Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 11.djvu/215

 9* S. XI. MARCH 14, 1903.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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arrangements for occupying a defensive posi- tion were entirely blamahle for the French defeat. He had put himself into a position where his rear ships could not, in the teeth of the breeze, aid his foremost vessels, any more than they could (as Mr. Fitchett suggests) capture the Culloden, which was still further ahead.

There is an omission of the word *' the" in the verse of Campbell's 'Battle of the Baltic,' given at the head of chap, iv., which spoils the rhythm. The last line should read With the gallant good Riou.

I think it somewhat irritating as a matter of taste that almost whenever Lady Hamilton is mentioned she should be designated as " that somewhat over-plump beauty, Lady Hamilton," pp. 5, 149, 204 (varied to "some- what obese ") ; and that wherever the log of a man-of-war is quoted, its language should be designated as " drab-coloured," as though naval captains were expected to indulge in high-flown heroics in the business description of the doings of their own selves, ship, and crew during the day. However, "degustibus," &c., but about absolute accuracy as to details there should be no second opinion.

W. SYKES, M.D., F.S.A.

Exeter.

WE must request correspondents desiring infor- mation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in orderthat the answers maybe addressed to them direct.

HAIL, IN ARABIA. Hail, in the Nejd, Arabia, was visited by Palgrave in 1862, Doughty in 1876, and the Blunts in 1879. Is it known whether there is any published account of a visit to this place since the last date? Iliad, the then seat of Wahabi rule, was visited by Palgrave after leaving Hail. Has any Christian entered the place since that time? The Times of 31 March, 1902, contained an account of the recent defection of Iliad from the Shammar Emir of Hail and the resumption of Wahabi rule. Is there any more recent intelligence ? H. D.

PICTURE IN BERLIN ARSENAL. In the Zeughaus (arsenal) at Berlin are some modern pictures. I want to know the story or subject of one ; it is called on a picture postcard 'Uebergang iiber das Kurische Haff.' The card is sold at the Museum, and published by Ad. Halwas, Berlin (1901), and is one of a set. In Baedeker's 'Guide to Northern Germany,' thirteenth edition, in

English (1900), p. 27, the picture is thus described : 'The Passage of the Kurische Haff ' by the Great Elector, 1679, by painter Simler. The picture represents a sleigh crossing the ice. The place is in the north- east of Germany. What is the episode referred to ; and in what book in English can it be found? R B. B.

JOHN CARTER, ANTIQUARY. Some of John Carter's letters in the Gentleman's Magazine in the earlier years of the last century are dated from Partney, a village in East Lincolnshire, two miles north-east of Spilsby, on the road to Louth. Is it known whether he resided here or was on a visit ? Partney Hall was a gentleman's seat, and he may have been entertained there. JOHN HEBB.

THE ASRA. In one of .Rubinstein's songs are the following words :

And my race is of those Asra

Who love and die, and die with love.

The original words are Heine's, in his poem ' Der Asra.' Who were the Asra ? 1 have sought for the word in every dictionary I could lay hands on, but all in vain.

R. B. M.

["The Asras" says Buchheim ('Balladeu und Romanzen,' 1893, p. 313), "are described as a senti- mental Arabic tribe, many of whom died of love- sickness.' ]

'THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL AND THE GRASS- HOPPER'S FEAST.' This poetical brochure was said to have been written and set to music for the use of the Princess Mary, daughter of George III. Who was the author, and by whom was it set to music? I have some recollection of it as a children's toy book of half a century ago. XYLOGRAPHER.

[See 5 th S. ii. 327, 352, 372, 418, 458.]

LONDON APPRENTICES: THEIR DRESS. I shall be obliged if you can inform me of any source of information (pictorial or otherwise), easy of access, regarding the costume of the old London apprentices. J. L. McN.

" CLARKE'S DELIGHT." Can any Cambridge reader of ' N. & Q..' identify the above, which was a bathing-place used circa 1618, and in which a scholar appears to have been drowned about that time ? L. B. CLARENCE.

'BANTER.' Some years ago I read a book, the title of which, I believe, was 'Banter,' and I had the impression that it was by G. A. Sala, or that he edited it. Can any reader of ' N. & Q.' help me to find out the author or editor, as, apparently, I am mistaken as to Sala? The book was,