ENGLISH COMEDIANS IN GERMANY.

"Clau.Death is a fearful thing!"Isa.Andshamedlife a hateful."

"Clau.Death is a fearful thing!

"Isa.Andshamedlife a hateful."

The meaning here is notlife ashamed, butlife covered with shame. In this sense MR. HALLIWELL, apparently without knowing why, has adopted the termdelightful; but then the two succeeding words of his explanation, "sweet, pleasant", he would appear to have taken at random from a dictionary, forgetting that he was not using the word in its ordinary sense; for it is not possible that he can suppose Shakspeare to have used the word in the sense of the active participle. Now, though I do not think this at all the expression that Shakspeare would use, it is undoubtedly allowable as a general characteristic; but the word actually used would appear to imply the result of a particular action, which would have been productive of anything but delight. In short, as we are agreed that the worddelightedin the passage in question in its present sense is unintelligible, so also are we, I think, agreed that the substitute, if any, must be used in a passive sense.

Now, with regard to the first instance furnished by MR. HALLIWELL of the use of the passive for the active participle, if I were sure that the delinquent were well out of hearing, and not likely "to rise again and push us from our stools," I should be disposed to repeat the charge of impertinence against the editor who altered "professed" to "professing". The wordprofessedis one of common use, and in the present instance perfectly intelligible. "To your bosom,professedto entertain so much love and care for our father, I commit him," seems to express the sense of the passage: a doubt is implied by the expression, but there is a directness of insult in the termprofessingquite inconsistent with the character of Cordelia.

"Becomed love" is love suited or fitted to the occasion. The use of the passive participle is every way more appropriate than that of the active, though the latter is more common now.

In the next instance, I have to observe that there is no such verb asto guile.Guileis a noun; and "guiled shore" isguile-covered, orcharactered shore. According to this rule, the modern wordtalented, that is,talent-endowed, has been formed, it not having been considered that licences are allowed in poetry that are unsuited to ordinary language.

The passage next referred to is conditional, and I regard the use of the passive participle here, too, as correct.

I have thus reduced MR. HALLIWELL'S list to that number which usually forms the exception rather than the rule; and if accident, misprint, error in copying, or other special circumstance be not held sufficient to account for the single remaining instance, I have then only to say that I preferdeformedtodeforming, as an epithet applied disparagingly to Time's hand as more in accordance with Shakspeare's practice, who was not in the habit of repeating the same idea, which, in the latter case, would occur again in the word "defeatures" in the following line.

MR. HALLIWELL may, doubtless find other instances, perhaps more felicitous than these; at present, all I can say is that he has failed to show that the use of the passive for the active participle was common with Shakspeare. As to other variations between the grammatical usage of Shakspeare's day and that of our own, I call assure him that I am not quite so ignorant of the fact as he imagines.

SAMUEL HICKSON

August 1. 1850.

I am glad to be enabled to reply to MR. BOLTON CORNEY'S Query (Vol. i., p. 439.) respecting a German book of plays.

The learned illustrator of theCuriosities of Literaturewould find the information he desires in theVorrath zur Geschichte der deutschen dramatischen Dichtkunstof the formerly celebrated J. Christoph Gottsched (Leipzig, 1767-69, 2 vols. 8vo.). But as this book, now somewhat neglected, would perhaps be difficult to be found even in the British Museum, I will transcribe the contents of theSchau-Bühne englischer und franzõsischer Comõdianten auff welcher werden vorgestellt die schõnsten und neuesten Comõdien, so vor wenig Jahren in Frankreich, Teutschland und andern Orten ... seynd agirt und präsentirt worden.—Frankfurt,1670, 3 vols. 8vo.

Vol. I.—

1. Amor der Arzt.2. Die Comödia ohne Comödia.3. Die köstliche Lächerlichkeit.4. Der Hahnrey in der Einbildung.5. Die Hahnreyinn nach der Einbildung.6. Die Eyfreude mit ihr Selbst.7. Antiochus, ein Tragicomödia.8. Die buhlhaffte Mutter.9. Damons Triumph-Spiel.

1. Amor der Arzt.

2. Die Comödia ohne Comödia.

3. Die köstliche Lächerlichkeit.

4. Der Hahnrey in der Einbildung.

5. Die Hahnreyinn nach der Einbildung.

6. Die Eyfreude mit ihr Selbst.

7. Antiochus, ein Tragicomödia.

8. Die buhlhaffte Mutter.

9. Damons Triumph-Spiel.

Vol. II.—

10. Von Sidonia und Theugene.11. Der Verliebtell Kllnstgriffe.12. Lustiges Pickelharings-Spiel, darum er miteinem Stein gar artige Possen macht.13. Von Fortunato seinem Wünschhütlein undSeckel.14. Der unbesonnene Liebhaber.15. Die grossmüthige Thaliklea.

10. Von Sidonia und Theugene.

11. Der Verliebtell Kllnstgriffe.

12. Lustiges Pickelharings-Spiel, darum er mit

einem Stein gar artige Possen macht.

13. Von Fortunato seinem Wünschhütlein und

Seckel.

14. Der unbesonnene Liebhaber.

15. Die grossmüthige Thaliklea.

Vol. III.—

16. Vom Könige Ahasvero und Esther und demhoffartigen Hamon.17. Vom verlohrnen Sohn, in welchem die Verzweifflungund Hoffnung gar artig introducirt werden.18. Von Königs Mantalors unrechtmässiger Liebeund derselben Straffe.19. Der Geitzige.20. Von der Aminta und Sylvia.21. Macht den kleinen Knaben Cupidinis.22. George Damlin, oder der verwirrte Ehmann.

16. Vom Könige Ahasvero und Esther und dem

hoffartigen Hamon.

17. Vom verlohrnen Sohn, in welchem die Verzweifflung

und Hoffnung gar artig introducirt werden.

18. Von Königs Mantalors unrechtmässiger Liebe

und derselben Straffe.

19. Der Geitzige.

20. Von der Aminta und Sylvia.

21. Macht den kleinen Knaben Cupidinis.

22. George Damlin, oder der verwirrte Ehmann.

Some years before, another similar collection had been published. The first vol. printed in 1620, and reprinted in 1624, has this title:

"Englische Comedien und Tragedien, d. i. Sehr schöne, herrliche und ausserlosene, geist- und weltliche Comedi- und Tragedi-Spiel (sic), sampt dem Pickelhering, welche wegen ihrer artigen Inventionen kurtzweiligen auch theils wahrhafftigen Geschichte halbet,von den Engelländern in Deutschland(I beg to notice these words) an Königlichen, Chur- und Furstlichen Höfen, auch in vornehmen Reichs- See- und Handel Städten seynd agirt und gehalten worden, und zuvor nie im Druck aussgangen."

The volume contains 10 plays. The 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10, are the 16, 17, 13, 10, and 12, of the collection of 1670. The other five are the following:

4. Eine schöne lustige Comödia von Jemand undNiemand.7. Tragödia von Julio und Hippolyto.8. Eine sehr klägliche Tragödia von Tito Andromicound hoffertigen Kayserinn, darinnen denkwürdigenActiones zu befinden.9. Ein lustig Pickelherings-Spiel von der schönenMario und alten Hanrey.

4. Eine schöne lustige Comödia von Jemand und

Niemand.

7. Tragödia von Julio und Hippolyto.

8. Eine sehr klägliche Tragödia von Tito Andromico

und hoffertigen Kayserinn, darinnen denkwürdigen

Actiones zu befinden.

9. Ein lustig Pickelherings-Spiel von der schönen

Mario und alten Hanrey.

The second volume was published in 1630, under the titleLieberkampff, oder ander Theil der Englischen Comödien: it contains 8 plays. The 1st is the 21st of the collection of 1670, with this addition:

Die Personen der Lustspiels sind: 1. Venus,die stumme Person; 2. Cupido; 3. Jucunda,Jungfraw; 4. Floretus,Liebhaber; 5. Balendus,Betrieger; 6. Corcillana,Kuplerin; 7. Hans Worst.

The 2d is the 20th of the same collection, "mit 9 Personen, worunter die lustige Person Schräm heisst."

3. Comoedia von Prob getrewer Lieb, mit 11 Personen, worunter auch eine allegorische, der Traum ist.

The 4th is the 18th, "mit 9 Personen, worunter die lustige SchampilascheLean Potageheisst."

The four remaining are operas, without particular titles.

Ebert (Bibliogr. Lexicon, N. 5064.), speaking of these collections, says, "the plays they are composed of are not translations from the English," but, "as it appears," German original works.

I am at a loss to understand how that bibliographer, generally so exact, did not recognise at least five comedies of Molière. MR. BOLTON CORNEY will, I wish and hope, point out the originals—English, Italian, and, I suppose, Spanish—of some others.

If you think proper to make use of the above, I entreat you, for the sake of your readers, to correct my bad English, and to consider my communication only as a token of the gratification I have found in your amusing and useful "NOTES AND QUERIES."

D.L.

Ancien Membre de la Société des Bibliophiles.

Béthune, July 31. 1850.

P.S.—The Query (Vol. i., p. 185.) concerning the name of the Alost, Louvain, and Antwerp printer,MartensorMertens, is settled in the note, p. 68., ofRecherches sur la Vie et les Editions de Thierry Martens (Martinus, Martens), par J. De Gand, 8vo. Alost, 1845. I am ready to send a copy of the note if it is required.

[We have also received a reply to MR. CORNEY'S Query from MR. ASHER of Berlin, who refers for particulars of this interesting collection to Tieck's Preface to hisAlt-Deutsche Theater. We propose shortly returning to the curious fact of English comedians performing in Germany at the close of the sixteenth and commencement of the seventeenth centuries: a subject which has several times been discussed and illustrated in the columns of our valuable contemporaryThe Athenæum.]

This paradox, whilst one of the oldest on record (being attributed by Aristotle to Zeus Eleates, B.C. 500), is one of the most perplexing, upon first presentation to the mind, that can be selectedfrom the most ample list. Its professed object was to disprove the phenomenon of motion; but its real one, to embarrass an opponent. It has always attracted the attention of logicians; and even to them it has often proved embarrassing enough. The difficulty does not lie in proving that the conclusion is absurd, but inshowing where the fallacy lies. From not knowing the precise kind of information required by [Greek: Idiotaes], I am unwilling to trespass on your valuable space by any irrelevant discussion, and confine myself to copying a very judicious note from Dr. Whateley'sLogic, 9th edit. p. 373.

"This is one of the sophistical puzzles noticed by Aldrich, but he is not happy in his attempt at a solution. He proposes to remove the difficulty by demonstrating that in a certain given time, Achilleswouldovertake the tortoise; as if any one had ever doubtedthat. The very problem proposed, is to surmount the difficulty of a seeming demonstration of a thing palpably impossible; to show thatit ispalpably impossible, is no solution of the problem."I have heard the present example adduced as a proof that the pretensions of logic are futile, since (it was said) the most perfect logical demonstration may lead from true premises to an absurd conclusion. The reverse is the truth; the example before us furnishes a confirmation of the utility of an acquaintance with the syllogistic form,in which form the pretended demonstration in question cannot be exhibited. An attempt to do so will evince the utter want of connection between the premises and the conclusion."

"I have heard the present example adduced as a proof that the pretensions of logic are futile, since (it was said) the most perfect logical demonstration may lead from true premises to an absurd conclusion. The reverse is the truth; the example before us furnishes a confirmation of the utility of an acquaintance with the syllogistic form,in which form the pretended demonstration in question cannot be exhibited. An attempt to do so will evince the utter want of connection between the premises and the conclusion."

What the Archbishop says is true, and it disposes of the question as one of "Formal Logic:" but yet the form of the sophism is so plausible, that it imposes with equal force on the "common sense" of all those who repose their conclusions upon the operations of that faculty. With them a different procedure is necessary; and I suspect that if any one of the most obstinate advocates of the sufficiency of common sense for the "balancing of evidence" were to attempt the explanation of a hundred fallacies that could be presented to him, he would be compelled to admit that a more powerful and a more accurate machine would be of advantage to him in accomplishing his task. This machine the syllogism supplies.

The discussion of Gregory St. Vincent will be found at pages 101-3. of hisOpus Geometricum, Antw., 1647 fol. The principle is the same as that which Aldrich afterwards gave, as above referred to by Dr. Whateley. I can only speak from memory of the discussion of Leibnitz, not having his works at hand; but I am clear in this, that his principle again is the same. [Greek: Idiotaes] is in error, however, in calling St. Vincent's "a geometrical treatment" of it. He indeed uses lines to represent the spaces passed over; and their discussion occurs in a chapter on what is universally (but very absurdly) called "geometrical proportion." It is yet no moregeometricalthan our school-day problem of the basket and the hundred eggs in Francis Walkinghame. Mere names do not bestow character, however muchphilosophers as well as legislatorsmay think so. All attempts of the kind have been, and must be, purely numerical.

T.S.D.

Shooter's Hill, August 3.

Achilles and the Tortoise.—Your correspondent will find references in the article "Zeno (of Elea)" in thePenny Cyclopædia. For Gregory St. Vincent's treatment of the problem, see hisQuadratara Circuli, Antwerp, 1647, folio, p. 101., or let it alone. I suspect that the second is the better reference. Zeno's paradox is best stated, without either Achilles or tortoise, as follows:—No one can go a mile; for he must go over the first half, then over half the remaining half, then over half the remaining quarter; and so onfor ever. Many books of logic, and many of algebra, give the answer to those who cannot find it.

"Barum" and "Sarum" (Vol. ii., p. 21.)—The formation of the first of these words has not yet been accounted for. I must premise my attempt to supply an explanation by admitting that I was not aware it was in common use as a contraction for Barnstaple. I think it will be found that the contracted form of that name is more usually "Berdest," "Barnst". In trying further to contract the word, the two last letters would be omitted, and it would then be "Barñ", with the circumflex showing the omission of several letters. Having reduced it to this state, an illiterate clerk would easily misread the circumflex for the plain stroke "-," expressing merely the omission of the letter "m", and, perhaps ignorant of the name intended, think it as well to write at full length "Barum."

J. Br.

Countess of Desmond(Vol. ii., p. 153.)—It is stated in Turner'sSacred History, vol. iii. p. 283., that the Countess of Desmond died in 1612, aged 145. This is, I presume, the correct date of her decease, and not 1626 as mentioned by your querist K.; for in Lord Bacon'sHistory of Life and Death, originally published in 1623, her death is thus alluded to:—

"The Irish, especially the Wild Irish, even at this day, live very long. Certainly they report that within these few years the Countess of Desmond lived to a hundred and forty years of age, and bred teeth three times."

The manner of her death is recorded by Mr. Crofton Croker, in his agreeable volume ofResearches in the South of Ireland, 4to. London, 1824.Speaking of Drumana, on the Blackwater, a little above Youghall, as the "reputed birth-place of the long-lived Countess of Desmond," he says,—

"In this part of the country, her death is attributed to a fall whilst in the act of picking an apple from a tree in an orchard at Drumana."

In theOlla Podrida, a volume of miscellanies, printed for private distribution, by Mr. Sainthill of Cork, there is a portrait of the "old countess," from an etching made by Mr. Crofton Croker (if I mistake not) in his early days.

J.M.B.

Michael Servetus, alias Reves.—The manuscript, the character and fate of which S.H. (Vol. ii., p. 153.) is anxious to investigate, contained books iii.-vii., inclusive, of the work of ServetusDe Trinitate; and as these fragments differed somewhat from the printed text, they were probably the first, or an early, draft (not necessarily in the author's handwriting) of part of theChristianismi Restitutio. The purchaser of this MS., at the sale of Du Fay's library in Paris in the year 1725, was the Count de Hoym, ambassador to France from Poland. I beg to refer your correspondent to pp. 214-18. of theHistoria Michaelis Serveti, by Henr. ab Allwoerden, published with Mosheim's approbation, Helmstad 1728.

Both a "Note" and a "Query" might be founded on a memorable passage in the fifth bookDe Trinitate, in which Servetus, long before Harvey, explains the circulation of the blood.

R.G.

Caxton's Printing-office(Vol. ii., pp. 99. 122. 142.).—It is a pity MR. NICHOLS did not take the trouble to see, and, having seen, to notice in his first communication, that Abbot Islip was mentioned in the passage from Stow'sSurveycited by MR. RIMBAULT. As that gentleman quotes from, I believe, the second edition of theSurvey, I may be allowed to doubt, until it is clearly shown, that "Islip's name has been introduced by the error of some subsequent writer." But supposing this to be so, it would in no way affect the only question which is material, Who was Caxton's patron? nor touch the accuracy of theLife of Caxton, which MR. NICHOLS seems desirous of impeaching. I am anxious to point this out, because I feel it right to vindicate to the utmost, where they deserve it, useful works, which, like the little volume I am writing of, are published at a price that ensures for them a circulation of almost unlimited extent.

ARUN.

Somagia(Vol. ii., p. 120.).—This is the plural of "somagium," "summagium," and means "horse-loads." It is a word frequently found in documents relating to agrarian matters, and may signify the load packed upon the horse's back (whence the name "sumpter-horse"), or in a cart drawn by a horse. MR. SANSOM will find a full explanation of the derivatives of its root, "sagma," at p. 50., vol. vii., of Ducange.

J.BT.

Various Modes of Interment among the Ancients(Vol ii., pp. 8, 9. 22. 41. 78.).—In modes of interment some nations have been distinguished by an idiosyncrasy almost incredible from their inhumanity.

"Barcæi, populi inter Colchos et Iberos morbo absumptos igni comburebant, sed qui in bello fortiter occubuissent, honoris gratia vulturibus devorandos objiciebant."—.AElian.Hist. Anim.lib. x. "In Hyrcania (refert Cicero inTusc. Quæst.lib. i. 45.) ali canes solitos fuisse, a quibus delaniarentur mortui, eamque optimam Hyrcanos censuisse sepulturam."—Kirchmannusde Funer. Romanorum.

The appendix to this work may be consulted for this, and yet greater violations of the law of nature and nations.

"Apud saniores barbaros ab animalibus discerpi cadavera foedum semper ac miserabile creditum fuit. Foetus abortivi feris alitibutsque exponebantur in montibus aut locis aliis inaccessis, quin et ipsi infantes, &c. Fuit hæc Asinina sepulturapoenaTyrannorum ac perduellium. (Spondan.de Coemet. S.pp. 367. 387. et seqq.) Quam et victorum insolentia odiumque vulgi implacabile in hostes non raro exercuit."—UrsinusArbor. Biblicum.

Hyde accounts for the Persians who embraced the religion of the Magi not having adopted the two contrivances of corporal dissolution prevalent among civilised nations—cremation or burning, and simple inhumation—by the superstitious reverence with which they regarded the four elements. Sir T. Browne remarks that similar superstitions may have had the same effect among other nations.

Of the post-mortempunishmentsdescribed by Ducange, the former was the customary sepulture of the Trogloditæ; the latter corresponds with the rite of some of the Scythians recorded by Statius:

"At gente in Scythica suffixa cadavera truncis,Lenta dies sepelit putri liquentia tabo."

"At gente in Scythica suffixa cadavera truncis,

Lenta dies sepelit putri liquentia tabo."

I shall be obliged if you or a correspondent disposed "not only to teach but to communicate," will kindly throw light on a passage, relating to the Troloditæ, in Strabo, book xvi., where he relates, "Capræ cornu mortuis saxorum cumulo coopertis fuisse superimpositum."

T.J.

Guy's Porridge-pot(Vol. ii., p. 55.).—Your correspondent is quite correct, when he says "neither the armour nor pot belonged to the noble Guy." He would have been aguyif hehadworn the armour, seeing that it was made for a horse, and not for a man.

What the stout old lady who showed us the "relics of old Guy" in 1847 called "Guy's breastplate," and sometimes his helmet! is the "croupe" of a suit of horse armour, and "another breastplate" a "poitrel." His porridge-pot is a garrisoncrock of the sixteenth century, used to prepare "sunkits" for the retainers; and the fork a military fork temp. Hen. VIII.

The so called "Roman swords" are "anelaces," and a couteau de chasse of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The "British weapon" is a hammer at arms temp. Hen. VIII., and "the halbert" a black bill temp. Hen. VII. The only weapons correctly described are the Spanish rapiers.

The shield with the "sight" is very curious; it weighs thirty pounds, and is of the temp. of Henry VIII.

It is impossible to describe the horror of the old lady at our doubting her version; she seemed to wonder the earth did not open and swallow us for our heresy.

NASO.

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting Guest"(Vol. ii., p. 134.).—"Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest,"

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting Guest"(Vol. ii., p. 134.).—

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting Guest"

(Vol. ii., p. 134.).—

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest,"

is from Pope (Imitations of Horace, book ii. sat. ii.).

Pope's distich, whence the line is taken, runs,—

"For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best,Welcome the coming, speed thegoingguest."

"For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best,

Welcome the coming, speed thegoingguest."

Query. Where is "sage Homer's rule" to be found?

RUSTICUS.

[The following additional reply furnishes a solution of the Query of RUSTICUS:—

"True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd,Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest."

"True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd,

Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest."

These lines are from Pope'sHomer, the Odyssey, Book xv., lines 83 and 84.

E.H.]

"A Chrysostom to smoothe his Band in" (Vol. ii., p. 126.).—This Query by Rev. ALFRED GATTY is answered by referring him to theHappy Life of a Country Parson, by Swift, beginning with—

"Parson, these things in thy possessing,Are worthy of a bishop's blessing."

"Parson, these things in thy possessing,

Are worthy of a bishop's blessing."

And enumerating amongst them

"A large Concordance bound long since,Sermons to Charles the First when prince,A chronicle of ancient standing,A chrysostom to smoothe thy band in;The polyglott—three parts—my text,Howbeit—likewise—to my next."

"A large Concordance bound long since,

Sermons to Charles the First when prince,

A chronicle of ancient standing,

A chrysostom to smoothe thy band in;

The polyglott—three parts—my text,

Howbeit—likewise—to my next."

T.H.Q.

[C.I.R. (to whom we are indebted for a similar reference) adds the concluding line—

"And shake his head at Doctor Swift."

which would show that the verses were written not earlier than 1701, as Swift, the author, took his D.D. degree in that year.]

William of Wykeham(Vol. ii., p. 89.).—

"Historica descriptio compleetens vitam ac res gestas beatissimi viri Guilmi Wicanii quondam Vintoniensis episcopi et Angliæ Cancellarii et fundatoris duorum collegiorum Oxoniæ et Vintoniæ."

is the title of a biography of William of Wykeham attributed to Thomas Martin, published in 4to. Oxford, 1597.

There is also a little work which may come under the head of biographies, viz.:

"Uvedale (Robert) Examination of Lowth's objections to the account given by Leland of the parentage of William of Wykeham," 8vo. 1801.

VideOettinger'sBibliographie Biographique.

S.W.

Dutch Language(Vol. ii., p. 77.).—H.B.C. recommends, among other works, Hendrik Conscience's novels. These are in Flemish, not Dutch. The difference may not be great between the two; but one would hardly recommend to a learner of English, Burns'sPoemsas a reading-book. In 1829 Dr. Bowring wrote an article, being a sketch of Dutch literature, in theForeign Quarterly Review; which article was reprinted in Amsterdam in the form of an 18mo. volume, and which I believe is still to be got, and is a very useful guide to Dutch literature.

S.W.

"A frog he would" &c. (Vol. ii., p. 45. and elsewhere).—I remember, when a boy, to have heard an old aunt repeatedly sing this song; but the chorus was very strange.

"A frog he would a-wooing ride,With a rigdum bullydimy kymy;With sword and buckler by his side,With a rigdum bullydimy kymy.Kymyary kelta cary kymyary kymy,Strimstram paradiddle larrabona ringting,Rigdum bullydimy kymy."

"A frog he would a-wooing ride,

With a rigdum bullydimy kymy;

With sword and buckler by his side,

With a rigdum bullydimy kymy.

Kymyary kelta cary kymyary kymy,

Strimstram paradiddle larrabona ringting,

Rigdum bullydimy kymy."

City Sanitary Laws(Vol. ii., p. 99.).—The act of Parliament prohibiting the slaughter of cattle within the city, referred to in the passage fromArnold's Chronicle, extracted by your correspondent T.S.D. is the 4 Hen. VII. c. 3., which enacts that—

"No butcher shall kill any flesh within his scalding-house, or within the walls of London, in pain to forfeit for every ox so killed 12d.and for every other beast 8d., to be divided between the king and the prosecutor."—Bohun'sPrivilegia Londini1723, p. 480.

Brydall, in hisCamera Regis(Lond. 1666, p. 114.), quotes the statute of 11 Hen. VII. c. 21, as the authority for the "singularity" attaching to the city, that "butchers shall kill no beasts in London." I believe, however, Bohun's reference will be found to be the correct one. The statute in question has, I think, never been repealed; but in the absence of abbatoirs, or other proper provision for the slaughtering of cattle without the walls of the city, it seems doubtful whether thepains and penalties to which the "contrary doers" were liable, were at any time strictly enforced.

JAMES T. HAMMACK.

Sanitary Laws of other Days(Vol. ii., p. 99.).—The statute referred to by T.S.D. in his article, by which "it is ordeigned y't no such slaughter of best shuld be used or had within this cite," was no doubt 4 & 5 Henry VII. c. 3., intituled "An Act that no Butcher slea any Manner of Beast within the walls of London." The penalty is only twelvepence for an ox or a cow, and eightpence for any smaller animal. The act itself seems unrepealed, but the penalties are too small at the present day to abate the nuisance.

C.R. SOC.

Michael Scott, the Wizard(Vol. ii., p. 120.).—I have now lying before me a small duodecimo, Lugdini, 1584, entitled—

"Alberti Magni de Secretis Mulierum libellus, scholiis auctus et a mendis repurgatus,"

to which is appended a work of the wizard's "ob materiæ similitudinem,"

"Michaelis Scoti philosophi De Secretis Naturæ Opusculum."

E.S.T.

Clerical Costume(Vol. ii., p. 22.).—Possibly the answer to this Query may be found in the passage from Bacon'sHistory of Life and Death, in the third part of theInstauratio Magna, which I copy below from Craik'sBacon and his Writings, vol. iii. p. 45.:—

"Some report that they have found great benefit in the conservation of their health by wearing scarlet waistcoats next their skin and under their shirts, as well down to their nether parts as on the upper."

From the quantity of serge bought, as well as from the nature of the material, I think it likely it might be required for the purpose here noticed by Bacon, and not for an outer waistcoat.

ARUN.

The Curfew(Vol. ii., p. 103.).—As NABOC can, I imagine, only get a perfect list of the places where the curfew is still rung by the contributions of scattered correspondents, I will furnish my mite by informing him that a very short time ago it was rung at Sturminster Newton in Dorsetshire.

J. BT.

Welsh Language; Armenian Language(Vol. ii., p. 136.).—JARLTZBERG will find no Welsh dictionary with the part reversed. I possess a dictionary in Welsh and English, in two volumes, by Pugh, published in 1832, which is one of the best. The one in two volumes by Walters is in English and Welsh, and is also one of the best. The four volumes would make a good dictionary. The best grammar is, I think, Pugh's. See the Welsh bookseller in Holywell Street: I believe his name is Williams.

Father Chamick compiled theHistory of Armeniafrom the historical works of several authors, which was published at Venice in 1786; and in 1811 an abridgment thereof, which was translated by Mr. Acdall, of Calcutta, in 1827. See Messrs. Allen and Co.'sCatalogue of Oriental Works, at whose house these, and translations of other works (particularly theHistory of Vartanand theMemoirs of Artemi), may be procured. I think JARLTZBERG will find a dictionary in Armenian and French. I saw a notice of one a short time since. (See Bernard Quaritch.) In 1841, Peterman published at Berlin,Porta Ling. Orient., sive Elementa Ling. Syr., Chald., Arab., &c. &c., which I think contains an Armenian grammar. See Williams and Norgate; also a list of Klaproth's works.

AREDJID KOOEZ.

Armenian Language(Vol. ii., p. 136.).—In reply to JARLTZBERG, I can answer that Lord Byron did not compose the English part of Aucher'sArmenian and English Grammar. A very learned friend of mine was at St. Lazero, in Venice, and knew both Aucher and Lord Byron. Lord Byron was taking lessons in Armenian, and a few of his exercises were introduced into Aucher'sGrammar, which was written for Armenians to learn English, with which language Aucher was quite familiar, having resided four years in London. But a newArmenian and English Grammarhas recently been published. There is one, very rare, in Armenian and Latin, and another in Armenian, modern Greek, and Italian. I have just seen John Bunyan'sPilgrim's ProgressinvulgarArmenian, with plates, published at Smyrna; and thePrayers of St. Nierses, in twenty-four languages, Venice, 1837, of which Armenian is one. Several works in Armenian have been published at Calcutta.

HENRY WILKINSON.

Brompton.

North Sides of Churchyards unconsecrated(Vol. ii., p. 55.).—The strong preference given to the south side of the churchyard is traceable to two principal causes; first and chiefly, because the churchyard cross was always placed here; secondly, because this is the sunny side of the churchyard. The cross, the emblem of all the Christian's hopes, the bright sun shining on the holy ground, figurative of the sun of righteousness, could not fail to bring to mind the comforting assurance that they who slept around would one day rise again. And as the greater part of the congregation entered the church by the south and principal door, another cause of the preference was the hope that the sight of the resting places of those of their friends and neighbours who had died in the communion of the church, might remind the survivors each time they repaired to the house of prayer to remember them in their supplications.There is not, however, I believe, the slightest reason for considering that the north side of the churchyard was left unconsecrated, nor do I think it possible that such could ever be the case, inasmuch as all consecrated ground was required to be fenced off from that which was unhallowed. But the north side has always been considered inferior to the south. For example;—excommunicated persons were at one time buried outside the precincts of the churchyard, which, of course, would not have been necessary if any part had been left unconsecrated, nor are instances of this practice wanting since the Reformation.1And when discipline began to be relaxed, and murderers were interred even within the church itself, it was still on the north side.2It is very usual in small country parishes to find the north side of the churchyard without a single grave, nor is it generally resorted to until the south side is fully occupied. It would be difficult to mention another instance of a prejudice so universal, existing so long after the causes of it have mainly passed away.

I cannot conclude without expressing the extreme interest which, though he seems not to be aware of it, attaches to the statement of your correspondent, to the effect that he had on two occasions, namely, on the Revel Sunday, and on another festival, observed the game of football in a churchyard in the West of England. It is, indeed, interesting to find that relics of a custom which, however repugnant to our notions, was sanctioned by the highest authority in the best days of our church, still linger in some of our rural districts; thus amply bearing out the mention made by Bishop Peirs more than two centuries ago, of the attachment of the people of the west to, and "how very much they desired the continuance of," these ancient celebrations. For the letter of the prelate, which was addressed to Archbishop Laud, and for many valuable details with respect to dedication festivals, and the observance of Sundays in former times, I would refer those who take an interest in the matter to theHierurgia Anglicanæ.

ARUN.

Footnote 1:(return)See Parish Register of Hart, Durham, December 17th, 1596; of St. Nicholas, Newcastle, December 31st 1664.

See Parish Register of Hart, Durham, December 17th, 1596; of St. Nicholas, Newcastle, December 31st 1664.

Footnote 2:(return)Parish Register of St. Nicholas, Newcastle August 1st, 1616, and August 13th, 1620.

Parish Register of St. Nicholas, Newcastle August 1st, 1616, and August 13th, 1620.

"Sir Hilary charged at Agincourt."—Your correspondent B.H.C, who, at Vol. ii, p. 158., inquires after the author and answer to this charade, might leave easily ascertained that the author was the late Mackworth Praed, and that the answer is "Good-night." I believe your correspondent has been guilty of some verbal inaccuracies, which makes the answer appear not so pertinent to his version as it really is; but I have not the original at hand. Some few years ago, the charade appeared in a Cambridge paper, with a story about Sir Walter Scott having sent it anonymously to Queen Adelaide. This was contradicted, and the real author named in a subsequent number of the newspaper, and a metrical solution given, amongst others, of the charade, with which, though I believe I could recollect it, I will not trouble the Editor of "NOTES AND QUERIES." I think the charade first appeared in a cheap periodical, which was set on foot by the parties concerned inKnight's Quarterly.

J.H.L.

"Sir Hilary charged at Agincourt" (Vol. ii., p. 158).—This enigma was written by the late Winthrop Mackworth Praed, and appeared inKnight's Quarterly Magazine, vol. ii. p. 469.: whether solved or soluble, I cannot say.

May I here express my concurrence in an opinion expressed in a very recent number of theExaminer, that a collected edition of Mr. Praed's poems is wanted?

C.H. COOPER.

Cambridge, August 5. 1850.

Unicorn(Vol. ii., p. 136.).—King James I. abandoned the red dragon of Henry VII. as one of the supporters of the royal arms of England, and substituted the unicorn, one of the supporters of the royal arms of Scotland.

S.S.S.

Abbey of St. Wandrille, Normandy(Vol. i., pp. 338. 382. 486.).—As the Vicar of Ecclesfield appears interested in the history of this abbey, in the immediate neighbourhood of which I am at present living, I forward the following list of works which have relation to the subject, including theChronicle, extracts from which have already been given by GASTROS:—

"Briefve Chronique de l'Abbaye de St. Wandrille, publiée par la première fois, d'après le Cartulaire de St. Wandrille, de Marcoussis M.S. du XVI. siècle, de la Bibliothèque de Rouen par M.A. Potter."—Révue Rétrospective Normande, Rouen, 1842."Le Trisergon de l'Abbaye de Fontenelle (or St. Wandrille), en Normandie, par Dom Alexis Bréard. M.S. du XVII. siècle."—Bibliothèque de Rouen, M.S.S.Y. 110."Appendix ad Chronicon Fontanellense in Spicileg." Acherii, t. ii. p. 285."Gallia Christiana," vol. ii., in fo., page 155., (containing the Ecclesiastical History of Normandy)."Acta sanctor ord. St. Bened," tom. v.—Miracula Wandregisili."Essais sur l'Abbaye de St. Wandrille, par Langlois," in 8vo. Rouen, 1827.

"Le Trisergon de l'Abbaye de Fontenelle (or St. Wandrille), en Normandie, par Dom Alexis Bréard. M.S. du XVII. siècle."—Bibliothèque de Rouen, M.S.S.Y. 110.

"Appendix ad Chronicon Fontanellense in Spicileg." Acherii, t. ii. p. 285.

"Gallia Christiana," vol. ii., in fo., page 155., (containing the Ecclesiastical History of Normandy).

"Acta sanctor ord. St. Bened," tom. v.—Miracula Wandregisili.

"Essais sur l'Abbaye de St. Wandrille, par Langlois," in 8vo. Rouen, 1827.

Several books formerly belonging to this monastery, are now in the public library at Havre.

W.J.

Havre.

Russian Language(Vol. ii., p. l52.).—A James Heard wrote a grammar of this language, and publishedit at St. Petersburgh, in 1827. Mr. Heard also published a volume ofThemes, orExercises, to his grammar, in the same year. I am not acquainted with any other Russian grammar written in English.

Hamonière published hisGrammaire Russeat Paris in 1817; and Gretsch (not Grotsch) published (in Russian) his excellent grammar at St. Petersburgh about thirty years ago. A French translation appeared at the same place in 1828, in 2 vols. 8vo., by Reiff.

In theRévue Encyclopédiquefor 1829, p. 702., some curious details will be found respecting, the various Russian grammars then in existence.Jappe'sRussian Grammaris possibly a misprint forTappe, whose grammar, written in German, is a good one. Besides these, the titles of some twenty other Russian grammars, in Russian, French, or German, could be mentioned.

The anthologies published by Dr. Bowring, besides his Russian, Dutch, and Spanish, are the Magyar, Bohemian, Servian, and Polish.

Writing from Oxford, where the first Russian grammar ever published was printed, as your correspondent JARLTZBERG correctly states, perhaps it may interest him, or his friend, who, he says, is about to go to Russia, to be informed (should he not already be aware of the fact) that a "Course of Lectures on Russian Literature" was delivered in this university, by Professor Trithen, at Sir Robert Tayler's Institution, in the winter of 1849.

J.M.

Oxford, Aug. 6. 1850.

A very interesting contribution to our early national literature, as well as to legendary history, has lately been published by Dr. Nicolaus Delius of Bonn. He has edited in a small octavo volume, published at a very moderate price,Maistre Wace's St. Nicholas, an old French poem, by the poetical Canon of Bayeux, whoseRoman de Rou et des Ducs de Normandie, edited by Pluquet, andRoman de Brut, edited by Le Roux de Lincy, are, doubtless, familiar to many of our readers. The present valuable edition to the published works of Maistre Wace, is edited from two Oxford MSS., viz., No. 270. of the Douce Collection, and No. 86. of the Digby Collection in the Bodleian: and to add to the interest of the present work, especially in the eyes of English readers, Dr. Delius has appended to it the old English metrical life ofSaint Nicolas the Bischop, from the curious series of Lives and Legends which Mr. Black has recently shown to have been composed by Robert of Gloucester.

We have received the following Catalogue:—John Russell Smith's (4. Old Compton Street, Soho) Part IV. for 1850. of a Catalogue of Choice, Useful, and Curious Books in most Departments of Literature.

VOLUME THE FIRST OF NOTES AND QUERIES,with Title-page and very copious Index, is now ready, price 9s. 6d., bound in cloth, and may be had, by order, of all Booksellers and Newsmen.

The Monthly Part for July, being the second of Vol. II. is also now ready, price 1s.

NOTES AND QUERIESmay be procured by the Trade at noon on Friday; so that our country Subscribers ought to experience no difficulty in receiving it regularly. Many of the country Booksellers are, probably, not yet aware of this arrangement, which enables them to receive Copies in their Saturday parcels.

JANUS DOUSA.The Notes on Folk Lore have been received and will be used very shortly. The Queries just received shall be duly inserted.

Errata.—In No. 41., p. 166., col. 1., line 8 from bottom, for "Cordius" read "Cardin"; p. 171., l. 29., for "havers" read "haver"; and p. 172., l. 24., for "Murton" read "Muirton."

GREATLY REDUCED IN PRICE.

PATRES ECCLESIASTICI ANGLICANI.

THIS SERIES OF THE ENGLISH FATHERS OF THE CHURCH,—commencing with ALDHELM, the first Bishop of Sherborne, which see he held from A.D. 705 to 709, and including VENERABLE BEDE, the father of English History, who died in 735; BONIFACE, the English Apostle to the Germans, whose martyrdom took place in 754; LANFRANC, to whose influence over the Conqueror the English owed what liberty William still allowed them to enjoy; PETER OF BLOIS, the gossiping but querulous archdeacon of Bath; THOMAS A BECKET, the greatest churchman of any time, and the fearless upholder of the rights of the Church against the usurpations of the Crown and his contemporaries; honest plain-spoken JOHN OF SALISBURY; and the specious ERNULPH, Bishop of Lisieux, whose works throw considerable light upon the court intrigues of the reign of Henry II.,—is edited by the Rev. Dr. GILES, formerly Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

The entire Series consists of Thirty-five volumes, 8vo.; the price of which has been reduced from 18l.19s.6d.to 9l.,if taken in complete sets, of which onlya very small numberremain unsold; or separately as follows:—

ALDHELMI Opera, 1 vol. 8vo. 6s.(published at 10s.6d.)BEDAE VENERABILIS Opera, 12 vols. 8vo. 3l.3s.(pub. at 6l.6s.)BONIFACII Opera, 2 vols. 8vo. 12s.(published at 1l.1s.)PETRI BLESENSIS Opera, 4 vols. 8vo. 1l.4s.(pub. at 2l.8s.)THOMAE CANTUARIENSIS, HERBERT DE BOREHAMIOpera, &c., 8 vols. 2l.16s.(published at 4l.16s.)LANFRANCI Opera, 2 vols. 12s.(published at 1l.1s.)ARNULFI Opera, 1 vol. 6s.(published at 10s.6d.)JOHANNIS SARESBERIENSIS Opera, 5 vols. 8vo. 1l.10s.(published at 2l.12s.6d.)

On sale by D. NUTT, 270. Strand; and H. WASHBOURNE, 18. New Bridge Street, Blackfriars.

NEW WORK ON THE GREEK DRAMA.

In 12mo., price 4s.(with a Plan of a Greek Theatre.)

THE ATHENIAN STAGE, a Handbook for Students. From the German of WETZSCHEL, by the Rev. R.B. PAUL, M.A.; and edited by the Rev. T.K. ARNOLD, M.A., Rector of Lyndon, and late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

RIVINGTONS, St. Paul's Church Yard, and Waterloo Place:

Of whom may be had, by the same Editors,

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