_Motto on Chimney-piece._--There is a carved oak chimney-piece
in my possession, of the time of James I., from a mansion at
Newcastle-upon-Tyne occupied as the Turk's Head Inn, and taken down
about fifteen years ago. In the central compartment is a shield, but the
crest is wanting. The quarterings are three stags' heads, and checky;
and as the motto has puzzled wiser heads than mine, I beg leave to
produce it. One or two of the letters are doubtful, but there is no
omission:
"VITATRANOVULAESTOLIM."
I should feel much obliged to any one for deciphering the motto, and
still more for discovering the original possessor of this interesting
piece of antiquity.
Another motto, under a coat of arms on some old china, cannot meet with
an interpreter:
"VE DAL AM DARO."