Hastings.

BOTELER BOOK-PLATE. Having copies of a book-plate of one of the family of Boteler, with which I am connected by marriage, I can enclose one to readers of " N. & Q." who may let me have a stamped envelope with their name, at Sandford St. Martin, Steeple Aston, Oxon. The specialty is that the arms form part of a print containing a view of Eastry Church. It has therefore some further interest to collectors in Kent.

(REV.) E. MARSHALL.

Queries.

We must request correspondents desiring information on family matters of only private interest, to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that the answers may be addressed to them direct.

SCHWARENBACH, GEMMI PASS. Can any of your readers give me some particulars of a tragedy by the German poet Werner called The Twentyfourth of February, the scene of which, I understand, is laid at the little inn at Schwarenbach, at the top of the Gemmi Pass? All the guide-books speak of the play as "Werner's gloomy tragedy," but give no notion of the plot or any of its incidents. Has it been translated into English; if so, by whom, and where published? L. A. W. Dublin.

[The story of The Twenty-fourth of February is a horrible record of domestic fatality weighing upon a house. The date named has thrice been marked by a parricide or other domestic murder. Werner, whose tendencies were to mysticism, treats the subject with implicit faith, and shows the hideous and unconquerable growth of self-begotten crime. The whole is a nightmare. We know of no English version of the play. A French rendering, in which a fourth and concluding murder is suppressed, and the piece ends with a safe passage through the terrible anniversary and a supposed rupture of the family doom, was produced at the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris, in 1864. Werner, who late in life became converted to the Catholic religion and embraced the profession of the priesthood, regarded the 24th of February, the day of his mother's death, as malignant to himself. In his Confessions he declares, with more self-knowledge than is often possessed, that if any one regards him as a madman he is right, but if he adds that he is a knave he lies.]

"PATET JANUA COR MAGIS."-Where is this door-head inscription? A. B. C.

SOUTHEY'S "BOOK OF THE CHURCH."-It has been always objected to this work that the references have not been appended. Friends have objected and enemies, notably Charles Butler. Could the references now be furnished out of any

Haverstock Hill.

SOLOMON PENNY.-Can any one interested in the fate of the French Protestant refugees give me any information respecting Solomon Penny, whose name appears in Agnew's French Protestant Exiles as a director of the French Hospital in London in the year 1718? I shall also be glad to learn whether Nicholas Penny, who was Dean of Lichfield 1731-45, belonged to the same family. The name is supposed to have been originally Pennée. H. W. F. H.

STRAWBERRY LEAVES IN THE DUCAL CORONET. -I was asked the origin of this the other day by a friend, but could not answer the question, and hitherto have been unable to discover why and when the leaves were first inserted in the coronet. I should be obliged if any reader of "N. & Q.” could enlighten me. EDWARD R. VYVYAN.

this (5th S. v. 75) MR. F. RULE replied, denying that the [At 5th S. ii. 129 a similar query is propounded. To trefoil floral ornaments of ducal coronets are strawberry leaves, and stating that the question of interest is, why and on whose authority they were so styled. At 5th S. xii. 114 MR. J. CHURCHILL SIKES supplies an extract with the whole question, and asserting that the confrom the Gentleman's Magazine of July, 1879, dealing ventional leaves used to decorate coronets were not originally called strawberry leaves, and were at first very unlike them.]

LARGE FOSSIL EYES.

In any collection of fossils of different ages I seem to find that whatever eyes existed before the oolite or Wealden period were larger than those of corresponding animals of any later time. Is that so; and, if a general fact, has any theory been suggested as a reason? E. L. G.

ALEXANDER SMITH.-Can any of your readers refer me to any memoir, sketch, or obituary notice of Alexander Smith, author of A Life Drama and other poems ? EDWARD C. WHITEHURST.

[See Allibone, Critical Dictionary of English Literature; Vapereau, Dictionnaire Universel des Contemporains, ed. 1858; and Men of the Time, seventh edition.]

an

TOBACCO. In the District Railway Guide to the Health Exhibition I find it stated as historical fact" that "Capt. William Myddelton, brother of Sir Hugh, of New River celebrity, was the first who smoked tobacco in London." The italics are reproduced from the Guide. Can this statement be verified? FUMOSUS.

BOOTH, CHIEF JUSTICE IN IRELAND.-The Right Hon. Sir Robert Booth, Knt., who (knighted at Whitehall May 15, 1668) appears to have been a puzzle to Le Neve, was, temp. Charles II., Chief

He

Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland. He was eldest son of Robert Booth, of Salford, Esq. (bencher of Gray's Inn); was educated at the Manchester Grammar School (under Mr. Bridoake, afterwards Bishop of Chichester), and at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he was admitted September 20, 1644, at the age of nineteen. became a member of Gray's Inn, and, after being one of the justices of the court above mentioned, was appointed Chief Justice-probably in 1668. I have full (unpublished) particulars of his ancestry, as also particulars of the Salford and neighbouring properties in which he was interested, including the right of presentation to Trinity Chapel, Salford, founded by his grandfather. He was married twice, but I am not sure which was his earlier marriage, viz., to Mary, daughter of Spencer Potts, of Chalgrove, co. Bedford, Esq., and to Susan, eldest daughter of Henry Oxenden, of Dene, co. Kent, Esq., afterwards (in 1678) created a baronet. Sir Robert is incidentally mentioned by Gwillim in connexion with the family arms. (By the way, what was this herald's authority for stating that the judge was descended from the knightly Booths of Dunham Massey?) Can any of your correspondents refer me to a life or particular account of the judge, and also to the original authorities as to which was his earlier marriage, and as to whether it was by his wife Susan alone that he had issue? A full abstract of his will would be of value. I am aware of one printed pedigree; but that is, to say the least, not conclusive. C. T. TALLENT-BATEMAN.

24, Brown Street, Manchester. DOMESDAY OAK.-There is an oak tree in the park attached to Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire, called the Domesday Oak. It is said to be mentioned in the Conqueror's survey. Is this so? I have looked for it, and been unable to find it there. ANON.

PEPPER-GARB.-Can any one give me an instance of a "pepper-garb" as an heraldic charge? Canon Jackson, in his interesting Guide to Farleigh Hungerford, 1879, says that the garb in the Hungerford crest is sometimes called a peppergarb, and quotes Burke's Armory and Sir Richard St. George (1647) as authorities. He also calls attention to the Garter plate of Walter, Lord Hungerford, on which, as he justly remarks, the garb "has a strange look for a wheatsheaf. It is rather that of a bundle of peppercorns than of grains of wheat in the ear." As this garb was

adopted from the arms of the Peverells (three garbs and a chief), I have no doubt that the resemblance between the word poivre and the first two syllables of Peverell was sufficiently great to make a peppergarb a satisfactory rebus on the name of that family. Is the charge borne by any other? EDMUND M. BOYLE.

"GENTLEMAN BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT."Amongst the contemptuous terms applied to solicitors (and formerly to attorneys) is one that How is this explained? I know of no Act rethey are only "gentlemen by Act of Parliament." lating to the point, and there is no doubt attorneys practised in the courts before there was title of a solicitor is "John Smith, Gentleman, any imperial legislation affecting them. The full one of the Solicitors of Her Majesty's Supreme Court of Judicature." In official documents a solicitor is designated "Gentleman," as a barrister is designated "Esquire"; but whether the heralds recognize these ranks is not clear.

Brighton.

FREDERICK E. SAWYER.

ENGINE OF TORTURE.-What Grecian ruler had a statue made resembling his wife, which was in reality an engine of torture, and had secret springs which seized those who touched it, and tormented them with sharp barbed points? JOHN TOPHAM.

[Is not this story compounded from what is told of the elder Dionysius and the instrument of execution known in Italy as the mannaja, and in Scotland as the maiden?]

ALEXANDER M. CAUL. -I shall be obliged for information concerning the above and concerning a work written by him, entitled Reason for Be lieving. Can the work in question be obtained? J. TREVES.

Padua.

FAMILY OF HAY OF CADGERTOWERS AND BROADHAUGH.-Particulars of pedigree and marriages of this Berwickshire family desired by J. B. CRAVEN.

Kirkwall, Orkney.

FITCH'S COLLECTIONS, CO. SUFFOLK.-In whose possession is the volume containing the collections of the Babergh hundred? ARTICLED CLERK.

PLAYSTRETE.-Near Taunton, and within the limits of the old priory demesne, this name occurs in connexion with a messuage, A.D. 1545. As some aver this to be a corruption of Palace Street, early instances with dates will oblige. The prefix is very similar to that in La Pleystow (A.D. 1271) mentioned by White, and latterly known as the Plestor, at Selborne, which he says was always used as a place for play and recreation. EDWIN SLOPER.

HISTORY OF PUBLIC MEETINGS.-I am wanting information on the history of public meetings, the different forms they have taken in past times, with an account of the most noteworthy ones in England. P. U. B.

LOST NOVEL OF GOLDSMITH.-I am the owner of a book called "Triumph of Benevolence; or, the History of Francis Wills. By the Author of The Vicar of Wakefield. Berlin, sold by August Mylius, 1786." Did you ever hear such a book attributed to Goldsmith; or is it a fraud and forgery? It is printed in English, size 16mo., tvo vols. in one, bound, in good preservation, and has frontispiece and title-page. Some of Goldsmith's biographers allude to a lost novel by him, but none

of them ever has seen it. Do you know of any one possessing a copy? If not, what would be the value of it as a literary curiosity? Some of your correspondents may be able to throw some light on the subject; if so, I shall be happy to correspond with them. THOMAS POULTNEY.

12, St. Paul Street, Baltimore, U.S.

A SHAKSPEARIAN QUESTION. - Certain coincidences with regard to an ancient inscription suggest the inquiry, Can Shakespeare have been in any way connected with Blackheath or Lee? In the old churchyard of Lee, Kent, there is an inscription taken from what was once a fine marble tomb erected in memory of Bryan Anslye, Esq., one of Queen Elizabeth's gentlemen pensioners, and lessee of Kidbrook Manor from 1577 till his death in 1604. It was raised by his third and youngest daughter, Cordell or Cordelia, and, after giving some particulars as to other members of the family, goes on to state:

"Cordell, the youngest Daughter, at her own proper cost and chardges, in further testimonie of her Dutifull to be erected for the perpetuall memorie of their name. Against the ingrateful nature

love unto her Father and Mother, caused this Monument

Of Oblivious Time. Nec Primus, nec ultimus, Multi ante cesserunt, et Omnes sequentur."

If Shakespeare ever saw this stone or knew this family, he may have erected a more lasting memorial of this loving daughter in the story of another Cordelia, like her the youngest and most dutiful of three. It is worthy of remark also that the scene of Lear's wanderings is a heath, "within a mile or two on the way to Dover." Query, Blackheath? One of the chief characters in the. play bears the name of Kent. Another circumstance I mention with some hesitation, because if there is anything in it some learned Shakespearian must have observed it before now. The Cordelia of this inscription became the wife of a very distinguished man, William Harvey, a famous soldier in the days of the Spanish Armada, who for his service in various ways was created Baron Hervey of Kidbrook. His initials recall to mind the mysterious Mr. W. H. to whom Shakespeare dedicated his sonnets, and whose identity has long perplexed students. M. A. S. M.

Blackheath.

Replies.

SERJEANTS' RINGS. (6th S. ix. 446, 511.)

The interesting question which MR. OCTAVIU MORGAN has raised-viz., What has become of all the serjeants' rings?-is well worthy of being ventilated; and as MRS. SCARLETT has done me the honour to refer to the "funeral sermon" over the

BEAR-SKIN JOBBER (6th S. ix. 9, 53, 73). Perhaps the following extract from Luther's Colloquies may be acceptable to the readers of "N. & Q.," not only because it proves that the fable about the bear-skin was current nearly 400 years ago, but also because it shows Luther's fondness for such things: "The Fables of Esop (said Luther) ought to be translated into high Dutch, and brought finely into order; for one man made not that book, but many great people at all times in the world made a part thereof......So far as I am able to understand, next unto the Bible, we have no better books than the Works of Cato, and the Fables of Esop; for their writings are better than all the tattered sentences of the Philosophers and Lawyers. At that time Luther related the fable concerning the Wolf and the Sheep: he related also this pleasant fable, whose moral is that all things are not everywhere to be spoken. A Lion called unto him into his den (wherein was a very evil savor and stink) many beasts: Now he asked the Wolf how he liked his Royal Palace? The Wolf answered and said, O! it stinketh evil herein; then the Lion flew upon the Wolf, and tore him in pieces. Afterwards he asked also the Ass how he liked it? The poor Ass being much affrighted at the Wolf's death and murder, intending therefore to flatter, he said, O my Lord and King! it smelleth here exceeding well. But the Lion laid hold on the Ass, and tore him also in

pieces. After this he asked the Fox how it liked him? The Fox said, I have gotten such a cold, that I can smell nothing at all: as would he say, It is not good to make true report of everything. Thus he became wise

by other men's burts, in keeping his tongue. He related at that time another fable, against presumption and for it before the Bear was killed or taken; whereupon rashness, and said, One bought a Bear's skin, and paid he said. Let no man cast away an old coat until he have a new."-Luther's Colloquies, 1652, p. 432. R. R.

Boston, Lincolnshire.

HAG (6th S. ix. 487).-I fear we shall not get much more information as to this word. I prehægtesse as better suited to the Lat. tisiphona than sume the reason why Mr. Wright took the word to the Lat. parca was because we find elsewhere the entry Erenis, hægtes "; and it is certainly correct to say that Tisiphone was one of the Erinyes or Furies. Hence it is at once proved that the supposition, even if unneeded here, is far from baseless.

The best way is to quote all the entries in full. The word occurs in the glossaries not nine times, but eleven times, and it is best to arrange the statements in order of date. They are as follows. In the eighth century: Eumenides, haehtisse ; Furia, haehtis; Erenis, furia (with haegtis added in a later hand); Striga, haegtis.

In the tenth century: Pythonissa, hellerune, uel hægtesse; Tisiphona, wælcyrre; Parce, hægtesse (the pair of glosses supposed by Mr. Wright to be transposed).

In the eleventh century: Erenis, hægtes; Eumenides, hægtesse; Furia, hægtesse; Furiarum, hægtessa; and yet again, Furiarum, hægtessa. It would seem from this that the correct nom. sing. is haehtis, later haegtis, hægtis; whilst hægtesse represents the plural and occasionally the singular, perhaps in an oblique case. Schade gives the O.H.G. form as hagazussa, which was afterwards contracted to hazissa, M.H.G. hecse, mod. G. Hexe.

MR. MAYHEW has cleared the way as to some points. It may now be accepted as certain that the Du. haagdis, a lizard, is the same as the G. Eidechse; it may be added that the A.S. is athexe, and that the provincial E. is ask or arsk, all in the sense of lizard or newt. On the other hand, hag is short for hægtesse or hægtis, and the cognate G. word is Hexe. But it does not follow that hæg-t-is, if derived from haga, would mean "a female hedge," because the t- might easily make all the difference, and render the substantive personal. The real difficulty is to explain this t-, and, at the same time, the G. -z-. The only three opinions worth considering are those given by Schade. These are (1) the notion of Grimm, that there is a connexion with the Icel. hagr, wise; (2) the notion of Weigand (adopted by myself), that it is connected with A.-S. haga, a hedge; and (3) the ingenious suggestion, due to Heyne, that the word means spoiler of the haw or enclosure stored with corn, &c.," the