From a paper in the _Archivs für Kunde österreichischer Geschichtsquellen_, I learn that a MS. exists in the City library of Hamburgh, with the following title:
"Chronickel oder Denkbüechel darinnen mit kurtzen Begriffen, Was sich vom 1524 Jar, Bis auff gegenwärtige Zeit, in der gemain zuegetragen, vnd wie viel trewer Zeugen Jesu Christij die warheit Gottes so riterlich mit irem bluet bezeugt. 1637."
The work appears chiefly confined to a history of the Moravian Anabaptists: but from passages given by the writer, Herr Gregor Wolny, it is evident that it contains many of the narratives given by Van Braght. The earlier portion of the MS. was written previous to 1592, when its writer or compiler died. Three continuators carried on the narrations to 1654. The last date in it is June 7, 1654; when Daniel Zwicker, in his own handwriting, records his settlement as pastor over a Baptist church. Mention is made of this MS. by Ottius, and by Fischer in his _Tauben-kobel_, p. 33., &c. For any additional particulars respecting it, I should feel greatly obliged.
It does not appear to be known to your correspondent that a translation of the second part of Van Braght's work has been commenced in this country, of which the first volume was issued by the Hanserd Knollys Society last year. A translation of the entire work appeared in 1837, in Pennsylvania, U. S., for the use of the Mennonite churches, emigrants from Holland and Germany to whom the language of their native land had become a strange tongue.
_Spick and Span New_ (Vol. iii., p. 330.).--The corresponding _German_ word is _Spann-nagel-neu_, which may be translated as "New from the stretching needle;" and corroborates the meaning given by you. I may remark the French have no equivalent phrase. It is evidently a familiar allusion of the clothmakers of England and Germany.
_Under the Rose_ (Vol. iii., pp. 300.).--There is an old Club in this town (Birmingham) called the "Bear Club," and established (ut dic.) circa 1738, formerly of some repute. Among other legends of the Club, is one, that in the centre of the ceiling of their dining-room was once a carved rose, and that the members always drank as a first toast, to "The health of the King," [under the rose], meaning the Pretender.