  "Quid levius calamo? Pulvis. Quid pulvere? Ventus. Quid vento? Meretrix. Quid meretrice? Nihil." "What is lighter than a feather? Dust. The wind more light than either. What is lighter than the wind? Airy, fickle, womankind. What than womankind is lighter? Nothing, nothing—but the writer." "The knights are dust, Their good swords are rust, Their souls are with the saint, we trust." "Circles are prized, not that abound In greatness, but the exactly round. Thus men are honoured, who excel, Not in high state, but doing well." "Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, As brooks to rivers, rivers run to seas." "The clanging trumpet sounds to arms, And calls me forth to battle: Our banners float 'midst war's alarms, The signal cannons rattle." "Of whose omniscient and all-spreading love, Aught to implore were impotence of mind." "He no longer shall dwell Upon that dirty ball, But to heaven shall come, And make punch for us all." "Sometimes, indeed, an acre's breadth half green, And half strewed o'er with rubbish, may be seen. When lo! a board, with quadrilateral grace, Stands stiff in the phenomenon of space, Proposing still the neighbourhood's increase, By, 'Ground to let upon a building lease.'" "Then what remains, but well our parts to chuse, And keep good humour whatsoe'er we lose." "Bachelors of every station, Listen to my true relation." Also a ballad describing the visit of a countryman and his wife to Oxford. Both of Berkshire origin. "A fellow feeling makes us wond'rous kind." "Sir John once said a good thing." SIR EDMUND PLOWDEN.In your publication (Vol. iv., p. 319.), one of your correspondents has given some interesting particulars relative to Sir Edmund Plowden, New Albion, &c., and expresses the hope that Americans will hereafter do justice to the memory of one really deserving their respect. I am desirous of doing something to vindicate his memory and claims; and to this end should be greatly obliged if your correspondent would favour me with some additional facts. To get at these, I will put some of them in the interrogative form. When and where was Sir Edmund born? What is the evidence that he was in America from 1620 to 1630? If so, where (in what localities), and what capacity? He says that his sister married a son of Secretary Lake, then in office; but Lake was turned out several years before 1630, and Lord Baltimore took his place, I think. Nor was Wentworth made Earl of Strafford till after the time of the petition. He is said to have served five years in Ireland: in what capacity? Who were Viscount Musherry, Lord Monson, Sir Thomas Denby, (Claiborne I know of), Capt. Balls; besides Sir John Laurence, Sir Bowyer Is the Latin original of the character in existence? There is an omission in the bounds given in the paper referred to: can I get an extract from the original entry of limits? Did the charter ever pass the Great Seal? Would it be valid, if only passed under the private seal? Can the date of the grant to Danby be ascertained? Are there any memoranda of Plowden's six years' residence as Governor of New Albion (I have some of his residence in Virginia)? Can I get more definite facts about the misconduct of Francis? The license for alienation, &c. is stated to have been obtained 15th of Charles, 1646; but the 15th of Charles was 1640. When did he arrive to attend to his property, and when was he imprisoned in the Fleet? Who was Beauchamp Plantagenet, the author of the tract on New Albion, published in 1648? Who were Robert Evelin, Captain Young, and Master Miles, mentioned in that tract? Can you give me any additional facts, dates especially, of events and births, deaths, &c.? I know not into whose hands these Queries will come; but I can say that, if they are answered, the cause of historic truth and justice will be served; and I shall have the aid I want towards correcting the misrepresentations and errors that have been accumulating for years on this point. Baltimore Md., March 2, 1854. P. S.—I should like to inquire, through your publication, if any one can give me the family of Mr. Claiborne; and any facts in his history not stated in our works? ANCIENT CLOCK, AND ODEVAERE'S HISTORY OF IT.As a portion of the history of the magnificent clock, which came into my possession last year, is connected with Holland, I think it probable that I may, through the means of "N. & Q." and the Navorscher, be able to obtain the information respecting it which I desire. I shall therefore be very much obliged if you will give this communication a place. It will be necessary to give a brief description of the clock, so as to enable parties on the other side of the water to recognise and identify it. The clock, which is of copper richly gilt, and elaborately engraved, stands about four feet high, independent of the pedestal. It is of architectural design, and is divided into three stories, having detached columns at each corner. The two lower stories contain the dials in the front. The upper story exhibits the groups of moving silver figures, which strike the quarters, hours, and move in procession whilst a tune is played by a chime of bells. The whole is surmounted by a dome, on which is placed a silver cock, which flaps his wings and crows when the clock strikes. It was made by Isaac Hahrecht (the artist who made the great clock in the cathedral at Strasburg), according to the inscription on it, in the year 1589: and is evidently a model of that celebrated work condensed into a single tower, since it performs all the feats of that clock. Its reputed history, as given in a printed account of it, is, that it was made for Pope Sixtus V., and was for more than two hundred years in the possession of the Court of Rome. It afterwards came into the possession of William I., King of the Netherlands, who authorised Odevaere the antiquary, now deceased, to investigate everything concerning it, and to give a description of it. What I should wish to know is, who was this Odevaere, and where is his description of it to be found? With regard to the history of the clock, I should wish to know the authority for the statement of its having been made for the Pope, when and how it came to leave the Vatican; how it became the property of the King of Holland; when and why it ceased to belong to the crown of Holland; and under what circumstances it came over to this country, where it was exhibited in 1850? If any of the readers of "N. & Q.," or the Navorscher, can give me any information respecting it, I shall feel greatly obliged. 9. Pall Mall. |
|
