In Magna Britannia et Hibernia, antiqua et nova, vol. vi. p. 429., it is stated that Robin of Doncaster gave Rossington Wood to that corporation. Perhaps some reader may be able to supply more of his biography.
☞ F.
[A similar epitaph to the above will be found on the tomb of William Lambe, in the church of St. Faith under Paul: see Strype's Stow, book iii. p. 146. Dr. Miller does not appear to have given any biographical notices of Robert Byrkes, except that he was Mayor of Doncaster during the years 1569, 1573, and 1577. The following explanation of this inscription is given by Bland in his Proverbs, vol. i. p. 23.:—"By prudence in the distribution of his benevolence, by giving only to good and deserving persons, he procured to himself friends, on whose advice and assistance he might depend whenever occasion should desire it; and by expending only what he could conveniently spare, and laying it out on such things as administered to his comfort, he enjoyed, and therefore had what he expended; but what he left, not being enjoyed by himself, nor going perhaps to persons of his choice, or being used in the manner he would have preferred, that portion might be truly said to be lost.">[
Horæ Belgicæ.
—In what language is the second part of Hoffman von Fallersleben's Horæ Belgicæ written? This, from its title being written in Latin, may seem a foolish question, but it is also called (N. & Q., Vol. v., p. 7.) Holländische Volkslieder: and where can it be procured or seen?
W. S. S.
[Hoffman's work consists of six parts, of which the first—a bibliographical essay on old Flemish literature—is written in Latin. The second, to which our correspondent refers, is in German. Part III. contains the Flemish Floris ende Blancefloer, with a German Introduction; Part IV., the old Flemish Caerl ende Elegast, has a Latin preface; while Part V., containing Lantsloof ende die scone Sandrijn and Renout van Montalbaen, and Part VI., Altniederländische Schaubühne, a collection of early Flemish dramatic pieces, have German introductions. We believe the work may be procured of Williams and Norgate. If not, or our correspondent only wishes to refer to it, we shall be very happy to place our copy at his service for a few weeks.]
Dulcarnon.
—"I am at Dulcarnon." What is the origin of the above saying? I heard it used the other day by a person who, declaring he was at his wit's end, exclaimed, "Yes, indeed I am at Dulcarnon." Since that I have seen it in Boyer's French Dictionary, but in no English book.
H. CORVILLE WARDE.