Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 10.djvu/540

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. x. DEC. 5, im

and by J. Edwards, ' Perfection of H. Scrip- ture,' 1695, p. 343. It has, of course, been recorded in * N. & Q.,' 2 S. v. 108, 194, 487.

On the other hand, the traveller is sup- ported by Tennyson, who sings of

Wave after wave, each mightier than the last, Till last, a ninth one, gathering half the deep.

'Coming of Arthur,' ' Works,' 1878, p. 362.

W. C. B.

NORTH END PLACE. HAMPSTEAD. Several years ago an admirable article appeared in these columns* descriptive of the life which was led by the elder Pitt during his voluntary immurement in the house which is now known by the name at the head of this note, but which was formerly designated Wildwoods or North End House. I see from the papers that this house is now for sale. It is stated that the small room which was occupied by the great Minister is still pre- served, and also the curious double-cupboard contrivance by which he managed to receive food, letters, and papers without actual communication with the outside world.

A leading London daily adds a curious detail which deserves to rank with the fable to which, under the heading of ' The Portman Estates,' I recently drew attention (ante, p. 307). It is stated that " the spot is described in Domesday Book as Wildwood Corner." It is not recorded whether the compiler of the Survey regarded it as an eligible site for a suburban residence, but we shall doubtless know when the statement which I have quoted is discovered amongst the national records. W. F. PRIDEAUX.

MAN IN THE MOON IN 1590. I notice an instance slightly earlier than the first given in ' N.E.D.' In 1590 the overseers of West- minster received

"Of Richard Tenche the Town Clarke, for a Pyne for a Trespass comitted by John Warner, alias dictus the man in the moone, viij.s\ vjf/." 'A Catalogue of Westminster Records,' by J. E. Smith [1900], p. 91.

Q. V.

HOTSPUR'S SWORD. The Daily Telegraph of Thursday, 22 October, made the following assertion under the heading of ' London Day by Day ' when mentioning that the King had visited Petworth House : ' 'Among its treasures is the sword of Hotspur, which he used at the battle of Shrewsbury."

When Mayor of Shrewsbury, in 1903, and organizing the celebrations in connexion with the 500th anniversary of the battle,

the exact reference.
 * My absence abroad prevents me from giving

I did my best to find something in the way of armour of the period, and took up the question of this sword, with the result that, after careful inquiry, I wrote the following in my article on alleged relics from the battle-field which appeared in the volume of papers in connexion with the battle issued by the Shropshire - Archaeological Society :

"(4) Hotspur's Sword. The late Augustus J. C. Hare in his 'Sussex' states that 'amongst the relics preserved at Petworth House (Lord Lecon- field's), in co. Sussex, is the sword used by Hotspur at the battle of Shrewsbury. The old castle of the Percies stood near the town of Petworth, and in the church there lie the remains of several members of the family.' I am afraid, from enquiries I have made, that this sword cannot claim the historical interest and antiquity which the delightful, but sometimes incorrect, author would wish us to believe."

HERBERT SOUTHAM.

Innellan, Shrewsbury.

EBENEZER GERARD. This artist is said to have been a well-known " profilist " and miniature painter in the early part of the last century. He made a considerable re- putation by his black profile portraits. For some years (1821-5) he lived in Liverpool, and had a studio at 64, Lord Street. He died in Glasgow at the age of forty-two. Accord- ing to the following lines, written on his work by some unknown admirer, he would seem to have some claim to be considered a pioneer in his particular style of art :

First from the shadow on the polished wall Were took those faces which we profiles call ; The first was drawn by the "Corinthian Dame" Who by the art immortalized her name. Prom posture next, improving on her plan, The artist with the pencil took the man ! Yet oft the lines, where blemishes prevailed, Were taught to natter, and the likeness failed ; But how to form machines to take the face, With nice precision, in one minute's space ! Then paint with bold, unerring certainty, The face profile in tints that never die ; To hit complexion, feature, shape, and air, So just that life alone is wanting there ; Where all allow the likeness to agree This honour, Gerard, was reserved for thee.

Through the kindness of Mr. A. H. Arkle I have obtained a little more information about this artist. Gerard seems to have come to Liverpool (possibly from Man- chester) with a certain reputation, and in a circular issued by him he speaks of the un- precedented patronage with which he had been honoured since his arrival. The circular in question notified the public that he took most striking likenesses in a variety of manners, and that he had a large number of portraits of well-known characters on