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Monk Soham.—Thanks him for a copy of his book (the Bible Word Book), and reflects on the death of William Whewell. Invites him to stay, to give him an opportunity of consulting manuscripts at Helmingham. Discusses connections between English dialects and East Frisian.

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Transcript

Monk Soham
March 9. 1866.

Dear Mr Wright,

Many thanks for your book {1} which I have looked over with very great interest, and shall hope to have an early notice of in the Christian Advocate.

You have lost a Great Man at Cambridge {2}. I thought him looking so handsome, when I saw him a month ago. Age had given dignity to the hard features, and his white hair gave him a venerable look.

All his foibles and failings will be buried in his grave and forgotten: but he will live, specially among you at Trinity.

As regards any Chaucer M.SS. at Helmingham, I only know of one a fragment on paper, and I cannot trust my recollection as to what it is.

The books and M.S.S are not accessible save when Mr Tollemache is there.

Perhaps he may come down during the Whitsun Holydays.

Can you come and stay a few days with me, in case the Library is then accessible.

I will ask Bradshaw to come down with you, and you shall rummage one or two closets &c, which I don’t think have been sufficiently gone over.

I quite hold to your project about the General Dialecticon—to coin a word—and will gladly help in it.

I think I can furnish some good specimens of old Harvest-songs, and such old songs as go to tuneless tunes.

Did you ever hear a true Suffolk tune—“never ending, still beginning.”

Do you know a book—of which I carried off Vol. 1. the other day from the P.L.—which mightily amuses me.

“Firmenich, J. W. “Germaniens Völkerstimmen.”

I cannot make out much system in it, except that the series of dialects are topographically arranged. Perhaps the third Volume contains results.

I have gathered some very curious illustrations and Bremen dialects.

Perhaps things all known before, only having the special flavour to me of game taken by my own hunting.

E.G.

Do you know the Dorset Dialect? How constantly the words “I low” recur: “I low, twill rain tomorrow.”—I used to think this meant “I allow” by the figure of Tmesis—so convenient for amateur philologists.

But, lo ye {3}, in East Frisian. | (p. 18. Fermenich)

“De Dokter Liefpien het mi dar’n Dings an mien Schürdöer schreven, ich lör, ’t is Kremerlatien”

“Docter Liefpien had written me something about it on the — {4} door, I low, it is Kremer-(?) Latin.

(Elsewhere it is called “Dews-latien” = Dog-latin!!!

Then p. 42. Mundart Kiels.

“Ich glöw, et sull en Amtsverwalter sien.”

I low, it was an Official.”

So here we have “Ich glaube”. and Dorsetshire “I low” = I believe.

Tög = heng {5} = Dress = Toggery.

Noch ein Wortchen!

Moor = Mother | = Mor, Suffolk.

Yours sincerely,
Robert. W. Groome

I know so little of your Cambridge politics; but who will be your new master.
Mathison, Vaughan, Thompson? {6}

Has W.H.T. any chance?

Have you read E.F.G. “Mighty Magician” yet? {7}

[Second postscript:]

I open my letter to obtrude some advice.

In your list of books appended to your W.B. {8} I miss one book, which may be after all well known to you, but if not a book of great value for your Shakspere Glossary, if you are meditating such a Magnum opus.

“The Courtier of Count Baldesar Castilio – – – – done into English by Thomas Hobby. | London Printed by John Wolfe | 1588.

I meant to have excerpt† it for the Big Dic {9}, during poor H. Coleridge’s Life, but since then “fresh fields”—I cannot “pastures gay”—for they are sad at times—have occupied me.

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The first postscript was added at the head of the first sheet, the second on a separate slip. There are a few irregularities of punctuation, which have not been corrected. The letter was sent with two lists of notable words in Hoby’s translation of Castiglione’s Courtier (Add. MS b. 74/5/2).

{1} Wright’s Bible Word Book, first published this year.

{2} William Whewell, who died on 6 March.

{3} ‘lo ye’: reading uncertain.

{4} A question mark has been added above the dash.

{5} Reading uncertain.

{6} W. C. Mathison, C. J. Vaughan, W. H. Thompson, all Fellows of Trinity.

{7} Edward FitzGerald’s translation of Calderón’s play El mágico prodigioso, privately printed in 1865. There are six copies in Trinity College Library.

{8} i.e. the Bible Word Book.

{9} This is the apparent reading—perhaps short for ‘Big Dictionary’; but the reference is unclear.

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk.—Returns Crowfoot’s letter, and comments on it. Is planning to print an old ballad, which he heard recited by a local labourer. Encloses a related letter from Frank. Has received some poems from FitzGerald.

(With an envelope.)

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Transcript

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk
Nov. 14th 1877.

My dear Wright

Many thanks for sending me Crowfoots interesting letter {1}, which I return herewith.

I am afraid the “spinam agens” or “spine-ache” will not hold water; since I suppose that the word is formed from its primal nouns in “-agium” {2}, like so many of our Latinized Words.

But the analogy between it and Rickets is curious and possibly the solution.

Rickets commonly leave some malformation, especially humptiness, so that the Somersetshire word “Spinnick” is quite in keeping.

I am always interested with such hints as that about nets and net; but I dare not put too much weight upon them.

I think that the cry of Simon Peter has a deeper feeling than the mere distinction, which is drawn between a part, and a perfect, fulfilment of the command.

Yet I would not say this to my dear old friend; since every tentacle, which lays hold on a reverent mind has its great value—especially for him.

And now I want your help, si licet, on another point.

I have unearthed, as I believe, a veritable old ballad, taken down last week from the mouth of the reciter, an old labourer of this parish.

It will appear, most likely, in Suffolk N. and Q, and so it was sent to Frank, at Edinburgh, who is, as you may remember, Mr Editor. I told him my views, and he has tried to verify them; and now wants more light, as you will see by his letter {3}.

But has the Ballad been ever in print? Much, as regards the interest of re-printing it, turns on this?

It has the veritable go of an old Ballad about it.

Can you give any light, or find up some Ballad-monger who can?

Only if it is a find, we must have the first prize in our Suffolk N. and Q.

I have got several more songs from our Bard {4}; one very pretty, but for the most part of an ordinary type—of the Billy Taylor type {5} rather.

You will greatly oblige us by any kind help in the matter.

Yours sincerely
Robert H. Groome

But “O the Hobby-horse”. Will you be willing to write a note concerning “Spinnage” for us? If so, pray do.

[Direction on envelope:] W. Aldis Wright Esq: | Trinity College | Cambridge [Redirected to:] Jerusalem Chamber | Westminster | London

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The envelope was postmarked at Cambridge on 15 Nov. 1877, and at London, E.C., on the same day. Two postage stamps have been peeled off.

{1} Add. MS b. 74/8/2.

{2} Closing inverted commas supplied.

{3} FitzGerald.

{4} Add. MS b. 74/8/3.

{5} Perhaps a reference to the translations of William Taylor of Norwich (1765-1836).

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk. - Includes description of his time in the 'Camus' music society at Cambridge.

Beccles.—Cowell has replied to his query about the word ‘lian’. Discusses the etymology of the word ‘spinnage’, popularly used to refer to rickets. Relates Mr Gillett’s theory about the miraculous draught of fishes (Luke v).

(Sent by Aldis Wright to Robert H. Groome and returned with 8/1.)

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Transcript

Beccles. Novr 7. 1877.

My dear Sir—

Many thanks for your kindness in enquiring of Professor Cowell as to the word “lian”—his reply so far as it goes confirms the opinion I had always entertained regarding “Venta”.

As to the popular use of the word “Spinnage”. A medical man is often told by a poor woman when he enters her cottage that she fears her child has got the “Spinnage”—upon examination he finds the child suffering from “Rickets” and his attention is particularly directed by the mother to a cross-like depression depression at the pit of the stomach occasioned by a sinking in of the crusiform† cartilage of the sternum towards the spine; the child has at the same time the ribs flattened laterally and the breast bone prominent; what is commonly called pigeon breasted: the spine is also more or less curved and he presents all the characters of Scrophula. As to the ety-mology of the word. “Rickets” is no doubt derived from “Ράχις—the spine”. Analogy would therefore lead me to believe that we must look for “Spinnage” in the latin “Spina” possibly “Spinam agens” or “Spine ache” may have originated the word but this is only my own idea and therefore not worth much. If spelt phonetically the correct orthography would be “Spinnage”. Has your attention ever been called to the words used by Our Ld to Simon in the 5th chapter of Luke as to the casting the nets into the sea previous to the miraculous draught of fishes? Mr Gillett has suggested an ingenious theory to account for Simon’s request to Our Saviour “Depart from me” viz—that Our Ld had requested him to cast “τα δίκτυα” into the sea; and that he re-plied they had toiled all night and taken nothing nevertheless at his request he would cast in “το δίκτυον” and when he saw the result in the miraculous draught of fishes he was so shocked at the grievous sin which he had committed in not having sufficient faith entirely to fulfil his Lord’s command; that upon recognising his divinity instead of saying “My Lord and My God” he said “Depart from me”.—

Do not trouble yourself to answer this; as I shall conclude if I hear nothing that you consider the observation of no value.—

Believe me
Very truly yours,
W. E. Crowfoot

Wm Aldis Wright. Esqr.

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Black-edged paper. Aldis Wright has written at the head, ‘Please return’.

{1} Probable reading, but the first letter is unclear.

† Sic.

Prees, Shropshire. - Is 'very grateful' to Allen for his letter about the death of 'our dear friend [Edward FitzGerald]'.

Sidney Coll[ege] Lodge. - Returns Archdeacon Groome's letter [add.MS/6/14?] with thanks. Her husband [Robert Phelps], who was an 'old member of the "Camus" [music society] was much interested.

With printed card for the 'Camus', Michaelmas Term, 1831.

5 Argyle Park Terrace, (Edinburgh).—Gives the results of his investigations into Captain Ward.

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Transcript

5 Argyle Park Terrace

My dear Father,

Many thanks to you & Alice for your ballad-collecting labours. You seem to have found a perfect mine of wealth. Yesterday afternoon, being very wet, I devoted to trying to learn who Captain Ward was. I went over the Calendar of State Papers, Howell’s State Trials, & several other mighty works, but all in vain. Pirates there were in abundance, & ship despatched against them, & dozens of Wards, & Captains in their number—Captain Luke & Capt. Caesar Ward, both in the closing years of Elizabeth’s reign. At last I had recourse to Lowndes & other books on bibliography, & there I did learn that Andrew Barker wrote The Adventures of Captains Warde and Danseker, the famous Pyrates (Lond. 1609), on which Daborne based his tragedy The Christian turned Turke (Lond. 1612). Watt gives Wanseker for Danseker in his title of Barker’s book, as does Allibone; but they all agree in Danseker in the tragedy. I am writing without my notes, which I stupidly left behind me at the Philosophical Institute, but I am certain of the names & dates: Andrew Barker (1609) & Daborne (1612). So Ward I imagine flourished about 1608. Danseker looks like Danziger, ‘a native of Danzig’, but neither of him could I find anything. Who was Wake? There was a Sir Isaac Wake, an ambassador, but he could hardly be the man. Possi-bly he is due solely to exigencies of rhyme, Drake-Wake, like namby-pamby. And Lord Henerỳ? Is he Lord Howard of Effingham? I forgot to look up his Christian name. Neither Barker nor Daborne are in the Advocates. Perhaps you could get somebody at Cambridge to look them up.

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Sent to Aldis Wright with Add. MS b. 74/8/1. The letter may be incomplete, as there is no concluding greeting or signature.

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk.—Sends a proof of his article on ‘Captain Ward’, and discusses it. Has heard that Thompson is ill.

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Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk
Nov. 23. 1877.

Dear Wright

Many thanks for your two letters.

I send you a proof of “Captain Ward” which will appear in “Suffolk N. and Q” on Tuesday week, Dec 4th. {1}

But since I sent the first, Text A, I have heard a second recital from another parishioner, who learnt it from his grandfather.

I have put all these readings and additions to the proof sent to you {2}.

Please, perpend.

They, ie Text B, seem to me to be improvements, specially the verse

“Go ye home …
at sea”.

I am not so sure about the second additional stanza. It is rather a puzzle, where it should come in, if at all.

Now as regards Mr Chappells information. Does he mean that these four Ballads have been printed from the several Ballad Collections, or that they [are] at present only in these Collections, but as yet unprinted? or if printed, accessible only to the initiated?

If you can ascertain anything from the Pepysian, or any other source, will you, in your kindness, send it direct to Frank. His address is

Francis H. Groome
5 Argyle Park Terrace
Edinburgh.

He can then append an Editorial Note, in brackets, of what he has gathered about Captain Ward, and the various(?) ballads about him. Will you also send the proof to him with any hints as to the value or non-value, of Text B; of which however he has already received a copy. If you would let your name appear, as his informant, it would add to the value greatly.

I have just heard from FitzGerald, and he says: “Mrs T. writes rather sadly, about ten days ago, of Thompson: “So altered I should scarce know him” she said.” Is this so? I hope not. He was, of course, not looking well when I saw him; but he must have been very ill since then, for, “scarce know him”, to be true.

You will see I have utilized my notes about Dowsing.

Yours sincerely
Robert H. Groome

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{1} In fact the article appeared in the Ipswich Journal on 11 Dec. (No. 7587, p. 1).

{2} Add. MS b. 74/8/5.

Merton. - His daughter will be at Ely at 10.36 on Tuesday, if all goes well; hopes to go with her so far on his way to London. Sends Robert Groome [Add.MS.a/6/41?] and Archdeacon Allen's [Add.MS.a/6/23?] letters, and asks Wright to burn them. Does not think that FitzGerald would have objected to his letters being published, 'so far as they relate to public subjects'.

Monk Soham Rectory, Wickham Market, Suffolk - Hardly ever keeps letters, so has none of Edward FitzGerald's; indeed, generally only had notes or cards from him since they lived near to each other and 'kept our topics for such times as we met and talked them out'. Suggests John Allen, Dean Blakesley, Dean Merivale, the Master of Trinity and Mrs Thompson as people who could supply letters, but has 'misgivings whether such letters should be published, good and pleasant as they may be', questioning whether FitzGerald 'would have sanctioned it? He, who carefully tore up letters almost as soon as he received them'.

Encloses a letter from John Allen [ADD.MS.a/6/23?]. Thanks Crabbe for congratulations on the engagement of his son William to [Emma] Colvin.

Will not go to the auction, but would like to have catalogues. Mrs Ritchie (Miss Thackeray) should have some, as two of her father's drawings are on sale. 'Also Mowbray Donne, Allen and Crowfoot cum multis aliis'.

43: 15 German Place, Brighton. - Cannot shed light on 'the inscription said to have been altered at the request of the Helmingham Rector''. Has written to ask his aunt Mrs T. Walker, who was 'at Helmingham a good deal in my father's time there'. Mr Groome was a friend of his father's; believes he was his own godfather

44: Regrets that his aunt Mrs Walker does not remember having heard anything about the memorial being altered.

Two letters.

(This text does not appear to correspond to either ‘Text A’ or ‘Text B’. Cf. Add. MS b. 74/8/4-5.)

In Robert Hindes Groome's hand?