ALFRED GATTY.

Ecclesfield.

    [We subjoin the following Query, as one so closely connected with the
    foregoing, that the explanation of the one will probably clear up the
    obscurity in which the other is involved.]

{424} To save One’s Bacon.—­Can you or any of your correspondents inform me of the origin of the common saying, “He’s just saved his bacon?” It has puzzled me considerably, and I really can form no conjecture why “bacon” should be the article “saved.”

C.H.M.

Arabic Numerals.—­I should be glad to know something about the projected work of Brugsh, Berlin, referred to in Vol. ii., p. 294.,—­its size and price.

J.W.H.

Cardinal.—­“Never did Cardinal bring good to England.”—­We read in Dr. Ligard’s History (vol. iv. p. 527.), on the authority of Cavendish, that when the Cardinals Campeggio and Wolsey adjourned the inquiry into the legality of Henry VIII.’s marriage with Catharine of Arragon, “the Duke of Suffolk, striking the table, exclaimed with vehemence, that the ‘old saw’ was now verified,—­’Never did Cardinal bring good to England.’” I should be glad to know if this saying is to be met with elsewhere, and what gave rise to it?

O.P.Q.

“By the bye,” &c.—­What is the etymology of the phrases “by the bye,” “by and by,” and such like?

J.R.N.

Poisons.—­Our ancestors believed in the existence of poisons made so artfully that they did not operate till several years after they were administered.  I should be greatly obliged by any information on this subject obtained from English books published previously to 1600.

M.

Cabalistic Author.—­Who was the author of a chemical and cabalistical work, not noticed by Lowndes, entitled: 

“A philosophicall epitaph in hierogliphicall figures.  A briefe of the golden calf (the world’s idol).  The golden ass well managed, and Midas restored to reason.  Written by J. Rod, Glauber, and Jehior, the three principles or originall of all things.  Published by W.C., Esquire, 8vo.  Lond.  Printed for William Cooper, at the Pellican, in Little Britain, 1673.”

With a long catalogue of chemical books, in three parts, at the end.  My copy has two titles, the first being an engraved one, with ten small circles round it, containing hieroglyphical figures, and an engraved frontispiece, which is repeated in the volume, with some other cuts.  There are two dedications, one to Robert Boyle, Esq., and the other to Elias Ashmole, Esq.; both signed “W.C. or twice five hundred,” which signature is repeated in other parts of the book.  What is the meaning of “W.C. or twice five hundred”?

T. CR.

Brandon the Juggler.—­Where is any information to be obtained of Brandon the Juggler, who lived in the reign of King Henry VIII.?

T. CR.