Notes and Queries, Number 04, November 24, 1849

Sir,—Will any of your readers favour me with an account of the origin, as well as the date of introduction, of the term "Gothic," as applied to the Pointed Styles of Ecclesiastical Architecture?

This Query is, of course, intimately connected with the much-disputed question of the origin of the Pointed Style itself. But yet I imagine that the application of the term "Gothic" may be found to be quite distinct, in its origin, from the first rise of the Pointed Arch. The invention of the Pointed Arch cannot, surely, be attributed to the Goths; whence then the origin and the meaning of the term Gothic?

    R. VINCENT. Winchester, Nov. 12.

KATHERINE PEGG

Sir,—I think you may safely add Pepys's Diary to the list of books in illustration of which you are willing to receive both Queries and Answers. There is not a passage in the Diary that does not deserve to be understood.

At vol. iv. p. 435. of the new edition is the following entry:—

"7 May, 1668. Here [at the King's Theatre] I did kiss the pretty woman newly come, called Pegg, that was Sir Charles Sedley's mistress, a mighty pretty woman, and seems (but is not) modest."

On this Lord Braybrooke has the following note:—

"Pegg must have been Margaret Hughes, Prince Rupert's mistress, who had probably before that time lived with Sir Charles Sedley."

And then follows some account of Mrs. Hughes. But, query, was the "Pegg" of the Diary, Peg Hughes? was she not rather as I belived her to have been, Katherine Pegg, by whom king Charles II. had a son, Charles Fitz-Charles, created Earl of Plymouth, 29th July, 1675, died 1680?

Katherine Pegg has escaped Lord Braybrooke. Can any of your correspondents tell me who she was?

    PETER CUNNINGHAM

QUERIES IN MEDIÆVAL GEOGRAPHY

What are the modern names of "Watewich," "Portum Pusillum," "Mare de Saham," "Perpessa," and "Northmuth?" They are not to be found in Ferrario's Lexicon (a geographical dictionary so defective that it has not even the Latin name for Aix-la-Chapelle), nor in Baudrand's Lexicon Geographicum (a good dictionary for the mediæval Latin names in France, but not so perfect as the Index Geographicum attached to the volumes of Bouquet), nor in Martiniere's Grande Dictionnarie Geographique, nor in the Index to Wright's Courthand, a miserable and imperfect compilation.

[These Queries are addressed to our correspondents in a very flattering review of "NOTES AND QUERIES" which appeared in the Morning Herald of the 16th of November, and we shall be very glad to receive such answers to all or any of them as it may be in the power of any of our friends to supply.]

MYLES BLOOMFYLDE AND WILLIAM BLOMEFIELD'S METRICAL WRITINGS ON ALCHYMY

Sir,—I have had intrusted to me a MS. metrical book on Alchymy, "written by me Myles Bloomefylde, late of Bury Saynes Edmunde in ye Countye of Suffolke, Physytione;" but I can find no account of the author. Worton, Ritson, and Tanner, mention a "William Blomefield, born at Bury. Bachelor in Physic and a Monk of Bury," who wrote inter alia a metrical work called Bloomefield's Blossoms, or the Camp of Philosophy.

Were there two metrical writers on alchymy of the name Bloomfield, temp. Eliz. and connected with Bury?

    BURIENSIS.

[The following Note by Park, which first appeared in the Edition of Wharton published in 1840, iii., p. 83., coupled with the fact that William Blomefield is described as a Bachelor of Physic, would seem to show that there is but one writer, whose proper name is not William, but Myles: "From Ashmole's Notes on Theatrum Chemicum, 1652. p. 478., it seems doubtful whether his name was not Myles."]

THYNNE'S COLLECTION OF CHANCELLORS

Mr. Editor,—Can any of your correspondents inform me who was the "streict laced" gaoler of the records, alluded to in the following passage in the Collection of Chancellors of England, by Francis Thynne, inserted in Holinshed (ed. 1808) iv. 351.

"John, Chancellor of England in the time of king Henrie the second, but what he was or in what yeare of king Henrie he lived I doo not know, and therefore leave it to him that both can and ought to give life to these persons whom he imprisoneth in the east castell of London; not doubting but in time he will doo his countrie good, and correct other men; though now he be so streict laced, as that he will not procure anie furtherance of other men's trauels."

[Greek: S.]

COLD HARBOUR

Mr. Editor,—In examining the Ordnance Survey of Kent, I was quite surprised at the recurrence of the name "Cold Harbour;" and again, in Wyld's Map of London in 1550.

I believe the point has been explained before, but perhaps some of your readers could give some information as to its origin.

    G.H.B.

Nov. 8. 1849.

[The Society of Antiquaries was a good deal occupied, we scarcely know whether we may say interested, in the question raised by our correspondent, during the last session: and considerable information upon the subject will be found in the published Proceedings of the Society, and in the last part of the Archæologia. We should like to know whether there are Cold Harbours in every county in England. Mr. Hartshorne published a long list in his Salopia Antiqua. If our correspondents can give us any addition to that list, they will be acceptable. We are aware that there are several in Kent.]

STATISTICS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Mr. Editor,—If any reader of your valuable and much-needed periodical can, through its medium, supply me with the title of some recent and authentic work containing Statistics of the Roman Catholic Church—e.g. the number of its members, or reputed members, in the different European States; the number and temporalities of its sees, clergy, &c.—he will confer on me a great obligation; one which it will be a pleasure to me to repay to some other "Querist," should it lie within my power to supply any desired information, in my turn. Your faithful servant,

    E.E.

INCUMBENTS OF CHURCH LIVINGS

Sir,—perhaps some of the readers of your useful publication could inform me where I can find the name and birth-place of incumbents of church livings prior to 1680, and the patrons of them. Your well-wisher,

    L.

THE CURSE OF SCOTLAND—WHY IS THE NINE OF DIAMONDS SO CALLED?

I shall be obliged to any of your correspondents who will inform me why the Nine of Diamonds is called the curse of Scotland. I have heard two causes assigned. One, that the Duke of Cumberland, on the field after the battle of Culloden, wrote upon the back of this card a very cruel and inhuman order for the destruction of the persons and property of the rebels. This cannot be true, for I have in my possession a print entitled "Britons Association against the Pope's Bulls." In it the young Pretender or prince is represented attempting to lead across the Tweed a herd of bulls laden with curses, excommunications, indulgences, &c. &c. &c. On the ground before them lies the Nine of Diamonds. This print is dated Oct. 21. 1745, some months previous to the battle of Culloden.

The other cause assigned is, that the nine lozenges with which the saltire is charged in the armorial bearings of the Earl of Stair, are so arranged as to resemble the nine of diamonds, which was called the curse of Scotland, from the active part taken by that Earl in promoting the Union, which was most unpopular in Scotland. I cannot positively deny that the card in question owes its evil name to this cause, but I am not aware that the Earl of Stair was so conspicuously active as to occasion his being peculiarly selected as an object of popular aversion on that account. He was indeed a commissioner for drawing up the articles of the union, and he was sent ambassador to the court of Louis XIV. chiefly for the purpose of watching the proceedings of the Jacobites; these circumstances may have added to the odium which attached to his name from the part which was taken by his predecessor, who was Secretary for Scotland, and was charged with having exceeded his authority in ordering the massacre of Glencoe.

    EDW. HAWKINS.

Nov. 12. 1849

[We would add to Mr. Hawkins's Query, another, viz.: What is the earliest known instance of the card in question being so designated? For it is clear, if such was the case before the Union, the second explanation is as little satisfactory as the first.]

NOTES OF BOOK SALES—CATALOGUES, ETC

The collectors of British portraits—and there are doubtless many such among our readers—will shortly have such an opportunity of enriching their portfolios as rarely presents itself. Messrs. Sotheby and Co. commence, on the 3rd of December, the sale of the second portion of the important and valuable stock of prints belonging to the well-known and eminent printsellers, Messrs. W. and G. Smith, whose shop in Lisle Street, Leicester Square, has been for so many years the favourite resort of all who were in search of the rare and curious in calcographic art. Messrs. Sotheby describe the present Sale as "comprising one of the most numerous and interesting collections of British Historical Portraits ever offered for sale;" and the following Lots, which exhibit specimens of the rarities it contains, justify their statement.

33 ARCHIBALD EARL OF ARGYLL, by Loggan, first state, before the inscription round the oval, VERY FINE AND RARE.

56 SIR WM. ASHURST, Lord Mayor of London, 1694, after Linton, by R. White, VERY FINE AND RARE.

59 SLINGSBY BETHELL, ONE OF THE SHERIFFS OF LONDON, &c. 1680, whole length, W. Sherwin sculpt., sold by S. Lee, at the Feathers in Lumbert Street, VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE.

130 SIR RICHARD RAINSFORD, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, mezzotint after Claret, R. Tompson excudit, MOST BRILLIANT AND VERY RARE.

160 JAMES THE FORTH, KING OF SCOTLAND, holding a flower in his hand, sold by Compton Holland, EXTREMELY FINE AND VERY RARE.

176 FREDERICK KING OF BOHEMIA, half length, standing under an arch, four Latin lines beneath, no engraver's name, VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE.