316 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
[2nd §, No 16,, Apri 19, °56. 
Cornwail.—Is any list of books, tracts, or 
manuscripts, having relation to the county of 
Cornwall (printed or otherwise) known to exist ? 
If so, where could it be found ? 
These questions are asked, because a small work 
on the subject is in preparation by the under- 
signed, who would like to compare “notes” with 
any previous attempt; or, may be, avail himself 
of its researches. Also, where are the largest col- 
lections of books, &e., illustrative of the county 
situated ? 
The title, and a short description of any pieces 
(printed or MS.) unnoticed by bibliographers, 
would be learned with pleasure by 
Jno. C, Horren. 
Piccadilly. 
[There is a valuable list of this kind in a local work, 
entitled, The Literary Chronicle; a Miscellany of General 
Literature, 8vo., 1849. On the third page, however, it is 
called The South Devon Literary Chronicle, New Series. 
The list will be found at pp. 80.126. 179. Consult also the 
classified Catalogue of the London Institution, and Bohn’s 
Guinea Catalogue, 1841, Topographical Index, p. 1939.] 
Harmony of the Gospels. —Can you oblige me 
with the title, and the name of the publisher, of a 
small work on the apparent discrepancies between 
the Evangelists, issued anonymously, but attri- 
buted to the late Duke of Manchester? It is by 
no means as well known, I am informed, as it 
ought to be. ABHBA. 
[This was an article in The Quarterly Journal of Pro- 
phecy, for October, 1849, entitled, ‘On the Origin of the 
Harmonizing Gospels.” Published by Nisbet & Co. ] 
Greek Fire. —I shall be glad of references to 
any works containing accounts of this combustible, 
invented by Callinicus of Heliopolis, in the seventh 
century, to destroy the ships of the Saracens. In 
what work is Lord de Joinville’s mention of it 
made ? T. Lampray. 
[An interesting account of the Greek fire will be found 
in The Quarterly Journal of Science, Literature, and the 
Arts, vol. xiv. pp. 22—40., published by the Royal Insti- 
tution. It is entitled “Conjectures respecting the Greek 
Fire of the Middle Ages. By J. MacCulloch, M.D., F.R.S.” 
Lord de Joinville’s account of it is given in his Memoirs, 
translated by Thomas Johnes, vol. i. p. 136., &c, edit. 
1807, 4to. ] 
Replies, 
SIR JOHN SUCKLING. 
(2 S. i. 172.) 
A great deal of uncertainty exists as to the 
cause of Sir John Suckling’s death; but his latest 
biographer — and one likely to be well informed 
— the Rev. Alfred Suckling*, says family tradition 
* Selections from the Works of Sir John Suckling, to 
confirms the revolting narrative of his having 
poisoned himself. The writer adds: 
“ His death has been ascribed by some writers, not ac- 
quainted with, or unwilling to state the secret cause of his 
dissolution, to a fever produced by the calamitous aspect 
of national affairs; and at Knowle House in Kent, long 
the seat of his relatives the Dorsets, is a portrait of him, 
to which is attached, in a printed volume devoted to the 
curiosities of that noble mansion, a tale of marvellous 
horror and romance. Having been robbed, says this 
narrative, by his valet, that treacherous domestic, on 
finding his offence discovered, placed an open razor 
[Oldys mentions a penknife] in his master’s boot; who, 
by drawing it hastily on, divided an artery, which caused 
his death through loss of blood. 
“ Others attribute this catastrophe to a nai! driven into 
the boot by the valet with the same intention. This is 
said to have happened on his arrival at Calais, after his 
flight from London; and that Sir John, regardless of the 
pain and danger of the wound, pursued the miscreant and 
overtook him, There may, perhaps, be some foundation 
for this story, but the horrid plan was certainly not the 
cause of his death. 
“Dreadful as is the contemplation of such atrocity, it 
would still be less appalling to moral feeling had either 
of these narratives been correct; but truth inflicts the 
painful task on his biographer to deny their authenticity, 
and close the last page of his history with the relation of 
an act at once the most grievous and indefensible.” 
The proclamation against Suckling, and those 
implicated with him, was issued on the 8th of 
May, 1641. But Suckling, as we are informed, 
was already beyond the seas, and his friends in 
concealment. Shortly after his escape a tract 
made its appearance, entitled A Letter sent by Sir 
John Suckling from France, deploring his sad 
Estate and Flight, with a Discoverie of the Plot 
and Conspiracie intended by him and his Adherents 
against England. ‘This was printed in London, 
though dated from Paris, June 16, 1641. It is 
highly important, as proving that the unfortunate 
knight was living at Paris, June 16, 1641 ; whereas 
modern writers assert that he died May 28, 1641. 
Otherwise it possesses but little interest, being 
merely a burlesque account of the principal events 
of our poet’s life. It consists of forty-two stanzas, 
much in the style of Sir John Mennis, who was 
probably its author. A stanza or two will 
suffice : 
“ Go dolefull sheet, to every street, 
Of London round about-a; 
And tell ’em all thy master’s fall, 
That lived bravely mought-a, 
“Sir John in fight as brave a wight 
As the knight of the sun-a, 
Is fore’d to go away with woe, 
And from his country run-a. 
. . . . . 
“T that could write and well indite, 
As ’tis to ladies known-a, 
And bore the praise, for songs and plays, 
Far more than were mine own-a; 
which is prefixed a Life of the Author, §c., 8vo., Longman 
& Co., 1836, 
nae td 
