Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 2.djvu/489

 ios.ii.Nov.i9.i9MO NOTES AND QUERIES.

401

LONDON, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19. 190ft.

CONTENTS.-No. 47.

NOTES: The Loyal Lads of Pelthara, 401 'The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington,' 403 French Proverbial Phrases, 404 " Anglica gens est optima flens " Lady Mary Grey William Collins, R.A. ' The Death of Nelson,' 405 Split Infinitive Flying Bridge Twin Calves Green Carnation in Shakespeare's Day David Montagu Brskine, 408 Link with the Past Prisoners of War in English Litera- ture, 407.

QUERIES :-The Author of ' St. Johnstoun 'Daniel Web- ster Bacon or Usher ? Cockade Angles: England, 407 David Evans, D.D. Travels in China T. Beach : R. S. Hawker "Mr. Pilblister and Betty his sister "Muni- cipal Etiquette Heraldic Richard of Scotland Gour- billon or Courbillon Family Crickle wood, 408 Mary Carter Brewer's 'Lovesick King' Smith, a Berners Street Artist "Sit on the body" Bdmond Hoyle Battle of Bedr " Stob "Bananas, 409.

REPLIES : Southey's * Omniana,' 410 Avalon Oxenham Epitaphs Monmouth Cipher, 411 Descendants of Waldef of Cumberland American Military Order of the Dragon " Disce pati "Rev. Richard Winter" I lighted at the

i foot " * William Tell,' 412 Grievance Office : John Le Keux Duchess Sarah, 413 -Bell-ringing on 13 August, 1814 Parish Documents : their Preservation, 414 Penny Wares Wanted William III at the Battle of the Boyne, 415 George Steinman Steinman Bottesford Gwillim's 'Display of Heraldrie.' 416 Jacobite Verses George Washington's Arms, 417 "Talented " Hewett Family False Quantities in Parliament, 418 Lady Arabella Denny, 419.

NOTES ON BOOKS:-' The Adventures of King James II.' 'Vagabond Songs and Ballads of Scotland' ' Aucassin and Nicolete' 'List of Emigrant Ministers to America' ' The Fight at Donibristle.'

Notices to Correspondents.

THE LOYAL LADS OF FELTHAM.

A SMALL note- book in my possession gives a very full and particular account of one of the many corps raised by patriotic gentle- men in the year 1798. Dr. Thomas Denman began life as a surgeon in the llpyal Navy, and, as such, saw a great deal of active service, a most interesting account of which will be found in the sixth edition of his 'Introduc- tion to the Practice of Midwifery.' Born 27 June, 1733, he, at the age of thirty, after nine years' service in the navy, set up practice in London, and ultimately rose to the posi- tion of leading accoucheur of his day. In 1791 he acquired a small place at Feltham Hill, and it speaks strongly of his patriotism, vigour, and energy that at the age of sixty- five he should have raised this corps. Dr. Thomas Denman died 16 November, 1815, and is buried in a vault in St. James's Church, Piccadilly.

In his note-book, after referring to the state of apprehension in which the country was of an invasion, and to the great number of gentlemen who had offered their services to raise at their own expense bodies of men, he says that

41 feeling the same principles of loyalty and attach- ment, and convinced of the advantages which

must accrue from unanimity and the combined efforts of individuals acting and exerting them- selves to the utmost of their abilities," he presumed to write the following letter to the Marquis of Titchfield, then Lord Lieu- tenant of Middlesex :

MY LORD, It is with all respect and deference to the Marquis of Tichfield that Doctor Thomas Denman of Feltham Hill presumes to make the fol- lowing lender of his most humble services, which if approved, he in treats the Marquis to direct him as to the manner of laying it with all duty before His Majesty, or the proper Officers, in order to its being put into immediate execution.

The Proposal is as follows,

To raise twenty-five men to be in readiness to march whenever, or wherever, required in case of an invasion.

That they shall be raised and cloathed at the expence of the said Thomas Denman.

That their clothing shall be a fur cap, a blue Jacket and a pair of Trowsers.

That their arms shall be a Pike and a felling Axe, or a Pike with a Pick Axe and a Spade.

That the Arms and the Tools shall be provided at the expence of the said Thomas Denman.

That the Men when raised shall be called out on Sundays in the Afternoon, when each Man shall be allowed one shilling to be payed by the said Thomas Denman.

That the said Thomas Denman hopes these Men may not be called from their families except when their actual service is required.

That in case of an Invasion they shall march wherever commanded or under any Oliicer who may be appointed.

That the said Thomas Denman has no wish to obtain any rank or personal emolument, but makes this proposal with all loyalty to his Majesty, and affectionate regard for his Country.

THOMAS DENMAN.

Old Burlington Street, March 30, 1798.

His Majesty's gracious acceptance of Dr. Thomas Denman's offer was conveyed to him in a letter signed "Scott Titchfield," and dated 28 April, 1798.

On 30 April Dr. Thomas Denman again wrote to Lord Titchfield as follows :

In consequence of your Lordship's letter a meet- ing of the Householders and Inhabitants having been called on Sunday April 29th and the proposal being made and supported in the handsomest manner by Mr. Capel and Mr. Berry, two Gentle- men living at Feltham Hill, and by Mr. Moore and Mr. Redford, principal Farmers of the place. Twenty men immediately offered themselves and were enrolled as Voluntiers in the Company, which I took the liberty of naming The Lads of Feltham. I have the satisfaction of informing your Lordship that they are all healthy stout men, and the greater part of them between eighteen and thirty- five years of age. I have given the necessary directions for cloathingand arming them without delay, and shall at all times hold myself in readiness to obey your Lordship's future commands ; but, for the present, if your Lordship would be pleased to honour me with a Commission under the title of Serjeant Major of the Company, all the ends of subordination would be preserved, and there would be no difficulty in