Notes and Queries, Number 22, March 30, 1850

In Short

This issue of a weekly publication functions as an early, paper-based collaborative network. It brings together antiquarians, linguists, and literary enthusiasts who trade specialized knowledge on topics ranging from the authorship of Shakespearean plays to the etymology of obscure slang. By documenting the "folk lore" and intellectual queries of its time, the publication preserves a snapshot of nineteenth-century scholarship. It has lasted because it captures the human impulse to document the ephemeral, serving as a permanent repository for the questions that arise when experts and laypeople debate the past.

The Story

The progression of this issue mimics a lively conversation held in a crowded library or a quiet club room. It opens with an argument about authorship: a contributor named Samuel Hickson asserts that The Taming of the Shrew is the original work and that a similarly titled play is merely a clumsy imitation. He provides a close reading of specific lines to prove his point, demonstrating how an imitator failed to grasp the wit behind Shakespeare’s puns. This opening sets the tone for the entire volume, which prioritizes forensic analysis of texts over mere speculation.

Following this literary critique, the pages expand into a series of "proverbial sayings," tracing the lineage of phrases and documenting the history of common expressions. The narrative then shifts into the realm of "Folk Lore," where contributors share local superstitions about birth, weather, and medical charms from places like Norfolk and Ireland. This creates a bridge between high literary study and the lived experience of the common person. The middle section of the book is occupied by an erudite exchange regarding historical figures and artifacts; for instance, Dean Swift’s unpublished notes on Herodotus are brought to light, and a detailed debate emerges regarding the extinction of the Dodo bird.

The arc of the issue continues through various "Replies" to previous queries. Here, the tone is one of correction and refinement. One writer clarifies the true origin of a poem, while others debate the meaning of archaic maritime terms like "grummet." The volume does not move toward a singular conclusion but rather a state of comprehensive documentation. It closes with a list of "Books and Odd Volumes wanted," creating a practical loop where readers can find the very texts that were discussed earlier in the pages. By the final advertisement, the reader feels they have participated in a vast, decentralized project of human knowledge that spans centuries, from the ancient Greeks to nineteenth-century London, ending with an invitation for future contributions.

How It Unfolds

The Shakespearean Debate The volume opens with a sharp, analytical investigation into the authorship of The Taming of the Shrew. The contributor dissects specific dialogue to argue that the play is an original masterpiece rather than a derivation of lesser works.

Linguistic and Proverbial Roots The focus shifts to the history of language, tracing common phrases back to their sources in Rabelais, Pope, and Voltaire. This section establishes the scholarly rigor of the periodical, requiring readers to engage with Latin, French, and English primary sources.

The Folkloric Record The text turns toward the preservation of oral traditions and local superstitions. Contributors document regional weather proverbs and rural customs surrounding childbirth and medical charms, grounding the book in the soil of the nineteenth-century countryside.

Historical and Scientific Inquiry The investigation broadens to include the history of natural science, specifically the debate surrounding the Dodo bird. Scholars compare 17th-century travel logs and Jesuit letters to determine when the bird truly vanished from history.

The Collaborative Exchange The latter portion of the book functions as a help-desk for the curious, where questions about obscure historical figures and linguistic quirks are answered by the community. It moves from specific inquiries about Bishop Jewel’s papers to the technical definition of "rococo."

Cataloging the Past The volume concludes by listing books sought by collectors and advertising forthcoming works of history and poetry. This final section cements the periodical’s role as a vital tool for the serious researcher and bibliophile.

The People

The book is populated by a cast of inquisitive minds who act as curators of knowledge. Samuel Hickson appears as a rigorous literary critic, wanting to protect the integrity of Shakespeare’s work from the claim that it is a derivative imitation. He serves as the intellectual anchor of the opening section, demanding precision in language. Then there is the collective voice of the "Antiquaries," who, like S.W. Singer, take on the role of scientific detectives. Singer is driven by a desire to resolve the mystery of the Dodo, standing against the "calamitous destruction" of evidence and advocating for better museum management.

Other figures, like the Rev. Dr. Rock or those who sign with initials, represent the "common researcher." They want to know the "why" behind the trivial: the origin of a proverb, the meaning of a maritime term, or the life of an obscure colonel. They are not looking for grand narratives; they are looking for the truth of the minute detail. They end up as participants in a grand, shared history, moving from solitary researchers to contributors in a public record. Their desire for accuracy—whether regarding the date on a 1551 bedstead or the correct etymology of a hamlet name—transforms them from mere readers into the keepers of the collective culture.

In Its Own Voice

Hickson addresses the nuance of Shakespearean comedy, pointing out how an imitator’s lack of understanding led to the loss of a pun:

"In this passage there is a play upon the terms 'fac'd' and 'brav'd.'"

A contributor documenting the history of proverbs provides a glimpse into the cynical view of human nature shared by historians:

"His (T. Antoninus Pius') reign is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history; which is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind."

A researcher attempting to clarify the origin of a classic poem offers a corrective to popular, but inaccurate, versions:

"It is, at least, much more genuine than the composite one given by Bishop Percy."

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an argument for the preservation of cultural memory. It posits that no detail—be it a proverb, a bird, or a line of verse—is too small to be recorded. It addresses the tension between the transient nature of human life and the permanence of the written record. The text suggests that history is not just the study of great men and wars, but the collection of the "crimes, follies, and misfortunes" that define the human condition. It is an exploration of how we construct truth through the slow, methodical accumulation of evidence, treating the collective inquiry of many minds as more reliable than the singular voice of the expert.

Why Read It Today

You will find this book deeply rewarding if you enjoy the thrill of the hunt. It feels like stepping into a Victorian digital forum, where the "comments" are written in elegant, formal prose. It is a slow, meditative read, perfect for those who want to understand how a pre-internet society managed the sheer volume of their curiosity. You will experience the tactile reality of the mid-nineteenth century—a time when an error in a date on an old bedstead could cause a ripple of excitement among local historians.

The difficulty lies in the density of its references; you are dropped into a conversation where the context is often assumed. You will encounter Latin, French, and archaic English, and the period-specific attitudes can be quite formal. Yet, there is a warmth in its collaborative spirit. What stays with you is the realization that people have always been driven to seek order in the chaos of information. This book reminds us that the desire to ask questions and share answers is a timeless, humanizing practice. It provides a quiet, intellectual sanctuary for anyone who believes that understanding the past, even in its smallest fragments, is a worthwhile pursuit.