As to MR. HALL'S suggestion of an arrangement among the booksellers, I think he may be right. I have added a foot-note to p. 315 of The Life of Daniel Defoe, stating that "the trade were so chagrined at Taylor having secured the enormous profits of Robinson Crusoe to himself, that they formed a confederacy to publish future works of our author's imaginative genius." The dates of all the other entries of Defoe's works in the books of the Stationers' Company, quoted by MR. HALL, confirm the accuracy of the dates respectively stated by me as those of publication. W. LEE. BELL INSCRIPTIONS (4th S. iv. 478, 520, 573.)With reference to the statement and the innuendo of your esteemed correspondent MR. ELLACOMBE (p. 573) I am instructed to say, that the volume which I mentioned in your impression of the 11th ult., and which is still in the possession of Messrs. Mears and Stain bank of Whitechapel, contains fac-similes of all the bell inscriptions copied in Mr. John Mears's book, and also of many others not to be found elsewhere. રી 4 VULCAN DANCY (4th S, i. 510, 500.) - Some time ago I queried the meaning of the words "Vulcan dancy," found in the old lyric "Hollo, my Fancy!" and I now think I can answer my own question-for I was not satisfied with your editorial explanation about the "welkin "a word, by the by, which has nothing to say to "wheel" or a "circle," in my opinion. The answer, which I think is the true one, comes curiously enough from her Majesty's castle of Balmoral, where, on a late festive occasion, some Highland lads and lasses performed several dances, among which the report mentions the Hulican-a name I never saw before, but one eminently calculated to catch the eye of an etymologist. I think it gives an explanation of the above query. Having made one discovery I stumbled on another, which, if you have no objection, I shall make a 66 note" of here. I had in fact seen the Hulican before, without knowing it, for I now believe it is the "Ulican" of the Ulicandubh-o, the title of one of the old Irish melodies. The Irish etymologists all say that this means "Little Black Cow," or something of that sort, which, I think, is a good old Irish blunder. The term signifies a dancing or choral measure." This could be proved by a little show of etymology; but the reader will take the Balmoral boys' word for it, the Ulican or Hulican means a "dance." As for the word dubh-o, it has apparently the same meaning. I think I see it in the Moorish dimma, the Berber demke, and the Arab touaf, all meaning "dance," and represented in Irish by the word dump, a certain kind of ancient melody. Ulicandubho was certainly a round dance like Hulican. And here I might astonish the Celtic etymologists by stating that the words Drimmeen-dubho, the name of another Irish air, have the exact meaning of Ulicandubho -8 "dance" "" or choral movement"-the usual free translation of the term being "Little Black Cow," as before. Strange that they should so jumble up this heavy-footed good creature with the lightheeled and frolicsome Terpsichore. But so it is. I may here add, that the Irish dreim, the AngloSaxon dryme, and the old French tourim, all mean music and dancing measure. So much for the " Vulcan Dancies" of England, Ireland, and Scotland; the same things or nearly the same, like a great many other things English, Irish, and Scotch which seem to "stand off in differences so mighty." W. D. New York. MEANING OF "LUN" (2nd S. x. 287, 336.)The interesting article by MR. W. H. HUSK, headed "Three Early Pantomimes (4th S. iv. 500), called to my recollection an inquiry made in your pages many years ago as to the meaning of Lun in the following couplet quoted from Churchill's Rosciad : "On one side Folly sits, by some called Fun, The lines, as the inquirer justly stated, being made more obscure by Park's note, which explains that "Mr. John Rich, the manager of Covent Garden, acquired the name of Lun by his excellent performance of Harlequin, in which he remained unrivalled for half a century." As this query was not answered (except partially by myself) it may be as well to note for the benefit of future readers of Churchill, as well as for all who connect the name of Lun with Rich, that "Lun had been the name of the famous man who represented Harlequin at Paris; therefore, whenever Mr. Kich appeared as Harlequin, the name of Lun was inserted in the bills."-The Mirror, or Actors' Tablet (published in memoirs of Tate Wilkinson, vol. iv.p. 153.) CHARLES WYLIE. ORIGIN OF THE WORD "ASMONEAN" (4th S. iv. 448.)-This word was the appellative of the valiant family of Mattathias, and signifies, according to Eichhorn (Apol. Schrif. 216), great or noble men; but at length came into use as a nomen proprium. Hence the books which described their noble actions were sometimes called by the ancient fathers the books of the Asmonæans. Josephus calls these warriors 'Aσauovaîo, 'Aσaμovaiwv yeveά; also, οἱ Ασαμοναίου παίδων ἔκγονοι (Antig. xii. 6, 1, xiv. 16, 4, xx. 8, 11, xx. 10, 1). And Josephus Gorionides (pp. 66,159, 443) in or 'NIIDEN J. When the Jews quote our books of Maccabees they term them 'NJIDWORU¬DD "JW, "the two books of the Hasmoneans," according to R. Asa rias in Meor Enaim, fol. a., and the first book of Maccabees on nex, as R. Asarias, 7. c. Pra, fol. 2. b. The word on agrees with the ,magnas, optimas = حشيم and حاشم Arabic magnus, magnique famulitii vir, from, 1. pinguis fuit vel evasit (for this condition is thought by the Asiatics to be peculiarly applicable to the noble and honourable of a nation. (Compare, Ps. lxxviii. 31, Is. x. 16, xvii. 4.) 2. multos habuit famulos et asseclas. Waterfield House, Rickmansworth. MONUMENTAL BRASS (4th S. iv. 514.) "Sir William Vaus: Arg. within orle of martlets, an inescutcheon gu." (Boutell's Heraldry, p. 175). HERM ENTRUDE. BOGGARTS (4th S. iv. 508.)-Can MR. HIGSON favour me with any account-is it allowable to say history?-of two boggarts which flourished a few miles from him about the second decade of this century, and bore the attractive names of "Old Lob" and "Old Jenny Greenteeth"? HERMENTRUDE. SIR T. FLIMER (4th S. iv. 335.)—In reply to MR. JOHN E. FOSTER'S query, I beg to inform him that there does not appear to have been any one of this name created baronet; but in 16751720, there was Sir Thomas Filmer, Baronet, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Bever sham of Holbrook Hall, Suffolk, and was succeeded by his eldest son Edward. He married Mary, daughter of John Wallis of Soundess, Oxfordshire. This family bore arms: Sable, three bars and as many cinquefoils chief or; crest, a Kent. SEAL OF HAWISE, LADY OF CYVEILIOC (4th S. iv. 523.)-The question asked by M. C. J.—“I represents?"-may, I think, be answered to some should be glad to know whose arms this shield extent as follows: fourth grand quarters, belonged successively to of name. I know nothing of the local history which Stuarts Lodge, Malvern Wells. "THREE LADIES PLAYING AT BALL" (4th S. iv. 517.)-I was familiar in childhood in the north of Ireland with this ballad: now, alas! quite forgotten, except a line or two and its refrain, which differs from those recorded in "N. & Q.":— "There were two ladies playing ball, A great lord came to court them all: Hey, ho, my Nannie O! He gave to the second a far better thing, The swan she does swim bonnie, O!" "He made a harp of her breast bone, 2. Can any of your readers help me to recover "A Child's Dream of Heaven," recited to us youngsters in the nursery by a religious old crone? It was in ballad measure; but each second line ended with the word Mamma. As, for instance, a mere example of the form, but no portion of the poem, which has utterly faded from memory. It probably came from Scotland in the beginning of this century: "I dreamt I was in heaven last night, I had been glad to stay, Mamma." 3. The lines that I now proceed to quote are of mysterious import to a child; I wish to know whether they belonged to a legend or to a riddle? provisioned, but who by sending out half his men was enabled to hold out till he was relieved. The crest-A cock, sable, beaked, legged and wattled, gu. on a wreath-was granted to the family for their behaviour at the battle of Cockbridge, or Towton, near York; on which occasion the bridge itself was successfully defended against a body of Yorkists by Robert Hildyard, commander for the house of Lancaster in that battle, and father of Sir Robert Hildyard, a person of great note in the reigns of Henry VL, Edw. IV., and Rich. III.; and was commonly called Robin of Riddesdale. The more ancient, and it must be confessed handsomer crest, had been on a wreath, a roebuck, proper. W. H. THE PHRASE "DEAR ME (4th S. iv. 531.)— There can be little doubt, I think, that the phrase "Oh dear me corruption of the Spanish "Ay de mí" ("Woe is me"), known to many of your readers probably in the burden of the Spanish poem, Ay de mí, Alhama." It was adopted probably about the time of James I.; and when once in use, such curt expressions as Dear me,' "Oh dear," 99.66 Dear, dear," would come to be used in time almost as a matter of course. HENRY T. RILEY. ENGLISH WINES (4th S. iv. 293.)-The Emperor Napoleon III. planted a slip from the celebrated vine at Hampton Court Palace, at No. 11, Grosvenor Street West, London (cir. 1849); which was transplanted to the garden of 100, Sloane Street, Belgrave Square (cir. 1852). Mr. F. Wustemann realised thirty-three and a pounds of grapes from it, and made four and a half gallons of wine resembling sherry in 1868. N.B. The vine is in the open air. 41, Eccleston Square, S.W. half CHARLES VIVIAN. THE TOWER PRETERNATURALS (4th S. iv. 578.) The shadow of the axe on the Tower wall is a story which I discredit, as utterly as I do its prior appearance in 1848. I was at that period resident within that fortress; and, had such a marvel occurred, must have heard of it from one or other of my neighbours. Its penny-a-liner has, however, chosen a favourable date for his inventionthe bicentenary of that regal murder, the "lasting shame" whereof no discontinuance of its annual atonement can efface, any more than its fellowbloodstain of 1793 can be wiped off the wing of the French eagle. For my own mysterious visitation, in 1817, I will but repeat my statements in "N. & Q." (2nd S. x.), neither subtracting from, nor adding to, a syllable of their original EDMUND LENTHAL SWIFTE. verity. SIR BRIAN TUKE (4th S. iv. 489.)-Although your correspondent TEWARS quotes his authority, I fear he is not correct in saying Sir Brian Tuke died in 1536. The will of a Sir Brian Tuke was dated Sept. 24, 1546, and proved in London Dec. 7, 1547, "RARE-OVERS FOR MEDDLERS" (4th S. iv. 507.) Lees, near Oldham. Miscellaneous. 66 NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC. Womankind in Western Europe, from the Earliest Times to the Seventeenth Century. By Thomas Wright, M.A., F.S.A., &c. (Groombridge & Sons.) nothing to be desired in the way of printing, paper, and the getting up generally, but that they are prepared for the press in a scholarlike and efficient manner. The two volumes whose titles we have just transcribed are instances in point. Johnson's admirable and philosophical tale is introduced by an admirable preface by Mr. West, in which he reprints for the first time Boswell's account of it, which, as he well remarks, is "its best preface"; illustrates it by valuable references to old and modern travellers in the regions of the Happy Valley; and points out the connection, hitherto we believe unnoticed, between it and Thomson's Castle of Indolence. So, again, the charming little volume of Selections from the writings of Lord Chesterfield is appropriately introduced by a translation of Sainte-Beuve's admirable criticism on the works and character of that accomplished nobleman. BOOKS RECEIVED:-Books I. and II. of the Annals of Tacitus translated into English, with Notes and Marginal Analysis of the Chapters, by A. H. Beesly, M.A. (Longmans), is a conscientious and painstaking translation. The translator has rather endeavoured to interpret his author's meaning accurately, than to reproduce his style. Handbook of Physical Geography, by Keith Johnston junior, (Johnston), is intended as a companion to John ston's "Atlas of Physical Geography," and well calcu lated to add to its utility. James VI. of Scotland and I. of England. The Essays of a Prentise in the Divine Art of Poesie and a Counterblaste to Tobacco, carefully edited by Edward Arber; is another of Mr. Arber's cheap, well printed, and well edited reprints. those who desire to secure the fifth volume should at once communicate their wishes to the publisher. There is probably no scholar of the present day to whom the task of producing a pleasant, readable, and instructive book on any subject which calls for a copious and varied knowledge of the medieval literature of France and England, whether printed or manuscript, combined with the pen of a ready and practised writer, could be so safely entrusted as the author of the present contribution to the history of Female Life in the Middle The Bookworm, an Illustrated Literary and BibliograAges. Nay, we would go further and say, that if the phical Review, Nos. XI. and XII., which complete the book is to be illustrated, as this is, from the works of fourth volume of this curious and interesting Bibliogracontemporary artists, Mr. Wright's familiar acquaint-phical Magazine. As the number printed is very limited, ance with early manuscripts fits him, in a peculiar manner, for its preparation. In the book before us, which is dedicated to Lord Lytton, Mr. Wright, without troubling himself with the vexed question of woman's claims, and woman's rights, has endeavoured to trace, from sources which are not commonly known, and many of which are not very easy of access, the history of Womankind in Western Europe up to the seventeenth century, and to describe the condition, character, and manners of the sex through the various revolutions of Western society, and, avoiding as much as possible all speculative views, to give a trustworthy picture of female life in each particular period of which he treats. To accomplish this object he lays under contribution every species of contemporary record from the grave annals of the professed chronicler to the almost as valuable for his purpose-narratives of the romances and the chansons of the Jongleur. As might be expected, therefore, Womankind in Western Europe is replete with curious information on a subject well worth studying; and being profusely and handsomely illustrated, may not only be read with great advantage, but forms a very appropriate gift-book, we need scarcely say to whom. Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia. By Samuel Johnson, Letters, Sentences, and Maxims. By Lord Chesterfield. The publishers of the "Bayard Series" deserve especial LOCAL ALMANACKS.-Those of our readers who take an interest in our provincial dialects will thank us for directing their attention to the numerous local almanacks publishing throughout the country, many of which are written in the peculiar dialect of the district in which they are produced. The following are the titles of five, all published in Yorkshire:-"The Original Illuminated Clock Almanack for 1870, in the Yorkshire dialect by John Hartley," is published at Halifax. "The Dewsbere Back at Mooin Olmenac an' 'Twest-Ridin' Historical Calendar for t' Year 1870, clapp'd together by Mungo "The Shoddy, Esq., B.M.A.," is published at Batley. Nidderdill Olminac an' Ivvery Body's Kalender. All Hot. Compiled, composed, skrewed up an' fastened doon by Nattie Nidds," is published at Pateley Bridge. "The Barnsla Foaks' Annual and Pogmoor Olmenack. By Tom Treddlehoyle, Esq. By Authority a' t' Man i' t' Moon," is published at Leeds, as is "Tommy Toddle's Comic Almenac for all t' fowks i' t' Warld an' rahnd abaght." These curiosities of literature contain tales, songs, and jokes, made more piquant by the racy vernacular in which they are told, and some are illustrated with quaint woodcuts, very creditable to the skill and humour of the artists. Can any other county in England show five such almanacks? Those who know the value of M. Vapereau's admirable Dictionnaire des Contemporaines will be glad to hear that a fourth edition of it is not only in preparation, but very far advanced towards publication. It will be enriched by some six hundred additional names, while the additions and rectifications to the existing articles may probably be numbered by thousands. DEATH OF WILLIAM JAMES SMITH, ESQ.-It is with great regret that we announce the death of this accomplished gentleman, who was formerly Librarian at Stowe, where he doubtless acquired much of that intimate knowledge of the men and politics of the past century, which enabled him to edit so effectually the four vols. of Grenville Papers, published by Mr. Murray in 1852. Mr. Smith's Essay in the third volume, in which he maintained that Lord Temple wrote the celebrated letters of Junius, was very ingenious if not convincing. Mr. Smith was at the time of his death, which took place on Christmas Day, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. DEATH OF THOMAS CRESWICK, R.A.-English landscape-painting has lost one of its most genial exponents in Mr. Thomas Creswick, whose works have for upwards of forty years regularly graced the walls of the Royal Academy. At the time of his death, which took place on the 28th Dec., Mr. Creswick was in his fifty-ninth year. "His works," says The Times, "like himself were pleasant and cheerful, ever taking the sunny view of nature, and by his death the public has lost a benefactor, and the profession an esteemed brother." The Athenæum, which has been slightly enlarged to meet the requirements of additional space rendered necessary to give effect to the increased attention which foreign literature is to receive in its columns, will, it is understood, be from this time conducted under the immediate superintendence of Sir Charles W. Dilke. Rumour is reported to have done scant justice to Mr. Twisleton's forthcoming volume on JUNIUS, which, it is said, will contain some new and remarkable documents calculated to clear up, in a very striking manner, the mystery in which the authorship of these extraordinary Letters has hitherto been involved. DEATH OF WILHELM WACKERNAGEL.-English philologists will learn with deep regret the death of this accomplished pupil of Lachmann, whose reputation almost equals that of the brothers Grimm. His Deutsches Lesebuch and Deutsches Wörterbuch are doubtless wellknown to many of our readers. Like the Grimms, he was not only an able and industrious editor of early monuments of German national literature, but a frequent contributor to Hoffman von Fallersleben's Alt-Deutsche Blätter, and other periodicals of a similar character; and was, moreover, a poet of no ordinary ability. Wackernagel was born at Berlin in 1806. The mention of Wackernagel's contributions to the archæological and philological journals of Germany reminds us that Dümmler of Berlin has just issued the fourth volume of Jacob Grimm's Kleinere Schriften, which contains upwards of sixty articles on literature, folk-lore, mythology, and superstitions, not of Germany only, but of almost all people and languages. BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES WANTED TO PURCHASE. Particulars of Price, &c., of the following Books to be sent direct to the gentlemen by whom they are required, whose names and addresses are given for that purpose: THE VICES: a Poem by the Author of " Junius." London, 1828. MEMOIRS OF J. T. SERRES, MINIATURE PAINTER TO HIS MAJESTY. 870. 1826. SOBIESKI'S TALES OF THE CENTURY. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1847. A LETTER TO THE DUKE OF GRAFTON ON THE PRESENT STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. Almon, 1768. COLLECTION OF ALL THE REMARKABLE AND PERSONAL PASSAGES IN THE BRITON," "NORTH BRITON," AND "AUDITOR." 1768. THE LONDON MUSEUM OF POLITICS, MISCELLANIES, AND LITERATURE. 4 Vols. 8vo. 1769, 1778. VOX SENATUS. 1771. REASONS FOR REJECTING THE EVIDENCE OF MR. ALMON. 1807. NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF A GENTLEMAN LONG RESIDENT IN INDIA. 1778. Wanted by William J. Thoms, Esq., 40, St. George's Square, S.W., London. THE BEAUTIES OF THE MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICAL WORKS, ETC. 1772. THE HISTORY OF THE ROBIN HOOD SOCIETY. 1751. Wanted by W. Pinkerton, Esq. F.S.A., Pownall Gardens, SCOTS MAGAZINE for 1800, 1801, and 1804. AUTOGRAPHIC MIRROR. If in numbers, the want of the first three would be no objection. CATALOGUE OF EXHIBITION OF MEDIEVAL WORKS OF ART, ETC., at South Kensington in 1862. If in numbers, the want of the first two parts not objected to. NOTES AND QUERIES. Vols. I. and II. Third Series. Wanted by Andrew Jervise, Brechin, N.B. HISTORY OF THE FOREST OF ROSSENDALE, by Mr. Newbigging. TOOKE'S HISTORY OF PRICES. Vols. V. and VI. PENNANT'S TOUR FROM DOWNING TO ALSTON MOOR. LITTLE'S MARRIAGE CEREMONIES. 4 Vols. Wanted by Mr. Thomas Beet, Bookseller. 15, Conduit Street, Notices to Carrespondents. UNIVERSAL CATALOGUE OF ART BOOKS. All Additions and Corrections should be addressed to the Editor, South Kensington Museum, London, W. We are unavoidably compelled to to postpone until next week Chaucer to Buckton, Foundation and Dedication Stones, and other articles of interest. OUR CORRESPONDENTS will, we trust, excuse our suggesting to them, both for their sakes as well as our own- I. That they should write clearly and distinctly and on one side of the paper only-more especially proper names and words and phrases of which an explanation may be required. We cannot undertake to puzzle out what a Correspondent does not think worth the trouble of writing plainly. II. That Correspondents should give their names and addresses; and when writing anonymously communicate them to the Editor. III. That Quotations should be verified by precise references to edition. chapter, and page; and references to "N. & Q." by series, volume, and page. IV. Correspondents who reply to Queries would add to their obligation by precise reference to volume and page where such queries are to be found. The omission to do this saves the writer very little trouble, but entails much to supply such omissions. FULLER WORTHIES LIBRARY.-We have received from the Rev. A. Grosart a reply to the Lover of Correct Texts, from which it appears that, "spite of a second and a third revise, the sheets containing the Latin verses animadverted on, was printed off uncorrected." We have not room for Mr. Grosart's very long letter, which was obviously written under the impression which we know to be unfounded that his critic was influenced by unfriendly motives. NEWS.-C. B. S. will find in the first, second, and third volumes of our First Series many interesting articles on the derivation of this word. A Reading Case for holding the weekly numbers of "N. & Q." is now ready, and may be had of all Booksellers and Newsmen, price ls. 6d.; or, free by post, direct from the Publisher, for 1s. 8d. **Cases for binding the Volumes of "N. & Q." may be had of the Publisher, and of all Booksellers and Newsmen. "NOTES AND QUERIES" is published at noon on FRIDAY, and is also issued in MONTHLY PARTS. The Subscription for STAMPED COPIES for Six Months forwarded direct from the Publisher (including the Halfyearly INDEX) is 11s. 4d., which may be paid by Post Office Order, payable at the Strand Post Office, in favour of WILLIAM G. SMITH, 43, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND, W.C., where also all COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE EDITOR should be addressed. CURE OF COUGH, CHEST, AND BRONCHIAL DISORDER, BY DR. LOCOCK'S WAFERS. From Mr. Mallet, Angel Inn, Acle, near Yarmouth: "For upwards of four years I suffered from a very bad cough and soreness of the chest. I was frequently unable to turn myself in bed, but the Wafers never failed in affording me almost instant relief." Dr. Lococks Wafers cure asthma, consumption, coughs, and all disorders of the breath, throat, and lungs, and have a pleasant taste. Price 18. 1d. and 2s. 9d. per box. Sold by all Medicine Vendors. MODERN INVENTIONS.-That great invention the "Chronograph," which times all the principal events of the day, and has superseded the old-fashioned"Stop-watch," seems likely to be eclipsed in fame by that still more useful invention the "Keyless Watch." The fact of no key being required renders these Watches indispensable to the traveller. the nervous, and invalids. The enormous number sent even by post to all parts of the world, is a convincing proof of their great utility. The prices range from 5 to 100 guineas. Thousands of them are manufac tured by Mr. J. W. BENSON, of Old Bond Street, and of the Steam Factory, Ludgate Hill, London, who sends post free for 2d. a most interesting historical pamphlet upon watch-making. "NOTES & QUERIES" is registered for transmission abroad. |