Kitabı oku: «Notes and Queries, Number 185, May 14, 1853», sayfa 4
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PSALMANAZAR
(Vol. vii., pp. 206. 435.)
Having long felt a great respect for this person, and a great interest in all that concerns his history, I am induced to mention the grounds on which I have been led to doubt whether the letter in the Gentleman's Magazine, to which Mr. Crossley refers, is worthy of credit. When I first saw it, I considered it as so valuable an addition to the information which I had collected on the subject, that I was anxious to know who was the writer. It had no signature; but the date, "Sherdington, June, 1704," which was retained, gave me a clue which, by means not worth detailing, led me to the knowledge that what thus appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1765, had issued from "Curll's chaste press" more than thirty years before, in the form of a letter from the person now known in literary history as "Curll's Corinna," but by her cotemporaries (see the index of Mr. Cunningham's excellent Handbook of London) as Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, sometime of Dyot Street, St. Giles's, and afterwards of a locality not precisely ascertained, but within the rules of the Fleet, and possibly (though Mr. Cunningham does not corroborate this) at some period of her life resident in the more genteel quarters which Curll assigns to her. To speak more strictly, and make the matter intelligible to any one who may look at it in the Magazine, I should add that the first paragraph (seventeen lines, on p. 78., dated from "Sherdington," and beginning "I dined," says the letter writer, "last Saturday with Sir John Guise, at Gloucester") is part of a letter purporting to be written by her lover; while all the remainder (on pp. 79-81.) is from Corinna's answer to it.
The worthless and forgotten work of which these letters form a part, consists of two volumes. The copy which I borrowed when I discovered what I have stated, consisted of a first volume of the second edition (1736), and a second volume of the first edition (1732). The title of the second volume (which I give as belonging to the earlier edition) is:
"The Honourable Lovers: or, the second and last Volume of Pylades and Corinna. Being the remainder of Love Letters, and other Pieces (in Verse and Prose), which passed between Richard Gwinnett, Esq.; of Great Shurdington, in Gloucestershire, and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Jun., of Great Russel Street, Bloomsbury. To which is added, a Collection of familiar Letters between Corinna, Mr. Norris, Capt. Hemington, Lady Chudleigh, Lady Pakington, &c. &c. All faithfully published from their original Manuscripts. London: printed in the Year M.DCC.XXXII. (Price 5s.)"
The title-page of the first volume (second edition) differs principally in having the statement that the book was "printed for E. Curll" (whose name does not appear in the earlier second volume, though perhaps it may have done so in the first of that earlier edition), and an announcement that the fidelity of the publication is "attested, by Sir Edward Northey, Knight."
The work is a farrago of low rubbish utterly beneath criticism; and I should perhaps hardly think it worth while to say as much as I have said of it, had it not been that, in turning it about, I could not help feeling a suspicion that Daniel Defoe's hand was in the matter, at least so far as that papers that had belonged to him might have come into Curll's hands, and furnished materials for the work. It would be tedious to enter into details; but the question seemed to me to be one of some interest, because, in my own mind, it was immediately followed by another, namely, whether Daniel had not more to do than has been suspected with the History of Formosa? Those who are more familiar with Defoe than I am, will be better able to judge whether he was, as Psalmanazar says, "the person who Englished it from my Latin;" for the youth was as much disqualified for writing the book in English, by being a Frenchman, as he would have been if he had been a Formosan. He acknowledges that this person assisted him to correct improbabilities; but I do not know that he anywhere throws further light on the question respecting the help which he must have had. Daniel would be just the man to correct some gross improbabilities, and at the same time help him to some more probable fictions. Under this impression I recently inquired (see "N. & Q.," Vol. vii., p. 305.) respecting the authorship of Pylades and Corinna, and the possibility that it might be the work of Defoe; but I believe that my question has not been answered.
I have already trespassed unreasonably on your columns; but still I must beg, in justice to a man whose character, as I have said, I very highly respect, to add one remark. When his imposture is referred to, it is not always remembered that when he came to this country he was not his own master. It seems that he rambled away from his home in the South of France, when about fifteen years old; that he spent about two years in wandering about France and Germany, and astonishing people by pretending to be, at first a converted, and afterwards an unconverted, Formosan; that when performing this second, pagan, character, he arrived at Sluys, where a Scotch regiment in the Dutch service, under Brigadier Lauder, was stationed; that the chaplain, named Innes, detected the fraud, but instead of reproving the lad for his sin and folly, only considered how he might turn the cheat to his own advantage, and render it conducive to his own preferment. The abandoned miscreant actually went through the blasphemous mockery of baptizing the youth as a convert from heathenism; named him after the brigadier, who stood godfather: claimed credit from the Bishop of London for his zeal; and was by the kind prelate invited to bring his convert to London. The chaplain lost no time in accepting, was graciously received by the bishop and the archbishop, snapped up the first piece of preferment that would answer his views (it happened to be the office of chaplain-general to the forces in Portugal), and made off, leaving his convert to bear the storm which was sure to burst on him, as best he might. That a youth thus tutored and thus abandoned, before Johnson was born, should have lived to attract his society, and win from him the testimony that he was "the best man" whom he had ever known, gives him a claim to our respect, which seems to me to be strengthened by everything which I have been able to learn respecting him.
S. R. Maitland.
Gloucester.
CONSECRATED ROSES, ETC
(Vol. vii., p. 407.)
Had G.'s Query referred solely to the consecration of The Golden Rose, I might have given him a satisfactory answer by referring him to Cartari's essay on the subject entitled La Rosa d'Ora Pontificia, &c., 4to. 1681, and to the account (with accompanying engraving) of the Rose, Sword, and Cap consecrated by Julius III., and sent by him to Philip and Mary; and to Cardinal Pole's exposition of these Papal gifts, which are to be found in the 1st volume of F. Angeli Rocca, Opera Omnia (fol. Rome, 1719). In the authors to whom I have referred, much curious information will, however, be found. I take this opportunity of saying, that as I am about to submit a communication on the subject of The Golden Rose to the Society of Antiquaries, I shall feel obliged by any hints which may help me to render it more complete; and of putting on record in "N. & Q." the following particulars of the ceremonial, as it was performed on the 6th of March last, which I extract from the Dublin Weekly Telegraph of the 9th of April.
"On Sunday, the 6th [March, 1853], the Benediction of the Golden Rose, was, according to annual usage, performed by the Pontiff previously to High Mass, in the Sistine Chapel, celebrated by a cardinal, at which he assists every Sunday during Lent. To the more ancient practice of blessing, on the fourth Sunday of 'Quaresima,' a pair of gold and silver keys, touched with filings from the chains of St. Peter (which are still preserved in Rome), the Holy See has substituted that of the Benediction of the 'Rosa d'Oro,' to be presented, within the year, to some sovereign or other potentate, who has proved well deserving of the Church. The first positive record respecting the Golden Rose has been ascribed to the Pontificate of Leo IX. (1049-53); but a writer in the Civitta Catolica states that allusion to a census levied for its cost may be found in the annals of a still earlier period. The Pontiffs used formerly to present it annually to the Prefect of Rome, after singing Mass, on this Sunday, at the Lateran, and pronouncing a homily, during which they lifted the consecrated object in one hand whilst expounding to the people its mystic significance. Pius II. (1458) is the last Pope recorded to have thus preached in reference to and thus conferred the Golden Rose; and the first foreign potentate recorded to have received it from the Holy See is Fulk, Count of Anjou, to whom it was presented by Urban II. in 1096. A homily of Innocent III. also contains all explanation of this beautiful symbol—the precious metal, the balsam and musk used in consecrating it, being taken in mystic sense as allusion to the triple substance in the person of the Incarnate Lord—divinity, soul, and body. It is not merely a single flower, but an entire rose-tree that is represented—the whole about a foot in height, most delicately wrought in fine lamina of gold. This being previously deposited between lighted candelabra, on a table in the sacristy, is taken by the youngest cleric of the camera, to be consigned to his Holiness, after the latter has been vested for the solemnity, but before his assuming the mitre. After a beautiful form of prayer, with incense and holy water, the Pontiff then, holding the object in his hand, imparts the Benediction, introducing into the flower which crowns the graceful stem, and is perforated so as to provide a receptacle, balsam of Peru and powder of musk. He then passes with the usual procession into the Sistine, still carrying the rose in his left hand; and during the Mass it remains beneath the crucifix over the altar. If in the course of the year no donation of the precious object is thought advisable, the same is consecrated afresh on the anniversary following. Some have conjectured that the Empress of France will be selected by Pius IX. to receive this honour in the present instance; but this is mere conjecture. On a former occasion, it is true, the Golden Rose was conferred by him on another crowned head of the fairer sex—one entitled to more than common regards from the Supreme Pastor in adversity—the Queen of Naples."
William J. Thoms.
CAMPBELL'S IMITATIONS
(Vol. vi., p. 505.)
It is curious that two of the passages pointed out by Mr. Breen, as containing borrowed ideas, are those quoted by Alison in his recent volume (Hist. Eur., vol. i. pp. 429, 430.) to support his panegyric on Campbell, of whose "felicitous images" he speaks with some enthusiasm.
The propensity of Campbell to adapt or imitate the thoughts and expressions of others has often struck me. Let me then suggest the following (taken at random) as further, and I believe hitherto unnoticed, illustrations of that propensity:
1. "When front to front the banner'd hosts combine,
Halt ere they close, and form the dreadful line."
Pleasures of Hope.
"When front to front the marching armies shine,
Halt ere they meet, and form the lengthening line."
Pope, Battle of Frogs and Mice.
2. "As sweep the shot stars down the troubled sky."
Pleasures of Hope.
"And rolls low thunder thro' the troubled sky."
Pope, Frogs and Mice.
3. "With meteor-standard to the winds unfurl'd."
Pleasures of Hope.
"The imperial standard which full high advanc'd,
Shone like a meteor streaming to the wind."
Milton, Par. Lost, i. 535.
4. "The dying man to Sweden turn'd his eye,
Thought of his home, and clos'd it with a sigh."
Pleasures of Hope.
"Sternitur infelix alieno vulnere, cœlumque
Aspicit, et dulces moriens reminiscitur Argos."
Virgil, Æn., x. 782.
5. "… Red meteors flash'd along the sky,
And conscious Nature shudder'd at the cry."
Pleasures of Hope.
"… Fulsere ignes, et conscius æther."
Virgil, Æn., iv. 167.
6. "In hollow winds he hears a spirit moan."
Pleasures of Hope.
Shakespeare has the hollow whistling of the southern wind.
7. "The strings of Nature crack'd with agony."
Pleasures of Hope.
"His grief grew puissant. and the strings of life
Began to crack."—Shakspeare, King Lear.
8. "The fierce extremes of good and ill to brook."
Gertrude of Wyoming.
"… And feel by turns the bitter change
Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce."
Milton, Par. Lost, ii. 599.
9. "His tassell'd horn beside him laid."
O'Connor's Child.
"… Ere th' odorous breath of morn
Awakes the slumbering leaves, or tassell'd horn
Shakes the high thicket."—Milton, Arcades.
10. "The scented wild-weeds and enamell'd moss."
Theodric.
Campbell thinks it necessary to explain this latter epithet in a note: "The moss of Switzerland, as well as that of the Tyrol, is remarkable for a bright smoothness approaching to the appearance of enamel." And yet was no one, or both, of the following passages floating in his brain when his pen traced the line?
"O'er the smooth enamell'd green
Where no print of sleep hath been."
Milton, Arcades.
"Here blushing Flora paints th' enamell'd ground."
Pope, Winsdor Forest.W. T. M.
Hong Kong.
"THE HANOVER RAT."
(Vol. vii. p. 206.)
An Essay on Irish Bulls is said to have found its way into a catalogue of works upon natural history; with which precedent in my favour, and pending the inquiries of naturalists, ratcatchers, and farmers into the history of the above-named formidable invader, I hope Mr. Hibberd will have no objection to my intruding a bibliographical curiosity under the convenient head he has opened for it in "N. & Q."
My book, then, bears the appropriate title, An Attempt towards a Natural History of the Hanover Rat, dedicated to P***m M******r, M.D., and S–y to the Royal Society, 8vo., pp. 24.: London, 1744.
The writer of this curious piece takes his cue from that remarkable production, An Attempt towards a Natural History of the Polype, 1743; in which the learned Mr. Henry Baker, in a letter to Martin Folkes, of 218 pages, 8vo., illustrated by a profusion of woodcuts, elaborately describes this link between the animal and vegetable creation, and the experiments he practised upon the same: commencing with "cutting off a polype's head," and so on through a series of scientific barbarities upon his little creature, which ended only in "turning a polype inside out!"
Following the plan of Mr. Baker, the anonymous author of The Hanover Rat tells us, that, after thirty years' laborious research, he had satisfied himself that this animal was not a native of these islands: "I cannot," he says, "particularly mark the date of its first appearance, yet I think it is within the memory of man;" and finding favour in its original mine affamée state with a few of the most starved and hungry of the English rats from the common sewer, he proceeds to show that it did extirpate the natives; but whether this is the best account, or whether the facts of the case as here set forth will satisfy your correspondent, is another thing. According to my authority, the aboriginal rat was, at the period of writing, sorely put to it to maintain his ground against the invading colonists and their unnatural allies the providers; and the present work seems to have been an effort on the part of one in the interest of the former to awaken them to a sense of their danger. In his laudable attempts to rally their courage, this advocate reminds them of a similar crisis when their country was infested with a species of frog called Dutch frogs: "which no sooner," says he, "began to be mischievous, than its growth and progress was stopped by the natives." "Had we," he continues, "but the same public spirit with our ancestors, we need not complain to-day of being eaten up by rats. Our country is the same, but alas! we feel no more the same affection for it." In this way he stimulates the invaded to a combined attack upon the common enemy, and we need not tell our readers how successfully, nor how desperate the struggle, the very next year; which ended in the complete ascendancy of the Hanover rat, or reigning family, over the unlucky Jacobite native. Under his figure of a rat, this Jacobite is very scurrilous indeed upon the Hanoverian succession; and, continuing his polypian imitations, relates a few coarse experiments upon his subject illustrative of its destructive properties, voracity, and sagacity, which set at nought "all the contrivances of the farmer to defend his barns; the trailer his warehouse; the gentleman his land; or the inferior people their cup-boards and small beer cellars. No bars or bolts can keep them out, nor can any gin or trap lay hold of them."
Luckily for us living in these latter days, we can extract amusement from topics of this nature, which would have subjected our forefathers to severe pains and penalties; and looking at the character and mischievous tendency of The Hanover Rat, I am curious to know if Mary Cooper, the publisher, was put under surveillance for her share in its production; for to me it appears a more aggravated libel upon the reigning family than that of the Norfolk Prophecy—for the publication of which, Boswell says, the great Samuel Johnson had to play at hide and seek with the officers of justice.
The advent of both Pretenders was preceded by straws like these cast out by their adherents, to try how the current set. The present jeu d'esprit, however, is a double-shotted one: for, not content with tampering with the public allegiance, this aboriginal rat seems more innocently enjoying a laugh at the Royal Society, and its ingenious fellow Mr. Baker, in as far as regards the aforesaid elaborate treatise upon polypes.
J. O.
