Minor Notes.
Rev. A. Butler.
—The Rev. R. Gibbings, M.A., did some years since give to the public an exact reprint of the first Roman Index Expurgatorius, in the lengthened Introduction to which he has treated of the whole literature pertaining to the question.
The same rev. gentleman is author of the following elegant inscription on the monument of the Rev. Archer Butler, recently professor of moral philosophy in Trinity College, Dublin. Your miscellany seems an appropriate place wherein to enshrine matters of this order.
"D. O. M.
"GUILIELMUS ARCHER BUTLER, A.M.
Rathmothachiæ Rector in Diœcesi Rapotensi,
Apud Dublinienses in Ethicis Professor,
Theologus, Poeta, Philosophus,
Optimis ingenii dotibus, summâque eloquentiâ præditus,
Multa pro Ecclesiâ Christi feliciter conscripsit,
Plura moliebatur.
Viris ille bonis doctisque juxta carus,
Integer vitæ, maturus animi,
Religione devinctus, concionibus potens
Æqualium decus, simul et exemplar,
Malignâ febre correptus,
Eheu, quàm intempestivè!
E terris migravit A.D. MDCCCXLVIII. ætatis suæ XXXVII.,
Triste desiderium superstitibus relinquens,
Amici piè memores hoc illi monumentum poni voluere."
O. T. D.
Birthplace of Bishop Hoadley.
—On the west side of the London Road, Westerham, Kent, are some neatly built brick cottages: before one of them stands a yew tree, which, I was informed by an intelligent inhabitant of the town, was planted by the Rev.—Hoadley, on the birth of his son Benjamin. Although the tree still marks the spot, the house itself does not now stand; it was razed to the ground some years since to make room for the present buildings. Benjamin's brother, who was afterwards Archbishop of Dublin, was also born in this house. I may add that this is not generally known in the town, but I think the above "Note" is accurate.
H. G. D.
Humboldt's "Cosmos," and Nares' "Attempt."
—Observing that the learned and accomplished Humboldt has concluded his Cosmos in German, although the English translation of the last portion has not yet appeared,—an extremely valuable and interesting scientific contribution towards a general view of human knowledge regarding the universe,—will you permit me to observe, that as it perhaps did not enter into his plan to consider the religious considerations that arise from a Christian's view of the universe in its relation to our small portion of its apparently illimitable extent, any reader of Humboldt's work who wishes to see how a scholar and a divine of a former generation has treated the subject, will, if I mistake not, peruse the following work with singular pleasure, making all due allowance for the imperfect state of scientific knowledge at the time when the author wrote:—
"Εις Θεος Εις Μεσιτης; or, an Attempt to show how far the Philosophical Notion of a Plurality of Worlds is consistent, or not so, with the language of the Holy Scriptures. By the Rev. Edward Nares, A.M., Rector of Biddenden, Kent, and late Fellow of Merton College, Oxford. 8vo. London, 1801."
The author, I may add, was a friend of the eminent geologist, De Luc.
J. M.
Gough, the Irish Portion of his Camden: Ledwich.
—The following cutting from a Dublin bookseller's Catalogue (Connolly, 6. Chancery Place, Feb. 1852) may perhaps find a corner in "N. & Q." Dr. Ledwich was the Will-o'-the-Wisp that led Gough astray in the matter of Irish antiquities. Few, indeed, of the "additions" made to honest Camden's original are of value, many of them are worse than valueless:—
"ANTIQUITIES OF IRELAND, from Gough's edition of Camden's Britannia, profusely illustrated with plates and maps from various works, including Ortelliu's (Ortelius') rare map of Ireland, all of which were inserted by the Rev. Mr. Ledwich, the Irish Antiquarian, royal folio, half russia, neat, 3l. 10s.
"This unique copy was presented by Mr. Gough to the Rev. Mr. Ledwich, and bears Gough's autograph: 'For the Rev. Mr. Ledwich. From the author. 1789.'
"Mr. Ledwich presented the book to Wm. Monck Mason, Esq., having written the following memorandum:—
"'I assisted Mr. Gough in this edition, and he spontaneously promised a copy of the work in 3 vols. folio, but put me off with this paltry volume. So he served my valuable friend, Mr. Beauford of Athy.
"'Viveret in terris te si quis avarior uno?'
"'Horace.
"'E. L., F.A.S., 1790.'
"A copy of the original note [to Mason] inserted in the book—
"'York Street, 3rd Feb. 1817.
"'Dear Sir—Having parted with all my books, for not one of my family could or would read them, I have retained what I send you. It is a small return for the presents you made me.
"'Small as it is, have the goodness to accept of it as a testimony of my obligations and friendship.
"'Believe me yours sincerely,
"'E. LEDWICH.'
"The work is Gough's Britannia, the Irish Part."
JAMES GRAVES.
Kilkenny.
Chronogram over the door of Sherborne school, marking the date 1670:
"Tecta, Draco custos, Leo vinDeX fLos Decus, auctor, ReX pius, hæc servat, protegit, ornat, aLit."
The letters DLDXLDXL are capitals, and rubricated.
S. S.
Junius and the Quarterly Review again.
—The article on the Letters of Junius, in the last number of the Quarterly Review, is very pleasantly written. But I suppose it will not be considered to have rendered probable the notion that Thomas Lord Lyttelton was the writer of those letters. The reviewer observes that "Lord Lyttelton," meaning George, the first Lord Lyttelton, is only once mentioned by Junius. Undoubtedly Junius mentions "Lord Littleton's integrity and judgment" (Woodfall, ii. 305.) Can it be imagined that Thomas Lord Lyttelton could have so mis-spelled his father's name?
CAROLUS CURSITOR.