Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 10.djvu/368

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9* s. x. NOV. i, 1902.

The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal. Part 65.

(Leeds, Whitehead & Son.)

IT always gives us pleasure to read the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, for the scholarlike papers which occur in almost every number bear con- vincing testimony to the 'fact that the largest of our counties still has, as was the case aforetime, many sons who may be compared with the great students of former generations. Mr. Alex- ander D. H. Leadman's ' St. Hilda ' is a thoroughly sound piece of work, too short, perhaps, but, so far as we can ascertain, the best account of the holy Saxon princess which we at present have. If it were sufficiently expanded it would make a most valuable book, not only for the shelves of the student, but for the village library also. Hilda has been called "the Deborah of the North," but so kindly was she that the people spoke of her by the gentle name of mother, not because she was a great ecclesiastical person as well as a princess, but solely from pure affection. It is noteworthy that eleven churches in Yorkshire were dedicated to her, while there were only thirteen under the patronage of her contemporary the strenuous St. Wilfrid. She is one of the very few English female saints whose memory has not faded away into obscurity. We have been told that even during the deepest gloom of the days of ignorance Hilda lingered on as a Christian name among the Yorkshire peasants ; and in the Whitby neighbourhood the most ignorant people are aware of, and some perhaps still believe in, the poetic legend that tells how the snakes which troubled the peace of her community were

Changed into a coil of stone

When holy Hilda prayed.

The writer is careful to point out that a similar story was told of the Cornish St. Keyne. We have never heard that this tale has been met with out of England, but should not be surprised to hear of it from places where ammonites are common enough to have attracted popular attention. This is a matter on which inquiries should be made. The account of Hilda's death is interesting, not only for her own sake, but because it contains a very early mention of the passing-bell.

We are glad to have the will of Timothy Bright given in full. He died in 1615. We do not think it has ever been printed before. In early life he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine, but afterwards became a clergyman, dying rector of Methley and Barwick in Elmet. He was a skilful musician and learned in many directions. Besides books of philosophy and medicine he possessed a Hebrew Bible and. a Syriac New Testament, as well as volumes in Italian, Latin, and Greek. Moderns are often apt to depreciate the learning of the rural clergy during the seventeenth century. In many instances it contrasts favourably with that of a far later time.

The papers on ' A Yorkshire Chancery Suit of the Restoration Time,' on ' Yorkshire Briefs,' and on fragments of a knightly effigy found under strange circumstances at Normanby, are of local interest. The transcripts of the inscriptions on the bells of the West Riding are continued, and many excellent illustrations accompany the text.

AMONG recent volumes of the "Useful Arts" series special attention is merited by Mr. W. J. Eden Crane's Home Bookbinding, which gives ample instructions for practising an elegant art in which women are gaining proficiency, and Bookshelves and

Books, by Mr. Alfred H. Wall and the editor of the series. The advice about shelving has genuine value ; that about the choice of books is less com- mendable. Leather Work, by Mr. Hallton East, may also be commended. "Rural Handbooks," devoted to the laying out of gardens and similar occupations, have been conjoined with the series. The publishers are Messrs. Dawbarn & Ward.

WE have received from our valued contributor Mr. W. D. Pink a specimen sheet of a ' Dictionary of Members of Parliament, 1485-1708.' He has long been an authority on the subject, and we hope that shortly much of our all too limited space may be saved by a succinct reference to his book in place of lengthy replies in our columns. Intending sub- scribers should apply for a specimen sheet and subscription form to Mr. Pink, at Winslade, Lowton, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire.

ia

We must call special attention to the following notices :

ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately.

To secure insertion of communications corre- spondents must observe the following rules. Let each note, query, or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with the signature of the writer and such address as he wishes to appear. When answer- ing queries, or making notes with regard to previous entries in the paper, contributors are requested to put in parentheses, immediately after the exact heading, the series, volume, and page or pages to which they refer. Correspondents who repeat queries are requested to head the second com- munication " Duplicate."

J. H. MITCHINER ("Call us not weeds"). This is from ' The Mother's Fables,' by E. L. Aveline (1861), p. 157.

NOTICE.

We beg leave to state that we decline to return communications which, for any reason, we do not print ; and to this rule we can make no exception.

DR. MARSHALL'S GENEALOGIST'S GUIDE. Printed for Subscribers only. Fourth Edition. Price L'ls. post free.

This work has been entirely reprinted and very considerably enlarged, and will be issued as soon as the Subscription List is com- plete. Subscribers should send their names to Messrs. BILLING, Printers, Guildford.

JUST PUBLISHED.

THE LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS OF SHROPSHIRE.

By CHARLES HIATT, Author of ' Chester : the Cathedral

and See,' ' Westminster Abbey,' &c.

Cover specially designed by Carton Moore Park, R.B.A.

Price, paper cover, Is. ; half-morocco, 2t. Sd

ALSO PREPARING.

AN ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK TO THE WREKIN COUNTRY.

Compiled by CHARLES HIATT. Published by HOBSON & CO. Wellington, Salop.