Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 3.djvu/495

128. Ill Nov., 1917.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

489 Cole's MS. collections, in which we are told that when Prescot

(12 S. iii. 448).—The work inquired about has a very interesting history. The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands requested Philip de Marnix de St. Aldegonde to write a history of Netherland affairs, and ordered their ministers to collect and forward information for this purpose. Five editions are known to exist, as follows:

1. Chronyc Historic der Nederlandtscher Oor- logen. . . . Beschreven durch Adam Henricipetri. Gedruct tot Noortwitz. 1579.

2. Histoire des troubles et guerres du Pays Bas. [Without place.] 1582.

3. A tragicall historic of the troubles and civil warres of the Lowe Countries. Translated by Tfhomas] S[tocker], London : J. Kyngston for T. Smith. [1583.]

4. Histoire de la guerre civile du pays de Flandre. Lyon : J. Stratius. 1583.

5. Histoire des troubles et guerre civile du pays de Flandre. Lyon : J. Stratius. 1584.

The first edition, in Dutch, was printed at Norwich by de Solemne, and the author was given as A. Henricipetri. The second, in French, was probably printed out of France, and, as Marnix de St. Aldegonde generally wrote in French, may be from his original MS. Theophilus, who signed the preface of this edition, and claimed the authorship, was Carl Rychewaert of Nieu- kerk, afterwards of Norwich and Thetford. The third or English edition was from the French. The fourth and fifth editions were carefully emasculated so as to omit all passages in which odium was cast on the Roman Church and faith, and were evi- dently pirated under ecclesiastical super- vision.

The above facts are taken from the excellent bibliography of the work published by Mr. W. J. C. Moens in Archceologia, vol. li., 1888. R. A. PEDDIE.

ARRESTING A CORPSE (12 S. iii. 444). A legend exists in Exeter, and I think I have seen it in print, that the body of the Duke of Kent was arrested for debt on its way through from Sidmouth, where his Highness died. This act on the part of the citizens has on several occasions been cited to

account for the fact that neither Queen- Victoria nor Edward VII. could be prevailed upon to visit Exeter at any time. But if such a blot did besmirch the city's es- cutcheon, it has since been removed, for we were glad to note that the present King and Queen visited Exeter about two years- ago to inspect the admirable work which is being done there for wounded soldiers in the six Voluntary Aid Hospitals which have- been established.

If further details of this incident are likely to assist DR. MILNE in clearing up the~ pouit of his inquiry, I shall be most happy to gather them for him. CURIOSUS II.

DR. MILNE has probably read of this custom in (?) ' Handy Andy,' where, so far as I remember, O'Grady's corpse is rafted down a river to escape the bailiffs waiting on land for a more conventional funeral.

An historical instance is the case of Sheridan, whose body was seized for a debt of 500Z. on the very morning of its- State funeral, which was delayed in con- sequence until Canning and Sidmouth agreed to pay the officer. J. P.

[An extract from The Standard of Oct. 5, 1875 r printed at 5 S. iv. 357, records an attempt to arrest a corpse for debt that had just occurred in London. The undertaker reported the case to a magistrate, Mr. Hannay, who said " that the- body could not be legally detained for debt."]

THOMAS RIBRIGHT, OPTICIAN (12 ST. iii. 447). I can givo MR. SQUIRES a little- information relating to the Ribright family, culled from a paper read by me in 1899 before members of the Kent Archaeological Society. In the ' Description of Bromley ' in Kent by Thomas Wilson, 1797, is the- f olio wing passage :

" On the river Ravens bourne, close to the town, stands a mill many years used for grinding and polishing concave and convex mirrors from one to five feet diameter. The present occupier is Mr, Thomas Ribright, formerly an eminent- optician in the Poultry, London. I received from the gentleman an invitation to visit his house and grounds. The situation of the mill is extremely pleasant : a large sheet of water with a pleasure boat upon it gave an opportunity of enjoying one of the most pleasing prospects I ever beheld."

The Thomas Ribright here mentioned was probably son of the Thomas Ribright buried in Tewin churchyard.

The millpond, which still exists, is thought to have belonged to the mill at Bromley mentioned in Domesday, but it has long ceased to serve its former purpose. The- millhouse is now a private dwelling.

PHILIP NORMAN.