Great find Shaun...I'm really starting to love this 'Notes & Queries' magazine, so useful! As that was published in 1853, our Nat was 7 years ahead of the crowd!
As for the italics, Nat was obviously rummaging in Ann's cabinet of curiosities, much like a lady's handbag today.

That obviously explains the asterisks in that last italicised word which started with C and ended with T - it was CABINET!!!