[1] The old bridge was of wood, and 168 yards in length. It was the most
ancient on the River Thames, except that of London, and is mentioned in
a record of the 8th year of Henry III.
[2] At the time the chapel fell, the sexton, while digging a grave was
buried under the ruins, with another person, and his daughter. The
latter, notwithstanding she lay covered seven hours, survived this
misfortune seventeen years, and was her father's successor. The memory
of this event is preserved by a print of this singular woman, engraved
by M'Ardell.
[3] The work is dedicated to Dr. Babington, "in remembrance of some
delightful days passed in his society, and in gratitude for an
uninterrupted friendship of a quarter of a century;" and in the preface
the author, after saying that the characters are imaginary, intimates
that "in the portrait of HALIEUS, given in the last dialogue, a
likeness, he thinks, will not fail to be recognised to that of a most
estimable physician, ardently beloved by his friends, and esteemed and
venerated by the public."
[4] In our last volume, this was erroneously attributed to Swift.
[5] See page 370, vol. xi. MIRROR.
[6] As "kill him, crimp him," &c.
[[7]] The late worthy and scientific Wm. Reynolds, of the Bank, near
Ketley.
[8] M. Huber was the father of the author of a work on the economy of
bees, and the grandfather of the author of a work on the economy of
ants. The first M. Huber had a very peculiar talent for drawing; with
his scissors he could cut a piece of paper into a representation of
anything, as accurately, and as fast, and with as much spirit, as he
might have delineated with his pencil either figures or landscapes.
Voltaire was his favourite subject; and he is known to have taught his
dog to bite off a piece of crumb of bread, which he held in his hand, so
as to give it as last the appearance of Voltaire.