F. Horne.
123. Newgate Street.
Portable Camera (Vol. vii., p. 71.).—If India rubber should turn out to be what H. Y. W. N. thinks he has found it to be, it would be capable of being turned to excellent account. For instance, instead of having a single "portable camera," which is on many accounts very awkward to use, why should not the tourist have a light framework constructed, and covered entirely with this India rubber: in fact, an India rubber box, in which his camera, and a partitioned shelf containing his collodion, developing fluid, hypo-soda solution, &c., might be easily packed, and in which, by the aid of sleeves, &c., he might coat his plates, and develop and fix them, quite apart from his camera? He must have something to pack his camera, &c. in; and the above-described packing-case would be very light, and also waterproof.
J. L. S.
Replies to Minor Queries.
Chaplains to Noblemen (Vol. vii., p. 85.).—The statute in which chaplains to noblemen are first named is 21 Henry VIII. c. 13. (1529); in which, by sect. 11., it is enacted, "that every Archbysshop and Duke may have vj chapleyns;" "every Markes and Erle may have fyve chapleyns;" "every vycecount and other Byshop may have foure chapleyns;" and "the Chancellour of England for the tyme beying and every Baron or Knyght of the Garter may have thre chapleyns:" and one chaplain of each order, whether Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, or Baron, is thereby authorised to purchase "lycence or dispensacion to take, receyve, and kepe two parsonages or benefices with cure of souls" (Stat. of the Realm, vol. iii. p. 294.). I believe that X. will find a regular registry of these appointments in Doctors' Commons.
It may be interesting to add, that among the other persons named in this statute are the Master of the Rolls, who may have "two chapleyns;" and the "Chefe Justice of the Kinges Benche," who may have "one chapleyn." By another statute, 25 Henry VIII. c. 16. (1533-4), this last power to have one chaplain is extended to "every Jugge of the seid high courtes" (King's Bench and Common Pleas), "the Chaunceller and Cheffe Baron of the Exchequer, the kynges generall attorney and generall soliciter" (Ibid. p. 457.)
Edward Foss.
Mitigation of Capital Punishment to a Forger (Vol. vi., p. 614.).—I have been and still am inquiring into the two cases of mitigation, intending to send the result, when I have found satisfactory evidence, or exhausted my sources of inquiry. The communication of Whunside is the first direct testimony, and may settle the Fawcett case. As he was "resident at Mr. Fawcett's when the circumstances occurred," perhaps he will be so kind as to state the date and place of the conviction, and the name of the convict. By adding his own name, the facts will stand upon his authority.