Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 8.djvu/393

 s. vm. Kov. 9, ion.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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Printer," 1854, in which the author speaks of a private press having been run by a clergy- man, whom he calls " Dr. D e," at Prospect Villa, near F d, Bath. The press was at work for about two years, commencing in 1831, and the only work issued was some sermons by the doctor. The plant was after- wards given to a man who was setting up in business for himself.

The name of the place was probably Fresh - ford, which is four and a half miles south- east of Bath. Can any one enlighten me further in the matter ? W. B. THORNE.

NATIONAL COVENANT OF 1638. Has this ever been reprinted ? If not, where can I see the original words 1 M. N. G.

INSEL RUNO. This little island, four miles by two in area, lies in the Gulf of Riga. Tradition says that some Vikings from Sweden were wrecked there in the tenth century or earlier, and that the present in- habitants, who number only 250, are their descendants. They talk a curious form of Swedish. The island is difficult of access, but well repays a visit, as the people are very primitive and simple in their habits, producing all their food, clothing, and imple- ments themselves. Can any of your readers give me definite information about the history of the island apart from tradition and the guide-book gossip which can be picked up in Riga 1 FRED. G. ACKERLEY.

Libau, Russia.

CAPT. GORDON AND THE LANCASTER GUNS AT SEBASTOPOL. Who was the Capt. Gordon who worked the Lancaster guns atSebastopol (see Illustrated London News, 13 November, 1854) ? Was he Capt. Alexander Gordon (son of the Laird of Pitlurg, Aberdeenshire), who was killed at the Redan, 6 July, 1855 ?

J. M. B.

"SECOND CHAMBER." By whom and when was the term "Second Chamber " first applied to the House of Lords 1 BRUTUS.

" STRETWARDE." I shall be glad if any of your readers can quote instances of the use of this word, or of " stretwardis," in ancient documents. H. JOHNSON.

CLOCK AND WATCH FIGURES. Will some one kindly explain why on clocks and watches four is always expressed by IIII instead of IV? R. H. BIRD.

GREEK SPEAR IN THE LEFT HAND. When Mentes sought hospitality at the house of Ulysses he was observed by Telemachus standing in the court, " and he held (x) a

spear with his palm." Telemachus, hastening to bid him welcome, took (e'Ae) his right hand and received (ISe^aro) the spear, apparently both at once.

In which hand did Mentes hold the spear 1 As Telemachus approached his right hand was over against the left of Mentes, and if the spear was held in that hand he could simultaneously take both the spear and the right hand.

Will not some Grecian confirm or confute my impression that Mentes held his spear in the left hand, and that as a symbol of peace? Such a position would have a significance analogous to that of the arrows and olive branch on the heraldic shield of the American eagle. Arrows there grasped in the right claw and the olive twig in the left betoken war, but when their position is reversed mean peace.

Veterans from service among outer bar- barians can furnish readers of ' N. & Q.' en- tertaining lessons concerning peace and war as symbolized by the mode of holding weapons. JAMES D. BUTLER.

Madison, Wis., lES.A.

[Mentes, 'Od.,' i. 123, was a Zeivoc, a traditional friend. Did he come in an especially pacific garb ?]

MOTTO ON VENETIAN COIN. Wanted, ex- pansion and translation of the following inscription on a Venetian gold coin : REGIS ' ISTE ' DVCA ' SIT ' T ' XPE * DAT * OTV.

JOHN MILNE.

" A MAN OF HONOUR," &c. Who is the author of the following 1 A man of honour and in the heavens' high road, For what he robs from men he gives to God. It is quoted in a German book published in 1775, without naming the author. K.

SIR SAMUEL BROWN (1660), OF ARLESEY, BEDS. Did any son or grandson of this judge settle at the neighbouring small town of Potton, Beds ? FRANCIS BROWN.

MONSIGNORE ERSKINE. Of what family were Mgr. Erskine and Mrs. Clementina Erskine (probably brother and sister), living in Rome in 1788, who inherited two-thirds of the personal property of General Erskine, who died at Naples in 1779? I think they were of the Kirkbuddo family, as the then laird Francis Erskine received the pro- ceeds of the remaining third of such personal estate through a Mr. James Byres, apparently a banker in Rome. The letter remitting the moneys speaks of this Francis Erskine as being a nearer relation or connexion of the deceased general than the other two. Pro-