was by the row of villas that fronted the bay, and, I heard afterwards, had come about a mile along the road that runs round the southern angle of the bay. On reaching the usual bathing-place, a circle was formed, and the principal performers were enclosed in it. After a time the young man was led out by another, who had undressed himself, and bathed in the sea; after which they were again received into the circle, and in a few moments a loud shout proclaimed that the " 'mystery' proceeding successfully; and as soon as the man who had bathed the boy was dressed, the crowd set forward into the village with loud shouts, the two men leading the naked youth as before, and the man with the saw and hatchet following. I endeavoured to find out what was the meaning of such an extraordinary exhibition, but in vain: all that I could discover was, that it was in some way connected with the worship of Priapus, while I was strictly cautioned not to ask questions about it. A sort of horror seemed to hang over everything until the bathing ceremony was completed; and every one, particularly the women, appeared anxious to keep out of the line of procession, till the shouts announced that all was well, when all the "rabble rout," both male and female, of the village seemed flocking about them, and for some time the shouts of the mob could be heard as they passed up the village street. About two years afterwards I witnessed a precisely similar performance; and when I anxiously inquired into the meaning of it, was refused all information, and cautioned most earnestly not to inquire. When the boy was received into the circle, after his bath, some ceremony was gone through, in which the hatchet and saw were used; but this was strictly guarded from the observation of the "profane." Have any of your readers witnessed a similar occurrence, and can any one give more information about it? GERAINT MAB ERBIN. Archbishop Leighton, in his Twelfth Sermon, The Believer a Hero, when speaking of our joicing with trembling," adds: re needle touched with the loadstone, looks straight and "The heart, touched by the Spirit of God, as the speedily to God, yet still with trembling, being filled with holy fear." plagiarism, as in this case the remark in the Critic The poetess is, probably, not to be accused of may be applicable, that "two people have happened to hit on the same thought:" Leighton may have made use of it first. Some of your correspondents can tell me whether any earlier writer Who is the than the archbishop may not also have employed this beautiful simile? J. H. M. "Nobilis antiquo veniens de germine patrum, Sed magis in Christo nobilior merito?" I think it is part of an epitaph. K. P. D. E. Volume of French Poetry.-Many years since I saw, in the possession of a distinguished miniature painter, a duodecimo volume of French poetry, in which were vignettes. One of them represented the "Infant Academy," attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds. As the date of the book was long anterior to the exhibition of that picture, I should be obliged to any of your correspondents to inform me of the title and date of the book; and if there are any variations in the composition. ÆGROTUS. Mr. Hamilton's entertaining narrative of A Visit to the Danish Isles; while one cannot but recollect the anecdote which attributes to Linnæus the enthusiastic act of falling on his face and thanking God, who had permitted him to see so glorious a sight as a plot of "yellow-blossomed" furze in England. The question is this, Does the Scandinavian Flora present such a difference on the soil on either side of the Sound, that the Ulex Europeus abounds in Denmark, while it is unknown in Sweden, the native country of the celebrated botanist above named? D. Duke of Orleans (Vol. vi., p. 57.). - Like King John, the Duke of Orleans appears to have been confined in several places. In addition to those named in Nicolas' Agincourt, Pontefract is named by Henry V. (History of England and France, "House of Lancaster," 1852.) Nicolas has, "It is said that Sir R. Waller took him prisoner;" but whence comes the statement in Lower's Curiosities of Heraldry, p. 173., of the twenty-nine years' captivity at Groombridge, arms at Speldhurst, &c. ? A. C. Ferdinando Conde D'Adda. — Señ. D'Adda, as he was generally styled, was accredited to the Court of England as Papal Nuncio, and publicly received as such by King James II. at Windsor, July 3, 1687, and had been consecrated Archbishop of Amasia, in partibus, in May preceding, in the chapel at St. James's Palace, by Bishop Leyburn, assisted by two Irish prelates. Query, Who were they? Count Adda made his escape from England on the breaking out of the revolution in December of the following year, in the train of the Duke of Savoy's ambassador, and I possess no further information about him. I wish therefore to ascertain the period and place of his decease, with any particulars of his previous and subsequent history. Wuzzeerabad. A. S. A. - Queen Marie de Conci, Widow of Alexander II. ried secondly John of Acre, son of the King of King of Scots. This lady is stated to have marJerusalem. Is the date of this marriage recorded, band, and whether they had any family? Was or what became subsequently of her and her husthis John, son of John de Brienne, King of Je rusalem, 1210, and Emperor of Constantinople, 1228, till his death, 1237? For if so, why did not he, and not his sister Violante, inherit the claims to the titular dignity of Jerusalem? John of Acre must have been alive long after that crown was assumed by the Emperor Frederic II. in right of his wife Queen Violante. A. S. A. Wuzzeerabad. Milan.-The German name for this town is is probably a corruption of Mediolanum, the Ro"Mailand," which means "Land of May." This man name; or possibly the ancient Germans had given "Mailand" or some name of the sort to this town previously to the possession of it by the Romans, and they, on coming into possession of it, much the same way as the native name of the Latinised the native name into Mediolanum in place now called London, which was Lundyn, was Latinised by its conquerors into Londinium. My Query is, What is the derivation of the English and Italian names for the town, viz., Milan and Milano? Is it a corruption of the Roman, or the still more ancient name, if any existed? It does not appear to me to bear much similarity to the name Mediolanum. ARTHUR C. WILSON. Author of the Gradus.-I have very often heard it asked, and wished myself to know, who was the mysterious Jesuit who wrote that well-known school book, the Gradus ad Parnassum. The authorship of this book is, as all know who have availed themselves of its aid, ascribed on the title-page thus: "Ab uno e Societate Jesu." Perhaps "N. & Q." can throw some light on the subject; for it is only by reminding some of its learned correspondents of these subjects that we (I mean those who, like myself, do not know how to set about the solution) can hope to be enlightened. ARTHUR C. WILSON. Mutability of the Substance of the Human Body. -In Cowley's Poems are the following ingenious lines, part of a short piece entitled "Inconstancy:" "Five years ago (says Story) I lov'd you, For which you call me most Inconstant now; No flesh is now the same 'twas then in me," &c. Vol. ii. p. 14. edit. 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1806. On turning to a little volume entitled ElectricalPsychology, by Dr. Darling, the electro-biological lecturer, I find the following statements: "Our bodies are continually wasting away, and by food and drink are continually repaired. We lose the fleshly particles of our bodies about once a year, and the bones in about seven years. Hence, in seven years we have possessed seven bodies of flesh and blood, and one frame of bones. We have not now, in all probability, a particle of flesh and bones we had seven years ago."-P. 60. edit. 1851. Where is this interesting question best discussed: and what term of years is most generally believed to be the period in which a total change of bodily substance takes place? Any information upon this subject will be very acceptable. a W. SPARROW SIMPSON, B.A. Beech Tree never struck by Lightning.—I have heard it frequently and confidently asserted that beech tree is never struck by lightning; and therefore, if a beech tree be at hand, I may securely take refuge under it, if unexpectedly overtaken by a thunderstorm. But I wish, first of all, to ascertain the truth of the assertion. If indeed it be true, how is the fact to be accounted for ? TITYRUS. Derivation of Knightsbridge.—I should be greatly obliged by a correct derivation of this name. I do not know the chronicler from whom Mr. Walcott's note, as to its crigin, is derived; but from its composition, I think dates are against him. In a charter of the twelfth century, it is called Knyghtsbrygg. I am aware of the traditional account, and its truth or not is worth testing now "N. & Q." is in existence. An allusion to a place called "Spring Gardens" appears in No. 134. Will the owner of the MS. mentioned explain that Note? Spring Gardens stood on the site of the present William Street. Can any reader of " N. & Q." give me a copy of a song, relating to and sung by the Knightsbridge Volunteers? The burden of the chorus was: "Then with Major Ayres we'll go, my boys, Then with Major Ayres we'll go." The Major was their commander; and from their allusions to the leading men in the regiment, they are interesting to Knightsbridgites. H. G. D. Minor Queries Answered. Henrie Smith. I have in my possession the following sermons by one Henrie Smith. Can you or any of your correspondents inform me who he was, or refer me to any work containing a biographical notice of him and his writings? The Benefite of Contentation, by H. Smith, taken by Characterie, and examined after. (Black letter.) London, 1590. The Examination of Usury, in two Sermons. London, 1591. The Affinitie of the Faithfull; being a verie Godlie and Fruitful Sermon, made upon part of the Eighth Chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, by Henrie Smith, 1591. The Christian Sacrifice. Seene and allowed. 1591. A Fruitfull Sermon, upon part of the 5th chapter of the 1st Epist. of Paul to the Thessalonians, by Henrie Smith, 1591. Three Prayers, a Godly Letter to a Sicke Freend, &c., by Henrie Smith, 1591. A Treatise of the Lord's Supper, in Two Sermons, 1591. Seven Godly and Learned Sermons upon Seven divers Texts of Scripture, perused by the author before his death, by Henrie Smith, 1591. The Wedding Garment, by Henrie Smith, 1591. G. R. VINE. Portsmouth. [Henry Smith was one of the most popular preachers of his age. He was born at Withcock, in Leicestershire, and, after pursuing his studies at Oxford, became lecturer at the church of St. Clement Danes, Strand. Wood (Athena Oxon., vol. i. p. 603., Bliss) says, that he was "in great renown among men in 1593," in Smith's Sermons, togewhich year he thinks he died. ther with other his learned Treatises, were published in 1675 in 4to., to which Fuller prefixed a Life of the Author. That Wood has dated the death of Henry Smith somewhat after its occurrence is proved by the which is not only curious on account of the source following Encomium Henrici Smithi, by Thomas Nash, whence it is derived, but as referring to metrical compositions nowhere to be found. Speaking of the superiority of those preachers whose minds are imbued with poetical feeling "over those dulheaded divines who deem it no more cunning to write an exquisite poem, than to preach pure Calvin, or distil the juice of a commentary into a quarto sermon," Nash exclaims, "Silver-tongu'd Smith, whose well tun'd stile hath made thy death the generall teares of the Muses, queintlie couldst thou deuise heauenly ditties to Apolloe's lute, and teach stately verse to trip it as smoothly, as if Ovid and thou had but one soule. Hence along did it proceede, that thou wert such a plausible pulpitman; before thou entredst into the wonderfull waies of theologie, thou refinedst, preparedst, and purifiedst thy wings with sweete poetrie. If a simple man's censure may be admitted to speake in such an open theater of opinions, I neuer saw aboundant reading better mixt with delight, or sentences which no man can challenge of prophane affectation sounding more melodious to the eare, or piercing more deep to the heart." Piers Penilesse: his Supplication to the Diuell, from whence this extract is taken, was entered in the Stationers' registers for Richard Jones, on the 8th of Aug. 1592, being licensed by the archbishop. For a list of Smith's Sermons and Treatises, see Watt's Bibliotheca Britannica.] the sentence pronounced; also date and place of his [Dr. Thomas Watson was born at Kingston-upon Hull, entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1655, elected Fellow in 1660, took his degree of D.D. in 1675, and was consecrated Bishop of St. David's on June 26, 1687. He had an estate at Burrow Green in Cambridgeshire, where he resided at the time of the Revolution. Dr. Watson was deprived in 1699 by Archbishop Tenison for simony, whose sentence was afterwards confirmed by the Court of Delegates, and eventually by the House of Lords. See Birch's Life of Tillotson, p. 230. edit. 1753; and Wood's Athena Oxon., vol. iv. p. 870., Bliss.] Thomas Stanley, Bishop of Man, 1510.-There seems to be great uncertainty respecting those who filled this insular diocese during the first half of the sixteenth century. Bishop Stanley is said to have been "deprived by Queen Mary," but afterwards restored on accession of Queen Elizabeth, and died in 1570. While R. Farrer is made Bishop of Man, 1548, and translated the same year to St. David's, and H. Man is called Bishop of Man, 1546, till death in 1556, how can these dates be reconciled? And also Bishop Stanley's death as taking place at the unusually long period of J. M. Turner, Fourth Bishop of Calcutta, 1829 sixty years from his first appointment to the epis-1831.- Place and date of birth, parentage, and copacy, which would make him upwards of ninety years of age, at the lowest estimation of the canonical age of thirty years for a bishop on consecration? I offer these Queries to you for elucidation, if such is possible at this day. A. S. A. Wuzzeerabad, in the Punjaub. [We suspect our correspondent has been misled by Le Neve, who, though generally correct, in this instance contradicts himself. From a MS. of Bishop Hildesley's in the British Museum, Sloane Collection, No. 4828, we learn that "Thomas Stanley, 1542, in his time, by statute Henry VIII., the new erected See of Chester and Bishopric of Man were dissevered from Canterbury's jurisdiction, and annexed to York. But Bishop Stanley, not complying with Henry VIII.'s measures, was deprived anno 1545, and was succeeded by R. Farrer, translated to St. David's. Henry Man appointed 1546: upon his death Stanley, who had been deprived by Henry VIII., was restored by Queen Mary, 1556; he died 1568." Or, to give a tabular view of these statements, it appears that In the reign of Henry VIII., Stanley was Bishop of Man was deprived by Henry A. D. 1542 1545 Bishop Farrer translated the same year to St. David's. university? Wuzzeerabad, A. S. A. [Dr. Turner was a native of Oxford, where his father died while he was young, leaving a family but ill provided for. He was entered by his friends as a scholar of Christ Church, and at the examinations in 1804 was placed in the first class. He took his degree of M. A. Dec. 3, 1807; and D.D. by diploma, March 26, 1829, soon after he was appointed Bishop of Calcutta. Immediately after taking his degree of B.A., Dr. Turner became private tutor in the Marquis of Donegal's family, and was afterwards at Eton for many years with Lord Belfast, Lord Chichester, and Lord Castlereagh. In 1823, he was presented to the vicarage of Abingdon, whence he removed in 1824 to the rectory of Wilmslow in Cheshire. On settling there, he married Miss Robertson, sister-in-law to the present Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1829 he was consecrated Bishop of Calcutta, and died at his episcopal residence, Chowringhee, July 7, 1831. An interesting account of this amiable prelate will be found in The Christian Observer for 1831 and 1832, and in Archdeacon Corrie's Funeral Sermon.] S. Gobat, Bishop in Jerusalem, notices of him and his antecedents? Wuzzeerabad. 1846.- Any A. S. A. [Bishop Gobat is a native of Switzerland, and received his missionary education, first at Basle, and subsequently at the Church Missionary Institution at Islington. He was appointed Vice-principal of the Protestant College at Malta, and laboured for some time as missionary in Abyssinia, Syria, and Egypt, under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society. On the death of Bishop Alexander, the King of Prussia nominated M. Gobat as his successor, and he was consecrated at Lambeth on July 5, 1846, as " Bishop of the United Church of England and Ireland at Jerusalem," by his Grace the Primate, assisted by the Bishops of London, Calcutta, and Lichfield. Many documents relating to this appointment, as well as to the decease of Bishop Alexander, will be found in The Jewish Intelligence for 1846, vol. xii.] Distemper.-Why is the word distemper applied to a process of colour-compounding? ARTHUR C. WILSON. [Richardson says, " Distemper, in painting, appears originally to have been applied, when the simple temperature, or admixture of colours with water (for limning), or with oil (for oil-painting), was altered by the substitution of one or more ingredients; as of size, to render the whole composition more adhesive, of galls for marbling paper," &c.] Wright's Louthiana.—I have lately purchased a copy of this work, “the Second Edition revised and corrected, with some few additions by the author," 4to., London, 1758, dedicated "to the Right Honourable James, Earl of Clanbrassele;" after which follows "the Preface." On comparing my edition with that of 1748, also 4to., I find that this is dedicated "to the Right Honourable James, Lord Viscount Limerick;" and has, besides the Preface, "a List of Subscribers' Names," occupy ing two leaves, which my edition wants. Can any one tell me why the "List" is omitted in my edition, or is it an imperfection in my copy? R. H. [We presume that the second edition was not published by subscription: and therefore, although it was perfectly right to insert the List of Subscribers in the first edition, it was obviously unnecessary to repeat it in any subsequent ones.] Replies. GOVERNMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER'S. (Vol. vi., p. 87.) I am much obliged to W. W., La Valette, for his kind communication respecting the govern ment of this island; from which it appears that it belonged to France till 1653; then to the Knights of Malta till 1673, when it was again made over to France. Singular to say, the document in my hands distinctly refers to the King of England as its master in 1662. There can be no doubt of the authenticity of the letter in question. It formed one of a bundle of family papers, consisting of a correspondence between Fairfax and his cousin James Chaloner, letters of Monk, Charlotte Countess of Derby, &c.; and though the writing is in a different hand (apparently that of a secretary), it is evidently no less ancient. The following quotations may, perhaps, enable W. W. to throw some light on the subject: "St. Christopher's, Sept. 7th, 1662. "SIR,I have received information from severall hands, yt you surprised a small vessell wth 22 persons, as also others y by a storm was forced upon your shore, made prize of by you. And not onely soe, but you designe his sacred Mats of Englands subiects and leidg people to perpetuall servitude. . . . which strikes me into admiration how you dare doe things of this nature soe much agst the law of nationes, civility, and humanity. If your commands be from your master ye States-Generall, then I shall acquainte our dread Sovereigne Lord y King thereof." The letter goes on to exhort the Governor of St. Martin's to restore those whom he had seized to the messengers sent by the writer. Surely this must prove that St. Christopher belonged to England, and St. Martin's to the Dutch, during the period in which W. W. attributes them to the Knights of Malta? The Governor of St. Christopher must also have been an Englishman, of my letter to ye Governor of St. Martin's." The endorsing his private papers in English, "A coppie families to whom the other letters in the packet belonged, and to whom there is every probability he was allied, were Fairfax, Chaloner, Norton, Cobbe, and Godolphin. letter to W. W. if he desires it. May I ask, What I shall be happy to send a complete copy of the is the Chronology of St. Christopher, to which he refers ? URSULA. ON THE WORLD LASTING SIX THOUSAND YEARS. (Vol. vi., p. 37.) One of your correspondents in Number 141. of the "N. & Q.," who signs himself A. A. D., wishes to know where the opinion that the world was to last for 6000 years originated, and also whether any modern divines have adopted it. The last question I think I may positively answer in the affirmative. At least the opinion has been adopted by the Rev. J. W. Brooks, Vicar of St. Mary's, Nottingham, a prophetical writer, "multi nominis;" by the Rev. E. B. Elliott, the learned author of the Hora Apocalyptica; by the Rev. T. R. Birks, author of Elements of Prophecy, a work highly commended by Archdeacon Browne; and, doubtless, by many more. The last-named writer calls it "an opinion that commends itself to our Brooks inform us that this opinion was very minds by its simplicity." Mr. Elliott and Mr. generally held by the Jews, the primitive fathers, and the reformers. And Mr. E. names two re formers, Osiander and Melancthon, who held it; and they distinctly call it the tradition or opinion of Elias; "dictum Eliæ," says Melancthon. Then with regard to its origin: it originated not with Elijah, the eminent prophet of the Lord, but, as Messrs. Elliott and Brooks inform us, with Elias, an eminent rabbi, who lived before the birth of Christ. And hence it is called "A tradition of the house of Elias." It may not be amiss also just to add, that Mr. Clinton, in his learned work on chronology, makes |
