Notes and Queries, Number 85, June 14, 1851: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc

In Short

This issue of Notes and Queries functions as a communal intellectual scrapbook for the Victorian era. It acts as a bridge between specialized scholars and the inquisitive public, gathering short-form research, etymological debates, and pleas for assistance with obscure bibliographical hunts. By documenting the ephemeral questions and findings of its contributors, the publication preserves a snapshot of mid-century curiosity. It remains a testament to the value of "making a note of" the seemingly trivial, proving that small pieces of knowledge often form the bedrock of deeper historical understanding.

The Story

The progression of this issue follows the rhythm of a conversation held across distance and time. It opens with rigorous textual analysis, specifically regarding Chaucer, where the contributor A.E.B. argues for a re-interpretation of the word menez in The Canterbury Tales. By shifting the focus from an abstract concept to a physical "rocky ridge," the writer demonstrates how a single word can alter the emotional resonance of a literary passage. This spirit of precise, corrective inquiry continues into the realm of "Folk Talk," where the focus turns to the longevity of the human experience through the story of William Horrocks. Born in 1657, Horrocks becomes a bridge to the past, his life—documented by portraits and baptismal records—serving as a tangible anchor for historical timelines.

The narrative of the issue then transitions into a series of "Minor Notes" that touch upon literature and topography. Scholars debate the nuances of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, debating whether "pilcher" is a typo for "pitcher," and examine the political implications of couplets in the works of Sir Charles Sedley. From there, the publication expands into its "Queries" section, which operates as a sprawling, unpredictable map of the readers' collective consciousness. Questions range from the whimsical origins of the name "The Devil's Bit" on an Irish mountain to the serious, specific search for out-of-print theological tracts. These queries reveal the era’s preoccupation with identifying the roots of folklore and the exact provenance of historical artifacts.

The "Replies" section provides the resolution to many of these inquiries, effectively closing the loop on earlier confusion. Contributors offer definitive data on the Dutch Martyrology, clarify the heraldic origins of the "Curse of Scotland," and debate the etymology of everyday idioms like "spick and span new." The issue concludes not with a singular climax, but with a practical array of administrative business: lists of requested volumes, notices for catalogues, and advertisements for new scholarly publications. By the time one reaches the final page, the sense is not of having read a book with a plot, but of having witnessed a living, breathing network of inquiry. The arc is one of constant motion—a steady, recursive cycle of questions posed, evidence gathered, and answers debated, all held together by the shared desire to categorize the world.

How It Unfolds

The scholarly inquiry begins The issue opens with a focused re-examination of Chaucerian text, where the contributor tests a new interpretation of an Armorican word to clarify the poet's intent. This sets the tone for a publication that values technical precision over general observation.

The human record emerges The focus shifts to a biographical sketch of a man who lived through the reign of Oliver Cromwell. Through his personal artifacts—portraits and a family Bible—the text connects the reader to the lived reality of the seventeenth century.

The exchange of ideas flourishes The "Queries" section introduces a chaotic but delightful variety of topics. Readers request help with the etymology of local place names, the history of religious symbols, and the location of rare, forgotten books.

The mysteries are resolved In the "Replies" section, the community responds with evidence. Experts cite dictionaries, historical records, and personal observations to address the previous queries, systematically clearing up misapprehensions about language and tradition.

The practical conclusion The issue rounds out with lists of books sought by collectors and notices from the editors. This final beat serves to remind the reader that the pursuit of knowledge is an ongoing, tangible enterprise requiring constant coordination and record-keeping.

The People

The figures inhabiting this volume are a mix of diligent researchers, curious amateurs, and the subjects of their scrutiny. A.E.B. stands as the archetypal textual critic, driven by a desire for linguistic accuracy in Chaucer. William Horrocks represents the historical subject, an elderly man whose very lifespan challenges the modern reader's perception of the past. His youthful wife, the subject of a portrait by the Chetham family, serves as a bridge between different social strata. Henry H. Breen and S.W. Singer act as the voices of literary debate, using their expertise to challenge established interpretations of Sedley and Shakespeare. The contributors who answer the queries—people like Thos. Corser, W. Barnes, and C.H. Cooper—are the keepers of the archives, those who find satisfaction in knowing exactly which library holds a rare manuscript or what an obscure piece of heraldry signifies. Each person is defined by their specific contribution, whether they are asking for the location of a book or correcting a misconception about the origins of the "Curse of Scotland."

In Its Own Voice

"I have been induced, in consequence of the scene of one of the Canterbury Tales being 'In Armorike that called is Bretaigne,' [...] to examine whether the Armorican sense is capable of giving a perfect meaning to both lines."

(A contributor explains his motivation for re-reading Chaucer with the help of a regional dictionary.)

"There is no doubt he remained a widower for many years, and at length married his housekeeper, a comely blooming young woman, whose kindness to the old man was unremitting."

(This detail about the life of William Horrocks underscores the fascination with his unusual, long life.)

"There is a foolish tradition that the Devil was obliged, by one of the saints, to make a road for his Reverence across an extensive bog in the neighbourhood."

(A reader inquires about the origins of a mountain formation, highlighting the blend of geography and folklore.)

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is about the democratization of knowledge. It posits that history is not solely the province of the academic elite but is something constructed through the accumulation of small, verified facts by the public. It argues that no detail—be it the handle of a sword or the etymology of a colloquialism—is too insignificant if it contributes to the broader understanding of human culture. It explores the tension between tradition and evidence, consistently seeking to replace superstition with documented reality while maintaining a profound, nostalgic respect for the legends that define local identity.

Why Read It Today

Readers who find joy in the "rabbit holes" of the internet or the collaborative nature of crowd-sourced knowledge will find an immediate home here. Reading this is like visiting a quiet, well-organized library where the patrons are whispering fascinating, disparate facts to one another. It feels remarkably intimate, capturing the specific, earnest tone of mid-Victorian intellectual life.

The primary difficulty for the modern reader is the sheer breadth of the references; one needs a certain tolerance for archaic language and a willingness to encounter names and events that have long since faded from common consciousness. The text reflects the attitudes of its time—the period's focus on genealogy, its specific religious preoccupations, and its occasional paternalism toward "folk" culture. However, if you can navigate the nineteenth-century syntax and the sometimes dry, granular detail, you will be rewarded with a rich, mosaic-like view of history. What stays with you is not any single fact, but the admirable human impulse to organize the world's chaos into a coherent, searchable, and shared ledger of understanding. It is a slow, grounding experience that turns the reader into an active participant in the preservation of human curiosity.