T. J. infers that if the phrase were a quotation it would have been preceded by "ut dictum est" rather than by "ut dicamus"--but even if it had been introduced by the first of these forms, it does not appear that it would thereby have been proved to be a quotation; because there are instances wherein Lord Bacon directly refers to the source from which he professes to quote, and yet prefers to give the purport in his own words rather than in those of his author. Thus, in citing one of the most exquisite and familiar passages of Lucretius, he introduces it by the prefix, "_Poeta elegantissime dixit_." And yet what follows, although printed in italics with every appearance of strict quotation, is not the language of Lucretius, but a commonplace prose version of its substance. (_Sermones Fideles_, De Veritate.)
With reference to Lord Bacon's works, there are two Queries which I wish to ask.
T. J.'s friend mentions a rare translation into English by Gilbert Wats, Oxford, as existing in Primate Marsh's library. Query, _Of what_ is it a translation?
In Lord Bacon's life, by William Rawley, it is stated that his lordship was born in a house "infra plateam dictum _Le Strand_ juxta Londinum."
Query, Was the Strand ever known as _Le Strand_, similarly to Adwick-_le-street_ in Yorkshire?
_Sir Gammer Vans_ (Vol. ii., pp 89. 280.).--The story related by S. G. is the same that I inquired after, and I admire the accuracy of his memory, for his version is, for the greater part, _literally_ the same that I heard in Ireland sixty years ago. A few passages, as that about _hipper switches_, I do not recollect; and one or two that I remember are wanting--the one, that the narrator was received in "a little _oak_ parlour" of, I forget what, different character; the other, that Sir Gammer's "mother," or "aunt, was a justice of peace, and his sister a captain of horse." I find that Goldsmith's allusion is to this last passage, with some variation. Tony Lumpkin tells Marlow that Hardcastle will endeavour to persuade him that "his mother was an alderman and his aunt a justice of peace." (_She Stoops to Conquer_, A. i. _sub fine_.) I have not been able to find the allusion in Swift; nor can I see how it could have been a _political_ satire. It seems rather to be a mere tissue of incongruities and contradictions--of Irish bulls, in short, woven into a narrative to make folks laugh; and it is much of the same character as many other pieces of ingenious nonsense with which Swift and Sheridan used to amuse each other.