Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.

It is always a boon to historical literature when a man of learning and industry devotes himself to a monograph of any particular person or period. When we saw, therefore, in the Gentleman's Magazine, the able and interesting papers by Mr. Cunningham, on the history of one who, whatever might have been her life, so died, that Tennison did not hesitate to preach her funeral sermon, we felt sure that those papers could never be allowed to remain the "sole property" of the readers and admirers of our good friend Sylvanus Urban; and we have proved right in our anticipation. The Story of Nell Gwyn, and the Sayings of Charles II., related and collected by Peter Cunningham, which has just been issued, consists of a reprint of those papers, greatly enlarged and increased in value by the information which has reached the author since they appeared in their original form. We know of no volume of the same extent calculated to give a more graphic or faithful picture of the heartlessness and depravity of the age of profligacy in which his heroine lived, an age which furnishes a striking proof how true it is that individuals, communities, and even whole nations, will after a time seek compensation for a state of gloomy and unchristian fanaticism in one of unbridled licentiousness.

Mr. Cunningham has, in this handsomely illustrated volume, treated a subject which required very nice handling with great tact; and his book deserves to be placed on the shelves with Pepys and Evelyn, as a necessary supplement to them. Can we give it higher praise? Its quaint and characteristic binding is a clever fac-simile of the morocco binding which Charles II. so loved.

We are indebted to the publishers of the National Illustrated Library for a new memoir of the great founder of American independence. The Life of General Washington, First President of the United States, written by himself; comprising his Memoirs and Correspondence, as prepared by him for publication, including several Original Letters now first printed, edited by the Rev. C. W. Upham, forms two volumes, which have been written or compiled on the principle, now we believe first applied to Washington, of making the subject of the memoir, as far as possible, his own biographer. This task Mr. Upham has executed with much ability and excellent judgment; and we know of no work calculated to give the general reader a better or more correct idea of the personal character of one of whom the Americans boast, that he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Some of our readers may be interested to know that the collection of black-letter ballads, formerly in the Heber collection, and described in the Bibliotheca Heberiana, vol. iv. pp. 28-33., was sold on Monday last at the auction of Mr. Utterson's library at Messrs. Sotheby's. After a rather brisk bidding, Mr. Halliwell became the purchaser at the sum of 1047.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE.

BROUGHAM'S MEN OF LETTERS. 2nd Series, royal 8vo., boards.
Original edition.

KNIGHT'S PICTORIAL SHAKSPEARE. Royal 8vo.
XLIII. XLIV. L. and LI.

Parts XLII.

8vo.

CONDER'S ANALYTICAL VIEW OF ALL RELIGIONS.
NEWMAN'S (J. H.) PRESENT POSITION OF THE CATHOLICS IN
ENGLAND.

HALLIWELL ON THE DIALECTS OF SOMERSETSHIRE.
SCLOPETARIA, or REMARKS ON RIFLES, &c.
SOWERBY'S ENGLISH FUNGI. Vol. III.
SUPPLEMENT TO SOWERBY'S ENGLISH FUNGI.

EUROPEAN MAGAZINE. Vols. XXIII. XXIV, and XXV.
POETIC WREATH. Small 8vo. Newman.

GEMS FROM BRITISH POETS. 4 Vols. Tyas.

CALLIOPE, A SELECTION OF BALLADS LEGENDARY AND PATHETIC. Suttaby, 1808.

THE WORKS OF LORD BYRON. Vo's. VI. VII. and VIII. 12mo. Murray, 1823.

MALLET'S POEMS.

Bell's edition. 1763.

MALLET'S PLAY OF ELVIRA.

JOANNIS LELANDI COLLECTANEA. Vol. V. 1774.
BISHOP PATRICK'S COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE. The Volumes
containing Joshua and Judges. Small 4to.
KENT'S ANTHEMS. Vol. I. folio. Edited by Joseph Corfe.
THE MATHEMATICIAN. Vol. I. No. I. 1844.
MACULLOCH'S HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND.
BACK'S VOYAGE OF THE TERROR, 8vo.

BACK'S OVERLAND JOURNEY IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS, 8vo. L'HISTOIRE DE LA SAINCTE BIBLE, par ROYAUMONDE: à Paris, 1701.

JOHNSON'S (DR. S.) WORKS, by MURPHY. Trade Edition of 1816, in 8vo. Vol. XII. only.

SCOTT'S CONTINUATION OF MILNER'S CHURCH HISTORY. Vol. II. Part II. 8vo.

WINKELMAN'S REFLECTIONS ON THE PAINTING of the Greeks, translated by FUSELI. London, 1765. 8vo.

ROYAL PROCLAMATIONS IN ENGLAND IN THE YEAR 1688, EXTENDING TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 1707. London, folio. TYRWITT'S SOLID REASONS FOR PHILOSOPHIZING. Winchester, 1652.

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY. The first two Volumes. In Numbers preferred.

MARVELL'S WORKS. 3 Vols. 4to.
MARVELL'S (ANDREW) LIFE.
KINGSTON-ON-HULL, any work upon.

EDWIN AND EMMA. Taylor, 1776. 58. will be given for a perfect
Vol. V.

copy. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Part I.

Vols. VIII. and IX. in Numbers. POPE'S WORKS, BY WARTON, 1797. Vol. IV. ROSCOE'S NOVELIST'S LIBRARY.-TRISTRAM SHANDY. Vol. II. LINGARD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 4to. edit. Vol. VII. LEBEUF, TRAITE HISTORIQUE SUR LE CHANT ECCLESIASTIQUE.

Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

Notices to Correspondents.

REPLIES RECEIVED. Arkwright-Burning Fern- Dr. Fell Mother Damnable- Nuremberg Token Arborei Fœtus-He that runs may Rhymes on Places - Death from Fasting. read Elvan Plague Stones - Hooping Cough- Mrs. Greenhill-Gospel Trees - King of the Beggars - Absalom's Hair Moke-Ground Ice- Ve dal am daro-Whiting's Watch Paget Family The Word Pignon "Movable Pulpits. Dutch Pottery - Cynthia's Dragon Yoke-St. Christopher-Surnames or Sirenames- Moravian Hymns-We three-London Street Folks -- Cromwell's Skull Wyned - Family of Bullen Article "An"- Coleridge's Christabel - Meaning of Lode - The Ring Finger - Can a Clergyman marry himself Death of Pitt -Pedigree of the De Clares-Exeter Controversy and many others, which we are prevented from acknowledging until next week.

[blocks in formation]

TEE BEE. We have a note waiting for this Correspondent. Where shall it be sent ?

C. M. J. Will our Correspondent forward his Query respecting Coleridge?

WYCH. If we do not adopt our Correspondent's friendly sugges tion, he may be assured there are good reasons for our not doing so; although we cannot enter into a full explanation of them in this place.

S. E. We have not yet had an opportunity of making the examination suggested by our Correspondent.

JARLTZBERG. We hope our Correspondent received the packet addressed to him.

Q. is thanked. His replies to Queries in Vols. I. and II. shall have immediate attention.

H. C. D. The Letter of Lord Nelson, if inedited, would be very acceptable.

S. A. T., who sends a Query respecting The Broad Arrow, is referred to the early Nos. of the present volume, where he will find the question is under discussion.

J. S. A. BURNING ALIVE. Our Correspondent will find this painful subject treated of at considerable length in our 3rd Vol., pp. 6. 50. 90. 165. 2:0.

MORAVIAN HYMNS. We are requested to say that if our Correspondents P. H. and H. B. C. wil send their addresses to J. O., Post Office, Leadenhall Street, communications will be made to them respecting the earlier edition of these Hymns.

W. H. P. may procure the Archæological Journal, 5 vols., and the Winchester Volume of Proceedings, on application to the Publisher, Mr. J. H. Parker, Strand; the York, Norwich, and Lincoln, of George Bell.

Full price will be given for clean copies of No. 19. upon application to our Publisher.

Neat Cases for holding the Numbers of "N. & Q." until the completion of each Volume are now ready, price ls. 6d., and may be had by order of all booksellers and newsmen.

VOLUME THE FOURTH OF NOTES AND QUERIES, with very copious INDEX, is now ready, price 9s. 6d. cloth boards.

"NOTES AND QUERIES

is published at noon on Friday, so that the Country Booksellers may receive Copies in that night's parcels, and deliver them to their Subscribers on the Saturday.

Errata.-P. 331. col. 2. 1. 40., for " Knightly "read "Knightley." P. 332. col. 1. 1. 55., for hindlets " read bendlets." P. 368. col. 1. 1. 25., for "close" read "closet." P. 378. col. 2. 1. 3., for "doubt" read "dout.".

[blocks in formation]

PROVIDENT LIFE OFFICE, M MILY, and COMPLIMENTARY.

STREET.

CITY BRANCH: 2. ROYAL EXCHANGE

BUILDINGS.

Established 1806.

Policy Holders' Capital, 1,192,8187. Annual Income, 150,000l.- Bonuses Declared, 743,0007.

Claims paid since the Establishment of the
Office, 2,001,4507.
President.

The Right Honourable EARL GREY.

Directors.

The Rev. James Sherman, Chairman.

H. Blencowe Churchill, Esq., Dep.-Chairman. Henry B. Alexander, Esq.

George Dacre, Esq.

William Judd, Esq.

Sir Richard D. King, Bart.

The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird

Thomas Maugham, Esq.

William Ostler, Esq.

Apsley Pellatt, Esq.

George Round, Esq.

Frederick Squire, Esq.

William Henry Stone, Esq.

Capt. William John Williams.

J. A. Beaumont, Esq., Managing Director. Physician-John Maclean, M.D. F.S.S., 29 Upper Montague Street, Montague Square.

NINETEEN-TWENTIETHS OF THE PROFITS ARE DIVIDED AMONG THE INSURED.

Examples of the Extinction of Premiums by the Surrender of Bonuses.

[blocks in formation]

The Proprietor of THE LONDON GENERAL MOURNING WAREHOUSE begs respectfully to remind families whose bereavements compel them to adopt Mourning Attire, that every article of the very best description, requisite for a complete outfit of Mourning may be had at this Establishment at a moment's notice.

ESTIMATES FOR SERVANTS' MOURNING, affording a great saving to families, are furnished; whilst the habitual attendance of experienced assistants (including dressmakers and milliners), enables them to suggest or supply every necessary for the occasion, and suited to any grade or condition of the community. WIDOWS' AND FAMILY MOURNING is always kept made up, and a note, descriptive of the Mourning required, will insure its being sent forthwith, either in Town or into the Country, and on the most Reasonable Terms.

W. C. JAY, 247-249. Regent Street.

TOMB OF

THE TRADESCANTS.

In Lambeth Churchyard is a Monument, once handsome and elaborately carved, which was erected in 1662 by the widow o' JOHN TRADESCANT the younger, to the memory of her father-in-law, her husband, and her son, who were inhabitants of that parish.

The Monument of the TRADESCANTS, which was repaired by public subscription in 1773, has now again fallen into decay. The inscription also on the stone that covers ASHMOLE's grave, who was himself buried in Lambeth Church, is now very nearly effaced. The restoration of that Church, now nearly finished, seems a fit occasion for repairing both these Monuments. It is therefore proposed to raise a fund for the perfect restoration of the Tomb of the TRADESCANTS, according to its original form, as represented in two drawings preserved in the Pepysian Library at Cambridge, and also for renewing ASHMOLE'S epitaph. The cost will not be less than 1007., and assistance is earnestly requested from all who are anxious to preserve ancient monuments, especially those who are following the same pursuits as the TRADESCANTs, and who are daily deriving benefit and delight from the labours and discoveries of these first of English gardeners and naturalists.

Contributions may be paid to,

Sir William J. Hooker, K. H., &c. &c., Royal Gardens, Kew.

Sir Charles G. Young, Garter.

James Forbes Young, Esq., M. D., Lambeth. Philip Bury Duncan, Esq., Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

The Rev. C. B. Dalton, Rectory, Lambeth.
Or to Messrs. Reeve, Henrietta Street, Covent
Garden: Messrs. Van Voorst, Paternoster
Row; Mr. Pamplin, Frith Street, Soho; or
to the Old Bank, Oxford.

RE

Preparing for publication, in Numbers at 38. each (to Subscribers 2s. 6d.). EMAINS OF PAGAN SAXONDOM, principally from Tumuli_in DeEngland. Drawn from the Originals. scribed and illustrated by JOHN YONGE AKERMAN, Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of London. The Engravings or Lithographs will, if possible, in every case, be of the actual size of the objects represented. The First Number will appear as soon as the names of Two Hundred Subscribers have been received.

Subscribers are requested to forward their Names to the care of

MR. JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36. Soho Square, London.

Price 28. 6d. ; by Post 3s. LLUSTRATIONS AND EN

ISM. Part I. By the Rev. S. R. MAITLAND, D.D. F.R.S. F.S.A. Sometime Librarian to the late Archbishop of Canterbury, and Keeper of the MSS. at Lambeth.

"One of the most valuable and interesting pamphlets we ever read."-Morning Herald.

"This publication, which promises to be the commencement of a larger work. will well repay serious perusal."- Ir. Eccl. Journ.

"A small pamphlet in which he throws a startling light on the practices of modern Mesmerism." -Nottingham Journal.

"Dr. Maitland, we consider, has here brought Mesmerism to the touchstone of truth,' to the test of the standard of right or wrong. We thank him for this first instalment of his inquiry, and hope that he will not long delay the remaining portions."- London Medical Gazette.

"The Enquiries are extremely curious, we should indeed say important. That relating to the Witch of Endor is one of the most successful we ever read. We cannot enter into particulars in this brief notice; but we would strongly recommend the pamphlet even to those who care nothing about Mesmerism, or angry (for it has come to this at last) with the subject."- Dublin Evening Post.

"We recommend its general perusal as being really an endeavour, by one whose position gives him the best facilities, to ascertain the genuine character of Mesmerism, which is so much disputed."- Woolmer's Exeter Gazette.

"Dr. Maitland has bestowed a vast deal of attention on the subject for many years past, and the present pamphlet is in part the result of his thoughts and inquiries. There is a good Ideal in it which we should have been glad to quote.... but we content ourselves with referring our readers to the pamphlet itself.”. Brit. Mag.

PIPER, BROTHERS, & CO.,
23. Paternoster Row.

DR. RICHARDSON'S

Dictionaries of the English Language.

I. In Two Volumes, Quarto, price 4l. 48.

IN THIS DICTIONARY, WHICH COMBINES EXPLANATION WITH ETYMOLOGY,
AND IS COPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED BY QUOTATIONS FROM THE BEST
AUTHORITIES:-

1. The WORDS, with those of the same Family in German, Dutch, and Swedish, or in Italian,
French, and Spanish, are traced to their origin;

2. The EXPLANATIONS are deduced from the Primitive Meaning through the various usages: and 3. The QUOTATIONS are arranged Chronologically from the earliest Period to the beginning of the present Century.

II. In One Volume, Octavo, price 15s.

In this DICTIONARY the Explanations and Etymologies, of the Quarto, are retained at full, accompanied by such remarks as the Absence of the Quotations appear to require. And there is prefixed

A GRAMMATICAL AND ETYMOLOGICAL EXAMINATION ADAPTED TO THE

DICTIONARY.

In addition to the testimonies borne to the singularly high Character of Dr. Richardson's Dictionaries which the Publisher has had the good fortune to be able to circulate, he now solicits attention to the powerful Evidence of their peculiar and exclusive merits conveyed in the following Extract, from a little Book "On the Study of Words," recently published, by a very competent Judge. *

"Many words more suggest themselves: they contain I believe, every one of them, in their derivation or their use, or in both, something that will make it worth your while to acquaint yourselves with them; either some fact of history, some custom of past times, some truth of the moral and spiritual world, some lively and impressive image, or other noticeable circumstance about them. In most cases, RICHARDSON'S DICTIONARY, the only one from which I can promise you effectual help, for it is the only English one, in which Etymology assumes the Dignity of a Science, will put you in the right position for judging why the Word has been suggested to you." Richard Chenevix Trench, B.D. Being Lectures addressed (originally) to the pupils at the Diocesan Training School, Winchester. Second Edition.

WILLIAM PICKERING, 177. Piccadilly.

[blocks in formation]

OF THE CHOICEST

IMPORTATIONS at GREATLY RE-
DUCED PRICES for CASH. The First Class
Brands. "Ptarga," "Flor Cabana," &c., 28s.
per pound. British Cigars from 8s. 6d. per
pound. Lord Byron's, 148. 6d., very fine
flavour. Genuine Latakia. 10s. 6d., per pound,
delicious aroma. Every Description of Eastern
and American Tobaccos. Meerschaum Pipes,
Cigar Cases Stems, Porte Monnaies, &c. &c. of
the finest qualities, considerably under the
Trade Prices.

J. F. VARLEY & CO., Importers.
The HAVANNAH STORES, 364. Oxford Street,
opposite the Princesses Theatre.

Sixth Portion of the Extensive, singularly
Curious, and Valuable Library of Thomas
Jolley, Esq., F.S.A. Six Days' Sale.

PUTTICK

AND SIMPSON,

Auctioneers of Literary Property, will
sell by Auction at their Great Room, 191.
Piccadilly, in MAY, the SIXTH PORTION
of the singularly curious Library of Thomas
Jolley, Esq., F.S.A.; comprising the second
division of works illustrative of English His-
tory, Works on America, scarce Voyages and
Travels, early English Theology and contro-
versial Tracts, &c. Catalogues are preparing.

THE LANGUAGES OF EUROPE.
Just published gratis, Post free 1 stamp.
САТА-

A LINGUISTUROPEA TAA

GUAGES AND DIALECTS. Books on
Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Gothic. Teutonic, Ger-
man, Frisian, Flemish, Dutch. Icelandic,
Scandinavian, Runes, Greenland, Lapponic,
Hungarian, Slavonic Languages, Russian,
Polish, Bohemian, Lithuanian, Finnish, Fin-
nish-Tartar Dialects, Georgian, Ossetic,
Romance Languages, Provencal. Spanish,
Portuguese, Italian, Umbrian, and Oscan, &c.
WILLIAMS & NORGATE, 14. Henrietta
Street, Covent Garden.

BURKE ON THE FRENCH REVOLU-
TION NEW LIBRARY EDITION.
In 8vo. price 5s. (with Portrait and short Bio-
graphical Notice of the Author.)

ON THE
REVOLUTION in FRANCE, in 1790.
By the Right Hon. EDMUND BURKE.
RIVINGTONS, St. Paul's Church Yard, and
Waterloo Place.

REFLECTIONS

Also, in course of publication,

A COMPLETE EDITION of MR. BURKE'S WORKS and CORRESPONDENCE, in Eight Monthly Volumes, price 128. each. Three Volumes are now ready

RANCE AND ANNUITY SOCIETY,

3. PARLIAMENT STREET, LONDON. Founded A.D. 1842.

Directors.

H. Edgeworth Bicknell, Esq.
William Cabell, Esq.

T. Somers Cocks, Jun. Esq. M.P.
G. Henry Drew, Esq.
William Evans, Esq.
William Freeman, Esq.
F. Fuller, Esq.

J. Henry Goodhart, Esq.
T. Grissell, Esq.
James Hunt, Esq.

J. Arscott Lethbridge, Esq.
E. Lucas, Esq.

James Lys Seager, Esq.
J. Basley White, Esq.
Joseph Carter Wood, Esq.
Trustees.

W. Whateley, Esq., Q.C.
L. C. Humfrey, Esq., Q.C.
George Drew, Esq.

Consulting Counsel.- Sir Wm. P. Wood, M.P.
Physician.-William Rich. Basham, M.D.
Bankers. Messrs. Cocks, Biddulph, and Co.,
Charing Cross.

VALUABLE PRIVILEGE. POLICIES effected in this Office do not become void through temporary difficulty in paying a Premium, as permission is given upon application to suspend the payment at interest, according to the conditions detailed in the Prospectus.

Specimens of Rates of Premium for Assuring 100.. with a Share in three-fourths of the Profits:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

CHEA

COFFEE. - Although we sell black tea at 3s. per lb., and good black tea at 3s. 4d., strong coffee at 104., and fine coffee at a Is. per lb., we still say to all who study economy, that the best is the cheapest, particularly when the best can be obtained from us at the following prices: The best congou tea, 3s. 8d. per lb. ; the best souchong tea, 4s. 4d.; the best gunpowder tea, 5s. 8d. per lb.: the best old mocha coffee, 1s. 4d. per lb.; the best West India coffee, 1s. 4d. per lb. The fine, true, ripe, rich, rare souchong tea is now only 48. per lb.; and the pure, rich, rare gunpowder, 5s. per lb. Tea or coffee to the value of 408. sent carriage free to any part of England, by PHILLIPS and Co., Tea Merchants,8. King William Street, City.

Printed by THOMAS CLARK SHAW, of No. 8. New Street Square, at No. 5. New Street Square, in the Parish of St. Bride, in the City of London; and published by GEORGE BELL, of No. 186. Fleet Street, in the Parish of St. Dunstan in the West, in the City of London, Publisher, at No. 186. Fleet Street aforesaid.-Saturday, April 24, 1852.

A MEDIUM OF INTER-COMMUNICATION

FOR

LITERARY MEN, ARTISTS, ANTIQUARIES, GENEALOGISTS, ETC.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

415

415

[ocr errors]

418

STERNE AT SUTTON ON THE FOREST.

The following extracts from the Register Book of the parish of Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, which are in the handwriting of Lawrence Sterne, have come into my possession through the kindness of my friend Archdeacon Creyke (of York), and I beg to offer them for insertion in "N. & Q."

"Lawrence Sterne, A. B., was inducted into yo Vicarage of Sutton August ye 25th, 1738.

"Lawrence Sterne created Master of Arts at Cambridge, July, 1740.

"L. Sterne, A. M., made Prebendary of York (Givendale) by Lancelot Arch-bishop in January, 1740; and in Jan. 1741 prefer'd by his Lords to the Prebend of N. Newbald.

"Mem. That the Cherry Trees and Espalier Apple Hedge were planted in ye Gardens October yo 9, 1742. Nectarines and Peaches planted the same day. The Pails set up two months before.

"I laid out in the Garden, in ye year 1742, the sum of 8l. 15s. 6d. L. STERNE." "Laid out in enclosing the Orchard, and in Apple Trees, &c., in ye year 1743, 5l.

"The Apple Trees, Pear and Plumb Trees, planted in ye Orchard y 28th day of October, 1743, by

"L. STERNE."

"Laid out in Sushing* the House, 12., A. Dom.

1741.

"In Stukbing* and Bricking £ s. d.

[ocr errors]

419

420

421

422

422

423

[blocks in formation]

424

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Replies to Minor Queries:-Dyson's Collection of Proclamations-Up, Guards, and at them!"- Bawderich, and Bells Algernon Sydney-"History is Philosophy teaching by Examples" On a Passage in Pope Plague Stones "Archæologia Cambrensis, Vol. I., 2nd Edit."-Town-halls-Emaciated Monumental Effigies Coleridge's "Friend" Enigma on the Letter "I"-Mother Carey's Chickens -Burnomania - Cagots Chantrey's Sleeping Children Topography of Ashbourne Arkwright-Pilgrimages to the Holy Land-" Merchant Adventurers" 425

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

ney Little House

"Spent in shapeing the Rooms, plastering, Underdrawing, and Jobbing- God knows what."

[blocks in formation]

VOL. V.- No. 131.

both to the Windows and Corn. Many of the stones measured six inches in circumference. It broke almost all the South and West Windows both of this House and my Vicarage House at Stillington. L. STERNE." "In the year 1741

[ocr errors]

Hail fell in the midst of Summer as big as a Pidgeon's egg, web unusual occurrence I thought fit to attest under my hand. L. STERNE."

These two accounts of hailstorms are supposed to be only quizzes upon prodigious entries of the same sort made by Vicar Walker in 1698. And that this latter is so is evident, from the concluding words being the same as in Walker's memorandum.

Sterne is characteristically exhibited in the subjoined account by the successor of the "reverend joker":

"In the year 1764, during the Incumbency of Mr. Lawrence Sterne, the Vicarage House was burnt down. Tho' frequently admonished and required to rebuild the Vicarage House, he found means to evade the performance of it. He continued Vicar till he died, in March, 1768. Andrew Cheap was appointed his successor, and was advised to accept a composition for Dilapidations from the Widow. A Suit was instituted for Dilapidations, but after a time (the Widow being in indigent circumstances) sixty pounds were accepted. "In April, 1770, the New House was begun, and finished in May, 1771. "Total amount of Suit and Building the House, ANDREW CHEAP, Vicar." ALFRED GATTY.

5761. 13s. 5d.

READINGS IN SHAKSPEARE, NO. IV.

"Of government the properties to unfold,

L

Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse;
Since I am put to know, that your own science
Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice

My strength can give you: Then, no more remains:
But that, to your sufficiency as your worth, is able;
And let them work. The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions, and the terms
For common justice, you are as pregnant in,
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember: There is our commission,
From which we would not have you warp."

Opening of Measure for Measure.

In Mr. Knight's edition, from which the foregoing passage is printed and pointed, the following note is appended to it:

"We encounter at the onset one of the obscure pasThe text is sages for which this play is remarkable. usually pointed thus:

"Then no more remains But that to your sufficiency, as your worth is able, And let them work.'

It is certainly difficult to extract a clear meaning from this; and so Theobald and Hanmer assume that a line has dropped out, which they kindly restore to us, each in his own way."

After relating Steevens' attempt at elucidation, Mr. Knight proceeds to explain the passage by a running interpretation parenthetically applied to each expression; but I doubt very much whether any person would feel much enlightened by it; or whether, amongst so many explanations, any one of them could be pointed out less obscure than the rest.

Let us try, then, what a total change of interpretation will do.

In the sixth line of the Duke's speech, as quoted at the commencement, we find the demonstrative pronoun that, which must have some object. Mr. Knight supposes that object to be "your science." I, on the contrary, am of opinion that it refers to the commission which the Duke holds in his hand, and which he is in the act of presenting to Escalus: "Then no more remains,

But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able, And let them work."

By transposition, this sentence becomes “Then, as your worth is able, no more remains, to your sufficiency, but that.” But what?

Your COMMISSION!

Have we not here the mot to the enigma, the clue to the mystery? When the Duke takes up the commission, he addresses Escalus to the following effect:

"It would be affectation in me to lecture you upon the art of government, since I must needs know that your own science exceeds, in that, the limits of all I could teach you. Therefore, since your worth is able, no more remains to your sufficiency, but-that, and let them work."

The sufficiency here spoken of is twofold, ability to direct, and authority to enforce. The first was personal to Escalus, consisting of his own skill and knowledge; the second was conferred upon him by commission: when both were united, he was to "let them work!"

Reading the passage in this way, there is no necessity for the alteration of a single letter; and yet I will put it to any person of sense and candour, whether the passage be not thereby relieved from all real obscurity?

It must be borne in mind, that the presentation of the commission is the main object of the Duke's address the presentation therefore is not a single act, but rather a protracted action during the whole speech, finally consummated with the con"there is our commission." cluding wordsThis is so plain, that it scarcely needs confirmation; but, if it did so, it would receive it, by analogy, in the similarly protracted presentation to Angelo when it becomes his turn to receive his commission. In that case the act of presentation commences with the word "hold:" "Hold—therefore, Angelo!”

[ocr errors]
« ÎnapoiContinuă »