Notes and Queries, Number 07, December 15, 1849

In Short

Published on December 15, 1849, this issue of Notes and Queries functions as an open forum for nineteenth-century scholars, bibliophiles, and curious readers. Through short essays, transcripts of original records, and queries sent in by subscribers, the publication uncovers forgotten historical documents, deciphers obsolete words, traces untranslated poetry, and debates mathematical paradoxes. Lacking a single narrative, the work endures as a vivid snapshot of Victorian antiquarian culture, showcasing the collaborative process of historical recovery and the delight of shared intellectual inquiry.

The Story

The issue unfolds as an eclectic, highly structured assembly of scholarly briefings and public correspondence. It opens with an archival treasure: the text of the 1567 marriage contract between Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Earl of Bothwell, brought forth from parliamentary records to fill a gap left by prominent Scottish historians. From political history, the focus shifts to domestic life in 1626, detailed in a lavish dinner bill from Sir Edward Dering's household ledger, complete with cold capon pies, lark, and pickled oysters.

The publication then transitions to medieval philology. Contributor T. Hudson Turner calls for a new dictionary of medieval Latin to correct foreign misinterpretations of early English legal terms, while offering queries on the history of beaver hats and medieval body armor. Literary scholarship follows swiftly, featuring a comprehensive inventory of Greek and Latin translations of Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, alongside a plea to catalog missing editions. Bolton Corney follows with an essay advocating for the rescue of forgotten authors, specifically restoring the 1661 work Humane Industry by Dr. Thomas Powell to the biographical record.

The middle section delivers short historical notes and responses to prior questions. Readers learn the provenance of a suit of armor in the Tower of London known as "The Norman Crusader"—revealing it was originally constructed for an elephant before being modified by a museum owner—and examine the satirical imagery of Father Petre riding a lobster on a 17th-century medal.

A lively debate then opens around a mathematical critique by Professor Augustus De Morgan, who accused Samuel Johnson of an arithmetical absurdity in Boswell's Life of Johnson. Contributor "K." vigorously defends the lexicographer, dissecting the logic of Johnson’s statement comparing French and English dictionary efforts. Another bibliographical entry investigates suppressed political stanzas in William Cartwright’s 1651 poetry collection, questioning their true authorship and timeline.

The issue closes with minor queries regarding Biblical hexameters and obscure Tudor slang, followed by market updates on book sales, trade advertisements for new classical translation series, and notice of publications on architectural foliage, historical heating systems, and legal history.

How It Unfolds

Archival documents revealed The issue opens with the official reprint of Mary, Queen of Scots' marriage contract alongside an elaborate 1626 domestic dinner menu from Sir Edward Dering's account books.

Calls for scholarship Contributors highlight errors in medieval Latin dictionaries and compile exhaustive lists of classical translations of Gray's Elegy, asking readers to supply missing entries.

Rescuing forgotten authors Bolton Corney highlights the overlooked 17th-century writer Thomas Powell, illustrating how brief notes can revive an author's place in biographical history.

Curiosities and antiquities Short notices examine historical oddities, detailing how an elephant's armor was repurposed as a Norman Crusader's gear and decoding political satire on historical medals.

Literary and mathematical debates Writers clash over Professor De Morgan's critique of Samuel Johnson's arithmetic and investigate suppressed, politically sensitive stanzas in the posthumous poetry of William Cartwright.

Queries and commercial notices The final pages feature brief reader queries on biblical meter, announcements of recent library auctions, and advertisements for contemporary scholarly works.

The People

Because this text is a periodical compilation, its main figures are the historical subjects discussed and the Victorian intellectuals studying them.

• Mary, Queen of Scots and the Earl of Bothwell appear through their original 1567 marriage contract, representing the dramatic political alliances of Scottish royal history.
• Sir Edward Dering emerges through his 1626 household ledger, meticulously detailing his expenditures, social connections, and lavish entertaining in London.
• Dr. Thomas Powell, a 17th-century canon and philosopher, is brought back from biographical obscurity by Bolton Corney, who advocates for his rightful place in literary history.
• Dr. Samuel Johnson and Professor Augustus De Morgan engage in an indirect intellectual clash across time, as De Morgan accuses Johnson of mathematical nonsense, prompting contributor "K." to come to the lexicographer's defense.
• William Cartwright, a deceased 17th-century poet, stands at the center of a bibliographical investigation regarding suppressed royalist verses published under his name.

In Its Own Voice

"To revive the memory of estimable authors, or of estimable books, is a pursuit to which a man of leisure may devote himself under the certainty that he can neither want materials to proceed with, nor miss the reward of commendation." — Bolton Corney introduces his essay on rescuing forgotten writers from historical obscurity.

"A short note is sufficient to raise inquiry; and inquiry may lead to new fact, or advance critical equity." — The text highlights the central philosophy of the periodical: that brief exchanges between readers drive genuine historical discovery.

"During its repair, it was discovered that the armour was not originally made for a horse, but for an elephant; and, on inquiry, it appeared that Bullock had purchased it, together with other curiosities, of a sailor..." — A contributor reveals the bizarre origin story behind a famous suit of armor exhibited in the Tower of London.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the text is about the collective preservation of human knowledge and the joy of intellectual curiosity. It argues that history is not built solely through grand narratives, but through the patient assembly of small details—a forgotten manuscript, an old recipe, a corrected translation, or a clarified line of poetry.

The publication highlights the idea that no single scholar can master every field. By creating a shared network of inquiry, amateur readers and professional scholars alike contribute to a larger, living archive. Underneath its specific queries about medieval Latin or 17th-century poetry lies a deep commitment to truth, accuracy, and the rescue of forgotten human efforts from the erosion of time.

Why Read It Today

Notes and Queries offers a charming, unvarnished window into the Victorian mind and the origins of crowdsourced knowledge. Reading it feels remarkably like browsing an early, highly refined internet forum or academic discussion board. Readers who enjoy social history, literary detective work, and historical trivia will find the issue delightful, as it moves rapidly from royal scandal to dinner menus and mathematical disputes.

The text does present minor hurdles for modern readers. It assumes a basic familiarity with Latin, classical literature, and British history, often leaving non-English phrases untranslated. The fragmented, multi-author format means there is no central story arc to follow.

However, what remains with the reader is the infectious enthusiasm of its contributors. The text serves as an encouraging reminder that curiosity needs no grand justification, and that small, dedicated inquiries can unlock fascinating corners of the past.