Notes and Queries, Number 53, November 2, 1850 | Page 7

made, was in the
zenith of his fame, and "organist to the king." Possibly it may be the
old term for an organist, as it will be remembered that in the fifteenth
century the organ was performed upon by blows from the fist.
At the coronation of James II., and also at that of George I., two of the
king's musicians walked in the procession, clad in scarlet mantles,
playing each on a sackbut, and another, drest in a similar manner,
playing on a double curtal, or bassoon. The "organ-_blower_" had also
a place in these two processions, having on him a short red coat, with a
badge on his left breast, viz. a nightingale of silver, gilt, sitting on a
sprig.
In a weekly paper, entitled the _Westminster Journal_, Dec. 4. 1742, is
a letter subscribed "Ralph Courtevil, _Organ-blower_, Essayist, and
Historiographer." This person was the organist of St. James's Church,
Piccadilly, and the author of the _Gazetteer_, a paper written in defence
of Sir Robert Walpole's administration. By the writers on the opposite
side he was stigmatized with the name of "Court-evil."
At the present time, as I am given to understand, the organist of St.
Andrew's Church, Holborn, is styled in the vestry-books, the
"_organ-blower_."
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
"_Singular" and "Unique_."--The word _singular_, originally applied to
that of which there is no other, gradually came to mean extraordinary

only, and "rather singular," "very singular indeed," and such like
phrases, ceased to shock the ear. To supply the vacancy occasioned by
this corruption, the word unique was introduced; which, I am
horror-struck to see, is beginning to follow its predecessor. The
Vauxhall bills lately declared Vauxhall to be the "most unique place of
amusement in the world." Can anything be done to check this ill-fated
word in its career? and, if not, what must we look to for a successor?
M.
* * * * *
QUERIES.
EARLY POETRY, ETC., FIVE BIBLIOGRAPHICAL QUERIES
RESPECTING.
1. Who was the author of--
"A Poeme on the King's most excellent maiesties happy progress into
Scotland and much desired returne. May, 1685. Imprinted at London,
MDCXXXIII." {375}
It consists of ten leaves, exclusive of title-page, and is signed with the
initials J.R. No copy has been traced in any public or private library.
2. How many leaves does _Nich. Breton's Fantastiques_ contain? I
have a copy, apparently of a more recent date than the one alluded to in
"NOTES AND QUERIES" (Vol. i., p. 410.), wanting the title, and
probably introductory leaf; the text, however, is quite complete. Where
can a perfect copy be found?
3. There is in my possession a poetical collection, of which I can find
no trace in any library public or private. It is dedicated to "Edmond
Lord Sheffield, Lord President of his Maiesties Council established in
the north parts," and the following is a copy of the title-page:--
"Northerne Poems congratulating the King's Maiesties most happy and
peaceable entrance to the crowne of England.
'Sorrowe was ouer night But joy came in the morning.'
'Serò, quamvis seriò, Sat cito, si sat benè.'
'These come too late, though they import they love, Nay, soone enough,
if good enough they prove.'
Printed at London by John Windet for Edmund Weaver, and are to be
solde at the Great North doore of Paules, 1604. Small 4to."
Four leaves not numbered, and twenty-two pages numbered.
4. Can any account be given of a sort of autobiography by an individual

whom Lord Orford sneers at in his _Anecdotes of Painting_; it is
entitled:
"A Manifestation by Sir Balthazar Gerbier, K't. Job. xiii., ver. 18.;
'Behold now, I have ordered my cause, I know that I shall bee justified.'
London, Printed for the author, 1651." 12mo. 36 leaves and title.
This very singular production does not appear to have been published,
and I cannot trace it in any catalogue. It gives the author's descent,
which is noble, and contains many interesting personal details of Sir
Balthazar, which cannot be found elsewhere.
5. In the _Bibliographer's Manual_, by Lowndes, there occurs this entry:
"Life and death of Major Clancie, the grandest cheat in this age," 1680,
and the full catalogue of the Hon. Mr. Nassau is referred to. Can any of
your readers state where a copy of this production may be found? A
brief account of Clancie is contained in the _Memoirs of Gamesters and
Sharpers_, by Theophilus Lucas. He wrote, or there was written, under
this name, various other works not noticed by Lowndes. Can any
information be given as to the assumed or real author of these works?
Lowndes also mentions _Clancie's Cheats, or the Life and Death of
Major Clancie_, 1687. Where can access to this work be obtained?
J. MT.
Edinburgh.
* * * * *
MINOR QUERIES.
_History of