2od s. V. m, June 12. '580 NOTES AND QUERIES. 



471 



of the Qjieen's Majesty, and so departed, she 

 giving him most hearty thanks." 



J. Brent, F. S. A. 



DIFFICULTIES OF CHAUCEB. 



(^L'Envoi.') 



The series of remarks on the " Difficulties of 

 Chaucer," which is for the present brought to a 

 close, has extended to greater length than was 

 originally designed. Tyrwhitt, at the conclusion 

 of his admirable edition of the Canterbury Tales, 

 has bequeathed to us a list of " Words and Phrases 

 not understood," to the number of 53. Out of 

 this number the writer of the series now closed 

 has been kindly permitted to offer in the pages of 

 " N. & Q." his suggestions on Carrenare (2"'' S. 

 iii. 299.), Jache of Dover (352.), Hopposteries (iv. 

 407.), Broken Harm and Cristofre (450.), Rewel 

 Bone (509.), Madrian (510.), Whipvltre (v. 24.), 

 Poudre Marchant (25.), Mar chant and Gnoff 

 (123.), Tidifes (166.), Eclympasteire and Parodie 

 (229.), Nedes Cost (271.), Blake heried (290. 

 309.), Gat-tothed (392.), Spiced Conscience (432.), 

 and Cankedort (433.). Some farther information 

 is expected concerning Poudre Marchant and the 

 Cristofre, on both which "Difficulties" the writer 

 is now aware that his views are open to exception, 

 though still under the impression that the expla- 

 nations which he has offered are substantially 

 correct. 



A hope was expressed, towards the commence- 

 ment of the present series, "that others, far better 

 qualified, would contribute their aid" towards the 

 solution of the Chaucerian "Difficulties" cata- 

 logued by Tyrwhitt, and not hitherto " rubbed 

 out." (2"'' S. iv. 509.) This hope has in part 

 been realised : not indeed by elucidations of the 

 untouched items in Tyrwhitt's list, but by erudite 

 and ingenious criticisms, contributed by various 

 hands, on some of the solutions that have now 

 been offered ; such as that nedes cost is not ne 

 discoste (nee procul), but a negative adverb sig- 

 nifying "of necessity;" ihsA nedes cost is "need 

 is caused:" that whipultre is a " wild apple-tree ;" 

 that whipultre is "whip-pulling-tree, or the tree 

 from which whips are pulled, otherwise the horn- 

 beam:" and that blake beried means "black berry- 

 ing" 



May not these critics and etymologists be fairly 

 called upon, now that they have thus shown us 

 what they can do, to try their hand on Chaucer's 

 remaining difficulties? What is fortenid crese? 

 Who was Limofe ? Who was Ballenus ? What 

 meant our forefathers, when taking leave, by say- 

 ing or singing farewell feldefare ? What had 

 " old will ewes " to do with Wades bote ? On each 

 of these interesting questions the writer has some- 

 thing to offer in his humble way. But he pauses, 



awaiting the solutions of /t., A. Holt White, H. 

 F. N., and Fran. Chosslby. Thomas Boys. 



ANDEHSON papers. NO. I. 



The following letters are for the first time 

 printed from the original manuscripts in the 

 Library of the Faculty of Advocates, Edinburgh. 

 As contributions to the literary history of Scot- 

 land at the commencement of the last century, 

 they merit preservation. 



Patrick Anderson to his Sister. 



" Edinburgh, 9"' Nov. 1714. 

 " My dear, 



" I hope before this j'ou're safely arrived, and seen the 

 park, and some other places in Town. 1 expected to 

 have heard from you on the road, but believing you to be 

 fatigued when you came to j'our quarters, excuse j'ou ;' 

 but hope you'll do it now, and tell me how j'ou like the 

 place. As in all corners you'll see trade flourishing, so I 

 hope it will induce you to pursue yours with the utmost 

 diligence. 



" 1 would have you, if your father think fit, to write to 

 Mrs. Macaula * to show that you are still sensible of the 

 kindness and favour you have received from her, and beg 

 she'l be pleased to give you her best advice, since she is 

 the most proper person to advise you in that kind of 

 business. I have been waitting on her, and she alwaj's 

 enquires very kindly for you. I must request you, as 1 

 know it's your inclination to take all care imaginable of 

 your father, and see that every thing be right about him, 

 for I'm persuaded he'll let you want no encouragement 

 suitable to j'our behaviour. All friends are well, and re- 

 member you kindly. 



" Your affec' brother, 



" Pat. Anderson." 



James Anderson, Esq., Postmaster- General, to his Son 

 Patrick Anderson. 



« EdinBh, 10«^ 1716. 

 " My Dear Child, 

 " The weather here is cold, and the wind easterly, 

 which makes me verj- uneasy, but I hope it will soon 

 give over. I wrote you the Governor's approvel of the 

 neu office I hav taken, and a Person has been with me 

 from Baron Scropef about my house, and has wrote up 

 to him. 

 " General Cadogan J is come here, and goes for London 



* This lady was a milliner; she was, it is supposed, 

 the mother of the Rev. Kenneth Macaulay, Minister of 

 Ardnamurchan, the author of the History of St. Kilda, 

 8vo. It is a curious illustration of the habits of the time 

 when the daughter of the Postmaster-General of Scotland 

 commenced business as a dress-maker. We opine that 

 such an example might be beneficially followed, even in 

 these enlightened times. 



t One of the Barons of Exchequer in Scotland, whose 

 MS. account of that court was privately printed by 

 Government some thirty or forty j'ears since. 



J William Cadogan, created in 1718 Earl Cadogan, 

 Viscount Caversham, Lord Cadogan of Reading; also 

 Lord Cadogan of Oakley, with remainder to his brother 

 Charles and his heirs male. The three first titles be- 

 came extinct in 1726, but the Earldom was revived in 

 1800 in the person of Charles Lord Cadogan, the descend- 

 ant of Charles the brother of Earl William. 



