Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 7.djvu/495

 42 s. vii. NOV. 20, 1920.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

407

items.

We must request correspondents desiring in- iormation 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.

ASTRONOMICAL TABLE. I am seeking information as to the possible origin of an astronomical table which has recently come to my notice. The table is constructed of a light-coloured wood of a satiny appearance and texture, with delicate natural figuring. The top is 43 in, in diameter, and is hinged on to a heavy central pillar supported by three feet. The whole thing is a most beautiful piece of work, and the figure at which it has recently changed hands is very high. The centre of the top of the table represents the North Pole of the heavens, and surrounding it are displayed the con- stellations visible from the northern hemi- sphere, the hundreds of stars being repre- sented by inlaid discs of brass of varying size according to the magnitudes of the stars. The edge of the table top is divided into twelve sections to correspond with the signs of the Zodiac, the signs being repre- sented by symbol and picture in the con- ventional manner. The names of the con- stellations and chief stars are printed in by hand in the French language. I have examined the table minutely and have been tinable to find any indication as to the date of its construction or the name of its maker. The owner of the table would be very thankful for any information regarding the possible origin of the table, which, it might be added, is not for sale.

WILLIAM POBTHOUSE, F.R.A.S. 27 Turnbull Road, Longsight, Manchester.

ELDER BREWSTER OF THE MAYFLOWER' HIS FATHER AND WIFE. Whatever relates to the Pilgrim Fathers is at present of deep interest to the American people, and it will be greatly appreciated if you, or any one in the Old Home, can shed light upon two Mstorical questions that are perplexing us.

Did Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of 'Canterbury, 1575-83, appoint William Brew- ster, Senior, father of the famous Elder Brewster of the Mayflower "receiver and bailiff of the Manor of Scrooby, to hold both offices for life " ? That most eminent American authority on Pilgrim history, the 2lev. Henry Martyn Dexter, in his 'Eng-

nd and Holland of the Pilgrims, ' states that

this appointment was made by Archbishop Grindal, and Roland G. Usher, a recent writer on 'The Pilgrims and their History,' agrees with him. But Dr. John Brown of Bedford, England, says that Archbishop Sandys of York, 1575-88, appointed said William Brewster to that office, January, 1575-6. Which statement is correct ?

Beyond the fact that her name was Mary, nothing is known of the wife of Elder Brewster. William Dean Howells, in ' Lon- don Films,' p. 191, asserts that Elder Brewster 's wife was born and bred in Duke Street, London, a place of no consequence now, but which perhaps may have been like Whitechapel, a region of high respect- ability three hundred years ago.

Mr. Howells further states that his in- formation was chiefly derived from a genea- logist, Mr. Lothrop Withington of the British Museum, and also from a wonderful hand-book on London, by Peter Cunning- ham. Many genealogical students in America would be glad to know the surname of Elder Brewster 's beloved and only wife.

Near Aldersgate lived Sir Edwin Sandys, the " very loving friend " of Elder Brewster, who rendered valuable aid in 1619-20 to the Pilgrims : while at his country place, in Stepney, dwelt Mr. William Davison, Secre- tary of State to Queen Elizabeth, who found young William Brewster "so faithful and discreet " that he loved him with a fatherly affection, and " trusted him above all others that were about him, and only employed him in matters of greatest trust and secrecy."

LILLIAN HOAG MONK. Los Angeles.

POET LAUREATE'S 'ESSAY ON KEATS.' Can any one tell me in what publication the present Poet Laureate's ' Essay on. Keats ' appeared ? I was under the impression he wrote a critical appreciation for the "Eng- lish Men of Letters " series, but am told that is not so. H. B. F.

POEMS BY J. G. GRANT. ' Madonna Pia, and other Poems,' by James Gregor Grant was published, in two volumes, by Smith, Elder & Co. in 1847. I am anxious for some information concerning this book and its author. The work is beautifully printed with two full-page wood engravings by H. Vitzetelly after Mulready, R.A. The volumes are dedicated to the poet Words- worth. I can find no reference to the poems in Allibone nor to the poet in the 'D.N.B.' J. A. M.