Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 3.djvu/288

 236

NOTES AND QUERIES, [lo* s. in. MARCH 25, 1905.

peerages and in Burke's ' General Armory,' is that at the end of Fairbairn's 'Book of Crests' (2 vols., Edinburgh, Inglis & Jack, n.d.). There would certainly seem to be room for a new and revised 'Handbook,' to which I would willingly contribute my own manuscript additions to Mr. Elvin's book, made during the last forty years.

Many of the translations, both in Fair- bairn's and Elvin's collections, require con- siderable revision. For instance, Fairbairn's rendering of the Dymoke motto, "Pro rege dimico " with its obvious allusion to the name of the family, as well as to the ancient office of King's Champion held by them is the meaningless sentence "For King Dimicus." Elvin gives the correct rendering, " I fight for the king " ; but he very inadequately trans- lates the Hewett motto, " Ne te qusesiveris extra," by the words, copied from other sources, " Seek nothing beyond your sphere," and illustrates it by the Shakespearian quo- tation, "Let none presume to wear an un- deserved dignity," which has absolutely nothing to do with the sense. The idea is that of Aristotle's self-reliant man avrdpKi^ not needing assistance from others. In its Latin form it occurs in Persius, Satire i. 7, splendidly rendered by Dryden, "Seek not thyself without thyself to find," and is known to readers of Boswell as the handsome com- pliment paid by Dr. Johnson to Goldsmith, when the latter complained of his poor accommodation : " Nay, sir, never mind that. Nil te qusesiveris extra" (Boswell, 'Life,' anno 1780).

I fear I have wandered somewhat from my subject ; but perhaps my garrulousness may serve to show what a really interesting book might be compiled on the apparently dry subject of heraldic mottoes.

J. A. HEWITT, Canon.

The Rectory, Cradock, South Africa.

WEDDING-RING FINGER (10 th S. ii. 508). This ^finger, being used for tasting and touching by the pristine " leeches," was known as "letchman." MEDICULUS.

CHRISTMAS CUSTOM IN SOMERSETSHIRE (10 th S. iii. 86). The paragraph quoted by MR. HARRY HEMS gives but a vague idea of the prevalence of the custom referred to. The burning of the ashen faggot is very common at farmhouses and other residences in Somerset, as well as at inns ; and is usually a feature of family and social gatherings on Christmas Eve. While the faggot burns old songs are sung and old tales are told, for old and young are generally in the happiest of moods on such occasions. In houses where

it is still possible to burn a large faggot on the hearth, the sticks are held together by a chain, but they are also bound round with hazel withes. As the latter snap cups and glasses are refilled, healths are drunk, and there is much fun and merry-making.

In the early part of last century an Ashen Faggot Ball was one of the leading functions of the year in the county town. C. T.

There was a widely spread belief, which survives to a greater extent than is generally known, that the ash was the tree from which the cross upon which our Saviour suffered was made a belief aided, no doubt, by the fact of that wood burning well and slowly in comparison with the wood of other trees. I think that it was also burnt on Good Friday for the same reason. The belief, however, can have no foundation in fact, for our ash- tree does not, and cannot, grow in Arabia and Palestine (' Penny Cyclop.,' x. 454), and it is not at all likely that the wood of the ash was especially imported for the penalty of crucifixion.

The following is quoted in Brand's ' Anti- quities ' from 'Christmas,' a poem by Romaine Joseph Thorn, 1795. The nine bandages seem to have some reference to the binding of the Great Sacrifice :

Thy welcome Eve, lov'd Christmas, now arrived,

The parish bells their tuneful peals resound,

And mirth and gladness every breast pervade.

The pond'rous ashen faggot from the yard

The jolly farmer to his crowded hall

Conveys with speed ; where on the rising flames

(Already fed with store of massy brands)

It blazes soon ; nine bandages it bears.

And as they each disjoin (so custom wills),

A mighty jug of sparkling cyder's brought,

With brandy mixt, to elevate the guests.

J. HOLDEN MACMICHAEL.

CHARLES I. IN SPAIN (10 th S. iii. 48, 131). Try ' The Spanish Match ; or, Charles Stuart at Madrid,' by W. Harrison Ainsworth.

F. E. R. POLLARD-URQUHART.

Castle Pollard, Westmeath.

My suggestion that "D.Antonio el Ingles" might be Archie Armstrong was as bad as it was bold. I have been looking up the subject, and find no reason to suppose that Archibald was a dwarf. ST. S WITHIN.

THE EGYPTIAN HALL, PICCADILLY (10 th S. iii. 163). It was hardly to be expected that MR. W. E. HARLAND-OXLEY'S excellent note would provide a complete list of the enter- tainments at this hall, but he has omitted reference to several noteworthy exhibi- tions ; for example, the Museum Napoleon, 1817 - 19 ; Napoleon's Military Carriage,