832. See also Leslie's Snake in the Grass; Collier's Historical Dictionary, Supplement; and Gentleman's Mag., vol. lxii. pt. i. p. 218.]
Rev. T. Adams.
—Can any particulars be noted of the Rev. Thomas Adams, a preacher at Paul's Cross in 1612, besides those mentioned by the editor of a Selection from his Sermons, published in 1847—the Rev. W. H. Stowell. His works were printed in 1630 in a thick folio volume, but some of them had previously appeared in small 4to., one such is in the British Museum, and another I recollect seeing at a bookseller's. I should much like to have a list and some account of these 4to. editions.
S. FY.
[Thomas Adams, D.D., was minister at Willington, in Bedfordshire, and afterwards rector of St. Bennet's, Paul's Wharf. According to Newcourt (Repertorium, i. 302.), "he was sequestered for his loyalty in the late rebellion, and was esteemed an excellent preacher; but died before the Restoration." The following Sermons by him were all published in 4to.: those distinguished by an asterisk are in the British Museum, the others in the Bodleian. 1. The Gallant's Burden; a Sermon on Isa. xxi. 11, 12., 1612. 2. Heaven and Earth Reconciled: on Dan. xii. 3., preached at Bedford at the Visitation of M. Eland, Archdeacon, 1613. *3. The Diuell's Banquet, described in Six Sermons, 1614. 4. England's Sickness comparatively conferred with Israel's; in Two Sermons on Jer. viii. 22., 1615. 5. The Two Sonnes; or the Dissolute conferred with the Hypocrite; on Matt. xxi. 28., 1615. 6. The Leaven, or a Direction to Heaven, on Matt. xiii. 33. p 97. ibid. *7. The Spiritual Navigator bound for the Holy Land, preached at Cripplegate on Trinity Sunday, 1615. 8. The Sacrifice of Thankfulness, on Ps. cxviii. 27., whereunto are annexed five other Sermons never before printed, 1616. 9. Diseases of the Sovle: a Discourse Divine, Morall, and Physicall, 1616. *10. The Happiness of the Church; being the Summe of Diverse Sermons preached at St. Gregorie's, 1618.]
The Archbishop of Spalatro (Vol. iv., pp. 257. 295.).
—Who were the English bishops, at whose consecration Antonius de Dominis assisted in Lambeth Chapel?
AGRIPPA.
[On December 14, 1617, Mark Spalatro assisted as a prelate at the consecration of Nicholas Felton, Bishop of Bristol, and George Monteigne, Bishop of Lincoln. See a list of the consecrations from the Lambeth Registers in Perceval's Apology for the Doctrine of Apostolical Succession, Appendix, p. 183.]
Bishop Bridgeman.
—Will you direct me to the best means of obtaining answers to the following questions:—
John Bridgeman, fellow and tutor of Magdalen Coll. Camb., was admitted ad eundem at Oxford, July 4, 1600; and consecrated Bishop of Chester, May, 1619. The points of inquiry are—
1. When was the said John Bridgeman entered at Cambridge?
2. When and where was he born?
3. Who and what were his parents?
C. J. CLAY, B.A. (Trin. Coll. Camb.)
[Leycester, in his Cheshire, says, "Bishop Bridgeman was the son of Thomas Bridgeman of Greenway in Devonshire," but other authorities make him a native of Exeter. Prince (Worthies of Devon, p. 99.) says, "He was born in the city of Exeter, not far from the palace-gate there, of honest and gentile parentage. His father was Edmund Bridgeman, sometime high-sheriff of that city and county, A.D. 1578. Who his mother was I do not find." In Wood's Fasti, vol. i. p. 286. Mr. Bliss has the following note: "John Bridgman, natus erat Exoniæ. Vid. Izaak's Antiq. of Exeter, p. 156. S.T.P. Cant. Coll. Magd. an. 1612. Vid. Prynne's Antipathy, p. 290., and Worthies of Devon, BAKER." Ormerod (Hist. of Cheshire, i. 79.) says, "He was the compiler of a valuable work relating to the ecclesiastical history of the diocese, now deposited in the episcopal registry, and usually denominated Bishop Bridgeman's Leger." For other particulars respecting him, consult Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, Part II. p. 10.; Ackermann's Cambridge, vol. ii. p 160.; Prynne's New Discovery of the Prelate's Tyranny, pp. 91. 108. 218.; and Cole's MSS. vol. xxvii. p. 218.]
Rouse, the Scottish Psalmist.
—Can any of your readers favour me with some particulars of the life of Rouse, the author of the Scottish metrical version of the Psalms? His name does not appear in any of the biographical dictionaries I have had an opportunity of consulting. From some historical scraps this version had come into the hands of the Westminster Assembly of Divines—was afterwards transmitted by them to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, who appointed commissioners, &c., for consideration—and was, on 23rd Nov. 1649, sanctioned by the General Assembly, and any other version discharged from being used in the Kirk or its families. Notwithstanding some doggerel interspersed, the version is allowed to be distinguished for a sweet easy simplicity, and well suited to the devotional purpose intended. Rouse evidently was considerably endowed with the vis poetica; and it is to be regretted, that he who has rendered such important service to our national church, should not be known more than by name; at least, this is the predicament in which I stand, along with a few friends, whose notice has been incidentally drawn to the subject.
G. N.
Glasgow, Jan. 9. 1852.
[Our correspondent will find an interesting account of Francis Rouse and his metrical version in Holland's Psalmists of Britain, vol. ii. pp. 31-38.]
"Count Cagliostro, or the Charlatan, a tale of the Reign of Louis XVI."
—I remember of having read, somewhere about the year 1838-9, a novel of this name; and having inquired frequently for it since, never heard of one. Can any of your correspondents tell me who wrote it?
S. WMSON.
[This work is in three volumes. We have seen it attributed to T. A. James.]
Churchyard Well and Bath.
—Whilst making a short antiquarian excursion in the county of Norfolk last autumn, I visited the ancient church at East Dereham. Amongst other features of interest which this fine church displays, may be enumerated its massive bell tower, detached from the sacred edifice, on the S.E. of the chancel; and a rude building, to the west of the building, also detached, on the western front of which is the following inscription:
"This bath
was erected in the year
1793,
in part by voluntary subscriptions, for public benefit,
on the ruins of a tomb which contained the remains of
WITHBURGA,
youngest daughter of
ANNAS,
king of the East Angles,
who died A.D. 654.
The abbot and monks of Ely
stole this precious relique
and translated it to Ely Cathedral,
where it was interred near her three royal sisters,
A.D. 974."
The sexton informed me that the abbot and monks of Ely made this bath, or well, to recompense the good people of Dereham for the loss they had sustained by the removal of the bones. It is yet used as a bath, both by residents and strangers, the supply of water being very plentiful, and delightfully clear. The water rises under an arch of the Early English, or Early Decorated period. I shall be glad of any notes upon this, or similar baths, in any other churchyards.
W. SPARROW SIMPSON, B.A.
[This bath appears to have been formerly used as a baptistery, which in the early British churches was erected outside of the western entrance, where it continued until the sixth century, if not later (Bingham, book viii. c. vii.). Blomefield, in his History of Norfolk, vol. v. p. 1190. fol. 1775., has the following notices of this building: "At the west end of the churchyard are the ruins of a very ancient baptistery, over which was formerly a small chapel, dedicated to St. Withburga. At the east end of the baptistery there is now remaining a curious old Gothic arch, from which runs a spring of clear water, formerly said to have had many medicinal and healing qualities. The fabulous account is, that this spring took its rise in the churchyard from the place where St. Withburga was first buried. In the year 1752 it was arched over, and converted into a cold bath." In the notices of the early churches of Cornwall, Wales, and Ireland, frequent mention is made of these baptisteries or holy wells, which we do not remember to have seen fully discussed in any work, and of which some account would be interesting alike to the divine, the topographer, and the antiquary. The learned Leland, in his Itinerary, iii. 30., in a description of Falmouth harbour, says, "there is a praty village or fishar town with a pere, cawlid S. Maws [Machutus], and there is a chapelle of hym, and his chaire of stone, and his welle." Again, speaking of the church of St. Germochus in Cornwall, he says, "it is three miles from S. Michael's Mont by est south est, and a mile from the se; his tomb is yet seene ther. S. Germoke ther buried. S. Germoke's chair in the chirch-yard. S. Germoke's welle a little without the chirch-yard." (Itin. iii. 16.) Some further notices of these holy wells will be found in The Chronicles of the Ancient British Church, pp. 136-140.]