Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 4.djvu/373

 iis. iv. NOV. 4, mi.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

367

In Farmer and Henley's ' Dictionary of Slang and Colloquial English,' 1820 is given as the date for strip-me-naked as a slang term for gin, and 1830 for stark naked in the same connexion.

ALFRED F. BOBBINS.

[A good deal about slang names for gin will be found at 9 S. vi. 161, 233, 286, 353, 475.]

Qturtas.

WE must request correspondents desiring in- formation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that answers may be sent to them direct.

JACOB BEHMEN. I should be greatly obliged to any one who has made a special study of the works of this great German philosopher and mystic, if he would kindly put himself in communication with me and help to settle a matter of considerable interest I am engaged on a life of Sir Henry Vane the younger, and I have good reason to believe that he was in his religious writings considerably indebted to Behmen. The aid of an expert in deciding this ques- tion would be gratefully accepted and acknowledged by me. JOHN WILLCOCK.

Lerwick, Shetland.

BISHOP ELPHINSTONE'S TOMB. William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdon, founded a University and a collegiate church in Aber- don, a suburb of Aberdeen, about 1500. He died in 1514, and was interred before the altar of the University church. About six years afterwards a splendid tomb was erected over his grave. The principal feature of the tomb was the effigy of the bishop in gilt brass, lying on a black marble slab. At the head, which was probably to the east, there were two candelabra, one on either side, each supported by a cherub. At the sides were twelve accessory figures representing Faith, Hope, Charity, Justice, Prudence, &c., with their dis- tinctive emblems, all in gilt brass. At the Reformation in 1560 service in the church ceased : it was allowed to lie desolate ; and the effigy, candelabra, and accessory figures were stolen and sold. One account says that the figures stood round the slab, and another says they supported it, which seems probable, as the slab is now only a little above the level of the floor.

The church was restored in 1894, but not the tomb. It has now been resolved to restore the tomb also, and 1,600Z. has been

subscribed for the restoration. It being nearly 400 years since the tomb was dese- crated, there is some doubt regarding the probable height of the candelabra and the accessory figures, and the way in which the slab was supported. Suggestions on these points would be thankfully received. Is there anywhere in Britain or on the Con- tinent a similar tomb ? Was it usual about 1520 to inter bishops with the head to the east ? and if so, where can instances be seen ?

JOHN MILNE, LL.D. Aberdeen.

COTTON'S 'ANGLER': ITS MOTTO. Did Charles Cotton compose the lines,

Qui mi hi non credit, faciat licet ipse periclum

Et fuerit scriptis sequior ille meis, which appear on the title-page of part ii. of ' The Complete Angler,' or are they a quotation ? Three well-known living Cam- bridge classics have given up the search.

STAPLETON MARTIN.

The Firs, Norton, Worcester.

MlDHTJBST : ARMS OF THE BOROUGH.

In Dallaway's ' History of the Western Division of the County of Sussex' (1815) the Borough and Manor of Midhurst are stated to have had a common seal, bearing as arms : " Two foresters standing with their bows on either side an oak-tree." I can find no other reference to any arms borne by the Borough, and the Heralds' College has none recorded. Can any one give me information on the subject ?

ERNEST F. Row. The Grammar School, Midhurst.

HULTON ABBEY CARTULARY. I should be glad to know who is the present possessor of the cartulary of Hulton Abbey, which was in private possession some thirty or so years ago. P. M.

MANOR OP MILTON-NEXT-GRAVESEND. This manor, held of the Crown as of the barony of Munchesney as one-fourth of a knight's fee, was acquired in fee simple by Sir Simon Burley, executed on 5 May, 1388, by whose forfeiture it came into the king's hands. On 10 February, 1391/2, it was granted by letters patent, for payment, to the king's half-brother, John Holland, Earl of Huntingdon, and others. Sir Rey- nold Cobham died seised of it on 12 October, 1405, and at his Inq. p.m. it was found that it had been granted to him by the name of Reynold Cobham, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, in exchange for lands in Essex and Middlesex, by John Hadle and Thomasia