Willis's Current Notes, No. 13, January 1852

Do not you think a very interesting work might be written, to be entitled an Historical Account of the celebrated Villas in the neighbourhood of London. I mean rather the Villas that have been--than those that now exist.

Look at Horace Walpole's Song on Strawberry Hill. How many places are there mentioned which have historical recollections connected with them, which it would be worth preserving.

There must be always great interest about the localities in the neighbourhood of the metropolis. In that song alone are mentioned

Gunnersbury, Sion, Chiswick, Strawberry Hill, Greenwich, Marble Hill, Oatlands, Clermont, Southcote,

you might add Wanstead, Wimbledon, Holland House, and a hundred others--many with very curious anecdotes of local and personal history connected with them.

Perhaps I overrate the interest with which such a book would be read. I certainly do not, if it would equal that, with which I myself read the account of places in the neighbourhood of Paris, remarkable in history, but the traces of which--many of which at least--are fast fading away; such as

Maisons, Sceaux, Meudon, Chantilli, &c. &c.

Hampton Court, the ancient Palace at Richmond, Kew, &c. &c. might enter into the work.

Very truly yours, ROBERT PEEL.

The County Histories would form a substratum for the work--but every thing would depend upon the liveliness and accuracy of the details.

THE LATE J. M. W. TURNER, ESQ. R.A.

SIR,--As it appears from the public Prints that the late eminent artist, J. M. W. Turner, never sat for his Portrait;--and the only likenesses of him were taken by stealth, I send you a rude sketch which I took of him in the same way, about the year 1805 or 6. He was then on a visit at Mr. Fawkes's, of Farnley, where a number of grouse shooters had assembled,--and Turner had adopted the garb of a sportsman. His appearance, as well as his exploits on the moors, were the subject of much mirth.

One day we accompanied him on an excursion, for the purpose of taking a sketch of the magnificent scenery of Gordale, in Craven, from which he afterwards produced a finished painting.

My rude sketch of his person was considered a characteristic resemblance at the time; and though it has the air of a caricature, yet was not meant as such when it was drawn.

If you think it would interest the readers of your "Current Notes," you will perhaps give it as an illustration. If not, I will thank you to return it to me.

Yours, &c. I. T. A.

MONUMENTAL BRASSES REMOVED FROM THE CHURCHES OF FULHAM AND CHELSEA.

Mr. GEO. WILLIS,--Your Correspondent, under the head of "Antiquarian Sacrilege," (Current Notes for December, p. 91,) seems not to be aware that almost all Church Brasses, with very few exceptions, were torn from their places by the sectarian soldiers in Cromwell's time, who affected to consider such things idolatrous. They were for the most part sold for old brass, and some authority (I forget who at this moment), tells us that, in consequence of the number at one time brought into the market, the price of brass was decreased in proportion. There were very few Antiquaries in those days, consequently a very small number of these desecrated Brasses have been preserved, and for those we possess we are indebted to such men as Ashmole, Lilly, and others of that class, who, though sufficiently fantastic and visionary in their pursuits, were still men of some learning and taste.

Some, if not the whole of the lots alluded to by your Correspondent, came into the possession of the late John Meyrick, Esq., through an ancestor of his wife, whose name was "Rush," and the only sacrilege committed by the late Mr. Meyrick seems to have been the preservation of these things from destruction.

I have frequently heard the late Sir S. R. Meyrick mention these Brasses, and regret they were not in his possession.

ONE OF HIS EXECUTORS.

STERNE'S AUTOGRAPH.

MR. GEO. WILLIS,--I have never met with the fact in print, that some few of the first editions of Tristram Shandy have the autograph of the author at the head of the first chapter in some or one of the volumes, a facsimile of which, in the 7th volume of the copy in my possession, I send you.

Whether this was done for the gratification of Sterne's particular friends, or for what other purpose, I am ignorant; perhaps some of your correspondents can throw some light upon the subject.

A. C. K.

WARD'S "GRAND REBELLION."

I was rejoiced at the first glance at F. C. B.'s communication (p. 88 "Current Notes" for November), but doubts very soon arose, whether some oversight had not occurred in taking the portrait of Robert Bertie, for that enquired after, which is Montague Bertie. On turning to Granger I found this to be the case, for the portrait which F. C. B. has, is there given as Robert, so that I fear the right one remains yet non est inventus, for I do not consider "A Dealer," as speaking from any distinct recollection of such a portrait, which must be an 8vo. one, whereas Faithorne's is in 4to.

A.

Oak House.

DATE OF THOMAS HOOD'S DEATH.

Dec. 26th, 1851.

SIR,--I find, on referring to a biographical sketch added to an autograph of the late Thos. Hood, at the time of his death, that that event took place, as surmised by your correspondent C. ("Current Notes," p. 90), on 3rd May, 1845.

Yours obediently, S. S.

Mr. Willis.

Mrs. Fenwick observing in Willis's "Current Notes" that some one enquires when Hood died, she writes to say, he expired on the 3rd May, 1845. The above information Mr. Willis may depend upon being correct, as it is from the late Mr. Hood's daughter, who is married to the Rev. S. Broderip, Rector of Cossington, Somersetshire.

Three Rock Houses, Tenby, Jan. 15, 1852.

BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE.--I. P. (Philadelphia, Nov. 18, 1851), writes to G. W.:

"Can you tell me who contributed to Blackwood's Magazine, May, 1838, the pleasant paper, 'Father Tom and the Pope; or a Night at the Vatican?' The impression prevails here that it was written by Maginn."

It was understood at the time to be a Mr. Ferguson, a writer in some Dublin paper,--a Wexford man.

F. M.