Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 6.djvu/344

 234

NOTES AND QUERIES.

[12S. VI. JUNE 5, 1920.

so that the complete portrait would work down to something less brilliant, carrying too, its share of blots and shadows.

There is no doubt, however, that the study of Malherbe might profit much the young poets of the present day. Just as a goblet of clear plain crystal betrays at once its fulness or emptiness : so clear, plain language reveals, not only to the poet's readers but also usefully to the poet's self, whether or no the verses have, as we say, anything in them. This simple kind of first criticism might just now be widely recommended ; and recom- mended best by means of the discussion of a reformer like Malherbe, whose dignity and severity and concentration are not so over weighted with thought but that they remain, in themselves, his principal merit. He was pre-occupied with the French language with classifying it, remov- ing oddities and affectations and " monstrous creations," adjusting its use to its own native logic, disburdening it of foolish and insincere tricks. We may say he was prepared for his task by having himself at first taken a hand with the peccant poets whose ways he brought to an end.

It seems a little too much to claim him as a great man. He was rather a man with a vocation ; his vocation, too, was in a sphere where cultivated people are singularly attentive to a lesson, and susceptible to suggestion as well as readily attracted towards mere change. Again, just as his verse is " very largely concerned with nega- tions : it is not ornamented, it is not preposterous, it is not pedantic " so his influence on the French language and French poetry was purely corrective. Still, correction itself acts often like inspiration : it did in Malherbe's case ; and how it did so, with the antecedents and circumstances apper- taining thereto, cannot be more delightfully learned than in this paper.

We confess that we prefer that reading of the famous line which makes " rose " a common, not a proper, noun.

Catalogue of the Inscribed and Sculptured Stones of the Roman Period belonging to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Third edition. By Robert Blair. (Kendal, Titus Wilson, 2s. 6d.)

THIS careful piece of work, being it will be seen, in its third edition, needs no recommendation to antiquaries. It has been little altered, having only received the additions made necessary by the additions to the collection accruing during the last 33 years. The number of stones now cata- logued is 264.

Among the inscriptions are several instances of brilliant restoration or expansion notably Pro- fessor Hiibner's restoration and reading of the slab (No. 155) from Habitancum, and the conjec- ture expanding the letters I M I on a defaced inscribed stone (again from Habitancum) into primigeniae. There is little or nothing of artistic value in the carving of any of these stones : it was not to be expected ; but there are many examples of interesting lettering. On the his- torical and sociological interest of these relics of the Roman soldier in Britain, it is here needless to say anything.

J^ottce* to

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LONDON INNHOLDERS (12 S. vi. 186; 235). Mr. J. W. FAWCETT (Templetown House, Consett) writes : " If those of your correspondents who are interested in this subject could find time and opportunity to search the entries in the Catalogues of Ancient Deeds issued by the late James Cole- man, of Tottenham, 1859-1902, they will find several references to London inns and innholders, or inn-owners. My collection is incomplete, but failing any other helper, I should try and make time to go through them for the same. I would like to get in touch with any one having a complete set, as I would like to see copies of the numbers I have not got.

B. (" As Dead as Queen Anne.") This saying was discussed at 12 S. i. 357 ; ii. 57.

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CORRIGENDA. Ante, p. 257, for " 1726 " read 1796, and for " Fortescue " read Forinum. Ante, p. 258, for " Dunveston " read Durweston.

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