Notes and Queries, Number 39, July 27, 1850

    S.W.S.
Emmote de Hastings.—

"EMMOTE DE HASTINGS GIST ICI" &C.

A very early slab with the above inscription was found in 1826 on the site of a demolished transept of Bitton Church, Gloucester. By its side was laid an incised slab of – De Bitton. Both are noticed in the Archæologia, vols. xxii. and xxxi.

Hitherto, after diligent search, no notice whatever has been discovered of the said person. The supposition is that she was either a Miss De Bitton married to a Hastings, or the widow of a Hastings married secondly to a De Bitton, and therefore buried with that family, in the twelfth or thirteenth century. If any antiquarian digger should discover any mention of the lady, a communication to that effect will be thankfully received by

    H.T. ELLACOMBE.

Bitton.

Boozy Grass.—What is the derivation of "boozy grass," which an outgoing tenant claims for his cattle? Johnson has, "Boose, a stall for a cow or ox (Saxon)."

    A.C.

Gradely.—What is the meaning, origin, and usage of this word? I remember once hearing it used in Yorkshire by a man, who, speaking of a neighbour recently dead, said in a tone which implied esteem: "Aye, he was a very gradely fellow."

    A.W.H.

Hats worn by Females.—Were not the hats worn by the females, as represented on the Myddelton Brass, peculiar to Wales? An engraving is given in Pennant's Tour, 2 vols., where also may be seen the hat worn by Sir John Wynne, about 1500, apparently similar to that on the Bacon Monument, and to that worn by Bankes. A MS. copy of a similar one (made in 1635, and then called "very auntient") may be seen in the Harleian MS. No. 1971. (Rosindale Pedigree), though apparently not older than Elizabeth's time. With a coat of arms it was "wrought in backside work"—the meaning of which is doubtful. What is that of the motto, "Oderpi du pariver?"

    A.C.

Feltham's Works, Queries respecting.—

"He that is courtly or gentle, is among them like a merlin after Michaelmas in the field with crows."—A Brief Character of the Low Countries, by Owen Feltham. Folio, London, 1661.

What is the meaning of this proverb?

As a confirmation of the opinion of some of your correspondents, that monosyllables give force and nature to language, the same author says, page 59., of the Dutch tongue,—

"Stevin of Bruges reckons up 2170 monosillables, which being compounded, how richly do they grace a tongue."

Will any of your correspondents kindly inform me of the titles of Owen Feltham's works. I have his Resolves, and a thin folio volume, 1661, printed for Anne Seile, 102 pages, containing Lusoria, or Occasional Pieces; A Brief Character of the Low Countries; and some Letters. Are these all he wrote? The poem mentioned by Mr. Kersley, beginning—

"When, dearest, I but think of thee,"

is printed among those in the volume I have, with the same remark, that it had been printed as Sir John Suckling's.

    E.N.W.

Eikon Basilice.—

"[Greek: EIKON BASILIKAE], or, The True Pourtraiture of His Sacred Majestæ Charles the II. In Three Books. Beginning from his Birth, 1630, unto this present year, 1660: wherein is interwoven a compleat History of the High-born Dukes of York and Glocester. By R.F., Esq., an eye-witness.

"Quo nihil majus meliusve terris
Fata donavere, borique divi
Nee dabunt, quamvis redeant in aurum
Tempora priscum."

    Horat.
"[Greek: Otan tin' Euraes Eupathounta ton kakon
ginske touton to telei taeroumenon]."

    G. Naz Carm.
"–more than conqueror."

"London, printed for H. Brome and H. March, at the Gun, in Ivy Lane, and at the Princes' Arms, in Chancery Lane, neer Fleet Street, 1660."

The cover has "C.R." under a crown. What is the history of this volume. Is it scarce, or worth nothing?

    A.C.

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting Guest?"

—Whence comes the sentence—

"Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest?"

    E.N.W.
Carpets and Room-paper.—Carpets were in Edward III.'s reign used in the palace. What is the exact date of their introduction? When did they come into general use, and when were rushes, &c., last used? Room-paper, when was it introduced?

    JARLTZBERG.

Cotton of Finchley.—Can some one of your readers give me any particulars concerning the family of Cotton, which was settled at Finchley, Middlesex, about the middle of the sixteenth century?

    C.F.

Wood Carving in Snow Hill.—Can any one explain the wood carving over the door of a house at the corner of Snow Hill and Skinner Street. It is worth rescuing from the ruin impending it.

    A.C.

Walrond Family.—Can any of your readers inform me what was the maiden name of Grace, the wife of Col. Humphry Walrond, of Sea, in the county of Somerset, a distinguished loyalist, some time Lieutenant-Governor of Bridgewater, and Governor of the island of Barbadoes in 1660. She was living in 1635 and 1668. Also the names of his ten children, or, at all events, his three youngest. I have reason to believe the seven elder were George, Humphry, Henry, John, Thomas, Bridget, and Grace.

    W. DOWNING BRUCE.

Translations.—What English translations have appeared of the famous Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum?

Has La Chiave del Gabinetto del Signor Borri (by Joseph Francis Borri, the Rosicrucian) ever been translated into English? I make the same Query as to Le Compte de Gabalis, which the Abbé de Rillan founded on Borri's work?

    JARLTZBERG.

Bonny Dundee—Graham of Claverhouse.—Can any of your correspondents tell me the origin of the term "Bonny Dundee?" Does it refer to the fair and flourishing town at the mouth of the Tay, or to the remarkable John Graham of Claverhouse, who was created Viscount of Dundee, after the landing of the Prince of Orange in England, and whose person is admitted to have been eminently beautiful, whatever disputes may exist as to his character and conduct?

2. Can reference be made to the date of his birth, or, in other words, to his age when he was killed at Killycrankie, on the 27th of July, 1689. All the biographies which I have seem are silent upon the point.

    W.L.M.