"Assertion is not proof," and it surely does require proof ere we consent to brand a writer of unimpeached character with the charge of "a shameless, heartless act of literary piracy."
It rests with ERZA to bring forward his or her proof that the lines in dispute were written by Lady Flora. ERZA asserted that they were "never before printed." I have enabled him or her to satisfy himself or herself that they were in print nearly twelve years ago. I am disposed to believe ERZA equally mistaken in the assertion as to the authorship of the lines. If this prove so, the imputation cast upon Miss Barber will revert upon her accuser, and will demand the most ample apology.
I do not know Miss Barber; her writings I have long admired; and having been the means of drawing down upon her such an accusation, I am not disposed to let the inquiry terminate here. Nor can I believe the Editor of "NOTES AND QUERIES" will desire that either a literary error or a groundless slander should descend to posterity in his pages.
L. H. K.
ERZA cannot entertain a higher respect than I do for the memory of Lady Flora Hastings; but I am sure no member of her family would countenance any attempt to exalt her reputation at the expense of another's; and I fear ERZA, however unintentionally, has fallen into this error. The stanzas she attributed to Lady Flora, as L. H. K. stated (Vol. iii., p. 522.), were published as Miss M. A. S. Barber's in The Christian Lady's Magazine for September, 1839, only two months after Lady Flora's death. In the preceding number, as L. H. K. also correctly stated, is a brief memoir of Lady Flora, in which it is said, that shortly before her death she "delivered to her fond brother a little Bible, the gift of her mother, requesting him to restore it to that beloved parent," &c. ERZA may be unacquainted with that publication, but I can assure her that Lady Flora's brother, my esteemed and lamented patron, was not; for shortly after the number appeared, I found it lying on his table, in his own private room at Donington Park, and, while waiting to see him, partly read it there myself for the first time. I know not whether he ever read the lines in question in the succeeding number, but I know the Magazine was regularly taken by some of Lady Flora's intimate friends, and I cannot suppose they would allow any poem of hers to pass unnoticed for twelve years, with the signature of Miss Barber attached to it. Indeed the stanzas bear internal evidence of being written after Lady Flora's death, and founded on the account given by Charlotte Elizabeth in the preceding number. If, however, ERZA still persists in attributing them to Lady Flora Hastings, she is in duty bound to give her authority, and not bring such a heavy accusation against Miss Barber on the bare assertion of an anonymous correspondent. If Miss Barber really composed the stanzas, as I believe she did, she was doubtless actuated with a desire to honour the memory and character of Lady Flora; and in such case nothing could be more cruel and unjust than the conduct imputed to her by ERZA. Unfortunately I do not know Miss Barber's address, or whether she is still living; but if any of your readers do, I hope they will name this case to her, or her friends, that her reputation may be cleared from the imputation thus rashly cast on it. If the case cannot thus be satisfactorily settled, I will obtain the desired information from another quarter; but I hope ERZA will also offer the assistance in her power towards this desirable object; and to set the example of candour and openness, I will subscribe my real name.
W. HASTINGS KELKE.
Drayton Beauchamp.
Replies to Minor Queries.
Coke and Cowper (Vol. iv., p. 24.).
—In reply to one of your correspondents, who inquires as to the correct pronunciation of the name of the poet Cowper, I may mention, that some years ago, being on a visit in the neighbourhood of Weston Underwood, I made particular inquiries on this point in the village, and found that there the poet had always been known as Mr. Cooper. The name of the noble family to which he was related will be the best criterion.