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No. LXXVI.]

"Takes note of what is done

By note, to give and to receive."-SHAKESPEARE.

The Charade, by an eminent dignitary of the Church, given in your last number, p. 17, is said to be by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Oxford; but as I do not state the fact on my own knowledge, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the report.

I sit here on a rock, whilst I'm raising the wind,
When the storm is abated, I'm gentle and kind;
I have kings at my feet, who await but my nod,
To kneel in the dust, on the ground where I trod;
I am seen by the world, yet am known but to few;
The Gentiles detest me, I'm Pork to the Jew.
I never have pass'd but one night in the dark,
And that was with Noah alone, in the ark;
My weight is three pounds, my length is a mile;
And, when I'm discover'd, you'll say, with a smile,
My first and my last are the best in the Isle.

The solution is CHRIST CHURCH. I send you a version in rhyme, as requested.

Christ on a rock His Church did found,

And though the tempests roar,

Firm and Secure, it smiles around,
Till Time shall be no more.

Gentle and kind the Saviour is,

As those who love Him know;
He shields from harm the truly His,
But quells the stubborn foe.*

Whene'er His Spirit from on high,
Scatters the clouds of lust,

Kings lay their crowns and sceptres by,
And worship in the dust.

Gentile and Jew detest the light,

Because their deeds are dark;
The Church once pass'd a dreary night,
Imprison'd in the Ark.

Of Jewish shekels three times ten
Three pounds, in counting, gave;
The Lord of Angels and of Men
Was valued as a slave.

The noble Christ Church Walk extends
A mile exact in length;
Long may it flourish graced by Friends
Rejoicing in its strength!

Christ is the best, His Church the best,
In this, or any Isle ;

And that a Bishop stands confest,
Must not provoke a smile.

*Parcere subjectis, et debellare superbos.

VOL. VII.

[APRIL, 1857.

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In reference to Mr. Lowe's letter in Current Notes,
p. 17, containing a Charade, and inviting a solution of
it, I applied to a friend, and now send you one, in
rhyme, which I received in answer to my application.
Firm on the Rock of Ch: ist that lowly sprung,
The Church, invokes the Spirit's fiery tongue,*
Whose gracious breathings rose but to control
The storm and struggle in the sinner's soul.
Haply ere long his carnal conflicts cease,
And the storm sinks in faith and gentle peace,
Kings own its potent sway, and humbly bow
The golden diadem upon their brow.

Its saving voice with mercy speeds to all,
But ah! how few to quicken at its call.
Gentiles, the favour'd little flock detest,
And Abraham's children spit upon their nest.
Creation's work, but only once, has night
Curtain'd with darken'd clouds its saving light,
What time the Ark majestically rode
Unscathed upon the desolating flood.

The silver weighed for it, in all its strength,

For scarce three pounds,† were counted, while its length Traced in the Prophet's view with measured reed, Squared just a mile,‡ as Rabbins are agreed.

And now I feel entitled well to smile,

Since CHRIST CHURCH has the palm of all our Isle.

The charade, which involves a compliment to Christ Church College, Oxford, is said to have been the composition of a Bishop of Worcester; and the solution is attributed to a Bishop of Salisbury. Kensington, April 11.

R. C. KIDD.

BORTISM. A new sect, which founds its creed on the revelations of speaking tables, has recently been instituted at Geneva, and from the name of its founder, M. Bort, derives the appellation of Bortism. The sect pretends to revelations from various angels and from the Saviour himself, speaking by the table and by the mouth of M. Bort. These revelations have been published at Lausanne. What next?

The rushing mighty wind.-Acts ii. 2. The weight of thirty pieces of silver was about three pounds.-Zechariah, xi. 12 and 13: and Matthew xxvi. 15. The square of the Temple of the New Jerusalem was two thousand roods, equal to one mile.- Ezekiel xlii. 20.

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PARKHURST. On the title page of a copy of the Nuremburg Chronicle, or more correctly, Liber Chronicarum,' compiled by Hartman Schedel, and printed at Nuremburg, by Anthony Koburger, in 1493, large folio, is the following inscription and quatrain in the autograph of John Parkhurst, elected bishop of Norwich, April 13, 1560.

Johannis Parcusti Epi Nordovicicensis ad
Dm Gulielm Nauntonum Τετραστικού.

Si Nauntone Tuos me inter numerabilis Amicos,
Claresces Scriptis forsitan ipse meis.

Nunc Tua fama Satis clara est, Sed clarior olim
Fiet, Fordescat ni mea Musa Tibi.
These are followed by the autograph of William
Naunton, of whose future the lines are predictive.

Bp. Parkhurst, whose aptitude for Latin verses was highly creditable to him, published a volume which he entitled Juvenile Epigrams, 1573. He died Feb. 2, 1575.

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Whereas by the Grace and Blessing of God, the Kings and Queens of this realm by many ages past have had the happiness by their Sacred Touch and Invocation of the name of God, to cure those who are afflicted with the disease called the King's Evil, and His Majesty in no less measure than any of his Royal Predecessors having had good success therein, and in his most gracious and pious disposition being as ready and willing as any King or Queen of this realm ever BLUE STOCKINGS.-Myself and others must be greatly was, in any thing to relieve the distresses and necessiobliged for the elucidation of the term 'Blue Stockings, ties of his good subjects, Yet in his Princely wisdom inserted in the last number of Current Notes, p. 21. foreseeing that in this (as in all other things) Order is What induced my obtruding the query was the fact that to be observed, and fit times are necessary to be apthe following statement, while it had all the appearance pointed for the performing of this great work of Charity, of truth, seemed to be in some manner questionable. His Majesty was therefore this day pleased to declare Many persons are no doubt curious to know the in Council His Royal Will and Pleasure to be, origin of the name Blue Stocking Club; and from the That, in regard heretofore the usual times of presentMemoirs of Mrs. Carter,' which have been lately pub-ing such persons have been prefixed by His Royal Prelished, we are enabled to present them with the follow-decessors; the times of Publick Healing shall from hence ing explanation: it appears that the celebrated Mrs. forth be from the Feast of All Saints, commonly called Montague used to have parties of literary persons at her Alhallon -tide, till a week before Christmas; and after house, concerning which the author of the Memoirs Christmas until the first day of March, and then to cease till the Passion Week, being times most conto these parties it was not difficult for any per- venient both for the temperature of the season, and in son of character to be introduced. There was no cererespect of Contagion, which may happen in this near Majesty shall at any time think fit to go any progress, access to His Majesty's Sacred Person. And when His He will be pleased to appoint such other Times for Healing as shall be most convenient, and His Majesty doth hereby accordingly Order and Command, Order, none presume to repair to His Majesties Court That from the time of publishing this His Majesty's to be healed of the said Disease, but only at, or within the times for that purpose hereby appointed as aforesaid, and His Majesty was further pleased to order,

says,

66

mony, no cards, and no supper. Even dress was so little regarded, that a foreign gentleman, who was to go there with an acquaintance, was told in jest that it was so little necessary, that he might appear there, if he pleased, in blue stockings. This he understood in the literal sense; and when he spoke of it in French, called it the Bas Blue Meeting; this was the origin of the ludicrous appellation the Blue Stocking Club, since given to these meetings, and so much talked of. Belgrave Square, April 2.

W.

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That all such as hereafter shall come or repair to the Court for this purpose, shall bring with them Certificates under the Hands and Seals of the Parson, Vicar or Ministers, and of both or one of the Churchwardens of the respective parishes where they dwell, and from whence they come, testifying according to the truth, that they have not at any time before been touched by His Majesty, to the intent to be healed of that disease.

And all Ministers and Churchwardens are hereby required to be very careful to examine into the truth, before they give such certificates, and also to keep a Register of all Certificates they shall from time to time give; and to the end that all His Majesties loving subjects may the better take knowledge of this His Ma

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NOTES RELATIVE TO THE HEBER FAMILY.

It is not generally known that one of the Heber family was a century since, a book and printseller. Richard Heber, Esq., the proprietor of Marton Hall, in Craven, Yorkshire, and of Hodnet Hall, in Shrop shire, had a brother, Reginald, who was well known for his fondness for Field sports and the Turf. Mr. John Cheny, who in 1727 first projected and commenced the publication of the Racing Calendar, died in 1751, when Reginald Heber in conjunction with Thomas Butler, as book and printseller, in Pall Mall, near St. James' Street, continued it, and among the advertisements at the end of the Racing Calendar, 1751, Reginald Heber, as the author and publisher, is described as then living in Cold Bath Square, Clerkenwell. In 1753, he was living in Fullwood's Rents, Holborn, and dealing in Sporting Prints and Books, and also in York River Tobacco. The volume for 1754, contains a Notice' to his subscribers, that at a fire at his printer's, Edward Owen, in Hand Court, Holborn, all the printing materials, as well as his books were destroyed.

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In 1757, he had removed to Holborn Bars, and added to his former business, the sale of the Finest Durham Flour of Mustard. A long advertisement of Sporting Prints is appended to the volume for 1758, and in addition to the Mustard, he added Various Snuffs, and Right Woodstock Gloves.'

As the Racing Calendar in 1769 passed into other hands, it is presumed Reginald Heber was then deceased.

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INEDITED LETTER OF THOMAS BEWICK.

The following letter will doubtless be read by many collectors of Bewick's publications with peculiar interest from the information it conveys in reference to the originality of the several portraits which were painted of him. The portrait by Ranson, to whom the letter was addressed, 31, Judd Place West, New Road, and to which it more particularly relates, was engraved by subscription, and published in January, 1816. It was deemed the best portrait of Bewick which had then been executed; subsequently, the plate falling into the hands of a local bookseller, he reduced it to an octavo size, and appropriated it as a frontispiece to Bewick's worksboth are now rarely met with. Newcastle, Dec. 12, 1815. Dear Sir, I have long wished to hear from you, and would have written to you long since if I could have got your address, so that your letter per favour of Mr. Heaton gave me great pleasure, and has gratified me in both these respects.

I dare say most of our booksellers have Proposals in their shops-I know Finlay has, and also. I believe, both Bell on the Quay, and Miller; therefore if you send some of the prints to them as soon as you can, it will be what I think ought to be first done, before they are advertised.

If I recollect right, the proposals or prospectuses mentioned that the print would be of a certain size, so many inches in breadth and so many in height, I have forgot how many; but if the plate is done the size named, the prints cannot suit to bind up in any of my publications, therefore I am quite at a loss to know how this is, and also what Longman's people can do with it if it is too large for the books.

Sometime ago I expressed to Mr. Nicholson my fears that the large print would not sell to pay you, and I also named this to him in July last, when I met with him at Chillingham. I also told him several other particulars respecting this business, and my reasons for thinking it would not pay you at so high a price without it was engraved so as to be called an inimitable engraving.

While we were at Chillingham, Mr. Nicholson painted another likeness of me in water colours of a smaller size, but for what purpose I know not. Whether Mr. Nicholson may have informed you of Mr. Summer

Richard Heber, Esq., his brother; by his first wife became possessed of some shares in Elliott's Brewery, Pimlico, and by this marriage was the father, in 1773, *Thomas Fryer Ranson, born at Sunderland in 1784, of Richard Heber, M.P., and the most distinguished was apprenticed to J. A. Kidd, engraver, of Newcastlebibliomaniac of the early part of this century. Inherit-upon-Tyne. He then came to London, and in 1814, was ing his mother's property in the brewhouse, he, when in awarded by the Society of Arts their silver medal for exLondon, resided in a house in the brewhouse yard, where cellence in engraving a portrait of Sir Thomas Gresham. he died in 1835. Reginald Heber the no less celeIn 1818, he underwent a prosecution by the Bank of brated preacher at Lincoln's Inn, and subsequently England authorities for holding a one pound note, which bishop of Calcutta; and also Thomas Heber, were sons they alleged to be a forgery, but which was subsequently by a second marriage, but the bishop was the only Arts' gold medal, for his line engraving of a portrait of the proved to be genuine. In 1821 he received the Society of married son, and dying without issue male, the name of Duke of Northumberland; and, in 1822, their gold medal, Heber of Marton and Hodnet is extinct. for his admirable engraving from Wilkie's picture, Duncan Gray.

April 8.

R. T.

field's intention of engraving my portrait, as a Frontis- | he says they are done by Turner. I think Mr. Ram

piece to my books, I do not know, as I forgot to ask him, but lest he may not have told you, I think it right to inform you how this happened.

Some few years ago, while Mr. Summerfield was in Newcastle, upon seeing my likeness done by Murphy, he obtained a promise from me that I would lend it to him for the purpose of his making an engraving from it for my books. From that time untill, I think, about last Christmas, I never heard a word about Mr. Summerfield, and supposed, from the ill state of health he was in, it was likely he night be dead-he however, put me in mind of my promise, and I sent him the picture, but with some reluctance-I was not easy under the apprehension that it might hurt the sale of your print, notwithstanding their being so different in size. I have, however, my fears that poor Mr. Summerfield is not doing well, so it has been hinted to me, and also, that I would never see my much valued portrait again-it was presented to my wife, and she is very uneasy about it. His last address, given to me in April last, was Mr. John Summerfield, No. 15, Allerton Street, Hoxton New Town. I would be obliged to you if you could make it convenient to call upon him, and enquire what he is doing, and when I may expect he will return the portrait. You will at the same time see, and perhaps know, what he has done to the portrait, or whether he intends doing it or not?*

A succession of odd things has happened about this portrait of mine, which I cannot help wondering at, and I have more to relate to you respecting it, than is altogether agreeable, especially as it relates to my much esteemed young friend Mr. Nicholson, for not long after he so kindly painted the grand portrait, as I think it, I found some gentlemen in Newcastle, my warm friends, did not like it, some of them went so far as to call it an outrageous likeness; but before I knew this, I was particularly requested, and consented to sit again to Mr. Ramsay here, and I supposed at the time that it was meant as a private portrait, and I dare say, at the time, it was meant for that only; it has however given such thorough satisfaction that these friends now talk of having it excellently engraved. I have mentioned to some of them how you were situated, and strenuously recommended to them that you should do it. At this they hesitate, and wish to see your execution of the plate you have in hands, before they determine upon any thing. Mr. Ramsay recommends its being done in the stippled manner, and shews several portraits done from his paintings in that way, and they certainly are done very correctly, very like the paintings-I think

The portrait, after Murphy, engraved and published by John Summerfield, in the first state of the plate, is dated Nov. 1, 1815; in the second, published by T. McLean, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, Feb. 1, 1816. In either state it rarely occurs. Ed.

Isaac Nicholson, eminent as a wood cutter, was one of Thomas Bewick's most talented apprentices. He died, aged 59, Oct. 28, 1818. Ed.

say's portraits, one and all, are the best that ever were done; he gives the character as well as the likeness so correctly, that they look the personation, they ought indeed not to be called likenesses but facsimiles. Ramsay is also a very agreeable, kind, good man, as well as a first rate painter.

Mr.

I am sorry to hear you remark that you have not been fortunate in your former speculations-I hope the tide will turn in your favour, and that times will brighten upon you. Since you left Newcastle, I could often have got you jobs, but I did not know that you would or could do them, and I have always been at a loss for your address, this your father from time to time has promised to give me, but never did so. At present work is very slack in Newcastle, while at the same time Engraving shops increase. I keep myself extremely busy at work upon our intended new publication of the Fables of Æsop and others, but I fear it may be a year before I can get fairly to press with it. I dare say I have tired out your patience, and shall conclude by wishing you the compliments of the season, and best wishes for your success. I am, dear sir, yours, &c,

THOMAS BEWICK.

TRADITION OF THE PIPER OF HAMELIN.

In Nicholson's English Atlas, 1681, it is stated-At Hamelin, an ancient city on the confines of the Dukedom of Brunswic Calemberg, they keep the record of the famous Piper, who in anno 1284, with his pipe and tabret drew the Rats into the river after him; and a year after, with the same musick, drew the Boys of the Town into a cave on the top of a neighbouring Hill, who were never after heard of. In remembrance of this sad accident the Citizens were wont for many years after, as appears by several old deeds and records in that city, to date all their Indentures and Contracts such a year since the departure of their children.

Hamelin, situated at the confluence of the Hamel with the Weser, is a strong town of Lower Saxony, at the extremity of the Duchy of Brunswick, of which it is the key. What are the facts respecting this extraor dinary Piper?

Minories, April 8.

P.M.

The portrait of himself had all the distinctness which Bewick so warmly eulogised as appearing in all Ramsay's portraits. It was engraved by John Burnet, and published by him in October 1817.

The Fables of Esop and others, a volume projected previously to 1795, did not make its appearance till 1818, nor then with the success that was anticipated; and though this work by no means added to Bewick's already wellestablished reputation, it certainly did not detract from it. The subjects are well drawn and engraved, and evince that his capabilities were not confined solely to the correct delineation of figures. Thomas Bewick died, in his 76th year, at Gateshead, Nov. 8, 1828, and was buried, on the 13th in Ovingham Churchyard.

.

VISCOUNTESS KEITH.

Hester Maria Vicountess Keith, noticed in Current Notes, p. 22; daughter and co-heir of Henry Thrale, of Streatham, in the county of Surrey, married, in 1808, George Keith, who, for various naval exploits, was created, in 1801, Admiral of the Blue, and in 1814, Viscount Keith, with remainder to issue male. He died in 1823; and their only issue, Georgiana Augusta Henrietta, born 1809; married in 1831 the Hon. Augustus John Villiers, second son of George Child Villiers, fifth Earl of Jersey. Thrale, whom Dr. Johnson could not otherwise consider than as his friend and benefactor, die in 1781, and appointed the author of the Rambler' as one of his executors, in conjunction with three other persons. Johnson's inaptitude to this duty is fairly and fully described by Sir John Hawkins, in his Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson,' a volume most unaccountably neglected. Thrale's brewery in Southwark, now Barclay, Perkins and Co., was then as now, a gigantic concern, and the executors, unable to conduct it with sufficient effect for the interest of the widow and her children, disposed of it for 135,000l., a proceeding in which the Doctor, without hesitation, readily concurred. Soon after Thrale's decease, it was observed Dr. Johnson's visits to Streatham became less and less frequent; he doubtless assumed too much of the Mentor, and too dogmatically imposed an observance of council to which Mrs. Thrale, or her daughters were not inclined, the former more particularly having predilections of her own to gratify, which were exemplified in her not very generally approved marriage with Piozzi; certain it is, the intimacy that had so long continued cooled rapidly, and in his Diary, Dr. Johnson records

1783, April 5th, I took leave of Mrs. Thrale. I was much moved. I had some explanations with her. She said that she was likewise affected. I commended the Thrales with great good will to God; may my petitions have been heard!

This formal dissolvement of all further intercourse between the Thrales and himself explains the causes which so soon after Thrale's decease induced the Doctor's studiously avoiding all mention of Streatham or of the family, a circumstance that was feelingly yet silently observed by his associates.

Hester Maria Thrale, who at this juncture had passed through her course of teens, married, in her forty-fourth year, Lord Keith, whom she survived.

Viscountess Keith died at her residence, 110, Piccadilly, in her ninety-third year, on Tuesday, 31st ult. Eaton Place, April 2.

Q.

The fine old stately mansion, in Peebles, formerly the residence of the Hay family, Earls of Tweeddale, and lastly the property of the Dukes of Queensberry, has been purchased by Mr. William Chambers of Edinburgh, with a view of annexing adjoining buildings and offices, and fitting them for the purposes of a public reading-room, library, lecture-hall, and gallery of art, -the whole to be presented by him, as a FREE GIFT, to hiş native town.

PRAISE OF THE HORN-BOOK.

Hail! Antient Book, most Venerable Code!
Learning's first Cradle, and it's last Abode!
The huge unnumber'd Volumes which we see,
By lazy Plagiaries are stol'n from Thee.
Yet future Times, to thy sufficient Store,
Shall ne'er presume to add one Letter more.

Thee! will I sing, in comely Wainscot bound,
And Golden Verge enclosing thee around,
The faithful Horn before, from Age to Age,
Preserving thy invaluable Page.

Behind, thy Patron Saint in Armour shines,
With Sword and Lance, to guard thy sacred lines:
Beneath his Courser's Feet the Dragon lies
Transfix'd; his Blood thy scarlet cover dies.
Th' instructive Handle at the Bottom fix'd,
Lest wrangling Critics shou'd pervert the Text.

Or, if to Ginger-Bread Thou should descend, And Liquorish Learning to Thy Babes extend; Or, Sugar'd plane o'erspread with beaten Gold, Does the sweet Treasure of Thy Letters holdStill Thou shalt be my song. Apollo's Choir I scorn t' invoke; CADMUS my Verse inspire! 'Twas CADMUS, who the first Materials brought Of all the Learning that has since been taught, Soon made compleat! for Mortals ne'er shall know More than contain'd of old the Christ-Cross-Row. What Masters dictate, or what Doctors preach, Wise Matrons hence e'en to our Children teach. But as the Name of every Plant and Flow'r, So common that each Peasant knows its Pow'r ; Physicians in mysterious Cant express, T'amuse the Patient, and enhance their Fees: So from the Letters of our Native Tongue, Put in Greek Scrawls, a Myst'ry too is sprung, Schools are erected, puzzling Grammars made, And artful Men strike out a gainful Trade; Strange Characters adorn the Learned Gate, And heedless Youth catch at the shining Bait, The pregnant Boys the noisy Charms declare, And Tau's, and Delta's, make their Mothers stare; Th' uncommon Sounds amaze the Vulgar Ear, And what's Uncommon never costs too dear ;' Yet in all Tongues the HORN-BOOK is the same, Taught by Grecian Master, or th' English Dame.

But how shall I thy endless Virtues tell,

In which thou dost all other Books excel?
No greasy Thumbs thy spotless Leaf can soil,
Or crooked Dog's-Ears thy smooth Corners spoil;
Or in idle Page doth th' Errata stand,

To show the blunders of the printer's Hand.
No fulsome Dedication here is writ;
Or flatt'ring Verse, to praise the Author's Wit.
The Margin with no tedious Notes is vex'd,
Or Various Readings to confound the Text:
All Parties in thy lit'ral Sense agree—
Thou perfect Centre of Concordancy!

*The Greek Letters T and A.

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