materially helped to baffle inquiry as to its source. It is by no means the first time that such an inquiry has been made, and made unsuccessfully. There is a somewhat amusing account in Add. MSS. (Hunter's, about 24,470) of a visit that the late Joseph Hunter, when staying at Fryston, above half a century ago, made to Pontefract. While there he called upon George Fox, and the assertion having been made that John Fox, his father, had more than an equal share in the compilation of the history that goes by the name of Boothroyd, Mr. Hunter put to him the inquiry now made by ASTARTE; but he could obtain no satisfactory reply. Mr. Fox evidently did not know. All this is duly entered on Mr. Hunter's notes, and appears in the MS. at the reference I have approximately given; and some time afterwards he added in a different ink, and with a different pen, as a postscriptum, the reference which I have given. These MSS. have been in the Museum and open to the literary world above a quarter of a century-I myself saw them in the autumns of 1880 and 1881, when I noted this among their contents-but no one else seems to have observed it before or since, or surely ASTARTE's inquiry would have received some reply, and not have remained unanswered for three months. I crave leave to add a few words. The Dean evidently meant that he liked the name of Pomfret as ASTARTE has it; for there was no pretence that he was familiar with the place, as Boothroyd's quotation implies. But perhaps the partiality expressed by Swift led to its adoption by Lord Lempster, who became Earl of Pomfret in 1721. It is not a little remarkable that each of the titles of this earl should thus be of a corrupted form. Lempster is barbarian for Leominster, with an intruding p. Pomfret is ditto for Pontefract, with an intruding m. R. H. H. Pontefract number of persons went into the fields and bathed their faces with the dew on the grass, under the idea that it would render them beautiful." G. F. R. B. Aubrey in his 'Miscellanies' says: 66 William Backhouse had an ugly scab that grew on the middle of his forehead, which had been there for years, and he could not be cured; it became so nauseous that he would see none but his intimate friends. In a journey having come to Peterboro', he dreamt there did bid him wet his scab with the drop of the marble. that he was in a church and saw a hearse, and that one The next day he went to morning service, and afterwards going about the church, he saw the very hearse (which was of black say) for Queen Katharine, wife of Henry VIII., and the marble stone by. He found drops dipt his finger and wetted the scab : in seven days it on the marble, and there were some cavities, wherein he was perfectly cured. This accurate and certain information I had from my worthy friend Elias Ashmole, Esq., who called Mr. Backhouse father, and had this account from his own mouth. May Dew is a great disCONSTANCE RUSSELL, solvent." BARREL-ORGANS AND ORGAN-GRINDERS (7th S. xii. 387).-The only reference I can trace in N. & Q.' to this subject will be found in 5th S. iii. 180, 200, where the Editor informs a correspondent that Edwin Waugh's 'Tufts of Heather from the Northern Moors' contains an amusing account of a barrel-organ on its first introduction in a village church. Charles Knight, in a collection of street views about 1789, has given his 'London,' i. 143, says "Dayes, who published us the group which concludes our paper. Here we have the organ, the triangle, the tambourine, and hurdy-gurdy, each striving which should be loudest." This, I think, must have been an early instance of its appearance in the streets, for 66 Aleph " (William Harvey), in a chapter devoted to "Street Music Fifty Years Since" in 'London Scenes and London People,' published in 1843, says, "There were no German bands in those days, and the organs were 'few and far between.' They hardly dared to try Mr. Bull's patience then; if they had, it would have been at the risk of stoning, or something worse." Hone, in his 'Table Book,' 403, gives the 'Lines to a Barrel Organ. All the Year Round, First Series, vi. 180, refers to the Organ Nuisance,' and in xi., for June 11, 1864, there is a paper entitled 'Battle of the Barrels,' while Chambers's Journal, 1843, First Series, xii. 90, comments on 'The Music of the Streets of London,' in which the barrel-organ is not forgotten. EVERARD HOME COLEMAN. 71, Brecknock Road, Dr. Samuel Turner (7th S. xii. 429, 495).-He was grandson of William Turner, Dean of Wells, and son of Peter Turner, M.D., by Pascha, sister of Henry Parry, Bishop of Worcester. He was of C.C.C., Oxon, and afterwards of St. Alban's Hall, M. A. July 8, 1605. "In the Parliament of 1625 he showed himself of a bold spirit and able elocution in assaulting the King's minion, the Duke of Buckingham," but on his re-election for Shaftesbury in 1640,"being fully persuaded what the desperate courses then taken would lead to, joined the king at Oxford, and in 1643 sat in his Parliament there" (L'Estrange's Hist. of Reign of Charles I.'). He died in 1647, and his character is said to have been none of the purest. In 1643 he published A True Relation of a Late Skirmish at Henley-onThames, wherein the Reading Cavaliers were J. H. PARRY. Defeated.' · ALLEGED EARLY CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF AFRICA (7th S. xii. 406, 477).—While I agree with Sir E. H. Bunbury in thinking that on the whole the preponderance of argument is against accepting as historical the alleged circumnavigation of Africa by the Phoenicians employed by Necho, I did not mean to imply that I thought "the story of Herodotus incredible." There seems to be great force in the remark that if it had been a fact, some details of the voyage would have been preserved, just as in the case of Hanno's voyage on the west coast of Africa sufficient indications are given to enable us to identify with great probability the places which he passed. Moreover, had the voyage really been accomplished, other navigators would probably have repeated what was thus proved to be practicable. MR. MOORE does not agree with my suggestion that something is wanting in the passage in Herodotus referring to this; but he completes that historian's sentence in a way that makes his meaning the very reverse of that which Prof. Rawlinson takes it, who translates "Next to these Phoenicians the Carthaginians, according to their own accounts, made the voyage." Sir E. H. Bunbury thinks that the original (which I gave in my last communication) does not mean this, but only that the Carthaginians asserted that such a voyage was possible, without stating whether such belief was founded on any discoveries of their own. It was noticing these different views that led me to throw out my suggestion that something was wanting in the original, which, as it stands, will scarcely bear the meaning attributed to it, and leaves the sense obscure. 71, Brecknock Road. ་ EVERARD HOME COLEMAN. MR. GOMME's suggestion would seem to imply ignorance of a locus classicus upon the subject See On some Traditions Relating to the Submer sion of Ancient Cities,' reprinted in 'Essays, &c. of Bishop Thirlwall,' 1880. EDWARD H. Marshall, M.A. COMPARATIVE VALUE OF OLD COINS (7th S xii. 447).-Though I am sorry that I cannot giv MR. CHARLES the exact information he seeks yet I have a few notes relating to the subject whid may be of some use to him or others of you correspondents. 1286. "117. 158. 11d. Paris' valet in sterlingi 67s. 5d.; 27. 10s. 8d. Paris' valet in sterlingi 77. 178. 4d.; 10s. 6d. Paris' valet in sterlingis 35. -Wardrobe Account, 3/22, 14-15 Edw. I., Q.R. 1291-2. For xiij and xij florins to gild th Queen's image [apparently on her tomb], 50 mark and 13s......For 204 florins more, 251. 10s."Wardrobe Account, 6/3, 20 Edw. I., Q.R. Feb. 7, 1326. The king's oblation to the imag of St. Mary, Walsingham, "viij florenor' auri a agnum," at 4s. 2d. each, 33s. 4d.-Wardrob Account, 25/1, 19 Edw. II., Q.R. Dec. 15, 1331. To the king, for gaming, 28 florin of Florence, 4l. 6s. 4d.-Wardrobe Account, 60/ 5 Edw. III., Q.R. Dec. 20, 1331. The king sends to Canterbur his oblation to St. Thomas, "ex antiquo cor suetudine," three florins of Florence, 9s.-Ibid. Oct. 10, 1342. "10 par' sokkes de beure (beaver), bought at Bruges at 12d. per pair lic 3 Q.P d th mar mag ri a drob ori 60 Flanders money, and 8d. English. Four beaver hate, each 28. in Flanders money, 16d. English.Wardrobe Account, 37/1, 16 Edw. III., Q.R. 1343. Order for new coinage. "Six souldz desterling," "weighing four "peccor' floryns de Florence, de bon pois," 50 of these going to one "livre de la Tour."-Close Roll, 17 Edw. III., Part II., dorso. 1344. The six "soldz" piece to be called a gold noble, value 6s. 8d.-Close Roll, 18 Edw. III., Part II., dorso. 1515. "Crowns of the sonne at 48. 2d. the crown, now having course in France.”. Close Roll, 7 Hen. VIIL HERMENTRude. Miscellaneous. NOTES ON BOOKS, &o. Gossip in a Library. By Edmund Gosse. (Heinemann.) MR. GOSSE's new volume belongs to a class of which the genuine book-lover has always shown himself specially fond. In France, wherein the book is the object of a more idolatrous cult than in England, some works of this class-notably the Mélanges Tirés d'une Petite Bibliothèque of Charles Nodier, issued by Crapelet-stand in highest estimation. In England the past is falling into disrepute and the modern only interests us. Busy in the search after Cruikshanks, Dickenses, Thackerays, and Mr. Langs, the book-lover allows the Retrospective Reviews and the like to sink into neglect until there is a chance that works once a special grace of the book-lover's shelves degenerate into the lumber of the stalls. Mr. Gosse's work consists of a series of accounts of books in his own library reprinted from various periodicals. These go back no further than the Mirror for Magistrates,' of the origin and development of which a good account is given. A volume of old plays deals with what is known to be a special strength, or weakness, of the writer-the rough, ill-printed dramas of the late seventeenth century, the first editions, in fact, of Restoration dramatists. To Lady Winchilsea's Poems' Mr. Gosse was one of the first to call attention, and his paper upon this subject has special interest. Camden's Britannia' and Gerard's Herbal' are among the subjects of the earlier papers, 'Ionica' and the Shaving of Shagpat' among the later. Mr. Gosse writes sympathetically and pleasantly, his estimates will generally be accepted, and the task of reading his volume is one of the pleasantest conceivable. Siberia and the Exile System. By George Kennan. 2 vols. (Osgood, McIlvaine & Co.) READERS of the Century Magazine will recall the descriptions of Mr. Kennan of Siberian travel and of convict life, which constituted during many months one of the most interesting features of the magazine. We ourselves drew frequent attention to these remarkable and often heart-rending pictures. They have now been republished, with all the original illustrations, in two volumes, which will be read with unfailing interest. Mr. Kennan's journey was undertaken at the direction and under the charge of the proprietors. Facilities not always granted to travellers were conceded the American traveller and his companion, and his opportunities of studying some -but of the saddest phases of human existence were all that could be desired. In book form the work impresses us more than it did in detached chapters. As a mere record of travel and observation it is stimulating enough, and ure the account of Siberia it supplies will be startling to those who look upon the country as bound in perpetual frost and forget that it is practically all but a continent. On the fact that they were at one stage in their journey suffering from heat and luxuriating among tropical products the writer often comments. "Stern and wild" enough the country subsequently became, and there is more than enough of arctic severity. All is equally well described. The account of the state of the prisons, the étapes, and the convict stations generally, and of the convicts, the political prisoners especially, is remarkably impressive. Starting with the conviction that Russian political exiles were enemies of the human race, Mr. pictures of the sufferers whom he met seem as truthful Kennan saw reason to modify greatly his opinions. His as they are touching, and his entire book thrills with actuality as with interest. Some of Mr. Kennan's statements have been contradicted. We can claim no such special knowledge as justifies us in forming a decision. In his appendix, however, he offers what appears to be ample corroboration of most that he has put forward. In a journey of such a length, through a strange country and among those who, for varied reasons, would seek to mistakes have not been made. Of the capacity of the confuse or misinform him, it is difficult to suppose that book or of its bona fides no reasonable being will doubt. To the mere reader for amusement it will not be unthere are few students of humanity that will not be Its value extends further, however; and thankful for its spirited sketches and stirring details. welcome. Travels in the Mogul Empire, A.D. 1656-1668, by François Bernier. By Archibald Constable, F.S.A.Scot. (Constable & Co.) Con WITH a revised and improved edition of Bernier's 'Travels in the Mogul Empire,' based upon the translation of Irving Brock, Messrs. Constable & Co. begin a series of publications of extreme interest to Englishmen, to be entitled "Constable's Oriental Miscellany." scious of the importance of a series such as this to the holders of India, Her Majesty has been pleased to accept the dedication. A somewhat ambitious scheme has been formulated, and will commend itself to a very large class of students and readers. A better start could scarcely have been made. Though forgotten as a philosopher, to which title he put in serious claims, at one time conceded him -Saint-Evremond calls him "le joli philosophe "Bernier has still a reputation as a traveller. A doctor of medicine of Montpellier, he devoted himself from an early age to Eastern travel, explored Syria and Egypt, and was in India for twelve years, eight of them being passed as physician to Aurengzebe. At the time of his visit many of these countries were practically unexplored by Europeans. A man of great courage and intelligence, and an acute observer, he wrote a series of works which gained him the title of the Mogul. As descriptions, and to a great extent as history, these volumes have never been surpassed, and the work now reprinted is one of the most valuable to which those interested in Indian affairs can turn. A translation of his History of the late Revolution of the Empire of the Great Mogul' was issued, in four volumes, so early as 1671-2. Two translations of the Travels' were published in 1826, one in Calcutta, unnoticed by Lowndes, the second that of Irving Brock, on which this reprint is based. Both in England and in France the value of Bernier's works is recognized. In France they won him the regard of the most distinguished men of his period. La Fontaine and Chappelle were his friends, as were most of the statesmen and financiers of his epoch, and Boileau mentions him. His works are still in request. Well may they be so. Besides supplying the most trustworthy information we possess, they are stimulating enough to have been written by Defoe. In England they have been much praised, and some of them are included in Pinkerton's collection. The Travels' are now reproduced with the old illustrations and maps, an excellent introduction and notes, and in a shape at once handsome and convenient. A series that begins with a work of this character has the strongest claims on popularity. The Oxford Shakespeare. Edited, with a Glossary, by W. J. Craig, M.A. (Oxford, Clarendon Press.) THE Globe Shakespeare has enjoyed hitherto among single-volume editions of Shakspeare a well-earned monopoly. We have now from the Clarendon Press, and under the care of Mr. Craig, a serious attempt to dispute its supremacy. Mr. Craig is a known and an admirably competent scholar. He has given us an acceptable and authoritative text, derived wholly from the seventeen early quartos and the first folio, with no alteration except when the carelessness of copyist or printer has deprived a sentence wholly of meaning. He has added, moreover, a glossary, the extent and value of which assign the volume individual, and it may be said unique, value. The volume comprising the sonnets and poems extends to close upon thirteen hundred pages, the type is distinct and admirably legible, and the shape of the volume handy and convenient in all respects. One edition of the work is printed entirely upon India paper. In this beautiful shape it occupies less space than an average volume of a three-volume novel. On this paper its handsome text is seen to great advantage, and with its beautiful cover and the gilt edges upon red it is a model of cheapness and beauty. As a gift-book it is not easily surpassed. The Works of Heine. Translated by Charles Godfrey Leland. Vols. II. and III. (Heinemann.) THE second and third volume of Hans Breitmann's translations of Heine consist of the Reisebilder,' per haps the best and most characteristic of Heine's works. Nowhere else do we see to equal advantage the mocking, bitter, Mephistophelian spirit, the aggressive vanity, the flashing wit, and the fine perception of this wonderful spirit. Nowhere else, moreover, does he flash upon us more unexpectedly the countenance of tears. A better translation of the verse is scarcely to be hoped, and the prose is delightful reading. More care is now taken in the revision than in the first volume. There is room, however, for further improvement. A moment white, then lost for ever is a misquotation. He uses more than once so wholly unpardonable a locution as "Between you and I, reader." Would he say between we, which should be said if the former is justifiable? How can he talk of "the Strada Nuova and Balbi." Similar slips are not infrequent. We are, however, too glad to see the translation to be captious. The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope. A New Edition in 3 vols. Revised by G. R. Dennis, B.A., with & Memoir by John Dennis. (Bell & Sons.) ONE by one the Aldine poets are being re-edited and published in handsome, convenient, and trustworthy. editions by Messrs. Bell & Sons. The reprints are specially welcome. No edition better or more prized than the Aldine has seen the light, and it is a boon to the new generation to have it in this form. New particulars for the biography have been found in the recently published life by Mr. Courthope, and new matter of critical import has also been brought within reach. The new edition is exceedingly timely in appearance and satisfactory in all respects. Stories from the Arabian Nights. By Stanley LanePoole. 3 vols. (Putnam's Sons.) In the delightful little Knickerbocker" series, constituting one of the prettiest and most diminutive collections of books, has appeared a selection from the Arabian Nights,' issued under the care of Mr. Stanley Lane Poole. Here are all the favourite stories of the 'Arabian Nights,' from the Porter of Bagdad' to 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.' Some new translations from the Arabic by Mr. Stanley Lane-Poole are added, with a short glossary of Arabic terms. The book is scholarly as well as beautiful, and in its case coustitutes an almost ideal present for the season. MESSRS. SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & Co. will shortly pub lish a new edition of Chesterfield's Letters,' with some of his Miscellaneous Writings, reprinted from Lord Mahon's standard edition in four volumes (1845), edited by Dr. Bradshaw. Besides a new introduction and additional notes, it will contain three letters by Chesterfield never before published. WE learn with much regret of the death of the Rev. Alfred Harrison, a former contributor to 'N. & Q.' Mr. Harrison, who was much honoured and respected, had long been an invalid. He is buried in Beckenham Churchyard by the side of his parents. THE REV. W. C. BOULTER Writes :-" Mr. William Ber nard McCabe, who died in December, aged ninety, at Donnybrook, near Dublin, was one of the oldest journalists in the kingdom. He wrote for the Irish press so far back as the year 1824, and was probably the last sur vivor of those who had a hand in reporting the early speeches of Daniel O'Connell. He was the author of an historical novel, Bertha, a Romance of the Dark Ages,' and also of The Catholic History of England, which he carried down to the end of the Anglo-Saxon period, and published in several large volumes between 1848 and 1854. He was a well-known and considerable contributor to 'N. & Q.' in the past." Notices to Correspondents. We must call special attention to the following notices. ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, bu as a guarantee of good faith. WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately. To secure insertion of communications correspondent must observe the following rule. Let each note, query or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with th signature of the writer and such address as he wishes t appear. Correspondents who repeat queries are requeste to head the second communication "Duplicate." CORRIGENDUM.-P. 486, çol. 2, 1, 13, for "under" real above. NOTICE. Editorial Communications should be addressed to " The Editor of Notes and Queries """ -Advertisements and Business Letters to "The Publisher"-at the Office, 22 Took's Court, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, E.C. We beg leave to state that we decline to return com munications which, for any reason, we do not print; and to this rule we can make no exception. |