Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/159

 2 d S. N 8., FEB. 23. '56.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

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of a copy published by J. Warton in the collec- tion of poems called the Union. These variations also appeared in Dodsley's Collection, and they are undoubtedly from the hand of the poet: but where did they first appear? I am quite aware that Uodsley is a bad authority, and that Warton is a good one : but it would be interesting to know which was the earlier. The reviewer gives the date of the appearance of the Union, May, 1753. I can find no edition of Dodsley in the British Museum, earlier than 1755; but the Dodsley Collection is alluded to in the Preface to the Union, understood to have been written by Warton ; and I believe that there were one or two editions in three volumes (afterwards enlarged to six), before the Union. Did the Ode to Even- ing appear in any one of these ? I should be much obliged to any correspondent of" N. & Q.," having a copy of an edition of Dodsley, before 1753, who would answer this question, and in- form me whether the variations pointed out by the reviewer are to be found therein. H. A. T.

Shakspeare Queries. Theobald remarks that the emendation of busyless in the Tempest is so obvious, that he cannot afford to think well of his own sagacity in finding it out. Nine editors out often have adopted the reading without a question. Now I do not believe that such a word ever existed, nor can I suppose that Shakspeare coined a word in the teeth of analogy. Can any of your correspondents produce, a compound formed on the like analogy ? I have never met with one.

I should be glad also to learn whether there is any colour for the common interpretation of mortal coil in Hamlet, viz. the body. I append two instances (the nearest at hand) of this inter- pretation :

" The mortal coils of beings more lovely, more pure, more divine than man, may yet read to us the unexpected lesson that we have not been the first, and may not be the last, of the intellectual race." More Worlds than One, p. 52., 1854.

" Samuel Rogers, the poet, has at last thrown off the mortal coil." Willis's Current Notes, Dec., 1855.

That the popular understanding has been duped by the other word coil, I have not the least doubt. The equivocation afforded Hood material for an excellent joke :

"As deaf as the adder, that deafest of snakes, That never can hear the coil it makes."

I would also ask whether shuffle off in the same passage have not a neuter rather than an active sense ? C. MANSFIELD INGLEBY.

Birmingham.

Reeve's " Christinas Trifles" There was a volume published in or about 1826, under the following title : Christmas Trifles, consisting prin- cipally of Geographical Charades, Valentines, and

Poetical Pieces for Young Persons, by Mrs. Reeve. Are those pieces which are called Geographical Charades, charades for acting ? R. J.

Anne Hughes. Can you give me any account of Mrs. Anne Hughes, author of Poems, consisting of Eclogues, Pastorals, Inscriptions, and a Legendary Tale, London, 8vo., 1784; Caroline, or the Di- versities of Fortune, a novel, 3 vols., 1787 ; Henry and Isabella, a novel, 4 vols. 12mo., 1788 ; Moral Dramas intended for private representation, Lon- don, 8vo., 1790 ? R. J.

" The righteous man is merciful to his beast." Where is this oft-quoted injunction to be found? Most people believe it to be a passage of Scripture, but I have been unable to trace it in any part of the sacred writings. F. Y.

Stock Frost. Can you give me any explana- tion of this term ? The watermen of Norfolk unanimously believe in the possibility of the water freezing at the bottom of a river, the sur- face still remaining fluid. They assert that boat- hooks, eel-picks, &c., constantly come in contact with a coating of ice at the bottom, and that large masses of ice are often seen rising to the surface with mud, weeds, and stones adhering. A miller has also informed me that he has known the wheel of his water-mill to be frozen to the bottom of the stream, so as to stop its revolutions, while the surface of the water was still unfrozen. Being unable to reconcile these assertions with science and reason, disbelieving them in fact, I should feel obliged if you would enlighten me in this matter. J. B.

Norwich.

Thomas Beddoes, Esq., M.D. This celebrated physician, and estimable man, and the early friend of that eminent philosopher Sir Humphrey Davy, died at Bristol on December 24, 1808 ; but having been unable, after much research, to ascer- tain the place of his sepulture, I should feel obliged for the information ; and also for a copy of the inscription to his memory, if in existence, of neither of which mention is made in the Me- moirs written by Dr. J. E. Stock.

In the year 1793, the Doctor published his celebrated History of Isaac Jenkins, which occa- sioned no little noise at the time ; and was, I be- lieve, partially suppressed. Can any of your numerous correspondents furnish me ^fitli a copy of the work, either to purchase, or on loan ?

J. B. WHITBORNE.

English Pronunciation of Latin. It is now the established custom to distinguish long and short vowels in Latin words in every syllable but the last. Is not this custom, however, of recent origin ? Fifty years ago, was it not usual among good scholars to distinguish, in pronunciation the