—The story of the device of a toad having been introduced into the armorial bearings of the Hungerfords, in memory of the degradation of some member of the family, is, in every way, nonsensical. "Argent, three toads sable" is certainly one of their old quarterings; as may be seen upon one of the monuments in the chapel at Farleigh Castle near Bath. But it was borne by the Hungerfords for a very different reason. Robert, the second Lord, who died A.D. 1459, had married the wealthy heiress of the Cornish family of Botreaux: and this has one of the shields used by her family, being in fact nothing more than an allusion, not uncommon in heraldry, to the name. This was spelled variously, Botreaux or Boterelles: and the device was probably assumed from the similarity of the name of the old French word Botterol, a toad: (see Cotgrave) or the old Latin word Botterella. The marriage with the Botreaux heiress and the assumption of her arms, having taken place many years before any member of the Hungerford family was attainted or executed (as some of them afterwards were), Defoe's story falls to the ground.
I take this opportunity of adding, that, having been for many years a collector of materials for a more methodical and accurate account of the Hungerford family and their property, than has hitherto appeared, and having completed the arrangement of what I have been able to collect, if any of your readers or correspondents should have it in his power to refer me to any sources of illustration, or to inform me of the existence of anything that might throw light on the subject—such as old deeds, seals, wills, entries in parish registers, family portraits, or the like—they would be rendering a kind service.
J. E. JACKSON.
Rectory, Leigh-Delamere, Chippenham.
Miscellaneous.
NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
The Salisbury Volume of the Archæological Institute, which has just been issued, contains some extremely interesting communications, among which we must particularise for its agreeable character Mr. Hunter's Reminiscences of the Topographical Gatherings at Stourhead,—for its learning and originality, Mr. Guest's Memoir on the Early English Settlements in South Britain.[7] Mr. Smirke contributes a valuable notice of the Custumal of Bleadon,—Mr. Newton, Notes on the Sculptures at Wilton,—Mr. Hawkins on The Mints of Wiltshire; and not the least interesting portion of the volume consists of notices respecting Silbury and Avebury, by the late excellent and lamented Dean of Hereford. The volume contains many other instructive memoirs, and is well calculated to advance archæological knowledge.
[7] Mr. Guest's suggestion (p. 30.), that Grimsditch means a boundary, deserves the attention of our correspondents.
The new volume of Bohn's Standard Library is the fourth of Mrs. Foster's excellent translations of Vasari's Lives of the most Eminent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. It contains no fewer than nineteen lives, including, among many whose names are less familiar to English amateurs, those of Sebastian del Piombo, and that admirable scholar of Raphael, whom Shakespeare has helped to immortalise by designating him that "rare Italian master Giulio Romano." All lovers of art are under great obligations to the publisher for placing this translation within their reach.—Mr. Cyrus Redding's History and Description of Modern Wines is the new volume of Bohn's Illustrated Library; and, as the author describes "the art of taking wine" as "the science of exciting agreeable conversation and eliciting brilliant thoughts," and discourses learnedly upon the subject, his book may well find friends.—Lucretius on the Nature of Things, literally translated into English Prose, by the Rev. J. S. Watson, M.A., to which is added the Poetical Version, by J. M. Good, is another volume of Bohn's Classical Library; and the scholarship of Mr. Watson affords a sufficient justification for his prefatory remark, "that he who wishes to know what is in Lucretius without perusing the original, will learn it from this volume with greater certainty than from any other previously offered to the English reader." Every page bears evidence of the pains and ability displayed by Mr. Watson in his endeavour to clothe Lucretius in an English garb.
There is no Query so frequently put and so rarely answered to the satisfaction of the Querist as What is the fare? Walker's Cab Fare and Guide Map of London, in which all the leading streets and thoroughfares are marked off in half-miles, being so small that it may be carried in a pocket-book, yet so distinct as to admit of no doubt, will however put an end to the very unpleasant state of uncertainty and dispute in which all who ride in cabs are apt to find themselves involved.