Notes and Queries, Number 77, April 19, 1851: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc

In Short

This issue functions as an open intellectual exchange where 19th-century scholars, antiquaries, and curious citizens present short essays, query obscure facts, and offer precise corrections. Rather than following a narrative, the text moves fluidly across diverse topics, investigating historical figures, obscure phrases, rare wildlife, and celestial phenomena. It has lasted as a fascinating time capsule of mid-Victorian intellectual curiosity, capturing the collaborative spirit of early archival research before the digital age, where every reader could contribute a missing piece of cultural history.

The Story

The volume opens with a scholarly presentation of a Latin drinking song authored by Richard Braithwait, transcribed and submitted by S. W. Singer. The song celebrates wine as a potent cure for earthly ills and human strife, urging the reader to drink deeply. Following this literary recovery, the narrative shifts toward atmospheric and local phenomena as the Reverend Alfred Gatty shares two accounts of strange visions in the sky—one detailing curious, uniform letter-like light formations, and another describing a cloud formation resembling Christ on the cross above a dying woman's window.

The text then transitions into a series of sharp historical and etymological investigations. Douglas Jerrold explores the true origin of the famous phrase "After me the Deluge," tracing it past Prince Metternich to Madame Pompadour. Brief historical notes re-evaluate King Richard III's physical deformity through 15th-century York court records, while literary notes argue for Shakespeare’s authentic knowledge of seamanship based on sail terminology used in Hamlet.

In the central section, contributors raise pressing questions to the broader reading public. Queries arise regarding the existence of authentic portraits of the poet Edmund Spenser, the true lineage of Queen Katherine Parr, and the mysterious native habitat of the Vendace, an extremely delicate fish found solely in Scotland's Castle Loch of Lochmaben. Other entries seek light on obscure medieval legal vocabulary, such as forest hunting rights over badgers, foxes, and hedgehogs.

As the volume proceeds into its second half, contributors provide detailed answers to previously posed queries. A dispute emerges regarding the origin of The Travels of Baron Munchausen, debating whether the text was designed to mock Bruce's travels or written by one of two contemporary authors named James Graham. Linguistic inquiries trace the historical introduction of tobacco into the East, parsing Arabic translations and manuscript references to refute common chronological errors. Other entries clarify obscure ecclesiastical titles, such as the survival of "cardinals" within St. Paul's choir.

The issue concludes with a overview of contemporary literary developments, highlighting new publications including Hepworth Dixon's biography of William Penn, forthcoming state papers, and library auction announcements, closing a continuous arc of shared inquiry.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The volume opens with the publication of a Latin drinking song by Richard Braithwait, accompanied by scholarly commentary on rare manuscripts. This initial entry sets a tone of recovery and preservation for forgotten historical texts.

Skyward observations The Reverend Alfred Gatty presents well-attested accounts of remarkable optical phenomena in the sky, including a striking cross-shaped cloud observed during a relative's final hours. The piece defends the inclusion of folklore alongside rigid scientific facts.

Historical misattributions corrected Contributors challenge popular historical assumptions, tracing famous quotes like "After me the Deluge" through previous centuries to expose stolen wisdom. Simultaneously, archival records from York are introduced to confirm early references to King Richard III's physical traits.

Queries posed to the public A series of open questions asks the readership to trace missing portraits of Edmund Spenser, explain obscure medieval legal terms regarding game animals, and account for the rare Vendace fish. These brief entries invite collaborative problem-solving across the literary community.

Answers and active debates Scholars respond to earlier issues by untangling the authorship of Baron Munchausen and analyzing early Eastern references to tobacco. Detailed linguistic and historical evidence is marshaled to correct misunderstandings regarding classical and modern sources.

The literary marketplace The issue draws to a close with reviews and announcements of new historical biographies, forthcoming political papers, and upcoming book auctions. It anchors the theoretical debates of the issue in the active publishing world of 1851.

The People

S. W. Singer An active literary scholar who transcribes and preserves rare texts. He seeks to bring neglected works, such as Braithwait's Latin drinking song, out of obscure archives and into public view.

Rev. Alfred Gatty A contributor who defends the value of regional folklore and unusual personal observations. He aims to offer readers a respite from the cold, mechanical facts of the era by recording spiritual and celestial phenomena.

Douglas Jerrold A sharp commentator who tracks down the origins of well-known political sayings. He is driven to strip stolen wisdom from famous historical figures and restore true authorship to forgotten creators.

James Crossley A knowledgeable bibliophile who weighs in on complex publishing histories and historical figures like Edmund Prideaux. He frequently suggests ambitious new projects, such as a biographical compendium of historical rogues.

The Anonymous Queries A varied network of readers, local antiquaries, and genealogists who write in under initials or pseudonyms. They seek precise facts regarding forgotten ancestors, rare species, and obscure literary allusions, driving the collective movement of the publication.

In Its Own Voice

Before detailing his skyward observations, Reverend Alfred Gatty reflects on the purpose of sharing such unusual accounts in the publication:

"Perhaps you will receive this paper for the amusement of those who, like myself, feel an interest in anything which takes us a little out of the hardware facts of 'the age we live in.'"

In a note discussing historical rogues, James Crossley proposes a dedicated biographical work to capture the lives of famous scoundrels:

"I think a good book might be made of scoundrels. I would have a Biographia Flagitiosa, the Lives of Eminent Scoundrels from the earliest accounts to the present day."

Regarding a controversial historical figure's final estate, Crossley cites historical accounts of a post-office pioneer's wealth:

"From his employments gaining a vast estate, he left at the time of his death an incredible mass of gold (as the credible report then went), besides lands of very great demesnes."

What It's Really About

Underneath its disparate collection of notes and queries, the issue is an exercise in democratic scholarship and collective memory. It argues that history is not built solely through grand narratives, but through the accumulation of small, precise facts preserved by observant readers. The text wrestles with the nature of evidence, questioning how traditions, misattributed quotes, and folklore evolve over time. By placing a Latin drinking song alongside discussions of naval terms in Shakespeare and localized environmental observations, it asks what balance should exist between dry analytical facts and human curiosity. Ultimately, it champions the preservation of fragile cultural details before they are lost to time.

Why Read It Today

This issue offers an intriguing glimpse into the intellectual habits of Victorian readers, showing how inquiries were resolved before the existence of modern search engines and centralized databases. It feels like stepping into an open nineteenth-century salon where scholars, country clergymen, and curious hobbyists gather to trade discoveries. Readers who enjoy literary archaeology, etymology, and historical oddities will find endless charm in its dense, highly varied pages.

The primary difficulty for a modern reader lies in its mosaic structure and occasional reliance on un-translated Latin passages or specialized nineteenth-century legal terminology. Because it assumes a high level of classical education in its audience, certain references require patient untangling. Additionally, the period attitudes toward historical figures and regional folklore reflect the specific biases of the 1850s. Nevertheless, the sheer enthusiasm of its contributors and the delightful variety of topics make it a rewarding, immersive browse that leaves a lasting impression of mid-Victorian intellectual life.