Notes and Queries, Number 214, December 3, 1853. Various

Neele, Editor of Shakspeare.—In the preface to Lectures on English Poetry, being the Remains of the late Henry Neele (Lond. 1830), mention is made of a new edition of Shakspeare's dramatic works, "under the superintendence of Mr. Neele as editor, for which his enthusiastic reverence for the poet of 'all time' peculiarly fitted him, but which, from the want of patronage, terminated after the publication of a very few numbers." These very few numbers must have appeared about 1824-1827; yet the answer to my repeated inquiries after them in London is always "We cannot hear of them." Can any one give me farther information?—From the Navorscher.

J. M.

      MS. by Rubens on Painting.—May I inquire of M. Philarète Chasles whether he ever saw or heard of a manuscript said to be written in Latin by Rubens, and existing in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris? One or two fragments have occasionally been quoted: I think one may be found in Sir Joshua Reynolds' Discourses, and the same is used by Burnet in his work on painting; but no authority is given as to the source of the information.2

      If such a work can be found, it would confer a great boon upon the profession of the fine arts, if it were brought to light without delay.

Weld Taylor.

      Peter Allan.—Will some correspondent of "N. & Q." afford information as to the exact date and place of birth of the celebrated Peter Allan, whose cave at Sunderland is regarded as one of the principal curiosities of the north of England? What is known of his general history; and is any member of his family now living?

      1

      George III. had one or two copies of this picture taken for him; and there is a curious circumstance relative to one of these, which Lady Chatterton mentions in her Home Sketches, published in three vols. 8vo., 1841: "In one respect the picture (which George III. gave to Lord Sidmouth, and wh

1

George III. had one or two copies of this picture taken for him; and there is a curious circumstance relative to one of these, which Lady Chatterton mentions in her Home Sketches, published in three vols. 8vo., 1841: "In one respect the picture (which George III. gave to Lord Sidmouth, and which the latter had put up at the stone lodge in Richmond New Park) differs from the original at Hampton Court: it is singular enough that in this copy the figure of the Prince is omitted, which was done by the King's desire, and is a striking and rather comical proof of the dislike which he felt towards his son. When the Prince became King, he dined here, and remarked to Lord Sidmouth that his portrait had been omitted, and hinted that it ought to be restored. This, however, was evaded, and the copy remains in its original state."—Vol. i. pp. 18, 19.

2

[This may probably be Rubens's MS. Album, of which an account is given in Vertue's Anecdotes of Painting, vol. ii. pp. 185, 186.—Ed.]

2

[This may probably be Rubens's MS. Album, of which an account is given in Vertue's Anecdotes of Painting, vol. ii. pp. 185, 186.—Ed.]