Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 7.djvu/412

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. VIL APRIL 27, 1907.

Ugo Bassi, Manora, the Dandoli brothers, Morosini, the poet Mameli, Bonnet, and many others will long linger in the memory of the reader.

Of the political events leading up to the main theme of his work the author gives a clear and sufficient summary ; while of the siege and defence in which so much valour was displayed, so much destruction was wrought, and so many lives (espe- cially of the young) were lost we have a vivid description. Mr, Trevelyan has happily rescued from undeserved neglect, and made excellent use of, the narrative of a Dutch artist who was in Rome at the time, and who gives one of the best accounts existing of those stirring scenes. The excellent maps and illustrations that accompany the letterpress enable the reader to feel that he is taking part in the incidents of this brave but fore- doomed stand for liberty.

But we like best the last chapters of the book, in which, with Garibaldi and his small band, we push on breathlessly from place to place, with the Austrians ever drawing closer in, until we reach the summit of Monte Titano at San Marino ; then with a faithful few dash through the enclosing toils, reach the sea at Cesenatico, and take boat for Venice only to meet the gunboats of the enemy. When we know that Mr. Trevelyan has travelled on foot the whole of the route taken in the famous retreat, we understand the secret of the extra- ordinary vividness with which it is depicted. The tragedy of Anita's death we have referred to. In the last two chapters are recounted Garibaldi's flight westward across Italy, the embarkation at the Gala Martina in the Maremma, and escape. Here Mr. Trevelyan's task ends, a brief epilogue sufficing to tell a little of the hero's after history. Perhaps we shall have it more fully told by the author later. A valuable feature of the excellent Bibliography is that to the title of most of the works named are appended a brief explanation of the character of the work, and an estimate of its value as an authority. These will be very helpful to persons wishing to gain fuller information on any particular point in connexion with the history of Garibaldi and Italy.

Before leaving this bo9k we would mention one matter. In his retreat from Rome to the Adriatic Garibaldi was joined by 900 men under the com- mand of Col. Hugh Foroes, who, though a "most courageous and honourable soldier," certainly de- served the title of " the eccentric Briton," for so little did he care about the garniture of war " that, in spite of the title of Colonel conferred on him by the Republic, he went through the campaign in the summer suit and white chimney-pot hat of his class and country." Of this man, his son (who fought under him), or any others of the family, Mr. Tre- velyan would be glad of information, h'is inquiries ] laving borne little fruit. Perhaps some reader of 4 N. & Q.' may be able to throw light on the earlier and later history of this pot-hatted hero.

Ear/ if English Pro*e Romances. Edited by William J. Thorns. New Edition, Revised and Enlarged. (Routledge& Sons.)

OF the volumes of "" Early Novelists" published by Messrs. Routledge & Sons, and edited by Mr. E. A. Baker, the work now included in the collection is the most interesting and important. It consists, as the publishers inform us, of a reprint of the ' Early Prose Romances ' edited by the late Prof. Henry Morley, constituting a volume of "The

Carisbrooke Library" issued under his supervision, together with those taken from the late W. J. Thoms's 'Early English Prose Romances' which Morley omitted from his collection. " It thus con- tains the whole of Thoms's series, and such stories as Morley inserted in excess thereof." To readers of ' N. & Q.' this work offers great attractions as the first literary production of its founder, and an outcome of his early association and inti- macy with Francis Douce, the eminent antiquary, by whom he was stimulated to and assisted 171 its preparation. Among other early English tales in- cluded in the three volumes of which the first edition consisted were 'Robert the Devyl,' "Thomas a Reading,' 'Friar Bacon,' 'Friar Rush,' ' Vir- gilius,' ' Robin Hood,' ' George a Green,' ' Tom a Lincolne,' 'Helyas,' and ' Dr. Faustus.' From this edition, which appeared in 1827 and 1828, the ' History of Reynard the Fox ' prepared by William Caxton, which occupies a principal place in the new edition, appears to have been excluded.

The present volume opens with eleven of the 'Hundred Merry Tales,' from which edifying re- pository Benedick rebuked Beatrice with having stolen her wit. So scarce are copies of this " Shake- speare Jest-Book," we should have been contented with the inclusion of the whole instead of a portion of its contents. In the first story of these we find a curious proverb that we fancied later in date " yt is as gret pyte to se a woman wepe as a gose to go barefote."

Ax exhibition of "Old Lancaster" is to be held next year in the Storey Institute of that town. The Town Clerk, Mr. T. Cann Hughes, whose name is familiar to readers of ' N. & Q.,' will be glad to hear of items of interest for the exhibition of an historical or antiquarian character. It is proposed to show paintings, autographs, charters, seals, tokens, medals, newspapers, books, broad- sides, arms, pottery, old prints, portraits of local notabilities, wo. An original portrait or copy of portrait of John o' Gaunt or any other Duke of Lancaster is specially desired. Communications may be sent direct to Mr. Hughes at the office of the Town Clerk, Lancaster.

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We must call special attention to the following notices :

ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately, nor can we advise correspondents as to the value of old books and other objects or as to the means of disposing of them.

QUELQU'UN ("Lilith, Adam's First Wife"). Have you read the articles at 6 S. viii. 248, 296, 354 : ix. 5, 177; x. 40?

A. S., Bolton. Not desirable to open a discussion on the subject in ' N. & Q.'

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