Minor Queries.
Hermit Queries.—1. Some years ago a hermitage existed in certain grounds at Chelsea, the proprietor of which frequently advertised for a hermit, and, I believe, never got one. Who was the proprietor of the said hermitage; and did he ever succeed in getting his toy tenanted?
2. In Gilbert White's poem, Invitation to Selborne, the following lines occur:
"Or where the hermit hangs the straw-clad cell,
Emerging gently from the leafy dell,
By fancy plann'd," &c. &c.
The only edition of the "Letters" which I possess, is that by Sir William Jardine and Mr. Jesse, which affords a note on the passage, to the effect that the hermitage referred to was used by a young gentleman, who appeared occasionally "in the character of a hermit." What was the name of the eccentric, and what is known of his hermit life? Is the hermitage still in existence?
3. Where is to be found the best account of anchorites, real and fictitious?
Shirley Hibberd.
Derivation of "Cobb."—What is the derivation of the word Cobb? There is but one harbour of that name in England, that of Lyme Regis: there was once another at Swanage. This was also styled, some three centuries ago, the "Cobb or Conners."