amination of the nature and dates of the coins, we are inclined to think that it was a "pix" or vessel for containing the consecrated Host on the altar of a Roman Catholic Church or Cathedral. Its shape suggests no other purpose, the inscriptions and the disposition of the coins signify an ecclesiastical use, and there are several "pixes" in existence of nearly similar shape. It also seems to have belonged to some church in the Archiepiscopal See of Treves.

"The present owner obtained it from a German peasant who has settled in the backwoods of Wisconsin, but how such a valuable curiosity found its way to that place is a question yet to be settled."

MILTON'S BLINDNESS.

J. H. A. B.

In referring to a Life of Milton by the Rev. R. A. Wilmott, which appears to have been compiled from sources within the reach of the most ordinary inquirer, and to the letter addressed by the poet to his friend Leonard Philaras, which is to be found translated, in extenso, in Todd's well

known edition of the poet's Works, your vigilant correspondent, MR. HOPPER, has thrown no new light on the question of the date of Milton's blindness. I look forward, however, with considerable interest to his further investigation of the Hartlib correspondence which he has had the good fortune to discover, and which he will, no doubt, turn to account. The first letter which he quotes from the Rev. Mr. Durie to Samuel Hartlib, dated November 18, 1654, refers to Milton and his blindness; but contains nothing which indicates that the calamity might not have overtaken him two or three years before: whilst the writer's omission to allude to it in the communication of June, 1652, affords no ground for the presumption that it might not have existed at that date.

Todd is of opinion that the poet became "utterly blind two or three years before his second marriage;" having "lost the use of his left eye in 1651, and, according to his biographers, that of the other eye in 1654." The reason he assigns for referring it to an earlier period is the following passage in a letter in Thurloe's State Papers from the Hague, dated June 20, 1653: "Vous avez en Angleterre un aveugle nommé Milton qui a le renom d'avoir bien escrit." If the inference which he deduces from this sentence be correct, the consummation of the poet's affliction must have occurred more than "two or three years" before his second marriage; as that did not take place until November, 1656. Sir Egerton Brydges (a careful and intelligent investigator), from whom Mr. Wilmott appears to have adopted the conclusion referred to by MR. HOPPER, declares that, in 1652, the poet's "eyesight was entirely lost," but produces no evidence in support of the assertion. His guess would seem, however, to have been pretty near the mark; and is scarcely discoun

tenanced by the letter introducing Marvell to Bradshaw, of Feb. 1562, in which Milton describes himself as unfit to attend at conferences with ambassadors by reason of his condition! If this letter should turn out to be a holograph, which seems highly improbable, the condition to which it refers could not have been that of utter blindness.

It is true that in the interesting autobiographical letter addressed by Milton to the author of Clamor Regii Sanguinis, published by Sir Egerton Brydges, and referred to by MR. HOPPER, he says of his eyes, that "so little do they betray any external appearance of injury, that they are as unclouded and bright as the eyes of those who most distinctly see." But he might have been entirely blind notwithstanding; for I have heard of several instances of persons so circumstanced who carried no external marks of their deprivation in their countenances. He describes himself in the same letter as more than forty years of age, and as he was born in 1608, it would have been writhe had lost the sight of one eye at that time at ten about 1649-50; when it may be assumed that the least.

Could we fix the precise date of his second Sonnet to Cyriac Skinner, the problem might be easily solved; for he tells us in that poem that he had been blind for three years:

"Cyriac, this three years day these eyes though clear
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light their seeing have forgot,
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star," &c.

The Sonnet "On his Blindness," No. XIX., would seem to fix the date of his calamity at an earlier period than that suggested by Sir Egerton Brydges, or indeed by any of his biographers : —

"When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days," &c.

If total blindness did not overtake him until 1654, he would at that date have attained the age of forty-six years; much more than half the allotted term of human existence. This Sonnet, therefore, appears to me to warrant the belief that the poet's total blindness could not have taken place later than 1652, at the very latest. As a sample of the sort of correctness that may be looked for in such editions of "standard" authors as are hurried through the press in monthly livraisons, I may notice the fact, that in Sir Egerton Brydges's edition of Milton the poet is made to marry his second wife in 1658, and bury her in 1657! This absurd blunder could hardly have been that of the editor, who resided at the time at Geneva; but arose, in all probability, from the foolish haste with which the book was driven through the press. A more modern editor of a cheap "standard" work makes Sheridan write his School for Scandal at six years of age! Of what use for purposes of reference, or indeed for any

mentioned, where a Protestant congregation has lately been formed; and the writer of the account is made by his translator to say that "this little congregation, consisting chiefly of poor people, is partly supported in maintaining a preacher and schoolmaster by M. Gustavus Adolphus Verein." Now, in the north of Germany a society was formed some years ago for aiding Protestant congregations scattered among the southern Roman Catholic districts; and it appeared natural for such a society to assume a title which would recal the memory of some ancient champion of Protestantism. The name of Gustavus Adolphus, "the Lion of the North," was very suitably chosen, and the society has ever since been known as the Gustav Adolf Verein. The translator I have quoted has mistaken the title of this society for the name of a person, and accordingly Monsieur Verein is announced to the world as a nursing father of a Protestant church. Can any specimen of mistranslation surpass this?

Minor Queries.

ANON.

The old Seal of the London Bridge Estate Wanted. Howel, in his Londinopolis, says (p. 395.):

"The Great Bridge hath such large revenues belong. ing unto it, with a particular stately seal, which of old had the effigies of Thomas of Becket (a Londoner born) upon it, with this inscription in the name of the city: Me que te peperi, ne cesses, Thoma, tueri.' But the seal was altered in Henry the Eight's reign."

On the leases of the Bridge Estate granted up to 1538, no doubt an impression of this seal may be found, and if any reader of "N. & Q." would kindly let me know where I might be able to see one, I should be very thankful.

Brook Green, Hammersmith.

conducted? and was George Steevens at any time the editor of it, or in any way mixed up with its management? W. J. T.

Life of S. Teresa. - The following work was purchased at the dispersion of the library at Haggerston Castle last month:

"The Lyf of the Mother Teresa of Iejus, Foundresse of the Monasteries of the descalced, or barefooted Carmelite Nunnes and Fryeres of the first rule, Written by her self, at the commandement of her ghostly father, and was translated into English out of Spanish by W. M. of the Society of Iesus." Antwerp, 1612, small 8vo.

On the title-page occurs the autograph of "Anne Haggerston" written in an old hand. Is the name of the translator known, or is the work of common occurrence ? The Haggerstons were a Roman Catholic family of antiquity and opulence in the county of Northumberland, and there seems to have been some very curious works in the library; but the catalogue having been prepared in the country was very unsatisfactory, numberless valuable articles having been sold in lots. The baronetcy has devolved upon the male representative of William Haggerston Constable, J. M. Esq.

Bishop and Divine.-The following is from a pamphlet entitled Is the Pope Coming? London, 1703, pp. 64. :

The Narrowing of the Choir.-In Canterbury Cathedral it is well known that the choir grows narrower towards the eastern end. I have an idea that there is something of the same sort,

though not to the same extent, in other choirs. Judging by the eye, it struck me that there is a slight narrowing in the choir of Winchester Cathedral. I do not know of any published plans that are sufficiently accurate to decide the point. Can any of your correspondents furnish any information respecting it? MELETES.

Thames Frozen. Can any of your readers state in what years, during the present century, the Thames was frozen over ? * J. B.

The "St. James's Chronicle."-When was this paper first established? by whom was it originally

[* Booths were erected on the Thames in Jan. 1814. ED.]

66

it proves of course That a horse-chestnut is a chestnut horse" ? Though well known, they are not known by J. U. N.

has become so impregnated with salt as to be conEffect of Salt on Stone.-The flagging of a dairy stantly damp. Can any of your scientific correspondents inform me if there is any simple way of counteracting this and making the flags dry, the room being no longer used as a dairy. S. A. L.

Wills during the Commonwealth.- Will any one inform me what course was pursued during the Commonwealth as to registration or custody of wills? Were the old registries continued? and where are the wills of that period now to be searched for? R. G. S.

St. Francis of Assisium.—Where is to be found a good historical account in English of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisium? Н. Н.

Dives.—Where is Dives mentioned by any old author? and who first introduced the term in connexion with the rich man mentioned in the parable of Lazarus ? T. CROSFIELD.

Archbishops Francis and Narcissus Marsh. The latter of these prelates succeeded the former in the see of Dublin, and was subsequently advanced to the primacy.

Narcissus Marsh is stated by D'Alton (Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin) to have been a native of Wiltshire, and of a family long settled in Kent. He was Provost of Trinity College, and, in 1682, was consecrated Bishop of Ferns by his namesake Francis, then Abp. of Dublin. He was subsequently advanced successively to the archbishopricks of Cashel, Dublin, and Armagh, and died in 1702, unmarried, having munificently founded the public library in Dublin which bears his name, and contains his MS. Diary.

There is a stately monument to his memory in St. Patrick's Cathedral, with a long inscription, which is given in Ware.

Dr. Francis Marsh was of a Gloucestershire family, and was the first who settled in Ireland. He married Mary, elder daughter of Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor, and was ancestor of the present Sir Henry Marsh, Bart. See Baronetage and Burke's Landed Gentry.

My Query is, Were they related to each other? I have not been able to discover any connexion, though I have heard that they were cousins. JOHN RIBTON GARSTIN.

litas, with Le Livre des Pseavmes de David in the same border, but without the Psalms in Metre. Is there any work containing a bibliographical history of the Book of Common Prayer tracing its translation into other languages? GEORGE OFFOR.

- Sir

Children's Games, Time of Henry VIII. Thomas More represents a boy being sent to school, meeting with some lads at play, forgetteth all the "nurtur turtur" his parents had taught him, "falleth to wurke wyth them at some suche prety playes of lykelyhed as chyldre be wont to playe, as chyrystone mary bone, bokyll pyt, spurne poynt, cobnutte or quaytyng." None of these out-door games are mentioned in the Index to Strutt's Sports. I suppose that the last "quayt"g" means "quoiting." Can any of your antiquarian readers assist me with a description of the others? They occur in The second Parte of the Cofutacion of Tyndals Answere, small fol. Rastell,

1533, p. ciii.

GEORGE OFFor.

Pra-Roman Civilisation in Britain.-Have any of the numerous readers of "N. & Q." ever heard or read of a præ-Roman civilisation in these islands? My reason for making the inquiry is, that I heard a person the other day expressing his belief that, prior to the invasion of Britain by the Romans perhaps ages before the foundations of the seven-hilled city were laid of civilisation existed in these islands approximating to, if not rivalling, that of some of the most famous nations of antiquity, such as the Phoenicians, &c. INQUIRER.

a state

Minor Queries with Answers. Passover Rum. - Passing, on Easter Monday last, through Whitechapel Road, my eye was attracted by a broadside in a tavern window (that of the "Earl of Effingham "). Can some correspondent inform me what the connexion is between the Rev. Dr. Alder, the Chief Rabbi, and rum of "unequalled strength and quality ?"

"By permission of the Rev. Dr. Alder. Sold here | Rum and Shrub during | MDD | Passover of unequalled strength and quality."

LETHREDIENSIS.

[Ever since Israel became a nation, the Jews have used great strictness with respect to all articles of human diet, some of which they account clean, and others unclean. From the time when Jacob received the name of Israel, the Jews ate not of the sinew which shrank (Gen. xxxii. 32.); and this, as Lightfoot acutely remarks, was their first distinguishing characteristic as a people. For "circumcision differenced them not from the other seed of Abraham, by Hagar and Keturah, but this curiosity in meats first beginneth Judaism." (Lightfoot, Works, 1684, vol. i. p. 696.) The use of blood being subsequently prohibited by the Law of Moses, "beasts must be slaughtered by a Jew," not by a Gentile; and by a Jew "that hath a licence from the Head-Priest." (Book of the Religion, &c. of the Jews, p. 88.) In particular, during the festival of the Passover, the strictness extends not only to eatables but to drinkables. At the celebration of the festival, "their drinkables is either fair water, or water boiled with sassafras and liquorice, or raisin-wine prepared by themselves" (ib. p. 45.); and at Jerusalem, even at the time when the Temple-Service was still maintained, "they were curious" with respect to the four cups of wine to be drunk at the feast, "about the measure and about the mixture." (Lightfoot, vol. i. p. 961.) But, in consequence of the obligation to abstain from leaven throughout the whole period of the Passover, the "curiosity" extended at that season to all drinks. During the festival, says Schudt, the Frankfort Jews might drink no beer (Jüdische Merkwürdigkeiten, part ii. p. *319.), because barley produces yeast or leaven; nay, a Rabbi, says the same writer, declined a glass of wine because beer had been drunk out of the same vessel, fearing that it might retain some "atomi fermentati," or something approaching to leaven (" oder etwas säuerliches," ib. part i. p. 312.). Hence may we understand why, during the Passover, the Jews have recourse to rum and shrub. Rum is the produce of the sugar-cane; shrub is a compound of rum, acid, and sugar or syrup; neither is concocted from grain, so that all risk of leaven is precluded. But even

these permitted and canonical drinks cannot be vended, except under the sanction of the Rev. Chief Rabbi, on renders his patriarchal licence requisite for the killing the same principle which, as we have already seen, of meat. The Jews of London, like those of Frankfort, abstain from malt liquor during the Passover, for the reason already indicated. In order that the "shorter" beverage indulgently substituted may be above suspicion, the Chief Rabbi, at the Docks, sets his seal on certain casks of rum, neat as imported, which then become an authorised drink. This accounts for the strength of the rum, as expressed in the advertisement. It has passed through the hands of no dealer. The rum may be vended by Gentiles as well as Jews; but when sold retail, it must be drawn from the sealed cask (a very inadequate security after all).. The practice may be witnessed during Passover in those parts of London which are most frequented by the Jews; for instance, in Houndsditch. The publicans take out a part of the front window of their tap-room, and the sealed cask stands ready on draught, so that the Jewish purchaser can drink without entering. This last circumstance curiously illustrates John xviii. 28., "They themselves went not into the judgment-hall, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover." During the Passover a kind of white brandy is allowed, as well as rum.]

St. Olave's Day. On what day was St. Olave (or more correctly Olaf) commemorated? I have examined two copies of the Breviarium Romanum, published at Sens and at Mechlin; and I cannot find his name in the calendar prefixed to either of them, any more than in that in the English Prayer-Book; yet there are many churches in the United Kingdom which bear his name. London, Southwark, York, Chester, Chichester, Waterford, and doubtless other places, possess such churches; and an English Breviary would probably contain an office for his day, or at any rate would indicate what that day was. E. H. D. D.

[The Danish monarch, St. Olave, is commemorated on July 29. His name is variously spelt Amlaf, Olaf, Olaus, Olavius, and was called in England St. Oley, or corruptly St. Tooley; hence Tooley Street in Southwark, in which stands St. Olave's Church. This saint is sometimes confounded in Ireland with St. Doolagh, as his name was certainly hardened into St. Ullock, or St. Tullock. Cf. Butler's Lives of the Saints; Newcourt's Repertorium, i. 509.; and Obits and Martyrology of Christ Church, p. lxxxiii.: Irish Archæological Society.]

Hogarth and Sir Isaac Shard. The following story appears in some editions of the Life of Hogarth:

"In the picture of the Miser's Feast, Mr. Hogarth thought proper to pillory Sir Isaac Shard, a gentleman proverbially avaricious; hearing this, a son of Sir Isaac called upon the painter to see the picture, and upon asking whom that odd figure was intended to represent, the painter replied that it was thought very like one Sir Isaac Shard. Mr. Shard drew his sword and slashed the canvass, upon which Hogarth instantly appeared in great wrath; but Mr. Shard calmly justified what he had done, saying that he was the injured party's son, and was ready to defend any suit at law, which however was never instituted."

Can any of your readers inform me what became of that painting? and whether it was one of