all of us have derived such knowledge of the past as we possess, though profuse in information of a certain kind, are well nigh silent with regard to many of the most important events which are bearing fruit for good or for evil up to the present hour. Grimm. It is taken from the so-called Wiener Genesis. This monument of the Middle High German language was written about 1070 (Paul's Grundriss, vol. ii. chap. i. p. 248). It has called forth several valuable treatises. Two of them, the most important ones, viz., Scherer, 'Zu Genesis und Exodus,' 1874, and Vogt, 'Ueber Genesis und Exodus' (in Paul and Braune, 'Beiträge,' vol. ii. pp. 208-317), are at my disposal. But though both Scherer and Vogt carefully investigated the sources of the poem, neither has been able to trace back the history of the passage in question. Nor have I been more fortunate. Perhaps some reader of N. & Q.' will be more successful if he can spend the time to look up all the references given by Migne, 219, 101 Index Generalis Com-torians, without exception, devote but a few words to mentariorum in Scripturas," and 220, 295 “De Circumstantiis Judicium Præcedentibus." Who was it, we wonder, who first directed attention to the extreme importance of the Black Death in the history of European development? We cannot answer the question, though we have a strong impression that the merit of its discovery belongs to Prof. Seebohm. The late Mr. Thorold Rogers, Dr. Creighton, and Dr. Jessopp have all done good work regarding the great pestilence. We believe that it was the elaborate researches of the last of these gentlemen which, by bringing statistics to bear, first stamped on the popular mind a true conception of the awful tragedy of five hundred years ago. How very little our instructors realized what took place is proved by the fact that all our histhe subject. It is no exaggeration to say that, while most of us who have received a liberal education could give a fair description of the plague at Athens, not one in a hundred knows anything, beyond its mere name, of the Black Death. There is some excuse to be made for the historians of One might expect to find a parallel passage to the statement of Petrus Comestor among the 66 Quindecim Signa ante Judicium." Nölle (Paul and Braune, Beiträge,' vol. vi. pp. 413-76) has the past. They knew how vague the medieval chropointed out fifty-one versions of the Signa,' forty-niclers were as to figures. They had encountered statements of improbable numbers killed in battle, and therefive of which he has been able to distribute into fore, no doubt, concluded that the contemporary writers five types. Only one of them, the fifth, repre- who had witnessed the event they described had drawn sented by the Anglo-Norman poem,— on their imagination for numerical results. imagine that in some cases they did; but Dr. Gasquet's researches prove beyond a doubt that what have seemed exaggerations come terribly near the truth. Oiez, seignor, communement, (in Grass, Das Adamsspiel,' 1891) mentions the Newberry Library, Chicago. K. PIETSCH. AUTHORS OF QUOTATIONS WANTED (8th S. v. 9). Let wicked hands iniquitously just Let feeble hands, iniquitously just, (8th S. v. 129.) Dryden has used the couplet twice. Miscellaneous. E. YARDLEY. NOTES ON BOOKS, &c. The Great Pestilence (A.D. 1348-9), now commonly known as the Black Death. By Francis Aidan Gasquet, D.D., U.S.B. (Simpkin, Marshall & Co.) How very much there is yet to learn regarding our forefathers! The older books of history, from which nearly This we A considerable part of the volume is devoted to the career of the pestilence on the Continent. It seems to have reached Europe from the Black Sea by trading vessels coming to Genoa, Where it originated we shall probably never know. It has been not unreasonably conjectured that it spread westward from Northern China. The ignorance of the laws of health and what, to use an ugly modern word, is called sanitation, no doubt accounts, in some degree, for its fatal character; but this goes but a very little way towards explaining what happened. For we find that people who lived in solitary places-villages and secluded monasteries- fell victims as easily as the inhabitants of crowded cities. We do not think that any attempt has been made to estimate what was the proportion of the dead to the living in any continental land. Probably nothing is possible beyond vague surmise. The late Dr. Neale, in his Notes on Dalmatia,' says that before the Black Death there were at Parenzo, in Istria, three thousand people, and that when the scourge had gone there were but three hundred. This is most likely an exaggeration; but it proves how very deeply the minds of the survivors were impressed by the catastrophe. Dr. Guaquet has examined the episcopal registers of many of the English dioceses, numbers of Inquisitiones post mortem, and manor rolls. From these sources much valuable knowledge has been gained; but in the entire absence of anything answering to our parish registers-which were not established until nearly two hundred years after 1348-we shall never know what was the fate of the poor. The landed men, whose deaths may be gleaned from the Inquisitiones and manor rolls, were, we assume, better fed and better housed than the poor creatures who herded in the hovels of the towns. They would, therefore, bave a better chance of escape. The clergy, on the other hand, whose duty it was to give spiritual consolation to the sick, would be in greater danger than the nobles, squires, and yeomen, who could, in a great degree, isolate themselves until the destroying angel had passed by. In the latter part of the book the author shows how the lack of labourers which followed struck a death-blow to the old forms of land tenure, and prepared the way for the substitution of free labour in the place of the various kinds of servitude which had before existed. He also shows the injury which must have been inflicted on religion by the bishops being compelled to ordain men to the ministry who were but ill fitted to discharge priestly functions. A Glossary of the Words and Phrasee used in S.-E. Worcestershire. Together with some of the Sayings, Customs, Superstitions, Charms, &c., common in the District. By Jesse Salisbury. (Salisbury.) THIS work, though not issued by the English Dialect Society, is arranged on the now well-known lines made familiar by that useful body. Mr. Salisbury has done his work well, and some of the examples he gives are very amusing. We fear, however, that his spelling, though just what it should be, will form a puzzle to strangers not accustomed to dialect work. There were some places in England-of which it seems that Pershore was one-where, till some thirty years ago, persons hanging a bush over their door had the privilege of selling beer and cider at fair times. At Pershore this right was limited to two days only, the 26th and 27th of June. Mr. Salisbury fails to tell us whether this privilege was granted by charter or was merely prescriptive. We think a list of the places where similar customs existed is buried in the pages of some forgotten Parliamentary Blue-book. If so, it would be well that the catalogue, which cannot be a long one, should be transferred to our pages. Mr. Salisbury registers a saying which we, in our ignorance, have never before heard of. The words may be comparatively modern, but the idea carries us back to a remote pre-Christian time. The sentence runs, "Tick tack, never change back, touch cold iron." It is, we are told, the "binding sentence upon the completion of an exchange or a swop by boys, at the same time touching a piece of cold iron with the finger." In far-off days iron was a sacred metal. Here we find it used to confirm a promise-a survival, no doubt, of the time when it was used to add solemnity to an oath. Mr. Salisbury tells us that there was among boys, and, he suggests, among their elders also, a "fond belief' that horsehairs, if permitted to remain in water, would turn into reptiles. We can assure him that the notion still flourishes among men and women. Southey, in one of his letters (vol. iv. p. 35), tells a wonderful story about it, and really seems to have given credit to the wonder. The error had no doubt been pointed out before. There is a useful refutation of it in the Zoologist for 1844 (vol. ii. p. 386). The creature seen, which is thought to be a horsehair come into separate life, is the Gordius aquaticus, or hair-worm. In Worcestershire it is, it seems, unlucky to kill a raven. We wish this belie fhad continued to live in other places. These noble birds are rapidly becoming extinct in many of their old haunts. Essays about Men and Women and Books. By Augustine Birrell. (Stock.) THE modicum of letterpress which lies within the liberal margins of this pretty volume is slighter in quantity than in its quality. Mr. Birrell's essays are always lively and readable, but these particular papers were cramped in their cradle and are too brief to be satisfying. We get mere snatches of good things, like hungry railway travellers, and are then hurried away to something else. How, e. g., could a subject like "Books Old and New" be dispatched in thirteen pages?—and such starveling pages ! However, taking what we can get of Mr. Birrell, we find him a charming companion, as such a sworn lover of books and all things bookish is bound to be. He gives us here a very acute and sensible criticism on that par nobile of clerical_humourists Swift and Sterne, on Vanbrugh and Dr. Johnson, Roger North and Gay. Even prim Miss Hannah More, with her prolix moralities, is not outside the range of his catholic sympathies. How sensible, too, is this dictum: "Of all odd crazes the craze to be for ever reading new books is one of the oddest." Ar the annual meeting of the Ex-Libris Society, held at St. Martin's Hall, the Secretary announced the election of thirty-two new members, thus bringing up the total number to over 380, including leading officials in the heraldic colleges of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Treasurer reported that the funds were ample, there being a balance in hand of over sixty pounds. The officers elected for the year were Mr. Walter Hamilton (formerly hon, treasurer), chairman of council; Mr. G. J. Ellis as hon. treasurer; and Mr. W. H. K. Wright, of Plymouth, as secretary and general editor. The exhibition of ex-libris literature, engravings, and heraldic curiosities was of a varied and most interesting description, and was visited by a number of collectors and art critics, THE Worcestershire Historical Society is about to issue to members, as supplementary volumes during 1894 and 1895, an elaborate index to Nash's History of Worcestershire.' It will be prepared in two forms-one in folio, to range with Nash, and one in imperial 8vo., to range with the ordinary publications of the Society; or members can have both forms on an extra payment of 10s. 6d. It will be supplied to members only, and all copies remaining after distribution will be destroyed. Applications for membership may be made to Mr. S. Southall, Guildhall, Worcester. MR. ELLIOT STOCK will publish immediately, uniform with "The Book-Lover's Library," First Editions of American Authors,' a manual for book-lovers, edited by H. Stuart Stone. Notices to Correspondents. We must call special attention to the following notices: ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately. To secure insertion of communications correspondents must observe the following rule. Let each note, query, or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with the signature of the writer and such address as he wishes to appear. Correspondents who repeat queries are requested to head the second communication "Duplicate." Contributors will oblige by addressing proofs to Mr. Slate, Athenæum Press, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, E.C. 47, 97, 136, 170, 216; and N. E. D. JOHN PICKFORD ("Codger").-See' N. & Q.,' 7th S. ix. NOTICE. Editorial Communications should be addressed to "The Editor of 'Notes and Queries ""-Advertisements and Business Letters to "The Publisher"-at the Office, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, E.C. We beg leave to state that we decline to return communications which, for any reason, we do not print; and to this rule we can make no exception. W ANTED to PURCHASE, OLD MAGAZINES, TUNBRIDGE WELLS. -APARTMENTS in a with Coloured Plates, between dates 1812 and 1816. A good price given for any numbers or volumes.-R. D., 35, St. John's-park, Blackheath, S.E. comfortably Furnished House. in a central and sheltered position, three minutes' walk from S.E.R., fifteen minutes from L.B. & S.C.R. G., Roxwell, Guildford-road, Grove Hill-road, Tunbridge Wells. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE. BANK. NOTES and QUERIES for DECEMBER 10th and Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane, London. TWO-AND-A-HALF PER CENT. INTEREST allowed on DEPOSITS, repayable on demand. TWO PER CENT. on CURRENT ACCOUNTS, on the minimum monthly balances, when not drawn below £100. STOCKS, SHARES, and ANNUITIES Purchased and Sold. A Now ready, demy 8vo. price 4s. 6d. GLOSSARY of WORDS and PHRASES USED in S.E. WORCESTERSHIRE, together with some of the Sayings, Customs, Superstitions, Charms, &c., common in that District. By JESSE SALISBURY. We congratulate Mr. Salisbury on the way in which he has carried out his work."-Bookseller. "It is pleasant to dip into the book and glance on some odd saying which perchance calls up the memory of a country ramble or of some friend with an old time flavour who has now passed away." Berrow's Worcester Journal. "The specimens of Worcestershire talk are delightfully true to life." Evesham Standard. "Of great interest to all students of folk-lore, quaint customs, &c." Church Review. London: J. SALISBURY, 48, Fleet-lane, E.C. 24th, 1892, and JANUARY 7th and 21st, 1893, contains a BIBLIOGRAPHY of MR. GLADSTONE. Price of the Four Numbers, 1s. 4d.; or free by post, 1s. 6d. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN DISRAELI, NOTES and QUERIES for APRIL 29, MAY 13th, 27th, JUNE 10th, 24th, and JULY 8th contains a BIBLIOGRAPHY of the EARL of BEACONSFIELD. This includes KEYS to VIVIAN GREY, CONINGSBY,'' LOTHAIR,' and 'ENDYMION.' Price of the Six Numbers, 2s.; or free by post, 2s. 3d. NOTES AN ORDINARY of BRITISH ARMORIALS: a Dictionary of Coats of Arms so arranged that the Names of Glass. &c., can be readily ascertained. By the late J. W. PAPWORTH, In 1,125 pp. 8vo. double columns, to bind in 1 or 2 vols. New and Cheaper Edition, price Two Shillings, C B.A. F.R.A.S. EDWARD STANFORD, 26 and 27, Cockspur-street, Charing Cross, S. W. Second Edition, price Sixpence, cloth, The Volume, JULY to DECEMBER, 1893, With the Index, Price 108. 6d., is NOW READY. 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When this frame of mind is arrived at, she tries to become worthy of the man of her choice. Her first duty is obviously to cultivate the blessing of sound health. HOLLOWAY'S 11, LITTLE STANHOPE-STREET, MAYFAIR, W. PILLS will give all that i required in this direction if they are taken with regularity. THE OXFORD CHAUCER. In Six Volumes, demy 8vo. with Portrait and Facsimiles. The remaining Five Volumes will be published at short intervals during the present year. The complete set of Six Volumes is offered to Subscribers at The Subscription List will be closed before the issue is completed, and the names of original subscribers will be given at the end of the sixth volume. This Edition of Chaucer, by one of the greatest Authorities on early English Literature, represents the unremitting labour of a quarter of a century. It is a complete edition of ALL THE GENUINE WORKS of Chaucer, whether in prose or poetry. It contains an ENTIRELY NEW TEXT, founded upon the best Manuscripts and the earliest Printed Editions. It is the first modern edition (not counting mere reprints from the old black-letter copies) which contains the whole of Chaucer's works. Various readings are recorded wherever they have any interest or value. The requirements of METRE and GRAMMAR have been carefully considered throughout. Besides these, the PHONOLOGY and SPELLING of every word have received particular attention, the spelling being, in fact, a fair guide to the true old pronunciation. The present edition is therefore the first that adequately represents the author's words. A COMPLETE COMMENTARY accompanies the whole, in which Chaucer's indebtedness to BOCCACCIO, STATIUS, OVID, BOETHIUS, &c., is duly pointed out.. In the NOTES every difficulty has been considered. The GLOSSARY is of exceptional fulness; and all necessary INDEXES are appended. Oxford: At the CLARENDON PRESS. 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COMPLETE SET of NOTES AND QUERIES, 72 volumes, well bound, with Three General Indexes, and Parts for 1892-3-HEAD MASTER, Grammar School, Wakefield. REVEALED. By his surviving Grandson, H. R. FRANCIS, M.A., London: LONGMANS, GREEN & CO. New and Cheaper Edition, price Two Shillings, CELESTIAL MOTIONS: a Handy Book of ANSWERED.-B.A. F.R.A.S. Fee, 18.-Mr. KING, 101, Sandmere-road, Clapham, S. W. BIRKBECK FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY. HOW to PURCHASE a PLOT of LAND for FIVE SHILLINGS per MONTH. The BIRKBECK ALMANACK, with full particulars, post free. BRAND & CO.'S A1 SAUCE, SOUPS, PRESERVED PROVISIONS, and YORK and GAME PIES; also TURTLE SOUP, and JELLY, and other SPECIALITIES for INVALIDS. Caution.-Beware of Imitations. Sole Address Astronomy. Eighth Edition. With 3 Plates. By W. T. LYNN, EDWARD STANFORD, 26 and 27, Cockspur-street, Charing Cross, 8.W. Second Edition, price Sixpence, cloth, REMARKABLE COMETS: a Brief Survey of the most interesting Facts in the History of Cometary Astronomy. 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His PILLS and OINTMENT have succeeded where the greatest authorities on medical treatment have failed. Whatever the condition of a patient may be, 11, LITTLE STANHOPE STREET, MAYFAIR, W. these medicines will effect a cure if such a thing is humanly possible. |