  Sir Walter Raleigh.—In the discussions on the copyright question some years ago, Sir Walter Raleigh was mentioned as one of the authors whose posterity is totally extinct; but in his Life, as given in Lodge's Portraits, his descendants are given as far down as his great-grandchildren, of whom many were still living in 1699, at which period, says Mr. Lodge, my information ceases. It seems unlikely that a family then so numerous should have utterly perished since, both in its male and female branches; and perhaps some of your correspondents may be able to trace their subsequent history: the name is certainly not extinct, whether its bearers be his descendants or not. Is the gallant Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert descended from one of Sir Walter's half-brothers? Ancient Fortifications: Hertstone, Pale, Brecost.—In the Clause Rolls, 16 John, M. 6. (Public Records, vol. i. p. 192.) is a warrant of King John's, addressed to the bailiffs of Peter de Maulay of Doncaster, as follows:
Which, in Miller's History of that town (p. 40.), is thus translated:
I shall be obliged by being informed if hertstone is the correct translation of the word "heritone," and, if so, what species of fortification it was. Pale is probably a defence composed of high wooden stakes. Brecost is questionable, I imagine, and should most likely be spelt bretesk or bretex. I shall be glad, however, of explanations of the words. Newton and Somers.—It has been said that there is a complimentary allusion to Somers in Newton's writings. Where? Daventry, Duel at.— "Veni Daintreo cum puella, Procerum celebre duello." "Thence to Daintree with my jewel, Famous for a noble duel."—Drunken Barnaby's Journal. Can any Northamptonshire reader of "N. & Q." say between whom, and when, this duel took place? Passage in Burial Service.—Whence comes the expression in the Burial Service, "In the midst of life we are in death." I have observed that Mr. Palmer, in his Origines LiturgicÆ, refers for a parallel passage to ancient liturgies, but, if I mistake not, to none but those used in England. The passage is very scriptural: but I do not believe it exists in the Bible. "They shot him on the nine-stane rig."—Where is the ballad beginning with the words— "They shot him on the nine-stane rig, Beside the headless cross." to be found? Who is the author? Wardhouse, and Fishermen's Custom there.—In a MS. local history, written in 1619, there is this Where was Wardhouse, and what was the custom there? Great Yarmouth. "Adrian turn'd the bull."—In an old MS. in my possession, the following verse occurs:— "Of whate'er else your head be full, Remember Adrian turn'd the bull; 'Tis time that you should turn the chase, Kick out the knave and take the place." Would any of the correspondents of "N. & Q." be so good as to explain to me the reference in the second line of the verse? Cary's "PalÆologia Chronica."—I have an old book entitled:
and shall be glad to be informed whether the author was any relation of Dr. Valentine Carey, who was consecrated bishop of Exeter in 1620, and died in 1626. (See Walton's Life of Dr. Donne.) Bradford, Yorkshire. The Southwark Pudding Wonder.—I have been very much pleased with the perusal of a collection of MS. letters, written by the celebrated antiquary William Stukeley to Maurice Johnson, Esq., the founder of the Gentlemen's Society at Spalding. These letters have not been published; the MSS. exist in the library of the Spalding Society. They contain much interesting matter, and furnish many traits of the manners, character, and modes of thinking and acting of their respected author. Can any of your readers explain the meaning of the following passage, which is found in a letter dated 19th June, 1718: "The Southwark Pudding wonder is over?" In the same letter the Dr. alludes to a contested election for the office of Chamberlain of the City of London, which took place in 1718:
Stoke Newington. Roman Catholics confined in Fens of Ely.—Mr. Dickens, in Household Words, No. 169. p. 382., in the continuation of a "Child's History of England," says, when alluding to the threatened invasion of England by the Spanish Armada:
Mr. Dickens had, of course, as he supposed, good authority for making this statement; but, in reply to a private communication, he states it should have been Fens of Ely. I am, perhaps convicting myself of gross ignorance by seeking for information respecting it; nevertheless, I venture to ask the readers of at "N. & Q." for a reference to the authentic history, where a corroboration of Mr. Dickens' statement is to be found? Stoke Newington. White Bell Heather transplanted.—Is it generally known that white bell heather becomes pink on being transplanted from its native hills into a garden? Two plants were shown to me a few days ago, by a country neighbour, flowering pink, which were transplanted, the one three, and the other two, years ago; the former had white bells for two years, the latter for one year only. What I wish to know is, Whether these are exceptional cases or not? Argyleshire. Green's "Secret Plot."—Can you inform me where the scene of the following drama is laid, and the names of the dramatis personÆ? The Secret Plot; a tragedy by Rupert Green, 12mo., 1777. The author of this play, which was published when he was only in his ninth year, was the son of Mr. Valentine Green, who wrote a history of Worcester. "The full Moon brings fine Weather."—When did this saying originate, and have we any proof of its correctness? The late Duke of Wellington is reported to have said, that, as regarded the weather, it was "nonsense to have any faith in the moon." (Vide Larpent's Private Journal, vol. ii. p. 283.) Malta. Nash the Artist.—In the year 1802, Mr. F. Nash made a water-colour drawing of the Town Hall, churches, &c., in the High Street of the ancient borough of Dorchester; a line engraving (now rather scarce) was shortly afterwards published therefrom by Mr. J. Frampton, then a bookseller in the town. Can any reader of the Dorchester. Woodwork of St. Andrew's Priory Church, Barnwell.—The Cambridge Architectural Society, which is now attempting the restoration of St. Andrew's Priory Church, Barnwell, will feel deeply indebted to any of your readers who can give them any information respecting the carved woodwork removed from that church some forty years ago, to make way for the present hideous arrangement of pews and pulpit. A man who lives on the spot speaks of a fine wood screen, and highly decorated pulpit, some portions of which were sold by auction; and the rest was in his possession for some time, and portions of it were given away by him to all who applied for it. Trin. Coll. Camb. "The Mitre and the Crown."—I find the following work, at first published anonymously, reprinted as Dr. Atterbury's in Sir Walter Scott's edition of the Somers' Tracts. No reason is assigned by the editor for ascribing it to him, and I should be glad to know whether there is any satisfactory evidence for doing so. The original tract appears as anonymous the Bodleian Catalogue:
Dublin. Military Music.—Was military music ever played at night in the time of King Charles I.? Belfast. |
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