It thus appears that Waggoner was either the title of a book, or the name of an author; and we may infer, from the absence of particulars, that it was quite familiar to the seamen of that period—as much so as Charles'-wain. May it not indicate Lucas Jansz Wagenaer of Enchuisen, author of the Spieghel der zeevaerdt, or mirror of navigation, published at Leyden in 1585. The Spieghel became a standard work; and a translation of it by Anthony Ashley was printed at London, with a dedication to sir Christopher Hatton, about the year 1588. Mr. Joseph Ames, who gives the title of this translation, observes: "Perhaps the sailors from this book call their sea charts Wagenars." He was the son of a merchant-captain, and passed his life as a ship chandler in Wapping: I need not search for a better witness. With regard to the word Quarter, it seems to be an abbreviation of quarter-deck; and if so, Quarter Waggoner would mean the quarter-deck charts, or the charts which were supplied to the commander of a ship for the use of himself and the other officers.
BOLTON CORNEY.
Cibber's Lives of the Poets (Vol. v., p. 25.).
—MR. CROSSLEY says that none of Johnson's biographers appear to have known that the prospectus which he has sent you was furnished by Dr. Johnson; but of this fact he gives no other proof than his own opinion that "the internal evidence is decisive." Now I really must say, that to my poor judgment nothing can be less like Johnson's peculiar style; and, moreover, MR. CROSSLEY, who quotes Mr. Croker's note (p. 818., ed. 1848) on this subject, has certainly not read that note accurately, for the object of that note was to endeavour to account for Johnson's having frequently and positively asserted that Cibber had nothing to do with these lives, of which MR. CROSSLEY would have us suppose he wrote the prospectus for Cibber. If MR. CROSSLEY will read more carefully the note referred to, which is half Boswell's and half Croker's, and also another note (also referred to), p. 504., he will see that it is impossible that Johnson could have written this prospectus.
As I happen to be addressing MR. CROSSLEY, I take the liberty of asking whether he has yet been able to lay his hands on Pope's Imitation of Horace, printed by Curll in 1716 (see "N. & Q.," Vol. iv., pp. 122. 139.), and which he tells us he possesses. I wonder and should be sorry that such a curiosity should be lost or even mislaid.
C.
Poniatowski Gems (Vol. v., p. 30.).
—A. O. O. D. is informed that a portion of these gems were sold by Christie and Manson about the second week in June of last year, under an order of the Court of Chancery, on account of the estate of the late Lord Monson. The contents of one cabinet were alone put up, and the auctioneers can, no doubt, supply the particulars that A. O. O. D. requires; or more general information might possibly be obtained from the solicitors, Messrs. Pooley and Beisly, 1. Lincoln's Inn Fields.
M——N.