Notes.

PREDICTIONS OF THE FIRE AND PLAGUE OF LONDON, NO. II.

One of the most striking predictions occurs in Daniel Baker's Certaine Warning for a Naked Heart, Lond. 1659. After much invective against the evil ways of the metropolis, he proceeds:

"A fire, a consuming fire, shall be kindled in the bowels of the earth, which will scorch with burning heat all hypocrites, unstable, double-minded workers of iniquity.... A great and large slaughter shall be throughout the land of darkness where the unrighteous decrees and laws have been founded. Yea, a great effusion of blood, fire, and smoke shall encrease up in the dark habitations of cruelty; howling and great wailing shall be on every hand in all her streets."

Thomas Ellwood disposes of the city in a very summary manner:

"For this shall be judgment of Babylon (saith the Lord); in one day shall her plagues come upon her, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for great is the Lord who judgeth her."—Alarm to the Priests, Lond. 1662.

George Fox also claims to have had a distinct prevision of the fire (See Journal, p. 386., ed 1765.) He also relates the story of a Quaker who was moved to come out of Huntingdonshire a little before the fire, and to—

"Scatter his money up and down the streets, turn his horse loose, untie the knees of his breeches, and let his stockings fall down, and to tell the people 'so they should run up and down scattering their money and goods, half undressed, like mad people, as he was a sign to them,' which they did when the city was burning."

Lilly's celebrated book of Hieroglyphicks, which procured the author the dubious honour of an examination before the committee appointed to inquire into the origin of the fire, is well known. In one of the plates, a large city, understood to denote London, is enveloped in flames; and another rude woodcut, containing a large amount of graves and corpses, was afterwards interpreted to bear reference to the Plague. Aubrey seems to be a little jealous of the renown which Lilly acquired by these productions for he asserts that—

"Mr. Thomas Flatman (poet) did affirm that he had seen those Hieroglyphicks in an old parchment manuscript, writ in the time of the monks."—Misc., p. 125. ed. 1721.

Nostradamus also, more than a century before, is said to have foretold the very year of the burning. In the edition, or reputed edition, of 1577, cent. ii. quatrain 51., is the following:

Those of your readers who incline to dubiety on this subject, I refer to the copy from whence it was taken, in the Museum Library, press-mark 718. a 14. If it is a forgery (and such I take it to be), it is decidedly the best I ever met with. Some time ago the Queries of your correspondent Speriend elicited some interesting particulars relative to Nostradamus and his prophecies; but I do not think the question of his claim to having predicted the death of Charles I. was finally decided.

I should be glad if any of your correspondents could tell me whether the quatrain above, or anything like it, occurs in any of the genuine early editions. Dugdale, by the way, evidently believed in its authenticity, and has inserted a version in his History of St. Paul's.

Such a promising theme as the destruction of London was, of course, too good a thing to escape the chap-book makers. During the period of the Civil Wars, we find many allusions to it. In a little quarto brochure, published in 1648, entitled Twelve Strange Prophecies, the following is placed in the mouth of the much maligned and caricatured Mrs. Ann Shipton. The characteristic termination I consider a fine stroke of the art vaticinatory.

"A ship shall come sayling up the Thames till it come to London, and the master of the ship shall weep, and the mariners shall ask him why he weepeth, and he shall say, 'Ah, what a goodly city was this! none in the world comparable to it! and now there is scarce left any house that can let us have drinke for our money.'"

This string of notes, turned up at different times, and while in search of more important matter, can no doubt be materially increased from the collections of your correspondents. If my researches prove interesting, I may trouble you with another paper: at present I leave the facts brought together above to the candid investigation of your readers.

Vincent T. Sternberg.

EXAMPLES OF THE FRENCH SIZAIN.

The epigram (if it may with propriety receive that appellation) printed in Vol. vi., p. 603., reminded me of some similar pieces of composition stored in my note-book; and as they are not devoid of a certain degree of curious interest, I now forward them pro bono publico.

On Luther, Calvin, and Henry VIII., the leaders of the Reformation:

On the death of Francis II.:

By Beaumarchais:

A more modern one still, date 1842:

The prophecy in the last two lines has been unfortunately fulfilled.

W. Pinkerton.

Ham.

EPIGRAMS.

The two epigrams which follow were communicated to me many years ago by the Rev. George Loggin, M.A., of Hertford College, long one of the masters of Rugby School. He died July 15, 1824, at the age of forty; and this reminiscence of their old tutor's name will be welcomed by many a Rugbæan. They were represented to have proceeded from the pen of Thomas Dunbar of Brasenose, who, from 1815 to 1822, was keeper of the Ashmolean Museum. I have never seen them in print, or even in writing. They were recited memoriter, and from memory I write them down; and hence, no doubt, there will be some deviations from the true text. But they seem too good to be lost; and I am not without hope that a correct copy may eventually be elicited from some of your correspondents.

With regard to the first, whether the lines were really made on the occasion stated, or the occasion was invented (as I am inclined to suspect) to suit the lines, is perhaps not very material:

On a certain D.D. (who, from a peculiarity in his walk, had acquired the sobriquet of Dr. Toe) being jilted by Miss H——, who eloped with her father's footman:

I should like to ascertain the author of the following:

Balliolensis.

GOE, SOULE, THE BODIES GUEST."

I have a cotemporaneous MS. of this wonderfully-fine poem, that came into my possession with a certain rare bunch of black-letter ballads, printed between the years 1559 and 1597, and all of them unique (of the said bunch, Mr. Editor, more hereafter), which contains two additional verses not to be found in A Poetical Rhapsodie, compiled by Francis Davison, and "printed by William Stansby for Roger Jackson, dwelling in Fleet Street, neere the great Conduit, 1611;" nor in Poems by Sir Henry Wotton, Sir Walter Raleigh, and others, carefully edited by the Rev. John Hannah, M.A., and published by my friend William Pickering in 1845. They are prefaced by the word "Additions." They are written on the same leaf, and in the same quaint hand, and are as follow:

Having compared this MS. with the poem as it is printed in the above-mentioned volumes (both of which are in my library), I find it contains several variations, not however very important. Though these "Additions," in good taste, expression, and power, do not equal the noble verses that precede them, they are interesting and curious, and well worthy of preservation. After much inspection and inquiry, I have not discovered that they have ever yet appeared in print. The cabinet in which they slept, and the company they kept (undisturbed, it would appear) for more than two centuries, assure me that they have not been published.

If you, Mr. Editor, or any of your many friends desire to see this MS., say so, and you and they shall be welcome. It has been in my possession (unseen) twenty years.

George Daniel.

Canonbury.

PETITIONS FROM THE COUNTY OF NOTTINGHAM.

The documents, copies of which I inclose, are written on the blank leaves in a copy of Willett's Hexapla, edit. 1611. I should be glad to know if the petitions, of which they are drafts, or rather copies, were presented, and when? There is no date to the petitions; but the copy of a letter, on another blank page, which seems to be in the same handwriting (signed "William Middleton"), is dated February 5th, 1658. Any information regarding the parties whose names are appended to the petitions would be acceptable.

"To his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereunto belonging, the humble Address and Petition of diuers Justices of the Peace, Gentlemen, Ministers of the Gospell, and others, wel-affected persons, inhabitants in the County of Nottingham.

"Upon consideration of the signall and glorious appearances of God on the behalfe of his people and interest, wherein he hath pleased to make great use of your Highness, we account ourselues deeply engaged to acknowledge the wonderfull power, wisdome, and goodness of God, and to ascribe the glory to him alone, yet would we not be found ingratefull to your Highness, as an eminent instrument under God of the peace and liberty we have injoyed, with a continued series of manifold mercies from the Lord, under your Highness' gouernment (notwithstanding all our declensions and unworthynesses), together with the influence it hath had upon the nations abroad to the promoteing of the Protestant interest, we judge it alsoe exceedingly remarkable that the Lord hath so signally blasted the pernicious designes of the common enemy against your Highness' person and gouernment, and against the common interest of the people of God and of these nations, for which we desire unfeignedly to bless the Lord.

"These things premised, we humbly pray,

"That the Lord would please to stir up the heart and strengthen the hands of your Highness, in carrying on what yet remains for the reforming of these nations (according to the word of God) and the secureing of the interest of godlyness and righteousness for the future, that such as are found in the faith and of holy conversation may live peaceably, and receive encouragement to persevere in that upon which the Lord may delight to doe your Highness and these nations good; in order whereunto we humbly propose these following particulars to your Highness' consideration:

"1. First, that a stop may be put to the spreading infection of damnable errors and heresies, by a lively and due suppressing of them according to the mind of the Lord.

"2. That an effectuall course may be taken for the curbeing of all profaneness and libertineisme by the sword of justice, which the Lord hath put into your magistrates' hands.

"3. That your Highness would haue an eye upon the designes of the common enemy in generall, and particularly on this (vid.), their traininge up a young generation in the old destructive principles, as also on the designes of any persons whatsoeuer that indeauour to disturb your Highness' gouernment and the peace of these nations.

"4. That the lawes of the nation may be reuised, that for what in them is agreeable to the rules of righteousness may be continued and executed, and whatever corruption is crept into, or may grow up in, courts of judicature may be duly purged away.

"5. That in your Highness' lifetime such prouision be made for the future gouernment of the commonwealth, as may secure the interest of good people of these nations for succeeding generations, that they may call you blessed.

"And in the prosecution of such ends we shall be ready, as the Lord shall help us, with all that is dear to us, to defend your Highness' person and gouernment, with the true interest of religion and the lawes, and shall ever pray, &c.

"To the honourable the Parliament of England.

"The humble Petition of diuers Gentlemen, Ministers of the Gospell, and others, inhabiteing in the County of Nottingham,

"Sheweth,

"That your petitioners, haueing seriously considered how much of a thorough reformation of religion and pure administration of the ordinances of Christianity would tend to the honour of God, the good of soules, and the abundant satisfaction of the truly godly in this nation, who have long waited for these mercies as the return of their prayers, and the fruit of their expense both of blood and treasure, and being alsoe very sensible that the duty we owe to God, the eminent and signall mercies of God towards this nation, and our own solemn engagements, doe strongly oblidge us euery one in our places, to the utmost of our power, to indeauour the promoteing and aduancement of pure gospell worship, we are humbly bold to address ourselues to your honors.

"We are not undmindfull of, nor would we be unthankfull for, what hath been indeauoured this way by former Parliaments, yet we cannot but sadly resent the many obstructions this work hath hitherto met withall, and how much it hath been retarded, chiefly, we confess, by our own sins, and the sins of these nations, partly through the malice of Satan, the diuisions of brethren, the secret and subtile practices of Romish emissaries, fomenting errors and heresies, and not a little, as we humbly conceive, through the want of church gouernment, settled and established by the ciuil authority, whereby those unto whom the exercise of church power is committed by Christ may be impoured to keep back ignorant and prophane persons from polluting the ordinances of God, as alsoe by reason of some ancient lawes, alledged and urged by diuers as yet in force, injoyning ministers to dispense the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, without affording them (as we conceiue) sufficient power regularly to keep back such as are not duly qualified for the same, by reason whereof ministers are liable to prosecution att law (of which we have had a late instance in this county).

"We therefore, your petitioners, in faithfulness to the interest of God and his glory, Christ and his gospell, our own and other men's soules, and from our sincere desires of the aduancement of the kingdome of Christ in these nations, in the promoting whereof the interest and welfare of states and nations is uery much concerned, we neither could nor durst be longer silent, but being persuaded of your willingness to act for Christ, and hopeing that God hath raised you up to carry on the work of reformation already begun amongst us, and to be repairers of our breaches and restorers of pathes to dwel in, we are incouraged humbly to pray,

"1. That such ancient lawes as may be yet in force relating to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, so far as they are or may prove burdensome to truly godly and conscientious ministers and people, may be duly regulated.

"2. That so far as you in your wisdomes shall think fitt, ordinances of Parliament that have been made after aduice had with the late Assembly of Diuines in order to Church settlement, may be returned upon, and begun reformation carried on.

"3. That in regard a thorough settlement of Church affaires may be long under debate, in the mean time some speedy and effectuall course may be taken, where by ignorant and scandalous persons may be kept from the Lord's Supper.

"And your petitioners shall ever pray.

T. S.

Leeds.

FOLK LORE.

Lancashire Fairy Tale.—The nursery rhymes in one of your late Numbers remind me of a story I used to be told in the nursery. It was, that two men went poaching, and having placed nets, or rather sacks, over what they supposed to be rabbit-holes, but which were in reality fairies' houses, the fairies rushed into the sacks, and the poachers, content with their prey, marched home again. A fairy missing another in the sack, called out (the story was told in broad Lancashire dialect) "Dick (dignified name for a fairy), where art thou?" To which fairy Dick replied,

The story has a good moral ending, for the poachers were so frightened that they never poached again.

T. G. C.

Teeth, Superstition respecting (Vol. vi., p. 601.).—A similar (perhaps the same) piece of childish superstition respecting the teeth is, that when the upper incisors are large, it is a sign that you will live to be rich.

Furvus.

New Moon Divination.—Being lately on a visit in Yorkshire, I was amused one evening to find the servants of the house excusing themselves for being out of the way when the bell rang, on the plea that they had been "hailing the first new moon of the new year." This mysterious salutation was effected, I believe, by means of a looking-glass, in which the first sight of the moon was to be had, and the object to be gained was the important secret as to how many years would elapse before the marriage of the observers. If one moon was seen in the glass, one year; if two, two years; and so on. In the case in question, the maid and the boy saw only one moon a-piece. Whether the superstition would, in this instance, be suggestive to their minds of anything to be deduced from the coincidence, I do not know; but as they were both very old-fashioned folks, I suppose the custom may not be unknown to those learned in Folk Lore.

What is the orthodox mode of conducting this kind of divination?

Oxoniensis.

The Hyena an Ingredient in Love Potions.—In Busbequius's Letters (Elzevir, 1633) I note that the Turks consider the hyena useful in love potions. I extract the passage:

"In amatoriis ei vim magnam Turcæ, ut etiam veteres, tribuunt, cumque essent duæ eo tempore Constantinopoli, mihi tamen vendere gravabantur, quod se Sultanæ, hoc est, principis uxori, eas reservare dicerent, quippe quas philtris et magicis artibus animum mariti retinere, recepta in vulgus (ut dixi) opinio est."—P. 84.

Allow me to add a Query: What ancient authors allude to this old specimen of Folk Lore?

S. A. S.

Bridgewater.

The Elder Tree.—I was visiting a poor parishioner the other day, when the following question was put to me.

"Pray, Sir, can you tell me whether there is any doubt of what kind of wood our Lord's cross was made? I have always heard that it was made of elder, and we look carefully into the faggots before we burn them, for fear that there should be any of this wood in them."

My Query is, Whether this is a common superstition?

Rubi.