Replies to Minor Queries.

Cabal (Vol. iv., p. 507.).—The two quotations from Hudibras evidently refer to two different meanings of this word Cabal. The first, alluding to the ancient Cabala, or Mysteries, or Secrets, from whence Cabalistic; the second, to its more modern, or political acceptation,—both, however, including the idea of secrecy or privity, as opposed to a general participation of knowledge or purpose. It is the latter application of the word to which the inquiry of E. H. D. D., at p. 443., Vol. iv., refers: and Mr. Kersley's quotation from a book printed in 1655 (p. 139., Vol. v.), proves its usage in this sense at least seven years before Burnet's derivation of the word from the initials of the five chief ministers of Charles II. I do not think that Pepys could use the word Cabal, as applicable to the "king's confidential advisers," several years before Burnet derived it from their initials; the ministers in question having been appointed circa 1670. Burnet's definition was published in 1672, and Pepys was appointed Secretary to the Admiralty in 1673. Blount, in his Glossographia, 3rd edition, 1670, says, "We use to say he is not of our cabal, that is, he is not received into our

council, or is not privy to our secrets." Cole, in his English Dictionary, 1685, defines Cabal, "a secret council:" and Bailey derives Caballer from cabaleur (French), "a party man" and To cabal, from cabaler (French), "to plot together privately, to make parties;" and Cabal, from "a junto, or private council, a particular party, a set, or gang."

I find among my papers a scrap relating to the derivation of the word Whig. I do not know where I took it from; but the origin which it gives to this much-used word is new to me, and may be to some others of your readers also:

"The word Whig was given to the Liberal party in England by the Royalists in Cromwell's days, from the initial letters of their motto, 'We hope in God.'"

P. T.

Stoke Newington.

Portrait of Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough (Vol. v., p. 441.).—There is very fine portrait of Charles Earl of Peterborough (the famous Earl) at Drayton House, in Northamptonshire, the ancient seat of the Mordaunt family, and which is now in the possession of Wm. Bruce Stopford, Esq.

J. B.

A full-length portrait of the Earl of Peterborough, by J. B. Vanloo, is in the collection of the Marquis of Exeter at Burghley. The picture belonged to the father-in-law of the present owner, the late W. S. Poyntz, Esq., of Midgham.

J. P., Jr.

The Word "Oasis" (Vol. v., p. 465.).—I beg to inclose Mr. Temple an instance of the use of the above word in English poetry, it will be found in a poem entitled Hopes of Matrimony, by John Holland, author of Sheffield Park, published by Francis Westley, 1822, and now lies before me.

"Is there a manly bosom can enfold,

A human heart, so withered, dead, and cold,

As not to feel, or never to have felt,

At genial Love's approach, its ices melt?

No—in the desert of the dreariest breast,

Some verdant spot, its presence have contest;

Though parch'd and bloomless, and as wild as bare,

A rill of nature once meander'd there;

E'en where Arabia's arid waste entombs

Whole caravans, the green oasis blooms."

Oăsis will be found also in Lemprière's Classical Dictionary, but not in the same sense as above.

M. C. R.

The word Oasis, about which your correspondent H. L. Temple inquires, is marked in Bailey's edition of Facciolati's Latin Dictionary (in the Appendix) Oăsis, making the a short.

‎

Frightened out of his Seven Senses (Vol. iv., p. 233.).—A passage containing the words "seven senses" occurs in the poem of Taliesin called Y Byd Mawr, or the Macrocosm, of which a translation may be found in vol. xxi. p. 30. of The British Magazine. The writer of the paper in which it is quoted refers also to the Mysterium Magnum of Jacob Boehmen, which teaches "how the soul of man, or his 'inward holy body,' was compounded of the seven properties under the influence of the seven planets:"—

"I will adore my Father,

My God, my Supporter,

Who placed, throughout my head

The soul of my reason,

And made for my perception

My seven faculties,

Of fire, and earth, and water, and air,

And mist, and flowers,

And the southerly wind,

As it were seven senses of reason

For my Father to impel me:

With the first I shall be animated,

With the second I shall touch,

With the third I shall cry out,

With the fourth I shall taste,

With the fifth I shall see,

With the sixth I shall hear,

With the seventh I shall smell;

And I will maintain

That seven skies there are

Over the astrologer's head," &c.

W. Fraser.

Eagles' Feathers (Vol. v., p. 462.).—The author quoted alludes to Pliny, Nat. Hist. b. x. c. 4.:

"Aquilarum pennæ mixtas reliquarum alitum pennas devorant."

The allusion concerning which Arncliffe inquires is explained by the following passage in A Thousand Notable Things of Sundarie Sorts, &c., printed by John Haviland, MDCXXX.

"Æligus writes, that the quilles or pennes of an Eagle, mixt with the quilles or pennes of other Fowles or Birds, doth consume or waste them with their odour, smell or aire."—P. 48.

Edward Peacock, Jun.

Bottesford Moors.

Arms of Thompson (Vol. v., p. 468.).—It may be interesting perhaps to Jaytee to know that I have a book-plate with the arms described: "Per pale, ardent and sable, a fess embattled between three falcons, countercharged, belled or." Underneath is engraved, "William Thompson, of Humbleton, in Yorkshire, Esq., 1708." The crest, a sinister arm in armour, grasping a broken lance, on a torse of the colours.

Spes.

Spick and Span-new (Vol. iii., p. 330.).—In Dutch, spyker means a warehouse, a magazine: and spange (spangle) means anything shining

and thus spick and span-new means, shining new from the warehouse. (See Tooke's Div. of Purley, vol. i. p. 527.) This, with the guesses of Wachter and Ihre, may be seen by your correspondent in Richardson.

Junius Rumours (Vol. v., pp. 125. 159. 474.).—"N. & Q." contains abundant speculation about the "Vellum-bound" to which your correspondent refers (p. 474.). Some persons, I know, consider it doubtful whether the printer did have a copy bound in vellum as Junius directed, and they strengthen their doubts by, as they assert, no such copy having ever been met with. Mr. Cramp, on the contrary, maintains that such copies are so common that the printer must have taken the Junius copy as a pattern. As Mr. Cramp, I observe, is become a correspondent of "N. & Q.," I will take leave to direct his attention to the question asked by V. B. (Vol. iii., p. 262.) Others, again, assuming that the printer did have a copy specially bound for Junius, think it doubtful whether it ever reached him. Of these differences and speculations your correspondent is evidently unaware; and he therefore raises a question as if it were new, which has been under discussion for thirty years. As a set-off, however, he favours us with an entirely original anecdote, so original, that neither the anecdote nor the tea-service were ever heard of by H. S. Woodfall's family. Yet it must be admitted that his story has all the characteristics of authenticity—names, dates, places. I know, indeed, but one objection, viz. that Mr. Woodfall never was "in prison on account of the publication of these redoubtable letters." He was tried, but acquitted, under the somewhat celebrated verdict of "guilty of printing and publishing only."

T. S. W.

Cuddy, the Ass (Vol. v., p. 419.).—Jamieson is sometimes very absurd; but in my edition of his Dictionary (Edinburgh, 1808), I do not find the Hindoo root for cuddy which you attribute to him. I only find: "Cuddie, an ass—probably a cant term;" with a reference to the Lothian dialect.

But if it be worth while to answer such questions, I would remind the inquirer that in Northumberland, and the adjoining districts of Scotland, cuddie is the contraction of the very common name of Cuthbert (teste "Cuddie Headrig"); and that as the ass is called in other districts "Ned" and "Neddy," and in others again "Dick" and "Dicky," so he is called in Northumberland Cuddie by a name familiar in the locality. Everywhere the male is called "Jack," and the female "Jenny;" are these also derived from the Hindoostanee?

The Authorship of the Epigram upon the Letter "H" (Vol. v., p. 258.).—I observe that a controversy has lately been carried on in your columns upon the authorship of the celebrated enigma on the letter H. Permit me, as one well acquainted with the circumstances, to corroborate the statement of E. H. Y. The epigram in question was written at the Deepdene, the seat of the late Thomas Hope, Esq., by Miss Catharine Fanshawe, in the year 1816, as is recorded in the heading of the original MS. of it contained in a contemporary Deepdene Album still existing.

You may rely upon the authenticity of this information, which proceeds from one acquainted with the volume in question and its history.

B. P.

John Rogers, Protomartyr, &c.—The reply to my inquiry, as to the present descendants of this celebrated divine, which appeared in "N. & Q," Vol. v., p. 307., is scarcely sufficient for the genealogical purpose for which I required the information; but I am not the less obliged to E. D. for the attention given to my request; and I should esteem it a favour to be further informed where I could procure a complete genealogical account of the family—to what county the martyr belonged, or if other descendants survive besides those mentioned by E. D.? John Rogers, Gentleman, buried in the nave of St. Sepulchre's Church, London, 1775, was a native of Wales.

I should feel grateful for any information, either in "N. & Q." or directed to me.

Joseph Knight.

Aylestone Hall, Leicestershire.

"Gee-ho" (Vol. ii., p. 500.).—Ge is undoubtedly "go;" and a-hit or hayt (common with waggoners in Notts) is "yate," "gyate," or "gate." Gang your gate.

Twises (Vol. ii., p. 327.).—"Fr. estuy; a sheath case, or box to put things in, and more particularly a case of little instruments, or sizzars, bodkin, penknife, &c., now commonly called ettwee."—Cotgrave. Shenstone enumerates, among the temptations to drain the purse:

"The cloud-wrought canes, the gorgeous snuff-boxes,

The twinkling jewels, the gold etwee,

With all its bright inhabitants."

Economy, Part II.

Ancient Timber Town-halls (Vol. v., pp. 257. 295. 470.).—During a visit to Sudbury in Suffolk in 1828, I was much struck with the old quaint-looking timber building used for corporate purposes, called the Moot Hall; I made a rude pen-and-ink sketch of the principal front. On a subsequent visit I found this building was standing, but that it had ceased to be used, a new town-hall having been erected. Since then I hear that the Moot Hall has been pulled down and its site thrown into the market-place. If I recollect rightly, the principal window of twelve lights was unglazed.

C. H. Cooper.

Johnny Crapaud (Vol. v., p. 439.).—When the French took the city of Aras from the Spaniards, under Louis XIV., after a long and a most desperate siege, it was remembered that Nostradamus had said:

"Les anciens crapauds prendront Sara.

The ancient toads shall Sara take."

This line was then applied to that event in this very roundabout manner. Sara is Aras backward. By the ancient toads were meant the French: as that nation formerly had for its armorial bearings three of those odious reptiles, instead of the three flowers de luce which it now bears. (Seward's Anecdotes, vol. i. p. 78.) Nostradamus died in 1566.

C. B.

Juba Issham (Vol. v., p. 435.).—The signature is two names. The first needs no explanation; Juba, in Cato, is the lover of Marcia: the second may merely mean that the first is assumed, or false. We have such a surname as Isham, but it is spelt with one s only.

C. B.

Optical Phenomenon (Vol. v., p. 441.).—The circumstance mentioned by your correspondent is only one instance of a very familiar fact, that sight is rendered clearer by diminishing the quantity of rays, which might confuse one another. Some for that purpose look between two fingers brought near. Others nearly close their eyes, &c.

C. B.

Bishop of London's House (Vol. v., p. 371.).—In the Wards of London, by H. Thomas, 1828, vol. i. p. 7., we are told that—

"The great fire of London having destroyed the Palace of the Bishop of London, which was near St. Paul's Cathedral, this house [Peter House, which stood on the west side, about the middle of Aldersgate Street] was purchased for the city mansion of the prelates of the diocese, one of whom only resided there, Bishop Henchman, who died there, and was buried at Fulham, A.D. 1675. It was then called London House, and, being subsequently deserted, was let out into private tenements until 1768; when it was entirely destroyed by fire while in the occupation of Mr. Seddon, an upholsterer and cabinet-maker."

A large brick building now covers the site, and retains the name of "London House." It is occupied by Mr. H. Burton, builder.

In the work above quoted I find no mention of a residence of the Bishops of London in Bishopsgate. I therefore conclude that the one I have alluded to, is that respecting which your correspondent wishes to learn.

Tee Bee.

"Inveni Portum" (Vol. v., pp. 10. 64.).—"Actum ne agas" is generally a safe motto, and a particularly safe one when so learned a scholar as Mr. Singer has preceded. However, it may do no harm to mention, that since the Query occurred in the "N. & Q." I have met with two quotations of a very analogous kind.

The first is given as a quotation, and may be found at the end of George Sandys' Divine Poems, 1648,—"Jam tetigi Portum —— valete." The second may be found amongst the Poems of Walter Haddon, and refers to something more ancient still:

"In obitum N. Pointzi Equitis,

Ex Anglico clarissimi viri Th. Henneagii.

Per medios mundi strepitus, cæcosque tumultus,

Turbida transegi tempora, Pointzus eques.

Nullus erat terror, qui pectora frangere posset,

Mens mea perpetuo quod quereretur, erat.

Nunc teneo portum, valeant ludibria mundi,

Vita perennis ave, vita caduca vale."

Rt.

Warmington.

"Cane Decane," &c. (Vol. v., p. 440).—I cannot inform your correspondent who was the author of the punning couplet—

"Cane Decane, canis; sed ne cane, cane Decane,

De cane, de canis, cane Decane, cane."

But I think that he has injured the spirit of the original in his "free translation."

Decanus means a "Dean," not a Deacon: and the word canis, which is both masculine and feminine, was often used by the poets in a metaphorical sense. It seems to me that the author was alluding to some aged dignitary of his day, who had been in the habit of singing songs upon the ladies. I therefore submit to you my more free translation:

"Dean Hoare!

You sung, of yore,

O'er and o'er,

Molly ashore.

Now, shut the door;

And of such lore

Sing no more,

Dean Hoare!"

Bavius.

These lines are cited by Mr. Sandys in the Introduction to his Specimens of Macaronic Poetry, and are there attributed to Professor Porson.

William Bates.

Birmingham.

Fides Carbonarii (Vol. iv., pp. 233. 283.).—In reply to Querist as to this saying, E. H. D. D. states that it originated in an anecdote told by Dr. Milner, or some other controversial writer. A coal-porter being asked what he believed, replied, "What the church believes:" and being asked what the church believed, replied, "What I believe."

Now I find the same meaning given by Henry

de Bellingen, in his Etym. des Prov. Français, printed at the Hague, 1656. His words, as quoted by Leroux de Lincy, are as follow:

"On fait un conte qui a donné l'origine à ce proverbe. Un charbonnier estant enquis par le diable de ce qu'il croyait, luy respondit: 'Toujours je crois ce que l'église croit.' De là est venu que lorsqu'on a voulu marquer qu'un homme avait une foi ferme, mais sans science, on a dit: 'La foi du charbonnier.'"

Also, in P. J. Le Roux's Dictionnaire Comique, 1750:

"La foi du charbonnier. Quand on parle d'une foi implicite, qui fait croire à un Chrétien en général tout ce que l'église croit."

In Landais' Dictionary, 4to.:

"La foi du charbonnier, foi simple et aveugle qui ne raisonne pas."

Philip S. King.

The Book of Jasher (Vol. v., p. 415.).—I have a translation of a work thus named. It was published by Noah and Gould, 144. Nassau Street, New York, 1840. The publisher's preface mentions Illive's work as "a miserable fabrication;" claims, as the original of his own, a book "said to have been discovered in Jerusalem at its capture by Titus," and preserved at Venice, 1613. It also speaks of the "owner and translator" as resident in England. I have a vague idea that I heard from New York, at the time I received my volume, that the Duke of Sussex had possessed a copy of the Book of Jasher, and that some steps had been taken towards the translation by order of His Royal Highness. I mention this merely to lead inquiry: I cannot trust my memory as to the verbal expression of a friend so many years ago.

I have long wished the Book of Jasher to obtain a fair hearing, and a more critical examination than I am qualified to make; and I shall be happy to lend it to your correspondent L. L. L. in furtherance of what I think an act of justice.

F. C. B.

Sites of Buildings mysteriously changed (Vol. v., p. 436.).—Perhaps W. H. K. may deem the following account of the foundation of Bideford Bridge near enough to his purpose:

"Before whose erection the breadth and roughness of the river was such, as it put many in jeopardy: some were drowned, to the great grief of the inhabitants, who did therefore divers times, and in sundry places, begin to build a bridge; but no firm foundation, after often proof being found, their attempts came to no effect. At which time Sir Richard Gornard was priest of the place, who (as the story of that town hath it) was admonished by a vision in his sleep, to set on the foundation of a bridge near a rock, which he should find rowled from the higher grounds upon the strand. This he esteemed but a dream; yet, to second the same with some art, in the morning he found a huge rock there fixed, whose greatness argued it the work of God; which not only bred admiration, but incited him to set forwards so charitable a work: who eftsoons, with Sir Theobald Grenvile, knight, lord of the land, an especial furtherer and benefactor of that work, founded the bridge there, now to be seen, which for length, and number of arches, equalizeth, if not excelleth, all others in England," &c.—Risdon's Survey of Devon, s. v. Bideford.

The traditions relating to St. Cuthbert and the foundation of Durham Cathedral are too well known to find a place in "N. & Q."

J. Sansom.

Wyned (Vol. v., pp. 321. 474.).—Read joined for wyned: "divers parcels of joined waynescott, windowes, and other implements of household," i. e. wainscot of joiner's work. I have no doubt this is the true reading, having once made the very same mistake myself in reading and printing an inventory of this period.

Spes.

Sweet Willy O (Vol. v., p. 466).—This song was written by Garrick for the jubilee in honour of Shakspere, which was held at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1769, and was sung on that occasion by Mrs. Baddeley. It is printed in Shakespeare's garland, 1769; in the Poetical works of David Garrick, 1785; and in the History of Stratford, 1806.

Bolton Corney.