St. Mary Tavy, Tavistock.
_Quarter Waggoner_ (Vol. v., p. 11.).--I have met with a gentleman in
the navy who informs me that these words should be "Quarter Wagner," and
was so called from the publisher's name, "Wagner," who published the
charts in four parts answering to the four quarters of the globe. These
charts so called have been disused for near thirty years; and it was
commonly observed that they who did not make alteration by improvement
in the charts, or who knew not of anything beyond what was then known in
maritime affairs, did not know anything beyond what was noted on the
then existing charts by Wagner. Hence the phrase.
[+]
In connexion with the notes of BOLTON CORNEY, I would mention that I
have a ponderous folio volume, with thick oak backs, covered with
canvas, on which is the name of the book, _The Dutch Waggoner_: the
printed title is--
"The Lightning Columne or Sea-Mirrour, containing the Sea-Coasts
of the Northern, Eastern, and Western Navigation; Setting forth in
divers necessarie Sea-Cards, all the Ports, Rivers, Bayes, Roads,
Depths and Sands, very curiously placed on its due Polus heigt
furnished, With the discoveries of the chief Countries, and on
what cours and distance they lay one from another. Never
theretofore so clearly laid open, and here and there very
diligently bettered and augmented for the use of all Seamen. As
also the Situation of the Northernly Countries, as Islands, the
Strate Davids, the Isle of Jan Mayen, Bear's Island, Old
Greenland, Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla: Adorned with many
Sea-Cards and Discoveries, gathered out of the Experience and
Practice of divers Pilots and Lovers of the famous Art of
Navigation. Whereunto is added a brief Instruction of the Art of
Navigation, together with New Tables of the Sun's Declination, wit
an New Almanach. At Amsterdam. Printed by Casparus Loots-man,
Bookseller upon the Water in the Loots-man, 1689. With previledge
for fiftheen Iears."
The "priviledge" is signed "Arent Baron van Waggenaer. By the
appointment of the States, Symon van Beaumont." The book is full of very
curious charts, sections, and headlands, and other engravings, and is
very rare; but I merely mention it to show that books of charts, &c.
_were_ known as _waggoners_.