Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/324

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NOTES AND QUERIES.

a g. NO 16., APRIL 19. '56.

Cornwall Is any list of books, tracts, or manuscripts, having relation to the county of Cornwall (printed or otherwise) known to exist ? If so, where could it be found ?

These questions are asked, because a small work on the subject is in preparation by the under- signed, who would like to compare "notes" with any previous attempt ; or, may be, avail himself of its researches. Also, where are the largest col- lections of books, &c., illustrative of the county situated ?

The title, and a short description of any pieces (printed or MS.) unnoticed by bibliographers, would be learned with pleasure by

JNO. C. HOTTEN.

Piccadilly.

[There is a valuable list of this kind in a local work, entitled, The Literary Chronicle : a Miscellany of General Literature, 8vo., 1849. On the third page, however, it is called The South Devon Literary Chronicle, New Series. The list will be found at pp. 80. 126. 179. Consult also the classified Catalogue of the London Institution, and Bohn's Guinea Catalogue, 1841, Topographical Index, p. 1939.]

Harmony of the Gospels. Can you oblige me with the title, and the name of the publisher, of a small work on the apparent discrepancies between the Evangelists, issued anonymously, but attri- buted to the late Duke of Manchester ? It is by no means as well known, I am informed, as it ought to be. ABHBA.

[This was an article in The Quarterly Journal of Pro- phecy, for October, 1849, entitled, " On the Origin of the Harmonizing Gospels." Published by Nisbet & Co.]

Greek Fire. I shall be glad of references to any works containing accounts of this combustible, invented by Callinicus of Heliopolis, in the seventh century, to destroy the ships of the Saracens. In what work is Lord de Joinville's mention of it made ? T. LAMPRAY.

[An interesting account of the Greek fire will be found in The Quarterly Joufnal of Science, Literature, and the Arts, vol. xiv. pp. 22 40., published by the Royal Insti- tution. It is entitled " Conjectures respecting the Greek Fire of the Middle Ages. By J. MucCulloch, M.D., F.R.S." Lord de Joinville's account of it is given in his Memoirs, translated by Thomas Johnes, vol. i. p. 136., &c. edit. 1807, 4to.]

SIR JOHN SUCKLING.

(2 nd S. i. 172.)

A great deal of uncertainty exists as to the cause of Sir John Suckling's death; but his latest biographer and one likely to be well informed the Rev. Alfred Suckling*, says family tradition


 * Selections from the Works of Sir John Svckling, to

onfirms the revolting narrative of his having poisoned himself. The writer adds :

" His death has been ascribed by some writers, not ac- quainted with, or unwilling to state the secret cause of his dissolution, to a fever produced by the calamitous aspect of national affairs; and at Kiiowle House in Kent, long ihe seat of his relatives the Dorsets, is a portrait of him, to which is attached, in a printed volume devoted to the curiosities of that noble mansion, a tale of marvellous horror and romance. Having been robbed, says this narrative, by his valet, that treacherous domestic, on finding his offence discovered, placed an open razor [Oldys mentions a penknife] in his master's boot; who, by drawing it hastily on, divided an artery, which caused his death through loss of blood.

" Others attribute this catastrophe to a nail driven into the boot by the valet with the same intention. This is said to have happened on his arrival at Calais, after his flight from London ; and that Sir John, regardless of the pain and danger of the wound, pursued the miscreant and overtook him. There may, perhaps, be some foundation for this story, but the horrid plan was certainly not the cause of his death.

" Dreadful as is the contemplation of such atrocity, it would still be less appalling to moral feeling had either of these narratives been correct; but truth inflicts the painful task on his biographer to deny their authenticity, and close the last page of his history with the relation of an act at once the most grievous and indefensible."

The proclamation against Suckling, and those implicated with him, was issued on the 8th of May, 1641. But Suckling, as we are informed, was already beyond the seas, and his friends in concealment. Shortly after his escape a tract made its appearance, entitled A Letter sent by Sir John Suckling from France, deploring his sad Estate and Flight, with a Discoverie of the Plot and Conspiracie intended by him and his Adherents against England. This was printed in London, though dated from Paris, June 16, 1641. It is highly important, as proving that the unfortunate knight was living at Paris, June 16, 1641 ; whereas modern writers assert that he died May 28, 1641. Otherwise it possesses but little interest, being merely a burlesque account of the principal events of our poet's life. It consists of forty-two stanzas, much in the style of Sir John Mennis, who was probably its author. A stanza or two will suffice :

Go dolefull sheet, to every street,

Of London round about-a ; And tell 'em all thy master's fall,

That lived bravely mought-a. " Sir John in fight as brave a wight

As the knight of the sun-a, Is forc'd to go away with woe,

And from his country run-a.

" I that could write and well indite,

As 'tis to ladies known-a, And bore the praise, for songs and plays, Far more than were mine own-a ;

which is prefixed a Life of the Author, & Co., 1836,

c., 8vo., Longman