Note 1, p. 91.--A house called Fordhook. This description is, alas! no
longer accurate; and the spot from which Fielding set out for Lisbon in
June, 1754, is now covered by 'commodious villas.'
Note 2, p. 139.--A writer of comedy with the pencil. This happy
characterization was first used by Arthur Murphy in the Gray's Inn
Journal for 9th February, 1754.
Note 3, p. 141.--The original No. 17 of the 'North Briton.' Since the
above was written, my faith in this relic has been rudely shaken. In
looking over a collection of Hogarthiana, temporarily at the British
Museum, I came upon another copy of the paper also purporting to be the
'identical' No. 17, etc. Which is the real Simon Pure? Mr. Standly's
copy (his Catalogue says at p. 84) was given by Mrs. Hogarth to [Samuel]
Ireland. But this second copy I saw, also emanated from that not wholly
unimpeachable source. Collectors will please sympathise.
Note 4, p. 211.--Bronze statue of King James the Second. This statue,
first placed in Whitehall Gardens on the 31st December, 1686 (Bramston's
Autobiography, 1845, p. 253), was transferred in 1897 to an inclosure at
the side of Gwydyr House. The present writer well remembers its forlorn
departure, prone on a trolly, with one leg stiffly extended. It has
again been moved; and now stands at the back of the Admiralty, where
it will doubtless give rise to fresh traditions as to the site of the
execution of Charles I.
Note d, p. 219.--Ink-bottles... dangling from their button-holes.
Flaxman, when he lived in Poland Street, used, in his capacity of parish
officer, to collect the watch rates. On these occasions he always
wore an ink-bottle at his buttonhole. Johnson also bustled about thus
accoutred at the sale of Thrale's brewery (Birkbeck Hill's Boswell,
1887, iv. 87).
Note G, p. 324.--Hogarth's... gold ticket. This is now in the possession
of Mr. Fairfax Murray, who bought it at the Forman sale. But recent
authorities doubt if the design was Hogarth's own.
Note 7, p. 349.--Her Majesty's 'Yatcht' 'Fubs.' This absurd name,
according to a writer in _Notes and Queries_ for 6th October, 1883,
had been given to Queen Anne's royal yacht by Charles II., in honour of
'Madam Carwell,' who was 'fubsy' or plump.
Note 8, p. 372.--Danced round an unmetaphoric mulberry tree. Miss
Burney's historic performance took place, as a matter of fact, at
Chessington, the Surrey hermitage of her friend and critic, 'Daddy'
Crisp. It was the uncontrollable outcome of her exhilaration at the
praise which, she was informed, Dr. Johnson had bestowed upon her first
novel, Evelina. 'It gave me such a flight of spirits, that I danced a
jig to Mr. Crisp, without any preparation, music, or explanation--to
his no small amazement and diversion (Diary, etc., of Madame D'Arblay,
1904-5, i. 49).