Notes and Queries, Number 197, August 6, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Number 197, August 6, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
"On the south downs of this county (Surrey), and in those of Sussex,
are the biggest snails that ever I saw, twice or three times as big as
our common snails, which are the Bavoli or Drivalle, which Mr. Elias
Ashmole tells me that the Lord Marshal brought from Italy, and
scattered them on the Downs hereabouts, and between Albury and Horsley,
where are the biggest of all."
Again, Aubrey, in his _Natural History of Wiltshire_, says:
"The great snailes on the downes at Albury, in Surrey (twice as big as
ours) were brought from Italy by * * * Earle Marshal, about
1638."--Aubrey's _History_, p. 10., edited by John Britton, F.S.A.,
published by the Wiltshire Topographical Society, 1847.
The first of these accounts, from Aubrey's _Surrey_, I have quoted in my
_Promenade round Dorking_, 2nd edit. 1823, p. 274., and have added in a
note:
"This was one of the Earls of Arundel. It is probably from this snail
account that the error, ascribing the planting of the box (on Box Hill)
to one of the Earls of Arundel, has arisen. The snails were brought
thither for the Countess of Arundel, who was accustomed to dress and
eat them for a consumptive complaint."
When I lived at Dorking (1815-1821) a breed of large white snails was found
on Box Hill.
JOHN TIMBS.
MR. H. T. RILEY is informed that the breed of white snails he refers to is
to be plentifully found in the neighbourhood of Shere. I have found them
frequently near the neighbouring village of Albury, on St. Martha's Hill,
and I am told they are to be met with in the lanes as far as Dorking. I
have always heard that they were imported for the use of a lady who was in
a consumption; but who this was, or when it happened, I have never been
able to ascertain.
NEDLAM.
The breed of large white snails is to be found all along the escarpment of
the chalk range, and is {129} not confined to Surrey. It is said to have
been introduced into England by Sir Kenelm Digby, and was considered very
nutritious and wholesome for consumptive patients. About the end of the
last century I was in the habit of collecting a few of the common garden
snails from the fruit-trees, and taking them every morning to a lady who
was in a delicate state of health; she took them boiled or stewed, or
cooked in some manner with milk, making a mucilaginous drink.
E. H.
I have somewhere read of the introduction of a foreign breed of snails into
Cambridgeshire, I forget the exact locality, for the table of the monks who
imported them; but unfortunately it was before I commenced making "notes"
on the subject, and I have not been able to recollect where to find it.
SELEUCUS.
* * * * *
INSCRIPTION NEAR CIRENCESTER.
(Vol. viii., p. 76.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account