SHAKSPEARIANA. "TWELFTH NIGHT," ACT I. Sc. 3, LL. 126-7."And. I, 'tis strong, and it does indifferent well in a dam'd colour'd stocke." subject with my friend Mr. Furnivall he turned up Cotgrave. There, under "Couleur" and "Enfer," are to be found, "Couleur d'enfer as much as Noir-brun enfumé"; "Enfer. Couleur d'enfer. A dark and smoakie brown." B. NICHOLSON. THE OBELI OF THE GLOBE EDITION IN "ALL'S So run the folios. Pope, however, substituted flame-colour'd, and other editors have followed him, and among them to my astonishment Mr. Dyce, and to my greater astonishment the Cam-WELL THAT ENDS WELL" (5th S. x. 285, 303.) bridge editors. Granted that "flame-colour'd"-I thank the learned President of the New Shak was a common phrase, and twice used by Shake- spere Society for the courteous tone of his spere, how does that justify the substitution? strictures, a tone which some, in "bowing their There is no especial circumstance eminent tops" to the rank and file among your requiring "flame-colour'd," nor any ductus literarum, unless correspondents, would do well to imitate. am be accounted such. Nor is there such a certainty of error as to require such a change. "Damn'd-colour'd" is an easily understood epithet, and there is nothing against it, beyond our ignorance of the use by any one of a similar phrase in English; and Pope's gentility, the word being too coarse and too unpleasantly suggestive to him and his refined age. But though a Bowdler Shakespeare may have its uses, to Bowdlerize editions that profess to give the nearest approaches to an uncorrupted text is worse than ridiculous. Why cannot Sir Andrew be allowed the imitative affectation of a word very likely to have been used -even if it were uncommon-among the fashionmongers of the day? He was a country ape trying to pick up the town affectations when it was an art to extemporize-with due toil-new-minted oaths and phrases. Sir Andrew, though I own it to be more unlikely, may have coined the word himself, like a gallant as he would be, and that without going beyond his mother tongue. 66 4. I would gladly accept MR. FURNIVALL'S interpretation of In their poor praise he humbled" if I thought "their poor praise" could by any process of inversion be converted into "praise of them poor." To me "their poor praise" seems susceptible only of one of two meanings: it must mean either "their poor praise" of him or his poor praise" of them. The latter meaning I reject as inconsistent with the description given of Count Rousillon as every inch a gentleman. The man who "damns with faint praise" is not so. The true gentleman will either praise with sincerity or not praise at all. The former meaning, after giving it the full reconsideration which I felt incumbent on me in deference to one of MR. FURNI VALL'S high authority, I cannot persuade myself is a misinterpretation. When Theseus determined to witness the poor play got up in honour of his nuptials by Snug, Bottom & Company, he knew very well it was in itself a poor thing he was going to see; but "taken in might, not merit" (estimated, Pope not improbably substituted "flame-.e., by might of will, not merit of performance), he colour'd" as a more refined synonym. But it is not a synonym. Devils to this day are held to be not flame-coloured, but black. And in two late notes on "delighted spirit" (5th S. x. 83, 303) I have shown that the medieval view of a flaming hell was one that was dark and even pitch dark. This was Shakespere's view. Malvolio confined in a windowless room is in "a house as dark as hell." So in Jul. Cæs., ii. 1, he says, "not Erebus itself were dim enough," and using a phrase used 5. "Such were our faults, or then we thought by others he has, in the M. of Venice, “dark as them none." My notes are merely tentative. I Erebus." See also Hamlet, Act iii. sc. 3, ll. 94-5. have not the self-conceit to think them conclusive. Thirdly, though I can lay but little claim to If we must resort to emendation here, I submit for æsthetic proclivities, I venture to think that dark MR. FURNIVALL'S consideration an emendation or black nether garments were well fitted to show which interferes less with the received text than off a good leg, especially when in contrast with the the one which he has suggested: "Such were our bright and glittering colours then worn. Its faults, for then we thought them none." Emphasingularity, its contrast, and its own hue con- sizing were, the meaning of the line thus read will sidered in itself would combine to do this. be, Such were our faults, as now in the calm retrospect of age we regard them; for then (in youth) we did not think them faults." Many things past seem wrong, which when present did not appear so. Lastly, I would add that no one can doubt but that fashions and phrases were then as now freely imported from the Continent; and though we have not yet found "damn'd-colour'd" in English we can find it in French. Corresponding on the in generous condescension was prepared to value it at a worth not its own, on the high principle, "Never anything can be amiss When simpleness and duty tender it." In accepting their poor attempt, rich in will, but poor in deed, to do him honour "he humbled," and by humbling raised himself. Similar, I think, is the meaning in the line, "In their poor praise he humbled." 6. It was just because I did not think Shak Salisbury, 1722; Edward Chandler, from Lichfield and Coventry, 1730; Joseph Butler, from Bristol, 1750; Richard Trevor, from St. Davids, 1752; John Egerton, from Lichfield and Coventry, 1771; Thomas Thurlow, from Lincoln, 1787; Shute Barrington, from Salisbury, 1791; William Van Mildert, from Llandaff, 1826; Edward Maltby, from Chichester, 1836; Charles Thomas Longley, from Ripon, 1856; Henry Montagu Villiers, from Carlisle, 1860; Charles Baring, from Gloucester and Bristol, 1862. speare "a man to bother about niceties in turies the see has not been filled by any one who geography" that I did not think "Higher Italy" was not previously a bishop, as appears from the was to be understood in a geographical sense. following table :-Nathaniel (Baron) Crewe, transBut-MR. FURNIVALL will pardon me-if under-lated from Oxford, 1674; William Talbot, from stood in a geographical sense the words can have but one meaning. Italy was never divided into Higher and Lower, qua north and south, but by the backbone of the Apennines, qua east and west, the lands sloping towards the Adriatic, mare superum, being reckoned Higher Italy, and those sloping towards the Tuscan Sea, mare inferum, Lower. I may very possibly be wrong in my conjectural emendation of this passage (in conjectural emendation there can be no certainty), but I cannot see why a proud Frank, sprung of a race which had never bowed its neck to the yoke of Rome, ruling in a land won by the sword, may not have been represented as speaking of the petty states of Italy as without exception those "That inherit but the fall Of the last monarchy." Manse of Arbuthnott, N.B. R. M. SPENCE, M.A. DR. MAUCLEER, 1689.-He was a French Protestant refugee, an M.D. of Montpelier, who came over to London, and prayed " in formâ pauperis to be admitted a licentiate of the London College. Dr. Munk says (Roll of the R. C. of Physicians) that he was so admitted, and that "he promised to pay his future fees if he could." I should be glad to know of any further particulars of him. He was, I believe, one of the celebrated Athenian Society, and wrote a good many of the replies in the British Apollo, 1708. The spelling of his name is not very exact. Dr. Munk gives it as Maucleer or Mauclare, but in my copy of the book in question, where he has carefully marked all his own articles, the signature is distinctly J. Mauclerc, M.D. A complete list of the writers in this remarkable journal would be very interesting. EDWARD SOLLY. THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS.-The clerical almanacs and similar publications perpetuate an error annually by assigning the title of Chancellor to the Bishop of Lincoln and that of Chaplain to the Bishop of Rochester. The proper designations of the College of Bishops in the province of Canterbury are: London, Dean; Winchester, Chancellor; Lincoln, Vice-Chancellor; Sarum, Præcentor; Worcester, Chaplain; Rochester, Crochere, or Cross-bearer (Lyndw., lib. v. tit. 15, p. 217); [Chichester, Chaplain to the Queen]. MACKENZIE E. C. WALCOTT. THE BISHOPRIC OF DURHAM.-Canon Lightfoot having been promoted to the bishopric of Durham, it may be well to note that for at least two cen Авива. WHO WAS CHARLES I.'S EXECUTIONER ?-As there has been considerable discussion on this point, I think the following extract may interest the readers of " N. & Q.” :— "In this neighbourhood [Tipperary] lives the descendant of him who gave the last and fatal stroke to the unhappy Charles. He had been a common dragoon in Cromwell's army, and for this service the usurper rewarded him with a captain's double debenture." From A Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland, by Thomas Campbell, 8vo., Dublin, 1778, p. 162. JOHN WILSON. "JOINED THE MAJORITY."-This current phrase for 66 dead' is generally regarded as of modern invention, but it is found in an old edition of Littleton's Latin Dictionary, where the death of Milton is thus recorded: 1674. Jo: Milton immanissimi Parricidii defensor abiit ad plures." See "N. & Q.," 4th S. xii. 420. W. T. M. Reading. WHAT NEXT?—An old gossip in these parts, on being told by the mother of a dying child that her daughter's death was a very lingering one, went up into the sick chamber, and observing that the position of the bedstead was across the planks, instead of being parallel with them, assigned that as the reason for the patient's lingering death; so the bedstead's position was altered, and it is said the poor girl's death was both speedy and painless! FREDK. RULE. Ashford. [We must request correspondents desiring information on family matters of only private interest, to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that the answers may be addressed to them direct.] THE GAS OR ELECTRIC LIGHT FORETOLD.-Norton, in his Ordinal; or, Manual of the Chemical Art (i.e. alchemy), tells us of an alchemist who projected a bridge of gold over the Thames, near London, crowned with pinnacles of gold, which, being studded with carbuncles, should diffuse a blaze of light in the dark. (The poem may be seen in extenso in the Theatrum Chemicum, printed by Ashmole in 1652.) May I ask whether the above words are to be regarded as a prophecy of gas or of the electric light? Hampstead, N. W. E. WALFORD, M.A. Supposing that the magistrates had sent this man to prison for a month, or even seven days, what a howl would have been uttered by a certain section of the press! We should have had highly wrought pictures of a poor, starving semi-idiot hounded into a felon's cell because he had dared to take a turnip to assuage the pangs of hunger. A conviction of this character might have added hundreds to the sale of some few weekly prints patronized by the unthinking or disaffected among the labouring classes. The case has had a more satisfactory termination for the central figure than that of the hungry soldier who was executed by the orders of the Iron Duke for stealing, while on the march, a turnip out of a field." I have read and heard of this execution, but never with the name and date. On what authority does it rest? FITZHOPKINS. TIJOU OR TIJAU, WORKER IN IRON.-Who was Tijou or Tijau, spoken of as a celebrated worker in iron, who wrought under Sir Christopher Wren the ironwork of St. Paul's, and where could I find an account of him? BIRD, SCULPTOR.-Who was the sculptor Bird, who executed much of the stonework of St. Paul's, including the monument to Miss Jane Wren? Is he the stonecutter at Oxford mentioned in Plot's Oxfordshire? L. PH. [Bird was the sculptor of the statue of Queen Anne and the four figures which surround it. For the former he received 250l., and for each of the latter 2201., besides 501. for the shield and arms. See Elmes, Life of Wren, P. 401.] THE LATE CARLIST WAR.-Has any history of this war been written? If so, I shall be glad to learn the author or publisher of the best work on X. Y. Z. the subject. DURNFORD FAMILY.-Is there any pedigree of this family in print? For a great many years the Army Lists have marked many of the name as rising to distinction in the Royal Engineers and elsewhere; then there is a bishop (Chichester) also bearing the name. I have long wished to know something of their history. Y. S. M. SIR DAVID KIRKE.-In the Calendar of State Papers (Domestic) I find that, on Dec. 1, 1631, "Captain David Kirke of London, merchant, son of Thurstan Kirke, of Greenhill in the parish of Norton, co. Derby," received a grant of arms. The grant confirms his paternal coat, and in consideration of his having taken Canada from the French and captured M. de Rockmond, a French admiral, bestows the admiral's coat of arms upon him also. In the Colonial State Papers Sir David's father is spoken of as Gervase. Which is right! Where can I obtain information about the Kirke family? S. O. ADDY. Sheffield. LORD CHANCELLOR ERSKINE.-It is stated by Lord Campbell (Lives of the Chancellors, viii. 224, ed. of 1857) that Voltaire, in his Letters on the English Nation, refers to the family name of Erskine as "Hareskins." I shall be obliged to any one who will kindly quote the passage. ALEX. FERGUSSON, Lieut.-Col. Lennox Street, Edinburgh. OLD SONGS WANTED.-Can any reader of "N. & Q." give me, or tell me where to find, three apparitions of ghosts and hobgoblins were exhibited to staring rustics at a very moderate entrance fee. No doubt such harrowing spectacles drew considerable audiences. Such a display was called a spookerij-spel. Is there any allusion to similar exhibitions at English fairs? ZERO. THE "NORTH BRITON."-I have a copy of the This metre would not suit the tune beyond the North Briton, without date or publisher's or printer's name. The title-page is as follows: "The North Briton from No. I. to No. XLVI. inclusive, with several useful and explanatory Notes, to which is added a copious Index of every Name and Article. Corrected and revised by a Friend to Civil and Religious Liberty. Price Five Shillings unbound, Six Shillings bound." "ASSIGNAT DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE."I have an "Assignat de cent francs, créé le 18 Nivose l'an 3 de la République française." It bears to be "Hypothéqué sur les domaines Is the edition scarce, and is it known who its nationaux," and also La loi punit de mort le editor was? On the fly-leaf is the following: contre-facteur, la nation récompense le dénon-"The gift of Job Hanmer, Esq., to the Rev. Jn° ciateur," and is signed by "Vial." Are these Fiske, 1779"; and on the inside of the opening assignats rare? Are they of any value to colcover is the following, in another handwriting :lectors? SETH WAIT. "The Patriot of Patriots; or, Patriotism far Older The Devil in Heav'n a Patriot need wd be: than the Creation. No Tyrant Power he'd yield to !-No, not He! 'Liberty! Property!' was all his cry, Nor Fools were wanting there to join ye Lie. Redress of Grievances was buzz'd about, And their good King grew odious to ye Rout. Go, common sence, t' a foolish people tell How knaves dupe fools, and fools help knaves t' Rebell, Till, Satan like, they 're headlong hurlled to Hell. Hurll'd to Hell, Then HOGARTH'S SONG.-What was the song of "St. John-at-Deptford Pishoken," which is three times mentioned (twice only as "Pishoken") in the Five Days Peregrination of Wm. Hogarth and his friends in May, 1732, commonly called "Hogarth's Frolic"? Reform Club. F. D. F. CHURCHMAN, NATURAL SON OF CHAS. II.— There is now in the possession of one of the Norris family, of Maryland (descendants of Admiral Sir John Norris), a watch, with chain and guard, which is said to have been given to a Mr. Churchman by Charles II., the said Churchman being his natural son. The watch has descended by will to the eldest daughter bearing or having borne the name of Churchman. Can any of your correspondents throw any light upon it as to who the said Churchman was? S. W. B. JAMES BOWLING, THE FOUNDER OF THE "LEEDS MERCURY."-I wish to obtain some particulars of the last years of this old Yorkshire worthy. In the Life of Edward Baines, by his son, there is a brief mention of him, in which it is stated that after his retirement from the Mercury he engaged in alchemical pursuits and lost all his property. Judging from his conduct of the paper, and from some private letters of his which I have had an opportunity of seeing, I should have scarcely thought it possible that he would have embarked in such doubtful speculations. Bowling established the Mercury in 1767. A previous newspaper bearing the same title had become extinct twelve years before. BIBLIOTHECARY. GHOST SHOWS AT DUTCH FAIRS.-Among the "humours" of a Dutch fair in the last century there appear to have been booths, in which direful All was well, And ever since there Patriots dwell: Nor, till they're there, ne'er think they're well. There's their first Dadd, the first who dar'd rebell; They're there-Heaven is Heaven, THE WINSTON MONUMENTS AT LONG BURTON, DORSET.-In the church of Long Burton are recumbent figures of Thomas Winston, of Standish, co. Gloucester, "descended of many auncient howses both British and English," and his son Sir Henry Winston (died 1609), and his son's wife, Dionise, daughter of Sir George Bond, of London, Knt. Among the shields of arms with which the monument is decorated is one containing thirteen quarterings of the Winston family. It is stated on a tablet that "Eleanor, one of their daughters, now wyfe of Leweston and erect these remembrances of her parents in the Fitzjames of Leweston, Esquire (being denyed to repayre Church of Standish, where they lie buried), hath transferred them thence, and placed them here, where part of their posteritie is now, by the mercifull Providence of the Almightie, planted." Can any of your readers enlighten me as to the Under the less convenient title of "The Ministerial Dinner at Greenwich" MR. A. H. CHRISTIE inquired, "Can any of your readers help me to the words of this song?" In reply, I have much pleasure in communicating them, and they may amuse many other persons, otherwise they could have been forwarded through "N. & Q." privately, although the applicant is to me personally a stranger. If inquirers of this sort added their postoffice address it would afford a choice for answerers, to send either for publication or private help. Sometimes old songs and ballads are scarcely fit to be given in their entirety for general readers in this squeamish age, when the quantity of mock modesty is in excess of true decency. We are living in an age of cant, when it is the fashion to declare that our ancestors were extremely reprehensible, but that we ourselves, all of us, are (excepting political opponents) angels of light in comparison. The song itself is by no means a poor one, and here it is. Although I possess an immense col lection of old songs, I know of no copy extant in print; but this one from memory only lacks a few lines. The tune was that which is well known as "The King of the Cannibal Islands" Voyage to Putney by Water." PLEASURE AND RELAXATION. 1. Love pleasure and relaxation. For pleasure and relaxation." 2. or They got to the top of Parliament Street, When Lord Brougham they chanc'd to meet, And he agreed to join the treat, For pleasure and relaxation. [The day was warm, the wind was high; To lay the dust which was so dry They thought it proper first to try Some heavy wet, but on the sly.*] In a public-house they did regale, Until their appetites did fail, And wash'd all down with porter and ale, For pleasure and relaxation. 3. The They got in a cart, were scrouged for room, Why, Joey can ride on the tail behind." Says he, "Of course, I shall ride free; For pleasure and relaxation." 4. They started again, and all alive, |