DORFSNAIG.
Winifreda (Vol. iii., p. 27.).
—LORD BRAYBROOKE has furnished your readers with a very curious list of the various printed forms in which, at different times, this popular song has been given to the world; but he has omitted one which I think ought to be placed on record. I allude to a copy contained in the third number of The Foundling Hospital for Wit, a rare miscellany of "curious pieces," printed for W. Webb, near St. Paul's, 8vo. 1746 (p. 23.). This work was printed in numbers, at intervals, the first bearing date 1743; and the sixth, and last, 1749. My copy is particularly interesting as having the blank names filled up in a cotemporary hand, and the authors' names, in many cases, added. The song of Winifreda is assigned to "Mr. G. A. Stevens;" so that, after all, the Edinburgh reviewer may have confounded George Steevens, the "commentator," with his earlier and equally facetious namesake, George Alexander.
George Alexander Stevens was born (if a MS. obituary in my possession may be relied on) "in the parish of St. Andrew's Holborn, 1710." He died (according to the Biographia Dramatica) "at Baldock in Hertfordshire, Sept. 6, 1784."
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
George Chalmers (Vol. iv., 58.).
—The printed books and MSS. of the late George Chalmers were disposed of by auction in 1841 and 1842 by Mr. Evans of Pall Mall. The particular MS. inquired after by J. O. occurs in the third part of the printed sale catalogue, and is numbered 1891. It is thus described by Mr. Evans:
"CHALMERS'S BIBLIOGRAPHIA SCOTICA POETICA, or NOTICES OF SCOTTISH POETS AND THEIR WORKS, from 1286 to 1806, 4 vols. Chalmers's Notices of the Scottish Poetry, Drama, and Songs, 2 vols., together 6 vols.
*** These Volumes contain a great fund of Information, and furnish very valuable Materials for a History of Scotch Poetry. They would also be very useful to Collectors."
Lot 1894. is also highly interesting. It is described as—