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PERPETUITY OF SCOTT'S FAMILY. With Sir Walter Scott, the desire to perpetuate his name and family was in him the special shape taken by 'the last infirmity of noble minds; his every action and movement in life tended to that pursuit, and the perpetuity of a great name has a natural and universal, if somewhat sentimental interest. The announcement of the birth of a son to Mr. Hope Scott of Abbotsford, renews the prospect of the continuance of the family and name of the celebrated poet and novelist. Mrs. Hope Scott is Sir Walter's only surviving grand-child, and the infant born on the 2nd inst., his sole representative in the fourth generation. Should the child who thus inherits this illustrious name happily live to bear it, and to transmit it, it may be a gratification to his country, and the prospect has the further interest of its promising the fulfilment of one of the dearest wishes of Sir Walter's heart, but are not the family now perverts to Romanism? a creed to which the novelist would never have submitted.

CALVES' HEAD CLUB.

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Archdeacon Todd has stated-Of our liturgy, as of episcopacy, Milton has often expressed his contempt. He is said to have been a principal founder of the Calves-Head Club, a festival which began to be held during the usurpation in opposition to Dr. Hammond and other divines of the Church of England, who met privately to lament that day, in a form of prayer, little different from what we now find in the Liturgy.*

The author of the Secret History of the Calves Head Club, 1703, 4to. observes after the Restoration the eyes of obliged to meet under the rose' with a great deal of prethe Government being upon the whole party, they were caution, but in the second year of King William's reign, they met in almost a public manner, and apprehended nothing. He adds—

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The late Dr. Macrie in his review of the Tales of my Landlord, twice refers to a club with the above designation. In the new edition of his works, Blackwood, 1857, Vol. IV., p. 49, an extract is given from Anderson's Defence of the Presbyterians; part of it runs thus-rians to set down this remark ;) that the famous Jerry 'Tis difficult to name that ill thing which a Heylin, a Hickes, a Lesley, a Sacheverel, a Calder, or some other very reverend divine of the like probity has not writ of them, or imputed to them, i. e. Presbyterians or Whigs. Calves Head feasts are with these authors true history. Why? Because one of themselves wrote, and the rest cite it, and who dares doubt it after that?

Again, at p. 90, a quotation is given from a Sermon preached on the barbarous and bloodie murder of the Royal Martyr King Charles the First, 1708; by Mr. Robert Calder, one of the persons already mentioned. The text is Genesis, ch. xlix, verses 5-7, and the Calves Head Club is there referred to.

In the fourth place, I come to the applications, and here I shall consider, firstly, Who was murthered? Secondly, By whom? Thirdly, By what means? Fourthly, When? and fifthly, On what pretences? Firstly, Who? A man, a prince, a christian, yea, and a Martyr for the christian religion. In the second place, let us consider by whom? The answer is, by Simeon and Levy, brethren in iniquity, by a prevailing party in Scotland and England: the one the Judas that betrayed him; the other, the Pontius Pilate that crucified him. It is by virtue of these principles that the Gentlemen of the Calves Head Club meet together upon this day, to stick their knives in a calves' head, thereby engaging themselves in an unitie to extirpate monarchy out of Britain, and to mock the devotions and humiliations of the day out of the Church. Those Gentlemen act and conform to the Covenanters' principles which took off the King's Head.

Another gentleman who about eight years since went out of mere curiosity to their Club-has since furnished me with the following particulars. The Club, he was informed, was kept in no fixed house, but that they removed he was with them, was in a blind alley in Moorfields; and as they saw convenient; that the place they met in when that the company wholly consisted of Independents and Anabaptists; (I am glad for the honour of the PresbyteWhite, formerly chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, who no doubt came to sanctify with his pious exhortations, the ribaldry of the day, said Grace; and that after the Tablecloth was removed, the anniversary Anthem, as they impiously called it, was sung, and a Calves-skull filled with wine or other liquor, and then a brimmer went about to the pious memory of those worthy patriots who had killed the Tyrant, and delivered their country from his arbitrary sway; and lastly, a collection was made for the mercenary scribler, to which every man contributed according to his zeal for the cause, or the ability of his purse.t

These Anniversary Anthems from 1693 to 1697 inclusive were written by Dunton's friend, Benjamin Bridgewater, a bookseller, and author of a now extremely rare volume entitled Religio Bibliopolæ, 1691, 8vo. The author of the Secret History records Bridgewater frequented the Black Boy in Newgate Street.

Little more is said of the Calves Head Clubt beyond their

*Milton's Poetical Works, 1809, Vol. I. p. 158. The Secret History was reprinted in the original edition of the Harleian Miscellany, Vol. VI. pp. 552-559; and in Park's edition, Vol. VI. pp. 596-605.

The Calves' Head Club appears to have been more reputably known under another appellation; Macky in February 1714, while describing the London Clubs, notices -The Hanover Club, like the Kitt Catt, also composed of Noblemen of the first quality, and officers of the army, affectionate and zealous for the succession of the Crown to that illustrious family, have their meetings as the former; they are as all the innumerable other Clubs, kept within Yea, let me add another consideration, by way of ques-dent and Secretary. The Queen's day, Nov. 17, is annually this great City, prescribed by Rules, and have their Presition-Is not the Calves' Head feast as lawfull as the public observed still in London, by ringing of bells during the day, thanksgivings which the Covenanters appointed for any and bonfires and burning of the Pope at night. The last [in victories they got when fighting against the king? 1713] was kept with great solemnity, and I saw the proces

continuing their anniversaries, till 1734-5, when the follow-paintings on these outsides are pretty much damaged : ing particulars of a riot occasioned by their proceedings are one would wonder indeed they are not all destroyed, narrated in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1735.

Friday, Jan. 30. Some young Noblemen and Gentlemen met at a Tavern in Suffolk Street, Charing Cross; called themselves the Calves' Head Club, dress'd up a Calf's head in a napkin, and after some hurrahs threw it into a bonfire, dipp'd napkins in their red wine, and waved them out of the windows. The mob had strong beer given to them, and for a time they halloo'd as well as the best, but taking disgust at some proposed Healths they grew so outrageous that they broke all the windows, and forced themselves into the house, till the guards being sent for, prevented further mischief.'

The rare print entitled "The true effigies of the Members of the Calves Head Club held on the 30th of January, 1734, in Suffolk Street, in the County of Middlesex,' presents a graphical illustration of this tumultuous proceeding.

The Hyp-Doctor, a periodical of that day observed It is an honour to the Dissenters, that we do not hear of one of their body who belonged to this ingenious and refined cabal. It must not be overlooked that if the report be right, the Calves' heads were bought in St. James's market; the double entendre was to have wit prepense; but methinks the emblem was wrong-headed; for how can a calf, which is a tame gentle creature, and incapable of sin, represent a supposed Tyrant or a bad Monarch? Some of the parties concerned were, as the Chronicles of Suffolk Street record it, sons of nobles of England, Scotland and Ireland, besides Commoners: but the transaction was carried on like Io in the farce, by a Bull rather than a Calf, by which it might appear to be more Irish than English, if you examine the criticism of the show. It was a sequel to Punch at the Masquerade, putting his Opera bills into the hands of some too great for a familiar mention; but neither the Haymarket Punch, nor the Suffolk-Street Puppet-show took: one was acted but once, the other was not acted thoroughly the first time: the people were the criticks, the connoisseurs, and corrected the play. We are now assured it had no plot, the head like Esop's mask, had no brains: this may be true, but no credit to a tragi-comedy: it only proved they were no poets, and but indifferent actors. Was there none who bore a calves' head couped, as the Heralds speak, in his coat of arms? The device of the Escutcheon might be more significant than that of the Club. Such a proceeding might have been proper in a slaughter-house; but, perhaps, they were replenished with the wisdom of the Egyptians, who worshipped Osyris in the form of a Calf? Baa!' be the motto of this speculation. The Gens Vitellia, the Vitellian family at Rome, were denominated from the like. This adds light from Roman History.'

The Calves Head Club it is presumed ceased at this time.

TAKING A MAN AT HIS WORD.

Wright describing Venice in 1720, observes-There are several houses painted on the outside by Paolo Veronese, Pordenone, the Palma's, and other celebrated Venetian masters, with a little of whose works we are now-adays so glad to adorn the inside of our houses. The

sion of the Pope, the Devil, and the Chevalier St. George on that night, performed with great order, as also their being burat at the expence of the Hanover Club at Charing Cross.-Journey through England, pp. 188-197.

considering how long some of them have been done, two hundred years, standing against all the vicissitudes of weather; besides the vapours always rising from the salt water, and resting upon them.

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There is one house painted on the outside, by Tintoret; they call it Hands and Feet,' and as they tell the story there, it was upon this occasion, While Tintoret was making his draught upon the front which he intended to have been pillars and other ornaments of architecture, Paolo Veronese happened to pass by, and asked him-What do you do there drawing those lines? Make me hands and feet! Tintoret taking him at his word, altered the design, and made a parcel of hands and feet: huge colossal hands, bearing festoons of flowers and fruit. There are some whole figures too.

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After

N. Van der Leur according to the Chronological Tables was born at Breda in 1657; Deschamps says 1667, but this, in either case, may be a typographical error. acquiring the rudiments of art, he went to Rome, before his twentieth year, and there diligently devoted his whole time to studies from nature, and in copying from the best painters, till he at length was accounted the best copyist in Rome. On his return to Holland he acquired considerable reputation, but although he might justly be esteemed a good painter of History, yet his imaginalion was cold, and his invention slow and difficult, so that it was rather a labour than a pleasure to undertake a composition. His most considerable historical work is the principal altar-piece in the church of the Recollets at Breda, but his excellence in portraits was so decided that had he confined himself to that course, he might have been without a competitor. He died in 1726.

UGONOTTORUM STRAGES MEDAL.

Wright describing the Sala Regia, or Royal Hall, at Rome, in 1720, observes, it has several large paintings in fresco; the Pope condemning Heresy, with S. Peter and S. Paul in the air, and several other figures by Geo. Vasari, who has inscribed in a corner of the piece, his name and country, in Greek,

ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΟΥΑΣΑΡΙΟΣ ΑΡΕΤΙΝΟΣ ΕΠΟΙΕΙ.

There are other pictures by the same Master, and particularly three which represent the circumstances relating to the assassination of Admiral Coligni in the massacre at Paris, in 1572. That the memory of so glorious an action might not be forgotten, Pope Gregory XIII., caused a medal to be struck upon the occasion with, on the reverse, these words, VGONOTTORVM STRAGES, the Slaughter of the Hugonots. The medal is publicly sold in Rome at this time.

JOHN MILLAN, at Charing Cross, the publisher of
the original editions of Thomson's Seasons, was in his
way a most extraordinary man, for beside being a book-
seller of some eminence, he systematically collected an
extensive museum of Natural Curiosities for his own
gratification. He was a humourist, and of great strength
in the arm.
In his shop, he had a large Rhinoceros
horn, which with extended arm he could easily lift by
the point, to the surprise and discomfiture of all other
persons, who deceived by the apparent readiness with
which he raised it, were foiled in the attempt to achieve
the same feat. As a man of excellent conduct and
substance he maintained the respect of his fellow-
tradesmen. Henry Dell, a bookseller in Holborn, in his
poem, entitled "The Booksellers," printed in 1766, thus
eulogized him—

MILLAN deserving of the warmest praise,
As full of worth and virtue as of days;
Brave, open, gen'rous, 'tis in him we find,
A solid judgment, and a taste refined.
Nature's most choice productions are his care,
And them t'obtain no cost or pains does spare,
A character so amiable and bright,

Inspires the Muse with rapture and delight:

The Gentleman and Tradesman both in him unite.

Gough, in a letter dated March 5, 1772, describes pictorially the interior of Millan's shop, on an occasion of having visited it, as a book purchaser.

Last night, in my return from Westminster, I penetrated the utmost recesses of Millan's shop, which, if I may borrow an idea from Natural History is encrusted with Literature and Curiosities like so many stalactitical exudations. Through a narrow alley between piles of books, I reached a cell or adytum, whose sides were so completely cased with the same supellex, that the fireplace was literally enchassée dans la muraille. In this cell sat the Deity of the place, at the head of a Whist party, which was interrupted by my enquiring after a copy of Dillenius in sheets. The answer was, he had none in sheets or blankets,' but only in the state of this I send, which I think is in a rich coverlid or counterpane; and as it has an Index of Species referring to the plates, you will not have the trouble of interleaving or writing in it.

I emerged from this shop, which I consider as a future Herculaneum where we shall hereafter root out many scarce things now rotting on the floor, considerably sunk below the level of the new pavement.

eminent, and placed the excellencies of a work very forcibly to the bidders. The arrangement of the Hen derson, Wright and Pearson Collections, especially rich in the English Drama, suggested and induced the volume entitled Egerton's Theatrical Remembrancer, 1788; which is still a useful publication. This was the compilation of John Egerton; in business his activity and zeal were equalled by few, and in private life his character and conduct were highly exemplary. He died of a rheumatic fever, after a week's illness, January 17, 1795.

RHINE ROMAN TERRA-COTTA FORGERIES.

English, French, and German antiquaries and travellers, have, for some years been induced to make considerable purchases on the Rhine, of what were apparently genuine Roman terra-cottas; more especially at a place named Rheinzabern, in the Bavarian Palatinate. This Rheinzabern is well known to students of Roman archæology, as being doubtless the site of a former Roman settlement, and many an unquestionable anticaglia has been discovered there. These facts have led to the adoption of a fraudulent course of proceeding by some unprincipled persons, and modern fabrications of supposed Roman terra-cotta remains have been produced there to a considerable extent, and the museums of Paris, Munich, and Luxemburg having expended large sums in their acquisition, the supply seemed inexhaustible. The success however attendant on these forgeries induced a wider range, and at length, to doubts, as to the genuineness of the numerous products issuing from this prolific manufactory.

Recently, a vase from Rheinzabern, valued at one thousand francs, which came under the notice of Professor Braun, the President of the Society of Antiquaries in Rheinland, excited his suspicion. His examination and researches brought to his mind a full conviction that it was a forgery, and further investigations led him conclusively to the perception that not only was this vase a modern fabrication, but that the greater part of the asserted terra-cotta remains derived from that neighbourhood by the Paris, Luxemburg and Munich Museums were also spurious. Professor Becker, of Frankfort on the Maine, continued these inquiries, and notwithstanding the protestations of all persons concerned in the disposal or procuration of these terracottas, was induced to concur in the same conclusion. More recently, Professor Von Hefner, a member of the His successors, Thomas and John Egerton, sold his Academy, and a skilful antiquary, was directed by the effects on the premises, and named the House, the Mili-King of Bavaria, to visit Rheinzabern in the interest of tary Library, Whitehall, opposite the Admiralty. John, who married a daughter of Lockyer Davis, the bookseller, opposite Gray's Inn Gate in Holborn, was a very superior man as a bookseller, and highly useful to the literati of that day. He knew books well, and his memory, more than usually retentive, was seldom at a loss, through the varieties of dates, sizes and prices. In the sale room as an auctioneer, he was conspicuously

Of Millan there is a rare etching by Harris from a painting by Roberts, 1780, which represents him as being then aged 80. He died Feb. 15, 1784.

science, and his report has substantiated the fact of there being a regularly established manufactory of Roman Antiquities at that place. The process of the investigation by Professor Braun in the developments of these spurious industrial products, are detailed in the Twenty-third volume of the Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries in Rheinland, and a full account of more recent enquiries will it is said shortly appear.

MATRIMONIAL FLITCH OF BACON.

The origin of the claim of the Dunmow Flitch of Bacon is said to have been instituted in the reign of King Henry the Third, by Lord Fitzwalter, who ordered that 'whatever married man did not repent of his marriage, or quarrel with his wife in a year and a day after it, should go to his Priory, and kneeling on two stones in the churchyard, on swearing to the truth of it, demand the bacon. Lord Fitzwalter must have shrewdly guessed his bacon was not placed in much jeopardy, as on the best evidence, the entries in several records, there were but three claims before the dissolution of monasteries, and including the claims in 1701 and 1751, there have

been but three since.

A similar custom was formerly recognised at Whichnoure, in Staffordshire, but this appears to have been in conformity to an ancient tenure, and was certainly as old as 1336, 10 Edward III., when this manor was held by Sir Philip de Somerville.

In Ireland similar inducements in reward of conjugal propriety were presented in the olden day, though like most beneficial customs, seem to have passed into desuetude. The last notice known to the writer occurs in a letter, dated Kildare, July 4, 1767, of which the following is an extract :

On Trinity Sunday last, a year and a day from the celebration rites being then expired, a young couple in their neighbourhood claimed, and upon their taking the oath prescribed, and producing proper vouchers on the occasion, obtained a flitch of bacon from the rector of the parish. The report of the revival of that obsolete demand caused such infinite astonishment, and at the same time afforded so much diversion to many of the polite company who were on the preceding day assembled at the Curragh Races, that the bets ran high against the parties winning the unusual prize in question, and many of the knowing ones of both sexes, who were unfortunately inexperienced in all the various arts of matrimonial jockeyship, were with the aforesaid rector considerably taken in.'

Possibly some of your numerous readers may be disposed to contribute to the columns of Current Notes other instances which may occur to them.

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TWO POETS IN ONE FAMILY.

the following anecdote may possibly not be entirely deFrom its connection with a late distinguished Poetess, void of interest to the readers of Current Notes.

The writer's father during a journey in Canada in or about the year 1819, formed one of a party of gentlemen, chiefly strangers to each other, who met round the dinner table of an hotel in Quebec or Montreal, I forget which. Over the wine the subject of poetry was introduced, and after discussing the merits of the various poets of that and former periods, a trial of poetic talents of those present was proposed and agreed to, it being arranged that he whose lines should be decided to be the worst,

should

pay

the dinner bill. The contest resulted in the unanimous decision that the effusion of a gentleman, named Browne was decidedly the worst. The unlucky competitor cordially acquiesced in the decision, expressing his readiness to pay the forfeit, and adding it would be unfair that there should be two poets in one family, as he was brother to Mrs. Hemans. Leicester, June 16. LEICESTRIENSIS.

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE FRIEZES.

As much misconception prevails as to Flaxman's share in these admired sculptures, it may be proper to state, on the authority of a person then in Flaxman's employ, that Flaxman designed the friezes, and statues of Tragedy and Comedy. He modelled that of the Ancient Drama next Hart Street, and the figure of Comedy, which was placed in the niche, in the north-east front. He also cut the figure in Portland stone.

Rossi modelled, from Flaxman's design, the frieze of the Modern Drama, and the figure of Tragedy. He and his assistants cut that, and both friezes in Portland stone.

ART TREASURES EXHIBITION, MANCHESTER.

We are happy to find that the unparalleled Collection in the Museum of Ornamental Art at Manchester will not be dispersed without an honourable record of its existence. Through the enterprising spirit of Messrs. Day, a work consisting of one hundred prints in chromolithography founded on photographs taken expressly by Mr. F. Bedford, is announced for publication in fortnightly parts. The Text, which will consist of valuable Essays on the several Arts described, will be further enriched with wood-cuts illustrative of the subjects; and the names of Messrs. Owen Jones, Digby Wyatt, G. Scharf, jun., J. C. Robinson, and J. B. Waring, are satisfactory assurances that the useful portion of this publication will be properly conducted. The entire direction of the work is under the editorial care of Mr. Waring, and altogether we have reason to feel assured it will be a book of the most desirably useful, as well as of the most ornamental character. We hope that some means will be adopted of adding to the letter-press, a satisfactory and descriptive Inventory of the various Articles in the Museum at the Exhibition, which is not only already found to be essentially a desideratum, but a positive requirement in aid of all future archeologists and collectors.

No. LXXIX.]

"Takes note of what is done-
By note, to give and to receive."-SHAKESPEARE.

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Εἰς Νύμφην παρὰ κρήνῃ εύδουσαν.
Νύμφη κρηναία φυλακὶς παρὰ νάματι τούτῳ
Εύδω, θελγομένη τοῖς πατάγοισι νόον.
Ἂν δὲ πέτρα προσίης γλαφυρᾷ, ξένε, μή με ταράξης
Πιομένῳ σιγᾶν λουσομένῳ τε πρέπει.

The original Latin epigram, incorrectly transcribed from Burmann's Anthol. Lat. 1759, 4to. vol. I. p. 62, has already been printed in Current Notes, No. LXXI., p. 89,-murmura being there in the third line obtruded for the correct reading, marmora.

In Pope's translation in the same page, Nympha being a nominative, no stop should have followed the word Grot in the first line.

This reminds me of Howell's Doxological Chronogram, in Current Notes, No. LXXIII. p. 8., also incorrectly transcribed. The sense and metre require it to stand thus, as written by the author:

GLorla LaVsqVe Deo sæ C'LorVM In sæCVLa sVnto.
The year is still the same, 1655.
Hawkshead, July, 15.

D. B. H.

MONKS OF LA TRAPPE.

[JULY, 1857.

Looking over a long list, a register of the monks of La Trappe, who died there 1667-1714, there are few names of any interest, and none distinguished by any literary ability, none who have benefited mankind by any intellectual emanation of mind or genius. I enclose three or four which I copied, presuming they might interest some reader of Current Notes.

Dom Armand-Jean le Bouthellier de Rancé, Abbé Réformateur, Diocese de Paris; fait Profession 26 Juin, 1662. Mort 27 Oct. 1700.

F. Alexis Grême, Ecossois; Diocese d'Edimbourg; fait Profession 31 Octobre, 1700. Mort 20 Mai, 1701. D. Bede Lake, Anglois, Benedictin; Diocese de Chester; fait Profession 20 Octobre, 1698. Mort 30 Mars, 1704.

D. Malachie Blackburn, Irlandois, Diocese de Medy; fait Profession 18 Aoust, 1706. Mort 2 Octobre, 1712. last named are found in this obituary.

No other natives of the British Isles than the three
W.

July 6.

NOTES ON THE KIT CATT CLUB.

The Kit Catt Club was associated for the purposes of maintaining the constitution of the country, and the exclusion of the Stuarts, and were all distinguished and honourable persons. Mackey in 1714, in reference to the infinity of Clubs or Societies in London, for the improvement of Learning, and the keeping up good-humour and mirth, states-of the first rank is the Kitt-Catt, commonly so called, because their original meeting was at the house of one Christopher Catt, of which the late

In what author, and to what character has the fol- great Earl of Dorset was one of the first founders. lowing line reference

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BLUNDERBUSS.-Dr. Johnson, quoting Dryden, observes, a blunderbuss is a gun that is discharged with many shots. May I ask, if any reader of Current Notes will help me to an etymology of the word. Clifton, July 10.

G. Possibly it has none. Dr. Meyrick, Ancient Armour, edit. 1824, vol. iii. p. 103 n., believed the word to be a corruption of the German term donderbucks, or thunderinggun; donder signifying thunder, and bucks a gun.

VOL. VII.

This Club can have but Thirty-nine Members, who are all men of the first rank for Quality or Learning, and most of them have been employed as the greatest officers of State, and in the Army, and none but are gentlemen of the greatest distinction in some way or other. All their pictures are drawn by that great master, Sir Godfrey Kneller, and kept in commemoration of that august assembly by their ingenious Secretary, Mr. Tonson. †

Charles Sackville, created April 4, 1675 Baron Cranfield of Cranfield, co. Bedford, and Earl of Middlesex, titles borne by his maternal uncle, Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, to whom he was heir. He succeeded his father Richard, the ninth Earl of Dorset, upon his death in 1677, and died in 1706. His portrait is No. 13 in Faber's volume.

+ Journey through England, p. 188.

H

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