66

A QUERY?—“Do you think it will answer ?" said a

NUMISMATA HELLENICA. thrifty lady about purchasing a second-hand dumb waiter.

UNDER this title has been published • A Catalogue of Yes, certainly, Madam,” replied the broker, “ without Greek Coins, collected by William Martin Leake, a question !"

F.R.S., one of the Vice-Presidents of the Royal Society

of Literature.' Curious Sign BOARDS IN SOMERSETSHIRE.

This volume adds more to the assistance of the student

in the history of Greece, than any other work that has I THINK Mr. Warne's explanation of the Case is preceded it, and proffers much to the numismatist that altered,' Current Notes, p. 13, is the correct one ; but may in vain be sought for elsewhere. Its range embraces, I am not satisfied, that my suggestion respecting the as far as found practicable, descriptions and notices of Pall Inn, having been the ‘resting-place for the corpse on Greek coins, the productions of all the countries, over its way to its last home,' is not the true origin of the which the monetary art and excellence of Greece exname? I have received a letter offering a very inge- tended ; and of every age, from the earliest known spenious solution of the difficulty that considering it still cimens, to the reign of Gallienus, a space of eight hunvexato questio, and having obtained permission, I take dred years. To render more clearly its value and imthe liberty of transcribing

portance, the following retrospective notices are subBridport, Feb. 25.

mitted. Dear Sir,- I have just seen in Willis's Current Notes

But from their monuments, scarcely any thing is of this month, your note about the sign of the inn at Yeovil, known of Egypt and Assyria. The kingilom of the I am satisfied you are on the wrong scent. The true origin, Pharaohs was not available to the historical researches I doubt not, must have been the adjacent church having of the Greeks, until after its subjugation by the Babybeen anciently dedicated to St. Mary, this inn was then lonians and the Persians; nothing even of its history probably a sort of religious out-house appurtenant, perhaps remained, save its monuments, in the time of the Ptolea refectory, where the jolly priors and monks experimentally mies, with two or three confused lists of regal names, studied their anti-dry-rot specifics, and when fuddled, are likely to have irreverently toasted their patroness, as Poll, The monuments of Assyria have their interpretation

and but a single date, that rested on a recognized basis. which word is now corrupted to PullIn this same way, I solely in the Old Testament; in like manner, so really believe, that Pall Mall in the Metropolis, was so named in honour of the two first class Beauties of King great has been the destruction of Creek literature by Charles's days, of the same name, but commonly distin- the ravages of barbarism, bigotry and ignorance, that guished as Poll and Moll." Indeed, I have often wondered of the immense number of Greek writings anciently colthat the elegant dandies of the Athenäum, and the United lected in the libraries of Egypt, Greece and Italy, but Service, have not yet refined their street nomenclature by little remains, and scarcely any contemporaneous of the alteriny Pall Mall to · The Two Marys.' Pray forgive this events related. It is, therefore, not at all surprising an tiquarian speculation.

that when the hydrographical outline of the ancient F. G. FLIGHT.

countries was but very partially known ; when the inteAlthough Mr. Flight further states that he considers rior was almost a blank on the map; when scarcely any my notion as rather appalling, I confess that the old of the supposed sites of celebrated cities had been exadage of

plored, the most diligent study of the printed authorities

clicited little more than a history of Athens, giving rise A man convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still ;

to a commonly received opinion, that the glory of Greece somewhat applies to me, and I shall be glad of any monumental evidence, have greatly enlarged, corrected

was of short duration ; but geographical knowledge and further ideas on the subject.

and improved the history of Greece; not so much in its DORCHESTER, March 13.

JOHN GARLAND.

annals, as in the far more important and instructive The Editor distinctly disarows all or any such hetero- details of a great nation : its manners and institutions ; doxical antiquurian notions, and the best apology is that its proficiency in art and science; and particularly in like the burden of Count Bellino's song

proving the vast extent of the influence of those quali-'tis but Fancy's sketch!

ties, which rendered the Greeks superior to every other Who Mr. Flight's two first class Beauties were, are shrouded ancient race. We may admit without disparagement in conjecture, but supposing one of the Two Marys,' to to the Greeks, that excepting the two Persian wars, have been Mary Davis; it is surprising, that in his anxiety there is little in their annals more edifying than in meto award such saint-like honours to two of the commonly diæval or modern history, but the real glory of Greece is distinguished' frail sisterhood, he did not, with the same propriety and truth assert Moldavia, one of the principalities to be estimated by the extent and duration of its lannow in dispute, was also so named in national respect to guage. A collection of Greek coins is sufficient evidence the meretricious Moll Davis ? The etymological derivation that the customs or institutions, which were certainly is doubtless equally correct, but, as Willis's Current Notes, the cause and consequence of Greek civilization, lasted have the honour of being extensively known and read by more than a thousand and extended over countries many of the members of the Athenäum and the United and peoples from Spain to India ; proving, at the same Service Clubs, a passing repudiation is sufficient.

tine, that the Greeks constantly maintained that innate

years,

feeling and habit of the race, that in all ages is the Anciently the rites of St. John Baptist were observed, foundation of national freedom; namely, the system of when it was the custom to turn or roll a wheel about, separate communities, each conducting its own internal in signification of the sun's annual course, or the sun concerns, whether as an independent state, or as member then occupying the highest place in the zodiac, was of a federation under a dominant republic; or as form- about descending. Many years since, a merry-andrew, ing part of the dominion of a Macedonian king, or of a to attract young men and maides' to his stage-play, Roman emperor, Nor are the Greeks, as evidenced by advertised he would on Midsummer-day, being the annitheir proceedings at this hour, deteriorated in their habi-versary of the nativity of St. John Baptist, on the tude or inherent recognition of the ancient system even cucke-stool at Harleston,' among other extraordinary under Turkish vassalage. antics, Take a ride round the sunne, From the heaven should cumm.'

The coins of Greece are indisputably, beyond all comparison, the most numerous of Greek monuments, and it is but reasonable to believe that if the German writers of the last century possessed our present information on the geography and monuments of Greece, most of their extravagant theories would never have been promulgated; hence the Numismata Hellenica has been rendered as conducive as possible to the illustration of the geography, art, mythology and history of ancient Greece, and as a volume of reference, commends itself to the notice of all numismatists and scholars, and should be found in all collegiate, public, and provincial town libra

ries.

His performance was to have been on the boarded stage over the water; and the sun alluded to was simply the wheel, as here shewn, used for the lowering the cuck-stool, with the scold, into the water, and in raising it; but from its very decayed state, in the midst of his feats, the framework gave way, and he was im

MERIT is often an obstacle to fortune and success, and the reason is, it always produces two bad effects-envy and fear. Envy in those who cannot rise to the same degree of perfection; and fear in those who are established, and who dread, that by advancing a man possessed of more abilities or more attainments than them-mersed in the selves, they may be supplanted.

NELL GWYNNE. Among the curiosities dispersed at the sale of the Duchess of Portland's Museum, in May 1786, No. 1119, was "an emerald and gold enamelled smelling bottle, formerly the property of Nell Gwynne." Bought by Jones, a jeweller, for 71. 10s.

CUCKING OR DUCKING STOOLS IN NORFOLK. BLOMEFIELD, referring to the fact that St. George's Gild had a tenement in Norwich, which they sometimes used as a Gildhall, adds, they had also customs at Fyve Brigge Stathe, and were obliged to find a Coke-stool there. From the Court book, he further notices two instances of the use of the Cucke-stool.*

1562. A woman for whoredom to ryde on a cart, with a paper in her hand, and tynklyd with a bason; and so at one o'clock to be had to the cokyng-stool, and ducked in the water.

1597. Margaret Grove, a common skould, to be carried with a bason rung before her to the Cucke-stool, at Fyebridge, and there to be three times ducked.

History of Norfolk, 1741, fol. p. 739.

mud and water,

creating no small degree of diversion and uproar amid many hundreds of spectators. This was the last ducking effected from the old constructed stage, as what remained of the timber work was afterwards removed, and the water enclosed within palings; but even then some involuntary duckings took effect. A boy shambling on the rails of the cuck-stool water, fell over, and was plunged in head foremost. Saturated in the water, mud and duckweed, he at length got out, and scampered off homeward, screaming aloud. The mother hearing her boy, ran to his assistance, and as she approached, said,-Ther ber donunt make such a noyze, yew carnt be twe thankd-full to Gaud, that yew ar eut.' To which young hopeful replied,-Spoze thu-n Ime too too than-k-um fur put-ting me in-mar'nt make a noize!'

The pales or railings have since in their turn been taken away, and the present wall as an enclosure built. Yarmouth. ...W

THE SQUARE OF TWELVE-Some persons retain the Another translation, omitting the second verse of this ruling passion that influenced their actions during life, highly popular song, by Mrs. Borneman, wife of the to the last moment of their existence. M. de Lagny, a Judge Advocate General of Denmark, and daughter of member of the Academy of Sciences at Paris, a great Mrs. Parsons, the authoress, ; printed in Boydell's calculator, became in his last illness insensible, when Scenery of Norway, has many beautiful traits. M. Maupertius approached his bed, and in the hope of arousing him, said, “ M. de Lagny, what is the square

To Norway, valour's native sphere,

We drink with boundless pleasure; of twelve ?" He replied, “ An hundred and forty-four,”

O'er wine we dream of freedom near, and instantly expired.

In fancy grasp the treasure.
Yet shall we at some period wake,

And bonds compulsive nobly break.
NORWEGIAN SONG OF FREEDOM.

Chorus. To Norway, valour's native sphere,
Translated from the Danish of

We drink with boundless pleasure. J. NORDAHL BRUN, BISHOP OF BERGEN.

One glass at friendship’s shrine is due,

One to Norwegian beauty,

Some nymph, my friend, may claim for you,
To Norway, mother of the brave,

From us this welcome duty.
We crown the cup of pleasure;

Shame on the slave spurns not his chains,
Dream of our freedom come again,

And woman, wine, and

song,

disdains.
And grasp the vanish'd treasure;
When once the mighty task's begun,

Chorus. To Norway, valour's native sphere,
The glorious race is swift to run.,

We drink with boundless pleasure.
Chorus.. To Norway, Mother of the brave,

Now, Norway, we thy mountains boast,
We crown the cup of pleasure !

Snows, rocks, and countless wonders ;

While Dovre echoes to the coast,
Drink, to the children of the rocks,

And thrice 'rapt plaudits thunders:
To Norway's honest bosoms!

Yes! three times three, the Alps around
For him alone, who breaks our chains,

Shall “health to Norway's sons' resound.
Our wreath of glory blossoms;
And when did mountain youth deny,

Chorus. To Norway, valour's native sphere,
For Norway's cause to live and die ?

We drink with boundless pleasure. Chorus. Drink, to the children of the rocks, In the “ Voyage dans le Nord de l'Europe, par A. To Norway's honest bosoms!

Lamotte,' p. 336, is a version in Latin of this latter
One glass to faith and friendship flows;

translation, par le Docteur G * * * * *.'
One to Norwegia's daughters-
Drink each the girl his heart adores,
And shame on him who falters!

JERMYN OF RUSHBROOKE.
Shame on the wretch who welcomes chains,
And woman, wine, and song disdains.

On the fly.leaf of Ben Jonson's copy of Camdeni An-
Chorus. One glass to faith and friendship flows, nales Rerum Anglicarum et Hibernicarum, regnante
One to Norwegia's daughters! Elizabetha, ad 1589, printed in 1615-27; in his auto-

graph, yet extant, is the following epitaph :-
Drink to Norway's hills sublime,
Rocks, snows and glens profound;

In sedibus D. Margareta in Lothbury
Success! her thousand echoes cry

Quid divinare magnos invides Parca ?
And thank us with the sound :

Heu
Old Dofra mingles with our glee,

Robertus
And joins our shouts with three times three.

Jerminorum a Rushbrooke nobile gerinen
Chorus. To Norway, Mother of the brave,

Hic situs est
We crown the cup of pleasure !

Flos Juvenum sub ævi flore raptus
Qui virtutum utriusq. ætatis apicibus potitus

Ingenio et indole Juventutis * Dofra is an immense ridge of mountains which form

Necnon senili pietate et prudentia the boundary between the southern and the northern parts

Infra se turbum coætaneam reliquit of Norway. The name is derived from the giant Dovre. Throughout the whole extent of Dovre, there are but four

Impubis senex : houses to be found_Drivstuen, Kongsvold, Gierkin or Hier

Et quod negavit sæculo, cælo dedit. kin, and Fogstuen; the possessors of which are exempted

Sic sapere ante annos nocuit, nam maxima virtus from all taxes, and receive besides some allowance from the

Persuasit Morti ut crederet esse senem, adjacent districts, in consideration of which, they are bound

PP. P. to convey, lodge, and succour travellers.

BEN JONSON.

6

a

VICISSITUDES OF A NUMISMATIST.

terms of the contract, in rendering the Otho to his en

thusiastic friend the Lyonnese collector. VAILLANT, a distinguished numismatic writer, was

The gold coins that Vaillant so singularly preserved, employed many years in collecting the rarest and most it is stated were of extreme beauty and rarity, weré choice coins for the Royal Cabinet of Louis the Four- long religiously revered among the gems of the French teenth. On one occasion having to go to Rome, he cabinet, and were placed in the golden vase, till stolen embarked with other Frenchmen of character and dis- by burglars from that establishment, and the whole tinction, at Marseilles, in a vessel belonging to Leghorn, melted. Many were deemed uniques, and that apprethat was captured at sea by an Algerine corsair, on the ciation appears to be sustained, by few others occurring day following that of his departure. As France was not to repair that loss. then at war with the Dey, Vaillant and his companions consoled themselves, the Algerines would soon set them

THE BEARD IN THE PULPIT. on shore, at liberty, but the corsair captain excused himself by saying he was too far from the French coast, Francis the First, disgusted with the prevailing and had no more provisions than were barely sufficient practice in his day, of the clergy retaining their beards, for his immediate return. The Algerines, therefore obtained from the Pope, a brief by which all ecclesiastics accosting them with “ bona pace Francesi,” stripped throughout France were compelled to shave, or pay a Vaillant and his companions, and carried them to Algiers, large sum for the privilege of appearing with a beard. where they were treated as slaves. The applications by The bishops and richly beneficed clergy readily paid the the French consul for their liberation, were constantly prohibitory fine, but the poorer sort, unable to comply, resisted by the Dey's insisting on their detention, by were reduced to the grievous necessity of surrendering reason of there being eight Algerines, in the king's this ornament of the chin. The license obtained by gallies, whose enlargement he could not obtain. Vaillant compliance with the terms of the papal brief, was, howafter being four months and a half a slave, was permitted ever, secondary to the statute regulations of the Church, to return to France, and twenty gold coins of which lie which in some instances were directly inhibitory of the had been despoiled by the corsair, were restored to him, bishop himself performing the service, unshaven; and He embarked in a small ship, bound for Marseilles, and of this fact, Duprat was in his person as a prelate, a after sailing for two days, a Sallee rover was seen ad- remarkable instance. vancing towards them, the pirate by means of their oars, Duprat, son of the Chancellor of that name, had nabaffled every maneuvre made by the sailing vessel to turally a beard that excited general admiration ; and avoid a rencontre, and was soon within cannon shot. shortly after his return from the Council of Trent, where Vaillant, in extreme anxiety for the twenty gold coins, he had displayed his eloquence, and distinguished himjeopardised by his recent captivity, swallowed them, self by his writings was appointed to the see of Clermont. without the slightest hesitation; but a breeze at the On Easter-Sunday he appeared at the cathedral to take moment springing up, the vessel quickly darted beyond possession, but found the doors closed. Three dignithe reach of the pirate, and was driven upon the coast of taries of the Chapter awaited him at the entrance; one Catalonia, where it fortunately escaped becoming a total held a razor; another, a pair of scissors; and the third, wreck. The captain subsequently entangled himself a book containing the ancient statutes of that church, to among the shores and sand-banks of the Rhone, where which, with his finger, that officer pointed to the wouldhe lost his anchors, and Vaillant in a boat, with much be bishop the words barbis rasis--no beards. In vain difficulty, reached the shore. The gold coins, which did Duprat endeavour to avoid that despoilment, and weighed between four and five ounces, were still within argued the sinfulness of doing any work on so solemn a him, and greatly incommoded him; he consulted two day; but inexorably determined, those who held the physicians as to the proper method of relieving himself razor and the scissors resisted his entering, and protruded of them, but singular as it may appear, they differed their weapons in such guise, that the non-inducted in opinion, and Vaillant would not adopt the prescription bishop, to save his beard, Hed in dismay, abandoned the of either. Abstaining from medicine, nature from time honour, and grief in a few days rendered him for ever to time gave him relief, and he reached Lyons when he insensible to the advantages of a prelatical position, or bad recovered about half of his treasure. In that city the vain solicitude created by the unusual elegance of he hastened to a brother antiquary, one of his numismatic

a beard. associates, related circumstantially his mishaps, not for

Even in old England,' where it is said common sense getting the manner of his secreting the gold coins. He finds a home, there are found highly reprehensible showed his delighted friend, those he had in possession, attempts of the clergy to wear a beard in the pulpit. and described those he hourly expected. Among these in A correspondent of the Durham Advertiser states, it the womb of time, was an Otho his friend was most de- is reported the clergyman at Cockfield has given so sirous of acquiring, and busily engaged in stipulating much offence to his parishioners by wearing his beard, with Vaillant for its purchase at a stated sum, forgot to taat tney have discontinued their attendance at church. render his friend any assistance, till Vaillant complying, was with some difficulty, enabled that day to fulfil the

There are also the following verses, allusive to the hall, and there left.
perpetrators of this disgraceful transaction :-