Philip S. King.
The Book of Jasher (Vol. v., p. 415.).—I have a translation of a work thus named. It was published by Noah and Gould, 144. Nassau Street, New York, 1840. The publisher's preface mentions Illive's work as "a miserable fabrication;" claims, as the original of his own, a book "said to have been discovered in Jerusalem at its capture by Titus," and preserved at Venice, 1613. It also speaks of the "owner and translator" as resident in England. I have a vague idea that I heard from New York, at the time I received my volume, that the Duke of Sussex had possessed a copy of the Book of Jasher, and that some steps had been taken towards the translation by order of His Royal Highness. I mention this merely to lead inquiry: I cannot trust my memory as to the verbal expression of a friend so many years ago.
I have long wished the Book of Jasher to obtain a fair hearing, and a more critical examination than I am qualified to make; and I shall be happy to lend it to your correspondent L. L. L. in furtherance of what I think an act of justice.
F. C. B.
Sites of Buildings mysteriously changed (Vol. v., p. 436.).—Perhaps W. H. K. may deem the following account of the foundation of Bideford Bridge near enough to his purpose:
"Before whose erection the breadth and roughness of the river was such, as it put many in jeopardy: some were drowned, to the great grief of the inhabitants, who did therefore divers times, and in sundry places, begin to build a bridge; but no firm foundation, after often proof being found, their attempts came to no effect. At which time Sir Richard Gornard was priest of the place, who (as the story of that town hath it) was admonished by a vision in his sleep, to set on the foundation of a bridge near a rock, which he should find rowled from the higher grounds upon the strand. This he esteemed but a dream; yet, to second the same with some art, in the morning he found a huge rock there fixed, whose greatness argued it the work of God; which not only bred admiration, but incited him to set forwards so charitable a work: who eftsoons, with Sir Theobald Grenvile, knight, lord of the land, an especial furtherer and benefactor of that work, founded the bridge there, now to be seen, which for length, and number of arches, equalizeth, if not excelleth, all others in England," &c.—Risdon's Survey of Devon, s. v. Bideford.
The traditions relating to St. Cuthbert and the foundation of Durham Cathedral are too well known to find a place in "N. & Q."
J. Sansom.
Wyned (Vol. v., pp. 321. 474.).—Read joined for wyned: "divers parcels of joined waynescott, windowes, and other implements of household," i. e. wainscot of joiner's work. I have no doubt this is the true reading, having once made the very same mistake myself in reading and printing an inventory of this period.
Spes.