Volume 4 — Replies.

WRITTEN SERMONS. (Vol. iii., pp. 478, 526.)

Perhaps the publication of the following document may lead to a solution of the question sent by M.C.L. (Vol. iii., p. 478.). It is a copy of a letter from the Duke of Monmouth, as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, intimating to the clergy the displeasure of Charles II. at their use of periwigs, and their practice of reading sermons. His Majesty, it will be found, thought both customs equally important and equally unbecoming. Of the latter, it is stated that it "took beginning with the disorders of the late times, and that the way of preaching without book was most agreeable to the use of the foreign churches, to the custom of the University heretofore, and to the nature and intendment of that holy exercise." It will surprise many of your readers to find that the reading of sermons was considered to be a mere puritanical innovation.

"The Duke of Monmouth, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, to the Vice-Chancellor and University.

"Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Gentlemen,

"His Majesty having taken notice of the liberty which several persons in holy orders have taken to wear their hair and periwigs of an unusual and unbecoming length, hath commanded me to let you know, that he is much displeased therewith, and strictly injoins that all such persons as profess or intend the study of divinity, do for the future wear their hair in a manner more suitable to the gravity and sobriety of their profession, and that distinction which was always maintained between the habit of men devoted to the ministry and other persons.

"And whereas, his Majesty is informed that the practice of reading sermons is generally taken up by the preachers before the University, and there for some time continued, even before himself, his Majesty hath commanded me to signify to you his pleasure, that the said practice, which took beginning with the disorders of the late times, be wholly laid aside; and that the foresaid preachers deliver their sermons, both in Latin and English, by memory, or without book, as being a way of preaching which his Majesty judges most agreeable to the use of the foreign churches, and to the custom of the University heretofore, and to the nature and intendment of that holy exercise.

"And that his Majesty's commands in the premisses may be duly regarded and observed, his Majesty's farther pleasure is, that the names of all such ecclesiastical persons as shall wear their hair as heretofore in an unfitting imitation of the fashion of laymen, or that shall continue in the present slothfull way of preaching, be from time to time signified unto me by the Vice-Chancellor for the time being, upon pain of his Majesty's displeasure.

"Having in obedience to his Majesty's will signified thus much unto you, I shall not doubt of that your ready compliance; and the rather because his Majesty intends to send the same injunctions very speedily to the University of Oxford, whom I am assured you will equal in all other excellencies, and so in obedience to the king; especially when his commands are so much to the honour and esteem of that renowned University, whose welfare is so heartily desired, and shall ever be endeavoured by, Mr. Vice-Chancellor,

"Your loving friend and Chancellor,

"MONMOUTH."

I believe this letter, or something like it, was published by Peck in his Desiderata Curiosa, and also by Mr. Roberts in his Life of Monmouth. The transcript I send you was made from a copy in the handwriting of Dr. Birch in the Additional MS. 4162., fo. 230.

JOHN BRUCE.

The following passage occurs in Rutt's Diary of Thomas Burton, 4 vols.: Colburn, 1828. I have not the work at hand, but from a MS. extract from the same, believe it may be found as a note by the editor in vol. i. p. 359.

"Burnet was always an extempore preacher. He says that reading is peculiar to this nation, and cannot be induced in any other. The only discourse he ever wrote beforehand was a thanksgiving sermon before the queen in 1705. He never before was at a pause in preaching. It is contrary to a university statute, obsolete, though unrepealed."

C. H. P.

Brighton, June 27.

LORD MAYOR NOT A PRIVY COUNCILLOR. (Vol. iii., p. 496.)

This Query, and your answer, involve one or two important questions, which are worth a fuller solution than you have given.

The Lord Mayor is no more a Privy Councillor than he is Archbishop of Canterbury. The title of "Right Honourable," which has given rise to that vulgar error, is in itself a mere courtesy appended to the title of "Lord;" which is also, popularly, though not legally, given him: for in all his own acts, he is designated officially as "Mayor" only. The courtesy-title of Lord he shares with the Mayors of Dublin and York, the Lord-Advocate of Scotland, the younger sons of Dukes and Marquises, &c. &c., and all such Lords are styled by courtesy "Right Honourable;" and this style of Right Honourable is also given to Privy Councillors in virtue of their proper official title of "Lords of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council." So, the "Right Honourable the Lords of the Treasury and Admiralty." So much for the title. The fact stated in the Editor's answer, of the admission of the Lord Mayor to the Council Chamber after some clamour, on the accession of William IV., is a mistake arising out of the following circumstances. On the demise of the crown, a London Gazette Extraordinary is immediately published, with a proclamation announcing the death of one sovereign and the accession of the other. This proclamation styles itself to be that of the—

"Peers Spiritual and Temporal of the Realm, assisted by those of the late Privy Council, with numbers of others, Gentlemen of Quality, with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of London."

The proclamation is that of the Peers alone, but assisted by the others. The cause of this form is, that the demise of the crown dissolves the Privy Council, and used (till modern times) to dissolve parliaments, and abrogate the commissions of the Judges, and all other public officers; so that the Lords Spiritual and Temporal were the only subsisting authority. Hence they, of necessity, undertook the duty of proclaiming the new king, but they fortified themselves "with the assistance of the principal gentlemen of quality, and of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens." This paper is first signed by the Peers, and then by all who happen to be present, promiscuously. At the accession of William IV., there were about 180 names, of which "J. Crowder, Mayor," stands the 106th. At the accession of Queen Victoria, there were about 160 names, of which "Thomas Kelly, Mayor," is the 111th. And in both cases we find the names of the Aldermen, Sheriffs, Town Clerk, City Remembrancer, and several others,—private citizens, and many altogether private persons, who happened to come to the palace at that time.

It is obvious that all this has nothing to do with the Privy Council, for, in fact, at that moment, no Privy Council exists. But while these things are going on in an outward room of the palace, where everybody is admitted, the new sovereign commands the attendance of the late Privy Council in the council chamber, where the old Privy Councillors are generally (I suppose always) re-sworn of the new council; and then and there are prepared and promulgated several acts of the new sovereign, to which are prefixed the names of the Privy Councillors present. Now, to this council chamber the Lord Mayor is no more admitted than the Town Clerk would be, and to these acts of the council his name has never appeared.

All these facts appear in the London Gazettes for the 27th June, 1830, and the 30th June, 1837; and similar proceedings took place in Dublin; though since the Union the practice is at least superfluous.

This establishes the rationale of the case, but there is a precedent that concludes it:—

"On the 27th May, 1768, Mr. Thomas Harley, then Lord Mayor of London, was sworn of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council!"

—an honour never since conferred on any Mayor or Alderman, and which could not have been conferred on him if he had already been of that body.

C.

DR. ELRINGTON'S EDITIONS OF USSHER'S WORKS. (Vol. iii., p. 496.)

In reply to your correspondent C. PAINE, JUN. I beg to say that this University has recently requested me to undertake the completion of Ussher's works. Dr. Elrington has left about half the fourteenth volume printed off: but I have found considerable difficulty in ascertaining what he intended to print, or what ought to be printed, in the remaining half. The printed portion contains the archbishop's Theological Lectures, in reply to Bellarmine, never before published.[2] I have found amongst Dr. Elrington's papers a volume of sermons (a MS. of the latter half of the seventeenth century), which are attributed, in the MS. itself, to Ussher; but the authenticity of these sermons is, it appears to me, very doubtful. I therefore hesitate to print them.

I am anxious to find a treatise on the Seventy Weeks, by Ussher, which I have some reason to think once existed in MS. This tract, with another on the question of the Millennium, from Rev. xx. 4., formed the exercises which he performed for the degree of D.D., at the commencement of the University in 1612: and I remember Dr. Elrington telling me (if I did not mistake his meaning), that he intended to print them in the fourteenth volume. My difficulty is, that I cannot find them amongst Ussher's MSS., and I do not know where they are to be had. Some imperfect fragments on the Seventy Weeks are preserved in MS. in Trinity College Library, in Ussher's autograph; but they are far too crude and unfinished for publication.

The Bibliotheca Theologica, a work on the same plan as Cave's Scriptores Ecclesiastici, exists in MS. in the Bodleian Library, and a copy from the Bodleian MS. is in Dublin. This work has not been included in Dr. Elrington's edition; and I remember his discussing the subject with me, and deciding not to print it. His reasons were these:—1. It is an unfinished work, which the archbishop did not live to complete. 2. It is full of errors, which our present increased materials and knowledge of the subject would easily enable us to correct; but the correction of them would swell the work to a considerable extent. 3. The work was used, and is frequently quoted by Cave, who seems to have published the most valuable parts of it. Its publication, therefore, would not add anything to our knowledge, whilst it would probably detract, however unfairly, from the archbishop's reputation: for the public seldom make allowances for an unfinished work. 4. It would probably make three, if not four volumes; and Dr. Elrington did not think its publication of sufficient importance to warrant so great an addition to the cost and bulk of the Works.

The System of Theology having been disclaimed by Ussher himself (although it is quoted as his by the Committee of the Privy Council in their decision of the "Gorham Case"), has not been included by Dr. Elrington in the collection of Ussher's works.

I shall be much obliged to MR. PAYNE, or to any other of your correspondents, if he will give me any information respecting the treatises on the Seventy Weeks and on the Millennium, or any other advice which may assist me in the completion of the fourteenth volume.

I may add, that it is my intention, with the able assistance of my learned friend Dr. Reeves, of Ballymena, to print a complete index to Ussher's Works, which will be compiled by Dr. Reeves, and is now in active preparation. The references to the more important works, such as the Primordia, and Annals, will be so contrived as to be applicable to the old editions, as well as to Dr. Elrington's edition. This Index will form the seventeenth volume of the Works.

JAMES H. TODD.

Trinity Coll., Dublin, June 21. 1851.

Replies to Minor Queries.

Mind your P's and Q's (Vol. iii., pp. 328. 357. 463. 523.).

—I have always thought that the phrase "Mind your P's and Q's" was derived from the school-room or the printing-office. The forms of the small "p" and "q" in the Roman type, have always been puzzling to the child and the printer's apprentice. In the one, the down-ward stroke is on the left of the oval; in the other, on the right. Now, when the types are reversed, as they are when in the process of distribution they are returned by the compositor to his case, the mind of the young printer is puzzled to distinguish the "p" from the "q." In sorting pie, or a mixed heap of letters, where the "p" and the "q" are not in connexion with any other letters forming a word, I think it would be almost impossible for an inexperienced person to say which is which upon the instant. "Mind your p's and q's"—I write it thus, and not "Mind your P's and Q's"—has a higher philosophy than mind your toupées and your queues, which are things essentially different, and impossible to be mistaken. It means, have regard to small differences; do not be deceived by apparent resemblances; learn to discriminate between things essentially distinct, but which look the same; be observant; be cautious.

CHARLES KNIGHT.

Serius Seriadesque (Vol. iii., p. 494.).

—Il Serio, a tributary to the Adda, which falls into the Po. Il Serio is, like the Po, remarkable for the quantity of foam floating upon it, and also for disappearing under ground, through part of its course.

DE CAMERA.

Catharine Barton (Vol. iii., pp. 328. 434.).

—A correspondent has asked what was the maiden name of this lady, the widow, as he calls her, of Colonel Barton. I have a note of Charles Montagu, writing of her as "the beautiful, witty, and accomplished Catharine Barton," and have marked her as the daughter of Major Barton, but cannot find my authority. What follows is hardly likely to be of use to your correspondent, though it may, possibly, suggest to him a channel of inquiry. The Rev. Alexander Chalmers married Catharine Ekins, a niece of Mr. Conduitt, to whose daughter he was guardian after her father's death. Mrs. Chalmers had a brother who was rector or vicar of Barton, Northamptonshire. Alexander Chalmers was rector of St. Katharine Coleman, London, and of Burstow, Surrey; clerk of St. Andrew's, Holborn; chaplain to the forces at Gibraltar and Port Mahon: he died in 1745, and was buried in St. Katharine's: his wife was of the family of Ekins, of Rushden, in Northamptonshire. On August 12, 1743, Alexander Chalmers writes, "This will be delivered you by my cousin Lieut. Mathew Barton," probably his wife's cousin: in another letter he speaks of Miss Conduitt as his wife's cousin. Mr. Conduitt died 23rd of May, 1737, and his widow's "unexpected death" seems to be alluded to in a letter in 1740.

DE CAMERA.

Alterius Orbis Papa (Vol. iii., p. 497.).

—This was not, as A.B.'s informant thinks, a title of honour bestowed by any Supreme Pontiff upon any Archbishop of Canterbury, but a mere verbal compliment passed by Pope Urban II. upon St. Anselm, when the latter went to consult the former at Rome. The words are those of Gervase, the monk of Canterbury, who tells us:

"Tantam ejus gratiam habuit, ut eum (Anselmum) alterius orbis papam vocaret (Urbanus papa)."—Ed. Twysden, ii. 1327.

Eadmer, who was with the archbishop when he went to Italy, gives the following as the Pope's expressions:

"Cumque illum, utpote hominem cunctis liberalium artium disciplinis innutritum, pro magistro teneamus et quasi comparem, velut alterius orbis Apostolicum et Patriarcham jure venerandum censeamus."—AA. SS. Aprilis, t. ii. 886.

D. ROCK.

You have not told us the origin of this title. I have just been reminded of the omission by the dedication of Ludovici Cappelli Commentarii, Amstel., 1689, which is—

"Wilhelmo Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi ... alterius orbis, sed melioris, Papæ."

J. W. H.

Charles Dodd (Vol. ii., p. 496.).

—TYRO will find an account of this writer in Biographical Illustrations of Worcestershire: by John Chambers, Esq.: Worcester, 1820, 8vo., p. 591., from which we learn that his true name was Hugh Tootel, a Lancashire man born in 1672, in the neighbourhood of Preston. The name of Hugh Tootle is recognised in the prospectus or announcement of Mr. Tierney's new edition of Dodd's Church History of England, of which the first and second volumes appeared so long ago as 1839: but I regret to say that the work is yet far from being completed.

F. R. A.

"Prenzie" (Vol. iii., p. 522.).

—We seem now to have got to the true reading, "primzie." The termination zie suits a Scotch word perhaps. I only wish to mention, that the form "prin" is connected with the verb "to preen," which we use of birds. Yet that again seems connected with prune. Etymology is always in a circle.

C. B.

"In Print" (Vol. iii., p. 500.).

—In confirmation of the statement made as to the expression "in print" meaning "with exactness," &c., I perfectly remember an old Somersetshire servant of our's, who used to say, when he saw me romping after I was dressed: "Take care, Sir, you'll put your hair out of print."

C. W. B.

Introduction of Reptiles into Ireland (Vol. iii., p. 491.).

—The snakes introduced into the county of Down in 1831, alluded to by EIRIONNACH, were the very harmless and easily tamed species, Coluber natrix of Linnæus, Natrix torquata of Ray. They were purchased in Covent Garden Market; and, to the number of six, were turned out in the garden of Rath Gael House. One was killed at Milecross, three miles distant, about a week after its liberation; and three others were shortly afterwards killed in the same neighbourhood. The fate of the remaining two is unknown, but there can be little doubt that they were also killed, as the country-people offered a considerable reward for their destruction. The writer well remembers the consternation and exceedingly angry feelings caused by this novel importation.

We may conclude, that though the snake is not indigenous to Ireland, yet there is nothing in either the soil or climate to prevent its naturalisation. It is highly probable that an insular position is unfavourable to the spread of the serpent tribe. Other islands—New Zealand, for instance—as well as Ireland, have no native Ophidia.

It is generally, but erroneously, believed that there are no toads in Ireland. The Natter-jack (Bufo calamita), a closely allied species to the common toad, is found about Killarney. Can any reader inform me if there is any record of its introduction?

W. PINKERTON.

Ancient Wood Engraving of the Picture of Cebes (Vol. iii., pp. 277. 436.).

—Your correspondent THE HERMIT OF HOLYPORT having been informed respecting the subject of his wood-cut, may yet be further satisfied to know its date, and where it is to be found. It occurs in a Latin version of the Pinax, with a commentary by Justus Velsius, printed in 4to., at Lyons? (Lugduni) in 1551. The title runs thus: Justi Velseri Hagani, in Cebetis Thebani Tabulam Commentariorum Libri Sex, Totius Moralis Philosophiæ Thesaurus. The Pinax commonly accompanies that valuable little manual the Enchiridion of Epictetus, of which that excellent man John Evelyn, in a letter to Lord Cornbury, thus speaks:

"Besides the Divine precepts, I could never receive anything from Philosophy that was able to add a graine to my courage upon the intellectual assaults like that Enchiridion and little weapon of Epictetus: 'Nunquam te quicquam perdidisse dicito, sed reddidisse,' says he: 'Filius obijt? redditus est.' It is in his 15th chapter. You cannot imagine what that little target will encounter. I never go abroad without it in my pocket. What an incomparable guard is that: τὰ δὲ οὐκ ἐφ' ἡμῖν, cap. i., where he discourses of the things which are, and are not in our power. I know, my Lord, you employ your retirements nobly; weare this defensive for my sake,—I had almost said this Christian Office."

S. W. SINGER.

"The Groves of Blarney" (Vol. iii., p. 495.).

—In a little volume of the Songs of Ireland, forming one of the series called Duffy's Library of Ireland, Dublin, 1845, this song is given. In the introductory notice it is said to be by Mr. R. A. Milliken, a native of Cork. The passage referred to by your correspondent stands thus in this version, which is said to be taken from Croker's Popular Songs of Ireland:—

Mr. Maloney, in his late account of the "palace made o' windows," has evidently had these verses in his mind; and in his observations on the "statues gracing that noble place in," has adverted to their like peculiar predicament with the characteristic modesty of his nation.

S. H.

On this subject permit me to observe that a change has "come o'er the spirit of its dream." A later poet, in celebrating the praises of the lake as the only place unchanged, says:

JUNIOR.

Tennyson's Lord of Burleigh (Vol. iii., p. 493.).

—The poem of "The Lord of Burleigh" is founded upon a supposed romance connected with the marriage of the late Marquis of Exeter with his second wife, Miss Hoggins. This marriage has also formed the groundwork of a play entitled The Lord of Burghley, published by Churton in 1845. The story of the courtship and marriage perpetuated by this poem, may be found in the Illustrated London News of the 16th November,1844, having been copied into that paper from the Guide to Burghley House, pp. 36., published by Drakard in 1812.

A very slight tinge of romance attends the real facts of this union, which took place when the late Marquis was Mr. Henry Cecil. The lady was not of so lowly an origin as the fiction relates. Mr. Cecil did not become the Lord of Burghley until the death of his uncle, the 9th Earl of Exeter, two years after this marriage, up to which time he resided at Bolas, Salop, the residence of his wife before her marriage, and there the two eldest of their four children were born. The Countess of Exeter died greatly beloved and respected at the early age of twenty-four, having been married nearly seven years.

J. P. JUN.

Bicêtre (Vol. iii., p. 518.)

—It was certainly anciently called Vincestre. It is so in Monstrelêt, whose history begins about 1400. One of the treaties between the Burgundians and Orleanists was made there. President Hénault says (under Charles VI.) that this castle belonged to John, Bishop of Winchester. If he is right in the Christian name, he must mean had belonged, not appartenoit, for the John Bishops that I find in Britton's list are:

Elected. Died.

John of Oxon 1261 1267

John de Pontessara 1282 1304

John de Sandale 1316 1319

John de Stratford 1323 1333

C. B.

On a Passage in Dryden (Vol. iii., p. 492.).

—MR. BREEN appears to me decidedly wrong in the view he takes of the passage he quotes from Dryden. In the first place, he commits the mistake of assuming that Dryden is expressing his own opinion, or speaking in his own person. The fact is, however, that the speaker is Torresmond. Torresmond is "mad" enough to love the queen; he has already spoken of the "madness of his high attempt," he says he raves; and when the queen offers to give him counsel for his cure, he says he wishes not be cured:

This is inference, not assertion. Whether it be natural or not, I will not say, but I can see no blunder.

S. H.

Derivation of Yankee (Vol. iii., p. 461.).

—Washington Irving, in his Knickerbocker's History of New York, gives the same derivation of "Yankee" that is quoted from Dr. Turnbull and from Mr. Richmond. Irving's authority is, I believe, earlier than both these. Is the derivation his? and if his, is he in earnest in giving it? I ask this, not because I have reason to doubt in this instance either his seriousness or his philological accuracy, but by way of inserting a caution on behalf of the unwary. I have read or heard of a learned German who quoted that book as veritable history. The philology may be as baseless as the narrative. It is a happy suggestion of a derivation at all events, be it in jest or in earnest.

E. J. S.

Ferrante Pallavicino (Vol. iii., pp. 478. 523.).

—Your correspondent CHARLES O'SOULEY will find some account of Ferrante Pallavicino in Chalmers, or any other biographical dictionary; and a very complete one in the Dictionnaire Historique of Prosper Marchand. The manuscript he possesses has been printed more than once; it first appeared in the Opere Scelte di Ferrante Pallavicino printed at Geneva, but with the imprint Villafranca, 1660, 12mo., of which there are several reimpressions. It is there entitled La Disgratia del Conte D'Olivares, and bears the fictitious subscription of "Madrid li 28 Gennaro, 1643," at the end. If the MS. was written at Genoa, it is most probably only a transcript; for Pallavicino was resident at Venice when it appears to have been written, and was soon after trepanned by a vile caitiff named Charles de Bresche alias De Morfu, a Frenchman employed by the Pope's nuncio Vitellio, into the power of those whom his writings had incensed, and was by them put to death at Avignon in 1644.

S. W. SINGER.