[Leycester, in his Cheshire, says, "Bishop Bridgeman was the son of Thomas Bridgeman of Greenway in Devonshire," but other authorities make him a native of Exeter. Prince (Worthies of Devon, p. 99.) says, "He was born in the city of Exeter, not far from the palace-gate there, of honest and gentile parentage. His father was Edmund Bridgeman, sometime high-sheriff of that city and county, A.D. 1578. Who his mother was I do not find." In Wood's Fasti, vol. i. p. 286. Mr. Bliss has the following note: "John Bridgman, natus erat Exoniæ. Vid. Izaak's Antiq. of Exeter, p. 156. S.T.P. Cant. Coll. Magd. an. 1612. Vid. Prynne's Antipathy, p. 290., and Worthies of Devon, BAKER." Ormerod (Hist. of Cheshire, i. 79.) says, "He was the compiler of a valuable work relating to the ecclesiastical history of the diocese, now deposited in the episcopal registry, and usually denominated Bishop Bridgeman's Leger." For other particulars respecting him, consult Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, Part II. p. 10.; Ackermann's Cambridge, vol. ii. p 160.; Prynne's New Discovery of the Prelate's Tyranny, pp. 91. 108. 218.; and Cole's MSS. vol. xxvii. p. 218.]
Rouse, the Scottish Psalmist.
—Can any of your readers favour me with some particulars of the life of Rouse, the author of the Scottish metrical version of the Psalms? His name does not appear in any of the biographical dictionaries I have had an opportunity of consulting. From some historical scraps this version had come into the hands of the Westminster Assembly of Divines—was afterwards transmitted by them to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, who appointed commissioners, &c., for consideration—and was, on 23rd Nov. 1649, sanctioned by the General Assembly, and any other version discharged from being used in the Kirk or its families. Notwithstanding some doggerel interspersed, the version is allowed to be distinguished for a sweet easy simplicity, and well suited to the devotional purpose intended. Rouse evidently was considerably endowed with the vis poetica; and it is to be regretted, that he who has rendered such important service to our national church, should not be known more than by name; at least, this is the predicament in which I stand, along with a few friends, whose notice has been incidentally drawn to the subject.
G. N.
Glasgow, Jan. 9. 1852.
[Our correspondent will find an interesting account of Francis Rouse and his metrical version in Holland's Psalmists of Britain, vol. ii. pp. 31-38.]
"Count Cagliostro, or the Charlatan, a tale of the Reign of Louis XVI."
—I remember of having read, somewhere about the year 1838-9, a novel of this name; and having inquired frequently for it since, never heard of one. Can any of your correspondents tell me who wrote it?
S. WMSON.
[This work is in three volumes. We have seen it attributed to T. A. James.]