Notes and Queries, Number 40, August 3, 1850

"We have not, as yet, been able to trace out the historical incident upon which the ballad appears to have been founded, yet those curious in such matters may consult, if they list, Proceedings and Debates in the House of Commons for 1621 and 1622, where they will find that some stormy debatings in these several years have been agitated in Parliament regarding the corn laws, which bear pretty close upon the leading features of the above."

    Edward F. Rimbault.

Execution of Charles I. (Vol. ii., p. 72.).—P.S.W.E. is referred to An exact and most impartial Accompt of the Indictment, Arraignment, Trial, and Judgment (according to law), of twenty-nine Regicides, &c., 1660.

Therein he will find minutes of the trial and conviction of one "William Hulett, alias Howlett," on the charge of having struck "the fatal blow." How far the verdict was consistent with the evidence (or, indeed, the whole proceedings of that court with the modern sense of justice), abler judges than I have long since determined.

On behalf of the prisoner Hulett, witnesses ("not to be admitted upon oath against the king") deposed that the common hangman, Richard Brandon, had frequently confessed (though he had also denied) that he had beheaded the king. One of these depositions, that of William Cox, is so remarkable that I am induced to transcribe it. If it be true, "Matfelonensis" is certainly justified in saying, "We need hardly question that Richard Brandon was the executioner."

"William Cox examined.

"When my Lord Capell, Duke Hamilton, and the Earl of Holland, were beheaded in the Palace-yard, in Westminster, my Lord Capell asked the common hangman, said he, 'Did you cut off my master's head?' 'Yes,' saith he. 'Where is the instrument that did it?' He then brought the ax. 'Is this the same ax; are you sure?' said my Lord. 'Yes, my Lord,' saith the hangman, 'I am very sure it is the same.' My Lord Capell took the ax and kissed it, and gave him five pieces of gold. I heard him say, 'Sirrah, wert thou not afraid?' Saith the hangman, 'They made me cut it off, and I had thirty pound for my pains.'"

    William Franks Mathews.

Charade (Vol. ii., p. 120.).—I think I can answer Mr. Gatty's Query as to the authorship of the charade in question. A schoolfellow of mine at Charterhouse wrote the following:

"What's that which all love more than life,
Fear more than death or mortal strife;
That which contented men desire,
The poor possess, the rich require,
The miser spends, the spendthrift saves,
And all men carry to their graves?"

This was taken from the original copy, and it was certainly his own invention while at school, and was written about five years ago. I have not seen him since, and do not like therefore to give his name.

While on the subject of charades, can any of your correspondents inform me of either the authorship or the answer of the following:

"Sir Hilary charged at Agincourt—
Sooth! 'twas a fearful day!
The Rufflers of the camp and court
Had little time to pray.
'Tis said Sir Hilary utter'd there
Two syllables, by way of prayer—
The first to all the young and proud
Who'll see to-morrow's sun;
The next, with its cold and quiet cloud,
To those who'll meet a dewy shroud
Before to-day's is gone:
And both together to all bright eyes,
That weep when a warrior nobly dies."

I quote from recollection, so perhaps have omitted part, but believe it to be pretty correct. I heard it at the same time as the one quoted in No. 31., and believe both to be hoaxes, as no answer I have heard (including that given in No. 35.) can be considered satisfactory. The former charade was attributed at the time to the late Archbishop of Canterbury, and it was reported that a reward of 100l. was promised for the correct answer, and I know that a clergyman sent him an answer with that belief. Among the answers suggested was "Tapir," taken in its various significations, which I think was as near the mark as "Church," as given in No. 35.

I have never heard any answer suggested to Sir Hilary's dissyllabic prayer.

    B.H.C.

Discursus Modestus (Vol. i., pp. 142. 205.).—Such of your readers as have been making inquiries and suggestions respecting Discursus Modestus will be glad to hear that a copy exists in the British Museum. Its title is as follows:

"A Sparing Discoverie of ovr English Iesuits, and of Fa. Parson's proceedings vnder pretence of promoting the Catholick Faith in England: for a caueat to all true Catholicks, ovr very louing brethren and friends, how they embrace such very uncatholike, though Iesuiticall deseignments. Eccles. 4. Vidi calumnias quæ sub sole geruntur, et lachrymas innocentium, et neminem consolatorem.—Newly imprinted, 1601."

At the end of the Preface are the initials W.W., making it clear that Watson, the author of Important Considerations and the Quodlibets, was the writer, and accounting for the connection which seemed to exist between the Discursus and the Quodlibets.

The two passages quoted by Bishop Andrewes (Resp. ad Apol. pp. 7. 117.) are to be found in p. 13. But the question now arises, from what earlier book the quotations are taken, as they both appear in the Sparing Discovery in Latin, and not in English? Did the Jesuits publish a work containing such statements? or are we to accept them as their opinions only on the authority of so bitter an opponent as Watson?

    James Bliss.

"Rapido contrarius orbi" (Vol. ii., p. 120.) is in one of the finest passages in Ovid:

"Nitor in adversum nec me qui cætera vincit
Impetus, et rapido contrarius evehor orbi."

    C.B.
"Isabel" and "Elizabeth."—At pages 439. and 488. of Vol. i., "Notes and Queries," are questions and answers on the names of "Isabel" and "Elizabeth."

The following, from the Epigrammaton Joannis Dunbari, Lond. 1616, may amuse some of your readers:

"AD. FREDERICUM PRINCIPEM PALATIN. RH.

"Selectam Elector sibi quando elegit Elisam:
Verè Electoris nomine dignus erat."

"AD ELISHABETHAM EIUS SPONSAM.

"El Deus est, ish vir, requiem Beth denique donat:
Hine meritò Elisabeth nobile nomen habet.
Scilicet illa Deo est motore, et Principe primo,
Principis una sui lausque, quiesque viri."

    Scotus.
Hanap (Vol. i., p. 477.).—"A cup raised on a stem, either with or without a cover." (Arch. Journ. vol. ii. 1846, p. 263., where may be found an interesting account of old drinking vessels, &c., many of them curiously named.)

    Jarltzberg.

Cold Harbour (Vol. ii., p. 60.).—There is a place bearing that designation at Gosport, running along side of Portsmouth harbour, between the town of Gosport and the Royal Clarence Victualling-yard. I am at present aware of none other.

    J.R. Fox.

Miscellaneous

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC

The "Percy Society" has just issued The Anglo-Saxon Passion of St. George, from a manuscript in the Cambridge University Library. It is a work highly creditable to the Society; and in the interesting Introduction prefixed to it by the Editor, the Rev. C. Hardwick, M.A., Fellow of St. Catharine's Hall, he has gratified our national prejudices by showing the favour which the Saint from whom we take

"Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George"

enjoyed in England before the Norman Conquest. Mr. Hardwick's brief notice of the Anglo-Saxon allusions to Saint George is complete and most satisfactory.