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1823.] "Bagatelles, or Poetical Trifles," supposed by G. Wakefield.

small collection now, with that particular view, you might be furnished from it with no uninteresting morsel of bibliography.

Stalls are not to be despised. Some suppose that, by means of priced catalogues, public book sales, and other ways, all books of any value are now too well known to be found in obscure corners. I deny it, and could give, reasons for my dissent, were it worth while. But granting it to be true, with respect to the generality of books sought by curious collectors, how many curious or useful books are there, which no collector has yet cried up, no Patterson catalogued, no Sotheby or Evans knocked down?

But a truce to this for the present. I wish now to communicate to you a discovery, which I fancy I have made, respecting a book lately obtained from a stall. The book is neither antient, nor perhaps very scarce, but it contains a collection of poems of more than common merit, to which no author's name is annexed. I think I have discovered the author, and he deserves to be made known. The volume is a duodecimo, published in 1767, and entitled "Bagatelles, or Poetical Trifles." This is the half-title. The full title is as follows: "Bagatelles. In this collection is reprinted the fragment; or Allen and Ella, which (unknown to the author) appeared some years since under the title of Collin (sic) and Lucy*. To which is subjoined, a Journey to and Description of the Paraclete, near the city of Troyes in Champagne, where Abelard and Eloisa were buried.-Nunc versus et cætera ludicra pono. HoR. All by the same hand. London: printed for Walkingame, Dodsley, &c. &c."

This collection was so far noticed on its publication, that both you, Mr. Urban, and the Annual Register of the same year, cited at full length a song, beginning "I said to my heart in the way of discourse." A very lively song

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it is, and was lately reprinted in the
Sun, to which I sent it. Many other
compositions of a similar kind are in
the book, and other poems of different
kinds, but all in a good style of poetry.
Among other things, appears the Pro-
logue which Woodward spoke at Co-
vent Garden, on his re-appearance,
after having been four years absent
at Dublin. This Prologue, in the
Gentleman's Magazine of the time
(1762), and in some subsequent col-
lections, is attributed to Woodward
himself, who was never known as a
poet; but here is claimed by the ano-
nymous author. Here also are found
the two inscriptions in Jonathan
Tyers's Gardens, on a male and female
skull, beginning "Why start, the case
is yours," &c. which I have seen else-
where; you, perhaps, Mr. Urban, can
tell me where. Also some stanzas
left in a Temple at Hagley, "I ask'd
the living and the dead," &c. Of
the poems,
I could send you several
specimens, which would please both
you and your readers, and will here-
after, if you desire it *.

But, who was the author? My conjecture is this: The Dedication to "Peter Vallete, esq." is dated "Kingston-on-Thames, July 10, 1767." From this indication, I fix on the Vicar of Kingston, of that time; who was the Rev. George Wakefield, the father of the celebrated Gilbert Wakefield. He was presented to that living in 1766, and held it to his death, in February 1776. Gilbert, at the date of this book, was only eleven years of age, consequently was not likely to know any thing of his father's anonymous publication; nor does he appear to have known it afterwards. But he picked up the knowledge that his father had been poetical in his youth. For he says, in the first chapter of his own Life:

"My father, in his youth, had occasionally indulged his fancy in poetical effusions; one or two specimens of which came into my hands. A translation of Pope's Eloisa into Latin hexameters, done by him at Cambridge, I have heard Mr. Neville, a fellow of our College, speak of with approbation. This I never saw; but I will subjoin, for the amusement of the reader, without altering a single word, a translation of the fifth Ode of the first Book of Horace, which is not destitute of taste and spirit."

*These we shall be glad to receive.EDIT.

16

Bagatelles."-Amos Green, the Painter.

It certainly is not, as may be seen in Wakefield's book. This ode itself does not appear in the Bagatelles, which would indeed be downright proof; but a very strong presumption arises from this, that there are several other translations from Horace, exactly in the same style and spirit. For instance, the 9th and 11th of Book i. the 3d of Book ii. the 1st and 7th of Book iv. Now, though most of these are not in the same stanza as that quoted by his son, yet many of his own original poems are, and it seems to have been his favourite strain. As a further proof of his attention to Horace, he has given also an imitation of Sat. 9, b. 1. The version of Ode 4, b. i. is indeed in a stanza of eight lines, very similar to that of Ode 5, b. i.

Putting these things together, I think there can be little doubt that Geo. Wakefield was the author. His motto declares that he then relinquished all such toys, which fully accounts for the little knowledge his son had on the subject. His Bagatelles were anonymous; and as he died before Gilbert was of age, it is no wonder that he had not communicated the secret to him. The various merits of his little volume I cannot now discuss. But if you, Mr. Urban (and who so likely?) can. throw any further light on this subject, we can go further into it another INVESTIGATOR.

time.

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 6. WARE of the difficulty of procur

[Jan.

Biographical Illustrations of Worcester (which I would send your Correspondent, had I a copy), says, "I have an idea that Shenstone, in his Letters, 1757, means Amos Green, when he says, a young painter of my acquaintance, who is advised to go to Bath, has a recommendation to the Bishop of B. who will introduce him to Lord N. The person who I suppose will be the bearer of this letter, has by dint of mere ingenuity risen to considerable eminence in fruit pieces, &c.; he has been employed by Lord Lyttelton; and is much admired at Oxford. For my part, I believe you will think he is in few respects inferior to Strauover (query, I know of no such name), but is a native of our parish, and a friend of mine." Shenstone mentions Amos Green by name in another letter, whom he recommends to Mr. Graves as about to commence partnership with Alcock, a painter at Bath; and as a painter of insects and game, as well as flowers, to which he would add flower painting. Query, was Alcock a native of Salop? Shenstone says to Dodsley, "I wish Alcock would finish my two drawings for the Fables; as to the face it is a subject not worth considering: however, I will make you an impudent proposal, if you will exchange faces with me when you come up to town, we will both sit to the same painter *."-(Select Letters, by Hull, p. 274.)

Chatterton has handed down the name of Edward Alcock to posterity

Aing materials for a biographical as an excellent miniature painter of

work, I readily hand your Salopian Correspondent what particulars I am acquainted with of the persons he inquires after.

"There were three brothers of the name of Green, all artists; one an engraver, who died early; and Amos, the eldest, excelled in painting flowers: I have seen some beautiful posies of his ; he also drew well. The late Rev. Partley of Stoke by Nayland, his friend, had a room adorned with his drawings in water-colours. I have been (continues this Correspondent, in the Monthly Mirror), with Mr. Amos Green at Mr. Hilton's, who was well acquainted with all of them. The eldest was the friend and companion of Mr. Dean, a gentleman of fortune, who, admiring his taste, requested him to reside with him."

A note upon this in Chambers's

Bristol.-See Life of Chatterton t. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

J. C.

Ipswich, Jan. 7.

N reply to a question in your De

me to state, that it is usual to nail a horseshoe on the foremast of vessels in the Merchant service, and the shoe must be found by accident, or it is believed to have no virtue. The reason assigned for doing it is, that it keeps Witches and Wizards from hindering

This was not the case; Dodsley only sat to Reynolds.

+ The article was sent, says my rough memoranda, Feb. 1769, to the Town and Country Magazine, under the name of Araphydes, afterwards claimed as the work of John Lackstone, a linen draper at Bristol. Chatterton was himself a bit of an artist.

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1823.]

Basaltic Rocks near Catania.-Tupholme Abbey.

the voyage, or damaging the ship. Sailors are many of them very supersti

tious, and have a firm belief in its efficacy. They have also their lucky and unlucky days. Sunday is the most fortunate whatever voyage is begun on that day is sure to be prosperous. Friday is the most unfortunate, as a voyage begun then is sure to be an unfortunate one.

If your Correspondent is accustomed to be amongst sailors on the water, he has most probably observed them in calm weather whistling the wind, to induce it to blow-and many of them believe it to be a very powerful charm. We smile at the poor Laplander, who bags his wind, ready tied up, for him to use at his pleasure, whilst our own people are almost as credulous.

Some stable-keepers in this neighbourhood hang up a flint stone, with a natural hole through it, in the stable, to prevent the Devil riding the horses in the night, which they tell you he will do if the stone does not hang there. GEO. BAYLEY.

Mr. URBAN, Queen-square, Jan.10. TH HERE are three rocks of basaltic cyclops in the neighbourhood of Sicily. The one represented in the annexed Engraving (see Plate II) is the largest, and is situated near Catania. These rocks, which are mentioned by Pliny, might once have formed a part of the sides of Etna, and have been separated from them by the sea; or they may have been thrown up out of the water by partial eruptions of that mountain. These rocks appeared to Spallanzani, who examined them, to consist externally only of prismatic. columns, that fall perpendicularly into the sea, in some places one foot long, in others two, and in others more; but other parts are only full of irregular fissures, which have divided them into pieces. Mr. Dolomieu found on the surface of these rocks, and even in the middle of their substances, where are small pores and cavities, various and numerous Zeolites of great beauty. This ingenious naturalist thinks, that these stones, after the congelation of the lavas, derived their origin from the waters which filtrated through them, and held in solution the particles proper for the production of Zeolites. Spallanzani's Travels, vol. I. W. R.

GENT. MAG. January, 1823.

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17

TUPHOLME ABBEY, LINCOLNSHIRE. T the many religious establishments HE following account of one of in Lincolnshire, not much known, is extracted from the" Additions to Weir's History of Horncastle*.”

"In the time of Henry the Second, an Abbey of Premonstratensian Canons, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was founded here, by Allan de Nevill and Gilbert his brother, and endowed by them with their possessions in this place, together with estates in other parts of the county. This abbey also had numerous benefactions in lands and churches, from other persons; and the king gave a canal, so large, that ships might pass between the Witham and Tupholme. These gifts were confirmed to the Abbot and Cain the twentieth year of his reign †. At the nons, by charter, from Henry the Third, dissolution of monasteries, this Abbey contained nine Religious and in the thirtieth year of Henry the Eighth, the scite was granted to Sir Thomas Henneage.

"Of the Abbey, a wall only is now remaining, the upper part of which appears to have formed a side of the refectory or dining hall. (See the Plate.) It contains lancet windows, and a small gallery, in which the person sat who read to the brethren during their meals : a practice which was common in all monasteries, and anciently in colleges. The story beneath the refectory appears to have been vaulted, and was probably used as a cellar. Adjoining to the ruins is a farm-house, which has been built out of part of the materials. The gate house, now gone, was standing when Dr. Stukeley visited this place in 1716. A view of it is engraved in the "Itinerarium Curiosum."

"The manorial estate, comprising the whole parish, is the property of Robert Vyner, Esquire, of Gautby, by an ancestor of whom it was purchased in the early part of the last century.

molished. The benefice is a vicarage in the "The Church has been long since depatronage of the Bishop of Lincoln."

Jan. 11.

Mr. URBAN,
THE following account of the parish

of Benton, co. Northumberland, may be interesting to your readers.

It is situate in the East division of Castle Ward, about three miles_and castle-upon-Tyne, in the diocese of three quarters North-east, from Newumberland. The Church, which is Durham, and archdeaconry of Northdedicated to St. Bartholomew, is in the patronage of Baliol College, Ox

* See our Review Department.

See the Charter in Dugdale's "Monasticon," p. 596.

ford;

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