Notes and Queries, Number 64, January 18, 1851

Lord Clarendon notices a work of Sir Harry Vane (who was an associate of Sterry's), entitled Love to God, &c.[1] I should also be glad to know where that work may be found.

J.P.

"Words are Men's Daughters," &c.—

"Words are men's daughters, but God's sons are things."

Where does this verse occur? Who was the author? Can any parallel passages be adduced?

T.J.

Robert Henryson—Gawyn Douglas.—Complete uniform editions of the poems of these celebrated authors, accompanied with biographical notices and illustrative notes, being a desideratum in Scottish literature, permit me to ask, through the medium of your entertaining and useful "NOTES AND QUERIES," if such publications be in contemplation by any of the various literary societies, or individual member thereof, in this kingdom; and if so, are they likely to appear soon?

T.G.S.

Edinburgh, Dec. 31. 1850.

Darby and Joan.—Can any of your readers refer me to a copy of the ballad of Darby and Joan? There is a tradition in the parish of Helaugh, near Tadcaster, that they were inhabitants of that village, and that the ballad is the composition of some poet who was a constant visitor to the Duke of Wharton, when living in the manor house.

H.

William Chilcot.—As I am about to reprint an excellent little work, entitled, Practical Treatise concerning Evil Thoughts, by William Chilcot, can any of your readers give me any account of his life? The work was originally, I believe, printed in Exeter, 1698, or thereabouts, as I find it in a catalogue of "Books printed for and sold by Philip Bishop, at the Golden Bible over against the Guildhall in Exon, 1702." It was reprinted, "London, 1734," for "Edward Score, over against the Guildhall in Exeter." And again (privately), a few years ago. Of the first edition I have never seen a copy, although I am not aware that it is particularly scarce; of the second, copies are not uncommon.

If any of your readers could communicate any information regarding the author, I should feel much obliged.

RICHARD HOOPER.

University Club, Suffolk Street.

Benj. Wheeler's Theological Lectures.—In the year 1819 was published Vol. i. of the Theological Lectures of Benjamin Wheeler, late Regius Professor of Divinity in Oxford. In the preface, it is said—

"The first of the three volumes, in which the Lectures will be comprised, is offered to the public as an experiment of its disposition towards the completion of the work; the favourable entertainment of which will determine the editor's purpose of sending the two remaining volumes after it with all convenient expedition."

Can any of your readers inform me whether the MSS. of the two unpublished volumes are preserved, and where they are to be found?

W.A.

Sir Alexander Cumming.—A Nova Scotia baronet, living in 1730, of Coulter, called by some, "King of the Cherokees." He married Elizabeth, one of the last coheiresses of the ancient family of Dennis, of Pucclechurch, co. Gloucester. Where may be found any account of his connection with the Cherokees; also any thing of his death or descendants?

S.S.

Cross between a Wolf and Hound.—May I call the attention of such of your correspondents as are versed in natural history, to an account that I have lately received from a gentleman of intelligence, education, and undoubted veracity. I am informed by him that he has lately seen, in the south of France, a she-wolf that had been caught at a very early age, and brought up on very friendly terms with a kennel of hounds. The animal had come to its maturity when my friend observed it and its good understanding with its canine neighbours had never been interrupted. So far from it, indeed, that the she-wolf has had and reared a litter of pups by one of the dogs, and does duty in hunting as well as any dog of the pack. Buffon states that he had found that an experiment continued for a considerable time, to bring about the like result between the like animals, never showed the least appearance of success. The circumstances which he mentions as to the capture and habits of the she-wolf are nearly the same as I have above described, and from the failure of the experiments, Buffon doubted the possibility of any sexual conjunction between these kinds of animals. Some of your correspondents may be able to say how far subsequent observation confirms Buffon's conclusion.

T–N.

Athenæum.

Landwade Church, and Moated Grange.—About five miles from the town of Newmarket, the metropolis of the racing world, and from Eening, a village in the county of Suffolk, there is a secluded hamlet called "Landwade," which contains a "moated grange," and a church to all appearances very ancient.

The church contains several antique tombs, together with curious monumental brasses, nearly all, I believe I may say all, to the memory of the Cotton family; amongst whom, judging from the inscriptions, were crusaders and knights of mighty emprize, and other worthies. There is only one grave and gravestone in the churchyard, and that is to an old domestic servant of the said Cotton family.

Can any of your readers or antiquaries give any information touching the church, the ancient tombs and effigies, the Cotton family, the grange, &c.

When a boy I used to look upon the old house and the quaint little church with a deal of awe.

It is very distressing, but I cannot find any published account of this ancient and remarkable place and its antiquities.

JONATHAN OLDBUCK, JUN.

Dr. Bolton, Archbishop of Cashel.—Any information respecting the family, the arms, or descent of Doctor Theophilus Bolton, Archbishop of Cashel, in the early part of the last century, will oblige.

X.X.

Dec. 31. 1850.

Genealogy of the Talbots.—In some of the printed genealogies of the Talbots, to whose ancestry you have lately made several references, descent is claimed for that noble family from the emperors of the East, through Anne, wife of Henry I., King of France, and daughter of Iaroslaf, or Georges, King of Russia, whose father, the great Vladimir, married Anne, sister of Basilius, Emperor of Byzantium.

Now that excellent authority, L'Art de Vérifier les Dates, gives the date of 988 for the conquest of the Chersonese by Vladimir and his marriage with the emperor's sister, and that of 978 for the birth of Iaroslaf, who must, therefore, be a son of one of the many concubines mentioned in that work as preceding his wife Anne.

Can the rare honour of descent from the Eastern emperors be substantiated by the correspondents who appear to take interest in the pedigree of this house?

I may add, that L'Art de Vérifier les Dates, though seldom incorrect, seems to err when it asserts Enguerherde, wife of the above-named Iaroslaf, to be the daughter of Olaus, or Olaf, "King of Norway, and not of Sweden," as the Heims Kringla of Snorro Sturleson gives a long account of the betrothal of Ingigerd or Enguerherde, daughter of Olaf Ericson, King of Sweden, to St. Olaf, King of Norway, and of her subsequent marriage to Iaroslaf, or Jarislief, King of Russia.

Can you say where the best pedigree of the early kings of Sweden is to be found?

E.H.Y.

Robertson of Muirtown (Vol. ii., p. 253.).—In thanking A.R.X. for his reference to a pedigree of Robertson of Muirtown, I should be glad if he can explain to me the connection with that branch of George Robertson, of St. Anne's, Soho, who lived in the middle of the last century, and married Elizabeth Love, of Ormsby, co. Norfolk. He was uncle, I believe, to Mr. Robertson Barclay (who assumed the last name), of Keavil, co. Fife, and nearly related, though I cannot say in what degree, to William Robertson, of Richmond, whose daughter Isabella married David Dundas, created a baronet by George III., and one of whose granddaughters was married to Sir James Moncreiff, and another to Dr. Sumner, the present Archbishop of Canterbury. This William Robertson, I believe sold the Muirtown property. Is he one of those mentioned in the work to which A.R.X. has referred me? and was he the first cousin to Robertson the historian? Perhaps A.R.X. can also say whether the arms properly borne by the Muirtown branch are those given to them in Burke's Armory, viz. Gu. three crescents interlaced or, between as many wolves' heads erased arg. armed and langued az., all within a bordure of the third, charged with eight mullets of the first. The late Rev. Love Robertson, Prebendary of Hereford (son of the above George Robertson), was accustomed to use: Gu. three wolves' heads erased arg., armed and langued az., which are the arms of the original stock of Strowan. As I am entitled to quarter his coat, I should be glad to know the correct blazonry.

C.R.M.

Booty's Case.—Where can an authentic report be found of "Booty's case," and before what judge was it tried? The writer would also be obliged with an account of the result of the case, and a note of the summing up, as far as it is to be ascertained. The case is said to be well known in the navy.

DEMONOLOGIST.

[We have seen it stated that this case was tried in the Court of King's Bench about the year 1687 or 1688.]

Did St. Paul's Clock ever strike Thirteen.—There is a very popular tradition that a soldier, who was taxed with having fallen asleep at midnight, whilst on guard, managed to escape the severe punishment annexed to so flagrant a dereliction of duty, by positively averring, as evidence of his having been "wide awake," that he had heard the clock of St. Paul's Cathedral strike thirteen at the very time at which he was charged with having indulged in forbidden slumbers. The tradition of course adds, indeed this is its point, that, upon inquiry, it was found that the famous horary monitor of London city had, "for that night only," actually treated those whose ears were open, with the, till then, unheard of phenomenon of "thirteen to the dozen." Can any of your readers state how this story originated, or whether it really has any foundation in fact?

HENRY CAMPKIN.

Jan. 9. 1851.

REPLIES

DRAGONS

(Vol. ii., p. 517.)

The subject on which R.S. jun. writes in No. 61. is one of so much interest in many points of view, that I hope that a few notices relating to it may not be considered unworthy of insertion in "NOTES AND QUERIES."

In Murray's Handbook of Northern Italy, mention is made, in the account of the church of St. Maria delle Grazie, near Mantua, of a stuffed lizard, crocodile, or other reptile, which is preserved suspended in the church. This is said to have been killed in the adjacent swamps, about the year 1406. It is stated to be six or seven feet long.

Eight or ten years ago, I saw an animal of the same order, and about the same size, hanging from the roof of the cathedral of Abbeville, in Picardy. I then took it for a small crocodile, but I cannot say positively that it was one. I am not sure whether it still remains in the cathedral. I do not know whether any legend exists respecting this specimen, or whether it owed its distinguished post to its being deemed an appropriate ornament.

At the west door of the cathedral of Cracow are hanging some bones, said to have belonged to the dragon which inhabited the cave at the foot of the rock (the Wawel) on which the cathedral and the royal castle stand; and was destroyed by Krak, the founder of the city. I regret that my want of osteological science prevented me from ascertaining to what animal these bones had belonged. I thought them the bones of some small species of whale.

I hope that some competent observer may inform us of what animals these and the lindwurm at Brünn are the remains.

It has struck me as possible that the real history of these crocodiles or alligators, if they are such, may be, that they were brought home by crusaders as specimens of dragons, just as Henry the Lion, Duke of Brunswick, brought from the Holy Land the antelope's horn which had been palmed upon him as a specimen of a griffin's claw, and which may still be seen in the cathedral of that city. That they should afterwards be fitted with appropriate legends, is not surprising.

Some years since, when walking down the valley of St. Nicholas, on the south side of the Valais, my guide, a native of the valley, pointed out to me a wood on the mountain side, and told me that therein dwelt great serpents, about 24 feet long, which carried off lambs from the pastures. He had, however, never seen one of these monsters, but had only seen those who had, and I failed in procuring any testimony of a more decisive character. My guide, however, affirmed that their existence was generally believed in the valley.

N.

ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY NAME OF BACON

(Vol. ii., p. 247.)

The Query proposed by NOCAB evidently possesses some interest, having already elicited two or three replies. I trust, therefore, I shall be excused for submitting yet another solution, which appears to me more satisfactory, if not conclusive. The answers to such questions are for the most part merely ingenious conjectures; but these to be of weight, should be supported by antiquarian learning. They claim perhaps more regard when they seem to elucidate collateral difficulties; but are of most value when authenticated by independent evidence, especially the evidence of documents or of facts. Fortunately, in the case before us, all these desiderata are supplied.

Old Richard Verstegan, famous for Saxon lore and archæological research, explains it thus:—

"Bacon, of the Beechen tree, anciently called BUCON; and, whereas swinesflesh is now called by the name of BACON, it grew only at the first unto such as were fatted with BUCON or beechmast."—Chap. ix. p. 299.

There is one agreeable feature in this explanation, viz., that it professes somewhat naturally to account for the mysterious relation between the flesh of the unclean animal, and the name of a very ancient and honourable family. But its chief value is to be found in the singular authentication of it which I accidentally discovered in Collins's Baronetage. In the very ample and particular account there given of the pedigree of the Premier Baronet, it will be seen that the first man who assumed the surname of Bacon, was one William (temp. Rich. I.), a great grandson of the Grimbaldus, who came over with the Conqueror and settled in Norfolk. Of course there was some reason for his taking that name; and though Collins makes no comment on it, he does in fact unconsciously supply that reason (elucidated by Verstegan) by happily noting of this sole individual, that he bore for his arms, "argent, a beech tree proper!" Thank you, Mr. Collins! thank you kindly, Richard Verstegan! You are both excellent and honest men. You cannot have been in collusion. You have not, until now, even reaped the merit of truthfulness and accuracy, which you silently reflect upon each other. The family name, Bacon, then, undoubtedly signifies "of the beechen tree," and is therefore of the same class with many others such as ash, beech, &c., latinized in ancient records by De Fraxino, De Fago, &c.

The motto of the Somersetshire Bacons, noticed by NOCAB, when read as written, is supposed to be in the ablative case; when transposed, the evident ellipse may be supplied ad libitum. From Grimbaldus, downwards, it does not appear that these beechen men ever signalized themselves by deeds of arms, the favourite boast of heralds and genealogists. Nor indeed could we expect them to have "hearts of oak." But several have rendered the name illustrious by their contributions to literature, science, and the fine arts. Its appropriateness, therefore, must be apology for the motto; which, like most others, is by no means too modest and unassuming.

Duly blushing, I subscribe myself, yours,

PROBA CONSCIENTIA.

P.S. The pedigree of the Norfolk Bacons is one of the most perfect in the Herald's College. Any of your readers fond of genealogy might find himself repaid in seeking further information regarding the particular coat of arms above referred to, and might throw still more light on the subject.

In Vol. ii., p. 247., your correspondent, NOCAB, quotes (without reference) the remark en passant of a previous correspondent "that the word bacon had the obsolete signification of 'dried wood.'" I have searched in vain for this allusion in your preceding Numbers.[2] The information is too curious, however, to be lost sight of. The Saxon word bacon is, without doubt, simply and purely beechen—pertaining to, or relating to the beech tree.

It is probable enough, therefore, that the word has borne the signification of "dried wood." But it is very desirable to know on what authority the assertion rests. Will your correspondent refer us to the book? Or can any of your learned readers say how, where, and when bacon has signified "dried wood?"

The subject is well worth the bestowal of some pains upon its elucidation; for the meaning and derivation of the word bacon, both as a substantive noun and as a proper name, have been frequently discussed by etymologists and philologists for the last 300 years; and yet, apparently, without any satisfactory determination of the question. The family is ancient, and has been highly distinguished in literature, and science and art. The pedigree is one of the most perfect on record. But Lord Bacon himself, "who knew everything" else, knew nothing of his own name.

SAMOHT NEHCEEB.

Meaning of Bacon (Vol. ii., pp. 138. 247.).—As, on reconsideration, I perceive there is some doubt as to the meaning of the word bacons in Foulques Fitzwarin, I send you the passage in which it occurs, that your readers may form their own opinion concerning it:—

"Pus après, furent les portes de le chastel, qe treblées erent, ars e espris par feu que fust illumée de bacons e de grece."

I must in addition add, that I was mistaken as to the meaning of hosebaunde, which was possibly only the French mode of writing husband.

B.W.

REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES

Cockade (Vol. iii., p.7.).—The black cockade worn by the officers of the army and navy is the relic of a custom which probably dated from the Hanoverian succession; the black cockade being the Hanoverian badge, the white that of the Stuart. In Waverley, when the hero for the first time meets the Baron Bradwardine, he is accosted by the latter thus:—

"And so ye have mounted the cockade? Right, right; though I could have wished the colour different."

APODLIKTES.

Erechtheum Club.

Form of Prayer for King's Evil.—Mr. Lathbury, in his Convocation, p. 361., states that this form appeared in Prayer-book of 1709. This was not, however, its earliest appearance, as it is found in a quarto one bearing date 1707, printed by the Queen's printers, Charles Bill and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb. It occurs immediately before the Articles, and is simply entitled, "At the healing."

N.E.R. (a Subscriber.)

[Prayers at the Healing may be found in Sparrow's Collection of Articles, Injunctions, Canons, &c., p. 223. 4to. 1661. Consult also, Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer, p. 573; The Antiquary's Portfolio, vol. ii. p. 179.; Aubrey's Letters, vol. i. p. 250.; Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, vol. ii. pp. 495-505.; Christian Observer (1831), p. 119.]

"Aver."—Hogs not Pigs (Vol. ii., p. 461.).—In Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, the thin oat-cake (common in many mountainous parts of England) is called "aver-cake," or "haver-cake." The Loyal Dales Volunteers were surnamed "The Haver-cake Lads." Previously to seeing the Note of G.M., I imagined the "aver" to be derived from "avena" (Lat.), "avoine" (Fr.). What dictionary defines "aver" (French) as denoting the annual stock or produce of a farm?

D.2.

E.M., in his Note on J. MN.'s remarks on hogs, mentions that the term aver, averium, is still used in Guernsey. Is not this word closely connected with the Eber of the German Jägers?

E.H.K.

Pilgarlic (Vol. ii., p. 393.).—Sir John Denham spelt this word Peel-garlick—it may be found in one of his Directions to a Painter—but the passage in which it appears is scarcely fit for quotation. The George of the couplet referred to was Albemarle, who had been wounded during the fight in the part of his person which Hudibras alludes to when he tells us that one wound there

                               "hurts honour moreThan twenty wounds laid on before."

Denham seems to compare Albemarle's wounded buttocks to a peeled onion! The resemblance (to Denham) would account for his use of the word in this instance; but it is pretty evident that the word was not coined by him. We must, at least, give him credit for a witty application of it.

Carlisle.

Collar of Esses (Vol. ii., p. 393.).—With reference to the suggestion in No. 54., to give examples of effigies bearing the collar, I beg to mention those at Northleigh Church, Oxon. The following extract is from the Guide to Neighbourhood of Oxford:—

"In Northleigh church, beneath an arch between the chancel and a chapel, is a fine perpendicular tomb, with two recumbent figures in alabaster,—a knight in armour, with the Collar of SS; the lady with a rich turban and reticulated head-dress, and also with the Collar of SS. The figures are Lord and Lady Wilmot; and attached to the monument are two small figures of angels holding shields of arms; on one is a spread eagle, on the other three cockle shells, with an engrailed band."

JASPER.

Filthy Gingram (Vol. ii., p. 467.).—The name "toad-flax" is evidently put by mistake, in Owen's Dictionary, for "toad-stool," a fungus, the Agaricus virosus of Linnæus. The common name in the North of England is "poisonous toad-stool." It is a virulent poison. See * 248. 407, 408., in Sowerby's English Fungi.

D.2.

Toad-flax, the yellow Antirrhinum, certainly does stink.

C.B.

The Life and Death of Clancie, by E.S. (Vol. ii., p. 375.).—There is a copy in the Bodleian Library.

J.O.H.

"Rab. Surdam" (Vol. ii., p. 493.).—EDINENSIS. gives the above as the inscription on a tomb-stone, and requests an explanation. It is very probable that the stone-cutter made a mistake, and cut "Rab. Surdam" instead of "Rap. Surum," which would be a contraction for "Rapax Suorum," alluding to Death or the Grave. It seems impossible to extract a meaning, from "Rab. Surdam" by any stretch of Latinity.

G.F.G.

Edinburgh.

"Fronte Capillatâ," &c. (Vol. iii., p. 8.).—The hexameter cited vol. iii., p. 8., and rightly interpreted by E.H.A., is taken (with the slight alteration of est for the original es) from "Occasio: Drama, P. Joannis David, Soc. Jesu Sacerd. Antv. MDCV.," appended to that writer's Occasio, Arrepta, Neglecta; in which the same implied moral is expressed, with this variation:

"Fronte capillitium gerit, ast glabrum occiput illi."G.A.S.

This verse is alluded to by Lord Bacon in his Essay on Delays:

"Occasion (as it is in the common verse) turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her locks in front, and no hold taken; or, at least, turneth the handle of the bottle first to be received, and after the belly, which is hard to clasp."

L.

Taylor's Holy Living.—I should be obliged by any of your readers kindly informing me whether there is any and what foundation for the statement in the Morning Chronicle of Dec. 27th last, that that excellent work, Holy Living, which I have always understood to be Bishop Taylor's, "is now known" (so says a constant reader) "not to be the production of that great prelate, but to have been written by a Spanish friar. On this account it is not included in the works of Bishop Taylor, lately printed at the Oxford University Press." I do not possess the Oxford edition here mentioned, so cannot test the accuracy of the assertion in the last sentence but if the first part of the above extract be correct, it is, to say the least, singular that Mr. Bohn, in his recent edition of the work, should be entirely silent on the subject. I should like to know who and what is this "Spanish friar?" has he not "a local habitation and a name?"