Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 8.djvu/496

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. vm. NOV. 23, 1907.

His name does not appear in the pedigree of the Francis family of Foremark, co. Derby.

JOHN RADCLIFFE. Furlane, Greenfield, Yorks.

EBTJBNE'S ' PLAINE PATHWAY,' 1624. In Messrs. Hodgson & Co.'s announcement of book sales in ' N. & Q.' for 5 October is a book or tract described as " Eburne's ' Plaine Pathway to Plantations (in New Foundland),' the three parts of this exces- sively scarce tract complete, 1624." Where can I obtain information about the author ? R. J. FYNMORE.

PRAYERS ABOUT LAMBS AND GREEN FIELDS. Writing of the early years of the nineteenth century, Mrs. Charles Bagot remarks in ' Links with the Past,' p.j.27 :

" I wish I had written down the prayers of an old woman I knew who rejoiced in the name of ' Puddifoot.' They were long verses, which she said she recited every morning and night. They were not about God or religion, but about lambs and green fields, and I suspect of great antiquity. They answered the purpose of prayer to her, and doubtless were accepted as such, tor she recited them as an act of worship."

Can anybody quote these lines at length ?

ST. SWITHIN.

" MY NAME is WILLIAM GUISEMAN." I desire to obtain the whole of the Scotch ballad commencing :

My name is William Guiseman, And I dwell in Stirling town ; I have committed murder. And that is quite well known.

G. C. W.

LITERARY ALLUSIONS. Can any of your readers explain the following references ?

1. "My thoughts bent on bullion robbery like a second Jem the Penman " (in James Payn's ' On Her Majesty's Service, Special ')

2. "As the defeated tyrant overthrew the chessboard" (in R. L. Stevenson's ' Mark- heim').

3. Can any one tell me about the songs from which Mr. Kipling (apparently) quotes the following verses in ' Only a Subaltern '

(a) Leave the what at what-its-name, Leave the flock without shelter, Leave the corpse uninterred, Leave the bride at the altar !

(b) Is there a single joy or pain That I should never kno-ow? You do not love me ; 'tis in vain ; Bid me good-bye and go !

I should be very grateful for information on any of these points. C. SULLY.

[1. Surely this refers to the famous play of tha name.]

LONDON PENNY POST: WILLIAM DOCKWRA.

(10S. viii. 370.)

I AM glad to think that the claims of this arseeing London merchant to be the ori- ginator of the " Penny Post " are now in a air way to receive recognition. That the proposal should hail from Dublin makes it he more welcome. In De Laune's ' Present State of London,' 1681, p. 350 and onwards, ire many particulars of the founding of his undertaking, which will be of much nterest to MR. MAGUIRE ; and as the book s now scarce, the following extracts relating to William Dockwra will doubtless interest a arger circle :

" Of the Penny Post. This useful Invention is ittle more than a year old, being begun in April, .680. The chief Undertaker that introduc'd it nto Practice, is one Mr. William Dockwra, Vlerchant, a Native and Citizen of London, ormerly one of His Majesty's Sub-Searchers in Reputation for Industry and Fidelity was well snown to all for above ten years in that Office : And to whom the Publick is obliged, he having, with his Partners, spent much time, and a great 3um of money, to bring this Undertaking on foot, wherein they encounter'd with no small Diffi- culties, not only by Affronts and Indignities from the Vulgar sort, who seldom weigh Publick or Benerous Designs, but at the Beam of Little, Selfish, By -Ends, but also by more dangerous Attaques ; for there have been Attempts made, by some Persons, to persuade his Royal Highness the Duke of York, that it intrench'd upon the General Post-Office, and damnifi'd it; whereupon many Actions were brought, and a chargeable Suit of Law follow'd : But, questionless, the Duke is better inform'd now; for it is most certain, that this does much further the Revenue of the Grand Post-Office, and is an universal Benefit to all the Inhabitants of these Parts : so that whoever goes about to deprive the City of so useful a thing, deserves no thanks from the Duke, nor any Body else, but to be Noted as an Enemy to Publick and
 * he Custom-House of London, as in the List of
 * hose Officers appears. A Person, whose approved

Ingenious Inventions

"It is a Note of Consideration, That Mr. Dockwra, has a numerous Family of eight young Children ; who being forsaken by some others soon after it began, and left to shift for himself, carried on this Undertaking singly, for above half a year at his own proper charge and hazard, against all the Difficulties, Oppositions and Discouragements that attended it, though now he hath several Citizens in partnership with him. But I am truly informed, that the Income does not yet amount to three-fourths of the necessary charge to support it ; therefore I am persuaded that this Honourable City will employ the Inventers, rather than an Invader, if ever any such should be ; and that 'tis much below such a Prince as his Royal Highness is, to desire the Ruine of such a family.