* * * * *
_Sapcote Motto_ (No. 23. p. 366.).--This motto is known to be French,
and as far as it can be decyphered is--
"sco toot X vinic [or umic]
X pones,"
the first and last letters _s_ being possibly flourishes. This
certainly seems unpromising enough. The name being Sapcote, _quasi_
Sub-cote, and the arms "three dove-cotes," I venture to conjecture
"Sous cote unissons," as not very far from the letters given. If it be
objected that the word "cote" is not in use in this sense, it may be
remarked that French, "After the scole of Stratford atte bowe," might
borrow such a meaning to suit the sound, from "côte," in the sense of
a side or declivity. And if the objection is fatal to the conjecture,
I would then propose "Sous toit unissons." If we reject the supposed
flourishes at the beginning and ending of the inscription, and take it
to be--
CO TOOT VNIC
CONC,
the c being a well-known ancient form of s, there is a difference of
only one letter between the inscription as decyphered and the proposed
motto.
If either of these is adopted, the sentiment of family union and
family gathering, "As doves to their windows," is well adapted for a
family device.