Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/144

 136

NOTES AND QUERIES.

S. N 7., FEB. 16. '56.

Constable, be really aware that Courayer re- sponded to Le Quien, and consequently to Con- stable, in an elaborate defence of the story for the truth of which I contend ;- that this defence occupies the entire third chapter of the fifth book of the Defence of the Dissertation ; and that, in addition to the authorities already adduced, Cou- rayer quotes the clear and direct testimony of Abbott*, Bishop of Salisbury, in his Answer to the Apology for Garnet (A.D. 1613), and of Lance- lot Andrewesf in his Reply to Bellarmin (A.D. 1610), in attestation of the fact ? How was it, by the way, that Bellarmin, who had it in his power to detect the falsehood (if falsehood it had been), never attempted to reply to the statement of Andrewes ? But I forbear to adduce further authority, or advance additional arguments, as I have agreed to leave the question " unsettled." I must be contented to recommend those who may be interested in the inquiry, to examine for them- selves, and I will venture to predict that they will find that " the assertion does " not " rest on such slender grounds " as T. L. would induce them to believe. E. C. HARINGTON.

The Close, Exeter.

ALTARS OF WOOD OR STONE.

(1 st S. xii. 115.)

The opportunity afforded me for ascertaining the construction of Roman Catholic altars, by an excursion through France and Belgium, enables me to state distinctly the materials of which they are formed.

Oratione Norvici de Tribunali habita a Pio V. ad Eli- zabetham Reginam missas commeminit; quibus Fidera Pontifex fecerat se Litnrgiam nostram Anglicanam, et Reformats Religionis Formulam, suo calculo et authori- tate probaturum, modo a se arciperet omnia, ipsi accepta referre't, eoque se Sedi Romanas subjectam daret. . . . Littera autemillae satis apud noscelebres fuernnt, agitataa sa?pius in Parliamentis, et a Regiua ipsa commemoratse, etiam a vestris quoque confessae. . . . Celebris eo nomine Thomas Treshamus, Eques Auratus, Pater Fran- cisoi Proditoris, qui sub expeditione Hispanica de Reeu- satione postulatus palam Litteras illas, et ilia tantum quam dixi cansa refractarius mansit. Memoratae qnoque ilia? in Concionibus prsesente Regina ipsa, quin et Teste Advocata ; nee tamen quisquam e vestris sive privatim sive publice mutire in contrarium ausus est." Antiloqia contra apologiam Endcemon Johannis Jesuita pro Henrico Garneto, p. 15.
 * "Ad Litteras accedo (writes Abbot) quas Cokus

t "Quid ergo? Earn, qme jam est, religionem stabi- liret, Papa; tamen Primatum agnosceret? Certe illud tentatum constat ; et a Paulo [Pio] quarto conditionem impetratam, porro et Regina} ipsi delatam esse, dum in Primatum ipsius consentire modo vellet, de caeteris, si a se fieri peteret, si auctoritate sua factam agnosceret, gratiam facturum Pontifieem, ut sacra hie omnia, hoc ipso, quo mine sunt apud nos, modo procurari fas e.sset." Tortura Torti, p. 165,, edit, 1851,

In speaking of altars, T must be understood to apply my remarks alone to the slab or tablet, with- out reference either to the structure beneath or the decorations above.

The city of Rouen, a cardinalate, I believe, but certainly an archiepiscopal see, I considered of suflicient importance to warrant my assumption that the materials used there would be satisfactory authority for their general use.

I found in that city fifteen churches or chapels, and within them one hundred and three altars : of these twenty-eight were of stone and seventy-five of wood.

The probability of this statement being tested, induces me to afford every facility to those who may be disposed to doubt my accuracy, by ap- pending the following tabular statement, which will assist such investigation :

Churches. St. Vincent St. Patrice St. Goddard St. Madeline La Chapelle St. Vivian St. Ouen - Notre Dame St. Roman St. Jerraise St. Cloud - St. Nicaise St. Hilaire St. Severe St. Paul - St. Sacre'ment

Altars.

- 4

- 5

- 3

- 3

- 1

- 5

- 15

- 24

- 5

- 3

- 15

- 7

- 3

- 4

- 3

Wood.

Stone.

2

2

5

2

1

3

1

5

7

8

21

3

2

3

2

1

8

7

7

3

4

3

3

Although I considered the above sufficient proof, I could not refrain from continuing my search while at Amiens. In one church there of seven altars I found six of wood, the seventh circum- stances prevented my examining. In another church in the same city I found three altars, all of wood.

In Brussels I only tested the three altars in the very beautiful new Church of St. Boniface, and found them all of wood.

On a ramble from the last-named city, chance led me to the village of Steen Ockerzeel, where I found in the church four altars, all of wood.

Thus, from a great and important city, through the capital of a kingdom to a lone village, I have found, with few exceptions, that the all&r -tablets are of wood.

I must now add, that in examining these altars I occasionally found the small square stone in- serted in the slab removed, and the place left vacant.

And, lastly, I discovered only one recently- erected altar of stone. HENRY DAVKNEY.