songs, &c. Conductor, Mr. John Forster." (Then follow nine items.) As first-rate talent was represented at this benefit performance by Shirley Brooks, Mark Lemon, John Tenniel, Horace Mayhew, F. C. Burnand, and the Misses Kate, Florence, and Ellen Terry (Mrs. Watts), it may be assumed that the Moray Minstrels occupied a fairly high plane. Information or personal reminiscences of them would be welcome. W. B. H.
Biographical Information Wanted.—I should be glad to obtain any particulars of the further career of the following persons, and the dates of their respective deaths: (1) Thomas Hobart, fellow of Trin. Coll., Camb., who graduated M.A. 1694. (2) Robert Hobbes, scholar of Trin. Coll., Camb., who graduated M.A. 1605. (3) John Hockett, fellow of Trin. Coll., Camb., who graduated M.A. 1666. (4) John Hoddesdon, who graduated M.A. at Oxford from dunst Church in 1617. (5) George Hodges, who graduated B.A. at Oxford from Christ Church in 1743, and became Rector of Woolstanton, Salop. (6) Samuel Holford, who matriculated at Oxford from Magdalen Hall in 1712, and was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, April 28, 1719. (7) Walter Holmes, scholar of Trin. Coll., Camb., who graduated M.A. 1622. G. F. R. B.
Robert Child, M.P., the Banker, died July 28, 1782. Whom and when did he marry? I should be glad to ascertain also the maiden name of his mother, the wife of Samuel Child of Osterley, who died "immensely rich" in 1752. Is there any printed pedigree of this family? G. F. R. B.
JOHN WILLETT OF LONDON, MERCHANT.
This gentleman, the son of Thomas Willett,
Esq., of New York City, and grandson of
Capt. Richard Willett of the same place
(but some time previous to 1693 of Barbados,
W.I.), was a merchant in London in 1783.
It is possible that he was already a resident
of London in 1767 ; for the administration
of his father's will, dated 26 Dec., 1766, at
New York, and who was " speedily about
to depart beyond the seas," was granted to
John Willett, the son, on 20 Oct., 1767
(P.C.C. 399 Seeker).
It is probable that he is the John Willett, mentioned in ' Caribbeana ' (vol. ii. p. 291) as of " parentage unknown," of Broad Street, London, merchant, 1767, and of St. Benet Fink, 1769, who on 2 March of the latter year married at St. George's, Hanover
Square, Elizabeth St. Leger, daughter of
James George Douglas of London, agent
for St. Kitts.
Any information regarding the above will be welcome. Did he leave any issue, and are there any descendants living to-day ? E. HAVILAND HILLMAN, F.S.G.
4 Somers Place, Hyde Park, W.
AUTHOR OF FRENCH SONG WANTED. Can any reader kindly tell me the composer and date of first publication of the French song "Ah, vous dirai-je, maman ? " It was probably written about 1800. E. L.
OUDART AND WORTING FAMILIES. Joseph
Worting or Werting was Master of the Grammar School at Guilsborough about 1700-1718, and I should be grateful for any particulars of his parentage and education. His wife's name was Dorothy, and they had a son born Sept. 12, 1703, and baptized by the name of Oudart. Nicholas Oudart, F.R.S., Latin Secretary to King Charles II., had a daughter Dorothy, unmarried at the date of his will, 1672, as I learn from Chester's note on his burial in Westminster Abbey. Did this Dorothy become the wife of Joseph Worting ? A. T. M.
THE SOCIETY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL
INFORMATION. (11 S. xii. 462, 508.)
THIS Society was formed in 1780, and in April of that year it issued a preliminary statement, in which it was resolved :
" That this Society be unlimited in its number ; and that no one shall be esteemed a member who hath not subscribed and paid at least one guinea as an annual subscription towards its expenses ; and that no annual subscription shall exceed five guineas ; and if any one shall choose to compound by paying down fifty guineas, he shall be deemed a perpetual member."
All subscriptions and donations were to be paid to T. B. Hollis, Esq., Craven Street, Strand, "until a Treasurer be appointed."
This preliminary circular is signed by the following: Ed. Bridgen, Esq., J. Jebb, M.D., F.B.S.
F.B.A.S. C. Lofft, Esq.
B. BrockJesby, M.D., Colonel Miles.
F.B.S. B. Price, D.D., F.B.S.
Bev. Mr. Bromley. Thomas Bogers, Esq.
Major Cartwright. B. B. Sheridan, Esq.
John Churchill, Esq. James Trecothick, Esq. John Frost, Esq. John Vardy, Esq.
T. B. Hollis, Esq., Frederick Vincent, Esq.
F.B.A.S.
