Notes and Queries, Number 211, November 12, 1853

    Cestriensis.

Mackey's "Theory of the Earth."—I have a small pamphlet entitled,

"A New Theory of the Earth and of Planetary Motion; in which it is demonstrated that the Sun is Vicegerent of his own System. By Sampson Arnold Mackey, author of Mythological Astronomy and Urania's Key to the Revelations, &c. Norwich, printed for the Author."

There is no date on the title-page, but a notice on the second page indicates 1825. The book is extraordinary, and shows great astronomical and philological attainments, with some startling facts in geology, and bold theories as to the formation of the earth. I have endeavoured to procure the other two works of which Mr. Mackey is said to be the author, and also some account of him, but without success. I can hardly suppose that a writer of so much ability and learning can be unknown, and shall feel much obliged by any information as to him or his writings.

    J. Ward.

Coventry.

Birthplace of King Edward V.—Can you give me any information as to the exact birthplace of this monarch?

Hume (vol. ii. p. 430.) merely says that he was born while his mother was in sanctuary in London, and his father was a fugitive from the victorious Earl of Warwick.

Commynes (book iii. chap. 5.) also says that she took refuge "es franchises qui sont à Londres," and "y accoucha d'ung filz en grant povreté."

Chastellain, at p. 486. of his Chronique, says: "Elle alla à Saincte-Catherine, une abbeye, disoient aucuns: aucuns autres disoient à Vasemonstre (Westminster), lieu de franchise, qui oncques n'avoit esté corrompu."

I should be glad to have some more definite information on this point, if any of your readers can supply it.

    A Leguleian.

Name of Infants.—In Scotland there is a superstition that it is unlucky to tell the name of infants before they are christened. Can this be explained?

    R. J. A.

Geometrical Curiosity.—Take half a sheet of note-paper; fold and crease it so that two opposite corners exactly meet; then fold and crease it so that the remaining two opposite corners exactly meet. Armed with a fine pair of scissors, proceed now to repeat both these folds alternately without cessation, taking care to cut off quite flush and clear all the overlappings on both sides after each fold. When these overlappings become too small to be cut off, the paper is in the shape of a circle, i. e. the ultimate intersection of an infinite series of tangents. Perhaps Professor De Morgan will give the rationale of this procedure.

    C. Mansfield Ingleby.

Birmingham.

Denison Family.—Can any correspondent of "N. & Q." inform me how the Denisons of Denbies, near Dorking, in Surrey, and the Denisons of Ossington, in Nottinghamshire, were related? Who was Mr. Robert Denison of Nottingham, who took a very active part in politics at the commencement of the French Revolution? His wife had a handsome legacy from a rich old lady, one Mrs. Williams, of whom I would much like to know something farther.

    E. H. A.

"Came."—In Pegge's Anecdotes of the English Language, p. 189., we read:

"The real preterit of the Saxon verb coman, is com. Came is therefore a violent infringement, though it is impossible to detect the innovator, or any of his accomplices."

When was the word came introduced into our language? Early instances of its use would be very welcome.

    H. T. G.

Hull.

Montmartre.—By some this name is derived from mons martis; by others from mons martyrum. Which is the more satisfactory etymology, and upon what authority does it rest?

    Henry H. Breen.

St. Lucia.

Law of Copyright: British Museum.—Observing that the new law of copyright, which was passed and came into operation on the 1st of July, 1842, expressly repeals all of the statutes previously existing on that subject, I am anxious to know, through the medium of "N. & Q.," if the British Museum authorities can claim and enforce the delivery of any book, although not entered on the books of Stationers' Hall, which may have been printed and published before the passing of the said act of 1842. If so, then what is the state of the act or statute which bears upon that particular privilege?

    J. A.

Glasgow.

Veneration for the Oak.—The oak—"the brave old oak"—has been an object of veneration in this country from the primæval to the present times. The term oak is used in several places in Scripture, but nowhere does it appear to refer to the oak as we know it—our indigenous oak. The oak, under which God appeared to Abraham, bears apparently a resemblance to the tree of life of the Assyrian sculptures; and, perhaps, the ZoroastrianHoma, or sacred tree, and the sacred tree of the Hindus; and the same may yet be found in the British oak. Is there a botanical affinity between these trees? Are they all oaks? Was the tree of life, as described in the Bible, an oak?

    G. W.

Stansted, Montfichet.

Father Matthew's Chickens.—Can any of your correspondents explain why grouse in Scotland are sometimes called "Father Matthew's chickens?"

    M. R. G.

Pronunciation of Bible and Prayer Book proper Names.—I feel sure that many of your clerical correspondents would feel much obliged by any assistance that might be forwarded them through the medium of your columns respecting the correct pronunciation of those proper names which occur during divine service: such as Sabaoth, Moriah, Aceldama, Sabacthani, Abednego, and several others of the same class.—The opinions already given in publications are so contradictory, that I have been induced to ask you to insert this Query.

    W. Sloane Sloane-Evans.

Cornworthy Vicarage, Totnes.

MSS. of Anthony Bave.—I possess a volume of MS. Sermons, Treatises, and Memorandums in the autograph of one Anthony Bave, who appears, from the doctrines broached therein, to have been a moderate Puritan. What is known concerning him? It is a book I value much from the beauty of the writing and the vigorous style of the discourses.

    R. C. Warde.

Kidderminster.

Return of Gentry, temp. Hen. VI.—In what collection, or where, can the Return of Gentry of England 12th Henry VI. be seen or met with?

    Glaius.

Taylor's "Holy Living."—In Pickering's edition of this work (London, 1848), some of the quotations are placed in square brackets (e. g. on p. xii.); and some of the paragraphs have an asterisk prefixed to them (as on p. 8.). Why?

    A. A. D.

Captain Jan Dimmeson.—Can any one give me some information about him? I find his name on a pane of glass, with the date of 1667, in the vicinity of Windsor. I had not an opportunity to obtain a copy of some words that were painted on the glass, beneath a fine flowing sea with a ship in full sail upon its bosom.

    F. M.

Greek and Roman Fortification.—Where can I obtain an account of Greek and Roman fortification? I am surprised to find that Smith's Classical Dictionary has no article upon that subject.

    J. H. J.

The Queen at Chess.—In the old titles of the men at chess, the queen, who does all the hard work, was called the prime minister, or grand vizier. When did the change take place, and who thought of giving all the power to a woman? Truly in the game "woman is the head of the man," reversing the just order.