Numerous memorials of Peter exist at the grotto, and in the neighbourhood of Marsden. Particulars of these and other matters touching this romantic history, may be obtained in No. 2. of _Summer Excursions to the North_, published by Ward, of Newcastle; and in a paper entitled _A Visit to Marsden Rocks_, contributed by myself to the _Peoples Illustrated Journal_, No. XIV.
I think that your well-read correspondent J. W. THOMAS will agree with me that the _bonâ fide_ authorship of the beautiful lines alluded to must be ascertained, not by a single expression, but by the whole of the charming poem. The striking expression of Mohammed, quoted by J. W. THOMAS, is quite common amongst the Easterns even at the present day. I remember, when at Malta, in March, 1848, whilst walking in company of the most accomplished Arabian of the day, the conversation turned upon a certain individual who had since acquired a most unenviable notoriety in the annals of British jurisprudence, my companion abruptly turned upon me, whilst at the shore of the Mediterranean, and said, in his fascinating Arabic, "Behold this great sea! were all its water turned into ink, it would be insufficient to describe the villany of the individual you speak of."
Rabbi Mayir ben Isaac's poem corresponds not merely in a single expression, but in every one. The Chaldee hymn has the ink and ocean, parchment and heavens, stalks and quills, mankind and scribes, &c. Pray do me the favour to insert the original lines. I assure you that they are well worthy of a place in "N. & Q." Here they are:
[Hebrew: GBWRAN `ALMIYN LEIYH WLA' SIPEIQ PRIYSHWTA':] [Hebrew: GWIYL 'ILW RQIY`EIY QNY KAL CHWRSHATA':] [Hebrew: DYWO 'ILW YAMEIY WKAL MEIY KNIYSHWTA':] [Hebrew: DAYREIY 'AR`A' SAPREIY WRASHMEIY RASHWATA':]
In the _Des Knaben Wunderhorn_ there is something of the same idea, though not quite to the same purpose:
"Und wenn der Himmel papyrige wär, Und e jede Sterne Schryber wär, Und jedere Schryber hat siebesiebe Hand, Ei schriebe doch alli mir Liebi Kesend! Dursli und Babeli."
This question was asked by H., and at p. 479. an answer to it was undertaken by ESTE. But, probably from over-anxiety to be very brief, ESTE was betrayed into a most strange and unaccountable misstatement, which ought to be set right before the conclusion of the volume; since, if correctness be generally desirable in all communications to "N. & Q.," it is absolutely indispensable in professed answers to required information. ESTE says: