Minor Notes.
The Hyphen.
—Dr. Dobbin, lecturing some time back on physical education in Hull, condemned the practice of tight lacing as extremely injurious to the symmetry and health of the female sex, and jocularly proposed the formation of an "Anti-killing-young-women-by-a-lingering-death-Society." This was gravely reproduced in other parts of this country and on the continent as sober matter of fact, the Germans giving the hyphenated title thus: Jungefrauenzimmerdurchschwindsuchttoedtungs-gegenverein.
Old Books New Titles.
—Permit me to say that it is in the power of your London correspondents to do a real service to your country readers, and at the same time serve the cause of honest bibliopoly, by pointing out in the pages of "N. & Q." current instances of what I beg leave to call the fraudulent advertisement of published books under a new title, or one so altered as to produce the impression of novelty in the mind of a reader like myself. For example, being an admirer of Sam Slick's works—and who is not?—I purchased, on its first appearance, his English in America; and seeing lately advertised, as a new work, Rule and Misrule of the English in America, by the same author, I obtained it, and found it the identical work before named, the title-page alone being altered! I mention another instance. I perceive an advertisement of the Letters of Gray the Poet, published from the original MSS. in two volumes, by the Rev. J. Mitford. Now, I should like to know whether this is, as it is called, really a "new work," or merely a part, or at most a revival, of Mitford's Letters, &c. of Gray, published in 4 vols., 1836.
J. H.
Eugene Aram.
—Until the year 1834, when considerable reforms took place in the Court of Exchequer with respect to sheriffs' accounts, a process called "the Summons of the Pipe" issued into each county, charging the sheriff with the levy of divers old rents. In that of Yorkshire I noticed the following entry, which I communicated to Mr. Scatcherd. I am not aware that it has ever been published. By inserting it you will relieve me from the necessity of preserving my "note."
"Of the same Sheriff for the issues of waste building in Knaresbrough, in the said county, in the tenure of Daniel Clarke, of the yearly value of IIII£i and one undivided moiety or fifth part of the whole, to be divided into five equal parts of and in a certain farm called Moat House farm, situate at Wickersley in the said County, which consists [here followed particulars], in the occupation of Samuel Chipchase, of the yearly value of XXI£i of the lands and tenements of Daniel Clarke aforesaid, shoemaker, outlawed at the suit of Philip Coates, gentleman, in a plea of trespass on the case VIII£i IIIs and VIc XXXVIII£i Vs arrears."
"Philip Coates," says Mr. Scatcherd (Gleanings, p. 26.), "attorney-at-law, a very respectable man, married Clarke's wife's sister." It is singular that a murdered man should be outlawed after death and that he should continue to haunt the Exchequer for near a century afterwards. It is a complete confirmation of the statement that Clarke was supposed to have absconded, and that no suspicion of foul play arose at the time of his disappearance.
W. G.
Inscription at Hardwicke Hall.
—The following inscription, from a banqueting-room in Hardwicke Hall, Derbyshire, may be worthy of a place by the side of those quoted by PROCURATOR (Vol. v., p. 8.):
"Sanguine, cornu, corde, oculo, pede, cervus et aure
Nobilis, at claro sanguine nobilior."
H. T.