2nd S. XII. Oct. 19. '61.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 305
accuracy as to necessitate but little retouching from the graver. The intricacy of the design, and the elaboration of the detail must have presented no small difficulties of execution, and the work, making due allowance for the period of its construction, redounds to the honour of the early English artisan. The style of art will be recognised on comparison with other treasures in the Exhibition, as peculiar and marked in character. The amount of detail, and the interwoven ornamentation, would indicate Byzantine influence ; the other elements, especially that of the grotesque, bespeak a northern origin, corresponding with Norman decorations and enrichments.
The candelabrum at the foot, and at the calix-like summit, has three sides, each somewhat corresponding to the others—with a variation. The form is graceful. Closer examination will show an infinity of detail ; arabesque stems and foliage interwoven with human heads, figures, and fantastic animals. In this tangled mass, it is said, may be counted nine men and forty-two monsters struggling together, biting, and devouring one another.
The whole is redeemed by a spiritual allegory. These monsters represent the wicked victims of vices personified. The candle and candlestick, on the other hand-, were the fitting emblems of light giving truth, and “the duty of lights,” says one of the three Latin inscriptions, “is the practice of virtue. The luminous doctrine of the Gospel engages man to fly from the darkness of vice.” Accordingly this lesson is further enforced by the presence of the emblems of the four Evangelists, the Angel, the Winged Bull, the Winged Lion, and the Eagle, ranged around the stem, proclaiming good tidings of light and of truth to the four quarters of the earth, and dispelling from the world darkness and discord.
Analogous ideas and subjects will suggest themselves in the realms of poetry, painting, and architecture. The oft-repeated temptations of St. Anthony, the saint in the midst of hideous monsters, the gargoyles at the roofs of churches, driven out by the good spirits within, and the seven-fold L'Inferno of Dante given up to cruel monsters. These are all examples of that conflict of good with evil symbolised by the Gloucester candelabrum : “the light shined in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.”
FENCIBLE LIGHT DRAGOONS, 1794 to 1800.
I annex a list of the regiments of Fencible Cavalry raised in 1794,[1] to serve during the war, in any part of Great Britain, with the names of the Colonels commanding them. They each consisted of eighteen commissioned officers, and six troops of eighty privates per troop ; and were always full of their complement of both officers and men, being a very favourite service with both. They served during a time of great popular excitement, and when the poor of this country suffered excessively from scarcity of food; occasioning them to assemble in a tumultuous manner IB many parts of the country, and which were not unaptly denominated "Bread Riots." Demagogues and republicans were every where agitating the middle classes, manufacturers, and mechanics to disaffection and revolt. This force, however, always did its duty with much temper and judgment. The beginning of the year 1800, the whole of these regiments were reduced. The only commissioned officers who received half pay, were the adjutants. To the quarter-masters an allowance of 2s. each per diem was assigned, as a permanent remuneration for their past services.
IN GREAT BRITAIN.
- The First Regiment, Right Hon. John C. Villiers, M.P.
- Ayrshire, Col. Dunlop.
- * Berwickshire, Sir Alexander Don, Bart.
- * Ancient British, Sir Wat. W. Wynne, Bart., M.P.
- * Cambridgeshire, Col. R. J. Adeane.
- Cinque Ports, Robert B. Lord Hawkesbury, M.P.
- Cornwall, Geo. E. B. Viscount Falmouth.
- * Dumfriesshire, Col. Maxwell.
- * Essex, Col. Montague Burgoyne.
- Fifeshire, Col. Thomson.
- Hampshire, Col. Everitt.
- Lanarkshire, Col. Hamilton.
- * Lancashire, Col, Bisshopp.
- East Lothian, Col. John Hamilton.
- * Mid Lothian, William, Earl of Ancram.
- Norfolk, Hon. W. A. Harbord.
- Oxfordshire, Col. Parker.
- Pembrokeshire, Lieut. -Col. Davis.
- Perthshire, Col. C. Moray.
- * Prince of Wales's, Wm. H. V. Earl of Darlington.
- Princess Royal's Own, Col. A. Macdowall.
- * New Romney, Col. Cbolmondeley Dering.
- Roxburghshire, Sir John Scott, Bart.
- Rutland, Col. G. Noel Noel.
- Somersetshire, John, Earl of Poulett.
- Surrey, George, Lord Onslow and Cranley.
- Sussex, Sir Geo. W. Thomas, Bart., M.P.
- Warwickshire, George, Earl of Warwick.
- Windsor Foresters, Col. Chas. Rooke.
Two regiments of the same description were raised in Ireland, viz. :
- The First Regiment, Robert, Earl Roden.
- The Second Regiment, Edmund, Lord Glentworth.
Those regiments marked with an asterisk (*) volunteered their services for Ireland, and were despatched thither. TT.
Minor notes.
Cardinal: the Derivation.—Richardson thus derives the word:—
“From Cardo, a hinge, that on which the door is turned and returned;” and quotes from Ayliffe:—“A
- ↑ See “N. & Q.” 2ⁿᵈ S. v. 155.
