Shoulder Knots and Epaulettes.—What is the origin of the shoulder knot, and its ancient use? Has it and the epaulette a common origin?
Getsrn.
The Yew Tree in Village Churchyards.—Why did our forefathers choose the yew as the inseparable attendant upon the outer state of the churches raised by them? Apart from its grave and sombre appearance, I cannot help recognising a mysterious embodiment of the spirit of evil as the intention of the planters. We know that in all mediæval edifices there is an apparent and discernible endeavour to place in juxta-position the spirits of good and evil, to materialise the idea of an adversative spirit, antagonistic to the church's teachings, and hurtful to her efforts of advancement. I look upon the grotesque cephalic corbels as one modification of this, and would interpret many equally mysterious emblems by referring them to the same actuating desire. Now the yew is certainly the most deadly of indigenous productions, and therefore would be chosen as the representative of a spirit of destruction, the opposite to one that giveth life by its teachings, of which the building itself is the sensible sign. I crave more information from some learned ecclesiologist on the subject, which is certainly a most interesting one.
R. C. Warde.
Kidderminster.
Passage in Tennyson.—
"Or underneath the barren bush,
Flits by the blue seabird of March."
In Memoriam, xc. What bird is meant?
W. T. M.