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NOTES:-Lamb, Coleridge, and Mr. May, 61-St. Margaret's Art New English Dictionary-Fenn's Memoir of Notes. rather than to some subsequent transaction that Lamb refers in the letter to Coleridge dated 11 October, 1802, when he writes:"As to the fantastic debt of 15l., I'll think you were dreaming, and not trouble myself seriously to attend to you." Lastly, Mr. William Macdonald, the latest editor of the Letters,' merely observes here that "Mr. May seems to have been a tailor." Such is the modest total of editorial illumination vouchsafed to us on this obscure point. Let us collect the several references in the letters to May and his bill, and see if we cannot in this way obtain a clue to his identity. 2. In Letter ii.-undated, but probably written on 31 May, 1796-Lamb writes: "I have one more favour to beg of you, that you never mention Mr. May's affair in any sort, much less think of repaying. Are we not flocci-nauci-what-d' ye-call-'em-ists?"* (For another instance of this curious word, which is adapted from Shenstone, and signifies men indifferent to money," see Letter xx. p. 62, vol. i., ed. Ainger, 1888.) 3. In the same letter later on Lamb writes: think of being repaid; the very word is gall"I conjure you, dream not that I will ever ing to the ears.' 4. Letter ix., 3 October, 1796: "Do not for ever offend me by talking of sending me cash. Sincerely, and on my soul, we do not want it" (ibid., p. 37). 5. Letter xciii., 11 October, 1802: "As to the fantastic debt of 15l., I'll think," &c. I have quoted this reference in full already (ibid., p. 188). LAMB, COLERIDGE, AND MR. MAY. 1. THE earliest of Charles Lamb's extant letters-it is dated 27 May, 1796, and is addressed to Coleridge at Bristol-opens with an allusion that has puzzled the editors. So far we seem to be as much as ever in "Dear Coleridge," writes Lamb, "make your- the dark concerning May. But a passage self perfectly easy about May. I paid his in Letter xxviii. (24 June, 1797) furnishes bill when I sent your clothes......Give your a glimmer of light. Lamb writes: "I was a self no further concern about it. The money very patient hearer and docile scholar in our would be superfluous to me if I had it." winter evening meetings at Mr. May's; was Who was May? Canon Ainger's note ignores I not, Col.? What I have owed to thee, my the question, while his index confounds the heart can ne'er forget." This passage, the May of Letter i. with Southey's friend and closing sentence of which is taken from correspondent John May, with whom, how-a sonnet by Bowles entitled Oxford Reever, we know that Lamb did not become acquainted until, in the summer of 1797, the two met under Southey's roof at Burton, near Christ Church, Hampshire. Mr. W. Carew Hazlitt, in his pleasant off-hand fashion, tells us that the bill Lamb refers to was "a tailor's account for 15l." "It will," he adds, "be mentioned again." Lamb does, indeed, revert to the transaction more than once, only, it need hardly be said, to make light of it, and to repudiate the notion of repay. ment. The amount of the bill Mr. Hazlitt apparently arrives at through the assumption (probably correct) that it is to this visited' (line 14), reminds us at once of "the [*"Flocci nauci nihili" is derived, of course, from the Eton Syntax.'] none other than William May, landlord of the "Salutation and Cat"; and that, at some date subsequent to Coleridge's departure for Bristol in Southey's custody (January, 1795), Lamb, having provided himself with the wherewithal, called upon the said William May, discharged the reckoning against Coleridge's name, thereby releasing his clothes from pawn, and, lastly, forwarded the clothes thus redeemed by waggon to Coleridge at Bristol. Finally, if we connect the letter of 11 October, 1802, with the transaction referred to at the opening of Letter i., we may infer that the amount standing against Coleridge's name, for board and lodging at the "Salutation" Inn during a period of (probably) four weeks in December, 1794, and January, 1795, was fifteen pounds sterling of the king's THOMAS HUTCHINSON. money. THE CHURCHYARD OF ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER, AND ITS IMPROVEMENT. (See ante, p. 23.) Let us see, then, whether any connexion Tavern-Keeper, 40, Newgate Street." From can be established between the May of all this the inference, I cannot but think, is Letters i., ii., and xxviii., and the New-highly probable that the May of Letter i. is gate Street tavern known as the "Salutation and Cat," where, in the winter nights of 1794-5, the two old schoolmates Lamb and Coleridge were wont to foregather in the little smoke-stained bar-parlour. Here, it will be remembered, after his second and final disappearance from Cambridge, when his pockets were empty and his outlook of the gloomiest, Coleridge sojourned during parts of December and January, 1794-5, oblivious of Southey, Sarah Fricker, and "Freedom's undivided dell"; till at length Southey, losing patience and hurrying up to town, ran down and apprehended the truant-not, indeed at the "Salutation and Cat," but at another tavern hard by, the Angel," in Butcher Hall Street. The ques. tion here arises, Why had Coleridge shifted his quarters? And the answer I take to be this, that mine host of the " Salutation,' having waited a week or two for the settlement of his account, at length grew crusty, and hinted that it was high time for the young gentleman in the parlour either to square up or to seek accommodation elsewhere. Whereupon Coleridge moved over to the "Angel," leaving perforce his clothes in pawn behind him. In making this sug; gestion I am not unmindful of the story told by Cottle (Reminiscences,' 1847, p. 405 note) to the effect that "when Coleridge dwelt at the Cat and Salutation' in Newgate Street, and talked of leaving it, his conversation had brought so many customers to the house that the landlord offered him free quarters if he would only stay and continue to talk." But of such a proposition we hear nothing either from Coleridge himself (who, had it actually been made, would indubitably have confided it later on to one or other of his West-Country friends-to Poole, for instance, or Charles Lloyd, or Wordsworth) or from anybody else save only Joseph Cottle, whose unsupported authority in respect of Coleridge's "doings and done-untos safely disregarded. Who, then, was mine host of the "Salutation" in the years 17941795, and how was he named? I have not been able to see a 'London Directory' for 1795, but in a directory for 1808 I find William May described as the landlord of the "Salutation Coffee House," 17, Newgate Street. Again, in the 'Post Office London Directory for 1819, I find the following entry: "W. May, King's Head Tavern, Newgate Street"; and yet again, in the same authority for the year 1823, "Wm. May, may be ON 5 July, 1881, the General Committee met again, and the first business was the consideration of the report of the sub-committee given in full in the former article, it being decided to take each clause seriatim. It was proposed by Mr. Helder that Clause I. be approved, the words "with or without the addition of any trees or shrubs" being substituted for "without the addition of any trees or shrubs." The appointment of Mr. Pearson and the employment of Mr. Wills were confirmed, the estimate of the latter being considered satisfactory. The plans for laying out the ground were accepted, and Mr. Lee was asked to send to the Chancellor the petition for the faculty as prepared by him. Up to this point there had been treasurer, this office being now conferred upon Mr. Helder, the rector's church warden. Next a very important proposition was made by Mr. G. F. Trollope, and seconded by Mr. J. L. Pearson, to the effect no "that, the Committee being strongly of opinion that the general effect of the Abbey and the churchyard would be greatly improved by the removal of the present heavy railing separating the churchyard and the Abbey ground, the Dean and Chapter be invited to take the matter into consideration as early as possible." The next meeting was held on 25 July, when it was reported that the Dean and Chapter had desired Mr. Pearson to submit his plans for their consideration, and Mr. Lee stated that the petition for a faculty had been lodged in the Registry, that the Chancellor had issued his fiat for the citation to issue, and that the necessary notice had been affixed to the church door. Mr. Herbert Gladstone proposed, and Mr. Trollope seconded, that 66 as soon as a faculty is granted the Committee authorize Mr. Pearson to place a hoarding round the churchyard, and to take such steps as may be necessary to the carrying out of such portion of the works as may be within the funds at the disposal of the Treasurer." rector There appears to have been no further meeting of the Committee until 14 October, so that it may be well to take some note of the proceedings relative to the issue of the faculty. The Chancellor of the Diocese of London (Dr. Tristram, Q.C.) held a court on Tuesday, 23 August, at the Dean and Chapter House, St. Paul's Churchyard, when the application made by Canon Farrar and the churchwardens for the faculty came before him, and it is noteworthy that there was no opposition to the application. The was unfortunately prevented from being present, therefore the duty of supporting the prayer of the petition devolved upon Mr. Stewart Helder, who very ably performed it. It was clearly shown that the improvements wished for were much needed, and that only the want of funds had prevented steps being taken at an earlier date. It was found that some human remains would be disturbed, but they would be deposited in another part of the churchyard. Although efforts had been made to discover representatives of the persons whose remains were to be removed, none had been found, and information was supplied as to the means that were to be taken to keep a record of the inscriptions. Altogether it was thought that the improvements would be worthy of the "glorious old Abbey." Mr. Pearson informed the Chancellor that it was proposed to place the tombstones with their face downwards, "ancient inscriptions being best preserved in that way." The Chancellor said he had no hesitation in granting the faculty. There was one feature which was novel, and that was that "his authority was asked to allow the tombstones to be covered over with soil." He further said it was the first time he had been asked for such an order; but after the evidence given he had no doubt that the inscriptions would be best preserved in that manner. He should therefore allow the faculty to issue, but should insert a provision that the earth should be removed if it became necessary to examine the actual inscription on a particular tombstone, as a copy on the tablet might not be adduced in a court of law. On 14 October the General Committee met again under the presidency of Canon Farrar, the matter under discussion being the estimates submitted to them, when Sir Rutherford Alcock made a proposition, finding a seconder in Mr. Helder, to the effect that "this Committee meet again this day fortnight, to have before them the plan and estimate submitted to the Metropolitan Board of Works, together with received, and that Mr. Pearson be requested to the terms of the application and of the reply inform the Committee the cost for hoarding, laying out the ground, putting down gravel paths, putting back the Abbey railings, and altering the present churchyard railings to the line set out on the plan." On the 28th of the same month the Committee accordingly met again to consider the matters alluded to at the previous meeting, with the "curtailed estimates. The same proposer and seconder moved that the following estimates be accepted, viz.: Earthworks and hoarding not to exceed Removing Abbey railings, with work, &c. Masons' work "Eureka" pavement Turf-guards, painting railings, &c. ... ... ... ... £912 457 364 478 ... 66 £2,277 Mr. Pearson was authorized to proceed with the work on the foregoing estimates as early as possible, and the Chairman desired to bring these resolutions to the notice of the absent members of the Committee (of whom there were a goodly number), inviting their subscriptions before making a further appeal to the public for the necessary funds. No further meeting is recorded until 24 February, 1882, when it was proposed by Mr. W. H. Smith, and seconded by Mr. J. K. Aston (who had joined the Committee since its formation), that "a record of the names and dates legible on the stones buried in the churchyard be preserved on vellum, and that a tablet recording the preservation of such record be erected in some part of St. Margaret's Church." It was further proposed that "the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England be applied to, as owners of property in the district, for a contribution towards the expenses." Messrs. Coutts & Co. were also requested to place, as occasion might require, sums not exceeding in the aggregate 1,000l. to the credit of the St. Margaret's Churchyard Improvement Fund Account. The General Committee were called together on 22 April, when an approximate statement of expenses incurred to date was submitted: more 's the pity. It does not seem quite clear who was guilty of the grievous folly of ordering this to be done. Such matters are always hard to trace to their source. At 9th S. vi. 342, I alluded to some interesting interments in this churchyard, and before leaving the subject it may be well to speak of a gruesome spectacle enacted here in the first quarter of the eighteenth century. On 1 March, 1725, a Mr. Hayes was murdered at his residence in the Tyburn Road (which is the present Oxford Street) by two men, at the instigation, and with the assistance, of his wife. The body was afterwards dis £3,051 12 0 Propositions were made and seconded that the hoarding round the churchyard be removed with as little delay as possible, and that the churchwardens be requested to arrange with the police, or otherwise, for the suitable opening and closing of the churchyard. It was afterwards proposed that any balance which might remain should be applied to the commencement of railings, to be approved of by the Com-membered, the head being brought to Westmittee. new The last meeting of the General Committee appears to have been held on 27 February, 1883, when the hon. secretary was desired to convey the thanks of the Committee to Messrs. Lee and Bolton for their kindness in procuring the necessary faculties without expense (for their services) to the Committee; and further resolutions were carried that the rector, treasurer, and secretary should be empowered to dispose of the surplus of the Churchyard Improvement Fund "in such a manner as may seem to them best in order to complete the work." Finally, the customary votes of thanks to the chairman, treasurer, and secretary brought the meeting and the business of the Committee to a close, the object for which they had been called together being accomplished. The improvement has been much appreciated on every side; but in no carping spirit I think it may be safely added that, had public taste a quarter of a century ago been of as high a character as it has since become, what was done would have been of greater artistic excellence, and some flower-beds might have adorned the unbroken stretch of grass, restful though the latter may be to the frequently jaded eye of the Londoner. Some few seats, which were much needed, have of date years been placed in the enclosure, thereby increasing the usefulness of the place. Owing, most likely, to the nature of the ground, the pavement, in places, has given way, and shows many cracks and fissures. Before long a complete renovation will have to take place, or some of the dangers of a bygone day may repeat themselves. Some of the old trees were considered very fine, but, in order that the view of the occupants of the stands erected at the time of King Edward's Coronation might not be obstructed, they were very badly lopped and all but completely spoilt, and some years must pass before their old beauty will return, minster by the murderers, and flung into the Thames from one of the adjacent wharves, close to the horse ferry; but, as the tide had turned, it was not carried down the river, as anticipated, but seen by a night watchman at a neighbouring lime-wharf. He called assistance, and it was drawn ashore by a boat-hook. By a magistrate's orders it was carefully washed and placed on a pole in this churchyard, hard by the west door of the church, so that it could be seen by the numerous passers-by, with a view to its identification. It was identified, and the crime brought home to its perpetrators. The two men were condemned to be hanged, and the woman to be burnt at the stake, as her crime was known as petit treason. One of the men died in Newgate before the date fixed for the execution, the other being hanged at Marylebone Fields, on the spot where the body had been found. The sentence on the woman was carried out at Tyburn on 9 May, 1726. In the vestry of St. Margaret's Church is a small engraving showing the exposure of the head upon the pole. W. E. HARLAND-OXLEY. C2, The Almshouses, Rochester Row, S. W. "SQUAW":"MAHALA."-I bracket these because they are synonyms. About "squaw I can say nothing fresh. Every one knows that we borrowed it from the Algonkin family of languages. It occurs in the eastern branch of that family as Delaware ochqueu, Massachusetts squa, Narragansett squaws; in the western branch as Arapaho isi, Blackfoot ake; in the northern as Cree iskwew, Odjibwa ikkwe, Ottawa akwe; in the southern as Shawnee equiwa. "Mahala" differs from it only in being a newer word. It is given in Bartlett's 'Dictionary of Americanisms,' in the 'Century,' and in the supplement to Webster, and is often to be met with in magazines (e.g., English Illustrated, vol. xxv. p. 30; Harper's, Feb., 1903, p. 383). Its history |