Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 8.djvu/315

 ii s. vii APBIL 19, i9i3.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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honour) exerted himself for their preservation, and he at length succeeded in persuading the Dean that those splendid trophies were not only worth pre- serving, but worth restoring. This object is no sooner achieved, than I receive a long and doleful letter from the same good Mr. Bankes announcing that the four beautiful priests' stalls,* which are rare specimens of wood carving, and stand on the South side of the Choir of Westminster Abbey, are threat- ened with destruction. My feelings are again wrought to a height bordering on phrenzy ; 1 curse my Stars, and Mr. Bankes again implores the Dean's pardon for these relics. Success again attends his exertions ; my pulse resumes its wonted temperature, and your letter arrives to call to my remembrance the sentence that has been passed upon St. Katharine's Church. I have long heard of the doom of this fine old building with deep regret. On this occasion, I mourn like one without hope. As there is no chance of saving the poor devoted Church, silence on the side of censure, had, I think, best be kept. I have no sketches of St. Katharine's Church, but if you desire it, shall be glad to assist you in the work you mention. I wish you thought it worth your while to republish Ducarel with additional matter, which could be supplied by my good brother antiquary, the Revd. Mr. Allen. I know he possesses ample collections for the History of that ancient Parish. It has long been a favourite subject with him, and now, if ever, is the time for such a work. I once began to make collections for this Church, but proceeded no farther than the Duke of Exeter's monument, of which I made a tolerably minute sketch.

These are the thoughts and subjects which engage the few hours I can call leisure. My professional engagements require my most close and constant attention, and when I add to these, a load of care, of which most men have their share, though some a larger portion than others, it is almost unne- cessary to subjoin that I have little ability left to employ where necessity does not absolutely demand it.

Let me add that I have too much regard for The Gentleman's Magazine ever entirely to forsake it as a correspondent. As it is really out of my power at present, to undertake any new subject, I will look over my Papers in the hopes of finding an article that will cost me no other trouble but transcribing. I expect to leave London in about a week for Kent. I remain, My dear Sir, Very truly yours,

(Signed) J. C. BUCKLER.

If you can spare half an hour next Tuesday evening, I will call upon you.

Apl. 1824. J. B. Nichols, Esqre.

J. DE BEBNIEBE SMITH.

Stow in his ' Survey ' describes the Hospital, and gives the value of the house as 3151. 14. 2d. There is an illustration of the Brothers' Houses in 1781 in ' Old and Xew London,' vol. ii. ; in vol. v. of the same work, and in ' Metropolitan Improve- ments ' (Shepherd and Elmes), 1828, there

Tomb.
 * Commonly and absurdly called St. Sebert's

are pictures of the buildings in Regent's Park. These volumes also contain notes on the history of St. Katharine's.

J. ABDAGH, 40, Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.

CHBISTMAS RIMEBS IN ULSTEB (11 S. vii. 81, 173, 256). From my father I learnt something about the mummers in the North of Ireland in the early part of the nineteenth century. He was bom a few miles east of Londonderry, and spent his boyhood in the country thereabouts. On certain holidays, according to his account, a group of youngsters, repre- senting legendary, national, and historical characters, would march about visiting various houses, and there recite in turn rude verses with appropriate action. This was not at Christmas, but in the spring, probably on St. George's Day, though not so called. Each performer carried an emblem or implement suited to his character, and dis- played or wielded it with some comment.

The character that I remember best was Oliver Cromwell, and the verse assigned to him Was as follows : Here come I, Oliver Cromwell, with my copper

nose ;

1 brewed very good ale, as you may suppose, I frightened the French, and made the Pope quake, And I beat the jolly Dutchman till his heart did

ache.

It may be necessary to explain that the " copper nose " was a bent tube of copper used somehow in brewing ale, and referred to the common belief that Cromwell Was a brewer. The other lines show what historic deeds of the Protector had been deeply impressed on the popular mind.

For many years past I have sought further information about this folk-play, inquiring particularly from persons who had lived in or near Londonderry, but without success. In MB. R. S. LEPPEB'S interesting article on ' Christmas Rimers in Ulster ' (ante, p. 81) I find an evident variation of the play for which I have searched for fifty years. It is disjointed and fragmentary ; the verses are worn and mutilated. Perhaps some of the characters have been lost altogether. The only one besides Cromwell that has been revived in my mind is Little Dicky Dout (or is it really Little Divel Dout ?), with his broom, who threatens to sweep his audience out if they do not give him money. But " the play 's the thing," and I am thankful for it.

The strangest mutation of all is the transfer of the May Day play to Christmas,