Cuthbert Bede, B. A.
Coleridge's Christabel—The 3rd Part (Vol. viii., pp. 11, 12.).—Mr. J. S. Warden asks if I am correct in stating the 3rd part of Christabel to be the composition of Dr. Maginn. I can but "give my authority" in a reference to a sketch of Maginn's life, in a new and well-conducted periodical, The Irish Quarterly Review, which, in the number for September, 1852, after giving a most humorous account of a first interview between Blackwood and his wild Irish contributor, who had for more than a year been mystifying the editor by contributions under various signatures, proceeds thus:—
"A few days before the first interview with Blackwood, Maginn had sent in his famous 'Third part of Christabel.' It is only to be found in the Magazine; and as many of our readers must be unacquainted with the poem, we here subjoin it."
The poem follows, containing the lines which led to the first inquiry on this subject.
It was having read the Memoir in The Irish Quarterly which enabled me so promptly to remember where the lines were to be found; but I had long before heard, and never doubted, that the clever parody was composed by Dr. Maginn.
A. B. R.
Belmont.
Mitigation of Capital Punishment (Vol. viii., p. 42.).—I am sorry Mr. Gatty takes the phrase "mythic accompaniments" as an imputation on himself. I did not intend it for one, having no doubt that he repeated the story as he heard it. In it were two statements of the highest decree of improbability. One I showed (Vol. v., p. 434.) to be contrary to penal, the other to forensic practice. One Mr. Gatty found to have been only a report, the other to have occurred at a different place and under different circumstances. Had these been stated in the first version, I should not have disputed them. Whittington was thrice Lord Mayor of London—that is history, to which the prophecy of Bow-bells and the exportation of the cat are "mythic accompaniments."
A word as to "disclosing only initials." I think you, as a means of authentification, should have the name and address of every correspondent. You have mine, and may give them to any one who pays me the compliment of asking; but I do not seek farther publicity.