Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 4.djvu/217

 12 S. IV. AUG., 1918.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

211

Knipe, another of the Company's servants, described Ann as " passable enough if it was not for her running discourses which are very impertinent." Elizabeth Littleton died at Kasimbazar on July 26, 1678, " her distemper an inward feavor accompanied, as we Judged, with an Impostume [abscess] in her head." She was buried the following day, " the Dutch being invited, according to Oustome," to accompany " the Corps unto the Grave." Elizabeth Littleton left two daughters, Jane Eugliana and Elizabeth Gangetica. The latter was baptized on Sept. 29, 1678, by " Samuell Epes, minister of the Ship Society " ; and in December of the same year Jane Hugliana was sent home in that ship for " Education and Instruction." Elizabeth Gangetica, " a child of extraordinary hopes and promises," died of an " Inward feavor " on July 12, 1679, and Littleton, who was ill at the same time, was so affected by the loss that he begged to be allowed to resign his post.

However, he reconsidered his decision, and, after a visit to Hugll, returned to Kasimbazar as Chief until superseded by Job Charnock in 1681. The Court, who still had "a good opinion " of him, appointed him Second in Hugll and " Third in the Bay." But by November, 1681, news of his irregularities had teached England, and he was dismissed and ordered to be sent home for detaining his brother in England contrary to order and for " divers other causes," chief among which was that of private trading. In January, 1682, the Court, " having received further advices " of las " unfaithfulness," ordered him to be seized and shipped for England in the Defence. In December Parson John Evans, also a notorious private trader, wrote to Edward Reade in London that Littleton was " in a fair way to finish " his business, and that if he and Matthias Vincent " can escape att home as they have done here, they are very fortunate men."

The records are silent" with regard to Little- ton's reception by his employers. His father, Sir Timothy, " late one of the barons of the Exchequer," had died in 1679, and Edward Littleton appears to have taken up his residence at Moor, in Shropshire, and to have married a second time.

In 1 698 he became a Director of the New or English Company, started in rivalry of the old (now styled) London Company, was knighted, and appointed its first President of Bengal. His will, dated before he left England, mentions his wife Sarah, and his nephew Littleton Nedham, the son of Fytch Nedham and his sister Ann. His daughter Jane Hugliana, who is also mentioned, died before 1709, when the will was proved.

Littleton arrived in India for the second time in July, 1099, and from that date, until his death at Fort William on Oct. 24, 1707, he constantly mismanaged the Company's affairs. Details of his inefficiency, of his constant bickerings with the London Company's agent at Hugll, and of his unfaithfulness and conse- quent dismissal are given at length in the accounts of his government by Sir Henry Yule and C. R. Wilson.

He had had a great opportunity, but instead of acquiring fame, his name was " dishonourably

enshrined," since he died owing Rs. 80,437 8a. to the Company. See .' Court Minutes,' vol. xxvii. pp. 61, 65, 75, 77 ; vol. xxviii. p. 205 ; ' O.C.,' 3575, 3765, 4045, 4113, 4217, 4867, 6690 ; ' Factory Records,' Hugli, vols. i., ii., and iv., Kasimbazar, vol. i. ; Miscellaneous, ii., iia, and vi., Fort St. George, vols. ii. and xvi. ; ' Letter Books,' vol. iv. p. 391 ; [vol. v. p. 500, vol. vi. p. 270 ; vol. vii. p. 158 ; Yule, ' Hedges; Diary,' vol. ii. pp. 205-222 ; Wilson, ' Early Annals of Bengal,' vol. i. p. 154 et seq. ; P.C.C. Wills (148 Lane) and Admons.]

Hugly prime February 1672[3] Mr Richard Edwards Esteemed friend Sir

Yours of the 25 last past have re- ceived. By the Boates this day departed hence have sent the Palankee, beinge mine was not to your minde. Pray, if Oppor- tunitie offers, please to send mee both mine, or one att leasst, by first Opportunity. Inclosed is a note of the Particulars Bought att Mr Bagnolds outcry,* the Amount whereof Shall receive of Mr Bugden. Not else at present but that I am

Sir, Your humble Servant

EDWD. LITTLETON

[If] that Mr Elwes bee not yet arrived! and you Should Send any Conveniencies to Meadapoore,J it would bee a good Con- veighaunce to Send the Palankees thither, Soe to bee put on the Pattana Boates that are coming hither. [Endorsed] To Mr Richard Edwards

Merchantt In Cassumbuzar.

R. C. TEMPLE.

(To be continued.)

SHAKESPEARIANA.

' HAMLET,' I. iv. 36-8 (Oxford text) ':

The dram of eale

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt To his own scandal. Much has been written about this well- known crux, and many suggestions made for its amending. Such interpretations as Corson's and Dowden's, though they preserve the words, are so involved that it is impos- sible to believe that Shakespeare could ever have written the passage as it stands. It

the year 1672. See Letter XXXVI. No account of the sale or of the prices realized by his effects is in existence.
 * Auction. Wm. Bagnold died at the end of

t Robert Elwes had been transferred from Patna to Dacca vice John Smith, who was dismissed.

t Mlrdaudpur. See Letter LXXXI.