2nd S. XI. JUNE 29. '61.] NOTES AND QUERIES. may we not read Rob. Samber for Rob. Samler? "THE LIBRARy at Westminster," temp. EdWARD VI. (2nd S. xi. 383.) - The annotator upon Bagford's notices of London libraries is wrong in supposing that "the library of Westminster,' purged by an Order of Council, as mentioned in Collier's Ecclesiastical History, was one belonging to the Abbey. The transaction is thus noticed in the Warrant-Book of the Privy Council (MS. Reg. 18 C. XXIV. fol. 50.) : — "Feb. 1550-1. A letter undirected [i. e. to a person whose name is not mentioned], in the presence of Mr. Vizchamberlaine and Sr Anthonie Aucher, to take all manner of garnishementes and apparaile of silver and gold, and to delyver it to the said Sr Anthonie, and to deface and carrie away out of the liberarie at Westminster all bokes of superstition." I think the circumstance of the presence of the Vice-Chamberlain being required, shows that this order was to apply to the King's own library in the Palace of Westminster. Sir Anthony Aucher was master of the jewel-house, to whose custody, as another officer of the Crown, the property was duly transferred; and the measure I believe to have been occasioned by the low ebb of the royal finances of the time, which occasioned the most * "N. & Q." 2nd S. ii. 403. unbecoming contrivances for raising money, as Mr. Froude has so forcibly shown in his history of the period. No doubt some of the most beautiful productions of medieval art in the "garnishJOHN GOUGH NICHOLS, ment" and decoration of books were destroyed by this lamentable edict. MATHEMATICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. Colebrooke, in his Algebra refers (see pp. liii., want At p. 83 there is a gap in Strachey's version, where the discussion which (Colebrooke, pp. 258 −9) precedes the rule is omitted, while at p. 82 of Strachey the explication increases the length of the rule, as the rule is stated by Colebrooke at p. 256. Again, another rule (Strachey, pp. 80—1, Colebrooke, pp. 251-2) is placed as well expressed differently in the two authors, and the last two examples inColebrooke's Chapter VII. (pp. 265-6 are transposed in Burrow's copy (compare Strachey, pp. 85-6). The rules which these examples illustrate are differently placed in the two works (compare Strachey, p. 85 with Colebrooke, pp. 263-4). These rules are all literally translated by Strachey. When Strachey mentions examples generally (pp. 14. 16. 17. 18. 24. 56) examples will be found in Colebrooke (pp. 131—3. 139— 143. 149. 195-8.) In the question in mensura 504 tion at p. 56 of Strachey the given area is 4 not "5", and it is so treated in the solution (and see Colebrooke, p. 198). There is also a slight discrepancy in the description of the solution of the second example" as given at pp. 55 of Strachey and in Colebrooke (p. 190). The "fourth and fifth" examples (Strachey, p. 55) and the question " (ibid., p. 71) have their existence established by Colebrooke (compare pp. 191—2 and 231 respectively). next The first reference to the Leelawuttee at p. 63 of Strachey's Bija will be found in the text of Colebrooke (p. 213); the second is not so easily traced, but it may be referred to Suryadasa's gloss (Colebrooke, p. 213), or, possibly, to the text (at p. 214). I have not traced in Colebrooke (pp. 220-3) the reference to the Leelawuttee at p. 66 of Strachey. The "rule of the Leelawuttee" at p. 67 of Strachey is the "rule of concurrence of p. 224 of Colebrooke. The figure at p. 68 of Strachey has some correspondence with those at pp. 224-5 of Colebrooke; the "8" in the left hand margin at the former place being, apparently, a misprint. The "rule in the Lilavati" referred to at p. 79 of Strachey is referred to in a footnote at p. 251 of Colebrooke. The reference to the Leelawuttee at p. 66 of Strachey may be due to Ata Alla. Ata Alla appears to have been acquainted with the Lilavati, and to have been a man of research. See his Preface (Strachey, Bija, p. 13) and his remarks (ibid., pp. 58. 61. 65. 67). An observation at p. 64 of Strachey, which appears to be Ata Alla's (compare p. 53 and Colebrooke, p. 215) shows his appreciation of an artifice employed with greater effect by Ferrari. The reference at p. 66 may be verified by referring to S$ 163-4 (pp. 69-70) of Colebrooke's Lilavati. That which Ata Alla calls (not improperly, see Colebrooke p. 184) "Introduction the first three "Chapters" of Colebrooke; and comprizes Colebrooke's Chapters IV., V., respond respectively with Books 1, 2,.., 5 of VIII. corAta Alla, whose examples are sometimes (Strachey, pp. 55 and 79) expressed more concretely than those of the other version (compare Colebrooke, pp. 191 and 251). Ata Alla seems, at p. 75 (of Strachey) to have added a solution of his own (compare Colebrooke, p. 242). "marginal note" mentioned by Strachey at p. 65 The may be due to Bhascara's Commentator Crishna (compare Colebrooke, p. 220). A comparison of p. 69 of Straehey with p. 225 of Colebrooke (note 5) appears to lead to the inference that Ata Alla did not translate from Suryadasa's gloss exclusively, although at p. 63 (of Strachey) his reading (like Colebrooke's, see Alg., p. 213) agrees with Suryadasa's. JAMES COCKLE, M.A., &c. 4. Pump Court, Temple, London. WALLER'S "POEMS." lished by Mr. Robert Bell in 1854. I send you a The last edition of Waller's Poems is that pubfew notes upon it: P. 42. "Preface to the First Edition," &c. Mr. Bell should have added "The Printer to the Reader," and "The Advertisement to the Reader," from the 1645 edition. P. 44. "Albinovanus." This signature is not in any edition of Waller's Poems published in Waller's life-time. Mr. Bell should have added the "Postscript" to the edition of 1686. Lute." Mr. Bell should have told us that this P. 173. "On St. James's Park": Copied by Addison in The Campaign: "Making the circle of their reign complete." "To make the series of his toils complete." has no note. Now I find in Oldys's Life of Raleigh, "A poet, when he would describe his mind, Your works are read, wherever there are men; Isabella Thynn. P. 202. "Upon Ben Jonson." from the first folio of Beaumont and Fletcher, See Fenton's note. P. 242. "Of Divine Love": 66 'Dispensed with several for the people's sake,"— read Nature. I have purposely confined myself to the text. THE BRITISH MUSEUM IN 1784. draws such a curious picture of a visit to the pre "The British Museum justly stands in the first class of 2u1 S. XI. JUNE 29. '61.] NOTES AND QUERIES. rarities. I was unwilling to quit London without seeing "Assiduity will accomplish weighty matters, or how could Obadiah Roberts count the grains in a bushel of wheat? By good fortune I stumbled upon a person possessed of a ticket for the next day, which he valued less than two shillings. We struck a bargain in a moment, and were both pleased. And now I feasted upon my future felicity. "What though stern winter locks up the park and Vauxhall, she leaves me an entertainment in the Museum worth them both. Here I shall regale the senses for two objects which ever change, hours upon striking objectsand ever please. I shall see what is nowhere else to be seen. The wonders of creation are deposited in this vast cabinet. Every country upon the globe has perhaps paid its richest tribute into this grand treasury. The sea has unlocked its stores; the internal parts of the earth have been robbed of their spoils. The most extraordinary productions of art find their way into this repository, and the long ages of antiquity have largely contributed to the store. I was not likely to forget Tuesday at eleven, December 7th, 1784. We assembled on the spot, about ten in number, all strangers to me; perhaps to each other. "We began to move pretty fast, when I asked with some surprise whether there were none to inform us what A tall genteel young the curiosities were as we went on. man in person, who seemed to be our conductor, replied with some warmth: What! would you have me tell you " I was everything in the Museum. How is it possible? Besides, are not the names written upon many of them? too much humbled by this reply to utter another word. The company seemed influenced; they made haste, and were silent. No voice was heard but in whispers. If a man spends two minutes in a room, in which there are a thousand things to demand his attention, he cannot find time to bestow on them a glance a piece. When our leader opens the door of another apartment, the silent language of that action is- Come along.' "If I see wonders which I do not understand, they are Should a piece of withered paper no wonders to me. lie on the floor, I should without regard shuffle it from under my feet; but if I am told it is a letter written by Edward the Sixth, that information sets a value upon the piece; it becomes a choice morsel of antiquity, and I seize it with rapture. "The history and the object must go together; if one is wanting, the other is of little value. I considered myself in the midst of a rich entertainment, consisting of ten thousand rarities; but, like Tantalus, I could not taste one. It grieved me to think how much I lost for want In about thirty minutes we of a little information. finished our silent journey through this princely mansion, which would well have taken thirty days. much about as wise as I went in, but with this severe reflection that, for fear of losing my chance, I had that morning abruptly torn myself from three gentlemen with whom I was engaged in an interesting conversation, had lost my breakfast, got wet to the skin, spent half-a-crown in coach hire, paid two shillings for a ticket, been hack went out little share of good humour I brought in, and came away The writer of the above article has doubtless and view the existing arrangements, his dolorous long since gone to dust. Could he be resuscitated, lamentation would be exchanged for a livelier strain in inspecting the British Museum, under ITHURIEL. the régime of Mr. Panizzi. Minor Notes. THE RIVER ISIS. Paul Hentzner, describing "This town is watered by two rivers: the Cherwell and the Isis, vulgarly called the Ouse." Is it possible this latter may have been its original Saxon name? And, as there are many other rivers in England so called, it may have been euphonised into Isis for a difference. I have often wondered it should bear so purely a classic name. Poets' Corner. A. A. A STORY FROM HOLINSHED'S "CHRONICLE." The town of Haverfordwest stands upon a navigable river called the Western Cleddeu (the word Cleddeu in the Welsh language signifying a sword). As the river sweeps past the town, it is joined by a tributary stream called the Cartlett River (a corruption of the Welsh cyllell, a knife). Three miles below Haverfordwest, at Picton Point, the Western Cleddeu is joined by its twin brother, the Eastern Cleddeu; and the commingled waters, under the name of Daucleddeu (or the two swords), roll majestically into Milford Haven-called in Welsh, Aberdaucleddeu, or the Haven of the Two Swords. Having premised this topographical information, let us come to Holinshed and his "merrie jeste": "Next of all come we to Milford Hauen, whereunto two rivers direct their course from the North-east, called Dugledu, or the two Swordes; and between them bothe is a ril, which they cal also Cultlell (that is to say), the lying in this place abrode all night in the colde weather, knyfe; wereof riseth a merry tale of a Welchman that he was demaunded of his hostesse (where he did breake his faste the next morrowe) at what Inne he laye in the night precedent, bycause he came so soone to her house ere any of her maydes were vp: 'Oh! good hostesse (quod he), be contented. I lay to-night in a daungerous Estate, for I slepte betweene two swordes with a long knife at my hart;' meaning, in deede, that he lay betweene these two riuers, and his brest towards the South, neere to the head of Cultlell." Haverfordwest. JOHN PAYIN PRILLIPS, AN AGED COUPLE.-A tombstone, with the following inscription, has just been erected in the cemetery of this town: "In memory of John Litchfield, who died June 20th, 1860, aged 99 years. Also of Elizabeth Litchfield, wife of the above, who died January 14th, 1860, aged 97 years." I believe there is no doubt of the fact of Mr. Litchfield (who was well known in the town) having so nearly attained the great age of 100 WILLIAM KElly. years. Leicester. DR. CARLYLE'S RECOLLECTIONS OF YARMOUTH. -Dr. Carlyle, in his Autobiography (see "N. & Q." 2nd S. xi. 345.), describes the mayor of Yarmouth, before whom he was taken as a suspected person, as "an old grey-headed man of a mild address;" and adds, that his worship had been a common fisher, and had become very rich, though he could not write his name, but signed with a stamp." The mayor of Yarmouth at that time (October, 1745,) was Mr. Joseph Cotman, who had distinguished his inauguration, on the previous 29th of September, by delivering a patriotic and energetic speech against the Pretender. He was then only thirty-nine years of age; he served the office again in 1757 and 1759; and died in 1762, aged fifty-six. His grandfather was mayor in 1694, and his brother in 1742 and 1755. So far from being unable to write his name, his signature may be seen in the Corporation Books whenever required; and the handwriting has no appearance of proceeding from an illiterate person. Dr. Carlyle also states that St. George's Chapel at Yarmouth is fitted with mahogany, the fact being that the wood used is wainscot. CHARLES JOHN PALMER. Queries. BOOK-WORMS. There are two sorts of book-worm, the genus homo, and the species of insect called Anobium pertinax. The life and habits of the former in all its varieties have received frequent and amusing illustrations from the pen of Dr. Dibdin and other writers; but where can the curious inquirer find anything about the natural history of the latter ? Having lately had occasion to ransack several old libraries, I have had the pain of seeing many of these destructive little insects at work. In some instances they had pierced through three or four thick folios in succession, apparently gaining renewed vigour from the slight obstruction of tough oak boards covered with pig-skin. There appear to be several kinds (or stages ?) of this untiring devastator. There is the caterpillar, very transparent, with a dark band traversing the interior of his body, the only specimen I have seen being about three-eighths of an inch long. Of the maggot there are several varieties, ranging from about one-eighth to a quarter of an inch; some have hard black heads, and white bodies; some are all white; and the late Dr. Bandinell told me that sometimes they were all black. Of the last sort, I have not seen a specimen. Lastly, there is the little brown beetle of various shades, differing apparently but little from the dry-rot in wood. I have been informed by a librarian of great experience that the book-worm, which often gets imported from the East, is easily distinguished from the true European type, and moreover is comparatively harmless here, as he never leaves his native food for our harsher fare. It is very probable that the peculiar properties of the paper now in use, render it quite unfit to blessing if some plan could be contrived for turnsupport life of any kind; but it would be a great ing the attention of these little destructives from the shelves of rare old black-letter to the unwieldy accumulations of modern three-vol. novels, and shilling railway rubbish; the two plagues would then be mutually destructive, for not the hardiest and most pertinacious book-worm ever engendered could live after eating through the combination of rotten fibre, clay, and flint-dust of which paper now-a-days is made. But to return to our subject. Can any of your readers give a simple account of the birth, transformations, and habits of the Anobium pertinax? WILLIAM BLADES. 11. Abchurch Lane. "In the year 1679 an Italian surgeon, the Signor Govaro, came with letters of recommendation from Doctor Harvey and others. He had many wonderful things, and among them a Basilisk, which he kept in a sealed glass case, and would have sold to the Museum for one hundred pounds; but a dispute arose because he would not allow the case to be opened, as Doctor Radclyffe desired; so he took offence and went away. This was unlucky, for, whether it was a basilisk or not, the animal was a wonder and not known. It was said to have horns, an eagle's feet, and a dragon's tail; but as no drawing was made, and those who saw it were in fear, we know not how this may be."-Guide to the Colleges and Antiquities of Oxford, Oxford, 1702. Is anything more known of this Basilisk or its owner? Where is the most authentic history of basilisks? J. A. A. 2nd S. XI. JUNE 29. '61.] NOTES AND QUERIES. CAD. In Bishop Henry King's "Elegy on Those learn'd Magitians with whom you deal.". COVENANTERS. K. I am anxious to find a list of sundry "Vicar-of-Bray" personages in the Scotch Church, who gave up their livings in 1682 on account of the "Test," but who afterwards conformed to Episcopacy. There were but twenty or thirty in the whole church, but I can find no list or account of them. I fancy that the Presbyterian writers did not like to say much about them. Can any one refer me to any history of A. F. the times which mentions them ? A CONFIRMATION OF THE CHARTERS MADE 25 EDW. I., A.D. 1297.- Daines Barrington, in his observations on this subject, tells us it consists of seven chapters; in the third, the charters are ordered to be read in every cathedral church twice a year; and in a note he adds "The most dignified clergy, and probably the most learned, belonged to the cathedrals; it is much doubted whether the parochial clergy could read at this time.". P. 134. Will any of your learned readers inform me, through the medium of your columns, if there is any, and what authority, for the doubt expressed In my astonishment, by Mr. D. Barrington? on reading his note, I wrote in the margin: "What, not read? What was the office or duties of the FRA. MEWBurn. parochial clergy?" Larchfield, Darlington. Rev. Thomas CURGANVEN OF SHERBORNE. Creech, a translator of ancient authors both in prose and verse, was educated in grammar under Mr. Curganven, to whom he afterwards dedicated a translation of one of Theocritus's Idylliums. Any particulars relating to the above Curganven, living 1660-70, will oblige TRETANE. MISS EDMEAD.- Can any of your readers acquainted with the history of the London stage give me any information regarding Miss Edmead, who is said in Geneste's Account of the English Stage to have appeared at Drury Lane, in the character of Mrs. Oakley, 26 Feb., 1799. Miss Edmead was the author of a play called The Events of a Day, acted at Norwich in 1795. I believe she retired from the stage about 1824 or R. INGLIS. 1825. FRENCH TESTAMENT OF 1539: BELISEM DE Having observed the Note of DR. BELIMALOM. NELIGAN on the subject of the Paris Testament of 1662, in your number for June 8th (p. 459.), during my absence from home, I had hoped that I might have been able on my return to have afforded that gentleman some information. On looking over my collection of French Bibles and Testaments, however, I find that, instead of informing others, I have to seek information myself. The oldest French Testament in my possession is "Le Novveav Testament c'est a dire La Nouuelle Al liance de nostre Seigneur et seul Sauueur Jesus Christ. Translaté de Grec en Francoys. M.D.XXXIX." It is in beautiful type and quite perfect, with a preface, a concordance, and marginal references. At the end of the Apocalypse is found the following finishing sentence: "Fin du nouueau Testament. Translaté par Belisem de Belimalom." of readers who I shall be obliged to any your can give me an account of this interesting and, I or tell me who Belisem de Belimalom may have A Suspect, very rare copy of the French Testament, been? It is evidently an assumed name. French Protestant pastor, who was recently on a visit at my house, had never seen a copy before, and was unable to give me any information respecting it. My next oldest French Bible is that of Sedan, printed by Joan Jannon, 1633, to which is added the Psalter and "La forme de prières ecclésiastique avec la manière d'administrer les sacremens et célébrer le mariage." Also a catechism and confession of faith. Any account of these translations and their rarity or SAMUEL LYSONS. otherwise will oblige. IRON-PLATED SHIPS. -In Chambers's Journal, vol. xv. 414., a writer on iron-plates as defensive armour for ships, is quoted as remarking the rapid deterioration of the plates by the chemical action of sea water: "An iron-plated ship, after a year of service, returned to port with her iron plates so softened by the action of sea water, that the carpenter could stick his knife into the iron in many places, as into cheese." Are there Has any remedy ERNEST W. BARTLETT. What ship is here referred to? C. MATURIN: C. K. SHARPE: LORD HAILES.Is there any engraved authentic portrait of the author of Bertram? The late Mr. C. K. Sharpe had a curious drawing in crayon of this remarkable personage, which he said was the only one in existence, or at least the only one he had ever heard of. It was drawn expressly for Mr. Sharpe, |