Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 5.djvu/289

12 S. V. Nov., 1919.] three possible explanations : either the writer of, probably, the second draft had access to a copy of Gaimar and used it to correct just this one entry relative to St. Oswald, which is hardly likely, or the alteration was made by the writer of the first draft which was then used by Gaimar or the list was originally compiled by Gaimar himself, a supposition which would involve a reconsideration of the relations between the two drafts and their dates. As it cannot be definitely established that the Wagele-Paggle confusion is due solely to Gaimar the second alternative is the most probable though in view of the fact that indications in the text of Gaimar, which I have not yet been able to work out in detail, point to his connection with the south of England, including among other places Abingdon, as well as with Lincoln- shire, the third possibility should not be entirely excluded at present.

Further investigation of the Latin versions of the De Sanctis and of similar compilations, e.g., the Peterborough Chronicle of Hugo Candidus of 1173, which, as I am unable to follow it up at present, I leave for others, would probably lead to a more satisfactory solution of the various problems adumbrated above than I have been able to offer from the material at my disposal, and to the identification of one or two of the obscurer saints mentioned, e.gr., St. Bethothe en Copland. ALEXANDER BELL.

31 Hanover Square, Leeds.

FIELDING AS A PUBLICIST.

THE COFFEE-HOUSE POLITICIAN.'

Justice Squeezum. Did Mother Bilkum refuse to pay my demands, say you ?

Quill. Yes, sir ; she says she does not value your worship's protection of a farthing, for that she can bribe two juries a year to acquit her in Hick's Hall, for half the money which she hath (paid you within these three month*. (Act II. so. i.)

Sotmore. Squeezum, thou wilt be ushered to Tyburn with more pomp than Alexander was ushered into Babylon. Justice never triumphs so universally as at the execution of one of her own officers. (Act IV. sc. vii.)

Justice Worthy. Let me tell you, Justice Squeezum, he is the greatest of villains, who hath the impudence to hold the sword of Justice while he deserves its edge. By Heaven, it shocks me that we, who boast as wholesome laws as any kingdom upon earth, should, by the roguery of some of their executors, lose all their benefit. (Act V. )

Thus wrote the young dramatist, Henry Fielding, in one of his earliest and most amusing comedies, which was played at the

Little Theatre in the Haymarket in June, 1720 (when Charles Macklin first made his mark), and also in the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in the December following.

Let us now do what neither the playwright nor the audiences were able to do, and (to borrow an expression from 'Tom Jones') "peer into the unopened leaves of Fate" by transporting ourselves twenty years onwards.

Late in 1748 Fielding entered upon the duties of a Justice of the Peace for the City and Liberty of Westminster ; early in January, 1749, he was appointed a Justice for the county of Middlesex also ; while in the following May his brethren for the city of Westminster chose him as their chairman of Quarter Sessions.

By courteous permission of Montagu Sharpe, Esq., chairman of the Middlesex Quarter Sessions I have been permitted to examine the original ' Quarter-Sessions Orders, 1743–1753,' and in the light of the sentiments expressed in 'The Coffee House Politician,' there are a few entries that arrest the attention and justify once again the maxim that the youth is oftentimes father to the man.

On Jan. 11, 12, 13, 1750, Fielding presided at the General Quarter Sessions " holden where the Court of Exchequer is usually held at Westminster." From Jan. 15-18 he was occupied at Hick's Hall ; on the first two days with the trial of prisoners ; on the 17th with Settlement appeals, and on the 18th with a business meeting of the justices. It is to the proceedings of the last day only that, for present purposes, attention is drawn. After a long and important representation to the judges at the Old Bailey, on matters of practice, had been passed ; then,

" A matter coming on to be debated concerning some irregularities alleged to have been committed by Henry Broad head. Esq., in relation to his office of a Justice of the Peace of this county Henry Fielding, Esq., informing this Court that he hath. a further charge to bring against Hie said Mr. Broadhead by affidavit in writing It is ordered by this Court that a copy of such further charge be transmitted to the said Mr. Broadhead, and that a committee of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace be appointed to examine and consider of the said matters. Whereupon it is recommended by this Court unto Thomas Lane Henry Fielding and Walter Berry, Esqrs., or any three or more of them as a committee to meet together at Hick's Hall on the first day of March to consider of the matters comprized in the said affidavits and of what answer shall be given thereto by the said Mr. Broadhead who is desired to be present that he may be heard touching the said matters."