EDITION. Cossid, but the peon that went to muxudavad* where they are made forgot to order COCKER'S ARITHMETIC: THE FIRST the fellow to make them lesse, So that he has [brought me 2 pr: of the Same bignesse as those Sent you, but I have now given him a measure, and beleive may have Some ready against next conveighance and Shall not fayle to send them. The Cott Strings for Mr nurse have this morning bespoke, and the fellow Promises to get them ready in 10 days time. You mention nothing as to their colours So have ordered him to make 1 pr: red and 1 pr: colour. Skie I omitted to write per last Cossid by reason of the many biles that then tormented me. By the Same conveighance there went one to you from Mr Marshall. [Unsigned] [Endorsed] To Mr Vickers Augst. 18th: 1670. LETTER LIII. John Smith to Richard Edwards. Decca August 23d 1670 Mr Richard Edwards Esteem'd freind. Yours by Merchants Cossett received longe since and should have answer'd it more Speedily had an opportunity presented. I humbly thank You for Your news and for your kind offer of an English Lady. My confidence in you is great, Yet not soe as I can trust You to chuse a wife for mee when You are unprovided Your Selfe, which want pray first Supply, and if there's none left for mee I'm content to Stay till another Spring. By next conveighance shall send Your Addatiest and flower'd Jelolsies, which is all at present save the Kind Respects of Your very Loving freind JOHN SMITH THAT the name of Cocker, the author of the celebrated treatise on arithmetic, has sur vived to the present day is largely owing to the proverbial saying "According to Cocker." This phrase originally, and more accurately, was "Correct according to Cocker," and in its abbreviated form has acquired general currency wherever the English language is spoken. Edward Cocker, who was born in 1631 and died 1675, is described as a scrivener and engraver," and in 1664 started near St. Paul's a public school for writing and arithmetic, which he is said to have taught 'in an extraordinary manner. He is credited by the writer of the article in the D.N.B.' with the authorship of no fewer than thirty-three publications, many of which went through several editions. These are classified under three heads: (1) Calligraphic, Nos. 1-23; (2) Arithmetical Nos. 24-29; (3) Miscellaneous, Nos. 30-33, Of these (No. 14) 'The Tutor to Writing and Arithmetick: Part I. Calligraphic: Part II. Arithmetical,' issued in 1664, was the firstdealing with arithmetic. After his death there was published (No. 26):— "Cocker's Arithmetick, being a Plain and Easy Method....composed by Edward Cocker.. Perused and published by John Hawkins, Writing Master....by the Author's Correct Copy, 1678. By 1756 fifty editions of this work had appeared, and it is computed that probably at least 112 editions of it have been published. The first edition of the Arithmetick,' which, as stated above, was published in 1664, is extremely rare. Quaritch, in one of his catalogues, says : "Few persons who quote the proverb 'Correct according to Cocker' have ever seen the book that has rendered the author's name a household word, although there are upwards of sixty editions of it, and of those few, probably not half-a-dozen have seen a copy printed before 1670." For many years it was very doubtful if any copy of the first edition remained in existence, it being supposed that, its use in schools had utterly extirpated any vestige of it. Lowndes had never seen a copy of the Decimal Arithmetic,' which he dates probably 1669 " (a printer's error for 1689), adding "but no copy known.' was really published in 1684, 1685. Through the kindness of a well-known Glasgow bibliophile I have now had the privilege of examining the rare first edition. It is an oblong booklet, 62 by 4 in., originally bound in brown paper wrappers, of which that at the end of the book still survives. On the title-page are eight circles, or medallions, arranged roughly in an oval form, in each of which is the figure of a "" cock.' These represent a barn-door fowl, a turkey cock, a pheasant, and five others not so easy to make out, one of which, however (the only one named), is marked, inside the circle, A rooke.' In the middle of the oval formed by the cocks is the title, as follows: The Tutor to Writing and Arithmetick Invented, written, and engraven by EDWARD COCKER. (the name being printed in italic capitals). At the foot of the page: The distance of your Letters minnums strokes display: "Sold by Thos. Rooks at ye Lamb, at the East All letters in a Piece must tend and bend one way. end of St. Paul's Church, LONDON, 1664." The second part, or Arithmetick,' consists of 49 pp., 8-56. FINIS. The second part, The Tutor to Arithmetick,' consists of 49 pp., numbered 8-56. Practitioners in the It is addressed to Arts of Writing and Arithmetick," and is prefaced with the following: "Because writing and arithmetick are com monly learned together, being of equal concern ment in most men's affaires, That you might reap a double benefit by this Book, I have here delivered so much of arithmetick as is necessary In the right-hand corner at the foot of to be known in order to the management of most p. 56: Trades, which is so methodically composed, and plainly expressed, that I hope those of the meanest capacities will understand it at the first sight. I would wish you to proceed orderly from the beginning, and understand one part well before you advance to another, and exercise your self by setting down, and working the like Examples in every Rule. Edward Cocker." The Golden Rule" also called the Rule of Three," with examples. The popularity of the Arithmetick' was no doubt due to the clear and practical method inculcated. For many years there was a constant demand for it, as is proved by the numerous editions that appeared. AN ENGLISH ARMY LIST OF 1740. (See 12 S. ii. 3, 43, 84, 122, 163, 204, 243, 282, 324, 364, 402, 443, 482, 524; THE regiment which follows (p. 48) was brought into being, as a regiment, by John Lindsay, 20th Earl of Crawford, in October, 1739, from some independent companies of Highlanders which had been in existence since 1729, and which had been known as The Black Watch." The regiment was first numbered as the 43rd, but in 1748, when Oglethorpe's Regiment was disbanded, it became the 42nd. In 1758 it received the additional title of 'Royal Highlanders," but though always known as The Black Watch," it was not until 1861 that this title was officially conferred upon it. Since 1881 it has been The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Captains Earl of Crawford (1) .. Sir Robert Monro, (2).. : (1) John Lindsay, 20th Earl of Crawford. Had served previously in the North British Dragoons and in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards. Joined the Russian Army, and was severely wounded at the battle of Krotska, July 22, 1739. Major-General, May 30, 1745; Lieutenant-General, Sept. 20, 1747. Present at Fontenoy, 1745. Colonel of the 2nd Horse Grenadier Guards, Dec. 25, 1740; and of the North British Dragoons, May 22, 1747. Died Sept. 20, 1749. See D.N.B.' (2) Munro of Foulis, 6th Bart. M.P. for Wick Burghs, 1710-41. Killed at the battle of Falkirk, Jan. 17, 1746. (3) Of Culbin, fourth son of Ludovick Grant of Grant. He died 1755. (4) Colin Campbell, younger, of Monzie, A.D.C. to Lieut.-General Clayton, was killed at Dettingen in 1743. (5) Eldest son of Robert Campbell of Carrick. Killed at Fontenoy, 1745. (6) Of Culcairn, brother of Sir Robert Monro. See supra. During the rising of 1745 he led the Munro clan on the Royalist (Hanoverian) side, and was assassinated by a Jacobite on Aug. 31, 1746. (7) Of Craignish. Was the first Lieutenant-Colonel of the "Fencible Men of Argyllshire formation in 1759. Died Dec. 30, 1764. (8) Of Kincraig. Later was Captain in Lochiel's Regiment. He died in 1760. on its (9) Younger son of Alexander Frazer of Culduthil. Was present, as a Captain, at Fontenoy, and was killed at Bergen op Zoom in August, 1747. (10) A John Mackniel was Captain in the regiment, Dec. 16, 1752. He is possibly the same man. Earl of Crawford's Regiment of Foot James Campbell (11) Dougal Steuart John Menzies (12) Edward Carricks Gilbert Steuart Gordon Graham (13) Archibald McNab (14). Collin Campbell Dougal Steuart James Campbell The following additional names are given in MS. on the interleaf : (11) Second (eldest surviving) son of Colin Campbell of Glenfalloch. Died Feb. 6, 1751. (12) Eldest son of Capt. James Menzies of Comrie. The latter had commanded one of the Independent Companies of Highlanders which were embodied in the Black Watch. (13) Second son of Colin Graham of Dranie (or Drynie), Ross-shire. Lieutenant, 1743; Captain, June 3, 1752; Major, July 17, 1758; Lieutenant-Colonel, July 9, 1762. Retired in 1770, and died in 1784. (14) Second son of Robert McNab of that ilk./ Captain 32nd Regiment, May 8, 1749; Major 88th (Campbell's) Regiment, or Highland Volunteers, Dec. 11, 1759; Lieutenant-Colonel 41st Regiment, May 4, 1767, and Colonel, Jan. 14, 1784; Major-General, Oct. 19, 1781. Died Jan. 2, 1790. (15) Hew, 11th Lord Sempill, succeeded Lord Crawford as Colonel on Jan. 14, 1741. Colonel 25th Regiment, April 16, 1745; Brigadier-General, June 9, 1745. Was present at Culloden, .1746; and died on Nov. 25 in the same year. (16) Probably "Sutherland." (17) Possibly third son of Hugh Rose of Kilravock. Became J. H. LESLIE, Major, R.A. (Retired List). (To be continued.) TREWMAN'S FLYING POST.'-The following cutting from The Western Morning News of April 26 should be of interest to readers of N. & Q.': "EXETER'S OLDEST NEWSPAPER. "One regrettable consequence of the war is the cessation of Trewman's Flying Post, the oldest newspaper in Exeter. It was published last Satur.day, and arrangements were made for its continuance without a break in the event of some one buying it as a going concern; but hopes in this direction were shattered yesterday at the sale by Mr. H. A. Fulford, who got a bid of 3001. for the business as it stood, but refused to sell at that figure. The paper was established under the title of The Exeter Mercury or Westcountry Advertiser in 1763, and experienced many vicissitudes. nearly 20 years it was published as a daily. Letterly it has been issued once a week-on Saturday afternoons-and possessed so many qualities of originality and character that its stoppage is greatly regretted. The stock-in-trade was yesterday dispersed piecemeal after the failure to sell as a whole. The first lot consisted of the unique and historically valuable files of the paper in but slightly broken sequence from 1763 to date, in 115 volumes. These were purchased by Mr. Tapley Soper for the City Library at 461." Northam, N. Devon. For A. CARRINGTON. These to Wm. Blathwaite Esq. Urgent. London ye 21 December 1695. We are informed at the Navys Pay Office that Mr Dodington will desire a Guard for the Kings Money for Portsmouth on Monday: So that Mr South & Mr Jores intend from hence for Portsmouth on Monday morning and will endeavour to have all the Gold & Silver ready to come back with the same Guard, But We intreate you if We cannot be ready to come back that the Guards may have Orders to Stay 3 or 4 Daies at Portsmouth upon our Charges if Mr South & Mr Jores desire it. We are Your most humble Servts GILBERT HEATHCOTE. William Blathwaite was Secretary of War at the time; Sir Gilbert Heathcote appears on the first list of Bank of England directors; and Humphry South, a merchant in Lime Street, was appointed a director several years later. A CHELSEA SUPERSTITION.-New to me, and perhaps to some others, is the quaint idea of the folk about the seven winds and the middle span of Old Battersea Bridge. It is set down in William De Morgan: a Reminiscence,' contributed by Miss Julia Cartwright to The Cornhill Magazine of April, 1917 (p. 469) : "There was, it appears, a popular superstition among Chelsea folk some fifty years ago that seven currents of air met in the middle span of the bridge. A carpenter who is still living vividly remembers being taken by his mother to stand on the bridge on a bitterly cold March day, with his six brothers and sisters, who were all suffering from whooping-cough. It must have been a case of kill or cure; but in this instance the good woman's faith seems to have been justified, for all her seven children got over the whooping-cough and grew up hale and hearty." ST. SWITHIN. SIR JOHN BARNARD.-In the Birmingham Free Library MSS. (257519) is a deed, dated Jan. 20, 1683/4, which connects Shakespeare's granddaughter's husband with the Haleses of Coventry and Snitterfield, a family which may have formed a local link between the Northamptonshire squire and the poet's family in Stratford. The deed recites an earlier document (dated Jan. 28, 1657/8) wherein Christopher Hales of the "Fryers" (Whitefriars), Coventry, executes a trust for the raising of portions and maintenance for his younger children." The trustees named are John Purefoy of Wadley, co. Bucks, Esq., John Barnard of Abington, co. Northampton, Esq., afterwards Sir John Barnard, Knt., and James Hales of Snitterfield, co. Warwick, gentleman. It is worth noting that the name of Nat. Barnard, mercer, appears in the Trinity Church, Coventry, documents (No. 167) in 1630-31. M. DORMER HARRIS. Queries. We must request correspondents desiring information on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that answers may be sent to them direct. "BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER": COMMODORE TATTNALL. The Observer of May 20 last contained the following: The American destroyers rendering admirable aid remind us that old Commodore Tatnall was more prophetic than he knew when he signa lled 'Blood is thicker than water,' and ran into action under the stars and stripes.' Who was Commodore Tatnall? And what is the occasion referred to ? LUCIS. difficult it is to be accurate in historical allusions. [The quotation from The Observer shows how Between fifteen and sixteen years ago there appeared in N. & Q.' (9 S. viii. 238) a rather long article by GNOMON discussing the incident, which happened, he said, on Aug. 21, 1860, when British and French ships were attacking the Taku forts. to summarize from memory the He went on report of the occurrence sent home, he stated, by the special correspondent of The Times with the British fleet, to the effect that when the American commodore paid a visit to the British admiral during the action, his coxswain went forward and lent a hand to the British bluejackets serving the guns, and, being reprimanded by the commodore for so doing, excused himself by saying that he couldn't help it, as, "after all, blood's thicker than water." Thus, according to GNOMON, the remark was made to the commodore, not by him. It is dangerous, however, to trust one's memory in relation to events that occurred forty years earlier. The dispatch referred to by GNOMON was dated from the "Camp on the Peiho, Aug. 25, 1860," and occupies seven columns of The Times of Nov. 3, 1860. It is full of interesting details of the capture of the forts, but Commodore Tattnall is not mentioned. The writer, however, states that he saw in the river the remains of two or three of the gunboats which had been sunk by the Chinese when the British and French unsuccessfully attacked the same forts the previous year. Here we have a clue, for GNOMON had, after the lapse of forty years, confused the two attacks. The unsuccessful one occurred on June 25, 1859, and here Commodore Tattnall figured prominently. It may be advisable to recall the circumstances. The special envoys of the British and French Governments were on their way to Pekin to obtain ratification of the treaty which had been arranged to terminate the war between England and France, on the one side, and the Chinese Empire on the other. Mr. Ward, the United |