To what else shall I compare thee? Further epithets I'll spare thee. To thy memory I cling. Spite of all thy faults, I own I love thy "old, familiar" tone. GASTON. MINISTERIAL FAVOUR. A gentleman who had been long attached to cardinal Mazarine, reminded the cardinal of his many promises, and his dilatory performance. Mazarine, who had a great regard for him, and was unwilling to lose his friendship, took his hand, and explained the many demands made upon a person in his situation as minister, which it would be politic to satisfy previously to other requests, as they were founded on services done to the state. The cardinal's adherent, not very confident in his veracity, replied, "My lord, all the favour I now ask at your hand is, that whenever we meet in public, you will do me the honour to tap me on the shoulder in an unreserved manner." The cardinal smiled, and in the course of two or three years tapping, his friend became a wealthy man, on the credit of these attentions to him; and Mazarine and his confidant laughed at the public security which enriched the courtier at so little expense to the state. DUDLEY OF PORTSMOUTH. "I'M A GOING!" For the Table Book. Barbers are not more celebrated by a desire to become the most busy citizens of the state, than by the expert habit in which they convey news. Many a tale is invented out of a mere surmise, or whisper, for the gratification of those who attend barbers' shops. An old son of the scissors and razor, well known at Portsmouth, was not, however, quite so perfect a phiziologist, as his more erudite and bristling fraternity. One evening, as he was preparing his fronts, and fitting his comb "to a hair," two supposed gentlemen entered his shop to be dressed; this being executed with much civility and despatch, a wager was laid with old Dudley, (for that was his name,) that he could not walk in a ring three feet in diameter, for one hour, and utter no other words than "I'm a going!" Two pounds on each side was on the counter; the ring was drawn in chalk; the money chink ed in the ear, and old Dudley moved in the circle of his orbit. "I'm a going!-I'm a going!-I'm a going!" were the only words which kept time with his feet during the space of fifty-five minutes, when, on a sudden, one of the gentlemen sprang forward, and taking up the money, put it into his pocket. This device threw old Dudley off his guard, and he exclaimed, "That's not fair!"-"Enough!" rejoined the sharpers, you've lost the wager." They departed, leaving him two pounds minus, and to this day old Dudley is saluted by the appella tion of "I'm a going!" JEHOIADA. ROYAL DECISION. In the reign of George I. the sister of judge Dormer being married to a gentleman who afterwards killed a man very basely, the judge went to move the king for a pardon. It was impossible that he could offer any thing to the royal ear in extenuation of the crime, and therefore he was the more earnest in expressing his hope that his majesty would save him and his family from the infamy the execution of the sentence would bring upon them. "So, Mr. Justice," said the king, "what you propose to me is, that I should transfer the infamy from you and your family, to ine and my family; but I shall do no such thing." Motion refused. Biographiana. REV. THOMAS COOKE. To the Editor. Sir-In reply to the inquiries of your correspondent G. J. D. at p. 136, I beg to state, that the person he alludes to was the translator of Hesiod, immortalized by Pope in his Dunciad. The Rev. Thomas Cooke was a profound Greek and Latin scholar, and consequently much better versed in the beauties of Homer, &c. than the irritable translator of the Iliad and Odyssey: his remarks on, and expositions of Pope's glaring misconceptions of many important passages of the ancient bard drew down the satirical vengeance of his illustrious translator. It would, however, appear that Pope was not the assailant in the first instance, for in the Appendix to the Dunciad we find "A list of Books, Papers, and Verses, in which our author (Pope) was abused, before the publication of that Poem;" and among the said works "The Battle of the Poets, an heroic Poem, by Thomas Cooke, printed for J. Roberts, folio, 1725," is particularly mentioned. In book ii. of the Dunciad, we have the following line, "Cooke shall be Prior, and Concanen Swift," to which the following note is appended: Cooke also published some "malevolent things in the British, London, and daily journals, and at the same time wrote letters to Mr. Pope, protesting his innocence." His chief work was a translation of "Hesiod, to which Theobald writ notes, and half notes, which he carefully owned.” Again, in the testimonies of authors, which precede the Dunciad, we find the following remark :— "Mr. Thomas Cooke, presurne, with his own hand, each having the signature "Thomas Cooke," on the blank leaves at the commencement of the book. On my return from the continent, I shall have no objection to intrust this literary curiosity to your care for a short time, giving you the liberty of extracting any (and all if you think proper) of the pieces written on the interleaves and, in the mean time, I will do myself the pleasure of selecting one from the number, for insertion in the Table Book, which will, at least, prove that Mr. Cooke's animosity than that of Pope. was of transient duration, and less virulent It is possible that at some future time I may be able to enlarge upon this subject, for the better information of your correspondent; and I beg, in the interim, to re mark that there is no doubt the Annual Register, from about the year 1750 to 1765, or works of that description, will "After much blemishing our author's fully satisfy his curiosity, and afford him Homer, crieth out "But in his other works what beauties shine, much more explanation relative to Mr. Cooke than any communications from existing descendants. In Mr. Cooke's copy of "The Battle of the Poets," the lines before quoted run thus: But in his other works what beauties shine- I remain, sir, I have somewhere read that Cooke was a native of Sussex; that he became famous for his knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages while at Cambridge; and was ultimately settled in some part of Shropshire, where he soon became acquainted with the family of the young lady celebrated by his muse, in the fifth number of the Table Book, and where he also greatly distinguished himself as a clergyman, and preceptor of the younger branches of the Oxford, Jan. 29, 1827. neighbouring gentry and nobility This may in some measure account for the respectable list of subscribers alluded to by G. J. D. Your obedient servant and subscriber, It is presumed, however, that misfortune at length overtook him; for we find, in the "Ambulator, or London and its Environs," under the head "Lambeth," that he lies interred in the church-yard of that parish, and that he died extremely poor: he is, moreover, designated "the celebrated translator of Hesiod, Terence, &c." I have seen the poem entitled "The Immortality of the Soul," mentioned by G. J. D., though I have no recollection of its general features or merit; but of "The Battle of the Poets" I have a copy; and what renders it more rare and valuable is, that it was Mr. Cooke's own impression of the work, and has several small productions upon various occasions, written, I VERSES, OCCASIONED BY THE LAMENTED DEATH POPE! though thy pen has strove with heedless rage Regrets I would not stifle, nor conceal; For though thy temper, and imperious soul, Needed, at times, subjection and controul, There was a majesty a march of sense- And sweetness perfectly before unknown! Then deign, thou mighty master of the lyre ! THOMAS COOKE. DUKE OF YORK ALBANY AND CLARENCE. For the Table Book. In the History of Scotland, there is a remark which may be added to the account of the dukes of York, at col. 103; viz. Shire of Perth.-That part of the county called Braidalbin, or Breadalbane, lies amongst the Grampian-hills, and gives title to a branch of the family of Campbell; where note that Braid Albin, in old Scotch, signifies the highest part of Scotland, and Drum-Albin, which is the name of a part thereof, signifies the ridge or back of Scotland. Hence it is collected that this is the country which the ancients called Albany, and part of the residence of the ancient Scots, who still retain the name, and call themselves "Albinkich," together with the ancient language and habit, continuing to be a hardy, brave, and warlike people, and very parsimonious in their way of living; and from this country the sons of the royal family of Scotland took the title of “duke of Albany;" and since the union of the two crowns, it has been found amongst the royal titles of the dukes of York. Respecting the dukedom of Clarence, which is originally derived from Clare, in Suffolk, king Edward III. in the thirtysixth year of his reign, for default of issue male in the former family, created his third son, Lionel, by reason of his marriage with the grandaughter of the late earl of Clare, duke of Clarence, being a word of a fuller sound than the monosyllable" Clare." m. DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS. Lord George Germain was of a remarkably amiable disposition; and his domestics lived with him rather as humble friends than menial servants. One day entering his house in Pall-mall, he observed a large basket of vegetables standing in the hall, and inquired of the porter to whom they belonged, and from whence they came? Old John immediately replied, "They are ours, my lord, from our country-house."-" Very well," rejoined his lordship. At that instant a carriage stopped at the door, and lord George, turning round, asked what coach it was? "Ours," said honest John. "And are the children in it ours too?" said his lordship, smiling, "Most cer tainly, my lord," replied John, with the utmost gravity, and immediately ran to lift them out. Riddle. A LITERARY CHARACTER. I have long inaintained a distinguished station in our modern days, but I cannot trace my origin to ancient times, though the learned have attempted it. After the revolution in 1688, I was chief physician to the king; at least in my absence he ever complained of sickness. Had I lived in ancient days, so friendly was I to crowned heads, that Cleopatra would have got off with a sting; and her cold arm would have felt a reviving heat. I am rather a friend to sprightliness than to industry; I have often converted a neutral pronoun into a man of talent: I have often amused myself with reducing the provident ant to indigence; I never meet a post horse without giving him a blow; to some animals I am a friend, and many a puppy has yelped for aid when I have deserted him. I am a patron of architecture, and can turn every thing into brick and mortar; and so honest withal, that whenever I can find a pair of stockings, I ask for their owner. Not even Lancaster has carried education so far as I have: I adopt always the system of interrogatories. I have already taught my hat to ask questions of fact; and my poultry questions of chronology. With my trees I share the labours of my laundry; they scour my linen; and when I find a rent, 'tis I who make it entire. In short, such are my merits, that whatever yours may be, you can never be more than half as good as I am. ANSWER TO THE PRECEDING. A literary character you view, When absent, he would say," how-ill I am !" By sudden pow'r I've chang'd into a-Wit. (As quick as Chelt'nham builders) into-Wall. My system's always to interrogate; It is with them the laundress scours and-Washes: In short, my merits are so bright to view THE MERRY MONARCH, AND "BLYTHE COCKPEN." While Charles II. was sojourning in Scotland, before the battle of Worcester, his chief confidant and associate was the laird of Cockpen, called by the nick-naming fashion of the times, "Blythe Cockpen." He followed Charles to the Hague, and by his skill in playing Scottish tunes, and his sagacity and wit, much delighted the merry monarch. Charles's favourite air was "Brose and Butter;" it was played to him when he went to bed, and he was awakened by it. At the restoration, how ever, Blythe Cockpen shared the fate of many other of the royal adherents; he was forgotten, and wandered upon the lands he once owned in Scotland, poor and unfriended. His letters to the court were unpresented, or disregarded, till, wearied and incensed, he travelled to London; but his mean garb not suiting the rich doublets of court, he was not allowed to approach the royal presence. At length, he ingratiated himself with the king's organist, who was so enraptured with Cockpen's wit and powers of music, that he requested him to play on the organ before the king at divine service. His exquisite skill did not attract his majesty's notice, till, at the close of the service, instead of the usual tune, he struck up "Brose and Butter," with all its energetic merriment. In a moment the royal organist was ordered into the king's presence. My liege, it was not me! it was not me!" he cried, and dropped upon his knees. "You!' cried his majesty, in a rapture, "you could never play it in your life-where's the man? let me see him." Cockpen presented himself on his knee. "Ah, Cockpen, is that you?-Lord, man, I was like to dance coming out of the church !"-" I once danced too," said Cockpen, "but that was when I had land of my own to dance on."-"Come with me," said Charles taking him by the hand, you shall dance to Brose and Butter on your own lands again to the nineteenth generation;" and as far as he could, the king kept his promise. Topography. SINGULAR INTERMENT. The following curious entry is in the register of Lymington church, under the year 1736 : "Samuel Baldwin, esq. sojourner in this parish, was immersed, without the Needles, sans cérémonie, May 20." This was performed in consequence of an earnest wish the deceased had expressed, a little before his dissolution, in order to disappoint the intention of his wife, who had repeatedly assured him, in their domestic squabbles, (which were very frequent,) that if she survived him, she would revenge her conjugal sufferings, by dancing on his THE TABLE BOOK. 414 Elbet Bridge, The above engraving is from a lithographic view, published in Durham in 1820: it was designed by Mr. Bouet, a very ingenious French gentleman, resident there, whose abilities as an artist are of a superior order. Elvet bridge consists of nine or ten arches, and was built by the excellent bishop Pudsey, about the year 1170. It was repaired in the time of bishop Fox, who held the see of Durham from 1494 to 1502, and granted an "indulgence" to all who should contribute towards defraying the expense; an expedient frequently resorted to in Catholic times for the forward VOL. 1.-14. Durham. ing of great undertakings. It was again improved, by widening it to twice its breadth, in 1806. Upon this bridge there were two chapels, dedicated respectively to St. James and St. Andrew, one of which stood on the site of the old house close to the bridge, at present inhabited by Mr. Adamson, a respectable veterinary surgeon; the other stood on the site of the new houses on the south side of the bridge, occupied by Mr. Fenwick and Mr. Hopper. About three years ago, while clearing away the rubbish, houses, some remains of the old chape! preparatory to the erection of the latter |