Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 6.djvu/375

 9-s. VL OCT. 20, loco.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 309 a pleasure to come across a more or less authoritative definition of a much-used, and often ill-used word. The Church Times, in its first leader of 27 July, has the following :— "Let us be quite sure what we mean by religion. It is a conscious subjugation of the human will to a higher power, which can find the voice of conscience and protect the votary." This is very interesting. But who has satisfactorily defined conscience1? Matthew Arnold, in one of his essays, has some pun- gent remarks about conscience and the roundabout uses to which the word is put. JAMES HOOPER. Norwich. MEDIEVAL TITHE BARNS.—Can any infor- mation be given of such still existing, date, size, or other particulars 1 FRANCIS B. ANDREWS. Fairholme, Prospect Road, Moseley, Birmingham. [See 3"1 S. vii. 137, 249, 310; 8th S. ii. 246, 330, 397, 475; iii. 16, 314, 434.] OCTOPUS FIGURED ON POTTERY.—I have a jar of Japanese pottery ; the subject on it is a man seized by an octopus. The creature has wound its feelers round the thighs and right arm of the man, who by his features shows intense fear and pain. He holds in his right hand a bough with leaves and fruits, the fruits something like an apple, which he has just pulled off a tree close by ; in his left hand he holds a basket filled with the same. It would appear he is trying to induce the creature to let go of nim. Does any one know such a tale or legend in Japan which bears out the subject ? I have not met with the octopus used as a subject before on Eastern pottery or porcelain. H. A. W. GIPSIES OP SPAIN.—I shall be glad of a reference to such works of travel as touch upon this subject from a point of view more modern than George Sorrow's famous book. Are there not magazine articles upon this theme? I am, of course, acquainted with 'In Spanish Gipsyries' in the Gentleman's Magazine, August, 1896, but I have also seen another, more recent, which at the moment I am unable to trace. I shall feel obliged if any reader can put me upon the track of this or of any other. JAS. PLATT, Jun. SHORTS OF WINDSOR AND BLOOMSBURY.— The will of John Short, of Windsor Castle, co. Berks, Gent., was proved 1731 (P.C.C. 196 Isham). He mentions a son Richard, a daughter Mary, and grandchildren James, John, and Mary (sons and daughter of the said Richard), and others. The will of Edward Short, of the Tower of London (head clerk of the OflSce of Ordnance), was proved 1747 (P.C.C. 266 Porter), and mentions, with other property, his freehold estates in Windsor Forest, which he left to his son (a minor) Edward Short. The last named, who was also of the Tower of London in 1785, left his estates to Catherine Short his daughter by his will (P.C.C. 42 Major). This Catherine Short was living at Great Ormond Street, Bloomsbury, in 1797. What became of her and her property? Was Dudley Short, a prominent parishioner of St. Giles and St. George's, Bloomsbury, a relation of hers? Any matter relating to these Shorts will be welcomed. FRED. HITCHIN-KEMP. 6, Beechfield Road, Catford, S.E. EUMP PARLIAMENT.—I should like to know exactly how the word Rump—as_ applied to the remnant of the Long Parliament- originated. D. M. [See Brewer's 'Historical Note-Book.' The meaning seems simple.] 1 To MARGARET W .'—This is the title of the last stanzas written by Charles Lamb. Who was the Margaret to whom they are addressed? ' MEGAN. [Canon Ainger gives no identification in his edition.] B.D.—Chauncy states that under a stone in Ash well Church there is this inscription : " Hie jacet Magister Thomas Colby in Decretis Baccalaureus." He explains it as meaning Bachelor in Divinity 1489. Why is it not "Sacrse Theologi* Baccalaureus"? What is the meaning of " in decretis" ? What is modern Latin for Bachelor of Divinity ? M.A.OXON. THE BLACK ROOD.— Can any reader of ' N. & Q.' set me on any track leading to the history of the relic known as the Black Rood previous to its possession by Queen S. Mar- garet of Scotland? Can anything be con- jectured as to its fate at or after the Refor- mation ? JEROME POLLARD-URQUHART, O.S.B. GEORGE GILBERT. — Can any of your readers give me information concerning one George Gilbert (at one time—circa 1808-15, I think—a surveyor in Colchester, and later resident at Long Melford, Suffolk) and his ancestors? OWEN J. GILBERT. ARMS WANTED.—On a silver salver (date- letter 1782) is the shield of a maiden lady bearing the following arms, viz., On a fess argent upon a fess sable three human hearts