Notes and Queries, Number 207, October 15, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc

In Short

This single issue of the Victorian periodical Notes and Queries, published on October 15, 1853, serves as an open forum for scholars, antiquaries, and curious readers. Readers write in to ask questions, share regional folklore, propose etymological theories, and resolve historical or literary disputes. Topics in this issue range from the origins of local proverbs to political symbolism in contemporary sermons and recent advancements in photography. The issue endures as a fascinating snapshot of mid-nineteenth-century British intellectual culture, highlighting the collaborative pursuit of knowledge across diverse fields before the age of digital archives.

The Story

The issue opens with a collection of miscellaneous short essays and observations. C. Clifton Barry presents notes on regional folk songs, while another contributor reports on a Polish priest using a visible comet to deliver a politically charged sermon to his congregation. Linguistic exploration follows as T. J. Buckton analyzes the historical origins and precise meanings of the old English word "belike," challenging standard dictionary definitions by tracing its Anglo-Saxon roots.

The focus then shifts to traditional folklore. A contributor records an Irish legend from County Clare detailing how the mythological hero Ussheen (Ossian) visited "Thiernah Ogieh," the land of perpetual youth. The narrative describes Ussheen falling asleep under a tree, meeting an immortal queen, and traveling to her paradise. There, despite being warned, he stands upon a forbidden stone, gains a vision of a transformed Ireland, and begs to return home, only to discover that centuries have passed in his absence.

Literary and historical inquiries follow. Literary critic Thomas Keightley debates textual interpretations of Shakespeare's plays, specifically questioning readings in Measure for Measure. Minor historical notes highlight the royal origins of everyday phrases, such as King Charles II remarking that a parliamentary debate was "as good as a play."

The central section features open queries from readers seeking assistance with obscure facts. Queries address the genealogy of the Lovett family of Astwell, the historical identity of the "Lord Ball of Bagshot" in Hampshire, the origins of particular heraldic coats of arms, and the popular belief that Scottish castles were legally required to be maintained under the Articles of Union. Other correspondents submit questions regarding regional customs surrounding sneezing and search for lost manuscripts of Edmund Spenser’s The Fairy Queen.

In the replies section, established scholars respond to earlier queries. S. W. Singer discusses rare historical portraits of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes and the works of engraver Wenceslaus Hollar. The Reverend Thomas Corser provides a detailed account of valuable parochial libraries across England, detailing significant book bequests in places like Whitchurch and Middle. H. L. Mansel offers military details regarding the 1794 Battle of Villers en Couche from historical journals. Practical scientific exchanges conclude the issue, featuring correspondence on photographic chemistry, including improved formulas for developing fluids and paper preparation processes. The issue wraps up with editorial notices and commercial advertisements for contemporary books, insurance, and photographic equipment.

How It Unfolds

The collection opens Contributors open the issue with short notes covering regional minstrelsy, political interpretations of celestial comets in Eastern Europe, and etymological investigations into archaic English vocabulary like "belike."

Folklore takes center stage A recounted legend from County Clare details Ussheen's journey to the land of perpetual youth, his fatal decision to step on a forbidden stone, and his tragic realization of lost time.

Scholars debate literature and history Correspondents examine textual variants in Shakespeare's plays, trace ancestral font relics, and note historical origins of popular sayings tied to Charles II.

Readers submit varied queries The issue transitions to open questions regarding noble pedigrees, obscure heraldic coats of arms, legal provisions for Scottish fortresses, and lost literary manuscripts.

Experts provide detailed answers Scholars resolve earlier inquiries by outlining portraits of Thomas Hobbes, documenting historical church libraries, and recounting eighteenth-century military engagements.

Practical science and notices conclude the issue The publication ends with technical discussions on developing fluids for photography, editorial communications to correspondents, and commercial advertisements for books, services, and scientific apparatus.

The People

• Ussheen (Ossian): A legendary hunter and hero who accompanies an immortal queen to the land of perpetual youth. He longs to return home after standing on a forbidden stone, only to find his world irrevocably changed by time.
• The Queen of Thiernah Ogieh: An immortal ruler who invites Ussheen to her realm. She warns him against stepping on the forbidden stone and foresees the grief his return to mortal lands will bring.
• Thomas Keightley: A literary scholar who offers critical readings of Shakespeare's text, arguing against certain Anglo-Saxon etymologies and Italian word usages in the plays.
• Thomas Hobbes: The famous philosopher whose various painted portraits, sitters, and artistic depictions by Samuel Cooper and others are cataloged by correspondents.
• Reverend Thomas Corser: A bibliophile and clergyman who documents the establishment, contents, and financial bequests supporting historic parochial libraries in Whitchurch and Middle.
• Sir Harry Calvert: A military officer whose historical journals provide an eyewitness account of the charges and losses at the Battle of Villers en Couche.

In Its Own Voice

"When found, make a note of."

This famous quote from Captain Cuttle serves as the publication's guiding motto on its front page, establishing the periodical's purpose as an open repository for readers to record and exchange curious facts.

"The lady then explained that she was not of mortal birth, and that he who wooed an immortal bride must be prepared to encounter dangers such as would appal the ordinary race of men."

This passage introduces the fairy queen in the legend of Ussheen, establishing the high stakes and supernatural elements of his journey to the land of perpetual youth.

"I very much doubt Shakspeare's knowledge of Italian, and am sure that he would not, if he understood the word, use it as an adjective."

In a debate over textual corrections, Thomas Keightley uses this blunt assertion to reject a proposed Italian reading in a Shakespearean play.

What It's Really About

Beneath its fragmented format, the issue reflects a collective effort to preserve fading knowledge, local history, and cultural heritage. The text captures a mid-nineteenth-century obsession with categorization, preservation, and empirical inquiry. Whether analyzing an archaic word, tracking down a family crest, recording oral folklore before it vanishes, or refining the nascent technology of photography, the contributors share a common conviction: no detail of human history or scientific observation is too small to be worthy of record. The underlying argument of the publication is that knowledge advances best through open, public dialogue, where amateur enthusiasts and established scholars collide to test theories, correct errors, and save fragile historical records from being forgotten.

Why Read It Today

This publication offers a delightful window into the intellectual life of Victorian England. Rather than presenting a single continuous narrative, it reads like a historic internet forum or message board, capturing the raw curiosity of nineteenth-century minds. Readers who enjoy trivia, antiquarian history, literature, and the history of science will appreciate the sheer variety of subjects covered in just a few dense pages.

The primary difficulty for a modern reader lies in the fragmented, highly specific nature of the entries. Without prior context, discussions of 16th-century genealogy, minor battles, or specific textual revisions to Shakespeare can feel dense or obscure. Additionally, the text includes mid-Victorian terminology, archaic spellings, untranslated Latin and Greek quotations, and references to regional geography that assume familiarity on the reader's part.

Despite these hurdles, the writing remains remarkably approachable, lighthearted, and precise. It leaves the reader with a deep appreciation for the shared enthusiasm of these early researchers, illustrating how public collaboration shaped modern history, folklore preservation, and science.