North Isle."

"1628. Sept. 25. Was baptd William ye sonn of Gillis Van Brugh and Mary his Wyff.

1631. Aprill 27. Gyles, the sonn of Gyles Vanbrugh, Marchaunt, and Margarett his Wyfe, was baptysed.

1656. Nov. 13. Was borne a still borne child of Mr. William Vanbruggs.

1657. Jan. 1. William, the sonn of Mr. William Van Brugg, Marchant, and Mary his wife, was baptised. 1659. July 6. Was born Dudley, the sonne of Mr. William Vanbrugge, Marchant, and Mary his wife, and was baptised the 13th July." These, I am informed, are the whole of the entries in the register of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, relating to the Vanbrugh family.

These extracts are important. Of Giles Vanbrugh, the son of a merchant in Walbrook, we are told that he married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Dudley Carleton, of Imber Court in Surrey; hence doubtless the Christian name of Dudley mentioned in the above extracts.

MR. T. HUGHES, of Chester, tells us ("N. & Q.," 1st S. viii. 232.) that Giles Vanbrugh died at Chester, and was buried in Trinity Church, in that city, July 19, 1689.

Was this the father of the dramatist and archi

tect? I suspect he was. Has his will been looked

into ?

I have examined Sir John Vanbrugh's will in Doctors' Commons. In his will he mentions two brothers, Charles and Philip (Captain Philip Vanbrugh is a subscriber, with Sir John, to Tickell's Addison, 4 vols. 4to., 1721), and three sisters, Mary, Robina, and Victoria. Two of these names are unusual. They should serve as a clue to the discovery of the father of the dramatist. Will MR. T. HUGHES, of Chester, kindly inform me if Robina and Victoria are among the names of the daughters of Giles Vanbrugh, baptized in Trinity Church, Chester ?

Let me add, that the extract from the Life and Death of Matthew Henry (1716), printed in "N. & Q." (1st S. viii. 480.), confirms the supposition that the father of the dramatist was connected with the city of Chester.

Sir John wrote his name in three different ways: Vanbrook, Vanbrug, and Vanbrugh. I have seen instances of all three.

Philip Van Berenbrocke was made one of His Majesty's Falconers by warrant under the signet, such by the Treasurer of His Majesty's Chamber. dated April 22, 14 Charles II., and was paid as Giles Vanbrugh (we are told by the biographers of the dramatist) was Comptroller of the Treasury Chamber. But this I doubt. Was there such an officer?

I will ask leave to add another note about the Vanbrugh family, hitherto unnoticed:

Register of Requests, 1660-1670, Add. MS., Brit. Mus., 57.59. ❝5 May, 1663.

"John and James Vanbergh.

"That yr Petrs are both twinnes, and borne in London, and for some yeares past have employed a stock left them by their grandfather in a course of merchandizing. Yet some, out of spight, go about to hinder their trading, in regard their father was an alien, though their mother an English woman, and themselves have not attained ye full age of xxj yeares. Prayes yr Matyes dispensacon wth their innocent disability, and that they be permitted to trade, &c. His Maty having beene moved in this Peticon, his

pleasure is, that Mr. Attory, or Mr. Sol. Gen11, doo prepare a Bill for his Matys royal signature, conts a grant and liberty to ye Petrs to traffiq, as by them is humbly desired." PETER CUNNINGHAM.

Kensington.

ADDITIONS TO POPE.

In a certain periodical work which made its George the third, and bore a title which somewhat first appearance in the early part of the reign of reminds one of rovalty, there are three pieces ascribed to Mr. Pope elsewhere yclept Alexander Pope, esquire, of Twickenham.

in

Two of the pieces are in verse, and the other is epistolary prose. As the former are not in the editions of Warburton and Warton, nor in the supplementary volume of 1807, nor in the Aldine edition of 1851, they may have escaped notice, and I therefore give them the benefit of a re-impression : "Lines written by Mr. POPE, in an arbour at a gentleman's country seat.

What are these noon-tide bowers, and solemn shades?
Those gliding streams, and evening colonnades?
But soft recesses for th' uneasy mind,
To sigh unheard in, to the passing wind.
So the struck deer, in some sequester'd part,
Lies down to die, the arrow near his heart;
There hid in shades, and pining day by day,
Inly he bleeds, and melts his soul away."

Nay, if Pallas sends her owl,
Get thee out, impatient soul!
By the bed see Musich stand,
Ready to take thee by the hand;
All the sister arts have sent
On this errand, master Kent,
Who must lose (if we're not hasty)
His present cake and future pasty.
Jumper too will have it so-
What a fuss is here w'ye?-Go,
Get you out then-Oh-I see
That mimic face will copy me;
And what most wou'd vex a mother,
Thou wilt make just such another."

I waive the question of authorship, and of the circumstances under which the verses were extemporised; and shall only add, that George Colman, Bonnell Thornton, Robert Lloyd, William Falconer, and other writers of note, were contributors to the miscellany whence they are transcribed. BOLTON CORNEY.

The Terrace, Barnes.

RUNNING FOOTMEN.

The following description of this now extinct class of retainers is extracted from a volume of MS. Notes on Old Plays, in the handwriting of the Rev. George Ashby, Rector of Borrow in Suffolk, and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, which I lately purchased. The notes seem to have been written shortly after the publication of Reed's edition of Dodsley's Old Plays in 1780. His account of running footmen, their use, pedestrian powers, and costume, seem to me so characteristic of a bygone state of society, as to deserve a corner in "N. & Q." :

"The running footmen drank white wine and eggs. One told me, fifty years ago, that they carried some white wine in the large silver ball of their tall cane or pole,

which unscrews; that they could easily keep a-head of the coach and six in uphill and down countries (N.B. bad roads), but that in the plain they were glad to sign to the coachman with the pole to pull in, as they could not hold out. I have often wondered how he came to tell us little schoolboys at Croydon thus much. Since the roads have been made good, the carriages and cattle lightened, we have little of them; yet I remember he told us of vast performances, threescore miles a day, and seven miles an hour. They would probably now go further in a day than a gentleman and his own horses, but perhaps take a

little more time. The last exploit of one of them that I recollect was, the late Duke of Marlborough drove his phaethon and four for a wager from London to Windsor, against one, and just beat him, but the poor fellow died soon. No carriage could have done Powell's York journey. They wore no breeches, but a short silk petticoat, kept down by a deep gold fringe."

In these long poles of the running footmen we have, I presume, the origin of the long silverheaded canes carried by the footmen of many families at the present day.

I have been told that the late Duke of Queenbury was the last nobleman who kept running footmen; that he was in the habit, before engag ing them, of trying their paces, by seeing how they could run up and down Piccadilly, he watching and timing them from his balcony. They put on his livery before the trial. On one occasion a candidate presented himself, dressed, and ran. At the conclusion of his performance he stood before the balcony. "You'll do very well for me," said the duke; "Your livery will do very well for me," replied the man, and gave the duke a last proof of his ability as a runner by then runWILLIAM J. THOMS. ning away with it.

Minor Notes.

Neology. Some unknown friend has sent me a Kentucky newspaper, the Georgetown Herald, probably on account of a defence which it contains of some reputed Americanisms of which the writer shows two or three, out of half-a-dozen, to be essentially English. This essay, which occupies a couple of columns, and appears as borrowed from another publication, is written in good taste and very pure English, but in other parts of the newspaper there are some neologisms which have amused me. For instance, information by the electric telegraph is happily headed "News by Lightning." In a kind of feud now existing between American-born and foreign-born citizens, the former are said to profess Nativism; a vagabonil coming into a certain neighbourhood is described as being now "in our midst," and an editor who appreciates the value of his contributors is called "appreciative." This may be very well, but I am rather startled at seeing a popular candidate for Congress accused of "Demagoguery;" nor can I agree that a corpulent person, describing himself as very ill of such a disease as the dropsy, would be speaking "very correct and classical English," if he pronounced himself "very slim."

C.

The Ladies' Law of Leap-year. It may perhaps be interesting to all young ladies who are not already aware of the important fact, that leap-year empowers them to do something more than "pop the question." I am informed, by a

fair friend, that, if in the course of the ensuing year of 1856, -- which is leap-year she should so far forget herself as to suggest a union between herself and a bachelor acquaintance, who should be uncivil enough to decline her proposals, she could, thereupon, demand from him the gift of a new silk dress. But, to claim this dress with propriety, she must, at the time of asking, be the wearer of a scarlet petticoat; which, or the lower portion of which, she must exhibit to the gentleman, who, by the law of leap-year, is compelled to present to the lady the dress, that shall cover the petticoat, and assuage her displeasure at the rejection of her proposals.

This item of feminine folk lore may prove exceedingly useful to the male readers of "N. & Q.," in putting them upon their guard during the forthcoming leap-year. For, it is not, probably, without a determined significancy, that the wearing of scarlet petticoats is made one of the chief novelties in ladies' dresses for this winter season. Indeed, it may reasonably be inferred, that the ladies' law of leap-year is about to be inflicted upon the gentlemen in its most expensive silk-dress form; and, that the assumption of these scarlet petticoats is merely the initiatory step to a sterner process.

From a careful consideration of the various dangers (arising from this feminine folk lore) that will beset me, and all other bachelors, during the next twelve months, I am inclined to think that Mr. Meagles' advice with regard to beadles, is worthy of imitation; and that whenever we see a young lady, "in full fig," with a scarlet petticoat coming down a street, we shall show our best discretion by turning and running away. CUTHBERT BEDE.

Burying a Parish. "The sexton of Cullompton, in Devonshire, who died a few days since, had buried upwards of 4000 persons, while the population of the town is only 3655. It is said that the sextonship has been in his family for a period of 200 years." Saunders' News-Letter, Dec. 6, 1855.

ABHBA.

NON

Over Door Inscriptions. - The words " NOBIS" are inscribed above the door of one of the houses in the College of Durham Cathedral. Some eighty years ago, or more, a commercial traveller, on leaving the cathedral, where he had attended the afternoon prayers, sauntered through the college, and observed the above inscription; which, from ignorance of the Latin language, he was unable to comprehend; and seeing one of the vergers (a well-known eccentric character), called to him to come and expound the unknown words. The verger, thinking he was a stranger, waiting and hoping for an invitation from the doctor in residence (which, in days gone by, was usually given to strangers who attended morning and evening prayers in the cathedral), dryly answered

him: "The words, Sir, mean, 'Nobody comes here but ourselves.'' FRA. MEWBURN.

Mendelssohn's "Elijah." -A curious perversion of a text from the Book of Isaiah occurs in the concluding chorus of this celebrated Oratorio. The passage will be found in chap. lviii. v. 8., which in the authorised version runs thus: "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily and thy righteousness shall go before thee (shall be thy vanguard), the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward (rearward)." In the Oratorio the last phrase of the text is translated "and the glory of the Lord shall ever reward you." H. J. GAUNTLETT.

8. Powys Place, Queen Square.

Queries.

UNPUBLISHED LETTERS OF CHARLES I., AND WHAT HAS BECOME OF CHARLES'S LETTERS TO THE EARL OF GLAMORGAN?

"NOTES AND QUERIES," and your correspondent MR. WITTON (1st S. xii. 219.), have brought to light a curious and important collection of Letters of Charles I. On reading the first of them, as published (1st S. xii. 219.), I suspected its genuineness; but a sight of the whole collection, with the inquiries I have been led to make, preparatory to bringing the volume under the notice of the Council of the Camden Society, have fully satisfied me that the manuscript is unquestionably what it pretends to be. Its publication will be a feather in the cap of "N. & Q.;" a valuable addition to the Series of the works of the Camden Society, as well as to the historical materials for the most interesting period in our annals; and a memorial of the good fortune of MR. WITTON as a purchaser of MSS., and of his judicious liberality in the use of them. It is the intention of the Camden Council to publish the book as soon as possible; I hope within a few weeks.

The inquiries into which I have been drawn in connexion with this MS., have brought before me another subject on which I request permission to say a few words.

Every body is more or less acquainted with the dispute, of such great importance in estimating the character of Charles I., as to the powers which he is said to have given to the Earl of Glamorgan, to make peace with the Irish Roman Catholics, and to obtain from them the assistance of a considerable body of men intended to have been employed in England against the parliament. Zealous defenders of Charles I. have disputed the authenticity of the documents conferring these powers. Carte stigmatises them as undeniably

fictitious; and even those who believe the documents to be genuine, admit that they are so extraordinary, as to give reasonable ground for doubt. One would like to have these documents produced, and subjected to such tests as modern historical criticism can supply. Above all, considering their great historical importance, it is desirable that they should be lodged in some known custody where they may be accessible to investigation when required. The two of these papers which are of most importance, are dated the "12 January, 1644," and "the twelfe day of Marche, in the twentieth year of our reigne, 1644." Of the former Dr. Lingard had a MS. copy in his possession, attested by the Earl of Glamorgan's signature: "and, probably," as Dr. Lingard says, "the very same which he [Glamorgan] gave to Ormond, after his [Glamorgan's] arrest and imprisonment." Of the latter document, Dr. Lingard states:

“I have in my possession the original warrant itself, with the king's signature and private seal; bearing the arms of the three kingdoms, a crown above, and C. R. on the sides, and indorsed in the same handwriting with the body of the warrant: The Earle of Glamorgan's espetiall warrant for Ireland.'"- Lingard, 5th edit., vol. viii. p. 627.

Now my Query, upon the present occasion, and with reference to which I have brought this subject before you, is this: Where now are these valuable documents? Into whose possession have they passed since the death of Dr. Lingard ? With a view to inquiries connected with Mr. Witton's MS., it would be advantageous to me to see these documents; but I ask the question respecting their present custody, more especially in the interest of historical literature. These are documents of which the whereabouts ought to be known. If the possessor would dispose of them, the British Museum is the place where they ought to be deposited; and if that be not agreeable to the present owner, perhaps he will excuse my respectfully suggesting to him, that he would confer a great benefit upon historical students if he would deposit, in some public place (as the British Museum, or the Society of Antiquaries,) a carefully executed fac-simile, or a photograph-the best of fac-similes. If the documents, or photographs of them, could be inspected, and compared with other papers which emanated from Charles I. at that time, the handwriting and the seal would, in all probability, be capable of unquestionable identification; and all questions respecting the true character of the documents might thus be set JOHN BRUCE.

at rest for ever.

5. Upper, Gloucester Street, Dorset Square.

Ann Floyd, Translator of La Fayette's "Memoirs of Henrietta." - In 1722, "W. Clay, at the Bible and Star," published Fatal Gallantry, or the Secret History of Henrietta, Princess of England, written by the Countess de la Fayette, and translated from the French, by "Ann Floyd," who dedicated her translation "To the Honourable John Laws, Esq."

From the terms of the dedication, it is manifest that "John Laws " is intended for "Law," the financier; but of "Ann Floyd" I can get no information whatever. Do any of your correspondents know anything about her? The Countess de la Fayette asserts she "had the honour of being very intimate with the princess," and the circumstances" of her death, of which I was a witness, are writ by my own hand." It would be desirable to know who the countess really was; what portion, if any, of the History is true; and lastly, and this is the most important of the whole, whe

ther the "relation or account of the death of

The

Madam" at the end is veracious or the reverse: it certainly looks very much like truth. letters, six in number, are no doubt genuine.

J. M. (2.)

Etymology of "Agylla," &c.-Can any reader of "N. & Q." supply the etymology of Agylla, Anxur, Camars, Nequinum, Sinope, and Vulturnus? These towns were subsequently called Cære, Tarracina, Clusium, Narnia, Suessa, and Capua; and my reason in asking this information is this: there can be no doubt that the last name was, in most cases, perhaps always merely a translation of the former name of the same place. Therefore, if we can find the etymology of one name,

"The whole of this little work was drawn up and composed by me, Patrick Lynch, for Mr. Lea, whose property it is."

How was this? and who was Patrick Lynch ? The book has been long since superseded by Dr. Erck's Ecclesiastical Register. ABHBA. Naphthaline.—I do not consume "midnight oil," but I write a great deal by gas-light, having gas in my study, and all over my house. It happens several times in every year that my lights begin to diminish in brilliancy, the fish-tails collapse, it gets worse and worse every night, till at last, tired of these "ineffectual fires," I call for candles, and send for a gasfitter. He comes with many tools, and after putting out all my lights, and perfuming the house with carburetted hydrogen, sets all to rights again. My burners hiss and war as they were wont, and my friend tells me that the -supply-pipe is choked with naphthaline. I generally observe that this pleasant interruption of work and study occurs after a sharp frost. Can any of your scientific readers suggest a remedy? I do not doubt that it will be very acceptable to many others besides your constant reader, -when his gas will allow him to read.

PHOSPHILOS.

Albert Durer's Picture of "Melancholy." — Can any one offer an explanation of the different emblems in Albert Durer's celebrated picture of "Melancholy "? G. F.

Clifford's Inn Dinner Custom.—At Clifford's Inn, there being no chaplain, the president says, "Gentlemen, the usual grace, you know ;" and when dinner is over he takes three loaves, or rolls of bread, and dashes them on the floor. They are twice returned to his hands, and as often thrown down again. Thus three times are they sent to the floor, silently, and with uniform vehemence. How has this custom originated, and what is its signification? H.

Portrait of Franklin.—In the European Magazine for April, 1783, may be found an engraved portrait of Franklin, " from a painting in the possession of F. Schwediauer, M.D., in Newman Street." Can any one tell me what has become of that painting? T. H. B. Philadelphia.

Johnston, the Author of “Chrysal.”—Sir Walter Scott, in his Life of Johnston, the author of Chrysal, says that, "although by birth an Irishman, Johnis there for this? ston was of the Annandale family." What authority J. M. (2)

The Eucharist commonly called the Muss.- Has this title of the Mass been applied to the holy Eucharist in any document authoritatively issued since the first prayer-book of King Edward, and the first act of Uniformity?

H.

Queen Elizabeth wrote a letter to Edmund Plowden, the great lawyer of her reign, and who was called the oracle of the law, offering him the Lord

Queen Elizabeth's Letter to Edmund Plowden.

This letter

High Chancellorship and a peerage, if he would conform to the established religion: valuing his faith more than honours and worldly advantages, the offer was respectfully declined. was known to be in existence till a recent period (say seventy years at the utmost). All trace of the document is now lost. 1st. Could any of your readers give any information respecting this letter, as to its being in existence, or its whereabouts; or where there would be a chance of finding it ?* 2ndly. Is a transcript of the letter to be found, or known to be in existence, or any information to be gathered respecting its contents, beyond the simple facts mentioned? Information respecting this letter of Queen Elizabeth is earnestly requested. F. J. B.

[* In 1851, a correspondent in "N. & Q." (iv. 319.) states, that "Elizabeth's autograph letter was until re

cently in the possession of the family." An extract of

Sir Edmund Plowden's letter, in answer to that of the queen's, is given in Sir Francis Plowden's Reply to Sir Philip Musgrave, 8vo., 1806. - ED.]