(Vol. vii., pp. 108. 268.)
Reginensis has been referred by F. R. A. to Drake's Essays for an
account of this journal. Drake's account is, however, very incorrect.
The Grub Street Journal did not terminate, as he states, on the 24th
August, 1732, but was continued in the original folio size to the 29th
Dec., 1737; the last No. being 418., instead of 138., as he incorrectly
gives it. He appears to have supposed that the 12mo. abridgment in two
volumes contained all the essays in the paper; whereas it did not
comprise more than a third of them. He mentions as the principal writers
Dr. Richard Russel and Dr. John Martyn. Budgell, however, in The Bee
(February, 1733) says, "The person thought to be at the head of the
paper is Mr. R—l (Russel), a nonjuring clergyman, Mr. P—e (Pope), and
some other gentlemen." Whether Pope wrote in it or not, it seems to have
been used as a vehicle by his friends for their attacks upon his foes,
and the war against the Dunces is carried on with great wit and spirit
in its pages. It is by far the most entertaining of the old newspapers,
and throws no small light upon the literary history of the time. I have
a complete series of the journal in folio, as well as of the
continuation, in a large 4to. form, under the title of The Literary
Courier of Grub Street, which commenced January 5, 1738, and appears to
have terminated at the 30th No., on the 27th July, 1738. I never saw
another complete copy. The Grub Street Journal would afford materials
for many curious and amusing extracts. One very entertaining part of it
is the "Domestic News," under which head it gives the various and often
contradictory accounts of the daily newspapers, with a most humorous
running commentary.
James Crossley.
(Vol. v., p. 122.)
Sir James Emerson Tennent, in his learned and curious Note on stone
worship in Ireland, desires information as to the present existence of
worship of stone pillars in Orkney. When he says it continued till a
late period, I suppose he must allude to the standing stone at Stenness,
perforated by a hole, with the sanctity attached to promises confirmed
by the junction of hands through the hole, called the promise of Odin.
Dr. Daniel Wilson enters into this fully in Præhistoric Annals of
Scotland, pp. 99, 100, 101. It has been told myself that if a lad and
lass promised marriage with joined hands through the hole, the promise
was held to be binding. Whence the sanctity attached to such a promise I
could not ascertain to be known, and I did not hear of any other
superstition connected with this stone, which was destroyed in 1814. In
the remote island of North Ronaldshay is another standing stone,
perforated by a hole, but there is no superstition of this nature
attached to it. At the Yule time the inhabitants danced about it, and
when there were yule dancings in neighbouring houses, they began the
dancing at the stone, and danced from the stone all the road to what was
called to me the dancing-house. The sword dance, with a great deal of
intricate crossing, and its peculiar simple tune, still exists in
Orkney, but is not danced with swords, though I heard of clubs or sticks
having been substituted. There are found in these islands the two
circles of stones at Stenness, and single standing stones. One of these,
at Swannay in Birsay, is said by tradition to have been raised to mark
the spot where the procession rested when carrying the body of St.
Magnus after his murder in Egilshay in 1110, from that island to
Christ's Kirk in Birsay, where it was first interred. Here is a date and
a purpose. The single standing stones, in accordance with Sir James's
opinion, and to use nearly his expressions, are said to mark the
burial-places of distinguished men, to commemorate battles and great
events, and to denote boundaries; and these, and still more the circles,
are objects of respect as belonging to ages gone by, but principally
with the educated classes, and there is no superstition remaining with
any. Such a thing as the swathing stone of South Inchkea is not known to
have existed. The stones in the two circles, and the single standing
stones, are all plain; but there was found lately a stone of the
sculptured symbolical class, inserted to form the base of a window in
St. Peter's Kirk, South Ronaldshay, and another of the same class in the
island of Bressay, in Zetland. The first is now in the Museum of
Scottish Antiquaries in Edinburgh; and the Zetland stone, understood to
be very curious, is either there or in Newcastle, and both are forming
the subject of antiquarian inquiry.
W. H. F.
(Continued from Vol. vii., p. 255.)
The following are probably trifling, but may be considered worth
recording. Facing the title-page to The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope,
London, W. Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, &c., 1717, 8vo., no date at end
of preface, is in (no doubt) his own hand:
"To the Right Honorable the Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, from his
ever-oblig'd, most faithfull, and affectionate servant, Alex.
Pope."
Cranmer's Bible, title gone, but at end, Maye 1541:
"This Bible was given to me by my ffather Coke when I went to
keepe Christmas with him at Holckam, anno Domini 1658. Will.
Cobbe."
Sir William Cobbe of Beverley, York, knight, married Winifred, sixth
daughter of John (fourth son of the chief justice), who was born 9th
May, 1589.
This copy has, before Joshua and Psalms, a page of engravings, being the
"seconde" and "thyrde parte;" also before the New Testament, the
well-known one of Henry VIII. giving the Bible, but the space for
Cromwell's arms is left blank or white. Cromwell was executed July 1540;
but do his arms appear in the 1540 impressions?
Cranmer's quarterings are, 1 and 4, Cranmer; 2, six lions r.; 3, fusils
of Aslacton. In the Gent. Mag., vol. lxii. pp. 976. 991., is an
engraving of a stone of Cranmer's father, with the fusils on his right,
and Cranmer on his left. The note at p. 991. calls the birds cranes, but
states that Glover's Yorkshire and other pedigrees have pelicans; and
Southey (Book of the Church, ii. p. 97.) states that Henry VIII.
altered the cranes to pelicans, telling him that he, like them, should
be ready to shed his blood. The engraving, however, clearly represents
drops of blood falling, and those in the Bible appear to be pelicans
also.
This Bible has the days of the month in MS. against the proper psalms,
and where a leaf has been repaired, "A.D. 1608, per me Davidem Winsdon
curate."
A. C.
(Vol. vii., pp. 107. 307.)
I think I can supply I. E. with another example of the application of
this name to a place. A few miles east or south-east of Exeter, on the
borders of a waste tract of down extending from Woodbury towards the
sea, there is a village which is spelt on the ordnance map, and is
commonly called, Greendale. In strictness there are, I believe, two
Greendales, an upper and a lower Greendale. A small stream, tributary to
the Clyst river, flows past them.
Now this place formerly belonged to the family of Aumerle, or Alba
Marla, as part of the manor of Woodbury. From that family it passed to
William Briwere, the founder of Tor Abbey, and was by him made part of
the endowment of that monastery in the reign of Richard I. In the two
cartularies of that house, of which abstracts will be found in Oliver's
Monasticon, there are many instruments relating to this place, which
is there called Grendel, Grindel, and Gryndell. In none of them does the
name of Greendale occur, which appears to be a very recent form. Even
Lysons, in his Devonshire, does not seem to be aware of this mode of
spelling it, but always adopts one of the old ways of writing the word.
I have not seen the spot very lately, but, according to the best of my
recollection, it has not now any feature in keeping with the
mythological character of the fiend of the moor and fen. The
neighbouring district of down and common land would not be an
inappropriate habitat for such a personage. It has few trees of any
pretension to age, and is still covered in great part with a dark and
scanty vegetation, which is sufficiently dreary except at those seasons
when the brilliant colours of the blooming heath and dwarf furze give it
an aspect of remarkable beauty.
Whether the present name of Greendale be a mere corruption of the
earliest name, or be not, in fact, a restoration of it to its original
meaning, is a matter which I am not prepared to discuss. As a general
rule, a sound etymologist will not hastily desert an obvious and trite
explanation to go in search of a more recondite import. He will not have
recourse to the devil for the solution of a nodus, till he has
exhausted more legitimate sources of assistance.
The "N. & Q." have readers nearer to the spot in question than I am, who
may, perhaps, be able to throw some light on the subject, and inform us
whether Greendale still possesses the trace of any of those natural
features which would justify the demoniacal derivation proposed by I. E.
It must not, however, be forgotten that three centuries and a half of
laborious culture bestowed upon the property by the monks of Tor, must
have gone far to exorcise and reclaim it.
E. S.
Some years ago I asked the meaning of Grindle or Grundle, as applied
to a deep, narrow watercourse at Wattisfield in Suffolk. The Grundle
lies between the high road and the "Croft," adjoining a mansion which
once belonged to the Abbots of Bury. The clear and rapid water was
almost hidden by brambles and underwood; and the roots of a row of fine
trees standing in the Croft were washed bare by its winter fury. The
bank on that side was high and broken; the bed of the Grundle I observed
to lie above the surface of the road, on the opposite side of which the
ground rises rapidly to the table land of clay. My fancy instantly
suggested a river flowing through this hollow, and the idea was
strengthened by the appearance of the landscape. The village stands on
irregular ground, descending by steep slopes into narrow valleys and
contracted meadows. I can well imagine that water was an enemy or
"fiend" to the first settlers, and I was told that in winter the Grundle
is still a roaring brook.
I find I have a Note that "in Charters, places bearing the name Grendel
are always connected with water."
F. C. B.
Diss.
(Vol. vii., p. 332.)
Mr. Ellacombe will find some account of this personage, who was Prior of
Kilmainham, and for several years served the office of Lord Justice of
Ireland, in Holinshed's Chronicles of Ireland, sub anno 1325, et
seq.: also in "The Annals of Ireland," in the second volume of Gibson's
Camden, 3rd edition, sub eod. anno. He was nearly related to the lady
Alice Kettle, and her son William Utlawe, al. Outlaw; against whom that
singular charge of sorcery was brought by Richard Lederede, Bishop of
Ossory. The account of this charge is so curious that, for the benefit
of those readers of "N. & Q." who may not have the means of referring to
the books above cited, I am tempted to extract it from Holinshed:
"In these daies lived, in the Diocese of Ossorie, the Ladie
Alice Kettle, whome the Bishop ascited to purge hir selfe of the
fame of inchantment and witchcraft imposed unto hir, and to one
Petronill and Basill, hir complices. She was charged to have
nightlie conference with a spirit called Robin Artisson, to
whome she sacrificed in the high waie nine red cocks, and nine
peacocks' eies. Also, that she swept the streets of Kilkennie
betweene compleine and twilight, raking all the filth towards
the doores of hir sonne William Outlaw, murmuring and muttering
secretlie with hir selfe these words:
"'To the house of William my sonne
Hie all the wealth of Kilkennie towne.'
"At the first conviction, they abjured and did penance; but
shortlie after, they were found in relapse, and then was
Petronill burnt at Kilkennie: the other twaine might not be
heard of. She, at the hour of hir death, accused the said
William as privie to their sorceries, whome the bishop held in
durance nine weeks; forbidding his keepers to eat or to drinke
with him, or to speake to him more than once in the daie. But at
length, thorough the sute and instance of Arnold le Powre, then
seneschall of Kilkennie, he was delivered, and after corrupted
with bribes the seneschall to persecute the bishop: so that he
thrust him into prison for three moneths. In rifling the closet
of the ladie, they found a wafer of sacramentall bread, having
the divel's name stamped thereon insteed of Jesus Christ's; and
a pipe of ointment, wherewith she greased a staffe, upon which
she ambled and gallopped thorough thicke and thin when and in
what maner she listed. This businesse about these witches
troubled all the state of Ireland the more; for that the ladie
was supported by certeine of the nobilitie, and lastlie conveied
over into England; since which time it could never be understood
what became of hir."
Roger Outlawe, the Prior of Kilmainham, was made Lord Justice for the
first time in 1327. The Bishop of Ossory was then seeking his revenge on
Arnold le Powre, for he had given information against him as being—
"Convented and convicted in his consistorie of certeine
hereticall opinions; but because the beginning of Powres
accusation concerned the justice's kinsman, and the bishop was
mistrusted to prosecute his owne wrong, and the person of the
man, rather than the fault, a daie was limited for the
justifieing of the bill, the partie being apprehended and
respited thereunto. This dealing the bishop (who durst not
stirre out of Kilkennie to prosecute his accusation) was
reputed parciall: and when by meanes hereof the matter hanged in
suspense, he infamed the said prior as an abettor and favourer
of Arnold's heresie. The Prior submitted himselfe to the trial."
Proclamation was made, "That it should be lawful for anie man ... to
accuse, &c. the Lord Justice; but none came." In the end, six
inquisitors were appointed to examine the bishops and other persons, and
they—
"All with universal consent deposed for the Prior, affirming
that (to their judgements) he was a zelous and a faithfull child
of the Catholike Church. In the meane time, Arnold le Powre, the
prisoner, deceased in the castell; and because he stood
unpurged, long he laie unburied."
In 1332, William Outlawe is said to have been Prior of Kilmainham, and
lieutenant of John Lord Darcie, Lord Justice.
This Bishop of Ossorie, Richard Lederede, was a minorite of London: he
had a troubled episcopate, and was long in banishment in England. I have
met with his name in the Register of Adam de Orlton, Bishop of
Winchester, where he is recorded as assisting that prelate in some of
his duties, A.D. 1336. He died however peaceably in his see, and was a
benefactor to his cathedral. (See Ware's History of Ireland.)
W. H. G.
Winchester.
[It may be added, that much information respecting both Roger
Outlawe and the trial of Alice Kyteler would be found in the
interesting volume published by the Camden society in 1842,
under the editorship of Mr. Wright, entitled Proceedings
against Dame Alice Kyteler, prosecuted for Sorcery in 1324.]
Your correspondent H. T. Ellacombe asks who this Roger Outlawe was, and
expresses his surprise that a prior of a religious house should "sit as
locum tenens of a judge in a law court."
But the words "tenens locum Johannis Darcy le cosyn justiciarii
Hiberniæ" do not imply that Outlawe sat as locum tenens of a judge in
a law court. For this Sir John Darcy was Lord Justice, or Lord
Lieutenant (as we would now say), of Ireland, and Roger Outlawe was his
locum tenens.
Nothing, however, was more common at that period than for ecclesiastics
to be judges in law courts; and it happens that this very Roger was Lord
Chancellor of Ireland in 1321 to 1325, and again, 1326—1330: again,
1333: again (a fourth time), 1335: and a fifth time in 1339: for even
then, as now, we were cursed in Ireland by perpetual changes of
administration and of law officers, so that we have scarcely had any
uniform practice, and our respect for law has been proportionally small.
Sir John Darcy was Lord Justice, or Lord Lieutenant, in 1322, in 1324,
in 1328 (in which year Roger Outlawe was his locum tenens during his
absence), in 1322, and on to 1340.
Roger Outlawe was Lord Justice, either in his own right or as locum
tenens for others, in 1328, 1330, and 1340, in which last year he died
in office. His death is thus recorded in Clyn's Annals (edited by Dean
Butler for the Irish Archæological Society), p. 29.:
"Item die Martis, in crastino beatæ Agathæ virginis, obiit
frater Rogerus Outlawe, prior hospitalis in Hibernia, apud Any,
tunc locum justiciarii tenens: et etiam Cancellarius Domini
Regis, trium simul functus officio. Vir prudens et graciosus,
qui multas possessiones, ecclesias, et redditus ordini suo
adquisivit sua industria, et regis Angliæ gratia speciali et
licentia."
To this day, in the absence of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lords
Justices are appointed.
J. H. Todd.
Trin. Coll., Dublin.
(Vol. v., pp. 25. 65.; Vol. vii., p. 341.)
I am obliged to Dr. Rimbault for noticing, what had escaped me, that
this Prospectus has been reprinted in the Censura Literaria, vol. vi.
p. 352. With respect to my ground for attributing it to Johnson, it
will, I think, be obvious enough to any one who reads my remarks, that
it was on the internal evidence alone, on which, as every one is aware,
many additions have been made to his acknowledged compositions. Your
correspondent C., with whom I always regret to differ, is so far at
variance with me as to state it as his opinion that "nothing can be less
like Johnson's peculiar style," and refers me to a note, with which I
was perfectly familiar, to show—but which I must say I cannot see that
it does in the slightest degree—"that it is impossible that Johnson
could have written this Prospectus." Another correspondent, whose
communication I am unable immediately to refer to, likewise recorded his
dissent from my conclusion. Next follows Dr. Rimbault, whom I understand
to differ from me also, and who says (but where is the authority for the
statement?) "Haslewood believed it to have been the production of
Messrs. Cibber and Shields." I have every respect for Haslewood as a
diligent antiquary, but I confess I do not attach much weight to his
opinion on a question of critical taste or nice discrimination of style.
I had, as I have observed, assigned the Prospectus to Dr. Johnson on the
internal evidence alone; but since it appeared in "N. & Q." I have
become aware of an important corroboration of my opinion in a copy of
Cibber's Lives which formerly belonged to Isaac Reed, and which I have
recently purchased. At the beginning of the first volume he has pasted
in the Prospectus, and under it is the following note in his
handwriting: "The above advertisement was written or revised by Dr.
Johnson.—J. R." Reed's general correctness and capacity of judging in
literary matters are too well known to render it necessary for me to
enlarge upon them; and with this support I am quite content to leave the
point in issue between your correspondents and myself to the decision of
that part of your readers who take an interest in similar literary
questions.
It will be observed that I have confined myself in my remarks to the
Prospectus exclusively. The authorship of the Lives themselves is
another question, and a very curious one, and not, by any means, as your
correspondent C. appears to think, "settled." Perhaps I may, on a future
occasion, trouble you with some remarks upon the Lives in detail,
endeavouring to assign the respective portions to the several
contributors.
James Crossley.
(Vol. vii., p. 23.)
As I consider that the true origin of pic-nic remains yet to be
discovered, permit me to try and trace the word through France into
Italy, and to endeavour to show that the land with the "fatal gift of
beauty" was its birthplace; and that when the Medici married into
France, the august ladies probably imported, together with fans, gloves,
and poisons, a pastime which, under the name of pique-nique, became,
as Leroux says in his Dictionnaire Comique,
"un divertissement fort à
la mode à Paris."
I will not occupy space by quoting the article "at length" from Leroux,
but the substance is this:—Persons of quality, of both sexes, who
wished to enjoy themselves, and feast together, either in the open air
or in the house of one of the number, imposed upon each one the task of
bringing some particular article, or doing some particular duty in
connexion with the feast. And to show how stringent was the expression
pique-nique in imposing a specific task, Leroux quotes "considérant
que chacun avait besoin de ses pièces, prononça un arrêt de
pique-nique." (Rec. de Pièc. Com.)
Thus, I think Leroux and also Cotgrave show that the word pique-nique
involves the idea of a task, or particular office, undertaken by each
individual for the general benefit.
Let us now go to Italian, and look at the word nicchia. Both from
Alberti and from Baretti we find it to bear the meaning of "a charge, a
duty, or an employment;" and if before this word we place the adjective
piccola, we have piccola nicchia, "a small task, or trifling service
to be performed." Now I think no one can fail to see the identity of the
meanings of the expressions piccola nicchia and pique-nique; but
it remains to show how the words themselves may be identical. Those who
have been in the habit of reading much of the older Italian authors
(subsequent to Boccacio) will bear me out in my statement of the
frequency of contraction of words in familiar use: the plays,
particularly, show it, from the dialogues in Machiavelli or Goldoni to
the libretto of a modern opera; so much as to render it very probable
that piccola nicchia might stand as picc' nicc', just as we
ourselves have been in the habit of degrading scandalum magnatum into
scan. mag. It only remains now to carry this picc' nicc' into
France, and, according to what is usual in Gallicising Italian words, to
change the c or ch into que, to have what I started with, viz. the
divertissement concerning which Leroux enlarges, and in which, I am
afraid, it may be said I have followed his example.
However, I consider the Decameron of Boccacio as a probable period
where the temporary queen of the day would impose the arrêt of
pique-nique upon her subjects; and when I look over the engravings of
the manners and customs of the Italians of the Middle Ages, all
indicating the frequency of the al fresco banquets, and find that
subsequently Watteau and Lancret revel in similar amusements in France,
where the personages of the fête manifestly wear Italian-fashioned
garments; and when we are taught that such parties of pleasure were
called pique-niques, I think it is fair to infer that the expression
is a Gallicised one from an Italian phrase of the same signification.
I do not know if it will be conceded that I have proved my case
positively, but I might go so far negatively as to show that in no
other European language can I find any word or words which, having a
similar sound, will bear an analysis of adaptation; and though there is
every probability that the custom of pic-nicing obtained in preference
in the sunny south, there are few, I think, that would rush for an
explanation into the Eastern languages, on the plea that the Crusaders,
being in the habit of al fresco banquetting, might have brought home
the expression pic-nic.
John Anthony, M.D.
Washwood, Birmingham.
This word would seem to be derived from the French. Wailly, in his
Nouveau Vocabulaire, describes it as
"repas où chacun paye son écot,"
a feast towards which each guest contributes a portion of the expense.
Its etymology is thus explained by Girault-Duvivier, in his Grammaire
des Grammaires:
"Pique-nique, plur. des pique-nique: des repas où ceux qui
piquent, qui mangent, font signe de la tête qu'ils paieront.
"Les Allemands, dit M. Lemare, ont aussi leur picknick, qui a
le même sens que le nôtre. Picken signifie piquer,
becqueter, et nicken signifie faire signe de la tête.
Pique-nique est donc, comme passe-passe, un composé de deux
verbes; Il est dans l'analogie de cette phrase, 'Qui touche,
mouille.'"
Henry H. Breen.
(Vol. iii., p. 38.)
Your correspondent's inquiry with respect to the missing MSS. of Peter
Sterry, which were intended to form a second volume of his posthumous
works, published without printer's name in 1710, 4to., and of which MSS.
a list is given in vol. i., does not seem to have led to any result. As
I feel equal interest with himself in every production of Sterry, I am
tempted again to repeat the Query, in the hope of some discovery being
made of these valuable remains. I have no doubt the editor of the
"Appearance of God to Man," and the other discourses printed in the
first volume, was R. Roach, who edited Jeremiah White's Persuasion to
Moderation, Lond., 1708, 8vo.; and afterwards published The Great
Crisis, and The Imperial Standard of Messiah Triumphant, 1727, 8vo.;
and probably Sterry's MSS. may be found if Roach's papers can be traced.
It is curious that a similar loss of MSS. seems to have occurred with
regard to several of the works of Jeremiah White, who, like Sterry, was
a chaplain of Cromwell (how well that great man knew how to select
them!), and, like Sterry, was of that admirable Cambridge theological
school which Whichcot, John Smith, and Cudworth have made so renowned.
Neither of these distinguished men have yet, that I am aware of, found
their way into any biographical dictionary. White is slightly noticed by
Calamy (vol. ii. p. 57.; vol. iv. p. 85.). Sterry, it appears, died on
Nov. 19, 1672. White survived him many years, and died in the
seventy-eighth year of his age, 1707. Of the latter, there is an
engraved portrait; of the former, none that I know of; nor am I aware of
the burial-place of either. The works which I have met with of Sterry
are his seven sermons preached before Parliament, &c., and published in
different years; his Rise, Race, and Royalty of the Kingdom of God in
the Soul of Man, 1683, 4to.; his Discourse of the Freedom of the Will
(a title which does not by any means convey the character of the book),
Lond., 1675, fol.; and the 4to. before mentioned, being vol. i. of his
Remains, published in 1710. Of White I only knew a Funeral Sermon on
Mr. Francis Fuller; his Persuasion to Moderation, above noticed, which
is an enlargement of part of his preface to Sterry's Rise, &c.; and
his Treatise on the Restoration of all Things, 1712, 8vo., which has
recently been republished by Dr. Thom. To his Persuasion is appended
an advertisement:
"There being a design of publishing the rest of Mr. White's
works, any that have either Letters or other Manuscripts of his
by them are desired to communicate them to Mr. John Tarrey,
distiller, at the Golden Fleece, near Shadwick Dock."
This design, with the exception of the publication of The Restoration,
seems to have proved abortive. White entertained many opinions in common
with Sterry, which he advocates with great power. He does not however,
like his fellow chaplain, soar into the pure empyrean of theology with
unfailing pinions. Sterry has frequently sentences which Milton might
not have been ashamed to own. His Discourse of the Freedom of the Will
is a noble performance, and the preface will well bear a comparison with
Cudworth's famous sermon on the same subject.
Jas. Crossley.
Colouring Collodion Portraits.—I shall be obliged if any brother
photographer will kindly inform me, through the medium of "N. & Q.," the
best method of colouring collodion portraits and views in a style
similar to the hyalotypes shown at the Great Exhibition.
We country photographers are much indebted to Dr. Diamond for the
valuable information we have obtained through his excellent papers in
"N. & Q.," and perceiving he is shortly about to give us the benefit of
his experience in a compact form, under the modest title of
Photographic Notes, I suggest that, if one of his Notes should contain
the best method of colouring collodion proofs, so as to render them
applicable for dissolving views, &c., he will be conferring a benefit on
many of your subscribers; and, as one of your oldest, allow me to
subscribe myself
Photo.
On some Points in the Collodion Process.—In your impression of this
day's date (Vol. vii., p. 363.), the Rev. J. L. Sisson desires the
opinion of other photographers relative to lifting the plate with the
film of collodion up and down several times in the bath of nit. silv.
solution; and as my experience on this point is diametrically opposed to
his own, I venture to state it with the view of eliciting a discussion.
The evenness of the film is not at all dependent upon this practice;
but its sensibility to light appears to be considerably increased.
The plate, after being plunged in, should be allowed to repose quietly
from twenty to thirty minutes, and then rapidly slid in and out
several times, until the liquid flows off in one continuous and even
sheet of liquid; and this also has a beneficial effect in washing off
any little particles of collodion, dust, oxide, or any foreign matter
which, if adherent, would form centres of chemical action, and cause
spottiness in the negative.
I find that the plate is more sensitive also, if not exposed before all
the exciting fluid that can be drained off is got rid of; that is,
while still quite moist, but without any flowing liquid.
As to redipping the plate before development, it is, I believe, in
general useless; but when the plate has got very dry it may be dipped
again, but should be then well drained before the developing solution
is applied.
Mr. F. Maxwell Lyte (p. 364.) quotes the price of the purest iodide of
potassium at 1s. 3d. per oz. I should be glad to know where it can
be obtained, as I find the price constantly varies, and upon the last
occasion I paid 4s. per oz., and I think never less than 1s. 8d.
Mr. L. Merritt will probably succeed in applying the cement for a glass
bath thus:—Place the pieces of glass upon wood of any kind in an oven
with the door open until he can only just handle them; then, with a roll
of the cement, melting the end in the flame of a spirit-lamp, apply it
as if for sealing a letter. This should be done as quickly as possible.
The glasses may then be passed over the flame of the lamp (in contact
with it), so as to raise the temperature, until the cement is quite soft
and nearly boiling (this can be done without heating the parts near the
fingers); and while hot the two separate pieces should be applied by
putting one down on a piece of wood covered with flannel, and pressing
the other with any wooden instrument: metal in contact would cause an
instantaneous fracture.
Mr. Merritt's difficulty with the developing solutions depends most
probably in the case of the pyrogallic acid mixture not having enough
acetic acid. The protonitrate of iron, if made according to Dr.
Diamond's formula, does not require any acetic acid, and flows quite
readily; but the protosulphate solution requires a bath, and the same
solution may be used over and over again.
Geo. Shadbolt.
London, April 9, 1853.
Economical Iodizing Process.—Mr. Maxwell Lyte is probably as good a
judge as myself, as to where any weak point or difficulty is found in
iodizing paper with the carbonate of potass: if any chemical is likely
to be the cause of unusual activity, it is the carbonic acid, and not
the cyanide of potash. I still continue to use that formula, and have
not iodized paper with any other: though I have made some variations
which may perhaps be of use. I found that the nitrate of potash is
almost the same in its effects as the carbonate. I would as soon use the
one as the other; but the state I conceive to be the most effective, is
the diluted liquor potassæ: that would be with iodine about the same
state as the iodide of potash, but hitherto I have not tried it, though
mean to do so.
I am not quite certain as to whether, theoretically, this position is
right; but I find in iodide of potash, and in the above formula, that
the iodine is absorbed in greater quantities by the silver, than the
alkaline potash by the nitric acid. Thus, by using a solution for some
time, it will at last contain but very little iodine at all, and not
enough for the purpose of the photographer; hence it requires renewing.
And I have lately observed that paper is much more effective, in every
way, if it is floated on free iodine twice before it is used in the
camera, viz. once when it is made, and again when it is dry: the last
time containing a little bromine water and glacial acetic acid. It
appears to me that the paper will absorb its proper dose of iodine
better when dry, and the glacial acetic acid will set free any small
amount of alkaline potash there may be on the surface; so that it will
not embrown on applying gallic acid. By using the ammonio-nitrate of
silver in iodizing, and proceeding as above, I find it all I can wish as
far as regards the power of my camera. With this paper I can use an
aperture of half an inch diameter, and take anything in the shade and
open air in five or six minutes, in the sun in less time. The yellow
colour also comes off better in the hypo. sulph.
I think Mr. Maxwell Lyte has made a mistake as to the price he quotes:
about here I cannot get any iodide of potash under 2s. per ounce, and
the five grains to the ounce added to the common dose of nitrate of
silver is hardly worth speaking of; it would amount, in fact, to about
fifteen grains in a quire of Whatman's paper,—no great hardship,
because many use much higher doses of silver for iodizing; forty grains
to the ounce is not uncommonly used, but I believe twenty-five grains
quite enough.
I presume, in Sir Wm. Newton's mode of treating positives, the acid of
the alum decomposes the alkali of the hypo. sulph. And it would be, I
suppose, better for the picture, if its state were entirely neutral when
put away or framed; but if alum is added, acid must remain, since Sir
Wm. says it combines with the size. What I should imagine is, that the
idea is good; but experience can only decide if the picture is better
put away in an acid condition. I should think there are more available
acids for the purpose, for alum has an injurious effect upon colour; and
a positive is nothing but colour, the organic matter of the paper
stained as it were by the silver: for, after all its washings and
application of re-agents, no silver can possibly remain in the paper.
The safest state therefore of putting away ought to be ascertained and
decided upon; as it is no use doing them if they fade, or even lose
their tones.
Weld Taylor.
N.B.—The iodized ammonio-nitrate paper will not bear exposure to the
sun; it will keep any length of time, but should be kept in a paper,
and away from any considerable degree of light.
Bishop Juxon's Account of Vendible Books in England (Vol. vi., pp.
515. 592.).—The following note in Wilson's History of the Merchant
Taylors' School, p. 783., solves the Query respecting the authorship of
this bibliographical work.
"The Catalogue of Books in England alphabetically digested,
printed at London, 1658, 4to., is ascribed to Bishop Juxon in
Osborne's Catalogue for 1755, p. 40. But, as Mr. Watts, the
judicious librarian of Sion College, has observed to me, this is
no authority, the Epistle Dedicatory bearing internal evidence
against it. The author's name was William London, whence arose
the mistake!"
J. Yeowell.
Hoxton.
Dutensiana (Vol. vi., p. 376.; Vol. vii., p. 26.).—The following
statement, extracted from Quérard's France Littéraire, sub voce
Dutens, will account for the discrepancies mentioned by your
correspondents with reference to the works of Louis Dutens.
Dutens published three volumes of Memoirs, which he afterwards
committed to the flames, out of consideration for certain living
characters. He then published, in three volumes, his Mémoires d'un
Voyageur qui se repose, the two first containing the author's life, and
the third being the Dutensiana.
Your correspondent W. (Vol. vi., p. 376.) says that Dutens published at
Geneva, in six volumes 4to., with prefaces, the entire works of
Leibnitz. This statement is thus qualified by the Biographie
Universelle:
"L. Dutens est l'Editeur de Leibnitii opera omnia, mais c'est
à tort que quelques bibliographes lui attribuent les
Institutions Leibnitiennes. Cet ouvrage est de l'Abbé
Sigorgne."
The same correspondent inquires whether Dutens was not also the author
of Correspondence inteceptée: and Sir W. C. Trevelyan (Vol. vii., p.
26.) says he had seen a presentation copy of it, although it is not
included in the list of Dutens' Works given by Lowndes.
This is explained by the fact that the work, originally published under
the title of Correspondence interceptée, was afterwards embodied in
the Mémoires d'un Voyageur. Lowndes seems to have had no knowledge of
it as a separate publication.
Henry H. Breen.
St. Lucia.
Vicars-Apostolic (Vol. vii., pp. 309, 310.).—Allow me to correct an
error or two in my list of the vicars-apostolic, which appeared in your
178th Number, p 309. The three archpriests were appointed to their
office, not consecrated.
P. 309.—Northern District. Bishop Witham was consecrated 1703, not
1716. He was translated from the Midland to the Northern District in
1716.
P. 310.—In the list of the present Roman Catholic prelates in England
and Wales, the bishops—from Archbishop Wiseman to Bishop Hendren
inclusive—were translated in 1850, not consecrated.
J. R. W.
Bristol.
Tombstone in Churchyard (Vol. vii., p. 331.).—In Ecclesfield
churchyard is the following inscription, cut in bold capitals, and as
legible as when the slab was first laid down:
"Here lieth the bodie of Richard Lord, late Vicar of
Ecclesfield, 1600."
If, however, A. C.'s Query be not limited to slabs in the open air, he
will probably be interested by the following, copied by me from the
floors of the respective churches, which are all in this neighbourhood.
The first is from the unused church of St. John at Laughton-le-Morthing,
near Roche Abbey, and is, according to Mr. Hunter, one of the earliest
specimens of a monumental inscription in the vernacular:
"Here lyeth Robt. Dinningto' and Alis his wyfe. Robert dyed ī
ye fest of San James Mmo ccc iiijxx xiijmo. Alis dyed o'
Tisday ī Pas. Woke, ao Dn̅i Mo cccmo xxxo whose saules
God assoyl for is m'cy. Ame'."
The next three are partly pewed over; but the uncovered parts are
perfectly legible. The first two are from Tankersley, the third from
Wentworth:
"Hic jacet dn̅s Thomas Toykyl ... die mensis Aprilis anno
dn̅i M. cccc. lxxxx. scd̅o...."
" ... Mensis Octob. ano̅ dni Millim̅o cccc. xxx. quinto."
" ... Ano̅ dn̅i Millesimo cccc. xxxx. vi. cuius aie̅ deus
propitietur."
Also in Ecclesfield Church is a slab bearing the dates 1571, and J. W.
1593; and the remains of two others, with dates "Mo ccccco xixo," and
"Mo ccccco xxxo vio."
J. Eastwood.
Ecclesfield Hall, Sheffield.
"Her face is like," &c. (Vol. vii., p. 305.).—
"Her face is like the milky way i' the sky,—
A meeting of gentle lights without a name."
These lines are from Act III. of Sir John Suckling's tragedy of
Brennoralt, and are uttered by a lover contemplating his sleeping
mistress; a circumstance which it is important to mention, as the truth
and beauty of the comparison depend on it.
B. R. I.
Annuellarius (Vol. vii., p. 358.).—Annuellarius, sometimes written
Annivellarius, is a chantry priest, so called from his receiving the
annualia, or yearly stipend, for keeping the anniversary, or saying
continued masses for one year for the soul of a deceased person.
J. G.
Exon.
Ship's Painter (Vol. vii., p. 178.).—Your correspondent J. C. G. may
find a rational derivation of the word painter, the rope by which a
boat is attached to a ship, in the Saxon word punt, a boat. The
corruption from punter, or boat-rope, to painter, seems obvious.
J. S. C.
True Blue (Vol. iii., passim).—The occurrence of this expression in
the following passage in Dryden, and its application to the Order of the
Garter, seem to have escaped the notice of the several correspondents
who have addressed you on the subject. I quote from The Flower and the
Leaf, Dryden's version of one of Chaucer's tales:
"Who bear the bows were knights in Arthur's reign,
Twelve they, and twelve the peers of Charlemain;
For bows the strength of brawny arms imply,
Emblems of valour and of victory.
Behold an order yet of newer date,
Doubling their number, equal in their state;
Our England's ornament, the Crown's defence,
In battle brave, protectors of their prince;
Unchang'd by fortune, to their sovereign true,
For which their manly legs are bound with blue.
These of the Garter call'd, of faith unstain'd.
In fighting fields the laurel have obtain'd,
And well repaid the honors which they gain'd."
Henry H. Breen.
St. Lucia.
"Quod fuit esse" (Vol. vii., pp. 235. 342.).—In one of Dr. Byrom's
Common-place Books now in the possession of his respected descendant,
Miss Atherton, of Kersal Cell, is the following arrangement and
translation of this enigmatical inscription, probably made by the Doctor
himself:
"Quod fuit esse quod est quod non fuit esse quod esse
Esse quod est non esse quod est non est erit esse.
Quod fuit esse quod,
Est quod non fuit esse quod,
Esse esse quod est,
Non esse quod est non est
Erit esse.
What was John Wiles is what John Wiles was not,
The mortal Being has immortal got.
The Wiles that was but a non Ens is gone,
And now remains the true eternal John."
I take this opportunity of mentioning that my friend, the Rev. Dr.
Parkinson, Canon of Manchester, and Principal of St. Bees, is at present
engaged in editing, for the Chetham Society, the Diary and unpublished
remains of Dr. Byrom; and he will, I am sure, feel greatly indebted to
any of your correspondents who will favour him with an addition to his
present materials. O. G. ("N. & Q.," Vol. vii., p. 179. art. Townshend)
seems to have some memoranda relating to Byrom, and would perhaps be
good enough to communicate them to Dr. Parkinson.
James Crossley.
I have seen the above thus paraphrased:
"What we have been, and what we are,
The present and the time that's past,
We cannot properly compare
With what we are to be at last.
"Tho' we ourselves have fancied Forms,
And Beings that have never been;
We into something shall be turn'd,
Which we have not conceived or seen."
C. H. (a Subscriber.)
Subterranean Bells (Vol. vii., pp. 128. 200. 328.).—In a most
interesting paper by the Rev. W. Thornber, A.B., Blackpool, published in
the Proceedings of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire,
1851-2, there is mention of a similar tradition to that quoted by your
correspondent J. J. S.
Speaking of the cemetery of Kilgrimol, two miles on the south shore from
Blackpool, the learned gentleman says:
"The ditch and cross have disappeared, either obliterated by the
sand, or overwhelmed by the inroads of the sea; but, with
tradition, the locality is a favourite still. The superstitio
loci marks the site: 'The church,' it says, 'was swallowed up
by an earthquake, together with the Jean la Cairne of Stonyhill;
but on Christmas eve every one, since that time, on bending his
ear to the ground, may distinguish clearly its bells pealing
most merrily.'"
Broctuna.
Bury, Lancashire.
Spontaneous Combustion (Vol. vii., p. 286.).—I presume H. A. B.'s
question refers to the human body only, because the possibility of
spontaneous combustion in several other substances is, I believe, not
disputed. On that of the human body Taylor says:
"The hypothesis of those who advocate spontaneous combustion,
is, it appears to me, perfectly untenable. So far as I have been
able to examine this subject, there is not a single
well-authenticated instance of such an event occurring: in the
cases reported which are worthy of any credit, a candle or some
other ignited body has been at hand, and the accidental ignition
of the clothes was highly probable, if not absolutely certain."
He admits that, under certain circumstances, the human body, though in
general "highly difficult of combustion," may acquire increased
combustible properties. But this is another question from that of the
possibility of its purely spontaneous combustion. (See Taylor's Medical
Jurisprudence, pages 424-7. edit. 1846.)
W. W. T.
Muffs worn by Gentlemen (Vol. vi., passim; Vol. vii., p. 320.).—The
writer of a series of papers in the New Monthly Magazine, entitled
"Parr in his later Years," thus (vol. xvi. p. 482.) describes the
appearance of that learned Theban:
"He had on his dressing-gown, which I think was flannel, or
cotton, and the skirts dangled round his ankles. Over this he
had drawn his great-coat, buttoned close; and his hands, for he
had been attacked with erysipelas not long before, were kept
warm in a silk muff, not much larger than the poll of a common
hat."
In an anonymous poetical pamphlet (Thoughts in Verse concerning
Feasting and Dancing, 12mo. London, 1800), is a little poem, entitled
"The Muff," in the course of which the following lines occur:
"A time there was (that time is now no more,
At least in England 'tis not now observ'd!)
When muffs were worn by beaux as well as belles.
Scarce has a century of time elaps'd,
Since such an article was much in vogue;
Which, when it was not on the arm sustain'd,
Hung, pendant by a silken ribbon loop
From button of the coat of well-dress'd beau.
'Tis well for manhood that the use has ceased!
For what to woman might be well allow'd,
As suited to the softness of her sex,
Would seem effeminate and wrong in man."
William Bates.
Birmingham.
Crescent (Vol. vii., p. 235.).—In Judges, ch. viii. ver. 21., Gideon
is recorded to have taken away from Zeba and Zalmunna, kings of Midian,
"the ornaments that were on their camels' necks." The marginal
translation has "ornaments like the moon;" and in verse 24. it is stated
that the Midianites were Ishmaelites. If, therefore, it be borne in
mind that Mohammed was an Arabian, and that the Arabians were
Ishmaelites, we may perhaps be allowed to infer that the origin of the
use of the crescent was not as a symbol of Mohammed's religion, but that
it was adopted by his countrymen and followers from their ancestors, and
may be referred to at least as far back as 1249 B.C., when Zeba and
Zalmunna were slain, and when it seems to have been the customary
ornament of the Ishmaelites.
W. W. T.
The Author of "The Family Journal" (Vol. vii., p. 313.).—The author
of the very clever series of papers in the New Monthly Magazine, to
which Mr. Bede refers, is Mr. Leigh Hunt. The particular one in which
Swift's Latin-English is quoted, has been republished in a charming
little volume, full of original thinking, expressed with the felicity of
genius, called Table Talk, and published in 1851 by Messrs. Smith and
Elder, of Cornhill.
G. J. De Wilde.
Parochial Libraries (Vol. vi., p. 432. &c.).—I fear that there is
little doubt that these collections of books have very often been
unfairly dispersed. It is by no means uncommon, in looking over the
stock of an old divinity bookseller, to meet with works with the names
of parochial libraries written in them. I have met with many such: they
appear chiefly to have consisted of the works of the Fathers, and of our
seventeenth century divines. As a case in point, I recollect, about ten
years since, being at a sale at the rectory of Reepham, Norfolk,
consequent upon the death of the rector, and noticing several works with
the inscription "Reepham Church Library" written inside: these were sold
indiscriminately with the rector's books. At this distance of time I
cannot recollect the titles of many of the works; but I perfectly
remember a copy of Sir H. Savile's edition of Chrysostom, 8 vols.
folio; Constantini Lexicon, folio; and some pieces of Bishop Andrewes.
These were probably intended for the use of the rector, as in the case
reported by your correspondent Cheverells (Vol. vii., p. 369.).
I may also mention having seen a small parochial library of old divinity
kept in the room over the porch in the church of Sutton Courtenay, near
Abingdon, Berks. With the history and purpose of this collection I am
unacquainted.
Norris Deck.
Great Malvern.
Sidney as a Christian Name (Vol. vii., pp. 39. 318.).—Lady Morgan the
authoress was, before her marriage, Miss Sidney Owenson. See Chambers'
Encyclop. of Eng. Lit., ii. 580.
P. J. F. Gantillon, B.A.
"Rather" (Vol. vii., p. 282.).—The root of the word rather is
Celtic, in which language raith means "inclination," "on account of,"
"for the sake of," &c. Thus, in the line quoted from Chaucer,
"What aileth you so rathè for to arise,"
it clearly signifies "what aileth you that you so incline to arise,"
and so on, in the various uses to which the comparative of the word is
put: as, I had rather do so and so, i. e. "I feel more inclined;" I
am rather tired, i. e. "I am fatigued on account of the walk," &c. I
am glad that you are come, the rather that I have work for you to do,
i. e. "more on account of the work which I have for you to do, or
for the sake of the work," &c. Any obscurity that is attached to the
use of the word, has arisen from the abuse of it, or rather from its
right signification being not properly understood.
Fras. Crossley.
Lady High Sheriff (Vol. vii., pp. 236. 340.).—Another instance may be
seen in Foss's Judges of England, vol. ii. p. 51.—In speaking of
Reginald de Cornhill, who held the Sheriffalty of Kent from 5 Richard I.
to 5 Henry III., he says:
"His seat at Minster, in the Isle of Thanet, acquired the name
of 'Sheriff's Court,' which it still retains; and he himself,
discontinuing his own name, was styled Reginald le Viscount,
even his widow being designated Vicecomitessa Cantii."
D. S.
Nugget (Vol. vi., p. 171.; Vol. vii., pp. 143. 272.).—Nugget may be
derived from the Persian, but it is also used in Scotland, and means a
lump,—a nugget of sugar, for instance. And as Scotchmen are to be found
everywhere, its importation into Australia and California is easily
accounted for.
R. S. N.
Epigrams (Vol. vii., p. 180.).—I beg to confirm the statement of
Scrapiana as to the reading John instead of Thomas in the line
"'Twixt Footman John and Dr. Toe."
It may not be generally known that this epigram came from the pen of
Reginald Heber, late Bishop of Calcutta, who was then a commoner of
Brazenoze College, and who wrote that extremely clever satire called
The Whippiad of which the same Dr. Toe (the Rev. Henry Halliwell, Dean
and Tutor) was the hero. The Whippiad was printed for the first time a
few years ago, in Blackwood's Magazine.
I fancy the other facetious epigram given by Scrapiana has no connexion
with this, but was merely inserted on the same page as being "similis
materiæ."
B. N. C.
Editions of the Prayer-Book (Vol. vii., p. 91.).—The following small
addition is offered to Mr. Sparrow Simpson's list:
| 1592. |
fol. |
Deputies of Chr. Barker. |
Trinity College, Dublin. |
| 1607. |
4to. |
Robert Barker. |
Trin. Coll., Dublin. |
| 1611. |
folio. |
Robert Barker. |
Marsh's Library, Dubl. |
| 1632. |
8vo. |
R. Barker and the assignes of John Bill. |
Trin. Coll., Dublin. |
| 1634. |
4to. |
Same Printers. |
Trin. Coll., Dublin. |
| 1634. |
12mo. |
Same Printers. |
Marsh's Library. |
| 1638. |
4to. |
Same Printers. |
Trin. Coll., Dublin. |
| 1639. |
4to. |
Same Printers. |
Trin. Coll., Dublin. |
| 1616. |
There is a Latin version, in Dr. Mockett's Doctrina et Politeia
Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ. 4to. Londoni. Marsh's Library, Dublin. |
H. Cotton.
Thurles.
Portrait of Pope (Vol. vii., p. 294.).—Dr. Falconer's portrait of
Pope could not have been painted by Joseph Wright of Derby, as that
celebrated artist was only fourteen when Pope died; consequently, the
anecdote told of the painter, and of his meeting the poet at dinner,
must apply to the artist named by Dr. Falconer, and of course correctly,
Edward Wright.
S. D. D.
Passage in Coleridge (Vol. vii., p. 330.).—The paper referred to by
Coleridge will be found in the Transactions of the Manchester Literary
and Philosophical Society, vol. iii. p. 463. It is the "Description of
a Glory," witnessed by Dr. Haygarth on Feb. 13th, 1780, when "returning
to Chester, and ascending the mountain which forms the eastern boundary
of the Vale of Clwyd." As your correspondent asks for a copy of the
description, the volume being scarce, I will give the following extract:
"I was struck with the peculiar appearance of a very white
shining cloud, that lay remarkably close to the ground. The sun
was nearly setting, but shone extremely bright. I walked up to
the cloud, and my shadow was projected into it; when a very
unexpected and beautiful scene was presented to my view. The
head of my shadow was surrounded, at some distance, by a circle
of various colours; whose centre appeared to be near the
situation of the eye, and whose circumference extended to the
shoulders. The circle was complete, except what the shadow of my
body intercepted. It resembled, very exactly, what in pictures
is termed a glory, around the head of our Saviour and of
saints: not, indeed, that luminous radiance which is painted
close to the head, but an arch of concentric colours. As I
walked forward, this glory approached or retired, just as the
inequality of the ground shortened or lengthened my shadow."
A plate "by the writer's friend, Mr. Falconer," accompanies the paper.
In my copy of the Transactions, the following MS. note is attached to
this paper:
"See Juan's and De Ulloa's Voyage to South America, book vi.
ch. ix., where phænomena, nearly similar, are described."
I. H. M.
Lowbell (Vol. vii., pp. 181. 272.).—This is also surely a Scotch
word, low meaning a light, a flame.
"A smith's hause is aye lowin."—Scots. Prov.
R. S. N.
Burn at Croydon (Vol. vii., p. 283.).—This seems to be of the same
nature as the "nailburns" mentioned by Halliwell (Arch. Dict.). In
Lambarde's Perambulation of Kent, p. 221., 2nd edit., mention is made
of a stream running under ground. But it seems very difficult to account
for these phenomena, and any geologist who would give a satisfactory
explanation of these burns, nailburns, subterraneous streams, and
those which in Lincolnshire are termed "blow wells," would confer a
favour on several of your readers.
E. G. R.