Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 9.djvu/124

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [11 s. ix. FEB. 7,

JOHN CLARKE, SCHOOLMASTER OF HULL (11 S. vii. 444). I am now able to supple- ment the information given at this reference, and also to answer my question as to the date of Clarke's leaving Hull. In going through a file of The Gloucester Journal I find, 14 Aug., 1733 :

"Gloucester, Aug. 11. Mr. Clarke, late master of the Grammar-School of Hull, is removed from that Place, in order to reside here."

In the same paper for 4 Sept., 1733, is an interesting advertisement, over a column long, of works, and translations by Clarke. One, 'A Pamphlet upon Moral Obligation, in Vindication of Dr. Waterland against Dr. S kes,' is not given in the ' Diet. Nat. Biog.' The advertisement states :

"Mr. Clarke has laid down the Profession of School-teaching, being without any Thoughts of ever taking it up again, being weary of so fatiguing an Employment, that left him but little Time for Study, and the Use of his Pen."

The hope was expressed that his translation of Sallust and a Supplement to the ' Intro- duction to the Making of Latin ' would be completed within twelve months.

'The following notice of his death appeared in The Gloucester Journal of 7 May, 1734 :

" Gloucester, May 4. On Monday last [April 29] died here, the very Learned Mr. John Clarke, late Master of the Publick Grammar-School in Hull, and Author of many excellent and useful Treatises of Morality, Education, and Classical Learning: He was very exemplary for Sobriety, Integrity, and indefatigable Industry : His Death will be much lamented, not only by his Relations and Personal Acquaintance, but, as a Publick Loss, by the learned World in general."

The publication of Clarke's * Sallust ' was announced in the same paper, 23 July, 1734. ROLAND AUSTIN.

SALE OF PITT HOUSE (US. ix. 66). The authority for the details quoted from The Daily Telegraph at this reference is probably the firm of auctioneers who sold the pro- perty. I have seen the same particulars in the accounts of former sales, and have often wondered how the strange statement that " in Domesday Book it is styled Wildwood Corner " could have originated. It is almost unnecessary to state that there is no mention whatever of Wildwood or its Corner in the Middlesex Domesday.

Several years ago an admirable account 3f Pitt during, his residence at North End appeared in ' N. & Q.' Being some hundreds Df miles away from my library, I cannot

give the reference. Villa Paradis, Hyeres

W. F. PBIDEAUX.

[We regret that a search through the General Indexes has not discovered the reference.]

0n

The Bridge of Dee. By G. M. Eraser. (Aberdeen,. William Smith & Sons, 3s. 6d. net.)

MB. ERASER, the Librarian of the Public Library at Aberdeen, has rendered good service by putting forth this charming volume. He claims for Aber- deen that it is unique among Scottish towns in possessing two ancient beautiful bridges.

The Bridge of Balgownie, a stately and familiar object during the last six hundred years, has many historical and literary associations ; its continu- ance in an efficient state is assured, as a fund of 26,523/. exists for its maintenance.

Although the history of the Bridge of Dee is shorter, it is much fuller in incident. Dating from 1520-27 the bridge was constructed with a good deal of timber in the framework, and was built partly of freestone and partly of granite, though mainly of the former, just as the Cathedral had been. It presents certain features unusual in Scottish bridges of that period, having semi- circular arches, the under sides of which are beautifully ribbed. Another peculiar feature is the large number of coats of arms and com- memorative inscriptions carved upon it. When- built it was about two miles from the town, but it soon came to be the main south entry. There watch was kept when the pestilence was feared,. and gibbets were placed on which prohibited visitors might be suspended ; and in times of war the Bridge of Dee was sometimes the key of the situation. The Civil War of 1639 developed earl y in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, and the Bridge of Dee was the scene of the first battle.

In 1679 the Town Council were in a mood for decoration, and caused the arms of Bishop Elphinstone to be carved on the Bridge and illuminated, together with those already there.

The last two chapters of Mr. Eraser's book are devoted to descriptions of these arms, de- scribed now as a whole for the first time. The coat of arms of Scotland "is an extremely interesting example ; it stands out free on the block, its special feature being the absence of the double tressure on the shield. In this respect it seems to be unique. The curious Act of the Scots Parliament, James III., 1471, decreeing that in future there should be no tressure about the lion in the national arms, was not obeyed. Sir James Balfour Paul, the present Lyon King, says of it : ' Like many other Aots, it never seems to have been carried into effect ; at least I am not aware of even a solitary instance of the Scottish arms without the tressure either at or after this period.' This coatof arms on the Bridge of Dee, circa 1520, is a very clear and interesting example."

Mr. Fraser closes with the wish that " this old' bridge, that for four hundred years has preserved" its original character on its own proper site, ful- filling its original purpose as fully and admirably to-day as when handed over to our forefathers ten generations ago, may, with other historical possessions in this part of the country, be utilized more and more in giving inspiration to the young people of the community for many generations to- come."

The book is well illustrated. There is a par- ticularly beautiful representation of the Bridge from a pencil drawing.