NOTES AND QUERIES:

A MEDIUM OF INTER-COMMUNICATION FOR LITERARY MEN, ARTISTS, ANTIQUARIES, GENEALOGISTS, ETC.

"When found, make a note of."—Captain Cuttle.

CONTENTS.

Notes.

MILTON AND MALATESTI.

About nine years after Milton visited Italy, he thus briefly noticed, in letter to Carlo Dati, his surviving Florentine friends:

"Carolo Dato patricio Florentino.... Tu interim, mi Carole, valebis, et Cultellino, Francino, Frescobaldo, Malatestæ, Clementillo minori, et si quem alium nostri amantiorem novisti; toti denique Gaddianæ academiæ, salutem meo nomine plurimam dices. Interim vale.—Londino, Aprilis 21. 1647."

The above extract is from The prose works of John Milton, as printed in 1806, and I shall add to it the translation by Robert Fellowes, A.M., from the same edition:

"To Carolo Deodati, a Florentine noble.... In the mean time, my dear Charles, farewell, and present my kind wishes to Cultellino, Francisco, Trescobaldo, Malatesto, the younger Clemantillo, and every other inquiring friend, and to all the members of the Gaddian academy. Adieu.—London, April 21. 1647."

Warton states, in a note on the minor poems of Milton, that Mr. Brand discovered, on a book-stall, a manuscript of La tina of Malatesti, dedicated to Milton while at Florence, and that he gave it to Mr. Hollis, who sent it in 1758, together with the works of Milton, to the Accademia della Crusca. Warton justly observes, "The first piece would have been a greater curiosity in England." With these facts the information of the most recent biographers of Milton seems to terminate. I am enabled, however, to prove that the work is in print, and shall transcribe my authority verbatim:

"Malatesti, Antonio. La tina, equivoci rusticali (in 50 sonetti). Londra, Tommaso Edlin, 1757, in 8ᵒ.

Non è fatta in Londra quest' ediz. nel 1757, ma presso che 80 anni dopo in Venezia, ed in numero di 50 esemplari in carta velina, due in carta grande inglese da disegno, ed uno, unico, in pergamena.

Il Malatesti aveva regalato una copia di questi graziosissimi sonetti al celebre inglese Gio. Milton, nell' anno in cui egli visitava l'Italia. Dopo la morte del Milton pervennero in mano del sig. Brant, gentiluomo inglese, il quale una copia ne fece trarre per regalarla a Gio. Marsili, prof. dell' Università di Padova, che nel 1757 si trovava in Londra. Il MS. del Marsili servì a questa ristampa che porta in fronte quella stessa prefazione in inglese che stava nel MS. Marsiliano."

The authority alluded to is the fourth edition of the Serie dei testi di lingua of Bartolommeo Gamba, Venezia, 1839, royal 8vo.—one of the best bibliographical compilations ever produced. I was led to suspect, on glancing at the note, that Gamba himself was the editor of the volume, and now consider it as certain, for La tina appears under his name in the index. As copies of the work must have reached England I hope to see the dedication reprinted, and am sure it would be received as a welcome curiosity.

I cannot commend Mr. Fellowes as a translator of Milton. To Carolo is a solecism; Deodati should be Dati; the period which precedes the extract is entirely omitted; and the five names which follow Charles, besides being mis-spelt, have the termination which can only be required in Latin composition! I believe we should read Coltellini, Francini, Frescobaldi, Malatesti, and Clementini. On Coltellini and Malatesti there is much valuable information in Poggiali and Gamba.

Bolton Corney.

"THAT SWINNEY."

(Continued from p. 215.)

Swinney was the devoted servant of all men in power—of all who had been or were likely to be in power—except, perhaps, the peace-makers, who, curiously enough, did not please this minister of peace—of all, perhaps, who subscribed to his publications, or had the means to subscribe; and who, if they did not, might hereafter. Swinney's volume of Fugitive Pieces was dedicated to the Duke of Grafton. A third edition contains additions which show how Swinney's great zeal outran his little discretion. The following verses appeared originally in The Public Advertiser on the 27th of May, 1768, and are bad enough to be preserved as a curiosity:

"An Extempore Effusion on reading a Scurrilous Invective against the Duke of G——n [Grafton], published in yesterday's Newspapers.

Cursed be the Wretch, and blasted rot his name,

Who dares to stab an injured G——n's fame!

Who (while his public virtue stands confest,

And lives within his Royal Master's breast)

Can rake for Scandal in his private life,

And widen breaches between man and wife;

Who casts a stone (like some unthinking Elf),

That haply shall recoil against himself!

Anguish, Remorse, and Terror seize his Soul,

And waste it quick where fiends malicious howl;

May those rank pests through which his father fell,

Announce his coming to the Gates of Hell!

And yet, or ere he plunge into the Lake,

Where no cool stream his endless thirst can slake,

May Christ in mercy deprecate his doom,

And may to Him his promised Kingdom come!

"Sidney Swinney."

Not content with future punishment, the Doctor, in another poem, threatens present vengeance:

"But hark thee, wretch; believe him while he swears;

Sid (by the gods) will crop thine asses ears,

Should thou persist a G——n to impeach,

And blast those virtues thou canst never reach."

As Draper had taken Granby under his protection, so Swinney must needs play the chivalrous in defence of Grafton. The dedication of The Battle of Minden is dated 20th May, 1769, and the poet in the exordium goes out of his way to notice, as I suppose, the attacks of Junius:

"His [Sid's] blood recoils with an indignant rage,

'Gainst the base hirelings of a venal age.

Wretches! that spare nor ministers nor kings,

Blend good with bad, profane with sacred things;

Whose vengeful hearts, with wrath and malice curst,

Blast virtuous deeds; and then, with envy burst,

They dart their arrows, innocence traduce,

And load e'en G——n with their vile abuse."

To this passage he appends the following note, which occupies, in his magnificent typographical volume, a whole quarto page:

"It is observable that this amiable personage [the Duke of Grafton], and most consummate statesman, has been bespattered with as much low calumny and abuse, from various quarters, as if he had been the declared enemy of his country, instead of having manfully and courageously stood up in support of its true interests.—S."

Let us consider now, What are the probabilities of Swinney never having spoken to Lord George Sackville?

That he did on that occasion speak to Lord George—that he did ask him "whether or no he was the author of Junius"—may be assumed: and it is very probable that Junius heard of it, at first or at second hand, from Swinney himself; for the impertinent blockhead that would ask such a question, was just the man to tell what he had done, and to think it a good thing. But had he never before spoken to Sackville? Was this a fact or a flourish—an affectation of secret information, like the "sent" and "went" about Garrick—the "every particular next day"—which we now know to have been untrue.

That Swinney had been chaplain to one of the British regiments serving in Germany is manifest from twenty different references in the poem and the notes. I lay no stress on his poetical flights about Euphorbus; but he speaks repeatedly from personal experience—specially refers to circumstances occurring when quartered at a farm-house near Embden—at the camp at Crossdorf—acknowledges personal favours received during the campaign from General Harvey, and on another occasion attentions from Granby. Here, for example, is a poetical picture which brings Swinney vividly before us:

"At Marienbourn, the vaunting army halts,

...

A pastor from the heav'n-devoted train,

Brings hams and fowls, and spreads them on the plain:

The jovial officers their bellies fill,

Rally their chaplain, and applaud him still."

Swinney must therefore have served under Sackville; for, as he tells us, Sackville

"by George was made

Good Marlbro's successor"—

and certainly the probabilities are that he must have been personally known to—had before spoken to him. Sackville must at this very time have been particularly anxious about Swinney and his doings, wise or unwise. That fatal battle of Minden had been the ruin of all his hopes—the overthrow of all his ambition. In my opinion, Sackville had been shamefully and shamelessly run down on that occasion; but whether justly or unjustly stripped of his honours and degraded for his conduct, here was a man about to write a poem on the battle, to immortalise those who fought in it; and Sackville must have been keenly alive to what he might say of him. Swinney foreshadowed what his opinion would be in the First Book, where he enumerates Sackville amongst his "choice leaders"—

"Good Marlbro', Sackville, Granby, Waldgrave bold,

Brudenell and Kingsley."

This was published early in 1769.

In the Second Book Lord George is brought prominently forward. The "bewilder'd Ferdinand," "doubtful himself," summons a council of war, and calls first on Sackville for advice.

"Sackville, disclose the secret of thy breast:

Say, shall we linger in ignoble rest?

Shall we retreat? advance, or perish here?

Resolve our queries: state thy judgment clear."

Sackville now plays the "high heroical," and talks through six pages; but to what purpose I am unable to conjecture. There seems to be a great deal of angry remonstrance—of offensive remonstrance:

"When I ask [says Sackville to Ferdinand], didst ever thou consult

A chief, till now, and wait the sage result?

When Aalm's camp was deluged all in rain,

And floods rusht o'er an undistinguisht plain,

To thy flint heart remonstrances were vain:

What, then, avail'd neglected Marlbro's prayers!

His instances? His unremitted cares?

The Elector's stables had sufficient room,

Stalls, without end, anticipate the doom

Of British chargers, forced to march, at noon,

Beneath their riders' weight and scorching sun."

Swinney then gives in a note what he calls the genuine queries proposed by Prince Ferdinand, with Sackville's answer: which answer is nearly as void of distinct meaning as the poetry, but in favour I think of risking a battle. The general purport, however, foreshadows what Swinney's conclusion would have been—that Sackville, the friend of the British soldier, protested against the frauds by which they were robbed and starved; protested against their being called on to do all the work, and run all the risks of the campaign; and disdains to humour or flatter Prince Ferdinand. These were, in brief, the explanations given by Sackville's friends as the cause of his disgrace—Granby the favoured, a gallant soldier indeed, but a mere soldier, being comparatively indifferent about such commissarial matters, and much more easily deceived by the cunning of the selfish Germans and English. This intention is made still more clear in another note, wherein Swinney states:

"We may be enabled to account for a certain disgraceful event, in some future observation of ours, equally to the honour of the person disgraced, and to the innocent cause of that disgrace."

Under these circumstances there can be little doubt that Sidney Swinney, D.D., was the party alluded to by Junius; as little, I think, that Swinney had before, and long before, spoken to Lord George Sackville,—must have been dear to Sackville, as one of the few who had served under, and yet had a kind word to say for him,—had said it indeed, and was about to repeat it emphatically. That Swinney was the fool Junius asserted, the extract already given must have abundantly proved; but I will conclude with one other, in which he not only anticipated Fitzgerald, but anticipated the burlesque exaggerations in the "Rejected Addresses:"

"Horse, Foot, Hussars, or ere they march review'd.

...

The Foot, that form the first and second line,

All smartly drest, like Grecian heroes shine;

Their bold cock'd hats, their spatterdashers white,

And glossy shoes, attract his ravish'd sight."

T. S. J.

TOM, MYTHIC AND MATERIAL.

"All Toms are alike," quoth the elegant Pelham; and if we were asked to define the leading idea of him, we should describe a downright honest John Bull, essentially manly, but withal a bit—perhaps a large bit—of a dullard. His masculinity is unquestionable. A male cat, as every body knows, is a Tom-cat; a romping boy-like girl is a Tom-boy, or a Tom-rig; a large nob-headed pin is a Tom-pin; and in many provincial dialects the great toe is, par excellence, the Tom-toe. Last, not least, there is the nectar of St. Giles, the venerable Old Tom. In proof of his stupidity we can adduce a goodly show of epithets—Tom-fool, Tom-neddy, Tom-noddy, Tom-cull, Tom-coney, Tom-farthing, &c. We know, indeed, there are people who hold that even in these instances Tom is merely the masculine prefix to distinguish the he-fool (i. e. the Tom-fool) from the Molly or she-fool of the ancient mumming. But the race of Toms must not lay this flattering unction to their souls, for the hypothesis won't stand. The very monosyllable itself, like "Sammy," has a strong twang of the bauble in it. An open truth-loving fellow is a Tom Tell-truth; but, on the other hand, all tinkers—a sadly libelled race of men—are invariably Tom-tinkers, as all tars have been Jack-tars from time immemorial. In some of the old-fashioned country games at cards the knave is called Tom; and the wandering mendicants who used to levy black-mail, under the plea of insanity, were Mad Toms, or "Toms-o'-Bedlam." "Tom all alone" is a northern sobriquet for the Wandering Jew, who, the last time we heard of him, was caught stealing gingerbread nuts at Richmond Fair. In the legendary division there is the notorious Tom-Styles—the depredatory Tom the piper's son (legitimate issue of Tom Piper, the musician of the old Morris Dance)—the fortunate Tom Tidler of the original diggings, and that heroic little liege of Queen Mab, the knight of the thumb. Tom-Tumbler was a saltatory fiend in the days of Reginald Scott; and Tom Poker still devours little folks in Suffolk, without doubt (thinks Forby) a descendant of the Sui.-G. tompte poecke, or house-goblin. As for the ignominious Tom Tiler (North Country for hen-pecked husband) we cannot allow him to belong to the family; for who can imagine a hen-pecked Tom! he must have been a wretched individuality, a suffering, corporeal Tiler.

Tom also bestows his name on divers other things, animate and inanimate. Among fishes there are Tommy-Loach, Tommy-Bar, and Tom-Toddy (the Cornish name of the tod-pole). The Long-Tom and the Tom-tit are both ornithological Toms. Tom Tailor is a child's name for the Harry-long-legs—another singular instance, by the way, of Christian names applied to animals. Tom-trot reminds one of pre-pantaloon orgies, and is (I think) something in the brandy-ball line. Finally, we may remark, that a large proportion of her Majesty's subjects are in the habit of conferring the endearing name upon the staff of life itself. "Navvies," agricultural labourers, and such like gentry, are accustomed to divide all human food into two classes, which they euphonically denominate respectively Todge and Tommy; the former comprising spoon-meat, and the latter all hard food which requires mastication. But this, we think, is not a case of Tom per se, but rather referable to the Camb.-Brit. tama, which has exactly the same acceptation.

V. T. Sternberg.

SHAKSPEARE CORRESPONDENCE.

Shakspearian Parallels.—Searching for Shakspearian parallels, I find the following, which may leave suggested to our bard his Seven Ages. The first is by Solon, extracted from Clemens Alexandrinus (Stromat. vi. p. 685., Paris, 1629), which differs from Philo Judæus (i. p. 25.), the only two authorities to whom we owe the preservation of this ode, as also from the text of the critic Brunck and the grammarian Dalzell. An imitation of the Greek metres is attempted in the paraphrased translation attached. The second is a sonnet from Tusser, who extends the period of life beyond seventy, the age of Solon and David in hotter climes, to eighty-four for hyperboreans, but assigns, with David, the imbecility belonging to such advanced years.

7. Παῖς μὲν ἄνηβος ἐὼν ἔτι νήπιος ἕρκος ὀδόντων

Φύσας, ἐκβάλλει πρῶτον ἐν ἕπτ' ἔτεσιν.

14. Τοὺς δ' ἑτέρους ὅτε δὴ τελέσει Θεὸς ἕπτ' ἐνιαυτοὺς,

Ἥβης ἐκφαίνει σπέρματα γεινομένης.

21. Τῇ τριτατῃ δὲ γένειον ἀεξομένων ἐπὶ γυίων

Λαχνοῦται, χροιῆς ἄνθος ἀμειβομένης.

28. Τῇ δὲ τετάρτῃ πᾶς τις ἐν ἑβδομάδι μέγ' ἄριστος

Ἰσχὺν, ἥντ' ἄνδρες σήματ' ἔχουσ' ἀρετῆς.

35. Πέμπτῃ δ' ὥριον ἄνδρα γάμου μεμνημένον εἶναι.

Καὶ παίδων ζητεῖν εἰς ὀπίσω γενεήν.

42. Τῇ δ' ἕκτῃ περιπάντα καταρτύεται γόος ἀνδρὸς,

Οὐδ' ἐσιδεῖν ἔθ' ὁμῶς ἔργα μάταια θέλει.

49. Ἑπτὰ δὲ νοῦν καὶ[^[1]] γλώσσαν ἐν ἑβδομάσι μέγ' ἄριστος·

56. Οκτὼ δ' ἀμφοτέρων τέσσαρα καὶ δέκ' ἔτη,

63. Τῇ δ' ἐνάτῃ ἔτι μὲν δύναται, μετριώτερα δ' αὐτοῦ,

Πρὸς μεγάλην ἀρετὴν σῶμά τε καὶ δύναμις.

70. Τῇ δεκάτῃ δ' ὅτε δὴ τελέσῃ Θεὸς ἕπτ' ἐνιαυτοὺς,

Οὐκ ἂν ἄωρος ἐὼν μοῖραν ἔχοι θανάτου.

7. Youth immature, not a tooth in his jaws, while an infant he slumbers

Growing, shows teeth i' th' first seven years of his life.

14. God, in the next seven years, to him grants ev'ry pow'r of production;

Thus soon commands man, sacred, to look on the sex.

21. Thirdly, his beard, while it roughens his chin; and his limbs, freely playing,

Grow lust'rously-bright, changing their flowery hue.

28. Fourth, in this sev'n-fold older, the man very speedily shoots forth,

Mighty in muscular limbs, proud of his vigour and strength.

35. Fifth, in maturity, glowing in health, with his heart in the right place,

Let him, wisdom-join'd, think upon children to come.

42. Sixth, let him carefully ponder on things of importance to mankind;

Disdaining whate'er, formerly, foolish he sought.

49. Seventh, in mind or in tongue is he best, either one or the other:

56. Eighth, both join'd in excelling, for a term of fourteen.

63. Ninth, he declines in his powers of force, and the deeds of his youthhood;

Shorn of the vigour of manhood, he awaits his recall.

70. God in the tenth of the seven, mature, all his functions develop'd,

Consigns him, full ripe, darkly to sleep in the dust.

So far Solon. Tusser quaintly but wisely:

"Man's age divided here ye have,

By 'prenticeships, from birth to grave.

7. The first seven years bring up as a child,

14. The next to learning, for waxing too wild.

21. The next, keep under Sir Hobbard de Hoy;

28. The next, a man, no longer a boy.

35. The next, let Lusty lay wisely to wive;

42. The next, lay now, or else never to thrive.

49. The next, make sure for term of thy life;

56. The next, save somewhat for children and wife.

63. The next, be stayd, give over thy lust;

70. The next, think hourly, whither thou must.

77. The next, get chair and crutches to stay;

84. The next, to heaven God send us the way!

Who loseth their youth shall rue it in age.

Who hateth the truth in sorrow shall rage."

T. J. Buckton.

Birmingham.

Footnote 1:[(return)]

Read ἢ for καὶ.

"Contents dies"—Love's Labour's Lost, Act V. Sc. 2. (Vol. viii., pp. 120. 169.).—I must be permitted, with all due courtesy, to correct Mr. Arrowsmith's assertion respecting this phrase; because, from its dogmatic tone, it is calculated to mislead readers, and perhaps editors. He maintains that this is a good concord, and pronounces Johnson and Collier (myself, of course, included) to be "unacquainted with the usage of their own tongue, and the universal language of thought," for not discerning it.

Now it may, perhaps, surprise Mr. Arrowsmith to be told that he has proved nothing—that not a single one of his instances is relevant. In this passage the verb is neuter or active; in all of his quotations it is the verb substantive we meet. Surely one so well versed, as we must suppose him to be, in general grammar, requires not to be told that this verb takes the same case after as before it, and that the governing case often follows. Indeed, he has recognised this principle by giving "This is the contents thereof" as one of his instances of "contents" governing a singular verb. Let him then produce an exact parallel to "contents dies," or even such a structure as this, "the contents is lies and calumnies," and then we may hearken to him. Till that has been done, my interpretation is the only one that gives sense to the passage without altering the text.

An exact parallel to the sense in which I take "contents" is found in—

"But heaven hath a hand in these events,

To whose high will we bound our calmly contents."

Rich. II., Act V. Sc. 2.

In conclusion, I must add that I still regard this emendatory criticism as a "game," the Latin ludus, as it gives scope to sagacity and ingenuity, but can rarely hope to arrive at certainty; and it does not, like questions of ethics or politics, involve important interests, and should never excite our angry feelings. As to "cogging and falsification," which Mr. A. joins with it, they can have no just reference to me, as I have never descended to the employment of such artifices.

Thos. Keightley.

P. S.—I have just seen H. C. K.'s observation on "clamour your tongues" in the Winter's Tale, and it really seems strange that he should not have read, or should have forgotten my view of it in "N. & Q.," which is precisely similar to his own. As to suspecting him of pilfering from me, nothing is farther from my thoughts.

Meaning of Delighted.—With reference to the word delighted in Shakspeare, much discussed in "N. & Q.," may I remind you that we call that which carries (or is furnished, or provided with) wings, winged; that which carries wheels, wheeled; that which carries masts, masted; and so on. Why then should not a pre-Johnsonian writer call that which carries delight, delighted? It appears to me that this will sufficiently explain "delighted beauty;" and "the delighted spirit" I would account for in the same way: only remarking that in this case, the borne delights meant are delights to the bearer; in the other case, delights to all whom the bearer approaches.

J. W. F.

Minor Notes.

Gray—"The ploughman homeward plods."—On looking over some MSS. which I had not seen for years, I met with one of which the following is a copy:

"A person had a paper folded with this line from Gray marked on it—

'The ploughman homewards plods his weary way.'

A poetical friend, on looking at the quotation, thought it might be expressed in various ways without destroying the rhyme, or altering the sense. In a short time he produced the following eleven different readings. It is doubtful whether another line can be found, the words of which admit of so many transpositions, and still retain the original meaning:—

1. The weary ploughman plods his homeward way.

2. The weary ploughman homeward plods his way.

3. The ploughman, weary, plods his homeward way.

4. The ploughman weary homeward plods his way.

5. Weary the ploughman plods his homeward way.

6. Weary the ploughman homeward plods his way.

7. Homeward the ploughman plods his weary way.

8. Homeward the ploughman weary plods his way.

9. Homeward the weary ploughman plods his way.

10. The homeward ploughman weary plods his way.

11. The homeward ploughman plods his weary way."

I know not whether this has ever appeared in print. To me it is new, at least it was, as I now recollect, when I read it several years ago; but as the exercise is ingenious, I thought I would trespass on "N. & Q." with it, so that, if not heretofore printed or known, it might be made "a note of."

A Hermit at Hampstead.

Poetical Tavern Signs.—Passing through Dudley the other day, I jotted down two signs worthy, I think, of a place in "N. & Q."

No. 1. rejoices in the cognomen of the "Lame Dog" with the following distich:

"Step in, my friend, and rest awhile,

And help the Lame Dog over the style."

No. 2., with a spirited representation of a round of beef, invites her Majesty's subjects thus:

"If you are hungry, or adry,

Or your stomach out of order,

Their's sure relief at the 'Round of Beef,'

For both these two disorders."

R. C. Warde.

Kidderminster.

"Aquæ in Vinum conversæ. Vidit et erubuit lympha pudica Deum."—The interesting note under this title (Vol. vi., p. 358.) refers to Campbell's Poets. The following is an extract from Campbell:

"Richard Crashaw there [Cambridge] published his Latin poems, in one of which is the epigram from a Scripture passage:

"Lympha pudica Deum vidit et erubuit.'"

Campbell's Brit. Poets, ed. 1841, p. 198.

In the Poemata Anglorum Latina is the following epigram on our Saviour's first miracle at the marriage feast:

"Unde rubor vestris et non sua purpura lymphis,

Quæ rosa mirantes tam nova mutat aquas?

Numen (convivæ) præsens agnoscite numen—

Vidit et erubuit nympha pudica Deum."

I presume this epigram is Crashaw's poem to which Campbell refers; but query. Until I saw the note in "N. & Q.," I supposed that the celebrated line—

"Lympha pudica Deum vidit et erubuit."

was the happy ex tempore produce of Dryden's early genius, when a boy, at Westminster School. If the epigram which I have copied is the original, the last line is surely much improved by the (traditional) line which Campbell has recorded. Surely lympha is preferable to nympha; and surely the order of the word erubuit ending the line is the best.

F. W. J.

Spurious Edition of Baily's "Annuities" (Vol. iv., p. 19.).—In the place just referred to, I pointed out how to distinguish the spurious editions, among other marks, by the title-page. I looked at a copy on a stall a few days ago, and found that the title-page has been changed. Those who have reprinted it have chosen the old title-page, which stood in the work before two volumes were made of it.

A. De Morgan.

"Illustrium Poetarum Flores."—On leaving London I thought of bringing with me two or three pocket classics; unfortunately, in looking for them, I picked up Illustrium Poetarum Flores per Octavianum Mirandulam olim Collecti, &c., Londini, 1651, and brought that little book with me instead; and, upon looking into it, I find it the worst printed book I ever saw; and I send you this Note as to it, as a warning against so disgraceful a publication. Such a work, if well executed and properly printed, would be a very pleasant companion in a vacation ramble.

S. G. C.

French Jeux d'Esprit.—In the spring of 1852, when Prince Louis Napoleon was doing all he could to secure the imperial crown, the following hexameter line was passed from mouth to mouth by the Legitimates. I am inclined to think that it never appeared in print:

"Napoleo cupit Imperium, indeque Gallia ridet."

Which translated mot-à-mot gives a clever double sense:

"Napoléon désire l'empire, et la France en rit [Henri]."

J. H. de H.

Queries.

SAMUEL WILSON.

I should be glad of any information respecting Samuel Wilson, Esq., of Hatton Garden, in the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, whose will was proved October 24, 1769, and which I have read. He was the donor of the bequest, known as "Wilson's Charity," to the Corporation of the City of London, for loans to poor tradesmen. I wish to ask,—

1. What is known of his origin, family, personal history, &c.?

2. What was his precise degree of relationship to the Halseys, whom he calls "cousins" in his will? Were they related to the family of that name at Great Gaddesden, Herts?

3. Did he publish any, and what, letters or books? for he leaves his MSS. of every kind to his friend Richard Glover, Esq. (the poet I presume), with full power to collect any letters or papers he may have already published, and also to arrange and publish any more which he may think intended or suitable for publication.

4. Is there any published sketch of his life? The only notice I have seen is the one of a few lines in the Gentleman's Magazine, just after his death.

In compliance with your excellent suggestion (Vol. vii., p. 2.), I send my address in a stamped envelope for any private communication which may not interest the general reader.

E. A. D.

Minor Queries.

The Rothwell Family.—When William Flower, Esq., Norroy, confirmed the ancient arms of this family to Stephen Rothwell, gent., of Ewerby, county of Lincoln, on the 1st April, 1585, and granted a crest (no such being found to his ancient arms), the said Stephen Rothwell was stated to be "ex sui cognominis familia antiqua in comitatu Lancastriæ oriundus." Can any of the readers of "N. & Q." give any information respecting the family from which he is stated to be descended?

Glaius.

Definition of a Proverb.—Where can I find the source whence I. D'Israeli took his definition of a proverb, viz. "The wisdom of many and the wit of one?"

C. Mansfield Ingleby.

Birmingham.

Latin Riddle.—Aulus Gellius (Noctes Atticæ, lib. XII. cap. vi.) proposes the following enigma, which he terms "Per hercle antiquum, perque lepidum:"

"Semel minusne, an bis minus, non sat scio,

An utrumque eorum, ut quondam audivi dicier

Jovi ipsi regi noluit concedere."

The answer he withholds for the usual reason, "Ut legentium conjecturas in requirendo acueremus."

Is there among the readers of "N. & Q." an Œdipus who will furnish a solution?

R. Price.

St. Ives.

D. Ferrand—French Patois.—Hallman, in the 7th chapter of his Poesie und Beredsamkeit der Franzosen, gives several specimens of the French provincial poets of the sixteenth century, and among these the following from a poem on the dispersing of a meeting of Huguenots by the soldiers:

"Quand des guerriers fut la troupe entinchée

Non n'aleguet le dire du Prescheux,

Que pour souffrir l'ame est de Dieu tombée,

Femme et Mary, comme le fianchée,

Pour se sauver quitest leu zamoreux

En s'enfiant ocun n'avet envie,

De discourir de l'Eternelle vie,

Sainct Pol estet en alieur guissement

No ne palet de Bible en Apostille

Qui en eut palé quand fut en un moment

Les pretendus grippez par la Soudrille.

"Le milleur fut quand la troupe enrangée

Fut aux Fauxbourgs, hors de lieu perilleux,

Car tiel n'estet o combat qu'on Pygmée,

Qui se diset o milieu de stermée

S'estre monstre un géant orgueilleux

Les femmes ossi disest ma sœur, m'amie,

De tout su brit ie sis toute espamie,

Petit troupeau que tu as de tourment,

Pour supporter le faix de l'Evangile

Souffrira-t-on qu'on vaye impudement

Les pretendus grippez par la Soudrille."

D. Ferrand, Inv. Gen., p. 304.

Hallman gives no farther information. I shall be glad if any of your readers can tell me who D. Ferrand was, what he wrote, and of what province the above is the patois.

B. Snow.

Birmingham.

"Fac precor, Jesu benigne," &c.—In the Sacra Privata, new edition, Bishop Wilson quotes the following lines:

"Fac precor,

Jesu benigne, cogitem

Hæc semper, ut semper tibi

Summoque Patri, gratias

Agam, pieque vos colam,

Totâque mente diligam."

Can any of your readers inform me where they come from?

William Denton.

The Arms of De Sissonne.—Can any of your correspondents inform me where I could find a copy of Histoire Généalogique de la Maison Royale de France, or any other work in which are blazoned the arms of "De Sissonne" of Normandy, connected with that regal house?

J. L. S.

Sir George Brown.—Sir George Brown, of West Stafford, Berks, and of Wickham Breaux, Kent, married Eleanor, daughter of Sir R. Blount, of Maple Durham, Oxon; and by her had issue several children, and amongst them one son Richard, who was a child under five years of age in 1623. I shall feel obliged if any of your correspondents can tell me where I can find a pedigree of this Richard, and in particular whether he married, whom he married, and the names of his several children, if any.

Newburiensis.

Professional Poems.—Can you tell me who is the author of Professional Poems by a Professional Gentleman, 12mo., 1827, published at Wolverhampton; and by Longman, London?

Gw.

"A mockery," &c.—Whence is the quotation, "A mockery, a delusion, and a snare?"

W. P.

Passage in Whiston.—In Taylor on Original Sin, Lond. 1746, p. 94., it is said:

"Mr. Whiston maintains that regeneration is a literal and physical being born again, and is granted to the faithful at the beginning of the millennium."

The marginal reference is, Whiston on Original Sin, &c., p. 68.

I cannot find the book or the doctrine in any collection of Whiston's writings which I have met with; but as he was a copious writer and a versatile theologian, both may exist. Can any reader of "N. & Q." tell me where to find them?

J. T.

Shoulder Knots and Epaulettes.—What is the origin of the shoulder knot, and its ancient use? Has it and the epaulette a common origin?

Getsrn.

The Yew Tree in Village Churchyards.—Why did our forefathers choose the yew as the inseparable attendant upon the outer state of the churches raised by them? Apart from its grave and sombre appearance, I cannot help recognising a mysterious embodiment of the spirit of evil as the intention of the planters. We know that in all mediæval edifices there is an apparent and discernible endeavour to place in juxta-position the spirits of good and evil, to materialise the idea of an adversative spirit, antagonistic to the church's teachings, and hurtful to her efforts of advancement. I look upon the grotesque cephalic corbels as one modification of this, and would interpret many equally mysterious emblems by referring them to the same actuating desire. Now the yew is certainly the most deadly of indigenous productions, and therefore would be chosen as the representative of a spirit of destruction, the opposite to one that giveth life by its teachings, of which the building itself is the sensible sign. I crave more information from some learned ecclesiologist on the subject, which is certainly a most interesting one.

R. C. Warde.

Kidderminster.

Passage in Tennyson.—

"Or underneath the barren bush,

Flits by the blue seabird of March."

In Memoriam, xc. What bird is meant?

W. T. M.