ged §, No 11, Mar. 15. °56.] 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
209 
flinar Potes. 
The Tabula mentioned by Jocelin de Brakelonda. 
—In that charming record of ancient manners 
(for which we have so much reason to thank the 
Camden Society), the Chronicles of Jocelin de 
Brakelonda, there is a passage on which I should 
‘like to ask your readers’ opinions ; and which I 
imagine to be illustrated by a custom once familiar 
to myself. 
It appears that in the year 1198, a fire broke 
out at the shrine of St. Edmund, which was dis- 
covered by the master of the vestry : 
“ adem enim hora [the chronicler tells us] cecidit ho- 
rologium ante horas matutinas, surgensque magister ves- 
tiarii, hoc percipiens et intuens, cucurrit quantocius et, 
percussa tabu/é tanquam pro mortuo, sublimi voce clama- 
vit dicens feretrum esse combustum,” 
That the horologium was of the nature of a 
elepsydra is sufficiently shown by the fact, that 
the monks ran to it for water to extinguish the 
flames ; but my query relates to the word tabula. 
Mr. Tomlins, in his translation, which, however 
valuable and characteristic, requires, I think I 
may venture to say, no little revision, renders the 
sentence in which: the word occurs, “having 
struck the bells as if tolling for a dead person.” 
The tabula, however, I presume to be such as 
Adelung describes under the head of — 
“ Tabula lignea, cujus percussione excitabantur mo- 
nachi, malleolo scilicet tabulam trudente: vel ad sacram 
synaxim evovabantur.” 
This mode of summons still exists, or did exist 
a few years since, at New College, Oxford; where 
the time of assembling for college meetings was 
announced, not indeed upon any separate tabula, 
but by loud rappings with some wooden instru- 
ment, inflicted by the porter at the foot of our 
respective staircases. C. W. Bincuam, 
The First Purchase. — The following seems to 
me to be one of those things that, “ when found,” 
are worthy to be “ made a note of” : 
“She was so well pleased with her country privacy, 
that she resolved by the grace of Gop to take livery and 
seisin of her new purchase by laying her bones there, as 
the first purchase we read of in the world was the bury- 
ing-place of Sarah, the mother of the faithful.”— From 
the Life of N. Ferrar, by Dr. Jebb, edited by J. E. B. 
Mayor, M.A., Cambridge, 1855. 
Curnperr Bape. 
The New Order of Valour, — 
“Tf one or two orders of knighthood are instituted for 
conferring additional dignity upon the possessors of 
animal courage (we use not the term reproachfully), let 
there at least be others, equally set apart for those who 
have achieved the most glorious of all victories, the 
victory of knowledge over prejudice; whose conquests 
have at length seated science and civilisation upon the 
throne of Europe, formerly occupied by barbarism and 
ignorance. ‘This is the distinction which should be 
Wn; a distinction as great as that between matter and 
spirit, between the arts of war and the arts of peace. We 
deny not that both these qualifications are essential, in 
the present condition of the world, to the prosperity of a 
state, but we also contend that both should be equally 
honoured and rewarded by the nation.” — Swainson’s 
Disc. on the Study of Nat. History, pp. 421—422., Lond. 
1834. 
Anon. 
The Pianoforte in England.— The following old 
play-bill is interesting, as containing the earliest 
public notice of a musical instrument which has 
become universal. 
“ By particular desire. For the benefit of Miss Brickler. 
“THEATRE ROYAL IN COVENT GARDEN. 
“On Saturday next, being the 16th of May, 1767, Tue 
Breaears’ OrperRA. Captain Macheath, by Mr. Beard; 
Peachum, by Mr. Shuter; Zockit, by Mr. Dunstall; Filch, 
by Mr. Holtam; Player, by Mr. Gardner; Beggar, by 
Mr, Bennet; Mat o’ the Mint, by Mr. Baker ;° Mrs, 
Peachum, by Mrs. Stephens; Diana Trapes, by Mrs. 
Copin; Mrs. Slammekin, by Mrs. Green; Polly, by Miss 
Brickler; with a Hornpipe by Miss D. Twist; and a 
Country Dance by the Characters in the Opera. 
“End of Act I, Miss Brickler will sing a favourite 
Song from Judith, accompanied by Mr, Dibdin, on a new 
instrument called P1ANo-FoRTE. 
“To which will be added a Farce, called Tut UPHot- 
STERER. The Barber, by Mr. Woodward; Feeble, by Mr, 
Munden; Bellmour, by Mr. Percy; Rovewell, by Mr, 
Davis; Watchman, by Mr. Weller; Quidnunc, by Mr. 
Dunstall; Pumphlet, by Mr. Shuter; Harriet, by Miss 
eet Maid, by Miss Cokayne; Termagant, by Mrs, 
reen, 
“ Tickets to be had of Mr. Sarjant, at the Stage-door, 
where places for the Boxes may be taken.” 
Epwarp F. Rimpavrr. 
A Treasure, — “ Found, and made a Note of.” 
“Do you want a servant ? Necessity prompts the 
question. The advertiser offers his services to any 
lady or gentleman, company, or others in want of a 
truly faithful, confidential servant in any capacity not- 
menial, where a practical knowledge of human nature 
in various parts of the world would be available. Could 
undertake any affair of small or great importance, where 
talent, inviolable secrecy, or good address would be 
necessary. Has moved in the best and worst societies 
without being contaminated by either; has never been a 
servant, begs to recommend himself as one who knows 
his place; is moral, temperate, middle aged, no objection 
to any part of the world. Could advise any capitalist 
wishing to increase his income and have the control of 
his own money. Could act as secretary or valet to any 
Iady or gentleman. Can give advice or hold his tongue, 
sing, dance, play, fence, box, preach a sermon, tell a 
story, be grave or gay, ridiculous or sublime, or do any- 
thing from the curling of a peruke to the storming of a 
citadel, but never to excel his master. Address,” &e. — 
The Times, Feb. 7, 1849. 
R. W. Hacxwoop. 
Mr. Rushin and Sir Walter Scott.— Mr. Ruskin, 
in his last volume of Modern Painters, to which 
he has, not inaptly, given the capriciously fanciful 
title of “ Many Things,” has devoted a chapter to 
Sir Walter Scott. 
I do not intend to criticise or to examine that 
