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Page 7
Coleridge relates the story himself, in one of his "conversations," of
which memoranda are preserved in the interesting volumes published by Moxon
in 1836 (ii. 114.). "One day,"
"when I had not a shilling to spare, I was passing by a cottage at
_Keswick_ where a carter was demanding _a shilling_ for a letter, which
the woman of the house appeared unwilling to give, and at last declined
to take. I paid the postage, and when the man was out of sight, she
told me that the letter was from her son, who took that means of
letting her know that he was well. The letter was not to be paid for.
It was then opened and _found to be blank_."
Now, while so many copies of "NOTES AND QUERIES" pass through the
Post-office, it is to be hoped one at least may remain there, and be the
means of inducing Mr. Hill to inform us whether Miss Martineau had any
authority for fathering this story upon him; and whether the Post-office
Reform is really indebted to any such trivial incident for its original
idea.
E. VENABLES.
* * * * *
RED BOOK OF THE IRISH EXCHEQUER.
On one of the vellum leaves of which the Red Book of the Irish Exchequer is
composed, there is depicted a pen and ink sketch of that court. In the
centre of the picture is the table, which is covered (as it is at this day)
with a chequered cloth, whereon are placed a bag upon which are the words
"Baga cum rotulis," a book with a clasp, five large pieces of money, and a
strip of parchment, upon which is written, "Ceo vous, &c." The table is
surrounded on its four equal sides by thirteen human figures, namely, six
at the top of the picture, three on the left hand, three on the right, and
one at the bottom. Of the six figures at the top of the sketch, all of whom
wear robes, he who is on the right hand holds a wand, bears upon his head a
cap, and is in the act of leaving the court, exclaiming, "Ademayn." To the
right of this man, who is probably the crier of the court, is one of the
officers carrying a piece of parchment, upon which is written in contracted
law Latin, "Preceptum fuit Vicecomiti per breve hujus Scaccarii." To the
right of the last-named figure is another officer of the court, who is in
the act of examining his pen by placing its nib at a short distance from
his eyes; and this person carries in his left hand a piece of parchment
upon which are written, in like character, the words "Memorandum quod x die
Maii, &c." To the right of this officer, who is probably the Chief
Remembrancer, is placed another officer, wearing a cap, who is in the act
of writing upon a piece of parchment bearing the words "Henricus dei
gratia." The two remaining figures at the top of the picture are apparently
conversing together: to one of them are applied the words, "Eynt bre vic.,"
with another word following the last which {7} is scarcely decypherable;
and to the other the word "Elgyn" seems to have reference; such word being
placed upon the ample sleeve of his gown. The three figures on the left of
the picture are probably the three Barons. The head-dress of the judge who
is sitting at the extreme right of the bench, varies in its form from that
which is worn by the baron who is seated in the centre; and the third
baron, who is sitting at the left, has his head uncovered. The first-named
baron seems in the act of counting or reckoning the pieces of coin which
are placed before him upon the table, and says "xx d.;" the baron in the
centre, who wears a cap similar in form to the night-cap now commonly used,
says "Voyr dire;" and the third baron says "Soient forfez." Opposite to the
judges, and to the right of the picture, are three persons wearing gowns,
and standing at the bar of the court. One of these points towards his face
with the first finger of his right hand, and says, "Oy de brie;" the figure
to his left extends his right arm towards the bench, and exclaims, "Soit
oughte;" and the third figure says, "Chalange." This man, the handle of
whose sword is distinctly visible on his right side, whose outer sleeves
are wide and flowing, whose under garment is buttoned tightly at the wrist,
and whose boots are in shape similar to ladies' boots of modern times,
closely laced to the leg, has placed the thumb of his left hand between the
thumb and first finger of his right. And, lastly, at the bottom of the
picture is seated the sheriff, bearing upon his head a hood or cap, upon
which the words "Vic. tot & unit" are written. Query, Are the persons here
represented the barons and officers of the Exchequer? and, more especially,
who are the persons who exclaim "Oy de brie," "Soit oughte," and
"Chalange"?
J.F.F.
* * * * *
MINOR QUERIES.
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