Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 2.djvu/407

ii s. vm. NOV. 22, 1913.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

401

response to a query from {{sc|Mr. J. B. McGovern—who had noticed at 11 S. vii. 105 {{sc|Mr. Ralph Thomas}}'s allusion to the late H. F. Turle, "a former Editor of 'N. & Q.,{{' "}} and has written desiring information as to our editors—I have, with pleasure, drawn up the following note, although the majority of these particulars have already been given by me in my history of the paper which appeared in our Jubilee number on the 4th of November, 1899.

William John Thoms, our founder, was the first Editor. His old-world courtesy soon brought to him a large circle of contributors, these including almost every well-known name of the day in literature. The number published on the 28th of September, 1872, closed his Editorship, and there, in 'A Parting Note,' he gave expression to the deep pain he felt in separating himself from the pleasant associations which he had enjoyed for nearly a quarter of a century. The pain, however, would have been yet greater, had he not felt assured

{{smaller block|"that in resigning my 'plumed' sceptre into the hands of Dr. Doran, I entrust it to one who {{....}} will, by his intelligence, courtesy, and good feeling, secure for dear old Notes and Queries the continued allegiance of those kind and intelligent friends who have made it what it is."}}

On Thoms's retirement a banquet was given in his honour, at which Earl Stanhope, who presided, said:—

{{smaller block|"It was as Editor of Notes and Queries from its foundation that they were now met to do Mr. Thorns honour. The distinguishing merit of that periodical was that it did not pursue its inquiries into any one branch of knowledge, but invited co-operation from labourers in different fields of knowledge in the elucidation of difficulties."}}

The Editorship of Dr. Doran commenced on the 5th of October, 1872, and continued until his death, after a short illness, on Friday, the 25th of January, 1878.

James Yeowell, who had been the active sub-editor for Thoms, resigned his position on the change of proprietorship in 1872, and died on the 10th of December, 1875. Thoms, in his tribute to him which appeared in 'N. & Q.' on the 18th of the month, said he was "one who had many friends, but never an enemy."

H. F. Turle, who had been assistant to Thoms from the resignation of Yeowell, and afterwards to Doran, succeeded the latter as Editor, but he occupied the chair for only five years and a few months, dying very suddenly on the evening of the 28th of June, 1883. He had been with me on the previous day. On the tablet to his father in the Cloisters at Westminster Abbey it is recorded that the son was Editor of 'N. & Q.'

Turle was succeeded by the beloved Joseph Knight, who remained our Editor until his death on the 23rd of June, 1907. He was followed by Mr. Vernon Rendall, who had for some time previously helped him in the conduct of our little paper. Mr. Rendall retired in January, 1912.

I feel that I cannot do better than close this record with the words with which Knight closed his address in our Jubilee number:—

{{smaller block|"I might almost address my associates and supporters as Henry V. addressed his scanty force at Agincourt:—

{{c|We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.}}

A band of brothers the writers in Notes and Queries have always constituted, and there is, I venture to think, no other periodical in the world in which exist such bonds of sympathy among its contributors, and such cordial support of those in a position of 'brief authority.{{' "}}}} {{right|{{sc|John Collins Francis.}}}} {{nop}}