Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 12.djvu/139

 9 s. xn. AUG. is, loos.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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tropes, or " tornesoles, " and Lyte two; but even these were not so called because they turn with the sun, but (as Gerard puts it of one of them) "by reason it flowers in the former solstice, at which time the Sun, being the farthest gone from the Equinoctial! circle, returneth to the same " ; and he adds that in Italian the flower is called Turnesole bobo, in French tournsol ; and that some think it to be Herba Clytice., "into which the Poets feigne Clytia to be metamorphosed." The only flower (so far as I know) of which Gerard says that it has the property of 14 turning or keeping time with the Sun " is the sun spurge. The names solsequium and heliotrope were, however, given by our fore- fathers to several other plants, as, for example, to the endive and marigold.

C. C. B.

DEAN DONNE AND THE DONNES OF NORFOLK (9 th S. xii. 24). I have always been under the impression that this was a Welsh family, and in my early days used to know very well the Rev. James Donne, B.D., vicar of St. Paul's, Bedford, whose father James Donne, D.D., was for many years head master of Oswestry School, and vicar of Llanyblodwel, co. Salop. Their arms were Arg., four bars azure, on a bend gules three arrows argent, and their crest a bundle of arrows headed or and feathered argent, banded gules.

Allow me to refer those interested in the matter to 2 nd S. vii. 241, where a long letter is printed from Theqphilus Jones, the historian of Brecknockshire, under date 21 June, 1804, to Dr. Donne, of Oswestry School, containing a full genealogical account of the Donne family, and mentioning their descent from Tewdwr Mawr, Prince of South Wales. Appended is the following note by the Rev. James Donne, D.D. :

"This family remains still in Norfolk. Cowper the poet's mother was a Donne of this family, and was descended from Dr. John Donne, Dean of St. Paul's. (Signed) JAS. DONNE."

JOHN PICKFORD, M.A. Newbourne Rectory, Woodbridge.

In connexion with this subject I venture to mention that when, in 1856, 1 was a pupil in the school conducted by the Rev. Robert Dundas, D.D. (of whom I shall ever entertain an affectionate remembrance as a really kind- hearted, cultured gentleman), at No. 112, Stephen's Green, Dublin, the mathematical master was a person named Donne, a good- looking little man ; but although very quiet and unassuming in manner, he neverthe- less was most proud of his hair, which was black, long, and curly. I am not in a position to assert anything anent his nation-

ality, but if Mr. Donne ever sang the praises of beautiful Erin, it is not too much to assume that he held at the same time the fond belief that

In virtues nothing earthly could surpass her, Save thine incomparable oil, Macassar.

Byron, ' Don Juan,' i. 17.

HENRY GERALD HOPE. 119, Elms Road, Clapham, S.W.

KING, BANKER (9 th S. xii. 29). For Jenkins (John) & King, bankers, 1698 - 1732, see 'London Bankers,' by F. G. Hilton Price, F.S.A., 1890-1, p. 93. 0. MASON.

29, Emperor's Gate, S.W.

HAWKER'S * INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUNG SPORTS- MEN ' (9 th S. xii. 89). My query had reference to this work, and not to one by Hawkins, as my typist unfortunately gave the name. I hope some one may be able to oblige me with a sight of the first and second editions (1814 and 1816 respectively).

MILLER CHRISTY.

115, Farringdon Road, E.G.

"SLEEP THE SLEEP OF THE JUST" (9 th S. xi. 429, 475, 511). ! must thank H. K. for kindly enabling rne to trace the quota- tion from Racine, but I found it on p. 517 (not 519) of the volume mentioned.

E. LATHAM.

ROMAN PITS (9 th S. xii. 28). Some years ago the Essex Field Club explored and care- fully examined the "Deneholes" in Hang- man's Wood, near Grays, Essex. In October, 1898, they invited those interested in the subject to visit these wonderful subterranean chambers. A special contribution by one who accepted their invitation appeared in the Daily Mail of 11 October, 1898. An illustrated article on the 'Deneholes' was published in the same paper on 4 October, 1897. JOHN T. PAGE.

West Haddon, Northamptonshire.

In addition to the article referred to in 'H.E.D.,' see 6 th S. vi. 247, 414, 436 ; vii. 145,

309 ; 8 th S. v. 427.

EVERARD HOME COLEMAN. 71, Brecknock Road.

IMMUREMENT ALIVE OF RELIGIOUS (9 th S. xii. 25). This curious and long-lived sample of Reformation folk-lore probably owes its origin to : (1) The solemn immurement of re- cluses in the Middle Ages ; (2) the occasional discovery of human remains in or under the walls of churches, where they were often so interred after death ; (3) a memory of the early pagan immolation of human victims, and their burial under the hearth, to pro-