Volume 5 — Queries.

JUNIUS QUERIES.

Junius Rumours.

—Some months since there was a story whispered in certain circles, or rather two stories, which, when taken together, went to show that this great mystery of modern times was on the eve of solution. The first stated that the Grenville Papers, about to be published by Murray, would prove the identity of Junius with the correspondent of Woodfall under one of the signatures Atticus or Brutus, whose letters had been already, and, as it would thereby appear, very properly, attributed to Junius himself. The second rumour was to the effect that an eminent bookseller, whose attention had been drawn to the Junius question by the circumstance of his having recently published an edition of the letters, &c., on being called in to estimate the value of certain historical papers for some legal purposes, was startled by discovering, in the course of his examination of them, who this Atticus or Brutus was—and, consequently, who Junius himself was. On the announcement of an article on Junius in the Quarterly Review, those who had heard these stories expected to find in the article in question the solution of what has been called the "great political enigma of the eighteenth century." As this hope has not been realised, may I ask, through the medium of "N. & Q.," whether there is any foundation for the rumours I have referred to; and, if so, how much of truth there is in both or either of them. Such information will be acceptable to every one of your readers who is not satisfied with any of the THIRTY-NINE theories on the subject which have been already propounded, and who is therefore like myself still a

JUNIUS QUERIST.

"To Commit" in the Sense used by Junius.

—On looking into Walker's Dictionary, a short time since, I found the following remark, which seems to have escaped every inquirer into the authorship of the letters of Junius:—

"To COMMIT.—This word was first used in Junius's letters in a sense unknown to our former English writers, namely, to expose, to venture, to hazard; this sense is borrowed from the French, and has been generally adopted by subsequent writers."

Can any of your readers produce an instance of the use of this word in the sense here applied to it, prior to the appearance of Junius? Such a parallel would carry more weight with it than the countless examples of verbal singularities with which almost every discoverer of Junius has encumbered his essay.

D. J.

Junius' letters to Wilkes.

—Would MR. HALLAM kindly inform your readers whether the Junius Letters, to which he refers in "N. & Q." Vol. iii., p. 241., were inserted in books or not? And in the former case, whether they were in a separate collection, or mixed with the other correspondence of Mr. Wilkes?

I. J. M.

WHAT IS THE DERIVATION OF "GARSECG?"

This Anglo-Saxon word is used in the poetry of Beowulf and Cædmon, and in the prose of Orosius and Bede, &c. The â in gâr is twice accented in Cædmon; and Mr. Kemble has always accented it in Beowulf. In the Lauderdale MS. of Orosius it is written garsæcg and garsecg; and in the Cotton MS. garsegc and garsecg, without any accent. Grimm, Kemble, and Ettmüller make the first past of the word to be gâr, a spear, javelin, the Goth., gairu; Ohd., kér; O. Sax., gér; O. Nor., geir: and the latter, secg, a soldier, man. Thus gârsecg would be literally "a spear-man," homo jaculo armatus. Mr. Kemble adds, it is "a name for the ocean, which is probably derived from some ancient myth, and is now quite unintelligible." Ettmüller gives it, "Gârsecg, es, m. Carex jaculorum, vel vir hastatus, i.e. oceanus.—Grymn's Mythol., p. xxvii."

Dahlmann, in his Forschungen der Geschichte, p. 414., divides the word thus: Gars-ecg, and says, gar is very expressive, and denotes "what is enclosed," and is allied to the Ger. garten, a garden, like the A.-S. geard, a garden, region, earth. Ecg, Icl. egg; Ger. egge, ecke, a border, an outward part; that is, what borders or encircles the earth, the ocean. What authority is there for dividing the word into gars-ecg, and for the meaning he gives to gar?

Barrington, in his edition of Orosius, p. xxiii., gives "M. H. The Patton MS." among the transcripts. I cannot find any Hatton MS. of Orosius. Can he refer to the transcript of Junius?

THROW.

Minor Queries.

Commemoration of Benefactors.

—I shall be glad to learn by what authority an office for the Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors is used in our college chapels, since this office in not found in our Book of Common Prayer. And, farther, whether the office is the same in all places, mutatis mutandis. In my own college (Queen's, Cambridge), the order of service was as follows:—The Lesson, Ecclus. xliv. (read by a scholar): the sermon: the list of foundresses and benefactors: Te Deum laudamus: proper Psalms, viz. cxlviii., cxlix., cl.: the following versicles and responses:

Then followed an appropriate collect, introduced by the words "Let us pray;" and the office was concluded by the Benediction.

W. SPARROW SIMPSON, B.A.

Pedigree of Richard, Earl of Chepstow.

—At a recent meeting of the Kilkenny Archæological Society, there was exhibited, by permission of the Marquis of Ormonde, an original charter, under seal, of Richard, Earl of Chepstow, surnamed Strongbow, whereby he granted certain lands in his newly acquired territory of Leinster, to Adam de Hereford. The charter, which is beautifully and clearly written on a small piece of vellum, commences thus:

"Comes Ric' fil' com' Ric' Gisleb'ti omnibus amicis suis," &c.

As the usually given pedigrees (see Sir R. Colt Hoare's Tour in Ireland, Introd. p. lxxv.) make Richard Strongbow the son of Gilbert, the second son, and not Richard, the eldest son, of Gilbert de Tonbrige; query, Are we to supply "fil'" before "Gisleberti" in the charter, or are we to suppose that the second "Ric'" is a slip of the pen,—a thing, however, not likely to occur in a legal deed of so important a nature.

JAMES GRAVES.

Kilkenny.

Twenty-seven Children.

—In Colonel James Turner's defence (English Causes Célèbres, vol. i. p. 111.) he says, speaking of his wife, who was then also on trial for her life:

"She sat down, being somewhat fat and weary, poor heart! I have had twenty-seven children by her; fifteen sons and twelve daughters."

Is there any well authenticated instance of woman having had more than twenty-five children?

E. D.

Esquires of the Martyred King.

—In the Smith MSS. in the Bodleian Library, there are copies of certain petitions addressed to King Charles II., relating to a proposed Order of Esquires of the Martyred King. These forms of petition appear to have been derived ex MSS. Asm. 837.

Where is a full account of these proceedings to be found in print?

J. SANSOM.

Braem's "Mémoires touchant le Commerce."

—Having lately seen a MS., of which I subjoin the title, and not being able to discover any further account of the writer of it than what is briefly given in the volume itself, I submit my wish to know something more about the author, and his, perhaps, still inedited work, to you and to your numerous readers, both in England and in Holland (where you have an able imitator), in the hope of gaining some further information about him. The MS. is a foolscap folio, containing about 340 pages, written in a bold, open hand, and bears the following title: Mémoires touchant le Commerce que les Provinces Unies des Pays-Bas font dans les divers Endroits du Monde. At page 306. this part of the MS. ends, and is signed by "Daniel Braems," who says of himself, that he left the Dutch possessions in the East Indies in 1686, and made his Report to the States-General of what he had seen, and delivered in a written copy. Mr. Braems says farther, that he was "dernièrement Teneur-Général des Livres à Batavie, et a ramené en qualité de Commandeur la dernière Flotte des Indes en ce pays;" and that his Report, as regards East India affairs, was made "touchant la constitution des affaires dans les Indes Orientales, ainsi qu'elle estoit lorsque la ditte flotte est partie de Batavie," and was delivered in May 26, 1688. The remaining pages of the MS. are taken up with a detailed account of the ecclesiastical and civil revenues of France for 1692, and also the "estat des affaires extraordinaires" for the years 1689, 1690, 1691, 1692.

J. M.

Newspapers.

—Can any of your readers obligingly inform me when The Suffolk Mercury or St. Edmund's Bury Post commenced? The earliest number I have seen is that of "Monday, Feb. 3, 1717, to be continued weekly, No. 43. Price Three Half-pence." The next is that of "Monday, May 2, 1726, Vol. xvi., No. 52." And the latest that of "Monday, October 4, 1731, Vol. xxii., No. 40." When did it cease? Were there any other papers before 1782 printed in Bury; or including the name of that town in its title?

BURIENSIS.

Serjeant Trumpeter.

—What are the privileges of persons holding this appointment?

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

Lunhunter.

—What is the etymology of this surname; or rather, what is a lun? We have the analogous names Wolfhunter and Todhunter (i.e. a hunter of foxes). I am not satisfied with the origin assigned to this designation in my English Surnames. Is there any beast of prey, or of the chase, bearing the provincial name of lun?

MARK ANTONY LOWER.

Family of Bullen.

—Could any of your readers inform me what branch of the Bullen family it was that emigrated to Ireland in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, and settled at Kinsale in the county of Cork? Their genealogical history I find it difficult, almost impossible, to discover. It is thought that the first of the family who settled in Ireland was nearly allied to the lovely but unfortunate queen of Henry VIII.; and the family consequently claim kindred with our famous Queen Elizabeth, though they seem unable to trace their pedigree so as to prove it. The present representative of this old family resides at Bally Thomas, in the neighbourhood of Mallow; but, singular to say, though proud of his name and race, can give no correct history of his pedigree; in fact, nothing more than a traditionary account of it. I find, in turning over the pages of Burke's Landed Gentry, the following note appended to the pedigree of the Glovers of Mount Glover:

"This Abigail Bullen was daughter of Robert Bullen, of Kinsale, descended from the Bullen family, who came and settled in Ireland in the reign of Elizabeth, and who are stated to have been not remotely related to that queen."

Any information connected with this family I am most anxious to obtain.

E. A. G.

London.

Burnomania.

—I should be glad if any of your correspondents could favour me with the name of the author of this work: it is entitled Burnomania, or the Celebrity of Robert Burns considered, Edinburgh, 1811, 12mo., pp. 103. In his advertisement to the reader, the author says:

"Who is the author? Is he a poor man? Is he employed by the booksellers? Is he a young student? Does he write for fame? For gain? Does he wish to irritate, to offend, to indulge in a sarcastic humour? To all these questions, the answer is 'No.'"

ELGINENSIS.

Rent of Assize.

—Can you or any of your correspondents explain certain difficulties I find in a schedule of the revenues of the bishopric of Winton, sent by Thomas Cooper, the Bishop of Winton, 1587, to the Lord Treasurer: Strype's Annals, vol. iii. part 2. p. 263. Oxon, 1824?

In the first place, there appears to be some misprint, as "the whole charge or value" is put at 3114l. 0s. 5d., and "ordinary reprizes and allowances deducted" 3389l. 0s. 11d., and then "remain of rent of assize of the same bishopric" 2773l. 10s. 6d., which appears afterwards to be a misprint for 2775l., &c. What is "rent of assize?" is it the assessment of the bishopric for dues, rates, &c.? Also what is the meaning of "ob. q.," which is added after certain items?

Lastly, what is to be understood by the item "For ingrossing the great pipe," &c.? I should be much obliged by any explanation of these accounts.

H. C. K.

—— Rectory, Hereford.

White Livers.

—Can any correspondent give some information as to the popular superstition of white livers, or refer to any author that alludes to it in any way. In a recent account of poisonings in France, by a woman Named Helène Jagado, it is stated that though for a long time she was not suspected to be an actual murderess, yet "the frequency of deaths in the families by whom she was engaged excited a suspicion among the peasantry that there was something in her nature fatal to those who were near her; and they said that her liver was white, it being believed, in that part of France, that persons who are dangerous have white livers." In the midland counties there is a similar saying among the lower classes, and I have heard it said of an individual who had married and lost several wives by death, that he had a white liver. A young woman once told me that she had been advised not to marry a certain suitor, because he had a white liver, and she would be dead within a year. "White-livered rascal" is a common term of reproach in Gloucestershire. What is the origin and explanation of the supposed white liver?

AMBROSE FLORENCE.

Worcester.

Welsh Names Blaen.

—Can any of your correspondents tell the meaning of the word Blaen, which occurs so frequently in the names of places in Pembrokeshire, and perhaps other parts of Wales? Thus, there is Blaen-awen, near Monington; Blaen-argy, Blaen-pant, and Blaen-hafren, to the south of Hantwood; Blaen-yr-angell; Blaen-y-foss and Blaen-nefern near Penrydd; Blaen-dyffryn; and a great many more. It seems generally to be applied to farms.

α.

Jesuits.

—Can you give one any clue to the following line:

A similar play on words was made a few years ago by an Italian professor in the university of Pisa. A large number of Jesuits made their appearance one day in his lecture room, as they believed that he was about to assail some favourite dogma of theirs. He commenced his lecture with the following words—

When remonstrated with, he said that his words were

L. H. J. T.

"The right divine of Kings to govern wrong."

—Can any of your correspondents inform me the origin of the line "The right divine of kings to govern wrong?" It is in the Dunciad, book iv., placed in inverted commas. Is it there used as a quotation? and, if so, whence is it taken, or was Pope the original author of the lines?

SARPEDON.

[Our correspondent is clearly not aware that this line has already been the subject of much discussion in our columns. (See Vol. iii., p. 494.; Vol. iv., pp. 125. 160.) But as the Query has not yet been solved, and many curious points may depend upon its solution, we avail ourselves of SARPEDON'S inquiry to bring the matter again under the consideration of our readers.]

Valentines, when first introduced.

—The quantity and variety of Valentines which now occupy our stationers' windows suggest the Query as to their first introduction; whether originally so ornamental, and if by hand; when they first became printed, and what early specimens exist?

EXON.

Minor Queries Answered.

The Bed of Ware.

—In Shakspeare's comedy of Twelfth Night, the following words are used by Sir Toby, Act III. Sc. 2.:

Query: What is the history of Bed of Ware?

†

[Nares, in his Glossary, says, "This curious piece of furniture is said to be still in being, and visible at the Crown or at the Bull in Ware. It is reported to be twelve feet square, and to be capable of holding twenty or twenty-four persons." And he refers to Chauncy's Hertfordshire for an account of its receiving at once twelve men and their wives, who lay at top and bottom in this mode of arrangement; first two men, then two women, and so on alternately; so that no man was near to any woman but his wife.]

Merry Andrew.

—When did the term Merry Andrew first come into use, and what was the occasion of it?

χ. β.

[Although Strutt, in his Sports and Pastimes, has several allusions to Merry Andrews, he does not attempt to explain the origin of the term. Hearne, in his Benedictus Abbas (tom. i. Præf. p. 50. ed. Oxon. 1735, as quoted by Warton in his English Poetry, vol. iii. p. 74. ed. 1840), speaking of the well-known Andrew Borde, gives it as his opinion that this facetious physician gave rise to the name of MERRY ANDREW, the fool on the mountebank's stage: "'Twas from the Doctor's method of using such speeches at markets and fairs, that in aftertimes those that imitated the like humorous, jocose language, were styled MERRY ANDREWS, a term much in vogue on our stages."]

A Baron's Hearse.

—In reading a curious old book, entitled the Statesmen and Favourites of England since the Reformation, which was written by David Lloyd, and published in 1665, I was at a loss to know what a baron's hearse might be, and hope therefore that some of your readers may be able to give me some information respecting it. It occurs at page 448., in his observations on the life of Sir Henry Umpton, who, he says, "had allowed him a baron's hearse, because he died ambassadour leiger."

JOHN BRANFILL HARRISON.

Maidstone.

[Although a "baron's hearse" is not particularly specified in the very curious Note upon Funerals prefixed by Mr. J. G. Nichols to the Diary of Henry Machyn, edited by him for the Camden Society,—we refer our correspondent to it, as furnishing much curious illustration of the time and expense formerly bestowed upon these ceremonials. The word "herse," it may be remarked, was not then applied in its modern sense, but to a frame of timber "covered with black, and armes upon the black, ready to receive the corpse when it had arrived within the church," which corresponds to what our French neighbours designate the Catafalque.]

Saint Bartholomew.

—Can you favour me with a reference to any works in which any further account is given of this saint, than is contained in the four passages of the New Testament in which his name is mentioned?

What representations are there of him in picture, tapestry, or window, in England or on the continent?

REGEDONUM.

[For further particulars we would refer our correspondent to Mrs. Jameson's Sacred and Legendary Art (1st edit.), vol. i. pp. 222. et seq.; and Parker's Calendar of the Anglican Church illustrated, p. 100.]

Moravian Hymns—Tabitha's Dream (Vol. iv., p. 502.).

—Are the following lines from Walsh's Aristophanes original; and was the translation ever completed? I quote from memory.

J. H. L.

[These lines are by Christopher Anstey, Esq., and will be found in his New Bath Guide, letter xiv., where "Miss Prudence B-n-r-d informs Lady Betty that she has been elected to Methodism by a Vision." This metrical epistle consists of five more verses, to which the author has subjoined a Latin translation. See Anstey's Works, p. 82. 4to. 1808. Only Vol. I. of Walsh's translation of The Comedies of Aristophanes has been published.]

Story of Ginevra.

—Mr. Rogers, in his beautiful poem of Italy, has a story which is headed "Ginevra," and which he lays the scene of at Modena. It narrates that a young bride on the day of her wedding, to entertain her young friends, proposes that they should amuse themselves at "hide-and-seek;" and thinking to conceal herself where her companions could not discover her, bethought herself of an old oaken chest in the garret of the house. The lid of this chest unfortunately had a clasp lock, which occasioned her to be completely enshrined; and not being discovered at the time, she must have perished miserably. Many years after, upon pulling the house down the chest was forced open, and the skeleton of the unfortunate lady was, to the consternation of all present, brought to light.

Mr. Rogers, in a note, says, "I believe this story to be founded on fact, though I cannot tell when and where it happened;" and adds, "many old houses in this country lay claim to it."

I should be much obliged to any reader of the "N. & Q." to point out any old seat in England where the above is stated to have happened; if there be any memorial or legend concerning it, or any particulars relating to it.

☞ F.

P.S. I have, some years ago, read the counterpart of this story in French, when the bride proposes jouer au cache-cache, with exactly the same melancholy result, but I have not any recollection in what work.

[Two versions of the dramatic narrative of "Ginevra, the Lady buried alive," are given by Collet in his Relics of Literature, p. 186., in neither of which is there any notice of the hide-and-seek game, or of the chest with the clasp-lock. The French account is extracted from the Causes Célèbres; and the Italian, which differs in some particulars, from a work by Dominico Maria Manni.]

Play of "Pompey the Great."

—Can any of your readers inform me where the entire translation of this play, from the French of Corneille into English, is to be found?—the first act only, which was translated by Waller, being found in some editions of his works. Also, whether I am right in supposing that this play contains a scene where the dead body of Pompey is discovered on the seashore, and a passage discussing what tomb should be erected to his honour, in deprecation of any monument at all, and ending with: "The eternal substance of his greatness; to that I leave him."

H.

[The title of the play is, Pompey the Great; a Tragedy, as it was acted by the Servants of his Royal Highness the Duke of York. Translated out of French by certain Persons of Honour, 4to. 1664. It consists of five acts. Waller translated the first; the others were translated by the Earl of Dorset, Sir C. Sedley, and Mr. Godolphin. It will be found in the British Museum and the Bodleian.]