Notes and Queries, No. 181, April 16, 1853 | Page 9

be discovered into the Indian Sea. But on
arriving at the point whence they could clearly ascertain it was not a
strait but a river, they, with all the emphasis of disappointed hopes,
exclaimed repeatedly 'Canada!'--Here nothing; words which were
remembered and repeated by the natives on seeing Europeans arrive in
1534, who naturally conjectured that the word they heard employed so
often must denote the name of the country."
HENRY H. BREEN.
St. Lucia.

Railway Signals.--An effective communication from the guard to the
engineman, for the prevention of railway accidents, seems to be an
important desideratum, which has hitherto baffled the ingenuity of
philosophers. The only proposed plan likely to be adopted, is that of a
cord passing below the foot-boards, and placing the valve of the steam
whistle under the control of the guard. The trouble attending this
scheme, and the liability to neglect and disarrangement, render its
success doubtful. What I humbly suggest is, that the guard should be
provided with an independent instrument which would produce a sound
sufficiently loud to catch the ear of the engineman. Suppose, for
instance, that the mouth-piece of a clarionet, or the windpipe of a duck,
or a metallic imitation, were affixed to the muzzle of an air-gun, and
the condensed air discharged through the confined aperture; a shrill
sound would be emitted. Surely, then, a small instrument might be
contrived upon this principle, powerful enough to arrest the attention of
the engineer, if not equal to the familiar shriek of the present whistle.
It is hoped that this hint will be followed up; that your publication will
sustain its character by thus providing a medium of
intercommunication for these worthies, who can respectively lay claim
to the titles of men of science and men of letters, and that some
experimenter "when found will make a note"--a stunning one.
T. C.
A Centenarian Trading Vessel.--There is a small smack now trading in
the Bristol Channel, in excellent condition and repair, and likely to last
for many years, called the "Fanny," which was built in 1753. This
vessel belongs to Porlock, in the port of Bridgewater, and was
originally built at Aberthaw in South Wales. Can any of your readers
refer to any other trading vessel so old as this?
ANON.
* * * * *
QUERIES.

BISHOP KEN.
At what place, and by what bishop, was he ordained, in 1661? His
ordination probably took place in the diocese of Oxford, London,
Winchester, or Worcester. The discovery of it has hitherto baffled
much research.
Jon Ken, an elder brother of the Bishop, was Treasurer of the East India
Company in 1683. Where can anything be learned of him? Is there any
mention of him in the books of the East India Company? Was he the
Ken mentioned in Roger North's Lives of the Norths, as one of the
court-rakes? When did he die, and where was he buried? This Jon Ken
married Rose, the daughter of Sir Thomas Vernon, of Coleman Street,
and by her is said (by Hawkins) to have had a daughter, married to the
Honorable Christopher Frederick Kreienberg, Hanoverian Resident in
London. Did M. Kreienberg die in this country, or can anything be
ascertained of him or his wife?
The Bishop wrote to James II. a letter of intercession on behalf of the
rebels in 1685. Can this letter be found in the State-Paper Office, or
elsewhere?
In answer to a sermon preached by Bishop Ken, on 5th May, 1687, one
F. I. R., designating himself "a most loyal Irish subject of the Company
of Jesuits," wrote some "Animadversions." Could this be the "fath. Jo.
Reed," a Benedictine, mentioned in the Life of A. Wood, under date of
July 21, 1671? Father Reed was author of Votiva Tabula. Can any one
throw any light on this?
J. J. J.
* * * * *
MINOR QUERIES.
Canute's Reproof to his Courtiers.--Opposite the Southampton Docks,
in the Canute Road, is the Canute Hotel, with this inscription in front:
"Near this spot, A.D. 1028, Canute reproved his courtiers." The

building is of very recent date.
Query, Is there any and what authority for the statement?
SALOPIAN.
The Sign of the Cross in the Greek Church.--The members of the Greek
Church sign themselves with the sign of the cross in a different manner
from those of the Western Church. What is the difference?
J. C. B.
Reverend Richard Midgley, Vicar of Rochdale, temp. Eliz.--Dr. T. D.
Whitaker mentions, in a note in his Life of Sir George Radcliffe, Knt., p.
4., 4to. 1810, that at an obscure inn in North Wales he once met with a
very interesting account of Midgley in a collection of lives of pious
persons, {381} made about the time of Charles I.; but adds, that he had
forgotten the