Kitabı oku: «Notes and Queries, Number 54, November 9, 1850», sayfa 6

Miscellaneous

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC

Were Anschar, a Story of the North, a mere work of fiction, we should not think of recording its appearance in our columns. But it has other claims to our notice and the attention of our readers. Based on the life of Anschar the monk of Corbey, by Rembert, his successor in the archiepiscopal see of Hamburgh,—a biography which the writer of the work before us describes as one of the most important documents we possess for the elucidation of the early history, manners, and religion of the races of Northern Europe,—Mr. King has produced a narrative of considerable interest, abounding in curious pictures of the social condition of the Swedish people at the close of the ninth century. But Mr. King's pleasing story has also this additional merit, that while his learning and scholarlike acquirements have enabled him to illustrate the early history, religion, customs, and superstitions of the North in a most interesting and instructive manner, he has so done this, as at the same time to throw much curious light on many of our own old-world customs, popular observances, and folk-lore.

Such of our clerical readers as may be anxious to introduce cheap maps into the schools under their superintendence, will thank us for calling their attention to the series of Penny Maps (twopence each with the boundaries coloured), now publishing by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. That they have been constructed and engraved by Mr. J. W. Lowry, is a sufficient guarantee for their accuracy.

We have received a copy of Mr. Walker's engraving from Mr. Doyle's picture of Caxton submitting his proof-sheet to John Esteney, Abbot of Westminster, in 1477. The subject—and what can be of greater interest to us than the great event it commemorates, the vast social change it has wrought—has been very ably treated by the artist, and very successfully rendered by the engraver. The calm dignity of the patriotic mercer, Master William Caxton, as he watches the countenance of the abbot, who is examining with astonishment this first specimen of the new art, contrasts well with the expression of pride exhibited by Earl Rivers at the success of his protégé, on whose shoulder he rests his hand with an air half-patronizing, half-familiar, and with Wynkyn de Worde at the case behind, constitute altogether a picture which tells its story well and effectually, and furnishes a Caxton Memorial which will doubtless be very acceptable to all those who remember, with the gratitude due to him, the many precious volumes with which the learning of Caxton, no less than his mechanical genius, enriched the literature of England.

Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson will sell on Monday next, and the two following days, an interesting Collection of engraved British Portraits, the property of the late Mr. Dodd, the author of the Connoisseur's Repertorium. We may specify one lot as very interesting to lovers of illustrated works, viz. a copy of Robert Smythe's History of the Charter House, with two hundred and twenty-six sheets of prints illustrative of the printed text.

We have received the following Catalogues:—Bernard Quaritch's (16. Castle Street, Leicester Square) Catalogue, No. 20., of Books in European Languages, Dialects, Classics, &c.; John Petheram's (94. High Holborn) Catalogue, Part CXVII., No. 11 for 1850, of Old and New Books; John Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue, No. 13. for 1850, of Books Old and New.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES WANTED TO PURCHASE

Berrington's Miscellaneous Dissertations, Historical, Critical, and Moral. 8vo. 1751.

Harsenet's Declaration of Popish Impostures. 1603 or 1605.

Mayer's Historia Diaboli.

Andrewe's Continuation of Henry's Great Britain. 2 vols. 8vo.

Odd Volumes.

Gibbon's Decline and Fall, &c., 12 vols. 8vo. 1815. Vol. X.

James' Naval History, 4 vols. Vol. IV.

Dryden's Works, by Scott. 1808. Large paper. Vols. II., IV., VI.

*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to Mr. Bell, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

Notices To Correspondents

H. A. B. The superstition respecting the number thirteen in company most probably arose from the Paschal Supper. See Ellis' Brand, iii., p. 143. ed. 1841.

E. M. (Darlington) is thanked for his kind suggestion, which will not be lost sight of.

F. G. (Edinburgh) will find, upon reference to Vol. ii., p. 120., that the charade given in Vol. ii., p. 158. had been answered in anticipation.

As we again propose this week to circulate a large number of copies of "Notes and Queries," among members of the different provincial Literary Institutions, we venture, for the purpose of furthering the objects for which our paper was instituted, to repeat the following passage from our 52nd Number:—

It is obvious that the use of a paper like "Notes and Queries" bears a direct proportion to the extent of its circulation. What it aims at doing is, to reach the learning which lies scattered not only throughout every part of our own country, but all over the literary world, and to bring it all to bear upon the pursuits of the scholar; to enable, in short, men of letters all over the world to give a helping hand to one another. To a certain extent, we have accomplished this end. Our last number contains communications not only from all parts of the metropolis, and from almost every county in England, but also from Scotland, Ireland, Holland, and even from Demerara. This looks well. It seems as if we were in a fair way to accomplish our design. But much yet remains to be done. We have recently been told of whole districts in England so benighted as never to have heard of "Notes and Queries;" and after an interesting question has been discussed for weeks in our columns, we are informed of some one who could have answered it immediately if he had seen it. So long as this is the case the advantage we may confer upon literature and literary men is necessarily imperfect. We do what we can to make known our existence through the customary modes of announcement, and we gratefully acknowledge the kind assistance and encouragement we derive from our brethren of the public press; but we would respectfully solicit the assistance of our friends upon this particular point. Our purpose is aided, and our usefulness increased by every introduction which can be given to our paper, either to a Book Club, to a Lending Library, or to any other channel of circulation amongst persons of inquiry and intelligence. By such introductions scholars help themselves as well as us, for there is no inquirer throughout the kingdom who is not occasionally able to throw light upon some of the multifarious objects which are discussed in our pages.

Volume the First of "Notes and Queries," with very copious Index, price 9s. 6d. bound in cloth, may still be had by order of all Booksellers.

The Monthly Part for October, being the Fifth of Vol. II., is also now ready, price 1s. 3d.

Notes and Queries may be procured by the Trade at noon on Friday: so that out country Subscribers ought to experience no difficulty in receiving it regularly. Many of the country Booksellers are probably not yet aware of this arrangement, which enables them to receive Copies in their Saturday parcels.

JOURNAL FRANCAIS, publié à Londres.—Le COURRIER de l'EUROPE, fondé en 1840, paraissant le Samedi, donnes dans chaque numéro les nouvelles de la semaine, les meilleurs articles de tous les journaux de Paris, la Semaine Dramatique par Th. Gautier ou J. Janin, la Révue de Paris par Pierre Durand, et reproduit en entier les romans, nouvelles, etc., en vogue par les premiers écrivains de France. Prix 6d.

London: Joseph Thomas, 1. Finch Lane.

On the 2nd of December will be published, in post 8vo., 6s. cloth,

THE ANTEDILUVIAN HISTORY, and NARRATIVE OF THE FLOOD; as set forth in the early portions of the Book of Genesis; critically examined and explained. By the Rev. E. D. Rendell, of Preston.

Hodson, 22. Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn, London.

THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

Just published, price 10s. cloth,

A COMPLETE INDEX to the PICTORIAL HISTORY of ENGLAND; forming at the same time an Alphabetical Chronology of all Public Events and National Characteristics. By H. C. Hamilton, Esq., of the State Paper Office.

*** Early applications for this work will be necessary, as only a limited number has been printed.

London: Wm. S. Orr and Co., Amen-corner, Paternoster-row.

LITERATURE.—Inexperienced Writers, Possessors of Manuscripts, Poets, Clergymen, Young Authors, and others seeking Publishers for their Works, should consult the "AUTHOR'S PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ASSISTANT." By adopting the information and plan which it contains, they may have their productions brought out, whether pamphlets or expensive volumes, without the risk of publication, and with every chance of success.

THE AUTHOR'S ASSISTANT, 7th Edition, price 2s. 6d., or post-free, 3s.

Saunders & Otley, Publishers, Conduit-street, Hanover-square.

COLLECTION OF MEDIÆVAL ART OF MR. GEORGE ISAACS.

PUTTICK AND SIMPSON, Auctioneers of Literary Property and Works of Art, will Sell by Auction at their Great Room, 191. Piccadilly, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the well-known and carefully chosen Cabinet of Mediæval Art, collected by Mr. George Isaacs, (who is about to leave England for a permanent residence abroad). Some of the rare objects in this Cabinet are from the celebrated De Bruge Collection, and several were not unimportant items in the recent Exhibition of the Society of Arts. Also some curious printed books, and a few highly interesting heraldic and other MSS., including the long lost volume of the works of Dr. Dee, and others from the Ashmolean Collection. Catalogues will be sent on application.

THE LATE MR. THOMAS DODD'S INTERESTING COLLECTION OF ENGRAVED BRITISH PORTRAITS, FRAMED AND GLAZED PRINTS, WORKS OF HOGARTH, &c.

MESSRS. S. LEIGH SOTHEBY and JOHN WILKINSON (Auctioneers of Literary Property and Works illustrative of the Fine Arts,) will Sell by Auction, at their House, 3. Wellington-street, Strand, on Monday, the 11th day of November, 1850, and two following days, at One o'clock precisely, in pursuance of his Will, the interesting Collection of Engraved British Portraits, combining every class of the community that have figured in British History and Biography; Governors of the Charter House, from the date of the foundation of the establishment to the present time. Also, an illustrated History of the Charter House, in five imperial folio volumes, containing Two Hundred and Twenty-six Sheets of Prints, illustrative of the printed text, and accompanied by an elaborate MS. Index, compiled by and in the hand-writing of the Illustrator; the property of the late Mr. Thomas Dodd, author of the "Connoisseur's Repertorium," and late a brother on the foundation of the Charter House. Also, Works of Hogarth, Prints, framed and glazed, Portrait of Sir T. Lawrence, by Cousins, Five Hundred Impressions, with the Steel Plate. May be viewed two days prior, and Catalogue had (if in the country, on receipt of six postage stamps).