Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 12.djvu/433

 9* s. xii. NOV. 28, iocs.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

425

1804. The Professional Life of M r Dibdin, contain- ing a Narrative of such Circumstances as relate to the pursuits of the Author During Forty-four years, in his Character of Writer, Composer, and Per- former ; with the addition of six hundred songs, and sixty plates, from their subjects. Second Edi- tion. In this edition new particulars are intro- duced concerning M r Dibdin's late tour to Ireland and the whole of Britons Strike Home, The War Songs, and such others as have been brought for- ward at Sans Souci, up to the present time, are superadded. In four volumes. Vol. I. [II., III., or IV.] London : Printed by James Cundee, Ivy-Lane. Published by the Author, at his Music Warehouse, Leicester-Place, Leicester Square; Sold also by T. Hurst, Paternoster-Row; and by all the principal Booksellers throughout the United Kingdom. 1804. 8vo.

Vol. i. portrait as in first edition, 8 plates, pp. xxv, 229, index, 5 pp. ; vol. ii. 16 plates, pp. iv, 303, index, 7 pp. ; vol. iii. 15 plates, pp. iv, 387, index, 7 pp. ; vol. iv. 21 plates, pp. iv, 328, index, 8 pp., and supplement, vi and 60. Published 4 February, 1804.

E. RIMBAULT DIBDIN. Morningside, Sudworth Road, New Brighton. (To be continued.)

" MINIATURE/' At 9 th S. x. 283 the present writer invited attention to an example of curious contraction of meaning as shown in the word "asphyxia." He would now invite attention to an example of no less curious extension of meaning as shown in the word "miniature." The dictionaries tell us that this word is derived from the Latin minium, meaning cinnabar or vermilion ; while in Low Latin the verb miniare means to paint with that substance. It appears that in the early art of illumination, and more particularly in the decoration of manuscripts, vermilion was largely employed in producing the minute representations of human heads which were occasionally introduced into the designs under execution. Hence the word "minia- ture " came to be applied to any small picture or portrait. Ultimately, without any legiti- mate warrant, it came to be applied to any- thing small or executed on a small scale as "a miniature republic," "a cathedral in miniature," &c. as if the word was con- nected with minor, minimus, minuo, diminish, &c. Vicious etymology has a good deal to answer for. PATRICK MAXWELL.

Bath.

"MILKSOP." An early occurrence of this word (as a surname) may be of interest to the editors of the 'H.E.D.' On p. 17, Ap- pendix I. of the ' Thirty-fifth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records,' deal- ing with the charters of the Duchy of Lancaster, " a villein called Robert Milcsop "

is mentioned, of the vill of Culing (Cowling in Essex). The name occurs in an undated grant of land by William Lungespee to Roger de London, parson of Culing, which it is surmised was drawn up between 1246 and 1256. J. HAMBLEY ROWE, M.B.

Horton, Bradford.

CHILDREN'S GAMES: U !CE PIE"=! SPY. A reporter's error worth noting is to be found in the Birmingham Gazette of 19 Sep- tember. Mr. A. C. Osier, a well-known local politician, at a public meeting observed that in the Parliamentary world a series of games had been set on foot :

"First, Mr. distinguished himself in a game

called cross-questions and crooked answers ; then

Mr. followed with a very elaborate sort of

hide-and-seek; and Mr. - - very ably led in another game called * ice pie.' "

This new name for that friend of our youth, " I spy," seems a delightful variant.

POLITICIAN.

CARLYLE AND THE TALMUD. In the 'Latter- Day Pamphlets,' No. V., p. 247, Carlyle says :

' Nature keeps silently a most exact Saving's- bank, an official register correct to the most evanes- cent item, Debtor and Creditor in respect to one and all of us; silently marks down Creditor by such and such an unseen act of veracity and heroism ;

Debtor to such and such a loud blustery blunder

day after day rigorously as Fate ; and at the end of the account you will have it all to pay, my friend." I wonder whether Carlyle, with whom this was a favourite postulate, ever read this extract from our 'Pirke Abboth,' the founder of which taught the Gospel of Work as strenuously as himself :

' Akiba said all things are foreseen and liberty of action is allowed ; by aoounding favour the work is judged, and all depends upon the quality of the work. He was wont to maintain that all things are held on trust and a net is spread round all human beings ; the shop is open, the merchant is alert, the ledger is ready, and a hand is writing. Those who want to borrow may do so ; yet the collectors go their daily rounds, exacting from every one payment nolens volens."

M. L. R. BRESLAR.

SIR HUMPHREY GILBERT. It is well known that this distinguished navigator was a member of Queen Elizabeth's fourth Parlia- ment, which met in the months of April and May, 1571, but I am not aware that it has Deen anywhere noticed that for a short time at all events he also sat in the Parliament 'ollowing, which lasted from 1572 to 1583. Se is named several times upon Committees of the House from January to March, 1581, and probably obtained his seat at a by- lection between the close of the second session in November, 1576, and the opening