William John Thoms, its founder.It is in this eventful year we celebrate the jubilee of, to speak of it in the terms of its founder, "dear old Notes and Queries," the first number of which was published on the 3rd of November, 1849. In the summer of 1846 Mr. William John Thoms, the founder and first editor of Notes and Queries, wrote to The Athenæum, suggesting that it would be both useful and interesting if it would open its columns to correspondence on the manners, customs, observances, superstitions, ballads, proverbs, &c., of the olden time. Mr. Dilke was so much struck with the idea that he invited Mr. Thoms to call upon him at the office in Wellington Street, when, with certain limitations, the plan was agreed to, and on the 22nd of August the first article appeared, Mr. Thoms writing under the pseudonym of "Ambrose Merton," and giving to his investigations the title of "Folk-Lore." In the number published on the 4th of September, 1847, Mr. Thoms revealed himself to be "Ambrose Merton," and at the same time claimed the honour of introducing the expression "Folk-Lore," "as Isaac D'Israeli does of introducing 'Fatherland' into the literature of the country." The Athenæum of the same date states "that in less than twelve months the word 'Folk-Lore' has almost attained to the dignity of a household word." Mr. Thoms at this time commenced a series of nine articles on the Folk-Lore of Shakespeare, little realizing that this special subject was to assume such dimensions.His articles in The Athenæum on "Folk-Lore." In 1849 it was found that the Folk-Lore articles and correspondence had become so extensive that it was impossible, having regard to the increasing demands that literature, the fine arts, and the other subjects treated in The Athenæum made on its space, that they should be continued. Mr. Thoms, therefore, felt that the time had come when a journal entirely devoted to the subjects in question might be started with a fair chance of success. Title of Notes and Queries.The title of Notes and Queries, "after much cudgelling of brains," was hit upon, and with a hearty greeting from The Athenæum the new paper started on its way.
Mr. Thoms, in his interesting reminiscences of the founding of the journal (5 S. vi. 1, 41, 101, 221; vii. 1, 222, 303), gives a record of the first six numbers, and renders, with true old-world courtesy, full tribute to those whose contributions had been so largely helpful to its success. He also says that the title of Notes and Queries was not considered by many of his friends to be a good one, but that he himself, being so well pleased with it, determined to stand fast by it. Peter Cunningham suggests a Cowper mottoMr. Peter Cunningham suggested for its motto the words of Cowper:—
- By thee I might correct, erroneous oft,
- The clock of History facts and events
- Timing more punctual, unrecorded facts
- Recovering, and mis-stated setting right.
Lady suggests Captain Cuttle. But it was due to the happy suggestion of a lady that Captain Cuttle's favourite maxim became the motto of the new venture.
