NOTES AND QUERIES.

Evening Star, Issue 7236, 11 June 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Beni Israel, meaning sons of Israel, is a remarkable race iu the went of India, who E reserve a tradition of Jewish descent, and ave from time immemorial acknowledged the law of Moses, although in many respects conforming to the idolatry of the Hindus. Their whole number is not much more than 5,000. Their original settlement was near Bombay, and they were protected by the native princes. They reject the name of Jews, and deem its application to them a reproach. I)r Wilson supposes them to be a remnant of the Ten Tribes. Their features exhibit a strong resemblance to the Arabian Jews. Blondel. Amongst other celebrated men of this name was a French minstrel of the twelfth century worthy of record. He was a great favorite of Richard, the lionhearted King of England, and accompanied the King to Palestine. When Richard, on his return, was seized and imprisoned by Leopold, Duke of Austria, Blondel, according to the exquisite romantic myth of an old chronicler, resolved to fiud out the place in which his master was confined. He wandered through Germany in disguise, and at last, coming to the castle of Liiweustein, in Austria, he heard that it contained some illustrious captive. Feeling assured that this was no other than the King, he tried all means to get a sight of him, but to no purpose. He then placed himself opposite to the tower in which he learned the unknown was imprisoned, and commenced singing one of those Provencal songs which Richard and he had composed together. Hardly had Blondel finished the first stanza when a well-known voice from the tower took up the second, and carried it on to the end. So the minstrel discovered his monarch, and, returning with all speed to England, was the means of his being ransomed by his subjects. Only a few of Blondel's poems have been preserved, and they are in the Arsenal Library of Paris. Benefit of Clekgv.—This expression

relates to a former state of the law of England which at once shows the power ot the'clergy and the ignorance of the people ; happily'the times have changed. It was called iwh'iktjium ckrieulc, and in the days of its real meaning and force the benefit or privilege meant little short of the total exemption of the clerical order in respect of crimes and offences from the jurisdiction an! authority of the secular magistrate, an exemption pretended to be founded upon the text of Scripture: "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." The only exception to this was the priest being held in custody by the king himself; but even in that case he could only remain in such regal custody with the pleasure and consent of the bishop, who had_ entire control over his person, and over the inquiry into his offence. If a priest or clerk happened to be imprisoned by the secular arm, on a criminal charge or capital felony, he was, on the bishop's demand, to be instantly delivered up without any further inquisition. This state of things continued till the reign of Henry VI. The privilege had never any existence or legal meaning in Scotland. Cigars.—ln the ' Distresses and Adventures of John Cockbum' (London, 1740, p. 139), the earliest known mention of cigars occurs. Cockbum was put on a desert island in the Bay of Honduras, swam to the main-lam!, and travelled theuce on foot to Porto Bello, a distance of 2,600 milo3. He appears to have met with some friars who gave him some "seegars" (sic) to smoke, which they supposed would be very acceptable. " These," says he, " are loaves of tobacco rolled up in snch a manner that they serve both for a pipe and tobacco itself. Cui'i-Ett.— The origin of this name for a fast-sailing vessel has been much debated. The following, from ' Alice Lorraine,' vol. iii., p. 2, seems plausible: "The British Cleopatra cum Autonto was the nimblest little craft ever captured from the French, and her name had been reefed into ' Clipater' first, and then into 'Clipper,' which still holds sway." Obscurantists.—The name given (originally in derision) to a party who are supposed to look with dislike and apprehension on the progress of knowledge, and to regard its general diffusion among men as prejudicial to their religious welfare and possibly injurious to their material interests. Of those who avow such a doctrine, and have written to explain and defend it, it is only just to say that they profess earnestly to desire the progress of all true knowledge as a thing good 'in itself; but they regard the attempt to diffuse it among men indiscriminately as perilous, and often hurtful, by producing presumption and discontent. They profess but to reduce to practice that "a little learning is a dangerous thing," bnt do not believe that the danger would be obviated by giving a little more. Oddfellows.—The name assumed by one of the most extensive self-governed provident associations in the world. The institution originated in Manchester in 1812, although 'isolated lodges had existed in various parts of the country sometime previously. On its institution in Manchester, the main purpose of Oddfellowship was declared by its laws to be, "to render assistance to every brother who may apply through sickness, distress, or otherwise, if he be well-attached to the Queen and Government, and faithful to the Order;'; and this continues to be the basis of all its operations. The head-quarters of the society are at Manchester, where the Grandmaster and Board of Directors meet quarterly to hear appeals and transact tho general business of the Order. In 1552, the total number of members was 224,441; and in 187S, 520,802. The lodges, 4,121, spread over 456 districts ; the annual income being about L 520.000, with considerably less expenditure; but since then the totals have very much increased. The Order is widely spread over the whole of England and Scotland. ' It exists independently in America, Australia, and New Zealand, which are affiliated to, and in connection with the Manchester Board. These widespread ramifications of this society enable emigrant members to be at once received into fellowship in those countries. Obscene Prints, Books, or Pictures exhibited in public render the person bo doing liable to be indicted for a misdemeanor ; and persons exposing them in streets, roads, or public places are also liable to be punished as rogues and vagabonds, with hard labor. Every Age appears surprising and full of vicissitudes to those that live therein—as indeed it is and must be—vicissitudes from nothingness to existence; and from the tumultuous wonders of existence forward to the still wonders of death.-Carlyle. Escukial.— The magnificent palace of the Sovereigns of Spain was twenty-three years in building, and cost ten millions of money. It is termed the Eighth Wonder of the world. The total length of all top rooms and apartments is said to be above 120 miles. Besides the palace it comprises a church, mausoleum, monastery, library, and museum. EkijUIKES' among the Greeks and Romans were armor-bearers to or attendants on a knight. In England the King created esquires by putting about their necks collars and bestowing on them a pair of silver spurs. - Early London BANKS.-sr-Child s Bank was established' in 1663, Hoaro's in 1675, Snow's in JGSO, and the Bank of England in Hy-jinks. This is often erroneously written " high jinks," as though \\ were synonymous with uproarious hilarity. Hyjinks, as a note from Allan Ramsay shows, was a tipsy game, comprising dice, forfeits, and heavy drinking. Ramsay says: "A covetous fellow may (by this game) save money and get himself as drunk as he can desire to be in less than an hour's time." HIIBBLE-urBBLE.— The Indian pipe termed a hookah is thus designated, from the noise it makes when being smoked. I remain, etc.—This subscription Bhould never be used in addressing a person by letter for the first time ; the form should be lam If the letter be answered, and a replv is afterwards sent, the form " I am would be tautological, and "I remain is therefore substituted. Mangel Wurzel, from the German mangel, scarcity, and itmrzel, a root. So called because formerly used aa a substitute for bread in times of scarcity.—Baird. Scandalcm Magnatum. This offence was committed in speaking words in derogation of a peer, judge, or great officer of the realm ; and a special action was brought for such words, the puniahment being damages and imprisonment. A somewhat similar offence in Scotland Is called " leasing."