Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 9.djvu/121

2 s. ix. JOLT so, m..] NOTES AND QUERIES. 95 (12 S. ix. 51).—The complete modern version is given in Randolph Caldecott's picture-book of the same name. Two early versions, one dated 1611, are given in A. H. Bullen's 'Lyrics from Elizabethan Songbooks,' first series, pp. 60, 186. Anthony Rowley does not appear in the chorus of either of these. Perhaps the old song was given a political application in Charles II.'s reign, and the King's nickname introduced.

SIGNS IN PLACE OF SIGNATURES (12 S. ix. 51). The marks referred to by your corre- spondent would seem to be in embryo the Merchants' Marks of later centuries. These were personal to their owners and not to trades; and were analogous to. the trade- mark of to-day, which may not be counter- feited. Perhaps some legal contributor: could say if there was any protection by law : against infringement. But such marks were not infrequently. the source of pride, when they had been in : use for long years. In the church of Burford, Oxon., the southernmost of several aisles is called the Sylvester Chapel, as it was (perhaps) en- dowed by that family, and contains a long series of mural monuments to them. They were a wealthy Cotswold family of wool- staplers, and the monuments run over 150 to 200 years, according to my recollection. Tney were non-armigerous; but with a proud humility inserted their Merchants' Mark on shields of a pattern usually employed to display arms. I have not seen this mode of blazoning (as it were) Merchant's Marks; but it is possible that there are similar instances among the Cotswold churches. W. C. J. Tnese are fairly common on the marriage bonds of Durham and Carlisle registries in the 17th and 18th centuries. Farmers are said to have made their sheep marks as 4 _ uitures. M. H. DODDS. SINGLE WHISKEY (12 S. viii. 489; ix. 18.) If " Single Whiskey " means whiskey " Weak, poor or inferior in quality," I am i i i aid the querist would hardly relish offering iris friends a glass out of a decanter so labelled, and what would be the feelings of the recipients! -i Single whiskey " means unblended whisky that is, a single distillate not a mixed one. W. E. WILSON. Hawick. PETTY FRANCE (12 S. viii. 407, 452, 477). Your correspondent, M.E.W., says the name was changed to York Street when Frederick, Duke of York, lodged there for some months. In ' Wheatley and Cun- ningham' (vol. 3, p. 451), however, it is stated it was so-called after John Sharp, Arch- bishop of York, whose town house was in 1708 in this street. What are the facts? W. R. DAVIES. Kingsclear, Camberley, Surrey. WIFE* s DEATH 140 YEARS AFTER HER HUSBAND'S BIRTH (12 S. ix. 29). Tnese further particulars may be of interest. In 1857, at the age of 75, Sir David Brewster married Jane Purnell, aged 29. On Jan 27, 1861, in Sir David's 80th year, a daughter was born of this marriage, so we have here a case not only of longevity but of great virility! Lady Brewster died in her 94th year. W. R. DAVIES. ELEPHANT AND CASTLE (12 S. vi. 11, 49, 132). The following may be of interest. In Mampur two forms of Chess are played, called Satrang and Gaitrang. In the former the piece occupying the place of a Bishop in our game is called Samu = Elephant. It moves two squares diagonally, but has no power over the intermediate square, over which it can leap, even if the square be occupied. The piece corresponding to our Castle is called Hi = Boat, and moves just as a Castle does with us. The place of our Queen is taken by the Senapati = Com- mander-in-Chief. It can only move one square diagonally in any direction. The Knights are represented by Sagol = Horses, and move as with us. The Pawns are called Khong-mi = Footmen, they move and take as with us, but do not move two squares in their first move. On reaching the eighth square a Khong-mi becomes a Senapati. j board at the same time. Should all a player's pieces be taken but one, that one can not be taken, for the Ningthau, or King, cannot be left unattended. The Ningthau moves as the King with us, but Castling is not allowed. Gaitrang is played with the same men as Satrang, but they move as with us except that the Ningthau once in the game may make a Knight's move, and should a Pawn reach the opposite side of the board on the King's or Queen's square it is changed into a Senapati. If there is, already a Senapati on the board, the new
 * There may be several Senapatis on the