BETH-GELERT. Current Notes, p. 81.-THE Hon. William Robert Spencer, who was born in 1770, was the author of Beth-Gelert. He published occasional poems of that description named "Vers de Société," whose highest object is to gild the social hour. As a companion Mr. Spencer was much prized by the brilliant circles of the metropolis, but, falling into pecuniary difficulties, he removed to Paris, where he died in 1834. His poems were collected and published in 1835. Sir Walter Scott, who knew and esteemed Spencer, quotes the following fine lines from one of his poems, as expressive of his own feelings, amidst the wreck and desolation of his fortunes at Abbotsford: The shade of youthful hope is there, With phantom honor by his side. They once were Friendship, Truth, and Love! Since lifeless to my heart ye prove. Mr. Spencer's poems were exaggerated in compliment and adulation, and wittily parodied in the "Rejected Addresses." Allesley, Oct. 26. G. S. BETH-GELERT. This ballad was the composition of the Hon. W. R. Spencer, grandson of the second Duke of Marlborough, the author of many occasional poems of that description named “ Vers de Société," published in the early part of the present century; and also the author of an excellent translation of the Leonora, of Bürger. His poems were collected and published in 1835. He died at Paris, October 22, 1834, aged 65. Bristol, Oct. 26. J. K. R. W. THE ballad of Beth-Gelert, founded on the old tradition, that, at the base of Snowdon, Llewellyn the Great had a house, and his child saved by the fidelity of the greyhound named Gêlert, that had been presented to Llewellyn, by his father-in-law, King John in 1205; was first printed in the Metrical Miscellany, edited by Mrs. Maria Riddell, 1802, 8vo. pp. 213-217. The ballad is there dated from "Dolemelynllyn, August 11, 1800;' " and the place assigned by tradition, as the scene of Llewellyn's impetuous ire is still known as Beth-Gêlert, or the Grave of Gêlert.—EDITOR. RULE BRITANNIA. - Who was the writer of this national song, and when did it become current? Who composed the music to it? RUSTICUS. OH! NANNY.-Bishop Percy has the credit of being the author of this beautifully plaintive ballad, and yet, I am told, it is of much earlier date. Where is the original to be found? M. E. "THE Beggar's Petition," originally entitled "The Beggar," was written by the Rev. Thomas Moss, minister of Brierley Hill, and of Trentham, in Staffordshire. He died in 1808. It was first published in a thin quarto of Miscellaneous Poems, printed at Wolverhampton in 1769. With the exception of a few copies for private distribution, the volume was published without the author's name, and led to the uncertainty that was for a long time entertained respecting its authorship. Bristol, Oct. 26. J. K. R. W. THE" Beggar's Petition" was written by the Rev. Thomas Moss, B.A., minister of Brierly Hill Chapel, in the parish of King's Swinford, Staffordshire. He was also author of another poem, "On the Vanity of Human Enjoyments," written in blank verse, and printed in the year 1783, 4to., in about sixty-three pages. The verses of "The Beggar's Petition," are truly popular and beautiful, but I cannot help thinking the reader will experience far greater pleasure and satisfaction in the perusal of the other. S. IPSWICH ELECTION ENTERTAINMENT, 1467. HAVING the late Craven Ord's transcript of the manuscript steward's accompts, so singularly discovered at Framlingham Castle in 1722, and from which are derived the particulars of this parliamentary treating, Current Notes, p. 84; I am enabled to point out a few corrections, that a later transcript appears to require. Line 16 of the items, for "in hoggesheds," read "ij Hoggesheds of wyn.” Line 28, read, "Item, for herynge of all man of napry and furnishynge." Line 32, Sawndres; at the above period there were two kinds of Sawndres, used in the culinary art; one called red saunders, for imparting a red colour to wines and jellies; the other, yellow saunders, for giving a peculiar flavour to soups; this is now better known as yellow sandalwood. Line 33, "Itm, in reysans of Coraunt," or Corinth, whence the small Zante grapes were formerly obtained in great abundance, and which are still, as currants, a principal ingredient in this country for cakes and puddings. Line 45, "portpaynes." Halliwell, in his Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, 1847, vol. ii. TOWN ARMORIAL INSIGNIA.-Why is it that the p. 638, defines portpanes, as "Cloths used for carrying arms of Colchester and Nottingham are alike? bread from the pantry to the dinner-table." M. H. L. GIPPOVICUS. SITE OF THE SCRIPTURE AVA. MR. LAYARD, in his Discoveries in Nineveh and Babylon, 1853, 8vo. p. 600, has printed, in cuneiform characters, an inscription on a duck with its head turned upon its back, in greenstone, found during the second excavations at Nimroud; but similar to that, in white marble, engraved in plate 95 A., in the first series of the monuments of Nineveh. Mr. Layard estimated these two objects, from the short inscriptions upon them, as of considerable interest. Of the latter, on greenstone, our learned correspondent observes The inscription is undoubtedly "of considerable interest;" as it appears to point out the site of the scripture Ava, of which Kitto, in his Biblical Cyclopædia, says, "It is most probable, however, that Ava was a Syrian or Mesopotamian town, of which no trace can now be found, either in the ancient writers or in the Oriental topographers." The powers of the cuneiform characters are, in English, as follows ON EAGLE'S WING. Current Notes, p. 76.-Your correspondent J. M. asks the origin of the linnet perched on eagle's wing, etc." We know something analogous to this among the fishes; namely, that not only does the remora attach itself to the body of the shark, but also the beautiful little pilot-fish may be seen constantly swimming only a very short space immediately before its voracious jaws: "me ipso teste." And among the beasts of prey, every one is familiar with the history of the jackal and his lion patron. These analogies may, I hope, be in some degree satisH. MONTAGU. factory. P.S.-Whilst the foregoing was on its way to you, it further occurred to me to remind J. M., it is no unusual thing for birds to carry birds; viz. that type of filial piety, the stork, and her maternal care and tuition. The eagle, who bears its eaglets on her wings, "teaching their young ideas" how to fly. And why, I would now ask in return, should it be thought a strange thing that this the monarch of birds, with no voice for song himself, why should he not delight in this little warbler pouring its sweet notes into his listening ear, and encourage its familiarity, and sustain or protect it, there to cheer and to solace his bear it up to where its own unaided powers could not royal mate in her craggy nest; and the eagle himself encouraged, with wing vibrating with pleasure, to soar still higher, and to "sing" still nearer "to heaven's gate" the praises of their and our glorious Creator, as it is written," Praise ye the Lord in the heights; praise Him, all ye feathered fowl: let everything that hath breath praise the Lord"? These reflections have afforded me so much sincere gratification, I can but thank your correspondent for having elicited them. H. M. SIR WILLIAM BETHAM, no inconsiderable name in our literature-who held the office of Ulster King of Arms, Keeper of the Records in Dublin Castle, and Genealogist to the Order of St. Patrick, expired suddenly on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 26th, at his residence, near Blackrock. He had, on the previous evening, been out driving in his usual robust health, and the event was wholly unexpected. CRYSTAL PALACE.-Has it occurred to the observation of those intrusted with the erection of that stupendous building, that placed on the summit of a hill, composed of clay and sand, a slip, productive of most awful results, is more than probable? UNITED STATES' INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT. A VERY important question has arisen, and is yet to be decided, at our ports of entry in the United States, that deeply concerns everybody interested in the international copyright question. Last year, Mr. Norton, a young and enterprising New York bookseller, and a well known friend of international copyright justice, made arrangements for receiving from the publishers of all the leading weekly, monthly, and quarterly British journals and reviews, impressions of the editions of all their issues, to be dispatched early by steamers, and distributed in the United States before they could be reprinted by the "pirates" here, and at rates too low to make piracy any longer profitable. When his invoices were offered in the Boston Custom-house, and duly sworn to, they passed without difficulty. The next parcel arriving in New York was stopped at this Custom-house, under the pretext that the entry was a false one, since the publications were invoiced considerably below the publisher's prices in Great Britain. It was argued that a fair interpretation of the ad valorem clause of our tariff of '46 would reckon the duties on the bona fide cost of the article where it was bought. Mr. Norton proved his invoices to be true. He even hurried off to England, and has brought duly authenticated affidavits to the fact. Our revenue officers compelled him to pay not only the regular duties levied upon imported books, but 10 per cent more in consequence of a villainous clause in our tariff, whereby the importer of English publications which are stolen and reprinted in this country is obliged to pay 10 per cent more than the regular duty. It amounts to this, then, that the Congress of the United States offer a reward of 10 per cent in the shape of a bounty to every literary pirate in this country. It is shocking to see robbery legalized in this way. Certain parties in this country steal, and reprint, in cheap and shabby form, the leading British reviews. Thousands of men and libraries wanted the English editions; and the English publishers preferred to fill large orders at the smallest possible profit rather than have this pirate game played upon them in broad daylight. Mr. Norton is now fighting out the battle, and probably an appeal will be made to Congress this winter, which, I trust, after fair and full discussion, will result in the enactment of an international copyright law. New York, Oct. 22. SHAKESPEARE'S Merchant of Venice. The following allusion," If with the Jew of Malta, instead of coyne, thou requirest a pound of flesh next to thy debtor's heart, wilt thou cut him in pieces?" is found in Essayes and Characters of a Prison and Prisoners, by Geffray Minshull, of Grayes Inne, Gent., 1618. John Milton, the poet, married Elizabeth Minshull, the grand-daughter of Geoffrey Minshull. He was received as her husband, at Stoke Hall, in 1662. FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM ANNUAL REPOrt. THE building is in good order, continuing firm and stable, without settlement of any kind. The sculptures, antiquities, and books are in good condition. The same may be reported of the pictures, with two or three exceptions. The state of the engravings is in some respects not so satisfactory. Since the last report, the collection has been enriched by a set of casts from the Halicarnassus marbles, presented by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. Twelve elaborate copies of Mosaic pictures still extant in the Basilicas of Rome, and of dates ranging between A.D. 492 and A.D. 1292, have also been received from Mr. C. R. Cockerell, R.A. A facsimile of the fragments of the Hieratic Papyrus at Turin, transmitted, at the request of the Duke of Northumberland, by Sir J. Gardner Wilkinson. A collection of Egyptian antiquities, procured by Mr. A. B. Cheales, M.A., of Christ's College, during his travelling bachelorship. Mr. Pitt's watch, presented by the Right Hon. R. A. Christopher, M.P. A manuscript in the Tamul language, presented by the Rev. T. Brotherton, M.A., of Corpus Christi College. The Syndicate regret to state that the two pictures lent to the Museum by the late Mr. H. Vint, of Colchester, have been removed by order of his executors. The north-west room on the ground floor has, during the past year, been prepared for the reception of the University Studies' Syndicate; the expense of laying down the permanent subfloor being alone charged to the Fitzwilliam Fund. The number of persons who have visited the Museum during the year ending April 30, 1853, amounts to 36,356; and it is gratifying to add that no instances of damage, loss, or misbehaviour, have occurred during that period. Cambridge, Oct. 28. No. XXXVI.] FOR THE MONTH. "I will make a prief of it in my Note-Book."-SHAKESPEARE. ANGLO-NORMAN MINSTREL'S CHRISTMAS SONG. The earliest known composition in England, that is extant; translated with exemplary fidelity, by the late Francis Douce, Esq. Lordings, from a distant home, To seek old CHRISTMAS we are come, And here, unless report mis-say, The greybeard dwells; and on this day, With festive mirth and glee. To all who honour CHRISTMAS, and commend our lays, Lordings, list, for we tell you true; His liberal board is deftly spread With manchet-loaves and wastel-bread; Lordings, you know that far and near, Lordings, believe us, knaves abound; May all their arts be vain! But chiefly from these scenes of joy, CHRISTMAS quaffs our English wines, He puts the insidious goblet round, Lordings, it is our host's command, Then pledge me, sirs, and drink away, Now WASSEL to you all! and merry may ye be! VOL. III. [DECEMBER, 1853. PANTSH-EES, from TEVTakic, for it turns on five, or it on a board chequered like a draught-board, in the I have played the multiple of five-is a Persian game. shape of a Maltese cross, having twenty-one chequers in each limb of the cross, disposed in three rows-thus The chequers are coloured blue and red alternately with very few yellow ones. Four persons play, each having four men like those for draughts, coloured blue, red, yellow, and black respectively, and the moves are regulated by throws with cowry-shells, as those in backgammon are by dice. The shells used are six in number, are thrown up in the hand, and as they fall with the open or close side up, regulate the moves. When five turn up the open side, and one the close one, you advance over twenty-five squares; but when, on the other hand, five are close and one open, you only gain one. The outside squares, all round the board, are first traversed; and you then proceed up your own end in the middle line to the centre called The Home.' As four men are to be looked after, it is a game of some little skill as well as chance. O. T. D. A QUESTION ANSWERED.-"Ma belle," said the gallant Henry the Fourth, to one of Marie de Medici's maids of honour, "quel est le chemin à vôtre cœur?" "Par l'eglise, Sire!" was the prompt and happy reply. N THOMAS MOORE.- Little has been said by Lord John Russell, or by Moore the poet's biographers, as to whom his wife was; are any particulars known of her previous to her marriage? Belgravia, Dec. 5. CRYSTAL PALACE, Current Notes, p. 92.-I know not whether it has occurred to the Directors of the Crystal Palace that the position on which it stands is a perilous one, from fear of a landslip, with the palace and all, into the valley beneath; but this I know, the subject has for some time past attracted the attention of those residing in the neighbourhood, who look forward with uneasy forebodings, lest their fears may be realized, and such awful results, which might be truly regarded as a national calamity, prove hereafter a melancholyranda : fact. He is a man strangely thrifty of time past, and an enemie indeed to his maw, whence he fetches out many things, when they are now all rotten and stinking. He is one that hath that unnaturall disease to be enamor'd of old age and wrinkles, and loves all things, as Dutchmen doe cheese, the better for being mouldy and wormeeaten. He is of oure religion, because we say it is most ancient; and yet a broken 'statue would almost make him an idolater. A great admirer he is of the rust of old monuments, and reads only those characters where Time hath eaten oute the letters. He will goe you forty miles to see a Saint's well, or a ruined abbey; and if there be but a crosse or stone foot-stoole in the way, he will be considering it so long till he forget his journey. His estate consists much in shekels and Roman coynes, and he hath more pictures of Cæsar than of James or Elizabeth. Beggars cozen him with musty things which they have raked from dunghills, and he preserves their rags for precious reliques. He loves no library but where there are more spider volumes than authors, and lookes with great admiration on the antique worke of cobwebs. Printed bookes he contemnes, as a noueltie of this latter age: but a manuscript, he pores over everlastingly, especially if the cover be all inoth-eaten, and the dust make a parenthesis between every sillable. He would give all the bookes in his study, which are rarities all, for one of the old Roman binding, or for sixe lines of Tully in his owne hand. His chamber is hung commonly with strange beasts skins, and is a kind of charnelhouse of bones extraordinary; and his discourse upon them, if you will heare him, shall last longer. His uery attire is that which is the eldest out of fashion, and you may picke a criticisme out of his breeches. He neuer lookes upon himselfe till he is greyheaded, and then, he is pleased with his owne antiquity. His grave doth not fright him, for he hath been used to sepulchres, and he likes death the better, because it gathers him to his fathers. Microcosmographie,* 1628. • Published under the pseudonyme of Blount, but written by John Earle, D.D., Dean of Westminster, elected Bishop of Worcester, Nov. 1, 1662; and translated to Salisbury Sept. 19, 1663. He died Nov. 17, 1665. M. H. In some unpublished autobiographical notes of Tom Ellar, the harlequin, many years the associate of Joe Grimaldi, on the boards of Covent Garden Theatre; in the possession of the editor, are the following memo I first met Signor Belzoni on my first appearance in London, at the Royalty Theatre, in Wellclose-square, on Easter Monday, 1808, the season closed then, after the fourth week. I met him in September, in the same year, at Saunders's booth in Bartholomew Fair, exhibiting as the French Hercules.' In 1809 we were jointly engaged at the Crow-street Theatre, Dublin, in the production of a pantomime; I as harlequin, he as an artist, to superintend the last scene, a sort of hydraulic temple, that, owing to what is frequently the case, the being over-anxious, failed, and nearly inundated the orchestra, Fiddlers generally follow their leader, and Tom Cooke, now leader at Drurylane, was the man; out they ran, leaving Columbine and myself, with the rest, to finish the scene in the midst of a play'd the part of Columbine was of great beauty, and is splendid shower of fire and water. The young lady who HOW THE WIFE OF THE CELEBRATED THOMAS MOORE, the great poet of the present day. Signor Belzoni was a man of gentlemanly, but very unassuming manners, yet of great mind. since shrouded all the parties then living from the ken These notes were written in 1834, and death has of mortal eye. EARLY ENGLISH PROVERBIAL SAYINGS.-The following lines, poetically disposed, were some years since transcribed from an early manuscript by the editor; and were there simply headed: A BALADE. Yt is harde to make fast, that will breke or yt bowe; CHAINED BOOKS.-There are, or recently were, a number of curious old books chained to the shelves in a small library attached to the old church at Wimborne in Dorsetshire. C. S. |
