the old Mazarinean Library, Paris Institut, there exists a copy of Sir T. Harrington's curious tract, The Metamorphosis of Ajax, another drollery of the same era (not of the same stamp), on the title-page of which one may read, written in a very good hand of the sixteenth century, the word William, quite legible, under a slight dash of the pen, and the letters S..p.. e, more effectually concealed under a more vigorous stroke of the same hand and the same ink.

PHILARÈTE CHASLES, Mazarinæus.

Paris, Palais de l'Institut.

Feel

Beating the Bounds (Vol. xi., p. 485.). ing sure that you will have a multiplicity of answers to this question, I shall content myself with referring R. P. to Brand's Popular Antiquities, (Knight's edition, vol. i. pp. 116-124.); Hone's Year-Book (October 8.); Hone's Every Day Book (May 12.); Wheatly's Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Oxon, 1846, p. 202.). Also in the churchwarden's accounts for the parish of Ecclesfield, are the following entries:

"1680. Spent at the preambulation, 6s. 8d.; payde for bread and ale for those that went with the presession at Shiergreene Cross, 6s. 8d."

Eckington.

J. EASTWOOD.

The origin of the custom of "beating the bounds," or perambulating the limits of the parish, which still prevails in the east, and other parts, as well as in the west of England, was from the ancient practice of walking round in solemn religious procession, chanting the Litanies, on the three days before Ascension, commonly called the three Rogation days. In the Catholic Church, the Litanies are still sung or recited on those days, and also in procession, where this is practicable.

The following passage, which seems to answer J. P.'s Query referred to above, caught my eye yesterday whilst looking for something else in Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. ii. Not having the opportunity of trying the method referred to, I can only give the passage verbatim :

"M. Chaptal remarks, that, since the oxygenated muriatic acid had been found capable of discharging the colour of common writing-ink, both from parchment and

Stained Glass Picture of Blessed Virgin (Vol. xi. p. 466.). If the picture referred to be intended for the Blessed Virgin and Divine Infant, the toy described by L. J. B. is very remarkable and unusual.

A toy mill is the emblem of the infant St. James the Less, as represented among the highly-finished paintings on the screen of Ranworth Church, Norfolk; and referred to by the Very Rev. Dr. Husenbeth, in his useful book of reference, Emblems of Saints, by which they are distinguished in works of art (pp. 74-78.). I suspect that the figure holding an Agnus Dei is intended for St. John Baptist, he being almost always so repreC. A. B.

sented.

In answer to L. J. B. on "Stained Glass Pictures of the Blessed Virgin," I would remark that representations of toys are not uncommon in pictures of the childhood of our Blessed Lord. For example :

1. In an early Byzantine painting I have, our Lord is painted with a twisted stick, probably a sugar-stick, in his hand.

2. He is represented blowing bubbles from a mussel-shell on a stick in one of those beautiful early pictures lately placed in the National Gallery. This is very prettily treated in Wierx's Vita et Passio Dei, where an angel is playing with Him.

3. In A. Wierx's print of Virgo Matre, he is represented with a windmill on a stick, like the toy of the same kind we still see used.

4. In a print of M. Sadlee, He has a sort of chaplet with which he is playing.

Instances of his playing with birds, fruit, and flowers are common enough. Akin to these examples may be mentioned the instances of angels in the form of children playing near our Lord, as: 1. In Albert Durer's large Passion, The Nativity, in which one angel is running with the cross revolving on a stick (a common toy in those days).

2. In Biblia Sacra, Lugduni: Bouille, 1541, p. 473. b, is an angel playing near our infant Saviour's head, with a toy in the shape of a Catherinewheel. The print is much earlier than the book. Many other instances might be given.

Clapton.

JOHN C. JACKSON.

Sir Cloudesley Shovel (Vol. xi., pp. 184. 514.; Vol. xii., p. 54.).—In a rare little book now before me, entitled Secret Memoirs of the Life of the Hon. Sir Cloudesley Shovel, Knt., &c., by an officer who served under that admiral, and dedicated to "The Hon. my Lady Shovel," 12mo., London, 1708, it is stated at p. 3.: "He was born at a small town near Clay, in the county of Norfolk." Whether this was Cockthorpe does not appear; but if that place be near to Clay, this statement serves to strengthen its pretension to the distinction claimed for it. J. D.

The Sphinx (Vol. xii., p. 88.). The wide diffusion of this mystical figure seems to indicate that it had some more profound and general signification than the overflow of the Nile. Modern writers mostly reject this interpretation, even in Egypt, and consider it emblematic of the kingly power. I believe it was more probably an emblem of the Supreme Deity, as Layard suggests in his first work on Nineveh.

It is an error to say that the Egyptian sphinx combined the head of a virgin with the body of a lion. This was the later Greek sphinx, after the primitive idea of its mystical meaning had been lost. "The Egyptian sphinx was invariably male," and united the body of a lion with the head of a man, surmounted by a serpent (Wilkinson's Ancient Egypt, 2nd Series, vol. i. p. 146., and Faber's Mysteries of the Cabiri, vol. i. p. 209.).

This tri-formed monster occurs in many other countries besides Egypt, viz. in Assyria, with the head of a man, the body of a lion or bull, and the wings of a bird or of a seraph, the flying-serpent. In Persia and Etruria the same (Chardin's Travels, and Dennis's Etruria, vol. i. p. 51.). In Lycia, as the woman, lioness, and seraph (Fellowes's Lycia, and sculptures in the Lycian room in the British Museum). It also occurs among ancient Chinese religious emblems (Kæmpfer's Japan, vol. i. p. 182.), and likewise in India (Maurice's Indian Antiq., vol. iv. p. 750.), and may be seen in the paintings of the ancient Mexicans. Its invariable triple form exhibits the primitive idea of the three

fold nature of the Godhead, an idea whose universal diffusion indicates an origin of the most remote (probably antediluvian) antiquity.

The globe with wings and serpents, also very widely diffused, seems to represent the same idea, and to be only a variation of the symbolic figure. EDEN WARWICK. Birmingham.

Knights Hospitallers in Ireland (Vol. xi., p. 407.). Possessions belonging to the Order of Malta in Ireland, before the abolition of the Religious Orders by Henry VIII., may be found in Boisgelin's History of Malta, vol. iii. pp. 210—212., edit. 1804. W. W.

Malta.

[We have omitted the extract, as this work may be found in most public libraries. Under the county Down, Boisgelin notices the "Territory of Orders, Commandery of St. John the Baptist, founded by Hugh de Lacy in the twelfth century."]

Uncertain Meaning of Words (Vol. viii., p. 439.). -Your correspondent A. B. C. might have added to his instances of words of different meaning applied to express the same idea: we say of a newspaper, that it contains "the latest intelligence ;" or, that it has "the earliest intelligence;" both phrases being intended to convey precisely the same meaning. "Your news is late," means that it is stale; but "He brings all the late news presses the very reverse of tardiness.

ex

J. S. C.

Proverbs (Vol. xi., p. 299.). — As the chief part of the proverb cited by u. is alliterative, it is probable the third line was likewise so anciently, and it would run thus:

"To a red man reade thy reed,

With a browne man breake thy bread, At a white man draw thy whittle." The fourth line is likewise probably modern, and HYDE CLARKE. should be omitted.

Table of Forbidden Degrees (Vol. xi., p. 475.).— By "Matthew, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury," is meant Parker, under whose authority the table was published in 1563. The XCIXth canon of 1603 orders that "the aforesaid table shall be in every church publickly set up and fixed at the charge of the parish." Copies such as that described by A. R. M. are not uncommon. The dresses in the engraving are much like those in the old illustrations of the Spectator, and evidently belong to the last century; but whether we must understand " John, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury," to mean Potter (A. D. 1737-1747) or Moore (A. D. 1783-1805), I do not venture to determine. J. C. R.

Fanatics of the Cevennes (Vol. xi., p. 487.). B. H. C. may be referred to the Histoire des Pasteurs du Désert, par N. Peyrat, Paris, 1842, 2 vols.

8vo. I think there is an English translation published two or three years ago; and in the Foreign Quarterly Review, about 1845, may be found an admirable article on the book by Mr. William Macpherson, of the Inner Temple, now Master in Equity at Calcutta. J. C. R.

to me.

Buchan's Ballads (Vol. xii., p. 21.).- Buchan's collection is celebrated by Sir Walter Scott, in his last Introduction to the Border Minstrelsy (Poet. Works, vol. i. p. 87., edit. 1833); a fact which one might have supposed sufficient to make the book known to all persons interested in such literature. The account which Mr. GrundTVIG gives of Mr. Dixon's publication is therefore very surprising But I take the liberty of hinting to MR. GRUNDTVIG, that the Ancient Ballads lie under some suspicion, notwithstanding Scott's opinion in favour of their genuineness. At least I was told soon after the appearance of the work, and in Mr. Buchan's own part of Scotland, that many of the pieces were manufactured by two very young men (both since known for better things), who amused themselves by imposing their productions on that not very critical or judicious editor. Perhaps the mention of this report may draw forth

either a contradiction or a confirmation of it.

J. C. R

Rose's " Biographical Dictionary" (Vol. xi., p. 437.). This book grew out of the Encyclopadia Metropolitana, which Mr. Hugh James Rose undertook to edit after the death of the Rev. E. Smedley. The intention was not to produce an altogether original work, but one mainly founded on the Biographie Universelle and Chalmers. I still possess a paper of instructions drawn up by Mr. Rose for the guidance of contributors. Mr. Henry Rose succeeded his brother in the editorship of the Encyclopædia, and some changes of plan were made as to the Biographical Dictionary. Instead of appearing as a portion of the Encyclopædia, it became an independent work; the size was changed from quarto to large octavo; and, while the bulk of it was still to be executed by contributors who each undertook a certain portion of miscellaneous names, the chief articles in particular classes were committed to writers who were supposed to have a special acquaintance with the subjects. Thus, I remember that the Spanish biographies were to be executed by Dr. Dunham, and the naval by Captain Glascock. do not know how far Mr. Henry Rose carried on his superintendence, nor when the system of contributors was abandoned; but the greater part of the Dictionary was the work of a single writer, the Rev. J. Twycross. J. C. R.

I

Ritual of Holy Confirmation (Vol. xi., pp. 342. 512.). In a sermon preached Sept. 27, 1619, at the first visitation of the then Bishop of Oxford,

Dr. John Howson, by Edward Boughen, his chaplain, the following sentence occurs after a citation from St. Augustine on the use of the sign of the cross in holy confirmation :

"The cross, therefore, upon this or the like consideration, is enjoined to be used in Confirmation in the Book of Common Prayer, set forth and allowed in Edward VI.'s reign. And I find it not at any time revoked: but it is left, as it seems, to the bishop's discretion to use or not to use the cross in confirmation.”.

- P. 11.

Full Fig (Vol. xii., p. 65.). — May not this term, applied to dress, owe its derivation to the costume of fig-leaves adopted by our first parents? The slang character of the phrase inclines me to hazard this conjecture. While I am on the subject of dress I should like to have an explanation of the term "dressed to the nines," common in some parts of the country. J. S. C.

May not this phrase have reference to the original apron of fig-leaves, with which Adam and Eve imperfectly clothed themselves?

ALFRED GATTY.

Pollards (Vol. xii., p. 9.).- Pollards are common in the marshlands of Holland and Flanders.

They are chiefly willows. Other trees are pollarded there to prevent them from overshadowing the fields, and keeping off the sun. Trees are pollarded here for the same ground. Trees are likewise pollarded in the Netherlands, and here to strengthen the trunk, and make earlier and sounder timber. HYDE CLARKE.

Svo. I think there is an English translation published two or three years ago; and in the Foreign Quarterly Review, about 1845, may be found an admirable article on the book by Mr. William Macpherson, of the Inner Temple, now Master in Equity at Calcutta. J. C. R.

to me.

Buchan's Ballads (Vol. xii., p. 21.).. Buchan's collection is celebrated by Sir Walter Scott, in his last Introduction to the Border Minstrelsy (Poet. Works, vol. i. p. 87., edit. 1833); a fact which one might have supposed sufficient to make the book known to all persons interested in such literature. The account which MR. GRUNDTVIG gives of Mr. Dixon's publication is therefore very surprising But I take the liberty of hinting to MB. GRUNDTVIG, that the Ancient Ballads lie under some suspicion, notwithstanding Scott's opinion in favour of their genuineness. At least I was told soon after the appearance of the work, and in Mr. Buchan's own part of Scotland, that many of the pieces were manufactured by two very young men (both since known for better things), who amused themselves by imposing their productions on that not very critical or judicious editor. Perhaps the mention of this report may draw forth

either a contradiction or a confirmation of it.

J. C. R

Rose's "Biographical Dictionary" (Vol. xi., p. 437.). This book grew out of the Encyclopadia Metropolitana, which Mr. Hugh James Rose undertook to edit after the death of the Rev. E. Smedley. The intention was not to produce an altogether original work, but one mainly founded on the Biographie Universelle and Chalmers. I still possess a paper of instructions drawn up by Mr. Rose for the guidance of contributors. Mr. Henry Rose succeeded his brother in the editorship of the Encyclopædia, and some changes of plan were made as to the Biographical Dictionary. Instead of appearing as a portion of the Encyclopadia, it became an independent work; the size was changed from quarto to large octavo; and, while the bulk of it was still to be executed by contributors who each undertook a certain portion of miscellaneous names, the chief articles in particular classes were committed to writers who were supposed to have a special acquaintance with the subjects. Thus, I remember that the Spanish biographies were to be executed by Dr. Dunham, and the naval by Captain Glascock. do not know how far Mr. Henry Rose carried on his superintendence, nor when the system of contributors was abandoned; but the greater part of the Dictionary was the work of a single writer, the Rev. J. Twycross. J. C. R.

I

Ritual of Holy Confirmation (Vol. xi., pp. 342. 512.). In a sermon preached Sept. 27, 1619, at the first visitation of the then Bishop of Oxford,

Dr. John Howson, by Edward Boughen, his chaplain, the following sentence occurs after a citation from St. Augustine on the use of the sign of the cross in holy confirmation:

"The cross, therefore, upon this or the like consideration, is enjoined to be used in Confirmation in the Book of Common Prayer, set forth and allowed in Edward VI.'s reign. And I find it not at any time revoked: but it is left, as it seems, to the bishop's discretion to use or not to

use the cross in confirmation."

- P. 11.

Full Fig (Vol. xii., p. 65.).—May not this term, applied to dress, owe its derivation to the costume of fig-leaves adopted by our first parents? The slang character of the phrase inclines me to hazard this conjecture. While I am on the subject of dress I should like to have an explanation of the term "dressed to the nines," common in some parts of the country. J. S. C.

May not this phrase have reference to the original apron of fig-leaves, with which Adam and Eve imperfectly clothed themselves?

ALFRED GATTY.

Pollards (Vol. xii., p. 9.).- Pollards are common in the marshlands of Holland and Flanders.

They are chiefly willows. Other trees are pollarded there to prevent them from overshadowing the fields, and keeping off the sun. Trees are pollarded here for the same ground. Trees are likewise pollarded in the Netherlands, and here to strengthen the trunk, and make earlier and sounder timber. HYDE CLARKE.