Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 12.djvu/36

 NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. xn. JULY 10, im

shores. Have we, possibly, in this drama yet another veiled allusion to a theme dealt with more than once by Peacock the desertion of Harriet Westbrook by Shelley, and the transference of his affections to Mary Godwin ?

The third play a musical farce in prose and verse, consisting of two acts and four scenes is entitled ' The Three Doctors.' It fills folios 128-49, written on both sides, and is followed by a rough draft which has notes and comments interspersed on other subjects. Written on paper marked W. Turner & Son, it is attributed by Cole to a period not long before 1815. This statement is borne out, more or less, by the contents, which show in several instances great analogy with those of ' Headlong Hall ' and ' Melincourt.' The scene is laid in Merion- ethshire, that of ' Headlong Hall ' being placed in the adjoining county of Carnarvon. We know that Peacock first visited North Wales where he met his future wife in 1810, so that it is most likely the play was written some time after this date. The following points of similarity between the

lay and the two novels also deserve notice, henkin's way of speaking English with a Welsh accent recalls the Sexton's efforts in of Cranium is in the tale. Although Sir

These unpublished works are thus not only noteworthy in themselves, but also interest- ing on account of showing us Peacock in a new light. Whatever else may be said, the reproach so often brought against his novels as well as against the early productions of his son-in-law, George Meredith, which show their influence cannot be levelled at these plays ; for they are by no means devoid of plot, and the characters are clearly delineated. In one point especially, as has been shown, they recall the loosely connected dialogues which are known as the novels, in that they satirize the crazes and fads of the time. Replete with humour and clever sayings, written in a flexible style, and bearing every- where the imprint of a scholarly discrimina- tion and judgment, they clearly betray their authorship. In conclusion, it may be men- tioned that the songs they contain have already appeared in ' N. & Q.' (10 S. x. 441 ; xi. 43). A. B. YOUNG, M.A. Ph.D.

' DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL

BIOGRAPHY: EPITOME,' 1903.

(See 10 S. ix. 21, 47, 83, 152, 211, 294, 397,

431 ; x. 183, 282.)

APPENDED is a third list of corrections, omissions, and suggestions. Of the persons named, over twenty have passed away since 1903, and they are included here for con-

of ' Melincourt,' Humphry Hippy of Venison Hall is a faithful reproduction of Humphry Hippy of Hypocon House in the same tale, or vice versa. Marmaduke Milestone, the landscape gardener, exactly coincides with the character of the same name and vocation in Peacock's first novel. His plan for arrang- ing Lord Littlebrain's park, which is torn to pieces in his portfolio, is similar to the two plans of the same gentleman's park which are shown by Mr. Milestone in ' Head- long Hall ' to the Misses Chromatic, and which Peacock borrowed, although he has not admitted it, from Payne Knight's didactic poem ' The Landscape.' The main idea of the plot, however, has no counter- part elsewhere. It is skilfully worked out, while the rivalry between the three doctors shows Peacock's poignant satire

to all acquainted with his works. lie looked upon them as a means of accelerating death rather than prolonging life. A cha- racter in ' Melincourt ' is called Killquick, who, needless to say, belongs to the medical profession.

Addison (Lancelot), 1632-1703. Add Arch- deacon of Coventry 16834. Author of ' Genuine Use of the Two Sacraments,' c. 1670; 'West Barbary,' 1671. Father of Joseph Addison.

Akerman (John Yonge), 1806-73. Add : Author of ' Descriptive Catalogue of Roman Coins,' 1834 ; ' Remains of Pagan Saxondom,' of Humour from the Italian,' 1824 ;

if the ' Odoriff erous Garden of Charitie,' 1603.

Ames (Joseph), 1689-1759. Add : Founder cf English bibliography.

Arden (Mary). See Shakespeare (Mary), post. Ascham (Antony), d. 1550. Add : Author of and Revolutions of Governments,'

Austin (Louis Frederic), b. Brooklyn, 9 Oct., 1852. Educated Liverpool. Settled in London. D. Sept., 1905. Journalist. Author of ' In Haste and at Leisure.'

Bagford (John), 1650-1716. ' D.N.B.'

rare volumes." See Mr. Gordon Duff's 'West- minster Printers,' 1906, p. 8, on the " much- maligned John Bagford." It is there stated that onstrous collection of title-pages in the Museum generally associated with Bag- name was made by the venerated founder of English bibliography, Joseph Ames."