Notes and Queries, Number 16, February 16, 1850

A lively forum for scholars, artists and curious minds, this nineteenth‑century periodical turns the page on a lively exchange of letters, notes and questions. Each entry reads like a conversation across time, inviting readers to weigh in on literary mysteries, genealogical puzzles and the occasional antiquarian oddity. The tone is conversational yet erudite, capturing the spirit of Victorian inquiry without ever feeling pretentious.

The featured discussion spotlights a fascinating debate over Daniel De Foe’s involvement in early ghost narratives. Correspondents recount the surprising appearance of a 1665 apparition manuscript tucked into a De Foe volume, prompting a chain of letters that trace its origins through local clergy, a Cornwall historian and a determined novelist. As the contributors compare names, places and possible fictions, they illustrate how the era’s love of the supernatural intertwined with scholarly detective work, offering listeners a glimpse into the collaborative pursuit of literary truth.