"Và, và, speme infida pur va non ti credo."
"Và, và, speme infida pur va non ti credo."
W. SPARROWSIMPSON, B.A.
—The ancestor of A. H. Layard, the youthful and everywhere celebrated "Navorscher" of Nineveh, came to England with William of Orange. He fought under this prince at the battle of the Boyne. I would ask, whether anything is known of his genealogy before 1688?
Q. Q. Q.
Zeist.
—The famousAvis aux Réfugiéz, a work commonly attributed to Bayle, pretends on its title-page to have been written "Par Mons. C.L.A.A.P.D.P." Who can tell me whether these initials have any purport?
N. P. BIBLIOPHILUS.
Rotterdam.
—What ground is there for Dr. Oliver, the author ofHistoric Collections relating to the Monasteries of Devon, published 1820, and the Rev. G. C. Gorham, in hisHistory of St. Neots in Huntingdonshire and in Cornwall, published in 1824, supposing that De Pratellis is the same name as Prideaux? Dr. Oliver says (p. 123.), Adam Prianho or De Pratellis al Prydeaux appointed prior. Gorham, vol. i. p. 172., says, Robert de Preus (aliasRobert de Pratell?). And again, in vol. ii. p. clxviii., Robert de PreauxaliasPrideaux, was presented by the prior and convent in 1270; his quotation is from Instituted rolls and Registers, Lincoln Cathedral: the roll reads Preus and De Pratellis.
G. P. P.
—In the choir of the church of St. Sauveur at Bruges is a monument of black marble, to the memory of Joseph Adrien Le Bailly, who died the 18th Oct. 1775, aged eighty-two. After describing him as the member of a noble and warlike family, the epitaph proceeds as follows:
"Victime de l'envie il mourût, en citoyen la calomnie avait flêtri sa vertu, la vérité en a déchiré la voile.... L'honnête homme a reparu, et la justice l'a vengé."
I have searched, but in vain, for some notice of this individual, and shall feel indebted to any of your readers who will be kind enough to give me some particulars which will throw light upon these mysterious expressions.
J. H. M.
Bath.
—Can you afford me information respecting the Great Bowyer Bible, which, I believe, about twenty years ago was valued at 1000l., and disposed of by lottery?
Is it in private hands, or in a public library?
J. S.
[The Bowyer Bible was disposed of, in 1848, in Mrs. Parkes's Club Subscription.
The name of the gentleman who was so fortunate as to obtain it, for his subscription of one guinea, is Saxon; a gentleman farmer, residing near Shepton Mallett in Somersetshire. He received the Bible in an appropriate cabinet from Mrs. Parkes, who knows nothing further of its subsequent history.]
—What is the derivation of the wordorloff, as applied to the deck of a ship of war? The "orloff deck" is, I believe, the first lower deck which runs flush frown stem to stern.
W. A. L.
[Falconer and others spell itOrlop, from the Dutchoverloop, a running over, or overflowing. Dr. Ogilvie says, "In a ship of war it is a platform of planks laid over the beams in the hold, on which the cables are usually coiled. It contains also sail-rooms, carpenters' cabins, and other apartments. Also, a tier of beams below the lower deck for a like purpose. In three-decked ships the second and lowest decks are sometimes calledorlops."]
—Byron says, in a note somewhere, that many of the modern Greek poems are in the metre of the English ballad:
"A captain bold of Halifax, that lived in country quarters."
"A captain bold of Halifax, that lived in country quarters."
The same may be said of a metre much used Terence and Plautus.
Where is this ballad to be found?
ED. G. JACKSON.
Saffron Walden.
[Though we cannot point where this song, written by George Colman, and known as "Unfortunate Miss Bailey," is to be met with, we can refer our correspondent to a clever Latin version of it by the Rev. G. H. Glasse, printed in theGentleman's Magazinefor August, 1805, which commences—
"Seduxit miles virginem, receptus in hybernis,Præcipitans quæ laqueo se transtulit Avernis."
"Seduxit miles virginem, receptus in hybernis,
Præcipitans quæ laqueo se transtulit Avernis."
There is also in the same magazine a French version which runs—
"Un capitaine hardi d'Halifax, demeurant à son quartier, Séduit une fille qui se pendit, un lundi avec sa jarretière," &c.]
—May I ask the derivation of the following English words,—Goblin,Gorgeous,Gossip?
J. G. T.
[Goblinis derived from the low LatinGobelinus; see Ducange, who defines it, "Dæmon, qui vulgoFaunus, Gallis,Gobelin Folastre, German,Kobold," and quotes as his authority Ordericus Vitalis.
Gorgeous, according to Skinner, is from the FrenchGorgias, probably fromGorge, and transferred from the palate to the eye. No such word asGorgiasis, however, to be found in Roquefort'sGlossaire.
Gossipis from the Anglo-SaxonGod-sibbe, "cognatus in Deo." Nares in hisGlossaryfurnishes the following apt illustration of it: "Our Christian ancestors, understanding a spiritual affinity to grow between the parents and such as undertooke for the child at baptism, called each other by the name ofGod-sib, that is, of kin together through God; and the child, in like manner, called such his godfathers and godmothers."—Verstegan, p. 223.]
—In a survey of the castle of Launceston made in the 11 Edw. III., occurs the following passage: "Una p̱va capella quar pietes sunt de maheremio et plaustro et maheremiū inde fere disjungit."
Will any of your readers kindly inform an unskilled person the meaning of this description?
The same record contains some notable instances of jocular tenures, such as "ccc volucrsquæ vocrpoffouns," from the holder of the Scilly islands; and "un arc' de arbouin," presumed to be a bow of laburnum wood, from the town of Truro.
S. R. P.
Launceston.
[The meaning of the first passage quoted by our correspondent is clearly, "una parva capella quarum parietes sunt demaheremioet plastro, et maheremium inde fere disjungitur,"i.e."one small chapel whose walls are of timber and plaster (or, as we say, built of lath and plaster), and the timbers thereof for the most part disjointed." Under the wordMateria, Ducange gives Mæremium, Maheremium, and many other forms of the word, which is used for timber.
Un arc de Arbouin.—If our correspondent will refer to Ducange subArcus, he will find him, sub "Arcus de Aubour," citingMonast. Ang., tom. ii. p. 602., and explaining it, "arcus bellici species. Regestum Philippi Augusti, fol. 159. Habet sagittam et arcum de aubour cum corda." He next citesLe Roman de Garin(MS.):
"Arc d'Aubour porte et sajetes d'acier," &c.
"Arc d'Aubour porte et sajetes d'acier," &c.
A learned friend whom we have consulted reminds us that besides the common Laburnum, which it is obvious could not be the wood referred to, there is another sort known to our gardeners as "Cytisus Alpinus," Scotch Laburnum, which grows into an actual tree, and supplies the hard black wood used by the French as ebony, and called by them False Ebony. It is of notorious hardness, and would have done well for bows. It is a native of Dauphiné, and indigenous also in the Alps, and, even if unknown in England in the reign of Edward III., was probably used in the Alpine countries for bows, and possibly imported into England for the same purpose.]
As no reply has been given to your various correspondents on the above subject by one of the Brethren's church, permit a friend to give a few particulars with which he has become acquainted.
The firstauthorisedEnglish edition of the Moravian hymn-book is that of 1754, in the preface to which it is stated, that though there had been some English Collections of Hymns, partly original, and partly translations from the German, in use among the societies in union with the Brethren's church, "these were never regularly authorised, nor always passably reviewed." This book is a bulky 8vo.: it is in two parts; the first consisting of 380 pages, and the second of upwards of 400; together containing about 1200 hymns and Scripture anthems. The next edition appeared in 1769; and a third twenty years later. There have been several editions during the present century, in 8vo., 12mo., and 18mo., the last of which was published in 1819; and the preface states that the whole of the hymns had been revised by "Brother James Montgomery" of Sheffield.
To the inquiry of C. B. as to the honesty ofRimius, I would refer him to an excellent essay by the Rev. P. Latrobe, appended to Jackson's translation of theLife of Count Zinzendorf, by Spangenberg. (London, 1838.)
The memory of your Thurles correspondent is at fault, as may be supposed, from a twenty-five years' recollection. Bishop Gambold could not have published a Moravian hymn-book in 1738, for he did not join the Brethren's church till November, 1742; nor was he consecrated a bishop till 1754.—See his Life, appended to hisWorks, printed by S. Hazard, of Bath, 1789.
When Southey's animadversions appeared, they were replied to by "William Okely, M.D., Presbyter of the Brethren's Church, and Minister of their Congregation at Bristol," in a letter written in a good-humoured style, yet caustic withal. Unfortunately, as long as Southey's work lasts the poison will remain, while the antidote will be forgotten. The Doctor observes:
"What could possibly induce you, with such ill-judged eagerness, to rake into the kennels of oblivion? Why do you exhibit among your authorities the publications of such a vile fellow as Rimius? Was you not informed that he wrote with all the rancour of a renegado, and all the spite of an enemy? Is such a man proper to be publicly called forth as a witness against a church which he had deserted from no excess of virtue; against a church which, yourself being judge, has, by its silent but honorable exertions, first glorified God among the heathen, and then stimulated the rest of the Christian world to engage in similar attempts; against a church which, according to your own representations, possesses in herself the rare principle of gradual melioration, and, by a constant course of good living, has, in the face of watchful enemies, been able to rise superior to the consequences of former acknowledged indiscretions in language? Did you know that those writings were sinking fast into deserved neglect? That the copies had become so rare, that it was scarcely possible to obtain one? What merit, I ask you, is there in such publications, that you should thus studiously fish them out of the mud which was already closing over them, and after carefully scraping off the filth and mould which they had contracted, spread over them a coating of your own poetical varnish?
— — —
"What motive shall we assign for your conduct? You could not have intended to warn the Christian world against indulging in similar imprudences; for you well know that in the present day, society has not the smallest tendency that way. You could not mean to warn the Brethren against the recurrence of the same absurdities; for you acknowledge yourself that they have already for a long period risen superior to them; and instead of the least tendency to relapse, they have repeatedly and publicly confessed their mistake, and have suffered so much, and such often unmerited obloquy, on account of their long-explodedphraseology, that they are more likely in future to keep too far within bounds from over caution, than once more wildly to overleap them.
— — —
"The only way to account for your conduct in this respect, is to suppose it owing entirely to inadvertence. You were merely amusing yourself, like the boys in the fable, unmindful that your sport might perhaps prove death to a set of poor frogs. But ought you not to have remembered the golden rule of Christ, never to do unto others what you would not choose to have done to yourself? Are you not still smarting under the blows you so lately received from the battle-axe of Wat Tyler? Believe me, sir, communities have feeling as well as individuals. In the days of your ignorance, as you will now call them, you wrote what you are at present ashamed of. To have composed Wat Tyler, you feel to be little congenial with the spirit that ought to dwell in a poet-laureate. When that unfortunate effusion of your pen was officiously dragged into light, did it not touch you to the quick? And why? Because you repented that you had ever written it.Werepent of having written and said those things which occasioned Rimius' trumpet to sound. We have repeatedly declared that we do repent, and our conduct has proved the truth of our declaration. Must we not, therefore, feel pain at seeing our old delinquencies, long forgiven and forgotten, once more coupled with our name by a man of your respectable character and abilities? Is not the pain we feel the very impress of what you have felt, and still feel, on the score of Wat Tyler?"
From a Pamphlet printed at Bristol, 1820.
SIGMA.
In pursuance of my recommendation I now send to "N. & Q." the following provincial and technical words, as taken from the published evidence given before the coroner at the inquest on the Holmefirth catastrophe. Technical names have been there used, which are either strange or unknown even to many engineers, and which no dictionary that I am acquainted with contains. The inquiry is, however, one of such general interest at this time, as connected with the recent fearful loss of life, and enormous destruction of property, that I also give some words, the meaning of which is not so obscure. The names of the reservoir which was bursted, and of the village which suffered most damage, may be taken first.
Bilberry Reservoir: Bilberry is the local name of a berry growing on a heath shrub; a species ofVacci'nium: the genus consists of about fifty species. This berry, in England, is known as wimberry, blueberry, blaeberry, blae, whortleberry, whort and huckleberry; Saxon—heort-berg, hartberry; German—heidel-beere, heathberry; Dutch—blaauwbes, blueberry. The reservoir, no doubt, covered a site on whichVacci'nium Myrtillus, the commonbilberries, grew.
Holmefirth: this name may be fromholm, theIlex, the evergreen oak; orholm, a tract of flat rich land on the bank of a brook or river.Frith, a passage or narrow channel; orfrith, a kind of "weir" for catching fish.
Greenhowlers: the name of a place where one of the witnesses resides.Howler, or Owler,Alnus glutinosa, the common alder, a tree or shrub growing in damp places, in plantations and hedges, mistaken by the ignorant for the hazel. To send a boy "nutting amongst thehowlers," is to put him upon a fool's task. This word is common in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Fallis applied to a number of trees cut down.
Fresh: a flood of water from heavy rain.
Drift: a small tunnel made for mining or engineering purposes.
Drift, in mechanics, a piece of steel or iron used tobacka bolt, or to widen a bolt-hole.
Dyke: a small water-course or river.
Dyke, in geology, a protruded wall of basalt or whin rock.
Goit: a small artificial water-course leading to a mill or reservoir.
Runs: small dykes.
Bye-wash: an artificial water-course, to allow of the escape of flood waters from a reservoir.
Rag: a term forshale. In geology, thin-bedded, slaty strata.
SludgeorSludgy: mud or muddy.
Puddle: prepared clay, tempered to form a wall in a reservoir bank, or a lining to resist water.
Puddle-bank,Puddle-wall, andPuddle-dykemean the same.
Culvert,Sewer, andSoughmean almost the same; an arched channel of stone or brick for water or refuse to pass through. The first belongs more properly to water-works; the two latter are synonyms applied to town drainage, "Sough" being Lancashire.
Shuttle,Sluice,Valve,Clough,Paddle: these five names are synonyms; they mean that portion of the apparatus whichslides, or is drawn up and let down, to inclose or let out the water of an artificial stream or reservoir.
Swallow: the inner portion of the culvert, orthe throatwhich leads from the inner side of the reservoir to the "shuttle," the outer portion being the supply-culvert.
Valve: an apparatus to retain or let out water, steam, &c. A valve may slide as theshuttle,paddle, orsluicemust do; or it may rise with a spindle, vertically, as in the safety-valve of a steam boiler; or may move on spindles or a hinge, as in some large pumps; or be in the form of a ball, and play loose in a case, as in a fire-engine pump: there are other forms ofvalves.Throttle-valve, a valvefixed in the steam-pipe of an engine, to which thegovernoris attached, tothrottleor reduce the supply of steam to the cylinder. In some engines, as the locomotive, there is no governor motion, and thethrottle-valveis consequently used by hand.
Waste-pit: a vertical pit or well, leading from the "overflow" on the embankment into the supply; or, in this case, the "waste culvert."
Drawer: the man employed to draw water from the reservoir by raising the "shuttle."
Such is a brief explanation of some of the provincial and technical words used in the Holmefirth inquiry; and I think some of the readers of "N. & Q." will have a right to say that a process of desynonymising is required. So many names for the same thing, unless they are all understood, generally lead to confusion.
ROBERTRAWLINSON.
In the neighbourhood of Canterbury we have the following.
Nail-bournis the name given to an intermittent land-spring, showing itself at uncertain intervals. There is one in the parish of Petham, another near Sir John Honywood's at Evington, and a third at Barham.
To chastiseis commonly used in the sense ofto tax, orto charge, a man; and is probably a mere corruption ofto catechise.
Gazelis the Kentish word for the black currant.
To getluckermeans to get loose or flabby.
Toterrifyis used almost universally for to tease, to irritate.
Φ.
I beg to forward for "N. & Q.," according to the suggestion of MR. RAWLINSON, a few provincialisms. I know not whether my orthography is correct, as I have never seen the words written, and therefore only spell them according to the sound.
Critch(Hants): any earthenware vessel; a jar.
Dillijon: a heavy two-wheeled cart. This word's similarity to the Frenchdiligenceis apparent. I have only heard it at Fullerton, a secluded spot in Hampshire.
Rattlemice:[3]bats.
Scug[4](Hants): a squirrel. "Let's go scug-hunting" is a common phrase.
Yesses(Dorsetshire): earth-worms.
[3][4][The words thus marked will be found in Halliwell; where we also readEsses, large worms (Kent).—ED.]
UNICORN.
In the "Notes on Books" references are made to Mr. Sandys'Specimens of Macaronic Poetry, and to M. Octave Delepierre'sMacaronéana. This latter work I have not yet seen, but if it does not contain the following specimen which I recollect reading many years ago in a costly work,Wild Sports of the East, but which I have not since seen, I think its insertion may amuse the readers of "N. & Q.":
"Arma virumque cano qui primo solebo peepingJam nunc cum tabbynox languet to button her eyelidsCum pointers et spaniels campos sylvasque pererrantVos mihi—Brontothesi over arms small and great dominantesDate spurs to dull poet qui dog Latin carmina conditArtibus atque novis audax dum sportsman I followPer stubbles et turnips et tot discrimina rerumDum partridge with popping terrificare minanturPauci namque valent a feather tangere plumboCarmina si hang fire discharge them bag piping ApolloTe quoque magne cleator, te memorande precanurJam nunc thy fame gallops super Garamantos et IndosNam nabobs nil nisi de brimstone et charcoal loquenturHorriferifizque 'Tippoo' sulphurea, sustinet armaInduit ecce shooter tuncam made of meat marble druggetQuæ bene convenient defluxit to the waistband of breechesNunc paper et powder et silices popped in the side pocketImmemor haud shot bag graditur comitatus two pointersMellorian retinens tormentum dextra bibarelledEn stat staunch dog Dingo haud aliter quam steady guide postProximus atque Pero per stat si ponere juxtaWith gun cocked and levelled et æva lumine clausoNunc avicida resolves haud double strong parcere powderVos teneri yelpers vos grandivique parentesNunc palsy pate Jove orate to dress to the left handEt Veneri tip the wink like a shot to skim down ab altoMingere per touch hole totamque madesceri primingNunc lugite dire nunc sportsman plangite palmasEx silis ecce lepus from box cum thistle apertoBang bellowed both barrels, heu! pronus sternitur each dogEt puss in the interim creeps away sub tegmine thorn bush."
"Arma virumque cano qui primo solebo peeping
Jam nunc cum tabbynox languet to button her eyelids
Cum pointers et spaniels campos sylvasque pererrant
Vos mihi—Brontothesi over arms small and great dominantes
Date spurs to dull poet qui dog Latin carmina condit
Artibus atque novis audax dum sportsman I follow
Per stubbles et turnips et tot discrimina rerum
Dum partridge with popping terrificare minantur
Pauci namque valent a feather tangere plumbo
Carmina si hang fire discharge them bag piping Apollo
Te quoque magne cleator, te memorande precanur
Jam nunc thy fame gallops super Garamantos et Indos
Nam nabobs nil nisi de brimstone et charcoal loquentur
Horriferifizque 'Tippoo' sulphurea, sustinet arma
Induit ecce shooter tuncam made of meat marble drugget
Quæ bene convenient defluxit to the waistband of breeches
Nunc paper et powder et silices popped in the side pocket
Immemor haud shot bag graditur comitatus two pointers
Mellorian retinens tormentum dextra bibarelled
En stat staunch dog Dingo haud aliter quam steady guide post
Proximus atque Pero per stat si ponere juxta
With gun cocked and levelled et æva lumine clauso
Nunc avicida resolves haud double strong parcere powder
Vos teneri yelpers vos grandivique parentes
Nunc palsy pate Jove orate to dress to the left hand
Et Veneri tip the wink like a shot to skim down ab alto
Mingere per touch hole totamque madesceri priming
Nunc lugite dire nunc sportsman plangite palmas
Ex silis ecce lepus from box cum thistle aperto
Bang bellowed both barrels, heu! pronus sternitur each dog
Et puss in the interim creeps away sub tegmine thorn bush."
These verses I have dictated from memory after forty years, and there may be some verbal inaccuracies. The name of "Tippoo" seems to point out their Eastern origin, but I am not certain of theexact titleof the work from which I quote them, and I am indebted to "N. & Q." for the name of Mr. Sandys as the author ofSpecimens of Macaronic Poems. In my copy there is no indication of the author. Was there a second edition?
JAMESCORNISH.
The inquiry by J. M. relative to the authority possessed by the letter quoted from theEvangelical Magazinefor Nov. 1797, may be fairly answered by a reference to the letter in the magazine alluded to.
It is appended as a note to a "Memoir of the late Mr. Mouncher of Southampton, written by the Rev. Mr. Kingsbury." The letter itself was written from Montpellier in 1789, by Mr. Walter Taylor to his sister Mrs. Mouncher; and, from the position of all those parties, would appear to be deserving of credit as far as it goes.
It shows that Mr. W. Taylor, and others, conversed with the gardener of the "King's Garden;" and from him (son of the former gardener) heard that about forty-five years before Dr. Young had bribed the then under-gardener to allow him to bury "Narcissa," and would thus prove that the tradition existed at that time at Montpellier.
There is also in a retired part of the Botanic Garden (established by Henry IV.) a stone bearing an inscription to "Narcissa," as mentioned in Murray'sHand-Book, placed there probably in consequence of that tradition. Moreover, it is believed, in the family of a gentleman of Montpellier, that his maternal grandfather saw Dr. Young and his step-daughter at Montpellier about the year 1741; that the lady died there, and was buried, as is stated, in the garden; that however it was not Mrs. Temple, but a younger sister of hers.
It appears from records in this country, that Lady Elizabeth Lee, by her first marriage, had one son and two daughters. The son was buried at St. Mary's-le-Strand in 1743; the elder daughter married Henry Temple, son of Viscount Palmerston, and it appears died in France (perhaps at Lyons) in 1736; the younger, Caroline, married Captain, afterwards General Haviland, and died without issue. The General died at Penn in Buckinghamshire in 1784; but no record relating to his first wife, Miss Caroline Lee, is to be found there.
Such record, if found in any parish in England, would greatly tend to decide the question. Possibly some correspondent may be in a position to ascertain whether such record exists.
Lady Elizabeth had by her marriage with Dr. Young, a son only; it could not, therefore, be a daughter of Young's who died at Montpellier.
D. S.
Why this word should have "set all editors of Chaucer at defiance" is not very apparent, for he himself sufficiently explains its meaning by the context. The passage in which it occurs is inTroylus and Creseyde, b. iii. 931. seq. thus:
"Creseyde answerde, As wisely God at resteMy soule bringe, as me is for him wo,And eme, iwys, fayne wolde I dône the best,If that I a grace had for to do so.But whether that ye dwell, or for him go,I am, tyl God me bettre mynde sende,AtDulcarnon, right at my wyttes end."(Quod Pandarus). Ye nece! Wol ye here?Dulcarnonis called flemyng of wretches.It semeth harde, for wretches wol nought lereFor very slouthe, or other wylful tetches:This is said by hem, that be not worthe two fetches.But ye ben wyse," &c.
"Creseyde answerde, As wisely God at resteMy soule bringe, as me is for him wo,And eme, iwys, fayne wolde I dône the best,If that I a grace had for to do so.But whether that ye dwell, or for him go,I am, tyl God me bettre mynde sende,AtDulcarnon, right at my wyttes end.
"Creseyde answerde, As wisely God at reste
My soule bringe, as me is for him wo,
And eme, iwys, fayne wolde I dône the best,
If that I a grace had for to do so.
But whether that ye dwell, or for him go,
I am, tyl God me bettre mynde sende,
AtDulcarnon, right at my wyttes end.
"(Quod Pandarus). Ye nece! Wol ye here?Dulcarnonis called flemyng of wretches.It semeth harde, for wretches wol nought lereFor very slouthe, or other wylful tetches:This is said by hem, that be not worthe two fetches.But ye ben wyse," &c.
"(Quod Pandarus). Ye nece! Wol ye here?
Dulcarnonis called flemyng of wretches.
It semeth harde, for wretches wol nought lere
For very slouthe, or other wylful tetches:
This is said by hem, that be not worthe two fetches.
But ye ben wyse," &c.
Now Speght, in his Glossary to the edition of 1602, says:
"Dulcarnon is a proposition in Euclide, lib. i. theorem 33. propos. 47., which was found out by Pythagoras after an whole yeeres study, and much beating of his brayne. In thankfulnes whereof he sacrificed an oxe to the gods; which sacrifice he calledDulcarnon. Alexander Neckham, an ancient writer, in his bookeDe Naturis rerum, compoundeth this word ofDuliaandCaro, and will have Dulcarnon to bequasi sacrificium carnis. Chaucer aptly applieth it to Creseide in this place: showing that she was as much amazed how to answer Troilus, as Pythagoras was wearied to bring his desire to effect."
Master Speght is somewhat in error in his solution: let us hear another expositor. I have mentioned in your pages the existence of a translation into rhymed Latin verse of the whole of Chaucer'sTroilus, with a copious commentary by Sir Francis Kynaston; and I may now add, for Mr. Lang's satisfaction, that it ispenes me. The following note there occurs on this word:
"Dulcarnon, &c. By this exposition, which Pandarus makes of the wordDulcarnon, it is plaine that Chaucer sets it downe here as a worde in use in his time, and such a one as the logicians do call (being a word of no significant sense)vox significans ad placitum, as in Englishtwittle twattle,fiddle faddle, quibling and conundrums, and the like. SoDulcarnonin those times was a word of the same signification as we at this day do usenonplus; as we say by a scholler that is apposed and cannot answer any further, that he isput to a nonplus, a phrase derived from Hercules' motto written upon the two great Gaditane pillars set on either side the Straights of Gibraltar: which Hercules constituted as the end of the world with these words,NON PLUS ULTRA: meaning that no man ever did or could go further than those pillars. For Neckham's far-fetch'd criticisme in deriving the etymologie of the word Dulcarnon from the Greeke wordDoulia, and the Latine wordCarnium, that is, the service of flesh, which Euclide sacrificed for joy of the invention of a probleme which he demonstrated, [and] on which he had long studied, [it] is in my minde quite from the purpose."
The usual explanation, with a reference to Chaucer, will be found in Blount'sGlossographia, and in Philips'sWorld of Words, as well as in the folio edition of Bailey'sDictionary, where it is well defined "to be nonplussed, to be at one's wit's end."
Mr. Inglis's note to his translation of Richard de Bury'sPhilobiblion, which is taken from Billingsley, points out the connexion between the wordsEllefugaandDulcarnon, which, as he says, "have been apons asinorumto some good Grecians." The reason will appear to have been that the words were derived from theArabic, and not from theGreek, according to Dr. Adam Littleton:
"Dulcarnon, i.e. bicorne, cornutum, à figura sic dicta. A hard proposition in Euclid, l. 1. prop. 47. So called inArabic, and used by old English writers forany hard question or point.DILEMMA, PROBLEMA."
So that to be at Dulcarnon may be said to beon the horns of a dilemma.
S. W. SINGER.
I cannot see the great difficulty which Mr. Halliwell and your correspondents perceive in the use of this word. Of course they are aware, that Iscander Dulcarnein (Alexander Bicornis) is Alexander the Great, the same name being also fabulously ascribed to a far more ancient and imaginary king; and that the æra of Dulcarnein (or Macedonian æra) is well known in Eastern chronology. There is therefore no doubt about the word, only about its application. Why did the name of this king stand for our Coventry or Jericho, a place to which the people are flemed or banished?
Because Dulcarnein built the famous iron walls of Jajuge and Majuge, within which Gog and Magog are confined until the latter days of the world; when God shall reduce the wall to dust, and set free the captive nations (Koran, cap. xviii.). Sending to Dulcarnein is merely an ellipsis of the person for his place,i.e.for the rampart of Dulcarnein. Certainly no men can be more effectually flemed than Gog and Magog were.
But as to the point of being "at one's wits end," no one can be so little conversant with human affairs as the inmates of the iron wall. Knowledge depends much on place. So sailors say, "he has beenbefore."
I have only an uncommented text of Chaucer. But I cannot understand his editors allowing this word to "set them at defiance."
A. N.
It seems to be of so much importance to ascertain the safety of these manuscripts, that M—N. trusts he need not apologise for stating in "N. & Q." the result thus far of his inquiry after their present ownership. In consequence of the recommendation of E. A. G. (Vol. v., p. 135.), Sir Edward Tierney has been applied to, but he unfortunately knows nothing of their fate, suggesting, however, a reference to Mr. Woodgate, who was concerned as solicitor at the time of the sale. Mr. Woodgate has been written to, and states that the manuscripts were sold with the other effects of Lord Egmont, but he knows not to whom; he mentions Mr. Braithwaite as the auctioneer. To apply to Mr. Braithwaite would be only carrying the inquiry round in a circle, for twenty years ago, as was stated at page 59, no satisfactory information could be gained there. All, therefore, that remains is to place on record in this useful journal the fact of the disappearance of these manuscripts, in the hopes that some one of its numerous readers may be able now or hereafter to give some account of their existence. When it is recollected that the only copies of many of the latest visitations were among these collections, and that the latter portion of the seventeenth century, to which these visitations refer, is exactly that period in which genealogists, from many causes, find the connexion of pedigrees the most difficult, the discovery of their fate is not without its interest.
M—N.
Noble's account of the sale of these MSS., after the death of Garter in 1715, is as follows:
"Mr. Bridges of Herefordshire, his executor, obtaining possession of the heraldic books which Garter had in his house, never returned them to the College; they were very numerous and valuable, being some of the original visitations, taken by or under the authority of the St. Georges. With these also were many of Camden's books. These original documents were scandalously sold by Messrs. Wynne and Gregory [sons-in-law of Sir Henry St. George] to Thomas Percival, Earl of Egmont, a great lover of genealogical studies, who gave for them 500l.: they are now possessed by that nobleman's grandson, John-James, the present Earl of Egmont."—Hist. Coll. Arms, p. 353. 4to. 1804.
This statement has led to the inference, that thewholeof St. George's MSS. were disposed of to Lord Egmont; but the fact is otherwise, for by far the most valuable portion of them was subsequently in the hands of Thomas Osborne, the well-known bookseller of Gray's Inn; who printed a list of them, with an index of the pedigrees, in his catalogue entitled:
"A Catalogue of several valuable Libraries of Books and MSS. &c. To which is prefixed a Genealogical Library in above Two hundred Manuscript Volumes in folio, &c. Collected and augmented by the late Sir Henry St. George, Knt., Garter King of Arms, and his ancestors, in the office of Arms, for above these hundred years past. To begin to be sold, 27 November, 1738."
These MSS. are 216 in number, and many of them are at present in the British Museum, in the Lansdowne Collection of MSS. Osborne reprinted this list in his next catalogue for February 1738/9, entitled:
"An Extensive and Curious Catalogue of valuable Books and MSS. in all Languages, &c., including a very large Collection of Curious Genealogical Tracts," &c.
After the MSS., which occupy pp. 68-92., is an "Appendix," consisting of thirty-three pedigree rolls, chiefly on vellum, which also belonged to St. George.
To conclude with aQuery, may I ask, if any complete list of Osborne's Catalogues can be obtainedpreviousto 1756, when the list in Nichols'sLiterary Anecdotes, vol. iii., begins?
μ.
I inclose a copy of an autograph letter of Sterne's written when at Paris. It is very interesting, and is not contained among his published letters. Some few words are illegible, and several of the proper names may be inaccurately copied.
"Paris, March 15, 1762.
"My Dear,—Having an opportunity of writing by a physician, who is posting off for London to-day, I would not omit doing it, though you will possibly receive a letter (which is gone from hence last post) at the very same time. I send to Mr. Foley's every mail-day, to inquire for a letter from you; and if I do not get one in a post or two, I shall be greatly surprised and disappointed. A terrible fire happened here last night, the whole fair of St. Germain's burned to the ground in a few hours; and hundreds of unhappy people are now going crying along the streets, ruined totally by it. This fair of St. Germain's is built upon a spot of ground covered and tiled, as large as the Minster Yard, entirely of wood, divided into shops, and formed into little streets, like a town in miniature. All the artizans in the kingdom come with their wares—jewellers, silversmiths,—and have free leave from all parts of the world to profit by general licence from the Carnival to Easter. They compute the loss at six millions of livres, which these poor creatures have sustained, not one of which have saved a single shilling, and many fled out in their shirts, and have not only lost their goods and merchandize, but all the money they have been taking these six weeks.Oh! ces moments de malheur sont terribles, said my barber to me, as he was shaving me this morning; and the good-natured fellow uttered it with so moving an accent, that I could have found in my heart to have cried over the perishable and uncertain tenure of every good in this life.
"I have been three mornings together to hear a celebrated pulpit orator near me, one Père Clement, who delights me much; the parish pays him 600 livres for a dozen sermons this Lent; he is K. Stanislas's preacher—most excellent indeed! his matter solid, and to the purpose; his manner, more than theatrical, and greater, both in his action and delivery, than Madame Clairon, who, you must know, is the Garrick of the stage here; he has infinite variety, and keeps up the attention by it wonderfully; his pulpit, oblong, with three seats in it, into which he occasionally casts himself; goes on, then rises, by a gradation of four steps, each of which he profits by, as his discourse inclines him: in short, 'tis a stage, and the variety of his tones would make you imagine there were no less than five or six actors on it together.
"I was last night at Baron de Bagg's concert; it was very fine, both music and company; and to-night I go to the Prince of Conti's. There is a Monsieur Popignière, who lives here like sovereign prince; keeps a company of musicians always in his house, and a full set of players; and gives concerts and plays alternately to the grandees of this metropolis; he is the richest of all the farmer...; he did me the honour last night to send me an invitation to his house, while I stayed here—that is, to his music and table.
"I suppose you had terrible snows in Yorkshire, from the accounts I read in the London papers. There has been no snow here, but the weather has been sharp; and was I to be all the day in my room, I could not keep myself warm for a shilling a day. This is an expensive article to great houses here—'tis most pleasant and most healthy firing; I shall never bear coals I fear again; and if I can get wood at Coswold, I will always have a little. I hope Lydia is better, and not worse, and that I shall hear the same account of you. I hope my Lydia goes on with her French; I speak it fast and fluent, but incorrect both in accent and phrase; but the French tell me I speak it most surprisingly well for the time. In six weeks I shall get over all difficulties, having got over one of the worst, which is to understand whatever is said by others, which I own I found much trouble in at first.
"My love to my Lyd——. I have got a colour into my face now, though I came with no more than there is in a dishclout.
"I am your affectionate
"L. STERNE.
"For Mrs. Sterne at York."
H. A. B.
A letter from Sterne, dated Paris, May 19, 1764, giving an account of his mode of life there, and other notices of him in France, are to be found ina small tract,Seven Letters written by Sterne and his Friends, hitherto unpublished, edited by William Durrant Cooper, 1844.
M. T. R.
Though not cotemporary, there are some lively notices of Sterne's journey to France in theLondon Magazinefor 1825, pp. 38. 387.
COWGILL.
—As an original subscriber, and thefirstQuerist who opened thevexata questioof Collar of Esses, I shall perhaps be doing you a kind service, Mr. Editor, if I may be allowed to step forward once more asmoderatorbetween the disputants, as I did (Vol. ii., p. 394.) between ARMIGERand a much respected correspondent.
There may be some excuse for H. B. as he confesses (Vol. v., p. 182.) himself to befreshmanin the pages of "N. & Q.;" and therefore he is a stranger to the tone of courtesy and good humour which are so essential to the prosperity, maintenance, and extension of your very useful periodical. A little more experience in his readings, and less of self-opiniatedness, would have spared him the severe but merited remarks of MR. L. EVANS(Vol. v., p. 207.).
As of old all writers were wont to consider their readersmost courteous, so let those who write for your pages reverse this rule—and then there will be nothing contrary to such a tone, to the injury of "N. & Q."
S. S.
—This passage does not, as X. G. X. thinks, come from Irenæus, but from St. Austin. I find the reference to it in Bingham'sAntiquities(vol. i. p. 72. ed. 1843), where the whole passage is thus quoted at the foot of the page:
"Quid est episcopus, nisi primus presbyter, id est, summus sacerdos?"—Aug. Quæst. Vet. et N. Test.c. ci.
F. A.
—I do not pretend to know anything of the history of paper-making; but it may be well to send you a passage from Fuller'sWorthies(Vol. i. p. 224., ed. Nuttall), which lately fell in my way:
"Paper is entered as a manufacture of this county [Cambridgeshire], because there are mills nigh Sturbridge fair, where paper was made in the memory of our fathers. Pity the making thereof is disused: considering the vast sums yearly expended in our land for paper out of Italy, France, and Germany, which might be lessened,were it made in our nation."
J. C. R.
—The real name of this shrew does not appear to have reached posterity, but she gave rise to the sign of Mother Red-cap on the Hampstead Road,A.D. 1676, and was probably the person representedonthat sign; to her portrait, which may be found in a book published by "Arnett, Westminster, 1819," entitledPortraits and Lives of Remarkable and Eccentric Characters, are annexed the following lines: