ishopsgate Street, for 10l. After his death in 1825, in the
auction of his collection at Southgate's (June 11. that year, lot
238), it was sold as "Seven pieces representing the Siege of Troy, for
7l. to Mr. Matheman." Who was Mr. Matheman? and what has now become of
his acquisition?

Another piece of tapestry in Mr. Yarnold's possession, but it may be
presumed in far better condition, was bought by Mr. Teschmaker, his
executor, for 63l. This was described as "The Plantagenet Tapestry,
in fine preservation, containing 23 full-sized portraits of the
different branches of the Houses of York and Lancaster: among the most
prominent are Margaret of Anjou; Cicely, Duchess of York; the Duke of
Gloucester, afterwards Richard III.; Edward of Lancaster, Henry VI.;
Earl of March, son of Richard (Duke of York and) afterwards Edward
IV.; Henry VII.; Clarence [?] Duke of York," &c. This description
raises one's curiosity greatly, and query, has this tapestry been
elsewhere described? At the meeting of the Archaeological Association
at Warwick in 1847, it was supposed to have come from St. Mary's
Hall, Coventry; but that idea seems to have arisen merely from its
similarity of design to the tapestry which is now there.

N.

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF EPITHET "FACTOTUM."

Sir,--The following expression in Cavendish's _Life of Wolsey_, p.
42.--"He was {44} Dominus fac totum with the king"--seems to point
us to some ecclesiastical origin for the derivation of our familiar
word "factotum." Does any one know the precise whereabouts of such a
phrase in the Ancient Service books?

C.F.S.

* * * * *

INSCRIPTION ON ANCIENT ALMS-BASINS.

Mr. Editor,--In the parish church in which I officiate are preserved
four ancient and curious alms-basins, of latten; They appear to be of
Flemish workmanship, and, from inventories of the church goods, made
at different times, we may gather that they were given for their
present use during the seventeenth century. They represent:--1. The
Martyrdom of St. Sebastian; 2. The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin;
3. The Temptation in Eden; and 4. The Spies bearing the Grapes. Around
each of these subjects is a legend in foreign characters, "DER.
INFRID. GEHWART." I have submitted this inscription to antiquaries
and German scholars in vain; it still remains a puzzle. It has been
suggested that it may have been only an arbitrary mark of the maker.
Is