Most Obedient & Most
Dutifull Servant

A. CHARLETT.
H. T.

SCOTT'S ANTIQUARY.'-I am at present reading the Waverley Novels with a distant friend on the principle of mutual criticism (by letter). We have just finished the 'Antiquary,' and I do not think I have ever been so much im pressed by the powerful delineation of the leading characters, especially Mr. Oldbuck and Edie Ochiltree, and by the vigour of the romance as a whole. We are both, however, struck by the somewhat morbid episode of Lord Glenallan's unfortunate marriage. Even had matters been as Lord Glenallan thought, this was no reason why he need have considered his entire life as blighted-"blotted out of the book of the living," as he expresses it-by an act which he did in ignorance. Nay, had he even committed it knowingly, he might in time have got over it. Cardinal Newman, I believe, says somewhere that a true penitent never forgives himself, a view which Frederick William Robertson justly characterizes as utterly false. It is remarkable that Scott, who seems to have known Shakespeare almost by heart, did not call to mind the opening lines of the fifth act of the Winter's Tale." No one who has been kind enough to read my numerous notes on, and references to, Scott in N. & Q.' could suppose for a moment that I could speak disrespectfully of one who has been like an intellectual father to me all my life. I should consider myself guilty of something like literary impiety were I to do such a thing. I merely mention it as a singular circumstance that Scott should for once, seemingly with approval, have allowed one of his characters to lapse into a kind of morbid self-consciousness. It was, I fear, really this that poor Lord Glenallan was suffering from-self-consciousness which he himself mistook

for remorse.

Poor old Elspeth's case is not quite the same as Lord Glenallan's. She was suffering from remorse for a deep wrong she had done which she could at any time have remedied, at least to a certain extent, by a confession of the truth to Lord Glenallan, which confession she had not the moral courage to make; but Lord Glenallan's marriage, even had it been as he thought, was irremediable. Amongst my kenλia I have a long article on Scott which I cut out of the Athenæum of 1871 (I have not noted the month), in which the writer

gives it as his opinion that future ages will regard the Waverley Novels as the greatest achievement of English literature, after the dramas of Shakespeare and the poems of Milton. The more I read Scott, the more I feel that this judgment is, on the whole, correct. Without knowing who wrote this article, I have a suspicion that it is by 'N. & Q.''s good friend, Dr. Doran, who was, I believe, a devoted lover of Scott (see N. & Q.,' 5th S. ii. 2).

May I suggest to your readers generally—that is, to those to whom the idea has never occurred, and who, like myself, are, with Milton's pensive student, blest with a large amount of "retired leisure "-that there are few pleasanter and more profitable ways of spending the said leisure than in reading the works of great authors on this principle of mutual "yepistolary correspondensh," as old Edie has it? Readers will, of course, select their authors according to taste, but I think Shakespeare, Molière, and Scott are especially suitable for reading of this kind. Let two book-loving friends who have not already tried it begin forthwith, and I think they will be grateful to me for the suggestion.

Ropley, Alresford.

JONATHAN BOUCHIER.

"DAL TUO STELLATO SOGLIO."-These words are familiar to us as occurring in a famous and popular Italian opera; but it is perhaps not so well known that the phrase comes from one of the Antiphons in the Little Office of the B.V.M., Assumpta est Maria in cœlum: gaudent angeli, laudantes benedicunt Dominum. Maria Virgo assumpta est ad æthereum thalamum, in quo Rex regum stellato sedet solio." Another beautiful idea, of course, is that of representing the B.V.M. (as Mary glorified) with stars forming a radiant crown around her head. A famous instance of this is a Madonna circled with stars by Perugino. These Christian art-forms may or may not have been copied from or influenced by pagan art, but the parallelism in this and other cases of the later classic and of Christian art is remarkable. Except in the Old Testament, the title "Queen of Heaven," Regina Cali, is first found in the writings of St. Augustine's bête noire, the African Neo-Platonist Apuleius, who applies it to Juno, putting the words into the mouth of a suppliant, and the whole prayer is remarkable as showing both the strength and the weakness of the higher and mystical paganism.

As a far more learned man than myself, Mr. Symonds, of Magdalen College, Oxford, has pointed out in his admirable essay on Antinous, originally published in the Cornhill Magazine, the later paganism was essentially syncretist; and thus, for example, the originally ignoble Roman or Italian goddess of trade and barter (venum) was ultimately idealized, and identified in art and worship with

CLERICAL EXPLOSIVES.-Everybody, I take it, feels inclined some time or other to relieve his feelings by a hasty exclamation. French priests are, as is well known, accused of using on these occasions sac à papier, which is quite harmless and yet has a flavour about it of the familiar French oath sacré. In an Italian book by G. Carcano, entitled'Angiola Maria' (ninth edit., Milan, 1873), I find in p. 70 an Italian priest exclaiming "per dincibacco," and I shall be glad if anybody can tell me the meaning of the dinci (per bacco, alone, is a common oath enough), and whether the expression is supposed to be a favourite exclamation with Italian priests. As for English clergymen-I have never heard them charged with using any particular F. CHANCE.

exclamation.

Sydenham Hill,

HUMAN LEATHER.-Some years since the pens of your correspondents were exercised in noting specimens of the above. In connexion with the subject the following "note with a vengeance ought to be permanently recorded, if only as a curiosity.

The Boot and Shoe Trades Journal, in a late number, after stating that for some time past the question of using human skins and converting them into leather has been under consideration in Germany and other countries, and that recent researches show that such skins, if properly dressed, possess excellent wearing qualities, and are said to be unequalled for fine and light goods, further informs us :

"We have seen a pair of shoes made from human skin, and, ghastly as it may seem, we are bound to say they possess many excellent qualities.....A Canadian correspondent forwards some particulars which may be interesting to our readers. Some time ago the civilized world looked aghast at the revelations in regard to the Tewksbury (Mass.) Alms-House horror, when it became known that such ghoulish proceedings as skinning the deceased paupers and converting their skins (black and white) into leather was practised. Now, how many of these people who talked so loud and wrote so deprecatingly of the affair care one iota for the late paupers? Now, could it become custom, the human skin would be likely to form an important item as an article of commerce, and would certainly be a better wearing leather than some now used. The human skin possesses high wearing qualities if properly prepared. Being an almost naked skin, it would not require to undergo the injurious effect of unhairing. However, there would be one serious drawback to its use, viz., that fresh skins could not be obtained unless the battlefield were resorted to. It is well known when animals die from disease, &c., that the skin is somewhat injured by the causes which led to the animal's death, and that to give the best results the animal requires to be bled immediately, so that the skin will be drained of the blood and other impurities. I have seen some shoes made and worn from human skin, and, from

what I have seen and heard about it, it excelled other kinds of light leather. I had a small section of the leather in my possession for some time. In texture it was very soft and pliable, and to some extent resembled dog-skin and kid-skin, not so porous as the dog nor so close as the kid. Not knowing the part from which the piece I had was cut, my description of its texture and appearance may not be altogether correct. The skins of which I speak were surreptitiously obtained, and as surreptitiously tanned in a local tannery, where light skin tanning is far from a success. These conditions appear to prove conclusively that the human skin is superior to all others, particularly if properly experimented upon and brought to its highest degree of perfection in a regular and legitimate way. It could never be anything like a waterproof leather, as it contains more pores and sweat glands than any other skin,”

Thank goodness that last sentence is a relief, and may prevent all but unscrupulous camp followers and others of that ilk from engaging in a new industry when "horrida bella" sweep over the land! The "Tewksbury horror" referred to is unknown to me. Some of your readers may possibly know the details so far as they relate to this subject. The little pathetically business-like touch in the above as to the unhairing is charming, and it is a pleasure to gather that all thinskinned people, such as etymologists, Shakespearian commentators, church choirs, &c., will be spared, as useless for the purpose. I have not the means of reference at hand; but if the following further notes of cases of tanned or otherwise prepared human skins have not already found a restingplace in the pages of 'N. & Q.,' it may be well to embalm them.

Under the ironwork on the door of the church of Copford, Essex, there used to be (perhaps still is) a piece of a kind of parchment-looking material, said to be “the remains of the skins of some Danish robbers who had committed sacrilege," and whose skins, after they were put to death, were nailed there. And in Gordon's 'Grammar of Geography' two human skins, one male and the other female, are referred to as in the University of Leyden, "prepared and tanned like leather, and a pair of shoes made of such leather," a shoe made of the entrails of a man, and another "human skin dressed as parchment"; whilst a letter from French Guiana, recorded in 1859, states that

"an officer of the marine infantry, who commanded the penitentiary of St. Mary à la Comté, lately died of diseases contracted at that insalubrious station. The inventory of the objects he left behind him comprised a very curious cuirass, with straps and other accessories. On examination it proved to be of human skin. A convict had died whose breast was covered with extremely beautiful tattooing. The commandant of the station knew this, and had the man flayed before he was buried. For a moment it was thought that this human relic would have been put up for auction with the officer's other effects; but, fortunately, it occurred to somebody that it was rather too disgusting. It was known that the officer had worn the cuirass several times when fencing with his comrades."

R. W. HACKWOOD.

Queries.

We must request correspondents desiring information on family matters of only private interest, to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that the answers may be addressed to them direct.

"PAKEHA MAORI."-In a recent article on Australian literature high praise was given to a work called Old New Zealand,' by "A Pakeha Maori." That book has been ascribed to "Judge Manning." Is Sir William Manning meant; and, if so, during what part of his life did he reside in New Zealand?

D.

F. N.

The

"JOHN BRIGHT AND NOTES AND QUERIES.'-The Editor of the London [sic] Notes and Queries, in recording the death of John Bright, says he was a not infrequent contributor to our columns, in which he always took a keen interest.' Can any one say how his communications were signed, and what were his chief subjects? I have failed to find anything signed by his name.-ION."

In replying to "Ion" I stated that Mr. Bright's last contribution to N. & Q.' is to be found at 6th S. xii. 12, but was unable to give him any further information, as I only possess copies of the journal during the period of my own contributorship, from 6th S. x. (July-December, 1884) up to the last. It would be interesting to give in N. & Q' all the references to Mr. Bright's communications; and perhaps some one happily possessing back volumes ab initio will favour us with a list. J. B. S. Manchester.

[John Bright's signature in N. & Q.' consisted simply of his initials. As these are given by other contributors, it is difficult to trace his communications. A reply on William Penn, 6th S. i. 157, is from him, as is a second on Dr. John Brown at p. 299 of the same volume.]

ST. JOHN AND ARUNDEL.-Can any of your readers favour me with information relating to St. John, who married one of the daughters of Sir John de Arundel, of Conarton, Knt., by his first wife Elizabeth, daughter, and eventually coheir, of Sir Oliver Carminowe (marriage settlement dated 8 Edward III.)? I cannot ascertain as yet either the Christian name of Sir John Arundel's daughter or that of her husband. They had issue: Oliver St. John, who married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Hugh Luccombe, and died August, 1373; and Henry St. John, who died in 1406.

J. J. H.

HISTORICAL RINGS.-Is there a record in any memoir of two rings belongings to Marie Antoinette-one a ruby, cut in shape of a heart, pierced with a diamond, surmounted by a crown, and round the ring on blue enamel the motto "Je cheris la playe"; the other a table diamond, with a silver fleur de lys on either side? BETA.

WORK ON THE GREAT REVOLUTION.-'A Compleat Collection of all the Reports, Lyes, and Stories which were the Forerunners of the Great Revolution in 1688.' Who is C. D. L., whose initials are prefixed to this book, printed in London, and sold by T. Welford, near St. Paul's, 1732? WOLSELEY.

Ranger's Lodge, Greenwich Park, S.E.

CHRISTOPHER KINGSFIELD, MASON, 1622.Could any of your readers tell me of any sculpture known to be the work of Christopher Kingsfield, a freemason of London in the first half of the seventeenth century? The Account Book of the Merchant Taylors' Company for 1622-3 shows an entry of 131. 6s. 3d. paid to him for making the tomb of Mr. Dowe in the Church of St. Botolph without Aldgate. This monument is now undergoing restoration at the expense of that Company. By the courtesy of Mr. R. L. Hunter I find that C. Kingsfield was a member of the Masons' Company, and probably of some note, although after 1620, when the accounts now extant commence, he does not appear as serving either as master or warden. However, one of his name, Thomas Kingsfield, appears for several years as an auditor, and therefore was presumably a past master; and Christopher himself is mentioned in 1645 as one of the surviving parties to a lease of houses adjoining the H. A. F. CHAMBERS. Masons' Hall.

Merchant Taylors' Hall.

-

JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY.-A friend of mine has medallions of these two noted men, and the set also comprises Fletcher of Madeley and George Whitefield. The medallions are circular, about two inches in diameter, and are stamped out of thin metal and gilded. Each one is surrounded by a metal rim in a black wood or papier-maché frame, such as was much in vogue for miniatures at the end of the last century. On the one of Charles Wesley are the letters "M. and P." They are all doubtless the work of one die-sinker. They are beautiful medallions, very well cut, and the likenesses are good. Can any reader of 'N. & Q.' give the name of the die-sinker of the medallions, or of the publisher of them? ION. Birmingham, RIGGS. Francis Riggs, of Colvert County, Maryland, son of John Riggs, of Southampton, merchant, arrived in Maryland before 1663, and acquired extensive estates, dying in 1667, when his estates in the province were claimed by his first cousin and nearest of kin in Maryland, Joseph Riggs, a native of Fareham, Hants, son of Francis Riggs, of Southampton, who had settled in Virginia. The claim was allowed, the facts as above set forth having been proved to the satisfaction of the High Provincial Court; and Joseph Riggs established himself in Colvert County, where he died in 1671. The brothers Francis and John Riggs were, I think, the sons of Rafe and Mary (Blake) Riggs, who are mentioned in Berry's Hampshire Pedigrees,' as it appears by the wills of two members of the family that the former had a son Joseph, and the latter a son John, who were of an age, and making their identity with the cousins in Maryland quite possible. If any of your readers have any evidence that will further establish this point I shall be glad to hear of it.

In 1716 a John Reggs, styled gentleman, was living in Ann Arundel County, Maryland, where he married in 1720 and died in 1762, aged seventyfive years. I have not been able to establish his descent from Joseph Riggs of Colvert County, who, though not proved to have died without issue, in his will (1671) only mentions his wife. If any of your readers can communicate any evidence that

Annapolis, Ind.

HERALDIC.-Can any one kindly say who bore the following, which I find on a portrait of a gentleman in costume temp. Charles I.? Arg., a fess gu., in chief two nags' heads couped sa.; and in base, a bugle-horn of the last, garnished gold and stringed of the second. Some of the tinctures are very hard to make out on account of the picture wanting cleaning, but I think I have blazoned it as given. I have referred to Papworth and all the well-known authorities, but without success. A. VICARS.

SILK.-What is the etymology of this word? We find the forms O.E. seolc, Icel. silki, Russ. shelku, all usually derived from Lat. sericum. What is the relation of the three lk forms to one another? No doubt one of them-the English, or the Icelandic, or the Russian-may have been derived directly from the Latin. But which? On the one hand I do not remember any analogy in English for lk=rk, and therefore for seolc=sericum; and, on the other hand, Miklosich, the learned Slavonic scholar, holds that shelku was not derived directly from the Latin, but from one of the Scandinavian languages. Along what route did the word sericum in this new form travel into Northern Europe?

Oxford.

A. L. MAYHEW.