Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 9.djvu/612

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502 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s.ix. DEC. 24,1021. however, for this unusual treatment may be found and in Canada itself in the case of the Episcopal See of Niagara, which was founded in 1875 and comprises six counties in the Civil Province of Ontario. Indeed, it would almost seem that this eccle- siastical achievement formed the actual pre- cedent for the present grant of nearly 50 years later. There is the same unusual division into three equal horizontal parts ("tierced in fess " ) ; in the first, a very unheraldic-look- ing landscape of the Falls of Niagara; in the second, a very widened- out Cross of St. George ; and in the third, exactly the same charge representing, and now granted to, Canada, namely, the three maple leaves conjoined on one stem proper; the only difference being that the field is vert, whereas in the present grant it is argent. In the present grant another unusual feature is seen, the first two divisions being taken up in depicting one charge that is, the quartered shield of the royal arms differenced only in its last quarter. This charge, whilst intending, no doubt, a re- cognition of Canada's right to its share in the royal arms, goes still further by removing the English lions in the fourth quarter as they exist in our national arms and sub- stituting for them the old royal arms of France modern the three golden fleurs-de- lis on an azure field. This can only be in graceful acknowledgment that our first and greatest overseas Dominion came to us from France, and by no means intended as a re- sumption of what has been omitted from our national arms for upwards of a century namely, the emblem of what had come down to us of our third Edward's claim to the French throne. Again, this same motif of French significance seems to run through the whole achievement, as is shown in the wreath below the shield by the incorpora- tion of the lilies of France with our national emblems of the rose for England, the thistle for Scotland, and the shamrock for Ireland. This may be " new heraldry," but surely it is the converse of that referred to by Othello (Act III., sc. iv.), when he says : The hearts of old gave hands, But our new heraldry is hands not hearts." The events of the last few years have shown that we have now returned to the old heraldry. Your readers may remember the discussion that took place a year or two ago in The Morning Post, and also in 'N. & Q.,'* as to the advisability of changing the reduplicated English lions in the last quarter of our national arms for some emblem reflecting the largely extended possessions of our Empire e.gr., India and our Colonies. Per- sonally I was averse to such a proposal, being of opinion that if any such change was thought necessary or advisable it might more properly represent a more integral or component part of Great Britain itself, such as Wales. The royal arms would then represent England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and would heraldically cover with its aegis every British colonist in the Empire. This, in my opinion, suffices for every British colonist. If anything further is required for the colony of his adoption, then let it follow the steps now so happily taken by Canada, and come within the fold of that " ~~, TT *^ n -iA m r " which comprises both new heraldry hearts and. hands. J. S. UDAL, F.S.A.

  • See 12 S. iii. 435, and v. i.

ENGLISH ARMY SLANG AS USED IN THE GREAT WAR. (See 12 S. ix. 341, 378, 383, 415, 423, 455, 465, 499.) THE following list of Airmen's words has been compiled from lists kindly contributed by SQUADRON LEADER D'ARCY POWER, M.C., MR. D. L. REED, of The Times Bureau, Paris, and MR. VICTOR ROYLE, of The Times Staff, Printing House Square. AK EMMA. Air Mechanic. Derived from the old signalling alphabet in which A became Ak and M Emma, in order to avoid con- fusion with other letters. ALL OVER HIMSELF (HE is). Full of beans. ARCHIE. Anti-aircraft shells of all descriptions. BAR-POO (TO GO). Lose one's nerve. (Vide inf. : Pile up one's bus.) BAT-OUT-OF-HELL. Speed. BEAN-O. From " beanfeast." A spree. BEETLE OFF (TO). Go away, run away like a beetle. BLIMP. The name given to the small dirigible airships employed chiefly for coast defence. The origin of the term is not known, but it was curiously descriptive, in view of the smug, corpulent appearance of these craft. BLOW A REED (TO). To have a lot to say. BOLO HOUSE (THE BOLO). Air Ministry. BOOKED (TO BE). To be done for. Bus. Pilots and observers generally referred to their own machines as " buses," but later in the war this term came to be regarded as rather bad form for some reason or other. CANTEEN MEDAL. Long service and good conduct medal earned by not getting crimed for drunks. CEILING (AN AEROPLANE'S). The highest point to which it will climb.