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the first and third stanzas, describing the appearance of a wraith and the incident of a child stolen by the fairies, are very beautiful, but they are too long to quote here. JONATHAN BOUCHIER.

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, &o.

Dictionary of National Biography. Edited by Leslie
Stephen. Vol. XVII. (Smith, Elder & Co.)

IN the seventeenth volume of the 'Dictionary of Na-
tional Biography' ("Edward" to "Erskine "), the one
biography of primary importance is that of Queen
Elizabeth. This has fallen into the eminently capable
hands of Dr. Augustus Jessopp. The summing up of
the character of Elizabeth is masterly. For literature,
as the term is now understood, Dr. Jessopp finds that

The Works of Dr. Thomas Campion. Edited by A. H. she never appears to have had any taste, and he holds Bullen. (Privately printed.)

that "she did not even care for learning or learned She lived quite outside that splendid intellectual activity which began at the close of her reign." Her parsimony was phenomenal. Her regard for the Duke of Alençon seems to have puzzled her biographer, who wonders whether her behaviour towards him was mere acting, or was a case of absolute infatuation. Elizabeth's expression to James VI. of "extreme dolour" for the "miserable accident "-the death of Mary Stuart-is held to be sincere, Dr. Jessopp adding rather cynically, "How could she but be grieved that the moral sense of the world condemned her?" The historians occupy, of course, a large share of the volume, in which appear the lives of all the Edwards. Edward I. and III. and Edward the Black Prince are among the numerous and important contributions of the Rev. W. Hunt; Edward II. is in the hands of Prof. Tout; Edward IV. and his queen Elizabeth are both in those of Mr. James Gairdner. The only contributions to which the editor's signature is affixed are those of William and Elizabeth Elstob. Mr. S. L. Lee, even though he supplies lucid and excellent biographies of Edward VI., Sir Thomas Egerton, Baron Ellesmere and Viscount Brackley, Thomas Ellwood (the Quaker friend of Milton) and Sir Thomas Elyot (the author of The Governor'), and others, is not a frequent contributor. The Rev. J. Woodfall Ebsworth has spirited biographies of the two Pierce Egans, father and son. Few poets are met with, and Mr. A. H. Bullen's most important biographies are those of Richard Edwards, author of a play or two and some miscellaneous verses, and William Elderton, described as a "notorious tippler and a ready writer of ballads." Under" Elphinstone" and "Erskine will be found the more important lives of Mr. Russell Barker. Dr. Garnett is responsible for Sir Henry Ellis and for Edward Edwards. James Edwards, bookseller and bibliographer, and John Eliot, the Indian apostle, are by Mr. H. R. Tedder, Sir John Eliot naturally being assigned to Mr. S. R. Gardiner. Among the sailors with whom Prof. Laughton deals are Admirals Elliott and Elphinstone. Viscount Keith, Dr. Norman Moore, Mr. Thomas Bayne. Mr. Thompson Cooper, Mr. Louis Fagan, Mr. W. P. Courtney, Mr. Stanley LanePoole, and Mr. Robert Harrison supply contributions in their various lines. Once more the new volume isfpublished with exemplary punctuality.

It is difficult, in dealing with Mr. Bullen's recent pub-men."
lication, to restrain eulogy within limits, or to preserve
the judicial calm which is the atmosphere of criticism.
His reprints and collections are simply ideal. In issuing
them he is vindicating our national character and chal-
lenging the bibliographical supremacy of France. The
proof of this is that his collections of lyrics are biblio-
graphical rarities before any but a few specially acute
readers have heard of their existence. In France it has
long been the case that certain works are never obtain-
able except by those whose names are in the possession
of the publisher as subscribers. So it now is practically
with Mr. Bullen's publications. What a book his 'Dr. Cam-
pion' is! Bibliographically it is a treasure. It is a work
on which the hand falls caressingly. It is only, perhaps,
too delicate and beautiful, so that one feels in accepting it,
like Beatrice in 'Much Ado about Nothing' in presence
of the playful offer of marriage of the Duke, that we
would fain" have another for working days," since, like
his grace, the volume is "too costly to wear every day."
It is a book to open carefully, and to dip into before
reading. Mr. Bullen's delightful introduction-bio-
graphical, critical, and explanatory, full of acute and
sympathetic judgment and pleasant erudition-will be
read at once, and then the lyrics will be an endless de-
light. It may not be said in presence of poets such as
the Laureate, Mr. Swinburne, and others, that the art
of writing lyrics is lost. These Elizabethan lyrics have,
however, a character as distinctly their own as the
Elizabethan dramas. Campion's are among the best of
their class. They are made to be sung, and they have
the "Doric delicacy" which in Milton delighted Sir
Henry Wotton. In his masques Campion is not seen at
his best, but his Latin poems are graceful and pleasing.
The "Observations on the Art of English Poesy" is
curious in many respects, and the specimens of un-
rhymed verse that he gives have, as Mr. Bullen cha-
racteristically says, "a certain interest as metrical
curiosities, and serve as a warning-piece to wandering
wits." It is, however, in the tunable contents of his
"Books of Airs" that the attractions of Campion will be
found. Like all real poetry, these grow upon you, and
they may be turned to with certainty of delight. The
devotional poems are, moreover, equal in all respects to
the amorous lyrics. In richness of imagination Mr.
Bullen regards Campion, in these poems, as at least the
equal of Crashawe, while he assigns him a sobriety of
judgment in which Crashawe was painfully deficient. To
owe to a man reprints such as this seems almost to incur
too great obligation. The world to which Campion
appeals is, after all, limited, and the book is little likely
to attract those who cater for the million. A limited
edition such as this is exactly what is wanted, and our
warmest gratitude is given to Mr. Bullen for supplying
it. Too much of bibliophiles are we to care to see the
minor poets of the Elizabethan age rendered univer-
sally accessible. To do this is like carrying the rail-
ways to spots of remotest beauty. Books such as the
present are, however, exactly what are wanted, and our
heartiest thanks are accorded to the enterprising and
tasteful critic and explorer to whom the Campion is due.

The Library: a Magazine of Bibliography and Literature. The Organ of the Library Association of the United Kingdom. No. 1. (Stock.)

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IT is not safe to prophesy as to the fortune of a periodical by its first number. If, however, we may take the part before us as an average specimen, the Library has a good future before it. Mr. Austin Dobson's paper on a forgotten book of travels-that is, Moritz's Travels in England in 178-is very interesting, and will disturb the copies which remain from their century of repose on the shelves of our great libraries. Mr. Bullen's account of the American Appledore Press is useful. English people are, for the most part, densely ignorant of what goes on in the book-world of America, except as regards novels and popular magazines. Mr. H. R. Tedder ha

written well, but too curtly, on 'The Bibliography and Classification of French History.' It is a vast subject. After all, what is history? A work compiled on narrow lines would be of little service; one that endeavoured to be exhaustive might include nearly everything. Dod's Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage for 1889. (Whittaker & Co.)

BUT one year short of its jubilee is the new edition of Dod's Peerage and Knightage,' which has now reached its forty-ninth year. It retains all the known features which have commended it to public favour, and supplies a full, yet compendious and trustworthy guide to all the titled classes. The list of new creations may appear small after the fervour of the Jubilee year. Near four hundred names have been changed owing to deaths, however, and there is a tolerably extensive list of baronets and knights, together with the changes in the Episcopate. The utility of this handsome yet compendious guide is generally recognized.

Sell's Dictionary of the World's Press, 1889. (Sell's Advertising Agency.)

So rapidly does the Dictionary of the World's Press' augment in size that it will soon equal the Post Office Directory.' With its portraits of leading editors and other attractive features it recommends itself to others besides the advertiser, to whom it is indispensable.

The True Position of Patentees, by H. Moy Thomas (Ayrton & Thomas), gives a sort of bird's-eye view of the patent laws of the world, with useful hints to English inventors. Some nations, it appears, are still illiberal and unwise enough to withhold protection from foreign inventors. Oddly enough, the rule seems to be the smaller the country the larger the patent office fees. Great Britain now stands fairly well in this respect; but the United States is perhaps the model country in respect of its patent laws.

Hazell's Annual, edited by Mr. E. D. Prior, F.G.S., has reached its fourth year of issue. Its information is carried to the most recent date; and its claims upon the public, always strong, are now stronger than ever. Suggestions from without have been followed, the title has been changed from the Cyclopædia' to the Annual, and nearly one-half is new matter. As all who have used it know, it is invaluable.

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THE Bookworm for the new year witnesses the beginning of a series of articles upon Bookworms of Yesterday and To-day.' Mr. Bernard Quaritch, of whom a portrait is given, leads the van. Whether a bookseller is to be described as a bookworm may be doubtful. Mr. Quaritch, at least, possesses more scarce and valuable books than are easily to be found in any private collection. The periodical shows improvement.

WITH sincere regret we announce the death of Mr. J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps, F.R.S., F.S.A., one of the oldest and staunchest friends of N. & Q.' He wrote frequently in the early series, and to the last remained an occasional contributor. His services to Shakspearian literature are universally recognized, and his' Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare' remains a monument of sound criticism and loving and indefatigable labour. His 'Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial English' has been a constant companion of scholars. His publications, of one class or other, amount to more than sixty volumes. Many literary rarities were privately printed for his friends, who were always sure of a welcome at his bungalow at Hollingbury Copse, near Brighton, where, with his second wife, he exercised a constant and hearty hospitality. His name was originally James Orchard Halliwell, the appellation of Phillipps being assumed under a

direction in the will of the grandfather of his first wife. Mr. Halliwell-Phillipps was born in 1820. He was the son of Mr. Thomas Halliwell, of Sloane Street.

MR. HENRY KING, barrister-at-law, of the Temple, who was a frequent correspondent of N. & Q.' under the signature of Harry Leroy Temple, died towards the close of last year, aged seventy. He was brought up at the Charterhouse, where he was a schoolfellow of Leech and just remembered Thackeray. From Charterhouse he was elected to a scholarship at Wadham College, Oxford, of which he continued a Fellow to his death. He was also one of the governing body of Dulwich College. He was an excellent English scholar, and was well posted up in modern literature generally. Until the last he was a familiar figure at the Garrick Club, of the history and traditions of which he preserved a mental record.

MR. NORVAL CLYNE, of Aberdeen, news of whose death reaches us, was an occasional contributor to our columns. He was for many years secretary to the Society of Advocates, and wrote Ballads from Scottish History,' "The Jacobites and their Poetry,' and other works bearing upon ballad literature. It was in keeping with his studies that he should be a Jacobite in his sympathies.

Notices to Correspondents.

We must call special attention to the following notices: ON all communications must be written the name and

address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately.

must observe the following rule. Let each note, query, To secure insertion of communications correspondents or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with the signature of the writer and such address as he wishes to appear. Correspondents who repeat queries are requested to head the second communication "Duplicate."

A. J. ("Court of Pie-powder ").-Stephen, 'Commentaries,' 1880, iii. 321n., says, "There are the Courts of Piedpoudre (curia pedes pulverizate), so called from the dirty feet of the suitors, which is a Court of Record incident to every fair and market, of which the Steward of the owner of the market is Judge, with power to administer justice for all commercial injuries in that fair or market, and not in any preceding one." Termes de la Ley,' p. 478, says, " Pipowders est un Court qui est incident a chescun Faire, pur le determination de differences sur contract et touts disorders en ceo commis." Such are, we believe, still in existence at Newcastle-on-Tyne.

GEORGE BOWLES (" Anonymous Poem," 7th S. vi. 469; vii. 14).-Many thanks for your offer to copy the poem from 'Time's Telescope.' A copy has been sent YORICK, as promised at second reference. We are asked to convey his thanks to those who have replied. Middlesex for election purposes W. GREGORY.-" Brentford is the county town of ('The Imperial Gazetteer,' 1873). J. D. BUTLER (" Caius College").—The pronunciation is certainly "Keeze."

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LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1889.

CONTENTS.-N° 160.

NOTES:-Richard Francklin, 41-Shakspeariana, 42-West of England Ballads-Beige-Salle Church, 44-Kind regards"-Cumberlandism-Dickens's Ancestors-Spider-cotSchoolmaster Wanted -"Arrant Scot". Dictionary of Anonymous Literature'-Clerks of the Peace, 45-Spence's

and Vivian"-Mantle Street, 49.

to the qualities enumerated, it is pleasant to know that Francklin stood alone in befriending Amhurst in his last days of poverty, and that it is entirely owing to the bookseller's liberality that the remains of the original "Caleb D'Anvers" were preserved from a pauper's grave.

Anecdotes - Bearded Darnel -Citizens of the United either of the date of Francklin's birth or of his Although I have been unable to find any account States, 46. QUERIES:-Carbonari of Naples-Lord Mayor's Show-Book death, it is certain that he served an apprenticeIllustrating-Younger's Company-Pope Adrian I.-St. Gregory-Codex Compendiensis - Mongéot-Bridge at ship to Edmund Curll ('Curll Papers,' p. 8n.), and Schaffhausen-Sir John Friend-" Gofer " Bells-Countess that he succeeded William Rufus Chetwood as a of Blessington, 47-Corfe Castle-Macaroni-Garrard Family bookseller in Russell Street, Covent Garden. It -George Fleetwood-Medal of T. Johnson-Parody Wanted -John Rollos, 48-Twenty-Franc Piece-Lovelyn's Poems' would appear from 'An Epistle from Dick Franck-Comitatus Cereticus Erasmus - Butterfield-"The Fox lin, Bookseller, to Nick Amhurst, Poet, up Three REPLIES:-Dress of London Apprentice, 49-Bed-rock, 50-Pair of Stairs' (1721), that the two had been intiHeraldic-Kissing under the Mistletoe-Kenelm Henry mately associated for some time. This poetical Digby-Queenie, 51-Death Warrants-The Fox-Chestnut, skit, which I do not find in the British Museum, 52-Robert Burton-Battle interrupted by an Earthquake, 53-Miss Foote-Allibone's Dictionary-Charger-English was occasioned by Amhurst's 'Epistle to Sir John Grammars-Relic of Witchcraft-Children, 54-Book of Blount,' one of the directors of the South Sea Martyrs-Folk-lore Tales-Golden Horn-Broadside Ballad -Mercury-Biography - Tête-à-Tête Portraits Count Company (1720). From this "poem" it would Lucanor-Tennyson's J. S., 55-Cheese-making-Burial of seem that the general impression ran to the effect Horse and Owner-Death of Clive-Uncle-Exeter Coach that Amhurst was not only in the employ of Road, 56-Inkerman-English Dialect Dictionary-Highering-Fairholt-Muffling Bells - Belgian Custom-Thomas Francklin, but that he took as part payment for Lucas, 57-Practical Jokes in Comedy-Longitude and Mar- his work board and lodging-somewhat similar, riage-Book of Jasher-Mediaval Names, 58. perhaps, to the arrangement between Dryden and In Memoriam: J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps, 59. Herringman. The following eight lines conclude the "poem " (Francklin is, of course, supposed to be writing) :

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NOTES ON BOOKS:-Toulmin Smith's Jusserand's English
Wayfaring Life in the Middle Ages-Christy's Proverbs,

Maxims, and Phrases'-Thomas's Philobiblon of Richard
de Bury."
Notices to Correspondents, &c.

Notes.

RICHARD FRANCKLIN, BOOKSELLER. There are very many facts about this interesting and courageous personage which one would like to know, but most of which are probably beyond learning. Biographical dictionaries do not mention him at all; John Nichols only alludes to him once as the publisher of 'An Historical and Critical Essay on the Thirty-nine Articles' (1724); and his name only occurs twice in the several indices to "N. & Q. Yet he is a prominent figure in the early newspaper history of this country. One likes to dwell upon the careers of the very few men who lived and acted consistently and fearlessly during the first quarter of the last century. The temptations to "run" with the party in power were so great, and the penalties of an antagonistic policy so severe, that those who actually stuck to their principles through thick and thin were very few indeed. Richard Francklin, the bookseller, and Nicholas Amhurst, the journalist, were two men whom neither fear nor favour enticed off the high road of political virtue. Precedent (in the House of Commons) is regarded as of great importance, and if the two just named desired to turn, they might have adduced innumerable instances of the most barefaced and flagrant turncoatism. Nearly every leading man had at one time or other found it convenient to veer like a weathercock. In addition

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So may thy name be spread, and I
With Tonson and with Lintot vie;
So may'st thou pay, in Fame or Wealth,
The score we tick'd to Bl-T's good health:

So may in time a just reward

Descend on him, and thee, his bard;
And thus your diff'rent emblems shine,

The rope be Bl-T's, the Laurel thine.
The next most important event in the careers of
Amhurst and Francklin was the publication of the
Craftsman, concerning which a few notes appear
in the December number of the Bookworm. The
earlier numbers did not bear Francklin's imprint,
but may all the same have been undertaken by
him. The first number appeared December 5,
1726, and the paper soon secured an unprecedented
popularity. The ministry of Walpole quickly felt
the result of its persistent and uncompromising
criticism. The sixteenth issue caused both Franck-
lin and Amhurst to be arrested, but they were
apparently soon released. No. 31 again brought
about the imprisonment of Francklin, but the
prosecution, through a flaw in some of the forms of
procedure, came to nothing. In January, 1730/1,
the bookseller once more suffered incarceration. A
number of political "friends" promised to sub-
scribe 50l. each as compensation to him, but only
three paid up, one of whom was Pulteney.

In 1732 a pamphlet of 32 pp. appeared, entitled 'Bob-Lynn against Franck-Lynn,' a political tract, which purports to be the history of the "controversies and dissentions in the family of the Lynns; occasioned by the quarrel of Bob-Lynn [i, e., Sir

Robert Walpole] and Will Worthy, which involved James
Waver, Tom Starch, Squire Maiden, Dick Dabble, and
Mr. Munick on Bob's side, and Franck-Lynn and Nick
Waver, cum multis aliis, on the other."

It will be seen, therefore, that Francklin was con-
sidered a politician of some importance.

The Daily Gazetteer, which was the Craftsman's bitterest opponent, published in its issue of May 12, 1736 (No. 273), a 'Supposed Letter from Dicky Francklin to Caleb D'Anvers, Esq.,' in which the bookseller is made to lament the declining state of the Craftsman, which he attributes to the enforced absence of Bolingbroke. He grimly "thinks of" and dreads the "calamitous day" when "your own native air shall no longer agree with you, and you shall chuse to seek a retreat in some foreign country."

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THE OBELI OF THE GLOBE EDITION IN 'As YOU LIKE IT' (7th S. vi. 262, 343).-On returning Johnson alludes to the dispute between Mallet to N. & Q.' after an absence of seven years, while and Francklin in connexion with the copyright of sorry at missing the names of several former concertain works of Bolingbroke. In May, 1754, tributors to the Shakspeariana,' I was very happy appeared 'A Short State[? ment] of the Case re- to see still extant the well-known and honoured lating to a Claim made by Richard Francklin on name of DR. NICHOLSON. We have crossed swords David Mallet.' Although the matter was referred before. I hope we shall always do so with "leaden by mutual consent to Draper and Wotton, and points." although Mallet not only agreed to abide by their decision, but signed to that effect, he shortly afterwards repudiated it. This pamphlet is com-I mented on in the Gentleman's Magazine, xxiv. 247. The Rev. T. Francklin, who wrote many works, several of which bore his father's imprint, and who died in Great Queen Street, March 15, 1784, was a son of the bookseller, and was educated for the Church by the advice of Pulteney. W. ROBERTS.

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II. vii. 70.-In his remarks on my note on this passage DR. NICHOLSON has strangely mistaken me. never discarded "" very. On the contrary, one of my principal objections to Singer's emendation was that in it "very " had no significance. No one would speak of a man spending his "very" means; but there is great significance in saying that pride endures to the " very" end of life. DR. NICHOLSON seems to have overlooked my P.S., in which I give evidence that "means" was a form of "moans." Shakspeare may have used it here in order (having regard to the simile employed) to keep up the monotone of the vowel sound, "weary means." People with " a manor on their backs must have felt "INDIAN BEAUTY": "MERCHANT OF VENICE,' rather embarrassed in the "tide." Had Shak

10, Charlotte Street, Bedford Square.

III. ii.

SHAKSPEARIANA.

Thus ornament is but the guiled shore

To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word,

The seeming truth which cunning times put on
T'entrap the wisest.

Both his conclusion and its happy result, as well as
the whole scope of this passage clearly show that
he would tell us that ornament is but the gaudy
addition used to conceal something ill-looking or
repulsive, or even ill-doing. But some, not know-
ing what" an Indian beauty meant in Shake-
speare's days, would assign a wrong meaning to the
phrase; while others would, as they suppose, emend
the word "beauty." As correctives to these, and
as illustrations of his true meaning, let me quote
the following:-

1. "The sixth [species of Nightshade] is generally by the Italians called Bella Donna, either per Antiphrasin, because it is blacke, as the Moores do account them fairest that have the finest blacke skinne, or, as some have reported, because the Italian dames use the juice or distilled water thereof for a fucus. [He not knowing the

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speare no regard to consistency of metaphor?

III. v. 6. When the complex sentence "he that dies and lives by bloody drops " is resolved into its two simple elements they are as follow: "he that dies by bloody drops" and "he that lives by bloody drops." Whether the first stands first or second DR. NICHOLSON may, on presenting it, still say, "Pause, reader, on this dying by bloody drops' and refrain from laughter if you can." It was just because in its literal sense it is nonsense that I sought for a meaning which gives it an important sense. No less than "the common executioner," the fraudulent banker, the swindling company-promoter, &c.,

Whose heart the accustomed sight of woe makes hard, while they ruthlessly pursue their selfish moneymaking ends, kill their own souls, die while they live, if not "by bloody drops," on orphans' bread and widows' tears.

Summum crede nefas animam præferre pudori,
Et propter vitam vivendi perdere causas.

IV. iii. 86.—I do not think DR. NICHOLSON is likely to have many rivals in his liking for the "ripe "Rosalind. Warned off by the editors of the Globe, who do not like while they tolerate her, I, for one, shall avoid her. In support of my proposed reading, cf.

and "

28).

I am a right maid for my cowardice.

'Midsummer Night's Dream,' III. ii. 302;
a right gipsy" (Ant. and Cleop.,' IV. xii.
R. M. SPENCE, M.A.

Manse of Arbuthnott, N.B.
THE OBELI OF THE GLOBE EDITION IN MEA-
SURE FOR MEASURE' (7th S. v. 442; vi. 303, 423).
-I am sorry that I have not the number of
"N. & Q.' by me which contains MR. SPENCE'S
original notes on the Globe-marked corruptions of
'Measure for Measure'; but there are one or two
passages, where MR. MOORE dissents from MR.
SPENCE'S suggestions, which seem to me to require
a last word.

I. i. 6:

Then no more remains

But that to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
And let them work.

I have always preferred Hanmer's reading, "To do it slander," though it is far from clear that the text of the Folio is not correct. But why MR. MOORE should lay his hand on the previous line, which makes perfect sense, is beyond my conception. Are we to be for ever modernizing Shakespeare, or bringing his pregnant sentences down to the level of our commonplace mediocrity? HOLCOMBE INGLEBY.

Eastbourne.

P.S.--I have much pleasure in adding that, in regard to the note on the first passage, so good an authority as DR. BR. NICHOLSON quite concurs in my interpretation.

'TIMON OF ATHens,' IV. iii. 143 (7th S. vi. 423).-Though I entirely agree with DR. NICHOLSON, at the above reference, in condemning MR. WATKISS LLOYD'S most liberal treatment of Shakespeare's text in this passage, I think the champion of the Folio has an unlucky remark which tends to weaken his argument. All MR. LLOYD wants in support of his variant "pale sick mouths" (apart from authority) is something entirely wrong with that portion of the face. DR. NICHOLSON says, AS DR. NICHOLSON says in regard to another pas-"Where does Shakespeare or other author of that sage, "it may be my obtuseness," but I confess date ever allude to the loss of teeth as caused by," that, for myself, I have never found any great diffi- &c.? MR. LLOYD did mention, quite needlessly, culty in understanding this passage. If every "teeth." I give references to two passages (they are elliptical or condensed passage in Shakespeare is not fit for transcription) which are sufficient for the to be amended, we shall destroy much that is cha- argument of MR. LLOYD, and it would be very easy racteristic of our unrivalled dramatist. Undoubtedly to find more. I refer to Middleton's 'Mad World to my mind he intends the duke to say, "Then my Masters' (Bullen's ed., vol. iii. p. 321), and Ben nothing remains for me but to add my authority Jonson's Poetaster,' IV. i. (he holds in his hand the commission) so as to make up your sufficiency, your worth being able, and leave them (your worth and sufficiency) to do their work." I maintain that this is a thoroughly characteristic passage; and if the metre be put forward as a stumbling-block, I answer that there are a dozen such lines in this very play, and that no line is to be considered corrupt because it happens to be a rugged double-ending Alexandrine.

II. i. 21.-This last remark applies more or less to the next passage :

What's open made to justice That justice seizes. The sense of this passage is so clear that no radical emendation can possibly be upheld. Again, the only stumbling-block is the metre; and again I say that, having regard to the slovenliness of the metre in many of the plays, it is impossible to consider this a sufficient reason for trying one's hand at improvement. No doubt MR. SPENCE is right in saying that the compositor's eye caught the ce of ceizes from the end of the preceding word, which sufficiently accounts for the slight misprint of c for 6.

I. iv. 42.

And yet my nature never in the fight
To do in slander,

In another note (7th S. vi. 305) DR. NICHOLSON explains the long-contested passage in Winter's Tale' (II. i. 133) by a dictum from Aristotle to the effect that the horse is the most lascivious of quadrupeds. Does DR. NICHOLSON mean that this equine characteristic will explain the multitudinous passages in the play-writer referring to horse-keepers or grooms in this wise? “If she change but a trencher with the groome of your stable, 'tis dealing enough to be divorced." This allusion, or superstition, or whatever it is called, will be met with continually amongst the dramatists. See Chapman's May Day' and 'All Fools'; Greene's James IV.'; Middleton's Mad World my Masters'; 'Much Ado about Nothing,' III. iv. 48; 'Cupid's Whirligig'; Day's 'Isle of Gulls'; Brome's City Wit'; and Marlowe's' Dr. Faustus.' In all these plays passages with a similar meaning to that quoted may be found. I think something more is wanted in explanation than has yet been given. H. C. HART.

66

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RAVENSPUR.-In Bartholomew's 'Gazetteer of the British Isles' (1887) it is stated that Ravenspur was a former seaport near" Spurn Head; that it was also " called Ravenspurn, Ravenser, Ravensrode; that it was the landing-place of Henry IV.

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