Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 6.djvu/240

198 NOTES AND QUERIES. p* s. vi. SEPT. s, im promotion of a radical reform in the Commons House of Parliament. He was appointed Secretary to that Society in the same year, and filled the office with diligence and ability till his arrest in May, 1794, on a charge,of High Treason, when he was committed to the Tower, separated from his wife and family for six months, subjected to a nine days' trial at the Old Bailey, and triumphantly acquitted by an honest and independent jury on the 5th of November, 1794, by which event the corrupt and sanguinary Ministry of Mr. Pitt was defeated, and a brighter era commenced in the political con- dition of this country. "1836." On the back of the memorial is the follow- ing:— "Thomas Hardy lived to see a great part of his laudable and enlightened objects fulfilled by the a ing of The Reform Bill, which will ultimately to good and happy government. His memory will be cherished by every friend of freedom, piety, and moral rectitude. It will be recorded in the history of this great country, that by his excellent conduct through a long life, he demonstrated that the most humble in society, when guided by in- tegrity, and aided by perseverance and judgment, are sure to add to the happiness, and advance the liberties, of mankind. " Placed 5th November, 1836, by A. G., J. B., and R. T. Repaired 1853." Who were "A. G.,B"J. B.," and "R. T.M? I think 1 can guess, but would like to know for a certainty. TENEBR* would most likely find fuller information about Thomas Hardy in any of the political histories relating to the close of the eighteenth century. The ' State Trials' might also be consulted ; and doubtless the invaluable 'Dictionary of National Biography'—to which we are so frequently referred in these columns, but to which, strange as it may appear (as in the parallel case of the ' Historical English Dic- tionary '), even some of the readers and ad- mirers of ' N. & Q.' have no ready access— contains a biography of this admirable man. It is a pity that this pioneer of our nine- teenth-century liberties should be so far for- gotten as would appear to be the case. R. CLARK. [Hardy is noticed in ' D.N.B.,' xxiv. 357.] MATTHEW WEBB (9th S. vi. 21, 42, 137).—I have received the following letter from a St. Petersburg correspondent of ' N. <fc Q.' As it gives an independent character of Webb I think it is of much interest:— DKAR SIR,—Quite unknown to you, I venture to send you a few lines referring to your interesting article, which evoked pleasant memories. I was only once in England, viz., in 1876, and I then met Capt. Webb at some rooms where a good band was playing. I was quite alone and very dull, and a few words which passed between us led to our manner, and I don't think I ever met a more gentle- manly young fellow: so unassuming, and so desirous of giving pleasure. He said not a word about his swimming exploits, but asked me a great deal about the noble and friendly Russians, who have been so woftilly misunderstood by England. I do not recollect when I acquired the enclosed photo of Mr. Webb; he wears two medals, but I cannot make them out. " With Sir John Bennett's compliments" is good fun. Perhaps the watch- and clock- maker regarded the Captain as a sort of fetish who would bring luck to his business, causing the sale to go on "swimmingly." At all events, the Captain got across the Channel like one o'clock. Yours sincerely, H. E. M. The photo enclosed was issued as an ad- vertisement by Sir John Bennett. It is a three-quarter face, looking to the left—in swimming costume. One medal is easily identified by a reference to the drawing of it given in 'Swimming,' by Sinclair and Henry, 1893, pp. 182, 206. It is the Stanhope gold medal. The other is probably that of the Liverpool Humane Society. The photo I shall preserve as a curiosity ; it shows Webb's extraordinary popularity. The saying " like one o'clock " I have looked for in all the books of reference, but have not found any explanation of it. RALPH THOMAS. t" Go it like one o'clock " is, or has been, familiar in the West Riding.] passing a very IUL! i struck by •leasant evening together. I was Webb's modest, almost nervous plea Mr. NOTES ON BOOKS, fto. Calendar of Letter-Booh of the City of London.— Letter-Book B. Edited by Reginald R. Sharps, D.C.L. (Privately printed.) LIKE the previous volume, for which see 9th S. iv. 198, the present volume of the Letter-Books pre- served at the Guildhall is issued under the direction of the Library Committee of the Corporation of the City of London, and under the admirably competent care of Dr. Reginald Sharpe. Like it, too, it ia principally occupied with recognizances contracted within the period covered, which extends, so far as these are concerned, from 1294 to 1312. As has before been said, these recognizances are interesting as illustrating the natureof the trade carried on between London and Gascony or elsewhere. The meaning of the names is often conjectural. Besace is thus supposed to be possibly Barsac [might it not even be Bassac ?]. Monkuk, which appears several times, is taken for Montaigut, Puy de Dome, which does not seem too likely a guess. There are other Mon- taiguts. Malings is, of course, Malines, and De Sancto Leverado may mean Saintfe] Livrade. If only for the sake of the names, this portion will repay study. An essay upon these would be a thing of much interest. Difficult enough are some- times the English names, as when it has to be supposed that John de Montfort de Bramhclej;he is of Bromley-by-Bow. The records of trials have an interest of their own, the authorities being