Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 10.djvu/332

 270 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s.x. APRIL 8,1022. New Orthographer " represented a " Female Child," 3ft, high, while " The Writing Automaton " was " about the size of a Boy of Five Years old." The music at the exhibition was provided by " The Machine Organ," which played during the interludes, but there was also shown " Had- dock's newly-invented Table-Organ." This is described as a Multuni in Parvo, as it answers Every Intent of a Breakfast, a Card or a Tea Table, and still can be used as an Organ. The inventor was in attendance to ex- plain, effect sales, and undertake repairs, &c. The complete exhibition lasted two hours, but there were only afternoon and evening performances. Between this and the almost contemporary " Maillardet's Magnificent Automatical Exhibition " at the Great Rooms, Spring Gardens, there was probably some association, as the same writing and drawing automata are shown, but in addition to these and some smaller exhibits there was exhibited an Elegant Figure of a Young Lady seated at an Organ, formed on a new construction, which in shape resembles a Piano-Forte, it plays, with the most accurate precision, Sixteen Airs, every note proceeding from the pressure of the Fingers, on the appropriated (sic) Keys ; the feet not only beat time and regulate the Piano and Forte move- ments, but insist in playing several Notes in a new and improved manner ; the Gracefulness of its gesture, and lively motion of its Eyes, are heightened by the actual appearance of respira- tion. This was possibly a development of the telegraph figure, but further comment would spoil the illusion. ALECK ABRAHAMS. SIGNATURES OF BRITISH OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN THE NETHERLANDS DURING THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES. - It may perhaps be unknown to some of your readers, to whom it might be of use, that there exists at the State archives at The Hague a remarkable register containing the signatures of a thousand and more foreign, mostly British, officers who swore 'allegiance to the Government of the United Pro- vinces of the Netherlands during the cen- turies mentioned above, and even later. Some of these men became famous and many signatures are characteristic and beautiful. It might be worth while to publish the list. I am prepared to give more detailed in- formation to anybody seriously interested in the matter. W. DEL COURT. 47, Blenheim Crescent, London, W.ll. WE must request correspondents desiring in- formation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries in order that answers may be sent to them direct. DID LORD BYRON MAKE A TOUR IN CORSICA IN 1821 ? We possess a duodecimo pamphlet entitled ' Voyage de Lord Byron en Corse et en Sardaigne pendant 1'ete et Fautomne de 1821 a bord du yacht " le Mazeppa," commande par le Capitaine Benson de la Marine Royale'; Paris, 1825 (ix.-143 pp.)- This is a translation or imitation of ' Narrative of Lord Byron's Voyage to Corsica and Sardinia during the Year 1821,' by Robert Benson ; London, 1824. We have not been able to consult the English original, which has disappeared from the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris. The author relates the adventures of Lord Byron in Corsica where he is accom- panied by the Countess Guiccioli with abundant details. He concludes his pre- face, in which he explains that he desires to show " what Byron was in his private life," with, these words : Aucun des ecrits publics jusqu'ici sur la vie de Lord Byron n'offre une peinture plus exacte de son veritable caractere que les pages suivantes, qui ont ete, en quelque sorte, tracees par Byron ]ui-mme et corrige"es par ses amis les plus intimes. But how does it happen that none of Byron's biographers, not even Moore, says a word of this voyage, which, according to Benson's narrative, must have occupied a certain place in the poet's existence. Students of Byron are numerous enough in England to permit the hope that someone will take up a question, which has already been discussed without result in the Revue de la Corse. Could anyone give us any definite information on the subject ? A. CLAVEL. Revue de la Corse, Paris. ALFRED RONALDS. Who was the editor of the fifth edition of this angling classic ? The preface is signed " Piscator, Thames Side, Feb. 1856." At one time "Piscaljpr" was thought to have been H. R. Francis. It Would now appear from Mr. H. T. Shering- ham's new eclition that the Rev. Barnard Smith, author of the well-known ' Arithmetic for Schools,' was " Piscator." Is it possible to obtain any further evidence as to " Piscator's " identity ? G. F. R. B.
 * THE FLY-FISHER'S ENTOMOLOGY,' BY