First Button Manufacturer in America. -The first manufacturer of buttons in this country was Samuel Williston. While he was dragging along as a country storekeeper -his eyes having failed him while studying suggestion seems to be due to Jonathan Hulls, who published a tract in 1737 which contains a plate representing a boat with a paddlewheel at the stem, propelled by a steam-engine, and towing after it a vessel of for the ministry-his good wife bethought war; he took out a patent, but the scheme her that she could cover by hand the wooden buttons of the time, and thus earn an honest penny. From this time the couple advanced in their ambition until they had perfected machinery for covering buttons; the first employed for the purpose in this country. From this sprang an immense factory, and then others, until Samuel Williston made half the buttons of the world. His factories are still running at Easthampton, coining wealth for the proprietors, and known to every dealer in buttons the world over. He is now between seventy and eighty years of age, is worth five or six millions, and has given $400,000 to Easthampton for a seminary and for churches, $200,000 to South Hadley Female Seminary, and $200,000 to Amherst College, besides lesser gifts. Swiss Youth who fell in the Rebellion."During the late American War a band of Swiss youths-chiefly from the lake districts -crossed the Atlantic and tendered their services to General Grant. He readily accepted them. At the first battle in which they were engaged, he characteristically placed them in the van, where every one of their number fell." I copy this note from Swiss Scenery. By S. Thompson. London: A. W. Bennett. 1868. Folio. In what battle did these gallant Swiss youth fall? W. T. K. New York, Jan., 1870. "Histoire d'un Peuple Nouveau."-I have an old volume, of which the following is the title-page: "Histoire d'un peuple nouveau, ou découverte d'une isle à 43 degrés 14 minutes de latitude méridionale, par David Tompson, capitaine du vaisseau le Boston, à son retour de la Chine en 1756. Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois. A Londres, aux dépens d'une Société de Libraires, 1757." Can any of your readers give me any information as to the authorship of this work? J. H. 1 Steamships Predicted (4th S. iv. 29, 84, 144). If history is correct, steam navigation must have been-more than predictedexperimented on long before the time mentioned by your correspondents. The first was a failure. His suggestion, however, was practically tried by the Marquis de Jouffroy, who constructed a steamboat with which he in 1782 made numerous experiments on the Soane at Lyons. Five years later, a Scotchman, Mr. Pat. Miller of Dalswinton, described in a pamphlet a new species of vessel he had invented to be driven by paddlewheels. The engine to work which was made and fixed into a pleasure boat by Will. Symington, and tried with considerable success on the lake of Dalswinton. In the year following Mr. Miller constructed a boat which was tried in 1789 on the Forth and Clyde, and attained a speed of nearly seven miles an hour. In Heronis Spiritualium Liber, 4to, Urbini, 1575, will be found a notice of the first application of steam as a motive power. The Marquis of Worcester in a little work published in 1663, entitled A Century of the Names and Scantlings of Inventions, describes a method of employing the pressure of steam for raising water to great heights. Thomas Savery, an Englishman, has the credit of having made the first actual working steam-engine of which we have any account, and for which he obtained a patent in 1698. HARRY SANDARS. Oxford. Dr. Franklin.-In 1801 and 1802, while keeping my terms in the Temple, I was an friend, Mr. Kelly Bellew, in Mitre Buildalmost daily visitor at the chambers of my ings, where I frequently met the literary celebrities of the time. Among them was Temple Franklin, a (natural, as I understood) son of the renowned philosopher, and governor of some place-I forget what-in America. I heard him relate an anecdote of his father, which may be worthy of conservation in "N. & Q.” He was set one day to work an electrical machine on which his father was intending an experiment with a live duck. Inclining forward, and holding the creature's head toward the machine, it struggled violently to escape, and the experimentalist's head meeting the shock instead, he fell senseless to the floor, and was with great difficulty re stored to animation. I cannot give the governor's detail of this perilous mischance, or the comments of its seientific hearers; but I well remember the general reflections on the political as well as the philosophical consequences of its fatal result. For myself, I was too young to be anything more than a humble listener. E. L. S. Dr. Franklin on the Voyage of Admiral Bartholomew de Fonte. Looking over some papers relating to the colonies which belonged to the minister Lord Bute, and which were presented to him in 1762, I came upon a document in the autograph of Benjamin Franklin, which appears to me to be of value, and worthy of some notice in "N. & Q." It is the opinion of that great, wise and learned man, on the voyage of Admiral Bartholomew de Fonte, which was published by Pettiver in a periodical work called Memoirs for the Curious, for the months of April and June 1708. Franklin's letter is dated from Craven Street (London), May 27, 1762, and is addressed to Dr., afterwards Sir John Pringle, the eminent Scotch physician, and president of the Royal Society, who probably gave it to Lord Bute. De Fonte's voyage is supposed to have taken place in 1640, and the most interesting part relates to the north-west passage.' Dr. Franklin gives it as his opinion that the account of the voyage is genuine, but that "it is an abridgement and a translation, and bad in both respects; if a fiction, it is plainly not an English one, but it has none of the features of fiction." With respect to the north-west passage, Franklin observes :- "Though there may probably be no practicable passage for ships, there is nevertheless such a passage for boats as De Fonte found and has described, and that the country upon the passage is for the most part habitable, and would produce all the necessaries of life." The whole letter, which is too long to transcribe at length, is well and cleverly written and admirably expressed. He appears to have taken much pains to ascertain the genuineness of De Fonte's narration, by inquir ing from old people, and from Mr. Prince, whom he calls " a great antiquarian," as to the existence of two persons-Seynour (probably Seignior) Gibbons, and Captain Shapley or Stapley, who are mentioned in the voyaye as having been on board "a great ship from Boston in New England, in Ronquillo Strait," where they were met by De Fonte. Franklin minutely describes the trouble which Mr. Prince took to ascertain the facts, which were favorable to the credibility of the narration. He ends his letter by saying, that he has at home a number of letters and papers that give further and stronger lights on this matter "They are bundled together with the manuscript journals of the two voyages I promoted from Philadelphia, which proved indeed unsuccessful, but the journals contain some valuable information." He adds, that he wishes them in the possession of his friend Dr. Pringle, and if any accident should happen to him on his return (to America), he desired his executors may consider this letter as an authority for sending them to him. E. P. SHIRLEY. "John Swift, a leading member of the Assembly, is opposed to establishing unless the Government" (i. e. Proprietary or Penn.) "will grant away almost all his rights and powers in the Government." Mr. Swift belonged to the party which was in favor of a change in the relations between the colony and the Penns. It will be seen by a reference to the page given above, that not a great deal is known as to the English antecedents of this family of Swifts, and any information will be much valued. Godwyn Swift's book-plate is: ! "Or, a chev. barry nebulee ar. and az. between three roebucks courant ppr." But on inquiry some fifteen years ago at the College of Arms, I was given to understand that nebulee was not correct, and that no such arms were on record. Subsequently I was informed from another source that they were to be found in Gwillim-a book to which I have not had access since receiving this later information. Correct or not, the chevron is nebulée. It may perhaps cast some light on the inquiry to mention that John Swift the emigrant married a Miss Mary White of Croydon, near London, and that the son John speaks of "the luxurious life at Croydon." Subsequently John, the son, was made collector of the port at Philadelphia, through the influence of Grosvenor Bedford, mentioned in Peter Cunningham's Walpole HERMANVILLE. Letters. Sir Francis Drake.-Are any of the immediate descendants of Sir Francis Drake still alive? M. A. PAULL. Plymouth. [There are no immediate descendants of Sir Francis Drake living. The famous admiral died childless. His brother, Captain Thomas Drake, of Plymouth, inherited his estates, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Francis Drake "the younger," who was created a baronet in 1622. His last lineal descendant was Sir Francis Henry Drake, who dying unmarried in 1794, the baronetcy expired. In 1821 it was revived in the person of Mr. Thomas Trayton Fuller, nephew to the second and last Baron Heathfield, from whom he inherited the Devonshire estates of the Drake family, and thereupon assumed the joint names of Eliott and Drake.] Revolutionary War.-Mrs. Nancy W. Nixon, a venerable lady of ninety-two years, died in Boston on Saturday. She received a pension for her husband's services as a fifer, when a mere lad, in the Revolutionary His father, a brave officer, was army. wounded at Bunker Hill. Continuation of Don Juan.- In the December number of the BIBLIOPOLIST an error occurs in the article entitled "Editions of Byron and Byronana," referring to the continuation of Don Juan. It is there said to be entitled "Rest of Don Juan," and that "George Clason was the author;" both of which statements are erroneous. As copies of the work have become quite scarce, I append a transcript of the title-page. DON JUAN CANTOS XVII.-XVIII. "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, thou shalt have no more cakes and ale? Yes by St. Anne, and ginger shall be hot i' the mouth too." Twelfth Night: or what you will. SHAKESPEARE. NEW YORK CHARLES WILEY. 3 WALL STREET. HOPKINS & MORRIS, PRINTERS, Although published anonymously, the author was well known to be Isaac S. Clason. W. H. T. Tipton, Iowa. "Sequel to Don Juan."-A second edition of "five cantos of Sequel was issued (by Paget & Co., 2 Bury Street, St. James's), and eleven more cantos were promised. The author said he should "feel bound to reveal himself should the remaining eleven cantos of his poem be called for." No date is given on the title or in the preface, but a date casually introduced in a note shows the volume was printed after 1841. The stanzas and style are close imitations of the original, and the poet displays fluent and brilliant powers of rhyme. Who was the author? Were any more cantos issued? An Apology for Don Juan (two cantos only) was published by "T. Green, 76 Fleet Street, 1824." Who was the author?" ESTE. Continuations of Don Juan.-L. H. B. mentions a "clever continuation of Don Juan under the title Don Juan, Cantos XVII-XVIII,' published in New York (1851) by Arnold F. Truesdell." Here is another, which I take from a communication in the Round Table, April, 1868. W. T. K. Notes and Queries-your London contemporaryfor March 21 (page 267)—has a note from Mr. Ralph Thomas-Olphar Hamst?-giving the titles of eight squibs, etc., written upon Lord Byron, and asking for others, that he may have "something like a complete list." Four of those quoted by Mr. T. purport to be continuations of Don Juan; in adding another to this list I may possibly elicit from this side the Atlantic still further contributions. The pamphlet in my possession is entitled: "The Rest of Don Juan. Inscribed to the Shade of Byron. By Henry Morford. New York: Burgeas, Stringer & Co. 1846." Pp. 47. [Cantos I-VII: stanzas 90, 101, 84, 90. 95, 98, 87.] The poem is by no means as bad as it might be thyme generally good, the flow of verse well caught, style happily imitated, sometimes witty; but occasionally ungrammatical, and often silly. New York, April 20. R. Y. [This is probably the work we erroneously ascribed to Geo. Ciasson.] The American Geographical and Statististical Society during the year 1869 received by contribution and purchase, 1,426 additions to the library. At the last annual meeting Chas. P. Daly, L.L.D., was elected president for 1870. He delivered an address on "The Recent Explorations and Theories for Reaching the North Pole." New Jersey Historical Society.-The. librarian, at the last annual meeting, reported a large number of contributions of books and pamphlets. Richard B. Field was elected president for 1870. Judge Elmer read a paper embodying his personal recollections. of a number of distinguished sons of N. J. who have graced its bench and bar. This Society has issued another volume of "Proceedings." Lee County (Ga.) Historical Society.A County Historical Society was organized in Lee County, Georgia, on the 15th Dec., with the following officers: President, Col. G. P. Harrison; Vice-Presidents, Col. J. F. Dowdell, A. Luther, G. W. Hooper, Capt. L. F. McCoy, J. T. Scott and W. J. Saxon. Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda.”—“ M. Claim on the West New Jersey Society. Bagien has acquired, with a view to early-A curious case is under the investigation. representation, the right to produce in Paris. "Maria Stuarda," an unpublished opera of Donizetti's, written in 1833 for the Theatre San Carlo, of Naples, but placed under an interdict by the Government of the day on account of the legend." What is this "legend?" W. T. K. Mappa Mundi. "Arrangemerts have been made in England for reproducing in fac-simile the famous Mappa-Mundi in Hereford Cathedral." What is the date of this map? W. T. K. SCRAPEANA. Nicollet Island Tunnel.-The proprietor of the Nicollet Island Tunnel, near Minneapolis, Minn., in company with two friends, lately entered the Tunnel in a boat, and had penetrated about 500 feet from the entrance when the awful silence of the vault was broken by the continuous crashing fall of masses of the limestone rock which form the roof. Though large fragments struck all about the boat, all of the gentlemen were lucky enough to escape unhurt. of the Master of the Rolls in Chancery Lane, in London. In 1692 the West New Jersey Society was established in London, for acquiring lands in British North America, and for trade and other purposes, for the benefit of the proprietors and members. Certain tracts of land situated in Pennsylvania, and in East and West New Jersey, were purchased and conveyed for the use and benefit of the society. One of the members was John Love, and on the 25th of May, 1693,. he executed a transfer to a Mr. Ffowks.. The society still exists for the purpose of satisfying claims, and it holds between £7,000 and £8,000 as representing the value of the ten shares in question. A bill has been filed, and inquiries have been directed by the Master of the Rolls as to who are Mr. Ffowks's next of kin. There are already many claimants. First White Settler in Iowa.-The Dubuque (Iowa) Times says that at the last meeting of the Early Settlers' Association in that city, measures were taken to collect a fund for the building of a monument to the memory of Julien Dubuque, the first white settler in Iowa. War of 1812.-The surviving soldiers. of the war of 1812, residing in Missouri, met in St. Louis Jan. 8, 1870, and signed a petition to Congress asking for pensions. A Brave Down-East Soldier.-Daniel D. Weld, of Abbot Village, Me., who served in the 84th Pennsylvania Regiment, has written to the Commissioner of Pensions to say that he is stout and well again, and does not want a pension any longer, being amply able to support himself by his own labor. The astonished Commissioner replies that he will strike Mr. Weld's name from the rolls, and that he considers him to be "a disinterested patriot." Never having heard of such a case before, and not expecting to hear of another like it, we do not ourselves venture to offer any comments upon this astounding incident.-Tribune. Thomas S. Townsend's Lectures.-Mr. Thomas S. Townsend, the compiler of the "Historical Record and Encyclopædia of the Great Rebellion," in a hundred quarto volumes, is prepared to lecture the coming season on Massachusetts, her heroes and the War for the Union "-this being the first of a series on a part taken by each State in the war. He can be reached through Mr. Medbery's bureau. Old Meeting-House at Waldoboro'.The meeting-house built at Waldoboro', Me., more than a hundred years ago, by the Germans, is still standing, with its twenty windows of four by nine glass, its square unpainted pews, its pulpit, sounding board, and communion table of pine. The last pastor was Rev. John William Starman, a native of Holmstadt, Germany, who preached in this ancient house more than fifty years, in German and English, and who died in 1854, ninety-one years of age. Old Conrad Heyer acted as chorister in the old house for eighty years, and when a hundred years old would sing the highest notes with scarcely any of the tremulousness of age. Nothing now remains of those ancient people who once worshipped there. The old church is kept in repair by the noble liberality of Col. George Smouse. Salem.-A Mr. Street, of Salem, Mass., is sowing Salem broadcast out West. He named the towns of Salem in Ohio, Indiana and Iowa, and is now at it in the Territories.-Sun. A Unique Album.-A very pleasant reunion of artists and authors took place at a beautiful private residence on Second avenue, New Year's eve, the occasion of which was of peculiar interest. More than two years ago the idea occurred to a lady, whose sympathetic appreciation of and constant hospitality to artists and authors rendered them prompt and cordial in co-operating for her benevolent and tasteful enterprise, to collect a series of characteristic autographs and sketches, and dispose of them for the benefit of the Woman's Hospital Poets and painters responded to the call of their friend with alacrity, and the result is an album quite unique in beauty and value, both artistic and literary. Here we have the favorite poems of Bryant, Halleck, Longfellow, and other bards in their own handwriting, and with their signatures, each illustrated with emphatic taste and skill by our most eminent artists. The little finished sketches in oil, by Church and Hart, Smilie, Kensett, Shattuck, and other landscape. painters, are in their best vein. Darley's illustrations of Read's "Sheridan's Ride" are full of spirit and truth; Mrs. Waterton's beautiful tribute to Col. Shaw is accom panied by Edmonia Lewis's bust of the hero in photograph; Mrs. Murray contributes one of her most expressive water-color heads; Robert Browning has sent an autographic poem; Stone illustrates Dr. Parson's muse, Bradford, Whittier's, and Huntington a poem by Bishop Coxe. Some of the flower painting by fair hands is exquisite, and it is rare to meet with more refined and ingenious specimens of illuminations than such as embellish the pages of this album. These Sybilline leaves of inspired pen and pencil are admirably arranged for inspection in a frame-work along the wall, and on a level with the eye; thus they will remain until the superb case is finished to contain them, and then the album will be sold, and the proceeds given to the Woman's Hospital.-Tribune. Colony of Swedes,-Rev. Mr. Boinest has arrived at Pomaroa, South Carolina, with a colony of twenty-four Swedes, who are the pioneers of a colony. The State Historical Society of Iowa has issued its quarterly volume of Annals, edited by J. W. Huff, M.D., Iowa City. |