Minor Queries with Answers.

"When we survey yon circling orbs on high,Say, do they only grace the spangled sky?Have they no influence, no function givenTo execute the awful will of Heaven?Is there no sympathy pervading allBetween the planets and this earthly ball?No tactile intercourse from pole to pole,Between the ambient and the human soul?No link extended through the vast profound,Combining all above, below, around?"

"When we survey yon circling orbs on high,

Say, do they only grace the spangled sky?

Have they no influence, no function given

To execute the awful will of Heaven?

Is there no sympathy pervading all

Between the planets and this earthly ball?

No tactile intercourse from pole to pole,

Between the ambient and the human soul?

No link extended through the vast profound,

Combining all above, below, around?"

Alledius.

Turnbull's Continuation of Robertson.—Some years ago, a continuation of Robertson's work onScottish Peerageswas announced by Mr. Turnbull, Advocate of Edinburgh.—I shall be glad to be informed whether it as published; and by whom or where.

Fecialis.

An Heraldic Query.—Will any one of your contributors from Lancashire or Cheshire, who may have access to ancient ordinaries of arms, whether in print or in manuscript, favour me by saying whether he has ever met with the following coat: Perpale, argent and sable, a fess embattled, between three falcons counterchanged, belled or? It has been attributed to the family of Thompson of Lancashire, by Captain Booth of Stockport, and an heraldic writer named Saunders; but what authority attaches to either I am not aware. Is it mentioned in Corry'sLancashire?

Heraldicus.

Osborn filius Herfasti.—Were Osborn, son of Herfast, abbot of S. Evroult, and Osborn de Crepon (filius Herfasti patris Gunnoris comitissæ),brothers? or were there two Herfasts?

J. Sansom.

Jews in China.—A colony of Jews is known to exist in the centre of China, who worship God according to the belief of their forefathers; and the aborigines of the northern portion of Australia exercise the rite of circumcision. Can these colonists and aborigines be traced to any of the nations of the lost tribes?

Historicus.

Derivation of "Mammet."—The Rev. B. Chenevix Trench, in his book on theStudy of Words, 4th edition, p. 79., gives the derivation of the old English wordmammetfrom "Mammetry or Mahometry," and cites, in proof of this, Capulet calling his daughter "a whiningmammet." Now Johnson,in hisDictionary, the folio edition, derivesmammetfrom the wordmaman, and also from the wordman; and mentions Shakspeare's

"This is no world to play withmammets, or to tilt with lips."—Henry IV.(First Part), Act II. Sc. 3.

As both Dr. Johnson, the Rev. Ch. Trench, and many others, agree thatmammetmeans "puppet," why not derive this word from the Frenchmarmot, which means a puppet.—Can any of the readers of the "N. & Q." give me a few examples to strengthen my supposition?

Henri van Laun.

King William's College, Isle of Man.

Non-recurring Diseases.—Among the many diseases to which humanity is subject, there are some which we are all supposed to have once, and but once, in our lifetime. Is this an unquestioned fact? and if so, has anything like a satisfactory explanation of it been offered?

פ.

Warville.—There being nowin the French language, whence did Brissot de Warville derive the latter word of his name?

Uneda.

Philadelphia.

Dr. Doddridge.—A poem entitled "To my Wife's Bosom," and beginning

"Open, open, lovely breast,Let me languish into rest!"

"Open, open, lovely breast,

Let me languish into rest!"

occasionally appears with the name of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge as the author. Is it his?

M. E.

Philadelphia.

Pelasgi.—In an article which appeared some time ago in Hogg'sInstructor, Thomas de Quincey, speaking of the Pelasgi, characterises them as a race sorrowful beyond conception.—What is known of their history to lead to this inference?

T. D. Ridley.

West Hartlepool.

Huc's Travels.—I was lately told, I think on the authority of a writer in theGardener's Chronicle, that the travels of Messrs. Huc and Gabet in Thibet, Tartary, &c., was a pure fabrication, concocted by some Parisianlittérateur. Can any of your readers confirm or refute this statement?

C. W. B.

The Mousehunt.—I should feel much obliged to any reader of "N. & Q." who would refer me to any mention of in print, or give me any information from his own personal experience, respecting a small animal of the weasel tribe called the mousehunt, an animal apparently but little known; it is scarcely half the size of the common weasel, and of a pale mouse-colour. It is said to be well known in Suffolk, whence, however, after some trouble, I have been unsuccessful in obtaining a specimen; young stoats or weasels having been sent me instead of it. I could not find a specimen in the British Museum. Some years ago I saw two in Glamorganshire; one escaped me; the other had been killed by a ferret, but unfortunately I neglected to preserve it. Near the same spot last year a pair of them began making their nest, but being disturbed by some workmen employed in clearing out the drain in which they had ensconced themselves, were lost sight of and escaped.

Mr. Colquhoun, inThe Moor and the Loch, ed. 1851, says:

"The English peasantry assert that there are two kinds of weasel, one very small, called a 'cane,' or 'the mousekiller.' This idea, I have no doubt, is erroneous, and the 'mousekillers' are only the young ones of the year, numbers of these half-grown weasels appearing in summer and autumn."

The only description I have met with in print is inBell's Lifeof Dec. 7, 1851, where "Scrutator," in No. 15. of his Letters "On the Management of Horses, Hounds, &c.," writes:

"I know only of one species of stoat, but I have certainly seen more than one species of weasel.... There is one species of weasel so small that it can easily follow mice into their holes; and one of these, not a month ago, I watched go into a mouse's hole in an open grass field. Seeing something hopping along in the grass, which I took for a large long-tailed field mouse, I stood still as it was approaching my position, and when within a foot or two of the spot on which I was standing, so that I could have a full view of the animal, a very small weasel appeared, and quickly disappeared again in a tuft of grass. On searching the spot I discovered a mousehole, in which Mr. Weasel had made his exit."

W. R. D. Salmon.

Lockwood, the Court Jester.—In someMS.accounts temp. Edw. VI., Mary, and Elizabeth, now before me, payments to "Lockwood, the king's jester," or "the queen's jester, whose name is Lockwood," are of almost annual occurrence. He appears to have travelled about the country like the companies of itinerant players.

Are any particulars known respecting him, and where shall I find the best account of the ancient court jesters? I am aware of Douce's work, and the memoirs of Will. Somers, the fool of Henry VIII.

William Kelly.

Leicester.

Right of redeeming Property.—In some country or district which I have formerly visited, there exists, or did recently exist, a right of redeeming property which had passed from its owner's hands, somewhat similar to that prescribed to the Jews in Leviticus xxvi. 25. &c., and analogous to the custom in Brittany, with which Sterne's beautiful story has made usfamiliar. Can you help me to remember where it is?

C. W. B.

Dictionary of Zingari.—Can you direct me to a glossary or dictionary of this language? I have seen Borrow'sLavengro, and am not aware whether either of his other works contains anything of the sort. I should imagine it cannot be a perfect language, since the Rommanies located in our locality invariably use the English articles and pronouns; but knowing nothing more of it than what I glean from casual intercourse, I am unable to decide to my own satisfaction.

R. C. Warde.

Kidderminster.

[A dictionary of the Zincali will be found in the first three editions of the following work:The Zincali; or, an Account of the Gypsies of Spain; with an original Collection of their Songs and Poetry, and a copious Dictionary of their Language. By George Borrow, 2 vols., 1841. This dictionary is omitted in the fourth edition of 1846; but some "Specimens of Gypsy dialects" are added. Our correspondent may also be referred to the two following works, which appear in the current number of Quarritch's Catalogue: "Pott, Die Zigeuner in Europa und Asien, vol. i. Einleitung und Grammatik, ii. Ueber Gaunersprachen, Wörterbuch and Sprachproben, 2 vols. 8vo. sewed, 15s.Halle, 1844-45." "Rotwellsche Grammatik oder Sprachkunst; Wörterbuch der Zigeuner-Sprache, 2 parts in 1, 12mo. half-bound morocco, 7s.6d.Frankfurt, 1755."]

Sir Robert Coke.—Of what family was Sir Robert Coke, referred to inGranger, vol. iii. p. 212., ed. 1779, as having collected a valuable library bestowed by George, first Earl of Berkeley, on Sion College, London, the letter of thanks for which is in Collins?

T. P. L.

Manchester.

[Sir Robert Coke was son and heir to Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. The Cokes had been settled for many generations in the county of Norfolk. Camden has traced the pedigree of the family to William Coke of Doddington in Norfolk, in the reign of King John. They had risen to considerable distinction under Edward III., when Sir Thomas Coke was made Seneschal of Gascoigne. From him, in the right male line, was descended Robert Coke, the father of Sir Edward. See Campbell'sLives of Chief Justices, vol. i. p. 240.]

Regium Donum.—What is the origin and history of the "Regium Donum?"

Henri van Laun.

King William's College, Isle of Man.

[In the year 1672, Charles II. gave to Sir Arthur Forbes the sum of 600l., to be applied to the use of the Presbyterian ministers in Ireland. He professed not to know how to bestow it in a better manner, as he had learnt that these ministers had been loyal, and had even suffered on his account; and as that sum remained undisposed of in "the settlement of the revenue of Ireland," he gave it in his charity to them. This was the origin of theRegum donum. As the dissenters approved themselves strong friends to the House of Brunswick, George I., in 1723, wished too to reward them for their loyalty, and, by a retaining fee, preserve them stedfast. A considerable sum, therefore, was annually lodged with the heads of the Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists, to be distributed among the necessitous ministers of their congregations.]

Who was the Author of "Jerningham" and "Doveton?"(Vol. viii., p. 127.).—Mr. Anstrutherbegs to decline the compliment; perhaps the publisher of the admirableHistory of the War in Affghanistancan find a head to fit the cap.

Oswestry.

[On a reference to our note-book, we find our authority for attributing the authorship of these works to Mr. Anstruther is theGentleman's Magazinefor September, 1837, p. 283. In the review ofDovetonthe writer says, "There is in it a good deal to amuse, and something to instruct, but the whole narrative ofMr. Anstrutheris too melodramatic," &c. However, as he declines the compliment, perhaps some of our readers will be able to find the right head to fit the cap.]

Alma Mater.—In Ainsworth'sLatin DictionaryI observed he limits the use of that expression to Cambridge. I have been accustomed to see it used for Oxford, or any other university. What is his reason for applying it to Cambridge alone?

Ma. L.

[Bailey, too, in hisDictionary, applies the epithet exclusively to Cambridge,Alma mater Cantabrigia: so that it seems to have originated with that university. It is now popularly applied to Oxford, and other universities, by those who have imbibed the milk of learning from these places. The epithet has lately been transplanted to the United States of America.]

(Vol. viii., p. 18.)

In communicating a few particulars about Alexander Clark, I must disappoint your correspondentPerthensis;mysubject answering in no respect to Peter Buchan's "drucken dominie," the author of theButtery College. Alexander Clark, who has fallen in my way, belongs to the class of "amiable enthusiasts;" a character I am somewhat fond of, believing that in any pursuit a dash of the latter quality is essential to success.

Clark was by profession a gardener; and as my friends in the north always seek to localise their worthies, I venture to assign him to Annandale. My first acquaintance with him arose from hisEmblematical Representationfalling into my hands; and, pursuing my inquiries, I found this was but one of some half-dozen visionary works from the same pen. In hisView of the Glory of the Messiah's Kingdom, we have the origin of his taking upon himself the prophetic character; it is entitled:

"A Brief Account of an Extraordinary Revelation, and other Things Remarkable, in the Course of God's Dealings with Alexander Clark, Gardener at Dumcrief, near Moffat, Anandale, in the Year 1749.""In the month of August, 1749," says he, "at a certain time when the Lord was pleased to chastise me greatly in a bed of affliction, and in the midst of my great trial, it pleased the Almighty God wonderfully to surprise me with a glorious light round about me; and looking up, I saw straight before me a glorious building in the air, as bright and clear as the sun: it was so vastly great, so amiable to behold, so full of majesty and glory, that it filled my heart with wonder and admiration. The place where this sight appeared to me was just over the city of Edinburgh; at the same instant I heard, as it were, the musick bells of the said city ring for joy."

"A Brief Account of an Extraordinary Revelation, and other Things Remarkable, in the Course of God's Dealings with Alexander Clark, Gardener at Dumcrief, near Moffat, Anandale, in the Year 1749."

"In the month of August, 1749," says he, "at a certain time when the Lord was pleased to chastise me greatly in a bed of affliction, and in the midst of my great trial, it pleased the Almighty God wonderfully to surprise me with a glorious light round about me; and looking up, I saw straight before me a glorious building in the air, as bright and clear as the sun: it was so vastly great, so amiable to behold, so full of majesty and glory, that it filled my heart with wonder and admiration. The place where this sight appeared to me was just over the city of Edinburgh; at the same instant I heard, as it were, the musick bells of the said city ring for joy."

From this period, Clark's character became tinged with that enthusiasm which ended in his belief that he was inspired; and that in publishing his—

"Signs of the Times: showing by many infallible Testimonies and Proofs out of the Holy Scripture, that an extraordinary Change is at Hand, even at the very Door,"—

he was merely "emitting what he derived directly, by special favour, from God!"

"The Spirit of God," he says on another occasion, "was so sensibly poured out upon me, and to such a degree, that I was thereby made to see things done in secret, and came to find things lost, and knew where to go to find those things which were lost!"

Thissecond sight, if I may so call it, set our author upon drawing aside the veil from the prophetic writings; and his view of their mystical sense is diffused over the indigested and rambling works bearing the following titles:

"A View of the Glory of the Messiah's Kingdom." 1763."Remarks upon the Accomplishment of Scripture Prophecy.""A Practical Treatise on Regeneration." 1764."The Mystery of God opened," &c. Edinburgh. 1768."An Emblematical Representation of the Paradise of God, showing the Nature of Spiritual Industry in the Similitude of a Garden, well ordered, dressed, and kept, with Sundry Reflections on the Nature of Divine Knowledge, 1779."

"A View of the Glory of the Messiah's Kingdom." 1763.

"Remarks upon the Accomplishment of Scripture Prophecy."

"A Practical Treatise on Regeneration." 1764.

"The Mystery of God opened," &c. Edinburgh. 1768.

"An Emblematical Representation of the Paradise of God, showing the Nature of Spiritual Industry in the Similitude of a Garden, well ordered, dressed, and kept, with Sundry Reflections on the Nature of Divine Knowledge, 1779."

In hisAddress to the Friendly Society of Gardeners, Clark gives some account of his worldly condition; of his early training in religious habits; his laborious and industrious devotion to his profession, with which he seems to have been greatly enamoured, although poorly paid, and often in straits. Subsequently to the great event of his life—his vision—our subject appears to have come south, and to have been in the employment of Lord Charles Spencer at Hanworth in Middlesex. Like most of the prophets of his day, Clark was haunted with the belief that the last day was approaching; and considering himself called upon to announce to his acquaintance and neighbours that this "terrible judgment of God was at hand," he got but contempt and ridicule for his pains:—more than that, indeed, for those raising the cry that he was a madman, they procured the poor man's expulsion from his situation. Under all these discouraging circumstances, he maintained his firm conviction of the approaching end of time: so strongly was his mind bent in this direction, that "I opened the window of the house where I then was," says he, "thinking to see Christ coming in the clouds!"

"I was three days and three nights that I could not eat, drink, nor sleep; and when I would close my eyes, I felt something always touching me; at length I heard a voice sounding in mine ears, saying 'Sleep not, lest thou sleep the sleep of death:' and at that I looked for my Bible, and at the first opening of it I read these words, which were sent with power, 'To him that overcometh,'" &c.

Poor Clark, like his prototype Thomas Newans, laboured hard to obtain the sanction of the hierarchy to his predictions:

"I desire no man," he says, "to believe me without proof; and if the Reverend the Clergy would think this worth their perusal, I would very willingly hear what they had to say either for or against."

The orthodoxy of the "Reverend the Clergy" was not, however, to be moved; and Alexander Clark and his books now but serve the end of pointing a moral. With more real humility and less presumption, there was much that was good about him; but letting his heated fancies get the better of the little judgment he possessed, ouramiable enthusiastbecame rather a stumbling-block than light to his generation.

J. O.

(Vol. viii., p. 387.)

Although I may not be able to furnish your inquirer with full pedigree of this family, my Notes may prove useful in making it out.

From a settlement after marriage in 1663, of Vincent Amcotts of Laughton, in the county of Lincoln, gentleman, I find his wife's name to be Amy; but who she was is not disclosed. It appears she survived her husband, and was hiswidow and relict and executrix living in 1687. Their eldest daughter Elizabeth married John Sheffield, Esq., of Croxby, and I have noted three children of theirs, viz. Vincent, who died s.p.; Christopher, who, with Margaret, his wife, in 1676 sold the Croxby estate; and Sarah. What farther as to this branch does not appear, although my next Vincent Amcotts may be, and probably was, a descendant. This Vincent Amcotts was of Harrington, in the county of Lincoln, Esq.; and who, from his marriage settlement dated May 16 and 17, 1720, married Elizabeth, the third of the four daughters of John Quincy of Aslackby, in the county of Lincoln, gentleman: and I find the issue of this marriage to be Charles Amcotts of Kettlethorpe, in the county of Lincoln, Esq., who died in 1777 s.p.; Anna Maria, whom married Wharton Emerson; Elizabeth, who died previous to her brother Charles; and Frances, who married the Rev. Edward Buckworth of Washingborough, in the county of Lincoln, Clerk, Doctor of Laws.

After the death of Charles Amcotts, we find Wharton Emerson at Kettlethorpe, having assumed the name of Amcotts: he was created a baronet in 1796, the title being limited in remainder to the eldest son of his daughter Elizabeth. Sir Wharton Amcotts married a second wife, Amelia Campbell, by whom he had a daughter, but what became of her does not appear. Elizabeth, the daughter and heir of Sir Wharton Amcotts by his first wife Anna Maria Amcotts, married in 1780 John Ingilby, Esq., of Ripley, who in the next year was created a baronet: and they appear to have had eleven children, viz. John Charles Amcotts, the present Sir William Amcotts Ingelby, in whom both titles are vested, Elizabeth, Augusta, Anna Maria, and Ann; which last three died in infancy; Diana, Vincent Bosville, who died at a year old, and Julia and Constance. Thus far my Notes extend.

W. S. Hesleden.

Barton-upon-Humber.

(Vol. viii., p. 272.)

I have an original letter of Sir Ralph Winwood's in French, addressed "A Monsieur MonsrCharles Huyghens, Secrétaire du Conseil d'estat de Messrsles Estats à la Haye," which, as it may possibly be interesting to your correspondent H. P. W. R., I here transcribe:

"Monsr.—Vos dernières m'ont rendu tesmoignage de vostre bonn' affection en mon endroict. Car je m'asseure que vous n'eussiez jamais recommendé vostre filz à ma protection si mon nom n'eust esté enregistré au nombre de vos meilleurs et plus affectionnés amys. Je m'en vay, dans peu de jours, trouver Sa Matéen son retour d'Escoce, et j'espere sur la fin du moys de 7brede me rendre à ma maison à Londres. Sur ce temps-là, s'il vous plaira d'envoyer vrefilz vers moy, il sera le bien venu. Son traittement rendra tesmoinage de l'estime que je fais de vostre amitié. De vous envoyer des nouvelles, ce seroyt d'envoyerNoctuas Athenas. Tout est coÿ icy. La mort de Concini a rendu la France heureuse. Mais l'Italie est en danger d'estre exposée à la tirannie d'Espagne. Je vous baise les mains, et suis, Monsr, vostre plus affectionné servitr,Rodolphe Winwood."De Londres, le 7mede Juillet."

Rodolphe Winwood."De Londres, le 7mede Juillet."

Rodolphe Winwood.

"De Londres, le 7mede Juillet."

The year is not indicated, but the allusion to the death of Concini (the celebrated Maréchal d'Ancre, who was assassinated by order of Louis XIII.) proves that this letter was written in 1617, and very shortly before the death of the writer, which occurred on the 27th of October in that year.

M. Charles Huyghens, to whom the letter is addressed, was probably the father of Constantine Huyghens, the Dutch poet-politician, who was secretary and privy counsellor to the Stadtholders Frederick Henry, and William I. and II., and who, not improbably, was the son here mentioned as recommended to the protection of Sir R. Winwood, and who, at that date, would have been twenty-one years of age.

Constantine was himself the father of the still more celebrated Christian Huyghens, the astronomer and mathematician. The seal on the letter, which is in excellent preservation, is a shield bearing the following arms: 1. and 4. a cross botonné, 2. and 3. three fleurs-de-lis.

W. Sneyd.

Denton.

(Vol. viii., p. 387.)

I hope that neither Mr. Trench nor his critic E. M. B. will consider me interfering by my making an observation or two on the correct rendering of the latter part of Ps. cxxvii. 2. Mr. Trench is perfectly correct by supposing an ellipsis in the sentence alluded to, and the words

יִתֵּן לִידִידוֹ שֵׁנָא

should have been translated, "He will give to his beloved whilst he [the beloved] is asleep." The translation of the authorised version of that sacred affirmation is unintelligible. Mr. Trench has the support of Luther's version, which has the sentence thus:

"Seinen Freunden giebt er es schlafend."

The celebrated German Jewish translator of the Old Testament agrees with Mr. Trench. The following is Dr. Zunz's rendering:

"Das giebt er seinem Liebling im Schlaf."

The following is the Hebrew annotation in the far-famed Moses Mendelsohn's edition of the Book of Psalms:

יתנהו הקב־ה לידידו אשר הוא חפץ בו בעודנו ישן ובלי מרחה׃

"The holy and blessed One will give it to his beloved, in whom He delights, whilst he is yet asleep and without fatigue."

I need not adduce passages in the Hebrew Psalter, where such ellipsises do occur. E. M. B. evidently knows his Hebrew Bible well, and a legion of examples will immediately occur to him.

Moses Margoliouth.

Wybunbury, Nantwich.

If E. M. B. will refer to Hengstenberg'sCommentary on the Psalms, he will find that Mr. Trench is not without authority for his translation of Ps. cxxvii. 2. I quote the passage from Thompson and Fairbairn's translation, in Clark'sTheological Library, vol. iii. p. 449.:

"שנאforשנהis not the accusative, but the preposition is omitted, as is frequently the case with words that are in constant use. For example,בקר, ערב, to whichשנהhere is poetically made like. The expositionHe gives sleep, instead ofin sleep, gives an unsuitable meaning. For the subject is not about the sleep, but the gain."

C. I. E.

Winkfield.

Has the translation of Ps. cxxvii. 2., which Mr. Trench has adopted, the sanction of any version but that of Luther?

N. B.

(Vol vii., p. 178. &c.)

Several of your correspondents have offered Notes upon these singular compositions, andAgricola de Monteadduces

"ΝΙΨΟΝ ΑΝΟΜΗΜΑΤΑ, ΜΗ ΜΟΝΑΝ ΟΨΙΝ"

as an example. As neither he norMr. Ellacombegive it as foundoutof this country, allow me to say that it was to be seen on a benitier in the church of Notre Dame at Paris. If it were not for the substitution of the adjectiveΜΟΝΑΝfor the adverbΜΟΝΟΝ, the line would be one of the best specimens of the recurrent order.

I notice that a correspondent (Vol. vii., p. 336.) describes the Palindrome as being universallysotadic. Now, this term was only intended to apply to the early samples of this fanciful species of verse in Latin, the production Sotades, a Roman poet, 250B.C.The lines given byBœoticus(Vol. vi., p. 209.),

"Roma tibi subito motibus ibit amor?"

owe their authorship to his degraded Muse, and many others which would but pollute your pages.

The hexameter "Sacrum pingue," &c. given byΩ.Φ. (Vol. vi., p. 36.), is to be found in Misson'sVoyage to Italy, copied from an old cloister wall of SantaMariaNovella at Florence. These ingenious verses are Leoline[2], and it is noted that "the sacrifice of Cain was not a living victim."

I have seen it stated that the English language affords butonespecimen of the palindrome, while the Latin and Greek have many. The late Dr. Winter Hamilton, the author ofNugæ Literariæ, gives this solitary line, which at the best is awkwardly fashioned:

"Lewd did I live & evil did I dwel."

Is any other known?

Some years since I fell in with that which, after all, is the most wonderful effort of the kind; at least I can conceive of nothing at all equal to it.

It is to be found in a poem calledΠοίημα Καρκινεκὸν, written in ancient Greek by a modern Greek called Ambrosius, printed in Vienna in 1802, and dedicated to the Emperor Alexander. It contains 455 lines, every one of which is literal palindrome.

I have some hesitation in giving even a quotation; and yet, notwithstanding the forced character of some of the lines, your readers will not fail to admire the classic elegance of this remarkable composition.

"Εὖ Ἐλισάβετ, Ἄλλα τ' ἐβασίλευε.Ἔλαβε τὰ κακὰ, καὶ ἄκακα κατέβαλε.Ἀρετὰ πήγασε δὲ σᾶ γῆ πατέρα.Σώματι σῶ φένε φένε φῶς ἰταμῶς.Σὺ δὴ Ἥρως οἷος ὦ Ῥῶς οἷος ὥρη ἡδύς:Νοὶ σὺ λαῷ ἀλαῷ ἀλύσιον.Νέμε ἤθη λαῷ τῷ ἀληθῆ ἔμεν.Σὺ ἔσο ἔθνει ἐκεῖ ἔνθεος εὖς.Ὧ Ῥῶς ἔλε τί σὺ λυσιτελὲς ὤρω.Ἀλλὰ τὰ ἐν νῷ βάλε, λαβῶν νέα τ' ἄλλαΣωτὴρ σὺ ἔσο ὦ ἔλεε θέε λεῶ, ὃς εὖς ῥητῶςΣὸν ἅδε σωτῆρα ἰδιὰ ῥητῶς ἐδανὸς."

"Εὖ Ἐλισάβετ, Ἄλλα τ' ἐβασίλευε.

Ἔλαβε τὰ κακὰ, καὶ ἄκακα κατέβαλε.

Ἀρετὰ πήγασε δὲ σᾶ γῆ πατέρα.

Σώματι σῶ φένε φένε φῶς ἰταμῶς.

Σὺ δὴ Ἥρως οἷος ὦ Ῥῶς οἷος ὥρη ἡδύς:

Νοὶ σὺ λαῷ ἀλαῷ ἀλύσιον.

Νέμε ἤθη λαῷ τῷ ἀληθῆ ἔμεν.

Σὺ ἔσο ἔθνει ἐκεῖ ἔνθεος εὖς.

Ὧ Ῥῶς ἔλε τί σὺ λυσιτελὲς ὤρω.

Ἀλλὰ τὰ ἐν νῷ βάλε, λαβῶν νέα τ' ἄλλα

Σωτὴρ σὺ ἔσο ὦ ἔλεε θέε λεῶ, ὃς εὖς ῥητῶς

Σὸν ἅδε σωτῆρα ἰδιὰ ῥητῶς ἐδανὸς."

Charles Reed.

Paternoster Row.

Footnote 2:(return)Leo was a poet of the twelfth century.

Leo was a poet of the twelfth century.

Here is a Palindrome that surrounds a figure of the sun in the mosaic pavement of Sa. Maria del Fiori at Florence:

"En giro torte sol ciclos et rotor igne."

Could any of your correspondents translate this enigmatical line?

Mosaffur.

E. I. Club.

The Claymore(Vol. viii., p. 365.).—I believe there is no doubt that the true Scottish claymore is the heavy two-handed sword, examples of which are preserved at Dumbarton Castle, and atHawthornden, and respectively attributed to William Wallace, and to Robert the Bruce. The latter is a very remarkable specimen, the grip being formed either of the tusk of a walrus or of a small elephant, considerably curved; and the guard is constructed of two iron bars, terminated by trefoils, and intersecting each other at right angles. The blade is very ponderous, and shorter than usual in weapons of this description.

The claymore of modern times is a broadsword, double or single-edged, and provided with a basket hilt of form peculiar to Scotland, though the idea was probably derived from Spain. Swords with basket hilts were commonly used by the English cavalry in the reigns of Charles I. and II., but they are always of a different type from the Scotch, though affording as complete a protection to the hand. I possess some half-dozen examples, some from Gloucestershire, which are of the times of the civil wars. There are many swords said to have been the property of Oliver Cromwell; one is in the United Service Museum: all that I have seen are of this form.

W. J. Bernhard Smith.

Temple.

Temple Lands in Scotland(Vol. viii., p. 317.).—Your correspondentAbredonensis, upon a reference to the undernoted publications, will find many interesting particulars as to these lands, viz.:

1. "Templaria: Papers relative to the History, Privileges, and Possessions of the Scottish Knights Templars, and their Successors the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, &c. Edited by James Maidment. Sm.4to. 1828-29."2. "Abstract of the Charters and other Papers recorded in the Chartulary of Torphichen, from 1581 to 1596; with an Introductory Notice and Notes, by John Black Gracie. Sm. 4to. 1830."3. "Notes of Charters, &c., by the Right Hon. Thomas Earl of Melrose, afterwards Earl of Haddington, to the Vassals of the Barony of Drem, from 1615 to 1627; with an Introductory Notice, by John Black Gracie. Sm. 4to. 1830."4. "Fragmenta Scoto-Monastica: Memoir of what has been already done, and what Materials exist, towards the Formation of a Scottish Monasticon; to which are appended, Sundry New Instances of Goodly Matter, by a Delver in Antiquity (W. B. Turnbull). 8vo. 1842."

2. "Abstract of the Charters and other Papers recorded in the Chartulary of Torphichen, from 1581 to 1596; with an Introductory Notice and Notes, by John Black Gracie. Sm. 4to. 1830."

3. "Notes of Charters, &c., by the Right Hon. Thomas Earl of Melrose, afterwards Earl of Haddington, to the Vassals of the Barony of Drem, from 1615 to 1627; with an Introductory Notice, by John Black Gracie. Sm. 4to. 1830."

4. "Fragmenta Scoto-Monastica: Memoir of what has been already done, and what Materials exist, towards the Formation of a Scottish Monasticon; to which are appended, Sundry New Instances of Goodly Matter, by a Delver in Antiquity (W. B. Turnbull). 8vo. 1842."

The "Introductory Notices" prefixed to Nos. 2. and 3. give full particulars of the various sales and purchases of the Superioritus, &c., by Mr. Gracie and others.

T. G. S.

Edinburgh.

Lewis and Sewell Families(Vol. viii., p. 388.).—Your correspondent may obtain, in respect to the Lewis family, much information in theLife and Correspondence of Matthew Gregory Lewis, two vols. 8vo., London, 1839, particularly at pp. 6. and 7. of vol. i. He will there find that Matthew Lewis, Esq., who was Deputy Secretary of War for twenty-six years, married Frances Sewell, youngest daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Thos. Sewell; that Lieut.-Gen. Whitelocke and Gen. Sir Thos. Brownrigg, G.C.B., married the other two daughters of Sir Thos. Sewell; and that Matthew Gregory Lewis, who wrote theCastle Spectre, &c., was son of Matthew Lewis, Esq., the Deputy Secretary of War.

With regard to the Sewell family. The Right Hon. Sir Thos. Sewell, who was Master of the Rolls for twenty years, died in 1784; and there is, I believe, a very correct account of his family connexions in theGentleman's Magazinefor 1784, p. 555. He died intestate, and his eldest son, Thos. Bailey Heath Sewell, succeeded to his estate of Ottershaw and the manors of Stannards and Fords in Chobham, Surrey. This gentleman was a magistrate for the county of Surrey; and in the spring of 1794, when this country was threatened by both foreign and domestic enemies, he became Lieut.-Col. of a regiment of Light Dragoons (fencibles), raised in Surrey (at Richmond) by George Lord Onslow, Lord-Lieut. of the county, in which he served six years, till the Government not requiring their services they were disbanded. Lieut.-Col. Sewell died in 1803, and was buried in the church at Chobham, where there is a monument to his memory. Of his family we have not farther knowledge than that he had a son, Thos. Bermingham Heath Sewell, who was a cornet in the 32nd Light Dragoons, and lieutenant in the 4th Dragoon Guards during the war of the French Revolution. TheHistory and Antiquities of Surrey, by the Rev. Owen Manning and Wm. Bray, in three vols. folio, 1804, has in the third volume much concerning the Sewell family.

D. N.

Pharaoh's Ring(Vol. viii., p. 416.).—The mention of the ring conferred on, or confided to, Joseph by the Pharaoh of Egypt, as stated in Genesis xli. 42., reminds me of a ring being shown to me some years ago, which was believed by its then possessor to be the identical ring, or at all events a signet ring of the very Pharaoh who promoted Joseph to the chief office in his kingdom.

It was a ring of pure gold, running through a hole in a massive wedge of gold, about the size, as far as I recollect, of a moderate-sized walnut. On one of its faces was cut the hieroglyphic (inclosed as usual with the names of Egyptian kings in an oval), as I was assured, of the king, the friend of Joseph, as was generally supposed by the readers of hieroglyphics: I pretend to no knowledge of them myself.

The possessor of the ring, who showed it to me, was Mr. Sams, one of the Society of Friends, a bookseller at Darlington. Since railroads havewhirled me past that town, I have lost my means of periodical communication with him. He had, not long before I saw him last, returned from the Holy Land, where he assured me he had visited every spot that could be identified mentioned in the New Testament. He had also been some time in Egypt, and had brought home a great quantity of Egyptian antiquities. The lesser ones he had in the first floor of a carver and gilder's in Great Queen Street, between the Freemason's Tavern and Lincoln's Inn Fields. He was then anxious that these should be bought for the British Museum, and I think that at his request I wrote to the Earl of Aberdeen to mention this, and that the answer was that there was already so large a collection in the Museum, that more, as they must most of them be duplicates, would be of no use.

What has become of them I know not. I was told that a number of his larger antiquities, stone and marble, were for some time placed on Waterloo Bridge, that being a very quiet place, where people might view them without interruption. I did not happen to be in London that season, and therefore did not see them.

J. Ss.

[The whole of Mr. Sams's collection of Egyptian antiquities were bought by Joseph Mayer, Esq, F.S.A., of Liverpool, about two years ago, to add to his previous assemblage of similar monuments, and are placed by him, with a very valuable collection of mediæval antiquities, in the Egyptian Museum, 8. Colquitt Street, Liverpool. The small charge of sixpence for each visit opens the entire collection to the public; but it is a lamentable fact, that the curiosity or patriotism of the inhabitants does not cover Mr. Mayer's expenses by a large annual amount.]

"Could we with ink,"&c. (Vol. iii., pp. 127. 180. 257. 422.).—Have not those correspondents who have answered this Query overlooked the concluding verse of the gospel according to St. John, of which it appears to me that the lines in question are an amplification without improvement? Mahomet, it is well known, imitated many parts of the Bible in the Koran.

E. G. R.

"Populus vult decipi"(Vol. vii., p. 578.; Vol. viii, p. 65.).—As an illustration of this expression the following anecdote is given. When my father was about thirteen years old, being in London he was, on one occasion in company with Dr. Wolcot (Peter Pindar), who, calling him to him, laid his hand on his head, and said, "My little boy, I want you to remember one thing as long as you live—the people of this world love to be cheated."

Uneda.

Philadelphia.

Red Hair(Vol. vii., p. 616.; Vol. viii., p. 86.).—It is frequently stated that the Turks are admirers of red hair. I have lately met with a somewhat different account, namely, that the Turks consider red-haired persons who are fat as "first-rate" people, but those who are lean as the very reverse.

M. E.

Philadelphia.

"Land of Green Ginger"(Vol. viii., p. 227.).—The authority which I am able to affordMr. Richardsonis simply the tradition of the place, which I had so frequently heard that I could scarcely doubt the truth of it; this I intended to be deduced, when I said I did not recollect that the local histories gave any derivation, and that it was the one "generally received by the inhabitants."

To any mind the solution brought forward byMr. Buckton(Vol. viii., p. 303.) carries the greatest amount of probability with it of any yet proposed; and should any of your correspondents have the opportunity of looking through the unpublished history of Hull by the Rev. De la Pryme, "collected out of all the records, charters, deeds, mayors' letters, &c. of the said town," and now placed amongst the Lansdowne MSS. in the British Museum, I am inclined to think it is very likely it would be substantiated.

In Mr. Frost's valuable work on the town, which by the way proves it to have been "a place of opulence and note at a period long anterior to the date assigned to its existence by historians," he differs materially fromMr. Richardson, in considering that Hollar's plate was "engraved about the year 1630," not in 1640 as he states. There is also another which appeared between the time of Hollar and Gent, in Meisner'sLibellus novus politicus emblematicus Civitatum, published in 1638, which though not "remarkable for accuracy of design," is well worthy of notice. It bears the title "Hull in Engellandt," and also the following curious inscriptions, which I copy for the interest of your readers:

"Carcer nonnunquam firmum propugnaculum. Noctua clausa manet in carcere firmo; Insidias volucrum vetat enim cavea.""Wann die Eull eingesperret ist,Schadet ihr nicht der Feinde list,Der Kefig ist ihr nicht unnütz,Sondern gibt wieder ihr Feind schütz."

"Carcer nonnunquam firmum propugnaculum. Noctua clausa manet in carcere firmo; Insidias volucrum vetat enim cavea."

"Wann die Eull eingesperret ist,Schadet ihr nicht der Feinde list,Der Kefig ist ihr nicht unnütz,Sondern gibt wieder ihr Feind schütz."

"Wann die Eull eingesperret ist,

Schadet ihr nicht der Feinde list,

Der Kefig ist ihr nicht unnütz,

Sondern gibt wieder ihr Feind schütz."

These lines refer to a curious engraving on the left side of the plan, representing an owl imprisoned in a cage with a quantity of birds about, endeavouring to assail it.

R. W. Elliot.

Clifton.

"I put a spoke in his wheel"(Vol. viii., p. 351.).—Does not this phrase mean simply interference, either for good or evil? I fancy the metaphor is really derived from putting the bars, or spokes, into a capstan or some such machine. A numberof persons being employed, another puts his spoke in, and assists or hinders them as he pleases. Can astickbe considered aspokebefore it is put into its place, in the nave of the wheel at least? We often hear the observation, "Then I put in my spoke," &c. in the relation of an animated discussion. May I venture to suggest a pun on the preterite of the verbto speak?

G. William Skyring.

Pagoda(Vol. viii., p. 401.).—May not the wordpagodabe a corruption of the Sanscrit word "Bhagovata," sacred?

Bishop of Brechin.

Dundee.

Passage in Virgil(Vol. viii., p. 270.).—On this part of Johnson's letter, Mr. Croker observes:

"I confess I do not see the object, nor indeed the meaning, of this allusion."

The allusion is to Eclogue viii. 43.:

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