Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 6.djvu/48

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Bayle points out that Bembo was not a cardinal under Leo X.

For an early instance in English of the story see Jewel's 'Defence of the Apology of the Church of England' (1567), Parker Society's edition of Jewel's Works, part iii. p. 469:—

In the quotation as given from Matthew Henry the Latin is incorrect.

Philippe le Bel, prosecuting the memory of the deceased Pope Bonifatius VIII., found fourteen witnesses to swear that the Pope had said "Quanti profuit nobis hæc fabula de Christo." See my 'Orpheus,' French edition, p. 409.

(11 S. v. 326, 434).—I should very much like to give my variant of "Sour as a wig." Down in South Somerset, in my younger days, "Sour as a grig" was a common expression. A "grig" is the bullace (Prunus spinosa), or better known among the lads of Somerset as the wild plum. "As sour as a grab" (crab-apple) is another Somerset expression. But the superlative absolute of sour is contained in the wild plum, and "As sour as a grig" is, therefore, a peculiarly apt phrase, and one full of expression. I do not know how sour "whig" or "whey" may be, but I do not think it could possibly equal the acidity of a "grig." May I suggest that the Somerset expression is the correct one, and the Wiltshire a bad imitation?

(11 S. v. 447).—The sentence quoted by L. L. K. should have read "Under the present calendar a century cannot begin on a Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday." 1701 began on a Saturday, 1801 on a Thursday. 1901 on a Tuesday, and 2001 will begin on a Monday. After this the days will recur, as the calendar is complete in four centuries, and these contain an exact number of weeks. L. L. K. will find the calendar explained in Bond's 'Handy Book of Dates' or any other work on chronology.

(11 S. v. 449).—I am indebted to a most kind Breton lady, Madame la Générale Lebon, née Le Bris, of Kérozar Castle, near Morlaix (Finistère), for the following translation and comment of the Breton song quoted by A. E. B.:—

The terminative ik is diminutive; delikadd means nimble, slender, light, delicate, and Bretons greatly appreciate that light deportment which they call delikadd. Ru=red, may also be pink, but Bretons also greatly appreciate the red complexion of cheeks. Glaz is blue or green, and the word is also used for the leaves of the trees and the grass, likewise for the waves of the sea which are of both colours, and change from one to the other.

I would render the lines thus:—

I translate koantik by "nice" because I do not know an English diminutive of "nice." Koantik is a diminutive of koant, which comes (like the English "quaint") from the Old French coint (Latin cognitus, in the sense of "familiar").

The charm of these verses lies in the use of the diminutive -ik. Marion-ik is a diminutive of the French Marion, itself a diminutive of Mary; and ros-enn-ik is also a double diminutive of rose. I translate glaz by " blue " by way of compliment, and because of the saying "Black for beauty and blue for love"; but the word means also "green" and "grey," as in Welsh, and, to some extent, in Irish. This Celtic colour-blindness is probably suggested by the variable and marvellous spectacle of the sea.

Master of Garraway's (11 S. iv. 90; v. 397).—That the conjecture of W. S. S. is correct is proved by the following notice, copied from The Gentleman's Magazine for May, 1824: "April 30. Aged 45, Mr. Thomas Benson, Proprietor of Garraway's Coffee-house, 'Change Alley, Cornhill" (vol. xciv. part i. p. 476).

also refers to Garraway's in his reply at 11 S. v. 433.