Replies to Minor Queries.
Chatterton (Vol. vii., p. 189.).—J. M. G. informs N. B. that he is possessed of the whole of the late Mr. Hazlewood's collection of volumes, tracts, and cuttings from periodicals, published during the period when the Rowleian and Chattertonian
controversy engrossed so much of public criticism and dispute.
He has likewise various other articles relating to Chatterton, both in print and manuscript, collected during many years that he was resident at and connected with Bristol, which then naturally interested him in the subject. But what would be of far greater use to N. B. in ascertaining who was the author of the Rowleian poems, is an essay in manuscript, recently furnished to J. M. G. by a gentleman now resident in Bristol, whose ancestors were acquainted with Chatterton's family, and who has in this document shown, not only great archæological research, but has thrown much new light upon various disputed points both relative to Chatterton's relations and friends, which go far to settle the opinion, that the venerable Rowley, and not the boy Chatterton, was the writer of the poems.
J. M. G. is afraid that this subject is one, the revival of which would fail to interest the public mind, or he might be induced to publish the essay, to which he has reason to believe that its author would give his consent; and should J. M. G. again raise the controversy by sending to "N. & Q." any detached parts, he is apprehensive that the subjects of them would not meet with the attention they formerly would have done.
J. M. G.
Worcester.
Princes' Whipping-boys (Vol. v., pp. 468. 545.).—In your publication are notices respecting two whipping-boys, Edward Browne and William Murray, who both endured punishment for the offences of English princes. I, however, think it not improbable such infliction was perpetrated in other kingdoms, and perhaps in Spain, for the improvement of Philip III. or some such worthy scion of royalty. Le Sage, who was a most incomparable observer of men and manners, has, in his admirable novel of Gil Blas, introduced, with purely natural humour, and in his style so naïf, an instance of such mode of correction. In livre 5ième, chap. i., there is the history of Don Raphaël, who at twelve years of age was selected by the Marquis de Leganez to be the companion of his son of the same age, who "ne paraissait pas né pour les sciences," and scarcely knew a letter of his alphabet. The story goes on with describing various endeavours of his masters to induce him to apply to his studies, but without success: till at last the Précepteur thought of the expedient to give le fouet to young Raphaël whenever the little Leganez deserved it; and this he did without mercy, till Raphaël determined to elope from the roof of the Marquis de Leganez: and in some degree to revenge himself for all the injustice he had suffered, took with him all the argent comptant of the Précepteur, amounting to one hundred and fifty ducats. In concluding, I may observe that there is a very neat edition of Gil Blas lately published in Paris, with illustrated vignettes by Gigoux, one of which represents the Précepteur operating upon the unfortunate Raphaël:
"... horribili sectêre flagello."—Hor.
and young Leganez looking on seemingly unconcerned!