Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 8.djvu/40

 NOTES AND QUERIES. [ii s. vn. JAN. n, 1913.

<lays of British Christianity it was quite a common practice to give Bible names to converts on their baptism ? Consequently we find that in Wales proper and in West Wales such names as Matthew, David, John (Jones), Paul, Peter, and others, with variations of spelling, have been very usual ; and that many of them exist at the present day. It is not at all necessary to look to the Continent for the early generations of &, family with any of the above surnames. A similar custom holds in India among the native Christians. FRANK PENNY,

ZODIAC OF TEN SIGNS (11 S. vi. 309). What degree of credit may be due to the names of H. P. Blavatsky and Eliphaz Levi in a question of the history of astronomical science I do not know, but as no evidence has so far been produced in ' N. & Q.' to support the view that a zodiac of ten signs was in use before the zodiac of twelve signs, it seems worth suggesting that it may be based on the statements of certain Latin writers that the Roman year in early times was one of ten months. The best known, though not the most important, passages where this system is mentioned are in Ovid,

such statements have been regarded by scholars with very great suspicion, and supposed to rest on a misunderstand- ing among the ancient authors. See Dr. O. F. Unger in vol. i. pp. 784 ff. of the second edition of Iwan Miiller's ' Handbuch der klassischen Altertums - Wissenschaft ' {Munich, 1892), and Dr. J. S. Reid under
 * Fasti,' i. 27 sqq., and iii. 99 sqq. Recently

panion to Latin Studies ' (Cambridge, 1910).
 * Chronology ' in J. E. Sandys's ' A Com-

REFERENCES WANTED (11 S. vi. 309, 434). 3. Epitaphs. An interesting little book that might be mentioned in addition to the titles given at the latter reference is ' Roman Sepulchral Inscriptions: their Relation to Archaeology, Language, and Religion,' by John Kenrick, M.A., F.S.A. It was pub- lished at London (John Russell Smith) and York (R. Sunter, and H. Sotheran), 1858. EDWARD BENSLY.

HYMN BY GLADSTONE (11 S. vi. 449). In addition to the translations mentioned in the query as Gladstone's only efforts at hymn- writing, there is a translation by him into Latin of the hymn " Art thou weary ? " It begins " Scis te lassum," and was published in The Contemporary Review for December, 1875. At the time when it was published, Gladstone was in retirement, and had announced his intention of not resuming the

leadership of his party. With reference to this announcement, the English hymn was amusingly, if somewhat profanely, parodied as a skit upon Gladstone perhaps in Truth,- but I regret that I cannot give the reference. EDITH MAYNE.

EXCISEMAN GILL (11 S. vi. 490). An old inhabitant told me many years ago that the " Riding Officer Gill of Folkestone was supposed to be the original Exciseman Gill ; his son was a surgeon " ; but from the following extract from Seymour's ' Survey of Kent,' published 1776, it would appear that Gill was doctor and custom-house officer combined :

" Dr. Gill has laid out his garden in a pretty whimsical state .... This gentleman, who is one of the officers of Customs, deserves, by his un- wearied zeal in the execution of his duty, some favour of the Honourable Board. He is also a man of great skill and knowledge in his profession."

In 1711 there was a Lytcott Gill, an apothecary, who became a freeman of Folkestone, 18 Aug., 1712, on payment of 5/. He was buried 27 Jan., 1771, aged 86.

In 1777 John Gill was riding officer at a salary of 601. Licence to marry, dated 29 Aug., 1780, was issued to John Gill, bachelor, and Margaret Minter, a minor, with parents' consent. Witnesses, Michael Minter and John Gill.

In 1792 I find under ' Physic ' John Gill, surgeon, and in a general list John Gill, riding officer, both freemen.

In 1806 John Gill is Mayor of Folkestone, and in 1844 John Gill, the oldest member of the Corporation, is buried, aged 83 ; he died at Sandgate. R. J. FYNMOBE.

CAMPDEN HOUSE (11 S. vi. 468). With reference to MB. JAMES'S inquiry, J may say that my mother was educated at Great Campden House, and I have an old number (undated) of The Sunday at Home containing a description of the house and school. The house was built about 1612, and burnt down on 23 March, 1863. The article contains two illustrations one of the house, which repre- sents a mansion fronting a spacious lawn. There is nothing to indicate High Street (or Church Street), but it may have been behind the house. The other illustration is of the " little schoolroom, 1820."

If MR. JAMES would care to see the article, I should be glad to lend it to him. I am sure he would treat the pamphlet tenderly. WILLOUGHBY DADE,

6, Montague Road, Richmond Hill, Surrey.