Part 5

In the 86th and two following sections of the Second Book of Herodotus is the description of the ancient Egyptian methods of preserving the bodies of the dead. These were more or less embalmed with aromatic spices, according to the condition of the person, and then corned with saltpetre ([Greek: litron], _nitre_) for seventy days; strictly, _salted_. Is it possible that the early Christians, in adopting this practice, may have been influenced by that very obscure passage, Mark ix. 49.: "Every one shall be _salted_ with fire?"

ALFRED GATTY.

The custom of placing a plate of salt on the body of the dead is very general in Wales. I remember, when a child, inquiring the reason of the practice, and being told by an old woman that it was to prevent the body from swelling. My remark, that _any_ weight might answer the same purpose, was met by the reply; "there's no weight so heavy as salt gets when it is on the dead." This proves that some feeling of superstition mingles with the custom. Has not the use of salt in baptism, amongst the Italians &c., come allusion to the banishment of the evil spirit?

SELEUCUS.

_The Word "Repudiate"_ (Vol. iv., p. 54.).--That the use of the word _repudiate_, in the sense of refuse, repel, reject, abandon, disown, cast off, is by no means modern; and that such phrases as "I repudiate the idea," "I repudiate the sentiment," "I repudiate the proposal," are strictly correct, is evident from the use of the word by "standard classical authors" in the original language from which it has come down to us. Sallust, for instance, in his _History of Catiline's Conspiracy_, says that Lentulus advised him to seek assistance everywhere, even amongst the dregs of the populace; asking him at the same time, "Why, since the senate had already adjudged him to be an enemy to the republic, he should _repudiate the slaves_?" i. e., refuse to enrol them in his levies.

"Cum ab senatu hostis judicatus sit, quo consilio _servitia repudiet_?"--_Sall. Cat._ 44.

Cicero, in his Offices, in opposition to the opinion of the peripatetic school, that anger is implanted in us by nature for useful ends, lays it down as a principle, that "on all occasions _anger ought to be repudiated_;" that is, "cast out of the mind," and says that "it is to be wished that persons who are at the head of the state should be like the laws, which inflict punishment not in anger but in justice."

"_Illa_ (iracundia) vero omnibus in rebus _repudianda est_."--_Cic. de Off._ I. xxv. 13.

Cicero knew nothing of the Christian grace of "being angry and sinning, not;" he knew nothing of the severity of love. In another place he tells us that on one occasion Themistocles declared in the Athenian assembly, that he had a plan to propose which would be of great advantage to the state, but ought not to be made public. He was willing, however, to communicate it to any one person whom they might select. Aristides, rightly named the Just, being the person selected, Themistocles disclosed his plan to him: which was, secretly to set fire to the Lacedæmonian fleet in the dockyard of Gytheum, by which means they would effectually crush the power of the Lacedæmonians. Aristides returned to the assembly, and at once declared that Themistocles' plan was certainly very advantageous, but by no means honourable; whereupon the Athenians, rightly considering that what was not attended with honour, could not be attended even with advantage in reality, without hearing another word, "_repudiated the whole affair_;" that is, utterly rejected the proposal.

"Itaque Athenienses, quod honestum non esset, id ne utile quidem putaverunt; _totamque eam rem_, quam ne audierant quidem, auctore Aristide, _repudiaverunt_."--_Cic. de Off._ III. xi. 12.

In a third place, he relates that some persons forged a will of one Minucius Basilus, who had died in Greece; and, in order that they might the more easily obtain their end, put down Marcus Crassus and Quintus Hortensius, two of the most influential men in Rome at that time, as co-legatees with themselves, who although they suspected the will to be forged, yet did not _repudiate the little legacy_ coming to them through other persons' fraud, because forsooth they were not privy to the actual commission of the forgery.

"Qui cum illud falsum esse suspicarentur, sibi autem nullius essent conscii culpæ, alieni facinoris _munusculum non repudiaverunt_."--_Cic. de Off._ III. xviii. 4.

A little further research might easily multiply instances, but I think these are quite sufficient to prove that we moderns are but following the ancients in using the word _repudiate_ without reference to any _obligation_ expressed or implied.

F. F. F.

_Repudiate, Ringlet, Outburst_ (Vol. iv., p. 54.).--Your correspondent H. C. K. has dealt, I fear, somewhat too harshly with "repudiate." Surely "repudiare" is "to reject what one is ashamed of, scorns, or disdains." Two instances immediately suggest themselves in _Cicer. pro Plancio_, 18 (44). 20 (50). In the former--

"Respuerent aures, nemo agnosceret, repudiarent,"

perhaps the word is a gloss upon "respuerunt." The latter, however, is unexceptionable:

"Nunquam enim fere nobilitas, integra præsertim atque innocens, a Populo Romano supplex repudiata fuit."

Why then should "repudiate" necessarily imply the notion of "obligation?" and why should I, if I "repudiate" the criticism of H. C. K., be held to "talk nonsense?"

May I be allowed room for a couple of Queries? 1. Is our modern usage of "ringlet" found before the time of Milton? 2. What is the earliest authority for "outburst?"

CHARLES THIRIOLD.

Cambridge, July 29. 1851.

_On the Letter "v"_ (Vol. iv., p. 55.).--I have read with pleasure the paragraphs in your "NOTES AND QUERIES" on "the letter _v_," and beg space for a further notice, with an especial reference to the patronymic of _Ray_ or _Wray_. One family uses the motto, "Juste et _V_rai," whose name is _Wray_; and another the same motto, whose name is _Ray_. And it will be remembered that John Ray, the naturalist, changed the orthography of his name from _Wray_ to _Ray_, as he concluded it had been formerly written; and in one of the letters published by the Ray Society[9], allusion is made to the adjective or substantive _vrai_, as if that distinguished philosopher and divine had either derived his name thence, or it had the same signification as that French word. Are we then to take this as an instance of the silent _v_ or _double u_ or _v_; and as any proof that families writing their names _Wray_ and _Ray_ were originally of one patronymic and one common root, and that presumptively Norman?

[Footnote 9: Vide the _Correspondence of John Ray_. Edited by Edwin Lankester, M.D. London, 1848, pp. 65, 66.]

Under a separate heading, perhaps you will also indulge me with a Query as to the coat of arms, under the portrait by Bathon, 1760, after W. Hibbart, of Joannes Rajus, A.M., prefixed to Dr. Derham's _Life of John Ray_, published by George Scott, M.A. and F.R.S.: London, 1760. The shield is, gules, on a fesse, between three crescents, three cross crosslets. Is it inferable that that coat was ever borne by patent or admissible prescriptive right, by any of his ancestors? Several families in the north of England, whence his father came, also have registered in respectable armories crescents against their names. The poor origin of John Ray is obviated, in some degree, by what is said in a Life of him, published in _The Portrait Gallery of British Worthies_, by Charles Knight. I suppose he himself used the armorials in question, and was related to the family of nearly the same name, bearing crescents, viz. Reay.

The glasses of some of your correspondents may assist one more shortsighted than themselves.

H. W. G. R., Presbyter,

and Member of the Ray Society.

1. Mead Place, Derby, Aug. 2. 1851.

I beg leave to correct a remark of W. S. W***. as to _Tiverton_, Devon, which was never pronounced _Terton_; it is Twiverton, near Bath, which is pronounced _Twerton_.

S. S.

_"Whig" and "Tory"_ (Vol. iv., p. 57.).--The name "Whig" is derived from the Celtic _ugham_, a sort of large saddle, with bags attached to it, in use among the freebooters of the borders of Scotland: hence those robbers were known to the Highlanders by the name of _Whiggam-more_, or "big-saddle thieves;" and when the Civil War broke out, the Highlanders and Irish, who supported the king, called themselves _a taobh Righ_, _i. e._ "the king's party," and gave the name of _Whiggamore thieves_ to their opponents. _Whiggammore_ and _taobh Righ_ soon became shortened to _Whig_ and _Tory_, and in aftertimes served to distinguish the supporters of the rival houses of Hanover and Stuart. The modern signification of the terms is different, _Whig_ being taken to mean "liberal," and _Tory_ "exclusive."

FRAS. CROSSLEY.

_Planets of the Months_ (Vol. iv., p. 23.).--I do not understand this Query. What is meant by "planets for the months?" There are twelve months, and in common parlance only seven planets. Nor do I see what is meant by "precious stones symbolizing _those_ planets." In heraldry, the arms of sovereigns and royal personages are blazoned by the names of the sun, moon, and planets, for colours, as those of noblemen are by precious stones. If this is what is asked after, the following table will explain it:--

_Colours._ _Pr. Stones._ _Planets._ Or Topaz Sol Argent Pearl Luna Sable Diamond Saturn Gules Ruby Mars Azure Sapphire Jupiter Vert Emerald Venus Purpure Amethyst Mercury

C.

_Baronets of Ireland_ (Vol. iv., p. 44.).--The two following extracts may throw some light upon the origin of the title of baronet. James I. probably adopted this title, which he found to have been so long existing in Ireland, for the new order of nobility he was about to establish. And it should be remembered that the order of baronet was instituted for the purpose of promoting the plantation of Ulster.

The names mentioned in the second extract are probably those of the baronets whom Spenser mentions as being, in existence in his time. There was, thirty years ago, a "Baron of Galtrim;" perhaps there is still.

EUDOX: "You say well, for by the increase of Freeholders, their numbers hereby will be greatly augmented; but how should it passe through the higher house, which still must consiste all of Irish?"

IREN: "Marry, that also may bee redressed by ensample of that which I heard was done in the like case by King Edward III. (as I remember), who being greatly bearded and crossed by the Lords of the cleargie, they being there [_i. e._ in the Parliament of _Ireland_] by reason of the Lords Abbots, and others, too many and too strong for him, so as hee could not for their frowardnesse order and reforme things as hee desired, was advised to direct out his writts to certaine Gentlemen of the best ability and trust, entitling them therein Barons, to serve and sitt as Barons in the next Parlament. By which meanes hee had so many Barons in his Parlament, as were able to weigh down the Cleargie and their friends: the which Barons, they say, were not afterwards Lords, but onely Baronets, as sundry of them doe yet retayne the name."--Spenser's "View of the State of Ireland," in the _Ancient Irish Histories_, Dublin Edition, 1809, pp. 223, 224.

"BARONETS.

"Seint Leger, Baronet of Slemarge, meere Irish. Den, Baronet of Por man ston, waxing Irish. Fitz Gerald, Baronet of Burnchurch. Welleslye, Baronet of Narraghe. [Ancestor of the Duke of Wellington.] Husee, Baronet of Galtrim. S. Michell, Baronet of Reban. Marwarde, Baronet of Scryne. Nangle, Baronet of Navan."

Campion's "Historie of Ireland," written in the yeare 1571, p. 12. (In the _Ancient Irish Histories_, Dublin edition, 1809.)

T. J.

_Hopkins the Witchfinder_ (Vol. ii., pp. 392. 413.).--Your correspondents will find some "curious memoirs" of this person in the _Anthologia Hibernica_ for June, 1793, p. 424. The memoirs are embellished with a plate "correctly copied from an extreme rare print in the collection of J. Bindley, Esq."

R. H.

_Plowden_ (Vol. iv., p. 58.).--From Burke's _Landed Gentry_, 1846, under "Plowden of Plowden" (A.D. 1194), it would appear that Edmund was of Wansted, Hampshire, and ancestor of the Plowdens of Lassam, Hants, and that he "was styled in his will, July 29, 1655, Sir Edmund, lord earl palatine, governor, and captain general, of the province of New Albion." I would suggest to your Transatlantic readers the interest that would be derived from a compilation of surnames in the United States; and in cases where it can be ascertained, the date of introduction, position of first immigrant, ancestry, and descendants. The names and subsequent history of those families who remained loyal during the American Revolution, are worthy of record; most of whom have, I believe, prospered in the world since the confiscation of their property.

The names of the followers of William the Conqueror are often alluded to; but the "comers over" at the conquest of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland are but seldom thought of, though they lend to their descendants' pedigree a degree of historical interest.

A. C.

_As lazy as Ludlam's Dog_ (Vol. i., pp. 382. 475.).--This proverb is to be found in Ray's first edition (1670), and is quoted in a little book entitled _Scarronides, et cet._, a burlesque on the second book of Virgil's _Æneid_. Æneas, reposing on the "toro alto," is likened to "Ludlam's curr, on truckle lolling;" whilst a marginal note says "'Tis a proverb, Ludlam's dog lean'd his head against a wall when he went to bark." Both here and in Ray the name is spelt _Ludl_a_m_.

CRANMORE.

_Pope and Flatman_ (Vol. iv., p. 132.).--The piece quoted by MR. BARTON had long since been pointed out by Warton (_Essay on Pope_), who has also collected many others which Pope _may_ have known and made use of, some which he _must_.

V.

_Spenser's Faerie Queene_ (Vol. iv., p. 133.).--The explanation of the stanza in question would occupy more space than I think you would spare me. It will suffice to note that a very sufficient one will be found in Todd's edition of _Spenser_ (1803) in vol. iii., at the close of canto ix. book ii.; and that the letter of Sir K. Digby is given at full length, before the editor's own commentary and explanation, in that place.

V.

Belgravia.

_Bells in Churches_ (Vol. ii., p. 326.).--In reply to the inquiry whether there is still a law against the use of bells as a summons to divine services, except in churches, which has not been answered, permit me to quote the following sentences from a judgment of Lord Chief Justice Campbell, as reported in the _Times_ of August 14.

"First, with regard to the right of using bells at all. By the common law, churches of every denomination had a full right to use bells, and it was a vulgar error to suppose that there was any distinction at the present time in this respect. At the same time, those bells might undoubtedly be made use of in such a manner as to create a nuisance; and in that case a Protestant church and a Roman Catholic one were equally liable."

The case (Soltan _v._ De Weld) from the judgment in which the above remarks are extracted was tried at the Croydon Assizes, and related to the use of bells by a Romanist community in such a manner as was alleged to be a nuisance.

ARUN.

_Proverb of James I._ (Vol. iv., p. 85.).--The meaning of this proverb will be found in Jamieson's _Scottish Dictionary_, 4to. ed:--To "_cone_" or "_cunne_" thanks, is "to give thanks; to express a sense of obligation; to leave a sense of obligation."

S. WMSON.

Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.

Many of our readers who take an interest in our Anglo-Saxon Language and Literature are aware that an accomplished German scholar, Dr. Pauli, has during a residence of considerable length in this country been devoting his attention to those subjects; and we have just received some of the fruits of his labours in a volume entitled _König Ælfred und seine Stelle in der Geschichte Englands_. It is an interesting contribution to a very important period in the history of this country; and it is the more valuable from the use made in it of the labours of our own distinguished Saxonists, Kemble and Thorpe.

BOOKS RECEIVED.--_Letters on the Evidences, Doctrines, and Duties of the Christian Religion_, by Olinthus Gregory. The words _Ninth Edition_, on the title-page of this new volume, sufficiently attest the value of this addition to Bohn's _Standard Library_.

_The Stranger in London, or Visitor's Companion to the Metropolis and its Environs, with an historical and descriptive Sketch of the Great Exhibition_, by Cyrus Redding. This Guide claims the merit of being "not merely descriptive but pictorial;" and it does well, for its woodcuts form the most valuable portion of the book.

_Address at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Geographical Society_, by Captain W. H. Smyth, R.N., President, &c. This Address give a concise yet most clear view of the progress of Geographical Discovery during the preceding year; and is alike creditable to the learned and gallant Captain and the Society over which he presides.

We desire to direct the attention of our readers, more especially those who are old enough to remember the first appearance the _The Literary Gazette_, to the Testimonial which the friends of the Editor, Mr. Jerdan, propose to present to that gentleman. The names of the Committee, and a statement of the Subscriptions in aid of the object, will be found in our advertising columns.

The Memorial which we mentioned some time since as having been addressed to the master of the Rolls, requesting "that persons who are merely engaged in historical inquiry, antiquarian research, and other literary pursuits connected therewith, should have permission granted them to have access to the Public Records, with the Indices and Calendars, without payment of Fees," has been very favourable responded to by Sir John Romilly; and a meeting of the gentlemen by whom it was signed has been held at the apartments of the Society of Antiquaries, when certain resolutions were agreed to, acknowledging the obligations of antiquarian literature to Sir John Romilly for the arrangements which he has at present determined upon, and for the further increased facilities for consulting the documents in question, which he has promised on the completion of the new Record Office. The thanks of the Meeting were also voted to Mr. Bruce, with whom the movement originated.

Mr. C. Roach Smith has issued proposals for publishing by subscription an Illustrated Catalogue of his Museum of Antiquities, composed principally of remains of the Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Mediæval periods, discovered in the bed of the Thames, and during excavations in London.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.--William Nield's (46. Burlington Arcade) Catalogue No. 6. of Very Cheap Books; W. Brown's (130. and 131. Old Street) List of Theological Books selected from the Library of the late Rev. E. Bickersteth.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE.

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACÆ, by W. Baird, M.D. (Ray Society's Publications.)

Barrington's Edition of THE ANGLO-SAXON VERSION OF OROSIUS, by Alfred the Great. 8vo. London, 1773. (An Imperfect Copy, containing only the Anglo-Saxon, from p. 1. to 242., would be sufficient.)

BRITISH ESSAYISTS, by Chalmers. 45 Vols. Johnson and Co. Vols. VI. VII. VIII. IX. and XXIII.

KNIGHT'S PICTORIAL SHAKSPEARE. Part XXV.

BUDDEN'S LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP MORTON, 1607.

THOMAS LYTE'S ANCIENT BALLADS AND SONGS. 12mo. 1827.

DODWELL (HENRY, M.A.), DISCOURSE PROVING FROM SCRIPTURES THAT THE SOUL IS A PRINCIPLE NATURALLY MORTAL, &c.

REFLECTIONS ON MR. BURCHET'S MEMOIRS; or, Remarks on his Account of Captain Wilmot's Expedition to the West Indies, by Colonel Luke Lillingston, 1704.

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. Vol. I. 1731.

NEW ENGLAND JUDGED, NOT BY MAN'S BUT BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD, &c. By George Bishope. 1661. 4to. Wanted from p. 150. to the end.

REASON AND JUDGMENT, OR SPECIAL REMARQUES OF THE LIFE OF THE RENOWNED DR. SANDERSON, LATE LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN. 1663. Sm. 4to. Wanted from p. 90. to the end.

TRISTRAM SHANDY. 12mo. Tenth Edition. Wanted Vol. VII.

MALLAY, ESSAI SUR LES EGLISES ROMAINES ET BYZANTINES DU PUY DE DOME. 1 Vol. folio. 51 Plates.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE REMAINS OF THE WORSHIP OF PRIAPUS, to which is added a Discourse thereon, as connected with the Mystic Theology of the Ancients. London, 1786. 4to. By R. Payne Knight.

CH. THILLON'S (professor of Halle) NOUVELLE COLLECTION DES APROCRYPHES, AUGMENTÉ, &c., Leipsic, 1832.

SOCIAL STATICS, by Herbert Spencer. 8vo.

THE JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE. The back numbers.

ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA. The part of the 7th edition edited by Prof. Napier, containing the Art. MORTALITY.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON HEALTH AND MORTALITY, by Arthur S. Thomson, M.D. (A Prize Thesis.)

REPORT ON THE BENGAL MILITARY FUND, by F. G. P. Neison. Published in 1849.

THREE REPORTS, by Mr. Griffith Davies, Actuary to the _Guardian_, viz.:

Report on the Bombay Civil Fund, published 1836. ------------ Bengal Medical Retiring Fund, published 1839. ------------ Bengal Military Fund, published 1844.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE MORTALITY AND PHYSICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN, by Mr. Roberton, Surgeon, London, 1827.

[Star symbol] Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, _carriage free_, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

Notices to Correspondents.

_To account for the non-appearance of several letters which have been received, and to prevent others of a like nature from being sent, the Editor begs to state that as it is obviously impossible that well-known controverted points in religion, politics, science &c., can be adequately discussed in a work like "NOTES AND QUERIES," we cannot insert letters which go directly to provoke the discussion of such points. Correspondents from whom they are received, we can only refer to the notorious sources of information; inquirers to whom these are unknown, are probably not in a state to profit by any dispute which they might engender._

J. B. _or_ J. O. (Birmingham). _The Editor believes that the portraits respecting which our correspondent inquires are mere impostures unworthy of notice._

S. P. H. T. _is thanked for his kind reminder. The subject has not been lost sight of; but postponed partly from the pressure of correspondence, and the consequent want of room--partly from want of time. We hope however to take some steps in it before the present volume is completed._

T. LAWRENCE. _The puzzling epitaph forwarded by our correspondent has already been recorded and explained in_ "NOTES AND QUERIES." _See_ Vol. II., pp. 311. 346.

E. H. Y. _The Query was inserted_ Vol. iii., p. 351.; _and the only satisfactory reply received is one not calculated for publication, but shall be forwarded to our correspondent, if he will kindly say how a letter may be addressed to him._

F. R. R._'s Query respecting the "Hanap Cup" has been anticipated in our_ 1st Vol. p. 477., _and replied to at_ p. 492.