Notes and Queries, Number 39, July 27, 1850 | Page 5

the three, is afterwards artfully persuaded by one of them to give it up to him. Being afterwards sued by the other two, she is successfully defended by a young lawyer, who puts in the plea that she is not bound to give up the money at the demand of only two of the parties. In this case this ingenious gentleman is the future chancellor. The story is told of the Attorney-General Noy, and of an Italian advocate, in the notes to Rogers' Italy. It is likewise the subject of one of the smaller tales in Lane's _Arabian Nights_; but here I must remark, that the Eastern version is decidedly more ingenious than the later ones, inasmuch as it exculpates the keeper of the deposit from the "laches" of which in the other cases she was decidedly guilty. Three men enter a bath, and entrust their bag of money to the keeper with the usual conditions. While bathing, one feigns to go to ask for a comb (if I remember right), but in reality demands the money. The keeper properly refuses, when he calls out to his companions within, "He won't give it me." They unwittingly respond, "Give it him," and he accordingly walks off with the money. I think your readers will agree with me that the tale has suffered considerably in its progress westward.
My object in troubling you with this, is to ask {133} whether any of your subscribers can furnish me with any other versions of this popular story, either Oriental or otherwise.
BRACKLEY.
Putney, July 17.
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THE GEOMETRICAL FOOT.
In several different places I have discussed the existence and length of what the mathematicians of the sixteenth century _used_, and those of the seventeenth _talked about_, under the name of the _geometrical foot_, of four palms and sixteen digits. (See the Philosophical Magazine from December 1841 to May 1842; the _Penny Cyclop?dia_, "Weights and Measures," pp. 197, 198; and _Arthmetical Books_, &c, pp. 5-9.) Various works give a figured length of this foot, whole, or in halves, according as the page will permit; usually making it (before the shrinking of the paper is allowed for) a very little less than 9-3/4 inches English. The works in which I have as yet found it are Reisch, _Margarita Philosophica_, 1508; St?ffler's _Elucidatio Astrolabii_, 1524; Fernel's _Monolosph?rium_, 1526; K?bel, _Astrolabii Declaratio_, 1552; Ramus, _Geometric?_, 1621. Query. In what other works of the sixteenth, or early in the seventeenth century is this foot of palms and digits to be found, figured in length? What are their titles? What the several lengths of the foot, half foot, or palm, within the twentieth of an inch? Are the divisions into palms or digits given; and, if so, are they accurate subdivisions? Of the six names above mentioned, the three who are by far the best known are St?ffler, Fernel, and Ramus; and it so happens that their subdivisions are much more correct than those of the other three, and their whole lengths more accordant.
A. DE. MORGAN.
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Minor Queries
_Plurima Gemma._--Who is the author of the couplet which seems to be a version of Gray's
"Full many a gem of purest ray serene," &c.?
"Plurima gemma latet c?ca tellure sepulta, Plurima neglecto fragrat odore rosa."
S.W.S.
_Emmote de Hastings._--
"EMMOTE DE HASTINGS GIST ICI" &C.
A very early slab with the above inscription was found in 1826 on the site of a demolished transept of Bitton Church, Gloucester. By its side was laid an incised slab of ---- De Bitton. Both are noticed in the _Arch?ologia_, vols. xxii. and xxxi.
Hitherto, after diligent search, no notice whatever has been discovered of the said person. The supposition is that she was either a Miss De Bitton married to a Hastings, or the widow of a Hastings married secondly to a De Bitton, and therefore buried with that family, in the twelfth or thirteenth century. If any antiquarian digger should discover any mention of the lady, a communication to that effect will be thankfully received by
H.T. ELLACOMBE.
Bitton.
_Boozy Grass._--What is the derivation of "boozy grass," which an outgoing tenant claims for his cattle? Johnson has, "Boose, a stall for a cow or ox (Saxon)."
A.C.
_Gradely._--What is the meaning, origin, and usage of this word? I remember once hearing it used in Yorkshire by a man, who, speaking of a neighbour recently dead, said in a tone which implied esteem: "Aye, he was a very gradely fellow."
A.W.H.
_Hats worn by Females._--Were not the hats worn by the _females_, as represented on the Myddelton Brass, peculiar to Wales? An engraving is given in Pennant's _Tour_, 2 vols., where also may be seen the hat worn by Sir John Wynne, about 1500, apparently similar to that on the Bacon Monument, and to that worn by Bankes. A MS. copy of a similar one (made in 1635,