  Calamities of Authors NOTES:— Portraits of Wolfe, by Edw. Auchmuty Glover Notes on Homer, No. I., by Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie French Revolutions foretold IdÉes NapolÉoniennes, by Henry H. Breen Dr. Johnson's Contributions to Baretti's Introduction, by James Crossley Minor Notes:—Bishop Bedell—Foreign Guide-books—Wearing Gloves in Presence of Royalty—Errors of Poets QUERIES:— The Poet Collins Portraits of Henry Purcell, by Dr. E. F. Rimbault Query on the Controversy about Fluxions, by Professor De Morgan Minor Queries:—Madrigal, Meaning of—"Experto crede Roberto"—Chronological Institute—Buzz—The Old Scots March—Hans Holbein—Ivory Medallion of Lord Byron—Trumpington Church—"Carmen Perpetuum," &c.—"The Retired Christian"—The Garrote—Monastic Establishments in Scotland—Bonds of Clearwell and Redbrook—Eliza Fenning—"Character of a True Churchman"—"A Roaring Meg"—Cardinal Pole—Theoloneum—Sterne in Paris—King Robert Bruce's Watch MINOR QUERIES ANSWERED:—Hornchurch; Wrestling for the Boar's Head—Spectacles—Stoke—Author of Psalm Tune "Doncaster"—Dr. Henry Sacheverell REPLIES:— Meaning and Origin of Era Singing of Swans Queen Brunehilda, by Samuel Hickson Coverdale's Bible, by the Rev. Henry Walter Serjeants' Rings and Mottoes Extermination of Early Christians in Orkney The Crime of Poisoning punished by Boiling, by John Gough Nichols, &c. Replies to Minor Queries:—List of English Sovereigns—Moravian Hymns—Age of Trees; "Essex Broad Oak"—Arrangement of Books—The Ring-finger—Count KÖnigsmark—Petition respecting the Duke of Wellington—Reichenbach's Ghosts—The Broad Arrow—Quarter Waggoner, &c. MISCELLANEOUS:— Notes on Books, &c. Books and Odd Volumes wanted Notices to Correspondents Advertisements CALAMITIES OF AUTHORS.In "N. & Q." of the 17th of this month a correspondent, under the signature of A SMALL AUTHOR, pointed out, with much humour, and good humour, the manner in which he had been applied to and induced to part with certain "theological tomes" to some mysterious but most "influential" critic. Since that article appeared we have received information, which shows that the practice complained of is one which is being carried on to a considerable extent; and we therefore think we shall be doing some service, both to authors and publishers, by reprinting in our columns the following correspondence between Messrs. Butterworth and Sir J. E. Eardley Wilmot on the subject. (Copies.) Fleet Street, January 2nd, 1852. Dear Sir,—Authors with whom we have transactions, as well as ourselves, have recently been frequently applied to for publications "for the purpose of review in the daily, and other journals," by a person signing himself "JOHN B. EARDLEY WILMOT;" and as we happen to know, in an instance that has just occurred, we have been directed by one of our authors to send his works to the individual making application for the same under the impression that you were the party who did so, we write therefore in the first instance, as we have our doubts on the subject, to inquire if we are correct in presuming it is yourself who proffer the services of a reviewer, as in such case we shall be happy in sending the publications applied for, to be noticed accordingly. In the event of the letter alluded to (and which we send for your inspection) not having emanated from you, we beg you will further oblige us by stating if you know anything of the party who signs his name in a manner so similar to yourself. Waiting your reply, We are, dear Sir, To Sir J. E. Eardley Wilmot, Bart, Sessions, Warwick, January 5th, 1852. Dear Sirs,—I have the honour of acknowledging your letter of the 2nd inst., which has been forwarded to me here. I have already on more than one occasion been applied to, to know if I am the individual who signs himself "J. B. EARDLEY WILMOT," and who it seems is in the habit of writing to publishers, to ask for copies of new works, for the alleged purpose of getting them reviewed. Not three weeks ago I found on my table at my chambers in the Temple three very expensive books, which had been sent to me by Messrs. Longman & Co., supposing that I had offered to review them. I am very glad of the opportunity your letter affords me of stating that the individual who thus I may as well add, that there is no member of my family whose initials are J. B. Eardley Wilmot, nor is there, to the best of my knowledge, any family in England, except my own, which combines the two surnames of Eardley Wilmot. I must therefore presume that the signature of J. B. Eardley Wilmot is entirely a fictitious one, and adopted for sinister purposes. I beg to express my acknowledgments to you, for enabling me to set myself right with the literary world, more especially as I have lately brought out a little work of my own on a subject entirely professional. I am, Gentlemen, To Messrs. Butterworth, We will but add one small fact. An author who had been applied to by another influential reviewer, the Rev. A. B. Clerk, directed his publisher to forward a copy of his book by post to the place specified. The publisher sent it by rail. The consequence was that the reverend reviewer complained that the book had not reached him: while the railway people returned it because no such person could be found in the place at which he professed to reside. |
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