Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/217

 S. NO 11., MAR. 15. '56.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

209

$att3.

The Tabula mentioned by Jocelin de Brakelonda. In that charming record of ancient manners (for which we have so much reason to thank the Camden Society), the Chronicles of Jocelin de Brakelonda, there is a passage on which I should like to ask your readers' opinions ; and which I imagine to be illustrated by a custom once familiar to myself.

It appears that in the year 1198, a fire broke out at the shrine of St. Edmund, which was dis- covered by the master of the vestry :

" Eadem enim hora [the chronicler tells us] cecidit ho- rologium ante horas matutinas, surgensque magister ves- tiarii, hoc percipiens et intuens, cucurrit quantocius et, percussa tabula tanquara pro mortuo, sublimi voce clama- vit diceus feretrum esse combustum."

That the horologium was of the nature of a clepsydra is sufficiently shown by the fact, that the monks ran to it for water to extinguish the flames ; but my query relates to the word tabula. Mr. Tomlins, in his translation, which, however valuable and characteristic, requires, I think I may venture to say, no little revision, renders the sentence in which the word occurs, "having struck the bells as if tolling for a dead person."

The tabula, however, I presume to be such as Adelung describes under the head of

" Tabula lignea, cujus percussione excitabantur mo- nachi, malleolo scilicet tabulam trudente : vel ad sacram synaxim evocabantur."

This mode of summons still exists, or did exist a few years since, at New College, Oxford ; where the time of assembling for college meetings was announced, not indeed upon any separate tabula, but by loud rappings with some wooden instru- ment, inflicted by the porter at the foot of our respective staircases. C. W. BINGHAM.

The First Purchase. The following seems to me to be one of those things that, " when found," are worthy to be " made a note of" :

" She was 90 well pleased with her country privacy, that she resolved by the grace of GOD to take livery and seisin of her new purchase by laying her bones there, as the first purchase we read of in the world was the bury- ing-place of Sarah, the mother of the faithful." From the Life of N. Ferrar, by Dr. Jebb, edited by J. E. B. Mayor, M.A., Cambridge, "1855.

CUTHBERT BEDE. The New Order of Valour.

" If one or two orders of knighthood are instituted for conferring additional dignity upon the possessors of animal courage (we use not the term reproachfully), let there at least be others, equally set apart for those who have achieved the most glorious of all victories, the victo^r of knowledge over prejudice; whose conquests have at length seated science and civilisation upon the throne of Europe, formerly occupied by barbarism and ignorance. This is trie distinction which should be drawn ; a distinction as great as that between matter and

spirit, between the arts of war and the arts of peace. We deny not that both these qualifications are essential, in the present condition of the world, to the prosperity of a state, but we also contend that both should be equally honoured and rewarded by the nation." Swainson's Disc, on the Study of Nat. History, pp, 421 422., Lond. 1834.

ANON.

The Pianoforte in England. The following old play-bill is interesting, as containing the earliest public notice of a musical instrument which has become universal.

" By particular desire. For the benefit of Miss Brickler. "THEATRE ROYAL, IK COVENT GARDEN.

" On Saturday next, being the 16th of May, 1767, THE BEGGARS' OPERA. Captain Macheath, by Mr. Beard ; Peachum, by Mr. Shuter ; Lockit, by Mr. Dunstall ; Filch, by Mr. Holtam ; Player, by Mr. Gardner; Beggar, by Mr. Bennet ; Mat o' the Mint, by Mr. Baker ; Mrs. Peachum, by Mrs. Stephens ; Diana Trapes, by Mrs. Copin ; Mrs. Slammekin, by Mrs. Green ; Polly, by Miss Brickler; with a Hornpipe by Miss D. Twist; and a Country Dance by the Characters in the Opera.

"End of Act I., Miss Brickler will sing a favourite Song from Judith, accompanied by Mr. Dibdin, on a new instrument called PIANO-FORTE.

" To which will be added a FARCE, called THE UPHOL- STERER. The Barber, by Mr. Woodward ; Feeble, by Mr. Munden; Bellnwur, by Mr. Percy; Rovewell, by Mr. Davis ; Watchman, by Mr. Weller ; Quidnunc, by Mr. Dunstall; Pamphlet, by Mr. Shuter; Harriet, by Miss Vincent ; Maid, by Miss Cokayne ; Termagant, by Mrs. Green.

"Tickets to be had of Mr. Sarjant, at the Stage-door, where places for the Boxes may be taken."

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

A Treasure. " Found, and made a Note of."

"Do you want a servant ? Necessity prompts the question. The advertiser offers his services to any lady or gentleman, company, or others in want of a truly faithful, confidential servant in any capacity not menial, where a practical knowledge of human nature in various parts of the world would be available. Could undertake any affair of small or great importance, where talent, inviolable secrecy, or good address would be necessary. Has moved in the best and worst societies without being contaminated by either ; has never been a servant, begs to recommend himself as one who knows his place; is moral, temperate, middle aged, no objection to any part of the world. Could advise any capitalist wishing to increase his income and have the control of his own money. Could act as secretary or valet to any lady or gentleman. Can give advice or hold his tongue, sing, dance, play, fence, box, preach a sermon, tell a story, be grave or gay, ridiculous or sublime, or do any- thing from the curling of a peruke to the storming of a citadel, but never to excel his master. Address," &c. The Times, Feb. 7, 1849.

K. W. HACKWOOD.

Mr. Ruskin and Sir Walter Scott. Mr. Ruskin, in bis last volume of Modern Painters, to which he has, not inaptly, given the capriciously fanciful title of" Many Things," has devoted a chapter to Sir Walter Scott.

I do not intend to criticise or to examine that