Preston.
_Arabic Numerals._--I am not entitled to question either the learning or
the "acumen" of the Bishop of Rochester; but I am entitled to question the
_interpretation_ which E. S. T. tells us (Vol. ii., p.27.) he puts upon the
Castleacre inscription. My title to do so is this:--that in the year of
grace 1084 the Arabic numerals were not only of necessity unknown to the
"plaisterers" of those walls, but even (as far as evidence has been yet
adduced) to the most learned of England's learned men.
As to the regular order in crossing himself, that will entirely depend upon
whether the plaister was considered to be a knight's shield, and the
figures the blazonry, or not. Is it not, indeed, stated in one of your
former numbers, that this very inscription was to be read 1408, and not
1048? I have already hinted at the necessity of _caution_ in such cases;
and Mr. Wilkinson of Burnley has given, in a recent number of your work,
two exemplifications. The Bishop of Rochester certainly adds another;
though, of course, undesignedly.