Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/459

 S. N 23., JUNE 7. '56.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

451

plained to Cromwell of the fellow's insolence, and breach of the capitulation. ' Sir,' says Cromwell, ' if .you can point out the man, or I can discover him, I promise you he shall not go unpunished. In the meantime (taking off a new beaver which he had on his head) be pleased to accept this hat instead of your own.' "

The Lords Kingsale have the privilege of wearing their " hats " in the presence of the sovereign. When George IV. held his Court at Dublin, it was attended by Lord Kingsale, who stood with the other peers, uncovered ; but the king, with admirable address, singled out his lordship, and desired him to exercise his privilege, and be covered. CUTHBERT BEDE, B.A.

Corruption of Proper Names. In Geldestone Churchyard, Norfolk, I observed yesterday a headstone to the memory of Samuel, son of Sa- muel and learenery. This being the first time I had ever met with such a feminine appellative, I pencilled it down, intending to consult old Cruden for a record of the first of the name. But on looking at the next headstone, I found it was to the memory of Samuel also of Irene his wife, who no doubt was the lady whose name has been spelt with so many letters more than belong to it on the adjoining stone. GEO. E. FKERE.

Royden Hall, Diss, April 13.

A Word for Chaucer. In an able notice of a number of the North British Review, in the Scotsman, the critic, preluding a quotation of a " General Comparison between Thackeray and Fielding," says :

" When the Reviewer calls these two ' the greatest painters of human nature, as it actually is, that we have ever had, Shakspeare alone excepted,' we presume, and the presumption is natural, seeing that all the three are native writers, that he is speaking of English writers. Otherwise, we must protest, on the part of a numerous class, that the painter of human nature who comes nearest to Shakspeare is Cervantes."

If the critic had also "protested" on behalf of one Chaucer, on the part of another " numerous class," he would have done nothing un-English or unreasonable. No greater painter of human nature than Chaucer ever wrote. His Canter- bury brain is alive with human realities.

A DESULTORY READER.

Jersey.

Milton and Butler. I am not aware that it has been "noted" that Milton's celebrated line :

" New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ large " lias an alter idem, as to figure, in Hudibras (Part I. Canto in. 11. 1201-2. et seq.) :

" Presbytery does but translate The Papacy to a free state," &c.

Milton's line looks like a text to Butler's witty sermon ; but which was written first, I know not. A DESULTORY HEADER. Jersey.

Cheap Literature. We have now a cheap newspaper press at Id., and even ?., per number. We have periodicals at the same price ; and we have, for at least fifty years, sold chap-books to children at \d. each ; but this is high-priced literature to what the following advertisement announces :

" BOOKS BOUGHT. New and Old Books, of all de- scriptions, purchased to any amount, in town or country. Liberal Cash prices given by HENRY C. STKOUD, 163. Blackfriars' Road. Present prices 3s. id. per peck ; or 13s. id. per bushel."

" The above is an opportunity which seldom presents itself," as certain other advertisers say, to furnish a library cheaply ; but I pity the sellers for the " liberal cash prices."

Now to solve the enigma, for I will not believe in the fact, earnestly as I wish to augment my very small library. Above this advertisement is another of a flour merchant's. Both the adver- tisements were " standing ;" that is, they appeared int the previous week's edition. The flour mer- chant sends the price of his flour to the printer; the compositor, in his haste, makes the " correc- tion" in the wrong advertisement, and the paper goes to press.

The above appeared in the Lambeth and South- wark Advertiser, No. 16. I enclose enough of the paper to corroborate the fact, leaving it at the service of any of your correspondents who may be collecting authenticated cross-readings.

AVON LEA.

Pecuniary Punishments. There is a curious passage on this subject in Justinian's Institutes :

" Pcena autem injuriarum ex Lege duodecim Tabula- rum propter membrum quidem ruptum talio erat : propter os vero fractum, nummarioj pcenae erant constitute, quasi in magna veterum paupertate." (Lib. 4. tit. 4. s. 7. or 8. in some copies. )

It is paraphrased by Theophilus thus :

' Poana autem injuriarum ex Lege duodecim Tabula- rum si cujus membrum ruptum fuerat, erat talio : idem enim patiebatur, qui membrum cujuspiam rupisset: sin vero os fregerat, in pecuniam fiebant condemnationes. Quod veter'bus grave erat, ob magnam ipsorum paupertatem." (Theoph. Paraph, versions Latino, Fabroli.)

A very obvious principle, but one which has too often been lost sight of, is suggested by this passage, namely, that fines should be sufficiently heavy to make them grievous, otherwise they are not punish- ments, but mere rates of composition for the relief of rich offenders. J. W. PHILLIPS.

Haverfordwest.

Legacy Duty among the Romans. One of the unpopular expedients resorted to by Augustus