Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 10.djvu/13

 11 S. X. JULY 4, 1914.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

The plaintiff further states that the above mentioned persons have

"' disparaged and disgraced the saide book amongst Stationers and others, soe that your saic orator is like to be circumvented not only of this money paide for the printinge of the saide books but likewise hindred in the sale of all the rest of hi books exceptinge the five and twenty soulde bj George Cleaver."

Unfortunately the answer of the defend ants is not attached to the complaint, so w<_ have no means of knowing what defence was made.

As the complaint in the above suit is datec 1636, and the British Museum edition of the book is dated 1638, and published by the defendant, some satisfactory agreement must have been entered into. It seems evident that the latter is a second edition.

Possibly, as no other publication appears to be attributed to George Ballard, ' The History of Susannah ' was the author's first and last experience of publishers.

It would be interesting to know who these two brothers, Richard and George Ballard, were. PERCY D. MUNDY.

THE WEARING or THE OAK. In ' N. & Q.,' 6 S. vii. 449, a question is asked as to why, on Royal Oak Day, 29 May, the wearers of oak sprigs change them at midday for a leaf of another kind. No answer was given to this query. In this part of Somerset the village children substitute ash or maple for oak in the afternoon. The children themselves can offer no explanation. It has been said that King Charles exchanged his oak tree for an ash during the day he was in hiding ; but none of the narratives of the Kong's escape mentions this. In fact, they all say that he remained in the oak until nightfall.

ETHELBERT HORNE. Downside Abbey, Bath.

COURT LEET : MANOR COURT. (See 10 S. vii. 327, 377; viii. 16, 93, 334, 413; 11 S. 11. 33; iv. 526; v. 78.) At Manor Lodge, Frognal, on 9 June, Hampstead duly held its summer Court, with all the quaint observances connected therewith. From an intere.-iting account of the proceedings in The Hampstead and Highgate Express, we learn that the number of copyholders has greatly diminished of late, in consequence of so many " enfranchisements " having been made. The curious fact is recorded of two brothers holding a well at North End, upon which quitrent is still paid, each brother possessing a half. " Suit rolls," "homage," "proclamations," "constables

of the manor," " headboroughs," all figure in the business transacted, which was fol- lowed by the customary luncheon, with toasts, at historic " Jack Straw's Castle."

CECIL CLARKE. Junior Athenaeum Club.

A SHIPWRECK : TRISTAN DE ACUNHA. The following interesting letter would seem to be worth publishing in ' N. & Q.' (the peculiarities of the document have been pre- served in the transcript) : Adm. 1/5132.

Tristan de Acunha 9th Jan 1 * 1822. To the Right Hon bl Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

HONB L SIRS,

We whose names are hereto subscribed most respectfully beg leave to call your Lordships attention to the following circumstances.

Having sailed from England in the Ship Blenden Hall Cap' Alexander Greig for Bombay on the 9 th May 1821, and proceeded as far as Lat: 37 South Longitude 11 44 where we were Ship- wrecked on the Desolate Island called Inaccessible on 23 rd of July following, and should in all pro- bability have remained for years in the Utmost distress and Anxiety subject to as much privation as ever fell to the lot of any people that have experienced a similar Misfortune, were it not for the Ships Carpenter Robert Peirce and Leonard Hawkesley Boatswain who framed a Boat out of part of the wreck the Ships boats having been lost ; in which themselves and a few men of the Crew crossed over an Arm of the sea to the Island of Tristan de Acunha on the 8 th of Nov r 1821 after an attempt being previously made by six others of the Ships Company) named Joseph Nibbs Andrew McCullock McCallister

Macdougall Smith & Taylor who

we lament to say have never been heard of since.

The Carpenter and Boatswain with the others arrived safe, had the good fortune to meet A Man named William Glass formerly a Corporal in the Royal Artillery and divers, that has been on the tsland since Government sent some settlers with

small military force from the Cape of Good Eope in the year 1811, and which force was withdrawn about six months after.

This man with a Laudable Zeal that must ever

reflect the Utmost Credit on himself and the few

people* that are with him on the Island, imme-

liately proceeded to Inaccessible bringing with

./hem all manner of Refreshment for the relief of

he unhappy suffers, part of whom they took off

he following morning to Tristan, where we all

xperienced such marked attention from himself


 * Vife and People as soon made us appear new

in. us altogether, having not only given up their

louses and Beds for our accommodation but

ikewise all manner of refreshment & Wearing

hat they possessed, though putting themselves

lass, John Nankaril, Thos. Fortheringham, John 'urnbull, John Taylor, and John Mooney. The wo latter having been sent out by your Lord- hips Special order," follow the text of the letter, pposite the subscription, and before the Com- mander's signature.
 * The names of the Tristan Islanders, " Wm.