Notes and Queries, Number 68, February 15, 1851

"Quanto juniores tanto perspicaciores, quia juniores posteriores successione temporum ingrediuntor labores priorum."—Opus Majus, p. 9. ed. Jebb.

The Opus Majus of Roger Bacon was not, however, printed until the last century, and could not have been known to Lord Bacon unless he had read it in manuscript.

The second is from Ludovicus Vives, De Caus. Corrupt. Art., lib. i., of which Mr. Stewart gives the following version:—

"The similitude which many have fancied between the superiority of the moderns to the ancients, and the elevation of a dwarf on the back of a giant, is altogether false and puerile. Neither were they giants, nor are we dwarfs, but all of us men of the same standard; and we, the taller of the two, by adding their height to our own. Provided always that we do not yield to them in study, attention, vigilance, and love of truth; for if these qualities be wanting, so far from mounting on the giant's shoulders, we throw away the advantages of our own just stature, by remaining prostrate on the ground."

Ludovicus Vives, the eminent Spanish writer, died in 1540, and therefore preceded the active period of Lord Bacon's mind by about half a century.

Mr. Stewart likewise cites the following sentences of Seneca, which, however, can hardly be said to contain the germ of this thought:—

"Veniet tempus quo ista quæ nunc latent, in lucem dies extrahet, et longioris ævi diligentia.... Veniet tempus, quo posteri nostri tam aperta nos nescisse mirabuntur."—Quæst. Nat. viii. 25.

    L.

Umbrella (Vol. i., p. 414.; Vol. ii., pp. 25. 93. 126. 346. 491. 523.; Vol. iii., p. 37.).—Although I conceive that ample proof has been given in your columns that umbrellas were generally known at an earlier period than had been commonly supposed, yet the following additional facts may not perhaps be unacceptable to your readers.

In Bailey's Dictionary, vol. i. (8th edit. 1737), are these articles:—

"Parasol, a sort of small canopy or umbrella, to keep off the rain."

"Umbella, a little shadow; an umbrella, bon-grace, skreen-fan, &c., which women bear in their hands to shade them."

"Umbelliforus Plants [among botanists]. Plants which have round tufts, or small stalks standing upon greater; or have their tops branched and spread like a lady's umbrella."

"Umbrello [Ombrelle, F.; Ombrella, Ital. of Umbrella, or Umbrecula, L.], a sort of skreen that is held over the head for preserving from the sun or rain; also a wooden frame covered with cloth or stuff, to keep off the sun from a window."

In Bailey's Dictionary, vol. ii. (3rd edit. 1737), is the following:—

"Umbellated [Umbellatus, L.]; bossed. In botan. writ. is said of flowers when many of them grow together, disposed somewhat like an umbrella. The make is a sort of broad, roundish surface of the whole, &c. &c."

Horace Walpole (Memoirs of the Reign of George II., vol. iii. p. 153.), narrating the punishment of Dr. Shebbeare for a libel, 5th December, 1758, says,—

"The man stood in the pillory, having a footman holding an umbrella to keep off the rain."

In Burrow's Reports (vol. ii. p. 792.), is an account of the proceedings in the Court of King's Bench against Arthur Beardmore, under-sheriff of Middlesex, for contempt of court in remitting part of the sentence on Dr. Shebbeare. The affidavits produced by the Attorney-General stated—

"That the defendant only stood upon the platform of the pillory, unconfined, and at his ease, attended by a servant in livery (which servant and livery were hired for this occasion only) holding an umbrella over his head, all the time:"

and Mr. Justice Dennison, in pronouncing sentence on Beardmore, did not omit to allude to the umbrella.

    C. H. Cooper.

Cambridge, January 25. 1851.

Form of Prayer at the Healing (Vol. iii., p. 42.).—A copy of this service of an earlier date than those mentioned is before me. It was printed in folio at the Hague, 1650; and is appended to "a Form of Prayer used in King Charles II.'s Chappel upon Tuesdays, in the times of his trouble and distress." Charles I. was executed on that day of the week.

    J. H. M.

Miscellaneous

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC

"Thoughts take up no room," saith Jeremy Collier, in a curious passage which Mr. Elmes has adopted as the motto of a pretty little volume, which he has just put forth under the following characteristic title: Horæ Vacivæ, a Thought-book of the Wise Spirits of all Ages and all Countries, fit for all Men and all Hours. The work appears to have furnished a source of occupation to its editor when partially recovering from a deprivation of sight. It is well described by him as a "Spicilegium of golden thoughts of wise spirits, who, though dead, yet speak;" and being printed in Whittingham's quaintest style, and suitably bound, this Thought-book is as externally tempting as it is intrinsically valuable.

The Calendar of the Anglican Church Illustrated, with Brief Accounts of the Saints who have Churches dedicated in their Names, or whose Images are most frequently met with in England; the Early Christian and Mediæval Symbols; and an Index of Emblems, is sufficiently described in its title-page. The editor very properly explains that the work is of an archæological, not of a theological character—and as such it is certainly one which English archæologists and ecclesiologists have long wanted. The editor, while judiciously availing himself of the labours of Alt, Radowitz, Didron, and other foreign writers, has not spared his own, having, with the view to one portion of it, compiled a list of all the churches in England, with the saints after whom they were named. This is sufficient to show that the work is one of research, and consequently of value; that value being materially increased by the numerous woodcuts admirably engraved by Mr. O. Jewitt, with which it is illustrated.

Books Received.—Helena, The Physician's Orphan. The third number of Mrs. Clarke's interesting series of tales, entitled, The Girlhood of Shakspeare's Heroines. Every-day Wonders, or Facts in Physiology which all should know: a very successful endeavour to present a few of the truths of that science which treats of the structure of the human body, and of the adaptation of the external world to it in such a form as that they be readily apprehended. Great pains have been taken that the information imparted should be accurate; and it is made more intelligible by means of some admirable woodcuts.

Catalogues Received.—John Miller's (43. Chandos Street) No. 18. of Catalogues of Books Old and New; J. Russell Smith's (4. Old Compton Street) Catalogue Part II. of an Extensive Collection of Choice, Useful, and Curious Books.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES WANTED TO PURCHASE

Recherches Historiques sur les Congrégations Hospitaliers Des Frères Pontifes. A. Grégoire. Paris, 1818, 8vo. 72 pp.

Sepulchral Memorials of a Market Town, by Dawson Turner. Yarmouth, 1848.

Stephen's Central America, 2 vols. 8vo. plates.

Whartoni Anglia Sacra. The best edition.

Novum Testamentum Gr. Ex recensione Greisbach, cum var. lect. 4 vols. 4to. Leipsic, 1806 or 1803. Engraved Frontispiece.

Lardner on the Trinity.

Goodridge, John, The Phœnix; or, Reasons for believing that the Comet, &c. London, 1781, 8vo.

*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to Mr. Bell, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

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Nursery Rhymes, edited by James Orchard Halliwell, Esq., F. R. S., &c.