Discursus Modestus (Vol. i., pp. 142. 205.).—Such of your readers as have been making inquiries and suggestions respecting Discursus Modestus will be glad to hear that a copy exists in the British Museum. Its title is as follows:
"A Sparing Discoverie of ovr English Iesuits, and of Fa. Parson's proceedings vnder pretence of promoting the Catholick Faith in England: for a caueat to all true Catholicks, ovr very louing brethren and friends, how they embrace such very uncatholike, though Iesuiticall deseignments. Eccles. 4. Vidi calumnias quæ sub sole geruntur, et lachrymas innocentium, et neminem consolatorem.—Newly imprinted, 1601."
At the end of the Preface are the initials W.W., making it clear that Watson, the author of Important Considerations and the Quodlibets, was the writer, and accounting for the connection which seemed to exist between the Discursus and the Quodlibets.
The two passages quoted by Bishop Andrewes (Resp. ad Apol. pp. 7. 117.) are to be found in p. 13. But the question now arises, from what earlier book the quotations are taken, as they both appear in the Sparing Discovery in Latin, and not in English? Did the Jesuits publish a work containing such statements? or are we to accept them as their opinions only on the authority of so bitter an opponent as Watson?
James Bliss.
"Rapido contrarius orbi" (Vol. ii., p. 120.) is in one of the finest passages in Ovid:
"Nitor in adversum nec me qui cætera vincit
Impetus, et rapido contrarius evehor orbi."
C.B.
"Isabel" and "Elizabeth."—At pages 439. and 488. of Vol. i., "Notes and Queries," are questions and answers on the names of "Isabel" and "Elizabeth."