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.

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

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:

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?"

W.R.M.

[A fraud was practised on the memory of Bishop Jeremy Taylor soon after his death, in ascribing to him a work entitled Contemplations of the State of Man in this Life, and in that which is to come, and which Archdeacon Churton, in A Letter to Joshua Watson, Esq., has shown, with great acuteness and learning, was in reality a compilation from a work written by a Spanish Jesuit, named John Eusebius Nieremberg. The treatise Holy Living and Dying is unquestionably Bishop Taylor's, and forms Vol. III. of his works, now in the course of publication under the editorship the Rev. Charles Page Eden.]

Portrait of Bishop Henchman (Vol. iii., p. 8.).—Your correspondent Y.Y. is informed, that there is in the collection of the Earl of Clarendon, at the Grove, a full-length portrait of Bishop Henchman, by Sir Peter Lely. This picture, doubtless, belonged to the Chancellor Clarendon. Lord Clarendon, in his History of the Rebellion, b. xiii. (vol. vi. p. 540. ed. Oxford, 1826), describes the share which Dr. Henchman, then a prebendary of Salisbury, had in facilitating the escape of Charles II., after the battle of Worcester. Dr. Henchman conducted the king to a place called Heale, near Salisbury, then belonging to Serjeant Hyde, afterwards made chief justice of the King's Bench by his cousin the chancellor.

L.

Lines attributed to Charles Yorke (Vol. ii., p. 7.).—The editor of Bishop Warburton's Literary Remains is informed, that the lines transcribed by him, "Stript to the naked soul," &c., have been printed lately in a work entitled The Sussex Garland, published by James Taylor, formerly an eminent bookseller at Brighton, but now removed to Newick, Sussex. The lines appear to have been written on Mrs. Grace Butler, who died at Rowdel, in Sussex, in the 86th year of her age, by Alexander Pope, but, according to Taylor, not inserted in any edition of Pope's works. The lines will be found in the 9th and 10th Nos. of The Sussex Garland, p. 285., under "Warminghurst."

W.S.

Richmond, Surrey.

Rodolph Gualter (Vol. iii., p. 8.).—

"Rodolph Gualter naquit à Zurich en 1519, et y mourut en 1586. Il fit ses études dans sa ville natale, à Lausanne, à Marbourg, et en Angleterre. Rodolph, son fils, mort en 1577, avait fait de très bonnes études à Genève, en Allemagne, et à l'université d'Oxford."

The above I have extracted from the account of him given in the Biographie Universelle, which refers as authority to "J.B. Huldrici Gualtherus redivivus seu de vita et morte Rod. Gualtheri oratio, 1723," in the Biblioth. Bremens., viii. p. 635. In this memoir I find it stated:

"quod Gualtherus noster unà cum Nicolao Partrigio Anglo in Angliam iter suscepit. Quatuor illud mensibus et aliquot diebus finitum est, inciditque in annum seculi trigesimum."

But neither in this, nor in the account of his life by Melchior Adam, nor in that contained in Rose's Biographical Dictionary, can I find any trace of the opinion that he was a Scotchman; and as Huldricus was himself a professor in the Athenæum at Zurich, he would probably be correctly informed on the subject.

TYRO.

Dublin.

"Annoy" used as a Noun (Vol. ii., p. 139.).—Your correspondent CH. will find three good instances of the use of the word annoy as a noun (in addition to the lines cited by him from Wordsworth) by Queen Elizabeth, George Gascoigne, and Mr. Keble:

H.G.T.

Culprit, Origin of the Word (Vol. ii., p. 475.).—See Stephen's Commentaries on the Laws of England, iv. 408. note (p).

C.H. COOPER.

Cambridge, Dec. 14. 1850.

Passage in Bishop Butler (Vol. ii., p. 464.).—The "peculiar term" referred to by Bishop Butler is evidently the verb "to Blackguard." It is for this reason that he inserts the condition, "when the person it respects is present." We may abuse, revile, vituperate an absent person; but we can only "blackguard" a man when he is present. The word "blackguard" is not recognised by Johnson. Richardson inserts it as a noun, but not as a verb.

L.

Wat the Hare (Vol. ii., p. 315.).—Your correspondent K. asks what other instances there are of Wat as the name of a hare? I know of one. On the market-house at Watton the spandrils of an Elizabethan doorway have been placed, taken from some old building in the town. This has a hare on one side, a ton on the other,—a rebus of the town name Watton.

H.H.

The Letter (Vol. ii., p. 492.).—Yerl for Earl, and yirth for earth, &c., are, to this day, quite common in Scottish orthoëpy among many of the lower classes.

G.F.G.

Did Elizabeth visit Bacon at Twickenham Park? (Vol. ii., pp. 408. 468.).—To this question your correspondent J.I.D. replies with a quotation from Nicols (edition of 1823), who dates her visit in 1592 or 1593. I had looked into Nichols's first edition (1788) without finding the subject mentioned; and I am now inclined to think, as at first, that it is altogether a misapprehension. Sir Francis Bacon, in His Apologie in Certaine Imputations concerning the late Earl of Essex, written to the Right Hon. his very Good Lord the Earle of Devonshire, Lord-lieutenant of Ireland. Lond. 1604, in 16mo. pp. 74., says, at p. 32.:—

"A little before that time, being about the middle of Michaelmas terme, her Maiestie had a purpose to dine at my Lodge at Twicknā Parke, at which time I had (though I professe not to be a poet) prepared a Sonnet, directly tending and alluding to draw on her Maiesties reconciliation to my Lord," &c. &c.

This I conceive to have reference to an intention of Elizabeth, rather than to an accomplished fact.

At p. 14. of this work, Bacon says he had sold Twickenham park some time ago to Reynold Nicholas. I consider Lysons to have been the first author who mentions the subject and at Environs, vol. iii. (1795), p. 565., there is a note: "From the information of the Earl of Orford." And I therefore conclude it to have been some mistake of Lord Orford's.

YOUR FORMER CORRESPONDENT.

Dec. 27. 1850.

Mock-Beggar (Vol. ii., p. 478.).—The origin of this term was discussed in the Gentleman's Magazine in 1840. Two localities so called were cited (vol. xiv. p. 114.), with the opinion of Sir William Burrell, that some buildings so named at Brighton had been "a mendicant priory." Another writer (p. 331.) suggested that the term was applied to country houses when deserted or unoccupied; or to rocks, as one near Bakewell, where the semblance of a ham might attract a wayfarer from the high road, only to deceive his expectations of relief.

J.G.N.

Cardinal Chalmers (Vol. ii., p. 493.).—The insignia mentioned by your correspondent S.P., in No. 60, are very common among Roman Catholic ecclesiastics on the Continent, and are frequently to be seen on tombs. The hat and tassels are appropriated to Notaries Apostolic of the Holy Roman See, as well as to Cardinals and the dignity having some privileges attached to it, it is sought after by ecclesiastics of standing.

HYDE CLARKE.

Binsey, God help me! (Vol. i., p. 247.).—I remember the same words respecting the village of Binsey, half-way between Oxford and Godstow. During the winter and spring months it was nearly all under water, like Port Meadow, on the opposite side of the river: so if you asked a Binseyite in winter where he came from, the answer was as above; if in summer, "Binsey, where else?"

CHAS. PASLAM.

Midwives Licensed (Vol. ii., p. 408.).—On this subject I would refer S.P.H.T. to Burn's Ecclesiastical Law, under the head of "Midwives," which is all nearly that can be ascertained at present on that head. Among other things it says in the oath taken of them,—

"You shall not in anywise use or exercise any manner of witchcraft, charm, or sorcery, invocation, or other prayers, than may stand with God's law and the king's."

M.C.R.

Dr. Timothy Thruscross (Vol. ii., p. 441.)—There are frequent notices of Dr. Thristcross, or Thruscross, in Dr. Worthington's correspondence. (See Vol. i. of same, edited for the Chetham Society. Index, voc. "Thristcross.") Dr. Worthington observes, p. 219., "I did love to talk with worthy Mr. Thirstcross, who knew Mr. Ferrar and Little Gidding."

JAS. CROSSLEY.

History of Bohemian Persecution (Vol. ii., p. 358.).—See note to Worthington's Diary and Correspondence, vol. i. p. 154., for a notice of this work of Comenius, and his other publications relating to the Bohemian church.

JAS. CROSSLEY.

"Earth has no Rage" (Vol. iii., p. 23.).—

These are the concluding lines of Act III. of Congreve's Mourning Bride. They stand, however, thus, in the edition to which I have referred:

JAS. CROSSLEY.

Manchester, 11. Jan. 1851.

Couplet in De Foe (vol. ii., p. 310.).

The couplet is altered from the following couplet in De Foe's True Born Englishman:—

See collection of his writings, vol. i. p. 20., edit. 1703.

JAS. CROSSLEY.

Private memoirs of Queen Elizabeth (Vol. iii., p. 23.).—"The Secret History of the most renowned Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex. In two parts. By a person of Quality. Cologne: printed for Will with the Wisp, at the Sign of the Moon in the Ecliptick. M.D.CLXXXI."—is the title of a small volume in my possession, containing some curious hints corroborative of the first part of Mr. Ives' MS. note mentioned in "NOTES AND QUERIES" (Vol. iii. p. 11.). If this be the book to which your correspondent, J.E.C., refers in your last number, he is perfectly welcome to the perusal of my copy.

WILLIAM J.D. ROPER.

Vane House, Hampstead, Jan. 18. 1851.

Abbot's House at Buckden (Vol. ii., p. 494.).—MR. C.H. COOPER asks, "will M.C.R. explain his allusion to the Abbot's House at Buckden?" Being only an occasional visitor there, I can give no other explanation than it is universally called so by the inhabitants of the place. The house is very low-roomed, and only one story high; it has been compoed over, so that there is nothing very ancient in the look of the brickwork, excepting the chimneys, which form a cluster in the centre. The door I mentioned, evidently is an ancient one. A good deal of iron about it, and in square compartments.

When I was there recently, I was informed of a discovery in a public-house formerly called the Lion—now, the Lamb. A gentleman in the place came into possession of some pamphlets respecting Buckden; in one of which it is said, that this house was originally the hostel where the visitors and domestics used to go when the bishop had not room at the palace for them, and that it would be found there was an "Agnus Dei" in the ceiling of one of the lower rooms. The consequence was, search was made for it: and what seemed a plain boss, where two beams crossed each other, on being cleansed and scraped, turned out to be as the book said, and which I saw only last week. The clergyman has the pamphlet above alluded to. Whether this, and the abbot's house, belonged to the palace I cannot say. The road now runs between them.

The "Agnus Dei" is seven or eight inches in diameter; the lamb, &c., in the centre, and the words "Ecce Agnus Dei" in a circular border round it.

This is all the information I can now give.

M.C.R.

Bab in the Bowster (Vol. ii., p. 518.).—In your valuable periodical your correspondent "MAC." makes an observation regarding "Bab in the Bowster," which is not correct so far as regards this part of the country at least. He says "it is now danced with a handkerchief instead of a cushion," whereas the fact is I have never seen it danced but with a pillow, as its name "Bab in the Bowster (Anglice bolster)" would seem to denote. The manner of dancing it is, the company having formed itself into a circle, one, either male or female, goes into the centre, carrying a pillow, and dances round the circle with a sort of shuffling quick step, while the others sing,—

To which the dancer replies:

He or she then lays down the pillow before one of the opposite sex, when they both kneel on it and kiss; the person to whom the pillow has been presented going over the above again, &c, till the company tires.

I may add that the above is a favourite dance here, particularly among young people, and at children's parties in particular it is never omitted. If your correspondent wishes the air to which it is danced, I shall be glad to send it to him.

GLENIFFER.

Paisley.

Sir Cloudesley Shovel (Vol. iii., p. 23.).—"H.J." will find a "Note" in Cunningham's Lives of Eminent Englishmen (vol. iv. p. 47.), of the circumstances attendant upon Sir Cloudesley's death, as preserved in the family of the Earl of Romney, detailing the fact of his murder, and the mode of its discovery. I shall be happy to supply your correspondent with an extract, if he has not the above work at hand.

J.B. COLMAR.

Noli me tangere (Vol. ii., p. 153.).—In addition to the painters already enumerated as having treated this subject, the artist Le Sueur, commonly called the Raphael of France, may be mentioned. In his picture, the figures are somewhat above half nature.

W.J. MERCER.

Cad (Vol. i., p.250.).—Jamieson derives this word, or rather its Scotch diminutive, "cadie," from the French, cadet. I have heard it fancifully traced to the Latin "cauda."

W.J. MERCER.