Theological and Legal Quæres.' "Mr. Stockfield" is probably an error for "Thomas Stockdale," M.P. for Knaresborough, but " Alexander Pym" could not represent Charles Pym, M.P. for Beeralston, who is included in the same list. J. Walshe.-Named by Prynne in his Grand Memorandum' among the Rumpers who returned to Westminster in May, 1659. "Mr. Poynes."—Named by Prynne, in his 'Secluded Members' Case,' among the Rumpers who signified their dis-assent to the vote of the House, Dec. 3, 1648. Col. Henry Markham, Mr. John Lassell.-Both present at the second Restoration of the Rump, Dec. 24, 1659 (vide Commons Journals'). Col. Markham afterwards represented Linlithgow, &c., in Cromwell's Parliaments, but I have no record of his return to the Long Parliament. Unless John Lassell be a mistake for Francis Lascelles, M.P. for Thirsk, both these members must have been returned at a very late date-possibly not long before the final dissolution. Leigh, Lancashire. W. D. PINK. ABBA HULLE: LUDEE.-In a scrap-book, collected for the most part in the first quarter of this century, which belonged to the Rev. J. Wilson, D.D., President of Trinity College, Oxford, there are two heads, engraved in the stipple method, apparently of natives of Australia or New Zealand, and having names written beneath, the male being Abba Hulle, the female Ludee. On the left shoulder of Abba Hulle is what may be a boomerang, and on the arms of Ludee are marks of tattooing. Are these heads taken from any book of voyages to the Antipodes; or are they plates of natives brought to England to be exhibited or for any other reason? W. E. BUCKLEY. SCOTS PRISONERS SHIPPED TO THE COLONIES. -In the Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series,' there are many references to Scottish prisoners being sent to the colonies during the time of the Commonwealth. Thus, in the year 1650, under date Sept. 12, there is a "proposition for 1,000 Scots prisoners to be sent to Bristol, whence they were to be shipped to New England"; on Sept. 19 there is an order to ship "900 Scotch prisoners to Virginia, and 150 men for New England"; on Oct. 23 there is an order that "be the Scottish prisoners for New England shipped away forthwith, as their ship is ready"; and on Nov. 11 Sir Arthur Hesilrigge is authorized "to deliver 150 Scotch prisoners to Augustine Walker, master of the Unity, to be transported to New England." The last entry is the most definite, as the name of the vessel is given in which the prisoners were to be shipped. I should like to know if the names of these 150 men can be ascertained, as they may have been the Scots referred to in the Rev. John Cotton's letter to Cromwell, an extract from which was given in 'N. & Q.,' 7th S. v. 196. JOHN MACKAY. Cambridge, Mass., U.S. BLANCHE AMORY.-"Thackeray," says Trollope (p. 109), "when he drew the portrait of Miss Amory must have had some special young lady in his mind." Who was that special young lady? Madison, Wis., U.S. JAMES D. BUTLER. SWISS SAINTS.-Who was St. Jodocus? Also information is asked about St. Idda (female saint), Switzerland. Who was St. Wivine, venerated at St. Ursus, and St. Verena, all connected with Brussels? His emblems are a horse, with horseshoes and hammers. W. HARDMAN, LL.D. DAMANT FAMILY.-Information is wanted as to the family of Thomas Damant, of Lammas Old Hall, Norfolk, who in 1711 married Alice Sancroft, sister of the Archbishop of Canterbury. What was the relationship between him and the ancient family of the same name whose tombs are shown at Ghent and Antwerp? The tradition is that a branch of this house escaped into England during Alva's persecution. T. BILBERRY WYS.-A few days ago, while staying at the house of a relation at Upper Thong, on the edge of the moor or moss between Meltham and Holm, I heard the flower of the heather spoken of as "bilberry wys." What is the meaning of wys, which I spell phonetically? I shall be grateful for little information. HERBERT HARDY. GRAY FAMILY.-Could any reader give information respecting an Edward Gray, who is supposed to have been born in Lincolnshire in 1673, and went to Boston, America, in 1686? He afterwards visited England, and was imprisoned on board a man-of-war, whence he was released through the influence of the surgeon, who knew his family. He was a rope-maker by trade, became an opulent merchant, and died in 1757. He married in 1699 446, Strand, W.C. CONCORDANCE TO DICKENS.-Mr. James Payn, in his 'Literary Recollections,' p. 183, says, "There is now a concordance for the whole of Dickens." Is this correct? If so, I should be glad to have particulars. A. SMYTHE PALMER. Woodford. [There is, we believe, no concordance to Dickens, nor is there likely to be. A Dickens Dictionary' is, however, published by Messrs. Chapman & Hall.] LIBRARY OF FICTION.'-I have bound up at the end of the Library of Fiction (2 vols., in which some of the earliest contributions of Charles Dickens first appeared) two numbers of another periodical, called The Family Magazine and Library of Fiction, the plates by John Leech. Can any one inform me if these are supposed to be a continuation of the former, and whether these two numbers are all that were published? Eastbourne. J. B. MORRIS. COLLECTION OF HORACE WALPOLE.-Would you kindly inform where I am most likely to get a modern catalogue of the works of art and vertu belonging to the collection of the late Horace Walpole, Strawberry Hill, sold by auction some years ago? R. E. WAY. THE SWORD OF THE BLACK PRINCE.-I am informed by the verger of Canterbury Cathedral that the late Duke of Albany told him that the sword of the Black Prince (presumably that which is said to have been taken by Oliver Cromwell out of the scabbard, which still remains as one of the relics over the tomb) is preserved at Windsor Castle. Is this mere tradition? It could easily be verified by applying the sword to the scabbard; and perhaps this weapon and its case might again be brought together after their long divorce. ALBERT HARTSHORNE. "THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE MAGAZINE.'— More than nine years ago (5th S. xii. 48) the inquiry was made whether the various contributions to this periodical, other than those since included by Mr. D. G. Rossetti in his poems, had been acknowledged. With the Editor's permission I will repeat this query, in the hope that it may find an answer. I am particularly anxious to ascertain the authorship of the poetical pieces and the critiques on Tennyson and Browning. W. F. P. IRISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.-Can you inform me where the painting of the last Irish House of Commons is to be seen; or in whose possession it now is; or can a print of it be procured? T. H. TYDD. CAPT. LUKE FOXE.-I am anxious to ascertain the present whereabouts of the original journal rare and curious work The North-West Fox,' kept by Capt. Luke Foxe, of Hull (author of that London, 1635, 4to.), whilst upon his well-known expedition in search of a north-west passage through Hudson's Bay in the year 1631. It does not seem to be preserved at the British Museum, the Public naturally suppose it to be at one or other of these Record Office, or the Admiralty. One would establishments, as Foxe sailed by order of the king and in his Majesty's pinnace the Charles. That the journal in question, however, exists somewhere (or recently did so), may be inferred from the fact that a copy, both of it and of a journal kept by the sailing-master of Foxe's ship, is preserved among the MSS. in the British Museum. This is on paper water-marked 1813, and it appears to have formed lot 1071/3, in the Arley Castle sale catalogue (1853). I have ascertained that the catalogue throws no light on the present whereabouts of the original MS., and that no information about it is in possession of the present owner of Arley your contributors. Castle. I shall be very glad of help from any of MILLER CHRISTY. Chignal St. James, Chelmsford. SUSSEX CLERGY.-References to biographical notices of Sussex clergy, prefixed to printed funeral sermons, or any details of the parentage and be at all times thankfully received by career of the parochial clergy in that county will E. H. W. Dunkin. Kidbrooke Park, Blackheath. "A HOLBORN WIG."-Chambaud gives “Teignasse, a rusty wig, a Holborn wig." Why Holborn wig? C. A. WHITE. Preston on the Wild Moors. Knowledge, in 1774; that of the Arminian Magazine (see 5th S. x. 511) in 1778. Were these the earliest of the numerous religious magazines published in this country? J. F. MANSERGH. Liverpool. P.S.-I may mention that according to the Gospel Magazine John Wesley was a most desperate character, plainly in league with the powers of darkness. OLD SONG.-Where can I read the words of an old song, which I have not seen or heard since my schooldays, now nearly half a century ago, which commenced thus: Oh! wonders sure will never cease, For works of art do so increase, No matter whether in war or peace, For men can do whatever they please, The song, I fancy, recounted the then recent introduction of railways, steam packets, and possibly the still more recent discovery of the electric telegraph; but, alas! my memory grows no better as I grow older. E. WALFORD, M.A. 7, Hyde Park Mansions, N.W. FUFTY. I should be glad to know whether this word is known or was suggested by the following incident. A barrel of beer was ordered for a parish festival, and the good woman who prepared the feast told me she had tapped it and "the beer was a bit fufty," adding that "it tasted of the barrel," which had not been properly cleaned. I found the word exactly suited the flavour of the beer, but it is not recognized by Halliwell, Brockett, or Hunter. Is it new? ALFRED GATTY, D.D. Replies. SARAH BIFFIN, MINIATURE PAINTER. In vol. vi. of 'Kirby's Wonderful and Eccentric Museum,' published in 1820, a copy of Miss Biffin's handbill is given, in which her accomplishments are described to have been performed principally with her mouth : "This young lady was born deficient of arms, hands, and legs; she is of comely appearance, twenty-four years of age, and only thirty-seven inches high. She displays a great genius, and is an admirer of the fine arts. But what renders her so worthy of public notice is the industrious and astonishing means she has invented and practised, in obtaining the use of the needle, scissors, pen, pencil, &c., wherein she is extremely adroit. She can cut out and make any part of her own clothes, sews extremely neat, and in a most wonderful manner, writes well, draws landscapes, paints miniatures, and many more wonderful things, all of which she performs principally with her mouth. "The reader may easily think it impossible she should be capable of doing what is stated in the bill, all of which she performs principally with her mouth." The Athenæum of Oct. 12, 1850, says : "On Wednesday last Miss Sarah Biffin, the celebrated miniature painter, who was born without hands or arms, died at her lodgings, in Duke Street, Liverpool-where for the last few years she has been residing-at the age of sixty-six." EVERARD HOME COLEMAN. 71, Brecknock Road, held in the Collegiate Institution, Shaw Street, In the year 1843 (I think), at an exhibition Liverpool, I purchased from Sarah Biffin a painting of a group of roses, &c., to which I saw her affix her signature. She picked off the table a long-handled pen with her tongue, and putting the end under a pin on the top of her right shoulder, used it with her lips. She also used the brush in the same manner. She had neither arms nor legs. H. S. H. My mother met Miss Biffin in Exeter, and was to have sat to her for a miniature, but was unable to do so. She received a note from the artist, which we have still. She had no legs or arms. Her pens or brushes were slipped into loops on the shoulder of her dress. We have a likeness of her also a round, merry face, with curls. She wears a low bodice and necklace. M. M. M. I remember seeing her, about forty-three years ago, in a sort of polytechnic exhibition held in what was then the Mechanics' Institution at Liverpool. The impression on my mind is that she had the brush fixed in some way to her shoulder; but she may have been using her mouth. I am confident she did not work with her feet, even if she had any. I have always understood she had not. J. K. L. I have seen Miss Biffin write with her toes, and, if my memory is right, there were pictures on the walls from drawings said to be done by her. SCOTT SURTEES. [Other contributors are thanked for replies.] · MEANING OF NORE (7th S. vi. 44, 89, 198).— The letters of CANON TAYLOR and G. L. G., under the above heading, have led me to reconsider the question of the etymology of Knockholt. In my very earliest communication to N. & Q.' (6th S. ii. 316), I mentioned a fact which had come under my own knowledge, that whereas, until about half a century ago, the name of that place was spelt Nockholt, an initial K was then prefixed by Mr. Marter (a gentleman who was long resident in the village, and died there nearly thirty years ago), with the concurrence and assistance of Dr. Fly, at that time incumbent of the parish. In Hasted's History of Kent,' vol. i. p. 126, it is spelt Nockholt, and the derivation of the name (probably only a guess) is stated to be "from the old English words Noke, a corner, and holt, a with COUSINS that the word is of Saxon, therefore Leeds. DR. GUILLOTIN (5th S. i. 426, 497).—I suppose that nothing can be more certain than that the notorious physician, Dr. Joseph Ignatius Guillotin, whose name is inseparably associated with the French national lethal machine, did not perish by that instrument. Who, then, was the Dr. J. B. V. Guillotine whose fate is referred to in the Annual Register for 1794, vol. xxxvi. "Chronicle," p. 7? I quote as follows, ipsissima verba :— "28 [February]. J. B. V. Guillotine, M.D., formerly lately been executed there [apparently Lyons implied). of Lyons, was among the multitude of persons who have He was charged with having corresponded with persons at Turin. It is an extraordinary thing that he should die by an instrument of his own invention. He died with great reluctance, and declared that when he produced his instrument to the world it was from motives of humanity alone." wood." In the next page, however (127), a quotation is given from a return of a commission of inquiry into the value of church livings, dated March 29, 1650, and in that the spelling appears as Knockholt. This form of the word, therefore, must have been older than Nockholt, and Mr. Marter in all probability considered that he was restoring the original spelling. His idea was (I have the account from one of his daughters) that the first syllable was a modification of knoll. (This word, Prof. Skeat remarks, may be a contracted form and "stand for knokel, a diminutive of a Celtic knok; the word being ultimately of Celtic origin.") If this be accepted, Knockholt would signify hill-wood, or wood on a hill. The very early instances, however, quoted by G. L. G. seem to prove that the original spelling was Ocolte or Ockholt, which, of course, would mean oak-wood, like the village near Esher, also referred to in the second volume of the Sixth Series of N. & Q.,' which, from an erroneous notion of its meaning, is now often spelt in the neighbourhood Oakshade, though more commonly Oxshott, as the recent introduction of a railway I have carefully examined all your voluminous station has fixed it. It remains to be accounted references to this grim subject, but not one of for how the first syllable of Ockholt came to be your numerous correspondents appears to have altered into Knock; the subsequent omission of alluded to this contemporaneous record. Probably the K till restored by Mr. Marter and Dr. Fly is a (sur-) namesake of the notorious doctor, and a more simple, being doubtless due to its not being member of the same profession, perished in this sounded. Can any instance of the spelling Knock-way at Lyons towards the close of the "Reign of holt earlier than that of 1650, quoted by Hasted, be adduced? There is another village in Kent, near Greenhithe, called Knockholt, the name of which MR. SPARVEL-BAYLY stated (6th S. iv. 156) was also formerly spelt Nockholt. Was this, too, once Ockholt? Or may Hasted's derivation of the other Knockholt really apply to this? Oaks abound in the neighbourhood of both villages, though it is well known that the one near Sevenoaks is now more famous for its remarkable clump of beech trees. Terror." But your almost exhaustive treatment of the history of the guillotine does not appear to me to be complete without a notice of a contemporaneous report which probably misled Mr. Thackeray and is almost certainly responsible for the popular error so frequently corrected. NEMO. Temple. ACTS II. 9-11 (7th S. vi. 149).-The presence of Judæa in this list seems quite as strange as the absence of Syria, or any other part thereof, or, I may add, of Cyprus, the nearest island. A parallel case would be if the event had occurred at a Welsh Eisteddfod, and the narrator were to say Welshmen were present from all countries, proceeding to name all those of the European continent, and among them Wales, but not Britain, Ireland, England, or Scotland. I suspect that Judæa must have become substituted for some other name. LORD FANNY (7th S. vi. 69, 133).—I really must protest against such a reckless "guess" as that of MR. E. H. MARSHALL. The Rev. Francis Hodgson has not been dead many years. He was Provost of Eton and Archdeacon of (I think) Derby; he lived all his life among scholars and distinguished men, and neither they, nor old Etonians, nor his surviving relatives (one of whom happens to be a personal friend of my own) would willingly allow that there was anything effeminate about him. E. WALFORD, M.A. 7, Hyde Park Mansions, N.W. That is, "Llanllwch was, Caermarthen is, Aber- Llandaf a godir o gerig Caerdydd. [MR. JULIUS STEGGALL repeats the information sup "LINCOLN WAS, LONDON IS, AND YORKE SHALL plied by the REV. ED. MARSHALL.] BE" (7th S. vi. 108).-The old distich Lincoln was, London is, and York shall be is noticed in two articles on Yorkshire Local As yet York seems to be utterly regardless of her destiny, and things are done in her midst which apparently tend to retard rather than to help on the fulfilment of the prophecy. Nevertheless the consequences of a battle of Dorking may bring it about much sooner than any one would be willing to predict. ST. SWITHIN. W. Perkins, in his 'Fruitful Dialogue concerning the End of the World,' instances as a "flying prophesie" "Canterburie was, London is, and Yorke shall be," with a marginal note, "In the north they say, Lincolne was" (Collected Works,' folio, 1618, p. 468). WALTER HAINES. Faringdon, Berks. Hazlitt, in 'English Proverbs,' 1882, has, "Lincoln was,' CL. (Clarke's 'Paroemiologia,' 1639, but without reference). There is an amplified version of this proverb in Brome's 'Travels,' 1700, 8vo. :Lincoln was, and London is, And York shall be, . LONG TENURE OF A VICARAGE BY FATHER AND SON (7th S. vi. 65).—The circumstance mentioned by CUTHBERT BEDE is very remarkable, but it is not unprecedented. I can cap" it by long odds. In 1861 I sent a note to N. & Q (2nd S. xii. 141) entitled 'Parochialia, Blisland, Cornwall,' containing a list of institutions to the rectory of that parish from 1410 to 1834. On referring to that communication it may be noticed that the Rev. William Pye was instituted (April 10) 1780. He died in January or February, 1834, and in the last-named month his son, the Rev. Francis Woolcock Pye, was instituted. This, perhaps, so far, is not very remarkable; but when I say that the last-named clerk is still living and without assistance performs all the duties of his office it becomes so, the father and son having already held the benefice a hundred and eight years three months and more. What, perhaps, is still more extraordinary, the present rector, after a long widowhood, at the age of eighty-four married a second birth to a daughter. One other remarkable cirwife, who about a year after such marriage gave cumstance in this vigorous old gentleman is that for many years he considered himself an invalid and lived most abstemiously. He has never used spectacles, and writes a hand which a writingmaster might envy. This, however, is not all I have to say respecting the tenure of this benefice. The Rev. Stephen Hickes, the predecessor of William Pye, was instituted October 13, 1718, and held the benefice sixty-two years, so that it has been held by three incumbents, one of whom is still living and active, for the long period of 170 years, an average of upwards of fifty-six years. John Dell, the predecessor of Stephen Hickes, was unfortunate; he died after a tenure of only nine years. But, one step further! The predecessor of John Dell was instituted in Two popular sayings in Welsh of the same cha-1660, so that there have been only five incumbents racter as that quoted by MR. PLOMER have come since the Restoration, and from 1529, when Thomas under my notice. The first is attributed to Mer- John was instituted, who held the benefice through the stormy period of the middle of the sixteenth century down to 1581. In fact from 1529 to the present day, a period of nearly 360 years, the benefice has been held by eleven rectors only, and from lin : The fairest city of the three." Llanllwch fu, |