Minor Queries.
286. Cause of Transparency.
—Seeing through the glass of my window a landscape, and not knowing why I see through the glass, and not through the shutters, I will thank one of your philosophical correspondents to tell me the cause of transparency.
ÆGROTUS.
287. Gold Medal of late Duke of York.
—I have a small gold medal, three-quarter inch in diameter, a head with inscription—
"Fredericus dux Eborac."
and Rev.:
"Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit. Non. Ian. 1827."
Were many such struck at the duke's death, or what is the history of it?
A. A. D.
288. Composition's during the Protectorate.
—Where is there any account or list of these? In Oldfield's History of Wainfleet, p. 12. Appendix, is a "List of Residents in the County of Lincoln who compounded for their Estates during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell;" but he gives no authority or reference. Where can this list be checked, as I suspect an error?
W. H. L.
Fulham.
289. Bristol Tables.
—Upon the pavement in front of the Exchange, Bristol, there are four very handsome bronze tables standing, upon a single pedestal each; the tops circular, about two feet in diameter, with a slightly raised edge round them. It is said that they were presented to the Bristol merchants for them to pay their money upon; but when, or by whom, they were so given, I have not been able to learn. A friend of mine who was lately examining them was told that they were formerly called "Nails," and gave rise to the saying, "Pay down upon the nail:" this I should think must be an error. "Solvere ad unguem" would be found to be older than they are. If any of your correspondents can give me any information respecting them, I shall be obliged.
E. N. W.
Southwark.
290. Macfarlane's Geographical Collection.
—In almost every work treating of the history and topographical antiquities of Scotland, we are referred to Macfarlane's Geographical Collection, preserved in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. This MS., and its author, are very little known, except by name, benorth the Tay, notwithstanding they are so often quoted. I should be glad if any of your correspondents would give me any information regarding the extent of country embraced, i.e. parishes, counties, &c., and if any part of it has been published per se, and when, and where.
ANTIQUARIENSIS.
Inverness.
291. "Acu tinali meridi."
—At the head of an English metrical discourse upon the administration of justice, in a MS. of the fourteenth or fifteenth century, in the Public Library, Cambridge, is placed the following obscure motto, upon which, perhaps, some correspondent can throw light:—
"O judex vi fervida hanc servabis artem,
Acu tinali merida .i. audi alteram partem."
I have not seen the MS., but am told that the correctness of the reading may be depended upon.
C. W. G.
292. Sir Joshua Reynolds.
—Having the early catalogues of the Royal Academy before me, I see that in 1773 and following years, Sir Joshua exhibited twelve or thirteen works. You will find they stand as current Nos. in the list. Can you inform me whether they hung on the line, that is, in the space of privilege, or took their chance with the many? Had they, under his own eye, been grouped together, what a treat it must have been to see them! What an evidence of the industry of the man! Though too late in the day to obtain these details from actual observation, enough may be recorded or remembered through others, to assist in throwing light on the rules and customs of past days, which never can be deficient in interest while they tend to illustrate the habits and character of great men.
You could touch no topic more interesting than this must prove to the increasing curiosity seekers in your useful and amusing repertorium, and your attention to it will be valued by
A LAYMAN.
Athenæum Club.
293. Great Plough at Castor Church.
—Can any of your correspondents give me the history of, or afford me any intelligence about, the large plough which Dibdin, in his Northern Tour, vol. i. p. 44., tells us is about twenty feet in length, and suspended in Castor Church, extending from one transept to the other? In a foot-note on the same church, he speaks of a curious ceremony, as practised there every Palm Sunday, respecting a peculiar tenure. I do not find it referred to in any other account of Castor Church. Bourne, in his Antiquities, vol. i. p. 130., gives the history of it, but says it is practised at Caistor Church in Lincolnshire. Is the doctor right in his statement? I would also be glad to know whether it is still continued at Caistor Church, as some years ago an act was tried for in the House to abolish it.
R. W. ELLIOT.
294. Church of St. Bene't Fink.
—Is there any copy in existence of the inscriptions on the gravestones and monuments of St. Bene't Fink in the City, adjoining the Exchange, and which is now pulled down? If any of your correspondents can direct me to any transcript of them, I shall be much obliged by the communication.
JAS. CROSSLEY.
295. Spectacles, Inscription on a Pair of.
—Will you oblige me by inserting, as soon as possible, the following curious inscription round the rim of a pair of spectacles found in a stone coffin in Ombersley Church, Worcestershire, some years since, when the old church was being pulled down. It is as follows:—
"JOHERHARD MAY: SEEL ERB. PETER CONRAD. WIEGEL."
This occurs on each rim, and I should be glad of an explanation of the words.
J. N. B. (A Subscriber.)
296 Campbell.
—Can any of your readers tell me what he supposes Campbell to mean when he makes the sister, in delivering her curse on her brother, say—
"Go where the havoc of your kerne
Shall float as high as mountain fern!"
Does havoc float? Does mountain fern float? What is the effect of either floating high? The lines are in "The Flower of Love lies Bleeding."
Also can any one say who or what this is?
"Fly, like the moon-eyed herald of dismay
Chac'd on his night-steed by the star of day!"
The lines are near the end of The Pleasures of Hope.
W. W.
Cambridge.
297. Family of Cordeux.
—What is the origin of the name? When was it introduced into England? What are the armorial bearings of the family? What family or families bear gu. three stags' heads, on a chief arg. two griffins' heads erased: Crest, a griffin's head erased? Any information of the Cordeux family more than fifty years ago will confer an obligation on the querist.
W. H. K.
298. Panelling Inscription.
—I have recently discovered, in my investigations for the History and Antiquities of South Lynn, an old building in this town which bears the date 1605 on one of its gables; and in the course of my peregrinations through, I find some old panelling with the date 1676, and the following inscription in old English (large) characters:
"As nothinge is so absolutly blest
But chance may crosse, and make it seeming ill,
So nothinge cane a man so much molest,
But God may chang, and seeing good he will."
It has been suggested to me that these lines form a quotation from some of our English poets; if so, of whom? for it is of great importance to me to know, as it will tend considerably to connect the date with the building; and if the lines can be traced to a writer of the period, it will establish what I require very much, and assist me in my researches.
J. N. C.
299. Infantry Firing.
—Can any of your correspondents refer me to authentic instances of the comparative numbers of rounds of cartridges fired in action, with the number of men killed? I think I have read it in Sir W. Napier's History of the Peninsular War, and also in The Times, but omitted to make a note. I have some recollection of 60,000 rounds beings fired, and only one man killed! and another instance of 80,000, and twenty-five killed! Any remarkable instances of the inefficiency of musketry fire will be acceptable.
H. Y. W. N.