Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 10.djvu/515

 9* s. x. DEC. 27, 1902.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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acquainted in 1805 through their common friend William Hazlitt. There is a third statement to the same effect elsewhere in Canon Ainger's published Lamb-work, the reference to which I have lost. But that an error gross, open, and palpable as this of 1882 could have survived long enough to creep into the ' Dictionary' article of 1892 is fairly astounding. THOMAS HUTCHINSON.

KEATS'S 'LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI.' Many years ago I elaborately worked out a theory of my own (which I suppose, at least, to be original) with regard to this beautiful ballad. The " dame" isConsumption(Phthisis) personified. I need not to elaborate this theory in the very least degree, as any interested student can easily work it out for himself. Few are the difficulties, and easily to be overcome by a little thought. The more I think of the subject the more I am confirmed in my belief that this is the true and only altogether satisfactory' interpreta- tion of the weird strain's hidden meaning.

THOMAS AULD.

MONUMENT IN BEVERLEY MINSTER. In the eastern aisle of the north transept of this beautiful structure is the recumbent effigy of an ecclesiastic in eucharistic vestments. On the stole and on the foot and hem of his robe are numerous shields of arms. By some this is supposed to represent one of the Percy family, many of whom were buried in the Minster ; by others it is supposed to repre- sent one of the Scropes. Amongst the coats sculptured are those of Percy, Clifford, Conyers, and the Isle of Man, with several others. The sides of the tomb are orna- mented with ight niches having pointed arches, buttresses, crockets, and finials. The nose of the effigy has been broken off and carried away, but in other respects the monument is in good preservation. Its original position in the church does not seem to be known. JOHN PICKFORD, M.A.

Newbourne Rectory, Woodbridge.

" BLETHERAMSKITE."

" The following bit of blasphemous bletheramskite ' we thank thee, Moore, for teaching us that word ' adorned the columns of a London morning paper." 'A Voice from the Danube,' London, 1850, p. 179.

Cf. bletherskate in Dr. Murray's ' N.E.D.,' where the nearest quotation is from C. Croker in 1825, and is spelt bletherumskite.

L. L. K.

" FINIALS" AT RICK ENDS. Some two or three years ago a correspondent, I feel sure, wrote on this subject in ' N. & Q.' As I am at a loss to discover the reference, I am fain

to produce a new title. I wished to add a note to the effect that in this Coronation year I have seen these "finials" in several instances hereabouts fashioned with plaited straw into the form of a royal crown. Similar crowns were placed on the heads of three poles bearing flags which were secured at the summits of three huge elms standing in the centre of the field where our local Coro- nation celebration took place. They were placed in position 9 August, and the flags still float gaily in the breeze.

JOHN T. PAGE. West Haddon, Northamptonshire.

WE must request correspondents desiring infor- mation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that the answers may be addressed to them direct.

AMY ROBSART. I*.m seeking s<jme definite information as to this much-wronged lady, and shall be greatly obliged to any reader of ' N. & Q.' who can throw light on the follow- ing points :

1. Was her real name Amy or Anne, or had she both names ? Her signature is in exist- ence as Amye, and in the Record Office she appears as Amy ; but Froude, writing of her, calls her Anne, without any note or explana- tion ; and in his 'History of Norfolk,' under 'Syderstone,' Blomefield speaks of her as Anne, saying, " John Robsert, 2nd son of Sir

Terry, was lord of this manor Anne, his

daughter, married Sir Robert Dudley," &c. There must be some reason for this. What is it?

2. Amy Robsart's father, Sir John Robsart, was lord of the manor of Sedistern, or Syder- stone (as it is known to-day), a village in North-West Norfolk, but he also owned Stanfield, near Wymondham. Was his daughter born (in 1533) at either of these places 1 And did she ever reside at Syder- stone? A letter in the B.M., bearing the signature "Amye Duddley," and written, probably, circa 1557, has reference to the grazing of sheep on Syderstone Common.

H. J. DUKINFIELD ASTLEY. East Rudham, Norfolk.

ALLUSIONS IN 'SARTOR RES ART us. 'Occu- pied with a second edition of my German translation of Carlyle's ' Sartor/ I still want the meaning of a few allusions to be ex- plained in my notes. Perhaps your excellent journal could help me. The points are these: Book i. 5, Monsieur Ude ; iii. 9, Pierre Per-