תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

LONDON SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1862.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

“ Τὶ ἐστὶ τὸ ὄνομά σου ;

"Do you bear true allegiance to His Majesty ?

"Are you a member of the Church of England as by

law established?

"Will you be faithful to your friends in prosperity,

and cherish them in adversity?

"Do you desire to be admitted a member of this

Society?

"Will you faithfully observe the rules and orders that

have been read to you?

"Will you, upon the honour of a gentleman, keep the
secrets of the Society, and the form of your admission
into it?"

From the period of the revival of the Society
until its dissolution, there were three presidents:
Colonel William Barlow was the first; at his
death, Richard Gwynne, Esq., of Taliaris, was
elected president; and the first meeting under his
auspices was held at Tenby, on the 2nd of June,
1733. Mr. Gwynne died in 1752; and at a meet-
ing of the Society, held at Swansea on the 13th of
June in the same year, Sir John Philipps, Bart., of
Picton Castle, was elected in his stead. In the year
1754, when Sir John Philipps was candidate for
the city of Bristol, his being at that time presi-
dent of the Society of Sea-serjeants was made
the subject of various invectives, and tortured
every way to prejudice him with the citizens;
which drew forth the following answer from the

honourable baronet:

"I acknowledge that I am of that ancient Society,
which is composed of gentlemen of the first rank and
fortune in Wales: gentlemen who are as good and as
well affected subjects as any in His Majesty's whole
great Prince, and a free and flourishing people, mutually
dominions, and whose delight it always will be to see a

striving to render each other happy. The intent, indeed, of our annual meeting (which is always at some seaport town, whence we are called sea-serjeants,) is to spend a week together in innocent mirth and recreation, as other gentlemen in England do at a horse race; and for no disloyal purpose whatsoever that I know of, and I defy any person to charge us with anything of that nature.” In order that a comparative estimate may be formed of the difference between the price of luxuries in those days and at the present time, I subjoin a bill of one day of their festive week: "THE SOCIETY OF SEA-SERJEANTS. "Wednesday, July 31, 1745. "At Carmarthen.

[ocr errors]

Tea and Coffee Cards, three packs

"Breakfast.

[ocr errors]

-

£ s. d. 056 0 46

0 10 0

3 17 6

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

1

[blocks in formation]

Thirty-one Gentlemen Red Port, twelve bottles White Wine, two bottles

Rhenish, six pints

Ale, forty-two quarts

Cyder, twenty-five quarts

Punch

[blocks in formation]

40

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

What the bumper was, I am not prepared to say. It surely could not have been to "The King over the Water"! Fenton, in his History of Pembrokeshire, says that the Society was dissolved in the year 1760. This could not have been the case, as the following extracts from the Diary of Sir John Philipps will serve to show:

"July 11th, 1760. Mr Tho. Bowen, for two stars, one for Lady Patroness, and one for Richard,* 1/. 1s. Ye 12th. In ye evening went with Richard to ye meeting of the Sea Serjeants at the Long Room at Haverfordwest; Ringers, 17. 18.; lay at Mr John Phillips's. Ye 13th. Dr James Philipps preached before us at St Mary's. Ye 15th. Rode to Hubberstone, and went with ye Gentlemen of yo Society on board Sr Tho. Stepney's vacht; din'd on board, sailed to Harbour's Mouth, and back to Langwm Pool, where my barge met us, and took us to Haverford. Ye 17. Lady Patroness (Miss Jenny Philipps), and 20 other Ladies, din'd with ye Society at Long Room; when was a Ball at night, and I danc'd with Lady Patroness. Ye 18th, ye Ladies breakfasted with us there. Ye 19th. Mr John Phillips's Maid, 5s.; his Man, 2s. 6d.; barber, 5s.; Taylor's man, 2s. 6d.; Gloves, 2s. 10d.; Expense of

* Sir John Philipps's son, afterwards Lord Milford.

the meeting, 21. 8s.; Ditto, for Richard, who was elected
a Probationer, 21. 8s.; Ditto, for Mr Martin, and for-
hostler, Is. 22nd. Returned to Picton."
feiture, 3. 9s.; Breakfasts at ye Long Room, 3s. 6d.;

ye Sea Serjeants at Cardigan; lodg'd at Revd Mr Davies's; "1761, June 18th. Went with my son to ye meeting of din'd and supp'd at Black Lyon. Ye 19th Dr Philipps preach'd before the Society. Ye 20th. Rode to Blaenpant, Anna Louisa Lloyd, of Bronwydd, was elected Lady breakfasted with Dr Philipps, and returned, 2s.; Miss Patroness. Ye 21. Rode towards Cardigan Bar to see 'em fish for Salmon. Ye 22nd. Went up the River as far as Kilgerran. Ye 23rd. Lady Patroness and the Ladies dined with us in the Town Hall, and at night there was a Ball there. Ye 24th. They breakfasted with us, and then went up the River as far as Kilgerran; in ye Evening went on board Mr Vaughan's yacht. Ye 25th. Horse bill, and for Post Chaise boys, 11. 7s. 9d; hostler, 48.; Lodging for self and Son, 17. 11s. 6d.; maid, 7s. 6d.; barber, 68.; Thos. Davies and David Thomas's board wages, 17. 18.; Mr Geo. Bowen's son's nurse, 2s. 6d. ; poor, 1s.; Expense of the meeting, 21. 14s.; Ditto for my son, 21. 148.; Ditto for Mr Martin, and Fine, 3l. 15s.; Ditto for Mr John Pugh Pryse, 31. 15s.; Lent James Philipps, Esqre, 3.1 38.; breakfasts, 28.; Returned to Picton."

"1762, July 31. Went to the Meeting of the SeaSerjeants at Haverford; lodg'd at Mr John Phillips's. Augt 2. Gave two Serjeants and Coyer, 7s. 6d.; Poor, 1s. Ye 3d. My daughter Katharine was elected Lady Patroness; and on the 5th, she, and 18 other Ladies, din'd with the Society; danced at ye Ball at Long Room at night, and breakfasted with Them there ye 6th. Ye 7th. Bill for Horses at the Angel, 8s. 8d.; Barbers, 6s. 6d. ; Mr John Phillips's servts, 7s. 6d; hostler, 1s.; Breakfasts at Long Room, 3s. 6d.; Tho. Davies's board wages, 10s. 6d.; Expense of the meeting, 31. 2s.; Ditto for in Son, 31. 2s.; Ditto for Mr Will. Vaughan an orfeiture, 41. 3s.; Ditto for Mr Sparks Martin and Forfeiture, 4lbs Reed for Mr Hitchins, 5l. 5s., and for Ms Williams, 21. 2s. for Star for Lady Patroness, 1. 1s. and for advertising, ye Meeting, 19s. 6d."

I possess no farther nt of the Society of Sea-Serjeants, so that it is probable that this Sir John Philipps died on the 22nd of Jo was their last year of ecting. The Rigu. HI 1764, and there is no record of any one havia been elected as president in his stead. Sir Richard Philipps, Baron Milford, ot the kingdom of Ireland, and he died at Picton Castle en t' 1⁄2 93th of J was the last surviving member of the Society : 1823, in the eighty-third year of his g JOHN PAVIN TH

Haverfordwest.

[blocks in formation]

of what the public in general have hardly yet learnt their utter worthlessness on matters of detail. Truth on these can only be attained by a search among original authorities. If a story, or a received saying, illustrates a "principle," down it goes without inquiry. If it is simply "telling" and picturesque, down it goes equally; inquiry, which might perchance rub the gloss off it, being in this case sedulously avoided, unless when a rival is to be criticised. The merest fictions pass therefore from hand to hand, and are reproduced by one great man after another, until one almost fancies that they must become facts at last by dint of repetition. Such instances as the "Last Supper of the Girondists," the last word of Louis XVI., the sinking of the Vengeur, the heroism of Loirerolles, and many more will occur to every one. I am about to adduce on the present occasion an example from a trifling subject enough-the misadventures of that pretty Republican horse-breaker, Théroigne de Méricourt, which, fury as she was, have somehow or other interested serious-minded historians, so as to be described by one after another with characteristic comments.

[ocr errors]

sensa

I begin with our own distinguished tion " writer, Mr. Carlyle. He recounts how she was set upon in May, 1793, by angry patriotic women in the garden of the Tuileries: —

"The demoiselle, keeping her carriage, is for liberty indeed, as she has full well shown: but then for liberty with respectability. Whereupon these serpent-haired extreme she-patriots do now fasten upon, batter her, shamefully fustigate her, in their shameful way; almost fling her into the garden ponds, had not help intervened." Whereupon, he adds, the ill-used woman soon lost the little wits she possessed.

M. Michelet next takes up the tale, and, like a veteran squire of dames as he is, recounts it with the strongest expressions of sympathy.

And M. Louis Blanc, that austerest of correctors, who follows M. Michelet step by step, his critical ferula in hand, in order to chastise the slightest slip from fact into romance, he too repeats the story in the same reckless way as his predecessors. He "turns sick " (le cœur se soulève de dégoût), over Théroigne's horrible humiliation, "qui la rendit folle."

Next come Messieurs Edmond and Jules de Gencourt, who have not disdained to include poor Théroigne among their "Portraits intimes du 18me Siècle," with a great array of original authorities, but who merely repeat the old story, with a "sensation" paragraph as usual :—

"Peu de jours avant le 31 Mai, Théroigne était aux Tuileries. Un peuple de femmes criait, "A bas les Brissotins!' Brissot passe. Les sans-jupons l'entourent de hurlemens. Théroigne s'élance pour le défendre. Ah! tu es Brissotine!' crient les femmes. Tu vas payer pour tous!' et Théroigne est fouettée. L'on ne revit plus Théroigne. Elle était sortie folle des mains des flagelleuses. Un hôpital avait refermé ses portes sur elle."

Lastly, a writer in the last number of Fraser's Magazine, more excusable, repeats the same story in as picturesque English as he can muster, doubtless reposing implicit faith in such a current of authorities. He should not, however, have ventured on an additional touch of colouring by making the mob pull Théroigne out of her carriagein the Tuileries' Gardens! And yet the whole story is worth absolutely nothing.

As to the flagellation, it rests solely on a careless rumour among the "faits divers" of a newspaper of the day, Prudhomme's Révolutions de Paris. As to the consequent insanity, simply on the notorious fact, that the unhappy woman was some time afterwards mad.

But it did so happen that at the time of the catastrophe in question, there was a worthy German patriot in Paris, George Forster, whose genuine correspondence is as refreshing to the soul, amidst high-seasoned dishings-up of the events of the Revolution, as a slice of roast mutton encountered in a dinner of réchauffés. On the 22nd July, 1793, Forster dined in company with Miss Théroigne; that is, two months after her biographers have consigned her to a mad-house, and had the courage to tell his wife of it; and this is what he has to say of her :

"She talked much about the Revolution: her opinions were without exception strikingly accurate and to the point. The ministry at Vienna she judged with a knowledge of facts which nothing but peculiar readiness of observation could have given. . . . Six or seven weeks ago the furies who sit in the tribunes of the Convention dragged her out into the garden of the Tuileries, beat her about the head with stones, and would have drowned her in the bassin if help had not fortunately arrived. But since that time she has frightful headaches, and looks wretchedly ill She has a strong thirst for instruction; says she wishes to go into the country, and there study to supply the deficiencies of her education. She wishes for the company of a well-informed man, who can read and write well; and is ready to give him his board

....

and 2000 livres a year."

[blocks in formation]

Abell (Thomas), Invicta Veritas: An answer that by no manner of law it may be lawful for the King to be divorced. Luneberg, 1532. 4°.

Omitted. A copy is at Lambeth. Academiarum quæ aliquando fuere, et hodie sunt in Europa, Catalogus. Londini, 1590. 4°. Omitted. A copy is at Lambeth.

Ady (Thomas), A Perfect Discovery of Witches. Lond. 1661. 4°.

Omitted. A copy in the Bodleian.

Æsop's Fables, translated by R. Henryson.

Of this version there appears, from the Catalogue of Sion College Library, to be a copy of an edition 1577 in that collection.

Alba, Duke of, An Answer to a Letter lately sent to him by those of Amsterdam, translated by T. W. Lond., n. d. 12°. Omitted. A copy is at Lambeth. Albion's Queene, The Famous Historie of. London, 1601. 4°.

See Farmer's Catalogue, No. 5877.

Alcilia, Philoparthen's Loving Folly. Lond. 1613.

12°.

This volume is a 4to. Mr. Corser has a copy, formerly Bright's. It wants three leaves.

Armstrong (Archibald), Banquet of Jests.

Myles Davies (Athena Britannica, Part III.) speaks of an edition, 1630. The edition of 1639 was in Harl. Collection.

Arthur of Little Britain, History of.

A damaged copy of edition by T. East (n. d.), sold at Sotheby's, in 1856, for 17s.

Articles: A Collection of Certain Slanderous Articles given out by the Bishops against the faithful Christians whom they detain in prison, n. p. 1590. 4°.

Omitted. In Lambeth Library there are four copies. Articles devised by the King to sta

blysh Christian Quietnes and Unitie. Lond. 1536. 4°.

Omitted. A copy is at Lambeth.

Ascham (R.), Apologia pro Cœnâ Dominicâ.

Lond. 1577.

8°.

[blocks in formation]

The author's name is Achelley, or Atchelley; but not Aleyn (C.), The Batailles of Crescey and Poitiers. Atcheleys. In the Return from Parnassus, 1606, he is called Atchlow. The poem is a translation from Bandello. A copy is in the Malone Collection.

Lond. 1631.

8°.

First Edition. There are two copies in the Museum. Only one or two others are known.

Almansir, or Rhodomontados of the Most Horrible, Terrible, and Invincible Captain, Sir Frederick Fight-All. Engl. and Fr. Lond.

[blocks in formation]

The Key of Knowledge. (1572), 12°.

Lond.

Omitted. A copy is at Lambeth. This piece is in prose.

Avale (Lemeke), Commemoration of Bastarde
Edmonde Bonner. 1569.

Avale is an assumed name. The tract was not imPepy-author of The Recantation of Pasquin of Rome, 1570. probably written by one T. W., whoever he was, the

The full title of this book is: Labor Christophori Angeli Græci de Apostasiâ Ecclesiæ, et de Humano Peccato, Scilicet ANTICHRISTO; et de Numeris Danielis et Apocalypseos: Londini, 1624, 4°. Dedicated to both Universities.

Aratus, Phænomena (latino versu), per NICOLAUM

ALENUM ANGLUM. Parisiis, 1561. 4°. Omitted. Some original] poems by Allen accompany the volume. Bright had a copy, dated 1562. A copy of edition 1561, sold among Mitford's books in 1860. Another in Thorpe's Cat. for 1851 (poor), 10s. 6d.

Aristophanes: Acharnians, Knights, Birds, and

Frogs, translated by J. H. Frere. 1839-40. 4°. (A Malta-printed book.)

Omitted.

Armin (Robert), Nest of Ninnies. Lond. 1608. 4°. A copy was in the Harleian Collection. Mr. Daniel of Canonbury, who is the fortunate possessor of both volumes, informs me that this tract is nothing more than an abridgment of Foole upon Foole, Lond. 1605, 4°.

Aumale (Duke of), A True Discourse of His
Discomfiture in Picardie by the Duke of
Longueville. Lond. 1589. 4°.
Omitted. A copy is at Lambeth.

Austin (Samuel), Urania, or the Heavenly Muse.

Lond. 1629.

8°.

Naps Upon Parnassus. Lond. 1658. 8°. These two works are quoted as if by one person: whereas the former was written against Samuel Austin the Elder, and the latter was written by several persons

against his son, Samuel Austin the Younger! Austin (Wm.), Certaine Devoute Meditations. Lond. 1635. Folio.

Atlas Under Olympus; a Poem. Lond.

[blocks in formation]
« הקודםהמשך »