Authorship of a Couplet.—Can you help me to the authorship of the following lines?—
“Th’ unhappy have whole days, and those they choose;The happy have but hours, and those they lose.”
“Th’ unhappy have whole days, and those they choose;
The happy have but hours, and those they lose.”
P.S.
Seal of Killigrew, and Genealogy of the Killigrew Family.—”BURIENSIS” (No. 13. p. 204.) is informed that the arms on the seal at Sudbury are certainly those of a member of the old Cornish house of Killigrew. These arms, impaled by those of Lower, occur on a monument at Llandulph, near Saltash, to the memory of Sir Nicholas Lower, and Elizabeth his wife, who died in 1638. She was a daughter of Sir Henry Killegrewe, of London, and a near relative, I believe, of the Master of the Revels.
While on this subject, I beg to put a query to your genealogical readers. The double-headed eagle, the bordure bizantée, and the demilion charged with bezants, are all evident derivations from the armorial bearings of Richard, titular king of the Romans, Earl of Cornwall, &c., second son of King John. The family of Killegrewe is of venerable antiquity in Cornwall. What I wish to ascertain is, the nature of the connection between the family and that unfortunate “king.” Was it one of consanguinity, or merely one of feudal dependence?
MARK ANTONY LOWER.
*** See, on the origin of the arms of Richard and their derivatives, myCuriosities of Heraldry, pp.309. et seq.
In common with the mistletoe and vervain the Druids held the Selago and Samolus as sacred plants, and never approached them but in the most devout and reverential manner. When they were gathered for religious purposes the greatest care was taken lest they should fall to the earth, for it was an established principle of Druidism, that every thing that was sacred would be profaned if allowed to touch the ground; hence their solicitude to catch the anguinum:
“————————— When they bearTheir wond’rous egg aloof in air:Thence before to earth it fall,The Druid in his hallow’d pallReceives the prize.”
“————————— When they bear
Their wond’rous egg aloof in air:
Thence before to earth it fall,
The Druid in his hallow’d pall
Receives the prize.”
Pliny, in hisNatural History(lib. xxiv. cap. 11.) gives a circumstantial account of the ceremonies used by the Druids in gathering the Selago and Samolus, and of the uses to which they were applied:—
“Similis berbæ huie sabinæ est Selago appellata. Legitur sine ferro dextra manu per tunicam, qua sinistra exuitur velut a furante, candida veste vestito, pureque lotis nudis pedibus, saero facto priusquam legatur, pane vinoque. Fertur in mappa nova. Hanc contra omnem perniciem habendam prodidere Druidæ Gallorum, et contra omnia oculorum vitia fumum ejus prodesse.“Iidem Samolum herbam nominavere nascentem in humidis: et hanc sinistra manu legi a jejunis contra morbos suum boumque, nec respicere legentem: nec alibi quam in canali, deponere, ibique conterere poturis.”
“Similis berbæ huie sabinæ est Selago appellata. Legitur sine ferro dextra manu per tunicam, qua sinistra exuitur velut a furante, candida veste vestito, pureque lotis nudis pedibus, saero facto priusquam legatur, pane vinoque. Fertur in mappa nova. Hanc contra omnem perniciem habendam prodidere Druidæ Gallorum, et contra omnia oculorum vitia fumum ejus prodesse.
“Iidem Samolum herbam nominavere nascentem in humidis: et hanc sinistra manu legi a jejunis contra morbos suum boumque, nec respicere legentem: nec alibi quam in canali, deponere, ibique conterere poturis.”
From the very slight manner in which these plants are described by Pliny, it is next to impossible to identify them with any degree of certainty, though many attempts for the purpose have been made. So far as I know, Pliny is the only ancient author who mentions them, and we have therefore nothing to guide us beyond what he has said in this passage.
The word Selago is supposed to be derived fromseandlego, i.e.quid certo ritu seligeretur. Linnæus appropriated the name to a pretty genus of Cape plants, but which can have nothing whatever to do with the Selago of the Druids. It has been thought to be the same as the Serratula Chamæpeuce of Linnæus, but without sufficient reason, for Pliny says it resembles the savine; and Matthiolus, in hisCommentary on Dioscorides, when speaking of the savine (Juniperus Sabina), says:—
“Siquidem vidi pro Sabina assumi quandam herbam dodrantalem quæ quibusdam in montibus plurima nascitur, folio tamaricis, licet nec odore nec sapore Sabinam Hanc sæpius existimavi esse Selaginem referat. a Plinio lib. xxiv. c. 11. commemoratam.”
Samolus, or as some copies read Samosum, is said to be derived from two Celtic words,san, salutary, andmos, pig; denoting a property in the plant which answers to the description of Pliny, who says the Gauls considered the Samolus as a specific in all maladies of swine and cattle.But there is not less difficulty in identifying this plant than in the former case. Some have thought it the same as the little marsh plant, with small white flowers, which Linnæus calls Samolus Valerandi, while others consider it to be the Anemone Pulsatilla. I am ignorant of the salutary properties of these plants, and must leave it to be decided which of them has the greatest claims to be considered the Samolus of Pliny.
G.M.
Is there any English translation of Ælian’sVarious History, or of the work ascribed to the same author on thePeculiarities of Animals?
East Winch. Jan. 1850.
Selago and Samolus.—The Selago (mentioned by “PWCCA,” No. 10. p. 157.), in WelshGras Duw(Gratia Dei), was held by the Druids as a charm against all misfortunes; they called itDawn y Dovydd, the gift of the Lord. They also ascribed great virtues to the Samolus, which was calledGwlydd, mild or tender. All that can be known respecting the Selago and Samolus, may be seen in Borlase’sAntiquities of Cornwall.
GOMER.
In the Anglo-SaxonGloss, to Ælfric’s Latin dialogue,higdifatuis not, I conceive, an error of the scribe, but a variation of dialect, and therefore, standing in no need of correction intohydigfatu(“NOTES and QUERIES,” No. 13.).Hig, hiandhy, are perfectly identical, and nothing is more usual in A.S. than the omission of the finalgafteri; consequently,hig=hy, di=dig, thereforehigdi=hydig. Mr. Singer’s reading ofcassidiliaforculidilia, I consider to be well-founded.
His conjecture, thatsprote=Goth.sprauto, has something very specious about it, and yet I must reject it. That useful and sagacious author, Dr. Kitchener, tells us, that there is only one thing to be done in a hurry (orsprauto); and even if he had not informed us what that one thing is, very few indeed would ever have imagined that it wasfish-catching. The wordsprotewas a puzzle to me, and I had often questioned myself as to its meaning, but never could get a satisfactory answer; nor was it until some time after the publication of the 2nd edition of myAnalectathat it occurred to me that it might signify a wicker orsallowbasket (such as is still in use for the capture of eels), from Lat.sporta, whence the Germansportel. My conjecture, ofsalicefor thesaluof the text, was based on the possibility that the apparatus might somehow or other be made of thesalix.
I beg leave to inform “SELEUCUS,” thatThe Phœnix, with an English version, and with the Latin original, is to be found in theCodex Exoniensis, edited by me, in 1842, for the Society of Antiquaries. The Latin ascribed to Lactantius, is printed in the Variourum edition of Claudian, and, I believe, in the editions of Lactantius.
Jan. 30, 1850.
B. THORPE.
Your correspondent, “R.G.” (No. 13. p. 203.), is correct in supposing thewood-cutportrait of Luther to be that which is prefixed to the treatise “De Captivitate Babylonica Ecclesiæ,” where he is habited as a monk; but it was evidently only a copy from the very interesting copper-plate engraving of his friend Lucas Cranach, bearing the date 1520, of which a very accurate copy was prefixed to the translation of “Luther’s Way to Prayer,” published by Mr. Pickering in 1846. Juncker’s book is a very good repertory of the various representations of the great reformer, but the prints are generally but faithless copies. In 1750 Kirchmayer printed an especial disquisition upon the portrait by Lucas Cranach of 1523, under the following title:—”Disquisitio Historia de Martini Lutheri Oris et Vultus Habitu Hervieo ad vivum expresso in Imagine divine pencilli Lucæ Cranachj patris in ære hic incisa,” &c., Wittebergæ Sax. 1750, 4to. The works in which the Germans have sought to do honour to their great protestant saint, are numerous enough to fill a small library but two of them are so remarkable as to deserve notice, 1. “Luther’s Merkwürdige Lebensumstande bey seiner Medicinalischen Leibesconstitution, Krankheiten, geistlichen und leiblichen Anfectungen und andern Zufallen, &c., von F.G. Keil,” Leipsig, 1764. 2. “Luther’s Merkwürdige Reisegeschichte zu Erganzung seiner Lebensumstande, von Jo. Th. Lingke,” Leipsig, 1769, 4to. The earliest wood-cut representation of Erasmus with which I am acquainted is a medallion accompanying another of Ulric of Hutten, on the title-page of the following work of the unfortunate but heroic champion of the Reformation:—”Ulrichi ab Hutten cum Erasmo Rotirodamo, Presbytero, Theologo, Expostulatio.” There is reason to believe that this Expostulation was printed only a short month before Hutten died; and, though it bears neither date nor name of printer, that it was printed by Johannes Schott, at Strasburg, in the month of July, 1523. It has another portrait of Hutten at the end, the whole strikingly spirited and characteristic; by some they have been attributed to Holbein, and if not by him, which is doubtful, they are at least worthy of him.
One would gladly forget this strife between the great promoter of learning and the soldier-scholar. Erasmus’s conduct was unworthy of a great man, and can never be vindicated.
S.W.S.
Praise undeserved.—The correct quotation, referred to in No. 14. p. 222., is
“Praise undeserved isSatirein disguise.”
It is by Mr. Br——st, author of a copy of verses called theBritish Beauties. I cannot fill up the “hiatus,” which in this case is not “maxime deflendus,” because I have now no time to search the Museum Catalogue. I apprehend that the author belonged to the “mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease,” as it is something like Savage’s “tenth transmitter” (which, by the bye, your correspondent, Mr. Gutch, should have said issaidto be Pope’s)—hisonly goodline. Here is my authority:
EPIGRAMOn a certain line of Mr. Br——, author of a copy of verses called the“British Beauties.”—From the“GARLAND,”a collection of Poems, 1721.“When one good line did much my wonder raiseIn Br——st’s works, I stood resolved to praise;And had, but that the modestauthorcries,Praise undeserv’d is satire in disguise.”
On a certain line of Mr. Br——, author of a copy of verses called the“British Beauties.”—From the“GARLAND,”a collection of Poems, 1721.
“When one good line did much my wonder raiseIn Br——st’s works, I stood resolved to praise;And had, but that the modestauthorcries,Praise undeserv’d is satire in disguise.”
“When one good line did much my wonder raise
In Br——st’s works, I stood resolved to praise;
And had, but that the modestauthorcries,
Praise undeserv’d is satire in disguise.”
I would add, that I believe this Epigram to be Dr. Kenrick’s, Goldsmith’s old persecutor in later years.
JAMES H. FRISWELL
French Maxim.—I beg to inform your correspondent “R.V.” in reply to his query (No. 14. p. 215.), that the maxim quoted is the 218th of Rochefoucauld: “L’hypocrisie est un hommage que le vice rend à la vertu.”
J.H.F.
Singular Motto.—The “singular motto” which occasions “P.H.F.’s” wonder (No. 14. p. 214.), is, without doubt, a cypher, and only to be rendered by those who have a Key. Such are not unfrequent in German, Austrian, or Bohemian Heraldry.
J.H.F.
Discurs. Modest.—At p. 205. No. 13., your correspondent N. replies to A.T.’s query, that “there can be no reasonable doubt, that theoriginalauthority forRem transubstantiationis patres ne altigisse quidem, is William Watson in hisQuodlibet, ii. 4. p. 31.”
By a note of mine, I find that this secular priest, W. Watson, lays the expression in question to the charge of the Jesuits as “an heretical and most dangerous assertion of theirs.” Admitting, therefore, theDiscurs. Modest. to have been published after Watson’sDecacordon, i.e. later than 1602 (which can hardly be doubted), still the further question remains to be asked: “In what writings of the Jesuits, prior to 1602, had W. Watson himself found these words, with which he charges them?” Should you think this further query of importance enough to find a place in your paper, perhaps some one of your readers might throw yet another ray of light upon this subject.
J.S.
Oxford
Pallace(No. 13. p. 202).—Mr. Halliwell, in hisDictionary of Archaic, &c. Words, explains this word as used in Devonshire:—
“Palace, a Storehouse.”—Devon. “At Dartmouth, I am told there are some of these storehouses, called palaces, cut out of the rock, still retaining the name.” —MS Devon. Gloss.
C.W.G.
Meaning of “Pallace.”—The term “Pallace” (No. 13. p. 202.) is applied in Totnes to denote a landing-place inclosed by walls, but not roofed in. Many of these “pallaces” have been converted into coal-cellars. Perhapspalesmay have been used originally to form these inclosures in lieu of walls;—and hence the word “pallace” would mean a place paled in. I find repeated mention made of “pallaces” in a schedule attached to a deed of the Corporation of Totnes, bearing date September 18th, 1719, a copy of which is now before me, and from it the following extracts are taken:—
“One linney and twopallacesor yards.”“All those houses, rooms, cellars, andpallaces.”“All that great cellar lately rebuilt, andthe plott of ground or pallacethereto belonging lately converted into a cellar.”“All that little cellar andpallacelately rebuilt, and the kay or landing place thereto belonging, and near adjoyning unto and upon the river Dart.”“And the littlepallaceorlanding-place.”
“One linney and twopallacesor yards.”
“All those houses, rooms, cellars, andpallaces.”
“All that great cellar lately rebuilt, andthe plott of ground or pallacethereto belonging lately converted into a cellar.”
“All that little cellar andpallacelately rebuilt, and the kay or landing place thereto belonging, and near adjoyning unto and upon the river Dart.”
“And the littlepallaceorlanding-place.”
Aproposoflanding-places, it may interest some of your readers to learn that thevery stoneupon which Brutus, the nephew of Æneas, landed at Totnes, still remains! It is inserted in the foot-way nearly opposite the Mayoralty-house in the Fore Street. From Totnes, the neighbouring shore was heretofore calledTotonese: and theBritish Historytells us, thatBrutus, the founder of the British nation, arrived here; andHavillanus[John deAlvillaorHauteville, according to Mr. Wright] as a poet, following the same authority, writes thus:—
“Inde dato cursu,Brutuscomitatus AchateGallorum spoliis cumulatis navibus æquorExarat, et superis auraque faventibus usus,Littora felices intrat Totonesia portus.”
“Inde dato cursu,Brutuscomitatus Achate
Gallorum spoliis cumulatis navibus æquor
Exarat, et superis auraque faventibus usus,
Littora felices intrat Totonesia portus.”
“From hence great Brute with his Achates steer’d,Full fraught with Gallic spoils their ships appear’d;The Winds and Gods were all at their command,And happy Totnes shew’d them grateful land.”Gibson’s Camden.
“From hence great Brute with his Achates steer’d,
Full fraught with Gallic spoils their ships appear’d;
The Winds and Gods were all at their command,
And happy Totnes shew’d them grateful land.”
Gibson’s Camden.
Totnes is made mention of theLais de Marie:—
“Il tient sun chemin tut avant.A la mer vient, si est passer,EnToteneisest arriver.”—Lai d’Elidne.
“Il tient sun chemin tut avant.
A la mer vient, si est passer,
EnToteneisest arriver.”—Lai d’Elidne.
J. MILNER BARRY, M.D.
Totnes, Devon, Jan. 30. 1850.
Litany Version of the Psalms.—The doubts produced by Beloe’s self-contradicting statements on the subject of the Bishops’ Bible, which are referred to by “X.X.” (No. 13. p. 203.), may thus be settled. The first edition of this Bible, printed in 1568, contains a new translation of the Psalms by Becon. In the second folio edition, 1572, are inserted, in opposite columns, “the translation according to the Ebrewe,” which differs but little from the former, in Roman letter, and “the translation used in common prayer,” or that of the Great Bible, printed by Whitchurch, 1553, in black letter.
The clarum et venerabile nomen associated with the Bishops’ Bible, a very magnificent and perfect copy of which is now open before me, suggests the inquiry whether there is any copy known of Archbishop Parker’s rare volume on the English Church, 1572, which is not noticed by Martin in the list of eighteen which he had discovered. He does not mention that in the Chetham library.
T. JONES.
Tempora mutantur &c.—In reply to your correspondent, “E.V.” (No. 14. p. 215.), I beg to state, that thegermof “Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis,” is to be found in theDelitiæ Poetarium Germanorum, vol. i. p. 685., under the Poems of Matthias Borbonius. He considers them as a saying of Lotharius I. (flor. Cir. 830.):—
“Omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis;Illa vices quasdam res habet, illa suas.”
“Omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis;
Illa vices quasdam res habet, illa suas.”
I sent this communication, some years ago, toSharpe’s Magazine, where it will be found, vol. v. p. 208.
L.S.
Pandoxare.—Your correspondent, “H.B.” (No. 13. p. 202.), has lighted upon a curious specimen of domestic hieroglyphics, the notice of which recalls to mind the quaint marginal symbols scattered over the inventories of the Exchequer Treasury, at a much earlier period. They are not devoid of information or interest. The word of which he requests explanation, is, indeed, of too base Latinity to be found in theFacciolati, or even in theAuctarium; but in our old Latin dictionaries, sources of abundant information on obsolete expressions, the word is readily to be found. Old Gouldman, for instance, whose columns are replete with uncommon and local English terms, gives “Pandoxor, to brew,” citing Alciatus as authority, and “Pandox, a swill-bowl,” apparently a word used by Statius. It is obviously a barbarous derivative of the same Greek words asPandociumorPandoxarium(πανandδοχειον), the hostelry open to all comers. If, however, a more recondite authority for the explanation of the word, as formerly used in England, be desired, I would refer your querist to the pages of thePromptorium Parvulorum, where may be found—“Bruwyn ale or other drynke,Pandoxor. Browstar, or brewere,Pandoxator, Pandoxatrix,” the medieval Bass or Guinness having been, most frequently, a female. And, having cited the primitive lexicographer of Norfolk, I would seize the occasion to offer a note, in response to the numerous queries regarding the too tardy advance of the work in question, and to assure your readers, who may be interested in the publications of the Camden Society, that a further instalment of thePromptoriumis in forwardness, so that I hope to complete a considerable portion, in readiness for issue, early in the current year.
ALBERT WAY.
Saint Thomas of Lancaster.—Not having Brady at hand, I cannot tell what authorities he cites; but, as Mr. Milnes (No. 12. p. 181.) does not mention Rymer, he perhaps may not know that he will find in that collection some documentary evidence on the subject of this saint, if saint he was; for instance—
“Super rumore Thomam nuper Comitem Lancastriæ miraculis corruscuri.”—Rym. Fœd. iii. p. 1033. A.D. 1323. “Quod,” adds the king, “moleste gerimus.”
But Edward III. was of quite another mind, and urged his canonization of the Holy See. Witness Rymer:—
“Ad Papam; pro canonisatione Thomaelig; nuper Comitis Lancastriæ.”—Fœd. iv. p. 2. A.D. 1326.
And again—
“Pro custodi“ (Weryngton mentioned by Mr. Milnes), “Capellæ ad montem ubi nuper comes Lancastriæ decollatus fuit.”—Ib. p. 291.
It seems that the bodies of some of Thomas’s accomplices were also supposed to have worked miracles; for we find an ordinance—
“Contra Fingentes miracula fieri per inimicos Regis.” —Rym. Fœd. iv. p. 20. A.D. 1323.
Andrews says (Hist. i. 342.) that Richard II. renewed the application for Thomas’s canonization; but he does not give his authority, and I have not time to look further through Rymer.
p. 184.Jhon-John.—I wonder Mr. Williams does not see that thehis not “introduced“ for any purpose; it is an integral part of the original nameJohannes, which was contracted intoJohan, and in French intoJehan.
p. 185.Slang Phrases.—”A Rowland for an Oliver“ is no slang phrase of the eighteenth century; it is a proverbial expression as old as the days of the romances ofRolandandOlivier. The other two were phrases put into the mouths of two characters (Dr. Ollapod, in Colman’sPoor Gentleman, and Young Rapid, in Morton’sCure for the Heart-ache), which grew into vogue only from the success of the actors Fawcett and Lewis, and had no meaning or allusion beyond what the words obviously meant.
C.
Full of Rain in England.—”ROYDON” (No. 11. p. 73) will find the average quantity of rain fallen at Greenwich, for twenty-five years, 1815 to 1839, in a very useful and clever pamphlet, price 1s., by J.H. Belville, of the Royal Observatory, published by Taylor, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, calledManual of the Mercurial and Aneroid Barometers.
HENRY WILKINSON
Judas Bell—(No. 13, p. 195). In the “Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie,” a singular Scotch Poem, composed in the former half of the 16th century, and printed in Ramsay’sEvergreen, the following passage occurs (Everg.vol. ii. p. 74.):—
“A Benefice quha wald give sic a Beist,But gif it were to jingleJudas bells?Tak thee a Fiddle or a Flute to jest,Undocht thou art, ordained for naithing ells.”
“A Benefice quha wald give sic a Beist,
But gif it were to jingleJudas bells?
Tak thee a Fiddle or a Flute to jest,
Undocht thou art, ordained for naithing ells.”
The Judas bells may probably have been used in the Easter-eve ceremonies, in connexion with which we findJudas candlesmentioned. See Brand’sPopular Antiq.by Sir H. Ellis, vol. i. p. 29.
C.W.G.
Boduc or Boduoc on British Coins.—The real name of the heroic queen of the Iceni is very uncertain. Walther (Tacitus, xiv. Ann. c. 31.), adopts Boudicea. It is probable enough that the syllables Boduo may have formed a part of it, as pronounced by the Britons. We are reminded of Boduognatus, leader of the Nervii, mentioned by Cæsar. But to come nearer home, the name Boduogenus is found upon a bronze vessel discovered in the Isle of Ely, described by Mr. Goddard Johnson,Archæologia, xxviii. p. 436.
C.W.G.
Lord Bacon’s Metrical Version of the Psalms.—Lord Bacon’s translation of seven psalms, the 1st, 12th, 90th, 104th, 126th, 127th, and 149th, with a Dedication to George Herbert, is found at the end of the 2nd vol. of his works. (Lond. 1826.) They were printed at London, 1625, in quarto.
C.W.G.
[To this we may add, on the information of X.X., that some account of these Psalms, with specimens, may be seen in Holland’sPsalmists of Britain, 1824.]
A “Gib” Cat.—What is the etymology of the term “Gibbe,” as applied to the male cat? I may observe that thegis pronouncedhardin this locality, and notjibbe, as most dictionaries have it.
Burnley, Lancashire.
T.T.W.
[NARES has shown, very satisfactorily, thatGib, the contraction ofGilbert, was the name formerly applied to a cat, asTomis now. He states thatTibert(the name given to the Cat in the old Reynard the Fox) was the old French forGilbert; and at all events, be that as it may, Chaucer, in hisRomance of the Rose, verse 6204., translates “Thibert le Cas” by “Gibbe our Cat.”]
Lay of the Phœnix.—”SELEUCUS” is informed that the Anglo-Saxon Lay of the Phœnix is contained in theCodex Exoniensis, edited by Mr. B. Thorpe. The Latin poem, in hexameters and pentameters, attributed to Lactantius, is given at the foot of the page. It will be found at the end of the works of Lactantius, in the small edition by Fritzsche (Lipsiæ, 1842). Fritzsche mentions two separate editions of the poem; 1. by Martini, Lunæburgi, 1825; 2. by Leyser, Quedlinburgi, 1839.
C.W.G.
Lay of the Phœnix.—”SELEUCUS” (No. 13, p. 203.) asks, “Is there any published edition of the hexameter poem by Lactantius, which is said to have suggested the idea of the Anglo-SaxonLay of the Phœnix?” This poem is not in hexameter, but in elegiac verse; and though, on account of its brevity, we could not expect that it would have been separately published, it is to be found very commonly at the end of the works of Lactantius; for example, in three editions before me, Basil. 1524, Lugd. 1548, Basil. 1563. That this poem, however, belongs to the Christian Cicero, at any period of his life, is more than doubtful, even by the admission of Romanists, who readily avail themselves of other compositions of similar authority. It has been sometimes ascribed to Venantius Fortunatus, and is by Sirmondus attributed to Theodulphus, Bishop of Orleans. (Opp., ii. 840. cf. iv. 519. Venet. 1728.)
R.G.
Ordination Pledges.—Your correspondent, “CLERICUS” (no. 10. p. 156.), will find by far the most elaborate and judicious examination of the import, design, and obligation of the various oaths and subscriptions required of the clergy, in the successive numbers ofThe Christian Observerfor 1849.
E.V.
Feast of St, Michael and All-Angels.—The difficulty started by “K.M.P.” (No. 13, p. 203.), with regard to the double second lessons for the Feast of St. Michael and All-Angels, is easily resolved by comparing the Table of Proper Lessons before and after the last review of thePrayer Bookin 1662; from which it will be seen, that the propersecondlessons were then appointed for the first time, while the old second lessons for Sept. 29. were retained, either from inadvertence, or to avoid the necessity of disarranging all the subsequent part of the calendar. The present first lessons, Gen. xxxii., and Dan. x. v. 5., at the same time took the place of the inappropriate chapters, Eccles. xxxix. and xliv., which had been appointed for this day in Queen Elizabeth’s Prayer Book, 1559.
E.V.
Beaver Hat.—Mr. T. Hudson Turner (No. 7. p. 100.) asks, “What is the earliest known instance of the use of abeaver hatin England?”
Fairholt (Costume in England) says, the earliest notice of it is in the reign of Elizabeth, and gives the following quotation from Stubbe’sAnatomy of Abuses,1580:—
“And as the fashions be rare and strange, so is the stuff whereof their hats be made divers also; for some are of silk, some of velvet, some of taffetie, some of sarcenet, some of wool, and, which is more curious, some of a certain kind of fine haire; these they callbever hattes, of xx, xxx, or xl shillings price, fetched from beyond the seas, from whence a great sort of other varieties doe come besides.”
GASTROS.
Meaning of “Pisan.”—Mr. Turner (No. 7. p.100.) asks the meaning of the termpisan, used in old records for some part of defensive armour.
Meyrick (Ancient Armour, vol. i. p. 155, 2d ed.) gives a curious and interesting inventory of the arms and armour of Louis le Hutin, King of France, taken in the year 1316, in which we find, “Item 3 coloretesPizanesde jazeran d’acier.” He describespizane(otherwise writtenpizaine, pusen, pesen) as a collar made, or much in fashion, at Pisa. The jazeran armour was formed of overlapping plates. In the metrical romance ofKyng Alisaunder, edited by Webber, occur the lines—
“And Indiens, and Emaniens,With swordes, lances, andpesens.“
“And Indiens, and Emaniens,
With swordes, lances, andpesens.“
Weber explains thepesenshere as gorgets, armour for the neck.
In more recent MSS.pisanmay be a contraction forpartisan, a halberd.
I cannot agree with your correspondent “A.F.” (p.90), that the nine of diamonds was called “the curse (cross) of Scotland” from its resemblance to the cross of St. Andrew, which has the form of the Roman X; whereas the pips on the nine of diamonds are arranged in the form of the letter H. “Mend the instance.”
Erratum. P. 181 col. 2. line 3., forobscurities, readobscenities.
Cambridge, Jan. 31. 1850.
GASTROS.
Pokership—God tempers the Wind.—I am disposed to think thatParkershipwill turn out to be the right explanation, because almost every forest or chase contained afenced park, in which the deer were confined; and the charge of the woods and park might be consigned to the same person; and the error in spelling the word was probably copied from one genealogist to another.
Nevertheless, Mr. Corney’s conjecture may be right, as Forby (Vocabulary,vol. ii. p. 258.) mentions Poke-Day as the day on which the allowance of corn is made to the labourers,who, in some places, receive a part of their wages in that form.Now thePokerermight be the officer who distributed the grain on these occasions.
I open my note to add, that Mr. Gutch (No. 14. p. 211.) will find, in Sterne’sSentimental Journey,—”God tempers the wind,” said Maria, “to the shorn lamb.”
The words which I have underlined are printed in Italics in my edition of the work (London, 12mo. 1790), which may indicate that they are quoted from some other author.
BRAYBROOKE.
Audley End, Feb. 2.
Walewich or Watewich.—I have made the reference suggested by “W.B.M.”
Canute was residing at Walewich, and the Abbot of Ely was consecrated there by the Archbishop of Canterbury. This “Walewich” can be no obscure place, and we need not look for it in Cambridgeshire.
I am inclined to think that the word ought to have been written Warewich,i.e.Warwick.
Soham Mere (Mare de Soham) once covered 1369 1⁄2 acres.—Lyson’sCambridge, 254.
Portum Pusillum, if not Littleport, was a place upon the Cam or the Ouse, within sight of Ely Minster.
Does your correspondent suppose that Northmouth was among the fens? If so, he may consultInquisitio Eliensis, or Dugdale’s Map of the Bedford Level, which is in the Museum.
J.F.M.
Dec. 22.
Madoc’s Emigration to America.—”ANGLO-CAMBRIAN” (No. 4. p. 57.), in contradiction to the occurrence of Madoc’s emigration, has adduced what he supposes to be a gross anachronism in the words “Madoc was directed by thebest compass, and this in 1170!” Now, unfortunately for this opinion, the passage on which it is founded will not allow of his interpretation. The original words are in Sir Thomas Herbert’sTravels, and, in his expressive language, they are as follows:—”By Providence, the best compass, and benefit of the pole-star, he returned safely to his own country.” Most certainly this cannot imply that Madoc was acquainted with the mariner’s compass.
“J.M.T.” also seems to give great weight to the fact of a “Welsh-Indian vocabulary” having been formed, containing no trace of any Celtic root. This seems conclusive, yet it is not so; for I have some words, extracted from a vocabulary of the Mandan (Indian) language made by Mr. Catlin, during his sojourn among them, all of which, with very slight allowance for corruption, are clearly Welsh. Mr. Catlin believes the Mandans to have been descended from the followers of Prince Madoc, from the strong evidence which he considers his stay among them afforded him, and detailed in his work on the Indians. I regret to add, that the Mandans have been exterminated by the small-pox and the weapons of their enemies. I have long taken a deep, because a national, interest in this question, and have endeavoured to examine in the spirit of that nobleprecept, which ought to be bound up with the existence of everyCymro, “The truth against the world.” Consequently, I have found that much of what is put forth as evidence on this question is, as Mr. Corney has very justly intimated, quite inadmissible; in short, unworthy of belief. Still, the inquiry has afforded me sufficient reasons for viewing the question of Prince Madoc’s emigration as a fact, and for supporting it as such as far as my humble testimony will allow.
GOMER.
Caerphili Castle.—With reference to “PWCCA’S” query (No. 10. p. 157.), it may be noted thatFullis the Welsh word for “haste,” and, if thederivatur, must allude to the original structure having been hastily erected.
GOMER.
Origin of word Bug.—I should feel obliged by your informing me whether the wordBugis not ofCelticorigin, signifying a “GhostorGoblin?” Vide Shakespeare’sTaming of the Shrew, Act I. Scene II.:—
“Tush, tush, fright boys withbugs.”
And whether, inMathews’Bible, A.D. 1537, the 5th verse of the 91st Psalm is not thus rendered:—
“Thou shalt not need to be afraid of anybugsby night”?
literally, in the Hebrew, “Terrorof the night.”
J.P.
[Bugin Welsh means a ghost or goblin. It is probably the same with the IcelandicPaki, an evil spirit. But on this etymology our correspondent can consult an article by Sir F. Palgrave, on the “Popular Mythology of the Middle Ages.” in theQuarterly Review, vol. xxii.;a paper, by Mr. Thoms, on the “Folk Lore of Shakspeare,” No. 6.; “Puck’s several Names,” inThe Athenæum, Oct. 9. 1847; and lastly, Mr. Keightley’s most interesting work,The Fairy Mythology. vol. ii. p. 118., of which we are happy to hear that a new and enlarged edition may shortly be expected.]
Excecution of Duke of Monmouth.—Among the memorials of the “rash but unfortunate Duke of Monmouth,” which have recently attracted much attention, and for which the public are principally indebted to certain inquiries originated in the “NOTES AND QUERIES,” I have not observed any notice taken of an anecdote respecting him, which is current among our neighbours on the Continent; namely, that he gave six guineas to the executioner, the JOHN KETCH of that day, to perform his work well!—
“Le Duc de Monmout donna six guinées au Bourreau de Londres, pour lui bien couper la tête; mais le misérable ne mérroit par ces guinées, puisqu’il la lui coupa très mal.”
This anecdote is introduced, in the form of a note, into the folio Dictionary of Pierre Richelet, a most valuable work, and full of history, ancient and modern. Can any of your correspondents produce the authority for this anecdote? Richelet himself does not give any, but merely relates the story, apparently with a view of illustrating the term “guinea,” as applied to the gold coin of Charles the Second. Vid, voc. “Guinée.”
J.I.
By Hook or by Crook.—I send you a note, which I made some years ago.
This expression is much more ancient than the time of Charles I., to which it is generally referred. It occurs in Skelton,Colin Clout, line 31.a fine:—
“Nor wyll suffer this bokeBy hooke ne by crookePrynted for to be.”
“Nor wyll suffer this boke
By hooke ne by crooke
Prynted for to be.”
In Spenser, f. 2. v. ii. 27.:—
“Thereafter all that mucky pelfe he tooke,The spoile of peoples evil gotten good,The which her sire had serap’t by hooke and crooke,And burning all to ashes pour’d it down the brooke.”
“Thereafter all that mucky pelfe he tooke,
The spoile of peoples evil gotten good,
The which her sire had serap’t by hooke and crooke,
And burning all to ashes pour’d it down the brooke.”
In Holland’sSuetonius, p. 169:—
“Likewise to get, to pill and pollby hooke and crookeso much, as that——”
In a letter of Sir Richard Morysin to the Privy Council, in LodgesIllustrations, &c., i. 154:—
“Ferrante Gonzaga, d’Arras, and Don Diego, are in a leage, utterlie bent to myslyke, and to chargeby hook or by crooke, anything don, or to be don, by the thre fyrst.”
L.S.
Cupid Crying.—The beautiful epigram upon this subject, which appeared in No. 11 p. 172., was kindly quoted, “for its extreme elegance,” by theAthenæumof the 26th January, which produced the following communication to that journal of Saturday last:—
“Will the correspondent of the ‘NOTES AND QUERIES,’ whose pretty epigram appears copied into yourAthenæumof Saturday last, accept the following as a stop-gap pending the discovery of the Latin original?
“En lacrymosus Amor! Fidem quia perdidit arcumVapulat! Exultans Cælia tela tenet.Ast illam potuitne Puer donare sagittis?Subrisit:—Matrem credidit esse suam.
“En lacrymosus Amor! Fidem quia perdidit arcum
Vapulat! Exultans Cælia tela tenet.
Ast illam potuitne Puer donare sagittis?
Subrisit:—Matrem credidit esse suam.
“Αµορφωτα. 5.”
Miry-land Town.—As an addition to the note of “J.R.F.” (p. 167. No. 11.) on Miry-land Town, and by way of corroboration of his reading, I may just mention that the towns and villages in the Weald of Kent are familiarly spoken of as places “down in the mud,” by the inhabitants of other parts of the country. Those who are acquainted with the Weald will agree that this designation is not undeserved.
HENRY KERSLEY.