Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/475

 2nd S. NO 24., JUNE 14. '56.1

NOTES AND QUERIES.

467

kilns. This was a foot thick, and immediately beneath was a bed of what is technically called " tough clay." This is of a light buff culour, and is used for making chimney-pots, and coarser yellow basons. It is almost as tenacious as putty, and in this, at a depth of sixteen inches below the coal, the toad was found, in a matrix fitting his body as closely as the wax does the seal. The spade for- tunately brought up the clod without injuring its inhabitant. As might be expected, for some time he was very impatient of light, which appeared to distress him greatly, but by degrees he became accustomed to it. When I saw him his eyes were as brilliant as possible, his skin moist, and of a full olive green, and his mouth hermetically sealed. These are the facts, upon which I shall make no comment, simply vouching for those I myself noted ; and observing that those respecting the " find" itself are above suspicion, from the known character of the Messrs. Bathurst in the vicinity. W. J. BERNHARD SMITH. Temple.

ILLUSTBATIONS OF MACAULAY.

Deposition of Mr. William Carstares. An extract from the deposition of Mr. William Car- stares, when he was examined before the Lords of Secret Committee, given in by him, and renewed upon oath, upon the 22nd of December, 1684, in presence of the Lords of His Majesty's Privy Council. Reprinted at London in King's Street, Westminster, 1684.

" The Deponent desired to speak to the Lord Russel, which the Lord Russel did, and having reiterate the former Proposition for the 30000 pound Sterling, and the 1000 Horse and Dragoons, he the Lord Russel told the Deponent, they could not get so much raised at the time, but if they had 10000 pound to begin, that would draw People in, and when they were once in, they would soon be brought to more ; but as for the 1000 Horse and Dra- goons, he could say nothing at the present, for that be- hoved to be concerted upon the Borders. The Deponent made the same proposal to Mr. Ferguson, who was much concerned in the Affair, and zealous for the promoting of it. This Mr. Ferguson had in October or November before, as the Deponent remembers in a Conversation with the Deponent in Cheap-side, or the Street some- where there about, said, that for the saving of innocent Blood, it would be necessary to cut off a few, insinuating the King and Duke, but cannot be positive whether he named them or not ; To which the Deponent said, that's work for our wild People in Scotland, my Conscience does not serve me for such things ; after which the De- ponent had never any particular discourse with Fer- guson as to that matter ; but as to the other Affair, Fer- guson told the Deponent that he was doing what he could to get it effectuate, as particularly that he spoke to one Major Wildman, who is not of the Deponent his ac- quaintance. Ferguson blamed always Sidney, as driving designs of his own. The Deponent met twice or thrice with the Lord Melvil, Sir John Coclmm, Jerviswood, Commissar Monro, the two Cessnocks, Montgomery of Langshaw, and one Mr. Veatch, where they discoursed of Money to be sent to Argyle, in order to the carrying on

the Affair, and though he cannot be positive the Affair was named, yet it was understood by himself, and as he conceives by all present, to be for rising in Arms, for rec- tifying the Government. Commissary Monro, Lord Melvil, and the two Cessnocks were against medling with the English, because they judged them men that would talk, and would not do, but were more inclined to do something by themselves, if it could be done. The Lord Melvil thought every thing hazardous, and therefore the Deponent cannot say he was positive in any thing, but was most inclined to have the Duke of Monmouth to head them in Scotland, of which no particular method was laid down. Jerviswood, the Deponent, and Mr. Veatch, were for taking the Money; at one of these Meetings it was resolved, that Mr. Martin, late Clerk of the Justice Court, should be sent to Scotland, to desire their Friends to hinder the Country from Rising, or taking rash Resolutions upon the account of the Council, till they should see how matters went on in England. The said Martin did go at the Charges of the Gentlemen of the Meeting, and was directed to the Laird of Polwart and Torwoodlie, who sent back word, that it would not be found so easie a matter to get the Gentrie of Scotland to concur: But afterwards in a Letter to Commissar Monro, Polwart wrote that the Countrey was readier to concur than they had imagined, or something to that purpose. The Deponent, as above-said, having brought over a Key from Holland, to serve himself and Major Holms: he remembers not that ever he had an exact Copy of it, but that sometimes the one, sometimes the other keeped it, and so it chanced to be in his custody when a Letter from the Earl of Argile came to Major Holms, intimating, that he would join with the Duke of Monmouth, and follow his Measures, or obey his Direc- tions : this Mr. Veatch thought fit to communicate to the Duke of Monmouth, and for the Understanding of it was brought to the Deponent, and he gave the Key to Mr. Veatch, who as the Deponent was informed, was to give it and the Letter to Mr. Ferguson, and he to shew it to the Duke of Monmouth ; but what was done in it the Deponent knows not. The Deponent heard the Design of Killing the King and Duke, from Mr. Shepard, who told the Deponent some were full upon it. The Deponent heard that Aaron Smith was sent by those in England to call Sir John Cochran, on the account of Carolina, but that he does not know Aaron Smith, nor any more of that matter, not being concerned in- it. Shepard named young Hamden frequently as concerned in these matters.

" Signed at Edinburgh Castle, the 8th of September, 1684, and renewed the 18th of the same moneth.

" WILLIAM CARSTARES."

No. 420. of the Collection of Proclamations, Sfc. t presented to the Chetham Library, Manchester, by James O. Halliwell, Esq., F.R.S.

BlBLIOTHECAB. CHETHAM.

Lines on the Horse " Sorrel" I do not know whether the enclosed may be worthy of insertion in " N. & Q." It has been in my possession some time, but I do not know the reputed writer. Per- haps some one of your correspondents can enlighten me on the subject.

" On the Horse ' Sorrel,' who threw William III. and

caused his death. " Illustris sonipes, certe dignissime coelo,

Cui Leo, cui Taurus, cui daret Ursa locum, Quas te felicem felicia prata tulere ? Ubera qua> felix prasbuit alma parens ?