Notes.

INEDITED LETTERS OF GENERAL GREEN AND OF WASHINGTON.

The letters of great men are always interesting, more particularly when they are connected with important historical facts. I presume, therefore, that those I subjoin from General Washington and General Green will not be unwelcome to your readers. They were among the papers of an officer, long deceased, who at the time was aide-de-camp to Sir Guy Carlton, the commander-in-chief of our army in America; and were, I presume, intercepted before they reached their respective destinations.

"General Green to General Washington.

"Head Quarters on Ashley River, May 31st, 1782.

"I had the honor of informing your Excellency, in a letter of the 19th instant, that a dangerous spirit of discontent had been discovered in the army, and of the measures I took to suppress it. I am happy to inform you that this spirit seems entirely to have subsided, as the persons who fomented it are removed at a distance from the troops: and, as we have now a prospect of some cloathing, and more comfortable supplies, I hope it will no more appear.

"Your Excellency has been informed of the late important and interesting changes in the face of affairs.—The arrival of Sir Guy Carlton, and the change of ministers and measures, will open a new field of hopes for this country. How far we may be benefited by it, a little time will determine; but it will inevitably be attended with one bad consequence, as it will relax our preparation for a continuance of the war, which, to me, appears extremely probable. General Leslie has made overtures, and a proposition for a suspension of hostilities; I do myself the honor to inclose you copies of his letter, and my answer on the subject, from which you will see the ground on which it stands. I wait most anxiously for advices from Congress or your Excellency, by which my conduct in the business must be ultimately directed. I suppose this measure has been adopted by Sir Guy Carlton, and proposed to your Excellency; but, as I am entirely at a loss to know on what conditions, and what purposes it has to answer, I can form no conclusive opinion on its propriety.

"I am sanguine that the operations against Jamaica will go on, notwithstanding the late misfortune, which seems to be rather a splendid than useful victory to the enemy. And as Count de Guichen, who has arrived with a considerable squadron, and taken the command of the combined fleets in the West Indies, is still much superior to the British, we have good reason to hope the enterprise may succeed.

"Inclosed, I transmit your Excellency the Report of Brigadier-General Wayne of a considerable skirmish in Georgia, wherein Lieut.-Col. Brown, with four or five hundred men, were defeated. The plan was judicious, and executed in a manner that does great honor both to the general and the troops. It will have very happy consequences in impressing the Indians with an idea of our superior power, and in the destruction of their cavalry.

"The enemy continue their camp, entrenched at the Quarter House, in a strong position. Their patroles of horse, and ours, frequently go over the same ground. Captain Armstrong of the Legion, and Captain Gill of the fourth regiment, with about forty dragoons of Lieut.-Colonel Laurens's command, fell in with a troop of their horse two days ago, and took an officer, eight men, and ten horses, without suffering any other in injury than two men wounded.

"General Washington to Governor Livingston.

"Head Quarters, Newburgh, July 3rd, 1782.

"From the inclosed information of Captain Stevens, there is reason to apprehend the business of driving cattle to the enemy is carrying on with great art and assiduity; it would be a happy circumstance if the villains concerned in it could be detected. I have therefore to propose to your Excellency, that you will be pleased to take such precautions as you shall judge best calculated to learn whether any such cattle are passing in droves, or smaller parcels (for they may be divided on the road), to the enemy.

"If your Excellency should hear of them before they turn off towards New York, I think it would be advisable to employ some trusty man or men to dog and follow them privately, until the fact is ascertained; otherwise, it is to be feared, no positive proof of the intention of the people engaged in this infamous trade can be obtained.

"I sincerely wish every practicable plan may be attempted for seizing the cattle, apprehending and bringing to condign punishment the men; as this would tend essentially to frustrate the insidious schemes of our enemies, as well as deter their other agents from similar practices.

"P.S.—I am honor'd with your Excellency's letter of the 24th June.

"His Excellency Gov. Livingston."

Edward Foss.

ON A PASSAGE IN THE "DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF ENGLAND."—SURNAMES.

In this work, to the justly high character of which I need scarcely refer, the "General Remarks" relating to the periods under consideration are full of information of the most interesting kind, as they often contain illustrations of manners and customs not to be met with elsewhere.

In a portion of the "Remarks" illustrative of the thirteenth century, showing the difficulty and insecurity of travelling at that time (pp. 120-122.), there is, however, an incorrect rendering of an extract from an original document; and this error seriously affects the "illustration" afforded by it. As I am in some degree personally involved in the matter, having supplied the material in its original shape, I may perhaps be permitted fully to explain and correct the passage. My only regret is, that I had not the opportunity of calling my friend's attention to the subject before the sheets were finally struck off. The extract is from an Account of the Chamberlain of Chester, 29-30 Edw. I., showing how the sum of 1000l. was transmitted from Chester to London. After referring to the convoy for the treasure:

"It was not sufficient, however," says the late Mr. Turner, "that the money should be protected; in the absence of hostels, except in towns, it was necessary to secure the guards from hunger. Therefore they were accompanied by two cooks, who provided 'a safe lodging' daily for the money; and, as a matter of course, provided for the culinary necessities of its conductors."

"Cokinus, Coquinus.—'Homo vilissimus nec nisi infimis conquinæ ministeriis natus,' says Ducange. Charpentier adds beggar. Here it means the lowest kind of messengers or errand-boys, like sculls or scullions in colleges."

But this is too low an estimate of the class.

Having disposed of this passage, I wish now to draw the attention of your readers who have taken part or interest in the late discussion in your pages upon certain surnames, to the bearing which this extract, and others expressive of the individuals there referred to, has upon that numerous series of names ending in "cock;" about which so many, and, for these regenerate days, some singular suggestions have been made. The discussion was, I believe, commenced in the Gentleman's Magazine for May, 1837; and, in the number for the same month in the following year, J. G. N. suggested that many of those names might be referred to forms of "Coc, koc, le coq, which occur in records as abbreviations of coquus, cocus—cook."

How cavalierly the suggestions thus afforded by Mr. Urban's pages were treated by Mr. Lower, your readers will see who refer to the pages of that gentleman's work upon English Surnames, indicated in the author's last communication to you ("N. &. Q.," Vol. v., p. 509.). But their faith in the improvement "N. & Q." has so greatly contributed to effect in such matters, will not however let them be deterred by the terms there used from pursuing the subject. It will be seen that my present contribution will modify the view taken by J. G. N., but also, to a considerable extent, support it.

I am not aware that any attempt has been made to show how early these names were used. I can refer to several instances of the names "Wilcoc" or "Willecok," and "Badecok," two complete examples of the kind, in the documents of the reign of Edward I.

Those of your readers who are members of the Camden Society have now before them a copy of a document in which the first of those names occurs several times. I refer to the small Household Roll of John of Brabant while at the English court, which is printed in the last volume of the Camden Society's Miscellany.

No one doubts that by far the greater part of the names in question were originally corrupted forms of Christian names, with a suffix. Mr. Lower has done good service in showing thus much. And any one who refers to the list in the Royal Wardrobe Account of 28 Edw. I., and especially those who can also consult other similar manuscripts, will admit that it would be quite possible that any Christian name might have been so used; so numerous must have been the class of persons called "cokini." I will not further trespass upon your space with specimens of names so manufactured, as they can be formed with ease upon the first name "Wilcoc" from "Wille le cok,"—the contracting mark being dropped. The final letter "k" is of importance, as distinguishing the derivative from the parent word "coquus;" from what period, and why, is doubtful. That there is but little early documentary evidence of the names in their complete state, might be attributed to the inferior class of the individuals so designated.

Mr. Lower's sole explanation of the terminal in question is, that it is a diminutive like "kin;" and in justice to that view, I must not pass over the evidence afforded by the Brabant Roll of a case where the two names seem to be interchanged. One of Prince John's pages is named on the roll "Hankin" (p. 7. line 3.); while, on the Wardrobe Account three years previous, where the servants are specified by name, "Hancock" is there, who is most likely the same person. It will also be seen, that whereas in the Wardrobe Account the armourer's name is "Giles," and the barber's "Walter" (see notes to the Brabant Roll), the foreign scribe of the account dubs them "Gilkin" and "Woterkin." In following up his argument upon this subject, Mr. Lower speaks of a person being called "Little Wilcock," as an instance of complete tautology: if, however, it is meant by this (as it seems to be), that a diminutive name was only applied to a diminutive in person, or only expressed such a one, I am sure he will find very many differ from him, as affection or familiarity was at least as likely to have originated its use. Thus, Peter de Gaveston would surely not be deprived of his knightly fame because he was called by Prince Edward "Perot" (Pierrote a Pierre). Thus also came "Amyot" from Amy, "Launcelot" from Laurence, "Gillot" from Giles. And "kin" has as much right to be so considered. But there being already these two diminutives in ordinary use as to names of persons, there surely was no occasion to apply to the same purpose a syllable which (with a mark of contraction) certainly had a direct meaning, and expressed a vocation; and which has very rarely been otherwise used in a diminutive sense.

My object is not so much to advocate any particular solution as regards these names, as to submit evidence bearing upon the subject, with such explanations as have occurred to me.

Joseph Burtt.

SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE.

The habit of this celebrated author, to annotate in the margins of books which he was reading, must be well known to many of the subscribers of "N. & Q."

I have in my possession a curious little volume of notes, &c. in Mr. Coleridge's handwriting, of course very highly prized, from which extracts were made in vol. i. pp. 274-5., &c. of Coleridge's Literary Remains, collected and edited by his nephew, H. N. Coleridge, Esq., 4 vols., 1836: Pickering.

But, in addition to this volume, I have a few with S. T. Coleridge's pencillings in the margins. The following is selected from Dr. Parr's celebrated Spital Sermon, and is appended to one of his (Dr. Parr's) notes, wherein he says:

"Upon the various effects of superstition, where it has spread widely and thriven long, we can reason from facts. But in the original frame of the human mind, and in the operation of all those usual causes which regulate our conduct or affect our happiness, there seems to be a most active, constant, and invincible principle of resistance to the approachments of atheism. 'All nature cries aloud' against them, 'through all her works,' not in speculation only, but in practice."

Mr. Coleridge's annotation upon the foregoing opinion of the learned Doctor is as follows; and I select it as a specimen of Coleridge's astonishing recollection of any opinions he had formerly promulgated, which might have called any laxity of principle, religious, moral, or political, into doubt, and of his extreme anxiety to refute or explain them:

"I never had even a doubt in my being concerning the supreme Mind; but understand too sufficiently the difficulty of any intellectual demonstrations of his existence, and see too plainly how inevitably the principles of many pious men (Locke, Priestley, Hartley, even Archbishop King) would lead to atheism by fair production of consequences, not to feel in perfect charity with all good men, atheist or theist; and, let me add, though I now seem to feel firm ground of reason under my belief in God, not gratefully to attribute my uniform past theism more to general feeling than to depth of understanding. Within this purpose I hope that, without offence, I may declare my conviction, that in the French Revolution atheism was an effect, not a cause; that the same wicked men, under other circumstances and fashions, would have done the same things as Anabaptists within Munster, or as Inquisitors among the South American Indians; and that atheism from conviction, and as a ruling motive and impulse (in which case only can it be fairly compared with superstition), is a quiescent state and per se harmless to all but the atheist himself. Rather is it that overwhelming preference of experimental philosophy, which, by smothering over more delicate perceptions, and debilitating often to impotence the faculty of going into ourselves, leads to atheism as a conscious creed, and in its extreme is atheism in its essence. This rather is, I should deem, the more perilous, and a plainer and better object for philosophical attack. O! bring back Jack the Giant Killer and the Arabian Nights to our children, and Plato and his followers to new men, and let us have chemistry as we have watchmakers or surgeons (I select purposely honourable and useful callings), as a division of human labour, as worthy profession for a few, not as a glittering master-feature of the education of men, women, and children.—S. T. C."

J. M. G.

Worcester.

FOLK LORE.

The ancient Custom of Well-flowering.—At Tissington, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, annually, on Ascension Day, a beautiful ceremony called the "well-flowering" takes place; and in it Psalms used by the Church of England are partially employed. It is a popular recognition of the value of those "perpetual fountains which gush out from below the dry wolds and limestone hills, bearing life and beauty on their course,—objects," remarks Professor Phillips in his admirable work on The Rivers, Mountains, and Sea Coasts of Yorkshire (recently published), "on which rustic love and admiration may tastefully bestow the emblematic flowers and grateful songs, which constituted a pleasing form of popular worship in the earlier ages of the world." Perhaps some correspondents of "N. & Q." may be enabled to mention other villages besides Tissington in which this innocent and pleasing custom is still observed. I am aware that there are many places, especially in the north of England, in which a rustic celebration takes place annually at wells sacred from olden time; but is not the "well-flowering" a distinct custom?

Wm. Sidney Gibson.

Newcastle.

Devil's Marks in Swine.—"We don't kill a pig every day," but we did a short time since; and after its hairs were scraped off, our attention was directed to six small rings, about the size of a pea, and in colour as if burnt or branded, on the inside of each fore leg, and disposed curvilinearly. Our labourer informed us with great gravity, and evidently believed it, that these marks were caused by the pressure of the devil's fingers, when he entered the herd of swine which immediately ran violently into the sea.—See Mark v. 11-15.; Luke viii. 22, 33.

Tee Bee.

Festival of Baal.—The late Lady Baird, of Ferntower, in Perthshire, told me that, every year at "Beltane" (or the 1st of May), a number of men and women assembled at an ancient druidical circle of stones on her property, near Crieff. They light a fire in the centre; each person puts a bit of oatcake into a shepherd's bonnet; they all sit down and draw blindfold a piece of cake from the bonnet. One piece has been previously blackened, and whoever gets that piece has to jump through the fire in the centre of the circle and to pay a forfeit. This is, in fact, a part of the ancient worship of Baal, and the person on whom the lot fell was formerly burnt as a sacrifice; now, the passing through the fire represents that, and the payment of the forfeit redeems the victim. It is curious that staunch Presbyterians, as the people of that part of Perthshire now are, should unknowingly keep up the observance of a great heathen festival.

L. M. M. R.

LORD MONBODDO.

In my copy of The Origin and Progress of Language, I have recorded a little ἀνέκδοτον of the author, which is now probably known to nobody but myself, and which you may perhaps think worth preservation. It was related to me some fifteen years ago, by a learned physician of this city, now deceased, who had it from Dr. James Gregory himself.

It appears that Lord Monboddo, in spite of failing health and very advanced age, felt a wish to pay one more visit to the English metropolis, in the literary circles of which he was fond of mingling. That he had actually set out upon this formidable journey, was known to Dr. Gregory, who, being a few hours afterwards at a short distance from Edinburgh, was a little surprised to meet his venerable friend returning homewards. He was on horseback, equipped in his usual travelling costume,—cocked hat, scarlet roquelaure, and jack-boots, but looking extremely ill and depressed in spirits. "What, so soon returned?" was Dr. Gregory's exclamation. "Yes," said the old man, "I feel myself quite unequal to the journey, and was just thinking of a passage in Horace, and adapting it to my own case." "What, 'Solve senescentem?'" said the Doctor. "No," replied his lordship, "it is one not quite so hackneyed." He then repeated, with much emotion, the following lines from the second Satire of the second book:

This was the last time Dr. Gregory saw him out of doors, and he died not long after.

W. L. Nichols.

Bath.

ST. VALENTINE.

The subjoined cutting from an American newspaper (Wooster Democrat, Feb. 3) will show the persistent vitality of popular follies, and at the same time serve to exhibit the peculiar literature of transatlantic advertisements:

"The great increase in Marriages throughout Wayne Co. during the past year, is said to be occasioned by the superior excellence of the

V A L E N T I N E S

sold by George Howard. Indeed so complete was his success in this line, that Cupid has again commissioned him as the 'Great High Priest' of Love, Courtship, and Marriage, and has supplied George with the most complete and perfect assortment of 'Love's Armor' ever before offered to the citizens of Wayne County. During the past year the 'Blind God' has centred his thoughts on producing something in the line far surpassing anything he has heretofore issued. And it is with 'feelinks' of the greatest joy that he is able to announce that he has succeeded.

'Howard has got them.

"To those susceptible persons whose hearts were captured during the past year, George refers, and advises others to call on them, and find them on their way rejoicing, shouting praises to the name of Howard. The 'blessings' descend unto even the third and fourth generations, and it is probable that the business will go on increasing year upon year, until Howard's Valentines will be a 'household word' throughout the land. The children on the house-top will call to the passers-by, shouting

Howard's Valentines!

while the cry is echoed from the ground, and swelling over hill and vale reverberates the country through.

"Remember that the only regularly authorised dispenser of Cupid's goods is

George Howard,

"Two doors East of the American House, Wooster, O.

" Orders by mail promptly attended to. Prices range from six cents to five dollars."

"VALENTINES!!

"A large and splendid assortment of Valentines, together with all the necessary fixings, for sale wholesale and retail, at the New Column Building.

"J. H. Baumgardner & Co.

"Wooster, Feb. 3, 1853."

"Valentines.—Behold St. Valentine's day is coming, and all are seeking for messages to be dispatched under cover of this Saint, to friend or foe. They are provided, of all kinds, styles, and varieties, ready for use. The turtle dove kind, with its coo! coo! the sensibly sentimental, the cutting, and severe, and in short everything that can be required. Just call on George Howard or J. H. Baumgardner & Co., and you can be suited to a T."

S. R. P.