eighteen years, dying A.D. 806. He had been ambassador from Charlemagne
to Offa, King of Mercia. The son of Charlemagne demanded the daughter of
Offa in marriage, who refused his consent, unless his own son should
receive the hand of Bertha, the daughter of the French king. Charles, in
consequence, inhibited the subjects of Offa from trading on the French
coast. This inhibition was, however, withdrawn through the mediation of
the Abbot Gervoldus, who seems to have been in great favour with
Charles.
I need hardly say, that throughout the chronicle there is a tolerable
sprinkling of the marvellous. {487} I give you the following as a
warning to all dishonest bell-founders.
The pious builder of a church being desirous, according to custom, of
putting a bell in the turret, engaged a skillful craftsman to carry into
effect his design. This man, "at the instigation of the devil," stole
some of the metal with which he had been furnished for the work; and the
bell was, in consequence, mis-shapen and of small size. It was, however,
placed in the turret; but, as a divine punishment for his crime,
whenever the bell was struck, the dishonest founder was thereupon seized
with frenzy, uttering strange words and barking like a dog!
GASTROS.
* * * * *
ORIGIN OF THE WORD "NEWS."
I have great respect for "Mr. SAMUEL HICKSON," but I cannot treat his
derivation of the word "News" with any respect (No. 27. p. 428.). I wish
"Mr. HICKSON" had been a little more modest in his manner of propounding
his novelty. Can any thing be more dogmatic than his assertions? which I
will recapitulate as much as possible in his own words, before I proceed
to deal with them.
1. "I have never had the least doubt that this word is derived
immediately from the German."
2. "It is, in fact, 'das Neue' in the genitive case;" and "Mr. H."
proceeds to mention the German phrase, "Was giebt's Neues?" as giving
the exact sense of our "What is the news?" [which cannot be gainsaid;
but I shall have a word to say presently about _neues_ in that phrase
being the genitive case.]
3. "That the word is not derived from the English adjective 'new,'--that
it is not of English manufacture at all--I feel well assured."
4. "In that case '_s_' would be the sign of the plural; and we should
have, as the Germans have, either extant or obsolete, also 'the new.'"
[I do not see the _sequitur_.]
5 "'News' is a noun singular, and as such must have been adopted bodily
into the language."
Such are "Mr. HICKSON's" principal assertions: and when I add, that he
has found out that the German "neu" was in olden time spelt "new," so
that the genitive, "newes," was identical with the old form of the
English word "news;" and that he explains the transformation of a
genitive case of a German adjective into an English substantive by
English ignorance, which he further thinks is exemplified by the Koran
having been called "the Alkoran," in ignorance of "_Al_" meaning "the,"
I have given not only all of his assertions, but also the whole of his
argument.
I now proceed to assert on my part that the word "news" is not "derived
immediately from the German," and "has not been adopted bodily into our
language;" that the English "new" and German "neu" have, however, of
course the same origin, their common root being widely spread in other
languages, as [Greek: neos], Gr.; _norus_, Lat.; _neuf_, Fr., &c.; that
"news" is a noun of plural form and plural meaning, like _goods_,
_riches_, &c.; that its peculiar and frequent use is quite sufficient to
account for its having come to be used as a singular noun ("riches," by
the way, may be prefixed sometimes to a singular verb, as "riches is a
cause of corruption"); that Mr. HICKSON might as well say that "goods"
is derived immediately from "gutes," the genitive of "gut;" and "riches"
from "reiches," the genitive of "reich:" and also that if "_s_" in
"goods," and "_es_" in "riches" are signs of the plural, "we should
have, as the Germans have, either extant or obsolete," the "good," "the
rich," (not that I quite understand this part of "Mr. HICKSON's"
argument): and, lastly, I assert that I believe that _Neues_, in the
phrase "Was giebt's Neues?" is not the genitive, but the nominative
neuter, so that the phrase is to be literally translated "What is there
new?"
As regards the derivation of "News," I wish you had allowed the question
to rest as it stood after the sensible remarks of "A.E.B." (No. 23. p.
369.). Pray excuse me, Sir, for expressing a hope that you will ponder
well before you again allow us to be puzzled on so plain a subject, and
give circulation and your sanction to paradoxes, even though coming from
one so entitled to attention as "Mr. HICKSON."
The early communication between the English and German languages, of
which "Mr. HICKSON" puts forward the derivation of "news" from "neues"
as an instance, may be an interesting and profitable subject of inquiry;
but as I think he has been singularly unfortunate in the one instance,
so I do not think him particularly happy in his other. I see no further
resemblance between Heywood's "Song in praise of his Mistress," and the
early German poem, than what _might_ arise from treatment of the same
and a very common subject.
I am not enough of an etymologist to give you the root of the word
"noise." But my faith in "Mr. HICKSON" in this capacity is not strong
enough to lead me to believe, on his dictum, that "news" and "noise" are
the same word; and when, pursuing his fancy about "neues," he goes on to
say that "noise" is "from a dialect from which the modern German
pronunciation of the dipthong is derived," I fear his pronunciation of
German is faulty, if he pronounces _eu_ in "Neues" like _oi_ in "noise."
[We differ from our correspondent on this point, and think that
here, at all events, Mr. HICKSON has the advantage of the
argument.]
I beg to repeat that for "Mr. HICKSON" I feel great respect. If he knew
my name, he would probably know nothing about me; but I happen {488} to
know of him, what perhaps, some of your readers do not, that he has
unostentatiously rendered many considerable services not only to
literature but to our social and political interests. In my humble
opinion, his recent essay in your columns on _The Taming of the Shrew_
is a contribution to our literary history which you may be proud of
having published. But I feel that I cannot too strongly protest against
his derivation of "News."
CH.
* * * * *
REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES.
_Dr. Whichcot and Lord Shaftesbury_ (No. 24. p. 382., No. 27. p.
444.).--I am obliged to "COLL. REGAL. SOCIUS" for his notice of my
inquiry. The Lord Chamberlain and Chancellor of Cambridge University
mentioned in Lord Lauderdale's letter to Dr. Whichcot, is the Earl of
Manchester. Shaftesbury was never either Lord Chamberlain or Chancellor
of Cambridge.
I may mention that Whichcot's intimacy with Lord Shaftesbury would
probably have been brought about by his being incumbent of the church of
St. Lawrence Jewry, Shaftesbury having his London house in the latter
part of his life in Aldersgate Street.
If it is not committing unpardonable trespass on that useful part of
your publication in which books and odd volumes are asked for, I will go
on to say that I should be glad to have a copy of the volume of
Whichcot's _Sermons_ (1698) which the third Lord Shaftesbury edited, at
a reasonable price.
CH.
_Elizabeth and Isabel_ (No. 27. p. 439.).--Mr. Thomas Duffus Hardy, in
his evidence on the Camoys Peerage case (June 18. 1838, Evidence, p.
351.) proved that the names of Isabella and Elizabeth were in ancient
times used indifferently, and particularly in the reigns of Edward I.
and Edward III. Mr. Hardy says in his evidence:--
"In the British Museum there is a Latin letter of Elizabeth of
Austria, Queen of Charles IX. of France, to Queen Elizabeth of
England. In the Latin she is called Elizabetha, and she signs
her name Ysabel. In the _Chronicle de St. Denis_, in the year
1180, it is stated, 'Le jor martmes espousa la noble Roine
Ysabel,' 'Upon this day, Queen Elizabeth was married;' and in
_Rigordus de Gestis Philippi Augusti Regis Francois_ it is
stated, 'Tune inuncta fuit Elizabeth uxor ejus venerabilis
foemina;' and Moreri says she is called 'Elizabeth or Izabeau de
Hainault, Queen of France, wife of Philippe Auguste.' Camden, in
his _Remains_, says, 'Isabel is the same as Elizabeth;' that the
Spaniards always translate Elizabeth into Isabel, and the French
into Izabeau. I have seen in the British Museum a deed, in which
the name Elizabetha is written in Latin; on the seal it is
Isabella. In the _Inquisitiones post Mortem_ I have frequently
seen Ysabella returned in one country and Elizabetha in an other
for the same person. I have something like a dozen other
instances from Moreri, in which he says that Elizabeth and
Isabella or Isabeau are the same. Elizabeth or Izabeau de
France, dau. of Lewis VIII. and Blanche of Castella; Elizabeth
or Isabelle d'Aragon, Queen of France, wife of Philippe III.,
surnamed le Hardie; Elizabeth or Isabeau de Bavière, Queen of
France, wife of Charles VI.; Elizabeth or Isabeau d'Angoulême,
wife of King John of England; Elizabeth or Isabeau de France,
Queen of England, dau. of Philippe IV.; Elizabeth or Isabelle of
France, Queen of Richard II.; Elizabeth or Isabelle de France,
Queen of Navarre; Elizabeth or Isabelle de Valois, dau. of
Charles of France; Elizabeth or Isabelle de France, dau. of
Philippe le Long, King of France; Elizabeth or Isabelle de
France, Duchess of Milan; Elizabeth or Isabelle, Queen of
Philippe V. of Spain."
WM. DURRANT COOPER.
81. Guildford Street, May 4. 1850.
_Elizabeth--Isabel._--The Greek word [Greek: Elisabet] (Luke, i. 5. &c.)
from which Elizabeth, or _Elisabeth_, must have been adopted as a
Christian name, is used by the LXX. (Exodus, vi. 23.) to express the
Hebrew [Hebrew: Elisheba], the name of Aaron's wife. This at once
directs us to the verb [Hebrew: shaba], or rather to its Niphal,
[Hebrew: nishba], for the _Kal_ form does not occur, _to swear_; for the
combination of letters in [Hebrew: el isshaba], _God will swear_, or
_God sweareth_, is the same as that in the proper name. Now let us
transpose the verb and its nominative case, and we have [Hebrew: ishaba
el], which a Greek translator might soften into [Greek: Isabel].
The use of [Greek: Elisabet] both by the LXX. and the Evangelist, makes
it probable that the mother of John the Baptist, who was _of the
daughters of Aaron_ (Luke, i. 5.), was known amongst her own people by
the recognized and _family_ name of _Elisheba_, as _Anna_ no doubt would
be _Hannah_ ([Hebrew: hanah]), and _Mary, Miriam_ ([Greek: Mariam],
Luke, i. 27.). And this is confirmed by the Syriac version, the
vernacular, or nearly so, of Our Blessed Lord and His disciples, which
has [Syriac: elisheba].
Genesius, in his _Lexicon_, explains Elisheba to mean "cui Deus est
sacramentum," "quæ jurat per Deum, i.e. Dei cultrix: cf. Is. xix. 18." I
should rather take it to be a name expressive of trust in God's promises
or oath, such as _Elijah_, "the LORD is my God;" _Isaiah_, "the LORD is
my salvation;" _Ezekiel_, "God strengtheneth." Schleusner (_Lex. N.T._)
says that others derived it from [Hebrew: saba], _saturavit_; "sic in
Alberti _Gloss. N.T._, p. 87. explicatur, [Greek: Theou mou
plaesmonae]." Wolfius, in his note on Luke, i. 5., refers to Witsii
_Miscellanea_, tom. ii. p. 478., to which I must refer your
correspondent "A.C.," as I have not the book by me.
Camden must, of course, have derived the name {489} from [Hebrew:
shabath], _to rest_; but I think we must rather defer to the authority
of the LXX. And though [Hebrew: el ishaboth] may give us _Elisabeth_, we
shall not be able to deduce _Isabel_ from [Hebrew: ishboth el] quite so
easily.
B.
L ---- Rectory, S ----, May 4. 1850.
_Trunck Breeches_ (No. 24. p. 384.), more commonly called "trunk-hose,"
were short wide breeches reaching a little above, or sometimes below the
knees, stuffed with hair, and striped. (See _The Oxford Manual for
Brasses_, p. cvi.; and Planche's _British Costume_, pp. 334-339. new
ed.) Two years ago, I saw in the Strand an old man with a _queue_; a
sight which I made a note of as soon as I got home, influenced by the
same motive that, no doubt, led Smith in 1640 to append to the death of
"old Mr. Grice" the remark, "who wore truncke breeches," namely, the
antique singularity of the habiliment.
ARUN.
_Mercenary Preacher_ (No. 24. p. 384.).--I think mercenary here is used
in its primary signification, and in the sense in which we still apply
it to troops in the pay of a state foreign to their own; to designate
one who, having no settled cure, was at liberty to be "hired" by those
who had occasion for his services.
ARUN.
_Abdication of James the Second_ (No. 3. p. 40.).--"J.E." would probably
hear of the MSS. mentioned by Sir Harris Nicholas, on application to the
Rev. Sir Thomas Miller, Bart., Froyle, near Alton, Hants.
E.W.
Clifton.
_Toom Shawn Cattie_ (No. 24. p. 383.).--An entertaining volume,
containing the life and adventures of Twm Sion Catti, was published at
Biulth some years ago, by Mr. Jeffery Llewelyn Prichard, who recently
told me it was out of print, and that inquiries had been made for the
book which might probably lead to a new and improved edition.
ELIJAH WARING.
Dowry Parade, Clifton.
_Wotton's Poem to Lord Bacon_ (No. 19. p. 302.).--The poem communicated
by Dr. Rimbault, with the heading, "To the Lord Bacon when falling from
Favour," and with the remark that he does "not remember to have seen it
in print," was written by Sir Henry Wotton, and may be found under the
title, "Upon the sudden restraint of the _Earl of Somerset_, then
falling from Favour," in all the old editions of the _Reliquiæ
Wottonianæ_ (1651, 1654, 1672, and 1685), as well as in the modern
editions of Sir Henry's poems, by Mr. Dyce and Mr. Hannah. It was also
printed as Wotton's in Clarke's _Aurea Legenda_, 1682, p. 97., and more
recently in Campbell's _Specimens_, in both cases, doubtless, from _Rel.
Wotton_. The misapplication of it to Lord Bacon's fall dates from an
unauthorised publication in 1651, which misled Park in his edition of
Walpole's _Royal and Noble Authors_, ii. 208. In stanza 3. line 2. of
Dr. Rimbault's copy, "burst" should be "trust."
R.A.
"_My Mind to Me a Kingdom is_" (No. 19. p. 302.).--The following note,
from the Introduction to Mr. Hannah's edition of the Poems of Sir H.
Wotton and Sir Walter Raleigh, 1845, p. lxv., will answer Dr. Rimbault's
Query, and also show that a claim had been put in for Sir E. Dyer before
Mr. Singer's very valuable communication to "NOTES AND QUERIES," p. 355.
"There are three copies of verses on that model; two of which,
viz., one of four stanzas and another of size, were printed by
Byrd in 1588. They have been reprinted from his text in _Cens.
Lit_ ii. 108-110, and _Exc. Tudor_, i. 100-103. Percy inserted
them in the _Reliques_ with some alterations and additions; but
he changed his mind more than once as to whether they were two
distinct poems, or only the discovered parts of one (see i.
292-294. 303., ed. 1767; and i. 307-310. ed. 1839). The third
(containing four stanzas) is among Sylvester's _Posthumous
Poems_ p. 651.; and Ellis reprinted it under his name. In _Cens.
Lit._ ii. 102., another copy of it is given from a music book by
Gibbons, 1612. Now the longest, and apparently the earliest of
these poems is signed 'E. DIER,' in MS. Rawl. Poet. 35., fol.
17. That copy contains _eight_ stanzas, and one of the two which
are not in Byrd corresponds with a stanza which Percy added. The
following are the reasons which incline us to trust this
MS.:--(1.) Because it is the very MS. to which reference is
commonly made for several of Dyer's unprinted poems, as by Dr.
Bliss, _A.O._ i. 743.; and apparently by Mr. Dyce, ed. of
Greene, i. p. xxxv. n.; and by Park, note on Warton, iii. 230.
Park is the only person I can recollect who has mentioned this
particular poem in the MS., and he cannot have read more than
the first line, for he only says, 'one of them bears the popular
burden of "My mind to me a kingdom is."' (2.) Because it is
quite impossible that Dyer wrote many extant poems, of which he
is not known to be the author; for, as Mr. Dyce says, none of
his (_acknowledged_) productions 'have descended to our times
that seem to justify the contemporary applause which he
received.' (3.) Because I cannot discover that there is any
other claimant to this poem. One of Greene's poems ends with the
line,
'A mind content both crown and kingdom is.'"
(_Works_, ii. 288., ed. Dyce.)
It will be observed that no mention is here made of the copy in Breton's
tract; therefore this summary gains from both the correspondents of
"NOTES AND QUERIES"--an addition from the one, a corroboration from the
other.
R.A.
_Gesta Grayorum_ (No. 22. p. 351.).--"J.S." is informed that copies of
the _Gesta Grayorum_ are by no means uncommon. It was originally printed
{490} for _one shilling_; but the bibliomaniac must now pay from
_twenty_ to _thirty shillings_ for a copy. The original, printed in
1688, does not contain the second part, which was published by Mr.
Nichols for the first time. Copies are in the Bodleian, and in the
University Library, Cambridge.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
_Marylebone Gardens_ (No. 24. p. 383.).--These gardens were finally
closed in 1777-8. It is not generally known that, previous to the year
1737, this "fashionable" place of amusement was entered _gratis_ by all
ranks of people; but the company becoming more "select," Mr. Gough, the
proprietor, determined to charge a shilling as entrance money, for which
the party paying was to receive an equivalent in viands.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
_Mother of Thomas à Becket_ (No. 26. p. 415.).--An inspection of some of
the numerous legends touching the blessed martyr, St. Thomas of
Canterbury, would probably supply many interesting particulars
concerning the story of his father's romantic marriage. But the most
important narrative is that of Herbert Bosham, Becket's secretary, who,
it will be remembered, was present at his martyrdom. Bosham's _Vita et
Res Gestæ Thomæ Episcopi Cantuariensis_ is published in the
_Quadrilogus_, Paris, 1495. Consult also the French translation of Peter
Langtoft, and the English one by Laurence Wade, a Benedictine monk of
Canterbury. Robert of Gloucester's metrical _Legend of the Life and
Martyrdom of Thomas Beket_, published by the Percy Society, under the
editorial care of Mr. W.H. Black, fully confirms the "romance;" as also
do the later historians, Hollingshed, Fox, and Baker.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
_Dr. Strode's Poem_ (no. 10. p. 147.).--Dr. Strode's poem, beginning--
"Return my joys, and hither bring--"
which Dr. Rimbault does "not remember to have seen in print," is in
Ellis's _Specimens_, iii. 173. ed. 1811. He took it from _Wit Restored_,
p. 66. ed. 1658, or i. 168. reprint. It is the second poem mentioned by
Dr. Bliss, _A.O._ iii. 152., as occurring with Strode's name in MS.
Rawl. 142.
R.A.
"_All to-broke_" (No. 25. p. 395.).--Surely the explanation of Judges,
ix. 53, is incorrect. Ought not the words to be printed "and all-to
brake his scull," where "all-to" = "altogether"?
R.A.
_Woolton's Christian Manual_ (No. 25. p. 399.).--There is a copy in the
Grenville Collection.
NOVUS.
_Tract by F.H._ (No. 25. p. 400.).--"J.E." may advance his knowledge
about F.H. slightly, by referring to Herbert's _Ames_, p. 1123.
NOVUS.
_Duke of Marlborough_ (No. 26. p. 415.).--Your correspondent "BURIENSIS"
is referred to the Trial of William Barnard, Howell's _State Trials_,
xix. 815-846.; the case of Rex _v._ Fielding, Esq., Burrow's _Reports_,
ii. 719. and Lounger's _Common Place Book_, tit. Barnard, William. The
greater part of this latter article is in Leigh Hunt's _One Hundred
Romances of Real Life_, No. 1.
C.H. COOPER.
Cambridge, April 29. 1850.
["C.I.R." refers "BURIENSIS" to Burke's _Celebrated Trials
connected with the Aristocracy_, London, 1848; and "J.P. Jun."
refers to Leigh Hunt's _London Journal_, No. 1. p. 5., No. 3. p.
24.]
_Lord Carrington or Karinthon_ (No. 27. p. 440.).--The nobleman about
whom "C." inquires, was Sir Charles Smith, created an English baron 19
Charles I., by the title of Lord Carrington, and afterwards advanced to
the dignity of an Irish Viscount under the same name. These honours were
conferred upon him for his services to the King in the time of his
majesty's great distresses.
On the 20th Feb., 1655, whilst travelling in France, Lord Carrington was
barbarously murdered by one of his servants for the sake of his money
and jewels, and buried at Pontoise. (Bankes' _Dormant and Extinct
Peerage_, vol. iii. p. 155.) The title became extinct circiter 1705.
BRAYBOOKE.
Lord Monson presents his compliments to the Editor of "NOTES AND
QUERIES," and has the pleasure of answering a Query contained in this
day's Number, p. 440.; and takes the liberty of adding another.
The English nobleman murdered at Pontoise was Charles Smith, Viscount
Carrington of Barrefen, Ireland, and Baron Carrington of Wotton Warem,
co. Warwick; the date in the pedigrees of the murder is usually given
1666, probably March 1665-6.
The last Lord Carrington died 17 May, 1706: the estates of Wotton came
to Lewis Smith, who married Eliz., daughter of William Viscount Monson,
and relict of Sir Philip Hungate. His son Francis Smith Carrington died
in 1749, and left one daughter and heir. What relation was Lewis Smith
to the Smiths Lord Carrington? No pedigree gives the connection.
Dover, May 4. 1850.
["J.M.W." has kindly answered this Query; so also has "W.M.T.,"
who adds, "Lord Carrington, previously Sir Charles Smith,
brother to Sir John Smith, who fell on the King's side at
Alresford in 1644, being Commissary-General of the Horse. By the
way, Bankes says it was his _son_ John who fell at Alresford,
but it is more likely to have been, as Clarendon states, his
brother, unless he lost there both a brother and a son."] {491}
_Esquires and Gentlemen._--I would ask your correspondent (No. 27. p.
437.), whether he has ascertained _the grounds of distinction_ made in
the seventeenth and in the early part of the eighteenth century, between
_esquires_ and _gentlemen_, when both were landed proprietors? We find
lists of names of governors of hospitals, trustees, &c., where this
distinction is made, and which, apparently, can only be accounted for on
this ground, that the estates of the gentleman were smaller in extent
than those of the esquire; and, consequently, that the former was so far
a person of less consideration. Had the bearing of coat armour, or a
connection with knighthood, any thing to do with the matter?
J.H. MARKLAND.
Bath, May.
_Early Inscriptions._--The excellent remarks by "T.S.D." on "Arabic
Numerals, &c." (No. 18. p. 279.) have put me in mind of two cases which
in some degree confirm the necessity for his caution respecting
pronouncing definitively on the authenticity of old inscriptions, and
especially those on "Balks and Beams" in old manorial dwellings. The
house in which I spent the greater portion of my youth was a mansion of
the olden time, whose pointed gables told a tale of years; and whose
internal walls and principal floors, both below and above stairs, were
formed of "raddle and daub." It had formerly belonged to a family of the
name of Abbot; but the "last of the race" was an extravagant libertine,
and after spending a handsome patrimonial estate, ended his days as a
beggar. Abbot House was evidently an ancient structure; but
unfortunately, as tradition stated, a stone, bearing the date of its
erection, had been carelessly lost during some repairs. However, in my
time, on the white wainscot of a long lobby on the second floor, the
initials, "T.H. 1478," were distinctly traced in black paint, and many
persons considered this as nothing less than a "true copy" of the lost
inscription. Subsequent inquiry, however, finally settled the point; for
the inscription was traced to the rude hand of one of the workmen
formerly employed in repairing the building, who naively excused himself
by declaring that he considered it "a pity so old a house should be
without a year of our Lord."
The second instance is that of the occurrence of "four nearly straight
lines" on one of the compartments of a fine old font in Stydd Church,
near Ribchester, which many visitors have mistaken for the date "1178."
A closer scrutiny, however, soon dispels the illusion; and a comparison
of this with similar inscriptions on the old oak beams of the roof, soon
determines it to be nothing more than a rude, or somewhat defaced,
attempt to exhibit the sacred monogram "I.H.S."
J.W.
Burnley, April 27. 1850.
_American Aborigines called Indians_ (No. 16. p. 254.).--I believe the
reason is that the continent in which they live passed under the name of
_India_, with the whole of the New World discovered at the close of the
fifteenth century. It is, of course, unnecessary to dwell upon the fact
of Columbus believing he had discovered a new route to India by sailing
due west; or upon the acquiescence of the whole world in that idea, the
effects of which have not yet passed away; for we not only hear in
Seville, even now, of the "India House" meaning house of management of
affairs for the "New World," but we even retain ourselves the name of
the West Indies, given as unwarrantably to the islands of the Caribbean
Sea. It is needless to do more than allude to this, and to other
misnomers still prevalent, notwithstanding the fact of the notions or
ideas under which the names were originally given having long since been
exploded; such as the "four quarters of the globe," the "four elements,"
&c. If your correspondent searches for the solution of his difficulty on
different grounds from those I have mentioned, it would not satisfy him
to be more diffuse; and if the whole reason be that which I conceive,
quite enough has been said upon the subject.
G.W.
89. Hamilton Terrace, St. John's Wood.
"Northman" is informed, that on the discovery of America by Columbus,
when he landed at Guanahani (now called Cat Island), he thought, in
conformity with his theory of the spherical shape of the earth, that he
had landed on one of the islands lying at the eastern extremity of
India; and with this belief he gave the inhabitants the name of Indians.
The following quotations will perhaps be interesting:--
"America persæpe dicitur, sed improprie, Indiæ Occidentales,
_les Indes Occidentales_, Gallis, _West Inde_, Belgis: Non
tantum ab Hispanis, qui illam denominationem primi usurparunt,
sed etiam a Belgis, Anglis, et aliquando a Francis, quod eodem
fere tempore detecta sit ad occidentem, quo ad Orientem India
reperta est."--_Hofmanni Lexicon Univ._ 1677, sub titulo
"_America_."
"At eadem terra nonnullis _India Occidentalis_, nuncupatur, quia
eodem tempore, quo India Orientalis in Asia, hæc etiam delecta
fuit; tum quod utriusque incolis similis ac pene eadern ivendi
ratio: nudi quippe utrique agunt."--_P. Clurerii Introduct. in
Univ. Geographiam_, Cap. xi (iv.) 1711.
"The most improper name of all, and yet not much less used than
that of _America_, is the _West Indies_: _West_, in regard of
the western situation of it from these parts of Europe; and
_Indies_, either as mistook for some part of India at the first
discovery, or else because the seamen use to call all countries,
if remote and rich, by the name of _India_."--_Heylyn's
Cosmography_, 1677, Book iv., sub initio.
It is almost needless to mention, that India received {492} its name
from the river _Indus_; and that _Indus_ and [Greek: Indos] are the
Roman and Greek forms of _Sindo_, the name it was known by among the
natives.
HENRY KERSLEY.
Corpus Christi Hall, Maidstone.
[We have received many other replies to this Query, referring
"NORTHMAN" to Robertson's _History of America_, and Humboldt's
_Aspects, &c._, vol. ii. p. 319.]
_Vox Populi Vox Dei_ (No. 20. p. 321.).--Your correspondent "QUÆSITOR"
asks for the origin of the saying _Vox populi Vox Dei_. Warwick, in his
_Spare Minutes_ (1637), says--
"That the voice of the common people is the voice of God, is the
common voice of the people; yet it is as full of falsehood as
commonnesse. The cry before Pilate's judgement-seat, 'Let him be
crucified,' was _vox populi_, 'the cry of all the people.' How
far was it the voice of God?"
M.
[Mr. G. Cornewall Lewis, in his valuable _Essay on the Influence
of Authority in Matters of Opinion_, p. 172., has some very
interesting remarks upon this proverb, which, "in its original
sense, appears to be an echo of some of the sentences in the
classical writers, which attribute a divine or prophetic
character to common fame or rumour." See pp. 172, 173., and the
accompanying Notes.]
_Dutch Language_ (No. 24. p. 383.).--"E.V." will find Holtrop's
_Dictionary_ in 2 vols. one of the best. Werninck's _Pocket Dictionary_
is very good: also Tauchnitz's _Dutch and French_ (pocket): also
Picard's _English and Dutch_. Jansen's is not bad. Swier's _Grammar_ is
a good one; but I do not know whether there is any late edition. See
Williams and Norgate, or Quaritch.
AREDJID KOOEZ.
[Messrs. Williams and Norgate have also obligingly answered this
Query, by the following list:--
PYL (R. van der), A practical Grammar of the Dutch Language,
8vo. Rotterd. 1826, 8s.
AHN (F.) Neue holländische Sprachlehre nebst Lesestucke, 12mo.
Cref. 1841, 2s.
AHN (F) holländische Umgangsprache, 12mo. 1846, 1s. 6d.
PICARD (H.) A new Pocket Dictionary of the English and Dutch
Languages, remodelled and corrected from the best Authorities.
Zalt-bommel, 1848, 10s. 6d.
DICTIONNAIRE Hollandais et Français. 16mo. Leipzig, 4s.
HOLLANDISCH u. deutsches Taschen-wörterbuch. 16mo. 4s.]
"_Salting._"--Salt is said by all writers upon magic to be particularly
disagreeable to evil spirits; and it is owing to this noxious substance
being dissolved in holy water, that it has such power in scaring them
away. Query, did not salt acquire this high character, and its use in
all sacrifices, from its powers of resisting corruption?
Salt is used emblematically in many of our foreign universities. There
is a book published at Strasburg as late as 1666, containing twenty
plates, illustrating the several strange ceremonies of the "Depositio."
The last represents _the giving of the salt_, which a person is on a
plate in his left hand; and, with his right hand, about to put _a pinch
of it_ upon the tongue of each _Becanus_ or Freshman. A glass, probably
holding wine, is standing near him. Underneath is the following
couplet:--
"_Sal Sophiæ gustate_, bibatis vinaque læta,
Augeat immensus vos in utrisque Deus!"
A copy of this rare book was sold in the Rev. John Brand's collection. I
have never seen it, and know it only from a MS. note in one of Brand's
Common Place Books now in my possession.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
_Vincent Gookin_ (No. 24. p. 385.).--Your querist "J." is referred to
Berry's _Kentish Pedigrees_, where, at pp. 60. 195. 202. 207. and 113.,
he will find notices and a pedigree of the family _Gookin_; and therein
it is shown that Vincent Gookin was the fourth son of John Gookin of
Replecourt, co. Kent, by Katherine, dau. of William Dene of Kingston.
In the early part of the 7th century, Sir Vincent Gookin, Knt. (why was
he knighted?) was living at Highfield House, in the parish of Bitton,
Gloucestershire. It appears by the register, that in 1635, Mary Gookin,
Gentleman, and Samuel, son of Sir Vincent Gookin, Knt., were buried at
Bitton.
In 1637, John Gookin of Highfield, age 11 years, was buried in the
Mayor's Chapel, Bristol.
1637, Frances, dau. of Sir Vincent Gookin, Knt., and the Lady Judith,
was baptized at Bitton.
1637, Feb. 13. "Sir Vincent Gookin, Knt., was buryed" at Bitton.
1642, May 2. "Judith, the Lady Gookin, was buryed" at Bitton.
There are no monuments remaining.
Highfield, with the manor of Upton Cheyney, was a considerable estate in
1627, where it was passed by fine from John and Mary Barker to Vincent
Gookin, Esq.
In 1646, Vincent Gookin, Esq. (no doubt the knight's _son_), and Mary
his wife, and Robert Gookin their son, Gent., passed the same estates by
fine to Dr. Samuel Bave, after which it is supposed the Gookins left the
parish. In Sims' _Index_ are references to pedigrees under _Gokin,
Kent_. Any further notices of _Sir_ Vincent or his son would be
acceptable to
H.T. ELLACOMBE.
Bitton, May 20, 1850.
_Sneck up_ (No. 29, p. 467.)--All Shakspearean {493} students will be
deeply indebted to you for giving insertion to articles on obsolete
words and phrases, so many of which are to found in the pages of the
great poet. The article by R.R. is very interesting, but I apprehend
that the passage from Taylor, first quoted by Weber, is sufficient to
show that the phrase _sneck up_ was equivalent to _be hanged_! See
Halliwell, p. 766, on the phrase, that writer not connecting it with
_sneck_, to latch. Compare, also, _Wily Beguiled_,--"An if mistress
would be ruled by him, Sophos might go _snick up_." And the _Two Angry
Women of Abingdon_, 1599,--"If they be not, let them go _snick up_,"
i.e. let them go and be hanged! These passages will not be consistently
explained on R.R.'s principle.
R.
_Hanap_ (No. 29. p. 477.).--I have a few notes by me relative to the
drinking vessel, which may, perchance, be acceptable to some of your
readers. It was similar to the _standing cup_ and grace cup, as these
vessels were subsequently called, being raised from the table by a foot
and stem, for the convenience of passing it round the table for the
company to pledge each other out of; it was thus distinguished from the
_cup_, which was smaller, and only used by one person. The hanap
frequently occurs in wills and inventories of the thirteenth,
fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries.
In the will of Lady Calre, 1355,--
"Je devise a ma joefne fille Isabel Bardolf en cide de lui
marier un _hanap_ plat door."
And in that of the Earl of March, 1389,--
"Item. nous devisons a notre treschier friere Mons'r. Henri, un
_hanaper_ de tortelez ove un ostelle en le founce."
A very elegant specimen is described in the will of the Duchess of
Gloucester, 1390,--
"Un _hanappe_ de Beril gravez de long taille, et assis en un peé
d'or, ove un large bordur paramont, et un covercle tout d'or,
ove un saphir sur le pomel du dit covercle."
In an inventory 19th Henry VI. we find--
"Une haute coupe d'argent enorrez appellez _l'anap_ de les
pinacles pois de troie vii lb pris la lb xl. Summa xiii li."
And temp. Edward II 1324,--
"Un hanap a pee de la veille fazon quillere et cymelle el founz
du pois xxix, du pris xl."
In the same document several others are described having feet. I could
give many other quotations, but will conclude with only one more, as in
the last occurs the word _kyrymyry_, of which I should like to know the
derivation, if any of your readers can assist me:--
"Item, un hanap d ore covere del ovrage d un _kyrymyry_ et iij
scochons des armes d Engleterre et de Franuce en le sumet."
I have met with notices of cups "covered of _kerimery_ work," and
"chacez et pounsonez en lez founcez faitz de _kermery_;" and the
following, from the _Vision of Piers Ploughman_, would seem to indicate
a sort of veil or net-work:--
"He was as pale as a pelet,
In the palsy he semed
And clothed in a _kaurymaury_,
I kouthe it nought diseryve."
W.C.
Jun.
* * * * *
MISCELLANIES
_Bishop Burnet as an Historian._--Dr. Joseph Warton told my father that
"Old Lord Barthurst," Pope's friend, had cautioned him against relying
implicitly on all Burnet's statements; observing that the good bishop
was so given to gossiping and anecdote hunting, that the wags about
court used often to tell him idle tales, for the mischievous pleasure of
seeing him make note on them. Lord Bathurst did not, I believe, charge
Burnet with deliberate misrepresentation, but considered some of his
presumed facts _questionable_, for the reason stated.
ELIJAH WARING.
_Dance Thumbkin._--In the _Book of Nursery Rhymes_, published by the
Percy Society, there is a small error of importance, involving no less
that the learned would call "a non sequitur," and which, if my
correct-and-almost-unequalled nurse, Betty Richins, was alive, she would
have noticed much sooner that the nurseling who now addresses you. (She
died about the year 1796.) In the valuable and still popular nursery
classical song, "Dance Thumbkin, dance," it is not only an error to say
"Thumbkin _he can_ dance alone" (let any one reader of the "NOTES AND
QUERIES," male or female, _only try_), but it is not the correct text.
Betty Richins has "borne me on her knee a hundred times" and sung it
thus:--
Thumbkin _cannot_ dance alone.
So[1] dance ye merry men, every one."
I scarcely need add, that if this be true of Thumbkin, it is _truer_ of
Foreman, Longman, Middleman, and Littleman.
R.S.S.
[Footnote 1: Or _then_, meaning "for that reason."]
_King's Coffee-house, Covent Garden._--As an addition to "Mr.
RIMBAULT's" Notes on Cunningham's _Handbook_, the following extract from
Harwood's _Alumni Etonenses_, p. 293., in the recount of the boys
elected for Eton to King's College may be interesting:--
"A.D. 1713, 12."
"Thomas King born at West Ashton in Wiltshire; went away
scholar, in apprehension that his fellowship {494} would be
denied him, and afterwards kept that coffee-house in Covent
Garden which was called by his own name."
J.H.L.
_Spur Money_ (No. 23. p. 374, and No 28. p. 462.).--In a curious tract,
published in 1598, under the title of _The Children of the Chapel stript
and whipt_, we have the following passage:--
"Wee think it very necessarye that every quorister sholde bringe
with him to churche a Testament in Englishe, and turne to everie
chapter as it is daily read, or som other good and godly
prayer-booke, rather than spend their tyme in talk and hunting
after _spur-money_, whereon they set their whole mindes, and do
often abuse dyvers if they doe not bestowe somewhat on them."
In 1622, the dean of the Chapel Royal issued an order by which it was
decreed--
"That if anie Knight, or other persone entituled to weare spurs,
enter the chappell in that guise, he shall pay to y'e quiristers
the accustomed fine; but if he command y'e youngest quirister to
repeate his _Gamut_, and he faile in y'e so doing, the said
Knight, or other, shall not pay y'e fine."
This curious extract I copied from the ancient cheque-book of the Chapel
Royal.
Within my recollection, His Grace the Duke of Wellington (who, by the
way, is an excellent musician) entered the Royal Chapel "booted and
spurred," and was, of course, called upon for the fine. But His Grace
calling upon the youngest chorister to repeat his GAMUT, and the "little
urchin" failing, the impost was not demanded.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
* * * * *
MISCELLANEOUS.
NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC.
Mr. W.S.W. Vaux, of the department of Antiquities, British Museum, has
just published a very interesting little volume under the title of
_Nineveh and Persepolis: an Historical Sketch of Ancient Assyria and
Persia, with an Account of the recent Researches in those Countries_.
The work is illustrated with numerous woodcuts; and the two points which
Mr. Vaux has proposed to elucidate,--viz., 1. The history of Assyria and
Persia, and, as connected with it, that of the Medes, the Jews, and the
Chaldees, so far as it can be ascertained from the Bible, and the works
of classical authors: and 2. The results of those inquiries which have
been carried on for nearly three centuries by European travellers,--he
has successfully accomplished, in a way to make his book a most useful
introduction to the study of the larger works which have been written
upon this important subject; and a valuable substitute to those who have
neither the means to purchase them, nor time to devote to their perusal.
The Rev. Dr. Maitland has just published a second edition of his
_Eruvin, or Miscellaneous Essays on Subjects connected with the Nature,
History, and Destiny of Man_. The Essays are ten in number, and treat:
I. On the Nature and Objects of Revelation. II. On the Impediments to
the Right Understanding of Scripture. III. Man before the Fall. IV.
Satan. V. The Consequences of the Fall. VI. The Fallen Angels. VII. The
Millenium. VIII. The Kingdom of Messiah. IX. The Regeneration. X. The
Modern Doctrine of Miracles. We mention the subjects of these papers
because, although they are of a nature not to be discussed in our
columns, we are sure many of our readers will be glad to know the points
on which they treat.
We have received the following Catalogues:--Bibliotheca Selecta, Curiosa
et Rarissima. Part First of a general Catalougue of Miscellaneous
English and Foreign Books now on sale by Thomas G. Stevenson, 87.
Princes Street, Edinburgh--(a Catalogue well deserving attention of our
Antiquarian friends); John Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue of
Books Old and New; W.S. Lincoln's (Cheltenham House, Westminster Road)
Catalogue No. 56., May, 1850, of English, Foreign, Classical and
Miscellaneous Literature.
Messrs. Sotheby and Co., of Wellington Street, will commence on Monday
next an eight days' sale of the valuable library of the late Rev. Peter
Hall, consisting of rare and early English Theology, Ecclesiastical
History and Antiquities, Foreign and English Controversial Works,
Classics, Biblical Criticism, &c.
* * * * *
BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES
WANTED TO PURCHASE.
(_In continuation of Lists in former Nos._)
GORGH (R.), CATALOGUE OF ALL WORKS PRINTED RELATING TO WALES.
A Pamphlet ON THE LEAD AND SILVER MINES OF GOWER, published about a
century since.
SECOND TRAVELS OF AN IRISH GENTLEMAN IN SEARCH OF A RELIGION, BY BLANCO
WHITE.
Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, _carriage free_, to be
sent to Mr. Bell, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.
* * * * *
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.
COMPLETION OF VOLUME THE FIRST. _The present Number completes the First
Volume of_ NOTES AND QUERIES, _to which a Title-page and copious Index
will be printed as soon as possible: when copies of it may be had in
cloth boards. In the meantime, may we beg such of our Subscribers as
have not complete sets, to secure such Numbers as they may be in want of
without delay._
_Errata._--No. 28. p. 452., for "Bayle" read "Bale," and for "Carood"
read "Câwood." No. 29. p. 467., for "dick the string" read "click," and
for "bung" read "bang."
* * * * * {495}
HYMNS AND POEMS FOR THE SICK.
SECOND EDITION.
In small 8vo., price 7s. 6d.
HYMNS and POEMS for the SICK and SUFFERING. In connection with the
Service for the Visitation of the Sick. Edited by the Rev. T. V.
FOSBERY, M.A., Perpetual Curate of Sunningdale.
This volume contains 233 separate pieces, of which about 90 are by
writers who lived prior to the eighteenth century; the rest are modern,
and some of these original. Amongst the names of the writers (between 70
and 80 in number) occur those of Sir J. Beaumont, Sir T. Browne, F.
Davison, Elizabeth of Bohemia, P. Fletcher, G. Herbert, Dean Hickes, Bp.
Ken. Norris, Quarles Sandys, Bp. J. Taylor, Henry Vaughan, and Sir. H.
Wotton; and of modern writers, Miss E.B. Barrett, the Bishop of Oxford,
S.T. Coleridge, Sir R. Grant, Miss E. Taylor, W. Wordsworth, Rev.
Messrs. Chandler, Keble, Lyte, Monsell, Moultrie, and Trench.
RIVINGTON'S, St. Paul's Church Yard, and Waterloo Place.
* * * * *
DR. MAITLAND'S ERUVIN--SECOND EDITION
In small 8vo., price 5s. 6d.
ERUVIN; or Miscellaneous Essays on Subjects connected with the Nature,
History, and Destiny of Man. By the Rev. S.R. MAITLAND, D.D. F.R.S. &
F.S.A.
RIVINGTON'S, St. Paul's Church Yard, and Waterloo Place;
Of whom may be had, by the same Author,
1. ESSAYS on the REFORMATION in ENGLAND. 15s.
2. ESSAYS on the DARK AGES. Second Edition. 12s.
* * * * *
LAWYERS, SOLICITORS, PERIODICAL PUBLISHERS, and MUSIC SELLERS, &c. will
find the newly-invented PAMPHLET or LETTER BINDER the most useful
article yet offered to the Public for the purpose of facilitating the
binding of extracting of any Letter or Pamphlet, without the possibility
of deranging the consecutive order of such documents. They are equally
useful as Music Binders or Portfolios, as it forms a perfect book,
whether inclosing one sheet or five hundred. As a Portfolio, it is
invaluable, as it precludes the possibility of the drawings being broken
or in any way injured.
To be had of DE LA RUE and Co., Stationers, Bunhill Row, or of any other
respectable Stationer.
* * * * *
Now Publishing
THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE AGES. By HENRY BOWMAN and JOSEPH S. CROWTHER,
Architects, Manchester. To be completed in Twenty Parts, each containing
Six Plates, Imperial Folio. Issued at intervals of two months. Price per
Part to Subscribers, Proofs, large paper, 10s. 6d.; Tinted, small paper.
9s.; Plain, 7s. 6d. Parts 1 to 7 are now published, and contain
illustrations of Ewerby Church, Lincolnshire; Temple Balsall Chapel,
Warwickshire; and Heckington church, Lincolnshire.
On the 1st of July next, the price of the work, to Subscribers whose
names may be received after that date, will be raised as
follows:--Proofs, tinted, large paper, per Part 12s.; tinted, small
paper, 10s. 6d.; Plain 9s.
"Ewerby is a magnificent specimen of a Flowing Middle-Pointed Church. It
is most perfectly measured and described; one can follow the most
recondite beauties of the construction, mouldings and joints, in these
Plates, almost as well as in the original structure. Such a monograph as
this will be of incalculable value to the architects of our Colonies or
the United States, who have no means of access to ancient churches. The
Plates are on stone, done with remarkable skill and distinctness. Of
Heckington we can only say that the perspective view from the south-east
presents a very vision of beauty; we can hardly conceive anything more
perfect. We heartily recommend this series to all who are able to
patronize it."--_Ecclesiologist_, Oct. 1849.
London: GEORGE BELL, 186. Fleet Street.
* * * * *
Just published, fcp. 8vo., cloth lettered. 2s. 6d.
A GLOSSARY to the OBSOLETE and UNUSUAL WORDS and PHRASES of the HOLY
SCRIPTURES. With an Introductory History of the last English Version. By
J. JAMESON.
London: WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH. 24. Paternoster Row.
* * * * *
Preparing for publication. In 2 vols. small 8vo.
THE FOLK-LORE of ENGLAND. By WILLIAM J. THOMS, F.S.A., Secretary of the
Camden Society, Editor of "Early Prose Romances," "Lays and Legends of
all Nations," &c. One object of the present work is to furnish new
contributions to the History of our National Folk-Lore; and especially
some of the more striking Illustrations of the subject to be found in
the Writings of Jacob Grimm and other Continental Antiquaries.
Communications of inedited Legends, Notices of remarkable Customs and
Popular Observances, Rhyming Charms, &c. are earnestly solicited, and
will be thankfully acknowledged by the Editor. They may be addressed to
the care of Mr. BELL, Office of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.
* * * * *
Now Ready, containing 149 Plates, royal 8vo. 28s.; follo, 2l. 5s. India
Paper, 4l. 4s.
THE MONUMENTAL BRASSES of ENGLAND; a series of Engravings upon Wood,
from every variety of these interesting and valuable Memorials,
accompanied with Descriptive Notices.
By the Rev. C. BOUTELI. M.A. Rector of Downham Market.