Notes and Queries, Number 191, June 25, 1853

A lively Victorian miscellany, this issue invites readers into the bustling world of 19th‑century curiosity. Scholars, artists and avid hobbyists once used it as a hub for sharing discoveries, questions and oddities, all presented in a compact, easily‑priced format that encourages quick, enjoyable perusal.

Among the most striking pieces is a vivid account of folk belief in Somersetshire, where a farmer’s pig recovers after a ritual prescribed by a local “white witch,” and a mysterious white rabbit becomes the alleged embodiment of a rival’s curse. The narrative blends personal testimony with a touch of humor, offering a glimpse into how superstition and everyday life intersected in rural England.

The issue also turns its eye to the world of emblem books, praising a Dutch‑published collection of English emblems for its superior design and moral insight. Together, these essays capture the eclectic spirit of a period eager to document the strange, the scholarly, and the artistic all at once.