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Read Ebook: Willis's Current Notes No. 16 April 1852 by Willis George Editor
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Editor: George Willis
WILLIS'S CURRENT NOTES FOR THE MONTH.
SIR,--In Kitto's Biblical Cyclopaedia, vol. 2. p. 373, we find the following coin, on which is engraved an ancient harp surrounded by the letters, Fllth Chtr Phl, which may be construed thus:--
'THE FELATAH CITHARA OF PUL.'
Such is the value of rightly interpreting the ancient coins of various nations.
Yours truly, T. R. BROWN.
Southwick, Oundle, March 27th, 1852.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS.
PUBLICATIONS OF ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETIES, ETC. IN ENGLAND AND IN FRANCE.
"Vetusta Monumenta" of the same Society; suspended for some five or six years, folio.
Catalogue of the Kerrich Collection of Roman Coins, 8vo. 1852.
This work has been suspended since 1846.
Proceedings of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society?
There are numerous other local Societies in England, but as they have never printed any proceedings they can scarcely be regarded as more than nominally Archaeological Societies.
FOREIGN SOCIETIES, ETC.
Society of Antiquaries of France, Proceedings, , 8vo. annually to 1851.
Society of Antiquaries of Normandy M?moires, 2^e S?rie, 9^e Vol. 4to. 1852.
Revue Arch?ologique , commenced in 1844. 8vo. Leleux, Paris--Curt, London. Also a valuable periodical.
Annalen des Vereins f?r Nassauische Alterthumskunde und Geschichtsforschung , 8 vols. 8vo. to 1850.
Zeitschrift des Vereins zur Erforschung der Rheinischen Geschichte u. Alterth?mer in Mainz, , in 8vo. and 4to. 1850.
Geschichte der vormaligen freien adeligen Benedictiner-Abtei Sunnesheim von Karl Wilhelmi, from 1831 to 1851, in 8vo. Sinsheim.
Most of these German publications are in thin yearly volumes without indices.
THE ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE.--The "Transcript," , of 28th February last, contains the following pungent verses respecting
THE ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE,
AFTER THE MANNER OF THE OLD CONTINENTAL BALLAD WRITERS, BY GEORGE P. MORRIS, ESQ.
Once on a time old Johnny Bull, Flew in a raging fury, And swore that Jonathan should have No trials, sir, by jury: That no elections should be held, Across the briny waters: "And now," says he, "I'll tax the tea Of all his sons and daughters," Then down he sat in burly state, And blustered like a grandee, And in derision made a tune Called "Yankee Doodle dandy." "Yankee Doodle"--these are facts-- "Yankee doodle dandy: "My son of wax, your tea I'll tax-- "Yankee doodle dandy."
John sent the tea from o'er the sea With heavy duties rated; But whether hyson or bohea, I never heard it stated. Then Jonathan to pout began-- He laid a strong embargo-- "I'll drink no tea, by Jove!" so he Threw overboard the cargo. Then Johnny sent a regiment, Big words and looks to bandy, Whose martial band, when near the land, Play'd "Yankee doodle dandy." "Yankee doodle--keep it up! "Yankee doodle dandy! "I'll poison with a tax your cup, "Yankee doodle dandy."
A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated-- And "Yankee doodle" was the march To which his troops retreated. Cute Jonathan, to see them fly, Could not restrain his laughter: "That tune," says he, "suits to a T, I'll sing it ever after." Old Johnny's face, to his disgrace, Was flushed with beer and brandy, E'en while he swore to sing no more, This "Yankee doodle dandy." "Yankee doodle--ho! ha! he! "Yankee doodle dandy-- "We kept the tune, but not the tea, "Yankee doodle dandy."
I've told you now the origin Of this most lively ditty, Which Johnny Bull dislikes as "dull And stupid!"--what a pity! With "Hail Columbia!" it is sung, In chorus full and hearty-- On land and main, we breathe the strain, John made for his tea-party. No matter how we rhyme the words, The music speaks them handy, And where's the fair can't sing the air, Of "Yankee doodle dandy!" "Yankee doodle--firm and true-- "Yankee doodle dandy-- "Yankee doodle, doodle doo! "Yankee doodle dandy."
LORD MAHON AND GENERAL GREENE AND LA FAYETTE.--C. F. D. presents his compliments to Mr. Willis, and with reference to the fifth paragraph headed "Scraps from the United States," which appeared in "Current Notes" for February last, p. 13, forwards him the following communication, which from the initials he presumes is from the pen of Mr. Hildreth, the historian:--
H. H.
THE SALE OF ANTIQUITIES, &c. which took place at Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson's rooms, on the 5th of this month, and two following days, although one made up by the dealers in such articles, attracted considerable attention, and many things, if not bought in, realised considerable prices; the total produce of the sale being, it is said, upwards of twelve hundred pounds.
In the first and third day's sale several lots of articles, well known to Archaeologists as Celts, and of which the usual appearance may be recognised from figures 1 and 2, sold on the average for about half-a-crown each. A large quantity of antique gems--none of any extraordinary merit--in modern setting of gold, ranged from about ten shillings to two guineas each. There were some specimens of Irish ring money, which sold or were bought in at very high prices; and some appeared to have been tampered with, if not manufactured for the market.
There were some fine and many desirable specimens, with a few of very doubtful character, and some unquestionable forgeries. The Earl Cadogan, Sir Gardiner Wilkinson, Dr. Henderson, and other amateurs of Art and Archaeology, seemed to watch the progress of the sale with considerable interest.
FORMATION OF THE UNION JACK.
Esplanade, Sidmouth, March 27th, 1852.
SIR,--The annexed may possibly be of use to H. M. in your "Current Notes" for March, but I am not able to refer to the work from which it is taken.
Yours obediently, W. G. CLARKE.
Mr. WILLIS.
THE UNION JACK.
Yarm^o, March 29th. 1852.
SIR,--"H. M." of the March "Current Notes," p. 20, enquires "the formation of our British Union Jack." To describe it in heraldic terms is as follows: Az. a cross saltire argent encalved gules; over all a common cross, the same as first. I believe there are no given rules as to its proportion. This appears to be the best, viz. the breadth three-fourths of the length. But the inclosed, forwarded to H. M., will suffice for all.
THE UNION JACK AND MONUMENTAL BRASSES.
SIR,--Your Correspondent, H. M. will find a very curious history of the origin and formation of the Union Jack in Brayley's "Graphic Illustrator:" it is written by the late Sir Harris Nicolas, and the "absurd arrangement" of the National Flag elucidated by nine heraldic woodcuts.
I am, Sir, yours very truly, F. W. FAIRHOLT.
MR. G. WILLIS.
MONUMENTAL BRASSES OF LINCOLNSHIRE.
The Lincolnshire Architectural Society propose to superintend the publication of the most interesting Monumental Brasses of that County. The work to be comprised in 12 parts, containing about five plates each; and published at intervals of two months: with a small volume of descriptive letter-press at the close of the series.
Brasses from the following churches will be included in this series:--Barton, Boston, Buslingthorpe, Great Coates, Croft, Covenham, Grainthorpe, Gunby, Hainton, Irnham, South Kelsey, Linwood, South Ormsby, Spilsby, Tattershall, Wrangle, &c.
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