T.J.

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REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES.

Earl of Oxford’s Patent (Vol. ii., p. 194.).—­M.’s quotation from the Weekly Oracle relates to Harley’s having been stabbed at the council-table by the Sieur de Guiscard, a French Papist, brought up for examination 8th March, 1711.  The escape of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was the subject of an address from both Houses to the Queen; and upon his being sufficiently recovered to resume his seat, the Speaker delivered to him the unanimous congratulations of the House of Commons.  Harley was shortly after created Earl of Oxford, by patent bearing date 24th May, 1711, which recites, inter alia,—­

“Since, therefore, the two Houses of Parliament have declared that the fidelity and affection he has expressed in our service have exposed him to the hatred of wicked men, and the desperate rage of a villanous parricide, since they have congratulated his escape from such imminent dangers, and put us in mind that he might not be preserved in vain, we willingly comply with their desires, and grant him who comes so honourably recommended by the votes of our Parliament, a place among our peer,” &c. &c.—­Collin’s Peerage, vol. iv. p. 260. edit. 1789.

Guiscard died in Newgate of the wounds which he received in the scuffle when he was secured.

BRAYBROOKE.

[O.P.Q., who has kindly replied to M.’s inquiry, has appended to his answer the following Query:—­“Is Smollett justified in using the words assassin and assassinate, as applied to cases of intended homicide, when death did not ensue?”]

The Darby Ram (Vol. ii., p. 71.).—­There is a whimsical little volume, which, as it relates mainly to local matters, may not have come under the notice of many of your readers, to which I would refer your querist H.W.

It is entitled,—­

    “Gimcrackiana, or Fugitive Pieces on Manchester Men and Manners
    ten years ago.  Manchester, 1833.” cr. 8vo.

It is anonymous, but I believe truly ascribed to a clever young bookseller of the name of J.S.  Gregson, since dead.

At page 185. he gives twelve stanzas of this ballad, as the most perfect copy from the oral chronicle of his greatgrandmother.

In The Ballad Book (Edinb. 1827, 12mo.), there is another entitled “The Ram of Diram,” of a similar kind, but consisting of only six verses and chorus.  And the Dublin Penny Journal, vol. i., p. 283., contains a prose story, entitled “Darby and the Ram,” of the same veracious nature.

F.R.A.