Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 10.djvu/481

 x. DEO. is, 1902.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

473

the three murdered children " is told in the Life of St. Nicholas composed in French verse by Master Wace, chaplain to Henry II., and which remains in manuscript." I have no clue to the "Italian author."

ST. SWITHIN.

Husenbeth in his 'Emblems of Saints' quotes 'Heures d'Anne de Bretagne' and 'Tabl. de la Croix'as creditable authorities for the tradition concerning St. Nicholas. He also records that in a chapel on the south side of the choir at Chartres Cathedral, St. Nicholas is represented apparently commanding three children to come out of a chest ; whilst in the ' Attrib. der Heil.' a triplet of youngsters are shown kneeling before him. For some account of the more generally accepted story of the compassionate Nicholas (afterwards the fourth-century Bishop of Myra) saving his impoverished neighbour's three fair daugh- ters from a life of shame, see O wen's 'Sanc- torale Catholicum' (p. 472). Di'. Owen does not, however, mention the pickled lads. In a fifteenth-century illustrated MS. in the Bodleian Library, St. Nicholas may be seen in episcopal robes, a crozier in his left hand, and the right lifted in the act of benediction ; whilst by his side is a small tub in which are three naked youngsters, saying their prayers. St. Nicholas was always a popular saint, especially in seaports. There are 372 ancient churches dedicated to his sole honour, and eight more to him in conjunction with others.

HARRY HEMS.

Fair Park, Exeter.

WILLIAM HEWITT, SURGEON AND AUTHOR (9 th S. x 328). The l London and Provincial Medical Directory,' 1865, gives the follow- ing :

"Hewitt, William, North Walsham, Norfolk L.S.A. 1827 (Guy's). Author of 'An Essay on the Encroachments of the German Ocean, with a Design to arrest its Further Depredations ' ; ' Observations on Coroners ' ; ' Code of Laws for the Permanent Endowment of Friendly Socs.,' I860," &c.

He was a member of the North Walsham Literary and Scientific Institute, and accord- ing to the above directory, 1877, died on October 9th, 1876, aged seventy years. It may be of interest to note that a William Hewitt, L.S.A. 1827, Epping, is mentioned in the ' Medical Directory ' for 1845.

CUTHBERT E. A. CLAYTON.

Richmond, Surrey.

A book entitled ' An Essay on the Encroach ments of the German Ocean along the Nor folk Coast, with a Design to arrest its Further Depredations,' by William Hewitt, surgeon wasprinted by Matchet, Stevenson & Matchet

Norwich, 1844 ; sold also by Edwards & lughes, Ave Maria Lane, London. The book llustrations. HASTINGS SHADDICK.
 * ontains about a hundred pages and has two

The Athenseum, Barnstaple.

The book referred to was printed at Nor- wich in 1844, and was entitled :

" An Essay on the Encroachments of the German 3cean along the Norfolk Coast, with a Design to arrest its Further Depredations. Dedicated to the flight Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. By W. Hewitt, Surgeon."

GEO. W. G. BARNARD.

Norwich.

" I 'LL TRY AND FIND A LINK TO BIND " (9 th

S. x. 327). The name of the song is " Oh, had [ but Aladdin's lamp," words by Charles Swain, music by W. H. Montgomery. It can 3e obtained through H. J. Reeks, 54, Pater- noster Row, E.G., although he is not the original publisher. Here are the words :

Oh, had I but Aladdin's lamp,

Tho' only for a dfty,

I 'd try to find a link to bind

The joys that pass away ;

I 'd try to bring an angel's wing

Upon the earth again,

And build true worth a throne on earth,

A throne beloved by men !

It should be May and always May,

I 'd wreathe the world with flow'rs ;

I'd robe the barren wilderness,

And bring life happy hours ! Oh, had I but, &c.

I 'd soothe the lorn and desolate,

Increase the widow's store,

And industry should wear a smile

It never wore before :

Where'er there dwelt unhappiness

I'd speed my magic way,

And none should be in poverty,

Nor fear the coming day. It should be May, &c.

There is also a song called ' The Wishing Cap,' somewhat similar in sentiment.

EDWARD LATHAM. 61, Friends' Road, East Croydon.

ARMS OF MARRIED WOMEN (9 fch S. ix. 28, 113, 195 ; x. 194, 256, 290). MERV ARID would he will perhaps allow the remark make his statement (probably a perfectly accurate one) of more service to his fellow -readers if he either gave his authorities or signed his name. How am I to know whether he is not Garter King of Arms, or whether the ex- cathedratical pronouncement is merely the " private judgment " of John Doe or Richard Roe, or perhaps even of the ingenious X or his avatar (as is generally reputed), Mr. Fox-Davies ? It might even be Mr. J. Horace Round whom I am thus irreverently calhng to order ! ** v -