These several letters, all important to the annotators of Grammont, give the precise dates of the chevalier's first visit to the Court of Charles II., and of his departure, and settle the date of his marriage within a few days. This event must have taken place in December, 1663. Mrs. Jameson and Mr. Cunningham place it in 1668.

On another occasion I will return to this subject.

G. Steinman Steinman.

CHANGE OF MEANING IN PROVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS

I entirely agree with G. K. (Vol. viii., p. 269.) respecting the original sense of "Putting a spoke in one's wheel." It surely meant to aid him in constructing the wheel, say of his fortune. As the true sense of this expression seems to have been retained in America when lost in its birthplace, so Ireland has retained that of another which has changed its sense here. By "finding a mare's nest" is, I believe, meant, fancying you have made a great discovery when in fact you have found nothing. I certainly remember the late Earl Grey using it in that sense in his place in parliament. But how does this accord with the following place in Beaumont and Fletcher?

"Why dost thou laugh? What mare's nest hast thou found?"

—Bonduca, Act V. Sc. 2.

on which, rather to my surprise, Mr. Dyce has no note. Now in Ireland, when a person is seen laughing immoderately without any apparent cause, it is usual to say, "O, he has found a mare's nest, and he's laughing at the eggs." This perfectly agrees with the above passage from Bonduca, and is doubtless the original sense and original form of the adage.

There is another of these proverbial expressions which, I think, has also lost its pristine sense. By "Tread on a worm and it will turn" is usually meant that the very meekest and most helpless persons will, when harshly used, turn on their persecutors. But the poor worm does, and can do, no such thing. I therefore think that the adage arose at the time when worm was inclusive of snake and viper, and that what was meant was, that as those that had the power to avenge themselves when injured would use it, so people should be cautious how they provoked them. I am confirmed in this view by the following passage in the Wallenstein's Tod of Schiller, Act II. Sc. 6.:

"Doch einen Stachel gab Natur dem Wurm, Dem Willkür übermüthig spielend tritt."

Thos. Keightley.

EXTRACTS FROM COLCHESTER CORPORATION RECORDS

I inclose you some rather curious extracts from the corporation books of Colchester, which I made a few years since, during an investigation of some of the charities of that ancient borough.

Jas. Whishaw.

"The informacōn of Richard Glascock of Horden-of-the-Hill, in the County of Essex, Cordwayner, aged twenty-four yeeres or thereabouts, taken upon oath the 5th of June, 1651, before Jno. Furlie, Gent., Mayor of the Towne of Colchester.

"The Informant saieth, that upon the Lord's daie, the fower and twentieth daie of May last, that Wm Beard of Horden abovesaid, did cut off the taile of the catt of Thomas Burgis of Fanies Pishe, and Margaret, the wife of the sd Thos Burgis, after the catt's taile was cutt off, came home, and seeing that her catt's taile had bin cutt off she enquired who had done it, and being told that the sd Wm Beard had done it, she sd she would be even wth him before he went out of towne.

"Richard Glascock."

"The informacōn of Hy Potter, aged twenty yeeres or thereabouts, of Horden abovesaid, Lynnen Weaver, taken upon oath the day and yeere abovesaid.

"This informant saieth, that ye sd fower and twentieth daie of May the taile of the catt of the sd Thomas Burgis being cutt off by the sd Wm Beard, and ye sd Margaret the wife of the sd Thos Burgis haveing bin told that the sd Wm Beard had done it, she prsentlie told the sd Beard she would be even with him before he went out of towne, and flewe in his face, and said she would give him something before he went out of her howse. And this informant saieing, Good woman, I hope you will give him noe poyson, and she replyed, he would not be soe foolish as to take any thinge of her, but she would be even wth him before he went out of towne."

"Henry Potter."

"The informacōn of Rd Spencer, aged thirtie yeeres or thereabouts, Servant to Captn Thomas Caldwell, taken upon oath the day and yeere aforesaid.

"This informant saieth, that the before-named Wm Beard being very sicke and in a strange distemper, and haveing heard that Margaret, the wife of the before-named Thomas Burgis, had threatened him, did suspect the sd Wm Beard might be bewitched or ill dealt wth, did cut off some of his haire off from his head, and did wind it up together and put it into the fire, and could not for a good while make it burne, untill he tooke a candle and put under it or into it, and then wth much adoe it did burne, and after it was burnt ye sd Beard laie still, and before it was burnt he was in such a distemper that three men could hardlie hold him into his bed.

Страница 3 из 21

Назад 1 2 3 4…21 Далее