Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 5.djvu/176

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9* B. v. MARCH 3, 1900.

remember that it used the most approved principles of pentateuchal I beg pardon, " hexateuchal" criticism to show that the Epistle to the Romans, as we have it, is the work of four authors and the inevitable redactor. One author wrote always of " Jesus Christ," another of "Christ Jesus," and so on. Each author was shown to have an individual theology and vocabulary, quite in the approved style. Though, perhaps, a little laboured, the book interested me, and I should like to read it again. Q. V.

SHRAPNEL. The shrapnel shell is said to have been named after General Shrapnel, who died in 1842. Is this date right? And when did the shell come into use? A few particulars about the general will be welcome. WALTER W. SKEAT.

" BIRD-EYED." What is the exact meaning of this word 1 It occurs in W. Bullein's ' A Dialogue both pleasaunt and pietif ull, wherein is a godlie regiment against the Feuer Pesti- lence,' 1573, p. 85 :

Vxor. Oh helpe me; my horse starteth, and I had like to haue been vnsadled, let me sit faster for falling.

Gims. He is a birde eyed iade, I warraunt you, and you are no good horse woman.

Jonson's ' Cynthia's Revels,' V. i. (of a contest in grimaces between two courtiers) :

Cri. Ay, this is yclep'd the serious trifle.

Ana. 'Slud, 'tis the horse-start out o' the brown study.

Gn. Rather the bird-ey'd stroke, sir. Jonson's 'The Fox,' III. ii. :

1 Worn, [examining her mistress 1 tire]. One hair a little, here, sticks out, forsooth.

Lady P. Does't so, forsooth? and where was your dear sight, when it did so, forsooth ? What now? bird-ey'd?

Gifford conjectures that " the allusion is to the askaunt or side view which birds appear to take of every object " ; but the first two citations given above seem to connect the epithet with horses rather than with birds. On the other hand, I find "feather-eyed," with a similar meaning, in Day and Chettle's 'The Blind Beggar of Bednal-Green,' 1659, D 2, verso :

[Cariby takes the Wall, andjusseh Strowd.'}

Y. Stro. What is the matter with you ? so feather- ey'd ye cannot let us passe in the Kings high way?

I have taken the elementary precaution to consult the * H.E.D.' Perhaps I am only sup- plying a practical illustration of the force of the epithet about which I ask ; but I have failed to find it there. I should be glad of the reference if I have overlooked it.

PERCY SIMPSON.

SHADDOCK. The books all say that the shaddock was named after Capt. Shaddock, who carried the fruit from China to the West Indies " early in the eighteenth century." Can any one supply a less vague date, or give any particulars about this captain 1

WALTER W. SKEAT.

INSCRIPTIONS IN BRIGHTWELL CHURCH. Has the attention of your readers been called to an inscription on a brass in Brightwell Church, Oxon, which, with one exception, must be the oldest English inscription exist- ing 1 The brass is a very small one, without border or ornament, and is let into the floor on the north side of the church. The letters are closely crowded together, but are quite legible. I am told on good authority that the date is thirteenth century :

Man com and se how schall alle dede be Ven J>ou comes bad and bare Noth have ven ve away fare

All is veriness ]>at ve forcare But )>at ve do for godys luf ve have nothing yare

Hunder j?is grave lys John ]>e Smyth God give his soule heven grit.

In the same church, on a flag near the door, is the following somewhat "sporting" epitaph, which may interest those who collect epi- taphs :

Stephen Rumbold

Born Feb. 1582 Dyed March 4 1687

He lived to one hundred and five

Sanguine and strong An hundred to five you don't live so long.

c.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP GIBBER'S DAUGHTER.

" ' Gibber's erring and hapless daughter' contrived to reach London, where, in 1755, she published her remarkable autobiography, the details of which make the heart ache. -Doran, 'Their Majesties' Servants,' chap. xxix.

Is the work referred to still extant ?

W. E. WILSON.

Hawick.

[Yes. It was originally, 1755, printed in eight- numbers in * A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Char- lotte Charke,' and in that shape is scarce. It is, however, included in Hunt's series of autobio- graphies. Most particulars concerning Charlotte Charke are given in her memoir in the ' Diet. Nat. Biog.' Consult also Lowe's ' Bibliographical Account of English Theatrical Literature.']

INSCRIPTIONS ON STATUES. Can any reader kindly oblige by explaining the following inscriptions, one or two letters of which may be doubtful through partial illegibility 1 They are on well-executed glass paintings, about 20 by 14 inches :

1. APICTEAC KAI IIAHIAC A$POA- CICEIC. These words are on the pedestal of a statue of a centaur in a country scene. He