Note 67 — APRIL.

Communicated to the Every-Day Book by Mr. T. A——.

[68] Mr. J. B——, a native of Maryport in Cumberland, who obligingly communicates the above information respecting pasch eggs in that county, has ensured the adoption of his letter by subscribing his name and address.

Communications have been received in great numbers from anonymous correspondents, but the information many of them contain, however interesting or true, can never interest the readers of the Every-Day Book, for this reason, that information will not on any account be inserted, which is not verified by the contributor’s name and residence: as every contributor may have his name inserted or not, as he pleases, so no one can object to satisfy the editor, that the facts communicated are from responsible sources. The precaution is necessary; and it may be proper to add, that all contributions with quotations from an “old book,” “an excellent author,” “a work of authority,” and so forth, are useless, when contributors forget to mention names and title-pages.

This is the first time that a notice to correspondents has appeared within the columns of the Every-Day Book, and it is designed to be the last. Such intimations cannot be inserted without injury to the uniform appearance of the work; but they are printed on the wrappers of the Monthly Parts.

Communications of local usages or customs, or other useful and agreeable particulars, are earnestly and respectfully solicited; and extracts, or permission to extract, from scarce works and original manuscripts, will be highly esteemed. The favours of correspondents with real names and addresses are obviously the most valuable, and will receive marked regard.

W. Hone. 45, Ludgate-hill, 31st March, 1825.

[69] Brand.

[70] Fosbroke’s Brit. Monach. from Du Cange.

[71] Ibid.

[72] Communicated to the Every-Day Book by S. R.

[73] Drake’s Shakspeare, from Fuller’s Worthies.

[74] Hone’s Ancient Mysteries described, from Davies’s Rites, &c.

[75] Fosbroke’s Brit. Monach. from Du Cange.

[76] Fosbroke’s Brit. Monach.

[77] British Press.

[78] Morning Herald.

[79] Wilson’s History of Christ’s Hospital.

[80] Archdeacon Butler had been selected by Dr. Parr to pronounce the last appointed words over his remains, and he justified the selection. Dr. Butler’s sermon at the funeral of Dr. Parr, has the high merit of presenting a clear outline of this great man’s character, and from its pages these passages are culled and thrown together. “His learning was the most profound, and the most varied and extensive, of any man of his age. He has left a chasm in the literature of his country, which none of us shall ever see filled up. As a classical scholar he was supreme—deeply versed in history, especially that of his own country; in metaphysics and moral philosophy not to be excelled; in theology he had read more extensively and thought more deeply, than most of those who claim the highest literary fame in that department. He was well read in controversy, though he loved not controversialists; for his benevolent and tolerating spirit was shocked by any thing like rancour among men who believe a gospel of love, and worship a God of love, and yet can let loose the malignant and vindictive passions, in their religious disputes, against each other. In politics his ardent love of freedom, his hatred of oppression, and his invincible spirit, joined to the most disinterested and incorruptible integrity, and the most resolute independence, even in the days of poverty and privation, made him always a prominent and conspicuous character. Caution he despised, it was not a part of his noble and fearless nature. What he thought greatly, he uttered manfully; and such a mighty master of language when speaking or writing on civil and religious liberty, carried away his hearers with the same resistless torrent of eloquence by which himself was swept along.” Such is the testimony to Dr. Parr’s talents, by one “differing from him on many political points, and on some theological questions.” More to the same effect might be adduced on the same competent authority; but, if the preacher, like him of whom he discoursed, “loved his friend well, he loved truth better;” and hence Dr. Butler has honestly and faithfully sketched a few inconsiderable weaknesses, which, to a correct judgment, enlarge the nobility, and heighten the splendour of Dr. Parr’s heart and mind. Undeviating eulogy is praiseless praise.

[81] Stowe.

[82] Maitland.

[83] Stowe.

[84] Ned Ward in his Dancing School.

[85] Letters from a late eminent prelate.

[86] Salisbury Gazette, January 8, 1818.