I think it may be permitted to Querists, who may fail in obtaining answers, to recur to their questions after the lapse of a reasonable time, in order to awaken attention. I asked a question at page 270., Vol. vi., in which I was, and still am, much interested. Perhaps Mr. Collier will do me the favour to answer it, particularly as his annotated folio is remarkably rich in "stage directions." Before taking the liberty of putting the question so directly to Mr. Collier, I awaited an examination of his recently-published volume of selected corrections, in which, however, the point upon which I seek information is not alluded to. In glancing over that volume, I perceive that Mr. Collier, in his notes at the end (p. 508.), does "N. & Q." the honour to refer to it, by alluding to an emendation "proposed by Mr. Cornish" ("N. & Q.," Vol. vi., p. 312.). When that emendation appeared I recognised it at once as having been proposed by Warburton and applauded by Dr. Johnson. I did not, however, then think it of sufficient importance to trouble the editor of "N. & Q.," by correcting a claim which, although apparent, might not perhaps be intentional. But now, since the ownership (quantum valeat) has deceived even Mr. Collier, and is endorsed by him, it is time to notice it. Leeds. P.S.—I may add that, with respect to these words "happy low lie down," from my habit of looking for solutions of difficulties in parallels and antitheses, I have arrived at a different conclusion from any that has yet been suggested. Finding "uneasy" used adverbially in the last line, I see no reason why "happy" should not also be taken adverbially in the preceding line: we should then have the same verb, "lie" and "lies," repeated antithetically in the same mood and tense. The article the before "low" has probably been omitted in the press, and may be either actually restored or elliptically understood: "Then happy [the] low lie down; Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." MR. JOHN MUNRO.Between the years 1803 and 1830, a gentleman resident of London, under the signature A. Z., presented from time to time to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, a collection of works respecting the Orkney and Shetland islands, copiously illustrated with manuscript notes and inserted prints, maps, &c. The internal evidence leaves no room to doubt that the donor of this valuable collection was a native of Kirkwall; and recent investigations lead to the conclusion that he was a Mr. John Munro, originally in the office of Mr. John Heddle, Town Clerk of Kirkwall. He appears to have gone to London about 1789, and to have passed the rest of his life there, down to May, 1830, when his last communication was made to the Scottish Antiquaries. A list of his donations is printed in the ArchÆologia Scotica, vol. iii. pp. 267-274. His copious manuscript notes, written in a very neat and legible hand, indicate not only a man of intelligence and research, but also of an exceedingly amiable and kindly disposition, and strongly influenced by the amor patriÆ, which gave to his donations their exclusive character. I am anxious to ascertain what was Mr. Munro's occupation in London, the date of his death, and any interesting or characteristic notes concerning him. Judging from his tastes, it seems highly probable that he may have been known to more than one of your metropolitan correspondents. Perhaps you will not think such Queries undeserving of a corner in your useful vehicle of literary intercommunication, nor A. Z.'s anonimity unworthy of an effort to rede the riddle. Edinburgh. |