No. XVII.] FOR THE MONTH. "I will make a prief of it in my Note-Book."-SHAKSPERE. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. G. WILLIS gratefully acknowledges the various interesting documents and letters he has received. He is anxious that it should be perfectly understood that he is not the author of any statement, representation, or opinion, that may appear in his "Current Notes," which are merely selections from communications made to him in the course of his business, and which appear to him to merit attention. Every statement therefore is open to correction or discussion, and the writers of the several paragraphs should be considered as alone responsible for their assertions. Although many notes have hitherto appeared anonymously, or with initial letters, yet wherever a serious contradiction is involved, G. Willis trusts that his Correspondents will feel the necessity of allowing him to make use of their names when properly required. [MAY, 1852. ORDER OF THE ROYAL OAK. Oxf. and Cam. Club, May 4, 1852. MR. WILLIS-You can inform E. P. in reply to his second query ("Current Notes," for April, p. 31), that there is a printed list of the Knights of the Royal Oak, and the value of their respective estates (copied from a MS. of Le Neve's) in the Appendix to Vol. I. of "Burke's History of the Commoners," edit. 1834. There is also, I believe, another printed list (probably taken from the same MS.) in "Burke's Patrician." I have met with written lists of them among the MSS. in the British Museum, which could no doubt be found by reference to the Catalogues of the Harleian and the other MSS. I remain, your obedient servant, G. E. ADAMS. DOORWAY IN WOKING CHURCH, SIR,-As in your "Current Notes" for December last, p. 92, you have engraved a sketch of the Baptismal Font in Woking Church, forwarded to you with some interesting observations, signed "FONS," I venture to send you a sketch of a door-way in the same Church, which appears to me to afford a good example of ancient iron work, and respecting the age of which I should be glad of information, as you appear to have Correspondents who are able and willing to give it. See S. C.'s observation in the same number of "Current Notes," as that the Woking Font was figured in p. 91, under the head "TURNBUCKLE," and the practical remarks upon the terms "TURNBUCKLE and LATCH," by " one who has been an Ironmonger's Apprentice," published in your "Current Notes" for January last, P. 5. I am, Sir, Your humble and obliged servant, "AN ARTIST." F 34 AMERICAN OPINION UPON INTERNATIONAL COPY RIGHT. "QUITE a contest between the Tribune and Times of New York, is going on at present on the subject of an International Copyright Law. The Tribune being friendly to such a law, of course has the best of the argument. We think, however, that if English authors would throw themselves upon the protection of the common law of the United States, their rights would be respected without the aid of statutes. Mr. James, the novelist, Mr. Mountford, and other English writers, come here and take out copyrights for their works before they have themselves acquired the rights of citizenship, and without signifying their intentions of becoming permanent residents. The law will no doubt protect them in the rights which they thus assume; and we further believe it would protect them were they to return to England, and send their books here for simultaneous publication. "A foreigner may transfer property in an unpublished book, as well as property in a patent medicine, to an American resident. If Mr. Dickens makes Mr. Irving a present of an unpublished novel, Mr. Irving will be protected, under the common law, in copyrighting that novel and enjoying the profits. We wonder that English authors do not avail themselves of the obvious protection, To make assurance which they would thus secure. doubly sure, let Mr. Irving (in the supposed case) be His editorial privileged to edit the aforesaid novel. emendations, however slight, appearing in both the English and American edition, he is protected doubly in the possession of the copyright. 66 We think, however, that the subject is one well worthy the attention of Government. France and England have recently concluded a treaty for the interchange of protection to their authors; and why should not our Government be influenced by like considerations of justice and patriotism? We hope that as soon as Congress gets through with President making, it will take up this subject. Of the authors and scholars of the country, we believe that ninety-nine in a hundred would give their votes for an International Copyright Law, not only as a righteous measure, but as one advantageous to the country."-From the Boston Evening Transcript of 29th April, 1852. ARCHEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. Newcastle-on-Tyne, 8th May, 1852. DEAR SIR,-Permit me to inform you that Part ii. of Vol. IV. of the "Archæologia Æliana" is published and delivered to the members of our Society. It is a most interesting one, and will stir up the interest felt here in the study of antiquities; and this notice, if published, will take the sting out of the fillip you have given us in your "Current Notes" for April, page 25. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, Mr. Willis. DAVID H. WILSON. THE KILKENNY ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. MR. WILLIS is informed that this Society, the proceedings of which appear in his "Current Notes" for April fast, p. 26, with a ?, have published, besides cirintended to promote the study of Antiquities, their culating gratuitously a pamphlet supplying brief hints Transactions for 1849 and 1850, extending to 267 pages, with upwards of twenty illustrations. The number of moderate subscription of five shillings per annum is Members amounts to nearly 300, and when the very considered, as much has been achieved as can reasonably be expected. The Rev. James Graves and Mr. John G. A. Prim, of Kilkenny, are the Honorary Secre taries. Upon this communication G. W. begs to observe that THE ASSOCIATION is not inKILKENNY ARCHEOLOGICAL cluded in the Rev. Dr. Hume's work on "the Learned Societies and Printing Clubs of the United Kingdom," and for this reason; Dr. Hume's publication, which supplied an important desideratum in our literature, appeared in 1847, while the Kilkenny Archæological Society was not new and corrected edition will shortly appear, instituted until the early part of the year 1849. much pleasure in recording any communications which may tend to its correction or improvement. But as a G. W. has Kilkenny, May 14, 1852. SIR, AS I perceive you "?" the Kilkenny Archæological Society (not being, I suppose aware, from the local nature of the Society, of the fasciculi issued by it), I beg to inform you that there has been printed"Transactions of the Kilkenny Archæological So ciety, Vol. I. Parts 1 and 2, for the years 1849 and Part 3, for 1851, completing the 1st vol. is in the Mr. Willis. ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES AND THEIR WORKS. Barnwell Rectory, Oundle, May 5th, 1852. SIR, I cannot but think "Anti-Socialist" has been very unjustly severe upon the Archæological Societies of the Midland Counties, in his letter inserted in your last number of “Current Notes," p. 29. Your Correspondent does not appear to understand the nature or object of From his Architectural or Archæological Societies. letter it would seem that he supposes them to be formed simply for the purpose of editing a book or books, whereas, I conceive, such Societies are formed for the purpose of assisting editors of books and of procuring curious Antiquarian information of all kinds, of bringing together in any neighbourhood the local intelligence, so that at a future time be embodied in permanent works of history or topography. When to these objects are added opportunities of giving direct architectural advice it may to church builders and restorers-sometimes even pecu- 66 Mr. Willis. see it has on the title-page, "second edition," and has Mr. Willis. THE WRECKS OF THE BIRKENHEAD AND SALDANHA. 24th April, 1825. DEAR SIR,-By a most melancholy coincidence with the recent loss of the Birkenhead, I have this forenoon found in looking over some family papers the verses which you wished for respecting the loss of the Saldanha frigate, and I send them to you in the autograph of the author-Tom Sheridan-a dear and valued friend of the OLD CORRESPONDENT. Mr. Willis. Hastings, April 29, 1852. SIR,-The list of Antiquarian publications which ap-father of your pears in the last part of your "Current Notes," p. 25, is precisely the thing I have long been wanting. For instance, being from Scotland, I once ordered the Proceedings of the Antiquaries of Scotland, but my London bookseller told me the Society was altogether extinct, and in consequence no books had been printed for very many years. I thought it strange, as Scotland is full of Antiquities, both Roman and Medieval. I also could never before understand the difference between the Archæological Association and Institute, and find I have been supplied with the works of the latter body instead of the former. 162, Hope Street, Glasgow, 29th April, 1852. DEAR SIR,-In a recent number of the "Current Notes," (January last, p. 2), a Correspondent, A. C. K. remarked the occurrence of Sterne's Autograph in one volume (the 7th) of Tristram Shandy. In my copy, 9 vols. small 8vo. published by P. A. Dehont, &c. Strand, London, a facsimile of the same autograph that, you have engraved occurs no less than three times, namely, at the top of the first page of the 3rd, 5th, and 7th vols. I remain, dear Sir, Yours very truly, JAMES B. MURDOCK. Mr. Willis. TRISTRAM SHANDY. 162, Hope Street, Glasgow, 12th May, 1852. DEAR SIR,-On looking over some odd volumes the other day, I found a ninth volume of Tristram Shandy. The complete edition I have, with the three autographs mentioned in my note of the 29th ultimo, has nine volumes, so I thought this must be a duplicate copy of the ninth. On inspecting it, however, more closely, I "BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES.' No voice of life was there- When the stout Saldanha sailed, Ne'er had failed. 'Mid the gloom. From the lonely beacon height But no mortal power shall now Was their grave. 36, Lincoln's Inn Fields, May 5, 1852. YOUR correspondent, F. R. S. (Current Notes for April, p. 31,) is perhaps not aware of the brass to William Denham, goldsmith, who died 1583, aged 64, his wife, five sons, and ten daughters, at Thorpe, near Chertsey, Surrey. His arms are on it, viz, Gules, 3 lozenges ermine; impaling his wife's, Gules, a cross patonce, &c. &c. A copy of the inscription, which is very curious, is in Manning's Surrey, enlarged by Bray, vol. iii. pages 244 and 245, edition 1814. Thorpe Church was completely restored a few years ago, but this brass, and the brass plate in the stone underneath which refers to it, are left in the same position they formerly occupied, and are in very good preservation. I have never seen an engraving of the brass, and should like to know if any I am, your obedient servant, exists. Mr. Willis. G. E. ADAMS. P. S. I suppose Wm. Denham was of the same family as that of Sir John Denham the judge, who lived about a generation later, and was buried at Egham in Surrey, two and a half miles from Thorpe, being father of the poet of the same name. The books of the Goldsmith's Company would probably shew Wm. Denham's parentage. MONUMENTAL BRASS TO WILLIAM DENHAM. Middle Temple, 13th May, 1852. SIR,-I send you, for the information of your Correspondent F.R.S. ("Current Notes," for April, p. 31), a tracing of the Brass of William Denham, in Thorpe Church, from the woodcut in " Brayley and Britton's History of Surrey," vol. ii. p. 252, where it is stated that he died on the 31st August, 1583, aged 64. The verses which are under this brass may be found in the same valuable work; and on a gravestone fronting this memorial is another brass, inscribed "William Benham, whose picture in ye wall Under this stone slepinge in Christe MR. MEADLEY. Durham, March 29, 1852. SIR,-I can inform your Correspondent, H. K., whose enquiry about Mr. George Wilson Meadley, you have inserted in your "Current Notes" for this month, p 23, that he was born on the 1st January, 1774, at Sunderland, and educated at the Grammar School, Witton-leWear, in the county of Durham. In early life he visited Italy and afterwards resided for a short time in Germany, and on the neighbouring shores of the Baltic. His first work was a Memoir of his friend Dr. Paley, of which a second and enlarged edition appeared in 1810. One volume 8vo., and his last, if I remember correctly, Memoirs of Algernon Sydney, 8vo. 1813. I remain, Sir, your humble servant, W. S. G. Newcastle, April 5, 1852. SIR,-Your Correspondent, H. K., will find a Memoir of Mr. Meadley, of Bishopwearmouth, in the Gentleman's Magazine for Dec. 1818, Vol. lxxxviii. pl. 2, page 568. I am, yours respectfully, WM. DODD. THE late Mr. George Wilson Meadley was an independent gentleman, residing at Bishopwearmouth, (Sunderland). He was the friend and biographer of Dr. Paley. He also published a Memoir of Algernon Sydney; a Letter to the Bishop of St. David's, or some extraordinary Passages in a Charge delivered to his Clergy in September, 1818; Memoirs of Mrs. Jebb, and two or three minor articles of biography. At the time of his death, which happened in November, 1818, in the 45th year of his age, he was engaged in collecting materials for a Life of John Hampden, and a Memoir of the Rev. Dr. Disney. In religious sentiments Mr. Meadley was an Unitarian. He was one of the founders of the Sunderland Subscription Library, of which he was a most active member; a marble tablet, to his memory, is placed in the principal room of the institution, and was erected by the resolution of a General Meeting called for that purpose. A more detailed account of this gentleman may be seen in Garbutt's History of Sunderland. G. British Museum, April 13, 1852. SIR, I beg to inform your Correspondent, H. K., that George Wilson Meadley was the author of the following works:-Memoirs of Dr. Paley, Sunderland, 8vo. 1809; Memoirs of Mrs. Jebb, Widow of Dr. Jebb, London, 1812; A Sketch of the various proposals for a Constitutional Reform in the representation of the people introduced into Parliament from 1770 to 1812; Memoirs of Algernon Sydney, 8vo. London, 1813; Memoirs of Robert Clarke, Sunderland, 1815; A short obituary of his literary friend Dr. Disney of the Hyde, Essex, 1817; Controversy with Bishop Burgess on the Bill repealing various penalties against impugners of the Doctrine of the Trinity; A Letter to the Bishop of St. David's on some extraordinary passages in a charge to his Clergy, by a Lay Seceder, 1814. Besides contributing several Articles to the Gentleman's Magazine he wrote a curious pamphlet entitled "Two pairs of Historical Portraits, Cæsar and Pitt, Rienzi and Buonaparte ;" and a Biographical Notice of William Henry Lambton, Esq., whom he had known at Naples. Mr. Meadley died at Bishopwearmouth, after a short but severe illness, November 28, 1818, aged 45. There is a short sketch of him in the Gentleman's Magazine, from which we glean that "his memory was so tenacious that he could recall the details of any event, or the contents of any book which had ever engaged his attention," and that "he had perhaps read more than any man of his years." "In opinions he appears to have been liberal. In his manner and deportment there were certain peculiarities which frequently accompany studious habits. In his general habits he was cheerful and communicative, in domestic life, a warm friend, a kind brother, and an affectionate son.' A BOOKWORM. SHOVEL BOARD. New York, 13th April, 1852. THE game is played on a table or board about 40 feet long and 18 inches wide. It is made of clean white pine without knots, and fine sand is sifted all over, to enable the players to shovel their pieces along. On each side of the board there are narrow troughs or gutters, to catch the pieces if they fly off, which they very frequently do. The game is played by two persons, who have each four pieces, numbered 1 to 4. The pieces are of brass, exactly the size and form of half pound flat weights. A line is marked across the board, about half a foot from the farther extremity, and the art is to discharge the piece from the hand with just sufficient force to go beyond the line, which counts so many; but if the piece lies half off and half on the farther end it counts double. But to do that requires great skill and long practice. The players play off their pieces alternately, and the chief effort is to knock the antagonist's piece from the table. They stand close to the end of the board, holding the piece firmly between the fingers and thumb, and, after giving the hand three or four rapid whirls, from right to left, the piece is discharged, with what may be judged sufficient force to reach the end of the board without flying off. I regret to say the game is getting into disuse, as the board requires a long room, and ground is very valuable in New York. But if any of your friends thought of erecting a shovel board, I shall have the greatest pleasure in sending you a correct drawing and exact measurements. Such a nobleman, for instance, as Lord Londesborough, who is a liberal patron of antiquity, might easily erect a fine shovel board in one of the galleries of his noble castle; and why might not our beloved Queen 66 Edhave one in Windsor Castle? You know that an ward Shovel Board" is mentioned in the Merry Wives! I would also, with equal pleasure, send a set of the |